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There were no sign of guards riding up to arrest them yet, fortunately. A few of the patrons that were inside had taken up spots just outside the building, then quietly headed back inside without so much as a glance at Norton. It must've been a common occurrance for adventurer types to get so worked up. Lydia and Ava were stationed much farther away, taking their own sides between parallel buildings. He approached the two, setting down Ava's share next to her side, where she squatted. She still fiddled with her blade. Lydia leaned against a wall, watching Norton closely, which was made more unnerving by the dried blood.

“Put the knife away, Ava, please," Norton asked. Ava looked up at him, then slowly stowed away the weapon. He also considered asking them to move farther away from the place they just terrorized, then quickly dismissed it as a bad idea. Norton looked between them, wondering where he should settle in. It was clear neither of them would budge, and that was probably for the best. However, he didn't want to seem as though he were taking any side. A lone, withered stump was set past them, nearly clouded in foliage, a perfect spot to wait out the silent treatment. He sat down, dropping his pack and money along with it.

Not a word was traded amongst them. Ava kept her focus mostly on the ground, occasionally stealing glances at both Lydia and Norton. Lydia, on the other hand, stared at Norton in-between bouts of staring at the sky. How long did it take for cat folk to sober up? Were she not incredibly mad, Norton might've offered to mix up one something for her to speed up the process. No, all he could do now was wait for something to happen.

The scenery was serene, despite the situation. Flowers and other greenery sprouted in this little field, fenced off by the street ahead, which carried a number of various people and cargo. Norton wished he could just slip away into it and get lost in the crowd. Not happening. Not with his new burden in life.

“Looks like I was wrong about you being a slave," a familiar voice said just behind Norton. He whipped around to see that diminutive lizard, Mehni, wearing her usual outfit of bare naked covered by a cloak.

“We aren't in the mood for you right now, kobold," Ava said. Lydia remained silent. Norton could only imagine what kind of death glare she was giving Mehni.

“What do you want, Ms. Mehni?" Norton asked.

“Miss. Even when faced with two brutes, you manage to be polite." She gave a toothy grin. “I came to give you a gift."

“For what?"

“For saving my tail, of course, and my sister's. Brothers too, but we don't speak much." Mehni presented an orb with a bug encased in its center. At first Norton assumed it was a crystalline formation, but as soon as he touched it, he felt a chill to it. Ice, of course. The insect was a large, bulbous grub that faintly glowed orange. One he had only read about in passing.

“A dragon's tear?" Norton pulled it closer to examine it. “Where in the world did you get this?"

“Where would a small kobold get something so unique? I stole it, of course."

Norton looked back at her with a furrowed brow.

“They were terrible people anyways. It's better in your hands."

“Well, you have our than—"

“Not a gift for them. Just for you," Mehni quickly replied. She ran a claw up his neck and across his chin. “You're such a nice generic... Pardon. A nice man. Unlike your partners." She leaned over to glare at them. “I doubt they would have much use for something like it anyways."

Norton shook his head. “It's not as though I actually did the work to help you."

“You were there, that's enough." Mehni patted his cheek. “I hope we can meet again in less miserable circumstances." With that, she was off, running into the distance and around the building's corner.

“I should have let the cat strangle her," Ava huffed. Norton turned back to the two to make sure they weren't at each other's throats. Confirming that, he shifted his attention back to the bug. It was a grim reminder of the package he delivered and also an absolute wonder. A terribly delightful gift.

“What trinket did you receive?" Lydia asked, vaguely casting her gaze in Norton's direction.

Norton held up the orb. “A dragon's tear. It's a rare grub for an even rarer insect." He couldn't hide the excitement in his voice. “If exposed to enough heat, you could create things like an ever lasting lantern, or an instant heating implement to boil water!"

“Couldn't you do that with magic?" Ava asked.

“Not without a constant stream of magical essence, no. Partially why alchemy is superior to magic." He tightened his grip on the ball. Even with the icy chill surrounding it, he could faintly feel that twinge of heat radiating from the insect. It must've been a perfect preservation. He had to admit, magic still had its perks. “To think, someone actually plucked it from somewhere near a lava flow."

“Are you going to use it then? That would be more useful than gawking at it," Lydia said.

“Not now. I don't want to be hasty." He ran a thumb across the slick, icy surface and stowed it away. The two of them seemed slightly more open to conversation, at least with him. “Where do we go next? Should we sleep at an inn fi—"

“I am not sleeping here," Lydia said.

“Fatherly issues are such a bother, aren't they?" Ava asked Norton. He frowned.

“We should be safe around the city regardless. We have the food for it too," Norton said.

“Around the city? The cat can go make her own camp. I'm getting a nice warm bed."

“We can't do that. Lydia is still part of our group, whether you like it or not. If Miriam catches her that's one less person that will help us get away."

Lydia scowled. “As if I would ever be caught by that walking leech!"

“See? She volunteers willingly," Ava said with a smile. “Go on."

“I should have let that thing devour you whole," Lydia shot back, gripping the handle of her blade. “It's only a pity that it would make your pet cry."

Norton stood up. “Stop it, both of you! You aren't making this situation any better by killing one another. You both got me into this mess and I do not want to die because of it." He sat back down. “Now what is our next move?"

Ava looked to the ground. “I suppose we sleep outside if need be."

Lydia was quiet for a moment as she eased back into her leaning position. “If we keep heading north, we should be able to slip out of their grasp eventually," she said. “She'll know we were here and based on our movements, it would be sound for her to assume we are going north as well."

“Should we get going then?" Norton asked. The group looked at each other before silently getting up and preparing themselves for the trek ahead.

“Meet me at the edge of the town," Ava said sternly, and walked off. Lydia and Norton watched her stroll away before trading glances.

“Norton," Lydia said, walking over to him.

“Yes?"

“If you'll indulge me in one last thing."

“What is it?" Norton asked. Lydia's answer was leaning down and pulling him into a kiss. It stunned him into silence. The experience was more reserved than previous, lacking the forceful tongue and mashing of faces. Her tongue was still rough, and having it run across his mouth was arousing and distressing at the same time. Quietly she parted from him, licking her lips in much the way a regular cat would.

Lydia stared at him with that worrying blankness and a tilt of the head. “Shall we get going, then?" she asked. Norton quietly nodded.

_

Escaping Hull was just as wondrous as entering it. All the tall buildings and people whizzing by. The city wound down to more respectable smaller, more reserved buildings as they approached the exit, where Ava stood waiting. Those gates were less imposing on the way out as well. Norton was quick to note felids making up some of the ranks of soldiers stationed around the gate. Ava nor Lydia gave them a passing glance. He briefly wondered if Byron would keep a closer eye on his daughter after everything that happened. The thought worried and comforted him.

Just like that, they were out of Hull and back into the wilderness. The stark contrast made him feel like he had never been in a city at all. The only remnants of civilization in front of them was the brick road they walked on and the small groups of people moving past them.

Norton's beast folk companions walked on either side of him, using him as a barrier between them. A good choice all things considered, but he would be dead if caught in the middle of some sort of spat. He adjusted his pack and tried not to think about it. Neither of the two seemed to be in the mood for fighting regardless. Ava and Lydia both stared out onto the road ahead. Not a sly remark left Ava's lips. No order barked out of Lydia's mouth.

The walk forward continued on much the same, only over time the groups of people splintered off into their own roads. The group was left alone again, with only the howl of the trees and their footsteps for company. Sunset was right around the corner, threatening to plunge them into darkness at any moment. “When night falls, stay close, Norton," Lydia said quietly.

“I will."

“We'll work in watch shifts again when we make camp. Get as much rest as you need," Ava said soon after.

“I can watch as well," Norton replied.

“We don't need as much sleep as you do. It won't help."

“I suppose not. Alright."

Norton found himself looking to Lydia more often than he'd like to admit. He had suppressed it thusfar, but his mind wandered back to that brief kiss in the city. It wasn't one made out of jealousy or a desire to enrage, rather, it seemed more like something done out of curiosity. Intrigue. The brunt of the alcohol seemed to wear off by then, so she was entirely aware. Ava was approachable, perhaps even amicable. Lydia, on the other hand, still had the visage of a stern golem. She was practically alien to him.

Whatever the kiss meant to her, it had no lingering effects on her, at least not visually. She marched on without a wobble in her stride. Now he only had to worry about what Ava felt. Should he tell her? They were... something, now. Friends seemed like the closest approximation to it. Acquaintances with too much skinship between them. Acquaintances that were perhaps trying to force something more. It would probably be best to do nothing. Not let the secret slip and risk someone dying. As flattering as a catfight over him might be, literally and figuratively, he didn't need them at each other's throats.

The lack of banter between them was almost painful. It helped to break up the silence of travel, which was far more worrisome in the darkness. Norton expected a group of bandits led by an angry fish to sneak out of the woods at any moment. “We should make our camp here," Lydia said suddenly. “Split off the path into the woods."

“Alright. Lead on then," Norton replied. He looked to Ava for her reaction. She didn't say anything but did follow along with the idea. They swerved off the path into the woods proper, searching for a relatively comfortable clearing to settle into. For once, Norton envied his beast counterparts and their vision. He was stumbling over every twig and root in the area until they came to a stop.

“Here," Lydia said. Norton set down his pack and Ava went to work on the fire, loudly snapping random bits of wood. It wasn't long before they had settled into their campsite and stared into the flames. Norton considered breaking the silence just to ease the tension, however he couldn't think of anything to even say.

“I'm going to hunt something," Ava said, standing up. Norton was going to interject. They still had a fair amount of food, but it was clear she wasn't hunting for food. “Shout if anything happens," Ava said, directly to Norton, and walked off into the dark.

“Be safe," Norton said, and turned his attention back to the fire. Lydia sat not far to Norton's left, laying back against the trunk of a tree. “Lydia." Her name stung on his tongue. He looked to her. Lydia's cold eyes snapped to him. “What was that?"

“I assume you mean the charade in the city."

“I understood the charade, but not what came after."

Lydia's gaze briefly flicked to the floor. “I was interested." There was a pause. “In you."

“Thank you, I suppose." Norton crossed his arms, unsure how to react. Interest from Lydia seemed almost deathly.

“The wolf spends much time doting over you. I wanted to see why."

“I doubt it's for the kisses. In fact, I doubt it's for me at all."

“Perhaps." There was another long silence before Lydia started to pry her armor off. Curiously only the upper-half, however. Norton quietly averted his gaze. “It was good."

“What?"

“Your kiss."

“I don't care for jokes right now, Lydia."

“It's difficult to joke about something I have so little experience in."

Norton furrowed his brow and glanced over at Lydia before quickly averting his eyes again. “Pardon?"

“You would be my first kiss, Norton."

“I find that hard to believe." Well, not really. Norton only assumed she was outwardly attractive. Her personality was a different story.

“Romance is difficult to find when training."

“You've finished training for quite some time, Lydia." Norton rubbed his eyes.

"True, but it was shortly after that I met Ava. If you think romance comes easily with her company, you're sorely mistaken." There was some shuffling. "Did you enjoy it, Norton?"

"That's... hard to say, Lydia. I'm not used to such a sudden push."

"Oh? What of Ava?"

Norton shook his head. "I'm still not used to that, nor do I want to be."

"Then perhaps you'll indulge me in a question?" Norton could hear her walk over to him and sit down next to him. "Will you?"

The human crossed his arms. "I suppose I will."

"Do you like me?"

Norton paused as he mulled it over. "I don't see why I wouldn't, Lydia." That was partially a lie. He had every reason to dislike Lydia, but she hadn't killed him yet.

"My father made me realize something. I had lost interest in my original goal." She laughed softly, almost worrying Norton. "Did you know, I wanted to be a mother?" Norton turned to face her in surprise. Her blatant nudity seemed entirely tame in comparison. "I expected that face from you."

"I'm sorry, Lydia." Norton hardened his expression. "I just... The thought isn't entirely what I pictured from a warrior like you."

"I didn't want to be a warrior. In fact, the thought disgusted me. It is why I left training."

"So then why are you here? Being a knight?" Norton asked.

"Being a wife isn't exactly a paying profession. Certainly not when you come across as a poor mate." She straightened her posture. "Made all the more impossible by my physique."

"Then it was circumstance?" He frowned. "Forced into the profession?"

"Who would take on a disgraced warrior? One who is the child of a powerful felid at that?"

"I suppose anyone would be essentially asking to be killed at that point." Norton looked out at the forest. "You're a lovely lady, Lydia." He turned back to her. "Once this is all over, why not take your funds and find yourself a proper husband? Certainly someone would agree."

"I suppose then, you mean to say you aren't interested in me?"

Norton furrowed his brow in confusion. "That's-- That's not to say I wouldn't be, but what use would I be as a mate?" Picturing Lydia as a wife was nigh impossible. In fact, he couldn't imagine her in much of anything except her raggedy nightgown and suit of armor.

"None, I suppose, but I must admit my options are limited."

Norton shook his head and gave a nervous smile. "Come now. Just like I said, Lydia, someone else would be willing to marry you."

"After what has happened?" Lydia started. Norton's smile lessened."Unlikely. As much as I am free of legal repercussions, I am not free of the social ramifications."

"So I am merely the final option? I can't say that's exactly flattering."

"I apologize, I did not mean to offend you."

"Even still, Lydia, it's not as though I could fulfill your desire of being a mother." Imagining Lydia in a lewd situation wasn't something he expected, but didn't exactly dislike. He moved hands between them. "I am human and you are cat." Suddenly he hoped that referring to her as a cat was crude. "Pardon my wording."

"There is a spattering of human in my lineage, Norton." Lydia placed a hand on her chest. It trailed down past her breasts and onto her stomach. "I would be able to bear children easily than the average beast-woman. Certainly better than Ava."

Norton held up a hand in protest. "What makes you think I would want children with Ava?" She seemed more like a 'wife' but not someone who came across as motherly material. A part of him was even surprised he was entertaining the idea, but it had crossed his thoughts during their salacious encounters. "I understand we've had our moments. They still aren't enough to be an item."

"You may not want children with her, but I've seen her reactions. She would very much like to do so. Maybe as an escape from this life she's led up until now."

"So you want me to choose, then?" Norton asked.

"Not as such." Lydia leaned forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. Despite her hand being clad in that hard armor, he could feel the tenderness in the expression. "I simply figured it would be best to let you know our feelings on the subject." She gave him a gentle squeeze before releasing him. "I hope you do not mind if I sit here."

"I must admit, being so bare does make me object to it somewhat," Norton said.

"My apologies I figured it might make me more approachable."

"I am not that shal--" Norton paused. "Well, I suppose I am man, but it's quite alright, Lydia. You don't have to do that for my sake."

"Then I'll simply enjoy the fresh air for now."

The two returned to silence. Marriage? With either of them? It would be funny if it weren't happening to him. That's what loneliness does to you, Norton said to himself. You attract the other lonely types. He looked to Lydia out of the corner of his eye. The brute. Norton looked to the forest. Or the rogue. Lydia may have said it wasn't a choice, but it was plainly clear she was still hoping to be picked. And for what? A fleeting sense of normality? To chase a long loved dream of motherhood and the pain it brought? Though knowing Lydia, it's possible bearing children would hardly hurt her at all.