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Ky approaches Johannes and stops five feet short of him. Through habit he kneels and bows his head, "Please forgive my impertinence Lord Johannes. When I had received word that Commander Asmyrra had been critically wounded I had to confirm it with my own eyes. Even now it is hard to grasp what I see before me." He looks up at the unconscious Asmyrra and says with great passion, "What did this to Commander Asmyrra?"

He stands and looks at Johannes with admiration and respect, "Old habits are hard to break my Lord."

When Johannes tells him the good news his shoulders lower a bit and he smiles. He looks down at Asmyrra, then back to Johannes, "That does my heart good to hear my Lord. I know it would be my duty to carry on in her stead if something unfortunate were to happen, but I pray that day never comes."

If Ky were alone he would have allowed himself a moment to shed a tear. Even though she was his superior officer, from a young age Ky thought of her as surrogate mother to him. He wasn't sure if she even knew this, he wouldn't allow her to.

His face becomes serious again, "My Lord, I have ordered the men to take a few hours to rest before we conduct our after action report. However, I cannot help but notice that you appear battle fatigued. Forgive me for overstepping my boundaries and even suggesting such a thing to you sir, but I believe it would do you well to leave Commander Asmyrra's side. Rest my Lord, as you said, you have done as much as you can."

Ky expression becomes heavy with concern, "Something is troubling you my Lord. Does it have anything to do with what transpired at the city? Perhaps the person that attacked Commander Asmyrra?"

Many rumors had cluttered the air on the patrol back to the base. Ky couldn't afford do discard any of them as being false, he decided to confront Johannes on the one that troubled him the most.

"Or perhaps it has to do with the other angel that was with you?" Ky pitches his tone carefully, sounding concerned but not accusing of anything.

Never mistake tears for sadness...
Eva considers for a moment lying completely but passes off on that option and goes for the truth she can spare. Less to remember anyway.

"I remember only a little of the town my mother and I lived in. When she died, I was sent to the Cathedral to be raised by the priests there. I picked up archery, joined the ranks."

She shrugs then, a half smile playing on her lips as the memory of her early life flashes before her.

"A simple, and utterly boring story. That really is who I am once you get past the brilliant archer and scathing wit. A simple, hardworking, humble person."

The smile turns to a wicked grin though she tries for a moment to hold an innocent face and fails miserably.

"What of you? Does your family know aught of your wanderings?"

...that will only bring you grief.

Never mistake tears for sadness...Eva shifted slightly as Tali revealed her knowledge to a point where one hand was not so far from her dagger and the other not so far from her bow. She considered for a moment just killing the woman then and there but stayed her hand. For one, she liked Tali and would prefer not killing her. For two, she was not sure she would suceed. As Tali continues, Eva's grin fades quickly to be replaced by blankness. The pit in her stomach deepens as she realizes the very person whom she had so enjoyed the company of moments before was like to the witch she yet hunted. One more tainted soul. For a moment, it was almost too much.

The moment passed and Eva relaxed ever so slightly. Tali--no, the heretic--meant her no harm, for the moment, at least. She knew nothing besides the fact that Eva hid something of herself. That was...well enough. She could still make this work. Though part of her still mourned the loss of a possible friend, it was a part she could ignore. Her smile returned slightly though it was a weak attempt. Tali was loyal to her kin. Such a trait was...admirable. Eva sighed quietly then shook her head.

"Remind me not to play against you in cards. So you came here to fight? And why not reveal your...ethnicity to the others? They are not of the Order, they would not shun you. One of their commanders is what you so casually label 'heretic'."

The words were a touch bitter, especially when she mentioned the Order, and the word heretic felt strange on her tongue. Eva just hoped Tali would assume it was for reasons other than what they were.

...that will only bring you grief.

A long, lingering moment of silence follows Ky's query as Johannes collects his thoughts. With every second that passes a somber intensity pervades the small medic tent, radiating from the troubled angel at the fallen commander's side. Up to this point, the many trials they had faced were met with the unwaivering strength of the divine warrior. There had been sorrow, there had been grief. For the three of them in particular, Johannes, Asmyrra, and Ky, the worst was always when they came face to face with their fellow brethern on the wrong side of battle. They had not defected from the Order due to hatred, anger, or fear. They left their ranks only because they could no longer accomplish what they felt needed to be done under the judgemental eyes of their peers. Amongst his closest friends, it was no secret that Johannes's heart remained in the highest tower of the Cathedral. Felling one of their own in combat was the single hardest feat any of them had endured.

And yet, even his most powerful response to those losses could not compare to the anguish that had embedded itself deep within his chest only hours before. That is why it is with a heavy heart that Johannes raises a hand, beckoning his friend closer.

"It has everything to do with them, Ky," his voice echoing the gravity of what is to come. "Dismiss the guards waiting out front, then come and join me. There is much to discuss."

Johannes motions for the bedside chair that he had left unfilled when he chose perch on the edge of the cot at Asmyrra's side. "Sit," He tells Ky as he returns the commander's hand, that was resting in his, to rest against her sleeping form. Turning his full attention to the young squadron leader, Johannes stares deep into his eyes, his tone grave.

"What I am about to tell you must never pass to another's ears," he tells him quietly, "... not even Asmyrra. Do you understand?"

Johannes nods, and taking a deep breath, he begins.

"I believe the Order has upped it's attempts to return me to their ranks. The angel that joined me on the battlefield today, I believe was sent to retrieve me. At first glance, I never would have guessed the attack on Asmyrra was related, but I have been replaying the events over and over again in my head. At the scene where she fell, I discovered evidence that it was by the Cathedral's hand. Now.." his frustration mounting, Johannes stands and moves to a corner of the tent, the last words escaping only barely above a whisper. ".. now I believe it is possible that the attack was orchestrated by the Archangel himself."