[center][img]https://i.ibb.co/DtzPDwW/Marduk-Banner.png[/img][h3]Aftermath[/h3][/center][hr]
"[color=BF4545]Cursed, huh? No wonder why you smell like them.[/color]" Marduk quipped Ethelred, noticing his curse previously before. As for the notion of them being knights of this "Queen Sorcha," such a thing only piqued Marduk's curiosity slightly. Not merely a duo, but part of a troupe of heroes wandering Albion and fighting off against the many threat that plague it? Well, if the "heroes" were anything like the two Marduk had run into, they might as well be a group of misfits rallied behind an even greater weirdo. Still, it wouldn't hurt too much to hear them out.

"[color=BF4545]As for whoever it is you're looking for, I've only heard rumors. Otherwise, I would've crossed blades with them both.[/color]" Marduk stated as a matter of fact. "[color=BF4545]If not for our common enemy, I may have even tried having a round or two against the two of you. Ancestors know that I'm itching for a good fight, and you two look like you'd give one, knights and all.[/color]"

In regards to the knight who seems to believe they're in charge, Marduk could only scoff at his demeanor. After all, he left the Elves to be free from being told what to do, his quest be damned. To be commanded especially with one who fights as crudely as this [i]human knight[/i] only seemed to annoy the warrior further. Still, he chose to leave airing out his frustrations of the matter for another time. After all, they were still rocked from their previous fight, and Marduk had taken the brunt of it.

"[color=BF4545]I'll join you monkeys on your quest,[/color]" Marduk began, ignoring the fact that he, too, was also primarily of simian origins, "[color=BF4545]but I do not acknowledge whatever authority you have in this troupe. I will respect you as a fellow warrior, but do not treat me as some soldier you can order. So long as we can come to that understanding, the Swordwind will be more than obliged to lay waste to whatever it is you are hunting.[/color]

"[color=BF4545]As for a horse, I only see a beast of burden as a burden to myself. As a trained warrior, my legs are more than suited for marching long distances...[/color]" Marduk began, before coughing a small spittle of blood once again. He did his best to hide this from his allies, although his painful wheezes make it difficult to mask his injuries. It was clear that he needed to not exert himself as hard. "[color=BF4545]... That said, a steed does sound helpful.[/color]"

In regards to the rather grim mayor of this town, Marduk simply nodded his head to the stables at the mention of a reward, making his way to take what he had rightfully earned by way of might.