Darius and Lux stared at each other in stunned silence for just a minute before snapping into action in unison. Lux holds up her left hand, using the silent signal for 'what is your command?' used in the Noxian military. A bonus to mesmerizing almost all standard Noxian training, is the ability to speak to Darius without words. A skill she had not anticipated needing while spying in Noxus.
Gall sits in her stomach, bitter and heavy. As much as she doesn't want to follow a Noxians commands in battle, Darius does have superior knowledge in the field. Any advantage might keep them both alive, and Lux isn't so proud to turn her back on such a resource. Still, it hurts her pride like a blade to the gut. The closest she has come to being this wrong before, is when she lost a bet with Fiora. A feeling she had hoped to have left behind her.
Darius holds up his left hand, index and middle finger straight. A flick of his wrist causes his hand to drop, fingers changing position to his pinky and thumb sticking outwards. With a gentle nudge of her heels, Lux shifts Prism into position slightly behind Cornix's but to the right. This is a standard scouting position; close enough to provide cover. Yet, there is enough distance between the two of them, that an attack won't take them both out at once. Both of them are tense, alert for any new signs of danger. None appear, which worries them both. Why would their prey show itself like that, then vanish? Darius gives Lux the signal for, 'follow' then heads off at a brisk trot.
Tense silences accompanies them for several miles. Muscles held tight from fear, Lux keeps an anxious eye out for trouble. This is the first time she's left home since the land started to warp. Sure, she had book knowledge...but it hadn't prepared her for such a stealthy approach! How could a mere beast get past her magical senses? It wasn't mentioned in the tomes she's read!
Again, gall sinks hard to the lowest section of her stomach. Darius does have current field experience. An additional bonus, he is very adept at killing. Without his battle expertise it is doubtful she can reach the next city state in one piece. Time to adjust her plans for future adventuring! But, if the city-states knew about how dangerous this...abomination is, why just send the two of them? Shouldn't more force be warranted? Unease filled Lux, but a different kind. More is at play here then just monster hunting. Something to look into once she reaches the relative safety of a fortified town, or city. Unbeknownst to her, Darius was thinking very similar thoughts.
Roughly twenty miles down the road an outcropping of broken stones looms large. This isn't on her map! It looks frightfully recent, almost as if it put there on purpose? Something like a rockslide is covering sections of the road. Here the road forks. The path leading to Piltover is impassable, while the other road is barely usable. From what Lux remembers is that section of road continues to skirt along the outside of Shurima. Their options are now much more limited. Both of them stand at the jumble of stone in silence, debating their options internally.
"We'll make camp here. The rocks will provide ample cover. Tomorrow we continue on the open path. That thing couldn't head towards Piltover any better then we can." Darius informs her, his back stiff.
In unison they slide off their horses and start searching for anything dangerous hidden in the area. Nothing surfaces as a danger. Lux starts putting up magical protections, and Darius starts to construct a covered area. Neither of them risk a fire. Once her bed is established, Lux pulls out a simple trail ration for her supper. Prism happily chews on nearby grasses.
"Hmph! That is what you're eating for supper?" Darius says with disdain, eyeballing her ration with open disgust. Unlike her, Darius has fancier trail rations. Unlike hers, they require some prep and cooking. In his gear is a tiny hextech stove for such things.
"Yes." Lux snaps back face growing red at his growing smirk.
"Pity. Demacian trail rations taste like ash. Completely tasteless! Noxian military provides superior traveling rations. I'm surprised that's all they gave you," Darius continues with his commentary on her dinner.
"This is what I gave me. I packed my own rations! I-I don't know how to cook. It isn't something deemed worthy of my time while I was getting lessons. These are the only rations that don't require any prep or cooking. I could have brought fancier supplies, but I couldn't use them. And, I didn't think you'd feed me. Or help me cook my own dinner," Lux continues her explanation tone growing nastier.
"So you do have limitations," Darius replies back, eyebrows rising at her.
"Yes. And...I'm sorry. You were right. Earlier my foolishness could have gotten us killed. Your field skills are better then mine. I'll follow your orders because that is the smart choice. Failure in the mission is not an option." Lux rushes out her apology, refusing to look him in the eyes. "You want first or second watch," Lux asks while staring at her dinner. She's such a fool! Today has been full of lessons. All she wants is someone to see her with respect. All her attempts to impress Darius, and prove to him that she is strong backfired! What could he possibly think of her after today?
"I'll take first watch. Rest up while you can." Darius doesn't acknowledge her apology, nor look her in the eyes.
Carefully finishing every crumb of her meal, Lux still can't find the courage to look at his face. Lux does not want to see the open disdain on his face. He must be so disgusted with her! Now, to finish this mission alive. Then, relocate to a different city-state and prepare for her adventuring. As is, if she went out on her own, she wouldn't last. Wounded pride stings at her just as sharp as Darius' disappointment in her. Lux can feel his gaze on her, it rests heavy on her shoulder blades. He can't hurt her! Not with her personal protection spells on her spelling place. Why does his stupid opinion matter to her? He's just some dumb Noxian who she's forced to work with, even if he the most handsome man she's ever seen. Life is getting complicated outside of Demacia without her parents trying to marry her off! Why can't anything go as planned?