It's going to be a long walk.

This is going to be one long walk, now that you started following the Ladies, the realisation that this is going to be a two weeks walk setting in your and your party's mind. But it was for your own good, so you needed to do it, or you could just go back and surrender to the soldiers, maybe the queen won't do much to you ?

Only thinking about it sounds dumb enough, as two Legends helped you, two persons who had done incredible deeds, and are well-known and respected. You were glad that the Ladies were helping you, as they had a lot of knowledge and contacts, which is very helpful. Your train of thoughts was interrupted by Rei though, when she asked you.

"Adam, why do you wear both scabbards on the same hip ? Wouldn't it be better to have one on both hips ?"

Because yes, you chose to put the Abyssal Dweller on the same hip as your other sword, making it a bit complex to grab only one sword, but you'll work with it anyway, as you answered.

"I prefer it like that, so that if anything happens, I can either quickly get the other sword with my main hand, or get it if needed with my other hand. I figured that a sword was just a big dagger anyway, so it isn't like there would be any big issue with that, is it ?"

"This is a gamble, Adam." Lady Kogai says, as no one was really chatting in the group, focusing either on walking or thinking, so everyone was able to hear Rei's question and your answer. "Since swords are a lot longer than daggers, you need to be far more careful with them, and to learn to manipulate them differently than you manipulate daggers. I will help you with that, lucky you."

Seems like you didn't consider everything, but it was good to know that you would get Lady Kogai's help in training, as training was a very important thing you had to do in order to not be a burden like you were to the Ladies in the fight against Atsura and Permafrost.

"Thank you, Lady Kogai." You eventually reply. "I'm glad you are willing to train me. I don't want to be a burden anyore."

"That is not what you said when we told you we would be training you as a reward, but it is not surprising to us. We saw your desperation when Permafrost had froze half of your body, and it is only a matter of time before you start training anyway, so we are just accelerating the process."

You nodded slightly, before glancing at Douma, who looked shy as always, as you thought that you really needed to do something with both Rei and Douma for the latter to stop being so shy around your vixen companion.

For the days that followed, the five of you continued to walk, stopping only to eat, sleep, and replenish your food and water supplies at small towns that you passed through in your travel. As you walked, you continued chatting among each other, with even Douma participating from time to time, you also listened to the Ladies' stories, what they were doing before becoming Legends, how they had the occasions to become better, etc... You felt like a bond was growing between you, your party and the Ladies with every day that passed, and even though you were on the run, you couldn't help but feel good with your four friends.