There was tension in the air. It penetrated through the biting chill of the northern wind, lending a certain heaviness to the very air itself. The harsh lines that etched the expressions of each Ishgardian knight seemed deeper, their grimaces more somber. There were whispers of rising hostilities, as reformers and traditionalists clashed in their views of what Ishgard should be, and how to prepare for the conflict that seemed imminent on the horizon.
Perhaps this was why the Durendaire knights seemed to pay little--if any--attention to the paladin that strode past them without meeting their eyes, her stride crisp but not too hurried. She was trying to avoid any unnecessary attention, after all.
But as Roen walked about Falcon’s Nest, her eyes scanning both for the Miqo’te captain and Khadai, she could not help but overhear passing words here and there upon the lips of traders and artisans. Was there a true confrontation with the Dravanian Horde headed for Ishgard? It was the same threat that had always hung over all of Coerthas for as long as she could remember, but since she had returned from the Shroud, the unease amongst the residents seemed almost palpable. She had dismissed it to the ongoing political strife that had been on the rise since the shift in power within the Theocracy itself, and had done her best to keep herself out of taking sides.
She was only here to do what she can, taking a single step whenever possible. Perhaps assisting the stranded Maelstrom Captain and her crew was but one of them.
As she made her way toward the gates, Roen spotted Khadai on the road. By his slowed pace, she could tell he was exercising caution. His stride was usually long and agile, but today he walked up past the guards like a weary traveler. The paladin sighed inwardly when they only gave him a passing glance.
A second figure drew both the paladin and the Au Ra’s attention as a familiar Miqo’te approached both of them. Captain Mirke was as Roen remembered, petite but with a hint of wiry fortitude to her frame, and her stride sharp with purpose. The Miqo’te exchanged glances with both the paladin and the Au Ra warrior, her eyes narrowing only slightly at the latter. Remembering their less than affable encounter the first time, Roen drew her lips into a polite expression.
"I hope I had not pulled you away from other important affairs,†Roen said matter of factly, greeting Khadai with a nod. She then turned to the Captain. "I had asked him to join us since another set of swords in the Highlands is never a bad idea."
Khadai seemed indifferent. "I am undergoing preparation for an expedition into Dravania. I am willing to hear out your request of assistance in the event that the location of our goals coincide." His speech was still somewhat stiff, but it lacked the element of hesitation that it once held.
"How fortunate then,†Mirke answered nonchalantly. “Yers and mine own paths lie in similar directions. West, far west."
Roen could see Khadai’s eyes squint ever so slightly upon being reacquainted with the Miqo'te's Noscean accent. The paladin moistened her lips in relief that he made no note of it this time.
"I have prepared a mount and thirty days' worth of provisions for one individual.†The Au Ra took inventory of his supplies. “Spread across three persons it can be stretched to roughly ten days. The bird can be used as a draught animal."
Roen could not help but arch both her brows in pleasant surprise. “You actually kept your mount!" she marveled out loud. Last time they spoke, his frustration with his new bird was clear.
"It was necessary.†His tone remained stern. “This expedition was intended to be long-term. The bird can be used for sustenance in an emergency as well." Khadai tilted his head slightly at her. "And you did note that I was not utilizing my gathered currency very often."
Both the paladin and the Maelstrom Captain made a face at Khadai. "I'd hope it not come to that,†Mirke said dryly. “I've meh own foodstuffs as well. Provisions fer near a fortnight if I pace mehself.â€
Roen quickly dismissed the frown from her face. Khadai never failed to remind her of his practicality at every turn. "You do seem prepared," she murmured. "I also did not realize you were leaving for Dravania so soon." She heard her tone dip slightly and wrinkled her nose again. "Well, at least all our paths coincide.â€
Mirke glanced between them both, and tucked her hands into her pockets. “I paid fer a bird, but I left it with the knights back a ways, on the off chance one of yeh lot couldn't ride?" Her gaze swiveled to the Au Ra pointedly.
Khadai shrugged. "Khadai do not utilize mounts, but I am certain it is not something beyond my learning. If it came to it, I would simply use it as a draught animal."
When the Captain looked to Roen for a decision, the paladin shook her head. “Best not learn how to ride while we are trying to search for your comrades. We can use the mounts we have to haul our supplies. If we travel mounted, the birds would need food and shelter sooner." She looked up at the clouds. "The sky is light enough, perhaps the heavy snow will hold off for a bit."
The Miqo’te nodded in agreement. "Settles that then. We go on foot."
"What do you pursue this endeavour for?" Khadai inquired, his deep green eyes intently regarding the Captain.
The Miqo'te cocked her head, a slight puzzled look twisting her features. It was as if she was trying to figure something out about the Au Ra. "I take it Roen didn't 'ave a chance to explain. When yeh found meh in Coerthas some time ago, I were headin' from meh crew's shipwreck in Dravania to civilization to get contact with Limsa. Now I've done that, a rescue party is on their way. I need to be back wit' meh crew when they get there. And round up any stragglin' scouts too if it comes to that."
Khadai stared at her briefly before nodding. "As you say. The location of our objectives coincide, then. This arrangement can be upheld." He turned his attention to Roen. "This is something you wish to participate in?"
Roen flicked a glance at him. That was an odd thing for him to ask. With all the discussions and arguments that the two have held in the past, she found herself peering up at him, as if trying to glean some second meaning behind his question. "I had made an offer of aid when we met her the first time, and I intend to uphold it. And…†She lowered her voice. “It was a good reason as any to get out of the city for awhile." The paladin did not want to say more, lest she seed any suspicions of legal troubles in the mind of a Malestrom officer.
"As you say." Khadai nodded once. "We have reached an accord, then."
The Miqo’te captain snorted. “Shite, if I'd known yeh were tryin' to get out o' that bleedin' city, I'd 'ave asked yeh sooner." She made a lazy wave of her hand before turning back to the Au Ra. "Seems we 'ave. I promised compensation fer Roen's contributions to the Maelstrom. Yeh can be rewarded as well if it suits yeh."
“I will require some short time. I left my provisions in a location outside of the city, and I will have to retrieve the bird from the stables." Khadai replied to the captain in turn, and Roen was relieved to see that their exchanges were somewhat more cordial than it was the first time.
As both the Au Ra and the Miqo’te made their way to the stables, Roen squinted up at the skies. The grey clouds were still, and there were even patches where the sunlight was almost breaking through. Perhaps this journey would be uneventful after all. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. She did not want to admit it, but she was glad that Khadai had agreed to come after all.
She glanced back to the two before they were out of ear reach.
“Best get started while the winds are quiet."
Perhaps this was why the Durendaire knights seemed to pay little--if any--attention to the paladin that strode past them without meeting their eyes, her stride crisp but not too hurried. She was trying to avoid any unnecessary attention, after all.
But as Roen walked about Falcon’s Nest, her eyes scanning both for the Miqo’te captain and Khadai, she could not help but overhear passing words here and there upon the lips of traders and artisans. Was there a true confrontation with the Dravanian Horde headed for Ishgard? It was the same threat that had always hung over all of Coerthas for as long as she could remember, but since she had returned from the Shroud, the unease amongst the residents seemed almost palpable. She had dismissed it to the ongoing political strife that had been on the rise since the shift in power within the Theocracy itself, and had done her best to keep herself out of taking sides.
She was only here to do what she can, taking a single step whenever possible. Perhaps assisting the stranded Maelstrom Captain and her crew was but one of them.
As she made her way toward the gates, Roen spotted Khadai on the road. By his slowed pace, she could tell he was exercising caution. His stride was usually long and agile, but today he walked up past the guards like a weary traveler. The paladin sighed inwardly when they only gave him a passing glance.
A second figure drew both the paladin and the Au Ra’s attention as a familiar Miqo’te approached both of them. Captain Mirke was as Roen remembered, petite but with a hint of wiry fortitude to her frame, and her stride sharp with purpose. The Miqo’te exchanged glances with both the paladin and the Au Ra warrior, her eyes narrowing only slightly at the latter. Remembering their less than affable encounter the first time, Roen drew her lips into a polite expression.
"I hope I had not pulled you away from other important affairs,†Roen said matter of factly, greeting Khadai with a nod. She then turned to the Captain. "I had asked him to join us since another set of swords in the Highlands is never a bad idea."
Khadai seemed indifferent. "I am undergoing preparation for an expedition into Dravania. I am willing to hear out your request of assistance in the event that the location of our goals coincide." His speech was still somewhat stiff, but it lacked the element of hesitation that it once held.
"How fortunate then,†Mirke answered nonchalantly. “Yers and mine own paths lie in similar directions. West, far west."
Roen could see Khadai’s eyes squint ever so slightly upon being reacquainted with the Miqo'te's Noscean accent. The paladin moistened her lips in relief that he made no note of it this time.
"I have prepared a mount and thirty days' worth of provisions for one individual.†The Au Ra took inventory of his supplies. “Spread across three persons it can be stretched to roughly ten days. The bird can be used as a draught animal."
Roen could not help but arch both her brows in pleasant surprise. “You actually kept your mount!" she marveled out loud. Last time they spoke, his frustration with his new bird was clear.
"It was necessary.†His tone remained stern. “This expedition was intended to be long-term. The bird can be used for sustenance in an emergency as well." Khadai tilted his head slightly at her. "And you did note that I was not utilizing my gathered currency very often."
Both the paladin and the Maelstrom Captain made a face at Khadai. "I'd hope it not come to that,†Mirke said dryly. “I've meh own foodstuffs as well. Provisions fer near a fortnight if I pace mehself.â€
Roen quickly dismissed the frown from her face. Khadai never failed to remind her of his practicality at every turn. "You do seem prepared," she murmured. "I also did not realize you were leaving for Dravania so soon." She heard her tone dip slightly and wrinkled her nose again. "Well, at least all our paths coincide.â€
Mirke glanced between them both, and tucked her hands into her pockets. “I paid fer a bird, but I left it with the knights back a ways, on the off chance one of yeh lot couldn't ride?" Her gaze swiveled to the Au Ra pointedly.
Khadai shrugged. "Khadai do not utilize mounts, but I am certain it is not something beyond my learning. If it came to it, I would simply use it as a draught animal."
When the Captain looked to Roen for a decision, the paladin shook her head. “Best not learn how to ride while we are trying to search for your comrades. We can use the mounts we have to haul our supplies. If we travel mounted, the birds would need food and shelter sooner." She looked up at the clouds. "The sky is light enough, perhaps the heavy snow will hold off for a bit."
The Miqo’te nodded in agreement. "Settles that then. We go on foot."
"What do you pursue this endeavour for?" Khadai inquired, his deep green eyes intently regarding the Captain.
The Miqo'te cocked her head, a slight puzzled look twisting her features. It was as if she was trying to figure something out about the Au Ra. "I take it Roen didn't 'ave a chance to explain. When yeh found meh in Coerthas some time ago, I were headin' from meh crew's shipwreck in Dravania to civilization to get contact with Limsa. Now I've done that, a rescue party is on their way. I need to be back wit' meh crew when they get there. And round up any stragglin' scouts too if it comes to that."
Khadai stared at her briefly before nodding. "As you say. The location of our objectives coincide, then. This arrangement can be upheld." He turned his attention to Roen. "This is something you wish to participate in?"
Roen flicked a glance at him. That was an odd thing for him to ask. With all the discussions and arguments that the two have held in the past, she found herself peering up at him, as if trying to glean some second meaning behind his question. "I had made an offer of aid when we met her the first time, and I intend to uphold it. And…†She lowered her voice. “It was a good reason as any to get out of the city for awhile." The paladin did not want to say more, lest she seed any suspicions of legal troubles in the mind of a Malestrom officer.
"As you say." Khadai nodded once. "We have reached an accord, then."
The Miqo’te captain snorted. “Shite, if I'd known yeh were tryin' to get out o' that bleedin' city, I'd 'ave asked yeh sooner." She made a lazy wave of her hand before turning back to the Au Ra. "Seems we 'ave. I promised compensation fer Roen's contributions to the Maelstrom. Yeh can be rewarded as well if it suits yeh."
“I will require some short time. I left my provisions in a location outside of the city, and I will have to retrieve the bird from the stables." Khadai replied to the captain in turn, and Roen was relieved to see that their exchanges were somewhat more cordial than it was the first time.
As both the Au Ra and the Miqo’te made their way to the stables, Roen squinted up at the skies. The grey clouds were still, and there were even patches where the sunlight was almost breaking through. Perhaps this journey would be uneventful after all. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. She did not want to admit it, but she was glad that Khadai had agreed to come after all.
She glanced back to the two before they were out of ear reach.
“Best get started while the winds are quiet."
