[table][row][i][b][color=a0410d]Trace Retloth[/color][/b]
Merchant Row[/i][/row][cell]

Trace heard the bandit archer die and swung his spear sharply to reduce the amount of bandit blood on the blade.  The immediate area had become more dangerous with spreading fires and more bandits likely to arrive any minute.  But, his mind was preoccupied with the person that he was staring at currently.

Artimesia... the Dark Mage... with whom he had spent the afternoon.  It wasn't a terribly enjoyable afternoon, but he had experienced far worse.  He had suspicions about why she was seeking a sick person, but even a casual examination revealed those thought and feelings to be based almost exclusively on stories he was told as a child.  There was probably truth to those stories.  But, he had learned that few things are really as black and white as they seem.

He took a look back at the guardsman's stunned face.  That guy was loyal to the boss/Prince... whatever... Leaving him behind wouldn't look good unless he was taking his wounded self to the Castle.  But, Trace had a strong feeling that his employer was probably in the thick of the worst combat zone right now.  He had seemed that type.

Dead men pay poorly.

[color=a0410d]"Artemisia."[/color]  He said, closing the distance between them while they were still out of the guardsman's hearing.  "Here."  He took out his vulnerary and offered it to her.  [color=a0410d]"I need to keep my employer alive and paying.  You should go to the castle with that guard.  He's wounded but better than nothing.  Use this on him if you need to help him move faster."[/color]

His tone was as simple as ever, but it felt out of place now... as though that flat mundane voice was a cloak that kept the truth in shadow.  His eyes were a different story.  Even shaded by the edge of his helmet, they shone with a raging mix of emotions.  But, the strongest one wasn't fear.  It was something else, perhaps... respect.

There wasn't much time to talk in the midst of an attack and evacuation.  As much as he wanted to have a more substantial conversation with her, there really wasn't time and this wasn't the place.  So, whether she accepted the vulnerary or not, he said, [color=a0410d]"I'd like to talk more... In a quieter place."[/color]

[/cell]
[cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/QzyCrZx.jpg[/img]
[center]_________________________
Status: [color=lawngreen]Uninjured and Deliberate[/color]
[/center][u]Class[/u]: Recruit
[u]Inventory[/u]:[list][*]Iron Lance
[*]Vulnerary(Offered)[/list]

Exp:10
[/cell][/table]