The small group rested upon the floating rock, nothing more than broken apart land that floated in the Sea of Sky.  Only gravity of the surrounding earth mass keeping it from flying off into the Deep sky and drift off into the blackness of space.  Weary and ragged, each one of them had been spent to their limits.  Still, each was stubborn enough to give their own lives in the defense of the others.  Unseen by natural eyes, the Threads that bound them together were beginning to thicken.  

Alexa had seen battle wounds before, even in training, accidents tended to happen.  However, to her green horn eyes, the silver haired captain’s wound was grievous.  Skilled hands dressed the wound.  The damaged eye packaged with clean bandages making sure that the stubborn lord knight would not try to use it.  

Tobi smiled his gratitude at Eilis as she placed her hands upon his temples.  He knew exactly what she was doing.  The few times members of the Shooting Stars has been lucky enough to keep a healer long enough in the squad before they were snatched up to work as battle field medics all did the same thing.  Much like Arn, he felt a lovely warm glow into his very being.  The warmth seemed to overpower the burning hot sensation he had after overloading his Thread. [color=00aeef] “Thank you miss Eilis.  That will do. Don’t want to hog all your attention.”[/color]  He said looking in the direction of his master mage. 

He phished at the comment of his stunt trying to feighn humbleness but his face showing evidence that he liked being praised. [color=00aeef] “Well, Master Arn taught me well.  He always knew that little stunt would come in handy.  None of us ever figured out how but I guess we now know.”[/color]  He said, his smile showing he was well pleased.  

The young mage’s sharp young eyes did not miss the blush that tinged her face.  Of course, he had seen Arn break many a young lady’s heart.  Some just a pretty or perhaps even more than his master’s young charge.  Yet, there was something different here.  He could tell that either she had not revealed her true feelings for Arn or the master mage did not mind reciprocating those feelings. His hawk like eyes narrowed and a smirk appeared on his face.  [color=00aeef][i]“Interesting…”[/i][/color] he thought.  [i][color=00aeef]“It seems the Hellspawn has found his fallen angel.”[/color][/i]

Before he realized it, he drafted up a plan to tell the others.  Then he remembered that Lornias and the others were dead probably all of them.  A sickening knot was felt in his stomach.  Looking towards the weakened battle mage he breathed in a shivering breath.  There was nothing left for him behind in the husk of Belisio.  His father and sister may face death or slavery.  Even if he tried to save them, there was not much he could do.  From what he overheard, perhaps the tattooed beauty could be the secret weapon to turn all of this around.  “It’s worth a shot.”  The young mage thought massaging his sore muscles.  His young eyes watched the blonde girl make her way back to Arn.  

The master mage issued her a concerned look. [color=0054a6] “Don’t exhaust yourself Eilis.  You still have wounds that need healing.  You need all the energy you can get.”[/color]  His face was still pale and he sat lopsided on the mount they had shared.  Seeing her worried face he tried to give her an encouraging smile.  [color=0054a6]“Don’t worry young one.  I feel better than I look and that young hooligan is just milking it.  He likes pretty girls fuzzing over him.”[/color]  His voice was still weak but he tried to infuse it with comfort.  Reaching into a pouch much like Tobi’s, he withdrew a leaf similar to the one the young lad had popped into his mouth and offered it to the lovely blonde.  [color=0054a6]“Here, chew on this.  It tastes horrible but should help with the mending.”[/color]  

Not a few yards away, Alexa could not help but look extremely worried for her lord.  It was her turn to blush slightly even though she tried to remain stoic as the taller man placed a hand on her shoulder and praised her efforts.  She mumbled something about just doing her duty and lowered her face to hide her quickly heating up cheeks.  However, her face looked back up at him when he started to say he was no longer her commanding officer.  

Distress was plain on her face as she feared he would dismiss her.  Her mouth trembled trying as her mind came up with a myriad of excused she would say in the even he did order her to return to Belisio. When he finished speaking, Alexa blurted out. [color=f6989d] “My lord.  My family has served the Venrays for over two hundred years….My..my father would skin my hide if I abandoned you now.  You will ever my captain and my lord.  I shall follow you no matter what….even …even if you order me not to.”[/color]  That last part was said in an almost begging tone.  

If she would have mustered more courage, she would have lunged at him and hugged him like a little girl.  Thankfully, her training triumphed and instead she issued him a sharp salute.  Holding it for a second or two she felt foolish and dropped her arm to her side.  Not knowing what to do she moved to her mount trying to escape her shame. 

When Tyrhallan mentioned resting Tobi groan his agreement as he got off the teal colored wyrm.  [color=00aeef]“You don’t have to twist my arm.  I feel like I could fall off just sitting there.”[/color]  As Alexa neared the mount he said teasingly.  [color=00aeef]“We can share a blanket…you know cus of body warmth and since we don’t have many to pass around.”[/color]  

The lady knight bumped him out of the way unceremoniously as she removed the saddle from her mount.  [color=f6989d]“Shut up fool and get out of the way if you are not going to help.”[/color]  She was red in the face but it was more from embarrassment than actual annoyance.  A novice to battle she may be but the knight training was efficient.  She soon had her mount fed, her bed roll spread and was passing around some field rations.  The blonde all but threw Tobi’s portion to him.  

Arn struggled to get off but would try to wave off any help from Eilis.  Not because he was proud but he figured he would hurt the girl if he fell on her.  Try as he might, however, he was too weak to unsaddle his mount.  Alexa, seeing this huffed and walked over to help Eilis if the young woman tried to do it herself.  [color=f6989d]“I got this take care of the master mage.”[/color]  She said a bit icy.  For some reason, the lady knight was still annoyed at all the attention and familiarity with which Tyrhallan addressed her. 

[color=0054a6]“Thank you Lady Brightwind.”[/color]  Arn managed to say before he sat heavily onto the cold dusty ground. [color=0054a6] “We are going to have to keep a watch Tyrhallan and we will not be able to rest too long despite our current state.  I agree with you that the braving the dangers of the Sea of Sky so weakened is risky, but it would be even worse to be caught by those two dark witches.” [/color] He said his voice still making him breath hard after he spoke. 

Tobi peeped up from where he was sitting. [color=00aeef] “I will take the first watch.  I am weak but not as bad as Master Arn or Mr. Lord Knight Captain.  Alexa can take the second watch.  By that time, the pretty little night lights should be out.”[/color]  He looked around to see if there would be any objections as he took a bite of the jerky and crackers he had gotten from the lady knight.