Snippet #2012731

EDIT: I am adding to this post that Drake is choosing to leave the group, or at least for now walking away. Please try to avoid tagging him in future posts. He has gone inactive and has just recently shown up listed under "the orphanage" on the characters tab. It's just for the sake of keeping things moving.

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Zyren and Leyna exchanged skeptical glances as Alulim spoke, describing the equally worrisome options in regards to Ravina's "disguise." Having openly confessed to ties with the Auranium offered no room for relaxation. Leyna did not speak, but she seemed to tense; Zyren stepped forward towards Alulim to address the pale-haired mage.

"I cannot decide if you are brave or foolish to be so honest, mage," Zyren said carefully, a hint of doubt in his otherwise warm tone. "All the same, you do have us pinned with little to choose from. Carting the queen around with merely a cloak, as was mentioned," Zyren said, glancing towards Adaryan with a nod for having pointed out that very fact. "Naturally, I have no intention of making Ravina an easy target."

Leyna sighed, speaking up in an almost huffy tone suddenly. She stepped forward slightly, placing herself beside the captain once more. "Really, could you be so simple, Captain? I apologize for so hastily questioning you, but I must wonder if that is really any better than just dragging her around openly exposed. If a mage with connections to the Auranium has means to form an illusion over her natural appearance, then would one not assume they have the means to easily see through such a ruse?"

Zyren sighed heavily, folding his arms. Leyna's open arguing tested his patience, but the fact that she was so right bothered him all the more. He idly adjusted the sword sheathed at his waist, bowing his head in a moment of thought. Pale tresses of hair moved over his face, shielding his expression in that moment. "It is true," he began, lifting his head to reveal a grave expression, "trusting in your power could damn Ravina every bit as much as staying here might-"

He was cut off very suddenly as Ravina interjected, her small voice barely lifting above Zyren's. "I want to do this," she said without letting her voice tremble. Leyna and Zyren turned to look back at her, twin looks of shock on their usually composed faces. Before either of them could speak, Ravina continued, her voice now trembling from the pressure of their questioning stares. "I wish to have some say in what becomes of m... me. If... If I am truly in so much danger, then it cannot matter what risks I take, right?" She paused, as if expecting an answer, and when one did not come, again she said, "right?"

Zyren opened his mouth to speak, his words coming slowly and almost uneasily. "Well, my Queen, perhaps we should carefully think-"

"No, we don't have t... time," she argued, interrupting him again. She carefully walked past Leyna and Zyren, moving to stand before Alulim. "I don't care where... where you are from, or if you have family with the Auranium. I will trust you, please make me look different, I will do... whatever I must do," she said carefully, voice trembling. She could barely make eye contact with the mage, looking so small and vulnerable in that moment.

She fell silent, waiting for the mage to speak again. Zyren and Leyna looked around at the group, as if keeping watch on them, as if still expecting them to attack at that moment. Perhaps they expected some of them may change their minds. Whatever the case was, there was little time to stand around much longer. The noontime sun was slowly descending into evening outside.

They seemed to have not noticed a member of the small gathering had slipped away, the one who had slain the last assailant outside the castle. When Zyren finally became aware that the group was one person short, tension showed on his face; he prayed the man had merely chosen not to partake in this "mission," but he kept his guard up; there was always the possibility of someone turning on them now.