Her words were somewhat of a revelation to him.  He had lived with the feeling so long that it had been almost something of a necessity.  It had fueled his magic.  It had made it that much more destructive.  It had earned him a title that was known through out the mage ranks even as high as the Archmage.  

Yet not once, had he felt that it was something outside of him.  The mage had always felt anger as long as he could remember.  It had been cooled by his mother’s loving and gentle nature despite their plight.  He had felt powerless which meant he had sought power.  

Most mages felt something akin to pleasure when they used magic.  The power that flowed through them as they taped into the Aether made them feel invincible.  Indeed, the feats they could produce were next to miraculous.  This had been a way for him to channel his anger.  

More and more he was visited by memories of his past.  All the injustices, the torment, the pain and finally, the death of the person most precious to him.  All these had incrementally added to the pool of repressed anger.  Though it was true that as time passed, his anger became more tempered more focused, it never truly disappeared.  

Even his way of acting, of talking were all focused on ensuring that his anger remained intact to be released in a fury of flames that very effectively burned any and all before him.  He had power now and only one fate awaited any who stood in his way. 

He sighed at the truth in her words.  Arn could see it now.  His mind’s eye could see how the benefits that his anger posed but he could very well see how it could consume him.  

The battle mage would indeed want to turn back the hands of time.  He wished he could save his mother from the life she had to lead.  If he had been a tenth as powerful as he was now, none would dare harm her.  Was this why he was trying to use his power now to prevent any harm to fall on Eilis?

He selfishly appreciated and enjoyed the physical touch.  It sent sparks down his spine.  It caused hi to feel warm inside, which translated to his touch.  The wounded mage was about to protest her trying to get up but he was silenced by the journey of her hand.  He could not help but look at her face.  Confusion on his own as she finally traced his jaw.

Arn was transfixed.  Even if she had not asked him to listen, there was little he could do.  Even through Dark Sight eyes, it seemed she could look right into his soul.  Who was this girl? Why had she made such an impact in him?  It had not been the first time he had been with a girl.  With a fame such as his, some junior mages had attempted to make passes at him.  He had no interest in any of that.  

But Eilis was different.  Her words seemed profound and spoke to him on a level that not even the wise instructors of the Cauldron or the Academy had impacted him.   His intelligent mind wanted to ask more of this theory.  He took a breath to speak but her gentle fingers on his lips stopped any words from coming out. 

She wondered why the mage had decided to champion her. He seconded her question in his mind.  What was this deep connection he felt to her?  Did it had to do with how both of their strong affinities to Gia’s life force?  He searched his emotions to make sure he had not developed some feelings but he already knew this could not be it. 

Suddenly he remembered to make sure to explain that what he had meant when he told her that she had awakened something in him he thought lost was not a declaration of love.  The mage had forgotten the enjoyment of human connection.  He did not necessarily felt attraction to her on a lust, or romantic level but more on a link that 

As if she had read his thoughts, she spoke of wanting to be knight.  His face flushed with embarrassment.  Did she believe his vows were nothing more than bravado in an attempt to impress her by seeming like a hero?  

His thoughts were interrupted by her attempt at standing up.  When Eilis wavered he instinctively held her by the only place that seemed possible, her waist. 

As if the world itself was stacking against him, he heard a familiar voice and his head snapped up in time to see the wide grinning face of the silver haired Knight Captain.  His eyes also caught the face of poor Tobi that communicated apology and distress and finally wide eyed amazement at the scene before him. 

Poor Tobi had been caught unawares as he heard somebody talk behind him.  He had too busy gawking at a regular knight he never even heard Tyrhallan’s approach.  Turning, his mouth all but flew open.  The young man had heard of all the knights of renown but he had most definitely heard of the Sky Baron.  
.
All the young mage could do was produce a strangled croak to answer the questions posed to him.  He could not even move to stop the Knight Captain from disturbing his senior’s episode.  Not that he could have.  Though there was not really a rank comparison between mages and knights, respect and deference was still expected.  Tobi was merely a apprentice mage.  Still, his loyalty towards Arn made him try to block the man’s path to no avail.   

He rushed behind him trying to utter a warning or an apology but all he could do was stare at what many considered a celibate or perhaps eunuch Arn holding a young woman by the waist. 

The senior mage scowled at Tobi who merely shrugged and pointed with his head towards Tyrhallan as if that explained his inability to stop the man.  Arn turned his attention towards the Knight Captain. 

[color=0054a6]“My apologies Knight Captain.  You are correct.  We should be resting.  This is Miss Eilis, a refugee.”[/color]  He upheld his promise and did not divulge her secret.  He did not necessary mean to lie to Tyrhallan knowing him to be an honorable man, but his word mean that the other man would just have to find out on his own. 

He continued in an even professional tone.  [color=0054a6]“A doctor that came in to check on us earlier did mention he had berated you regarding my condition and those of others who participated in the mission.  My apologies for taking that.  A leader’s burden of command is never limited to just the events of the mission.”[/color]  He bowed his apologies, 

Arn turned to Eilis and spoke to her softly.  [color=0054a6]“Miss. Eilis, this is Knight Captain Tyrhallan.  It was he who led the assault to save the refugees from the Veimese frigates.  Please sit, you have to rest”[/color] His hands gently pushed her back into the bed.  

He turned to Tyrhallan.  [color=0054a6]“She is unable to see clearly right now”[/color]  he offered as explanation in the even the Knight Captain would wonder why she did not seem to be able to focus on his position. 
[color=0054a6]“Is Knight Dalmer alright?  We got separated when you saved me from my aerial drop.”[/color]  He quickly changed the subject not wanting Eilis, or what had probably seemed like an amorous scene be the topic of conversation.