Cromwell stopped with a sigh as Ashryn moved to block his path.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff0000"> "No, neither of have changed, girl. The only thing different about you is that you are a few inches taller and you have tits that aren't made of tissues."</span>Cromwell said.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff0000">"And the only thing different about me is that I am no longer swallowing my pride. Your father hasn't changed either. He isn't acting different. You are simply seeing his actions better now that he isn't beholden to his only prepubescent child."</span>Cromwell pulled a dagger from his sword sheath and walked past the horse, deftly running the blade through the leather of the saddle, but not harming the animal itself.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff0000">"And I said leave the horse."</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff0000">"Yeah, well, if I would have stayed, then my head would decorate the north wall," </span>Cromwell said.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff0000"> "But you would never know, since you obediently listened to Velatha and your father when they told you not to wander over to the northern ramparts. May Velatha's soul rest in peace with the Dread King, but I am sure her body is turning in the grave at how dense her little princess has grown up to be."</span>Cromwell stepped off the path at this point, continuing his pace away after disabling her ability to safely ride the horse.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff0000"> "And no matter how horrible you think it is, that's common fare for the city. Valen was the only one arrogant enough to pay guards to arrest girls and pretty ladies to replace his beaten whores."</span><br/><br/>Cromwell turned around, continuing to perfectly walk an unseen trail into the trees.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff0000">"Yes. Of course. I've already done so,"</span>Cromwell said, using his eyes to make clear each of his rapid fire answers to her questions were honest. And with her final attempt to get a rise out of the former knight, Cromwell chuckled and turned away.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff0000">"Yep. bravery is stupidity masked by honor. So with all of this done, have fun making your way home, <b><i>princess</i></b>."</span>With that, Cromwell ducked behind another tree and began to move a bit quicker and a bit quieter, trying to shake her off of his trail, at least for long enough that she would find an empty campsite.