Life on the road wasn't so bad. There were times where he missed sleeping in the same bed every night, and travel rations weren't the same as a home-cooked meal. Moving from one place to another could get tiring. But all things considered, he'd never been happier.

"Lord Ray-er, Raven, I've got some bread and fruit for us! And since the shopkeeper gave me everything at half price, we can afford a room at the inn, too," he announced. Raven, who'd just woken up from a catnap under a tree, looked up at him with a raised eyebrow.

"How did you manage that?"

"Well, I almost didn't, but then this fell out of my sash." Lucius held up a small silver card. "Remember, the one Sir Matthew stole from that sage on the Dread Isle? For some reason he gave it to me to hold onto and every time I've been to a shop since the owner lets me have everything for half."

"Huh." Raven's brow furrowed. "Are you sure they weren't just flirting with you again? They wouldn't be the first." Lucius sighed, he'd almost forgotten how possessive Raven could get. He sat down next to his lover, placing the bag beside him.

"I'd be surprised if this one would have the nerve, considering her husband was standing right there," he said. "I wish you wouldn't let it bother you so much, my lord. You know I'm hardly interested in the attentions of strangers."

"Yes, I'm aware of that." He wrapped an arm around Lucius, brushing a few strands of hair away from his face. "But I still don't like it. Even knowing I'm not going to lose you anytime soon I don't like it."

"I know." Lucius smiled, leaning against Raven's shoulder. He reached into the bag and tore a piece off a loaf of bread, breaking it in half and giving Raven the slightly larger piece. "Here, try this! The shopkeeper said it was baked just moments before I walked in."

"I figured. I can still see the steam coming off the inside." Raven took a bite, chewed slowly and swallowed. "Mm. That's the best bread we've had in days!"

"Isn't it?" Lucius smiled, savoring his own piece. "I knew this shop would be better than the last several." His smile became a smirk. "Now aren't you glad you let me come along rather than making me stay home?" Raven sighed, rolling his eyes a little.

"You're never going to let me forget that, are you."

"Oh, come now, I was just teasing!" Lucius finished off the rest of his bread and took out his canteen, washing it down with a long drink of water. "Mm, we'll need to refill these soon."

"I'll take care of that." Raven smiled. "Since you got the food and all."

"Thank you." Lucius smiled, leaning his head against his lover's shoulder.

Traveling wasn't the life he'd pictured for himself after the war, but these days he couldn't imagine living any other way.