[h3]The Duchy of Zerul, by a road in southwest[/h3]
[IMG]http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u79/SharpshooterJack/markerJaelnec_zps53b7aa37.png[/IMG]
Jaelnec was not able to erase his concerned expression entirely, even as he turned to face the foreigners introducing themselves to them, but kept furrowing his brow even as he smiled at the strangers uncertainly. Domhnall and Iridiel? What, exactly, were these two? The fact that they were apparently cautious about the Crusader's Guild probably meant that they, as some aspects of their appearance suggested, were not human, but Jaelnec had no idea just what race they were supposed to belong to, nor where in the world they could possibly come from. Still, they seemed civil enough to introduce themselves, so he figured that he had better follow Aemoten's example and introduce himself as well.
Despite having made the decision to do so, the Nightwalker still hesitated, though, as he realized that there were several things that needed to be considered just then. The first thing that came to mind was one that struck him as stupid, yet somehow as a valid concern: should be bow to them? Iridiel in particular seemed to possess a certain regality on top of her being a woman and a healer, which seemed to demand at least a modicum of respect and good manners, but was there any way that they could misunderstand the gesture if he bowed to them? They were clearly from a foreign country, after all, and there was no telling what cultural differences might be between here and there. Not long ago he would never even have given the possibility a thought, but after having traveled with Aemoten for a while - a foreigner who had lived in Rodoria for years, and who was fluent in Rodorian - he had started realizing that many gestures and expressions that he had never given might thought were not as universal as he originally assumed they were. It was small things, like Aemoten subtly reacting to a comment about someone getting out of their hair, but it was enough to make the squire aware that there was a difference. This Domhnall apparently knew enough to know who the Crusader's Guild were, and to speak Rodorian quite well... it should be all right. Even if they misunderstood somehow, it could be explained.
The other thing that he realized needed consideration was how he was actually going to introduce himself. What was his decision from back then? Was he still a Squire of the Will and perhaps fated to remain one such forever, being unable to ever restore his knighthood, or would he take the title of Knight of the Will for himself, though undeserved, and enable himself to rebuild? In the end he decided to stick with being a squire, at least until they got to Zerul City and had a chance to figure out where Thaler's grandfather was. After all, there was no reason to violate the traditions of the knighthood if there really was a Knight of the Will left to Test himself against.
Throwing his left arm backwards and to the side and holding his right one to his chest, Jaelnec bowed elegantly for the first time in what felt like a lifetime. "I am Squire Jaelnec of the Will. We are grateful for your assistance, and for your hospitality." It was hardly [I]their[/I] little piece of ground with a bit of trees on, but they were there first. It only seemed like the polite thing to do to extend some kind of thanks for letting them stay.

He turned back to Aemoten, concern once more dominating his features. "Shall I go tell the others that we'll be staying here for a few hours?" He did not like leaving Aemoten alone with these strangers, helpful though they had been, especially in his current state, but they could not very well leave Thaler and Olan waiting by the road forever either. Besides, the Sekalyn still had Etakar protecting him... and, as he had to remind himself of now that he knew, he could not actually be killed. That idea would probably take some time getting used to.