"Yes, Riku needs to continue his training." The war may be ending, but that didn't reduce threats for years to come, or attacks on him in the future simply for prejudiced against him for being what the Prince chose. "And his lessons." He'd have to talk to Master Zexion for that, though.
Wow, good idea! Sora never thought to interview them. He wanted to be there, though! He wanted to know! But...he supposed the boys might be more open if they were talking to the guard and not the prince. Maybe Riku could help instead? "Thank you, Philip." Lord Matthews had entrusted Abe to him and Abe was a good boy, he should be rewarded. Besides, Sora liked him.
"Hmm?" Roxas looked back at Hayner and back to the road, and everyone began to slow down. The guards came up around and in front just in case. "If it was danger the scout would have come." Maybe a guide to make sure they made it back to the castle?
They saw the forward scout in a minute, just long enough to announce his Majesty the Prince of Balamb before Sora eased off the reings and trotted up behind them. He was so excited to see his family that the guard barely had time to separate to prevent him from crashing into the Princess' horse.
"Sora!" Oh, the Princess didn't know if she should get off her horse to hug him fiercely or stay put. Sora just wedged Orion up close so he could reach out for his sister, pulling her close and burying his face in her hair for a moment. He pulled Orion back and stepped back out, and tried his best to smile as big as he could. "I came to guide you home, if you will have me."
"You look well!" Roxas exclaimed. Thank Gods. They'd all done their fair share of worrying about him when he'd rode out that morning he left for the castle, a quiet and broken Prince.
"Darling we would love to have you," Aerith spoke up, relieved to see her nephew in one happy piece.