The dragoon lifted up the violet visor of the beaked helmet, revealing a face that was surprisingly youthful in its appearance but well-worn and aged in its demeanor. His features were sharp and hawk-like, almost gaunt, with high cheekbones and a sleek, pointed jawline, as if his face were built to complement his armour. Honey-coloured eyes gleamed at both the paladin and the Xaela in turn. His bow was as noble as his countenance; left leg bent, left arm behind his back, right arm at his chest, right foot straight as he bent low at the waist, in a display of classic aristocracy. A small, polite smile curled his lips.
“Ser Maximilien Vaillancourt, knight and noble son of House Vaillancourt, proudly representing the Order of the Dragoon of the Holy See of Ishgard. I understand that the full title is something of a mouthful, and so ‘my lord’ or ‘Ser Vaillancourt’ will suffice in addressing me, if it pleases you. An honour to meet you both.†The Elezen stood straight, pulling the visor down over his face again, the polite smile vanishing from his face as quickly as it had appeared as if signifying that courtesies were at an end and they were now discussing more serious matters.
Khadai, to his credit, returned the bow with one of his own. A pale imitation of the smooth and graceful gesture that Ser Vaillancourt had provided...but a returned courtesy nonetheless.
At least he felt that he was improving.
Ser Vaillancourt folded his arms, frowning. “So it is truly only the two of you? That is disappointing.†He looked the paladin and the Xaela both up and down, sizing them up. “Dravanian activity has a tendency of increasing in the aftermath of storms, therefore it was necessary to supplement our forces through any means possible. Mercenaries included." He cocked his head at the pair. "Though it is not unheard of for great gifts to arrive in small parcels. Perhaps the two of you will be enough.â€
He waved a hand from the band of knights to the wagon. “Ser Ismar, please take charge of the supplies, and assist the quartermaster in distribution and requisition, if you would be so kind.†One of the Hyur nodded and leapt handily onto the wagon seat, taking the reins. “Miss Deneith, Ser Khadai, the two of you will be accompanying my squad and I for a time.â€
“My participation only regards the supplies,†the Au Ra spoke suddenly, not so much speaking as much as emanating from behind the paladin. “If this endeavour is completed, I will depart.â€
“Nonsense,†the dragoon said with cheery nonchalance. “This endeavour is not completed until you witness the supplies having been delivered to the Convictory. I am appropriating the two of you on a detour, and thus you are obligated to accompany me until your task is done.â€
Kasrjin paused.
It took several minutes for those mental gymnastics to parse in the Au Ra’s mind, but confusing as they were, a part of him pointedly felt that leaving Roen alone under this man’s jurisdiction was not the best idea, and so he mutely nodded his acquiescence.
Ser Vaillancourt gestured towards the stake. “As for this...repugnant display, I may have seen similarly crude monuments once or twice during my hunt. Unfortunately, I do not know who may have done it or why.†The Elezen wrinkled his nose. “Ishgardians have a long and proud tradition of sticking pointy objects into dragons, but not in such an unrefined fashion. Though I cannot imagine any others taking the time to construct such a thing.†The beaked visor snapped sharply towards Kasrjin. “I have seen one of your kind before. ‘Au Ra’. I admit that at a glance, it is simple to believe you part of the Horde. Perhaps you recognise the poor miscreant perched atop that stake?†He gestured towards the skull.
Kasrjin stared at the dragoon for a few seconds. “Of course,†he responded dryly. To his credit, Ser Vaillancourt returned the sarcasm with naught but a wry smirk.
“In any case,†the Elezen continued, “such a fate is tragic for any of the spoken. As you may observe, these fellows are still rather shaken.†The hardened Convictory knights were whispering among each other and frowning at Kasrjin, though they straightened at Ser Vaillencourt’s implied reprimand. “They are mistrustful of you, miss and ser. We must rectify this. If nobility has taught me anything, it is that few things strengthen the bonds of camaraderie more than a hunt. And I must admit, I am more than curious to see you justify the length of that sword, Ser Khadai, and so you and Miss Deneith shall accompany me as we search for our mark.â€
The visor twisted towards. “Unless you object, miss? Perhaps Ser Tournes has tested your blade on smaller Dravanians, but this morn we hunt a tried and true beast of the ages. Have you the stomach for it?†The Elezen’s mouth curled into a grim, almost bloodthirsty smile. The Gae Bolg mounted upon his back almost rattled in anticipation.
“Ser Maximilien Vaillancourt, knight and noble son of House Vaillancourt, proudly representing the Order of the Dragoon of the Holy See of Ishgard. I understand that the full title is something of a mouthful, and so ‘my lord’ or ‘Ser Vaillancourt’ will suffice in addressing me, if it pleases you. An honour to meet you both.†The Elezen stood straight, pulling the visor down over his face again, the polite smile vanishing from his face as quickly as it had appeared as if signifying that courtesies were at an end and they were now discussing more serious matters.
Khadai, to his credit, returned the bow with one of his own. A pale imitation of the smooth and graceful gesture that Ser Vaillancourt had provided...but a returned courtesy nonetheless.
At least he felt that he was improving.
Ser Vaillancourt folded his arms, frowning. “So it is truly only the two of you? That is disappointing.†He looked the paladin and the Xaela both up and down, sizing them up. “Dravanian activity has a tendency of increasing in the aftermath of storms, therefore it was necessary to supplement our forces through any means possible. Mercenaries included." He cocked his head at the pair. "Though it is not unheard of for great gifts to arrive in small parcels. Perhaps the two of you will be enough.â€
He waved a hand from the band of knights to the wagon. “Ser Ismar, please take charge of the supplies, and assist the quartermaster in distribution and requisition, if you would be so kind.†One of the Hyur nodded and leapt handily onto the wagon seat, taking the reins. “Miss Deneith, Ser Khadai, the two of you will be accompanying my squad and I for a time.â€
“My participation only regards the supplies,†the Au Ra spoke suddenly, not so much speaking as much as emanating from behind the paladin. “If this endeavour is completed, I will depart.â€
“Nonsense,†the dragoon said with cheery nonchalance. “This endeavour is not completed until you witness the supplies having been delivered to the Convictory. I am appropriating the two of you on a detour, and thus you are obligated to accompany me until your task is done.â€
Kasrjin paused.
It took several minutes for those mental gymnastics to parse in the Au Ra’s mind, but confusing as they were, a part of him pointedly felt that leaving Roen alone under this man’s jurisdiction was not the best idea, and so he mutely nodded his acquiescence.
Ser Vaillancourt gestured towards the stake. “As for this...repugnant display, I may have seen similarly crude monuments once or twice during my hunt. Unfortunately, I do not know who may have done it or why.†The Elezen wrinkled his nose. “Ishgardians have a long and proud tradition of sticking pointy objects into dragons, but not in such an unrefined fashion. Though I cannot imagine any others taking the time to construct such a thing.†The beaked visor snapped sharply towards Kasrjin. “I have seen one of your kind before. ‘Au Ra’. I admit that at a glance, it is simple to believe you part of the Horde. Perhaps you recognise the poor miscreant perched atop that stake?†He gestured towards the skull.
Kasrjin stared at the dragoon for a few seconds. “Of course,†he responded dryly. To his credit, Ser Vaillancourt returned the sarcasm with naught but a wry smirk.
“In any case,†the Elezen continued, “such a fate is tragic for any of the spoken. As you may observe, these fellows are still rather shaken.†The hardened Convictory knights were whispering among each other and frowning at Kasrjin, though they straightened at Ser Vaillencourt’s implied reprimand. “They are mistrustful of you, miss and ser. We must rectify this. If nobility has taught me anything, it is that few things strengthen the bonds of camaraderie more than a hunt. And I must admit, I am more than curious to see you justify the length of that sword, Ser Khadai, and so you and Miss Deneith shall accompany me as we search for our mark.â€
The visor twisted towards. “Unless you object, miss? Perhaps Ser Tournes has tested your blade on smaller Dravanians, but this morn we hunt a tried and true beast of the ages. Have you the stomach for it?†The Elezen’s mouth curled into a grim, almost bloodthirsty smile. The Gae Bolg mounted upon his back almost rattled in anticipation.
