“And if I don't want to return?”

"Of course," Farah replied automatically, though her mind was running through her parents' potential reactions to disobeying her orders. Specifically, her father. "That's not necessary," the young knight added.

“I insist.” Gwen smiled. “You could have tried to haul me away because my father told you to bring me back. I can't say it would have ended well for either of us if you did.” she added with a light laugh. “But instead, you chose to let me stay until I'm ready. That means a lot to me.”

Farah cracked a small smile again. "I'd have to agree with that. From what I can tell, you're just about as stubborn as I am. And really, Your– uh, Gwen. It's no problem at all. I don't want to have to force you into a role you're not ready to fill." Because that's exactly what happened to me.

Gwen laughed at d being called stubborn but she wasn't going to deny it in this case. Before she could say anything in reply, however, there was a light tap at one of the wooden posts near the entrance of her tent. “Corvin?” she called out, fairly sure of her guess.

"Yes, it's me. Sorry to interrupt," Corvin said as he poked his head in on the two, "but I thought it would be a good idea to bring these over for you, Farah, if you plan to stay with Gwen for a while." he stated, holding a single bedroll in his arms.

Farah jumped at the tap, ready to jump up and into action, but she relaxed when she realized it was only Corvin. "Oh, yes. I suppose you're right," she said kindly. She rose to her feet and approached him to take the bedroll. "Thank you."

Corvin smiled warmly as he handed the bed roll to her. “You're welcome. I also came to ask if you would like to join us for dinner.” he offered, smiling a little mischievously. ”While she's come a long way, Gwen’s still learning how to cook.”

”Corvin!” the former princess exclaimed, blushing, though she knew he was teasing.

Farah took it and listened to his offer. A small smile spread on her lips at Corvin's jab and Gwen's response. "Sure," she agreed quietly. "If it isn't a problem for you."

“No problem at all.” Corvin assured, still chuckling at Gwen’s reaction. “I already told Rhes about you and she insisted on inviting you since Gwen eats with our family anyway.” he explained.

Farah immediately flushed and looked away to hide it. "Oh, alright…" she said, placing the bedroll in an unoccupied area. She was uncharacteristically nervous to meet Rhes.

“Don't worry.” Gwen assured when she noticed Farah’s blush. “Rhes is really nice. And a great cook.” she smiled as she stood up.

Corvin nodded. “The one you should watch out for is Jiem.” he teased. “He’s going to ask you so many questions.”

"I'm not worried," Farah replied simply. "Just… never mind it." She laughed at Corvin's little tease. "I'm sure you're right. Though I think he already doesn't seem to like me."

Gwen chuckled softly, shaking her head as she playfully bumped into Corvin. “He’ll warm up to you.” she assured Farah. “Especially when you tell him that you're not going to take me away.”

Farah offered a small smile in return. "Hopefully that's so. I wouldn't want to leave a poor impression on him."

“It'll be fine.” Gwen smiled calmly. “Once we get that out of the way, Jiem is going to ask you all kinds of questions about being a guard.”

Gwen's calmness seemed to seep into Farah, and she relaxed, even allowing herself a bit of a laugh at the princess's comment. "Well, I'll have no problem answering those kinds of questions," she remarked. "Should we get going?"

“Sure. Let's go.” Gwen nodded with a light laugh. “Corvin’s family tent is just beside mine.”

Corvin smiled at the two and lead the way. “Gwen. I think Farah could have figured that out.” he teased.

"A little guidance never hurt anyone before," Farah replied with a small smile as she followed Corvin's lead out of the tent.

Corvin chuckled softly and nodded, not having an argument for that statement before leading the way back to his tent. “You know… the last “bad” impression I can remember was when Gwen broke Merik’s nose on her first day here.” he smirked.

“Well, it's his own fault.” Gwen defended. “He shouldn't have grabbed me like that. Besides, his head is made of stone, my hand hurt for a while after that.”

Farah smiled and watched Gwen defend herself from Corvin's accusation. "What exactly happened?" she asked curiously.

Gwen rolled her eyes and shrugged. “It was nothing. The jerk just grabbed my wrist and started squeezing so I pulled my other hand free from… Oh, I forgot his name… the other guy who was trying to hold me, and swung my fist.” she explained. “I was not expecting to actually hit him. Especially hard enough to do any kind of damage but…”

“I don't think he was expecting it either.” Corvin chuckled. “You have to admit, Gwen, you didn't look like much of a fighter when you first arrived in that dress.”

Farah chuckled quietly at the story. "Looks can be very deceiving," she remarked casually after Corvin spoke. "And it sounds like he only got what was coming to him."

“No one is arguing that.” Corvin nodded. “Most of us were actually really impressed by Gwen’s instincts at the time. Merik was a fully-trained warrior and a good one too.” he smiled, glancing at his adoptive daughter. “Then this scared little slip of a girl comes along with no training, no fighting experience, looking like she was about to cry, and lands a good strong hit. Even the chief couldn't find his words.”

“Corvin.” Gwen hissed, blushing brightly.

Farah grinned at Corvin's words and Gwen's blush. "I think I'd be speechless too," she remarked, gently nudging Gwen's arm in an affectionate sort of way.

Gwen’s blush didn't go away despite Farah’s actions. “Maybe we should have a sparing match at some point. Then you can see what I'm capable of now.” she suggested with a light smirk as she bumped the knight’s arm in reply.

“We can talk about that later.” Corvin interrupted, opening his tent for the two. “Smells like dinner’s about ready.”

"I should like that," Farah answered, taking Gwen's nudge in stride. She looked away from the princess and couldn't help the nervous expression that came over her face as the tent flap was opened. Shyness took over, and Farah waited for Corvin or Gwen to enter first.

“I would like that too.” Gwen smiled as she entered the tent.

“Ah. There’s our proud hunter.” Rhes exclaimed happily, opening her arms to the young princess. “I heard you made a good clean kill.”

“Rhes.” Gwen blushed as she hugged the pregnant woman. “Well, if that's what Corvin and the chief are saying then it must be true.” she chuckled.

Farah smiled back and followed Gwen into the tent. However, she immediately hung back to observe the hug exchanged between Gwen and Rhes and the conversation between them. She felt odd and very out of place among this warm, welcoming family.

Corvin patted Farah’s shoulder warmly as he walked in. “It's alright. You are welcome here.” he assured.

“Rhes, this is Farah Dowling.” Gwen introduced. “A knight from Olarien. She’s staying with me for a while.”

“Yes, Corvin told me about your guest.” Rhes nodded, turning to face Farah. “It's nice to meet you. Please sit anywhere. Dinner is just about ready.” she smiled.

Farah tried her best to keep from jumping at Corvin's touch, but she was so wired and anxious that she flinched rapidly. She looked up, trying to calm herself down as Gwen introduced her to Rhes. A half-smile appeared on her face, and she nodded in greeting.

"It's nice to meet you as well," Farah replied. Though she glanced at Gwen, hoping for some kind of more specific direction. She was used to the ranks and formality of palace life and being instructed about her proper place at the table.

Corvin held his hands up peacefully when Farrah jumped at the touch and moved to sit down near his son who had just walked in.

In this tribe the only time that there was any “ranked seating” was when any members of the tribe sat with the chief. In the quiet privacy of a family's tent, or even with friends, seating was very open. But Gwen took sympathy on the knight and patted the ground next to her as she sat on the other side of her adoptive brother.