We spent the first day getting as much distance as we could. We were tired from the last few days but renewed by the thought of home. Some of the boys were trepidatious of Ynec at first. But he proved invaluable. Although he was not the natural born killer the Chacali wanted him to be, he was an expert naturalist. Along the way he would point out berries we could eat and have us lift rocks to catch big spiders that all but me and the duchess snacked on. He would point out facts and legends about certain animals that crossed our paths.

We sang songs that mostly all of us knew and when one of us didn’t, we would teach them. I taught them some of Wonderwall, and hummed the parts I couldn't remember.

Barth’s presence loomed quietly everytime I tried to engage with Yajaira. If I asked her questions, he’d insert himself and answer for her. Since Barth was so busy orbiting Yajaira, I walked up to Porta, who was often alone and barely ever said a word.

“Hello,” I said.

Without turning to me she let out a soft, “Hello.”

“Can you tell me a little about yourself? I know your name is Porta, but not much else.”

“What do you mean?” She asked.

“I just mean… what do you like?” I started, “Goals? Dislikes? Anything?”

“I like to walk. Not this much though.”

“We’d be happy to take a break,” I offered.

“I’m fine, thank you.”

“So,” I prodded, “Tell me about yourself. Where did you grow up?”

“I grew up in the Duchess’ home in the Gold Ring.”

My neck almost broke when she said that, “How was the Gold Ring?” I asked excitedly.

“It is… pristine,” Porta said. “Cleaner than the other rings and not as much traffic. There are no beggars there.”

“I want to live there one day,” I said.

“That would be nice. We would be close by.”

“You don't think it’s ridiculous that I want to live there?”

“Not at all. You’re proving to be an adept warrior. You could easily become some noble’s vassal.”

“I meant like… I own my own home and have a title.”

“Oh.” That was all she said.

I kept walking with her. After a beat of silence I said, “How did you become a handmaiden?”

“I was found as an orphan. I could have been left to the streets, but the Duke was nice enough to take me in. I’ll be forever grateful to them for the life they gave me.”

I thought to myself, “If they plucked her off the street, why not make her a sibling? I guess the Duke household needed more help.” I got a good look at Porta. Skorwinders looked like all types as it was a huge trade hub, but she did not look like Yajaira. Her hair was white, her skin was much tanner, her eyes were red.

“Do you know anything about your mother?” I asked.

“No.” Porta said, “What little they told me was that she was likely a street urchin, begging for food. Had she stayed alive, I would have been one too.”

“Do you have dreams of being more than a handmaiden?” I asked.

“Why would I want to be anything more? As my duchess navigates the political world, I shall rise with her as her faithful servant. It is my duty to help with her on her journey.”

We both climbed over a limb of a tree which had fallen to the ground. I offered my hand and she accepted it, daintily stepping over the debris. My gears turned as I processed what she said. I felt compelled to ask, if only for posterity.

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“When you’re talking about that… you’re speaking about marriage, no?” I inquired, “Attempting to impress the best suitor, say… the Kingson? Khufutri?”

“Or someone as high as she can manage. I have no doubt she’ll bring me with her.”

“You don’t have your own dreams? One where you excel?”

She looked at me confused, “I just told you.”

“Would she ever marry someone below her status?” Someone that she brings up?”

Porta laughed at this, “Love-marriages are the few privileges extended to the poor. My master cannot settle down with someone below her or it means no ascension. Even adept warriors.”

We both locked eyes with each other at that moment. We entered into a mini-staring contest that both of us lost because we devolved into laughter. Yajaira broke off from Barth and poked her head between us.

“Did I hear you two talking about me?” Yajaira asked, “It better not be anything bad.”

“We were just talking about your long term plan,” I said, “May I ask… If your plan is to get married, why become a bard?” I asked, “Why not do something more practical?”

Barth chimed in from behind, “Bard magic is practical.”

“Bard magic is practical!” Yajaira said, “We master several instruments which helps with entertaining guests. Also,a lot of the magic can be critical in social situations. If I cast a spell at a party for all my party-goers to have fun, that could mean I assuaged them to sign a trade-deal. Or a peace-offering. Or even a surrender. There are more schools of Bardery than just combat.”

“I see… But we’re no longer going to the college. We’re going back to Skorwind” I said.

“It’s true. This does dim the plan. I can only hope I can charter a full security detail quickly and not miss too much of the school. If my father will even let me leave Skorwind.”

She let out a rueful laugh.

“This is something you really want, duchess?” I asked while locking eyes with Porta.

“Of course!” She said, “More than anything.”

“My lady,” I said, “You and I are a lot alike. I am now realizing that before anything, we have to stop.” I then said aloud, “Stop! Everyone stop!”

All the boys playing and singing and laughing stopped and looked at me.

I started thinking, doing some menial calculations in my head, “If Home, aka Skorwind, is directly that way, and Memphis was North of us, that means that our best bet would actually be to go that direction,” I said.

“What!?” Screamed some of the paladins, “Come on! We have to go home!”

“I know,” I said, “I know. No one wants to go home more than me. But guys… we’re junior paladins. We were sent on this mission to safely deliver the duchess. Let’s finish it.”

“We were meant to be the gophers. The messenger boys!” Ghala yelled, “We couldn't even beat a Chacali one on one! We had to use all of us!”

“I know guys.”

“I’m happy to head to Skorwind,” Yajaira said, “Really. It’s what’s best for the group.”

“I know it is,” I explained. “ I know it’s not logical… but Yed’s dying words were to protect the mission. I’m not going to let Yed die in vain, and I'm not going to disappoint you, Duchess,” I said, looking Yajaira right in her eye sockets. Her expression, stunned. I looked at the boys, “Come on. We have a compass now, If it’s two days back to Skorwind, It’s probably around two days to Memphis. Who’s with me?”

Everyone was nervous. No one wanted to step up, but Kaavi did. I looked at him and smiled.

“He’s right. We saved Ynec, now let’s get the Duchess to Memphis.”

“That’s good, Kaavi, because I don’t just want you to come, I want you to lead it.”

There were murmurs throughout the boys. Ghala interjected but we quieted him. He hadn’t been the one to got back for Ynec. He was the only one who chose to stay.

“You mean it?” Kaavi asked.

“Yes. You stepped up. Take us the rest of the way.”

Kaavi beamed. Tuf gave him an overly firm pat on the back and he received smiles from all sides. Then, as if assuming the role of leader, Kaavi said, “Let’s do it! Which way, Egen?”

“That way, Head Cadet.” I said, pointing North East.

And just like that, we were on our way. Yajaira gave me a hug and Barth broke it up after it lasted too long. We were no longer going down a soft pastoral road, we were instead going uphill, some cliffs.

As we began our trudge up the cliffs, Yajaira stayed chatting with me, but once again Barth entered our orbit.

“Would you mind discussing some chords with me over here, Yajaira?” He asked.

“Barth, we already discussed chords!”

“Now that we’re going back to college, it’s practice practice practice!” Barth said, almost too eager.

“I suppose you’re right,” Then she looked at me, “Thank you for this chat, Egen. It was lovely. And once again, I appreciate you helping.”

I gave a soft bow as she left me. As usual for a servant, both unseen and unheard… by most at least. She hovered behind me. Her presence radiated on my back. I turned to her and with a smile said, “There’s no use breathing down my neck behind me. Please, Porta! Honor me with your company.”

She walked up to me and said, “That’s very gracious of you to make sure the Duchess makes it back to her college. It’s putting a lot of us in danger though.”

“You and I both want the Duchess to succeed and I am nothing if not her vassal.”

Porta walked closer to me, then bent over and whispered in my ear, “And despite how much grace you think this places you, it is as I said. The Duchess will marry someone of high repute. It is her will and mine. She will receive a tide of favors from more worthy suitors and yours will wash away like a pretty shell in the sand,” Then, as if that wasn’t enough she said, “Let’s hope your pretty shell doesn’t get your friends killed.”