"Don't leave me..."The words echoed within his mind yet he could not put a face to the voice.It did not come from one of his old comrades, those whom he had abandoned to take up the path of a Warrior of Light.Yet the sorrow he felt for them was no less than that he had endured as he parted ways from the guard.
"Don't leave me..."The strangers voice spoke.
"Don't leave us..."The memory lingered.
He had promised to stand by them, and yet in the end he had left."I'm sorry..." Dervial spoke up to the night sky, extending his hand out to stare at the palm."I can't be true to my-" He sighed, balling his hand into a fist.
"It's better this way." He'd look skyward once more before turning towards the desk.Making his way over to resume his writings, the recordings of all he had encountered beyond the boundaries of Lakeland, the people who he had met and the lives that had changed.For better or worse. A Warrior of Light, or aspiring one at that. Yet it seemed ever beyond his reach.
And so with a fresh tankard of mead, quill in hand he would begin scribbling his records once more.As the scribblings of the quill quietly echoed throughout the room, they were disrupted by the banging of a fist against the heavy doors.
"They pick their times..." Dervial mummered, taking another swig of his mead before setting the quill within the ink pot.Making his way towards the door, he took a moment to prepare himself.Knocking on the door at this hour was rarely a pleasant experience.And so he pulled the doors open.
"Oh..." He started as he looked upon his guest."We need to talk." The Viis spoke.
"Hows life as a Warrior of Light? Splendid, no paperwork, no watch duties and no one beggin' me for a moment to discuss important bureaucratic matters! And the work hours are the best I've had!"
He was grinning towards her, though he knew it a fruitless attempt at this point to make her smile, or frown...Or change her expression in the slightest in most cases.Part of him still liked to believe she did smile, just on such a minute scale that it was
imperceptible to mortal eyes.A moment of silence lingered between the two.
"Your humour has not improved and your deflection attempts are poor." She returned the stony faced stare.Had he not known better, he would have taken offense. Yet he knew Daelindri in that moment was offering her own twist on the banter."Well it's a work in progress so..." He'd reach up to rub the back of his neck, turning his gaze away for a time."I'm fine, Dae. Honestly...What about you?" With the lie he had hoped to buy himself some time, turning the question unto her.Daelindri arched a brow at that, having most likely seen through the lie and deflection. She had known him long enough that's for certain, a blink of an eye in her lifespan."Adequate." She replied.
A mistake on his part, one he was quick to try and rectify."And the others?" Dervial sighed, gesturing towards Daelindri as he once more awaited her response."They are well, James has taken a liking to one of the new recruits. I have warned him that should he fail to keep his hands off Kara, I will in fact neuter him." Once more stated in a flat tone, were it not for the slightest ear twitch Dervial would have presumed the threat real.A relief, that he could still get somewhat of a read on her."Well, James is...James. I trust they're all without troubles? At this rate I swear I've seen Aethric unconscious more times than conscious" Dervial tilted his head, recalling the Galdjent and his knack for drawing all manner of injuries.
"You are welcome to speak with them yourself, we are still stationed in Fort Jobb for the time being."The thought was far from a pleasant one, having abandoned the guard and his own comrades to chase a life of adventure, all because of some grand lie that was weaved that one fateful day within the Crystarium.Dervial turned away, unable to muster courage to decline the offer."But I would have you speak truthfully; How are you?" She spoke again, the voice was somewhat softer.What could he say? That he had managed precious little since he had left? That he was tormented by strange dreams and black-clad strangers?"...I've been better." He sighed, giving an inch to the ugly truth that had burdened him.
"Elaborate." Daelindri spoke once more."...In time, aye?" Dervial responded, looking back to her with an apologetic smile."Understood. I would suggest we speak of it upon your visit to Fort Jobb."Daelindri rose to a stand before he could speak.
Dervial paused, he had neither declined nor accepted, hells he had never even deigned to visit upon his return to Lakeland."...Aye, 'course." He'd manage a smile, appreciating the small push Daelindri had given him with that suggestion."I'll come visit, I promise."
"Good, otherwise I would have dragged you." She met his gaze."They miss you, you know.""And I them, we had some good times..." Dervial hummed, though it was not a life of adventure they had of course found their own stories during their times together."Until then." She turned to make her depature.
"Dae?" Dervial found himself speaking up, looking after the Viis.She paused in her departure, looking over to the Hume.Dervial had raised his fist in a salute."It was good to see you again." He'd smile her way.She lingered for a time, offering no immediate response until she would eventually turn, raising her fist to return the salute.
"And you, my friend. Take care of yourself."He dared not speak it, nor would anyone believe him should he try.But he could have sworn in that moment, a twinge of a smile had broken through.
Some hours had passed, she had returned to her post at Fort Jobb.No words were wasted upon musings, her mind had already turned back towards the duty before her.For a time at least.
Dervial was gone, and she was the one to command them now.They would endure whatever came next, not all were rushing off to become would-be-heroes.Someone had to continue protecting the Crystarium, and Lakeland at large."Daelindri! I have returned with the new weapons, yes?" Called a booming voice from across the courtyardHer attention turned towards it source, the Galdjent was waving in a rather enthusiastic manner. Talagar was no doubt eager to show off his latest creations, eager to put them to the test.
