Quiet Arrival

"Frey, you've been kind of quiet." Thomas said as he walked up to the giant's side.

Frey turned to face the young noble. "I just don't have anything to talk about."

Thomas raised an eyebrow, seemingly caught off guard by a normal response. "Oh." He exchanged a look with Elero who was trailing behind with the students. "Nevermind. It was just that you were also… back in the swamp," he hesitated. "Nevermind. The students said to take the next left. That's where they came from." He pat Frey on the shoulder and walked back into the formation. Frey followed with a lingering gaze.

The students' directions led them to a mound of rubble connecting the first floor to a hole in the ceiling. Since the stairway had been destroyed, it was the next best thing. "Meet you guys at the top," Thomas said as he casually walked up the mound as if it were a staircase.

"Show off," Elero muttered as she tested a few handholds and clambered up after him.