[color=0054a6][b]Markus Peregris[/b][/color]

The sun had risen into the morning by the time Markus got back to the gates of Candaeln. Arrivals so early in the day were unusual, but Markus paid that no mind. He'd tried setting out for home as soon as his task had been tended to- a Thaln noblemen wanted his family escorted to their holiday home and he feared brigands, so he'd requisitioned a Knight as protection. But a multitude of setbacks had turned what should have been a simple mission into an aggravation. A broken wagon wheel, a twisted horse hoof, inclimate weather, and of course the actual brigands had all extended the trip by days. He'd made a strong effort to get back last night. In fact, he'd gotten inside of two hour's ride before dusk passed into night and it became simply too dark. He could've waited until the afternoon, but his body was pining for the warm, blessed waters of the baths, and they were, in his opinion, at their best first thing in the morning. Not to mention it would be waffles for breakfast if he had the day right. 

So, calling upon his time spent in the Emerald Winds Mercenaries, he roused himself at the crack of dawn, packed up his campsite, and made for the headquarters. He wasn't a morning person by any stretch, but mercifully neither were any of the people he had to interact with, so conversaion was kept to a minimum. Once his horse was stabled, he went directly to his room and shed his armor. He'd need to take some time cleaning it later, after the beating it had taken from the rain and the mud, but when swords and clubs had rained down it hadn't budged an inch. Just as it was supposed to perform. His body, however, was practically creaking. He'd learned to ignore the discomfort that was inherent in wearing it, but that didn't stop it from being ornery and awful to sleep in. 

As fast as he could he'd grabbed a towel, donned some everyday clothes, and headed for the men's bath. Once inside, the steam and warm water sapped the ache and fatigue from his very bones wherever it touched, and he found himself slipping further in to better enjoy it. Not long after, however, he was drying himself and redressing. The water was lovely, but if he spent too much time in there he may never have left! And so, he slung his trusted shield over his arm as he moved for the door. Most people would think it unconventional and strange to take a shield into the bath, but Markus was never able to feel whole without the Falcon's Wing close at hand. Plus, he thought, he'd never been able to determine if it was blessed by the goddesses or simply very strongly enchanted, and he figured if it was the former being near some sacred waters would do it some good. 

By the time that line of thought had concluded, he was in the mess hall and could smell the food from there. Having subsisted on field rations for the previous four days, it was all Markus could do to restrain himself from rushing to the head of the line. Once he'd gotten his breakfast, he forced himself to wait until he got to a table to dive into it. As soon as he had found a spot to sit, however, he was devouring it.