Holding Eilis was second nature now to Arn.  She was like an extension of him.  Being near her was as natural and as necessary to him as breathing.  Meeting the shadow of the ancient hero that had brought down the Sorcerer King and saved, or so it was led to believe, the world.  The sensation of the power that the apparition of Touramaline mustered still sent shivers down the master mage’s back.  But was it dread or was it intrigue.  One thing was for sure, the battlemage would do all in his power to ensure that Eilis was freed of the shadow man. 

Had Arn known that his presence made his young protégé feel safe, he would have smiled.  Their short time together still left him with concerns that he was not doing all he could to protect or take care of his charge.  In his eyes, the blonde girl had suffered more than enough.  He was bound by word and by his own code of honor to  ensure that no further harm befell the lovely lady. 

This was easier said that done, especially in the midst of a raging battle, astride a nervous flying wyrm as mount, and scanning the near by heavens for a sign of the Knight Captain who had recklessly returned to the fray instead of running away as he had been ordered by the elder Venray. 

Still, Arn could not fault Tyrhallan.  He knew that the other man was drawn by duty and by the same gnawing itch to lead his men in to battle that the mage was feeling.  Having seen Tobi again had made him worry about the other members of the Shooting Stars.  He was not naïve in thinking they all would survive this desperate struggle but he hoped at least some would. 

Such was his musings and search that he missed the loving gaze his charge bestowed upon him.  That look would have sent even more shivers down his back.  Despite the decent number of women who had declared their love for him, he had never cared to be looked upon thus.  That is before Eilis.  Even now, he was not sure of what his feelings for her were but he knew that he wanted to be with her and keep her safe.
To do so however, he needed to get her as far from this damned battle as he could and not only Tyrhallan, but now Tobi made the simple decision that much harder.  If they could all just get on the same page and get the hell out of there, then he would not feel like he was breaking his promise to keep the young girl safe. 

The Master Mage sensed a ripple in the Aether and turned to look down at Eilis.  Remembering how she had used their connection to show him earlier where to find Tobi, he closed tried to feel what she saw.  He guided their mount away from any close fighting as he followed the Thread that as connected to her. 

[color=ed145b]“They’re over there…”[/color]

He felt more than saw the light pinpoints and the direction she meant.  While he was not as skilled as a  knight in guidng a battle Wyrm, the mage was descent enough to by pass most fighting.  He dealt with any would be pursuers with lighting, the power enhanced by the natural and magically created storm clouds around them.  Arn had learned early in his career that manipulating the natural forces was easier than creating them.  His bolts where not only powerful and deadly but he also did not have to sacrifice much Mana. 

[color=ed145b]“He’s in pain…They’re in trouble…We all need to leave…”[/color]

Her words caused the master mage to grit his teeth.  If it were up to him, he would plunge head first into the fight and take as many with him to his ultimate end.  A body littered with scars and a kill count that was staggering proved he was not a man who held back.  Despite this, he had never been reckless.  So he used his quick mind to come up with a plan.  Thanks to unique connection with the Aether and his natural affinity and mastery developed through training, he was able to cast magic that only few could.  
This meant that he was able to cast spells that only Tobi, Lornias or the others.  Still attuned to the Aether and Eilis, he flew closer.  His plan was one of two.  Either he would use the electrically charged atmosphere to create an EMP that should disable the hulking ship that seemed to hold Tyrhallan or he would use a strong magnetic repulsion to send the armor clad opponent he could not see yet into the skies.  No matter how strong you were, gravity was a bitch.  At the least, either plan should provide an opening for the group to escape….the All Mother willing.