Oliver spent the next few minutes traipsing through the forest, keeping his eyes peeled for Julian. He found him sitting on the log of a fallen down tree. He sat cross legged, and didn't notice as Oliver approached.

'Still sulking?'

'Leave me alone Oliver.' Julian didn't even turn to look at him.

'No can do.'

Oliver sat down on the log beside him, waiting for Julian to speak.

'This isn't just about my family you know.'

Oliver didn't say anything.

'It's obviously the best plan, this way the smallest amount of people get hurt.'

'Sure...' He said, not convinced.

Julian sighed, tilting his head to look up at the sky.

'Okay, so maybe this is just about my brother.'

Oliver snorted. 'I knew it.'

'Shut up you idiot...' He said, though he was smiling too. 'But if I don't do this on my own, what will happen? Best case scenario is I do it alone, and my father is proud. And worst case, I get you Jos and Alice killed. I mean, Jos is just trying to be nice, I can't see them get hurt because of me.' The last part was aimed pointedly at Oliver, and his horrible attitude towards them

'Jos isn't all good, Julian.'

'I know, but-'

'I mean it. Have you ever met someone like him who's selfless for the sake of being selfless? In a world like this, no one can afford to be. He wants something, and he'd even make up a sob story about being orphan, and trying to impress us with about going to EMA, just so he can get to us, and to you.'

'You can't know he's lying.'

'Yeah, and you can't know he's telling the truth. He's got an ulterior motive, Julian. If you decide to stay with us you'll see, he'll be gone in no time, probably with all of our stuff.' Oliver got to his feet to return to the others.

'Wait.' Julian jumped onto his feet. 'I'll stick around. But, you have to get off Jos' back. If you say that he can stay, I'll stay. There's no way he's a bad guy, and I'll stick around to prove it.'

Julian had realized how stubborn that Oliver was going to be, and if he didn't comply with him, Oliver would probably go off on his own.

'Fine.' He said, rolling his eyes 'But if you wonder why your dad sent a bodyguard with you, it's because of this. You always see the best in people Julian; it's naive, and it's going to get you killed.'

Julian scoffed. 'It's ironic. I was going to tell you that you can't accomplish everything alone, yet I was the one trying to get away from you all.. I guess your moodiness is really rubbing off on me.'

Julian quickened his pace so he could reach the camp ever so slightly before him.

'Sorry for the drama...' Julian said, though there was still a hint of hostility in his voice.

Jos looked up from the food they were eating, as Alice tapped her foot impatiently on the ground.

'It's alright... But, you do know where we should go, right?'

'Yes, it's to the West. Towards the Elven kingdoms... I recognize the place, I can guide us.' He said hoarsely, keeping his eyes to the ground. He didn't want to have to mislead them so greatly, but he couldn't take the risk of walking straight into danger.

'Well, let's head west.' Oliver joined the others, his stuff already packed and ready to go. 'You all ready?'

'Sure.' Jos briefly went to the tree they had slept in, but their eyes lingered on Julian for as long as possible. They could sense that something was up, but they ignored it and prepared for travel nonetheless.