The sun had barely moved above the horizon when Eirwen walked out into the front courtyard to inspect the troops. Two dozen knights stood at the ready, while behind them stood another two dozen soldiers. In front of the carriages her personal staff had gathered, all wearing weapons and light armour. While the knights had individual decorations, the troops and staff all wore the Verglas colours and coat of arms. The one exception was the nameless, who still carried no weapon or armour, just thick dull grey clothing. He stood at attention, a stance roughly emulated by the staff next to him.
Eirwen let her eyes glide over the knights. Those that had engaged the nameless yesterday, looked rather embarrassed and had a hard time looking her in the eye. Good. Their faces looked spotless, but she noticed a few grimaces and stiff stances. The price of underestimating the nameless, and hopefully a lesson well-learned. The honourable Bethan was a grumpy healer who suffered no fools. Given Eirwen's orders about treatment priority, it was no surprise that Bethan had chosen to not overdo the healing.
On her path to the carriages stood Vicomtesse Pertrellan, who subtly winced when Eirwen's cold eyes fell upon her. The Vicomtesse was dressed in full plate, her family's coat of arms clearly visible on her chest. Like the knights, Pertrellan was wearing fully functional gear, rather than ceremonial overdecorated armour. It sent the message that the Verglas troops still took the situation serious, even if their opponent had already surrendered. Recovering from her faux pas, the Vicomtesse jumped to attention. "Your Grace! All ready to ride at your command!"
Eirwen nodded in return, still wearing the cold mask that she had held in public ever since the war had started. "Very well. We ride in three moments. Walk with me." She walked over the main path towards the carriages as the troops all jumped to action, quickly giving their gear a final inspection. Pertrellan stepped aside then walked in her precise pace, slow but measured. She glanced at the woman, a loyal advisor and friend of the family. "You look as if you want to speak but dare not to."
Pertrellan stuttered. "Ah, uhm. Your Grace. Is it really okay for him to ride with you? I swear upon my name that I can keep him safe at my side. The troops have all been given their instructions and many have already spent some time writing formal apologies to you." Eirwen raised an eyebrow to that last bit. Now that she hadn't expected, given how she knew they would lash out and both she and A- the nameless had lured it out deliberately.
More importantly, Pertrellan seemed to be misunderstanding. "Make no mistake, Lady Pertrellan. I doubt neither your competence nor your loyalty. But we simply cannot afford to have him be visible to the public. You see, if we have him unarmed, his former people will assume we are showing off a prisoner, which will earn us resentment. And if he is armed, they will not be obedient to me, they will be obedient to him. So he will ride with me."
Of course that wasn't all. But there was no need to state her personal motives, when the reasons provided sufficed. Pertrellan bowed and stepped back, then quickly walked over to her own horse. All that was left was the staff, including the healers. She nodded at Bethan, who appeared to be studying Eirwen's face, wanting to make sure there was nothing left to heal. Satisfied with what she saw, Bethan nodded. "Good morning, your Grace. It is my honour to accompany you."
"And it is my honour that you travel with us. I do have to state, while no problems are expected, please do remain in your carriage during any altercations. You will ride the carriage behind mine." The healer's eyes narrowed. A quick glance over Bethan's shoulder showed the nameless also wore a slight frown, eavesdropping as always. These carriages were big enough to have four travel inside one. If even Bethan would ride another, then that implied either no or one specific companion. Eirwen sighed softly. "Like I said, no problems are expected. But if there are, I'd rather have him at hand, without others there to become collateral damage."
She looked the nameless in the eye, seeing mild panic in his eyes. She wasn't sure whether she should be offended or amused by it, given how in the past... She steeled her emotions. The past was the past. As for the nameless, he actually blushed when he realised she was onto him, then tried to bring his facial expression under control. But with this not being an active battlefield, he had a far harder time doing so than two days ago. Eirwen tilted her head a bit, sending him an inquisitive eyebrow. She vaguely noticed Bethan rolling her eyes before stepping aside, taking away the last barrier left between them.
Eirwen looked him over rather blatantly, making sure to keep her emotions out of her face. His outfit was rather decent for something that had been put together in less than a day. It was the proper grey of the nameless, a no-frills outfit that fit him quite well. In a fight, the outfit wouldn't obstruct him, even though it offered him very little protection. It also made his social standing extremely clear. It was a shame, his old navy blue had fit his red hair far better. With a pang of guilt, she realised she never would see him like that ever again.
"Nameless." She didn't have to address him like that, but still desired to do so, twisting that dagger into him while pretending not to notice how it was hurting her as well. "I hope you had your morning exercise, because you won't be allowed outside the carriage during our trip. Follow after me."
She climbed into the carriage, ignoring his stance that was ready to offer her a hand if desired, while it was clear he also did not dare to actually offer it unless she indicated she desired so. His hand and face did twitch a little, as if offering her a hand was an act he had to actively suppress the urge of. She had never needed his hand before, but had always gladly taken it. No more.
Inside the carriage, she saw an awaited bag placed on the back bench. She took it in her arms and waited for the nameless to also board the carriage. He actually needed to take a deep breath before daring to do so, an act that almost made her smile. Then a frown, which she also managed to keep off her face. Part of her wanted to lash out at him. The rest of her waited patiently.
Not long after he was properly seated across her, his eyes looking everywhere but at her face, the carriage started moving. Through the curtains, she could see the knighs on horseback move at exactly the same speed as the carriages. She looked back at the nameless, whose eyes met hers and immediately darted away. Frustrating how scared he was of her.
She opened the bag and pulled out two sheathed swords. The first the one he had offered to her. She hung it from the side of the carriage, clear for him to see but also clearly not for him to use. Then she offered him the other sheath, a simple one holding a simple sword. "Keep this with you, but do not carry it on your side. Only use it if necessary." She managed to keep the word absolutely out of her instruction. If he didn't dare draw it in time, that could endanger lives. As much as she wanted to put him in his place, that was one price she was unwilling to pay.
He bowed his head to her. "Yes, your Grace." Then he hung it from his side of the carriage. By the time his eyes flitted back to hers, she was already looking out of the window. If he didn't dare face her properly, then she wasn't going to bother doing so herself. Their silence left the ride painfully quiet, the only thing audible the sound of wheels and horse hooves.
