[color=gray]
[center]
[img]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b4/41/7d/b4417da344b64a3c1b18ce52a838542c.jpg[/img]
[h1][color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b][u]Rearguard[/u][/b][/color][/h1]
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_hbztJlyiQ](Mood Music)[/url]
[/center]

Auriel had spent her time at the cave entrance wracked with anxiety. The inexperienced heroes had gone into the cave alone to hunt down an infamous bandit lord. She didn't want to disobey their command to remain at the rear to cover their flank, but she found herself toying with the thought to turn and follow in after them. After all, in a cave, long swords like Cole's would serve as a detriment to him as he likely wouldn't have enough room to swing in his deadly arcs. It would limit his offensive options and make him predictable. And if Fer was to take the lead, then the two would immediately find themselves on the defensive with the sword unable to reach past them. Auriel didn't know how wide or how high the cave was inside, so she was constantly thinking of the worst case scenarios. With her spear, Auriel could keep the enemy at a distance in the close quarters and still be able to deliver an unstoppable flurry of jabs at different angles. Her weaponry was best suited for the cave, and yet here she was, stuck with the gruff man that Auriel had come to dislike. Marcino.

Every once in a while, Auriel could hear the clang of metal of metal as weapons clashed. Auriel's anxiety would spike again and again, only to go down once she heard the cries of pain from voices she didn't recognize. They were doing well. Auriel took a deep breath and held it in her chest, only to let it out slowly in an attempt to calm her nerves. She hoped that Rayla would go down easily, and they could be done with this business as quickly as possible so they could prepare for their real task. Defending against the waves. Time was not on their side, and the longer this took, the more suffering would need to be endured by the innocent as a result of their lessened state of preparedness. This needed to be a swift and decisive battle.

As she waited, Auriel eventually lost the sounds of battle echoing from the cave. They must have pushed in quite deep... The thought of them walking into an unavoidable trap began to wrack at her, and she turned to Marcino. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b]"If they're far enough in the cave, we'd best move a ways in after them. Who knows if there are branching paths or secret routes that could be used to outflank them in there. We need to ensure that doesn't happen."[/b][/color]

She didn't wait for Marcino to debate her. He would have likely called her a worrywart or overprotective, and he'd be right. But she didn't want to hear it coming from his lips of all people. Auriel held her spear at the ready and moved quietly so she could focus on the sounds echoing through the cave. Thankfully the layout of the natural tunnel was quite linear, so it made it easy to follow after the heroes. The signs of brief battles littering the way. A body here. A splintered weapon there. But no dead Cole, no dead Fer. Thank the heavens. Then they entered into the first antechamber where the walls widened and the ceiling rose. Firelight glowed in the darkness, casting long shadows against the granite and limestone walls. She saw a number of dead bandits, and a handful that were on the verge of death. Marcino followed in after her and didn't seem bothered by the carnage. Auriel heard a wounded bandit groan and sputter. She stepped over to him, which made him reach for his sword. Auriel lowered to her knees and gently placed her hands over his weakened fist. She looked him in the eyes, [color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b]"Please don't. Your fight is over."[/b][/color] Her voice was calm and sweet, and there appeared to be no malice in her expression.

The bandit took a deep breath and stared back into her eyes, a mixture of hatred and fear on his face being washed away by the realization that she was allowing him to live. He eased his grip on the sword and let Auriel move his hand away from the weapon. As her hand rested on the back of his, he saw a golden light begin to emanate from her hand. He felt a rush of energy flow up through his arm that made him gasp quietly. Auriel smiled at him, her divine touch seeking to mend his lesser wounds and stem the tide of blood that came from his grave injury. Auriel pulled the torn tunic aside to inspect the wound. He wasn't going to survive it, not without immediate surgery which wasn't available. Auriel's face saddened, [color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b]"I'm sorry..."[/b][/color]

The bandit coughed as his breath hitched, [color=white][i]"Who... who are you?"[/i][/color]

Auriel kept her hands on his body to take away the pain. Her healing wouldn't stop the inevitable end, but she could ease his passing at the very least. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b]"I am Auriel Asher. And you are?"[/b][/color]

A tear streamed down the bandit's cheek, [color=white][i]"Flint... Wh- why are you helping me? I've raped, murdered, and pillaged... I'm not worth your kindness..."[/i][/color]

Auriel nodded slowly, [color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b]"No one deserves to suffer. It is a dark and lonely end that breeds misery. It sours the soul and leaves behind malice to haunt the world. You are a criminal, aye... But you'd be much worse if you walked this world as a restless spirit."[/b][/color]

The bandit kept his paling blue eyes locked with hers, [color=white][i]"You'll stay with me then? As I pass?"[/i][/color]

Auriel nodded to him, [color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b]"Yes, Flint. Close your eyes, breathe slow, and drift away into a peaceful sleep."[/b][/color]

The bandit nodded slowly back to her and did as he was told. His breath was shallow, but he did his best to slow it down. It didn't take long before his body's tenseness washed away. His breathing halted. His head lulled. Then he was gone. Auriel bowed her head, [color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b]"Go with peace, Flint..."[/b][/color] She let go of his hand and stood to face Marcino, who had his arms crossed and was waiting impatiently for Auriel to finish with her charity.

[color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b]"Let's keep going. There may be others who need help deeper in the cave."[/b][/color]
[/color]