[IRP] Return to the Dread Isle

[Swift_Assassin]

Lennox turned to Tiras, who was in the midst of losing all composure. Tiras had turned his sword on him in shock. Paranoia flowed from his lips. "From what I've heard of Sir Adrian Verde, I'm sure he'd find your behavior quite unbecoming," Lennox started with, hoping his comment would ground his mental state a bit. He grabbed the sword near the tip, squeezing it hard enough it drew blood, and directed away from his vital areas. "I rescued a helpless girl from a cult of druids who had stolen something from her. They intended to use what ever dark magics at their disposal to lash out at the Emperor's Church. I joined a Keeper of the Church and a small unit of Lycian soldiers in taking out this cult because I feared my uncle joining them and bolstering the zeal of the Church by embodying their dogma of anti-magic sentiment. When I discovered what she was, I ran away with her to keep her away from agents of his church or, potentially, his relic seekers. I feared her being killed by zealots or manipulated into a weapon of the Emperor. I separated from her in hopes of keeping the latter from discovering her, and assumed she'd be indistinct enough to elude the former. But then we met in again in Badon. And here we are now."

He turned his head back towards Renata, to answer her question, "If you recall, Raye elected to go on her own free will. I did not bring her here. I just swore her protection. She's not invulnerable, but, I won't elaborate further. It's not my place. Besides, how can you tell someone who can do that, where they can or cannot go?" He looked back at Tiras, to ensure he wasn't about to stab him. "That's why I deliberately diverted her comments about Nergal to my uncle. How do you explain that away?"

"At the time of embarkment, I had no idea your beliefs about Lycia and it's cult. You took on a mission sponsored by the Church, after all. I didn't know if you were 'righteous servants' of the Church of the Preservation of Sanctity or just needed the money. I wasn't sure you could be trusted. I could tell from your accents you're Lycian born and bred. You're an Ostian without a doubt, Tiras. Me, I'm not a dragon, I'm a wolf, perhaps even a fiery wolf, like my father. And no, I don't shape shift, it's my family sigil." He paused for a bit and began laughing as he let go of the sword and stepped away. "It doesn't make for a particularly compelling fight either. Don't get me wrong, a squash match can be entertaining with the right opponent, but what really gets the blood pumping is a classic underdog beating the odds story. A dragon kinda throws that balance out the window. Oh, I guess that kinda answers your first question, Renata."