• PM To Join • Clarity

[Elyna]

Elyna had managed to catch up with Emily and pass on instructions for the next few breaks, dividing their crew into a night time patrol. Assured the she didn’t need to sprint back to the Volareon and that everything was almost under control, the woman had agreed to eat something. She’d had a few mouthfuls of a hot stew, stood, and gripping the bowl in both hands. The meat had been delicious, soaked with peppered gravy and hot against her tongue.

The ruckus had caught her attention and she’d watched, peering through tent peeks and listening with keen attention. Brows drawn she pushed another mouthful of food into her mouth and put the bowl down on the nearest available surface. Unable to see who Faith was talking to the woman was able to take an educated guess. She’d taken three strides in the right direction when Faith almost ran into her. Elyna steadied the younger woman, resting hands gently on her shoulders as she listened. Without hesitation Elyna gestured for Faith to lead the way and followed at her heels. No blood…Faith drew the comparison between the Squire and Quio. The man she’d met at the ball. A Yulidh? Another one? Here?

Rounding the collection of cook tents the skyrider surveyed the scene. The tall young skyrider, armed with crossbow. The Ithecal and Padraig. They all looked ready to murder the man between them. It was safe to say that he wasn’t making many friends. Had he been on the previous campaign? As a source of disruption she was surprised if that was the case. Surely he would have been sent packing, as Aeon had?

Elyna paused on her approached, “I think he needs help Faith,” she admitted, voice soft. “This however, is not the time for him to receive it.” She closed the distance between herself and the group of men. She could almost smell the testosterone. So soon after her own conversation with the Squire, Elyna seized him up.

“You laid hands on a civilian.” She addressed him directly, “by anger or passion, you’ve stepped beyond the bounds of acceptable behaviour twice in as many breaks,” her gaze slid to the group of men, “I don’t have a choice, but to strip you of your rank. Mister Rathaan until such time as you can earn it back.” The woman raised a hand, running her fingertips over her nose. This whole situation was giving her a headache, “I’m going to give you two choices, you either leave and return to Welles. From there you can wait for us to return, or you can seek your own passage back to Rynmere. Or you can become my shadow. Your behaviour will become my responsibility, and I swear by the Immortals, I hope that you’re worth the risk,” she didn’t mention his blood or his heritage. She would speak to Malcolm at the first opportunity. Maybe she’d be told off, or stripped of her own rank, although, unfairly, given her personal circumstances she realised that it was less likely than if anyone else took the risk. She met the man’s gaze without flinching. Hoping, praying silently that the others wouldn’t decide to be manly and heroic, and intervene.

“Your decision?”

[Atashi]

He stood tall at kylar's side, pondering an appropriate course of action, Kylar had already told him that he knew the cook, he must have been close to her to resort to such an extreme over what appeared to be an argument. As for the other man with a drawn sword, he also seemed to have a personal connection to the cook - that much was apparent in the tone of his voice. Once the assailant had released the cook, he spoke trying to explain himself to Atashi? Why? Atashi had no authority in this situation! Perhaps he felt more comfortable talk to the man who didn't have a weapon drawn or raised. He looked to the other two, unsure of what to say for a moment before speaking in an authoritative tone "An argument can be made with words alone." He stated before the cook gave her side of the story, he looked to her, but avoided eye contact.

As the cook rushed off to bring back the captain, Atashi looked to the assailant, un-amused. He sighed "Just stay here, the situation will be resolved by the captain." he spoke, understanding fully that this may or may not be a misunderstanding, but he was not willing to risk any lives today, not after the assailant had already taken a sword to the Warden. He looked over the two emotional men to his left "And I'm sure it will be resolved without bloodshed." he spoke, extending his voice to the two. He felt like he had a sort of responsibility over the safety of the assailant and the men at his side alike. He did not want to see a man die today, especially not with the coming battles ahead.

When the captain arrived, he stood aside and waited for any oncoming orders. He listened to what the captain had to say, what he lacked in experience he would surely earn in time if he learned from his own mistakes and the mistakes of others. Hearing that the Captain was stripping the assailant of his rank shocked him a little. The sky-rider in the last campaign had deserved it, sure, but even he never laid a hand on anyone. He was beginning to grasp the gravity of the situation, and while he felt bad for the assailant it was surely the right form of punishment, the captain had been friendly to him at the eating area, he knew she wasn't a bad person and trusted her judgement.

The only question now was whether the assailant would go home or operate under the Captain. And while the man had caused trouble two times in a single night, he didn't want to see him get sent home lest he end up like himself.

[Padraig]

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Just an argument? The man lied. As if there weren't numerous sets of eyes that had seen things differently. Suffice to say Padraig was unmoved by Sintih's effort to excuse himself. And when Faith got herself away from him, he felt a sense of relief, but didn't relax, and didn't drop his sword's tip.

"Of course I believe you," he said to Faith as he put his spare hand on her shoulder and made sure that she hadn't been injured. But he never completely took an eye off of Sintih. They'd talk more about what had happened later, when they were alone. As for keeping everyone there? He'd make sure the man didn't go anywhere at all. There were others there, who would probably do the same.

There was very little he was interested in saying to the man, apart from one thing. "I don't want to see you near her again. Not here. Not back in Andaris. Not anywhere." His tone, the tension, all of it was enough to convey his meaning.

And then Faith returned with Elyna...Captain Burhan. He lowered the point of his weapon, but wasn't quite prepared to put it away, just yet. But when she spoke? The removal of rank was no surprise. The rest however brought a sharp, if fleeting glance from Padraig. As if she'd just sprouted a third eye from the middle of her forehead. She was offering Sintih a choice to remain, after not one, but two unpredictable acts of aggression, in as many trials, towards those who were meant to be allies?

He was here for Faith. He wasn't a member of the ranks, his opinions had no sway here. And military ways weren't his own. But so far as he was concerned, to keep the man here among others with a fight on the horizon, felt like madness. It was personal for him, no doubt. But would the captain keep Sintih chained to her side to eliminate the risk? Faith of any of them would sense Padraig's struggle. As it stood, nothing short of seeing man loaded onto the next boat leaving in chains would reassure him that she would be safe from him. Suffice to say, if the choice stood and Sintih opted for it, should Padraig see the man within two hundred yards of her again, next time he'd opt for acting first, and asking questions...never.

[Kylar]

Kylar took in what Atashi said, and believed it all. He didn't know if he should smile or cry. Right now, though, he could do neither.
"You had no choice in leaving, and your emotion was because you didn't want me hurt. I don't blame you, for anything. I got myself hurt. Trust me when I say it wasn't your fault. It never will be. You're my friend, the closest I have and one of the only. I will never blame you" he told Atashi. He wanted to say more, but had to turn and deal with the situation happening elsewhere.

As Faith started begging with fear, Kylar felt a cold shiver go down his spine. If he wasn't certain he'd go to prison for it, he would end the man's life right now. This woman had met Kylar with her sharp, witty personality and she seemed unbreakable - and this man appeared to have broken her. He felt himself growling instinctively at Sintih. Kylar didn't look away from him for a moment, but spoke to Faith with a shaky voice.
"You're fine, and we believe you. Just calm down and get Ser Elyna, she can help. 'That' won't go anywhere" he assured her, the word 'that' coming out through a snarl. He was referring to Sintih of course. The man, physically, was entirely normal - but under his skin was the very monster Kylar tried to hunt. An animal, like the rest of the creatures out here, attacking wildly and having no control. Kylar wanted to end him now, like the rest of his prey. Part of him was tempted. But after all he'd told Atashi, and the promises he made to Crimson at their wedding, that wasn't an option unless ordered.

Faith finally left, and Kylar listened to what Atashi and Padraig said. He snapped at the man, if he could be called that, in front of him. "My friend may be right, it can be resolved with no bloodshed. But if I get the order, I'll kill you for what you did to her. Staying away won't be hard then, will it?" he asked, rage flooding through him.
"First Malcolm, now Faith. You're making a real name for yourself, aren't you? I would pray to any immortal you believe in, and if there are none then pray to a merciful one - because you could use the blessing" he snarled. If he went near Crimson, Kylar wouldn't hesitate to kill him. He assumed Padraig was thinking of the same, from how he responded to her and vice versa. He wanted to comfort him, but before he had the opportunity Ser Elyna arrived.

Kylar kept his eye on Elyna as she approached. For a second, his eyes met hers, then she made her threats. Stripped of his rank and either sent home or shadowing Elyna? Was the latter even a punishment?
Kylar held back a snarl. If it was down to him, Kylar would shoot a bolt straight through the man's head. But it wasn't his choice. It was one of the hardest decisions to make in his life. If he killed this man, he'd be gone for sure - if not killed himself. But this man was a danger to everyone, including Crimson and Atashi. He'd already proven that. His finger rest on the trigger. He hadn't been ordered to lower his crossbow, why should he? He could pull the trigger right now.
After some thought, Kylar took his fingers off the trigger quietly. It wasn't his decision to make, as much as he wanted it to be. His breathing went heavy, frustrated. He gave Faith an apologetic look, then back to Elyna. He wasn't going to lower the crossbow, that man was still dangerous. Instead, he just waited for his decision.

[Sintih]

Despite the fact that he could sense the pointy bits being pointed in his general direction, Sin kept his attention on the snake man through the entire event. He was thankful that his guess had panned out as he had predicted. While the snake man hadn't actively come to his defense, his words were clear enough. He would do his best to keep the other two from killing, up to a certain point, of course. Sin decided not to push it any further than that. From his side, he could hear Padraig threaten him but he didn't give the man a second glance. When the fierce blonde man spoke, however, Sin couldn't help but glance in his direction. Really, Father. Out of all the chaos you could have created, you decided on this one? The crossbow was by far the more dangerous weapon. He could survive a stab wound from a knife or sword but the crossbow was designed to penetrate armor, something which Sin had very little of. Any hit with that and he'd have an extra hole in his body.

When the captain came into view behind the men, Sin immediately felt guilty. Not a break ago he'd spoken with her on a very personal level and more or less promised her he would apologize to the warden. This would be the second time she'd bail him out. If she was here to bail him out, anyway. From Faith's words before, it sounded like she knew the woman quite well. When she spoke, Sin knew she wasn't on his side, not entirely. Stripped of his rank?! His rank? He'd just told her and now... now this. She wanted to take the only thing...

He couldn't take it anymore. Everyone was against him once more. The captain was only doing her job, he could understand that. Even if he would lose all of it because of her job, he could still understand it. But Faith? Fine. If it was going to be like this, fine! When the rest of his sentence was announced, Sin could see both the blond man and Padraig's reactions on their faces. Their faces filled him with a sudden burst of disdain. So they wanted him dead, then? Sucks to be you, idiots. Sin suddenly burst out laughing, in front of all the people looking at him. Who cared what they thought. Fine. His laugh was unlike any Faith or Padraig had ever heard before, filled with rancor and contempt for the people around him. He stopped as abruptly as he'd started before speaking.

"Fine! You want my rank? Take it. I don't need it anyway!" Sin reached for his weapon and grabbed the scabbard, pulling it out of the holster it was in. Without much ceremony, he tossed blade and scabbard at the captain's feet. It splashed up some mud on her boots as it landed. The weapon had held about as much value for Sin as the price he'd paid for it. He'd give her the armor and tabard later. Sucking in an angry lungful of breath through his nose, Sin calmed himself enough to turn to the snake man and giving him a quick salute, mixing the tiniest of thankful nods in the mix. He had no illusions about the fact that the snake man was partly the reason he didn't have two more holes in his body. Sin then turned towards the blond man and took a step forward.

The crossbow bolt was inches from his face as he stared past it into the man's eyes. He just couldn't help it. "Be careful where you aim that thing, blondie. Knowing what they do for assault, what do you think they'd do for killing a civilian?" Sin mustered up his meanest looking grin in the face of the crossbow bolt before stepping aside. He ignored Padraig and Faith completely, the former because he couldn't care less about whatever some two nel scholar had to say and the latter because after her betrayal he didn't know what he'd do to her if he saw any pity or understanding on her face. Pushing in between Padraig and the blond man he stepped up towards the captain. If nobody had picked up his sword, Sin would go out of his way to step on it, pushing it deeper in the mud. He didn't stop and walked past the captain, quickly muttering a single word, just loud enough for her to hear it. "Shadow."

He stopped a few paces after passing the captain and remained there, back towards all five of them, waiting for the captain to pass him by or give him an order. In the short moment he waited for that, Sin did his best to etch as much of the details of both the snake man and the blond man in his memory. He'd do his very best to repay the snake man and remember the blonde one in case he ever was in a position to sacrifice a unit for a victory. No, that was childish. He'd make sure nobody had to be sacrificed for victory. But if there was no other way...

[Kylar]

Laughter. At the loss of a rank? For a second, Kylar wanted to pull the trigger again. But he stopped for a moment. This man had nothing now, not even his blade. No pride, not even a threat to give. He'd lost it all. Instead of holding back from anger, it was becoming hard to hold back from a smile. But he wasn't going to show any weakness, or risk his rank either. This man should have suffered more, yes, he should be on the floor with a bolt through the knee. But now? He was alive and suffering for it. He had nothing.
"I would never harm an innocent civilian, you need not worry about that" Kylar said calmly, his eyes looking at Elyna as he did so. He wasn't addressing Sintih as such, but more the captain - letting her know that he would never disobey an order to her. He then lowered the crossbow as Sintih had walked past. He took a single step towards Ser Elyna and saluted.
"If I may, Ser Elyna, I would like to speak to you about a different matter on one of the coming trials. Sorry to be of bother" he said politely. He'd never had much of an encounter with her, but for what he wanted to talk about - she was the one to go to.

After hearing her response, he would turn to Faith and Padraig with an apologetic look. He wanted to ask how Faith was, but in the same way he wouldn't try and take the authority from the Warden, he wouldn't interrupt Padraig from what he would do. He'd barely met Faith, it wasn't his place. In fact, as of now, he didn't know where his place was. He bowed his head to the two, before turning back to Atashi.
"Sorry our conversation was cut short. I was hoping to go for a walk, if you would like to join me?" he asked. He was, in truth, going to see Crimson and tell Atashi what they had recently discussed and, perhaps, feared.

Whether Atashi joined him or not, he would take his leave to the training area. He had one bolt loaded. With a steady hand, he stood opposite the target he'd been using.
He took aim and took one deep breath. Then he pulled the trigger, the bolt flying through and hitting. A few loops from the center. He then walked to the target and picked up the bolts, taking them with him. They might come in handy, and they were his anyway. He walked out of the training area, alone or with Atashi, and head towards his tent with Crimson.

[Elyna]

Even with her focused directed on the Yulidh before her, Elyna could register the shock of Padraig and the blonde skyrider. However she stood firm and unyielding as she waited for Squire Rathaan’s response. He wavered and then reacted in an explosion. Laughing, his sword was cast into the mud and she watched it land, the splatter of mud spitting across her boots. The young woman resisted the urge to sigh. He was upset; she hadn’t expected for him to simply smile and thank her for stripping him of rank. She stood balanced, impassive and yet ready to move. Her own heart thudded in her chest and only arcs of self-discipline ensured that her features remained calm. His obvious distress was upsetting, and the woman was well aware that the spectators and Faith’s supporters weren’t happy with her decision either. The cross-bow levelled at the man’s head proof enough. They wanted him…what, killed? Killed for placing hands on Faith?

Her outright refusal for Sinith to be face the ultimate penalty, was not a popular choice but she dedicated the action to Pre. She believed that this was a more reasonable course for justice to take. The incident with Malcolm was separate in circumstance and had been on its way to resolution. This was a new transgression, and she could only hope that Padraig and the skyrider would realise that death wasn’t necessarily a fair response to gripping someone by the shoulders. No matter how distressed Faith had been, a quick glance behind at her friend, and Elyna hoped to re-assure herself, that Faith would survive the assault.

The skyrider addressed her and Elyna nodded. She bent, without hesitation to collect the abandoned sword and wiped the sheaf on the calf of her boot. “Certainly Airman,” she agreed and met his gaze, “you’re a skyrider? I expect you to report to me at the fifth break tomorrow morning. We can discuss your enquiry and you can help us ready the Volareon.”

The demoted Squire had taken his steps away with the single word of his answer. Sword attached to her own belt, Elyna turned to Faith. She tried hard to avoid looking at Atashi, the Ithecal. It was hard to be the responsible one, the one scrambling to stay and remain in charge. “The actions of Master Rathaan are my responsibility, Mistress Faith,” she informed the woman formally. She reached out, touching her hand to Faith’s in a gesture of solidarity, “we will discuss this further, if you’re available?” Elyna wasn’t sure when, but she had every intention of following up with her friend. In making sure that Faith, above anyone else was comfortable with the decision to allow the Yulidh within the camp.

Wary that lingering too long could cause the situation to combust once more, Elyna followed after Rathaan. She gestured for him to follow at her heels, once more until they were out of earshot once more.

“Get something to eat,” she instructed, “get some sleep. I expect you to report to me on the forth break tomorrow morning. Your actions, your attitude and your time here, are all on my reputation,” she reminded him. Voice calm and steady as she examined her hands, she could have been talking about the weather. This was a risk, it could be dangerous. It could ruin her. She glanced at him. “I know what you are. I will need to inform the Warden, but otherwise I will not betray your secret. So do not betray me. Do not let me down.”

[Faith Augustin]

When they got back, her and Lady Elyna, Faith moved to Padraig's side, her hand touching his and she listened as Lady Elyna spoke to Sintih. She took away his rank and Faith sighed, lowering her gaze to the ground. He seemed so proud of his rank and Faith didn't want to be the reason that he lost it. She knew, of course, that what he had done was unacceptable to her as a free person, but maybe Sintih simply had a hard time not recognising that she wasn't a slave any more, she considered. Then, Lady Elyna gave him two options. Faith was a disciplined young woman and she didn't lift her eyes, just stood and tried to keep out of the way as much as possible. But she couldn't help the fear that she felt as Lady Elyna laid the options out. If Sintih was of a mind to take retribution, then there was no way that Lady Elyna could actually have him with her at all times. Padraig looked like he wanted to kill Sintih, which would be a ridiculous over reaction, she knew. Lady Elyna wanted to save him, and both of those were very much the people they were and she loved them both. But what she had seen in his eyes as he held her and shouted his venom scared her and she wished, in truth, that they would just get him out of here. But he laughed, hysterically Faith thought, and when he grabbed the sword, she did not wince but she wanted to.

When Elyna spoke to her, though, Faith looked at her friend and briefly clasped her hand in return. A brief, but very definite, squeeze. "Whenever you want and your time allows it, Captain. I am at your service." Far from hollow words for the young worshipper of Famula, she meant them completely. An act of service was a holy act for Faith, and she did not drop her gaze, giving a slight smile.

When Lady Elyna exited, Faith smiled and nodded to both Kylar and Atashi. "Thank you both. Sincerely. I am sorry for such a fuss, but thank you." She slipped her hand into Padraig's then and looked up at him. "I would very much like to go and make a cup of tea, then I, um, I need to get busy. Come sit on a log with me and pretend that didn't happen so I can get everything done I need to?" She wanted to go and hide, in truth, but she had things that had to be done, that were her duty. So, she looked into his eyes, hoped he understood that and added "Please?" Just for good measure.

[Padraig]

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As soon as Sintih had lashed out, grabbed hold of Faith, dug in and caused her to cry out, Padraig had wanted to kill him. If he came near her again, the compulsion would return, threefold. In this moment however, he'd have been satisfied to see the man banished from the camp and put back on a boat to anywhere else, somewhere leagues away from here. The man's reaction when being stripped of his rank and given a choice, didn't ease his concerns any.

He couldn't begin to make any sense out of the captain's decision. It felt less one made on tactical, or military grounds, than personal ones. Why else would she take the risk? Twice now he'd shown himself to be volatile, unpredictable. Was it sympathy, Padraig wondered? It didn't help to think it. A madman might need some compassion, but better not kept in close quarters. It felt all the more ludicrous, laughable under other circumstances, when with one breath she required the man to be her shadow, and with the next, sent him off alone for a restful night's sleep and a meal before reporting back. Padraig's expression said it all, and if not, his continued grip on his weapon filled in the rest.

It appeared that Kylar's opinion was similar to his. Or at least it seemed to be, based on his posture, his readied weapon and what he didn't say, as much as what he did. There was a difference though between them. Between all of them and Padraig, he was neither a soldier trained to follow orders without question, concerned about rank or protocol, or a former slave who still struggled to break loose of old bonds and restrictions. Neither did he have a long association or friendship with the captain, that might have established a greater level of trust. He'd have made a lousy soldier anyway, and a worse servant. He made no attempt to hide his disagreement, though he ignored Sintih as the man walked by. He wouldn't say it aloud, now, only because he didn't want to cause Faith any more upset than had been already.

Suffice to say, that so long as Sinith remained, then he remained a threat to Faith and others. Nothing would convince him differently. Padraig hoped too that Sintih didn't let the captain down. But for entirely different reasons than her. He shook his head, and kept his sword in hand, only putting it away once it was only him and Faith left. He'd have smiled for her if he could have. But the best he could do was resolve to spend the following trials watching over her, and helping her pretend while he watched and remembered.

[Atashi]

He couldn't tell if the assailant had done what he did out of malice or hurt. As bad as the situation looked, he tried to keep an open mind. Even with the other two pelting the man with abuse. Somehow, Kylar's and the other man's words didn't feel like justice - they more felt like venting or vengeance, maybe even wrath? It was a relief to have the captain come to resolve things by that point. The assailant, or the man that the captain identified as 'Master Rathaan' Bellowed with laughter at the loss of his rank - a sad sight to behold. As sad as it was however, he didn't hesitate to clutch his weapon in anticipation as soon as Master Rathaan took hold of his scabbard. Had he drawn the sword, he would have met with a hammer and left with a broken hand. Thankfully, he didn't draw it, merely a display of his distaste as he threw it to the floor at the captain’s feet. His grip relaxed a little.

The captain went after Master Rathaan as he stormed off and spoke with him, he didn't pay too much attention to what was being said, instead he looked back to the three he was in company with. The cook thanked him and Kylar and apologised for making a fuss, Atashi grinned in response - it was nice to be thanked. Then Kylar spoke to him, he crossed his arms and closed his eyes, sighing with disappointment. "Yes, I will join you." He started, opening one eye to get a look of Kylars face before closing it again and continuing. "But don't expect much 'walking' from me." He finished, beaming by the end of his joke. He followed Kylar to the training grounds where he practised some more, collected his bolts then walked with him in company.