Navihm met the group traveling to his homeland early the next morning. The soldiers were already assembled at the gate, used to getting up before dawn, but the professor and the other student accompanying the group were nowhere to be seen. It was another half hour before they arrived. Navihm spent the time talking with the guards and preparing the horses. Hue and a few of the other guards Navihm had sparred with had volunteered to go on the mission. Navihm had finished saddling a horse for Professor Ward and his assistant when they arrived.

“Good morning, Navihm,” the professor said.

“Morning is almost over,” muttered one of the guards. Navihm shot a disapproving look over his shoulder but he couldn't be sure of who had spoken.

“Good morning, Professor,” greeted Navihm. “Are you ready to be off? Your horses are ready.” Professor Ward nodded in thanks. He gestured to the student standing slightly behind him.

“This is my assistant,” before he could finish, he was interrupted.

“Ducherina Elspeth Rosaline Leilani the Second,” the student introduced herself with a prim little curtsy.

“This is Rose,” the Professor said dryly.

Navihm was taken aback. A woman on a trip such as this? Professor Ward seemed to read his thoughts.

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“Rose is a very capable student in her final year of study,” he said. “She is perfectly able to defend herself.”

Navihm nodded, it wasn't as if she was going to be in the thick of battle and her magic would serve her well enough. Navihm was more concerned with her being able to withstand the rigors of being on the road for weeks on end. He recognised her from their meeting at the stables. She had been dressed impeccably then, taking care with her appearance and looking down on him when he did not. That attitude wouldn’t do well with the sort of traveling they were about to embark on. Even now her hair was perfectly coiffed and her riding skirts were neatly pressed. Navihm feared that she would be a distraction or hindrance.

Still, he endeavored to withhold such judgments. It was not his place to decide who was to travel with them.

Though they left almost an hour after they planned, the group made good time. Both Professor Ward and Rose showed experience in horsemanship and kept up with the experienced travelers.

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The last bit of this chapter will be up tonight. I have also updated the description to include an excerpt of chapter 18 for all those who can't wait to meet Navihm's betrothed.