"Eugh, don't remind me," he groaned dramatically. Yeah, very far to go.

He packed the remainder of his things, nimbly dodging Nox's half-assed attempts to bite moodily, returning the favor with a bop on the nose.

He mounted quickly, Nox throwing his head in protest at being told to hold still. Help, help, I'm being repressed! is what Tom imagined his horse would be shouting.

At Lu's question, he paused, let out a sigh, and answered, "Honestly? No, I'm not sure. But I'd feel like a damn useless coward to go back now. Might as well carry on." With any luck, they'd arrive at Peklonstan under the cover of darkness, be able to stick to the more impoverished outskirts of the kingdom in hopes of not being recognized, and be gone in under a week, tops. Ideally, four days. But things rarely go as planned, do they?

•Lukas Rin•

Lukas glanced at Tom, narrowing his eyes momentarily at the prince. This was a terrible idea. They both could just feel this, Iris could likely feel it and-- probably not Nox. He wasn't the brightest horse in the stable. He sighed.

"Well, I legally can't go back without you. So.. Guess we're doing this. But seriously, we can turn back at any time, you're not less just because you don't go."

He clarifies, pressing his heel into Iris's side, the mare arching to the right gracefully and beginning forward out of the clearing they had found.

It was silent for a while after that, well, not silent, it could never be silent. Nox was snorting as if the day just personally offended him, the horses feet were clopping agains the dirt road, the birds around them chittered, the breeze rustled the leaves of the trees. It was a nice day, which meant something was likely to go wrong.

Lukas would be lying if he said he wasn't anxious about this whole situation. His hand rested loosely against the hilt of his blade, his fingers gripping the reins tightly where he held them. Iris was being finnicky too, but probably only because he was anxious and she was reflecting that. He glanced sideways at Tom, watching him for a moment longer before deciding the silence didn't suit them.

"How far outside of Oumas have you ever been?"

He questioned.

Tom paused for a moment, then nodded slowly.

"I know. I guess part of me wants to, y'know?" It wasnt that he had to prove himself to others. He wanted to prove to himself that he could do this, and could bear the weight of the crown when he inherited it.

Nox was easily the loudest thing in the forest. Which was good if the goal was to scare all the critters hiding in the underbrush, but if there were bandits or mauraders lurking, well, Nox pretty much gave away their exact location.

At least the horse seemed more annoyed and somewhat excited rather than nervous. It helped calm Tom's nerves some. If Nox wasnt afraid, then Tom wouldnt be either. It was sort of like looking to a rock for advice during a hurricane, but it was a comfort nonetheless.

At Lukas's question, Tom tilted his head slightly and thought for a moment.

"Ive been to Nys Anore a few times... and to Teri once with my father," he answered.

So not terribly far. And never alone like this.Well, aside from Lukas. He just wasnt used to traveling without numerous armed guards. It did worry him some. He'd been required to learn fencing and some amount of hand to hand combat, but he wasnt confident in his ability to stay calm and focused in a dangerous situation.

(Fixed me spelling😌)

•Lukas Rin•

Lukas hummed in response, keeping his eyes on the road and flitting around them to watch the tree's. He wasn't surprised Tom had never been so far out, being prince and all. He had to stay close to the kingdom and usually he has practically a hundred armed guards surrounding him at all time. Now Tom's just got one knight he, for some reason, befriended who is somehow okay in the face of danger. Yeah, sure he feels really safe. Lukas sighs out through his nose.

"Well then, you'll be in for a shock when we get to Peklonstan. It's nothing like either of those places. Well, it's a closer to Nys Ancre then it is to Teri, but it's still a shock."

He managed to say, because really it's the only thing he could think of to stay. Lukas himself had been all around Thala Dorei, even all the way up to the Lel Taesi Pass. He doesn't like to talk about why he was up there, why he had ridden Iris so deep into the mountains it had taken him far longer to get back. Why he had told Tom it was nothing but a trading trip and he got lost, silly him. Adjusting his seat he slowly slides his hand away from the hilt of his sword, resting his hand on his thigh as he shifted with Iris' movements.

They should likely be stopping in a while to water the horses and to feed themselves. If he remembers correctly, there is a small town between here and Peklonstan. He had stopped there a few times, but never lingered. It wasn't a great place to be waiting around. Lot's of bounty hunters, stray traders, drunks, and thieves mixed into one place. A recipe for disaster.

(LMAO THE RANDOM ANGST JUST HIT??? IDK WHAT THAT IS)

Tom wrinkled his nose in distaste. He'd heard about Peklonstan plenty, sure, but he really wasn't too keen on experiencing it for himself. He really didn't want to find out how well he'd handle thieves and robbers. And if he got separated from Lukas... well, he didn't want to consider that. If anyone knew who he was, there was no doubt there'd be a bounty on his head, if there wasn't one already.

While traveling with his usual entourage of guards, just having Lukas was the safest bet. Although the quality of his clothing, the way he walks, and probably even Nox would give him away pretty fast. Nox was a pretty large, easily recognized horse after all. Even just his attitude made him discernible from a mile away.

After a while, Nox seemed even more irritable and restless than usual, ears pinned and head practically bobbing angrily at Iris for no reason other than she DARED to exist next to him. Tom took this as Nox just being tired and hungry, much like the toddler he shared space on the IQ scale with.

"Nox seems like he needs to be put down for his evening nap," Tom mused with a snort. Hopefully they'd reach some form of settlement before nightfall. Part of him missed not sleeping on the ground.

-

(I smell an opportunity for drama at whatever town they stop at👀 maybe bounty hunters?)

•Lukas Rin•

Lukas had to hold back a sigh at that. Nox and Tom didn't annoy him, really, they didn't. Well, Nox did-- maybe just a little. He just wasn't used to stopping so often for breaks. He and Iris had ridden a full day and more without stopping for much more than a drink of water and a snack. He really shouldn't be surprised though, Nox was a prince's horse, not exactly built for long rides.

"There should be a tavern up further along this road. I don't recommend we stay for long, especially with you tagging along, princess."

Lukas stated, letting Iris' reins fall to her neck and twisting to grab something from one of his saddlebags. He tucked the small pouch into his pants and shfited, turning back to face the front. Iris hadn't veered away from Nox, despite her clear distaste for the stallion. She was a good girl afterall.

"... I also suggest we stay away from the tavern with the horses. Not everyday these folk see fine horses."

He added after a few long moments of silence. Lukas had been to this tavern many times before, crossing through Peklonstan or stopping here to begin toward Nys Ancre on his many trips outside of Oumas. Most of the times he had been here had not gone well. That was a story for another day though. He could tell they were getting closer to the tavern, more horses and owners clopped by them every passing minute. Faint but audible laughs and yells and talking could be heard far in the distance, the noise carried by the wind. Not to mention the sign that was convientally placed right on the side of the road, an older man with a tired shire standing near the old wooden post.

-Garrett's Tavern And Inn-
One and a Half Miles

The horses walked past the sign without trouble, but Lukas felt tension pooling in his gut. This place wasn't good or nice, it wouldn't be nice to Tom. That's what really worried him.

"Tagging along," Tom muttered, an amused little smirk tugging at his lips. It was his idea to go in the first place, but Lukas wasn't exactly wrong. Not like Tom had the knowledge or experience to do much else, though.

Nox arched his neck, tugging at the reins and mouthing his bit unhappily. His gait turned short and choppy, all coiled tension waiting to spring. He was clearly upset at having to 'work' all day. Not that walking was much work.

Tom eyed Lu's movements curiously, but didn't say anything. He knew not to pry.

His gaze flitted to the sign and the old man, Nox more amped up than ever. Tom just hoped the tavern was somewhat decent. No rats in the mattresses or drunken fights well into the wee hours of the morning, at minimum.

Tom wasn't too keen on Nox staying somewhere too far from them; he had to agree with Lu. It wouldn't be a good idea to keep them at the tavern. Best case scenario, someone stole the horses, either to sell for profit or to keep for themselves - which wouldnt be easy since Nox could be a bit... bitey sometimes. Tom tried not to let himself acknowledge the worst case scenario.

"Then where will we be leaving them?" He asked. Hopefully, Lukas knew a safe enough place.

Tom follwed Lu's directions, and was delighted at the sight of the clearing. If Nox didnt decide to slip free and go for a jaunty stroll, it'd be significantly better than paying someone to watch the horses.

He dismounted gracefully, and Nox tossed his head in what Tom assumed to be appreciation. He loosened the unruly bastard's girth a bit before tying him up, when he promptly displayed his gluttony and ripping up grass like he'd been starved for weeks. He'd been no more than 3 days without the round-the-clock care of the stablehands and yet acted as though he may simply drop dead from starvation or neglect.

"Then how about we find a cliffside, hm?" He teased. Lukas's words did nothing to soothe Tom- not that he needed it, of course. Though maybe it'd be beneficial to sleep here with the horses. With his luck, he'd wake up to a centipede on his face or something.

He glanced back at Lu, briefly eyeing him almost a little... appreciatively, before turning to Nox's saddlebags.

"Mm, I was forced to leave much of my wardrobe behind, sadly, though I do have this," he lamented, grabbing a heavy, hooded cloak and tossing it at Lukas.

•Lukas Rin•

Lukas rolled his eyes and threw the hood back.

"I have my own. I didn't want you not to have one considering you're, well, a prince."

Lukas raised an eyebrow before dropping it and turning to Iris. He reached out, loosening her girth only slightly. He had been in too many situations where he had loosened it too much, which then made for a difficult 'get away' situation. He unrolled his own hood from his saddle and let it drape over his shoulders, tugging the clasp closed and pulling the hood over his head.

"Come on. We can get something to eat and maybe some information and such."

Lukas mentioned, walking around the horses and to Tom. He stared at the prince for a few moments, watching him wrangle the hood to cover his shoulders and rest over his head. Merlin this was not going to go well.

"Princess, do you have a weapon on you?"

He asked. He would hope so. It was terrible etiquette for anyone, even a prince, not to carry at least one weapon on their body at all times.

(Sorry it's short! Lotta dialogue I need answers to before I mayeth continue 😔)