Ocean's Breath Plateau seventy-second

Machi has brought along gems from Akashingo, as well as a few small containers of crushed minerals to be used as eye makeup in assorted colors. He is primarily interested in furs for Muat-Riya, as well as pouches and plants for personal use.

The man had secured Eset's permission to join the travel group, albeit under two conditions: maintain impeccable behavior and adhere closely to his yet-to-be-determined chaperone.

On the day of departure, he had gathered up his bundles of goods and set out to meet the remainder of the party with a promise to be on his very best behavior, and anxious to see who had been assigned his keeper. Of course, he should have expected who Eset would assign.
It was, inevitably, Legend.

Damn it.

True to his word, he positioned himself beside the warrioress and the little lord she carried for the entire journey, assisting in hare hunting and using his size to shield them from the wind. Uninterested in potential reprimands for any missteps, he kept his words to a minimum and absorbed himself in the tales of the peerage, offering smiles, nods, or laughter where appropriate.

Upon reaching the pack's borders, he lingered close to his assigned nursemaid, a glint of amusement in his eyes as he observed her uncharacteristic seriousness. A bit of suspicion was always healthy, but no need to be so overt about it.

He allowed his hip to gently bump against hers, a quiet reassurance.

Relax.