eachdraidh | [Video / Open to Both Courts]

[Private to Stefen.]

[Vanyel is holding onto a pair reins as he begins this video. It's clear he hasn't strayed far from the castle, but he is well-armed. Even his hair is tied back, ensuring that not a single strand crosses his field of vision and distracts him.]

Come outside, love. I have someone I want you to meet - though, sadly, she is no Companion.

[Yet the horses are white and beautiful in their own way.]

I do not wish to leave you behind.

[It clearly worries him to part from the Bard for too long. What if something were to happen in his absence and he couldn't reach Stefen in time?]

I can keep us safe.

[/]

The dead deserve peace. I cannot imagine denying them that - no matter their past crimes. [This is a matter that weighs heavily on him. He has lost many friends to war - though sometimes the war was waged within themselves.] We may judge foul deeds in our own way, but once a spirit passes on, their fate is out of our hands.

[His voice trembles as if he is recalling one spirit in particular.]

Find it in yourself to pity them and lay their remains to rest. I will be doing so until all bones are safely cached in places where they will not be disturbed.

Prayers are not my specialty - [Though he knows to ask the Shadow-Lover to see to their eternal bliss.] I hope good intentions are enough.

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In my experience, the intentions deep in your heart are a lot more important than whatever pretty words you may or may not be able to put together.

[Diarmuid has looked better, but it is obvious that he's not focusing on that at the moment. His break during the fight at Cothromach is being put to the best use he can, making sure that nothing is going to sneak up on them and make a bad situation even worse....]

We thank you for your efforts, especially those of us who would be there helping if we could.

That has been my experience as well. [He cocks his head and observes Diarmuid critically.] Are you in need of Healing?

[Truth be told, Vanyel is more accustomed to battle - and he knows he could aid them greatly. However he wants to see to Stefen's safety and he has no desire to drag the Bard into the middle of the battle.

Or to stray far from him when foul deeds are happening.]

Call for aid if you need it. There is a spell that I can use to shorten the distance between us.

Then do not worry so. Your efforts are good enough. Everyone--the living and the dead--are thankful for them.

[Diarmuid pauses when the man mentions his wounds. Unconsciously, he reaches up to lightly touch the burn on his cheek. He must look worse than he thought.]

I appreciate the offer, but I will be all right. My body heals quickly. I would hate to call you from the duties you do now to deal with something that will heal on its own.

[He chuckles lowly.] Worrying has become a habit of mine. I doubt you can break me of it.

[It's something he has come to accept. Heralds are worry warts.]

It may heal on its own or it may fester on its own. I don't consider healing anyone a waste of time.

Well, in that case, you are in good company. I tend to worry too much too.

[He just doesn't tend to waste time worrying about himself. Another bad habit of his.]

I don't know of my body is capable of getting an infection as it is made of magic, but if it would put you at ease...

Let us hope our worrying leads us on a productive path.

[Though he knows it doesn't. Worrying is just worrying.]

...how? [He blinks and tilts his head.] I'm sorry I've never met someone composed of magic.

My Healing abilities may not even work on you if that's the case.

As long as you don't let it control you, it usually does. It is much like fear in that respect.

[Diarmuid will have to disagree with Vanyel on that point. He finds that worrying can make a person very productive sometimes. Maybe even too productive.]

On my world there exists something called the Throne of Heroes. When one who has done great deeds dies on my world, his or her soul is recorded so that they may be summoned back to help protect the world should it be in danger. I am one of those heroes. Some people describe us as a kind of familiar if you have knowledge of such things.

As for your healing, as long as it is strong enough to overcome my magical resistance, then it would help...just not in a way that it helps most others, I suspect. Instead of healing the wound, it would be giving my body the energy it needs to repair itself.

I only find it useful when I have the energy to put it to good use. Otherwise it leads to many sleepless nights.

[He has enough of those already - though, admittedly, some of those are thanks to amorous activities.]

You share a bond with the world you left behind. [Much like the bond between Companions and Heralds or Bond-Birds and the Tayledras.] In that case, I will gladly lend you what power I can to hurry your healing.

[So Diarmuid can perform more heroic deeds. Goodness, they need more of those.]

That is true. It is not an easy emotion to deal with...

[Diarmuid is honestly surprised at how well the man is taking his explanation. When the workings of his world confuse him, a native, then what are others going to think?]

Yes, you could say that. Servants, as my kind are called, also share a bond with the person who summons them back into the world. It's really odd for me not to have that bond here even though there is a version of the man who called me back here.

[He shakes his head. It's been a few months now. He should be used to the absence, but he is not.]

Do you mind if I ask the name of the one who is so graciously offering to help me? I am Lancer.

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