Tobi had that mischievous grin on his face as he exited the room.  He enjoyed teasing Arn as the senior mage tended to have a blank stoic look most of the time.  The time that he had been able to get a rise out of him had been few and far between.  However, in just the past couple of hours since the awakening of the young girl, Arn had demonstrated everything from anger, to shame, to something that might have looked like caring. 

 

His smile widened as he imagined all the opportunities and situations that he could exploit to see even more reactions of the once cool and collected battle mage.  His steps became bouncy at his private joy of future mischief when Tyrhallan’s voice rang out behind him.  The young mage stopped mid step and hunched his shoulders as if expecting a strike.  He even worried for a second that someone had managed to discern what he was thinking of doing to his superior.  He gulped and turned slowly to see Knight Captain approaching.

 

Tobi’s distress became even more pronounced in his face as the imposing figure of the knight got closer to him.  He knew that Arn was severe but he had heard the stories that knights could take offense easily and the only way to correct that offense was by ritual combat which was often deadly.  These of course were myths circulated by young minds but to the young mage they were all but factual. He gulped again and then managed a weak [color=00aeef]“Yeeees s sir?”[/color]

 

When Tyrhallan spoke and insinuated as to the reason for stopping Tobi, the young mage’s eyes grew wider.  He had been found out!  He was probably going to face a court martial, maybe even getting flogged or worse they would send him to work in the mines never seeing the light of day again.

 

The young man gulped a third time and was ready to confess his sins and ask for forginvess when the actual issue came up.  He sighed evidentily and then his complexion changed to a reluctant resolve.  He remembered Arn’s silent warning and order.  No matter the consequence, even if it was any he had previously envisioned when he thought he was in trouble for insubordination, he would endure it to uphold his senior’s order.

 

He took a stedying breath and spoke in a clear voice. [color=00aeef] “Knight Captain, I am afraid I do not know much.  From what I know, she is a refugee that was in one of the ships being chased.  She must have been badly injured because she was passed out when Master Mage Arn finally awoke.  She was evaluated by a medic when she woke up and was deemed needing bed rest but he said nothing else.”[/color]  He stopped here and appraised Tyrhallan to see if the other found any fault or error in what the young man said.  At the same time, he was wondering how he would answer the question regarding their involvement. So he answered in the way he thought would lead to the least amount of questioning.

 

[color=00aeef]“In regards to Master Mage Arn’s behavior.  No.  It is not normal.  He is often professional and even though many a young and good looking mage has tried to win his favor, none had succeeded.” [/color] A slight smirk crossed the young man’s face in a flash.  “I left the room to give them privacy.  If indeed Master Mage Arn has been fallen under the lady’s spell, then I did not want to be a third wheel”  He cleared his throat to mask a chuckle that was threatening to break his professional acting. [color=00aeef] “So Knight Captain. I am afraid I do not know much of what was said or done in that room.” [/color]

 

At the mention of another mage a pensive look formed in Tobi’s face.  [color=00aeef]“Every mage is listed by Squad and you being a tactical commander should have access to the reports.  If you knew the name that would help.  I know for a fact none of the Shooting Stars where mobilized for his operation and I think only one or two squads were on alert but not actually engaged.  I do believe however that there were some mercenary mages that were attached to the actual vanguard ships.” [/color] The young mage shrugged. [color=00aeef] “I can try to ask around for you but we were not there when the young lady was brought in.” [/color] He added respectfully.  [color=00aeef]“I am Adept Mage Thobias son of Thomas Tailor.  My squad is the Shooting Stars as I am sure you know.  I am at your service if you require any further assistance”  Then thinking quickly about it he added “Although, I am sure you would have to route a formal request via Captain Evander Alessan if you required me for more than just questions.”[/color]

 

Tobi knew that the Shooting Star Captain would shit bricks if he just went away with the Knight Captain like Arn had.  Evander barely had control of the Shooting Stars as it was.  Any further disregard for his command would probably result in serious consequences for somebody. The young mage was not eager for that somebody to be him.

 

Arn received the small shivering figure of the young lady.  His arms wrapped around her protectively.  The motion surprised him greatly even as his body moved naturally to show a sensitivity that he did not know he possessed.  Not since his mother, had the senior mage had any sort of physical or emotional contact with anybody.  He had gratefully assumed a detached and stoic attitude that rubbed many the wrong way.  Many female mages had tried to have him turn their way both as a challenge to be the one who managed to seduce such a well-known figure and also a few who truly had been enamored with the unattainable battle mage.

 

Even as he questioned his own actions, Arn rested his chin on the top of the young girl’s head.  His body in reaction to her closeness and her shivering, unconsciously radiated a warmth that was soothing.   He took a mental note of this reaction for future assessment in a theory he had started to formulate. In the mean time, his mind worked on another problem.  Eilis had a fear of being used as a weapon.  Considering himself a weapon, Arn knew that weapons were only worthy if they were strong and devastating. 

 

The senior mage had mixed emotions regarding wanting to see Eilis at her full potential as any studious person who is trying to understand magic might be and his assumption that as powerful as he already assumes her to be, she might not be the strongest.  Her mere presence amongst them could be dangerous to all of them.  He rubbed her arm reassuringly as he spoke into the future.  [color=0054a6]“I will not let you be taken.”[/color] His words were calm but assertive.  He had spoke with all his heart and he made a promise to himself just as he had given her.  He needed to become stronger to hold back whatever tide was to befall on them.  The dark clouds of battle were starting to gather.  Only the strong would survive the tempest.