Logen sighed. [i]Why is it, when it comes to children, that girls are often more sensible than boys?[/i] He mused to himself for a moment. Before he opened his mouth, he considered how badly the child might react. It wouldn't do to hurt or possibly kill a native noble of the Empire, even if the arrogant child started the fight. He gave a grim smile behind his helm. [i]I suppose it won't do to actually hurt him. I just won't draw my blade then.[/i] It was always better to not draw blood. Gave the victim a far better chance of surviving the experience. Not to mention, it made his own chances of survival better. He was confident he could beat this annoying brat, especially with his curse. But he wasn't so confident he could beat all of the people gathered here. Natives tend to get angry when you kill other natives. Whether they were annoying or not mattered little. But what did he care? He was trapped in his armor, cursed with magic, immortal, and his country was destroyed by mages. He had nothing left to lose. 

"Better? I see a hot-headed, arrogant, kid trying to play at being a man. I see a child who hasn't realized when to draw and when to sheathe his blades, and finds irritating his supposed comrades amusing. I see a fool who treats the idea of going into battle against monsters who could rip him apart as a game. I'm not even certain you're my peer, much less my better. Put away your blades, [i]boy[/i]. I might decide your worthy of respect by the time this adventure is over. Or I may just decide you're nothing more than what you originally appeared to be."

With that, he walked past Vyro, his long strides rapidly taking him away from the boy he had just insulted. An enemy had just been made, Logen was certain. [i]Well, if he wants to kill me, he's more than welcome too.[/i] Approaching, he examined the others he would be accompanying. The girl with the Lance he already knew. She seemed sensible. He only hoped she could use her lance as well as she thought. Upon seeing the other five, however, he became considerably more concerned. The boy was clearly no fighter. [i]He will die quickly. If he's lucky.[/i] The girl he didn't trust. There was something...magelike about her. [i]Or you could just be going paranoid with age.[/i] He chided himself. Still, he would keep an eye on her. It was never a good idea to mistrust first impressions. There was a scholar, who might be more useful off the battlefield. [i]If he has useful talents, I'll try to keep him alive. If not...I respect his bravery.[/i] There was yet another person who looked ill-suited to combat, talking to the Empress. She looked, at best, like a peasant girl trying to claim fortune and fame in her baggy, simple, clothes. [i]Another for the monsters to claim.[/i] The final one he felt better about. She had the look of a soldier about her, with her worn armor and weaponry. [i]Me, the Emperor, his bodyguards, the two would-be duelists, their bodyguards, and the female soldier. We might be able to keep the rest of them alive.[/i]

As the horses were brought out, Logen couldn't help but compare them to the horses the Mage-Hunters had been provided. Stocky and surefooted, they could run after a mage for weeks if necessary, and nothing in the world would cause them to shy or panic. He was not so sure of the reliability of any of these mounts. He shrugged, once again accepting the fact that all of the benefits he had once known were gone with Zalcan. Before he could go select one however, he needed to introduce himself to the Emperor. A few more strides and he was a respectable, nonthreatening, distance away. "Emperor," He said, dipping his head in greeting. "I am Logen, and I'm here to hopefully help you with your monster problem. Or die trying."