Rosewater Oasis Almagest

His eyes were on the distant horizon, appearing half bored as he scanned the landscape. Euryalos had perfected an air of disaffected boredom over much time, the countenance of a guard on a warm summer day, stood baking in their armor and too sleepy to care.

If you were too observant, you were clocked far too easily.

His eyes turned to his darker companion, unable to hide the wince as the sour smell of scored skin met his nostrils. He sneezed it back out, finally turning his head to look at Nikolaos. The princess was in obvious emotional turmoil when she had made the dressing but, he thought privately, what were they training their royals if they couldn’t even wrap a bandage? Euryalos had learned that skill when he was a youth of only one season. He licked his nose, feeling the drag of the taste buds across the sensitive pad.

Nikos pointed out water, and trudged ahead. Euryalos was helpless but to follow. His compass had never pointed to any truer north, he thought to himself. It was when they got closer to the water that he sped up, snapping his teeth over his companion’s ear to get his attention, then huffing shortly.

Wash it. Low and gruff, gravely with little use.

I will reapply the bandages. Another short huff.

Need to teach.