"Would you like to ask me a question?" Aleci said, when the silence stretched between them.

Finne's eyes met his, he pursed his lips, thinking then said, "Why do you want to stop at the lake?"

"Because it boosts morale," Aleci replied, "and we still have some time before the winter pass closes. I don't see why I should. Do you not like the lake?"

"I was… camping there once," said Finne, a melancholy note in his voice. "A very long time ago."

"Have you told Edon about it?" Aleci suggested, "He seems the type to enjoy-"

Finne's eyes narrowed, "No, I don't like to think about it."

There was an unwanted memory there, that much was clear from Finne's tone. Well, Aleci could sympathize, he would never willingly return to Leucia again.

He saw Finne let out a breath, his eyes flickering to the screen before he said, with forced cheer, "When you return home, what would you like to do?"

"Wine," said Aleci, with no hesitation, then he scratched his head, "though that depends on the year, sometimes there's a good year and the wine's sweet but we've had years where you might as well be drinking vinegar. I suppose I'd like a hot bath as well, do you know the bathhouses we have in the Capital?"

"With taps?" Finne said, eagerly, "I read- heard there were taps with hot and cold water."

"You know I don't mind what you read," said Aleci, "you needn't say you heard if you've read it somewhere. And yes, there's hot and cold water," Finne's eyes widened at that and Aleci grinned, "we don't have to wait until the Capital, there's a small border city that has a bathhouse. Would you like me to plan a stop there?"

Thysdria dwarfed Llandy, Imruk's capital city was positively quaint compared to the bustle and cacophony that was Thysdria.

"Do you not need to return on schedule?" said Finne.

"Yes and no," said Aleci, "I haven't received any letter telling me to make haste, so as it is, I don't see why we couldn't stop." He gave Finne a smile, "Besides, I did promise Edon a present-" he held out his hand to stop Finne, "I know very well how it feels to be promised something, my father used to do it often enough to me. He was always late or forgetful, and you know, as a child, time doesn't flow the same. Besides, it's Thysdria, I doubt Edon can find anything plated in gold there. You needn't worry about the cost of it."

"You needn't get him anything," said Finne. "I..." he paused, "if the cabin's still there… there's a hidden sword somewhere under the floorboards," he gave a sad smile, "it was a present when I was his age."

"What was it?" said Aleci, curious.

"You still insist on sparring with me?" said Finne, "It's a sword. But don't tell him, I don't know if it's still there. I wouldn't want to disappoint him."

"I won't," said Aleci, "I promise."

"Please don't buy him anything," Finne insisted firmly, "you're not obliged, Aleci."

"It is not obligation," said Aleci, reaching forward to touch Finne's hand. "I made a promise to your son and I intend to keep it," he laughed softly, "besides, what kind of a man would I be to break a promise to a child?"

"A normal one," said Finne, firmly, but he didn't pull away, "if he'd asked for the moon would you have gone to fetch it?"

"I would have gone and brought him a moon cake," said Aleci, and seeing Finne's open mouth shock, explained, "do you know them? They're round and filled with cheese. The whole experience would have taught him to be more precise in his requests. And if not," Aleci shrugged, "he'll either enjoy eating said cake or I'll enjoy eating it."

"I don't believe your imagined scenario would end well," Finne insisted.

"Is Edon the type to throw a fit? Don't worry, I'm used to that, I've seen plenty of tantrums thrown by grown men," said Aleci, remembering the one infamous memory where he and the entire senate was held hostage. "There's a convoluted logic to a child's anger."

"There's none in men?" Finne said, raising an eyebrow.

"You can't cure entitlement," said Aleci.

Well, Aleci thought, one can, but that usually involved a sword or a knife to the gut, but the last time the senate had done that the Empire had plunged headlong into civil war. But dwelling on those things meant he would be tempted to blurt them out and Finne wasn't Kaeso.

"What would you like then?" he asked, careful to rephrase Finne's question. "When we get to Thysdria? I don't think it has much in the way of wares, but I'm sure you can find something."

Finne blinked owlishly at him, "What I want? I... don't know, besides, why does it matter? I wouldn't have the coin for anything," he shook his head. "Don't offer, Aleci, you didn't make birthday promises to me."

"I would never," Aleci insisted. "I was going to suggest you play the fiddle. You could earn decent coin depending on the competition. It's too cold for troupers, so I think you might earn enough to pay for a room in the Capital," he paused, "wait, don't do that, I forgot you're not one of my men," he gave Finne an apologetic look, "it would be hard to find room and board as a carrier, but I think the Imrukian women will help you there."

"I see," said Finne shortly.

"It is nothing on you," said Aleci, "it is just... carriers in the Capital hide their status or well, they work in the lupanars. I haven't met the former, and I suppose that's the whole point, they hide themselves, but I've met many of the latter," unable to stop himself he continued, "the best paid ones work for the Magisters but I don't know how you define best, I wouldn't sell anything to a Magister."

He saw several emotions flicker over Finne's face, "So I can't find work," Finne said quietly.

"You could join the women-" Aleci began.

"No," Finne shook his head violently, "they would tell me to marry again. That's what they usually advise." His voice became slightly higher, an imitation, "your husband will provide security and protection!" his motions jostled Ethain who flinched and Finne immediately began trying to sooth him, "I have had enough of marriage. I found no joy in it and I refuse to try again,“ he gave Aleci a look as if he expected a challenge.

It wasn't the challenge Finne expected, thought Aleci, he wouldn't say that Finne's statement was wrong, just that it clashed wildly with Finne's earlier offer to give Aleci a child. He stared at the tent floor hoping it would give some answer, and when it didn't Aleci decided it was best to be honest, "I never said you were wrong," said Aleci, "I'm not married, how should I know what it's like? But if you don't like the possibility of the Imrukian women advising you to marry then you should think on your plans. There's plenty that would take advantage of you, and your children as well." He tapped his fingers on the bed, "the Capital is beautiful when you stand at the very top, but not if you're in its slums."

"I see," said Finne, standing up, and with stiff formality continued, "thank you for staying up with me but please excuse me, Aleci, I would like to go to bed now."

He said something wrong again, Aleci thought, though he didn't have the faintest idea what it was. The next morning, upon hearing Aleci's recount of night's conversation, Kaeso immediately cuffed Aleci on the head.

"What is your damage? Attacking your superior?" Aleci demanded, wincing as he rubbed the spot that would no doubt bruise.

"You bumbling idiot," said Kaeso, "you've gone and burn your chances, Incendiarius!"

"Incendiarius?" Aleci repeated, incredulous at the reminder of his academy nickname, "Do I look like the forceful arsonist type? I don't do-"

"You simpleton," groaned Kaeso, "you can't even court properly!"