The parties gathered they traveled following near the coastline, the group is clearly divided into three parties: Mercy's blessing, Hedara, and The titled legion. The copper-skinned elf takes the lead riding a beautiful gray horse that seems surprisingly strong to be a simple normal breed.
It was decided that the grand duke of Creseytsia and Norka should meet at the front whilst this group met up with the sent-out paladins before engaging in combat. A simple plan, a simple concept, actually feasible something else. It was after all a plan based solely on Brandubh's intel, the mage had proven useful. Still, one should keep their caution around anyone who graduated from Drearorth and is capable of anything of note. The copper-skinned elf thinks to herself as the clouded sky begins to weep softly. Brandubh had sighted around 20 using his crows and with the promised paladins they themselves should number well above their opponents. Sill Hedara did not feel comfortable, the scars on her back make themselves known as sometimes the crashing waves would sound like that near-forgotten dreaded whip. Scars from a long time ago, yet still they carry importance to this day. If she were under Tal'Kydreth they would have shamed her, luckily as a former Ori'Vashil she had not to worry about such traditions. Even if it's unlikely that any elf will look at her kindly for the time she spent serving human rulers. The western wars of devastation would guarantee that such a thing would nearly become impossible. Then again, holding her position as head of justice for more than a single generation had already proven everyone wrong.
Racing on horseback, the waves would continue to crash loudly against the shore. A white horse with a blond-haired paladin now running next to Hedara An'Yis. "Paladin." She says, acknowledging the presence of Cristal.
"How much longer is the ride?" The paladin asks, Mercy's blessing following shortly after them whilst the titled legion is riding at the rear, still able to keep up at the very least. The landless nobles apparently taught how to ride a horse, the only one not capable was Sol. But that's hardly a concern when one has the ability to fly.
"Another 3 hours before we meet the paladins. After that perhaps another 2 from where the raiders were last sighted."
"How do we find them?"
"Brandubh's crows will lead the way. Besides a group of slave raiders are not unnoticeable, we will find the traces." The sure reply of the elf leaves the paladin quiet for a while. A paladin and elf, the primary parties of the wars fought around 7 calamities ago yet still it's embedded as if it was yesterday. Especially in the elven mind, some are even still alive from that day they say. Not that either of them were. Still the hanging silent air makes it clear that both are unsure how to feel about the other.
"We cannot engage ourselves in your political conflict. We will only do what we must." Cristal says breaking the silence as she looks at the over-decorated knights riding in the rear. Their disdain for Hedara was clear and the only reason they even heeded this fight was seemingly a reestablishment of some kind. Cristal whilst not clear of what exactly already had a hunch that it was something related to the nobility. As a paladin in the central holy empire, most men and women carrying any semblance of nobility would try to integrate themselves in upper society. Something which the church had a lot of say in as positions such as a simple priest already held a lot of sway amongst the zealous and could even command lower-ranking paladins if no superior was in sight. A fate she was all too familiar with, she lamented whilst clicking her tongue.
"They will not kill me. They have too much to lose and too little to gain. Their value in the fight ahead might be a doubt, however." Hedara indulges Cristal with her own concerns. Not out of sense of pure righteousness but rather to awaken caution in the fighters that might suffer as a consequence.
"How so?"
"Sir Firestrong is a passionate lad and the landless nobles are better armored and trained than the average citizen. But at the end of the day they fight out of greed or whatever else they could gain. Much like a mercenary they will turn tail as soon as things get tough. Fear and self-preservation could prove fatal, like it has before for that legion." The elf says with a weathered face, perhaps the trip was taken its toll or perhaps the elf knew more than what Cristal knew. The paladin could only wonder what it was like living for centuries, a blessing or curse given to those proficient in mana and something the elven race was very familiar with. Born with mana automatically in a state of "awakening", granting them longer lifespans for fewer offsrping. Cristal remembers the history lessons taught to her by her brother as they desperately prepared to become paladins. To become a figure even so faintly close to "him."
"They should... Fear it. A battle could lead to death, something someone shouldn't long for." Cristal replies, the horses halting as Hedara raises her hand in the air. Five distance figures currently riding toward them. All wearing armor as bright and clean as if they serve to reflect light itself.
"Do you still fear it then?" Hedara asks as she awaits the approaching paladins, looking at their own.
"I've begun to again." Cristal replies as she looks behind her, looking at three... four figures. A soft smile appears on the known stern woman.
"I'll try to keep it in mind." Hedara responds as she commands her elegant steed gray steed to slowly makes its way to their reinforcements. A visible frown on her face as she makes her way. Only five paladins could be seen whilst the letter promised some 'ten strong.' Riding toward the approaching paladin's Hedara realized she could only hope that the news they brought was not as grave as their numbers.