[center][h1][sub][color=darkred][b][u]G O R O U[/u][/b][/color][/sub][/h1]
[h3][i][b]Greymont Castle - Main Gates[/b][/i][/h3][hr][/center]
As the others spilled out around them, the courtyard became somewhat bustling. Without taking his eyes off Rhea--though again, who could tell where he was actually looking behind the mask--Gorou adjusted his scabbard just in time for the little healer to dash past them. Round the stable she went, into a hedge, then the unpleasant sound of retching told them that something hadn't agreed with her at breakfast. Gorou wrinkled his nose at the smell, but his head never turned, not even when the little boy dressed as a girl came round the other side and nearly ran into Rhea's wyvern. As he stumbled back from the beast, Gorou took one half step to the side to avoid the boy falling into him, again without looking. His mouth started to move to say something this time, but the child ran away and Gorou stayed silent after all.

Maize was shouting over the murmur of other voices, again pushing them to hurry it up. Had something urgent changed the nature of their mission?

Rhea's answers were just as disappointing as the Prince's had been. Gorou began to feel exasperated, but maintained his composure. At this point he might as well let it go. In the end, perhaps it didn't matter. War or not, all a warrior had to worry about was the next battle ahead of him. When Gaivred introduced himself, Gorou finally turned away from Rhea and replied as directly as he'd been addressed.

[@Kazemitsu]"A pleasure, Sir Gaivred. I look forward to working with you." A slight bow of the head, much as he'd addressed Jauna, and then he returned to the conversation with Rhea. She had relaxed somewhat, but still seemed wary--a wise policy.

[@Ambra]"My reason for being here is simply that Captain Aiden happened to see me fight against some few raiders. I'd been pirate hunting, so to speak, and I'm well-traveled within Estala's borders, so he thought I would be a good recommendation for this operation. Everyone knows the Crown pays well, and the fewer pirates around the better, so I had little reason to refuse. As for my purpose..." he pulled his scabbard a few inches from where it had been thrust through the folds of his belt-sash, turning somewhat to display the weapon's features. The quality of his voice changed somewhat, as if he were a priest speaking of the scriptures.

"No matter where I go or what work I take, my only purpose lies in this. I have dueled many schools of the blade, but knights are not the only ones to wield them. Pirates. Bandits. No matter who they be...if they hold a sword in their hands, I wish to surpass them. My purpose...is to find what lies at the pinnacle of that path--and then cut a new one beyond it."

He returned the sheath to its proper place at his side, and was quiet for a moment. When Rhea offered to share her Wyvern, he looked at Icarus's great scaly head and then back at the dame.

"It would certainly be something, to ride upon wings. If you're certain it wouldn't trouble you or the proud steed, I'll take you up on that offer." [i]And perhaps, in the process, ease your mind.[/i]