by BetaFlame » Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:18 am
He watches the woman prepare carefully, even as he reaches up to rub at an ear. There is a slight pained expression for a moment, then he is back to steel. It might not have even happened, so quick was it to pass. "How long, you ask? Aleksei left a.. marking here, do not doubt otherwise. I can still feel his Resonance of power. If they come here, it will be to question. They have not been given orders to put your little town to the sword, believe me. I would not risk being here if it were." She might not like the truth, but he spoke it plainly. She was a solider, he could tell. No politician. He spares Gloria a glance and a quirked brow. "You truly believe that? I wish I had your upbringing where magic was not so invaded in my life I cannot imagine someone not flying."
Then his gazes is back on Ariane and he is leaning back in his chair.. arms folded over his chest as he considers. "If, if they make straight here a week at the soonest. Likely, they will stop and question others to make sure he has not been with them between Roland's departure and their arrival on the main land. So two to three. I tried to give as much time as I could."
Then she is asking about their power? "Oh gods. Cashile is.. almost unknown. He is a Bound Demon no longer bound. His plaything is fire. I know little about him beyond that his demon devoured his soul and challenged the Sun King. I know he wounded the Sun King, then lost the fight. But if he could challenge and wound the King..." He tilts his head and gives a one shoulder shrug.
"Giesella is more tempered. She is a spy at heart and prefers to observe rather than to confront. Bound to her is an air elemental.. granting her powers over that element. She is weaker than Aleksei was when he housed his Celestial. I suspect she is actually one of the Kings chief assassins, but I have no proof. Then again, if I had proof, she would be a terrible assassin, no? She is call the Frost Wind by the King.. and she lives up to it. Everyone she has ever fought with has died with their liquids frozen in their bodies. She uses a weapon that is basically a long curved blade at the end of a chain. She likes to cause others pain. " That draws a rueful turn of his lip and another shrug as he downs the rest of the tea. "My thanks." At least he doesn't slurp.
"Second in command of the Knights is Tellar. He is a former Priest, which makes him doubly dangerous. He specializes in blood magic and binding rituals. I know not what monster is wrapped to his soul, because he has never bothered to unleash it. He prefers to use his inborn magic, which makes me suspect he has nothing bound to him, making him a Knight in name only. If that is true, he would be the weakest of the bunch. If he has found a way to have both his magic and something? I don't know. I confronted him once.. clearly we both walked away, but I was not well for a long time there after. His is called the Plague for a reason I suspect. I do not remember much."
"The last is Moroua. She is Aleksei's replacement. She has another, weaker, Celestial bound to her... and she is a fanatic. She has the fire of a new recruit, loyal to the death to the King with no thought to her own advancement. She is also intelligent and cunning. Not as bright as Aleksei, thank the gods, but smarter than I. She can draw on the power just like Aleksei could.. improving her speed, physical strength.. wings even. She is a master archer, and likely has orders to put an arrow in Aleksei's brain if Cashile cannot capture him.
He leans forward, waiting to catch Ariane's eye again, "Make not mistake, Marshall, they mean to capture him. He is not of this world anymore. They will try and Bind him like the creature he freed. If they fail at that, they will kill him. Giesella and Tellar are here to make sure Cashile stays under control. Tellar has the second job of Binding Aleksei. Moroua is Cashile's backup in case you 'mortals' attempt to save him."
His cool gaze is still on her, and now he has a question. "I've answered yours.. now I need mine answered. Aleksei River took in a new monster. Can he control it?" What would he do if she answered no?