"Thank... you. I can feel the burns healing quicker by the hour and I apologise for leaving your children's toy with the wolf corpses, it was a pain to retrieve it," said Eldlasa as they walked by a stream on the way to a small village below Lutea Faar, having left the old cabin earlier that morning.

"Hrmmmph," said Deimos who grumbled and rubbed his face as he walked ahead of her with his head down.

"Look, I swore you were grabbing my bloody arse, honest mistake."

"I was bandaging your thigh, elf, I gave you fair warning!"

"I disagree! You won't tell me what you did in your past. What is a defenseless and beautiful damsel to do if you were to manhandle her in the middle of the woods?" said Eldlasa in a high pitched voice with batting eyelashes and a child-like grin.

Deimos sighed in response still nursing his nose. She deserved no words but perhaps he also deserved no kindness for attacking her. His chest grew tight whenever the thought crossed his mind. Why did she have to prod him so. Still it was a small price to pay to be forgiven...eventually.

"I mean it... Soldier, I am thankful. Now I don't have to hoof it to that tavern whenever I am injured. There's hope for you yet," she said while she patted him on the back.

Deimos let out another sigh but this time with a smile as he looked towards the rundown village they approached. Still mostly obscured by the trees before them. "That orc will have our heads should we return, you don't have much of a choice."

"I will teach you how to mend wounds efficiently and effectively," he said as he quickened his pace, curious to see civilization again. He could hear the hustle and bustle of people beyond the thickets before him. Eldlasa raised an eyebrow upon seeing him jog ahead and decided to join him.

"Its just wrapping cloth with some herbs, how hard could it possibly be?"

"Do not underestimate the power of medicinal alchemy, elf. Mages are rare and mages with knowledge of healing magics rarer still. We legionnaires had to develop other means to survive the battlefield and the horrors of the abyss we were tasked with pushing back. I'm sure this Grand Paladin we are meeting will confirm this as well."

"You'll share no words with Crucxiea, soldier. we'll just collect the information he promised me."

"What of payment? The repairs to that damnable tavern exhausted most of my coin, elf! Surely your fellow paladin--"

Eldlasa stopped to interrupt Deimos, grabbed his arm and ran around to face him. "Soldier...er... Deimos. Listen to me carefully. Do not under any circumstance attempt to speak to this man. Do not sodding speak to him!"

Deimos looked down at the disgruntled elf and said after a long sigh, "Fine by me."

"Very well, I trust you to respect my wishes," said Eldlasa as they both continued walking onwards.

A short while later they both came upon the edge of the forest. Before the trees fully cleared the air grew thick and heavy. They stepped right into muddied earth, one foot at a time it sloshed beneath their boots. A shanty town, shabbily built mills and large masses of garbage and waste as far as the eye could see overtook the scenery once they passed the trees.

The entire settlement was enveloped haphazardly within a the massive shadow of the Lutean bridge miles above. Eldlasa knew this place to be the Haarmzard slums of Faaran deep within the valley beneath both cities. If Faaran stank of shit and piss, Haarmzard was categorically worse. She hated this place filled with squatters, whores, the sickly and other undesirables. Only one word really described the village. Brown.

Haarmzard was split by a large river of brown poison, due in no small part to pipes from both Lutea and Faaran both draining waste into it. People washed their clothes, bathed and shat in that same river. Eldlasa saw children playing in it as they walked by and turned her head away from them, "why would people choose to live like this..."

"It's the only life they can afford to live, elf," Deimos said as he walked pass her towards a rundown shop. The food looked old and some of it even had mold. None of it looked appetizing or even edible in truth. An old women stood within the stall, her face was sullen and her hands were calloused from days of labour on end. Likely for decades. She avoided making eye contact with Deimos once he looked at her. He took up an old apple and passed some coin to the old woman.

"But this is far more than these apples are worth, milord," the woman said with her voice and hands shaking.

"Hmm. My mistake," said Deimos with a smile as he nodded and walked off back to Eldlasa.

"May the Lord of light bless you, milord! Thank you, I thank you!" said the woman as she bowed her head hysterically, sounding on the verge of tears.

"Ugh...Ever the philanthropist I see, no wonder we've nearly no coin left," said Eldlasa folding her arms, all her weight on one leg with a mischievous smile.

"Apple?" said Deimos offering Eldlasa a bite.

"Fuck right off, brachen," said Eldlasa, horrified by the offering. She turned her nose up at him and put distance between them.

"More for me then," he said before biting happily into the apple.

"Humans will eat fucking anything, even bloody shit. They grow those fruits in actual shit y'know."

Deimos turned his back to Eldlasa, ignored her and enjoyed his shit apple. Being a soldier of the Black Legion meant he had ate far worse to survive. As Deimos took in more of the depressing scenery his eyes met a scantily clad light elf brunette and a few of her friends giggling. She was as beautiful as a flower in the moonlight, she also seemed as dainty as elven nobility and judging from her attire she was also a whore-- a cheap one at that. They all blew kisses and waved towards him but he pretended not to see them.

The scantily clad elf loosened her top to expose some of her large breasts and draw Deimos' attention. And draw his attention she did. His eyes were immediately flung back towards her but in response he attempted to ignore them once again by turning his back.

Eldlasa watched his reaction and smiled at him. When he returned to gaze at the woman's breasts her smile waned. He was a man-- a human man. They didn't know any better.

"Hoy there, milord!" said a soothing feminine voice, startling Deimos. He swung himself around to see the troublesome light elf standing right behind him. Close enough to feel her breath upon his neck. She had deep golden, orange eyes that lustfully stared into his as she licked her lips, "We'll aren't you a strapping young human?"

"I-i'm not interes-"

Before Deimos could finish, the elf began gliding her finger tips along his muscular arms. He could just barely feel the delicate invasion. The other women giggled as they watched their friend. Deimos quickly swatted her hand, his face was contorted, unsure of how to conduct himself and his pants a bit tighter than they were seconds before.

"Look...you are beautiful but I'm busy at the present moment," said Deimos after he took a deep breath to collect himself.

"Oh, are you spoken for, milord? I see you prefer the company of men, as do I," said the elf whore after she shot Eldlasa a weak glance with a disgusted smile on her face.

"No, she's actually-"

"You know who the fuck I am, love. Stop wasting our bloody time and fetch Crucxiea," said Eldlasa, who stamped her feet impatiently into the soft, muddy earth. Looking around at children running around the slums.

"After I fetch my lord may I...borrow your soldier, perchance? While you discuss business of course."

"Last thing I bloody well need is my soldier having one hand on his blade and the other scratching his balls after you give him the sodding crawl. Go fetch that arsehole!"

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"I'm surprised to see a sister defend a human and a Vedinnian at that," said the whore, "his cock must be 20 miles long and half as wide!"

She burst out laughing at the two warriors and slapped Deimos' behind before walking off. Deimos stood confused as he watched her walk away and then his face darkened as he turned his attention to Eldlasa, "I am not your soldier, elf..."

"Oh shit, guess I dropped a bloody clanger haven't I? Quit your whinging, mate." Eldlasa said with a weak shrug. She leaned back and smiled jovially.

"I-i don't know what any of that meant..."

"Good," Eldlasa said as she slapped his behind as well, annoying Deimos who then gave a sigh.

Deimos suddenly lifted his head and began sniffing. The awful musk of the shantytown was suddenly interrupted by something far sweeter. It didn't mix well with everything else at all and it burned his eyes. Eldlasa noticed his sneer and smirked.

"I know that expression any where, they're almost here aren't they?"

"That smell is that perfume?"

"Ah, so I was correct."

While Deimos and Eldlasa stood on the outskirts of the village, two elves, one male and the other female, wearing expensive armour walked through the dilapidated streets. The denizens of Haarmzard all stopped to take in the sight. Gasps and words of envy and admiration filled the gossiping lips of the poor folk. It was clearly paladin armour they wore but they looked nothing like Eldlasa. Beneath her cuirass she wore a blouse that had loose, white sleeves. Her left arm had more armour for shielding than the right and she wore tight white leather pants beneath her silver and gold leg armour with fancy brown leather boots that looked like they belonged on a pompous nobles feet-- perhaps they were actually on a pompous nobles feet. Much of her body was covered in plate. The black arm cape that hung from the pauldron of her right shoulder was what seemed most unique of the ensemble to Deimos.

The male elf had dark red hair, golden-orange eyes, green jeweled earrings and a face as smooth as a high quality swords finish. Elves. Their men looked like women a little too often to Deimos. He wore opulent armour that had more gold than silver and it covered the entirety of his body save for his head and an embroidered waist-cloth with a family crest stitched neatly into it. His pauldrons were larger than his shoulders and he even had an eye catching cod piece to draw extra attention to his cock. Deimos knew exactly what kind of elf he would be after seeing that shit. He must be Crucxiea, the Grand Paladin.

The she-elf looked familiar to Deimos. Beautifully combed brown hair and golden-orange eyes as well as jeweled green earrings. Perhaps both elves were closely allied. Her armour was also quite gold. Gold and very revealing. It looked like a fancy gown of sorts. Vitalesian tradeswomen often lamented on not being able to afford such dresses. Her breastplate wasn't much of a breastplate at all. Just a large window leaving little to the imagination. Then it suddenly hit him. She was obviously the same whore who propositioned him earlier.

"That elf, she's a fucking paladin?"

"Yes yes, Lynelda De Vera does draw eyes doesn't she. Whores tend to be good at that, Deimos," said Eldlasa, side eyeing him.

"There you are, oath breaker!" said the posh elven paladin as he walked up to Eldlasa, one hand on his hip and a bored expression sat on his smooth face. She immediately stood up straight with her hands by her sides and she held her head down, avoiding his eyes.

"I did all you asked Crucxiea...have you brought it?" Eldlasa said, speaking softly and yet holding back a low and barely audible growl. Deimos noticed she was sweating and her index finger twitched constantly, tapping the armour of her thigh.

"I don't know, you took so long to deal with damned wolves that I've grown impatient!" Said Crucxiea before he looked around at the crowd of people who gathered. Upon seeing him take notice, the people quickly dispersed. He then looked down on her but not with contempt. He looked disinterested.

"Crucxiea... please I-"

"I don't have time for excuses, Andni, do better next time I give you a task! You will not disabuse me of my lack of faith in you with your constant incompetence." He said as he lightly slapped her upside the head with the back of his armoured fist. Tossing aside his cool and composed demeanour for a second.

"Fuck you..." Eldlasa mumbled in response, fists clenched but standing as still as she could muster.

Crucxiea opened his eyes slightly when he heard Eldlasa mumble under her breath. He tightened his face and walked up to Eldlasa till their boots interlocked and his chin almost sat atop her head, "Do mine ears deceive me? You're lucky I'm even breaking words with you. My spies have observed you for years, you are a nauseating, revolting, unsightly, little cur!" said Crucxiea as he quickly grew furious. He grabbed her jaw and angled her head back till he could see her face. Eldlasa looked into his eyes and began to tremble, this made him smile and he began to squeeze till she started to grunt in pain. Eldlasa made no attempt to resist.

Once Deimos couldn't bare to watch anymore he drew his sword and pointed it up towards the Grand Paladin, "You will deliver what you promised and we will be on our way," said Deimos, each word chewed between his teeth as he barely contained his fury.

Crucxiea paused briefly, still focused on Eldlasa. He only looked right at her for a time before his eyes began to widen further, his nostrils slowly flared and his look of boredom transformed into one of utter disgust and pure rage, "you bring not only a pig before me, you bring a brachen pig!"

Many of the peasants, whores and other people of the slums began to take notice of Crucxiea as he grew louder and louder. He gently shifted his hand to Eldlasa's neck, running a single finger down her chin before he tightened his grip once more. Crucxiea's body now shook with anger and his eyes grew bloodshot. "Have you disremembered who I am? You would dare to be irreverent in my presence? You would infuriate...ME?" He now choked Eldlasa and shook her violently, screaming at the top of his lungs, fraught with rage.

Eldlasa gripped his hand and tried to loosen it. Too weakly to stop the enraged paladin. The onlookers were now a large crowd of spectators and the air was filled with whispers of worry and contempt. Eldlasa gasped loudly and frantically as she tried to loosen Crucxiea's grip to no avail.

Deimos could stomach it no longer and he moved to tackle Crucxiea but before he could even see what happened he felt an intense, cutting pain that stopped him in his tracks. A mighty blow struck Deimos paralysing him as he fell to his knees and clutched his stomach. His armour did nothing to cushion or deflect it.

The pain radiated through him. Only stopping in his back as the wind was forced from his lungs. The one blow had the strength of a thousand to Deimos. Waves of excruciating pain passed through his body, rattling his bones and his head swayed as if he was under water. He began rising to his feet, pushing through the debilitating pain.

"I apologise," a young woman's voice said, "I must protect the Grand Paladin so stay down, please." Deimos looked up to see a young, blonde and beautiful but wild looking light elf woman stood before him. Judging from her armour she was also a paladin. "W-we won't let him carry on any further, please," she innocently protested as Deimos started pushing pass her. The young elf was quite built and clearly a capable warrior if she could move with that speed. She used all her strength to hold him back as Deimos ignored her wishes.

"Lord Crucxiea! Have mercy," Lynelda said as she stood observing the commotion, "you've punished her enough surely," she walked over to him and daintily placed her hand on his shoulder armour which drew his attention to her. He seemed to immediately regain his composure and release Eldlasa. She collapsed to her knees, coughing and gasping for air, holding her head down. The crowd also seemed to have held their breath as they were watching. Once she was released, so too did Crucxiea release the crowd as a wave of relief seemed to wash over them.

Upon seeing Lynelda stop Crucxiea, Deimos calmed himself as well.

"What are you all doing loafing about!" said Crucxiea as he turned his eyes to the gathering around them. "Begone you wastrels!" He shouted, with a purposeful flash of his hand to dismiss his audience. The crowd quickly made a hasty retreat and carried on with their lives.

"Ah, of course," Crucxiea said with a smile, before he flung a small green journal at Eldlasa's head as she knelt in the dirt before him, "All the information you could ever want on those four bastards is in that book. Do not lose it, oath-breaker."

"...Thank you sir," said Eldlasa weakly, hiding her face. She reached out a hand and quickly collected the small book.

"De Vera and I are pursuing the Viscount so you and your brachen will point your noses elsewhere. Perhaps the winged buffoon, you can throw him at her as a distraction. Of all the scum races, you ally with a damned brachen. Do teach him manners or I will do far worse to you than the princess did," said Crucxiea as he walked away, taking a second to look back at her, over his shoulder. The look in his eye more than let her understand he meant what was said.

Lynelda quickly took a look at Crucxiea as he walked away and trotted up to Deimos to stroke his arm. She took a look at Eldlasa who was watching her with a twine of anger on her face and gave a smirk and a wink before returning her attention to Deimos to whisper into his ear, "She doesn't trust many people-- especially humans-- You belong to the legion. What is your rank?"

Deimos was shocked by her words and demeanour. "I-I was a Bulwark," he said as he held eye contact with her. They were the shields of the Legion and were known to withstand inhuman punishment. They were known to return alive more than any other.

Lynelda embraced him and placed his hands upon her hips, hers climbed around his neck gracefully afterwards. "Then you are a capable man. Few can still walk after they've suffered such a blow from Gunhild," she said with a gentle, feminine titter. "Protect Eldlasa and I will reward you, brave soldier." Lynelda then tipped as high as she could and kissed his cheek.

"Understood," said Deimos, a little flustered.

"Good, don't tell her I said any of this, more fun that way haha." She said before spinning around on one heel and grabbing the young elf, Gunhild, by the hand and skipping away with her in tow.

Once they departed Deimos helped Eldlasa to her feet. She pushed him off once she stood firm and began frantically flipping through the journal. Not one word otherwise.

"He called you oath breaker, Eldlasa..."

"There's a lot of useful information. Our path is set," she said, not looking up from the pages.

"What oath did you, a paladin, break. We need to talk abo--"

"The weakest of the four is our best option. They suspect she's been hiding out in--"

"Hey! Listen to me!" Deimos said just as he swung her around towards him and grabbed her shoulders. Eldlasa had tears streaming down her cheeks. He relaxed his shoulders and softened his expression.

She quickly dried her tears and broke free of his grasp, "Fuck...I just...we're traveling to the east..."

"The east it is then, paladin," said Deimos with a nod. Eldlasa nodded in return and they were off.