Gwen bit her lip to keep from laughing at Sirus’s reaction to being… “mom’ed” like that. It was actually a little cute in her opinion. “I’m glad you're alright.” she said to Corbin.
“Alright… Might be pushing it but I'm doing better.” Corbin smiled softly, trying to sit up a little before Rhes put a hand on his uninjured shoulder and firmly pushed him back down. “But there’s something we need to talk about.”
Sirus breathed a soft sigh of relief that Rhes didn't push on him using the medication, though his attention was on Corbin and what he had to say a minute later, watching passively as Rhes made him stay lying down.
Rhes did give Sirus a stern look as an other reminder to him to use the medicine later.
“Gwen…” Corbin started before she cut him off.
“It’s ok, Corbin. Me and Sirus spoke to the Cheif.” she said, holding up the map as she started explaining the whole plan to the family.
Sirus ignored it, though seriously those burns really ached and heck getting up wasn't going to be fun. But aside from that Gwen was explaining their general plan and he was letting her lead the way and it was clear he was fully invested in this entire thing now.
Corbin listened closely to Gwen as she told him what the two discussed with each other and the Chief. Though Gwen did skip over the chief’s grandson’s offer. It was for the best that way.
“And Sirus will be going with you?” he asked.
Gwen nodded. “Since you can't go with me and I can't go alone… the Chief suggested it and I think he would be a good companion. He's definitely experienced.”
Sirus let out a long breath, "I also have experience staying hidden when I don't want to be found and I can keep her away from the other hunters." he said softly, looking to Corbin and secretly really really really hoping he wasn't mad.
Corbin nodded slowly at the answers. “That would certainly be useful… and you have shown your skills before since you've been with us.” he sighed. He wasn't mad just a little disappointed that he wouldn't get to be a part of this important time for his student.
Rhes sighed a little. “Well, at least one of you will be here when the baby is born.” she said, trying to be optimistic even though she was worried for Gwen.
The former princess smiled gently and hugged the other woman. “I’ll be alright, mama. I know how to take care of myself and I trust Sirus.” she assured softly.
Sirus softened a little at Rhes' and Corbin's concern for Gwen and the way they genuinely wanted to be there for her, honestly he was a little… Nope. Nope nope nope nope nope not opening that hole of sadness and hurt and just… problems.
Instead, he focused on studying the map again, not wanting to show any vulnerability.
(rotfl 🤣)
Rhes held Gwen close for a moment and nodded. “Of course, you can. You had a good teacher.” she smiled, a little teary-eyed as she let go.
Corbin chuckled a little and placed his hand on her arm. “When do you plan to leave?” he asked softly though there was a note of pride in his voice. “And you had better take good care of my girl.” he added, looking at Sirus.
“Early tomorrow morning.” Gwen answered.
"I plan on it," said Sirus, acknowledging Gwen's mentor with a note of confidence, before letting Gwen answer his first question, nodding in agreement. "Speaking of setting out, Gwen, you at least will need to bring some sort of provisions for yourself, I can hunt for both of us easily but I can't cook, at least not well, and a steady diet of burnt meat isn't going to do you well." his tone was thoughtful as he mulled the problem over.
Corbin nodded briefly with a grateful smile, acknowledging Sirus’s agreement before chuckling at his comment about food.
“I can cook… Sort of.” Gwen pointed out with a faint blush. “At least, I don't burn anything. And I can hunt too.” she reminded him.
“I can make a few things tonight and you two can ration it out for the first few days.” Rhes offered. “Normally, I'd have more time to prepare but, with how things are… Well, we should work quickly.”
Sirus nodded gratefully, "I just don't want to deal with you getting sick." he told Gwen, "I'm used to eating like a wolf, and I can handle it biologically, you can't. And getting sick because of a bad diet isn't fun.." he grimaced.
Gwen rolled her eyes a little and shook her head. “I’ll be fine. I know what’s edible out there and what isn't. It was part of my training.” she told him before sighing. “But I appreciate your concern.”
Sirus sighed a little, but nodded, knowing that it wouldn't be good to get into a fight this early, not when she needed to be able to trust him.
Gwen did trust him and didn't want to fight either. She just felt he didn't trust her skills so she had attempted to reassure him of them.
Corbin raised his good hand in hopes of calming the two down. “Gwen, remember that Sirus is your guide and protector during this trial.” he said gently but firmly. “And Sirus… we know how valuable your experience will be for helping Gwen… just don't underestimate my girl.” he told the shifter with a small smile.
Sirus nodded, "Of course.." he said softly in response to Corbin's words, "I didn't mean for it to come off that way," he tilted his head towards Gwen, a silent apology for offending her.
Gwen nodded back, giving her own apology while accepting his. It seemed like they might have to work on their communication during this journey.
Corbin also nodded, still smiling gently. “You're just used to traveling on your own and taking care of yourself. Give each other time.”
Rhes chuckled a little. “That’s enough sage advice, love. These two should start preparing to leave… and I should start cooking.” she reminded the others with a knowing look.
Sirus sighed a little as Corbin's words concerning him being used to only having to deal with himself hit right on the mark, but nodded with Rhes, "I think that would be a good thing to do sooner rather than later." he said softly, looking to Gwen to see if she was ready to go, "And thank you Rhes" he said softly, looking to the mother in the room.
Gwen nodded in agreement and stood back up to leave and start packing.
“You’re welcome, young man.” Rhes smiled kindly back. “I’ll either drop these off tonight or before you leave.” she assured.
Corbin looked at the pair, a little misty-eyed but wasn't going to make any attempt to stop them. This was their choice and unfortunately necessary for the protection of both Gwen and the tribe.
Sirus nodded to both of them, and then he was getting up to follow Gwen back outside. Once he'd caught up with Gwen, he seemed to relax a little, "So, how do you want to do this?" he asked, "And where exactly do we have to go?"
Gwen looked up at him when she heard his question. “Well, considering how long this will take us, we should pack fairly light. We'll… We’ll need to make sure that we have enough weapons… Mostly enough arrows, in my case.” she told him. “I’m sure Corbin won't mind if you take the bedroll he gave you if you want to take it. As for where to go…” she said, trailing off when she realized that Sirus probably already knew how to pack for a journey like this and held out the map for him to see. “This symbol here means that we're supposed to head out… that way. But traditionally we're not supposed to open it until the tribe is out of sight.” she explained, pointing to the northeast.
Sirus nodded along with what she was saying, leaning in to get a better look at the map. "Well, I'm sure having a shifter guide you isn't exactly tradition either." he said, meaning it to be a jest. "As for packing, I won't need the bedroll, but if it's possible, I would suggest adding whatever you need to my packs, I'm big enough when shifted to carry both of us and we'll make better time that way." he hummed, "I would suggest picking up a mount in the next town, but they don't do well near wolfshifters…."
Gwen did chuckle at that and shook her head. “No, it's not. But you heard what the Chief said about my training.” she reminded him with a smile. “I… Thanks for the offer but I think I can carry my own supplies. But if you insist, I wouldn't mind sharing the load.” she agreed. Honestly, she had no plans to get or borrow a mount unless it become absolutely imperative.
Sirus nodded, "We'll leave it as a last resort then." he said good naturedly, "But I can take some of your stuff anyway." he hummed, "Aside from that, I'll need a better look at that map once we're back at your tent."
“Alright. I guess that's fair.” Gwen nodded a little. Technically, Sirus was her guide and not a member of the tribe… So she wasn't doing anything wrong by letting him see it earlier. “Well, we should go into my tent and see what I have that would be useful first. Then if we need anything else, I know who we’ll need to talk to.” she smiled a little.