Cuthbert laughed, kissing her soundly before letting go himself, and raked his hair back from his face. "Could've done a lot worse, couldn't I?" he said lightly, then, clearing his throat, turned to follow Roland back towards the gunslingers. The smile lingered, though, tugging at his lips despite himself.

"We'd be best to decide now who's fit to ride, and who'll go pillion," Roland said matter-of-factly, when they were all gathered. "The more can ride alone, the better - if we find others, there'll be more space for them that way. Alfred, ride with Percival. I won't hear argument," he added sharply, as the one-legged man opened his mouth. "Mayhap you can ride one-legged, and mayhap you can't, but that's a thing to learn another time. Bert, you'll take a horse along riderless. Rope one up, and keep it in tow. You're up to that, aren't you?"

"Aye, Ro'." Cuthbert nodded, trying to look serious, but that smile kept sneaking in around the edges.