Galahad stepped onto the deck, filling his lungs with the cold, sharp air. It brought clarity to him and his thoughts, if for just a moment. Perhaps Ziotea was right, he was a mess right now- but nevertheless, he couldn't stop now. He was so close- he needed just another step forward. That one step was the difference between life and death for his Warband- and the others they had brought along with them. The Man in Black, the Silver Fleet. Galahad looked down at the ship he rode forth upon with unease. What ties did Father Ilya's family have to the Silver Fleet? Galahad frowned- he'd have to keep an eye on Father Ilya- a task while not daunting in and of itself, was a lot to place onto Galahad's already overflowing plate of responsibilities. Furthermore, he couldn't exactly ask anyone to spy on the young scion without raising suspicion. There had to be a way. 

Galahad's eyes caught the back of Ragnar's head. Yes, perhaps now would be the time to talk. Ragnar had been snippier than usual lately, though Galahad could not exactly put his finger on the reason why? Perhaps jealousy? The two had been very competitive during their time in the seminary after all. Somehow, all of their arguments felt like they had taken place ages ago- as if they were memories they had as school children rather than no more than a few months ago. So much had happened since that it was hard to think of himself as the same person that had left the seminary just a little while ago. 

"Ragnar." Galahad called out, his tone as even as ever as he approached the smaller inquisitor. His name was all he got out before Ragnar went off at him. His brother was still angry it seemed. Still, Galahad allowed Ragnar his moment to spit vitriol at him. He responded with a sigh. 

"Everyone needs someone to protect them Ragnar." He said, taking a few steps past his brother to stare off into the ice ahead of them. "That's why we trained as a Warband in the Seminary. If you haven't figured that out by now, you're nothing more than a corpse walking on borrowed time."

"I've never doubted your strength, and I've never implied that you weren't vital to our group- quite the opposite in fact, which is why I wanted you to stay behind in the first place. What would you have done in my position? If you were the Warleader and I was the Aegis? Would you send out the queen to capture every pawn on the board?"

"The queen is powerful because it's mere presence can threaten the opponent. But the queen dies to the pawn as easily as the pawn dies to the queen, and then the battle becomes that much harder."

"Let me put it into simpler terms, dear brother." Galahad said, turning to face him now- his voice cold and harsh. "If [i]you[/i] die. We [i]all [/i]die. You might be willing to throw your life away in pursuit of glory, but I'm not going to let you sacrifice the rest of the Warband to do so."

"I will apologize for insulting your pride, but I will not apologize for my order- that you so gleefully ignored by the way." Galahad continued, his voice taking on a warmer, if still steely tone- not unlike that of an exasperated older brother. "Which is why we're all out here committing to a reconnaissance by force, as opposed to a smaller, more efficient scouting party. If we had found something worth sending a full party, then of course you would've been sent out with the rest. But here we are."

Taking a deep breath, Galahad turned his head to face the ice again. "Now, as far as what I [i]actually[/i] came out here for..."

Galahad was quiet for a moment, as if he were choosing his next words carefully or lost in thought. 

"To be blunt, I'm assigning you to the position of Squad Leader- If I'm unavailable or otherwise indisposed, you will have tactical command of the Warband." 

"There have been some... [i]revelations[/i]... that I have discovered. I believe the Warband is walking into great danger, and I will need your help to protect them all. I will explain in greater detail once we get back from this recon."

"That is all." Galahad concluded, as he turned away and began walking off to the front of the ship. He paused after a few steps, his head lowered for a moment, but did not turn to face his brother.

"I trust you."