Thick and Clear [Open]

[Alesander Victarion]

Ooc: Argh, sorry it’s so late guys, blame my computer. I’ll try and make this post as brilliant as possible to make up for it.

Bic: The Captain had a lot to listen to in the next minute or so, for a lot of things seemed to be happening at once, and he had to react to all of them. That was mainly because, whether he liked it or not, it was primarily his actions that dictated where the bitter confrontation would end up, seeing as he held most of the authority here. His ivory fingers twitched at the point where they were wrapped around the black shaft of his sleek, sharp polearm; the tension of holding up a steel utensil of death finally starting to make its toll against the sinewy muscles along the Ice Warrior’s ebony arm. In response, he allowed his weapon to lower slightly, more or less leveling with her chest now, more out of lassitude than capitulation.

”With all due respect, Serafina, but the business of the North will always belong in moderation with the Fallen Angels and the Ice Warriors. What happens to one of us, will affect the other. Therefore, Cailen’s reaction to your reconnaissance, to me, is…” He gave the briefest second to pause on what word he would use to describe how much he really did need that knowledge. In retrospect, he didn’t need it anymore than he wanted it; knowing Serafina’s punishment was more or less a trivial issue of Alesander’s pride and dignity, both of which he was not intentionally enthusiastic to surrender so easily. ”… vital.”

He could see it in her eyes. Hard, cold, and bitter. This woman truly hated him. But Alesander was not the type of person who was going to go out of his way to try and earn her trust or even her appraise. He just wanted obedience, even if it was equivalent to wanting water from a stone. He needed it.

He gave her little speech some thought though, despite the stubbornness that raged within him to never give into this Fallen Angel, and for the first time in the entire encounter finally saw what the situation might have looked like through her eyes. The Captain tried to block that perspective out of his mind, lock it behind a barrier thick enough to ward off all emotion, as it threatened his pride. ”My spear, my shield, and my armour are all that I am, I need not imagine that, Naquam.” His eyes lingered on the cold steel which was his shield and spearhead; the thick, golden intricacy along the only tool which would stop that sword from gutting him, and staining his thick blood across the snow. ”But if they were all taken from me, what I be then, you ask. Here is my answer.”

The Captain edged closer to her, instinctively raising his spear ever so slightly again, looking down on her as he spoke in a quiet, determined voice, ”Without my spear, I can still fight. No, I will still fight. Because it’s not the weapon that makes the warrior, it is who he is inside. I would fight with my bare hands if I had to, because the will to not be defeated comes from here…” He indicated his head with his shield hand, the heavy steel moving through the air skillfully. ”…not from here.” Victarion specified his spear as he uttered those few words.

”Without my shield, I would again still fight. Nothing would stop a rogue blade, that one foul tool to cut me open and steal my life. Nothing but me. But I would still fight, because the will to comes from up here. Without my armour, I would have no loyalty, no heritage, no protection, but I would still fight. And you know why? Because I choose to; because of will. I did not take your wings, Serafina. I did not order a man to take your wings. I did not play a part, in any sense of the word, to take your wings. In another time, on another land, I might have been the one to protect your wings, but that is not reality. It just shows I do not share intentions of my forefathers. A son does not choose their father, and would you have me blamed for something my ancestors did? Would you?”

He realised then that he had slowly been leaning forward, edging closer with every word he said, because he believed in them so fiercely, so unwaveringly. His voice had risen slowly, louder and louder until it swelled all around him, echoing off the trees like a cannon, and he leant back, giving her space back to her. ”The will to fly didn’t come from your wings, it came from your mind.”

And they stood there, nothing but the wind howling in the distance, but here it was eerily still. Where once the Captains cloak had flapped in earnest, it now sat silent, and still. Asleep. The whole world was silent for all he cared, the whole world was listening, and he could do no more than hope that Serafina had been listening as well. Really listening.

He sniffed at the cold once the wind started to pick up again, and sound returned once again to his mentality. ”A fort?” At first he didn’t understand what she meant, but then he knew, then he remembered. Setting up camp had seemed like so long ago now, an age ago. ”No, no. You are mistaken. We were not building a fort, we were only securing our position here for the night. These are measures that all companies go through, or all the cautious ones anyway. Even here in our own land, the chance of being attacked is still very much alive and dangerous. Being defeated unawares is… unspeakably ungallant.” The actions which may have seemed so simple and methodical to Alesander may have been amplified tenfold to a person who did not spend their time around large bodies of soldiers, like a spy or a scout. Operations were carried out so differently it was almost laughable, but no-one here was laughing. ”And I would not make personal attacks of arrogance on me, Kevin. Not while your life rests in my hands.” He frowned at the male Fallen Angel, glancing at him out of the corner of his eye. He was not as… significant to him as Serafina at the moment, and that was all he was willing to say to him; the limit to which he would acknowledge his presence.

When he brought his eyes steadily back to Naquam, Victarion distinctly noted that the wind had picked up slightly, and he cast a quick, furtive glance around him, just out of habit. At first, he hadn’t even noticed the Royal Esquire due to her natural ability to blend in with the white, like all Ice Warriors, a trait Alesander had seemingly missed out on. It was only from her movement that his eyes darted towards her, finally placing a name to the face which formed itself in his mind’s eye. ”Alaria?”

He truly hadn’t noticed that she had been listening in on their situation, but now she seemed to be walking in and taking command of his troops. Rank was a difficult thing to determine here, and it was circumstances like this that got better men than him hanged for insubordination. Captain Alesander outranked Alaria by leagues, his Lieutenant outranked her, hell even some of his higher Sergeants outranked her; however he did not outrank the High Lord, and the esquire always acted on his behalf. Nonetheless, military dominion was not entitled to her, even with her connections.

”Oh I am aware of the consequences, my friend, let us hope our acquaintances here are as educated.” Victarion looked around him; Alaria, Serafina and Kevin were all aligned against him, willing him to cease his actions, willing him to let them go. Maybe that was the right course. The words were much more meaningful coming from a friend than an antagonist. He turned his head and cursed softly, yet strongly under his breath, closing his eyes in a tight frown. ”As always Alaria, you tame poignant brutes with the absolution of simple, apt words.”

He opened his eyes, and leveled himself with the Fallen Angels, breathing deeply and squarely, hardly imagining what he was about to say, hardly believing it. ”Stand down rangers.” He shook his head ever so slightly, demanding his anger to stay in check. ”You’ve done enough tonight. They are free to leave.” The soldiers slowly, very slowly, eased the arrows out of their bows, and sheathed the blades that they had drawn in response to a shouted word. But the Captain couldn’t let that be it, no, he had to make one last display to make sure they all knew he held the power here.

”Now it’s my turn to ask questions.” He took the blade of his spear away from Serafina and rested the haft in the snow, the weapon vertical. The hole which had previously been made by his shaft had all but vanished amongst the light snowfall that still cascaded through the tree canopy. ”Firstly, Alaria. How long have you been watching my battalion from the trees, and why? I find it hard to believe that you were sent here to stop emotional outbursts when, as if by sheer coincidence, that is what happened. The odds of that are too implausible for realistic consideration.”

”Secondly,” he turned to Kevin, finally acknowledging that he was standing here in the conversation. ”Why are you here? It seems odd that you would appear right now, amidst such… commotion.”

”And lastly,” The Captain scrutinized the woman who had sparked his pride and threatened to bruise his ego so harshly, from which he had barely managed to scrape through with his dignity intact. ”If you say Cailen did not send you out here to spy on my company, then who did? And why? I suspect that whoever ordered you out here may have been attempting to insight another conflict between our two armies. They may have tried to fabricate your death in order so the Fallen Angels might be able to be at battle once more with the Ice Warriors. I must know, tell me everything.”

Ooc: Now thats a long post

[Serafina Naquam]

[ooc. you're going to make me compete with that?! haha, well, it's no competition... good job, Khalora. =P]

Serafina had listened to him, intently as well. Her eyes were narrow and she concentrated on not losing her temper while he spoke, biting her lip eventually as his words finally hit her. She then realized just how much of an impact her father's training had on her about her wings, about her tribe and her people. She deeply regretted ever listening to him right now, Alesander's words making more sense than she had wanted them to. Again, her dignity would not allow him to take over completely, and so she refused to show him just how much she understood what he meant, what he was saying, so she turned her head away sharply. Ignoring the blade pointing at her chest, she stared at the mountains. When she turned to look at him again, his face wasn't far from hers'. She furrowed her eyebrows, hoping not to be more exposed.

Her eyes lingered on the captain for a while, probably too long, as she took in everything he had said. She didn't respond right away, either, her thoughts pondering everything he had said, considering them to be the truth, as she collected her thoughts into something reasonably acceptable for herself, and her dignity. Her mind and pride were fighting against each other, and right now, it was a tie. She bit her lower lip but quickly recovered and stared at the captain, trying to hide all emotion from her eyes. As usual, her face was difficult to read. Suddenly, when he said, 'The will to fly didn't come from your wings, it came from your mind', she couldn't hold back: she took a step backward awkwardly, her eyes wide with astonishment at his words. She didn't know why she had reacted that way, but she immediately felt ashamed at her sudden display.

Her voice was soft, and quiet, almost impossible to hear. "The will to fly..." she repeated to herself. She looked at the captain. "And the will to fight." She couldn't respond to him with a 'I agree, you're right, I understand...', and she could only hope that he understood what she meant when he repeated what he was saying: she did agree, and she did understand. She looked around the campsite again, having a new perspective on it now that she knew it was not a fort, just defense. She watched the Ice Warriors curiously, as she tried to understand. She didn't travel in groups of more than three people very often, actually, it may have only happened once or twice before, so this was rather interesting and, a bit confusing, as well.

She had completely forgotten about Kevin there, and was suddenly very grateful for his presence: she didn't have to face Alesander on her own and be in his only focus, the only victim beneath his piercing gaze. She lightly shuddered at the thought and quickly looked at Kevin. She smiled softly, looking rather crooked and forced, but she smiled nonetheless, and whispered, "Thank you, Kevin..." Suddenly, there was an intruder. She gritted her teeth at the woman who had invaded their conversation, the hatred amongst the three warriors were fading, but it flared up again as she entered.

Serafina stared at the girl whom Alesander called Alaria. She came in here, acting like she knew everything that was going on, telling Alesander what to do and what not to do, ordering him around. She bit her tongue. If she tried that stunt on her or Kevin... she felt a rush of adrenaline soar through her. She didn't like this girl coming in suddenly like this, something about her presence made her feel extremely uneasy. It might have been because she was so closely related to the High Lord of the Ice Warriors, Ice. Now he was someone Serafina could directly hate, for his father was the one who had taken her wings: of course, he didn't personally do it, but his people had done it with no objection. She wanted to glare at the girl, to threaten her, but something held her back. She was finally beginning to relax with the captain, she didn't want this.... this simpleton to ruin it.

So, she ignored Alaria completely, her eyes slowly moving away from her back to the Captain. Then he began to ask questions. She listened intently, hoping that maybe he would pass over her, for she was smart enough to know what question was probably lingering in his mind. But then, she was last: he hadn't forgotten about her, and when he asked it, she felt her stomach twist and she felt dizzy, uneasy. She tried to compose herself, and think of a lie as quickly as possible, but if Cailen hadn't done it, then who else? Maybe he would believe that a simple commoner had hired her for the job, but why would a commoner do that? Nearly everybody was happy with the treaty, except for the very rare exceptions, because they were free to roam the Ice Kingdom without fear of an ambush, unless by another, very unwelcome guest.

She looked at the ground, waiting while the others answered his questions. She would be the last to answer, she knew it, as she tried to take the time to her advantage, but nothing was adding up. The ground beneath her spun and she leaned against the rock, trying to collect her thoughts. The question hadn't caught her off guard, no... but never has she been put in the position where she would have to... speak about her father to anyone. Nobody knew of him. And his forceful personality made it seem that he would get the answer out of her, no matter how much she resisted. But she would try to resist.

She decided to take the time to compose herself, to ease away from the dizziness and the feeling in her stomach that made her want to throw up. The thought about her father was hard enough to deal with inside, but to speak the words aloud, to a complete stranger, who she didn't particularly... like, was much more nerve-racking than she expected. Suddenly, it was her turn. She hadn't heard what the others were saying, and she could feel him looking at her, waiting. She didn't have much time to react. She wanted to lurch forward and fall to the ground, she wanted to faint, to get herself out of this mess, but what then? That would be embarrassing.

"The -" she began, but she found it extremely hard to find the words. "He -" She couldn't do it. She couldn't rat on her own father. She took a deep breath and said, with as much confidence as she could muster, "A local commoner in my area. He heard of my profession, and asked me to spy on the Ice Warriors, for he heard a commotion around here. I guess he himself had tried, but a coward he was and ran off when he saw how many of you there were. Of course I would accept the chance at some extra money. I don't really know him, so his interests in the Ice Warriors is beyond me." Her voice was convincing, her posture was convincing, and she could only pray that the other two had distracted him from seeing her previous, extremely weak state, and that he couldn't read her eyes and find out that she was lying. That would just make things difficult.

[Alaria]

ooc: O.O...... holy cow Khalora, that was a GREAT post. really long....also, i have to exit this thread, cause i forgot i can only be in two threads, and this is the third one i joined. so yeah.....

bic:

Alaria watched Alesander close his eyes and his face relaxed, making her relax as well. As one of her own seemed confortable again, so was she. Smiling, she let her hands drop to her sides, face stoney. The female White Wing must be called Serafina, for she responded to it.

Looking around, she saw the men retreat their weapons somewhat, and she closed her hand tigher around Shakr'am. Shaking her head, she listened for a minute around her. There was silence for a moment, and then Alesander broke it by adressing her with a question.

Why was she here? How long had she been listening? Why, she had followed him here! And, I guess she wasn't really here to watch out for emotions, but mainly because Ice wanted her to follow and give reports on Captain Alesander. The smirk was back though, and she straightened her stance.

M'Lord, High Lord Ice sent me to simply report on your movements. He trusts you highly and wants to know everything that you're doing. I would not come just because I was bored sir, she added, her eyes merry. Turning to the one named Serafina, she scowled. She seemed to be ignoring her. Marking that off in her brain, she fixed her gaze instead of the large shadow that was moving in the trees. Shaking her head, Alaria turned to Alesander.

M'Lord, I have to be going now. It was nice to see you again. Bowing, she waved to the men who all grinned and waved back. Leaving, she ran through the forest, her hood up and cloaked in white once again.

[Alesander Victarion]

The Captain rapped his fingers on the shaft of his long spear, drumming out a silent melody as he listened to the responses given to him. So far it appeared that there was going to be little resistance to his questioning, which helped to solidify his dignity somewhat, saving what he could from the encounter.

Alaria seemed particularly cheerful as she spoke her answer in a high voice, smiling at him all the time, and Victarion couldn’t help but let a small smirk stretch across his lips. It was infectious. ”He trusts me highly? Well that is good to know.” If it is true. You could never believe everything you heard, and the Captain never got his hopes up over a simple comment, especially not now. If he trusted me, he would allow me to operate without supervision. No, he thinks me as a radical and an extortionist.

However, he smiled and nodded his head at her with a mask of courtesy. He had nothing against his friend here. ”Fair winds Alaria.”

He didn’t watch the esquire leave, instead, he inclined his head to Serafina’s answer which was now assailing his ears. At first he did not believe her, but as she continued to speak, obviously gaining confidence, she became more and more believable until he almost accepted it as sheer truth. ”The Ice Forest is a far march from here, even on horseback it would take half a morning to reach the nearest established Fallen Angel settlement.” He had spent a large portion of his life pouring over maps, and he knew most of the islands in Lilan reasonably well, Svena best of all. ”We had only just arrived. We had started setting up camp maybe an hour before this situation occurred. Not enough time for a mere commoner to see us, get back to the Fallen Angel settlement and then send you here.” The White Wing in front of him was a fairly reputable liar, he had to give her that. Her body, her words, her posture, everything; it all appeared like she was telling the utmost truth, but her eyes… he did not believe there was much truth to them.

”Don’t try to protect them Serafina.” Perhaps it was someone close to her, she wouldn’t try and defend a mere commoner, not when Cailen’s punishment for treason topped it off. ”Do you not believe in justice? Tell me, who sent you here?” And then he added on the end, for a softer touch, ”Please.”

[Serafina Naquam]

This time, Serafina didn't ignore Alaria, as she began to leave. She felt suddenly, much more at ease. Maybe with Alaria gone, she wouldn't mind telling Alesander about her father, or rather, it wouldn't be quite as difficult. After all, she was bound to tell Ice about this... predicament. If he was to find out who had sent Serafina to the campsite in the mountains, that may cause some havoc in the Naquam family. Alesander's eyes quickly fell upon her, even as Alaria was walking away. Serafina listened to him intently, determined not to look him in the eye, as she stared past him. Her damp hair was now hard and icy, her skin covered in goose-bumps, the stinging of the cold had slowly ceased. Her dark eyes were fixed on the campsite, as she watched the Ice Warriors scurrying to and fro. "Tell me, who sent you here? Please."

Her face remained emotionless, and her eyes were difficult to read. She didn't know what to think, but confusion had been wiped away, and all fear disappeared. She was just empty... because the thought of speaking of her father to him seemed unavoidable, and possibly heart-breaking, on her part. It had taken her a few moments before she finally looked at Alesander, her eyes set on his. She didn't even bother to take in a breath before she spoke, all emotion leaving her completely. However, when it finally hit her what she was about to say, she stumbled backwards slightly. She bit her lower lip, still looking at him.

"My father," she finally blurted out. She was in shock that she had said it, but she did... it was over now. She looked away quickly, this time at the sky. The snow fell on her face softly, only intensifying the cold on her skin. She didn't know if he was going to question her farther. Maybe she should just explain it so she wouldn't waste his time and effort, but just saying that was hard enough, she wasn't sure how much more she would have been able to say before completely breaking down. The air was silent, except for the distant sounds of the Ice Warriors talking to each other and working. Her eyes trailed back to him.

"He's very unforgiving of the Ice Warriors, more so than even I am." She didn't mention that he was against the treaty completely, and that he would do a lot to make sure these two armies were not allied. That probably would not pass through Alesander very well, and more than likely would those words eventually reach Ice. She regretted telling him. Alaria may have been gone and unable to hear Serafina, who's voice was unnaturally quiet, but who knew what Alesander would say to his leader. She tried not to think about it. She closed her eyes. "He's very old... he doesn't know any better. Please don't blame him."

She felt like she had to stand up for her father, even though he was to blame. She sighed. It wouldn't be long until he dies of old age, she didn't want to put him through any more trouble before he goes to his deathbed. She looked back at Alesander. She wanted to change the subject, desperately, but she could find no words for him: she was lost. She should have known that they had just gotten there, not long before Serafina arrived... she should have calculated the time distance between the Mountains and the Ice Forest. She was foolish and she wasn't thinking clearly, even with the lack of time she was given. She was disappointed.

"But, now that you know... what do you plan on doing? There's nothing you can do about it," or so she hoped. She would protect her father, simply out of instinct, but she had her limits. She looked at Alesander once again, her eyes meeting his and she stared at him intently, her eyebrows slowly furrowing together.

[Kevin Sage]

Sage had remained silent through the entrance of Alaria. He acknowledged her presence out of respect with a nod, though he said nothing directly to her. Clearly, there was a tension between her and the captain standing before Sage; but she seemed to resolve the remaining tension between the small group with a few stern words. Alaria then left them as fast as she had come after delivering the message she had originally come to give.

Sage turned his attention back to Alesander and Serafina. The tables had turned, and the captain was interrogating the Angle. Serafina's first answer was as fluent as the truth, but Sage knew better. There was more to the story than the girl was willing to give - understandable, of course. The captain had caught her in her lie, and with a tone of mock pity, he pleaded for the right answer.

Sage opened his mouth to protest Serafina's answering to the question. After all, no harm here was done, nothing to worry about, and certainly no reason to suspect some sort of revolution from the Angle's allies. Sage's protest was cut off with the girl's confession.

So her father sent her...

"There is plenty that he can do, though there is nothing specifically that needs to be done that the Angles cannot deal with on there own," Sage cut in looking Alesander in the eye. "No harm was done here, and I can assure you that this sort of occurrence will not happen again. I will bring the matter up with Cailen, and perhaps..." Sage turned toward Serafina, "... your father would like to speak with her as well?"

He let the question hang in the air for a moment. Surly the Angles could handle there own matters within their own boarders. They didn't need the Warriors supervising the reprimand.

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[Alesander Victarion]

Alesander’s curiosity was spiked… greatly, by her last confession. Her father? He thought peculiarly. That’s interesting… However, the Captain did not voice his thoughts as the White Wing before him continued to speak. She was ready to defend him, that much was obvious from what she was saying. And she obviously didn’t want any harm to befall him because of Victarion’s actions. What kind of a loyal daughter would?

He breathed in slowly, calculating his thoughts, as Kevin threw his own opinions into the conversation, but unfortunately for the Captain, that was all they were… opinions. They may have been wise from his point of view, and incredibly necessary for continued peace, but every man was always right in their own mind, and Alesander was bound by the laws of his lands. Any attempt of usurping an alliance between two opposing parties was a capital offence, and was equally punishable by either party. Now Alesander was in no part able to actually carry out any intended punishment, but to allow such actions to continue once he had gained knowledge of its existence and origin made him a criminal. Victarion was not about to allow his career to be in jeopardy because of a stranger.

The Captain glanced around him, seeing that the Ranger’s had all dispersed to their duties, except for those of his bodyguard, and just one of them overhearing any criminal intentions could relay that information to… well… anyone.

With a sigh, Alesander repeated what he had been told. ”The Naquam Family, and your father sent you.” He nodded quickly to himself, bringing his mentality back to reality and becoming slightly more forceful in his tone and demeanor. ”You’re right Kevin, nothing needs to be done at all. I guess that you could assume no harm was done, though the intention was clearly there, and might still be for all I am aware of.” he studied Serafina as he said that, continuing on after a brief pause. ”You will bring the mater up with Cailen, and you will assure me that this sort of attack does not occur on my person or any other Ice Warrior again.”

He relaxed and waited. Once they were gone he would inform his Lieutenant to send a raven away to Elina containing information of the Naquam family, and a request for the warrant of the head of the household’s arrest. That, the Fallen Angels didn’t need to know though. ”Is there anything else you wished to discuss before you leave?” Victarion inquired casually…

[Kevin Sage]

Serafina did not answer Sage. Surly Cailen would want to see her father, especially once she finds out he was operating without her consent. Sage was not sure the depths of Cailen's anger or forgiveness, for he has not been the object of any rage or frustration.

He shrugged Serafina's silence off. She was smug toward Alesander as well. Clearly she had no more intentions on speaking to either of them. Sage looked once again toward the captain, "No, there is nothing left to discuss. I'm positive we'll meet again, but we're done here," he said, turning away sharply. In the back of his mind, he prayed their next meeting was as allies.

Sage placed a hand upon Serafina's shoulder, beckoning her to follow him. He could see the light of day leaving them. How long had they been up here? Sage had lost track of time, but the diminishing sunlight told him it had been too long.

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[Serafina Naquam]

Serafina expected to feel a little better after finally admitting to her confession, to her wrong deed, however, she felt even worse and more vulnerable, a state she was hesitant to enter. She bit her lower lip gently and felt a chill run down her spine, well aware at what she had just done: she ratted out her father. Her own father, and if he found out, he was not going to be happy. She grunted in slight displeasure as he mentioned Cailen. She had no interest in speaking with her at the moment, and that wasn't simply because of the alliance: she had not heard from her in quite a long time and she hadn't made any recent announcements in a very long time, a bit distant. A person who did not interact with her people in any way was not worth even calling a leader: Serafina had lost all respect for the woman.

She looked at Alexander cautiously and felt a flare of anger flutter through her: she wasn't stupid. She knew that the report on her father was going to be issued, whether to Ice, or anyone, it was bound to happen. And although her father would probably fight back, more than likely he could not stand up against too many warriors. She sighed and looked away, the day had gone by so much more quickly than Serafina wanted it to. She looked at him carefully and a bit angrily, for obvious reasons. She didn't know where she was going to go, she refused to go home and watch her father being taken away. She may just find an empty tree-house in the Ice Forest, or a friend willing to allow her to sleep over for the night, to get her head straight.

She took a step closer to Alexander and bowed her head slightly. Of course she did not like him, but she respected him. A way to gain her respect is by simply standing up to her, and maybe even sometimes, winning, and Alexander had, in this case, won. She wasn't nearly as willing to admit that, but hopefully a bow of her head would be enough for him. She didn't look at him. "And I apologize for this incident. I do not regret it, but I will apologize none the less." She looked up finally and avoided his eyes. "I have nothing more to say." She felt Kevin's hand on her shoulder and nodded to him, not returning a smile or even a glance. She walked past him and began to run towards the Ice Forest, quickly disappearing behind the trees.

[Alesander Victarion]

Alesander watched as Serafina walked away, and then inevitably broke into a run back in the direction of her home. After watching her frame get gradually smaller and smaller into the distance, he made a note of just how much a single person change in the whole scheme of things.

He sighed genuinely and glanced sideways at Kevin, finally scrutinizing his every fibre, his very person. Yet all he saw was a broken man, torn from his life and his wings. He quickly cast his eyes across the snow and spoke without really looking at the Angel directly, ”You’ll respect the fact that I don’t want you on my base anymore.” He smiled almost slyly and raised his spear in farewell, with a slight nod. ”Goodbye.”

The Captain turned and plodded his way back up the slope, through the thickening snow, back to where his base’s perimeter was being built. Back to business I guess…

-- EXIT POST –

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[Kevin Sage]

Sage's frustration over the situation almost hit a breaking point as Alesander spoke his parting words. His condenscending tone, his sly smile, and his whole demenor spoke to Sage as if he were held in a lower status. A heavy frown crossed his face, and his hands balled into a fist as the captain made his way back into the trees.

This alliance with the Ice Warriors will not last long... especially with men such as that lead their troops...

Sage turned to see he was alone now, again. Perhaps, he decided, he should make his way back to his people. He doubted that he would bring this situation up with Cailen, in spite of the threat it posed. Serafina would be long gone by the time Sage met with Cailen again.

He started to make his way into the forest once again. He would find some quiet place to sleep for the night. His pace would quicken by morning. Sage didn't like being this close to - for lack of a better term - enemy territory.

-exit-

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