Roen chewed her lips, seemingly giving great consideration to the Xaela's question.
“I could not agree more.†The paladin finally nodded firmly, a determined countenance set in place. She flicked Khadai an intent look. “I believe eggs would be the best. And perhaps some stew. Steak would sit too heavily for the hunt, but some stew could warm us."
Several moments passed where the two regarded each other in silence. “Then I suppose we can proceed with the dragon hunt.†Roen gave a nonchalant shrug before a lopsided grin split her lips. Perhaps it was the promise of pending danger that spurred on an odd impulse to lighten the mood.
The paladin gave a nod to Ser Tabourot to lead the way back to The Convictory, falling into an easy pace behind him and the men. After the wagon passed them by and Khadai and Roen were left to take up the rear, she sighed, her expression becoming pensive. “I have never actually faced off against a true dragon before," she confessed quietly. "Even though I have fought alongside Ishgardian soldiers for many moons now.â€
Khadai gave her a nod, his viridian gaze scanning the march of knights in front of them. He looked as if he wished to say something, but his lips tightened and he merely kept his stoic expression solidly on his face, similar to how the strata in granite might display themselves upon a cliff.
"While I am obligated to join these men in Ser Tournes' stead, I do find the prospect of laying mine eyes on such a creature close up... rather exciting." She took a deep breath as she looked ahead to the trail that led upwards in a steady slope, one that she knew would inevitably lead to The Convictory. “I have heard many legendary tales about these beasts, since I was a child. These magnificent and yet fearsome creatures that are intelligent as any educated man, whose lifespan extend beyond our countless generations.â€
Roen bowed her head, her voice quieting notably so that it did not carry beyond the two of them. "If it was not for the fact that they sought to destroy all of Ishgard and the citizens within, I would even admire them. But their strength and power deserve our respect none the less."
The warrior did not verbally respond, but an eyebrow arched itself at her description when she mentioned intelligence. His eyes were gleaming, not necessarily of bloodthirstiness, of a mixture of curiosity and surprise. “They sound remarkable,†he commented quietly.
They both fell silent for the rest of the way. The climb eventually came to a plateau as dark silhouettes of sharpened wooden spikes pointed towards the sky came into view. They alternated with rows of longer and more deadly giant lances with jagged edges also standing vigilant, ready to impale any descending Dravanians. Wisps of smoke rose from the mobile huts that were situated within the encampment, while several scattered tents also served to give respite to weary knights. A fire with a steaming pot of stew set above it was being stoked by a soldier near the back tent.
Armored guards greeted the band of knights with their hands to the chest, although Roen spotted a few of them shifting slightly when Khadai came into view. But Ser Tabourot said something to them, not quite loud enough for her to hear, which notably changed the guards' demeanor. Either they stiffened to attention and looked elsewhere, or a bow was given to the Elezen knight and then a subsequent nod of greeting to the Au Ra warrior. Whether it was a forced repression of unease or actual reassurance, it mattered not to Roen. Time and cooperation would eventually lead to tolerance, she hoped.
Both she and Khadai were led to seats around the fire, and at the first whiff of the stew's aroma, her stomach growled just loud enough for her to lay a hand over it with a grimace. When was the last time she ate? She quickly cleared her throat and nodded in thanks as a Hyur soldier handed her a warm wooden bowl with a thick mutton stew swaying within. Roen carefully took a mouthful of it, before giving the Au Ra another glance. She too saw a flash of his eagerness when he volunteered to join in the hunt. He was trained for this after all.
"You are deft with your shield," she recalled his words after their spar. "Mayhap when used in combination with my sword, a potent pair we would make on the battlefield." She almost smirked in anticipation. She wanted to test his words.
But by the time she took her second spoonful of the thick soup, the paladin was frowning. She straightened and gave the Xaela stern look. "Khadai, should you be taking part in this? I know you are trying to acclimate yourself to this land during your... search, but do you not have other obligations? This hunt may be dangerous. I would not want to put you in harm's way before you fulfill your purpose--what you came here to do."
“I could not agree more.†The paladin finally nodded firmly, a determined countenance set in place. She flicked Khadai an intent look. “I believe eggs would be the best. And perhaps some stew. Steak would sit too heavily for the hunt, but some stew could warm us."
Several moments passed where the two regarded each other in silence. “Then I suppose we can proceed with the dragon hunt.†Roen gave a nonchalant shrug before a lopsided grin split her lips. Perhaps it was the promise of pending danger that spurred on an odd impulse to lighten the mood.
The paladin gave a nod to Ser Tabourot to lead the way back to The Convictory, falling into an easy pace behind him and the men. After the wagon passed them by and Khadai and Roen were left to take up the rear, she sighed, her expression becoming pensive. “I have never actually faced off against a true dragon before," she confessed quietly. "Even though I have fought alongside Ishgardian soldiers for many moons now.â€
Khadai gave her a nod, his viridian gaze scanning the march of knights in front of them. He looked as if he wished to say something, but his lips tightened and he merely kept his stoic expression solidly on his face, similar to how the strata in granite might display themselves upon a cliff.
"While I am obligated to join these men in Ser Tournes' stead, I do find the prospect of laying mine eyes on such a creature close up... rather exciting." She took a deep breath as she looked ahead to the trail that led upwards in a steady slope, one that she knew would inevitably lead to The Convictory. “I have heard many legendary tales about these beasts, since I was a child. These magnificent and yet fearsome creatures that are intelligent as any educated man, whose lifespan extend beyond our countless generations.â€
Roen bowed her head, her voice quieting notably so that it did not carry beyond the two of them. "If it was not for the fact that they sought to destroy all of Ishgard and the citizens within, I would even admire them. But their strength and power deserve our respect none the less."
The warrior did not verbally respond, but an eyebrow arched itself at her description when she mentioned intelligence. His eyes were gleaming, not necessarily of bloodthirstiness, of a mixture of curiosity and surprise. “They sound remarkable,†he commented quietly.
They both fell silent for the rest of the way. The climb eventually came to a plateau as dark silhouettes of sharpened wooden spikes pointed towards the sky came into view. They alternated with rows of longer and more deadly giant lances with jagged edges also standing vigilant, ready to impale any descending Dravanians. Wisps of smoke rose from the mobile huts that were situated within the encampment, while several scattered tents also served to give respite to weary knights. A fire with a steaming pot of stew set above it was being stoked by a soldier near the back tent.
Armored guards greeted the band of knights with their hands to the chest, although Roen spotted a few of them shifting slightly when Khadai came into view. But Ser Tabourot said something to them, not quite loud enough for her to hear, which notably changed the guards' demeanor. Either they stiffened to attention and looked elsewhere, or a bow was given to the Elezen knight and then a subsequent nod of greeting to the Au Ra warrior. Whether it was a forced repression of unease or actual reassurance, it mattered not to Roen. Time and cooperation would eventually lead to tolerance, she hoped.
Both she and Khadai were led to seats around the fire, and at the first whiff of the stew's aroma, her stomach growled just loud enough for her to lay a hand over it with a grimace. When was the last time she ate? She quickly cleared her throat and nodded in thanks as a Hyur soldier handed her a warm wooden bowl with a thick mutton stew swaying within. Roen carefully took a mouthful of it, before giving the Au Ra another glance. She too saw a flash of his eagerness when he volunteered to join in the hunt. He was trained for this after all.
"You are deft with your shield," she recalled his words after their spar. "Mayhap when used in combination with my sword, a potent pair we would make on the battlefield." She almost smirked in anticipation. She wanted to test his words.
But by the time she took her second spoonful of the thick soup, the paladin was frowning. She straightened and gave the Xaela stern look. "Khadai, should you be taking part in this? I know you are trying to acclimate yourself to this land during your... search, but do you not have other obligations? This hunt may be dangerous. I would not want to put you in harm's way before you fulfill your purpose--what you came here to do."
