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Given how abruptly and inconclusively the fight had ended, Éliane couldn’t help but to feel let down by the entire experience, especially with how little payoff there was for what she had expended. Those two flare rounds were really not cheap, and it was in the category of stuff that she usually reserved for emergencies. Nonetheless, her poor mood had faded by the time they made camp, content enough with a rich brew of coffee and some simple but quick flatbread that she had whipped up for everyone.

What followed was not the usual campfire banter and discussion.

Rudolf’s story had obviously been a tale of great personal import to him, and she could tell that just discussing this was a pain for him that cut to the bone. But for Éliane, Rudolf’s assessment of her had been completely right. While she never truly had the full picture, Éliane did have an inkling that there had been more to the man. However, from her perspective, given all his actions and his character, she still saw no more than the ally and important member of the party that he was—one that had saved her skin on more than one occasion—and not too long ago, either. 

She found Galahad’s response resonating with hers, and she nodded, leaning forwards towards Rudolf from her sitting position by the fire. “Some of these details about the nature of your magic and your passenger still flies above my head, admittedly, but your… story hasn’t changed anything in my eyes. You are the man that I’ve known for this entire journey. You’ve saved me from likely death on more than one occasion. And in the end, you’re still working to the same goal as a valued member of this team as the rest of us.”

She didn’t comment on the general secrecy. As a Skaelan, she completely understood, even if it was never truly ideal. No doubt Esben, the proper SEED agent, had long completed the puzzle over this mystery in the secret of his own mind long before this, and given he had never acted, she felt assured by her own judgment. 

Crossing her arms under her chest, she nodded once more. “Assuming your health is assured for the future, I see no real problem as things are.”