"I thought you hated the king," his girl deadpanned Hiei quietly.
Hiei had ridden towards the back of the royal progress group where his girl, her boy, and Nishi rode on their hippogriffs. Hiei had been riding up in the front with the king, catching up with the old fool, trying not to think about the deal they made signed in blood.
"He's alright in small doses," Hiei answered her. "Just like the prince."
His girl snorted at that. "Vain boy," she murmured. "How many times has he brushed his hair today?"
Hiei clicked his teeth, not liking her response. The queen had got the statue of Nishi taken down, and the museum changed into a museum for the town, rather than a museum of Nishi. There was still one small section of a wall for Nishi, which she begrudgingly agreed to let be there.
Hiei brought his hippogriff up next to Nishi's. "The king is hoping we can make it to Gandara by nightfall rather than camping once more in the woods."
"Would be swifter if we didn't have to follow the river so much?" Nishi murmured, but without a sharp tone.
"The queen wants to progress on the river boat. She and the prince prefer it to riding," Hiei commented.
"He can't ride?" his girl quipped, commenting on the prince.
"His mother prefers him not to," Hiei commented. "He's the heir of the royal family. If he had a living sibling, it would be a different story. Can't take the risk."
"What about his cousin?" her boy asked. "Lord Jiro's son, Shura?"
Hiei clicked his teeth. "A young thing yet. His mother is making sure he grows up strong. Be a warrior like herself."
"Give the vain boy to her to train then," his girl suggested. "Or give him to Father to toughen up."
"Use his title," Hiei snapped at her. "Use some respect."
His girl frowned at him, but made no response. Nishi spoke up instead. "Are we once more invited to dine aboard the ship?" She looked about excited at the idea as he did.
Hiei smirked at her, knowing what he was going to say would greatly interest her. "There's that, but once we reach Gandara, Lord Jiro's territory, the king has grown restless. He wants to hold a small tournament between fighters in procession with him. At Lord Jiro's castle. The day after we arrive since we will be staying there for a few days."
Nishi's smile spread across her mouth, very much excited at the idea. "I won't take it easy on you," she warned him flirtatiously.
"Can we fight?" his girl asked in a rush, breaking into the conversation. She looked and forth between his boy and him.
Hiei looked over at Nishi. Nishi studied over the twins, before nodding. "So long as there's no hard feelings to be had if you are defeated," she warned.
"I won't lose," his girl said confidently.
"That's manageable," her boy answered humbly.