For the People

JP with Bandorchu, Lorem, Omni, and LucianNepreen

Tarmen excepted Voah’s thanks with a nod, a shared look reaffirming their shared concern. He had often considered finding a time to speak with her alone, but it never felt right especially with the strain between her and Gonyaul. Last thing he needed was a misunderstanding due to a selfish need to be heard. Just knowing she understood to a degree was good enough for now.
Speaking of the boy, Tarmen noticed he had gravitated towards the horse he had rode on. The manner in which he interacted with her made him assume they had met before, though how such a coincidence was possible… well he shouldn’t be surprised at this point.
A part of him was glad to see the more spirited side of Gonyaul return, even if it was all towards a horse. They all needed something right now.
Moving himself closer to Alexis, he brought himself into the conversation.

“I feel stupid for askin’, but for the sake of keepin’ a low profile there wouldn’t be an option of splittin’ up would there? Unless there has been some word to the Duke otherwise, we should still be honorable citizens of the Empire right?”

He gestured between himself and her with a half-hearted smirk.

What do you know. So in the end it took a horse to get Gonyaul back. Well, Alexis wasn’t complaining. It was one little worry less.

She smiled, both at the blossoming recovery of her friend but also back at Voah in response.

“That is a valid option.”
She agreed with Tarmen.

“I believe for now the general direction is Ostiarium. We can’t get swallowed by the horde. The question is how close to it.”

She looked at her friend somberly.

“There is no sugarcoating it, you got a prize on your head. And I don’t want either of you anywhere near the Inquisition. BUT…”

Alexis sighed.

“I think… I want them to at least know about this magik thing. And well. That there is a Helian at the head of the Horde, someone who has a much better idea how they work than the Odsier had. So that they are at least prepared, for whatever that is worth.”

Tarmen weighed Alexis’s words with some hesitation. He wasn’t fully onboard with her idea of being the people’s guardian, the same people that would most likely mob them if they learned their true intentions.
He voiced another issue he had with her idea.

“Any information they have will benefit the Empire. Most we can do that won’t openly benefit the Duke is simply warn them to leave.”

He did feel a tug within himself upon saying it, memories trying to surface before he shut them out.
Just another change to deal with, but not now, as he cleared his throat to continue.

“Besides, we start spreadin’ news like that and we’ll either be told to shove off or any semblance of good will with the Duke will be blown. Last time I checked he didn’t like any thought against a war.”

“I don’t care about the fucking Duke or the fucking Empire. I care about the people of Ostiarium.”

Alexis stated matter-of-factly.

“And this is hardly about discussing the necessity of war, ‘cause war is coming to their door steps this time, wether they want it or not.”

She sighed again.

“Look, I’m not talking about running around the streets screaming about divine magik users coming to murder them. But, and I can hardly believe I’m saying this, maybe we could at least find Sir Zane and let him know.”

Despite the grievances she might have had with him, the mercenary still respected the old knight and believed he had the well-being of the people at heart. Most of the time at least.

Gonyaul was brushing down Amu with his hands. He had removed the saddle and bridle. He learned how to ride bareback from his time with the Odsier, and preferred it.

He was conversing, in Vauxian still, with Amu. He was telling her all about his adventures since they parted. Some parts of his one way conversation sounded happy and others sounded sad. By the time he finished he had caught her up on the bullet points; however, would need more time to get into his feelings on the whole thing.

Occasionally he would key in on a word or two of his companions.