Snippet #1504132

Their journey into the surrounding wilderness was a surprisingly easy one. Kervall was used to riding - as much as he disliked it - but the experience was almost entirely different atop Lilac. She sauntered along without needing much guidance, at an easy and relaxed pace that almost let Kurt completely forget his anxiety. Instead, he turned his attention to Adelaide. He couldn't help but smile, watching her quietly as she seemed to enjoy riding Storm without the saddle a nearly obscene amount. The sight of her leaning forward and, for lack of a better word, cuddling the horse while they walked made him snicker. It was an adorable image that he would no doubt carry with him for a long time to come. As for Lilac, he was quite content to let her pick her own route through the trees behind Storm. Even her gait was somewhat calmer than he seemed to remember from being equine. Not that he was complaining - less jostling was a very good thing when your innards were sore and bruised. Unconsciously, he laid his right hand along his mare's flank while he let his mind wander, the reins dangling loosely from his left.

His mind projected forward, to the future. What would be the outcome of all of this? Jamie was out there stirring up a shitstorm, but he knew himself that without help, his brother would likely fail to accomplish anything besides being a large pain in the ass for King Damian. He examined the hand dealt him, and wondered if the feud between their families was worth all the time and energy vested in it. He, too, had planned and schemed and thought of ways they might overthrow the king. But was it worth it? What was there to gain by railing against the world and what it offered? Death of your enemies and allies alike? Misery and heartache along with conquest and glory? What did it all mean? Not for the first time in two months, he struggled to grasp the point of it all. Surely victory and revenge might bring solace or even happiness, but what then? When you stood in a field surrounded by bodies and blood with the flag in your hand, what happened when the adrenaline died down? Would you need to seek out more enemies, more conflict just to feel satisfaction? Living from fight to fight until finally losing did not seem anyway to live one's life. At least, not to him. Was it a crime to want less in life than glory and bloodlust?

Kervall was roused from his inner thoughts as the princess asked him a question. "Hm? Oh. She's a dream," He smiled, "I've truly never ridden so easily. Hm..?" Kurt's attention was stolen as they entered the quiet, beautiful clearing. Immediately he noticed the basket sitting nearby and he couldn't help but laugh. "Of course not, Ada." He spoke gently, slipping into a more affectionate and casual tone seeing as they were alone, "How long have you been planning this?" Smirking, he let Lilac take him to the other side of the clearing before dismounting. The jarring of the landing hurt more than he was expecting and he had to close his eyes and take a deep breath before moving on, but he did so wordlessly. Kervall pulled the walking cane from its place and tied Lilac to a nearby tree with a large lead, allowing her to wander and graze as she pleased. Then, he approached the picnic with an astounded expression splayed over his features.

"Wow, Ada. I'm impressed. You really went all out, didn't you?" Lowering himself to the blanket, Kurt held up a hand, beckoning her to join him.