Lance was still unused to the Western side of Coerthas. His shifts usually were always south of Dragonhead, at Skyfire Locks. Yet he had been picking up any extra duties where he could lately. Anything to avoid home as much as possible. So naturally he had somehow landed himself some work on the Western side. Including some work he had been keeping quiet. He was technically in service with Haillenarte but Durendaire controlled the areas around here. Yet since he had begun his friendship with Emon’i he had been on occasion quietly offering assistance to Durendaire when Haillenarte did not have enough work to keep him busy.
He hadn’t noticed her at first. He had been admiring the warm rays of sun that rarely graced Coerthas. Yet her raven hair stood out to him in the crisp white of fresh snow. He had called out to her as he hurried over. Meaning well when he had warned her that it was dangerous.
Interesting. She was a pretty face with intelligent eyes. Not as common of a pairing with most of the Ishgardian ladies he had ever met. He couldn’t help but smile slightly as he crossed his arms in thought. He liked the bit of spark she had. There was something in her tone and actions that told him he wasn’t the first that had ever tried to be concerned for her. Finally he uncrossed his arms, holding his hands up defensively for a moment to apologize.
“I meant no offense of course. I apologize if I have done so. Ser Lancefer Aurifore.” Lance swept into a bow as he spoke to Svan, still smiling warmly as he straightened back up. “I just know this side of Coerthas is not nearly as kind as the . Would it be okay to ask what brings you out this way?
As expected of a Temple Knight, courteous with a sense to protect. Although she couldn’t help but notice he was quite different from the ones she had seen. Then again such knights tend to be completely different when they were off-duty and deep in their cups…
But she was sure she had never seen this man before. He held himself proudly, but not in a way of arrogance. The way he would stop her was out of concern, not that she would judge him upon that, but knights of his age and appearance often stopped her for other reasons than her well-being. Reasons that signaled a large, ruffled-looking crow to scare them off. The cry of a crow would cause her eyes to shift to look upon Ink perched on the nearby rail, turning his good eye upon the knight addressing her.
She would acknowledged the moody bird, but her attention would return to the knight as he begun to question her intentions of being out here. Yet another odd thing, usually knights would demand to know what she was doing, but he was instead asking if he could get an answer instead. Curious indeed, but nevertheless Svan would simply gesture towards the leather satchel that strapped over her shoulder under the shawl that she wore.
“I see, well I tend to come out here often to gather herbs. Is that a suitable answer Ser? I would appreciate it if I could leave very soon before the next snowfall…If you doubt me at all you can ask the folk around here and they can tell you about a crazy woman named Svan venturing off into the snowy lands alone.”
Of course he had not missed the fact that she was being just a bit wary. Not that he could blame her. He had seen both sides of the spectrum over his years serving. Not everyone trusted the knights right away. He had learned early on not to take offense to people’s reactions.
He had spared a glance in the crow’s direction for a moment. Curious. He had not recalled seeing anything here that might interest the bird. However he paid no further attention to Ink since the bird seemed to just be sitting there observing. It wasn’t something he thought much of. Animals that is. Beyond his chocobo, he had very few interactions with animals up close.
He eyed the leather satchel as she explained. A slight frown forming as she said the locals called her a crazy woman. He knew better then to judge a book by it’s cover but nothing about the woman seemed to cry ‘crazy’. Eccentric maybe. But that was even hard to go with in his opinion.
“I do not find it crazy. Then again I am pretty sure I have seen stranger things then a young woman gathering herbs in less then safe places.” He gestured for her to begin walking, not wanting to hold her up from her work but not walking away either. “I hope you don’t mind if I at least walk with you for just a bit. I can leave if you insist though. I promise to stay out of your way. Are you looking for specific herbs? Like those for healing or those for cooking?”
Spirit of the Warlock 