Snippet #1965114

"There were three witnesses," William answered Thauvin. His voice was flat, his face grim. He stood with his arms crossed, seeming to lean into the great sword strapped across his back, as though the thing could hold him up. He relied far too heavily upon Starbright, Ruin thought with some anxiety. No versatility, no flexibility. If something broke, or worse, stole that sword, William would be without a weapon he trusted. All but helpless.

"Were," Ruin repeated, choosing not to comment on the knight's lack of a secondary reinforcement. That was what Ruin was there for.

William nodded in agreement. "Over the last few days, all three of them have gone missing. The first turned up dead less than twenty four hours ago."

"Which is when they called us," Ruin murmured. He turned his deep, velvet-brown eyes on his friend, leaving no room for escape. Thauvin would listen to him, and listen to him well. "The signs of her presence are unmistakable. Which is why the pair of us will be going with you."

"Ruin-" William started to object, but the druid turned his piercing gaze on the knight. William stumbled over his own tongue and clamped his jaws shut.

"I am not offering a choice here," he told William flatly. It was times like these when the rest of the Guild could clearly see who was really in charge here. Though more often than not he seemed not to be paying attention, when Ruin wanted something done, it was done precisely the way he wanted it. No questions asked. No mistakes. William shuddered, recalling the last person who had made a mistake, bringing Ruin the wrong herb from his stores. It had nearly cost a wounded hunter his life. When lives were at stake, Ruin became truly unforgiving. William could still hear the offender's screams in the face of Ruin's temper. What that herb had made the man see, William had no idea. He had no intention of finding out, either.

"Ruin, we can not all go-" William objected without any real force.

"Of course we can," Ruin cut him off. "And we will." He drew himself up so that he, tiny as he was, stood at the height of William's broad, plated chest. It did not matter. William backed down a step. "Daedra is already dead, William. We are all that is left to face her, and Thauvin would not stand a chance on his own." Ruin took no time to be delicate about the matter. It was a simple statement of fact. Sent alone to face the crazed mercenary, Thauvin would be dead by morning. Ruin would not have that. "Gather your things and have the stable-boy saddle the horses. We leave in one hour."

William started to object again, but a muscle jumped as Ruin tightened his jaw. Long fingers strayed almost absentmindedly to the druid's herb sacks. William folded himself crisply in half, bowing to Ruin's better judgment, and hurried from Guildhome. Only then did Ruin release his stance, sighing and running a hand through his soft brown hair. He turned to face Thauvin.

"When will these people learn?" he muttered despairingly. "Come, friend. I would speak with you a moment."