Consciousness crept slowly and gradually upon Iorveth, something that had not happened to him in months. He revelled in it. In the wakefulness that took its time upon arrival, enough so that he was fully aware of the good rest he'd received, even before opening an eye. The comfort of having Sio safe with him, and a place to get good rest was enough to cause him to bury his face in the arm his head was pillowed on, and sigh deeply. The action brought the scent of seared meat to his nose, and his stomach tightened in response. Groggily, he lifted his head to blink about the cave.

Sio sat cross-legged beside the fire, which crackled away. Its flames licked up at a crude spit and the skinned and cooking rabbit it held. His companion was working away at another, near-finished with skinning it and affixing it to another spit. As he leaned up on an elbow, she glanced at him briefly.

"Sleep alright?" she asked, pulling the cooked rabbit from over the fire to replace it with the other raw rodent. Iorveth used one hand to massage his brow as he nodded. She hummed in satisfaction.

"I see you're feeling better," he told her, drawing himself up to sit, elbows on knees.

"Incredibly," she replied with a grin, leaning forward to hand Iorveth the charred morsel. He accepted it. "Regrettably not venison, but.. It should do until I can hunt properly." Iorveth personally found rabbit to be quite tough and stringy, but a meal was a meal, and he'd certainly had worse. It would be filling, and that was all he cared for at the moment.

Iorveth inquired about their ultimate destination between mouthfuls. As Sio tended the conie over the fire, she explained they'd follow rough trails deeper into the Blue Mountains, continually heading north and on toward the sparsely charted mountain valleys beyond. With a sideways look his way, Sio hesitated. Finished with the meal, Iorveth narrowed his eyes slightly at the darkened expression she was giving him.

"I… need to be sure this is what you want," she said softly, "To come with me." Iorveth looked at her squarely.

"I don't make decisions lightly," he replied, his tone more serious than usual. She broke eye contact to look at the fire.

"Yes.. but I don't wish you to regret this one. Nilfgaard marches on the north, threatens the freedom of Upper Aedirn, freedom you fought for. What of Vergen? Of Saskia?" He scowled deeply.

"Nowhere to be found when I awoke," he tossed in a vicious tone, "The emperor's forces lay just outside the city, and pathetic disarray ruled there. What we fought for fled with Saskia, for whatever reason, and I wasn't about to linger for the remnants of a dead and smoldering cause." He spat his words like venom, the truth weighing heavy on his conscience as he spoke. A deeply troubled look darkened Siore's eyes as she stared deeply at the floor. In a more gentle tone, he continued. "I'm done trifling with Nilfgaard. I'm done with the dh'oine and their mindless wars, which serve only to destroy everything around them. I seek respite, now." Her eyes moved up to his, an odd look of yearning in the smoky irises.

"And you really do expect to find that with me?" He reached to take her hand, grasping it as a reassuring gesture.

"I do," he murmured gently, holding the gaze of the woman he believed he may grow to love. Her eyes searched his for a moment, before hope washed among them. Her other hand fell to his chest, fingers spreading about his neck.

"Okay. But... Before we move on... I need to make a stop, first,"

"We shouldn't stay around here much longer, Sio, especially with the weather calming. Where must you go?"

"Caervo's."

Iorveth's gaze hardened again.

"You realize that's the last place we need to be seen."

"And the last place he'll be expecting me. I just need to grab my gear. And... Something very important to me." Iorveth scowled.

"Your gear can be replaced. We need to continue north before more trouble is caused here," he advised in a low tone. Siore stared at the fire resolutely at she turned the spit.

"I'll be returning to retrieve it, regardless, and whether you accompany me, or not. I'll just need to slip in and out. Your cover from the trees would be appreciated." With a sigh through his nose, Iorveth took her shoulder in his hand, squeezing it.

"Fine," he said gruffly, and her eyes moved up to him, bright. "I'll pack up. You eat and gather your strength." Siore nodded, her hand falling on his cheek, before she planted a quick kiss on his unexpecting lips.

"Thank you, Iorveth."