Kaz had had a long day. A long week to be precise. Since coming to Crocus it was one hefty ordeal after another. He looked forward to a quiet night in. The sun was already beginning to set and he was rounding up the end of his patrol. The knights had all turned in their reports with not much to show. It was a silent evening, which was logical given the sheer amount of knights in the area.

He had heard some whispers though of crime flourishing in the underparts of the city. It was a thought that unnerved him. One that he would like to stamp out but he just didn't have the time to launch into a full-scale investigation given how much was being pulled away because of the festivities and all the dark guild mage's being allowed to come into town. As a captain now, since the King invited them all in for the festival, Kaz called for a two-day hold on any bounties or warrants they may have. He wanted everything to go over smooth enough but needed to keep an eye on them if they were plotting something.

But that would all have to wait until tomorrow. He walked up the snow-covered steps to his temporary apartment. It was one rented out for him during his stay here. The key slid in effortlessly and he gave it a turn. Something ran up his spin like a shiver. An odd sensation, that caused him to pause with the door only creaked open a few inches.

He shook his head and dismissed it as silliness. Jitters from being in a new place perhaps. He opened the door and stepped inside the cozy place. He wasn't one for lavish living so requested a small place with a single bedroom.

Just as he swung the door wide he saw the figure of a person in his home. His eyes narrowed but the person made no immediate movements. If they were here to attack him they would have done so already. Without taking his eyes off the person, he closed the door but kept it unlocked.

"Oh," he responded without much surprise in his voice but more suspicion. Instinctively a gentle breeze billowed through the room and gathered around Kaz. He made no sudden movements but was ready to do battle if the woman charged.

"Well you haven't attacked me yet, so you're either a very honorable assassin or here for something else. Either way...would you like some tea," he offered as he walked into the kitchen to start a pot. He made sure to keep a safe distance from them and an eye out the whole time.

If she was an assassin, something about it would be far more simple to deal with than unraveling a more complicated reason behind the person's presence. Either way, something about this woman spelled trouble. But that could be said for anyone that breaks into a home. "So which is it," he asked as the water began to heat.

She followed him into the kitchen and Kaz kept a careful eye on her. As she had stepped closer he was able to catch some of the markings on her face and that she was a fairly young woman. Her quick and rational explanation finally brought a smile to his face. The tenseness in his shoulders seemed to fade along with the wind from the apartment, "Well then I'm glad I lived to make it here and that you're here for another reason. Guess I'll get the good tea now,"he joked but did grab a new bag of tea. He cleared his throat at her next statement, "You know it's a bold thing to say something like that to a knight after having broken into their apartment," he replied but it wasn't any kind of threat. Just a light-hearted response aimed to lighten the mood.

She scanned him up and down and moved away towards the table. She removed her cloak and sat down. Someone who was certainly at ease with themselves but it didn't bother Kaz any more than just the sudden surprise of the visit. He heated the water as quickly as he could, then grabbed two cups and set them on small plates with a gentle clink.

At her mention of needing to talk, Kaz would lean to the side and peek his head around the frame of the door that separated the kitchen from the dining room, where she sat. "Lemon or not," he asked and leaned back away only to poke his head back out again, "And of course. I'm sure you have a good reason for breaking into my home. And I'll need to ask you how you did that later," he added with squinted eyes and the lack of security.

The water boiled and he blended the tea together before walking it out. He placed one in front of her and paused for a moment to look at the markings on her face. "hm," he let out and moved over to his seat. "Not often I meet someone with similar hair color," he replied as he looked at his own bangs, then took a sip of his tea.

Whatever she came here for, had to be important to go through all of this. "Alright then. What can I help you with?" he asked and blew the steam from the top of his tea to cool it.

Her response elicited an eyebrow raise, 'oh you didn't,' was what he thought but didn't say. "You may have come through the same door, but I bet we used different means," he answered back with a small almost inaudible amused huff. He placed the lemon wedge on the lip of her cup of tea and brought them out.

Despite his comment about her appearance and the clear attention he paid to the markings on her face she was unphased by it and simply moved on. Something he would cycle back to later if it meant anything. With the way she dressed, looked, carried herself, and decided to appear inside a captain's home, the woman most certainly had an interesting background. And no doubt one that meant trouble for the young captain.

She jumped to business and began to shuffle in her seat. Kaz put his teacup down and leaned his forearms on the table, so he could give his full attention. The more she spoke the more he began to see the web she was ready to weave. "Don't worry. If there is crime to be dealt with then I'll be there," he said more so to ease her nerves as he put two fingers on the paper and slid it across the table to himself. He flipped the paper over and it only read with two names.

He noted the injured arm hanging at her side. "A private one. As in you're also wrapped up in this,"he wasn't judging but meant it as a simple inquiry before she continued.

His eyes narrowed for a moment when she mentioned corruption in the military. He tapped his thumb on his wrist. It was something all too near to him and a sad and true fact about the current state of things. He nodded his head, "Thank you for thinking the best of me. To have that kind of assumption and to know where I am temporarily staying. You seem to know a lot more about me than I do about you," he added and he once again glanced at her arm and stood up form his seat. The chair skidded on the wood floor.

"Well then count us both as young people in over our heads,"he commented, not knowing how old she truly was.

He opened a drawer while she was still talking and connecting the dots. his hands held the drawer opened and he paused when she mentioned the word crime lords. He had his suspicions but never guest the situation would appear on his doorstep and bring things to light so plainly.

"Well, I don't eliminate people," he glanced over his shoulder at her to be clear about his intentions but there was no anger or frustration in his look. "But if these people are who you say they are then, of course, I'll do what I can to bring them to justice."

He pulled some bandages and wraps out of the drawer and shut it. He crossed the room back towards her, "But I'll need more to go on than that. Is there a way to prove what they've done? And what exactly is your relationship with them?"

He stood before her and knelt down to one knee, "And if we're going to be taken down anyone. We'll need to see to your arm. I assume you don't want to go to a hospital and that they are probably after you," he said as he unwrapped the bandages and wrapping that could make a sling and set them on the table. He waited for a second to see if she needed help with it and if not he would stand back up.

"Oh yeah," he exclaimed and placed a hand on the back of his head, "Sorry I forget my manners sometimes. I'm Kazimir Seiryu. You can call me Kazimir instead of captain if you'd like"

He could only shake his head at her remark about the security of the knights. Perhaps it was worse than he thought if it was that easy to break in, then again he didn't think she was your run of the mill thief either. "I imagine it would be difficult for most people," he said with a smirk back. "But this time I suppose a leak in our system worked out," he added, ever the optomist.

She had been more open than he expected. So much so that his brows rose at the clarity and curtness of her answer. He couldn't help but give a small laugh at how she so calmly spoke about it. "Thank you. It's good to know you're being honest with me." He then gave a small shrug, "As long as we are both aimed at taking down these two." It was refreshing to meet someone that had eluded to being a criminal of sorts but was so forth coming with her intentions and motivations. And they were clear cut ones at that.

When she clarified what she meant by 'eliminate',' Kaz let out a relieved sigh, "That's good to know then."Although he wasn't so naive to believe her intentions were altruistic or laced with a deadly venom for those two. There were things he'd rather not say as a knight, but if the two that were going for were truly bad then once he was done with his part, if those two suddenly went missing, he wouldn'y put it high up on his list to investigate. But he did intend on arresting them.

As he knelt down to address her wound he thought she would be less compliant but willingly let him. She came down to his level and Kaz retracted the bandage a few inches having not expected the movement. There was a truth in her gaze and it was at least reassuring to know that people wouldn't be busting into his apartment. He looked to the left and up with a quick thought about how much easier that would actually make it but her next words and the faint glow of her markings regathered his attention. "I suppose I am,"he gave as a simple as a response as could be. He was already in now. There was no way he could turn away the possibility of taking out two crime lords...or helping someone. His attention landed on her faint glowing markins that faded into a pale shade as quickly as they arose.

" I see," he replied in reference to her avoidance of those in the medical profession. Though he thought it odd she would then go to trust him, a person she barely knew at all aside from some notes in the headquarters. But then again he was only one person opposed to a staff of onlookers. "Well then whatever your reason. Your secret is safe. But I would like to know more about those markings," he continued as he put the fresh bandages on, taking care to keep a respectable distance. He was not one to wait for too long when new information was to be discovered. His inquisitive nature both a boon and a bane. Her wound healed remarkably well. So much so that he stopped to look at it with squinted eyes, only for a fleeting moment before covering it up. It made the woman all the more mysterious.

He scooped up the sling as she nudged it back towards him and shook his head, "You know...I never know how much help to give someone.If a person wants it or takes it as an insult to there ability to be independent,"
he spoke with a small smile on his face about it and then eased her arm into the sling. He looped the band around her shoulder, letting it rest snuggly. The same thing he had to do many ties to himself and his clansmen in the past.

"That's good information to have. But you don't need to convince me any further. All you needed to do was say there were people that needed to be stopped. But It'll be nice to get the people their belongings back." Her willingness to share was even more curious. She was certainly different than the criminals he encoutered in the past.

She introduced herself and spoke about her affiliation with an eloquent comparison to spare him the grittier details of her assignments.He gave a smile back as he finished with the sling and stood back up.

"Well I suppose we should devise a plan now. Where will they be? Also I should warn you...I'm not the most subtle individual," he disposed of the old bandages.

"hm," he responded as she pointed out his foreign origin. He then turned into a small grin as he finished with helping her arm into the sling. "You have a keen eye. You're right. My parents were said to be Sinese. I was an orphan raised in a village on the outskirts of Sin for a time but we moved towards Joya when I was young." He didn't expect such a sudden conversation but it didn't bother him. It only served to make his own curiosity about her grow.

He looked again at the markings on her face, "What are those markings for," he asked feeling more comfortable about the question given she had addressed his own origin. They had glowed earlier and hinted towards either a strange magic or of a race not entirely human. The former being a more realistic jump for the wind mage to make.

She ushered in his attention once more as she began to speak on a rune knight from her past. The way she spoke about him was a tad wistful and made Kaz ponder his own time in the knights. His thoughts drifted to when he turned away from the knights and when he turned on his own clan. his eyes glossed over for a moment with a sting of sadness within them. "I hope that he was able to help you out. And if he was, then he may have turned away from Fiore but he never stopped being a knight."

He couldn't help but make a chuckle at her point, "Well that is very to the point. Pride can be a downfall." The story she told was touching and it wrapped up with an abrupt lesson and one that was very clear. It was always nice to work with someone that had a level head.

The window overlooked the city. Kaz stood and crossed the room to join her at the window and see where she was pointing towards. "I see. Infiltrating a casino then huh? I'll follow your lead on that. You'll know it better than me but..." he looked back at her injured arm. "I don't want you to put yourself in any more danger. You can stay back if you'd like and if you must go please stay near. I'm sure you can take care of yourself but...it's my duty to protect."

When she kept talking it rose more questions. Such as if she was after them how she managed to get them through to the back areas without much trouble. But he would decide to trust her and follow her lead. He had no reason not to, for now. Something about her was different than the usual criminals he encountered. She seemed pleasant and he could easily see them as allies.

He looked over his shoulder at her. His bangs fell across his face and he blew them to the side. "Well...Actually my magic doesn't do so well with too many allies around. So if you can get us in, I'm sure I'll be okay. And my team already has their hands full with all that's happening here. I wouldn't want to put any more work on them."

He crossed back over the room and began to tidy up the cups of tea, "The only question is when would you like to start? You may need to get some rest to look after that injury"

Kaz waited for her response to his question. There was a moment of silence before she reacted and reached a hand towards him. Kaz's shoulders tensed not knowing what to expect but relaxed as her fingers only touched the side of his neck. He cocked a brow confused at first, and her cold fingers sent a shiver in his back and up to his ear. He then knew what she meant. His heart pumped blood and his pulse bulged his vein but there was nothing from hers.

What she said put a heavy thud in his heart. She could feel the pulse in his neck hit harder as he felt remorse for what had happened to her in her youth, still unaware of what it may have been. Before her fingers left his neck he softly clapped his hands together. A gentle breeze filled the room and he could sense the vibrations in the air...none of them from her heart. With being so close he'd have been able to sense the subtle vibrations of a heartbeat against her chest. He wondered if she even needed to breathe.

"I'm sorry. Whatever it was though. Has not stopped you from carving your own path in life."He said in a low tone not to disturb the quiet that existed around them.

He couldn't help but crack a lopsided smile at her comment on him being heroic. It wasn't something that he thought about. He just simply did what he needed to and was concerned for others. "Well thank you for your gratitude. And you'll have to excuse my heroics. I'll always be concerned about the people around me. No matter what walk of life they choose." he added the last part with a bit more emphasis so she would know even as a criminal he saw her as someone he'd protect. At least unless she would betray him or truly become evil but something told him that wasn't the person she was.

He caught the squint in her eyes and looked out the window. He was pleased in some regard that she hadn't heard the mixed stories about his exploits and his magic. What he had done with it. "It won't be a problem," he said reassuring her.

She moved towards the door and proclaimed that she'd return in two or three days. Kaz crossed the room and opened the door for her, making eye contact as she continued to speak and nodded in agreement then put one hand on his hip while the other held the door open. "I see. So no meeting time. I suppose you'll just drop by then. As free as the wind," he teased her a bit about how they had met today.

He'd wait if she wanted to reply to that and then continued, "Be safe out there Nuala. I'll see you soon."

Once she was outside, he'd say goodbye and close the door. His back leaning against it for a moment. He looked up at the ceiling and then to the outside. The call of duty always found him. He was happy to help and bring peace to the area. To take down crime lords and end their reign. He took a deep breath, and pondered though...would the battles ever end. He crossed the room and took off his jacket. He rubbed the wound on his forearm and opened and closed his hand to flex the muscle.


Kaz would continue his daily routines and getting the knights together but constantly had the thought of Nuala and the mission at the forefront of his mind. If she didn't arrive in a few days he would assume the worst and go on his own search for her.

He smiled back as she assured him that changing the locks wouldn't make a difference. He shook his head and gently shoot the door. such light-hearted musings were not what he expected from a sudden late-night intruder. He let his hand linger on the doorknob as he pondered what sort of situation he had just found himself in. And more so what kind of woman Nuala was. He finally let his fingers drift from the knob and returned to the dimly lit apartment. with a deep breath, he removed his jacket and slinked onto the couch. his peaceful days had not come yet. There was still lots more work to be done. But an even bigger part of him was ready for the action. ready for the chance to make sure more people were safe and he could put a stop to it.

He didn't move from the couch as he drifted off into a deep slumber.

Three days later

Kaz went about his work as he had always done. Spending his days on patrol and with the other knights and Noyiah. Although he kept them all out of the dangerous business he was about to embark on.

Three days past without a word. Over the course of the days, from time to time the wind mage would look back at the window in his home or open the door slowly, anticipating Nuala to be there. With each day he worried a bit more but knew the healing process took time.

He walked home after his last patrol around town. Mostly just making sure the other knights were where they needed to be. He finally arrived at the stairs leading up to his home. He clamored up them, a little more tired than usual. The monotonous tasks always made him more tired than running down criminals and living free and wild.

The door was a welcome sight and as he moved to open it the doorknob turned and inched open. The lock was already undone. His eyes narrowed briefly. He eased the door open, hoping it was her and not someone that had discovered their plans.

The aroma of tea wafted through the air. The scent clung to the walls. Within was a familiar woman making herself at home in his chair. He shook his head and eased the door shut behind him. There were already plans on the table and she was sipping tea. "You sure don't waste any time. Good to see you're healthier."

He crossed the room and if she moved he would wave his hand gesturing for her to have his chair. He grabbed another chair by the back and drug it towards the table. He left it only long enough for him to pour a cup of tea for himself. "Thanks," he remarked for tea. Although it was off to thank someone for making tea when they also broke into his home, but he didn't seem to mind.

He sat back down in the chair, near the plans and took a sip of the tea. Steam trailed off the top and over the sides of the cup like a river of smoke. The warmth rushing through him, fighting the cold outside that sipped into his bones.

"So how shall we begin?"

He rolled up his sleeves, ready to dig into the map and plans. His concentration tilted as he met her wit a cocked brow. he didn't think that what weariness he felt was visible. With a smile he gave a weak chuckle, "I suppose a little. But I'll be fine." He then leaned back and rest his hands folded on his legs as she took it upon herself to pour some strange substance into his drink.

Luckily he did trust her. He had no reason not to, so he patiently waited while she stirred it in. "Caffeine, huh?" he asked with an uptic in his tone. He eyed the now mysterious drank and slid it closer to him. There was a brief moment of hesitation mostly about the unknown taste of it than anything else. He took a quick sip of it. He smacked his lips a couple times to take in the taste. It was...different. He did feel a rush of energy perculating within.

"An...intersting addition,"he remarked as he took another small sip, still adjusting to the new taste and looked back at the map as she began to explain. The diagram was simple enough and he took a couple more sips as she continued. Her plan was coming together as she spoke about trap doors and secret areas.

He nodded along with it in agreence to what she had set forth. Sounds like a pretty sound plan to me.
I'll follow your lead. This is impressive work. But how will we get in there initially, he asked and the answer came just as quickly when she slid the invitation across the table. She knew the area far better than he ever could. He skills would be invaluable in the operation. Whereas Kaz was mostly destructive she had the finesse that was required. He just needed to bide his time until it was the right moment for him to act during the mission.

With her comment he opened his arms and glanced at his attire. Less rune knight huh? Well I don't have much to work with but I'll see what I can find, he replied as he stood up and crossed over to his wardrobe. It was mostly empty as this was a temporary place to stay. He fumbled through various sets of uniforms, until he came across his old outfit from his time before the knights. I suppose this will have to do, he said mostly to himself and took at the joyan styled gi. This is all I have. Do you think it'll work, he held the outfit out to show her. There was s uit tucked away in the wardrobe, left there in case Kaz needed a professional look but he wasn't a fan of the style. As such he ignored bringing it up.

Once an outfit was chosen he would go change in the bathroom and quickly return ready for work.

Halfway through the drink, he felt the pop of energy return to him. he wasn't sure what it was or how much was safe to consume but if it got him through the night with more alertness he would be thankful for it. Her thoughts were still largely a mystery to him but her plan was sound enough and he was as prepared as he could be.

When he held the suit up she made no comment but a simple smile and nod. He exhaled from his nose, knowing that his decision was probably subpar for what they would be doing. Not to mention they may be able to tell who he was from his older outfit as well. There was only one choice. "Alright then. Give me one moment." He put the old gi down and grab the suit that was tucked in the corner. "Going undercover. suppose I should look the part." After he hastily changed he returned to see her already by the door and ready.

He nodded back at her politeness and stepped through. Once she was out he'd lock the door and take in a quick calming breath before they headed out. Nuala was silent for much of their walk. A more peaceful stroll than he would have thought. His nerves weren't jumping. Just a delightful night sky and a gentle breeze. He watched as she flicked out her long hair, always forgetting just how long it was. His combative mind immediately wanted to ask how she managed to do all her thief related duties with such a luscious head of hair but would keep that to himself for now.

He took another half step forward as she suddenly stopped nearly bumping into her. He took a half sep back giving them a normal amount of space, his face showing the surprise of the near-collision, but quickly turning to a resting gaze. "Yes?" he asked.

His brows furrowed with her words. He knew them to be true and they held an immense gravity with them. It was something easier said than done in some ways. A hint of sadness lingered in the mages eye and a coldness deeper still at the thought of his past decisions. "Thank you for thinking so kindly of me. This will not be the first time I've looked the other way on some things. And I...am not as good as some would think," he continued without breaking eye contact, "I'm afraid I am obligated to act in a good way if things are too...demonstrable," his mix of sadness and coldness changed to his usual softer look, "But I trust in your lead and decision. And thank you. No will eye forget the good you helped do this night Nuala."While her words carried the warning of a heavy burden, Kaz was undeterred by it.

They moved onward and he presented his invitation as planed. Once they were inside Nuala shed the cloak concealing her supernatural physique. She was a well-built and capable warrior. Most striking to the wind mage was the second layer of armor-like skin that covered her. "Oh," he muttered and looked away as he caught himself staring, trying to decipher what she was and how she came to bear such a thing over her body. his attention brought back to focus by her piercing stare. With a nod, he followed her on in.

Kaz blinked his eyes at the wave of sensations, mostly from the barrage of smoke plumming around him. Smells danced in the aroma of sin filling the room. He had only seen a place like this once before but it was less crowded. He tried to keep his eyes from lingering on the nude people dancing on tables and he rubbed his hand through his hair to re-center himself and find a persona that wouldn't betray his knightly heritage or his other one.

"Sure," he said as he took a step towards the bar with her. "Whatever you suggest," he replied not knowing what was even a suitable drink. Regardless he'd pretend to drink most of it.

He leaned one arm on the bar and looked away from her while he spoke, trying to stay in character, "What now," spoken softly enough only those close by could pick it up but vague enough to keep them safe. He could ignore most of the crime he saw here and now. They weren't doing anything overtly hurting others for the time being.

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Kaz let out a small chuckle, "I've spent my whole life running through fresh air. Becoming one with it. The smoke and haze were a lot to walk into, but I'll be fine," he shot a smile back here way to reassure her things would be okay for him. he would adapt to it after all. But he couldn't help but pick up her delighted tone and wonder if she got some enjoyment out of taking him into such a den as this.

The wind mage cocked a brow at her mention of his body language and loosened the collar of the suit he wore, "Oh! It is. Haha. I was actually trying to fit in. I'll try less hard, then," it seemed Kaz's attempt to blend in had backfired. Probably due to the smack in the face from the aroma's that saturated the air. He tried to hide that fear of his angelic nature and its urge for him to do good. Worried that something may happen to compromise the mission.

Nonetheless, he relaxed his shoulders as she slid the drink over to him. "Worry about what?" He asked no knowing what she was talking about at first. His attempt to look away while talking was an attempt to look nonchalant in this place. His idea of what criminals would act like. Then it hit him. She must have been talking about herself. "Oh no. Not at all. Sorry if I made you feel that way," he said as he turned his body to face her. "Didn't mean to be weird about it. I was just really curious about it but didn't want to come out and ask yet. But it's good to know we'll have some time later," he said with a half-smile. He was genuinely curious about who she was and where those markings came from. He didn't think she was odd or off-putting because of it. "And of course. I'm here to help you so I intend to see it through."

Kaz took a small sip of the drink. He let the liquid partially drain back into the glass before taking another sip without the glass moving from his lips. He then set it down between them while he listened to her reaffirmation about the plan. He nodded back and pushed off the counter slowly. "Well then. let's get to it,"he seemed more at ease now, knowing that his inquisitive nature about her markings would be answered.

He began crossing the room towards the storage door. He moved slowly as to not seem suspicious and kept by Nuala's side. He didn't know how they would discreetly get into the storage room or if anyone would care if they did.

"So how do we get into the storage room?" He whispered to hear as they walked by tables and dancers.

Her silent complitment put a more relaxed smile on his face. Even if it was one he didn't agree with. He wished he had the patience of a saint. He liked the way she seemed to think of him but Kaz felt they were thoughts that made him out to be a better person than he was. Or that he felt he was. There was a certain comfort in her openness. He trusted her, although they had only known eachother a short while.

Kaz tilted his head, at Nuala's suprised expression. It was endearing in a way that she felt he would harbor any il feelings towards her, which of course he didn't. How could he given what he was. It would probably only be fair if he revealed his true nature to her as well. But that could wait till later.

As they arrived at the door, she answered her question with a quick remark and a snapped lock. Kaz kept his reaction unchanged. Now was the hardest part. Every sense in him, urged him to check to see if they were caught or eyes were staring. But he knew it would look even more suspect. Instead he kept his attention focused on Nuala and trusted she was right in her choice as he shook his head with a lopsided smirk.

Before he could think, Nuala grabbed him and shoved him inside the room. His eyes flashed with surprise but it wasn't the first time he had to play the role of a date to infiltrate an organization. It was an abrupt action which probably stole some looks from the party goers. "Don't worry. I think it was a wise choice to have them think that way.Should give us more time to act," he answered, always focused on the task to be done.

The room was pitch black, and Kaz couldn't make out anything other than her voice. "alright," he whsipered into the darkness and followed it with a soft clap of his hands. His senses reached out to feel the vibrations in the air around him. "I can feel the vibrations your body makes when it moves through the air so I can follow that." He answered her not realizing if that was awkward or not. He had grown so used to doing it that he didn't think about it. It was a tool that helped him monitor and lead team missions.

He felt her movements through the air and his eyes narrowed in thought. Although he could sense her movements he couldn't hear them. "Impressive," he uttered more to himself than to her while he followed her down the trap door. He tried to see her markings in the darkness but they too apeared to have vanished.

They made their way down the thin hallway until they reached a point upahead. Kaz reached out to put a hand on her shoulder, stopping their movement. He felt a vibration around them and a few seconds later there were footsteps. Some she may have heard before hand with her enhanced senses herself.

They had arrived at the destination and once again things were in her hands. Kaz waited for her signal, and removed  his hand from her shoulder. While this wasn't his first choice of a typical way he approached these things, it was nice in some ways to follow along until the time was right. He wondered if this is what mercenary life was like.

Kaz wasn't so sure what she meant by her statement. He was already down there and on her side. It created an unsettling in his stomach as to what she could mean or what that'd lead to. Part of his answer came swiftly. her body covered with a hard shell. it reached upward as he took his hand away. her markings began to glow again. A warning not for him but an indication of the conflict to come. he held his hand in the air, momentarily distracted by the dazzling glow in the darkness that emanated from her.

The door opened down the hall and two men rushed through. Kaz stepped forward ready to act but Nuala reacted first. She gripped a man's head and battered it into the wall. It should have made him wince but sadly gruesome violence was not uncommon to him. But there was a limit. The man's body began to twitch and near death. At the last and would be fatal strike Kaz lunged forward, His body just reacted. A flicker erupted in the divine urge mingled into his soul. He put his hand between the wall and the man's head, stopping the last blow.

"Enough. If I'm here we only kill when its the only choice. And guards are just pawns," he said hoping she would let the man go, as Kaz pulled the unconscious and bloody person's body towards him. If she stopped, he'd lay the person's body down gently.

He rest the person against the hallway wall in a seated position as Nuala explained the situation. It seemed as though the other guard was in some way on her side. But his demeanor was off-putting. He may be helping but he didn't care about their success or failure. maybe even hoped for it.


"I don't kill unless I have to," he stood up from his kneeling position his voice had a stern echo in the empty hall. His eyes were more concentrated than before. He was ready for the mission and the battle ahead and assured in what he was meant to do. "If they surrender I won't harm them. If they choose to fight to the death then that's the path I will honor." "If they surrender and then meet a fatal end some other way. I have no urge to do anything to the executioner," he said in a roundabout way of letting her know that once it was settled if she killed them it wasn't a matter he cared about, but he wouldn't deliver a fatal blow to someone who stops fighting.

The man gave a cross look at Kaz and then one back to Nuala about her choice in companions. He waited as she acquired a key from him and the man walked away. Kaz wanted to knock him out as well. to make sure all was safe but trusted that Nuala trusted the man.

She then gave Kaz the key and explained things more. he took a deep breath at the thought of going up against a court mage. But if they were corrupt, they had to be dealt with. He grasped it and placed it in his pocket. "I won't. Two more to go then. I take it the court wizards are my responsibility,"he asked as he stepped closer for them to move onwards into the light.

"Thank you for trusting me. I won't let you down," he said as he made eye contact with her and stood at the boundary between the hallway and the room. He waited for her to move first and he would wholeheartedly back her up. He loosened the tie around his neck and slid it off, dropping it on the ground. he already felt more comfortable.

There are three people ahead of us. I can feel the vibration of the heartbeats."