[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/h2Zn6sp.png[/img]
[sub]Collab between [@Dark Light] and [@The Muse]
Location: Town Square > Northwestern Watchtower[/sub][/center][hr]

[color=goldenrod]"Hmm."[/color] He pondered her words as she spoke. Eyes still scrutinising hers as though he could see into her thoughts. [color=goldenrod]"A guard, my friend, had his face eaten off by a wretched blighter."[/color] He proclaimed with a heavy hint of emotion infiltrating his tone. He knew why the damned alarm was ringing. 

Eris's brows knit together, startled by the sudden edge in his voice. Her heart skipped a beat, a surge of nerves tightening in her chest.

[color=B1E4FC]“I… I am sorry about your friend."[/color] she said quietly, guilt overwhelming her. Elara’s gruesome story flashed through her mind. Of course it was likely that he knew the guard who had lost his life. 

He takes a breath and calms himself, dropping his gaze. [color=goldenrod]"I'm sorry, No. What has happened to the Princess? If urgency is an issue, speak quick."[/color] 

[color=B1E4FC]“She was involved in the attack and needs a skilled healer.”[/color] Eris said softly, suddenly feeling so very small and powerless beside him. 

[color=goldenrod]"She is injured!?"[/color] He asks sharply with a hint of surprise. Eris silently nodded in response, biting her lower lip nervously. 

His lips press together and he nods knowingly. [color=goldenrod]"I, royal guard Aliseth Kain, would not risk you another step more than is necessary. If you truly value urgency then allow me to take you back now and send multiple guards in your place. It is safer for them, and they will move more quickly."[/color]

Eris pressed her lips together, fighting the urge to argue against his suggestion. Logically, she knew he was right. It would be safer to send guards in her stead. And yet, she felt conflicted. Was it not her duty to handle this? To fix this? She had told the Prince she would go and yet… 

Lifting his gaze, Aliseth tilted his head to catch her eyes face to face. With an ever-gentle hand he placed it on her shoulder, offering a gesture of comfort and promises, whilst also subtly redirecting her to face back the way from where she came. The heat in Eris’s cheeks rose, unable to do anything but move with him when he turned her. 

[color=goldenrod]"Besides, you are after all, exactly the sort that these vile monsters would pursue and take advantage of. It would be too great a loss to us all if the blighted beast return, swooping down from the sky and stole you away. Please, obey the curfew, leave this for those trained and simply let me take you home."[/color]

Eris blinked a few times, her gaze following the path she had just traveled. [color=B1E4FC]“Well, I…”[/color] the words caught in her throat, worry reflected in her eyes. The firmness of his hand on her shoulder freezing her in place. 

After a moment, she shifted her weight, looking up at him again from under her hood. She searched his eyes, hoping to find reassurance in his calm confidence. Turning back felt like failure. How could she return empty handed? Would the Prince understand? 

[color=B1E4FC]“Can I… can I at least accompany you to relay the message to the other guards?”[/color] 

[color=goldenrod]"You may."[/color] He offered firmly with a warm voice and soft smile. A rush of relief—or was it excitement?—swept through her. This, at least, felt like a small victory.

[color=goldenrod]"You can stay by my side until you are satisfied that the Prince’s order will be carried out in full, now let us begin."[/color] He nods down the road to where he could see some other guards slowly moving about in torchlight trying to appear busy.

Exhaling softly, she fell into step beside him. [color=B1E4FC]“Thank you, Aliseth Kain.”[/color] she said, glancing up at him and offering a warm smile before shifting her gaze to the flickering torches ahead. [color=B1E4FC]“You are very kind.”[/color]

He gave no words of reply, the faint hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he began walking through the snow towards the guards. With Eris by his side, his steps were purposeful and stride fair paced. [color=goldenrod]"I commend your bravery Lady hightower."[/color] He offered without turning his head or diverting his gaze. [color=goldenrod]"They are lucky to have someone like you in their circle."[/color]

Eris glanced up at him, surprised. She felt anything but brave. [color=B1E4FC]“I—”[/color] she paused, pulling her gaze away and swallowing the urge to disagree. [color=B1E4FC]“Thank you.”[/color] she said instead, uncertainty creeping in. It wouldn’t do for her to belittle her own status, even if she felt that people tended to be more [i]unlucky[/i] with her around. 

As they neared the guards, Eris slowed her pace and kept close to Aliseth. Although she knew little of him, it felt safer to be near him while in the midst of total strangers (men)—most of whom appeared weathered and like they’d rather be anywhere else but here. She glanced up at him nervously, hoping he’d take the lead. 

With a gentle touch he paused her movement as he took a final firm step forward toward the guards. [color=goldenrod]"Attention."[/color] He called sharply, allowing a hint of anger into his raised tone. His eyes deliberately scrutinized the poor form and posture of the guards before him. He showed obvious impatience as he waited for the proper attention. Eris stood motionless, her gaze fixed on him, captivated by the way he effortlessly commanded the group. 

One by one, they fell into line, their focus wholly on Aliseth. With firm authority Aliseth relayed their new priority orders. The task of finding the priestess and accompanying her to the royals home with utmost urgency. Of the three men, he directed two to the new task and one to remain at his post to update his superiors and watch the street. 

[color=goldenrod]"It’s ok, we will send more men."[/color] he offered Eris softly as he stepped back beside her. [color=goldenrod]"The next can search any other areas she may be. They will find her."[/color] Eris smiled, feeling reassured. [color=B1E4FC]“Thank you again.”[/color]

Moving on suddenly, with the haste and urgency Eris had shown earlier, Aliseth almost left her behind. Reaching back he grabbed her by the hand and pulled her beside himself. Eris let out a small squeak of surprise, stumbling slightly into him. She grasped his hand instinctively to steady herself, but allowed him to pull her forward, her heart racing as she hurried to match his pace. 

For some time, Aliseth moved without talking, continuing to lead the way while maintaining his grip on Eris’s hand. The sage remained quiet, completely lost in her own mind. Frozen.

As they entered the residential area, his eyes flicked up to a nearby watch tower, noticing the dance of shadows within and the softest hint of conversation escaping it. He let out a soft little growl as whoever was in there didn’t seem to be doing much watching. 

[color=goldenrod]"There."[/color] he said to Eris as he gave a slight nod to the tower. [color=goldenrod]"We will send them too."[/color] With that he released her hand and started to make his way to the wooden structures base. 

Eris stood still, suddenly aware that her heart had been pounding against her chest the entire walk. She blinked, her eyes trailing up at the watchtower as Aliseth stormed away. [i]What was she doing here?[/i]

The walk had passed in a blur, like she was detached from the world around her. Her eyes flicked back towards Aliseth, processing what had just happened—the slightly painful grip he had on her, the tense silence, the sternness in his tone, his general aura of irritation. Her heart sped up again and she shoved her hands into her coat pockets, clutching Tia’s hairpins for comfort. 

Aliseth shifted so fluidly between kindness and anger. It reminded her of her father. A sharp pang went through her chest. 

Taking a steadying breath, she glanced around, wondering if she should leave. For the moment, Aliseth’s focus had been pulled from her and he seemed enraptured by whoever was inside the tower. 

He had likely wanted her to follow, but… 

She bit her lower lip and focused her gaze on the royal residence in the distance, lit like a beacon by torchlight and guards patrolling outside. It was only a short walk away. 

She could make it before he returned… 

[hr]

[sub][b]Interactions:[/b] Elio [@c3p-0h], Charlotte [@SpicyMeatball][/sub]