The skin of her palm still stung. She did not strike the man particularly hard, not as much as he deserved, but the action left a bad taste in her mouth, as if the ire she felt at his disrespect reflected more poorly on her than it did him. Still, it was not something she could simply let go. An assault on those under her care, in any capacity, may as well have been an assault on her.
She listened in as Roen spoke, a frown etching its way onto her features. “So, this display here was a farce?†She adjusted the towel around her as she spoke, having come loose from slapping the ingrate. The woman had no great love for mind games, and she felt very much the fool for being treated as such.
Roen glanced between the two others before bowing her gaze. “Something of the sort. My knight captain needed proof, however loosely, that both your accounts, and my belief in both your accounts was not unfounded.â€
“The sword will be returned to me tomorrow morning,†Edda said, tone stringent. It was not a question.
The paladin narrowed her eyes. “Do you understand the seriousness of what could have happened? If he was charged with murder, then you could have been an accessory.†There was no anger in her words, but her imploring was clear to even Edda, who softened her expression at the tone. “It is imperative that he…†She stopped herself, and turned. “That you understand, the laws of this land are very strict.â€
“I do. I know that he is no cold-blooded killer. However, if that idiot troglodyte had managed to provoke Khadai into violence, I know full well it would reflect poorly on me. If I am to be tried and found guilty, then such is my fate.â€
Roen let out an exasperated sigh. “And that would be the last thing I want.â€
“Such rigidity is not unfamiliar to me,†Khadai said. “I will act within reason.â€
“You are clearly here out of benevolence and generosity,†Roen said, before looking up at the Xaela. “Despite your aggravating lack of social awareness, I do not believe…†She paused, a dash of consternation on her features. “I suspect Edda is right about you in that no more deaths will follow in your wake.â€
Roen turned back to Edda, and continued. “But there are more men like Bellows that you will encounter. Many eager sellswords answered the call of Ishgard. They may be crude and perhaps even despicable…†She gave a glance to Khadai over her shoulder. “But that does not mean they deserve death.â€
“Of course not,†Edda said softly. She cautioned a quick peek at Khadai to see if had clothed himself or not. He hadn’t, and she looked back to Roen, her cheeks dyed pink. “I trust you to tell your own truth of things. You will not hold back for my sake, nor for his. Least of all mine. So long as you keep your awful subordinate in line.â€
Roen rolled her eyes. “They are really not my subordinates,†she said wryly. “It is just that the captain entrusted me with this task. But Bellows insisted on being a second pair of eyes and ears. Distrusting one, he.†She sighed. “And I confess… perhaps I too needed to be certain.â€
There was a sudden stir in Khadai’s corner of the room. Though Edda faced away from him, she could see the blur of his form out of the corner of his eye, and the motions and noises of the man dressing himself could be heard clearly. He seemed perfectly content to be nude before, why would he start dressing now, of all inopportune times? The blonde woman stretched her left arm behind her and held up a hand to stop him. She still faced Roen – not at all eager to turn around and face the man.
“Stop, Khadai,†she said, her voice clear and commanding. “Do not clothe yourself just yet.†Her face was furrowed in concentration, before she broke into a nervous smile at Roen. “It is only understandable. You are more than welcome to witness Khadai’s nature for yourself – at least, if he is alright with it.â€
Roen blinked, clear shock on her face. “P-pardon?†Khadai stilled, and his inquisitive stare burned into the back of her head.
Edda tilted her head. Surely what she had said had not been so confusing? “If you are so concerned, why not come to Ishgard with us? Assuming of course, we are set free.â€
The paladin licked her lips, the shock on her features melting away. She shook her head and continued. “Ah. To Ishgard.†The woman fell silent for a moment, her brows knitted. Edda felt a twang of guilt for having asked such a demanding question. Roen had her own duties to attend to, and that she was here in a foreign land, busying herself with work, spoke more about her than she might realize. “I may be able to argue for it. It… may even work in your favor if I presented that to the captain as an option.†She sounded neither enthused nor dismayed, but the frown upon her face was as clear as anything.
“We would be glad to have you. Is that not right, Khadai?â€
“I do not object,†he said absentmindedly.
Edda smiled. “That is good, then.†She figured the Xaela would have minded terribly, considering his initial reaction to the woman. That he was warming to her – or at least seemed to be – was a good sign. “Do speak to your superior on it. Also do be sure to remind him the sword is not his to keep.â€
Roen exhaled, her cheeks puffing out slightly as she did so. She nodded.â€Aye. I think I will do so. I think this went… as well as it could...†She barely turned her head. “…for you.†She cleared her throat. “I will leave you two to finish… getting dressed.†She murmured the last few words quickly.
“Take care, then. And thank you, Roen. For what it is worth.†The paladin nodded as she exited the room with some haste. Edda smiled at the woman’s retreating back, before her expression sobered tremendously. She sighed, and put a hand over her heart. What a trying interruption that had been, and for what? Perhaps Roen trusted Khadai now, but what good would that be if his ultimate goal turned out to be reprehensible? Trust would not only be lost in Khadai, but herself as well. The thought weighed in her mind, and suddenly her heart felt very heavy.
“Am I to be dressed now?†Khadai asked with some confusion.
Edda frowned at the floor, her musing interrupted by a question with an obvious answer. She half-looked over her shoulder at Khadai’s face, and only his face. “Tell me, what would be the point of bathing if you are only going to change back into your filthy clothes? I will go and fetch you suitable items to wear while I clean your own.â€
The Au Ra glanced at his furs and leathers and nodded. He gathered up his clothes before approaching Edda, placed a hand on her shoulder, and shoved her out of the room, dropping the clothes beside her in a messy pile. He shut the door, leaving Edda in the silent hall. There was work to be done, and she wasted no time in heading downstairs to the foyer, not sparing the time to clothe herself.
It was remarkably easy to harass the Innkeeper for a pair of spare bed clothes and a few fire and water shards, and Edda had to wonder what she had done to be so deserving of hospitality in a notoriously inhospitable land. She brought the woolen dalmatica and slacks upstairs. They were fitted for an adult male Elezen, and though getting his horns past the neck hole might be trial, Khadai would be able to fit them.
Edda left the bundle of clean clothes in a neat pile outside Khadai’s door and knocked once, before gathering his dirty leathers. She recoiled at the smell of them. Cleaning them would be no small task. The woman shivered in the cool air, and quickly entered her room and dressed herself in her own nightgown. Now dressed and warmed by the hearth in her room, sleep suddenly seemed to be a most attractive idea. She had two more sleeping potions with her – one more, after tonight. The thought gave her pause. What would happen then, when she arrived in Ishgard? So clearly she had thought her job would be done then, but would it be wise to leave Khadai on his own? She could not expect Roen to look after him. Frowning, Edda searched her satchel for a small slip of paper and envelope, and sat at the desk to write a short letter.
Gideon –
I hope this letter finds you well. Knowing that you are staying in Gridania, I would ask a most urgent favor of you. I have made my way to Coerthas, and plan to head to Ishgard as soon as I am able. Would you be so kind as to join me in the city? I have great need of you, and am lacking in many basic items – mostly clothing. The situation is a strange one, though I am quite well. I will explain in more detail once I see you. As always, you may bill the manor for whatever travel expenses you may incur.
- E.E.
Edda sealed the missive to be mailed in the morning. It seemed unfair to ask him to make such a journey at her idle whim, but she had little doubt of the good he would be able to do. Roen had been the one to ask her to take him in, so at the very least it would be good to reunite them. She smiled at the thought, before gathering the shards and her and Khadai’s dirty clothes, and went to work.
She listened in as Roen spoke, a frown etching its way onto her features. “So, this display here was a farce?†She adjusted the towel around her as she spoke, having come loose from slapping the ingrate. The woman had no great love for mind games, and she felt very much the fool for being treated as such.
Roen glanced between the two others before bowing her gaze. “Something of the sort. My knight captain needed proof, however loosely, that both your accounts, and my belief in both your accounts was not unfounded.â€
“The sword will be returned to me tomorrow morning,†Edda said, tone stringent. It was not a question.
The paladin narrowed her eyes. “Do you understand the seriousness of what could have happened? If he was charged with murder, then you could have been an accessory.†There was no anger in her words, but her imploring was clear to even Edda, who softened her expression at the tone. “It is imperative that he…†She stopped herself, and turned. “That you understand, the laws of this land are very strict.â€
“I do. I know that he is no cold-blooded killer. However, if that idiot troglodyte had managed to provoke Khadai into violence, I know full well it would reflect poorly on me. If I am to be tried and found guilty, then such is my fate.â€
Roen let out an exasperated sigh. “And that would be the last thing I want.â€
“Such rigidity is not unfamiliar to me,†Khadai said. “I will act within reason.â€
“You are clearly here out of benevolence and generosity,†Roen said, before looking up at the Xaela. “Despite your aggravating lack of social awareness, I do not believe…†She paused, a dash of consternation on her features. “I suspect Edda is right about you in that no more deaths will follow in your wake.â€
Roen turned back to Edda, and continued. “But there are more men like Bellows that you will encounter. Many eager sellswords answered the call of Ishgard. They may be crude and perhaps even despicable…†She gave a glance to Khadai over her shoulder. “But that does not mean they deserve death.â€
“Of course not,†Edda said softly. She cautioned a quick peek at Khadai to see if had clothed himself or not. He hadn’t, and she looked back to Roen, her cheeks dyed pink. “I trust you to tell your own truth of things. You will not hold back for my sake, nor for his. Least of all mine. So long as you keep your awful subordinate in line.â€
Roen rolled her eyes. “They are really not my subordinates,†she said wryly. “It is just that the captain entrusted me with this task. But Bellows insisted on being a second pair of eyes and ears. Distrusting one, he.†She sighed. “And I confess… perhaps I too needed to be certain.â€
There was a sudden stir in Khadai’s corner of the room. Though Edda faced away from him, she could see the blur of his form out of the corner of his eye, and the motions and noises of the man dressing himself could be heard clearly. He seemed perfectly content to be nude before, why would he start dressing now, of all inopportune times? The blonde woman stretched her left arm behind her and held up a hand to stop him. She still faced Roen – not at all eager to turn around and face the man.
“Stop, Khadai,†she said, her voice clear and commanding. “Do not clothe yourself just yet.†Her face was furrowed in concentration, before she broke into a nervous smile at Roen. “It is only understandable. You are more than welcome to witness Khadai’s nature for yourself – at least, if he is alright with it.â€
Roen blinked, clear shock on her face. “P-pardon?†Khadai stilled, and his inquisitive stare burned into the back of her head.
Edda tilted her head. Surely what she had said had not been so confusing? “If you are so concerned, why not come to Ishgard with us? Assuming of course, we are set free.â€
The paladin licked her lips, the shock on her features melting away. She shook her head and continued. “Ah. To Ishgard.†The woman fell silent for a moment, her brows knitted. Edda felt a twang of guilt for having asked such a demanding question. Roen had her own duties to attend to, and that she was here in a foreign land, busying herself with work, spoke more about her than she might realize. “I may be able to argue for it. It… may even work in your favor if I presented that to the captain as an option.†She sounded neither enthused nor dismayed, but the frown upon her face was as clear as anything.
“We would be glad to have you. Is that not right, Khadai?â€
“I do not object,†he said absentmindedly.
Edda smiled. “That is good, then.†She figured the Xaela would have minded terribly, considering his initial reaction to the woman. That he was warming to her – or at least seemed to be – was a good sign. “Do speak to your superior on it. Also do be sure to remind him the sword is not his to keep.â€
Roen exhaled, her cheeks puffing out slightly as she did so. She nodded.â€Aye. I think I will do so. I think this went… as well as it could...†She barely turned her head. “…for you.†She cleared her throat. “I will leave you two to finish… getting dressed.†She murmured the last few words quickly.
“Take care, then. And thank you, Roen. For what it is worth.†The paladin nodded as she exited the room with some haste. Edda smiled at the woman’s retreating back, before her expression sobered tremendously. She sighed, and put a hand over her heart. What a trying interruption that had been, and for what? Perhaps Roen trusted Khadai now, but what good would that be if his ultimate goal turned out to be reprehensible? Trust would not only be lost in Khadai, but herself as well. The thought weighed in her mind, and suddenly her heart felt very heavy.
“Am I to be dressed now?†Khadai asked with some confusion.
Edda frowned at the floor, her musing interrupted by a question with an obvious answer. She half-looked over her shoulder at Khadai’s face, and only his face. “Tell me, what would be the point of bathing if you are only going to change back into your filthy clothes? I will go and fetch you suitable items to wear while I clean your own.â€
The Au Ra glanced at his furs and leathers and nodded. He gathered up his clothes before approaching Edda, placed a hand on her shoulder, and shoved her out of the room, dropping the clothes beside her in a messy pile. He shut the door, leaving Edda in the silent hall. There was work to be done, and she wasted no time in heading downstairs to the foyer, not sparing the time to clothe herself.
It was remarkably easy to harass the Innkeeper for a pair of spare bed clothes and a few fire and water shards, and Edda had to wonder what she had done to be so deserving of hospitality in a notoriously inhospitable land. She brought the woolen dalmatica and slacks upstairs. They were fitted for an adult male Elezen, and though getting his horns past the neck hole might be trial, Khadai would be able to fit them.
Edda left the bundle of clean clothes in a neat pile outside Khadai’s door and knocked once, before gathering his dirty leathers. She recoiled at the smell of them. Cleaning them would be no small task. The woman shivered in the cool air, and quickly entered her room and dressed herself in her own nightgown. Now dressed and warmed by the hearth in her room, sleep suddenly seemed to be a most attractive idea. She had two more sleeping potions with her – one more, after tonight. The thought gave her pause. What would happen then, when she arrived in Ishgard? So clearly she had thought her job would be done then, but would it be wise to leave Khadai on his own? She could not expect Roen to look after him. Frowning, Edda searched her satchel for a small slip of paper and envelope, and sat at the desk to write a short letter.
Gideon –
I hope this letter finds you well. Knowing that you are staying in Gridania, I would ask a most urgent favor of you. I have made my way to Coerthas, and plan to head to Ishgard as soon as I am able. Would you be so kind as to join me in the city? I have great need of you, and am lacking in many basic items – mostly clothing. The situation is a strange one, though I am quite well. I will explain in more detail once I see you. As always, you may bill the manor for whatever travel expenses you may incur.
- E.E.
Edda sealed the missive to be mailed in the morning. It seemed unfair to ask him to make such a journey at her idle whim, but she had little doubt of the good he would be able to do. Roen had been the one to ask her to take him in, so at the very least it would be good to reunite them. She smiled at the thought, before gathering the shards and her and Khadai’s dirty clothes, and went to work.
