There was an awkward pause for a moment as Zelda and Impa both looked at Lucien as if he were wearing a rainbow wig before the Princess oh-so-subtly reminded him of his propriety.<br/><br/>Lucien, for his part, felt a small bead of sweat drip down his temple before bending in a respectful bow once Zelda gave her assent.  "I...had assumed a delayed return to the castle would be welcome.  Good to know I was correct." He replied in an effort to save face.  The truth of the matter was he hadn't actively instructed any students since Impa retired and left him with the guardianship of Zelda's mother.  Apparently he wasn't yet used to switching back from an instructor mindset.<br/><br/>------------<br/><br/>They made good time making their way through West Necluda and between the Dueling Peaks, making sure to stop at the stables along the road West to change horses and rest.  All the while, Link continued to train hard, undeterred by Lucien's harsh tutelage.  As strict, critical, and lacking in praise as he was, the Sheikah Chieftain noted a marked improvement by the time they reached the desert.<br/><br/>"He's improving, yes, but he still has a long way to go," Lucien said to Zelda as he ran alongside her mare, his and Link's horses tied to her saddle to keep them from separating.  He'd decided the sandy terrain was ideal to work on Link's surefootedness on such unstable ground by making him run to keep up with himself and Zelda's horse.  "Being able to see an attack coming doesn't do much good when you can't lift your sword fast enough to parry it or dodge out of the way in time."