[table][row][cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/20Q9FLv.png[/img][/cell][cell][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/241207/12cf164eb0204fbd7bfe1f9acec90dc5.png[/img][/cell][/row]
[row][cell][sub]Location: Eastern Gate[/sub][/cell][/row][/table]Zeph's brow furrowed as Nesna fumbled through oddly formal courtesies that starkly contrasted with her unsettling appearance. He studied her as she spoke, noting the strained refinement in her movements and words. [color=98A869][i]‘Was she noble once?’[/i][/color] The idea intrigued him. The blight spared no one, after all.  

Her declaration about pursuing magic sent a prickle of unease down his spine. He had seen the power the blight granted these creatures—was teaching one of them magic a wise choice? For a moment, Zeph wondered if the Lead Sage would entertain such an idea. The Lady Hightower seemed to avoid the blight-born when she could. She seemed to be a sensible woman, despite her Aurelian heritage. 

Nonetheless, it wasn’t his call to make. The Aurelian Prince would decide whether this creature was sent on their way or not. The responsibility of it all sounded like too much anyway. As Aliseth’s whisper reached his ears, Zeph leaned in, eyes still trained on the blight-born. She was docile for now, yes, but Zeph wasn’t about to lower his guard. 

At the mention of the Princess’s disappearance and the death of Aliseth's partner, his eyes snapped to meet Aliseth’s gaze. His eyes widened beneath his helm as he stared at his brother, in shocked disbelief. His heart lurched at the thought of Abel—[i]Dead?[/i] Could it be him? How? What had happened after they left the tavern? 

Aliseth’s tone was calm, too calm. Unnatural. [color=98A869]“What the fuck do you mean?”[/color] he whispered back through clenched teeth. [color=98A869]“Kain, this can wa—”[/color]

It was too late, Aliseth was already set on talking to this blight-born further. [color=98A869][i]‘Does he think she had something to do with it?’[/i][/color] He looked over Nesna in the torch light, checking her for blood splatter—the same that speckled Aliseth’s armor. She was haggard, sure, but he found no sign of blood at first glance. [color=98A869][i]‘Did he not see the creature that attacked?’[/i][/color] Zeph's fingers twitched on the hilt of his sword. 

When Aliseth moved to lead Nesna closer to the gatehouse, he glanced up toward the ramparts, where another guard stood watch with him, bow at the ready, observing the scene below.

[color=98A869]“Lannis!”[/color] He called up, [color=98A869]“Take the gate. I’ll be back.”[/color] he ordered, voice steady but betraying the faintest edge of urgency. Lannis gave a nod, shifting his position to take Zeph’s place at ground level.

Turning his attention back to Aliseth, his voice was firm. [color=98A869]“Kain,”[/color] he called, using Aliseth’s last name. [color=98A869]“The commanders need to know, [i]now[/i]. Go inform them—I’ll handle her.”[/color] he gestured toward Nesna, his tone leaving little room for argument despite Aliseth holding a slightly higher rank. 

[color=98A869]“Either you go, or I will.”[/color]

[hr]

[sub][b]Interactions:[/b] Aliseth [@Dark Light], Nesna [@enmuni][/sub]