(A/N: Okay, iPad updates suck. I don't have a personal computer so I have to do everything on my iPad. I let it update last night and it screwed everything up. I might not update the story as much as a result, but I will still try to update it every day. And hopefully the format looks good this time.)
Eisso had to admit, Malin's input in strategic matters made everything a bit easier. Eisso and Morgan had more time to themselves with a third person giving sound advice. They had a route planned for when Cynthia and Gerome came back, and plenty of supplies to make the trip.
He had decided to spend the day with Kenzie. They didn't do much more than sit around and talk, but in all honesty, that's all he wanted to do.
Around midday, almost a week after they left, Cynthia and Gerome came with a handful of letters. They handed them out to everyone; to his surprise, Cynthia handed him two (one was from Robin, and the other was for both him and Kenzie, from Ocielle).
"Thank you," Eisso said.
"No problem!" Cynthia replied, smiling. "And the trip was fun too!" She left to hand out the rest of the letters.
Kenzie leaned over and took the letter from Ocielle. "Would you like to imagine how mad she is at us before I open this?"
She asked.
"No," Eisso said. He tucked the letter from Robin in his pocket to look over with Morgan and Lucina later. "But I'm pretty sure she wants to kill us."
"Us or Robin," Kenzie agreed. "She probably won't let us stay at the shop after this, either."
"We'll figure it out," Eisso replied.
Kenzie nodded, and began to open the letter. "'Damn you both. So help me if one of you dies, I'm not paying for your funeral. And you're lucky I'm not killing that pet rabbit of yours out of spite.'" She read it in relative monotone. She closed the letter again. "Honestly I was expecting more cursing and threats."
"I feel a bit bad for Robin," Eisso said. "She was the one who had to explain everything."
"She let us leave quickly for that reason," Kenzie replied. "And Ocielle had a grudge against me before this—if either of us are kicked out, it would be me. You would be fine; a little uncomfortable, sure, but otherwise fine."
They fell into silence. Eventually, though, Eisso stood up.
"I should bring Robin's letter to Lucina and Morgan," he said. "Then we can continue marching tomorrow."
"I'll be here," Kenzie replied.
Eisso nodded and walked around camp. He found Morgan in the dining tent.
Morgan looked up from what he was doing and smiled. "Hey Eisso," he said. "I assume you got the letter from Mother?"
"Yeah," Eisso replied. "Where's Lucina?"
Morgan closed his book and put it in his bag. "I think she went to her tent. Gerome handed her a letter and she left."
"Well, let's go find her so we can get moving quicker," Eisso said. Morgan nodded, stood up, and together they made their way to Lucina's tent.
The entrance flap was open, but Lucina herself was looking over a letter.
"You should probably light more than one candle if you want to read it better," Morgan observed.
Lucina looked at them. "R-right," she replied. She used the flame from her candle to light some of the lamps around the tent. "Sorry. I just got distracted. Apparently Father was worried after how I left the castle—I didn't really say goodbye, and he watched me leave. He just…poorly expressed his concern."
"Well, I got the letter from Robin," Eisso said. "We can figure this out now and make up for lost time tomorrow, maybe even start moving again today."
Lucina nodded, inviting them to sit down. Eisso brought out the letter, broke the seal, and opened it. He proceeded to hand it to Morgan.
"Can you not read or something?" Morgan asked jokingly.
"I can," Eisso said, "But unless you want to wait five minutes for me to match a word to pronunciation then it would be best for you to read it."
Morgan looked like he still wanted to tease him, but read the letter anyway. "'I will be completely honest, when I saw Cynthia and Gerome come to the castle I had assumed the worst. But I'm glad you're okay. The situation hasn't been ideal back here at the castle, but it's nothing we can't handle.
As for your question about Malin, I would need to see him to be sure. But I do think that I know him. For now, continue to keep a close eye on him—but please don't treat him rudely. And concerning your recommended course, I would just have to say to keep up what you're doing now; besides a few sightings in villages, I have no clue where you are right now. And while that's mildly concerning, I would like to hope that the same can be said for the Grimleal.
I'm proud of you guys. All of you. In your first real battle, it seemed like you did great—no fatal casualties or problems. When you get to Plegia and start fighting more, I know you'll do great. Don't worry about it, okay? I'll try my best to establish an easier way of communicating so I can check up on your progress soon. Regards, Robin.'"
"Okay," Eisso said. "Let's start planning."