Time:10 am Location: Helius between Ironhold and River Port Interactions:, Rue [@Potter] Bowyn [@Helo] Equipment: basic travel pack, medical pack, foot soldier armor, foot soldier shield and weapons. 779 Amas Slowly, the nausea began to subside. The almost imperceptible motion of the exceptional Helius began to fade. The dwarf listened to the passionate recollection of the white haired lad. The love for his people, and land evident in Bowyn’s speech. For a second, the medic saw behind the walls that the winter fairy had put up to protect himself or perhaps protect other from him. Isolation was isolation. Apparently Rue felt the dissertation deeply as she sniffled back emotion. Whether he agreed with Bowyn regarding seeking to thrown himself head long into war and killing as many dark elves as possible, it did not keep the young dwarf from validating the reason why the fairy wanted to protect such a memory. Arn knew firsthand that war had a nasty habit of changing people, and places. Certain locations where big battles had been fought in present or olden times had become dead zones. No matter, how stoic, nobody left the battlefield unscathed. War changed you. I loved my home, and I have seen enough of Avalia that I know without a doubt I do not wish for it to spoil my home. Arn nodded. [color=0054a6] “Your home does indeed sound like a worthy place to defend. There is no cause mor righteous than to take up arms to protect.”[/color] The young dwarf gave the fairy lad a nod of respect. At least now the medic knew that Bowyn was not just fighting for the sake of fighting. The flame that burned in the winter fairy’s heart would help him keep the cold grip of despair at bay. The dwarven solider listened to the rest of the lad’s speech. A slight smile painted on his face as the lad explained his position. The dwarf did not disagree or had issue with anything that was said. After all, they were strangers. Why should he expect these two to give up their lives for him? That was not something he would ask of them to begin with. Yet, in his heart, he knew that he would protect them, strangers or not. When Bowyn finished Arn gave him an acknowledging nod. [color=0054a6]“I do not seek anything of you Bowy. If allies are all that we are meant to be then so be it. I welcome it. I shall walk by your side as long as our paths take us. If I am able to even in some small way prevent this war from reaching your village, then I gladly accept my role.”[/color] He offered him a weak smile because his body was stills suffering from the vertigo of the flight. [color=0054a6]“I promise you also that no harm shall come to you via my hand. However, I hope you do not begrudge me being unable to leave you to harm if any is to befall you. I will do it with no payment or repayment in mind.”[/color] The medic shrugged. [color=0054a6]“I am vowed to heal the sick and care for the wounded.”[/color] [color=00aeef]“If your letter is from the dwarven king, and he is supporting the light elves in the war, why do you need to hide your position in his army?”[/color] Arn took a deep breath. His mind weighing in the answer that he was to give the winter fairy. [color=0054a6]“Thank you for being so open with me. So I shall attempt to return the favor. A dwarven Legionnaire does not serve as a lone asset. While it is not strange for a dwarf to explore the world, it is done while on leave and in civilian manner. A single dwarf in Legion issued gear will raise some eyebrows for sure.”[/color] He adjusted his armor as if the weight of the things he was saying had become physical. [color=0054a6]“The secrecy was imparted on me by the king itself. I promise to reveal more when we have a less likely audience.”[/color] He looked around to drive home his point. [color=0076a3]”You are a good dwarf Arn; I sure hope the others have your kindness and selflessness. The world could use more of it than the cruelty we saw yesterday.”[/color] Rues comment actually caused Arn to break into a tender look. Her comment had truly touched him. He smiled in her direction and nodded to her too. [color=0054a6] “I am afraid you think too much of me Miss Rue but I am thankful for the sentiment regardless. I agree with you that this world would be a much better place if people talked before submitting to violence but unfortunately, that is not so. Therefore, I commit to saving as many lives as I can. If that be by my medical skills or by delivering this letter and its contents to the Princess of the Light Elves then so be it.”[/color] There was a firmness to his voice that was not normally there. He did indeed want to save lives, even those of the dark elves. In the medic’s eyes, any life was important. He was just saddened that some people decided to cause harm and pain while living their lives. [color=0076a3]”Bowyn’s right. Why are you trying to hide so much?” [/color] Arn looked at the winter lass in a pensive matter. [color=0054a6] “Miss Rue, as I have promised. I will reveal as much as I can without harm. I promise I do not keep this from you to vex you but I hope you understand that in these times one must be wary. Also, I fear that you think I am holding some big secret. In deed, I feel that the truth may leave you with more questions. What I can tell you freely is the following. I was raised by my mother and father..”[/color] He paused a little at this but continued on. [color=0054a6]“My mother’s name was Vera and my father’s is Thur Battlehammer.”[/color] He took a deep breath again as he alternated looking at either fairy as he spoke. [color=0054a6]“As required by our kingdom, I enlisted in the military when I came of adult age. I trained in the medical field as a combat medic but I am also able to perform certain surgeries and other type of care. As a medic, I hate taking life. That does not mean that I will allow my allies to be harmed.”[/color] He looked at Bowyn when he said this as if to make a point that the fairy could trust him on this. [color=0054a6]“This also does not mean that I will not take life if absolutely necessary. I just believe that peaceful resolution should be given a chance. I was recently appraised of some information that I am not at liberty to share right now but I promise you I will. It is this new information that started me on this quest. Though I must say that despite the distress I felt when I first heard it, I am glad that it allowed me to cross paths with you two.”[/color] He shrugged as he did a flat slightly uncomfortable smile. [color=0054a6]“A Legionnaire often forgets that there is a bigger world out there when we are looking at the world over the rims of our shields or the confines of a cavern. Perhaps one day I may be lucky enough to visit your village.”[/color] He offered the two a friendly smile. It ate him up that he was not able to be fully open with them but his duty as a soldier still overruled his own feelings. Why was he such a good damned soldier. He was not part of the military machine. There was not rank structure to follow. Orders and regulations did not apply to clandestine operations such as these. However, for a foot soldier such as him being thrust into the unknown on a mission he had basically no information about to do the gods knew what, his training was the anchor that allowed him to keep putting his foot forward. War was about to break over the world of Avalia like the fires of a forge. All the inhabitants would be pounded between hammer and anvil and only the gods knew what would be left over.