[b]”I’ve thought you were many things,”[/b] the Templar replied to the Mage’s outburst, [b]”Stupid isn’t one of them.”[/b] 

The smile she gave Thea was filled with the pain she was too tired to hide. They’d rode hard today but it was clear the journey was yet over with. Kaitlyn looked at Thea out of the corner of her eye. Did Thea even realize that the Templar was trying to be kind? First, by providing her a nice bed in a safe place last night, and now by continuing it her watch. And yet, even when Kaitlyn tried to be nice, Thea seldom seemed to take it the right way. She frowned unconsciously. Perhaps given more time? But no, even if her wound wasn’t as bad as she feared, in a few days’ time the Templar would return to her post and Thea would begin her training. With the war raging on as it did, they’d probably never see each other again.

Any pretense of smiling disappeared as soon as Owen’s name was brought up. Kaitlyn frowned at her traveling companion. [b]”The truth of course. That dark spawn ambushed us on the ride and that Owen fell under their attack.”[/b] Grabbing her water skin, Kaitlyn brought it to her lips, [b]”Why? I’ve got nothing to hide.”[/b] But this time their eyes did not meet. Perhaps Thea suspected something was wrong with the wound festering on the Templar’s arm. Either way, Kaitlyn wished to leave the subject.

Her silent prey was answered as a familiar voice rang through the air. [b]”Hail, Templar McKarth.”[/b] Kaitlyn looked up in time to see a man striding over towards her. She’d recognize his pug face anywhere. Not all Templars were as bad as Thea apparently believed them to be, but this one was one of the worst. He was a brutish, masculinist, prick, something Kailtyn knew first hand since they’d trained together. 

[b]”Henrick Falcoy”[/b] The Templar responded and stood up so they’d be on the same eye level. Neither one of them saluted.

[b]”Fancy seeing you here in headquarters. Not something I expected ever since you slinked off to…well that isn’t very important is it?”[/b] His eyes wandered over to where Thea was sitting, beefy palms coming together. [b]”Last I heard, you were still palling around with Dopey. I suppose this one’s a bit of an improvement. Or is she ripe for the Rite as well.”[/b] Kaitlyn ground her teeth together before forcing herself to smile.

[b]”I am her escort.”[/b] Is was all the words she could form while still maintaining her temper.

[b]”Well at least this one’s more attractive, although there’s something…”[/b] Henrick never finished. His words were cut off as Kaitlyn fist raked across his jaw. Never one to be caught off guard for long, Henrick reached out and caught the female Templar by the shoulder, to bend her down and deliver a few blows to her abdomen.