Jon let his tears flow for a bit so that he didn’t have to see the others in a sad state. When he was ready, he followed the path back from the border so that he could see them again.

Jon noted the lushness of the grass he walked through, wondering what the other farmers would think if they had seen the land he was traveling through.

He eventually found his friends sitting on the grass, all looking down and away from each other.

Hector picked up his head first.

“Jon!” he stood up. “Is she…”

“Safe.” Jon nodded. “Gone. Back home.”

“Right.” Hector took a deep breath. “Home. Safe… Mission complete.”

“It’s the shittiest mission complete I’ve ever felt,” Mallory said, standing back up. “But it feels good all the same.”

Jon nodded. He agreed.

“What are you gonna do now?” Hector asked, looking at Tallow, who was still sitting.

“Huh? What, me?” I dunno.” Tallow’s mouth tightened in thought. “I have no idea what Sabez is doing, so I’m just sort of left hanging out on my own. You?”

Hector groaned grumpily.

“We have to go report this to his sister,” Mallory said. “So, we’re off to the King’s Guard.”

“We also have to get Jon fully initiated,” Hector explained.

Jon nodded.

“Well, the last person Sabez spoke to was your sister, so…” Tallow stood up. “Looks like I’m going with you guys.”

She stepped up to Hector. “And don’t look so happy!”

“I wasn’t…” Hector hadn’t smiled at all, but he was still blushing. “I didn’t say anything.”

“Well, come one then. I hope you have showers back at the Kings’ Guard thing or whatever…” She climbed back onto the wagon.

Mallory traded looks with Hector and shrugged.

“I… suppose I could use a shower too," Hector admitted, "but not at the King’s Guard.” He walked up and took his place at the front of the wagon like always.

Mallory climbed in after him. “Yeah, Hector has better showers at his house.”

“Why does she have to use the showers at my house?” Hector grumbled.

“You have like, 20 showers!”

“We only have a few,” Hector responded. “It’s nothing special.”

“You heard that, Jon?” Tallow said as he climbed up next to her, “he only has a few showers.”

“How many showers does Jon have?” Hector asked.

“One,” Jon said.

“What?” Hector turned around. “But didn’t you have like 7 people living in your house?”

Jon focused hard to try to answer Hector’s question. “6.”

“So, you have 20 showers, but you don’t use any of them,” Tallow asked Hector.

“I.. whatever.” Hector grabbed hold of the reins. “I’m not gonna be living there any longer anyway. Soon, I'll have a hundred showers."

The carriage stall in place for a while.

“Whenever you wanna go, Hect,” Mallory said. “Everything’s on you.”

Hector hung with his head low. Jon couldn’t imagine the pressure of Hector having to take care of an entire castle.

“Didn’t Amalia say she was gonna do all the work anyway?” Tallow asked. “You’ll be free to do what you want.”

“No… my father’s gonna expect me to still help out and… I just can’t leave her and…”

“Okay, okay, no need to think about it now,” Mallory said while patting him on the back.

“Yeah, sorry.” Tallow leaned back onto the side of the wagon. “Just screw everyone.”

“Screw ‘em all…” Hector muttered.

“Screw ‘em!” Mallory cheered.

“Screw ‘em…” Jon said under his breath, not sure what to add.

Tallow spoke up after another few minutes silently sitting in the wagon.

“This border thing is kinda starting to creep me out,” she said. “Anyone else?”

“Yeah… you’re right.” Hector sat up finally. “Back to the King’s Guard.”

He took another breath.

“Back to hell…”

Mallory had opened his mouth to respond, but Jon had already started to speak.

“Together.”

Again, Jon spoke so fast he didn't really get to process what he said. He just wanted Hector to feel better. They had been through all sorts of trials and scary situations, but knowing that he wasn’t going alone made things all that more bearable. Jon didn't think he’d be able to make it regardless.

Mallory nodded in understanding. “Together!”

Hector looked with curiosity.

“Together,” he said.

“You guys are a bunch of assholes…” Tallow muttered.

“You too,” Jon added before Hector flicked the reins

The wagon set off.