“And if I don't want to return?”

Farah offered a fleeting smile to Corvin. She hoped he understood that she didn't feel threatened by him or his family. It was just the newness of it all getting to her.

She breathed a quiet sigh of relief as Gwen patted the ground next to her as an indication. In a fluid motion, she lowered herself to the ground and sat cross-legged beside the princess. "Thank you," she whispered.

Corvin smiled assuringly back, taking no offense to the knight’s reaction as Gwen nodded to Farah.

“How long do you plan on staying with us?” Rhes asked as she handed out full bowls of fresh stew to everyone.

Farah hesitated at the question. The first of many, she assumed, and she was already caught off guard. "I'm not sure," she answered simply. "I suppose as long as Gwen stays."

“Gwen’s not leaving.” Jiem said firmly, grasping his sister’s arm.

Gwen chuckled at the boy’s protectiveness, ruffling his hair playfully. “Don't worry. Farah isn't going to take me away.” she assured. “But I will have to leave for my warrior’s trial eventually. After that… Who knows.” she shrugged.

Farah winced internally. She hadn't meant it to sound like that. She wasn't going to be taking Gwen back to Olarien until the princess was ready to go. And when they returned, Farah would surely be in trouble.

"Yes," the knight agreed quietly. "I'm not taking her." She felt so out of place in this welcoming home.

Corvin shook his head at his son's reaction. “I apologize. Ever since Gwen has been a part of our family, Jiem has been very protective of her.” he explained. “We all know that when our warrior leaves it will be her decision. And you are welcome to stay as long as you need or want to.” he assured.

Farah nodded simply in reply. She took a slow deep breath and spoke quietly. "I understand. I will stay as long as Gwen does. I won't leave a second sooner."

Gwen almost rolled her eyes at Farrah’s words as they reminded her of the blind dedication of all the soldiers back in her father's kingdom. But she held back because she didn't want to offend the knight and she was grateful that she was using her name instead of the title she was born into. “No one is forcing you one way or the other.” she reminded gently. “You're as free as any other member of this tribe.”

Farah offered a small smile back. She wished that were true, but in her heart, she knew that it wasn't. As a child, she'd sworn herself to the service of the crown, and she only stayed here because of Gwen. Even if the princess denied her title, it still belonged to her, and Farah was obliged to follow her orders if she ever felt inclined to give any.

"Thank you," she replied plainly.

Truthfully, Gwen also knew that. She knew that all knights had to take an oath to serve the crown. She knew there was a penalty for breaking it… Though her father never told her what that penalty was. And she didn't know when Farrah took her oath but she obviously had to since she was a knight. She had meant it more as she wouldn't expect her to act as she would in her father’s kingdom. As long as Farrah was with her, she was free to act however she wanted.

“Of course.” she nodded back, hoping Farrah understood her real meaning.

Farah smiled briefly to Gwen’s words before looking around the little tent. “It’s been very lovely here,” she offered. “Thank you for having me in your home.”

“Thank you. Really it's a pleasure to have you with us.” Rhes replied warmly. “Gwen has only told us so much about her father’s land and I am still curious where you both came from.” she admitted.

“But you don't have to talk about it, if you don't want to.” Corvin interrupted.

Farah immediately flushed again at the mention of Olarien. Yes, it was a beautiful land with many kind people, but all it took was a handful of unkind ones to make the life Farah had there a living hell.

“I’m not sure what else to say other than Olarien is a lovely kingdom,” Farah answered, trying to keep her voice from wavering too much.

Everyone, except for Jiem, gave a knowing or skeptical look at Farrah’s answer but recognized that the question had put her in a difficult situation.

“Well, I won't disagree that Olarien is a nice enough place for most.” Gwen shrugged. “But for me at least, it was more of a gilded cage than anything else. Not that I need to go into that conversation again right now.” she added with a chuckle.

There was too much pressure on her. Farah nearly flinched from the feeling of Corvin, Rhes, and Gwen’s eyes all on her. The female knight tried to force a smile onto her face, but it wouldn’t come.

“Yes, may we talk about something else now?” she asked demurely.

“Of course.” the married couple agreed just as Gwen nodded, “Yes, please.”

“I have a question.” Jiem spoke up.

Farah sighed with relief at the mutual agreement, though she grew worried again as Jiem chimed in. However, she made herself smile and tried not to think about how forced it might look. "Yes?"

“Jiem, be nice.” Gwen warned before giving Farah an apologetic glance.

“I just wanted to know why she came here if you don't want to leave.” Jiem stated in that simple child-like way of not understanding something.

Gwen sighed and shook her head. “You don't have to answer that, Farah.” she assured.

Farah tensed for a moment, but she willed herself to relax bit by bit. Her clenched fists were the only visible sign of her panic. "Uh," she began quietly. "I… I only came here to make sure Gwen was alright."

It was a simple enough answer, sure. But still, Farah worried that in some way it would condemn her.

Gwen did her best to hide the groan at Jiem’s question. But stayed quiet as Farah answered. “And I’m grateful that you did. I don't plan to leave anytime soon, unless it's for my trial, but I am glad to see Farah.” she added, trying to keep the peace between the knight and her adoptive brother.

“Well, I don't know about all that but I have to admit that I'm happy to meet someone from our Gwen’s old home.” Rhes smiled warmly.

Farah’s smile was plain and shy. She swallowed heavily and could feel her face heating up. “It’s been nice meeting you too,” she replied, each word somehow quieter than the last. What she really wanted was to stand up and leave. Run away until her legs couldn’t carry her anymore and then collapse. As long as she didn’t run back toward Olarien.

Rhes noticed the knight’s discomfort and gently placed her hand on Farah’s shoulder. “You don't have to be scared. I’m sure you know by now that Gwen is safe here but so are you.” she assured.

Corvin nodded firmly. “Of course. And, even though I believe that I've said this before, you are welcome to stay here as long as you want.”

Farah tried not to flinch away from the touch, and instead she offered a quick smile in response. “Thank you,” she said to both Rhes and Corvin. Her eyes glanced over at Gwen for a moment before she looked back down at her hands. She wasn’t sure what else to say and hesitated at the lingering silence she’d brought down on them.

Gwen raised a brow as Farah looked her way. It was obvious she was uncomfortable but the former princess couldn't put her finger on why. She sighed softly and set her bowl down, having finished her meal, then nudged the knight’s shoulder. “I’ll be in my tent if you want to talk.” she whispered before smiling at her adoptive family, bidding them good night.

Farah notes Gwen’s expression, but she didn’t speak toward it. She was still trying to get her bearings, and of course that was when Gwen decided to leave.

She only lasted a few seconds without Gwen beside her before Farah rose to her feet. “Thank you for your hospitality,” she said simply before leaving in the same way Gwen had.

Once she was outside, Farah took a long breath and looked around. Despite being offered a little found family and Gwen, she felt loneliness crash over her. The warrior inhaled deeply and released the air while feigning a sword slash through the air. The only thing that calmed her as much as it upset her was her training. She’d have to find a way to continue it while out here.

“You know we have training grounds here.” Gwen informed from beside her tent, having just been about to step in when Farah had walked out. “I can show you where they are if you want to practice for a bit.”

Farah jumped and whirled around, ready to defend herself. But she relaxed her stance when she saw it was only Gwen. She had to resist the natural instinct to bow, and instead she nodded. “Yes, that would be great.”

“Alright.” Gwen nodded, not bothered by the knight's initial reaction as she turned away from her tent and started leading the way. “Do you want to talk about it?”

Farah immediately followed and made sure to pay attention so that she could find her way to the training grounds again. Gwen’s question severely distracted her. “Talk about what?” she asked hesitantly.

“How uncomfortable you were in there.” Gwen answered plainly. “If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine but I don’t want you to feel like that around my family here. It was pretty obvious." she admitted.