“I’ll have you know it’s the right thing to do,” said Aleci irritably.

He knew what Kaeso would say. The right thing to do had led them on more than one merry run from various authorities and headaches. The last right thing to do was purring in Kaeso’s lap. It was the biggest cat Aleci had ever looked upon, Kaeso helpfully pointed out that it was a tom at Aleci's repeated cursing at the creature. Tom or dam, the cat wore the smuggest of looks; that it knew it was the biggest cat around, and no other would usurp it from its throne.

“It sits around and eats our food like the Caesar,” Aleci had muttered. At least Caesarion wasn't as bloodthirsty, unless you counted the rats, squirrels and other small unforunate creatures that the cat occasionally deposited at the foot of Aleci's cot.

Caesarion’s treasonous name had stuck. Not that the cat particularly cared, he came and went as he liked, somehow managing to find the warmest tent and the more generous of the guards.

He slurped down the rest of his meal, and was filling up two bowls to take to the tent when Kaeso stopped him.

“Does he need cloths?” said Kaeso.

“Clothes?” said Aleci.

Kaeso rolled his eyes, “Cloths Aleci, what do you think babies do?” he shook his head, “Never mind, I’ll come by with some before we leave tomorrow.” He clapped Aleci’s shoulder, “There’s going to be so much laundry. Should I clear up a space in one of the wagons for the four of them?”

“You do that," said Aleci, “So helpful.” He added with fondness, “What would I ever do without the wisdom of Kaeso?”

Kaeso gave him a friendly wave, but not before adding, “Announce your presence before you enter the tent.”

“What do you think I am, a barbarian?” said Aleci, getting up with the two steaming bowls in each hand. “Good night Kaeso.”

There was a light in his tent when he approached it, and Finne was the one to open the tent flap after Aleci called out that he was coming in. He took in the bowls in Aleci’s hands with some surprise. His hair was loosely tied back and slightly damp.

“Thank you Praefect,” he said, looking shocked, “You needn’t.”

“It’s no trouble,” said Aleci, offering Finne the first bowl, “Don’t you want something hot?”

Edon scowled suspiciously and only said a begrudging thank you when Finne gently pressed him to do so. From the way he sat down and eagerly devoured the contents, it would seem that whatever he took wasn’t enough. Aleci sniffed the air curiously, there was an earthy, flowery smell in his tent. Like a tea, Aleci thought, and shrugged, perhaps it was whatever Finne bought with him. The two younger children were sleeping in one of the cots, bundled in blankets. Near the tub was a small pile of soiled clothes and two towels hung over the screen.

“Do you want to bathe Praefect?” said Finne, “I wasn’t sure…”

The water was slightly murky. Aleci shook his head, “No.”

Finne looked relieved, “I’m sorry Praefect, I should have asked-”

“I offered,” said Aleci, “don’t worry about it. Why don’t you eat before the food’s cold?”

Edon protested sleeping in the same tent as the enemy. At least, he spoke in the odd tongue again but the meaning and angry glare was the same. Aleci decided to make himself scarce in the far corner on his own cot. It was as much privacy as he could give to his guests without outright giving them the tent. The older boy quieted down soon enough, his protests soon becoming yawns of tiredness, which was when he allowed Finne to tuck him into bed.

The screen had been pulled in front of the beds Finne and the children slept on. Finne didn’t need to ask for his permission, thought Aleci, bewildered at how Finne asked if he could do so and if he could sleep now. He stared at the unfinished map on the small table he balanced on his knees, wondering if this was an Imrukian thing, that a wife had to ask for permission. Certainly it wasn’t the case when he learned the tongue from the Imrukian women in the Capital. But they weren’t nobles. Nobles always had their... way of doing things, even in the Capital.

“Praefect Aleci.”

Finne was wearing his nightclothes, holding a small pouch in his hands.

“You are going to the Capital?” said Finne.

“Yes,” said Aleci, “Are you?”

Finne glanced down and then back up at Aleci, “Yes. I… would this be enough as payment?”

He tipped the contents of the pouch onto his hands and held it out to Aleci. It was a ring, an emerald in its middle and a pair of matching earrings. A bridal gift, from the looks of it, if his mother knew Aleci had deprived a woman of her bridal finery he would undoubtedly be forever barred from her house. He supposed that sentiment would also apply for carriers.

“No, Finne, you needn’t-”

He saw Finne swallowed, his palm closing on to the jewelry and clenching into a fist. They were quickly placed into the pouch again, and Finne approached him hesitantly, his eyes flickering to the screen and then at Aleci’s face.

“Would you like something else, Praefect?” said Finne, voice wavering, “I'm not the... prettiest, but I am sure you would-"

“No!” said Aleci, shaking his head, watching as Finne’s hands moved to undo the ties on his clothes, “No, you don’t have to pay me Finne.” Finne’s breaths were coming in great heavy heaves, there was a very far away look in his eyes, “Finne.” said Aleci, taking Finne’s chin with one hand, “Finne, you needn’t pay me. Not now, not ever. You and your children can come with me to the Capital and I swear on Mytea’s name that I will not let any harm come onto you and your sons.”

He wasn’t sure if Finne even heard him, Finne had collapsed on the bed, shoulders shaking.

Aleci stared stupidly, wondering if his touch would even be welcomed. He hesitantly placed one hand on Finne’s shoulder, like what he would do to comfort his friends. He thought Finne would shake it off, or move away, but Finne leaned onto the touch as if it was a hand extended to a drowning man. Throwing caution to the wind, Aleci pulled Finne into an embrace all the while Finne wept silent tears.

“I promise,” he repeated, wondering if Finne even understood his soothing refrain, “I promise, I promise, I promise.”

The candle was very much burnt out when Finne wiped at his eyes and said, steadily, “Who is Mytea?”