Mike
*It'd been a few weeks, since his campsite got moved, now much closer to his home village, in the small barony of Seidellia. He would be cleaning his sword, as he looked up at his armor, darkened, and reflective like a mirror, without the light in one's eyes, now upgraded with Orichalcum, making his old paint dye less needed now.*

*He had a lot of thoughts of his mind, the Silnari Baron, Drur, who seemed to have sent thugs his way... What he would do in response... It felt a sour taste in his mouth, realizing he wasn't happy with the choice he made... To fight the Baron if needed, all he wanted to do was improve the lives of his hometown, and here he was politicking like he never wanted.*

*Was this what it'd be like? Ruling the Barony? It didn't bode well for him, maybe... Maybe being a mercenary captain was all he was meant to be? It was fine, of course, and all, but... Not as fulfilling as he fully wanted in truth. He wanted to be both, serving directly to solve problems, **And** Be able to help with the blood in his veins' history as former nobles... But was that right? Was that a good thing?*

*He huffed a little, as he set his sword into its sheath, and just sat, holding his head in the moment, unsure what to think of everything, and because his camp was home to several currently, he didn't want to make too much noise and bother any one of course.*

*So, he just massaged his head, thinking as he sat there.*
Marian
"Again, I stumble upon you, ser Gyldenstierne."
*A familiar voice called out from a dozen paces away, the familiar sharpness to her tone belying the giggle that followed. Giving a small huff as she crested the hill, Elias offered a wave to her acquaintance from not so long ago. Her piercing gaze scanned across the camp, nodding subtly at each familiar piece; a small furrowing of her brow at the new things.*
"The townsfolk seemed to know you, at least. I doubt I'd have found this place otherwise."
Mike
*He looked up when he heard someone speak, and he buried some of the sadness he felt, smiling as he recognized Elias was present, improving his mood greatly. Surely a friendly face was what he needed to cheer up right now.*

"Well, Ser Bluedove. You're sight for sore eyes."

*He called out, as he waved in return to her, rising to his feet, as he moved to meet her. He pauses a moment to look back at his equipment, before shaking his head, and approached her once more.*

"Yeah, Arquenay is town I grew up in, it asked for aid from me, and well... I couldn't say no to home, you know?"

*He would open his arms, in offering for a hug once they were close.*
Marian
"Ah, I see... So this is your demesne?"
*Her attention fell toward the town mentioned, a grave countenance gripping her features momentarily. To pull himself closer to what would be his fiefdom suggested something was about to change... Whether it was good or bad, the knight supposed she'd ask. His offer took her aback slightly, though only from shock. An awkward moment passed before she accepted, rubbing his back gently as she embraced him.*
Mike
"In a way, yes."
*In truth he didn't really know what demense meant, but he figured its meaning, he sighed happily as he felt the rub to his back, and he patted her back, enjoying the hug. It made him happy, that he had friends to turn to. Friends who... Didn't know his mental burden in the moment.*

"I guess I have a lot to share of the last few weeks... Where to start, really...?"
*He wondered, thinking.*