Closed Waiting for Morning Light (Alevadra)

[Orion Michaels]

”If you remember, please tell. I could use for a lovely story such as that. Would have my daughter enthralled to hear tales of this amazing knight,” he said with a nod. If he had someone else’s backing on a ridiculous tale he attempted to tell him, perhaps he could thaw out the ice that rested immobile between he and his daughter. ”Emily would be most pleased. As would I.”

He chuckled at her suggestion. He and the beard together forever. ”Sounds like a chance at true love if I’ve ever heard of one. Commitment issues aside.” He kept a smile on his lips, though it almost sounded like she could be referring to him. Wasn’t he the one who boasted a history dotted with a lack of commitment? If it were so, she wasn’t one to care, as she’d told him several times already. Orion decided it best to let that comment pass without another word.

As she slapped his hand, Orion could only grin at her momentarily distraught expression. ”With a face like this, why wouldn’t you?” Orion motioned to his scar and then to his stubbly beard as he asked his question. ”I couldn’t blame you. I am quite a beautiful fellow, aren’t I?” He crossed his arms for a moment and then shook his head. ”Though from you I shan’t seek shaving tips. Don’t worry, the beard man and I will take good care of you.”

Orion couldn’t agree more with Alevadra. He was in no hurry to seek the cold depths of Avanthal. ”Yes, Sera Druva. Let us stay here in the warmth of Sylrias,” he deadpanned, reaching to brush a bit of snow from the knight’s shoulder. ”Nothing but Syna’s rays and Semele’s bounty before us.” Had it gotten colder? It sure felt as such. Orion was less than pleased with the turn in the weather.

He shrugged nonchalantly when she inquired as to his ability to escape trouble. ”I couldn’t argue with anyone who claimed that as truth. I can say I’ve avoided nearly as many slaps as I’ve received, thanks to this quick tongue.” He leaned forward slightly at her next statement. ”Can’t use you as an example, hmm? I find relief in that. I’ve found myself quite the bumbling buffoon with my words as of late. I’m glad to hear I haven’t tainted your opinion of me so quickly.” He gave colorful knight a cheeky grin. ”Aren’t I trying, Sera? The knights do rule, after all. Grandmaster Michaels. That has quite the ring to it, wouldn’t you agree?”

She responded well to his moment of weakness. He was still discovering who he was, what he was supposed to be doing, and how he was supposed to do it. All things that a man of his age should have figured out, but something he rarely felt close to finding. Alevadra’s words were kind and full of the wisdom he was growing more accustomed to hearing from her lips. He wasn’t sure what to say back so all he could do was nod and be thankful they moved on to their next topic, and an important one that was.

The squire listened as she named off the conditions of this secret friendship. It was almost identical to his and Dinah’s, right down to the limiting the insults. Only they would be free flowing, he was sure. He forgot to breath a moment as she began to list off what she would think of him as, her first characteristic cutting him deep. It wasn’t something that he’d expected, even in jest, but before he could protest came some positive remarks as well.

Orion nearly scoffed when she suggested that he was blessed by Cheva. Love had he not. Not in many years. ”You seem to have forgotten ‘ruggedly handsome’ in there somewhere, but it sounds like a wonderful arrangement, Sera Druva, Alevadra,…Ale.” Orion reached and took the broth from her once she finished her portion. ”You win, you win.” He drank of the warm broth, taking comfort in the soothing which the liquid brought.

He was fortunate enough to avoid any sort of watch on the first night; he would suffer through that when the exhaustion of the trip had begun to take hold. ”No, I’ve got nothing else,” he said after the other knight had left. ”Thank you for your company today. It’s been quite the adventure already. Sleep well, Alevadra.” Orion gave her a smile before turning his attention to the fire before him. He wasn’t quite comfortable with her nickname yet; he would try and see if he could get away with her full name for now. The blue eyed man glanced over at the unique woman a few more times, careful to not catch her glance if he could avoid it. It seemed the knights took all kinds. She carried herself in a way unlike other warriors he’d met since Dinah took him under her wing. He wasn’t yet sure what to think of her, but at least they had many days to try and make that call.

He wouldn’t stay out in the elements much longer. It wasn’t possible to pull his blanket any tighter around his frame, but even when he did finally seek respite from the snow sleep would be hard to find.

[Alevadra Druva]

The knight nodded slowly, smiling. “Perhaps when we are back in syliras I can recant epic tales to your little one. I always enjoyed hearing them and it seems children tend to enjoy them more than the adults.” Perhaps, that was because the adults were not as interested in the slaying of bandits and violence that the tales children often delighted in. “Emily is a beautiful name.” The knight rolled her eyes after slapping away Orion’s hand. “You must be beating women off with a stick, Orion, with a face like that.” The woman laughed, shaking her head. “Thank the gods I have you and the beardman, my scruff would consume this face if it were not for the aide of you two.” She said with a bemused sigh—she dug her own hole, might as well accept it. The woman scoffed at Orion. “Warmth. I suppose it is painfully cold the further north you go… This must seem delightful compared to that frozen land.” He brushed some snow from her shoulder and the woman sigh. “I shouldn’t complain, we wouldn’t want the gods getting ideas and making this any worse, now would we? At least it’s quite pretty to look at.” At least there was some Brightside, even if it was a small one. “You’re able to form coherent sentences and have yet to say anything too dastardly.” Her second statement was a jest, she made that clear with a small laugh. Brown eyes rolled at the mention of “Grandmaster Micheals” A hand slipped out and pushed his snow-dusted shoulder. “Oh please, Grandmaster Druva sounds much better.” She teased. Of course, Ale had no desire for such a role. “Ah! I knew I forgot something. Ruggedly handsome, I’ll have to remember that one. And quite the wit with yours words as well.” It was light and while her initial comment on him was anything but kind, it was honest, and she was anything but one to beat around the bush when it came to her faults or others. “No worries, Orion, you’ll be dangling my Skeletons before my eyes in no time being your S.K.F.” “Good, I’d rather not begin our lovely little romp in the wilderness with me force feeding you.” She dusted off her shoulders and legs, all becoming coated in a thin layer of the white precipitation. It was an early bed for Ale, though she wanted to assure that her temporary squire was situated before she dozed off for a handful of bells. “Ah, don’t worry, we’ll get to delight in each others company again tomorrow! I believe this may be one of the most pleasant patrols I’ve been on—Snow aside, of course.” She stood and bowed her head slightly to Orion. “Rest well, Orion.” With her final sentiment, the woman bowed her head and headed off to her tent. Rest was uneasy—not that is was not desired, but the cold biting at her toes and nose kept restful sleep from her tired eyes. Dreams were not recalled, though when her tent was rustled to indicate her turn at watch, she felt a sense of unease and loss in her core. Regardless what it was that had been dreamed, it left Alevadra feeling rather devoid of substance. “Be right out,” She murmured softly, rising from the wraps of blankets she’d swaddled herself in. The knight dressed quickly and warmly, trying to avoid the nip in the air as much as possible—though the cold woke her up unlike anything else that was for certain. Layers of wool and linen were piled on as well as her cloak. The knight donned part of her armor, the chest plate mostly as well as her leg plates before she opened her tent to the blast of cold and the sight of layers of snow. It was quiet a beauty, the serene, stillness of winter glittering in the light of the moon. [b] “Ah, Sera Druva, you’re up till morning,”[/color] Surprisingly, it was the bearded man Ale and Orion had been speaking on. The knight smiled, recalling their conversation on his beard. “Any chance I could borrow that?” She asked, motioning towards his beard. The man let out a chuckle and shook his head, putting a hand on her shoulder as he made his way to his tent. There was a make-shift seat out of a stump that the other watchers had been sitting on beside the low fire. On the fire was a pot with warmed water—at least there was that to look forward to. The blue-haired woman put another log on the fire before settling down upon the stump, resting her sword upon her thighs as brown eyes drifted from the flames up to the stars. The branches cut across the sky, like the veins of the forest, specks of white twinkling down at her as the silence began to settle in around her. It would be a few bells before anyone else would be up, anywhere between three and four. She heard a horse snort as well as someone snoring off in their tent. Ah—the music she’d be listening to for a few bells. Her blade was unsheathed and the tip prodded the fire, send sparks fluttering towards the stars. The knights mind wandered to the intended day before them, a bit more of a trek, with the snow it would be quite a bit slower. They would probably make it to one of the houses along the trail and check that it was still in good condition for those who braved the wilderness. The blade rested across her lap, attentive orbs shifting to look at the distorted reflection staring up at her. ((You can either fast forward to morning or pop in! Whatever you like! ))

[Orion Michaels]

oocSorry for the delay. I was in a bit of a writing funk. Thanks for your patience!

”I don’t think anything would make her happier. If you tossed in a few notes about me being one of the people defeated, she’d like that, too,” he added with a wink. ”Careful making offers like that, S.K.F., or I may have to take you up on it.” Although the young girl’s attitude did nothing to match her name, he couldn’t agree more with her assessment. ”It is. Emily Lynn Lawrence. Her mother wouldn’t let her have my name, but I think she came up with something pretty good on her own.”

”Sticks, swords, clubs, doors, chairs, and tables. Whatever you can come up with. It really is quite dangerous being me,” he stated plainly, withdrawing his hand from her slap. ”Let me know if you need help with a shave. I'll be more than happy to help out." Finally, Orion raised his hands, waving them back and forth in front of his chest while shaking his head. "Alright, alright, I'm done, I swear. Maybe."

It didn't matter what it was to those of the frozen north, Orion didn't care for the snow one bit. It was bitter, biting, unyielding; any word to describe the unpleasant winds and precipitation could apply. "Maybe I can talk the knights into sending me on an adventure some place warm? This Benshiran woman told me all about this warm, sandy place that her people were from, though I can't recall the name. I think I choose there." He nodded as though it were a forgone conclusion he would travel there. If he could sprout wings and take to the skies, Orion would have been half way there. "If I were in a warm building, looking out a window, I might be a bit more inclined to agree with you," he remarked with a grin. "At least the company is mostly pleasant."  

Nodding in agreement, Orion offered up a shrug. "Nothing too dastardly, huh? I'll have to see about fixing that. All in due time, Sera Dru-..Alevadr...Ale." It was going to take some getting used to, but no doubt by the end of their journey she would be correcting him for his slip ups in front of the other knights. Starting to anticipate when her nudges would come, Orion reached out and tried to grab her wrist when she made to shove him. "Grandmaster Druva? How boring," he teased. "Having a leader from one of the Knight families? Isn't that too predictable? Now Michaels? That's a good, strong name, and there won't be any confusion on just which Michaels it is. Druva on the other hand..." He trailed off, letting his silence sing his joke.

"I'm glad you agree. I'd have been required to check your eyes for maladies if you'd said otherwise," Orion replied in mock arrogance. It was easier to joke than to face what she'd said head on. Deflect with humor, isn't that what he'd always done? Orion oft wondered if he'd really changed at all. "Perhaps I will," he said, knowing full well it would never come to be. For all the wicked things he'd been called, and especially for those he'd done, the squire was not one to dig into the depths of one's past. His own sins were buried as deep as they could be. He'd never hold someone's own before them. Probably. 

"I'd pay good coin to see that spectacle. Maybe we can put on a performance in the theatre square? 'Beautiful Knight force feeds commit-a-phobe Squire! Watch as he refuses to even pick a broth, causing Sera Druva to take matters into her own hands!'" Orion motioned his hands out wildly in front of him as he explained his idea, before nodding as she set to depart. "G'night," he said, giving a simple wave of his hand in parting. 

The squire wouldn't wait much longer to go to be himself. With everyone fed and somewhat satisfied, his job as the cook was taken care of. Little sense was found him waiting around and letting the snow bury him, so off to his tent he went. 

Sleep would find itself difficult to arrive. The troubled man's mind wouldn't stop running, sparing him only a handful of bells rest before forcing him wide awake. Too many questions, so few answers. His past, his present, and his future tormented him still, leaving him feeling like a teenager discovering who they were. That was happening a decade late for his tastes. 

He tossed and turned for several chimes after waking before, finally having enough, left his tent, blanket in hand. It seemed that snow hadn't stopped falling since it started the day before, the accumulation of the fine powder noticeable. Of course that didn't stop the dutiful Alevadra from fulfilling her obligations.

Orion shuffled his way through the depths to reach the blue haired woman, smiling softly as she seemed almost in a meditative state. He didn't wish to bother her, but neither should she suffer the cold alone. Draping the blanket around her shoulders, Orion's plated knee found itself a place in the snow. 

"Sleep is a fleeting dream, Alevadra. Care for a little company?"

[Alevadra Druva]

oocNo worries. Seems we’re both in the same boat there. Sorry for the delay, life needs to stop boiling over. “Pft,” She waved off the idle half-threat of having to entertain Emily. “I’ll be sure to add in that you screamed like a little child, just to make her happy.” Ale said jokingly, making it clear she had no intent of emasculating Orion in front of his daughter. “Well, that is a lovely full name, I think it turned out alright, even if she doesn’t bear your surname.” “You best be, Micheals, I know where you sleep… And you do have to answer to me for the rest of this patrol…” Her eyes seemed to space out as she tapped her chin, idly thinking of what torment she could bestow upon his poor soul for teasing her so. “Ah, you are lucky that I already agreed to be your S.K.F.” She winked, as if that was the only think keeping him safe from her—in truth, she was merely playing, Alevadra was not the sort of pull her position over others in regards to silly things. Ale listened silently as Orion spoke of warmer places—Oh how nice it would be to go on an adventure once more—of course, that didn’t seem to be in Ale’s hand, not for a while at least. “You really want to be surrounded by sand all the time, Orion? Sand is the gritty, hot version of snow… I would pick snow over sand any day… It wrecks something fierce on armor and skin alike.” She shrugged, perhaps she was more comfortable with the cold than she had initially thought. “I suppose it would be too warm to wear armor in any case… Maybe your knighting quest will be to that far off land… No one ever know where they will be sent.” “Mostly…” She echoed with a grin. “Can’t have you getting to comfortable with me, now can I?” As Ale reached out to push him in jest, he grabbed her wrist, only allowing her to push against his hand and arm—not nearly as affective as the initial intent. The knight rolled her eyes. “Perhaps it’s predictable, but I like to think I am something short of predictable.” She retracted her hand back and waved off his comment. “That’ll be the day, Orion… When you are Grandmaster and bossing me around.” She let out a small laugh. “I’ll have to remember to be a good S.K.F. to avoid the shoddy duties you could assign me in that position!” Like being sent on a mission to the frozen North. “Oh! That would be a good way to make a few Mizas! Perhaps members of the crowd to come take turns shoving food in your mouth!” She laughed at the mental spectacle before shaking her head. “No, no… That doesn’t seem like the knightly thing to do… Though it is an amusing thought.” She finished the thought with a quiet chuckle before her dismissal to bed. A thin layer of snow had settled upon her head, little flakes resting on strands of hair for a few moments before the heat of her melted them. Shoulders were slouched forward as she curled towards the warmth of the fire, having recently placed another log on the fire it was giving off enough warmth to keep her toes and finger tips lively with sensation. Alevadra had been sitting for a bell or so, the snow continuing as the forest quietly creaked around their camp. She heard movement from the tents, a glance over her shoulder saw the form of one of the many on patrol. She waved it off as a night-time piss more than anything and her attention returned to the woods that surrounded. It wasn’t until the crunch of snow was behind her and the weight of a blanket upon her shoulders that she realized who it was. Brown eyes glanced over to Orion and offered him a slight smile. “The colds bite is a bit to fierce; I suspect many in our company are struggling to get any restful sleep.” She nudged the most recent log that had been placed, moving it over the hot coals with her sword before sheathing it. “Ah, my squire friend, your company is always welcome, thank you,” Ale nodded towards the blanket. “I was unable to grow a beard in the time I’ve been out here, I fear that’s a lost cause, thankfully, you came with this.” Alevadra went silent for a spell, clasping her hands together and squeezing till her knuckles turned white. “I fear this snow will never stop, we’ll be swimming in it before this patrol is over.” It was losing it’s beauty at a rapid pace. “Dying of cold seems like the worst of ways to go.”

[Orion Michaels]

"It's not the cold that's made me unable to sleep," he admitted with a shrug. "Though I can't say it's done me any favors. Should have grabbed another twenty or thirty blankets." Grinning, the squire squatted down by both Alevadra and the fire. The crackling warmth of the flame was greeted happily by the squire, as the only heat his tent had was that which it sapped from him.

He nodded in agreement. The cold was unforgiving, and not something that the Sylirans were terribly used to. In Orion's life he could only remember a handful of colder days, and none with so much snow. Silence filled the air, the dancing flames hissing at the cold as they whipped and twisted about. After a chime or two, Orion broke the silence with a question related to her statement.

"Then how do you want to go, Alevadra?" He glanced over, offering a harmless grin. He'd thought on the subject more than he was happy to admit. "For me, it's depended on the day. Alone, rich, surrounded by beautiful women, in a blaze of glory. I just can't make up my mind. Frozen with a gorgeous S.K.F. wasn't one of them, I have to admit." Orion’s ups and downs and led to some rather somber thoughts for the squire. A life which had thrust stumbling block after stumbling block had made death sneak its way into his thoughts on more than a single occasion.

Orion reached over and brushed some of the snow off of Alevadra’s shoulders, then did the same for his own as he shook his body trying to free himself of the clinging powder. ”I don’t think it’s ever going to stop. We’ll be able to climb over a snow bank right into Syliras at this rate,” he joked, wrapping his arms around his body for warmth. ”I wonder if any of the wicked creatures of the wilderness will venture out in these conditions? I can’t imagine they are any more pleased with the cold than we are. Probably holed up keeping warm, so I guess they are smarter than we are, too.” He chuckled softly, scooting a few inches closer to the flame, reaching over to a small stack of wood to toss a log on the flame.

”How long ‘til morning, do you think? Maybe Syna’s rays will do us a favor and deal with all this white.” It was a wish that would soon be fleeting, though the squire didn’t realize it. The snow would prove to be the worst Syliras had seen in decades, and they were the unfortunate patrol that would find themselves outdoors in it. Skilled knights would be put to the test over a very trying patrol.

[Alevadra Druva]

It’s not the cold that’s made me unable to sleep, Ale raised a brow slightly, shooting a glance his way. “Is that the sound of skeletons rattling that I hear, Micheals? Or is it just the wind in the barren branches?” She smiled slightly and looked back at the flames. “You act like you’ve never had to endure the cold, Orion, are you so coddled?” She joked. “However, if you had brought twenty more blankets, you’d have found yourself suddenly short ten of them…” The knight shifted on the stump, grabbing a snow coated tin. She carefully scooped snow into it and dumped it into the pot that sat upon the tripod cooking contraption. She filled the pot with snow, which melted nearly instantly. The tin was set aside as she waited for the liquid to warm, settling back upon the stump. The silence didn’t last all that long, Orion was the one to break. Brown eyes shifted to look at him as he went about talking on his own preferences—which varied. His last note elicited a quiet laugh as Ale shook her head. “It wasn’t? You wound me, Orion.” She jested, feigning pain in her chest. She went quiet for a moment, crunching the snow under her feet as she mulled over her own final desires. “To a blade, I suppose. There’s a sort of… Elegance in it.” Ale gave a sideways glance to Orion before continuing. “As you lay there, bleeding, limbs growing cold, there’s… Clarity in that. What matters most comes to the forefront. The pain—while surely horrific—is secondary to the quiet reflection.” Silence lasted not even half a chime before Ale spoke again. “You lay there, growing cold… And you have the chance to truly know who you are, because in that final, painless moment, the dearest things that you would kill for, die for… Live for. They become most apparent.” The knight realized how dark her speech was as she swallowed uncomfortably, glancing to the pot as she moved to pour the contents into two tins for the two by the fire. “Here,” She handed the man a tin of steaming water. “I’d be a terrible S.K.F. if I let you freeze,” The woman then took her own tin and sipped the steaming water, letting it warm her from inside to out. She tried not to mull over what she’d said, however, she couldn’t help such actions. Her experience with death were several, she had seen that moment of clarity on the faces of others, sometimes marred with regret, sometimes with peace. Her thoughts were broken as Orion’s hand brushed off some snow from her shoulder. Ale’s attention moved to him as she forced a smile, pushing thoughts to the back of her mind, letting them dance with her skeletons while she remained among the living. “Now, wouldn’t that be a site… Climbing into Sylira’s… Right over the wall.” She shook her head slightly. “I imagine if that happens well have to move all the petching snow away from the wall….” Ale didn’t know much about the wild creatures, that had been Patrick’s forte during their time together, she’d never bothered to pick it up. “Perhaps some with thicker coats… I imagine most of them are as holed up as we wish to be.” She watched as the man scooted closer to the flame. How foolish, he was cold and yet he gave the blanket to her. “A bell, perhaps a little less, or a little more. Some of the braver critters are moving about, squirrels and such.” She shook her head slightly at the statement of Syna. “Ah, I hope not, then we’ll be up to your knees in mud. You’ll have to carry me for fear of it eating me up.” She laughed shrugging off the blanket and drapping it over Orion. A hand was held up as the blanket landed on him. “Let’s not have another broth incident, Micheals.” Alevadra stated with a small smile. “I wonder if some of the patrol will be sent back. I worry the little squire won’t fare well in this weather. Too cold for someone still so young.” Ale leaned forward, resting her elbows upon her knees, fingers held out lamely towards the flames. “So tell me, Orion, do you ever miss being a doctor?”

[Orion Michaels]

"No skeletons here, Sera. Just a long, restless night." He didn't look at her when he replied, hoping to prevent his lie from being so obviously placed upon his face. His skeletons were scratching at the walls, trying to climb out an overwhelm him. Something about the cold dreary travel had already taken it's toll on the squire, leaving an ominous sign for a patrol so young. "I'd have parted with five of them at most. You'll find me most selfish when it comes to my warmth, Alevadra."

Orion listened as Ale answered his question without hesitation. It somewhat surprised him that she'd actually thought about her own death to the extent she shared. Orion had been joking with his own answer to the question he'd asked. "It sounds so..horrific," he admitted, sitting silently for a moment. He'd experienced the pain of a wayward blade in a few live training mishaps, but never one that was potentially fatal. "Yet, I suppose it would give you that time to think back on things, like you said. They say your life flashes before your eyes. Perhaps you would be joined by your happiest of memories, your biggest accomplishments, your proudest moments.

'Or perhaps you would lie with your transgressions.'

Readily accepting the warm water, he gave an appreciative smile before bringing it to his lips to sip of the rare heat. A soft sigh escaped from his lips as the steaming water tricked down his throat. "You're too kind to me, my S.K.F. Is this normal, or am I just the lucky one?” He briefly bit his bottom lip, laughter apparent in his piercing gaze. He wished for nothing more than to press her harder, tease her more, and simply lighten the mood of a dreary day. The cold breeze and unrelenting snow had another thing in mind. Shivers ripped through his body as the snow kicked up around them. ”Or maybe we could just pray that the gods send enough wind that we don’t have to worry about it,” he muttered, bringing the tin to his lips once more. The warmth of the water had already faded, giving way to the deathly cold.

”I’d count you a brave woman, letting me hold you,” he remarked with a sly smirk. ”Or an extremely foolish one. You would think tha-“ Orion fell silent as she placed the very blanket he’d brought for her back upon his shoulders. It would have been wise to bring a second blanket, and he should have seen her action coming, but before he could even begin to protest, she had blocked that path. ”Very well, Alevadra,” Orion began, giving her a stern look. ”But should I catch you shivering, we may have a problem on our hands.” His firm expression melted into another grin, unable to take himself seriously.

”I wonder that myself. While it’s good training, it’s also quite extreme, and unusual. The sooner we make that call, the better. But, maybe this snow will only last a day? Winters just aren’t like this.”

She genuinely caught him off guard with her next inquiry. It was something he hardly thought on anymore. With so little time to reflect, he’d not managed to travel that path in his memories. He chuckled softly, buying him a few ticks to compose his reply. ”I suppose you could say that. It was certainly a more simple lifestyle. Boring, too. I don’t say this to brag, but I got too good for my own good, Ale. They wanted me available for traumatic injuries, so I found myself sitting around most days. The coin I got for how little work I was actually needed for is almost criminal.” He smiled, an almost nostalgia about that moment. ”Lives saved, lives lost. It doesn’t sound all that different than being a knight. I’m just using a lot bigger knife to get the job done.”

Orion pulled the blanket around him tighter, trying to pull whatever warmth he could find into his body. "Truth be told, I've never stopped being a doctor. I've still helped out in emergencies. I was recruited for my precision with a scalpel, not my skill with a sword."

[Alevadra Druva]

“I think I would have been able to get at least eight. I think you’ll find me rather tenacious and a thorn in your side.” She stated with a little jab at his ribs. The woman smiled and shook her head slightly. “You ought to have asked the beardy one to share your tent, surely warmth would be all you would have had.” The knight tried to hold back a snort and giggle, but it came out anyway in a rather unladylike manner. Horrific, Ale looked at him with a start. “Death is horrific, regardless of the avenue one takes to get there. Surely you know that from your time as a doctor? Even if the one dying finds it peaceful, all those around find it horrific—no matter how expected or anticipated. Death is always horrific.” Her attention went back to the fire, nudging an end of a log, pushing it further into the hungry flames. Orion spoke and Ale quietly listened, nodding to his words. “One can only pray that they are blessed with that rather than the opposite.” She let the subject change, there was no need to start off the day so morbidly without need. Ale laughed again after Orion had sipped some of his water, holding her own tin close to her face to enjoy the warm steam. “Oh, you’re lucky.” She smirked, looking to him. “If you didn’t have that scruffy, hurt-pup look, I doubt I’d be so nice. Thank your lucky stars that that’s,” Ale motioned to the scar over his eye. “All the damage that’d happened to that face of yours,” She jested. In truth, he was easy to get along with and wasn’t a child—Ale was able to respect that and hold an actual conversation with him. “Carrying through the mud and holding are two very different activities, Orion. I would hope you don’t mix the two up.” At least, Ale saw those two things as very different activities, but, Orion’s legacy came before him and she knew better than to expect anything else from him. The woman just smiled to the squire. “I am, however, quite brave, if you haven’t realized yet.” She said in mock confidence, puffing her chest forward in a rather pompous manner. He took the blanket although Ale could see he was not pleased about it. The knight just smiled and shook her head. “I’ll be sure to keep my shivering unnoticeable.” The woman nodded, taking a final, large sip from her tin before setting it upon the ground. The winter was an odd one, one that Ale was ready to already have done. Her bones ached for that sickly sweet scent of fresh growth and mud. “I can only hope Spring is normal, and Summer as well… One off season is more than enough for me.” “Sounds... A little dreadful.” The knight couldn’t imagine being sidelined. She lived, breathed, slept, ate, drank this life, the life of a knight. Ale knew nothing else, she wouldn’t know what to do with herself. [color] “That’s a dark way to see your path.”[/color] The woman shrugged slightly, it was true though, however, he was more about killing than trying to save. “The ultimate goal has changed though… Generally.” The woman rubbed her eyes, her sleep was not restful and she could feel it in her eyes. She watched him pull the blanket closer and continue. “Well, I think there are more than a few who are skilled with swords—not nearly enough skilled with a scalpel.” She shrugged ever so slightly. The knight leaned forward towards the fire for a moment before standing and stretching. “Ah, petching weather,” She squeaked out while stretching out her back. “I could fall asleep, armor and all right about now.” She looked to Orion before glancing up for the sun. There was the coloration that Syna’s rays would soon be upon them. “Come on, Orion, best get some breakfast, I’m sure we’ll be wanting to leave early.” She nodded towards the horses. “Think you can make rations excited and delicious?”

[Orion Michaels]

"Of course. Beardy. Not only could I have counted on his warmth, but the ichyness would have ensured that I reach madness sooner than I ever could have hoped." Orion rolled his eyes, moving his arms to protect himself from her jab at his side. "Ooooh, that's attractive. My S.K.F. is just full of surprises."

He listened to her reply on a topic she'd clearly thought much about. He was surprised with how ferociously she reacted, almost startled by the passion of her response. He couldn't have disagreed more with her belief that all death was horrific, but he wasn't about to belabor the point. He'd witnessed deaths of all kinds in his time as a physician; while there was sadness, there were times where it was nothing but a relief for all those involved. They'd seen the pain for days, seasons, years, and had been ready for that final release so their loved one wouldn't hurt any more.

Even knowing that, however, Orion still wasn't looking forward to his own eventual passing.

"I wear it with mastery, don't I?" He nodded in agreement with her assessment of him and his 'hurt puppy' look. After hiding behind it for so many years, it was hard to be anything but. "I know. I couldn't have been much more fortunate that the Zith only got me with two of its claws. It added the perfect 'tough guy' look that I needed to push my attraction over the edge, wouldn't you agree?"

He shrugged, fighting off a smirk. "I do hope you forgive me if I were to mix the two up. Sometimes I just can't control myself, and with a beautiful woman in my arms it could get hard to resist." A cool gust of wind left him thankful for the blanket, but still concerned it was at the expense of another. "I'm in agreement there. Another cold season might send me packing for warmer waters."

"I'm not sure anyone could make those rations better. I'm afraid we're stuck with the salty meat and tacky bread." He rose to his feet, looking back to the main camp area and the stirring members of their troop. They would sleep as little as was reasonable throughout the entirety of this patrol to ensure they moved as much as possible. The snow was only making things harder, and they couldn't waste any time. "But I'm hungry enough that I don't think I'll care. After you, Alevadra...or Sera Druva, I suppose, hmm?"