The Obsidian Empire

Chapter 8: Standards

The sight of a Tessian transport vessel approaching is far more intimidating than any of them were expecting, and that includes Dumaine. The sun is just beginning to set when the vessel anchors and the ship's crew begins to lower the ramp to allow the assembled group to board.

Llwell hurries to Guardian Ildilyntra and looks around. "Where's Etho? Have you seen him since we spoke earlier?"

"I believe he has already returned to Tibratall," the guardian says. "I can tell he's worried about you. Maybe watching you leave would be too hard," she guesses.

Dumaine chuckles and smiles stoically. "Watching me leave is harder, more likely. I don't know how the good people of the Restoration will survive without my presence there to inspire them."

Sillavanna groans. "Do we really have to bring the mage with us? I'm not sure how much 'Tessian' I can take on this journey," she growls and Dumaine simply winks at her.

"I'm sorry, Paladin. I'm afraid this Tessian is already taken. But if you'd be willing to lower your standards, maybe I can find some other nice lad to court you to fill that Tessian-shaped hole in your bitter, stony heart."

The paladin grimaces at the mage and turns to face Rosanhi. "Are the scouts ready?" she asks and irritably crosses her arms.

The spymaster offers a single nod and glances over at Thylle who is accompanied by two other elven scouts of Clan Tathalan. All three elves are dressed in simple serving outfits, and despite the simplicity of the clothes, Thylle somehow makes it look good.

"We're ready. But if any T'Sian wankjobs get handsy, I make no promises that my boys and I won't break some legs," they state venomously and reach up to brush a loose strand of their black hair that slips out of their bun behind their ear.

Llwell sighs. "Thylle, remember. We're going to Tessiavar. No killing people or breaking their bones."

"I thought killing people is the national sport in Tessiavar," Thylle snickers.

Dumaine shrugs and nods. "He's not wrong," he turns his focus to Thylle. "However, you're an elf."

"And you're liable," they deadpan before simply walking away with the other two scouts in tow.

Guardian Ildilyntra takes Llwell's hands in her own which reels his attention back onto her. Her green and brown heterochromia eyes make no attempt to mask the worry in her heart, but behind it is faith, trust that they are going to be okay.

"Venali kasdor, Llwellyn. Nasir dorfallas," she says and reaches up to hold his face tenderly in her hands.

Llwell smiles and nods. "I will, Guardian. I'll find her and bring her home. Ta fellaslan," he leans down to press their foreheads together, closing their eyes as their marks of their clan meet.

Ildilyntra returns the smile. "I know you will. Katar kinfallyn, feno."

"I love you too, Guardian. Please take care of Etho while we're away."

He wishes he had her confidence, but he does believe in the plan and he trusts that Rosanhi, Sillavanna and Thylle will carry out their orders and get them all through this. Preferably in one piece. He himself may not have the confidence, but if his friends do then he will have faith in them.

He has faith in Dumaine too, but there's still that part of his heart telling him that he doesn't want him to leave and become a magister. So the faith he has for him is more so placed in hoping that fallback plan never has to happen. The faith is in the evidence he gathered that Llwell is going to be presenting to the Magisterium. This is going to work. It has to.