As convenient as teleporting back to Kakariko Village would have been, the party would have had to leave their horses behind. The trip to Zora's Domain would have been much slower without them. So, they were set to ride back to Kakariko Village.

Before they could leave, however, they were approached by Bolson's second-in-command, Hudson. "What's the name of your mercenary company?"

Claude wasn't sure what to answer, but Flayn cut in. "The Rising Sun Company." Flayn had watched the stars, and it seemed that Hyrule was far to the west of Fódlan.

"Rising Sun, huh? I'd say that's close enough to having a name ending in -son. Is your mercenary company taking contracts?"

"What sort of contract?" Claude asked.

"Just an escort job," Hudson said. "The Bolson Construction Company has taken a contract in the Akkala region, and we'd like to hire you to take us there."

Claude thought for a moment. "We can take you as far as Zora's Domain, and you can hire guards there to take you the rest of the way."

"That'll have to do, I suppose," Hudson agreed. "Do I negotiate pay with you, or..."

"Take it up with Ashe," Claude said, indicating the former thief.

"Sure," Hudson said amiably and went to negotiate pay with Ashe.

When the Rising Sun Company was on the road, Lorenz decided to ask Leonie a question. "Why do you hate me?"

"You really want to know?" Leonie asked.

"I do," Lorenz confirmed.

"It's because you didn't do anything to earn your position in life," Leonie told him. "You prance around like it's some great achievement that you were born into a noble house, but you didn't have to work for it. Meanwhile, I had to work myself to the bone to get where I am in life, and you still act like you're above me."

"Is that really how I come across?" Lorenz reacted unexpectedly.

"Sort of, yeah," Leonie said.

Lorenz closed his eyes. "I do not look down on you, Leonie. Not for your birth, or any other reason. The truth is, as a noble, I was born into a life defined by duty and expectations. I am acutely aware that it was through no merit of my own. That's why I try so hard to be the ideal noble, to try to prove that my being born a Gloucester wasn't a mistake."

Leonie digested this revelation. So he wasn't just a stuck-up noble brat, but rather, someone trying to live up to a legacy he wasn't sure he was worthy of. She could understand that.

"I'm sorry. I misjudged you," Leonie admitted.

"No, no, it's my fault," Lorenz said. "I need to be more relatable."

"Still, I'm sorry," Leonie apologized. "I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions about you. I don't know much about being a noble, but I understand trying to live up to a legacy."

"Apology accepted," Lorenz told her.

"So, friends?" Leonie asked, offering her hand.

"Friends," Lorenz agreed, shaking it.

Meanwhile, Dorothea was writing music. It wasn't opera fare; she loved opera music, but this was meant to be different. Something simple.

She hummed the tune to herself. It was jaunty and cheerful, not opera fare at all.

She had a tune, she just needed lyrics. And what better inspiration than her gallant knight, Ingrid?

Well, technically Ingrid wasn't her knight just yet, but she would be.

Sylvain walked up to her. "Dorothea. It's a pleasure to finally talk to you."

"Save it," Dorothea told him. "I know your reputation. You love to flirt with women, but you're never willing to get serious."

"That...that's not what I wanted at all!" Sylvain protested.

"Then what did you want? I'm busy," Dorothea said tersely.

"I just...wanted to ask you about what you were writing," Sylvain said, obviously lying.

"It's a song," Dorothea said. "One I'm trying to finish."

Sylvain took the hint and left her alone. Dorothea returned her attention to her music, and her thoughts of Ingrid.