Time seemed to slow as the group came upon the body. That she had expected it be nothing more than an animal’s carcass made it all the more shocking to Edda, who turned away immediately at the sight of it. Bile rose in the back of her throat and she put a hand to her mouth. More of this – and though she was adapting to it, the brutality of it was still appalling, far more so than the corpses of those killed in combat. This was nearly beast-like, the cruelty of it so deep that she had to wonder if those that did such a thing were even people at all. She urged Gullinbursti closer to Gideon and huddled as close to him as she could, still looking away.
The valet moved in front of Edda quietly, and examined the scene with little reaction, save a raised eyebrow. Carefully extracting some paper from within his jacket, he began sketching a crude map, triangulating them as best he could based on the distance between Dragonhead and the Gates. Edda glanced to him in apprehension, then around him, looking anywhere but at the corpse.
Both Khadai and Roen advanced toward the body, both of them perhaps more accustomed to such sights. Khadai frowned at the body, and examined it with a curious eye. “No weapons. No signs of struggle. There had been no conflict.†He pursed his lips. “An execution?â€
Behind him, Roen slid off her chocobo as she approached and walked closer, her boots crunching in the snow. She nodded slowly, a long exhale released through her nostrils. “Never have I came upon something like this before.â€
“As I understand,†Gideon began. “Executions in the northern region are typically inquisitorial in nature. I would say the unfortunate mistress may have been too draconic for the locals’ liking, but… this seems remarkably visceral. Moreso than their reputed methods, at any rate.â€
“This is an… uncommon occurrence, then?†Khadai asked.
It was a clinical approach to the situation, one that brought both comfort and displeasure to Edda. Her reaction was an expected one, the pity, fear, and horror still swelling in her stomach. Yet there was little room for weakness here, nor anywhere else. She bit her lip and scanned the horizon. “Should free her of it,†she said softly, her voice barely audible above the howling winds. “It is cruel.â€
Khadai aimed a confused glance at Edda briefly, before he turned, prepared to begin moving again. “It is a body. Leave it.â€
“I know full well what it is!†She snapped at the Xaela and glared at him. No argument beyond that was offered, however, and she fell silent. To expect anything more of him had been a mistake, even with the dead being one of his own race. It was not as if he had afforded any sensibility toward the dead before, so why should now be any different?
Roen glanced at Edda and then to Khadai, her expression darkened. She tilted her head incredulously at the man, and again glanced between the two Au Ra, one alive and one dead. “No, we are not leaving her like this.†She turned to face Gideon. “Mist North, if you can please aid me in getting her down?â€
Now it was Khadai’s turn to look at Gideon. “I request clarification on the current situation.â€
Seeing fit to ignore the man, Edda slid off her chocobo, landing with a grunt in the snowy down. She brushed past Khadai and made her way to Roen, standing ready to help in any way that she could, which was admittedly very little.
Gideon paused at the two addressing him, then nodded, speaking plainly and calmly as he levered himself down and slipped off his gloves. “Miss Deneith and my mistress aim to grant the unknown victim dignity that she was robbed of in death, and have momentarily decided to suspend their progress that they might lend her assistance. This will assuage their distress at the situation, and prevent further agitation aroused by any other patrols that might otherwise happen upon her.†His polished shoes crunched over the snow as he smoothly trotted towards the corpse, inspecting and adjusting it for movement with a politely blank expression.
Roen blinked as Edda approached, but did not immediately refuse her, and for that she was grateful. The paladin went to the other side of the wooden stake, looking from its base to the end. Her face hardened as she could not help but stare at the dead female once more. “It is already bent from the weight, I think we can bring it down further then free her.†She began to put her weight upon the mid-length of the stake, testing the foundation even as Gideon offered his explanation.
Khadai turned and stared at the stake and its unfortunate occupant with a critical eye. “Is the current objective, then, to have the body reach ground level?â€
“That remains to be seen, sir,†Gideon said. He glanced to Edda politely. “Does miss wish a simple burial, or shall I transport her remains back to Dragonhead and allow you to progress further in my absence?â€
She shook her head. “Here is fine.†She frowned at herself, and though she stood poised to assist, she did not know how.
“As you wish, miss.â€
“This is pointless. It is a dead body. Would you have us care for fallen leaves as well?†Khadai folded his arms, a frown of confused frustration on his face.
A retort made its way to Edda’s lips, but she swallowed it, instead focusing on the task at hand. It seemed pointless to scold Khadai, as it was clear he was set in his ways. The gulf that separated their beliefs seemed wider than before, one too perilous to attempt to cross. It was not a bad thing, no, for she could hardly blame the man for being born and raised in a completely different part of the world; his utter disregard for life was jarring, and one she could not understand. Still, it was not such a terrible thing as she treated it, and it was now that she became certain he would be willing to do what she asked of him when the time was right.
The Xaela’s words did not seem to sit right with Roen, and she grunted as she pushed on the stake and motioned Edda forward. “Just lean here if you can. I think we can lower the stake. Perhaps Mister North…†She gave another look to Khadai, this one of impatience. “…Or Khadai can lend a hand and free her.â€
She glared at him, her words carrying a sharp rebuke. “This would be one of those lessons that you would do well to learn before going to Ishgard. Dead people are not regarded the same as dead foliage.â€
Gideon stepped forward, and clarified. “The immediate aim is to lower the body, and grant it some measure of concealment by whatever the elements may provide.†He circled behind her, placing his hands on her shoulder blades with gentle firmness. “Miss may avert her eyes, if desired—“
Edda stepped forward as Roen motioned to her, and leaned on the stake as instructed. She shook her head at Gideon’s suggestion – there was no room for weakness here. Not ever. Her lack of physical strength was apparent, however, even the leverage of her bodyweight shunted by the poor footing. The exertion on her face was clear, though it accomplished nothing.
A deep sigh followed a long pause of contemplation, and Khadai withdrew his sword from its harness, stepping forward to approach the stake. “Very well. If you insist on removing the body, then we shall do so efficiently.†He raised the sword in the air, as if to slice the cadaver’s torso clean off. “Remove yourselves from it,†he instructed. “It will be quicker in pieces.â€
“What are you doing? Stop!†Edda immediately jumped forward from her position at the stake, planting herself between the sword and the corpse. She glared up at him, and put a stopping hand out pathetically, as if it would achieve more than her words.
A flash of irritation crossed his face, though he did lower his sword and angle it towards the side so as to indicate that was not intending on cutting the Hyur down. “It is a body. It does not possess any trace of the person it once was. If you insist that we are to waste time disposing of remains, then it is best that we do so in the most expedient manner possible. Moving the body off of the stake, or moving the stake itself when faced with size and weight is impractical. Therefore I shall remove what pieces are possible. It will be a simple matter.â€
Patiently, and remaining in position, Gideon cleared his throat. “The aim in returning her to a peaceful state and position, sir, is to symbolically treat her with more respect and care than her apparent attackers. Dismemberment, while pragmatic, would somewhat be in opposition with the moral intent of providing her mercy and reprieve.â€
“Reprieve? It is a dead body,†Khadai repeated. “Shall we bathe and dress it? Is this dead body in position to appreciate the care with which it is treated?†The sword slipped back into its harness. “Enough. I can see I have erred, though I may not understand why.â€
Roen’s eyes widened with disbelief. She released a long suffering breath, as if forcing herself to not speak to hastily. Her composure was stiff, and it was apparent to Edda that the woman was holding herself back, and for that she could hardly be blamed. There was little to be accomplished by lashing out at one so set in his values. Roen went to study the stake once more, turning her attention away from the debate.
“You need not understand,†Edda said. She turned away from Khadai and positioned herself at the stake once more. “It is enough for you to know that this is a different land, with different people. Do not impose the inclinations of your peoples on us – for they are not ours. We shall do what we feel is right.â€
“There is writing here,†Roen said to no one in particular. When Edda approached again, she pointed out the carved letters in the wooden shaft. Edda leaned in to peer at the writing, reading: ‘Where there is sin, we bring atonement.’
“More of this Ishgardian nonsense?†Edda said, in a tone more harsh than usual for her. “Such belligerence in their beliefs—“
She stopped and took a step back as Khadai stepped suddenly into her position at the stake, knees bent. He wrapped his arms around the stake and placed the side of his face against the wooden shaft such that the steel tipped point of his left horn was digging into the wood, and grunted. Muscles strained and his knees shook with the effort, and though it did not free the stake, it noticeably shifted upwards and had leaned over a few ilms.
Roen stared, eyes widened once more as Khadai took to moving the stake all by his lonesome. Another long exhale puffed in a cloud of white as she joined in the effort at least in trying to lower the leaning a bit more but a bit higher on the length of the stake. “Mister North…!†She grunted as well. “If you could see if the body can be reached…?â€
The Xaela repeated the gesture several more times, each time causing the stake to lean slightly more and more with each attempt. Eventually he ceased attempting to lift it and instead used his height to lean against it as close to the top – and near the cadaver – as he could.
With his hands still on the body’s shoulder blades, Gideon reacted with careful competence and no questioning – dropping his grip to her ribcage, he set his jaw, pushing with quiet exertion. A couple seconds passed before a crackle broke through the air – once half frozen to the stake, the body jolted upward, the ice broken by their collective efforts. Only a moment more passed, a slight wrinkle of distaste crossing his expression, before the body came loose. Gideon hastily darted to catch her, the lifeless corpse flopping down with the valet’s arms under her own; the gaping hole in her chest now readily visible. “…Ah.â€
There was little Edda could do, and so the woman opted to stand back and watch, hands covering her mouth. Useless, useless, useless. A deserving mantra. She gasped as the body came free, and she could not help but stare at it, now expecting the mangled state it was in. On one of her thin ankles was tied a piece of linen cloth, an odd thing since it did not seem to belong as part of her garment, and it was free of the spatter of blood that marked the rest of the body. The corpse’s feet began to sink slowly into the snow as she remained in Gideon’s grip.
Roen released her own hold on the stake as she was trying to lean it further down, her grimace now turning from one of exertion to that of condemnation at the sight. “Mister North, perhaps you can take her back to Dragonhead? Then join us in Ishgard? Perhaps she has family that needs to be notified.†She walked around towards him and the body. “I can send a missive with you. Just bring her to the attention of Ser Tournes.†She looked to the female’s face, one hand rising to close the woman’s eyes.
“Is that wise?†Edda turned to look at Roen sharply, lowering her hands from her mouth. “There is no guarantee she will not receive the same treatment there, as the camp is still beleaguered with Halone, and—“ She stopped, and a look of realization dawned on her face.
She looked between the two friends, and then fell silent, bowing her head to stare at her feet. Oh. Oh. Of course, what good was her word between old friends? No doubt they had missed each other, separated by strife and circumstance, and now finally reunited – there was no place for her here. It was wrong of Edda, perhaps, to have expected anything different; the sharp slap of realization as to what weight she carried here settled in her chest, the pangs of a barren hole carved by a formless stake. Roen was right, had always been right. It had been foolish of her to believe otherwise. Stillness overcame Edda as her fingers dug tiny crescents into the palms of her hands.
“That will not be necessary, Miss,†Gideon started. He immediately began taking the leftover bags and cloth from Chesterfield’s back, beginning to wrap her in a makeshift shroud. “I believe I provided the camp with enough minor comforts that I should be recognized, and my own word afforded due acknowledgement. You may go on ahead to ensure your business is not delayed; I will attend to the unfortunate miss.†He nodded politely to Edda and Khadai in turn.
“Miss will find her essentials in the appropriate saddled bag. I apologize for the delay, sir, and wish you luck and insight on the road ahead. I will return shortly.†Without further delay, he hunched in the snow, quietly seeing to the woman’s impromptu, ragged covers. Khadai frowned but said nothing, and merely trudged off in the direction of the road.
“Not all Halone’s believers are cruel or suspecting of all outsiders,†Roen said after some delay, looking at Edda out of the corner of her eye. She nodded to Gideon. “Gratitude, Mister North, for your assistance.â€
“Such is my purpose, Miss.†He delicately covered the hole in her chest. “On you go, now.â€
“I will still send a missive to Ser Tournes once we reach Ishgard to inquire further on this matter.†The paladin shook her head. “This is… not…†A pause. “It is not right and it is certainly not the law of the land here. Not this.†She turned to Edda, as if trying to convince her as much as herself.
Edda wrapped her arms around herself, her expression morphing into a pained frown. She looked at Roen carefully and nodded as best she could, before turning on her heel and mounting Gullinbursti. She stared at Gideon, still busying himself in wrapping the corpse, before sighing and covering her face in her hands.
Chesterfield tweeted grudgingly at them, as if demanding to be taken along. The valet murmured, not stirring from his work. “Patience.â€
Roen mounted her bird, but pulled up next to Edda. The look she gave her was one of sympathy. “We should go. If anything to make certain that Khadai does not meet the same fate.†Her voice had softened, as did her countenance.
Edda straightened up, and withdrew her hands from her face. “Yes,†was all she said, and urged her chocobo forward.
Khadai had not made it too far, thankfully, and it did not take too long for the two to catch up to him. He did not say anything, and merely continued his long strides with a stern expression of thought on his face. The rest of the trip to the Gate of Judgment was spent in silence.
The valet moved in front of Edda quietly, and examined the scene with little reaction, save a raised eyebrow. Carefully extracting some paper from within his jacket, he began sketching a crude map, triangulating them as best he could based on the distance between Dragonhead and the Gates. Edda glanced to him in apprehension, then around him, looking anywhere but at the corpse.
Both Khadai and Roen advanced toward the body, both of them perhaps more accustomed to such sights. Khadai frowned at the body, and examined it with a curious eye. “No weapons. No signs of struggle. There had been no conflict.†He pursed his lips. “An execution?â€
Behind him, Roen slid off her chocobo as she approached and walked closer, her boots crunching in the snow. She nodded slowly, a long exhale released through her nostrils. “Never have I came upon something like this before.â€
“As I understand,†Gideon began. “Executions in the northern region are typically inquisitorial in nature. I would say the unfortunate mistress may have been too draconic for the locals’ liking, but… this seems remarkably visceral. Moreso than their reputed methods, at any rate.â€
“This is an… uncommon occurrence, then?†Khadai asked.
It was a clinical approach to the situation, one that brought both comfort and displeasure to Edda. Her reaction was an expected one, the pity, fear, and horror still swelling in her stomach. Yet there was little room for weakness here, nor anywhere else. She bit her lip and scanned the horizon. “Should free her of it,†she said softly, her voice barely audible above the howling winds. “It is cruel.â€
Khadai aimed a confused glance at Edda briefly, before he turned, prepared to begin moving again. “It is a body. Leave it.â€
“I know full well what it is!†She snapped at the Xaela and glared at him. No argument beyond that was offered, however, and she fell silent. To expect anything more of him had been a mistake, even with the dead being one of his own race. It was not as if he had afforded any sensibility toward the dead before, so why should now be any different?
Roen glanced at Edda and then to Khadai, her expression darkened. She tilted her head incredulously at the man, and again glanced between the two Au Ra, one alive and one dead. “No, we are not leaving her like this.†She turned to face Gideon. “Mist North, if you can please aid me in getting her down?â€
Now it was Khadai’s turn to look at Gideon. “I request clarification on the current situation.â€
Seeing fit to ignore the man, Edda slid off her chocobo, landing with a grunt in the snowy down. She brushed past Khadai and made her way to Roen, standing ready to help in any way that she could, which was admittedly very little.
Gideon paused at the two addressing him, then nodded, speaking plainly and calmly as he levered himself down and slipped off his gloves. “Miss Deneith and my mistress aim to grant the unknown victim dignity that she was robbed of in death, and have momentarily decided to suspend their progress that they might lend her assistance. This will assuage their distress at the situation, and prevent further agitation aroused by any other patrols that might otherwise happen upon her.†His polished shoes crunched over the snow as he smoothly trotted towards the corpse, inspecting and adjusting it for movement with a politely blank expression.
Roen blinked as Edda approached, but did not immediately refuse her, and for that she was grateful. The paladin went to the other side of the wooden stake, looking from its base to the end. Her face hardened as she could not help but stare at the dead female once more. “It is already bent from the weight, I think we can bring it down further then free her.†She began to put her weight upon the mid-length of the stake, testing the foundation even as Gideon offered his explanation.
Khadai turned and stared at the stake and its unfortunate occupant with a critical eye. “Is the current objective, then, to have the body reach ground level?â€
“That remains to be seen, sir,†Gideon said. He glanced to Edda politely. “Does miss wish a simple burial, or shall I transport her remains back to Dragonhead and allow you to progress further in my absence?â€
She shook her head. “Here is fine.†She frowned at herself, and though she stood poised to assist, she did not know how.
“As you wish, miss.â€
“This is pointless. It is a dead body. Would you have us care for fallen leaves as well?†Khadai folded his arms, a frown of confused frustration on his face.
A retort made its way to Edda’s lips, but she swallowed it, instead focusing on the task at hand. It seemed pointless to scold Khadai, as it was clear he was set in his ways. The gulf that separated their beliefs seemed wider than before, one too perilous to attempt to cross. It was not a bad thing, no, for she could hardly blame the man for being born and raised in a completely different part of the world; his utter disregard for life was jarring, and one she could not understand. Still, it was not such a terrible thing as she treated it, and it was now that she became certain he would be willing to do what she asked of him when the time was right.
The Xaela’s words did not seem to sit right with Roen, and she grunted as she pushed on the stake and motioned Edda forward. “Just lean here if you can. I think we can lower the stake. Perhaps Mister North…†She gave another look to Khadai, this one of impatience. “…Or Khadai can lend a hand and free her.â€
She glared at him, her words carrying a sharp rebuke. “This would be one of those lessons that you would do well to learn before going to Ishgard. Dead people are not regarded the same as dead foliage.â€
Gideon stepped forward, and clarified. “The immediate aim is to lower the body, and grant it some measure of concealment by whatever the elements may provide.†He circled behind her, placing his hands on her shoulder blades with gentle firmness. “Miss may avert her eyes, if desired—“
Edda stepped forward as Roen motioned to her, and leaned on the stake as instructed. She shook her head at Gideon’s suggestion – there was no room for weakness here. Not ever. Her lack of physical strength was apparent, however, even the leverage of her bodyweight shunted by the poor footing. The exertion on her face was clear, though it accomplished nothing.
A deep sigh followed a long pause of contemplation, and Khadai withdrew his sword from its harness, stepping forward to approach the stake. “Very well. If you insist on removing the body, then we shall do so efficiently.†He raised the sword in the air, as if to slice the cadaver’s torso clean off. “Remove yourselves from it,†he instructed. “It will be quicker in pieces.â€
“What are you doing? Stop!†Edda immediately jumped forward from her position at the stake, planting herself between the sword and the corpse. She glared up at him, and put a stopping hand out pathetically, as if it would achieve more than her words.
A flash of irritation crossed his face, though he did lower his sword and angle it towards the side so as to indicate that was not intending on cutting the Hyur down. “It is a body. It does not possess any trace of the person it once was. If you insist that we are to waste time disposing of remains, then it is best that we do so in the most expedient manner possible. Moving the body off of the stake, or moving the stake itself when faced with size and weight is impractical. Therefore I shall remove what pieces are possible. It will be a simple matter.â€
Patiently, and remaining in position, Gideon cleared his throat. “The aim in returning her to a peaceful state and position, sir, is to symbolically treat her with more respect and care than her apparent attackers. Dismemberment, while pragmatic, would somewhat be in opposition with the moral intent of providing her mercy and reprieve.â€
“Reprieve? It is a dead body,†Khadai repeated. “Shall we bathe and dress it? Is this dead body in position to appreciate the care with which it is treated?†The sword slipped back into its harness. “Enough. I can see I have erred, though I may not understand why.â€
Roen’s eyes widened with disbelief. She released a long suffering breath, as if forcing herself to not speak to hastily. Her composure was stiff, and it was apparent to Edda that the woman was holding herself back, and for that she could hardly be blamed. There was little to be accomplished by lashing out at one so set in his values. Roen went to study the stake once more, turning her attention away from the debate.
“You need not understand,†Edda said. She turned away from Khadai and positioned herself at the stake once more. “It is enough for you to know that this is a different land, with different people. Do not impose the inclinations of your peoples on us – for they are not ours. We shall do what we feel is right.â€
“There is writing here,†Roen said to no one in particular. When Edda approached again, she pointed out the carved letters in the wooden shaft. Edda leaned in to peer at the writing, reading: ‘Where there is sin, we bring atonement.’
“More of this Ishgardian nonsense?†Edda said, in a tone more harsh than usual for her. “Such belligerence in their beliefs—“
She stopped and took a step back as Khadai stepped suddenly into her position at the stake, knees bent. He wrapped his arms around the stake and placed the side of his face against the wooden shaft such that the steel tipped point of his left horn was digging into the wood, and grunted. Muscles strained and his knees shook with the effort, and though it did not free the stake, it noticeably shifted upwards and had leaned over a few ilms.
Roen stared, eyes widened once more as Khadai took to moving the stake all by his lonesome. Another long exhale puffed in a cloud of white as she joined in the effort at least in trying to lower the leaning a bit more but a bit higher on the length of the stake. “Mister North…!†She grunted as well. “If you could see if the body can be reached…?â€
The Xaela repeated the gesture several more times, each time causing the stake to lean slightly more and more with each attempt. Eventually he ceased attempting to lift it and instead used his height to lean against it as close to the top – and near the cadaver – as he could.
With his hands still on the body’s shoulder blades, Gideon reacted with careful competence and no questioning – dropping his grip to her ribcage, he set his jaw, pushing with quiet exertion. A couple seconds passed before a crackle broke through the air – once half frozen to the stake, the body jolted upward, the ice broken by their collective efforts. Only a moment more passed, a slight wrinkle of distaste crossing his expression, before the body came loose. Gideon hastily darted to catch her, the lifeless corpse flopping down with the valet’s arms under her own; the gaping hole in her chest now readily visible. “…Ah.â€
There was little Edda could do, and so the woman opted to stand back and watch, hands covering her mouth. Useless, useless, useless. A deserving mantra. She gasped as the body came free, and she could not help but stare at it, now expecting the mangled state it was in. On one of her thin ankles was tied a piece of linen cloth, an odd thing since it did not seem to belong as part of her garment, and it was free of the spatter of blood that marked the rest of the body. The corpse’s feet began to sink slowly into the snow as she remained in Gideon’s grip.
Roen released her own hold on the stake as she was trying to lean it further down, her grimace now turning from one of exertion to that of condemnation at the sight. “Mister North, perhaps you can take her back to Dragonhead? Then join us in Ishgard? Perhaps she has family that needs to be notified.†She walked around towards him and the body. “I can send a missive with you. Just bring her to the attention of Ser Tournes.†She looked to the female’s face, one hand rising to close the woman’s eyes.
“Is that wise?†Edda turned to look at Roen sharply, lowering her hands from her mouth. “There is no guarantee she will not receive the same treatment there, as the camp is still beleaguered with Halone, and—“ She stopped, and a look of realization dawned on her face.
She looked between the two friends, and then fell silent, bowing her head to stare at her feet. Oh. Oh. Of course, what good was her word between old friends? No doubt they had missed each other, separated by strife and circumstance, and now finally reunited – there was no place for her here. It was wrong of Edda, perhaps, to have expected anything different; the sharp slap of realization as to what weight she carried here settled in her chest, the pangs of a barren hole carved by a formless stake. Roen was right, had always been right. It had been foolish of her to believe otherwise. Stillness overcame Edda as her fingers dug tiny crescents into the palms of her hands.
“That will not be necessary, Miss,†Gideon started. He immediately began taking the leftover bags and cloth from Chesterfield’s back, beginning to wrap her in a makeshift shroud. “I believe I provided the camp with enough minor comforts that I should be recognized, and my own word afforded due acknowledgement. You may go on ahead to ensure your business is not delayed; I will attend to the unfortunate miss.†He nodded politely to Edda and Khadai in turn.
“Miss will find her essentials in the appropriate saddled bag. I apologize for the delay, sir, and wish you luck and insight on the road ahead. I will return shortly.†Without further delay, he hunched in the snow, quietly seeing to the woman’s impromptu, ragged covers. Khadai frowned but said nothing, and merely trudged off in the direction of the road.
“Not all Halone’s believers are cruel or suspecting of all outsiders,†Roen said after some delay, looking at Edda out of the corner of her eye. She nodded to Gideon. “Gratitude, Mister North, for your assistance.â€
“Such is my purpose, Miss.†He delicately covered the hole in her chest. “On you go, now.â€
“I will still send a missive to Ser Tournes once we reach Ishgard to inquire further on this matter.†The paladin shook her head. “This is… not…†A pause. “It is not right and it is certainly not the law of the land here. Not this.†She turned to Edda, as if trying to convince her as much as herself.
Edda wrapped her arms around herself, her expression morphing into a pained frown. She looked at Roen carefully and nodded as best she could, before turning on her heel and mounting Gullinbursti. She stared at Gideon, still busying himself in wrapping the corpse, before sighing and covering her face in her hands.
Chesterfield tweeted grudgingly at them, as if demanding to be taken along. The valet murmured, not stirring from his work. “Patience.â€
Roen mounted her bird, but pulled up next to Edda. The look she gave her was one of sympathy. “We should go. If anything to make certain that Khadai does not meet the same fate.†Her voice had softened, as did her countenance.
Edda straightened up, and withdrew her hands from her face. “Yes,†was all she said, and urged her chocobo forward.
Khadai had not made it too far, thankfully, and it did not take too long for the two to catch up to him. He did not say anything, and merely continued his long strides with a stern expression of thought on his face. The rest of the trip to the Gate of Judgment was spent in silence.
