Snippet #1977461

Lance gave as much help as he could to those who needed it. This included gathering the scattered bodies and bringing them together, ready to be burned. Hoping that the apparent raid would end the excitement for the evening, he removed his armor placing it near his bedroll. As night wore on he took his place around the fire with the others, taking this calmed opportunity to get a better look at everyone. His eyes were paused slightly by the notice of a young red headed woman. He thought he recognized her but could not make out where.

As drink came to him he took it in well. It was not often that he had the chance back home. But he much enjoyed it. Everything about it. The taste, the smell, and of course how it made him feel. It always succeeded in lifting his spirits, even if they are not down. As he drank and ate, he listened intently to the words of the prince. He was still a bit in awe of the presence, many questions raced through his mind as he listened. But as the prince finished up. There was one that stuck out severely. One that he was, quite honestly, a bit afraid to ask. He hesitated, and in that moment the girl he noticed spoke. And as she did he finally recognized her. It was not easy for him to keep things to himself of pressing matter. Made him a particularly poor secret keeper.

She stopped speaking, and he knew not what to do. He did not want to be rude and interrupt her question, nor did he want to bombard the prince with questions. But seemingly without control he blurted it out. "Believe me when I say I am very sorry," he began, looking to the red headed girl, "but the pressing matter on my mind is... one of a more grim nature. My allegiance to the king is unfaltering, but as he is tended to, I am out here to tend to you, and make sure you make it home safely, whether we find this artifact or not. So I must know, are we prepared for failure? Should, for whatever reason, you return home empty handed, will you be ready to take the throne? And lead your people along proper path? For who knows what should come if the king should pass. And again, I apologize for asking such a thing out of turn." He swallowed, staring ahead unfaltering.