[center][h3][color=C0392B]Rudolf Sagramore[/color][/h3][/center]

At the sight of the Valheimr insignia, now unmistakable to any of them by sight, a shot of ice ran through Rudolf's blood. He listened carefully to the clipped, staccato rhythm of Izayoi's report, a ball of lead dropping from his throat to his stomach. 

[color=c0392b]"... Did he specify which, or do we assume it's all of them?"[/color] he asked, throwing the rags he'd draped over his greatsword to the floor. They had already been long aware of the distinct possibility that Valheim's threads had been woven into the broader fabric of Brightlam, as they had Osprey, as they had been into Balmung Castle itself... but there was a difference, inside you, between a suspicion and confirmation. His hands were already moving, grabbing hold of the Wings, bringing his sword to bear. For a moment, he thought to similarly discard his cloak... but no. Sword and cape. The extra fabric could prove useful, especially when he was already light on gear. Unlike Izayoi. He turned, needing to gather his belongings into a tight bundle to begin with.

A lot of sleepless nights had seen him grow very seasoned at quickly gathering what he owned.

[color=c0392b]"Either way. If Valheim's here and trying to trap us by sight, then splitting up's no good for the four of us. Do we head for the cathedral? It'd make sense that at least one of them would be there, right?"[/color]

His mind, meanwhile, was set on bargaining.

[color=c0392b][i]I think we're past the point of disguising ourselves. May as well get ready for the worst.[/i][/color][sup]1[/sup]

There was a twinge within his breast, but the familiar weight didn't settle into a full return. He bit down a snarl— the silver lining of it all being the distraction that spike of frustration served for the stakes they were about to run into. The knife on his belt, the twinned swords in his hands, the dull weight on his back... All like a part of him had been missing.

[color=c0392b][i]Really. Who are we fooling? She's going to be rushing out in full battle dress, we may as well leverage all the power we can... damn you.[/i][/color]

Fine. It'd be what it'd be. They needed anything but bogging down further. Focus, Rudolf. Don't spiral, don't get stuck in, focus on what's ahead and which way means forward.

He crept to the entrance of the hovel, gilded eyes scanning around them.

[color=c0392b]"We're still clear to ship out... while we've got the moment, at any rate."[/color]

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[*][sub]1. If you want to talk to somebody who'll so casually bare themselves just for the sake of an imminent fight, you turn right back around and look at the widow while you prattle at her and the dragoon and the fusilier. [i]I'm[/i] still cognizant of the raw number of high-level white mages surrounding me. You'd better sweeten the deal or I'd better see no better options.[/sub]
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