Kaiden, emerging from his restful slumber, is aroused by the familiar sound of his name being called. As he sits up on the bed, stretching and yawning, he notices a significant difference in his level of restfulness compared to the previous day. Feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, Kaiden takes a moment to appreciate the improved quality of his sleep.
Kaiden surveys the room, searching for the source of the voice that awakened him. His eyes finally land on Wulfric, who is standing by the door with his head sticking slightly into the room. Kaiden looks at Wulfric, his expression quizzical.
“Good morning, Wulfric. What brings you to my room?” Kaiden says politely.
Wulfric offers a warm morning greeting in return. "Good morning to you as well, Kaiden. I came to check on how you were doing and to see if you're up for the day.”
Kaiden chuckles softly, feeling a hint of sarcasm. "Well, I guess I'm up now," he replies jokingly. "What's up? Do I need to be somewhere or do something?"
Wulfric steps into the room entirely, stopping by the side of Kaiden's bed. With a serious tone, he reveals the reason for his visit. "The Elders have requested your presence in the Chamber of Astryaln," he informs Kaiden. "They want to discuss the details of the proclamation ritual with you."
Kaiden rises from his bed, but before proceeding, he hesitates for a brief moment. He feels a wave of self-consciousness washing over him as he contemplates his attire. He considers the thought of wearing the same clothes for yet another day, and the idea leaves him feeling uneasy.
Wulfric observes Kaiden's unease and takes notice of his discomfort. With a note of concern in his voice, he asks, "Is everything alright, Kaiden? Is something bothering you?"
Kaiden sighs, tugging at his dirty jeans and t-shirt, drawing attention to the fact that he is once again in the same unwashed clothing. He voices his concern, "I don't want to face the Elders wearing these filthy clothes again. Unfortunately, I don't have any other attire to change into."
Wulfric nods empathetically, understanding Kaiden's situation. He suddenly recollects that they had made plans to approach Gideon for additional clothing but had been distracted by the previous day's incident.
Wulfric swiftly conceives a strategy to assist Kaiden and suggests, "Wait here for a moment. I may know a place where I can obtain a few pieces of clothing that will serve as a temporary solution for you."
Kaiden struggles to restrain himself from rolling his eyes but ultimately gives in. "Okay, I'll just stay here in my room then," he replies, a touch of sarcasm in his voice.
Wulfric quickly turns and leaves, not saying another word, leaving Kaiden to wait for his return. Hours pass before he reappears, bursting through the door with several fabric bags trailing behind him. They dangle from his arms, filled with various garments.
Wulfric lets out a satisfied huff as he deposits the bags onto the floor, then proceeds to shake out his hands with an air of pride. "There we go," he says confidently. "There should be enough clothes here to last you for quite some time. I've made sure to include everything a young man might need."
Kaiden approaches the bags, his gaze fixed on them without immediately opening them. Meanwhile, Wulfric notices that the door remains wide open and instinctively moves to close it, ensuring privacy within the room.
Wulfric, noticing Kaiden's hesitation in opening the bags quickly, moves over and begins to empty the contents of a couple of bags, wasting no time. "We mustn't dawdle," he advises. "I've informed the Elders that we'll be joining them shortly. Hurry and pick out some pieces. You need to change."
Kaiden scans the assortment of clothing laid out before him, momentarily puzzled by some of the pieces. He selects a pair of trousers but has difficulty finding an appropriate shirt to match.
Wulfric observes Kaiden's increasing frustration as he frantically digs through the clothes, his own impatience building up as well. However, having learned valuable lessons from Kaiden and Loden about patience and kindness towards one's friends, Wulfric remains stationary, restraining himself from intervening or voicing his impatience.
Kaiden eventually extracts a suitable shirt from the pile, holding it in his hands. He turns to Wulfric, his expression tinged with confusion. "Are you going to leave so I can change?" Kaiden inquires.
Wulfric gazes at Kaiden, taken aback. "We're both men, there's no need for you to conceal yourself as if you were a girl," he remarks, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
Kaiden shakes his head fiercely, a wave of embarrassment washing over him. His cheeks are tinged with a blush, and he attempts to conceal his face, mumbling a defensive response. "I don't change in front of anyone – family, friends, or even my teammates," he admits shyly.
Wulfric, noticing Kaiden's embarrassment, moves closer to him and contemplates something, but quickly shakes his head, dismissing the idea. He pivots and walks towards the door, keeping his back turned to Kaiden, granting him some semblance of privacy.
Wulfric speaks firmly, his back still turned to Kaiden. "Get changed and meet me outside the door," he instructs. "We’re running late." With that, Wulfric swiftly exits the room, leaving Kaiden alone to change his clothing.
Kaiden finds himself smiling, appreciating Wulfric's understanding and consideration. He removes his old clothes and hurries to don the new garments in a hasty manner. Kaiden gazes at his old shirt with a mixture of sadness and perplexity, shaking his head in disbelief. He notices the hole, scratches, and dirt smudges on the fabric and wonders how he could have been unaware of its condition for so long. Kaiden discards his old clothes onto the chair by the wooden table, and then slips on a pair of sandals that lie scattered on the floor among the other garments. With the task done, he takes a brief moment to check his appearance, feeling much more presentable than before.
Kaiden quickly emerges from the room, feeling noticeably cleaner than he was previously. Wulfric stands before him and nods approvingly, seemingly pleased with his appearance.
With a firm tone, Wulfric issues an order, gesturing for Kaiden to follow. "We should get going; we need to reach the Chamber of Astryaln to meet with the Elders and their Majesties, so no stalling. Keep up." Without waiting for a response, Wulfric sets off briskly down the hallway.
Kaiden hastens his steps, desperately trying to keep up with Wulfric's swift, confident stride. As he hurries alongside his friend, he becomes acutely aware of his own awkwardness, feeling almost out of place in comparison. Despite his best efforts, maintaining a steady pace proves to be a challenge, as he struggles to match Wulfric's natural gait through the hallway. As the duo swiftly traverses the halls of the palace, Kaiden's thoughts drift to Loden's absence. He finds it strange that Loden hasn't been mentioned or seen yet, and wonders if something might be amiss.
Kaiden clears his throat, intending to gain Wulfric's notice. "I haven't seen Loden yet this morning, nor have I heard anything from him. Have you by any chance seen him?" Kaiden inquires, his voice carrying a hint of concern and a longing to make amends for the previous day's events.
Wulfric shakes his head, indicating his ignorance on the matter. "I haven't spoken with Loden or seen him at all today," he reveals. "A member of the staff informed me that he departed from the palace early this morning."
Kaiden halts abruptly, a look of shock and astonishment etched across his face. "Departed?" he exclaims. "What do you mean he just left? He didn't even bother telling us, and we're supposed to be a team!" The realization of Loden's unexpected departure hits him hard, and he's both hurt and bewildered by the lack of communication.
Wulfric halts his steps, sensing Kaiden's absence from his side. He turns around to look at his friend, shaking his head gently. "Kaiden," he says, his tone measured. "We must continue forward. There will be time later to concern ourselves with Loden's whereabouts. Perhaps he had an errand to run, or merely needed some fresh air."
Kaiden experiences a mix of surprise and comfort as he process Wulfric's words. With the time they have spent together and the conversation they shared the night before, Kaiden feels a sense of ease and understanding in Wulfric's presence. He nods his head in agreement, a smile forming on his lips. "Alright," he replies, "that's likely the case. Let's move on."
Wulfric turns away, resuming his strides, with Kaiden following in his wake. As they navigate the corridors and pass numerous doors, Kaiden can't help but feel a sense of unfamiliarity with their surroundings. He marvels silently to himself about where exactly they are heading, as the route does not seem to lead towards any place he recognizes within the palace. Wulfric halts abruptly in front of two colossal, imposing doors. Both doors are intricately adorned with images of Astryaln in both human and wolf form, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship. Kaiden is left utterly spellbound by the sight before him, admiring the meticulous detail and artistry invested in each door.
Before Wulfric can even raise his hand to knock, the massive doors swing open, revealing three Elders who stride out with angry expressions on their faces. Startled, Kaiden and Wulfric step back to give the Elders room to pass. They are left utterly puzzled, not fully grasping the situation they have just missed.
A distinct voice reaches the pair of Kaiden and Wulfric, drawing their attention to the approaching Emperor. He moves toward them slowly, speaking kindly. "Priestess, Wulfric," he greets. "I'm glad that both of you could arrive at the Chamber. We can now commence the practice ritual for the Proclamation."
The Emperor now standing in front of Kaiden and Wulfric, senses their confusion. “Sorry about that,” he said, gesturing back towards the departing Elders. “We were just having a bit of a disagreement about some last-minute details for the Proclamation.” He paused, giving them a warm smile. “But now that that’s taken care of, shall we begin the practice ritual in the Chamber?”
As Kaiden nods his understanding, he swiftly follows the Emperor into the Chamber, with Wulfric close behind them. As they step inside, Kaiden's gaze is immediately drawn to the familiar ritual fire vase holding a dancing flame.
The head female Elder draws closer to the group, addressing Kaiden with a smile. "Priestess," she says, "we're delighted to have you here with us today. Shall we do a walkthrough of the ritual for tomorrow?”
Kaiden, feeling a hint of nervousness, responds, "Yes," and follows in the Elder's footsteps as she leads the way toward the fire.
The head female Elder pauses in front of the fire, her head bowed in reverence. Kaiden, uncertain of his own actions, remains still, silently looking to the Elder for guidance on what to do next. Sensing Kaiden's hesitation, she looks up at him and instructs, "Please, step forward and repeat the words I say aloud."
Kaiden hastily moves to join the female Elder, lowering his head in respect. The Elder speaks slowly, giving Kaiden the chance to match her words and pace, her soothing voice carrying the ceremony's significance.
The Elder and Kaiden stand side by side, their voices blending together in a harmonious chorus as they recite the invocation. Each word carries the weight of their dedication, creating an air of solemnity in the chamber. Their voices rise and fall in unison, the syllables echoing off the stone walls as they call upon Astryaln for his guidance and protection.
“We beseech you, almighty Astryaln, Guardian of the South and protector of this realm, and the embodiment of the wolf spirit. We stand before you, humbled by your presence and strength. We seek your wisdom and guidance in the tasks that lie ahead. May your grace and wolf-like strength burn within us, igniting our passion and fueling our resolve. Astryaln, we pledge our loyalty and devotion to you and this land. Our cause is just, and our spirits unwavering. Grant us the courage and wisdom to lead and protect your people and may your light shine upon us in our darkest moments."
As the female Elder and Kaiden recite the invocation together, they watch as the fire before them flickers and dances in response to their words. The flames change color, shifting from their normal orange-red hue to a glowing purple, then blue, and finally a brilliant gold and silver mix. As whisperings fill the room, Kaiden's gaze instinctively tries to dart around, curious about the commotion. However, he feels a light jab on his side from the female Elder, silently signaling him to refocus on the task at hand. Understanding the subtle cue, Kaiden reluctantly turns his attention back to the fire, his mind swirling with questions about the murmurs echoing throughout the room.
The female Elder delicately withdraws two scrolls from the depths of her robes, offering one to Kaiden. He carefully observes her every move as she plucks a strand of her own hair and gently places it within the scroll. Understanding her intentions, Kaiden mimics her action, grabbing a strand of his own hair and placing it inside the scroll he was given.
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The female Elder dips her head in reverence, then gently tosses her scroll into the fire with a flick of her wrist. Following her example, Kaiden repeats the gesture, bowing his head before releasing his own scroll into the roaring flames. As the scrolls are engulfed by the flames, a haunting and mournful howl fills the room, the sound sending a chill down spines. Suddenly, a silver-hued energy wolf emerges from the fire and materializes behind the female Elder and Kaiden, standing guard at their backs.
The female Elder carefully turns to face the energy wolf, and Kaiden follows suit, his eyes widening in astonishment. For a brief moment, his heart quickens, caught off guard by the unexpected presence behind him. The energy wolf being 3 times the size of the messenger spirit wolf from yesterday in the Elders Council Room. However, the tranquil ambiance of the chamber gradually eases his nerves, and he observes the wolf's placid and elegant demeanor.
As the female Elder descends to her knees, the energy wolf inclines its head, intently studying her. Then, the wolf turns its attention to Kaiden. With a sense of reverence, Kaiden slowly lowers himself, acutely feeling the wolf's gaze on him. A gentle touch of pressure against his shoulder makes him glance down, and he realizes that the wolf has placed its paw on him, making physical contact. The tranquil room suddenly fills with a cacophony of whispered words, voices melding together in a murmur of confusion. However, the energy wolf abruptly whirls in place, withdrawing its paw and assuming a defensive stance. Its fur bristles, standing on end, while its lips curl back to reveal a dangerous flash of gleaming white teeth. Its eyes, filled with anger, fixate on the others in the room, the aggressive display a clear warning.
The room falls into an instant hush as the whispers subside, and the wolf turns its focus back to Kaiden. It closes the distance, pressing its head forcefully against his chest, nearly toppling him over. After a moment, the wolf retreats, standing at attention before abruptly taking a powerful leap and soaring back into the flames, its silvery energy frame disappearing within the fire.
As the female Elder slowly rises to her feet, her eyes sweep around the chamber, taking in the reactions of the onlookers. Kaiden follows her lead, standing up as well yet remaining motionless, hesitant about his next move.
The head female Elder claps her hands softly, a small smile gracing her lips, "Excellent work, Priestess. That went splendidly." She takes a few steps back, and then addresses Kaiden again, "Tomorrow, you will perform the same ritual for the entire palace and the city. It should go just as it did here."
Kaiden shakes his head, the confusion evident on his face. He then poses the question, "You said 'it should go just as it did here.' Are you implying that something could be different? Isn't that the same ritual we just carried out?"
The female Elder tilts her head slightly, taking note of the question in Kaiden's expression and tone. With a calm and collected delivery, she replies, "Yes, we just performed the ritual, and everything went well. Tomorrow, we will repeat the same ceremony for the entire palace and city. But if you're asking if something will be different, then yes. I won't be by your side. The celestial being, Astrayln, will only respond to you." The head female Elder proceeds, "Priestess, I want to make something clear. During the ritual, you need to focus solely on Astryaln for it to work. If you hesitate even a little, that can be seen as a sign of weakness by the people watching. They need to see unwavering strength and determination in you."
Kaiden nods in acknowledgment, grasping the responsibility that lies ahead and the importance of his role. The head female Elder swiftly turns her gaze to Wulfric, her focus sharp and unwavering, signaling him to approach them from where he stands.
The female Elder addresses Wulfric, her composure and authority evident in her words. "Celestial Warrior, where is the other who came with the Priestess? Both of you must be present during the ritual. You will stand side-by-side with the priestess and be the first to bow, signaling for the crowd to follow suit. This is critical." She scans the room, underlining the importance of this arrangement.
Wulfric promptly kneels before the head female Elder, lowering his gaze in respect. He responds, "He is not here, Head Elder. However, I will ensure the message is passed on to him."
The head female Elder casts a discerning eye over Wulfric, her gaze lingering for a moment. Then, she looks at the Emperor, who responds with a slight nod. The head female Elder then turns away, her attention shifting elsewhere. The head female Elder faces the assembled room, her voice clear and authoritative. "Each one of you here has been privileged to witness the pact between the Priestess and Astryaln during this ritual. Tomorrow, the bond will be reinforced again. It is imperative that no one speaks of this moment to anyone."
The room falls into silence as everyone nods in agreement, murmurs of agreement rippling through the air. The head female Elder stomps her foot firmly, causing an echo to reverberate throughout the space, her demeanor transitioning from anger to tranquil in an instant.
The head female Elder speaks with a serious and sad tone, "Astryaln has once more shown us his disapproval for our actions. We, the Elders, must go and pray and seek forgiveness for our actions before him on this day."
The head female Elder swiftly makes her way towards the doors, a procession of Elders trailing closely behind her as they all exit the chamber, their footsteps gradually fading into the distance.
One of the female Elders lingers in the room, allowing the others to leave first before slowly approaching Kaiden. Kaiden recognizes her as Evelyn, the same Elder who held the scrolls the previous day, her voice gentle and soft sounding.
Evelyn greets Kaiden with a bow, her voice soft but now filled with a sense of urgency. "It is good to speak with you once more, Priestess. I would like to converse with you privately, away from the other Elders, as they would not approve of my doing so at this time. However, for your own safety, I believe it is necessary."
With a hint of concern, Wulfric swiftly steps to Kaiden's side, his voice full of protectiveness. "What kind of danger do you speak of that Kaiden is in? Surely, the head Elder should have informed me about this."
Evelyn shakes her head, clasping her hands together in front of her. "The Elders do not view the issue I'm bringing to your attention as worthy of concern, and so they have dismissed the accusations, preferring to focus solely on the tasks ahead."
Evelyn can no longer contain her frustration, her emotions bubbling to the surface. She extends her hands in a dramatic gesture, her voice tinged with frustration. "The Elders are making a mistake in their decision. We cannot risk the ritual or your safety. We shouldn’t dismiss the accusations made by the other Elders."
Kaiden stands there, perplexed by what Evelyn is saying, feeling a bit lost as the conversation progresses. Wulfric, however, seems to understand completely. He nods, silently taking in the information, his mind processing everything thoroughly.
Evelyn continues urgently, her voice tinged with both concern and shame. "The Elders Carwyn, Alaric, and Elowen left these chambers in anger before your entrance earlier. They made grave accusations and threats against the safety and success of the Priestess."
Wulfric’s eyes narrow, a dark look crossing over them. “And these Elders, what threats did they make?”
Evelyn’s words carry a sense of urgency and concern. She continues in a low tone, “Those Three Elders believe that you, Kaiden, lack experience and are naive. That you are not worthy for the role you have been given. They protest that you do not have the power or knowledge to face and control the power of Astryaln. They doubt your ability to conduct the ceremony tomorrow in a manner that will please Astryaln and keep the Empire safe. Yesterday’s behavior of Astryaln in the council room has heightened their skepticism. They do not believe that you will have the ability to conduct yourself properly when faced with a threat in the future.”
The air in the room is thick with tension as Kaiden and Wulfric take in the gravity of the situation. Evelyn’s words hang heavily between them, the implications of the Elders’ accusations and threats weighing on their thoughts.
Kaiden feels as though an invisible target has been placed on his back, his mind reeling with the revelation that the Three Elders are already planning trouble. Meanwhile, Wulfric seethes with anger, silently strategizing in his mind, processing the information with a tactical eye.
Kaiden is the first to break the silence, his voice carrying a hint of desperation and determination. “What can I do? How can I show them they're wrong, or at least ease their concerns?”
Wulfric swiftly interjects, the words spilling from his mouth as he vigorously shakes his head. “If they're already set in their distrust, there's no persuading them. We'll just have to be more vigilant and careful with what we're doing.”
Kaiden looks at Wulfric with worried, wide eyes, his voice carrying a hint of fear. "You don't believe those three would resort to hurting me to prove their point, right?"
Evelyn quickly chimes in, her tone serious. "I wouldn’t be surprised if Carwyn went to extremes to uphold traditional values. Alaric and Elowen blindly follow Carwyn's lead, likely still holding grudges against many Elders due to past council meetings."
Kaiden shakes his head, a frustrated look crossing his face as he glances around the empty chamber. The realization sinks in; the Emperor is nowhere to be seen. Concern fills him as he silently wonders why the ruler didn't bother to mention anything about the Elders' accusations. A sense of unease starts to bubble up within him, doubt creeping into his mind.
Wulfric's words come out with a measured tone, strategic in nature. "What's going to happen to Carwyn, Alaric, and Elowen now? Surely, you'll prevent them from being a part of the Elders’ gatherings or from attending the ritual tomorrow, correct?"
Evleyn shakes her head, a look of melancholy on her face as her hands clasp together once again. "Unfortunately, we can't stop their presence tomorrow since the ritual is open to everyone. The Head Elder, Roheisia, has suspended them from the Elder Council for the time being, until the issue is sorted out."
Kaiden is stunned, struggling to comprehend why the Head Elder isn't preventing the Three Elders from attending the ceremony. His mind races, realization slowly seeping in - his safety and chances of returning home are at risk if the Three Elders interfere with the ritual. Panic starts to bubble up within him as he desperately wonders what can be done.
Wulfric loses his composure, slamming his fist into his palm in indignation. “I'll talk to Roheisia about this before the day ends. Though she's the Head Elder, as a Celestial Warrior, I take the Priestess’ safety seriously. I’ll also need to inform Loden about this entire situation.”
Kaiden's mind is on overdrive, his thoughts spinning out of control as he contemplates various outcomes for the ritual, ranging from the sublime to the downright absurd. Panic seizes him, affecting his physical well-being, causing his breath to become ragged and his vision to blur. His heart pounds wildly, reminiscent of the moment he experienced in the hallway with the portraits.
Wulfric catches on to Kaiden's state swiftly, worry crossing his face. He addresses Kaiden softly, attempting to calm him. "Kaiden, take a deep breath, calm down. You're going to pass out again. Deep breaths, concentrate on your breathing"
Kaiden's head shakes fervently, his racing thoughts unyielding, making him feel out of control. Then suddenly, Wulfric's hand comes down on his shoulder, offering a comforting gesture. The pendant hanging around Kaiden's neck sends a surge of coldness through his chest, like a soothing balm on his panicked mind. Kaiden focuses on the chill from the pendant, feeling its soothing effect slowly calming his racing heart as he consciously regulates each breath, synchronizing the movement of his chest. To further compose himself, he closes his eyes, shutting out the blurry world around him, concentrating solely on his breathing.
Wulfric's voice is a soft, reassuring whisper, meant only for Kaiden. He keeps his hand steady on Kaiden's shoulder, the contact grounding and calming. "We'll figure this out as a team, together. You're not alone in this. There's no need to panic. Trust us and in us, your protectors. We're here for you."
Wulfric's calming words resonate deeply within Kaiden's mind, banishing the racing thoughts and soothing his anxiety. Slowly, Kaiden opens his eyes, the last residue of panic finally fading away. His vision gradually clears, focusing on Wulfric and Evelyn, who stand before him, concern etched on their faces.
Evelyn delicately places her hand on his other shoulder and asks, her voice filled with genuine concern, "Priestess, are you okay? I didn’t intend to cause you...", her words trailing off as she struggles to find the right way to express herself.
Kaiden smiles back at them, placing his hands on both Wulfric and Evelyn. "I’m okay now. You've done nothing wrong. My thoughts just spiraled before I could reel them in. Thank you both for grounding me," he replies, his gratitude evident.
Wulfric withdraws his hand, followed closely by Evelyn. A knowing smile curves both their lips as they simultaneously address Kaidan. "Priestess," they utter with a bow, their respect and devotion clear.
Kaiden awkwardly waves his hands, attempting to deflect the attention. "Alright, alright," he responds, placing a hand to his head in an almost embarrassed gesture. "There's no need for that, really. Let's avoid drawing too much unwanted attention," he adds sheepishly.
Wulfric and Evelyn straighten up, with Wulfric turning to quickly grab Kaiden into a gentle yet teasing headlock.
Wulfric chuckles as he grips Kaiden in a gentle headlock, teasingly roughhousing with him. "Unwanted attention? We're the only ones here, Kaiden," Wulfric replies. Kaiden playfully attempts to push Wulfric away, grumbling, "Stop, get off me."
After releasing Kaiden, Wulfric readjusts himself, his countenance returning to seriousness. He clears his throat gruffly and apologizes, saying, "Apologies, please forgive me I lost my bearing there for a moment. Let’s refocus. We should head back to your bedchamber. We ought to be cautious in our actions going forward until we're certain you're safe. That nothing bad can or will happen to you, Kaiden. Wulfric glance towards Evelyn as he adds, "Evelyn will need to return back to the Elder Council before they notice her absence and punish her for leaving."
Evelyn nods in agreement, acknowledging the plan. "Yes, that seems like the best course of action," she agrees. "Roheisia will have likely noticed my absence by now. I will send a scroll or attempt to visit your chambers to continue our private discussion," she adds before preparing to leave.
Evelyn turns to go, but just as she does, Kaiden reaches out, grasping her hand to stop her. This action takes Wulfric and Evelyn by surprise. Kaiden looks at her, a determined look in his eyes. "Wait, Evelyn," he says firmly, his sudden grasp catching both Evelyn and Wulfric slightly off guard.
Evelyn is taken aback by Kaiden’s action, her eyes widening slightly as she turns back to face him, a question in her eyes.
Kaiden speaks sincerely, his voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you," he says, his expression sincere. "Thank you for confiding in us, Wulfric and me. We truly appreciate you sharing this information." He then releases Evelyn's hand, a hint of embarrassment creeping into his demeanor, as if he hadn't expected to express himself so openly.
Evelyn shakes her head fondly, a warm smile lighting up her face. "Of course, Priestess. It's my duty, after all.” She replies, her voice gentle yet firm. “I shall take my leave now." She nods respectfully to both Kaiden and Wulfric in farewell before abruptly turning and exiting the room, leaving Kaiden and Wulfric alone.
Wulfric adjusts his stance, and gestures towards the exit, his voice carrying a serious undertone. "Indeed, we should be on our way as well, Kaiden. I would feel more comfortable with Loden's presence to provide us with additional protection.”
He then turns his full attention to Kaiden. "We should head back to your room for the time being," he suggests, his eyes turning to scan the surroundings as if anticipating potential dangers.
Kaiden shakes his head, but a small smile tugs at the corner of his lips. "Yes, but on one condition," he responds, his playful tone indicating a lighter moment. "Could we have someone bring some food and drinks to my room? I missed breakfast, and I'm quite famished," he adds, his stomach growling ever so slightly as if to enforce his point.
Kaiden's comment diverts Wulfric's attention from his watchful gaze. He nods in agreement, admonishing himself internally for not thinking of procuring food earlier. “Of course,” he responds, “I should have brought something this morning. We can most certainly arrange to have food and drinks sent to your room. Shall we depart?” he confirms, his stance shifting back into a protective stance.
Kaiden shakes his head again, amused by Wulfric’s serious demeanor, which somehow manages to be both amusing and protective at the same time. With a nod, Wulfric gestures toward the doorway, signaling their departure. Kaiden spares a final look at the flickering fire before turning to leave with Wulfric following closely behind him as they exit the room. Wulfric’s presence beside Kaiden being a steady and protective force that he needs.