Naomi rose before everyone else while the sky still laid in its pale morning greyness.

She sat on the shores of the bluff watching the skin of the ocean water, drifting deep into her thoughts and of the quiet jealousy she had felt last night. But when he had returned from the private conversation between himself and Daisy last night with light eyes and relaxed shoulders, Naomi retreated into self reflection at her reaction.

Even if it had been someone else - man or woman - there was no reason to begrudge them for having gained a measure of affection from Cassien. It widened his view of the world to trust someone beyond only the select few in his life, and that was an exceptional growth of character all on its own. There was nothing that Cassien had ever done that would've led Naomi to believe he had been disloyal at any point - there was no doubt in her heart about that.

With that, she washed up quickly, aiming to repay a meager return of the village's kindness for hosting them for the last few days. As the sun began to rise, the others stirred awake to find Naomi humming sweetly as she worked; with her leading example, each of them - save for Kaelen and Daisy, which the latter was simply dead to the world in deep slumber - found a task to tend to in the tiny village of Harsbach - scrubbing down laundry, hauling fresh water, and salting dried fish to hang.

By the time the sun rose over the horizon and the villagers of Harsbach stirred, their visitors were long gone with the gratitude of tidiness left behind.

The next three days blurred together as they trudged their way back to Pentley to ensure Daisy's safe return; the feeling of aching feet and sore knees settling in by the end of the second day. With only one horse available, the trek would take longer than if they'd had enough mares for everyone. At the very least, it was good practice for Cassien to extend his cooling aura to everyone around him.

"Have I ever told you guys the story about how Ryn and I met?" Darius piped up suddenly.

Aryn groaned immediately. "Please don't."

Naomi tried not to appear interested at first, but even she couldn't help but pitch in. "From a historical perspective, it would be good to know more about our future king…for bookkeeping purposes."

"Duchess Rosenthorn, is that a disguised attempt at treason?"

"I am a southerner, Your Highness," Naomi gave Aryn a quick smile. "Gossip is one of our great pastimes."

"And it would be a great way to jog my memory," Cassien added coolly.

Darius smiled mischievously at Aryn, who covered his face with his hand - either from the sun or sheer impending embarrassment. "We were in Florentine taking the same botany course in our junior academy, and our professor assigned us to work together on the properties of poison ivy."

"Oh, I already know where this is going," Daisy held back a giggle.

"We're in the forest and we come across this green patch under some trees. I steer clear, because obviously, it's poison ivy. Ryn here goes, 'That's not poison ivy, those are raspberry leaves.' I say, 'Do you see any raspberries?'"

"In my younger self's defense, they both have serrated edges and are very similar in shape and colour," Aryn sniffed.

"So I dare him - 'if you're so sure, touch it.' And he calls my bluff. We start going back and forth on who's right, until the rest of the class is watching. Not even the professor steps in. Eventually, Ryn starts walking towards it."

Thom looked incredulously at Aryn. "And how badly did that itch?"

"That's not the worst part," Darius started to crow, throwing his head back. "Ryn is so confident that I'm wrong, h-he doesn't just touch it, he sits on it! Like it's his throne!"

At once, the group broke into laughter, and even Kaelen cracked the tiniest smile from behind everyone's backs.

"Oh, you poor sod," Thom chuckled deeply, throwing his arm around Aryn's shoulders and squeezing. "Is that why you're always so meticulous?" He stretched out the final word, cheek-in-tongue.

Aryn pushed him away playfully, looking at Darius. "Thank you very much for sharing my painful origin."

Laughter rolled with the coils of the heated air as they continued their journey, lifting their spirits long enough until the village of Pentley hovered into view under the night sky. They neared the stablehouse where two figures loitered by the lantern light - one with a round belly and wild reddish brown hair, and another with dark skin and a thick, bushy beard. At the first sight of Cassien, their faces split into wide grins.

"Cassy! Daize!" The reddish brown haired man bellied aloud, barely stubbing his cigarette in the hay before rushing towards Cassien in a bear hug.

Banner followed quickly before the two men turned their attention to Daisy, who returned their affections with just as much enthusiasm before pulling away. The men tugged at Cassien, egging him on to catch them up on his journey. Naomi watched the scene before her, heart warm at the way Cassien spoke fondly to the two men; in such a short period of time, she would've never expected him to have softened in the way he did.

She was proud of him.

But there was someone she had to attribute that change to.

Naomi lingered behind Daisy, speaking in a soft voice. "Daisy, would I be able to speak to you for a moment - in private?"

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Daisy, still grinning from the homecoming, turned to Naomi without hesitation. "'Course!"

The two women stayed within eyesight, though far enough that no one could eavesdrop except for the stars. Naomi felt awkward at the realization that until this point, she hadn't even spoken a word to Daisy beyond their names.

Seemingly sensing her nerves, Daisy was the first to speak. "You know, I didn't get a chance to say this before - but you're even prettier up close."

Naomi blinked in surprise at the sudden compliment, her cheeks pinking slightly. "Oh. Oh, w-well, thank you. I think you're very beautiful, as well."

Daisy grinned. "You know, you were all Cassy would talk about. Well, not really talk about 'cause he doesn't talk much - which you already know - but it was so obvious that a lady was all he thought about."

"Ah," Naomi didn't think she could blush any harder. There was something so earnest and unfiltered about the way the golden haired woman spoke. "You flatter me."

"I'm not trying to! I mean, I've only known him for a few days, but you can't hide that kind of love. Not a guy like him, at least."

Naomi clasped her hands at the front of her dress. "That's actually why I wanted to talk to you - to thank you. To have shown him kindness when he had nothing, helped him for nothing in return. It means more to me than you'll ever know, and to Cassien too, even if he doesn't realize it."

Daisy shook her head with a small laugh. "Yeah, well. I guess I have a soft spot for grumpy guys with pretty eyes."

She couldn't help but smile. "He really does have pretty eyes, doesn't he?"

"Too pretty," Daisy nodded. "Unfairly so."

The two women stood in the warmth of each other as the group prepared to set out once more. At Aryn's insistence, they returned the mare to the stablehouse - there was no telling if they'd have a chance to ever bring it back. They did get the chance to refresh their packs once more for the trip to Augustine, at least.

She threw a last grateful wave over her shoulder to Daisy and the two men, with Cassien looking back with his own acknowledgements.

If Naomi could make another wish under the light of the lanterns, it would be for generous souls in Pentley to receive every happiness that life could offer.

**

The travel to Augustine was, thankfully, uneventful.

The closer they got to the capital, the wider and more developed the pathing became, and the terrain slowly evolved from near-barren hot plains to full of balmy trees and other travelers heading in the same direction. Cassien had offered numerous times to carry Naomi, but she refused - it must've been tiring enough from the walk alone, let alone carrying another human.

Naomi had even tried to converse with Kaelen a few times, to smooth over the admittedly unpleasant bumps from the last few days. But at each try, the red-haired warrior rebuffed her with a scowl. She left it alone for now, but Naomi made a self-promise to try again once they were on the ship to Redgorn.

Bit by bit as they approached, the tall pale stone buildings of the capital rose into view - even from a distance, the buildings were elegantly designed with intricately carved archways and vibrant mosaics implanted onto nearly every wall's surface. The harbor was especially breathtaking - there were ships of every size and trade bobbing along to the squawks of seagulls overhead and the chime of a belltower, both workers and citizens alike bustling on the piers.

The guards at the city gates hadn't paid them any extra attention as they passed under the main arch - in a way, it was good that they were still dressed in clothing more closely resembling the village designs rather than their formal Calypsan attires. Augustine was different from Tudor - with more commotion and densely laid structures, with most stores being actual front-facing buildings than open stalls in markets. It felt more modern, more developed - and the sheer population of people certainly reflected that lifestyle.

Children weaved in and around the walking crowds, narrowing dodging the carts of workers as they passed. They paid them no mind, not even to lecture them on their rambunctiousness. Naomi recalled her own frightful experience with carts and stuck close to Cassien, who looked at her curiously.

"Not a fan of the city?"

She swept back a bang of hair. "The last time we were in the city streets, a cart went rogue and almost ran me over. Luckily you were there to pull me back."

A flash of comedic panic overtook his face - and Cassien lowered himself into a crouching position in front of her. "Get on."

Naomi couldn't help but let out a burst of laughter, covering her mouth as some vendors stopped to gawk. "Cassien, I said I was okay to walk!"

"Naomi, I'm not standing until you get on my back. This time I'm not taking 'no' for an answer."

"Great, so if a cart comes barrelling down for me again, we'll both get hit instead," Naomi joked.

Cassien turned his head back. "Indulge me. I know you're tired from walking - the back of your ankles are red."

Naomi sighed - her feet were throbbing, and knees were tired from bearing her weight from days of walking. How Cassien was always full of energy, she'd never understand. Reluctantly, she pushed away the folds of her dress, carefully lowering herself onto his back and hanging her arms loosely around his neck. The relief of finally being off of her soles was palpable, and she let out a relaxed exhale.

"Thank you," She sighed contently. "Next time, I'll carry you."

Cassien chuckled, his deep voice humming against her chest as he rose from the ground. "Sure, sweetness."

Her heart pounded at the nickname. He hadn't called her that since they had left Calypsa - a sign that either his memory was improving, or an eternal affection that not even amnesia could take away.

She kissed the side of his cheek. "Is this how you see the world as a tall person?"

"Yes," Cassien said, walking at a gentle pace to avoid jostling her. "Was crouching an accurate view of your perspective, too?"

"Alright, that's it. Put me down," Naomi laughed, feigning a dismount. "Almost anyone would be short standing next to you."

The others didn't say anything as they continued their lead further into the city, but everyone - except for Kaelen - couldn't help but smile at their banter. It felt normal - right. As if the world were slowly bringing itself back into balance. Eventually, the group stopped at the side of a women's boutique store, their voices masked by the noise of the city as they discussed their next steps.

"Thank you," Naomi beamed, pressing another kiss to his cheek. She shifted, lowering herself from Cassien's back and fixing the creases of her dress.

Aryn looked around, his brow creasing in thought. "Darius, how fast can you put together a wardrobe for six?"

"Depends on how unethical I'm allowed to be."

Naomi chewed her lip in apprehension. Normally, she would be against stealing - but they were already behind on schedule of their original plans, and it wasn't as if they had access to coins otherwise. Still, it wasn't a good feeling.

"It would be a good idea to see how much fares cost to voyage to Redgorn," Cassien offered at the sight of her nerves. "We won't take more than what we need."

Aryn nodded in agreement. "I'll take a look with Thom and Kaelen. The three of you should come up with some false identities in case we get questioned, and we'll brainstorm on the money problem later."

But Darius was already gone - and just as quickly, reappeared in a plume of black smoke. He leaned against the stony building, tossing a small coin purse in his hand. "Got enough for lunch, at least. Let's call it a loan for now."

Naomi couldn't decide if it were a blessing or a curse that Darius was finally in his element.

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