Asking the wrong people the right questions wasn't getting them anywhere.
" We could ask him ourselves," He thought it would be a good suggestion. She looked at him up and down for a moment and shook her head as a no.
" We have been away far too long," She mused out loud. Indeed, after Whitsun celebrations ended, they made their way south and began preparing for the imminent War.
Arrington's seat had been quiet, but Karrise's eldest would avenge his father's death no doubt at some point. The Queen had left in tears, along with her headless husband. One might think that it was cruel. But, one must face the consequences of his actions.
It was a mistake to attack Ironstone. One that led to his death.
" As you wish," He looked over his shoulder to the city that they had left behind.
The new king of Oros was young compared to Arvun and inexperienced. This would be either short and bloody or long and bloody. Either way, it didn't matter. He would make sure that would stand on top of their bloodied corpses at the end.
" We will return home," He could feel the eyes of the tree people watching them as they passed. It gave him the hibby jibbies but the border wasn't far off.
" Do you think he will take it?" Iris glanced over her shoulder, and he had to squint at the sudden bright light of the sun rising over the horizon.
" I hope they will. If our enemies would do us this great favour and kill each other would be a fantastic relief, " He smirked, chuckling, and dragged a hand through his touseled hair. He'd lost count of how many sleepless nights had passed. The heaviness in his bones was beginning to make its presence known. No longer possible to ignore.
" It would be something," Iris mused out loud and blew out a breath. It was her fight. Something she wanted to do for the people of Hessia, and the only thing he had to offer was his expertise in war strategies.
" Have a little faith in yours truly," He smirked as nudged the horse to gallop to cross the border a little faster. Hessia wasn't any safer than any of the other kingdoms but at least he was closer to home.
Iris followed suit and as the sun fully rose over the horizon they crossed onto Hessian soil. Relief washed over him as the flags and Oros banners of War, along with a sizeable army were the first thing that his eyes fell on.
Only if Ruby would do him a solid and do the same that would help him sleep at night a little better.
Iris slowed the pace and turned to him wide-eyed, surprised, and excited. Hard to tell which emotion flashed across her face as she looked at him as if she had seen him for the first time.
" Now, we wait for the other oaf to take the bait. And hopefully, soon enough we could all live a peaceful life," She raised her hand and fisted her tunic over her heart. It was her wish, to live in peace. Something he could do for her and with time, much more. If she would allow him.
Time to return to their people. It didn't matter any longer who ruled over who. With that thought in mind once more they spurred their horses and continued along the northern border, following the same path as they did before.
Following closely behind Iris, they kept at it and didn't stop.
Smoke billowing above the tree line in the dense forest was a sight to behold. Dusk blanketed the land, as they entered the dense tree line.
By the time they reached the forest at the foot of the cavernous hill, everything was shrouded in darkness, except for the cave mouths that let the fire light trickle through.
Evin was on guard, wearing that ridiculous armour. It would hang better on a fucking tree than him, but he'd kept to himself. Iris was his most fervent advocate. Coddling him as if he was a baby.
" Any news?" Evins first question.
" We are good. Thank you for asking," Corvin quipped as he jumped off the horse.
" I don't understand why you had to bring him back," Evin almost pouted, not keen on his presence. The need to whoop his ass grew stronger with each passing day.
" Evin, Corvin. Leave the pissing contest for another time," Iris drew a breath, and pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering something about children.
" Oros army is heading to Fiahthyr forest," Iris continued when they remained silent.
" And Umayad? This better work," Evin sneered at Corvin.
" It will. You will return to your plush life in no time," Corvin bit back, sucking on his teeth.
" I don't know why you are questioning me, since you haven't spent a day in battle wielded a sword, or filled up an armour," There he said it.
Evin growled. He didn't even know Evin was capable of making such feral sounds. It sounded more like the squeal of a puppy though.
" Yes, yes. We all know that you are a mighty warrior. Now shove it," Evin barred his teeth. Living in nature didn't appear to sit well with the herdboy.
Corvin rolled his eyes at the pathetic attempt to intimidate him.
" For once, it would be nice if you would be a little more serviceable towards the woman that is protecting your bony ass," He thought it would be useful to point it out since the oaf was questioning them as if he was the fucking king.
" Enough," Iris hissed raising her hands, and turned on her heels and stopped after a few steps.
" Some food would be nice," She said over her shoulder as she dragged her feet towards the cave that he'd set up for them. He would share a space with her and ten other people.
She had accepted him at last. He might be selfish. He didn't care. When it came to her had no regrets.