Kaiser relaxed when Tabitha spoke. He felt Darkflash slide down his back and on to the ground once again. The pain was gone. Kaiser exhaled, sweat coating his face. Tabitha made a comment on his work. He grinned. "It's nothing, really. This isn't the first time of had to do quick stitching. And it's quite alright with being stubborn. I have to deal with it on a daily basis."

Sure, talk about me like I'm not here.

Kaiser ignored his Kage. He didn't need to put up with Darkflash's griping right now. He watched as Tabitha went about gathering her things, whe she seemed to hesitate for a moment, looking like there was something on her armour. He caught her glancing at him quickly. She must be talking with her Kage. I wonder what about.

Before he could ask, she turned and offered Kaiser her hand to get up, saying they should head back. He took her hand getting up as gracefully as he could with all the new cuts and bruises. He laughed a little about the dragon. "Well, I don't think the Castle has dragon, but a bath I can agree with. Shall we?" He waved his hand off down the road, allowing her to take the lead.

Tabbi gave a small laugh and stepped in front of him--leading the way. It was probably best she be in front anyway--since she had a little more pull at the castle than he did. It would make it easier to get them inside.
Our Lady is not going to be pleased with the news we bring... Lysander griped, seeming to be back to sulking again.
I know, Sander. But she will be pleased we managed to save another gaurdian--don't you think? Rogues seem more of the majority now a days--so keeping other Hosts in the service and not needing to seek out others will be welcomed news. Sander snorted aggitatedly.
I do believe you're biased in this case... Tabbi gave another casual stomp on her Shadow.

Once in front of the main gates--Tabbi flagged down the keeper with a wave.
"That you Tabitha?" The man called down--shading his eyes with a hand. "The Lady was expecting you much sooner...you look a fright....who's your friend?" Tabbi looked over her shoulder at Kaiser.
"This is Sir Kaiser--another gaurdian for the Lady--let us in. We're both in need of a bath and food." The man at the top gave a brisk salute--dissappearing past the wall. Soon there was a rumbling as the gate lowered and walking tall, Tabbi entered.Lysander's shape underneath her soon became very distinctly his own. He had no fear wandering freely inside the castle walls. A lion's tail, the proud beak and the feather'd wings could clearly be made out in Tabitha's shadow now as she strode through the main courtyard with Kaiser in tow. The gate closed behind them with a thud.Tabbi fell back to walk at Kaiser's side.
"I think that before we take care of ourselves we must first bring the news our Lady..." she said to him softly. There was a strange sort of softened aura of confidence about her while she wandered around near her fellow gaurds. And it was easy to see that many of the passing men looked upon her with respect. She was, after all, one of the only female gaurds in the service of the palace...and the other men working here had learned long ago she was no weakling. The shyness still lingered somewhat--but it had a slight edge to it. "If you want--i will do that part alone..and i will bring you to the medical ward for cleaning up. But--it's up to you." Those brown eyes looked up at him patiently waiting for his decision.

Kaiser followed Tabitha into the Castle. He had been here a few times before, other missions and certain special occasions. He was use to the crowds of guards. But they were acting differently. They all seemed to look at Tabitha as they passed. Some even seemed to stand at attention as they passed. Seems are friend here is more important to the Lady than she let's on.

It appears so. Why do you think she never mentioned it?, questioned Darkflash.

Probably didn't want to start things off on the wrong foot. Tabitha then turned to him, explaining what she thought they should do. Kaiser shook his head to her plan. "I think we should go before her together. She'll want a full account, and she'll need both of us for that. My wounds and stomach can wait."

As they proceded through the rest of the Castle, something else caught his eye: all the other guards he had seen, aside from Tabitha, were men. "Excuse me, Tabitha. I don't mean to be rude, but are there any other women serving as guards? You seem to be the only one so far."

Tabbi smiled with a nod at his decision. She had hoped he would choose that one.
"As you wish...and you are probably right. She will need all the information we have to offer."
unpleasant as that information may be... Lysander drolled with a shadowy flick of his tail. Tabbi ignored him as they continued towards the Lady's chambers. They passed the kitchens and her stomach made an nearly audible complaint at the smells that wafted out. She looked over her shoulder at Kaiser at his question with a somewhat embarassed smile.

"Ah--so you've noticed that have you? Well, there are two others i know of--one i'm sure you're aware of--the King's eldest daughter, Maori, who has been appointed to Captain of defense recently." She paused turning a corner and nodding to yet another fellow gaurd. ".. and one very young recruit whose Father had been a war hero...he died in battle and the King was sure to help her to follow in his footsteps since the hero hadn't any sons..." She sighed softly. "The exams to become a gaurd aren't easy--and it's some sort of a long standing tradition that the militia remain primarily male..some sort of a superstition about women in the field of battle...Let's just say...a woman must be even greater than a man to work her way into the ranks..." Tabbi's voice rang distinctly of distaste for this particular superstition. Lysander's shadow wings ruffled indignantly.
you prove yourself more worthy than most Tabbi...don't get riled up over that silly belief again... Lysander said, trying in his own way to comfort her.Tabbi nodded as if to herself. They paused in front of one of the more engraved doors and Tabbi stood in front of it--hesitating again. Lysander sighed and made her knock--this more more careful not to hurt her knuckles. Tabbi mentally scolded him.
don't do that!
the day will soon come when you will do it of your own accord... her Kage teased. Tabbi gave a small grumble. A voice from behind the door bid them enter and the door swung open. Tabbi entered quickly to avoid Lysander having another reason to mess with her. The Lady was displayed before them as lovely as she had been that morning. The light coming in from the windows behind her illuminated her as if she were a diety. Tabbi knelt, her shadow stretching otu behind her as if Lysander were bowing as well.
"Tabitha..." the Lady breathed taking in her young gaurdian's wounds.
"My Lady...i am sorry we are late reporting to you...the Rogues proved more difficult than we had planned."