Roen let out a long sigh of relief.
Blood of the dragonkin dripped from her sword as her chest rose and fell with the exertion of the battle. Ser Tournes had initially held her back from running after Khadai when he had made his move. The paladin could not help but pause and watch the Xaela warrior as he swung his sword with expert ease, and with a quickness that belied his size. He drove the aevis back, his blue-steeled sword crashing violently against the aevis’ strikes. Roen flinched once when she thought his head would be cracked open by a whip of the aevis’ tail, but it was narrowly dodged and batted away.
Then the opening came and the rest of the knights rushed in. Idristan had released his hold on her shoulder as she too darted forward to help with the assault. From the corner of her eyes, the paladin could see the blue blur of the greatsword and its wielder as he leaped off the side of the rampart. Agile one, he. Roen made a silent note of the dexterity that was afforded to the tall warrior, likely the reason she found him in layers of leather armor rather than the thicker plate or chainmail that she preferred.
“Good work, Deneith.†The temple knight approached her from behind, a smile creasing the Elezen’s usually sharp features. “Your diversion proved successful.â€
Roen glanced from the knight captain to the edge of the battlement where she had last saw the Xaela jump off. “It was Khadai’s idea, ser.â€
“Mm,†the Elezen pondered out loud, following her gaze into the night, although neither of them were close enough to to the edge to spot the Au Ra. “Impressive.â€
“Captain!†A familiar voice broke through their exchange as both of them turned to see Bellows running up from the other side. “Are you not suspicious that nearly a dozen aevis got within the walls without being detected?â€
A long stream of white breath was released through the Elezen knight’s nostrils. “What are you saying, Bellows?â€
“I’m just finding it mighty curious that all them dragonkin jus’ happened to sneak in on the same night that a certain foreigner was also ‘sleeping’ under the same roof.â€
Roen rolled her eyes. “Did you not just witness him charging in, nearly getting killed, while creating an opening for the rest of us?†The paladin was about to continue when Ser Tournes stepped in between them, the tall Elezen towering over the Midlander mercenary.
“Enough.†It was his controlled tone that immediately quieted the Hyur. “This foreigner you have been accusing did take part in our offensive against the dragonkin, and as you and I plainly saw, risked his own life in doing so. I will not have you continue to accuse the man that I have already determined was free to go.â€
“But captain...!†Bellows began.
“That will be all.â€
The paladin shook her head as she watched Bellows plod away; the Midlander was still clearly resentful. Only a few other soldiers paid him any mind, but most were busying themselves as they were beginning to clear the dead bodies away from the aetheryte.
“You should get some rest, Deneith.†The Elezen knight gave her a scrutinizing look. “You look like you can use it.†He held up a hand before she could protest. “Your conjury is not needed this night. I believe most of the soldiers avoided grievous injuries. And yet even still, we have chirurgeons at hand. And you have another journey in the morn.â€
Roen nodded absently, for her aching limbs leaden with fatigue would not let her do anything else. As the adrenaline of the battle was wearing off, her lack of rest in the last two suns was becoming painfully obvious to her dulled senses.
“Thank the Xaela on my behalf,†Ser Tournes said before turning away to organize the rest of the soldiers in their cleanup and repair.
The paladin turned, wiping the blood off her sword and sheathing it. Her descent down the rampart was not as quickly paced as her climb. But even as her steps grew heavy, there was a certain sense of gratification that filled her lungs. Despite all the suspicions cast his way, Khadai had set his apprehensions aside and aided those who feared his foreign nature. Roen was surprised to find herself as relieved as she was at the thought. Perhaps she could not fault Edda for protecting the Au Ra so. Was he simply just someone who was lost, who needed a little bit of guidance to find his way?
Roen spotted him standing in the middle of the courtyard, his massive sword still in hand. He seemed to be watching those that passed by him, his emerald eyes darting to and fro as if to take in the whole scene. Most were giving him a wide berth, especially with the dragon attack that had just ended, but a few wary glances were thrown in the Au Ra’s direction.
“Well done,†the paladin said as she walked up to him. While she did not smile, there was a hint of appreciation in her voice. “You are quite effective with that sword.â€
Roen studied the odd blue-steel of the weapon in his hand briefly before she continued. “The knight captain extends his gratitude. I suspect that more suspicion would have been cast your way otherwise with this aevis attack. I am not certain how they even got in undetected.†She glanced over her shoulder towards the aetheryte and the milling of soldiers there. She frowned as she found herself scanning the crowd for Bellows. Should she tell Khadai that some were still holding onto their suspicions even after that display? Perhaps not here, and not now.
Drawing a breath, she turned back to the Au Ra with a tired expression. “But that is neither here nor there. You should get inside, you are not dressed for the night’s chill. We can talk about… reconciliation in the morn.â€
Blood of the dragonkin dripped from her sword as her chest rose and fell with the exertion of the battle. Ser Tournes had initially held her back from running after Khadai when he had made his move. The paladin could not help but pause and watch the Xaela warrior as he swung his sword with expert ease, and with a quickness that belied his size. He drove the aevis back, his blue-steeled sword crashing violently against the aevis’ strikes. Roen flinched once when she thought his head would be cracked open by a whip of the aevis’ tail, but it was narrowly dodged and batted away.
Then the opening came and the rest of the knights rushed in. Idristan had released his hold on her shoulder as she too darted forward to help with the assault. From the corner of her eyes, the paladin could see the blue blur of the greatsword and its wielder as he leaped off the side of the rampart. Agile one, he. Roen made a silent note of the dexterity that was afforded to the tall warrior, likely the reason she found him in layers of leather armor rather than the thicker plate or chainmail that she preferred.
“Good work, Deneith.†The temple knight approached her from behind, a smile creasing the Elezen’s usually sharp features. “Your diversion proved successful.â€
Roen glanced from the knight captain to the edge of the battlement where she had last saw the Xaela jump off. “It was Khadai’s idea, ser.â€
“Mm,†the Elezen pondered out loud, following her gaze into the night, although neither of them were close enough to to the edge to spot the Au Ra. “Impressive.â€
“Captain!†A familiar voice broke through their exchange as both of them turned to see Bellows running up from the other side. “Are you not suspicious that nearly a dozen aevis got within the walls without being detected?â€
A long stream of white breath was released through the Elezen knight’s nostrils. “What are you saying, Bellows?â€
“I’m just finding it mighty curious that all them dragonkin jus’ happened to sneak in on the same night that a certain foreigner was also ‘sleeping’ under the same roof.â€
Roen rolled her eyes. “Did you not just witness him charging in, nearly getting killed, while creating an opening for the rest of us?†The paladin was about to continue when Ser Tournes stepped in between them, the tall Elezen towering over the Midlander mercenary.
“Enough.†It was his controlled tone that immediately quieted the Hyur. “This foreigner you have been accusing did take part in our offensive against the dragonkin, and as you and I plainly saw, risked his own life in doing so. I will not have you continue to accuse the man that I have already determined was free to go.â€
“But captain...!†Bellows began.
“That will be all.â€
The paladin shook her head as she watched Bellows plod away; the Midlander was still clearly resentful. Only a few other soldiers paid him any mind, but most were busying themselves as they were beginning to clear the dead bodies away from the aetheryte.
“You should get some rest, Deneith.†The Elezen knight gave her a scrutinizing look. “You look like you can use it.†He held up a hand before she could protest. “Your conjury is not needed this night. I believe most of the soldiers avoided grievous injuries. And yet even still, we have chirurgeons at hand. And you have another journey in the morn.â€
Roen nodded absently, for her aching limbs leaden with fatigue would not let her do anything else. As the adrenaline of the battle was wearing off, her lack of rest in the last two suns was becoming painfully obvious to her dulled senses.
“Thank the Xaela on my behalf,†Ser Tournes said before turning away to organize the rest of the soldiers in their cleanup and repair.
The paladin turned, wiping the blood off her sword and sheathing it. Her descent down the rampart was not as quickly paced as her climb. But even as her steps grew heavy, there was a certain sense of gratification that filled her lungs. Despite all the suspicions cast his way, Khadai had set his apprehensions aside and aided those who feared his foreign nature. Roen was surprised to find herself as relieved as she was at the thought. Perhaps she could not fault Edda for protecting the Au Ra so. Was he simply just someone who was lost, who needed a little bit of guidance to find his way?
Roen spotted him standing in the middle of the courtyard, his massive sword still in hand. He seemed to be watching those that passed by him, his emerald eyes darting to and fro as if to take in the whole scene. Most were giving him a wide berth, especially with the dragon attack that had just ended, but a few wary glances were thrown in the Au Ra’s direction.
“Well done,†the paladin said as she walked up to him. While she did not smile, there was a hint of appreciation in her voice. “You are quite effective with that sword.â€
Roen studied the odd blue-steel of the weapon in his hand briefly before she continued. “The knight captain extends his gratitude. I suspect that more suspicion would have been cast your way otherwise with this aevis attack. I am not certain how they even got in undetected.†She glanced over her shoulder towards the aetheryte and the milling of soldiers there. She frowned as she found herself scanning the crowd for Bellows. Should she tell Khadai that some were still holding onto their suspicions even after that display? Perhaps not here, and not now.
Drawing a breath, she turned back to the Au Ra with a tired expression. “But that is neither here nor there. You should get inside, you are not dressed for the night’s chill. We can talk about… reconciliation in the morn.â€
