"Everything in order, Captain?" Calliope asked Kayden as he dismounted at the camp, taking a small moment to eye the camp herself to know its exact location. Nestled in a small valley a few miles from Bonnerhaven, they had made sure to keep themselves behind the curve of the sloping treeline so their campfires could not be seen from the city walls. Even paranoid Kayden did not believe there would be too much cause for concern, but it paid to be careful. 

"Indeed, my lady." Kayden remarked smoothly, sharing a smile. "Drinking and rutting are a soldier's favorite pastime, and with your generous payments, the men now have their chance." 

"Be sure to get your fill," Otto sneered, and Kayden did his best to hide a smirk. No doubt he had expected the Wyvern's month long contract to not find an extension, and what's more, Calliope and Kayden had been spending hours after dark together. Though contrary to Otto's jealouslies, it was so far innocent. When she had renegotiated the contract, she had offered to play a game of chess with Kayden, having heard from his men he was quite good. When he politely declined, she offered to increase their pay by 600 crowns. He took her up on the offer, and while he won, much to her frustration, Kayden was impressed at how close the game had been. 

Despite his familiarity with debate and his education, Kayden did not consider himself an intellectual. He enjoyed three things. Strategy, tactics, and women, which meant he was quite good with all three as well, and when the Lady Blackwood offered more games to beat him, it let him get a taste of all three during their trek north. He almost never lost a game, and Calliope warned him he was not to let her win. Eventually, she did defeat him twice with cunning manipulations. Considering he was somewhat of a savant at it, that spoke volumes of her brilliance. During the long hours, they spoke and debated, trading witticisms, though she was very vague about her ultimate goals. He did not pry too hard, and oddly enough, the knowledge she was a death wizardess that could obliterate him if he displeased her added a bit of spice to the almost nightly tête-à-tête. He had certainly grown more fond of her, though it was difficult to know if the feeling was mutual. 

"That's very kind, Otto, but I must see to my men first. Maybe later I could enjoy myself, but I will simply be escorting them in and out." Kayden admitted. 

"How noble," Otto remarked, sarcasm dripping from his lips. Kayden decided to act as if he did not notice. 

"Your compliment means the world to me." 

Calliope gave Kayden a look that told him to knock it off, and then turned to give Otto a more baleful expression that shut him up immediately. She turned her horse to the left, controlling the beast with expert handling. "We will be in touch, Captain. Be sure to keep your men in line." 

"We serve at your pleasure," Kayden responded, giving her a deep bow. "I can keep the pawns in check, as you do the knights."

She failed to hide a smirk. "Indeed." Before she cantered off on her black stallion. The Knights rode behind her, forming a small V shape, with her at the head. As the small contingent rode out of the valley, the wyverns had begun to erect tents and gather firewood, setting cookfires and organizing sentries. Kayden's next hour was a flurry of activity, as both men and women were vying for first dibs of the town, and others wished to be last for various reasons. Another hour, and he was at the head of twenty men and five women, unarmed save for their sidearms and in their padded jacks and civilian clothes.