Thomas tried to copy what Chrysa and the prince were doing. He had ridden horses several times before, but he didn’t have one of his own, so he didn’t have as much experience as some of the others. He admired everything, thinking about painting it when he got home. At one point he realized that he happened to be admiring the prince, and quickly looked away, his cheeks burning. Thomas quickly tried to imagine painting the scenery, not the people, hoping that no one could tell how red his face was as his complexion faded back to normal.
Liya quickly urged her hoarse to go faster and took out her favourite dagger. She wasnt sure if they would let you bring you own weapons, but she had hidden it and brought it anyways
Kendra trailed behind with a sharp eye out for any potential danger. It was out of habit, but who knows what could pounce upon this little entourage. She sat ramrod straight in her saddle, face serious and alert. One hand was on the reins while the other rested at her side, ready to grab a weapon at a moment's notice.
Thomas saw Kendra and decided to talk to her, bringing his horse over to hers. “Hi Kendra!” he said brightly.
Kendra looked over to Thomas, smiling slightly. "Hello, Thomas."
“How long is this ride going to last?” he asked her, not so much with annoyance as with curiosity.
She looked to the prince, then around their surroundings as she thought back to what the prince had said before they set off. "Approximately a week, if the prince is to be believed. Perhaps longer if we take random attacks and delays into account." She fiddled with her necklace again, as she continued to scan their surroundings, occasionally looking back to Thomas as she spoke.
“What’s his deal anyway?” Thomas asked, glancing at the prince. He looked back at Kendra, his hazel eyes clouded.
Kendra shrugged. "Who knows. The weight of responsibility? It is not easy to be a leader while remaining friendly–it's like juggling two different objects at once. Or perhaps the need to impress his father. The King didn't strike me as the most loving father out there, and being a prince would just add on to the expectations he needs to achieve." She wasn't an expert on families–her father had died before she was born, her mother had died during childbirth, and her grandparents had raised her to be the next leader of the Outcasts, not as their grandchild–but she did her best to understand.
“Oh,” Thomas said, looking at the prince again. He paused for a moment in thought. “Yeah, that makes sense. Maybe he’ll warm up to us eventually?” Thomas hoped that was true; the prince couldn’t stay cold and aloof forever, could he?
"Perhaps. I certainly warmed up to those I looked over." She winced. "Though… it took some convincing." She rubbed the back of her head. "I'm quite set in my ways, and I find myself being difficult when I should be listening to those around me." Her half-shaven hair flew around slightly from the light breeze that passed through, her random beaded braids clinking together.
“But you’re warming up to me, right?” Thomas teased her. “People tell me that it’s hard not to.” He tossed his hair jokingly, not really meaning it.
She laughed lightly, the crosshatch scar on her cheek bending with the small smile. "Indeed I am. You are someone I find easy to talk to."
Thomas returned her smile. “I’m glad,” he said, actually meaning it this time. “I enjoy talking to you.”
"Even if I'm a mage?" she said, raising a curious brow. She was half joking, not quite used to humor for one, and also curious of his answer.
“Even if you’re a mage,” he replied. He was more accepting than his parents, even if the mention of her being a mage did give Thomas a small tinge of uncertainty. Luckily his family wasn’t as strongly against mages as some. He offered Kendra a smile. He trusted her, and hoped that he wouldn’t end up regretting it.
She nodded. "I appreciate your trust. You won't regret it, I can promise you that." Kendra is a protecter–it's in her blood–and she found Thomas to be someone she just might come to care for. She had set out on this little quest to explore and escape her responsibilities, but it seems she was making at least one friend.
Thomas nodded. “I don’t think I will,” he assured her with another smile. Things just came easily with Kendra, and it made Thomas happy that he could find a friend in this group of strangers. Thomas considered himself a decent judge of character, and Kendra seemed like a good person.
"So," Kendra started, discreetly gesturing to the prince. "Someone catching your eye?" She teased. She considered herself an observant person, and her attention to detail as well as her surroundings tends to turn up quite entertaining results.
Thomas instantly blushed, making a point of not looking at the prince. “No!” he denied quickly, though he was clearly lying. “Of course not, he’s all weird and aloof! Why would I like him?” Thomas was rambling and he knew it. His lying skills left something to be desired.
She chuckled at his reaction. "Your blush says otherwise, Thomas. And I never said who it was. It was just an innocent question asking if there was someone here you found easy on the eyes."
Thomas glared at her, still blushing. “I don’t have a crush on anyone,” he insisted, once again clearly lying.
"Mmmm hmmm. I beg to differ, but suit yourself." Kendra found his blush amusing, as well as his poor attempts as lying.
Chrysa rolled her eyes and slowed her horse down to match the back two's speed, "We've hardly left the castle and you're already starting with the gossip."
Thomas’s stomach dropped as he realized she had overheard them. His blush wasn’t helping matters. “It’s not anything,” he moaned, being dramatic.
