Nero fell silent for a moment and turned his head forward again. It seemed to him that he had killed the conversation by describing Axel's remark as a bad omen. He thought it very likely.
As their horses moved in a steady rhythm, their bodies swayed to the right and left with the uneven terrain of the road. However, they made sure to maintain a constant speed, for the border was still a full day's march away. Their destination was a small town called roadtown, which had been converted into a temporary military base after all its inhabitants, young and old, were evacuated.
Nero glanced again at Axel and could almost swear there was a question lodged in Axel's throat, something that prevented it from being voiced. The question seemed almost known to him before Axel could even utter it. The only thing left was whether Axel would ask or not.
