On the way down the mountain, Alaric tried to mimic Korran's silent steps to no avail. Even observing how he stepped up close didn't reveal any secrets. 

Were his sandals enchanted by the Gods themselves? The irrational thought seemed more rational than a human simply being that gifted at silence. 

During their trek through the forestry, Korran stopped suddenly and turned on his heel with a chuckle. "Trying to imitate my steps are you?"

Alaric grunted in annoyance at being found out. "How do you do it? I imagine it takes a lot of practice, but I'm a fast learner."

"I don't give out secrets on the first date, Your Highness. I imagine you were brought up with extravagant trainers who were motivated by expenses to share all their tricks with you," Korran responded mockingly.

"Are you saying I need only pay you for the lesson?" Alaric asked, ignoring his derision. To Alaric's surprise, Korran's face twisted into an offended scowl at the suggestion.

"This technique is not so cheap to be paid with gurdees," Korran growled. "It's paid with blood, sweat, and an unhealthy dose of fear.

Alaric held up his hands in a peace-making gesture. "I meant no disrespect."

Korran started back walking without another word. Alaric followed, wondering exactly how he'd keep this odd assassin on a short enough leash that he wouldn't compromise the job's success. He could already foresee him clashing with another personality on the team.

When they'd finally escaped the dense trees and shrubbery in the forest, Korran pivoted on his heel soundlessly and asked, "How far?"

"Pretty close now. I ventured to the village alone but I instructed the others to set up camp nearby, in the Jurgeon Plains," Alaric replied without breaking stride so he'd take the lead now. Korran scoffed and Alaric arched an annoyed eyebrow. Would this boy now question him every step of the way? "What now?" he asked him.

"Plains are possibly the worst place to camp. You can be seen for miles, which means you can be hunted as well," Korran stated from behind him. It was evident to Alaric the boy didn't think much of his tactical knowledge.

"It's also a place where your hunters can't exactly hide," Alaric pointed out. "But forgive me, I haven't had the experience of being hunted relentlessly by bounty hunters, so I usually don't make that a forefront of my plans."

"You should try it sometime." His monotone voice took on a sense of sincerity. "It keeps you on high alert at all times. Every pedestrian is a potential adversary, every bystander a potential killer; your senses become sharper than a giant's axe as a result."

"Sounds exhausting. It may do you some good joining this team and allowing others to watch your back."

Korran chuckled humorlessly. "Having someone watch your back is allowing that person access to your spine unguarded. I'll pass."

Alaric sighed. He'd heard the legendary Dagger of the West was ridiculously arrogant and egotistic but he was also ridiculously cautious. 

Alaric figured that was what it took to survive with such a sizeable bounty on his head.

They walked in silence for a while, with further attempts at small talk from Alaric falling on deaf ears since Korran seemed to be deep in thought. Or perhaps that was simply how he always looked. Either way, every time Alaric looked back at the boy, though his glaring eyes were alert his mind seemed to be elsewhere.

After making it past the village and getting a clear view of the flat, green plains stretched out before them, Korran finally broke the silence. "How many people in the team are they?"

"Six if I count you and I."

"And they're all criminals you said?" 

Alaric nodded. "I only trust criminals to pull off a job of this magnitude. Nobles tend to lack something within that's needed to persevere." He noted Korran's eyebrows raise when he mentioned nobles, as if pointing out that he was speaking of his own kind. Alaric chose to ignore that fact. "They lack the hunger."

"Yet you don't trust the criminals to do the job without your supervision," Korran said.

"Would you?"

Korran allowed the faintest of grins. "No, but you and I aren't the same. I've seen many kings, dukes and even more direct families attempt to be warriors, mercenaries, assassins and treasure hunters. It usually doesn't end well. They are built for organized warfare , leading troops with rules attached to the battlefield." His voice shifted into a harsh whisper. "Us common folk don't have rules and respect; the most dangerous prevails - no matter how cheap their victory is, all that matters is escaping the grave."

"I am not bred from this common blood of nobility you speak of," Alaric replied sharply. "I'm capable of being dangerous, if you'd like me to show you."

Korran regarded him with an amused look that made Alaric's blood boil. "Everyone thinks they're far from average, but not many truly are. Save it for the mission though, Your Highness."

Alaric had to genuinely focus to resist taking a swing at the cocky brat. It especially annoyed him because what he was saying wasn't far-fetched. He'd seen personally how his peers who grew up with their bellies full and sun streaming through mansion windows lacked real ambition, unlike the peasants they looked down on. Alaric felt like he'd be fighting his whole life to not end up in that same boat and here came some slum rat voicing his fears.

"Are we going to get going?" Korran asked, looking pleased by whatever he saw on Alaric's face. He'd never been particularly good at hiding his emotions and the boy seemed to get a kick out of it.

Alaric continued forward down the hill bordering the plains without another word with a pleased Korran in tow. His mind was stuck on one of the boy's sentences in particular. Everyone thinks they're far from average, but not many truly are. If those words could raise doubts in his mind as they did now, was he really fit to lead a team of extraordinary people?

He focused on the low-hanging evening sun which illuminated the plains below, bathing the short grass carpet with its resplendent rays. The humid air attacked the pair as they descended the hill, causing Alaric to wipe a bead of sweat before it danced into his eye. In this distance, the sun hovered just above the horizon, creating an image that far surpassed any painting displayed in the most elaborate museums Alaric had personally attended.

He breathed in the fresh aroma of the earth and sighed blissfully. Though he had the privilege of growing up in the upper echelon of a main city, he'd always loved being out in open nature and now - it calmly blanketed him with its comforting warmth, allowing his doubt to settle into the background.

Regardless of his fears of being unremarkable, there was much more depending on his success than self-gratification. Even if he had to evolve to become something he wasn't, he'd accept the good and bad that came with that if it meant he'd achieve his dream.

He could feel Korran's eyes boring into his back but it didn't make unease seep into his bones as it had before. He quickened his purposeful stride, eager to get the wheels turning in his grand scheme.

Eager to make his people safe once more.