Snippet #1300907

Sydo examined Raiyla’s eyes as she looked up at him with a slight smile. Sydo raised his eyebrows with concern, and tilted his head in a condescending manner, as if to show he could tell something was wrong. He waited for Raiyla to speak, as he glanced back at Tess when she suggested the roads instead. Sydo wanted to speak in disproval of that plan, but his attention was captured by Raiyla when she let out a quiet sigh, leaned her head into his shoulder, and let out a soft groan. Sydo was completely stunned. He didn’t know what to do, but he knew nothing else mattered to him for the moment. She was so close, so warm, and so delicate.

He listened to Raiyla as she finally spoke, oblivious to the fact that Tess had stripped him of his map. "There are things about me that could affect this journey, but I'll make sure if it becomes too much of a problem it'll be taken care of. This mission must succeed" Raiyla said in a soft voice. “What do you-“ Sydo began to reply as he slightly shook his head with confusion, but he listened when Raiyla spoke again. "Sydo....will you promise me that you'll do everything in your power to keep everyone safe, not for me, but for them?" Raiyla said. It took a moment for Sydo to respond, and get over the surprise of Raiyla asking him something like that so randomly, “I...I do...I promise you, Raiyla. I promise to protect you, and everyone else. Nothing will harm you. Not while I’m around.” Sydo said as he looked down at the soft curls of her hair. He slid his hand down from her shoulder, and placed it on her forearm.

Sydo reached his left hand back under his garb, reached into a pouch, and pulled out a small object. He clenched his fist, so as to conceal it from Raiyla, or anyone else for that matter, and then with his other hand, he lifted up her arm and postioned it under his. Sydo set the object in Raiyla’s palm. The trinket was short, slender, metal, and hollow with a small slit near the middle. If one were to compare it to anything, then it would be about the size of a finger. He let her examine it for a moment, until he finally spoke. “It’s a whistle. I only use it to call Sidian if we get too far away from each other, and I know it has my name engraved in it, but...” Sydo paused for a second out of slight embarrassment, and then continued, “...I thought, since you’re the chosen of the wind gem, then maybe...you would be able to blow it louder... So, if you ever find yourself in danger then just blow it as loud as you can, and I’ll come for you...and...uhh...any of the others that might be with you too.” Sydo trembled over his last words and let out a nervous sigh. “I know it’s not something you might want, but...just take it for safety purposes.” Sydo said, and then he simply stopped talking, and waited for Raiyla to respond.

Suddenly, Tess began to speak as she tossed Sydo his map. “So when do we leave, Sir?” Tess asked. Sydo quickly jerked his hand up and caught the map. “Leave? Oh right.” Sydo responded shaking his head, as his thoughts re-gathered in the present moment. “Wait...How did you-?” Sydo was about to confront Tess on taking his map, but then he looked toward Dugon, and watched the large man stand up. "We should go as soon as possible in my opinion. Before the Dark Kingdom has the opportunity to send more troops through the borders." Said Dugon, before he walked over toward the tent.

Then Sydo looked to Ryu and spoke. “I know you have objections of your own, Ryu, but this is the best way for us to survive for now. Actually speaking of survival, I don’t think you’ll be able to walk around the Capitol without your hood up. You may even need a change of clothes too, but that may not be a problem.” Sydo said with a slight grin.