Every so often, Henrik would cast a glance towards his bodyguard, or around their surroundings. Most of the other men and few women, Sirs  and Dames all, chattered amongst themselves; they were on the way back from a successful and fruitful mission, and so he allowed them to relax and be casual; to gloat over their victory.<br/><br/>It was a nice thing; they always had the luxury of being casual when they weren't on duty, and for their return trip, he considered them 'off duty'; they aren't rushing to combat, they aren't fighting, and they're not tending to their duties at the keep. He gave them much free time, but he was also careful to moderate it; he never allowed anyone to slack off too much. It was a delicate balance of give and take.<br/><br/>Henrik encouraged the casual nature of their relationship; they were all brothers and sisters in arms. Even with the Prince, who only a few actually referred to as 'Sir' or 'Prince'; he was<em>just</em>Henrik; their general, yes, but he was a soldier just like the rest of them. Their was no need for his title, and he so very rarely had to pull rank; he did not hold himself above the others because of his birth or his position, and it was this exact reason, one might imagine, that the Bloody Raven's were a happy lot, and quite loyal; not just to their kingdom, but to Henrik himself. Even with his aloofness, most took joy in following him.<br/><br/>"So, Zalania," He would speak after her little conversation with Bad Horse about the steed needing a bath, "I know you've just come back from battle, but I'd like to ask you to come along with me and my family when we ride out to the Theiri lands." Of course, she was unlikely to refuse this offer; she was his personal bodyguard, after all. But at the same time, the option is there; he does not force his men, under anything but the most trying of circumstances.  "Feeling up to it? We'' have barely  any time to rest before riding out again."<br/><br/>"While the rest of the Bloody Raven's go back to The Roost," this was what their fort was commonly referred to as; not the castle of the Aserit royal family, but the barracks and headquarters of the Bloody Raven's "We'd need to head directly to the castle. The other Bloody Raven's I picked out to round out the Honor Guard should already be there."<br/><br/>True to his word, Sir's Lambert, Grim, Leon and Dame's Averille, Jelanda, and leofwine were already at the castle, quietly waiting for the command to ride out. Everybody was in full armor (though in Leofwine's and Averille's case, they wore simple, utilitarian traveling clothes), sharp weapons, and their own provisions of food, water, and other supplies.