Snippet #1475135

Caine left, and his once-opponent decided to take her own advice and do the same. On her way, she passed Kisikoni, only then remembering that he had been spectating. "Thank you, for today," she said simply. She did not much like the thought of what would have happened had nobody been there to watch her back, and she was genuinely grateful for that, even if it would never be anything but understated.

Talae was in her tent running a whetstone along her simple-but-serviceable blade when the magnified shout echoed across camp. She rolled her eyes- did they really have to be so ostentatious about it?- but the obvious answer was yes, they did. She almost didn't believe the name the voice was giving itself; General Darenthi was about as close to a living legend as anyone anymore, and honestly she had no idea why such a personage would waste his time with cast-off legion that she belonged to.

Nevertheless, she was not so stupid as to ignore a summons. Glad that she'd had time to brush off her dead-useful leather armor and get most of the mud out of her hair, she clambered wearily to her feet, lifting her tent flap and exiting with a curious frown.

She was hardly surprised to hear that they'd been had- people with that much rank tended to think of themselves as entitled to toy with life as they would- and in some senses, they were. If it were in the best interests of the cause to send one squad to their deaths to buy time or positioning for another, then few commanders would probably hesitate. The threat the dragons presented was just that great. That didn't mean she much liked it, of course, but her opinion was ultimately inconsequential in the long run.

Although... the news took a turn for the strange as his speech continued. Talae was, on the one hand, glad of the increase in wage. It would make for easier living when this was all over- if it truly ended and she survived that long of course. If not, well... more for Fae, she supposed. On the other side of it, being a Vanguard was not exactly the safest of jobs, even in the Legion of Ashes. She could deal with it, but it meant also that her sister was now in exponentially more danger. She made the choice, Talae. It's your job only to make sure that she survives it.

When the meeting was adjourned, Talae made her way to the equipment caravans, procuring extra uniforms for both herself and Fae, forgoing the selection of weapons for the moment. She had more than enough knives, and a new sword as well. Any more would just weigh her down at this point. She returned with far less enthusiasm the greeting sent her way by an elvish archer, apparently new, with an inward flinch. She reminded Talae of Faera, only... louder. More aggressively cheerful, perhaps.

By the time she got back to her tent, Fae was inside and asleep, so she moved her work outside the tent itself. At least this way she was still in the general atmosphere of things, even if she wasn't exactly social.

---

Alistair waited a good deal more patiently than the archer in front of him for his turn to file into the portal. Perhaps fitting; she seemed inexperienced at best, and he was quite the opposite. Blood and death would find them all in due time, there was little need to rush them, or eagerly anticipate their arrival.

The snowy-hued harpy dipped his head in acknowledgment of Miralight. "I think I might have, at that," he replied in a musical tenor. "I have since recovered quite well, thank you for your concern." He had neither the time nor the inclination to say more, however, as it was his turn to step through, and he did just that, emerging into the campsite of the former fortieth in time to hear the conclusion of the General's speech. He, of course, had been assigned to the Vanguard this unit would become, not the fortieth Legion, though he was mildly surprised to note that it was only just being made so.

Ten days... an awfully short amount of time, all things considered. But, if the General saw potential in this unit, then he would serve it to the best of his ability, as was the duty he had taken upon himself. The group itself seemed to be well-mixed; a blend of humans, elves, harpies, halflings, lamia, and unless he was very much mistaken, that was a Nightmarian- a rare sight indeed. Quite the assortment.

He was not terribly tired at the moment, all things considered, and he contemplated seeking out any members of this new team that did not look over-wearied and introducing himself. It seemed, though, that the majority of them were actively involved in their own business, and he had no wish to make a nuisance of himself, certainly. So it was without a word to anyone that Alistair retired for the evening, selecting an unoccupied tent. If not for the niceties of convention amongst species not his own, the man would have probably chosen a tree instead, but it would be no great sacrifice to do otherwise.