Back again, to Rathkin!

Lexie and yourself stayed the night at the Turth River, your tigers eventually came back, cuddling against the two of you, helping you both stay warm through the cold desert night. It was quite uneventful as you cuddled with Lexie, talked with her and caught up about all the situations that were going on. She told you as much as she knew about Loner's Reach which wasn't much but figured other Syndicate members or even some of the Rathkin civilians would probably know more.

The night went by fast and soon the sun was coming up. The two of you woke up, you immediately made sure your tigers were well fed, well watered, well rested and immediately hopped on top of them and rode south. You had to get back to Rathkin today as you've been gone for far too many days. You knew Ashe would be able to lead the army well enough but you even left her without any guidance as you really didn't know what exactly was going to happen either.

Karisi would be in Rathkin now as well and she would be trying her best to lead, trying to most likely undermine Ashe and toss out orders. She was always really good at that and you knew the people of Rathkin already liked her a bunch. But should you allow her to be the leader of Rathkin? Should you bring her back to the Syndicate? Should you deny her everything for lying to you? You know she lied to you and quite honestly, you were pretty upset about it, but you also knew that Karisi has only ever looked out for you and if she thought this was the play going forward, she probably figured it was the best option for you as well.

The desert slowly faded behind you and with that, less brown colors and heat yet more green colors and cooler air.

The ride continued, on and on it went as the two of you rode past Murnic, "Need to stop?" you ask Lexie.

"Nope, let's get back to Rathkin." she nods, her tiger continuing to gallop on.

Hills. Plains. Grasslands. Trees. Everything just started to mesh together as the two of you rode hard for the entire day. The instant you came over that last little hilltop, able to finally see Rathkin in the distance you just stopped, exhaling hard as you were finally back to your destination.

"My ass hurts." Lexie laughs, breaking the tension.

"Haha, yeah, mine too." smiling back at her "And to think...we're suppose to turn around and ride back north in another day or two...screw that."

"At least then we'll be walking...going a little easier. This..." she nudges her body up, her hand moving below her as she rubs her butt cheek "This sucks!"

The remaining ride into Rathkin went as about smooth as could be. The whole outer city seemed much more alive now as random Rathkin civilians were wandering the streets and selling their trade goods. Handfuls of Sicilian warriors were standing guard, watching the town with careful eyes. All of them, happy to see you were back and safe.

"Last time I was here I was getting captured by Rathkin warriors, taken to that little villa in the inner city and most likely would have died!" she seems a heck of a lot more chipper then she should be. "It's cool to see the town so alive and kicking now!"

"Yeaa...much better this time, eh?" you nudge her with your arm as the two of you walk side by side through the outer city, making your way into Rathkin, ready to see Ashe again.

Even Rathkin citizens were nodding at you as the two of you walked through the streets. It almost seemed as if the people themselves didn't care that Rathkin wasn't here, as long as they had somebody protecting them if something bad were to happen. It's crazy how the public doesn't seem to care so much who is in control of the city as long as they are taken care of properly. It made you smile though, knowing these people were being taken care of and not taken advantage of.

"Alright..." You look up at the inner gate, exhaling once more as you're finally back "Almost..."

With some more greetings to my Sunriders, a giant hug from both Sylvius and Felix and a more than friendly kiss on my cheek from that very same warrior, both Lexie and you made your way towards the castle. You were told Ashe and Karisi were inside and have been staying in there for the days you've been gone.

"Looks like Ashe already moved in" Lexie laughs "Hopefully she'll let you lead again!" she pushes your body softly.

"Yeah, gotta be careful with her. I may need to challenge that girl." you give Lexie a wink "Think I'd win?"

"I dunno..." Lexie shrugs "Probably not."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, love." you snicker at Lexie.

"That's okay," she wraps her arms around your bicep, "after she kills you I'll finally have her all to myself! No more competing for her attention with you!" pulling her body into yours as you push open the castle doors.

"You're a jerk." you say bluntly "I hate you sometimes."

"Love you too!!!" she jests as she pulls her body closer into yours, her cheek resting on your arm.

Walking through the hallway was truly spectacular because many warriors and Sunrider's greeted your return, happy to you have back. You got more than your fair sure of handshakes, hugs and kisses on your cheek as the two of you navigated the hallways of the castle.

You stop right outside the two giant doors which go into the throne room. One final doorway standing between you and your return with Ashe...

"Whelp, let's go inside!" Lexie smiles at you as her hand reaches out to push open the door.

"Wait! Wait!!" You yell at her "Hold on!"

Lexie's body freezes as she slowly turns in your direction, curious why you told her to wait "Huh? What's up?" she asks.

You reach your hands back to your hood, bringing it up slowly over your head "I gotta look good, ya know. Make an entrance!" you smirk at Lexie as your hood falls over your face, shielding your features.

Lexie exhales a deep breath "Seriously?" she rolls her eyes "You're an idiot sometimes."

You shake your hands a few times, lifting your body up on your tip toes to loosen your body. You clear your throat one time "I'm back! Nope..." you shake your head, clearing your throat again, trying to make your voice sound deeper "I'm ba...nope." you clear your throat for the third time "I'm back! There it is. Good!" With a stupid smile under your hood and your head now nodding up and down "Oh yeah, I'm ready! Here we go!"

Lexie just has her hand shielding her eyes as her head is shaking back and forth from embarrassment "Oh Syndicate save me..." she mutters out.

You step up to the doors of the throne room and with all your might, you bring you foot up, kicking the double doors in, they both swing open extremely fast, crashing into the walls behind them, the loud bang echoing through out the Throne Room as you step inside. "I'm baaaaack!!!!"