[When he can, when they have those bare moments for it, Yuan tries to convince Kratos's hair to lay at least a little bit flatter. It does not do much, in the limited time he has, and there are other things which demand his attention more vitally. But where he can, he tries.]

[And the first time Kratos is in his bed first Yuan hesitates. He casts glances at Kratos's cot, wondering to take it instead; but ultimately practicality does win out. It is warmer with Kratos in his bed, and he has noticed the difference in his quality of sleep. He doesn't know how to ask. Kratos is making it so that he doesn't have to know how.]

[This, too, Yuan is grateful for.]

[The foraging may be lean, but there are skilled hunters in his regiment. Between those meats and the barest of useful local vegetables, they are managing better than they might have. Yuan pushes them, in his estimation, no more than they can handle, and they make good time for all the little hindrances along the way.]

[They are making progress. But enemy territory wears, and constant wariness wears, and there are only so many rests that can be taken. At least, if they keep mostly to the fields, they will see any attacks coming, which is not nothing. Yuan is grateful for Kratos and good wool and good soldiers, mostly. It is the point of a deployment where he begins to miss Nidavellir's stone; where they all do, one way or another.]

[But with each chilly day they draw closer to rejoining the main force.]