Geoffrey let out a small sigh before speaking. [color=f26522]"I don't think I'm too distraught about the soldiers - granted, they all look like worthy foes, yet ever since we entered this valley, I haven't been able to shake this feeling..."[/color] He stood and turned his head toward the castle's large doors, wondering how long it would be until the messenger arrived. He looked over at Kehah, the muscles in his face beginning to tense. [color=f26522]"I may be thinking on it a bit much, but there's something going on here. Much bigger than just war negotiations."[/color] The young tactician's icy blue eyes met the woman's gray gaze.

[color=f26522]"I have to ask - I read your report, so I know who you are. You've proven your capability as a warrior many times over. Even put some of our superiors to shame with how you handle things on and off the field. There are even rumors, though I'm not one to gossip, about a group of mercenaries you tagged along with. So you're obviously a force to be reckoned with. But I don't think you came here to show off your skills, and none of the commanders have ever said this is an obligation. So, simply put - why are you here?"[/color]

The muscles, which had loosened during the conversation with the young Lieutenant, once again coiled in response to his line of questioning. Any emotion one would have seen in her eyes now shuttered closed. "There's no doubt that there's more than war negotiations going on, Lieutenant." Was her terse reply. She contemplated not answering his questions about her; she didn't believe they were any of his business. But his tattoos- the same exact ones that Maar'von had on his right arm- [i]'And don't those one's indicate lineage? They shouldn't have the same tattoos unless they're...'[/i] Her eyes slid to his auburn hair, his fave shape, and his eyes. His eyes, which were too blue to match Maar'von's deep brown, yet seemed to hold her gaze just the same. [i]'...Family. Shit.'[/i]

"By the Spirits' Graces." She muttered to herself. Now she really had to keep him alive. 

Shoulder's squared, she crossed her arms and leveled him with a steely glare. "Barring gossip, which your soldiers seems to have more of than skill," Ok, so the jab was unnecessary, but being underhanded is kind of her job. "I traveled with a group that trained me in all manner of offensive, defensive, and general tactics. They, overall. taught me how to survive. I'm sure my blade tutor taught me fighting skills you'd recognize from your tribe." Both her and Maar'von had traditions and skills born from being born at forest-lined villages. Though her village had no traditional tattoos, she has a few on her back and shoulders that Maar'von insisted she got once she was a full member of the mercenaries. He said it was a shame that a village like his own had no way of representing themselves.

"And for that last part?" She added, as though it was an afterthought. "I came to kill them," Her eyes cut to the Onyxians. "For what they represent. For what they did nigh on ten years ago. Simple as that." A cold wind pushed her hair forward, casting an ominous shadow across her face as she spoke her last words. "I'm not complicated enough to have a noble or patriotic reason. I just like to kill."

Geoffrey listened intently as Kehah's words turned cold, noting the animosity in her voice as she spoke. He glanced back toward the other White Rock soldiers, watching them sit or stand in huddled circles, occasionally looking across the field at the Onyxians, then back to their small groups. It was impressive that they contained themselves so well - most of these men had seemed so anxious to fight during the trek up the mountain, but now that they were finally here, they seemed more reserved then ever.

[color=f26522]"Our fabled Lord Grimm sure likes to keep us waiting,"[/color] Geoffrey mumbled, looking again at the large doors. He tried to see inside of a few of the windows high above, but was met by dark shadows inside.

He turned back to Kehah, watching as she peered over at the Onyxians, a definite hatred burning in her eyes. He slumped back against the wall and stared up into the sky, spotting just a few clouds dancing across the otherwise clear blue air. [color=f26522]"So, I hate to ask this of you, but..."[/color] He put his head back down, revealing a small grin across his lips. [color=f26522]"Being cooped up in an office for so long hasn't really helped me prepare, physically, for this task. In fact, my sword arm is a bit flimsy - not too useful if an Onyxian jumps me on my way to the well. Maybe we could spar after the first meeting inside?"[/color] Geoffrey snickered a bit, trying to lighten the mood while hoping he actually could spar her - he needed the exercise, and didn't trust himself against one of the larger Onyxian soldiers.

"Oh, I can most definitely help you with that," She answered, tone considerably lighter than before. The air seemed to shift with the changes in her attitude, as a another, softer breeze passed by and her hair settled back around her shoulders. While her inner turmoil still stirred, she gave off the appearance of relaxing; her arms uncrossed, head tilted playfully towards Geoffrey as a smirk came back to her lips. "I hope you remember the basics, at least."

Before he could reply, however, Kehah tensed up once more, head snapping over to the castle's entrance as a man appeared from it's shadows. A cold wind burst through the court yard as his mask stared out at them. She stepped just slightly in front of the Lieutenant, hand on a dagger, as she waited for the messenger to speak.