[@Qia][color=Firebrick][u][img]https://i.imgur.com/tXSgU2F.png[/img[/img][/u][/COLOR][hr][COLOR=#C0C0C0]The Barn[/COLOR]
[hr]

A brash fool he may be, but he was not deaf. All fight instantly drained from him, extinguishing just like the light, upon hearing her reply, the tone of her voice. 
It cut deeper than her barbed words.
She could not see it now but again he wore a surprised expression, this time it was guilt, not pride, that came to wash it away.

He hadn't meant to flaunt his position over her. Or had he. His mind -too tired to keep up with events-  fumbled for words. Each of her footsteps through the hay towards the door was a ticking timer counting down his chance to fix this.

[i]'If only Ev were here.'[/i]

He felt a chill run into his bones, a fatiguing ache, heavy and uncomfortable, as he accessed his sorcery. His gift, his training, his connection allowing him to manipulate the world around him. He did not ask for much, only demanding that the nearest torches re-light themselves. He forced heat into an item some distance away that he could not even see.

It was far from a challenge for one of his skill but still he reflected on how much easier such a thing used to be. The torches near the door popped back to life, crackling with a fresh flame, their warm orange glow dancing around the wooden barn with the shadows.

[color=Firebrick][b]"Wait..."[/b][/color]
He called. His voice sounding tired and a little strained. His next act of magic came with little thought, springing to action on his intention alone, feeling like a kick in the gut. It had grabbed at the iron brackets and hinges of the large barn door to slow its opening, to slow her escape.

[color=Firebrick][b]"Lady Evercrest."[/b][/color] He said softly and solemnly as he quickly approached her. Without dignity or grace he awkwardly fished through his layered sleeves to produce a small dark irregular rock bound to a fine silver chain by an intricate bulky clasp. He held it out to her by the chain, the rock, seeming like a lump of coal, and the complex clasping mechanism dangled beneath his hand. The silver flickered in the torchlight.

[color=Firebrick][b]"Take it."[/b][/color] He insisted with a nod.
[color=Firebrick][b]"A quarter twist and it should last around a day. A half twist, a few hours. Release it completely, a matter of moments."[/b][/color] He explained, as if adding to a conversation they never had.

His magical hold on the door released and he suddenly exhaled as that pressure left his body. Now, not really wanting to be stuck in the barn, and with no other way to go, he mumbled a farewell, gave a nod and awkwardly tried step around her to exit the barn first.