[color=0054a6]“My apologies Knight Captain.  You are correct.  We should be resting.  This is Miss Eilis, a refugee.” [/color]
Tyrhallan merely gave him a penetrating calculated look, showing the man knew better, but for the time did not call the mage out on it.
He watched how the mage continued in an even and professional tone.   
[color=0054a6]“A doctor that came in to check on us earlier did mention he had berated you regarding my condition and those of others who participated in the mission.  My apologies for taking that.  A leader’s burden of command is never limited to just the events of the mission.”[/color]  He bowed his giving his apologies.
Tyrhallan shook his head and raised his hand.
[color=9e0b0f]"None are necessary or required, in truth I let you all down. I am the one who should offer apologies for ordering you to go in with me. But you won't have to worry about seeing action immediately. You can focus on your recuperation and rest."[/color] The Knight Captain said as he straightened his back. 
He watched how Arn fussed over the young woman.
She looked like something that had gotten lost and found, her expressions vivid and her eyes searching without seeing.
Arn turned to Eilis and spoke to her softly.  [color=0054a6]“Miss. Eilis, this is Knight Captain Tyrhallan.  It was he who led the assault to save the refugees from the Veimese frigates.  Please sit, you have to rest”[/color] His hands gently pushed her back into the bed.  
He turned to Tyrhallan.  [color=0054a6]“She is unable to see clearly right now”[/color]  he offered as explanation if the Knight Captain would wonder why she did not seem to be able to focus on his position. 
[color=9e0b0f]"We are at your service young lady, though I doubt we could surpass the attention and help you are already receiving from Sir Arn."[/color]
Tyrhallan spoke with a clear tone of voice, one without pretense or underlying meaning. He did however wonder if what Firenze told him was the truth, whether her being here was a blessing or a curse. He would need to do quite some research into the matter and he would have to have a conversation with the female mage that had delivered her to them. 
But for now the young woman in front of him should be allowed her rest and her peace of mind.
But if it was really her...then she might just be responsible for saving all their lives. Whether or not determined by fate, that thought that their meager victory had been given to them only because she chose to act was terrifying in and of itself. He was pulled from his thoughts by Arn's question.

[color=0054a6]“Is Knight Dalmer alright?  We got separated when you saved me from my aerial drop.”[/color]
[color=9e0b0f]"There are many things that may happen in this world Sir Arn, but Dalmer dying isn't one of them. As one of my men once said, "The Spider has a deal with Death, that's why it always passes him by..."[/color] The Knight Captain said as he stepped aside, revealing the other Knight.
He allowed him to step further into the room, watching him address and report to him giving him a lazy salute.
"Apologies sir, meant to report in earlier but Sarban decided to casevac me first. Wouldn't give me a say in the matter, the asshole."
Tyrhallan saluted back, before he crossed his arms in front of his chest.
[color=9e0b0f]"Sarban was right. Your health is more important to me Dalmer, I ordered you not to die didn't I?"[/color] He spoke calmly before the serious follow up question, tore the light from the KnightCaptain's eyes. 
"Also heard about what happened to Itzal. Is it true then, did he really lose in a fight?"
He squared his jaw as his posture loosened, his arms untangling themselves again and returning to the sides of his body, hands tightened to fists. He was silent for a moment before a deep and weighed intake of breath followed.
[color=9e0b0f]"Itzal died because of my negligence and poor judgement..."[/color] There was clear pain and sadness heard in Tyrhallan's voice. His expression was something akin to an ashengrey and a mortified white if one would have to describe it.
[color=9e0b0f]"I was given time, paid for by Abene's life and all because I was unable to kill their Captain."[/color] He said as he started to explain to them what had happened and his dealings with the Vaimese Raider Captain Aurelia. When he finished his eyes flitted to each of them in the room.
[color=9e0b0f]"My actions might not have born fruit at all..."[/color] He said before he allowed his eyes to rest on Eilis, leaving it at that.
[color=9e0b0f]"Of course for my arrogance I will have to pay a price, my failures as a Knight Captain have not gone unnoticed either. I already reported to high command. Let's just say their reaction did not come as a surprise." 
"For my failure to stop the invasion, the Vanguard is to report to the Rear, as reserves. And more than likely you will soon be greeting a new Knight Captain, so you will no longer have to bow or listen to me."[/color] He ended knowing how easily they could demote him aswell.
He smiled wryly because of that. [color=9e0b0f]"So that should come as a relief to you Dalmer. One less Captain to annoy you." [/color] He added jokingly, as if to see some merit into it all. He always prided himself on being responsible of trying to get his men in there quick and out alive. His short sightedness cost them, he should have realized it was a distraction, he should have seen through their schemes.
He sighed. 
[color=9e0b0f]"I asked this of my men earlier, but I also will ask it of you. I will inform the families myself, I dragged them into this mess, so naturally I should be the one to bring them the sad news. I would be grateful if you would remain silent or ignorant about the deaths we have suffered."[/color]
Oh he knew the Itzals would be distraught...still best it came from him. 

Somewhere else a veiled woman dressed in dark robes stepped onto a large round plateau. 
The smooth carved out marble bore deep-cut inscriptions all along the border. These were old, some indicating script and figure. 
A deeper set of lines formed serveral circles set within an almost planetary pattern, whilst straight lines were connected and came together at the centre. As she walked up to its centre she stopped in front of the smallest circle. This circle had a simple small hole in its centre.
With a simple gesture of a raised arm and glance backwards, a small figure clad in simple jute robes hurried forwards, carrying a strange looking staff.
The woman ceremoniously took it and held it aloft above the hole before she placed it in, allowing it to click in place.
An annoyed sigh followed from the sides.
"Can't you hurry this up Darling? This is boring..." Another woman spoke in annoyance more occupied with her nails and rings than with the procedure. This woman seemed to not belong amongst this company. Her robes were deep and richly coloured seeming oddly out of place. 
A simple glance off to the side, barely showing the smallest hint of disapproval was enough to silence the other woman however. 
She in turn raised her hands up in a defeated gestured. 
"Fine...but this better work."
They both turned to peasant woman who was brought forward and held by two guards.
"Bring her here." The veiled woman said her voice void from emotion or intent.
As the guards dragged her up, the veiled woman watched the peasant with a strange calculated disinterest.
She dismissed the guards as she watched the woman cower before her. It was a trait many a peasant had.
"Do you know who we are? Do you know why you are here?" The two questions were softly spoken, but by a voice that resembled winter's chill.
The peasant shook her head hardly daring to look up as she let out a frightened squeak.
"I am loyal to the Empire...You you are of the Tahjai are you not?" Her frame shivering as the veiled woman took hold of her chin, gentle raising it up to meet her cold eyes.
A soft chuckle followed from the richly dressed woman off to the side, but the veiled woman ignored her as she focussed on the woman in front of her.
"Your daughter..." She answered. "She is lost to us and only you can help us...find her."
"My Eilis?" The woman asked with wide terrified eyes, that now turned a shade warmer with worry for her child.
"What must I do?" She asked as she swallowed, clearly wanting to help her daughter.
"Just...stand still. It will only take a moment." The veiled woman said as her other hand moved.
The poor peasant woman only saw the cold sharp glint of a dagger before her body fell upon the marble floor. Her life and blood drained from her filling the grooves of within the stone, following its lines.
As a final act a crystal was dipped in one of the deeper grooves, allowing it to be covered in blood, before placed again within the staff.
"Now, Heavens obey our command. Bound by Blood and Oath and Tithe show us now where 'She' hides." 
The sky darkened as if light itself was drawn out and sucked up by the crystal. 
For moment it seemed all for naught, but suddenly a pale stream of blue light burst from it.
It raced through the sky, turning the staff slightly in as it followed the horizon, indicating a direction. 
It pointed accross the Sky seas, towards Belisio.
"There you are little rabbit." Spoke the veiled woman as the other one smiled maliciously.
"Finally."