Thread: Queen, Lover, Bitch. (PsionicCuttlefish and MacaronMaven)

Morthain just shrugged at Kaevri's jokes about conceding and 'having' to get out unharmed. Really, he had just re-evaluated the odds, and the pros and cons with new information to come to a new conclusion. It certainly wasn't an exact science, but Morthain was just going by whatever he felt had the best chance of getting them out alive without losing any one of them along the way. He was somewhat glad she did seem lighthearted, or at least put on an act of it, because that meant she still had her morale and hopes up. As he thought before, though dangerous, that was important. The knight shook his head in response to the question if Kaevri could help with anything. There wasn't going to be much to do, and he'd be better off handling it all himself. Besides, despite how much the exile had humbled them already, it still wasn't the place of royalty expend effort over any simple, meanial tasks if it could be avoided. As for her last request, he just said Don't worry, I've already been through worse on my five tours in the Northern defense. Not much worse, but still... I can take care of myself enough to spare for you and your husband. He watched her go and get into the carriage to sleep, after which he waited until he could hear her drifting off before he got up to start cleaning up what few things they had for their 'camp'. There wouldn't be enough time for someone to take a shift after him anyway. Knowing that the advance scouts had already passed, Morthain knew the Llarrl main army was less than half a day's march behind them, maybe only a few hours. Morthain put out the embers from the fire, and then spent those few hours packing up their most essential supplies in a few bags. Even though he couldn't adequately patrol the area, he did so anyway to the best of his ability, while making sure to use various tricks he knew to mask the evidence they had been there and hide their scents, or redirect the scents elsewhere. After an all-too-short time of about four hours, Morthain started knocking lightly on the wood of the carriage while sticking his head in to wake up its occupants. M'lord, M'lady, it's time. We have to go, now. He said as he waited for them to come to their senses. Once he was sure they were reasonably coherant, Morthain looked at Kenaiwan. M'lord, there's been a necessary change of plans. The Llarrl are catching up to us, we're not making enough progress. We have to abandon the carriage, and ride on our two horses directly. We can go faster and take more narrow shortcuts off the main roads that way. The knight calmly explained, providing justification for the yet more bad news he had to deliver to the king. It's going to be difficult for us all, especially your wife, I know, but it must be done. She is also going to have to ride on the horse I do...as I am low on rest myself and will have to get some shut-eye on horseback while we ride. I can do that, I've done that before, but without a proper saddle to keep me strapped in, I need someone to guide my horse and let me hang onto them in my rest so I don't fall. We'll need to keep an eye out for any place we pass that we might be able to get decent saddles from. Morthain had already separated the horses from the carriage and had them ready to go as best as they should be, with the bags of absolutely necessary supplies on the ground beside them, all ready for them to just take what they need and leave the rest behind. As the royalty disembarked the carriage, Morthain reached in to grab the second sword-in-a-sheath he had managed to acquire, and he presented it to Kenaiwan. And you should keep this buckled to your hips at all times from now on. Just in case. The knight knew that the king was no fighter, but basic swordplay was a high-class court skill that most nobles had at least basic training in. If worst came to worst, Kenaiwan swinging his sword around a couple times should hopefully give Morthain whatever precious few seconds he needs to assist and intervene. In a battle, every second counts.