He hid the relief that rushed through him when Ryland agreed to his spontaneous request.  It might’ve been unfair, but he’d been quick to judge, and he figured the prince would use his desire for that tranquil trip to punish him by denying him outright.  Though he could’ve always gone on his own…  It wasn’t as if Ryland had to accompany him everywhere, be the one to show him all the sights to be seen in Banque.  In fact, asking the older brother and having that quiet time with him would’ve been more productive and might’ve eased negotiations a little.<br/><br/>But it was done.  Plans were made, Ryland was off to see to things, and Keth was hurrying to get ready.  He decided to dress down, since there was no need to impress, in soft but simple fabrics dyed to dark, basic colours.  Blue was one of his personal favourites, and he was lucky enough to wear it well.  More attention went into his hair than anything else.  Ryland had warned about the wind.  Fighting the long strands as they whipped around was not going to help him relax, so he had Rijek help him add in some braids and pulled the bulk of it back in a thick cuff to keep it subdued. Then he spent a little too much time in front of a mirror, checking that everything was in place.<br/><br/>“You’re preening,” Rijek warned, smiling a little too freely.<br/><br/>“I am not.”  There was silence, but Keth knew what the man was thinking.  “I’m only trying to look presentable.  Is that a crime?  Must I look like a vagrant?”  His man just chuckled, which earned him a frustrated huff and a scornful look.<br/><br/>He met up with Ryland and they rode.  Unlike the prince, Kethaias enjoyed riding for pleasure.  He’d grown up in an area that allowed for much of that sort of thing, land with rolling hills and vast fields where it was not so much a benefit as it was expected for any girl or boy to know how to handle a proper mount by the age of ten.  But it was rare that he was able to indulge in recreational riding anymore, thanks to responsibilities that he didn’t honestly want, so even that much was a treat.  Even more so since the blond looked gorgeous as he rode, and he had enough skill that they were able to have some fun with the lengthy journey to where the mysterious river boats were.<br/><br/>Once there, Keth took it all in and couldn’t help but be pleased.  It<i>did</i>look peaceful, though it still spoke of certain comforts that he’d come to expect.  Moving into the low tent provided, he quickly figured out that stretching out on his stomach was the most comfortable position where he could still enjoy the scenery.  He stuffed a plush pillow under him, his arms wrapped around it as he waited to set off.  The gentle rock of the boat as they left the pier was somehow comforting.<br/><br/>“No.  No singing,” he decided, casting a brief glance to the prince before settling his chin down against the pillow.  “Your voice is not so distressing, I suppose.”  He was teasing.  “If I wanted complete solitude, I’d have asked to go alone.  Though it would be easy enough to dump you overboard if you become too much of a nuisance.”