[center][h1][color=lightblue]Galahad Caradoc[/color][/h1] [/center] [center] [color=#736AFF][b][h1]Ranbu no Izayoi[/h1][/b][/color] [/center][hr] Midday. Izayoi could be found atop one of Brightlam’s boughs, sitting cross-legged with her blade resting on her legs, a whetstone and oil laid out next to her. She set about her task with practiced ease, occasionally looking out over the horizon past the confines of the great tree. Killing Reisa had brought no small amount of satisfaction, to be certain. And she was still riding that emotional high, days later. Even so, thought of the future crept in. There was no choice but to continue with the Kirins, of course. To leave when the continent was at stake would be to turn her back upon all of life itself at this point. Even without a clear goal in mind now…no, that wasn’t true. Valheim still infested the land. Her master still walked the earth as an unnatural abomination. There was yet work to be done. [color=lightblue]”Brightlam can be surprisingly picturesque. When people aren’t actively trying to kill us, anyway.”[/color] came a voice, as leaves rustled, parting as the now unarmored weight of the dragoon came down onto the bough from somewhere above. [color=lightblue]”Honestly, I’ll still be glad to be rid of this place in the coming days, but for now… A break is nice.”[/color] Galahad stared out through the smaller branches and leaves, a sort of window out into the sea of deep green before them. Despite all of the hardship and fighting they’d been through, in the immediate aftermath of the Vangar invasion, or perhaps in spite of it, this place felt calm. Peaceful. [color=lightblue]”I’m… curious.”[/color] Galahad admitted, [color=lightblue]”You’ve had your revenge. Or, some of it anyway- a taste. Is it worth it?”[/color] [color=#736AFF][b]”Without question.”[/b][/color] Izayoi didn’t turn to face the familiar voice. She’d figured the two of them would speak sooner rather than later. [color=#736AFF][b]”A fool would state that vengeance is empty. That it gives no satisfaction. Platitudes and drivel uttered by those who have never lost deeply to begin with.”[/b][/color] She remained where she sat, her blade sharpened and honed to a mirror sheen. After a brief moment of inspection, Izayoi sheathed her sword and set it off to her side, craning her head back to look at Galahad. [color=#736AFF][b]”Do you resent me for it? That I, who ordained your brother’s death, achieved her aim? My offer remains open. I will offer no resistance.”[/b][/color] Galahad snorted, the sound lost in the breeze up here in the canopy. He glanced around, the city of Brightlam stretching in all directions from their perch, most of its people hidden underneath the thick leaves and branches that shrouded the city. [color=lightblue]”If you keep offering, one of these days I might take it.”[/color] He admitted, [color=lightblue]”And the Kirins might suffer for it. I doubt Chisato would remain at our side if we fought- nor Esben, Rudolf or Miina. Maybe Eliane.”[/color] He snorted. [color=lightblue]”Perhaps I put more importance on our lives than they deserve, but if we fought and died, our world would be worse off for it.”[/color] [color=lightblue]”Aye, I resent you.”[/color] Galahad acknowledged after a moment further, [color=lightblue]”Part of me is glad you’ve found a taste of solace, part of me is frustrated that I cannot.”[/color] [color=lightblue]”Bah,”[/color] Galahad spat, picking up a broken branch and tossing it far out into the distance. [color=lightblue]”You don’t even know if he died by your own hand. Vengeance would taste hollow.”[/color] [color=#736AFF][b]”Then let us leave that perpetually on the table, as it were.”[/b][/color] She turned back away to view the skyline once more. [color=#736AFF][b]”It would do us no good to continue to speak in circles regarding this.”[/b][/color] Izayoi didn’t care to acknowledge whether or not the non-Ospreans would in fact desert should they come to blows. [color=#736AFF][b]”Have you checked in on the others yet? As our commander, nominal as you believe your role is, it would still behoove you to speak with them more.”[/b][/color] [color=lightblue]”I haven’t, no.”[/color] Galahad admitted, [color=lightblue]”Though I hardly feel like a [i]leader[/i] at this point. Esben has the brilliance for it, you command the respect for it.[/color] Galahad couldn’t help but chuckle a bit mirthlessly, [color=lightblue]”The title of ‘Commander’ has always been more of a figurehead role for this group, though these days it certainly feels like it more. We already know what we need to do- me pointing in the direction everyone is already going in hardly feels like leading.”[/color] [color=lightblue]”Fighting has always been my stronger suit.”[/color] Galahad said, before shrugging [color=lightblue]”Though I suppose I could take a more active role.”[/color] [color=lightblue]”You were a general in the war, weren’t you? How did you handle disparate personalities and talents? All the men I lead could do the same things I did, so it felt more like an extension of myself.”[/color] Galahad asked. For a moment, there was silence. Izayoi took the time to think the question over, recalling her experiences in years past. Sometimes, her days as a captain of retainers and as a general didn’t seem quite so far away. On other days, they seemed an eternity ago. She sighed. [color=#736AFF][b]”You sell yourself short. The others do heed your word. Esben included, no matter how brilliant you think his mind. The majority of us lean towards one extreme or the other. Your voice is a moderating one to drag us back into some semblance of sanity.”[/b][/color] She pulled a waterskin out of her satchel, popping it open and taking a swig before offering it up towards the dragoon. [color=#736AFF][b]”Though if you wish my advice on this, know that we did not have the same options. For my part, my time as a general was backed by the emperor’s blessing and the knowledge I was worth a battalion of samurai on my lonesome. A closer fit would be my time as captain of Lord Kaien’s retainers, though I led them the same as you did your dragoons. Fortunately, you have far fewer direct subordinates to deal with. I would recommend…speaking with them. Cultivating stronger personal relationships. You have the luxury of doing so with our numbers.”[/b][/color] Galahad held the waterskin for a while, contemplating things. Strange that he ask advice from one who was and would have been an enemy had they met just a bit earlier. [color=lightblue]”I suppose it really is as easy as that, hm?”[/color] Galahad remarked as he took a drink and handed the waterskin back. Just talk to people. It was almost novel, how simple of an answer it was. [color=lightblue]”We’ve been going across the land fighting so much, I guess I hadn’t let my mind slow down enough for something as mundane as chatter in a while. I suppose you are right. Perhaps I ought to.”[/color] Relaxing for the first time in what felt like ages, Galahad allowed himself to drop to a seat on the bough, looking out at the view. [color=lightblue]”Its strange, not fighting.”[/color] He remarked, [color=lightblue]”It feels like the only thing we’ve been doing since coming into Drana was fight- and walk. Even now my mind tells me to be alert for another attack.”[/color] [color=#736AFF][b]”Aye, ‘tis common. I grow almost [i]bored[/i] with recovery.”[/b][/color] Izayoi grunted, not moving from where she sat. [color=#736AFF][b]”Regarding our next moves, I suspect several of the others would prefer to travel towards Solitude rather than Balmung. Am I correct to assume that you would take little issue with this? While I would not be opposed to bilking your cousin out of the promised ten million gil for our war chest, you understand why I’d prefer to see as little of Edren as possible before ‘tis necessary.”[/b][/color] [color=lightblue]”I didn’t think you were in it for the money- and I have no idea why you might not like the sights of my homeland.”[/color] Galahad chuckled sarcastically, plucking a twig tossing it out into the distance. [color=lightblue]”But no, I have no strong opinion on which of the two remaining crystals we approach next. I only pray that my status as Leonhart’s cousin might make it easier for us to get ahold of Edren’s Crystal.”[/color] [color=lightblue]”With any luck, Skael will go smoothly as well, what with Eliane and Esben in tow.”[/color] Galahad paused, [color=lightblue]”Though I suppose Neve being from Drana ironically made our journey in this land a bit less easier than I had hoped.”[/color] [color=#736AFF][b]”You expect [i]”Eliane[/i] to make anything easier for us?”[/b][/color] Izayoi turned to fix Galahad with an incredulous stare. [color=#736AFF][b]”Frankly, I remain surprised she’s not set this entire tree ablaze yet.”[/b][/color] A sigh as she pinched her brow. [color=lightblue]”Well, mostly Esben.”[/color] Galahad admitted, [color=lightblue]”Though I will hold out hope that Eliane will be able to get us closer to Skael’s crystal without toppling her own government in the process.”[/color] Immediately, Galahad rapped a knuckle on the bough, to ward off any sort of karmic retribution or imbalance from his statement. [color=lightblue]”I would argue the only reason the tree [i]isn’t[/i] on fire, accidentally or otherwise, is because Eliane is currently out of munitions.”[/color] Galahad chuckled, [color=lightblue]”But knowing her, she’s probably gotten her hands on [i]something[/i] explosive by now…”[/color] Galahad paused, his voice trailing off before standing up abruptly. [color=lightblue]”I think I should go find her.”[/color] [color=#736AFF][b]”...I believe that to be for the best, yes.”[/b][/color]