Arn understood Leo’s sentiment. His was not due to a thirst for battle but at feeling useless. He was a weapon that would be left at home and not even have the privilege of seeing the battle. Many of his junior mages would participate, who knows how many would die.

He pursed his lips knowing full well that their Captain, a mage called Evander Alessan, would try to seek glory at the expense of the lives of his men. The only qualification the man held was being of noble birth. The man hated Arn because though not being openly rebellious, the senior mage was basically untouchable being short of a war hero.

He had been punished many times by serving extra time cleaning the barracks etc. but nothing that would seriously affect Arn. Indeed, many of the junior mages felt it was Arn who was truly the leader in the Shooting Stars. They would often follow his direction in battle and looked to Tobi as a sort of older brother.

The apprentice mage of course did not dissuade this sort of thinking riding on the coat tails of Arn. Yet none, not even Arn, could reject the fact that many of the young men were still alive due to his experience in battle and his ability to make decisions that were practical and not the book version tactics of Evander.

The battlemage’s eyes shifted to Tobi. While he held not sort of deep connection with the lad he still felt responsible for him. The young man caught a glance of the other’s gaze and nodded understanding. The younger man knew that Arn was entrusting the squad to him. In the heat of battle when all the fancy plans that Evander came up with would shatter on first impact, it would be the quick thinking of the lad that would save as many as possible.

As if taking his cue from Leo, Tobi gave a smart ass salute to Arn “Well, if this is to be my last meal, I guess radioative fish sounds just as good as any.” He gave the senior mage a smirk. “Besides, I think you are in better company that I could provide huh boss?” The irreverent little guy turned and left ignoring a pircing glace from his senior.

Arn turned to Eilis as she pulled his robe but before he could answer her question, Tyrhallan answered for him. It surprised the battlemage that she did not know. However, from what he had gathered her education probably centered on magical literature and anything that could enhance her gift. He wondered if such one track minded education was true of all the Viemese military. If that was the case, then they face fanatics who had been breed to believe in their own superiority and cuse. This made them extremely dangerous.

The senior mage nodded at Tyrhallan’s request/order. Arn still felt bad about not being completely honest with a man who had been nothing but open with him but still his word was a bond he could not break. He turned to Eilis. “That was the Knight Captain I was talking to you about. I hope that you can come to trust him and reveal your secret to him. He would be a great ally to have.”

Arn sighed as he sat back down. “Although if what he said was true, the future is riding on this upcoming battle”

"Hold up young Mage, I'll accompany you." Tyrhallan called after Tobi as he closed the door so the two could enjoy some more rest.
"I would like to have a word with you if I could." Tyrhallan took large strides to close the distance the young man had already created, before he walked next to him.
"I have a couple of questions for you and I think you can guess what they will be about..." Tyrhallan said cryptically as he listened and watched the hallway carefully.
"Was there anything known about the girl, did she give any indication what exactly drove her to flee? I heard she had a hand in saving the others...did you happen to known how bad her condition had been? As for Sir Arn...is he? No let me rephrase that is his behaviour towards the girl normal?" He looked down at the young man with a cocked eyebrow. "For if I didn't know any better I'd say he is in great danger of losing his heart. I have been trying to find this particular mage that had brought her, Miss Eilis in, but she seems to be quite elusive, do you have an idea of where perhaps I am able to find her?"

Eilis listened to Arn's words and nodded though her words were less enthusiastic.
"Maybe, it's not that I doubt the Knight Captain, its just..." She practically crawled back into his embrace, her voice small and terrified.
"I don't wanna go back, I can't go back..." She pressed herself against him tightly, so tightly infact that Arn could feel her shake with fear.
"If this next battle doesn't go well..." Her words were heavy and foreboding. "They're not taking me back alive...I'd rather kill myself...I won't be a key or their weapon."
Taking in his scent soothed her, his warmth comforting her. "I'm thankful I've got you."

Tobi had that mischievous grin on his face as he exited the room. He enjoyed teasing Arn as the senior mage tended to have a blank stoic look most of the time. The time that he had been able to get a rise out of him had been few and far between. However, in just the past couple of hours since the awakening of the young girl, Arn had demonstrated everything from anger, to shame, to something that might have looked like caring.



His smile widened as he imagined all the opportunities and situations that he could exploit to see even more reactions of the once cool and collected battle mage. His steps became bouncy at his private joy of future mischief when Tyrhallan’s voice rang out behind him. The young mage stopped mid step and hunched his shoulders as if expecting a strike. He even worried for a second that someone had managed to discern what he was thinking of doing to his superior. He gulped and turned slowly to see Knight Captain approaching.



Tobi’s distress became even more pronounced in his face as the imposing figure of the knight got closer to him. He knew that Arn was severe but he had heard the stories that knights could take offense easily and the only way to correct that offense was by ritual combat which was often deadly. These of course were myths circulated by young minds but to the young mage they were all but factual. He gulped again and then managed a weak “Yeeees s sir?”



When Tyrhallan spoke and insinuated as to the reason for stopping Tobi, the young mage’s eyes grew wider. He had been found out! He was probably going to face a court martial, maybe even getting flogged or worse they would send him to work in the mines never seeing the light of day again.



The young man gulped a third time and was ready to confess his sins and ask for forginvess when the actual issue came up. He sighed evidentily and then his complexion changed to a reluctant resolve. He remembered Arn’s silent warning and order. No matter the consequence, even if it was any he had previously envisioned when he thought he was in trouble for insubordination, he would endure it to uphold his senior’s order.



He took a stedying breath and spoke in a clear voice. “Knight Captain, I am afraid I do not know much. From what I know, she is a refugee that was in one of the ships being chased. She must have been badly injured because she was passed out when Master Mage Arn finally awoke. She was evaluated by a medic when she woke up and was deemed needing bed rest but he said nothing else.” He stopped here and appraised Tyrhallan to see if the other found any fault or error in what the young man said. At the same time, he was wondering how he would answer the question regarding their involvement. So he answered in the way he thought would lead to the least amount of questioning.



“In regards to Master Mage Arn’s behavior. No. It is not normal. He is often professional and even though many a young and good looking mage has tried to win his favor, none had succeeded.” A slight smirk crossed the young man’s face in a flash. “I left the room to give them privacy. If indeed Master Mage Arn has been fallen under the lady’s spell, then I did not want to be a third wheel” He cleared his throat to mask a chuckle that was threatening to break his professional acting. “So Knight Captain. I am afraid I do not know much of what was said or done in that room.”



At the mention of another mage a pensive look formed in Tobi’s face. “Every mage is listed by Squad and you being a tactical commander should have access to the reports. If you knew the name that would help. I know for a fact none of the Shooting Stars where mobilized for his operation and I think only one or two squads were on alert but not actually engaged. I do believe however that there were some mercenary mages that were attached to the actual vanguard ships.” The young mage shrugged. “I can try to ask around for you but we were not there when the young lady was brought in.” He added respectfully. “I am Adept Mage Thobias son of Thomas Tailor. My squad is the Shooting Stars as I am sure you know. I am at your service if you require any further assistance” Then thinking quickly about it he added “Although, I am sure you would have to route a formal request via Captain Evander Alessan if you required me for more than just questions.”



Tobi knew that the Shooting Star Captain would shit bricks if he just went away with the Knight Captain like Arn had. Evander barely had control of the Shooting Stars as it was. Any further disregard for his command would probably result in serious consequences for somebody. The young mage was not eager for that somebody to be him.



Arn received the small shivering figure of the young lady. His arms wrapped around her protectively. The motion surprised him greatly even as his body moved naturally to show a sensitivity that he did not know he possessed. Not since his mother, had the senior mage had any sort of physical or emotional contact with anybody. He had gratefully assumed a detached and stoic attitude that rubbed many the wrong way. Many female mages had tried to have him turn their way both as a challenge to be the one who managed to seduce such a well-known figure and also a few who truly had been enamored with the unattainable battle mage.



Even as he questioned his own actions, Arn rested his chin on the top of the young girl’s head. His body in reaction to her closeness and her shivering, unconsciously radiated a warmth that was soothing. He took a mental note of this reaction for future assessment in a theory he had started to formulate. In the mean time, his mind worked on another problem. Eilis had a fear of being used as a weapon. Considering himself a weapon, Arn knew that weapons were only worthy if they were strong and devastating.



The senior mage had mixed emotions regarding wanting to see Eilis at her full potential as any studious person who is trying to understand magic might be and his assumption that as powerful as he already assumes her to be, she might not be the strongest. Her mere presence amongst them could be dangerous to all of them. He rubbed her arm reassuringly as he spoke into the future. “I will not let you be taken.” His words were calm but assertive. He had spoke with all his heart and he made a promise to himself just as he had given her. He needed to become stronger to hold back whatever tide was to befall on them. The dark clouds of battle were starting to gather. Only the strong would survive the tempest.

As Tyrhallan walked along with him he listened intently pondering over the answers of the young mage.
“Knight Captain, I am afraid I do not know much. From what I know, she is a refugee that was in one of the ships being chased. She must have been badly injured because she was passed out when Master Mage Arn finally awoke. She was evaluated by a medic when she woke up and was deemed needing bed rest but he said nothing else.”

Tyrhallan frowned.
"Something doesn't add up and it unsettles me." Tyrhallan said explaining his thoughts. "From those I have spoken to that were with or around her were fine...yet from what was reported to me by my fellow Knight she was practically pulled from Death's grasp. Something eludes me, probably something right there in front of me and it vexes me. Perhaps my own inadequecies are getting to me." He said waving his own thoughts away, allowing Thobias to continue.

“In regards to Master Mage Arn’s behavior. No. It is not normal. He is often professional and even though many a young and good looking mage has tried to win his favor, none had succeeded.” A slight smirk crossed the young man’s face in a flash.
“I left the room to give them privacy. If indeed Master Mage Arn has been fallen under the lady’s spell, then I did not want to be a third wheel. So Knight Captain. I am afraid I do not know much of what was said or done in that room.”
At the mention of another mage a pensive look formed in Tobi’s face. “Every mage is listed by Squad and you being a tactical commander should have access to the reports. If you knew the name that would help. I know for a fact none of the Shooting Stars where mobilized for his operation and I think only one or two squads were on alert but not actually engaged. I do believe however that there were some mercenary mages that were attached to the actual vanguard ships.” The young mage shrugged. “I can try to ask around for you but we were not there when the young lady was brought in.” He added respectfully. “I am Adept Mage Thobias son of Thomas Tailor. My squad is the Shooting Stars as I am sure you know. I am at your service if you require any further assistance” Then thinking quickly about it he added “Although, I am sure you would have to route a formal request via Captain Evander Alessan if you required me for more than just questions.”

"Quite understandable, as would befit a loyal friend and fellow mage. I also understand you would be careful with 'delicate information' if you 'had' heard any to protect your superior. Honourable, but in my case you can be assured that I seek only to aid Sir Arn and I simply don't like to be caught unawares." He spoke looking at the young mage to gage his reaction.
"I can already read the question in your eyes...Why would 'someone like me' concern myself with those that society considers beneath them?"
He snorted as a smirk formed on his lips.
"Because I truly believe that those who are in a position such as mine also carry the responsibility of care for those who 'serve' them. Power corrupts when it is not controlled and kept in check by a healthy dose of self mockery, service and responsibility. My family's name offers me a better place in society, my skills and knowledge a certain position. With this world being so skewed and messed up already it doesn't need another windbag flippant noble who's full of their own importance." He scoffed at the idea, before his expression softened.
"Sadly though, I find I am oft an exception and as a result see people regard me with dread and uncertainty." He said getting to his point.
"Your first reaction for example. Now I hope that I was able to assure you that I am not someone out for blood, but simply seek to keep those that I feel responsible for safe. After all...why else would I have bothered with becoming a Knight?" He ended calmly before he continued to listen to Thobias's information.
"A mercenary mage you say? Perhaps that would explain why I have been unable to locate her..." He uttered as he stopped for a moment.
"You have already helped me greatly young master Tailor. Your information is much appreciated." He told him before he grimaced at the name.
"Yes, I know the particular individual you're refering to...I'd..." His words were cut off as an individual stormed down the hallway at them.
"VENRAY!"
As Tyrhallan looked down the hall he watched the Captain of the Shooting Stars thunder at them, the expression furious to the point of clearly steaming.
"What the Hell do you think you're doing ordering around MY MEN!"
"Doing my duty to protect Belisio." He answered in a tone that could cut ice. "Now pray tell, what makes 'Captain' Alessan grace us with his presence?" He asked as he straightened his back, planting his feet firmly on the ground and being as obstructive as possible.
"I am here because of the mess you created Venray! You can't just come in and order around 'MY MEN'!" Alessan shot back in fury not backing up or off.
"I have done so, because there is a war going on! If you're here to tell me off because your lousy pride got dented then I suggest you get your priorities in order!"
The two stood face to face staring at each other. One glaring daggers and the other simply looking with a cold penetrating look that could freeze over the Deep Sky itself.

Eilis was resting in his arms, her mind and body soothed by his warmth, yet she knew it wouldn't last forever.
Nothing ever did. Not with her...
Still she figured she could enjoy this small inkling of kindness, this moment of normalcy and keep it as a memory for when the darker times would catch up with her again. When her luck would fail and undo all sucking out the light from life itself.
"Thank you Arn." She uttered as she drifted off in a sort of restful meditative state, that was until a stream of light hit her through one of the portholes. When it landed on her back her reaction was instant, as if she had been stung. She froze eyes wide in horror, seeing in her minds eye a flash of steel and a pair of veiled eyes staring directly at her.
"Found you..." Rang through her head in a whisper that felt distant and older than time. Before the stream faded off, broke up and disappeared from the room, Eilis's shoulders sunk dejectedly letting go of Arn with a look of silent horror.
Almost mechanically she stepped and turned away from him. She remained silent as she went back to her bed, feeling around for it, before laying herself down again. Her tattoo's had lit up when the beam had hit her, but as the stream of light had faded so too dimmed the tattoo's on Eilis's skin allowing her to take a shivering fearful breath as she curled up in the blankets making herself as small as possible.

They were going to come for her...they wouldn't leave her alone...There was no hope in starting a new life.
Feeling hurt, fearful and in pain she felt that realisation wash over her and pull her under drowning her hope and her little flame of warmth and freedom all together.

Tobi swallowed nervously. His guild laden mind telling him that Tyrhallan was aware of his deception. He was sure that the knight was able to smell the truth like some sort of righteous canine.

An awkward smile appeared on Tobi’s face as the Knight Captain warned him of withholding information. He was sure that the man was honorable enough that he would not take any action against Arn but his loyalty to the senior mage prevented him from fully trusting the knight no matter how sincere his words were.

The silver haired knight was correct in stating the he was the exception to the attitudes of nobles. Tobi had yet to meet one that was interested in the protection and well being of those they ruled over. The young mage knew first hand. His father had been a successful tailor. Even catering to those of higher standing. As a young child the young mage had trained with his father and accompanied him to several rich house holds along with an older sister, Lidia.

She was a pretty little thing. Black haired with big almond shaped grey eyes and rosy lips that always displayed a smile. She was plain but it had been enough to catch the greedy eye of a noble. The man, Count Ernest, had tried to make advances on her. She had fought him off and as a result had pushed the man down some stairs. The count had not died but the offense would be enough to send his father to prison.

To prevent this Tobi had taken the blame. At 15 years old, he had been sent to prison but had the luck of having magic aptitude and was later sent to the Cauldron to study. He had not seen his family in years and he was sure they believed he was dead.

Sadness spread across the young mage’s face remembering and wishing he could trust Tyrhallan. He actually hoped that the lord was the beginning of a new generation of nobles that cared for their subjects.

As if to counter his willful ideas, the very personification of entrenched belief systems came hollering down the hall way. Many turned their heads and stepped out of the way as the black robed figure of the Shooting Stars captain huffed into view. The man was dressed in satin with gold embellishments. A gold insignia at his breast, marking him as the Captain of the Shooting Stars, sparkled importantly. No doubt, some poor novice had polished his hands raw trying to make the device gleam so.

Tyrhallan rose in the young man’s perception as he stood up to the vain Mage Captain. Evander was not as tall as the Knight Captain and had the added insult of having to look up at the silver haired warrior. Unlike the knight, Evander had short brownish hair that was slicked back. A hawk nose and ugly sunken eyes. He looked more like a black crow and in contrast, Tyrhallan looked like a majestic eagle.

Tobi allowed the pair to duke it out. Had he been able he would have sat down, propped his legs up and placed his hands behind his head to watch the show. It was rare to see the Shooting Star’s captain be put in his place. That is why he enjoyed so very much to be the messenger when he had to notify him of Arn’s rebellious actions. He felt that enduring getting books and other things thrown at him was worth the price to see the Lord Mage loose his shit.

*********************************
Arn was lost in thoughts ranging from how to get stronger faster, to the implications of the power that Eilis might possess that she would fear being used. He patted her head when she thanked him. He felt he had done nothing to earn that.

Indeed, there were few times he felt as powerless as now. Despite all his training and all his skills, he felt inadequate to protect her. He would have to come to Tyrhallan sooner or later. That would be a very awkward and hard conversation to have.

He felt her relax in his embrace and he closed his own eyes. His body complained about his wounds but he ignored it. He was steadying his own breathing when all of a sudden a cold stab that sent radiating painful pain through his body suddenly brought the peaceful scene to a stop.

Arn had never felt such pain. It was all he could to do stop himself from screaming. His eyes flung open and he looked around for the danger. He looked down at Eilis in desperate concern. He noticed the look in her face and his own concern increased. The pain vanishing but his body was still feeling the effects as nerves slowly relaxed after being exposed to that.

“What has happened?” the concern in his voice was palpable. He reached for her when the young lady laid down as if expecting to die. “I am here Eilis…I am here.” His professional tone was all but gone. He spoke to her as one does a sister, a daughter, or something else.

“I am not sure what that was. But I felt something.. If any one has hurt you…” He broke off. Rage started to bubble up in his stomach. His own hands clenched began to coat with fiery tongues. He calmed himself down. “I have promised you. I will stand by your side.” He placed a hand on her back as she lay in the fetal position. He concentrated and let the warmth fo the magic communicate his feelings and his conviction. “I you are no longer alone.”

Eilis voice had almost turned emotionless, its tone reflecting a sort of resignation to what she considered inevitable.
"They 'traced' me." Realizing that this might not be enough of an answer to Arn she continued.
"They used an old ritual to find me...it sends a sort of beaconlight towards the intended target. It is meant to give an indication where this person is. It is an old an forbidden ritual. One that requires 'certain...elements'. Things that are links to the intended target."[/color] She gripped her blanket a little tighter as she felt tears escape her eyes.
"They 'traced' by blood..." A choked up cry escaped her lips as her hands gripped her pillow in agony, her body shaking from the weeping. With final painful words she explained.
"They killed her...They killed my Mother. They murdered her and its all MY fault." She buried her head in the pillow trying to muffle her cries and her agony.

"Don't you dare tell me how to do my job Venray!" The Captain sneered at him, looking at him with utter contempt and catching sight of Thobias. "Don't think we're done either! I'll get to you and Hellspawn later!" He threatened before he was distracted as he saw Tyrhallan move to the hilt of his sword.
"You don't want do that Evander." He spoke with a calm threatening undertone that indicated he was done humouring this particular lordling.
"I've had a rather tiring and troublesome day...you really do not want to test my patience today." He narrowed his eyes whilst he kept staring at the Mage Captain, who seemed unsure.
Evander knew the Knight Captain was not someone to anger. The Venray's were an old family and had a reputation of keeping their word whether that was in promise or in threat. Oathkeepers and all that schtick as far as he was concerned it was all a bunch of baloney.
"Then stop using MY men." Evander barked though his fury seemed somewhat diminished.
"I will, with one exception." Tyrhallan replied.
"That bloody firemage isn't worth the trouble!"
"And clearly you don't appreciate what he tries to do, since your eagerness to set him straight. Why bother with all the hassle? Surrender him to my command, that would be all I ask." Tyrhallan suggested in demand as he widened his stance even more.
"Refuse and I consider it an insult on 'my honour' and you know how such matters are decided." He dropped casually watching the Mage Captain's eyes widen with disbelief and barely contained fury.
That was before he huffed and threw his hands up violently.
"Fine. FINE. You can have the man. You can deal with his insubordination and his blatant refusal to listen to command." He complained. "But I am 'warning you' Venray...if you take away my men from me again it will be my honour that will be insulted and you will pay for that then." Evander eyed Tobias coldly.
"Tell your master that he shouldn't bother coming back. He...is your Captain now." He stated pointing violently at Tyrhallan's face before turning around and stalking off. As he moved back angry ranting mutters escaping the man's mouth before he rounded a corner.
With the man disappearing from view Tyrhallan eased up again, his hand retracted from his sword and a heavy sigh passed over the Knight Captain's lips.
"All right that went better than I expected..." He turned to Thobias giving the apprentice a friendlier look than that he had given Evander. "Let's see if we can still procur some of that salmon and pray Dalmer hasn't eaten them all." He joked as he gestured for the young mage to walk again.

As Leo made his way towards the cafeteria, he was surprised to see how crowded the corridors were as more than a few people walked together in the same direction. At first in dribs and drabs, but then the hallways quickly became more congested further along as staff and patients alike left their rooms. Sensing the urgency in the air, all thoughts of cooked salmon left Leo's mind as he recognized a passing knight, the very one who retrieved him from the battle earlier, and called out to him, "Ho there friend, what's going on?"

"I'm not your friend, Spider," the knight answered curtly as he continued moving without pause. "And the king is about to make a speech. Hobble faster if you want to see."

Doing precisely just that, Leo practically hopped after the knight and abandoned the use of his crutches as he entered the crowded cafeteria. All heads were turned towards the holoscreen at the side of the room where sure enough the king of Belisio himself was displayed, dressed in full regalia with crown and raiment.

His dark brown eyes betrayed no emotion as he stared directly into the camera, but for the briefest flicker of a moment that only Leo could perceive with his heightened reflexes, the king's mouth trembled slightly before firming in resolve. With a nod to someone offscreen, he returned his eyes to the camera, cleared his throat and began to speak, "Citizens of Belisio, as of the immediate present, the forces of Vaim have breached the kingdom's borders and our most valiant defenders, the Hearthguard, are currently engaged in battle at Presper to repel them. In this, our most dire hour, I speak now to remind us all that we have faced this situation before.

As a hundred years ago, the Vaimese hegemony sought to conquer our lands, but we pushed them back and still we stand. Frustrated by our victory, the Sorcerer King then sought to destroy the world, reducing it to its current state so that none might have it if he could not and yet still we stand. And now, once again, the enemy seeks to invade our homes, but we will stand. Fierce, proud and indomitable.

Citizens, soldiers, countrymen, I say to you all that we will stand and not give a single step back. Not a single step! We've beaten them once before and shall do so again. Now stand each and everyone of you, and show what it means to cross a Belisian. Show what it means to dare the strength of our spirits and ire, and to the utmost of your energies, let the enemy know regret. May Gaia have mercy upon them for we shall have none to spare!"

Arn’s eyes narrowed in concern as he noticed and felt the change in Eilis. A wall seemed to start building up between them. He could still feel her but she was more of an echo than an actual presence. His narrowed eyes morphed into that of anger as he came to understand what she meant.

It was entirely possible that some basics and historical literature about magic was shared between the two opposing kingdoms. After all, the life force of Gaia was the one thing that connected them all. No matter your believes as to the spiritual or scientific use of this connection, the fact that one existed was not in dispute.

He had read something of the sort many years ago. These practices were of course banned and carried with them some heavy penalties. Arn himself had been questioned as to his reading of the books. After a few weeks of being under surveillance, the monitors had felt he had only read the restricted book as a references.

However, the mechanics of the spell that Eilis suggested was not lost to him. If they were all connected to Gaia then those of the same blood or those with strong emotional ties to each other would have an even stronger connection. The mage understood her distress. As knowledgeable as she was with magic, there could have only been one way for the trace to be completed.

Arn moved closer to her and placed a protective hand on her shoulders. His head was comforting and energetic. Inside him, there was a maelstrom of feelings. He wanted to comfort her but he also wanted to burn those who had made her feel so.

His voice was calm but it rang with a truthfulness that could not be mistaken. “I am sorry for your loss. However, it is not your fault. We were given this life and weather you believe in pre destiny or if you believe it your own, there are choices that are not left up to us.”

He stroked her hair fondly. “The ones who have traced you may feel that they have you cornered and that there is nowhere for you to run.” His voice took a dangerous turn almost murderous. “However, you are not alone. Those who come for you instead come to their deaths”.

The fire in his eyes made those same eyes flare. He was not sure how or why but using the Aether, he started to push against the walls that the young girl had began to set up. She would have no need of walls, when he reached her, she would be protected and warmed by a sphear of flame that would turn to ash any who came near.

Tobi almost giggled at the scene being played out before him. The silver haired knight was a good foot or so taller than the rounder Evander. This in itself made the confrontation comedic, as if a stubborn child was arguing with a parent. Second, despite the pretense of outrage, the Mage Captain’s eyes would flicker with contained fear. Indeed, even Tobi shuddered once or twice at the restrained power of Tyrhallan.

The young mage committed everything to memory. Such a story would no doubt get more glorious and exaggerated when told in the barracks. Tobi was well liked by the others because he always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. He already had gold with Arn and Eilis but this confrontation, was the golden egg of stories.

The back and forth was quite entertaining when suddenly Tobi all but managed to suppress a gasp as the Knight Captain requested the transfer of Arn. The young mage turned to the Lord Knight. Studying the man and wondering why. It was true that his senior was an asset in battle. His prowess was known through out the kingdom. Hell, there was even a secret shrine to him in the Cauldron that no teacher knew about. Those of lower birth regarded him almost as an emissary.

Was this request something more than just tactically focused? Did the Knight Captain mean to utilize Arn in a political way? It was well known that the Master Mage had been offered a position on the capital and had rejected it. The hellspawn was already a conundrum and many knew that he was hard to tame.

Tobi turned his attention back to Evander. The mage swallowed visibly. He was presented with a horrible decision. On the one hand, he could get rid to the direct opposition to his power. But that would mean that what little control he had over the men would all but disappear. However, if he did not turn Arn over, then Tyrhallan would force the matter via a duel and upon Evander’s death, still request for the transfer. While Evander had been given the rank of master and he could indeed be proficient with magic, he was not in the same league as the Knight Captain.

Frustration and anger could be clearly seen in the other man’s face as he came to the safest conclusion for his personal well being.

"Fine. FINE. You can have the man. You can deal with his insubordination and his blatant refusal to listen to command." He complained. "But I am 'warning you' Venray...if you take away my men from me again it will be my honour that will be insulted and you will pay for that then."

Tobi straigthend himself up as the Mage Captain addressed him with bile all but dripping from his every word. The young mage saluted smartly emulating a completely submissive and professional soldier. Evander stared at the young man with dark eyes and turned so quickly that the fancy black robes twirled dangerously around the man’s ankles.

Yet despite the young mage’s prayer, the Master Mage did not fall. Tobi turned to Tyrhallan and nodded his agreement that at least the other man was still alive. He followed the Knight Captain. The young mage’s mind raced with the probable reaction the news would have on the squad. They all saw Arn as a sort of good luck charm.

Sudenly Tobi wondered how Arn himself would react to the news. He cast a sideways glance towards the silver haired knight. Had Tryhallan asked his senior if he also wanted to change commands? Arn was notorious for hating being told what to do. He shrugged to himself. It was not up to him. Though, he hoped to be there when the news were delivered.

He stopped short as a crowd seemed to have been gathering into the galley. He wondered how good those damn fish where that it drew such a crowd. However, soon all fell silent as the recognizable voice of the King of Belisio rang over the speakers. A collective holding of breath ensued.

Tobi listened with growing awe and as the king finished speaking he turned up his young face to Tyrhallan as if seeking answers.

"I can feel the questions burning in your mind, young master Tailor. So ask them if you wish to have them answered, for I fear I cannot read minds." Tyrhallan said jovially as they moved into the crowded cafetaria. All of the eyes were fixated on the large screen and the figure displayed on it.
The King.
Gone was the friendly smile that the knight had borne, it was replaced by a frown. He was reminded once again at his failure as he heard the King speak.
Whilst he spend some time at court, if only to aid his Uncle and to represent the family it was not a place he enjoyed being. Too many 'climbers' and too little truth if you asked Tyrhallan. The royal family was well loved, but still at times they seemed quite distant to the common folk, Tyrhallan himself had been knighted and sworn in by the King. But that had been back in the days when the royals still visited the poorer quarters of the capital city. He had accompanied his Uncle once when he had to escort the Queen on her charity rounds. The young Queen had captured the hearts of the commonfolk almost instantly and it was thanks to her that the royals still had such love from the people. Her youth and sweet behaviour had enchanted most of the citizens and in comparison to some other nobles she at least tried to learn the names of those who worked for her.
She had been able to offer her husband a boost in popularity and confidence, not that the king lacked any...but it was good to inspire loyalty and confidence from the commonfolk especially if one was a king.
Tyrhallan knew he hated speeches.
But considering the situation it was only proper that a King should address his nation, prepare them for what was to come and inspire hope.
As he listened he could tell the King was nervous and he did not blame him.
With his own failing to hold the border the King must have been informed of the situation and hearing the enemy was advancing was never something you wanted to hear.
When the King was done Tyrhallan sighed and turned towards the buffet row.
He'd better get that salmon...

Arn moved closer to her and placed a protective hand on her shoulders. His head was comforting and energetic. Inside him, there was a maelstrom of feelings. He wanted to comfort her but he also wanted to burn those who had made her feel so.
His voice was calm but it rang with a truthfulness that could not be mistaken.
“I am sorry for your loss. However, it is not your fault. We were given this life and whether you believe in pre destiny or if you believe it your own, there are choices that are not left up to us.”
He stroked her hair fondly.
“The ones who have traced you may feel that they have you cornered and that there is nowhere for you to run.” His voice took a dangerous turn almost murderous. “However, you are not alone. Those who come for you instead come to their deaths”.
The fire in his eyes made those same eyes flare. He was not sure how or why but using the Aether, he started to push against the walls that the young girl had began to set up. She would have no need of walls, when he reached her, she would be protected and warmed by a sphear of flame that would turn to ash any who came near.
Eilis let him.
She felt his loving hands and heard his calming words trying to soothe and offer her some relief.
"But it is my fault..." She croaked. "It's because I ran away. It IS my fault." She felt how he stroked her hair and asked softly.
"Why are you so good to me? I am a refugee...an enemy..." She turned around so she could listen to his answer, to Eilis Arn was quite the mystery battlemage. She wasn't used to such kindness and attention. A soft voice in the back of her head told her he could be 'too good to be true...' but she didn't want to believe that. He had been nothing but kind to her and she felt quite endebted to him. She tried to wipe her tears away and as she thought about it tried to hide a blush at her overactive imagination.
As soon as Arn pushed against the walls however, the walls pushed back. In fact the force that pushed back was quite a bit stronger then the one Arn had send out. It seemed that it did not come from Eilis as she made no hint or indication that she did any magic, but she and he felt the effects of it immediately.
A cold shock followed the push, like ice, making her shudder and tug harder at the blankets.

Tobi gulped to hydrate his troath that had gotten suddenly dry. His mind did indeed race with questions. Questions so fleeting and hard to pin down that the young mage felt he was trying to corral cats. He gulped a second time and asked in the best voice he could muster. “Um, Mr. Knight Captain Lord sir…” He stumble through his words.

He silently cursed himself. He had seen his father deal plenty of times with those of higher birth but he was never one to which florid and appropriate language came easy. Still, despite rank and birth there was a single point of similarity between the young mage and the silver haired hero.

Both men served as warriors in the armies that defended Belisio. They both had shed blood, lost friends, and fought to protect those they loved. Steeled by this knowledge and feeling a bit more on even ground with Tyrhallan the young man continued. “I have never met the king. However, it seemed to me that he was not himself. His words were meant to inspire us but do you think his speech was also a call for help?”

Tobi was cursed with a mind that was not suited to his lower middle class station. He was an abstract thinker that needed to be satiated with answers to questions most found disturbing, annoying, or horrifying. The only one who seemed to be able to overlook this flaw and actually pour back into that hungry vortex that was the mind of the young mage.

Curiosity more than actual brightness drove the young man to question. Instinct rather than insight caused him to see thing most did not. Indeed, he was praised as a scout and after mission analyst. He had assisted in developing procedures and tactics that had saved many lives and resources. The only reason why he had not been recruited to the intel corps was because his mouth had no filter or lock. He loved to chat and once the flood gates were open, it was extremely hard to close them.

“It is well known that despite not knowing the actual size of the Viemese army, Belisio may be hard pressed to actually stand toe to toe with them by numbers alone. I do feel that we have better skilled warriors, but those bastards have been wanting to beat our ass since their king got owned.” As he talked, his speech turned more to how he would talk to the junior members of the squad not a high-ranking military officer.

He walked next to the Knight Captain and continued his barrage of monologue as his body grabbed a serving plate, looked for this mythical salmon but had no idea what to look for. So instead, he grabbed what he thought would be good to eat.

“The king knows that if the wolf came knocking at our door that the fight would be a hard one but he also knows that even if we had our guts hanging out we would hold the shit in with one hand and ram a sword up their ass with the other.” His plate was starting to pile high with victiles. The squad members seldom ate as good, often field rations or whatever was left over from the officer’s own food.

“But tell me truthfully Cap, do you think that we are in trouble? IF so, then how best can we make those sons of bitches regret they came knocking at our door?”

*****
Arn shook his head as he quietly disagreed with her self blame. Eilis was a tender heart who felt that any wrong done in the world even remotely related to her was a burden she had to bear. The senior mage knew firsthand the place that road of self-depreciation led. However, he would not force his believes upon her. In time she would come to understand that the actions of others have consequences that should be shouldered by those who made the decision.

Instead, he said in a calm voice that offered comfort but was not condescending. “Your mother would have been no safer if you had stayed. If these people who are seeking you could take her life so easily, they would have done it either way. The fact that they had to resort to that forbidden spell is proof that she would not willingly give you away.” He kept on stroking her hair.

"Why are you so good to me? I am a refugee...an enemy..."

Arn stopped mid stroke. A look of confusion in his face. He opened his mouth to give an answer and then stopped and promptly shut his mouth to keep it from gapping open. His usually sharp and active mind spun its proverbial wheels trying to answer her question. So he did the only thing he could think of doing, he said the truth.

“To be painfully honest Eilis…” saying her name brought a sudden electrifying shudder to his warm body. He resumed his stroking as he pensively answered, more to himself than her. “..I am not too sure. You see, I have never been close to someone other than my mother. Yet even before I woke up, I saw you. I was not sure if I dreamt but I saw you. You were a glowing body in a sea of darkness. You felt small, scared, and alone. I believe at first, I thought I was looking at my mother. Then I thought it might have been an astral representation of myself.”

He cleared his throat nervously. His sudden rush of sharing his feelings made him feel defenseless and he did not like it. He also felt that he could be so with her. “I felt drawn to you. I felt like you and I were connected by ties not of blood or kin. I feel like I am meant to protect you. I don’t know why but I feel that I my purpose was to protect you.”

He shifted his body so that he could hold her by the shoulders and stare into her eyes. Even now, he could see that the Dark Sight was starting to fade. The glossy look of the eyes was starting to receded. She would soon be able to see blurry. This alone brough questions to his inquisitive mind and he marveled at her quick recovery.

Eilis must really be someone special to have drawn him so. He had forgotten all his own rules about getting involved with someone. He had opened up in a manner that made him feel like he would lose himself. He had changed so drastically that he was a stranger even to him. So, he echoed her question and the answer was a simple one that he gave her.

“I feel connected to you. Drawn to you…One with you.” As he did so, he pushed into the Aether trying to hold her essence as he held her body. Suddenly, he crashed into a force, a barrier of ice-cold feeling that made him gasp.

The battlemage had felt pain plenty of times before, some had even made him wish for death, but this pain tore into his very soul. He did not know if it was due to the connection that had started to grow between him an Eilis but any separation from her seemed to be painful.

This made him frown and look down at the now shivering form of his self-appointed protegee. A question formed in his mind and he hesitated to ask. However, he felt it was necessary. In an apologetic tone he mustered enough courage to ask. “Eilis, could you tell me about your magical tattoos?”

Eilis listened to Arn’s words allowing his warmth to comfort her and his hands to stroke and hold her. To her his kindness was quite alien. Most of her life had been filled with commands and servitude, the few males she encountered always distant, gruff and demanding.
She thought for a while on his words.
His attraction to her could be for the same reason…
“My tattoo’s are my punishment. They are my prison.” She summed up with a tired exhale.
“I was disobedient, I was supposed to comply with their orders, but I did not want to.” Her mind moved back to that moment, her gaze hardened and true anger emoted itself on her face.
“I killed him.” There was a flicker of remorse on her face, her expression morphed for a second before it settled on disgust.
“He wanted me, but I did not wish to submit myself to him. Nobles and Battlemages would always chose girls from our coven. The Mardras always ordered us to comply with whatever wishes they had. We were to become adept and serve them as best we could. Certain girls were selected for certain specific tasks. The Fair with the Fair, the Adept with the Adept and those of ‘lesser disposition’ to the will of the buyer.” She swallowed not sure if she was ready to tell him, but figuring she might aswell give it a try.
“I as you noticed am well versed in magic, but I’m a coward. I’d rather not fight. Seeing the potential in me however, they spend countless hours ‘trying to force’ me to overcome my ‘weakness’ as they called it.
After numerous failings I was left alone finally to my own devices. They stopped forcing me stating I was a lost cause.
I figured ‘Fine with me!’ if it meant I would no longer have to fight.”
She stopped for a moment as she noticed her eyesight slowly returning with a look of pain. She raised her arm to see what she was able to discern only to still see simple blurry shapes. It didn't surprise her she would take more time.
Her voice changed to a solemn resigning tone.
“I was wrong.” She lowered her arm again.
“During my briefest moment of peace and quiet I enjoyed the simple things in life, my diary, a strange feather found near the school’s boundaries and I had made with a small dog, I fed her from my rations and played with her in my downtime. She was so loving and trusting. I needed that. With all that had been going on she was the only one that ever truly loved me for me.” She said broken.
“But good things never last. I noticed something was off that late afternoon, when she didn’t appear when I whistled. I should have known then, but what’s done is done…” She said with a painful sigh as she ran the replay on her memories.
“I’ll never forget that looming shadow of his...the moment I turned around I knew, he was there waiting for me, he didn’t have to say anything. I knew he had something to do with it. He told me to follow him and was led back inside, down into the cellar.” Her mind’s eyes seeing the room again in front of her.
"The cellar was for 'special occasions'. Certain rituals and the preparation of those that would be 'chosen'." She explained by not explaining.

"A long table with straps stood ready, the wood cut out and carved up at certain places in order to drain away the fluids. A couple of closets with a variety of tools and contents and a standing rack all set up and prepared.
The Mardras was there too, specially robed for the occasion.
“It is time Eilis….” She had said. “Time for you to learn the transgressions for your disobedience, provided you fail us once more. Take this opportunity, child for your own well being. For he will have you one way or the other.” She told me matter of factly.” Eilis said shaking her head.
“I was told to…” She swallowed finding it difficult to talk about.
“I was ordered to undress, when I didn’t react quickly enough the Mardras decided to take action herself. I felt her knock me out, long enough for her to ‘taint me with the bind’. I remember waking up halfway through, feeling her needles scratch in me, but ‘he’ noticed and took my breath from me until I passed out.” The pain showed itself on her face for a moment feeling spent and torn whether or not she should continue.
"When I finally came to I heard them claim their success, I would be forced into compliance. He desired me for his own experiments, but just to make sure everything was in working order they would test the strength of the binds.
They brought in my dog.
He said I had to rid myself of my weakness. To kill it.
I...I felt my own body move on his request, as if I was no longer in control. For the briefest and luckiest of moments I regained control again and I did not need any incentive on what I should do. I killed him and harmed her, before I freed the dog and ran.”
She sighed as she buried her face in her hands.
"They tried to hunt me down ofcourse. The only reason why I managed to escape was because my little doggy distracted them. My tattoo’s prohibit me from using my powers, since the man to whom I was supposed to listen was meant to control them. Now every time I tap into the Aether my tattoo’s react. I bleed, because they are meant to control me and when I would prove too unruly, to destroy me from within.”
She ended turning to the now blurry shape of Arn.
""Eilis listened to Arn’s words allowing his warmth to comfort her and his hands to stroke and hold her. To her his kindness was quite alien. Most of her life had been filled with commands and servitude, the few males she encountered always distant, gruff and demanding.
She thought for a while on his words.
His attraction to her could be for the same reason…
“My tattoo’s are my punishment. They are my prison.” She summed up with a tired exhale. “I was disobedient, I was supposed to comply with their orders, but I did not want to.” Her mind moved back to that moment, her gaze hardened and true anger emoted itself on her face.
“I killed him.” There was a flicker of change on her face, her expression morphed for a second before it settled on disgust.
“He wanted me, but I did not wish to submit myself to him. Nobles and Battlemages would always choose girls from our coven. The Mardras always ordered us to comply with whatever wishes they had. We were to become adept and serve them as best we could. Certain girls were selected for certain specific tasks. The Fair with the Fair, the Adept with the Adept and those of ‘lesser disposition’ to the will of the buyer.” She swallowed.
“I as you noticed am well versed in magic, but I’m a coward. I’d rather not fight. Seeing the potential in me they spend countless hours ‘trying to force’ me to overcome my ‘weakness’ as they called it.
After numerous failings I was left alone finally to my own devices. They stopped forcing me stating I was a lost cause. I figured ‘Fine with me!’ if it meant I would no longer have to fight.” She sighed as she noticed her eyesight slowly returning with a look of pain. She raised her arm to see what she was able to see only to still see simple blurry shapes. The tattoo's were lines of a darker hue, set etched in her skin. Though most of the lines were a straight solitary line, small cracks in the skin were visible from the last time they had been activated. It appeared weirdly similar to cracked glazing on crockery.
Her voice changed to a solemn resigning tone.
“I was wrong.” She lowered her arm again.
“During my briefest moment of peace and quiet I enjoyed the simple things in life, my diary, a strange feather found near the school’s boundaries and I had made friends with a small dog, I fed her from my rations and played with her in my downtime. She was the only one that ever truly loved me.” She said broken.
“I noticed something was off that late afternoon, when she didn’t appear when I whistled. I should have known then, but what’s done is done…” She said with a painful sigh as she ran the reply on her memories. “I’ll never forget that looming shadow of his...the moment I turned around I knew, he didn’t have to say anything. He told me to follow him and was led back inside, down into the cellar.” Her mind’s eyes seeing the room again in front of her.
A long table with straps stood ready, the wood cut out and carved up at certain places in order to drain away the fluids. A couple of closets and a standing rack all set up and prepared.
The Mardras was there too, specially robed for the occasion.
“It is time Eilis….” She had said. “Time for you to learn the transgressions for your disobedience, provided you fail us once more. Take this opportunity, child for your own well being. For he will have you one way or the other.” She told me matter of factly.” Eilis said shaking her head.
“I was told to…” She swallowed finding it difficult to talk about. “I was ordered to undress, when I didn’t react quickly enough the Mardras decided to take action herself. I felt her knock me out, long enough for her to ‘taint me with the bind’. I remember waking up halfway through, feeling her needles scratch in me, but ‘he’ noticed and took my breath from me until I passed out.” The pain showed itself on her face for a moment feeling spent and torn whether or not she should continue.
When I finally came to I heard them claim their success, I would be forced into compliance. He desired me for his own experiments, but just to make sure everything was in working order they would test the strength of the binds.
They brought in my dog. He said I had to rid myself of my weakness. To kill it. I...I felt my own body move on his request, as if I was no longer in control. For the briefest and luckiest of moments I regained control again and I did not need any incentive on what I should do. I killed him and hurt her, before I freed the dog and ran.” She sighed as she buried her face in her hands. They tried to hunt me down ofcourse. The only reason why I managed to escape was because my little doggy distracted them. My tattoo’s prohibit me from using my powers, since the man to whom I was supposed to listen was meant to control them. Now every time I tap into the Aether my tattoo’s react. I bleed, because they are meant to control me and when I would prove too unruly, to destroy me from within."
She turned to the blurry image of Arn, her eyes pleading.
"So you see...I am a liability. I just..don't want anyone to get hurt over me anymore and you, you have been so good to me...I'd hate for you to get hurt too." She looked down at her own hands.
"They turned me into a monster, a weapon, a plaything for their pleasure...if they were willing to do 'this' to me how much worse will their treatment of 'the enemy' be."

Arn listened, her story stirring the depths of his soul. The maelstrom inside him shifted from anger, to murderous intent, to pain and sadness for the young girl, to self-loathing for forcing her to relieve those painful memories.

Yet, he was also glad for them. They painted a picture of the girl who he now held in her arms. It had been hubris to think that she was defenseless and thus needed his protection. He had forgotten the admiration that the man who had witnessed described her actions. As he listened, he found more and more respect for the young girl.

She was kind and sweet. Her concern was always with others. Eilis felt the pain of the world and would hold herself to blame as if she was the only reason the world bled. Yet Arn had seen how cruel this world could be and so had Eilis. Perhaps, that is why she clung to her belief that her presence hurt the people around her.

Even her justified killing of her tormentor further showed how pure she was. Arn never felt remorse for killing those who he deemed deserving of death. Yet she regrated taking life.

Her story also shed light to the people who might be hunting her. Ruthless was the theme of her story. These were a group that were powerful enough to be ruthless and had the backing of the empire to do it lawfully. This meant that the forces which were at Belisio’s door steps could very well be fanatics more than willing to deal out death and destruction to achieve their goals.

This information was definitely sensitive because it meant that perhaps negotiations were not possible. This also meant that he alone would not be enough to protect her. A group with such sadistic tendencies often operated in cells. Only thought the assurance of victory could such group have the benefit of being so sadistic.

Arn squeezed her hand in support and assurance. She was no longer alone. She no longer had to run. If she decided to fight, he would be by her side. He was still not sure why he had been so drawn to her but whatever the reason, it had cemented in his mind the need to protect her and assure her happiness.

He noticed she realized that she was able to see again. For one illogical second he worried she would find his look threatening and would be scared of him. He had never wondered or cared about how he looked but for a fleeting second he whished he looked more like Tyrhallan who was the epitome of a knight in shining armor.

The mage waited a second or two to see if Eilis would continue. When the lovely refugee did not he began in a soft and reassuring voice. “You say you are a coward but I have yet to find someone more courageous. It takes an unbelievable amount of courage to refuse to fight even at the expense of pain and suffering. The valuing life is not a weakness. Valuing peace is not a coward’s idea.” He practiced a wider smile, his face tried to protest, the motion not something it was used to producing but finally managed a lopsided sort of grin.

“You feel you are a liability because you have people after you. However, I can assure you that those who truly care about you do not see this as a deterrent. Rather, your plight is much more of an incentive to help you. You asked me before why I helped you and I did not know what to say before. I know now. I pledge myself to help you because you deserve happiness.”

He brushed back a loose lock of hair as she lowered her head. “You may deny it, but you do the same for others. If I recall correctly, you were willing to suffer so that others in that frigate might live. There was no reason for you to do so. In this same manner, I ask that you let me be by your side.”

The master mage looked past her as if talking to someone or even himself. “I have considered myself a weapon meant only to be used. However, now I see that I am to be a tool and a shield. I have protected some in my way. Now I have a reason strong enough to resolve myself to you.”

He cleared his throat. “I thank you for answering my question even though the memories are painful to you. I promise never again to ask you such a thing unless you yourself want to disclose them. You see, you are a mystery to me and if I am not careful I might cause you pain unwittingly.”

He sighed as he carefully selected his words. “But I promise you that I will do what I can to free you of these chains. To every lock there is a key. You deserve to be free.” He squeezed her hands in his. His voice firm but kind. “Would you let me help you?”

Tyrhallan raised an eyebrow at the curious and nervous addressing of him, it caused him to chuckle.
“I will not eat you alive young master Tailor. If you wish to address me Captain will do. If however, that is too informal for you.” He said with a teasing smile. “Then you may address me with my formal title. Eresh Tyrhallan di Venrai’ye.”
He saw the imaginary sweet drops start to form and the look of worry in Tobias’s eyes.
“Fear not, I am not a man easily insulted, certainly not when I can read the well meant intent behind your words.” He stated before he took some time to allow Tobias to ask his questions and for him to formulate a fitting answer to them. Meanwhile he took one the plates that Tobias hadn’t taken and put it on Tobias’s tray.
“This….is salmon.” Tyrhallan stated as he picked up one of the few plates containing the pink looking fish for himself.
“And as for your other questions...some will not be easy to answer, for I am not all knowing, despite the kind of stories that get told. I’m quite fallible.” He took a couple of more dishes but nothing too extravagant.
“The King is a man with a good deal on his mind right about now. Any leader in his position would be nervous about the outcome of this battle. With the enemy out for blood and growing closer one cannot but try to rally the people.” Tyrhallan answered. “Your perceptive young master Tailor. It will serve you well on the battlefield to keep the same level of vigilance. However yes I do believe the king was calling for help. Wars are not merely fought on the battlefield. They will have an effect on everything, a strong nation, with a willing people will be able to fight back. Moral must be good and the end goal must be clear. The King is a figurehead. People follow him because he is the king, he unites the nation. He also knows that disposing of such a figurehead would be the first thing on the mind of the enemy. So I’d say he has a good reason to be nervous and fearful.”
At the last question Tyrhallan frowned, he wasn’t sure how to answer that one. Seeing the curiosity however in his eyes Tyrhallan felt he owed the young mage some sort of answer.
“Being forced on the defensive is never really a preferable position, not without proper terrain to back you up or any conclusive information on what the enemy is completely capable of. In order to strategise you need to know your enemy and when to pick your battles. Keep the reins firmly in your hand…” Realizing this might be a bit too vague as a satisfying answer for the young mage Tyrhallan added. “Personally speaking, hinder them at every opportunity and lure them where you want to lure them to. Make the terrain work for you and preferably overrun them in waves. Make it so they cannot rest. Hound them whether with fake attacks, sneak attacks, full on barrages and the occasional ‘accidental’ fire.”

“You say you are a coward but I have yet to find someone more courageous. It takes an unbelievable amount of courage to refuse to fight even at the expense of pain and suffering. The valuing life is not a weakness. Valuing peace is not a coward’s idea.” He practiced a wider smile, his face tried to protest, the motion not something it was used to producing but finally managed a lopsided sort of grin.

“You feel you are a liability because you have people after you. However, I can assure you that those who truly care about you do not see this as a deterrent. Rather, your plight is much more of an incentive to help you. You asked me before why I helped you and I did not know what to say before. I know now. I pledge myself to help you because you deserve happiness.”

He brushed back a loose lock of hair as she lowered her head. “You may deny it, but you do the same for others. If I recall correctly, you were willing to suffer so that others in that frigate might live. There was no reason for you to do so. In this same manner, I ask that you let me be by your side.”

She had hung her head in shame before she felt his gentle touch, brushing back some of her hair. Looking up at his words the worry could be read in her eyes. His words, he had told her again and again he would be by her side. Her protector. She felt like she did not deserve any of his loyalty one he gave to her so willingly.

The master mage looked past her as if talking to someone or even himself. “I have considered myself a weapon meant only to be used. However, now I see that I am to be a tool and a shield. I have protected some in my way. Now I have a reason strong enough to resolve myself to you.”

He cleared his throat. “I thank you for answering my question even though the memories are painful to you. I promise never again to ask you such a thing unless you yourself want to disclose them. You see, you are a mystery to me and if I am not careful I might cause you pain unwittingly.”

He sighed as he carefully selected his words. “But I promise you that I will do what I can to free you of these chains. To every lock there is a key. You deserve to be free.” He squeezed her hands in his. His voice firm but kind. “Would you let me help you?”

She shook her head at his mentioning of himself being a weapon or a tool or a shield.
"Stop." She said as she ordered him softly, gently to allow her to reply.
"You may make me a thousand promises, but they would mean nothing to me if you don't value yourself as well." She stated as she turned their hands, lacing their fingers as she looked over them to his blurry image.
"You are more than just discardable Arn. I don't want to hear you speak about yourself in such a manner for it hurts me to hear you say so. You have a keen mind and such a warm and loyal heart that you are more than just your magic or your weapons. You are you. My past will haunt me and probably hunt me down, but even if talking about it brings back painful memories I know I can share them with you. I..." Her voice trailed off as his features sharpened a bit, making her smile. Soon she would be able to see her knightly mage.
"I doubt I will ever be rid of these again." She said hinting at her tattoo's. "Truthfully if it wasn't a sin to the All Mother I would have ended it before even coming here. But now that I am here things have changed and I am glad I didn't not give into despair. Even now it is very tempting were it not for a single thing." She stated, making sure he understood the gravity of her words. Before trying to lock eyes with him despite him being a blur.
"You are a reason worth living for." She uttered softly.

Tobi had started to panic again as he caught the playful end of the Knight Captain’s jab. He was about to launch into an apologetic rant with as much groveling and penitence when he caught the teasing smile. The young mage smiled back. “Very well Cap, you may call me Tobi. My dad was the true Tailor, I just carry the name.”

He looked down at the meaty pink serving that the silver haired knight placed on his plate. It certainly looked appetizing. Much better than the dried meat and synthetic stuff they had to eat. More often than not, the squad ate dry goods or rations meant more to be nutritional than actually enjoyed to be eaten.

He hoped that the fish along with the rest of his bounty were worthy of being perhaps his last meal. He had managed to get different varieties of tubbers, some fruits and colorful vegetables. He basically piled his plate high.

The young mage hoped he could sneak some of this food to his buddies in the barracks but knew that it would be very strange and hard to do so in the company of Tyrhallan. Like Arn, Tobi, cared and looked out for others despite their detached attitude. This was one of the reasons why Tobi brought them news and suffered reprimands to give them a much deserved laugh every now and then.

Tobi followed Tyrhallan. People were starting to congregated in groups, no doubt to discuss the news that King Aldred just dropped on everyone there. The young lad was enough of a veteran that he knew that worrying on an empty stomach would do no one any good.

He signaled to the Knight Captain with his head towards a table that could seat both of them which had been recently emptied. He stood on the side opposite the knight and waited for the other man to sit. The young mage may be irreverent and rebellious towards his own captain but he would show this man no such attitude.

Their conversation had stimulated him as much as the ones he had with Arn in matters of magic and philosophy. Here was a man who could answer his question about what the other side of the military forces thought. It was an unwritten rule that mages and knights did not mingle but this interaction seemed just as natural as any he had with mages.

Tobi dissected and digested the information that the Knight Captain had provided. As he sat and absently took bites of various dishes, he mulled the implications in his mind. Finally, he finished his bite and offered his own musings to the other man.

“I read in a book that leadership is the ability to inspire others to surpass their own limitations and often even surpass those that are currently in leadership.” He stopped measuring up Tyrhallan with eyes that suddenly seemed older than the young face betrayed.

“I agree with you that the King is a great leader. Not because he called us to action but because even if he is to die, ,he cemented in our minds a last image of him that will enable those surviving to continue the fight.” He took another bite of a red fruit which was soft, sweet and also acidy.

“This is how we feel about Master Mage Arn. Many in the Shooting Stars consider him a hero. To us he is what a battle mage should be. I follow him into battle again and again not because he is a master but because he inspires me to do my best.” His voice was soft and respectful.

“I have to ask Cap. Other than pissing Captain Evander off, why did you request Master Mage Arn’s transfer?” The young man’s eyes were narrowed. It was not that he did not trust Tyrhallan but in a sense, he felt the man was taking something valuable from them.

“Sure the Master Mage is some heavy fire power and can cause quite some damage on the battle field. But so can a heavy pulse cannon and I reckon the cannon will be easier to handle.” He sighed. “If you have not discussed this decision with him, you may find he does not like others to make choices for him. Just ask Captain Evander.” A slight smirk appeared on the boy’s face.

“You appear to be an honorable man. So I am sure your reasoning is good but I guess I feel a bit protective of the Master Mage.” Tobi shrugged and put more food in his mouth.

******************************

Arn was taken aback by Eilis’s comment. It registered to him slowly that she had felt that his identification as a weapon was a deprecating comment. His smile widened and he actually chuckled. The sound was strange even to him. This made him chuckle even more. His chest would shake and rumble. He did not at all dislike the feeling and wondered why he hand not done that before. Perhaps he had nobody he wanted to do that for?

In his mind, his ability to be useful was a pillar to his existence. He had been born the bastard child of a whore. He had lived the first part of his life just surviving for his mother and when she was gone it had left a big blank in his life. The reason he identified as a weapon was because of the teachings of his sword master. The old veteran who had taught him control and restraint and the honor in fighting. It was he who taught him that the life of a warrior must have meaning. Otherwise, the warrior is just a killer.

It had been an old belief that a warrior’s weapon was their soul. So he felt he was the soul and the fighting spirit of all those who were powerless, beginning with his mother and extending to the fallen members of his own squad.

He was a weapon that would cut down evil and would defend freedom. The political implications of the side he was fighting on was the most virtuous was not in debate. Those were debates for higher thinking order. He was only concerned with the black and white he could see such as pirates and brigands that needed to be brought down.

"You are a reason worth living for."

His musings came to an end as those words were spoken. His breath caught in his throat and he even doubted he had heard correctly.

But he had heard correctly. His sharp ears and sharp mind would not betray him so no matter how exhausted or in what pain he was in. in truth, his current health status had all but been forgotten and even the beeps and hums of the medical machinery had retired to the background.

Eilis’s confession had caught him unaware and hit him like a strong blow to the solar plexus. He felt he needed to breathe. The implication of what she was telling him flooded him like a wave of potent feelings. It was as if the damn had burst and a powerful wave of emotion fell on him like tsunami.

For a second, fear rose to the surface. Why would she say that? What did it mean? What was in store? Thankfully, a life of stoic and logical thinking managed to be the raft that navigated the feelings whirlpool that swirled inside him.

The senior mage took a deep, steadying breath. He looked down at the young lady. His eyes filled with emotion and tenderness. His voice spoke an almost choked but sweet tone.

“Eilis, all my life I have had a simple reason to live. I felt that I needed a reason to be alive. I felt that by being useful my life was not a waste. However, I did not know that I actually needed someone to live that life with. I am glad you are still here and that I got to meet you. This world would have lost too much with you gone.” He squeezed her hand.

This whole situation had escalated in magnitude that was hair rising and almost implausible but even to his pragmatic mind this all made sense. There was little else he was as completely sure about. “I will be by your side as I have already promised. It will be my honor to be your shield. Not as a disposable item but as a reason for my existence. I ask that you allow me this. I ask that you live this life it with me?”

He held his breath awaiting her response.

“Eilis, all my life I have had a simple reason to live. I felt that I needed a reason to be alive. I felt that by being useful my life was not a waste. However, I did not know that I actually needed someone to live that life with. I am glad you are still here and that I got to meet you. This world would have lost too much with you gone.” He squeezed her hand.

"Oh I don't know about that...The world was fine before I was born and I have no doubt it will continue just fine without me." Eilis said rather self-deprecatingly. She looked down at his hand as he squeezed hers. Her smile returning at the gentle and kind gesture. This man had the strange capacity of making her feel good about herself.
Maybe it was the fact that he was frankly one of the few who was consistent in his regard for her and treated her with actual decency and kindness.
If there were hidden motives behind his actions, they weren't malign. So she further silences that ever doubting voice inside her head.

“I will be by your side as I have already promised. It will be my honor to be your shield. Not as a disposable item but as a reason for my existence. I ask that you allow me this. I ask that you live this life with me?”
He held his breath awaiting her response.

Eilis listened to his words, his voice and his reponse. Whether it was the slight choked sound to indicate his carefulness or uncertainty in how to respond or the fact that he had held his breath at the end of it, made Eilis worry she had upset Arn somehow.
She raised her hand and placed it over his chest.
"Breathe Arn." She requested before she took his hand in hers again, a thing she had done earlier but this time she placed it over her heart.
"I'd rather not have you refering to yourself as a shield, so how about this? Bow and Arrow, if you must use a weaponry analogy." She spoke teasingly, as she looked up at him with a glint of misschief in her eyes, the corners of her lips slightly upturned.
"For one is not complete without the other, depends on the other and if I may ask so selfishly cannot find its way without the other guiding it. And your light is guiding me through a dark maze I could not manage to overcome on my own." She cast her eyes down again.
"I still doubt whether or not I am doing you wrong by tainting you with association, but I can't do this on my own..." She frowned.
"All I wanted was a quiet simple life, it seems Fate has decided differently, but thankfully it allowed me to meet you." She stated looking at him again with a look of hope. "I want to stay with you. I feel safe with you. I trust you....gods I sound like a child." She chastized herself before wondering something.
Did he see her as one? A helpless child in need of protection? Not that she could blame him, she hadn't exactly offered him anything remotely resembling a woman's ettiquete in being proper and demure. She had been as inconsistent as the weather, Arn probably thought she was unpredictable.
And she was hardly a prize, tattoed from head to toe, some plain refugee with a bunch of mad Tahjai after her. She was more trouble than she was worth and that was her own evaluation. She wondered what Arn saw in her that made him so invested.
No, she knew, she had felt it too. Their connection. His innerflame, the light of his soul touching hers, warming her.
"Forgive me, but I can't seem to let you go." She whispered before she leaned forward and closed her eyes placing a gentle kiss on his forehead.

Arn shook his head slightly at her self deprecation. How could she believe that? How could she not see how important she was? There was literally a group of high powered individuals who were looking for her. This may not be a very amiable point but it was logical. Also, his world had been turned upside down due to her. Had it not been for her, his life would continue to in the same straight and clear path that he was on.

Despite him being a collected and always composed person, the turmoil and uncertainty that she had brought in just the mere moments of knowing her stirred some deep need in him that he did not know he had. The mystery of her, her life, and the future was very appealing to the master mage.

His logical mind posed many questions and he wanted to follow each one but at this moment, he wanted to give her his full attention. Even this inner reflections, which he was used to doing all his life, seemed somehow in appropriate with her being next to her.

“Breathe Arn."

He smiled and he took a deep breath. His lungs filled with the air in the room and with something else. A slight hint of something else. Was it Her? He chasticed himself for the thought. It was not clear wetehr the feeling that she had arose in him were romantic. But he did feel drawn to her, connected to her, and he very much felt that not being with her would somehow be a great loss.

Yet, despite even the interactions which have brought them close and even opened doors into his soul that had been stuck shut, he still felt like a creep imagining that the sweet scent was somehow related to her.

To deviate his mental train from the current track which would only bring red flush to his face and quicken his heart, the battlemage decided to analyze the analogy she had presented.

“Bow and arrow?” He spoke the question softly more to himself. He was sure he had heard the words before but as the current world’s technology had more efficient and deadly munitions or projectiles, they had not been used in actual battle for millennia.

His quick mind searched through the archives of his mind for the reference in an over eager way to compensate for his previous thoughts. Immediately, his mind raced through references of military weapons. Putting all pieces together he understood what she meant. Alone, both were not very efficient. However, together they could be quite deadly. These were simple instruments and Arn liked nothing if not simplicity.

He smiled down at her and chuckled, this time more easily, at her mischievous glint on those eyes of hers. He could see his reflection in them and wondered if she would feel just at ease once her Dark Sight had passed. The master mage was not a vain person or even cared about looks but he felt that perhaps she may have an image in her mind that would dissipate once she actually beheld him.

He sighed in understanding. His own life was not something that he would gleefuly wish on somebody else. There had been many times in his young life when he wished him and his mother could live in a small house, she would wake up and make him breakfast and he would run along with his friends to some imaginary school.

He wondered if strife and challenges was all that people born with an affinity to magic could hope for. Here was a lovely young lady that had seen more pain that some soldiers and only those who had gone through similar circumstances could understand.

What he could not understand was the sudden concern in her face. Arn was glad she felt him trustworthy and safe. Was she perhaps doubting her own conclusions? What else could he do to reassure her. He wondered if he had said something wrong or something to bring up doubts in her. His own face morphed into one of concern.

"Forgive me, but I can't seem to let you go." She whispered before she leaned forward and closed her eyes placing a gentle kiss on his forehead.

The place where her lips touched his skin was the epicenter of a warm wave that spread outward to his whole body. He smiled at that. A warmth that was obvious radiated from his body. He felt a joy in hearing that. Eilis seemed to enjoy his company and not because of his destructive and weaponized potential. In fact he had done nothing more than be a human heating pad. Some part of his mind wondered at this phenomenon.

Normally it took concentration and tapping into the Aether to produce these thermal changes. Instead, the connection with her seemed to naturally cause a reaction that surpassed understanding. That analytical side of his brain wanted to study, to question, and to test. He wondered if their connection could work both ways and he could provoke changes in her.

His other side wanted to just stay still in the moment between them for eons. This side of his brain saw their connection as inevitable. Arn was not very familiar with this side. It made illogical and outlandish arguments. Yet, despite their definitive fallacy, the mage could not say they were wrong.

In the fraction of a second that the battle for control and command raged in his mind a truce was finally called and was embodies by a simple

“Nor I want to let you go either.”

“Very well Cap, you may call me Tobi. My dad was the true Tailor, I just carry the name.”
Tyrhallan nodded at the young mage.
"Do not dismiss yourself so easily. You are your family's namebearer, the family line and name will continue because of you, whether or not you consider yourself worthy of it." He offered as they sought for a place to sit. Finding one soon enough he joined the young mage at the table, setting out everything to its rightful place. Even simply pleasures and as display and napkins were a few of the rituals that made life and war more easy to bear. Folding his hands he took a moment of silence and contemplation before making the ritualistic gesture touching his forehead and moving the hand up and down.
"As above, So Below." Was the soft murmur that followed before he picked up his cutlerly and started eating.
There was a clear difference in table ettiquete between the two, but Tyrhallan never sought to tell other people how to live their lives in their 'off duty' moments. Nevertheless had after a while his troops started to mimic some of Tyrhallan's behaviour and if the Captain joined them at the same moment they all waiting until his regular blessing passed his lips. Everyone sat a little straighter, cutlerly was held more properly and no knives were licked off for the sake of getting everything.
Tyrhallan had been asked by others how he had managed that ragtag bunch of hardheads to 'straighten up' and he had simply told those that inquired the truth. That a good example set by a superior and consistency made others follow suit.
It was why those who 'paid their way' to get in annoyed the hell out of Tyrhallan.
That was not the Venray way.
One had to be able to relate through experience to understand those he was supposed to lead. He had done the same menial tasks as mopping, cleaning, drilling all that he asked of his Knights he himself had done or would do without batting an eye.
Taking his time enjoying his meal Tobias suddenly struck up conversation again.

“I read in a book that leadership is the ability to inspire others to surpass their own limitations and often even surpass those that are currently in leadership.” He stopped measuring up Tyrhallan with eyes that suddenly seemed older than the young face betrayed.
“I agree with you that the King is a great leader. Not because he called us to action but because even if he is to die, he cemented in our minds a last image of him that will enable those surviving to continue the fight.” He took another bite of a red fruit which was soft, sweet and also acidy.
“This is how we feel about Master Mage Arn. Many in the Shooting Stars consider him a hero. To us he is what a battle mage should be. I follow him into battle again and again not because he is a master but because he inspires me to do my best.” His voice was soft and respectful.
“I have to ask Cap. Other than pissing Captain Evander off, why did you request Master Mage Arn’s transfer?” The young man’s eyes were narrowed. It was not that he did not trust Tyrhallan but in a sense, he felt the man was taking something valuable from them.
“Sure the Master Mage is some heavy fire power and can cause quite some damage on the battle field. But so can a heavy pulse cannon and I reckon the cannon will be easier to handle.” He sighed. “If you have not discussed this decision with him, you may find he does not like others to make choices for him. Just ask Captain Evander.” A slight smirk appeared on the boy’s face.
“You appear to be an honorable man. So I am sure your reasoning is good but I guess I feel a bit protective of the Master Mage.” Tobi shrugged and put more food in his mouth.

"You seem to have misinterpreted my intentions young master Tobias." He said after he finished and swallowed his mouthful.
"First and foremost leadership is more then inspiring people. Whilst there are many views on it, I believe that leadership is Duty. Responsibility and Respect whether for themselves as for others. Great leaders have the capacity to transfer vision into reality." He sighed.
"I am no more honourable than you or sir Arn. I have however always told myself that my power and my position should be used to aid those who otherwise will be overlooked or discarded. It is why I chose to be a Knight first and then a Lord. Whilst I am loyal to the King and Queen and I will defend them at the cost of my own life, I just wished that they had not withdrawn so from the common people...a good Lord must know his subjects and their struggles, just as a good leader should the strengths and weaknesses of his men." He said a he took another bite.
"Appearing now in full regalia is a powerfull message, but I believe it would have been a stronger message and carried wider if he had gone amongst the commoners, would be able to look them in the eye and tell them of the dangers that lie on our doorstep." He frowned before he shook his head. "Don't mind me. Fancies of a dutiful Knight I suppose." He added with a sad undertone.

"As for Sir Arn I chose to set him free from Evander and true I did not seek his approval before doing so and he may fault me for that, but I also am no fool. Evander despises him. In the end he would have taken it out of Sir Arn one way or another. Also, I believe that Ser Arn has cleaned up enough of his mess, fixing his poor leadership. The sooner that comes to light the better. Hopefully...before too many souls lose their lives..." He said with a stern grimace.
"I chose to take him away from Evander, not out of spite or to rob you of your 'true Captain', but because I believe he needs room to move. Room that if I know Evander well enough he would not wish to give him. Though it is commendable and speaks highly of you that you dare breach the subject with me on it. It shows your high regard for Sir Arn and such behaviour I can only applaud." A heavy sigh followed, his rainbow coloured eyes darkened as he stared at young Tobi.
"I also believe there is more to this young woman. My instincts and gut are telling me there is more to trouble concerning her, despite what Arn said she is no 'mere refugee'." He took a sip from his glass of water. "I'm not sure what it is, but something puts me on edge. I am also quite certain that Evander would have demanded to interrogate her. I figured I would spare her such harsh treatment and Arn such troubles." He said finishing his food and drink placing the glass down with a little more force to emphasize his point. He then dabbed the corners of his mouth giving Tobias a long calculating look.
"Young Master Tailor, should you ever have need of it... you may come to me for help. Whilst I am not all powerful, know I would not turn you away." He offered as he took another stone from a pouch he carried on his belt before he placed it on the table and pushed it towards the young mage. It was a similar stone to what Arn had received, but this one was a bit more plain, still the V was carved into the stone and it had been sanded to a smooth surface.

Eilis smiled as tears filled her eyes in gratitude at his words.
With a soft slight tremble in her voice, now having found a little more courage and a little more daring she sighed in relief.
"Arn...I have to ask...since I..." She looked away in shame and doubt and balled her free hand into a fist out of frustration at her own insecurities.
"Arn...how bad is it? Am I really hideous?" She asked though she barely managed to force herself to say it. She had felt her tattoo's and she had caught flashes of her image in pools of water, but none had been a clear mirror for her to see the damage done to her. Sure she saw the lines she could see, but those on her face and back...those she hadn't seen.
She had scrubbed so hard that first night in her new freedom, so desperate had seen been to rid herself of them. When they proved impossible to erase she had cried herself silently to sleep, after that came the acception. Whenever people caught a glimpse of her they turned away, with clear distrust and disgust written in her eyes.
"I know I must look aweful. I just want to know the truth...so please don't lie." She pleaded softly looking back at him with resigned eyes.

Tobi shrugged as Tyrhallan gave him the namebearer bit. The family name was not something so imperative in lesser families. While it was true that the young lad was the only male and the inheritor of the title and business, Tobi had never really had his heart set on it. Now with him being in the military and his chance of surviving until the end of his sentence, the probability of the name continuing was that much more diminished.

Still, he could understand why a person of the Knight Captain’s standing would care about passing on the legacy. The young mage had no doubt that the name carried with it all the weight of generations of great men and women.

There was a slight pause as Tyrhallan went through his ritualistic table setting and blessing. In his childhood his mother, a believer, had tried to instill in her children proper manners but had failed considerably of no fault of her own. Still, the young mage tried to be respectful and observed some decorum to the extent of closing his mouth to chew and not speaking with his mouth full.

Tobi listened to the silver haired man expose his own stance on leadership. A nod of his head after every point showed the Knight that the young man was still listening despite him shoveling bite after bite into his mouth.

The young mage did not really have any objections, but he knew that very few, if any, military leader, especially those of rank, followed what the lord was stating. Oh the gentry were quick to call up duty and responsibility when levying taxes or troops but often forgot those same tenets when it was their turn to protect and provide for their subordinates. Many nobles saw peasants as nothing more than expendable and labor.

Still, Tobi could appreciate that there were few that believed like Tyrhalland and his opinion of the man rose because of it. He shook his head when the Knight Captain excused himself as if this motion translated no need for apologies. After all, every man is at the very least entitled to their opinion.

He stopped chewing and became more attentive when Arn was brought up. The young mage dissected every word. Weighed every sentiment and took note of the tone in which the Knight Captain delivered his reasoning, but the mange found no lie or error in what was said. Finally, Tobi nodded agreeing with Tyrhallan that the current course of action was perhaps for the best.

The young mage offered his own sigh. He did not like the idea of parting from the side of such great a person as his reluctant mentor but he knew it was probably for the best. Swallowing his current bite of food the young man said in a melancholic tone. “You are right in both accounts. It is no secret that Captain Evander had it in for Master Arn. The fool thinks that there is this big plot brewing to embarrass him and seize control of the Shooting Stars. He has been looking for any excuse to send him to Court Martial. We both know that if that happens, it will not be a fair trail. A lowly noble he might be but Evander is still a noble. No offense”

The young man paused wanting to see if Lord Venray would come to the aid of a fellow noble. A few seconds passed and he continued, this time in an apologetic tone. “Regarding the young miss. I fear that I am not at liberty to say. But if Master Arn trust you as I think he does, the only reason he may not say anything is because he has given his word. He may not be a knight or of high birth but his word is his bond.” This last part was said a bit forceful as if to prevent or squash any comment to the contrary.

“All I will say is that I have never seen the man act the way he does. He may need help in the arena from somebody who is probably used to being around the female members of our society.” The young man offered a wink after his playful comment. But perhaps he was not too far off. Almost every member of the Shooting Stars knew that Arn had never even spoken to another female other than professionally.

Tobi was caught by surprise by the offering of the stone. He took it in his hand and looked at it. He turned it over a couple of times and traced the V etched into he stone. A look of puzzlement could be easily seen. Not wanting to cause any sort of embarrassment or affront he said in a almost confused tone “thank you?”

The young mage place the stone in his pocket. He was taking another bite when he noticed a familiar face in the crowd behind Tyrhallan. The young mage raised his hand and waved until he caught the attention of the other young lad, a Novice by the name of Lornian Carver. The flushed face showed he had been perhaps running. This was further confirmed by his gasps as he reached the table.

“huff huff. Where…the huff Hell have you been Tobi? Huff… Evander wants….your..huff ass. No, no, I huff mean he wants you …back now.” The young lad huffed away. Lornian was a bit on the chubby side and the strain has obviously been taxing.

Tobi chuckled “Catch your breath boy before you faint. Here have something to drink” The other pushed the cup away. “I..think huff he is serious Tobi we have to go”. Turning he suddenly caught sight of Tyrhallan and his eyes grew wider as he caught sight of the emblem in the chest of the man. He managed a stuttering “Pardon..my interruption Knight Captain..I I.”

Tobi placed a hand on the lad. “Its ok, relax Lorni. Captain Venray will not bite. He might give you a few days in the brig for the offense of not introducing yourself first but no more than a few days.” The other boy’s face turned pale and worried eyes regarded Tobi. “Relax man, I am just playing.”
Tobi then turned to the silver haired lord. “Please excuse me Captain Venray. I enjoyed your company and your meal. It appears I am summoned though. Please take care of Master Arn.” A questioning look started to form on Lornian’s face but Tobi just pushed the lad forward. “I’ll tell you later come on before Evander pops a vein and we have to clean up the mess.”

Lorni managed a stuttering “Excuse us” and was pushed away into the sea of bodies who were just as vibrant as it had been since the King’s speech. And just like that, Tyrhallan was alone with only a plate and the remnants of a chaotic meal as evidence of Tobi’s existence.