"N-no!" Lanik watched her being pulled down by the surrounding legionnaires. He could have spoke out, protested, but.. . there were too many eyes. It would seem so out of place, an Imperial Captain standing up for an enemy who's been a festering thorn on the Empire's side for the longest time. What could he do then? He watched. The silent bystander to a figure who had just saved his mans life. He could feel the guilt inside trip over tenfold when she shot him a condemning gaze, only made worse when Captain Moor twisted at the proverbial knife.
"Congratulations, Sir Lanik Wintergate! I must thank you for catching the Engineer for us. That was a pretty clever ploy you made there, luring it to heal your friend. I would never have thought of that myself."
Lanik didn't respond. He watched the Imperial company rally up the remaining slaves and convoy them back through the forest. In only a few minutes Lanik and Finnigan were left to their own devices.
Finnigan's spirit had improved substantially, up until the moment the elf was carted away at least. He'd been leaning forward, then back, learning the mechanics of the wheelchair that adjusted to his shift of weight perfectly. It would of course take some getting used to, but at least he could remain mobile. Finnigan broke the silence, frowning, furrowing his brow.
"We're not just going to let them take her, are we Captain?"
"No Fin, I won't," he grabbed his bow and threw on his cloak, "We need to get moving back to camp, will you be okay?"
✱ ✲ ✳ ✴ ✵
Darian reared his horse then raced to the middle of the column. The Imperial's, having established a spearhead were now constructing supply lines between the main camp and the now forward post. The battle had gone better than expected, though truth be told he had yet to actually fight an elf one on one. He did however arrive soon enough to watch his soldiers and slaves pick away at them. They were stout fighters but Darian could only assume the sheer number Imperial troops had overwhelmed their fortifications. Check off another win for his Wintergate Covenant.
Though, it wasn't soon after the fight it was reported to him his brother Lanik had survived.
Damnit, stay the plan I suppose. The Covenant Rangers had rallied under Lanik as soon as he reappeared and once again were marching near the back. They were an enigmatic bunch, Darian understood, but there was something to be said about the way his men trusted his ranger brother's word over all else. An unwavering loyalty despite all the other Imperial companies talking secretly about the odd hooded soldiers that marched under the guise of a blind fox.
It was then Darian rode upon a slave wagon and sighted a silver-haired elf. He raised an eyebrow, instantly recognizing the peculiar elf. This was the one the General had eyes on. He grinned, riding up beside her, unsheathing his sword and smacking the bars with a metal clacking to get her attention.
"You look sad, elf," he removed his helm, shaking his blond locks and meeting her gaze with icy sapphires, "You really shouldn't be. The General treats his slaves oh so nicely, especially the pretty ones. You're quite talented too. I watched you wreak havoc on our front-line slaves," he leaned in closer, "I'm sure your blood tastes as sweet as your face," he laughed mockingly, smacking against the bars once more for effect.