“Camping by the river makes more sense,” Mariel said.

“It leaves us exposed to danger,” Jana object.

“What danger? A couple of bandits?”

“There are worse things than bandits, Mariel. We should seek a town. It will be more secure.”

“It’ll take us two days to get to the next village and I wouldn’t say it’s the safest place,” Amon interjected.

The fighting between the Paladins started only a few brief hours into their trip. The younger brother couldn’t remember what set the pair off, but he preferred it when they weren’t talking to each other. He felt a nudge on his side.

“Is this a Paladin thing or a woman thing?” Clarence whispered.

Amon hid a chuckle. The Finley boy wasn’t his favorite person, but leaving the village seemed to bring out a refreshing side of him. “Who knows?”

The road had more birds, foxes, and an occasional dog or cat than people. Given the weather gave them little trouble. If not for Mariel and Jana, it would be perfect for reading.

“There’s no need to put the animals through two more days of walking. We can camp out for the night,” Mariel said. “Bandits get little from farmers.”

“If they are hungry enough, they will steal our food,” Jana offered.

“Not if I break their jaws.”

“Is violence always the answer for you?”

They stared at each other, both their horses’ tails swishing enough to touch each other.

Mariel shrugged. “It’s worked so far.”

“You have a lot to learn.”

“Says the Paladin who thinks some bandits will be too much to handle.”

“I did not say that. I just prefer to avoid conflict.”

“You know you’re built to kill, right?” Mariel mocked.

“No. I am built to defend and protect the people. As all Paladins are.”

“Whatever. We’re stopping for the night.”

“I feel the group should decide.”

Mariel grumbled, glaring at the Paladin beside her. “Fine. What do the men of the group want?”

The weight of the blue eyes fell on the boys in a heavy wave. Clarence instantly pulled his eyes away, unable to answer. Amon bit his lip. Jana was doing him a favor by putting a kind word for him in the Capital, but Mariel was his sister, and she was right.

“Mariel has a point. The area is safe for the most part. Even if bandits show up, everyone knows Paladins when they see them and if they want food, we have more than enough to spare.”

Jana wasn’t pleased, but accepted that they had outvoted her. The decision created a whole other argument of where along the river they would stay. Jana wanted to stay further into the woods to allow some coverage, while Mariel said going so far into the forest would only make the journey longer. The day turned into evening and a solution was still not apparent.

Jana dismissed Amon’s suggestion to split up. Numbers were one of their strengths, and if something happened, Clarence and Amon would need protection. Eventually, the Paladins begrudgingly settled on a halfway point between their desired locations. Clarence quickly volunteered to gather firewood while everyone unpacked the cart. Despite that, the two women had stopped talking to each other. But the hostilities were still going strong with glares and sighs alone.

Amon couldn’t deny he was glad to have someone else to argue with Mariel rather than him, especially since Jana seemed up for the challenge. He sorted through the items he had packed. They would need something hardy for the long journey, but not so heavy they would be sluggish.

“Mariel, will you help me get some fish?”

“Sure,” Mariel said

“Oh, I will-” Jana started.

“No. By the god’s graces, just stay here you aggravating woman.”

***

It was the Amon’s pleading face that kept Jana in her place. The siblings left, leaving the Paladin unsure of what she should do. She noticed the horribly packed and unorganized items packed in their bags.

“Don’t even think about it Jana.”

Unir’s voice nearly stopped her ward completely. “We need some sort of shelter. I should do my part as a member of this traveling party.”

The minor god sat on the side of the cart. “Careful or they’ll find out you’re a spoiled rich girl who can’t handle a night sleeping on the ground.”

“I am not spoiled nor rich,” Jana corrected. “I simply feel it would be wiser to stay in appropriate lodging.”

Unir giggled. “You’ve never slept outside, have you? I wonder if Mariel knows..”

“Why are you picking on me?” Jana asked, her face flushing.

“It’s fun and you make it easy.”

When Jana didn’t reply, Unir sighed. “What’s on your mind, Jana?”

“Did I make the correct choice? To say nothing to the villagers about their treatment of Mariel?”

Would have it really made a difference to them? Could she really have undone years of anger toward Mariel with one speech?

“I don’t know,” Unir replied softly. “She can speak for herself.”

“But should I have? Would my words have made a difference?”

Nearby bushes rustled, followed by voices. Unir patted Jana’s shoulder before vanishing. Jana pursed her lips, her uncertainty forming coal in her stomach.

“We got a big haul!” Amon exclaimed. The siblings stepped from the woods, arms full. “Hey, are you okay, Paladin Jana?”

“Of course!” Jana beamed, swallowing the lump in her throat. “Can I help you with that?”

“You know how to prep fish?” Mariel asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Well...no.”

“Come on, I can teach you,” Amon offered. “And Clarence…where is he?”

“He has not returned?” Jana replied. Then again, she didn’t remember him leaving.

“I’ll go find him. That’s all I need is to lose him on the first damn day,” Mariel groaned.