The next morning was a blur of activity. There was no need to stay now that Ethach had sent his best and brightest. Presumably the other man thought Abrech was brash enough to engage Aleci in one of those trials by combat or whatever the Imrukians do these days. But Ethach could have very well wait for Aleci's death and then swoop in, and Aleci was not keen on being a sitting duck. Finne was quick to pack up that morning, though Ediann was more hesitant to leave the cabin. Edon left the cabin carrying the bags as if marching to his own death sentence. He should reassure the boy, thought Aleci, but no doubt Edon would discover Stygian soon enough, and he needed to attend to his other duties.

Iachos was quick to get his attention, and to inform him that they did have a new injury, "A twisted ankle, he slipped and fell," the physician said, and from the wry twist of his lips it was clear as to how, "I've noted it down."

"Did you tell him I don't cover injuries due to stupidity?" Aleci jested, shaking his head. "Bundle him in the wagon. At least it's not hypothermia."

There was no news to report from the other men, except that they didn't need to stop for more food, the hunting and fishing had been excellent. So Aleci made his way back to Finne's wagon, deciding he'd ask if Finne wanted to ride with him. He turned the numbers in his head as he went, he'd been away for nearly two years now, surely Catia would have made enough money back from his investment-

"Oof!" Aleci wheezed, as his body collided with Edon's.

"You didn't give her away?" Edon shouted, wrapping his arms around Aleci.

"No?" said Aleci, momentarily distracted by the display of affection, " She's your horse why would I-"

"Thank you! Thank you!"

"You're... welcome." said Aleci, watching as Edon ran off to saddle his horse, nearly tripping on his own feet as he did so.

Finne gave him a tired smile when Aleci looked into the wagon. "How many of your men will talk of your generosity now?"

"They all know," Aleci nodded solemnly, "I am exceedingly generous." He grinned at Ediann who had wrapped himself in the bear skin rug and was making the head talk. "Do you want to ride with me?" he signed, after waving his hand to get Ediann's attention.

"No," Ediann shook his head, signing, "Ediann wants Praefect Baawe to talk." He moved the bear's head and made growling noises at the back of his throat waving the bear's paw with his other hand.

"Praefect Bear," Aleci repeated, bemused as Ediann carried on what looked like a very one sided conversation, "alright. If you insist." He turned to address Finne, "Do you want to ride with me?"

"Maybe later," Finne pointed at the downcast sky, "it looks like it will rain. Tell me when we cross the border. I'd like..." he took in a breath, "I'd like to say goodbye."

"Of course," Aleci nodding. He made to squeeze Finne's shoulder but decided against it, "I will tell you."

He made to find his own horse, and on the way to her, he heard Edon chatting to Mercus as the other man helped him lift the saddle up onto Stygian's back.

"I called her Stygian 'cause she's going to be a great horse and Stygian was Aless-an-dri-mus's horse. "

"You mean the Stygian ridden by Alexandrius?"

"Ale-ssan-drius," Edon imitated, struggling to wrap his tongue around the words.

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"Like the Praefect Aleci. He's named after Alexandrius."

Aleci sighed deeply and wondered if Mercus loved his life as dearly as he loved talking.

"Why is the name so long?"

"I don't know. When you're very high up you can have as long as a name you want. I think it's because they like people to wait as they announce their titles."

"Alexandrius." Edon repeated, a thoughtful note in his voice.

Aleci decided he didn't want to ponder what Edon was thinking, and made his way to his own mare. Domerc had saddled her for him, and she whickered happily when he patted her neck. She looked well rested, and seemed all too willing to head home, if horses thought about such things. A peaceful ride then, Aleci decided. As much as he liked Ediann riding with him it was quite exhausting to keep up. But as things would have it, his decision to have a peaceful ride was interrupted by Kaeso.

"I have been thinking," Kaeso announced, riding up next to Aleci.

"A dangerous pursuit," Aleci muttered.

"If you've gone and sent Abrech to fight his brother and he so happens to lose, wouldn't Edon have a claim?"

"Finne's father has more than one son."

"Yes, but Laisre said something, didn't he?" Kaeso leaned in, now switching to signing, "We both heard him, the old man said Finne would have made a great chief. Your father would-"

"Did I ever tell you how much I-"

"Yes, I have heard, but-" Kaeso cast a glance at the wagon, and let go of the reins to sign in earnest, "Ediann's in a very precarious situation. Your father may soften to him if you-" Aleci opened his mouth and Kaeso shook his head, signing, "Claiming Mytea won't help, Aleci. Distract your father with a fatter fish and he'll overlook the less stellar catch. Not that Ediann's a fish, mind you, but you get my meaning." He punctuated each sentence with a confident nod.

"I don't take advice from fools," Aleci signed.

"A fool?" Kaeso said, in mock mournfulness, then he laughed, clapping Aleci on the shoulder. "Think on it, will you," he signed, tapping his head.

Kaeso should know that Aleci kept a running list of things he hated to think about, and the top of the list was anything related to Galer. Considering how everything in his life was Galer related, it was quite a difficult endeavor.

They were nearing the border when Kaeso suggested Finne ride with Aleci the rest of the way.

"I thought you hated children," Aleci remarked when Kaeso told him he'll keep Ediann company.

"I can make exceptions," Kaeso said, "he's not a bane on my ears. I actually like how he tells you what he wants."

"To you," Aleci muttered, and Kaeso chuckled.

"I'll leave you two lovebirds alone now, wouldn't want Finne thinking I'm stealing you off," he put a hand to his forehead, spurring his horse to Finne's wagon, "woe be me, Kaeso, who so loves a decent play and songs. Aleci could never-"

"Get out of my sight," Aleci declared, lips twitching, "if you hate me so much, join a troupe."

Kaeso didn't deem it worthy of a reply, so Aleci considered it a small victory. He slowed Sage to a trot, waiting for Finne to join him. He didn't wait long, Finne rode up to Aleci a few moments later. He wasn't wearing Ethain on a sling around him this time, and at Aleci's questioning look he shrugged and said Ethain was sleeping, there was no need to disturb him. Which was a wise decision, Aleci agreed, nodding.

"Something on your mind?" Aleci asked, after watching Finne's hands twitch on his own reins several times.

"Laisre spoke to you?"

"He did," Aleci nodded, uncertain if he should tell Finne what Laisre said to him.

"He taught me," Finne said, face unreadable, "he is my mother's kin . I think she was named after him. Laina. Laisre." Finne shook his head, "Did he sound regretful?"

"He said you would've made a great chief, " Aleci said honestly and Finne let out a disbelieving laugh.

Laisre had also wanted to wish Maera well, but Finne didn't seem to recognize the woman. Perhaps Maera's reputation was not quite as notorious as she claimed.

"He told me it was a good idea then," Finne scoffed, "and now he's having his regrets? He can go boil his head, I trusted him and look where it got me." The last sentences were spoken in an angry rush, in that other tongue Finne had spoken with Edon before.

Now that he thought about it, he did hear bits and pieces of it at Maera's domnus, but back then he'd simply thought he didn't understand the Imrukian. This was definitely not Imrukian.

"Have you thought of my suggestion?" Aleci suggested, deciding whatever curse Finne had laid upon the man was enough. "What would you like to call him?" perhaps he should tell Finne of his suspicions as well, "Edon seems intent on a change as well."

"He did?" Finne blinked, mouth opening in shock, "Just now?"

"I am not well versed in how a child's mind works, but yes, I would think so. He wants to match himself after Stygian."

"Alexandrius? He told me to talk about the horse when I was telling him the story." Aleci could see the sudden realization dawning on Finne's face. "Don't tell me, your father named you after The Alexandrius?"

"The Alexandrius," Aleci nodded, "the beginning of my father's many hypocrisies. Everyone named their son some form of Alexandrius that year. It is such a shame that none of the oracles foresaw doom and destruction for boys named after the man, I would have been spared a life of perpetual disappointment."

Usually he avoided the topic of his father altogether, but today he laid the blame solely at Kaeso's feet. He looked away, certain if he met Finne's gaze now the years' worth of bitterness would come pouring out.

"Ah but," said Finne, reaching to tap Aleci's shoulder. "If that was the case, then the world would be deprived of a severely cursed, charming, non-extortionist, wise, and exceedingly generous acolyte of Mytea?"

Domerc, walking a few paces behind them coughed loudly.

Usually he would frown upon eavesdropping but Domerc controlled himself admirably enough. Aleci took Finne's hand, giving it a light squeeze before saying with a half smile, "You have an excellent memory."

It must be inherited, he thought, the idea coming to him, Ediann had a good memory as well. This is the stellar catch he thought, there was no need to hide Ediann away like a sour vintage.

"It's not everyday I meet a man so confident in his talents," said Finne, and he didn't hide his blush.

"I have many talents," Aleci declared before he could stop himself and immediately regretted it as Domerc began guffawing. "What is so funny?" he asked, sweetly, turning to look at Domerc.

Between hysterical fits of laughter Domerc said, unfazed, "They say the talented all die young." A pause, and more laughter, "Please don't ask the Praefect to sing or recite poetry, Finne, I would surely die first upon hearing it."