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(( Puppeting for StrangeLittleHorror ))

{Rizel}

The young woman was so engrossed in her own concerns and feelings of guilt caused by the explosion that it takes the sound of the young man's voice to actually trigger a response. Her reaction similar to a wild animal that has been startled, she starts suddenly... a little too suddenly in fact. The quick rise to her feet combined with the lingering smoke and heat in the air causes her to falter, her body wavering momentarily before crumbling to the ground unconscious.

{The White Witch is here}

Uriel considered Eva's comment for a long moment, his memory replaying the scene, and Johannes's sudden departure... but no certain answer could he come up with. Instead, Uriel shook his head softly, his dark eyes glancing about at the people beginning to move amidst the ruins. Turning to face Eva, he replied, "There is no ability that I am aware of, Evalin. Perhaps it had something to do with the heretic's various Arts---"

Uriel's words came to a thoughtful pause, those dark eyes flitting between several of the folk moving about the rubble... specifically the armoured knight departing with the unclothed woman towards the forest edge. He recognized that figure... as well as several of the others that were starting to come into view amongst the ruins...and a sudden plan came to mind. The clarity of the idea restored something of the typical fire to Uriel's gaze as he turned to Evalin, his voice dropping to a quiet murmur as he leaned closer to her, shielding his words from any who might be nearby.

"Worry not about the sword, for I think I can at least disguise it's location. Instead, I've a thought... the members of the Iron Fist around us are the members of the Order that defected with Johannes himself. This presents us a rather unique chance: you could join them. Claiming that you were here to help them end the battle with the Beast, you could slip yourself into their presence, their trust... From that point you could place yourself in a position to try your hand again at bringing the heretic low once I've conferred with the Archangel, and gathered whatever forces needed to help... persuade... Johannes to come back with us. This would also allow you to begin to learn what numbers they have available, and what styles of action and dispatch they use... a chance to finally gather the information that would put an end to the conflict between the two Orders...," Uriel murmured, that intense gaze focused quite discernably on Eva...

Ky raises his head to meet the young man. " Your appearance is well timed my friend. I need you to make haste into the village and find one of our healers. This young lady fainted, but there is a chance she has inhaled the smoke raising from the town. When you've found one send him this way and assist the rest of our squad. Do you understand?"

"No, I don't think she is one of ours. I've never seen her, and her apparel and complexion speak of a more natural allegiance." He thinks for a moment considering the man's words. He nods and lifts the woman onto the mount as gently as he can manage, "But you are correct, there are more pressing matters at hand. We'll head into town, and once we've made contact with our people I'm trusting you to look after her."
As he tugs on the reigns he smiles to the man, "By the by, you shouldn't hesitate to correct a superior if you feel there may be a better alternative. We're aren't infallible, and do make mistakes. That being said, I am appreciative of your quick thinking." He clicks his tongue and pulls the horse into the town.

Ky looks to the man with urgency, "Commander Asmyrra?! That is not..." He pauses for a moment and collects himself, "Injured does not mean dead, and I can only surmise that Lord Johannes took her with him to seek aid if he saw fit to reveal his wings and take flight."
He ponders for a moment, thinking on what the young man said about another angel, "We need to find about more about this supposed other angel. When we are done here there is to be an extensive after action report. For if what you say is true, this war may yet sink deeper into the abyss."

Ky and the soldier come across an armored man who sits atop a pile of rubble, holding his head down in his hands. Ky recognizes this man as being a member of the Iron Fist, though not one of the men from his platoon. He steps in front of the soldier, his kind eyes growing stern, and speaks in an even tone, "Soldier, are you injured?"

Startled, the soldier jumps a bit and looks up. His eyes widen with recognition and he snaps to attention, "N-no sir!"Ky raises his hand in a calming manner, "At ease, you know there is no need for such formalities." the man relaxes a bit, but an expression of distress still lingers. The young platoon leader continues, "If you are not injured then what is keeping you from assisting not only our brothers in arms, but the ailing people of this town?"

The soldier stammers a bit before speaking, "All this destruction sir. It's so senseless and cruel. The Beast wont stop until everything we know is gone. I don't know how much more of this I can take!" With that the man begins to shake, on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

Ky closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. He reminds himself that approaching this situation wrong would do more harm then good. The soldier he had met earlier looks on with concern, wondering briefly was Asmyrra would appoint someone as young as Ky as a platoon leader.

The young leader places a hand on the shoulder of the shuddering soldier, squeezing firmly. The man looks up at Ky, his eyes red with tears. He is surprised to see that rather than an expression of anger and frustration, the man who was almost ten years his junior was smiling. Ky's gaze meets with the other man, "We have all been through hell and back my friend. Some of us have seen things that I believe mortal men were never meant to see. This monster we face is testing the fortitude of everyone in the realm. I look at you and I see the face of someone who is weary of this bloodshed. Who I am sure would rather be at home with his family than doing this. But I also see the face of a man who was faced with a difficult choice. Do I return home and pray that The Beast is vanquished, or do I go and defend that which is precious to me? You chose the latter my friend, and for that you should hold no grudge against yourself. Stand strong and remember why it is you hold your sword with us. Have faith in Lord Johaness, but above all, keep the hope that you will return home safely alive within you."

The soldier's trembling stops. He takes a large breath as he maintains eye contact with Ky. He nods in understanding to his superior and salutes, "Thank you sir. You can count on me. What would you have me do?"

Ky again raises his hand to dissuade the formality. He waves for the man to follow him to his steed, as he speaks he opens up a saddle bag and removes from it the blue and white coat that goes with his uniform. "You will go and find anyone who witnessed the battle and see what information you can gather. Your compatriot informed me that there was another angel present during the skirmish and that Commander Asmyrra was injured." He removes his breastplate then locks it onto a leather belt attached to the saddle. He then swings the coat around his shoulders, the large pads fitting snugly. He fastens the crux patterned blue fabric across his chest to hold the coat together. He reaches into a smaller bag and removes a belt with a metal plate that has a blue sash hanging from it. He wraps it around the coat at his waist and fastens the leather belts. Etched into the front of the plate is a single word, "Hope."

"While carrying that out, though, do not hesitate to lend your assistance where it may be needed. Do you understand what I have just said?"

The soldier stands tall and nods, "Yes sir, I will gather any information that I can in regards to the battle while also helping where I am needed. I will carry out your orders." He turns on his heels and runs back down the street.

Ky attaches the scabbard of his blade to his belt and looks to the first soldier he met, who now had a greater respect for the young platoon leader. "Stay here with the young lady. Under no circumstances are you to allow her out of your sight range."

The soldier nods in understanding, "No need to worry sir, she's in good hands with me."

Ky smiles and lays a hand on the other man's shoulder, "That is what I am counting on. I will return shortly." With that he jogs down another street, leaving the soldier with the fair skinned woman he had come across earlier.

As he makes his way down the streets, he sees that his men have everything well in hand. As a feeling of great pride wells within him, the swaying of a cloak catches his attention from the corner of his eye. He turns toward the figure and approaches it. As he watches, he sees that the dark skinned person under the cloak is a woman. He can hardly believe his luck. First a fair skinned cloaked woman, and now a dark one. Hoping that this one does not faint as well he calls to her, "Young Miss, are you in need of assistance?"

As Ky's eyes make contact with the young ladies he finds himself for a second time that day taken aback by a beautiful woman. Internally he scolds himself. Even though he was only twenty, he would not allow his base male instincts dictate his behavior. He clears his throat a bit and speaks with calm authority, "I am, my name is Ky Kiske. I am the leader of the Iron Fist's first platoon. It is not safe here, unless you are able to assist us in rendering some aid to this unfortunate town then I must ask you to vacate immediately."

Ky makes a quick mental note of the sudden, albeit subtle, appearance of her accent. The way she questioned his trust in her also raised a flag, none the less he met the question as he always does. "Although we are currently at odds with our brothers of the Paladin's Rod, we need not hide our identities like bandits in the thicket. We seek the same ends, though by different means. As for making my identity known to a stranger, I personally feel it does this land good to know that there are just people who are meeting the challenge of this Beast head on. To know that we seek the immediate removal of this plague from our world. But I digress, we do not have a full grasp of what transpired here just yet, and thus do not know what dangers may still lurk. I ask you again, do you seek to assist us in our effort?"