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Kayden tasted a coppery substance in his mouth and spat on the ground, lightly marring his otherwise dashing image. The fog permeated his vision, and he nearly stumbled over a corpse as he moved. Thankfully, the fresh cadaver was no one he knew. He could smell the stench of death, and it didn't displease him, and [i]that[/i] displeased him. He was growing a bit too used to the battlefield. No doubt his father would approve, but he had always been a heartless bastard. 

The melee had been too long for his taste, and yet disturbingly quick. Judging by the flashes of light in the gloom, Clarissa had set off a spell, and Kayden had rushed toward her to aid her, only to be distracted by happenstance as he passed by Lienna, catching the tail end of her ice-magic and hearing about Rudolph's disappearance. Kayden knew he was a coward, but he also had faith in his fellow eagle. He surmised it was more than likely his crest that made them lose him in the mist rather than having high-tailed it out of there. 

Though he had to admit, once the fog cleared and Rudolph had been found still present, Kayden let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding. As the mist dissipated, he saw the carnage that had been wrought. To his generals it would have been naught but a skirmish, but a number of bodies littered the ground and he looked away, knowing they had only done what they had to. He moved to the group, dancing over bodies and fallen weaponry as the professor acknowledged everyone. He saw Ezekial's contempt for the fallen Eagle, but Tomai spoke before Kayden could give a glib reply.

[color=red]"Everyone, we need to move forward and regroup with the advanced team, I'm more than certain they've also gotten ambushed"[/color] Tomai ordered, forming a glyph to help make way for them. Lighting crackled and ozone filled the air as a path was laid out for them. Kayden knew they could not hesitate. In war, initiative was a significant factor in deciding battles. If they could catch up to the advanced team quicker than the enemy thought likely, they would have the element of surprise. He didn't like that Lienna had been hit and Kellen was being sent back, not to mention Rudolph was not entirely responsive at the moment. But Kaira would have tended to Lienna if she needed to, and though Kellen was a good archer and a swell person, he was probably best suited for the task. Rudolph, well...he had come through in a clutch. Kayden knew he'd follow. The Prince gave the professor a salute with his blade to acknowledge the orders, drawing the blade up to his face to gleam in the light, before swiping it down as he gave a small bow.

[color=4851AA]"Yes professor!"[/color] He answered, and gave Veronica a look and a quick gesture of his head to follow. He wanted to give encouraging words to Rudolph, but he knew Kaira had it taken care of. By the Goddess, he really was all business during armed conflict wasn't he? And yet he had never felt more alive, the matter of life and death balanced on a knife's edge. He looked to Clarissa and nodded, knowing she would like as not be at the vanguard with him. 

[color=4851AA]"Let's go,"[/color] He said curtly. There would be time for his usual flowering language later, though as he passed by Lienna he gave a smile he hoped had some camaraderie in it before he said [color=4851AA]"Glad the wound isn't serious."[/color] And then he moved off where Tomai indicated with all speed, sword still out and mind fully focused on what might lie ahead. He severely doubted the enemy had such a small measure of trust in their force that they set up a second ambush for Tomai's party, but he was on edge regardless.