[center][h3][color=8F9779]General Cormorant Sanders – the Stands[/color][/h3]
[@Caits][@Hatakekuro][/center]

So far, the sights of the day had been met with silence by the commander of Frenzy Plant.  He had successfully predicted that Zander, seemingly a man so worrying and fearful, would have no problems with the trial of fear.  It was as the Ruby Knight had always insisted: cautiousness didn't mean being scared of whatever was out there, but rather, being prepared enough that no fear of the unknown was necessary.  Sanders's wrinkled, craggy face was unchanged, but his eyes had narrowed slightly to see Zander coming in third and standing above the others, whose fears were more visceral.  It wasn't done in skepticism or disappointment, but in the way that eyes narrow when one is smiling, even if the face's own wouldn't permit himself a smile.

The first duel of the day had warranted the closing of his eyes in meditation, however.  From a very short period of time after finding Hyun onward, he'd been aware of her goals.  Sanders was not opposed to the idea of using his guild as an army, but from the outset he knew that this wasn't the solution Hyun needed.  The swordswoman needed to grow stronger, not only physically but mentally, to be able to find reasons to live if her grand purpose was denied her.  Then the Grand Magic Games were announced.  From his conference with Morimato Tsubano, he knew that Hyun hadn't quite grown to the level she needed to be at.  As was only natural given her obsession, she had focused on combat mastery before opening up to her allies.  It was too soon.  And so, everything had turned out as expected.  If Hyun had not been so focused on her dream, she might have even beaten Damian, but now it was all over.  For once in his life, Sanders didn't really know what to do.

He felt one of the soldiers -Kumbha- at his side shift, and discreetly looked to his left.  Another guildmaster was approaching, with a grim-looking swordsman in green just behind her.  Kumbha was looking too, his prominent chin pointed in Jamie's direction.  On Sander's other side, Leixia had noticed them too, and was watching them with a steely expression.  When Jamie arrived and spoke, Sanders frowned.  [color=8F9779]”Oh?”[/color]  Leaning on his staff, he took another look at the current battle.  It was a clash of ice and metal, and Sanders felt that the odds were in Sasha's favor; she was, after all, one of the top members of Phoenix Wing, and that guild had already demonstrated that they'd be pulling zero punches.

Sanders did not rise to his feet, but turned Jamie's way.  Noticing this, Kumbha made a 'hmph' noise and stood up to find another seat, allowing Jamie to take his.  The Gel Magician found an unoccupied aisle seat a few rows back, and as he sat back down, it was fairly clear that his attention was on Phoenix Wing's master, rather than the fight.  For most of the soldiers, however, the intrusion was ignored.  [color=8F9779]”Sit, and please, call me Cormorant.  Or Corm.  What is it I can do for you?”[/color]