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[Tiruin]

The former thief winced at being called incompetent. She did not see that attack happen and really knew that she could've prevented or dodged it, which made the blow all the more lasting.

"Could...I ask why they would be executed again?"

[Swordstar]

Lucian smirked, clearly enjoying how uncomfortable his words seemed to be making her.

"Well, they were required to protect us. Letting yourselves gets captured like that kind of ruined that whole thing. So because of their failure to keep you safe..."

He drew a finger across his throat.

"Of course, we can simply forget to mention that whole situation assuming they can keep their cool but still. The fact that we even need to be in such a situation is shameful."

[Tiruin]

Alessa connected the dots. It was (...seemingly) her pride, or their life.

...She was extremely glad that she got the former obstacle out of the way in the many months she spent with Sariya and gave her an appreciative look as an aside.

"Well...if they do mention it then-"

...However pride was tied in with credibility and competence, given the scope of the situation and the obvious fact that they were to be guards of a Prophet.

"...Hmm. Dol, Shabi: would you both agree that our enemies were competent, too?" she inquired, subtly suggesting that the reason of their...incompetence was due to the outstanding competence of the enemy instead.

"I mean, it would do us no harm to acknowledge and honor our slain foes, correct? Doing so would also acknowledge...better equipment to challenge said foes, right? I mean, I was serious when I did say more of Titus here."

She winced again, in part due to awe because of the man's resilience. And the fact that she always had to look up at him didn't detract from it.

[Swordstar]

Lucian snorted.

"You really don't get it, do you? It matters not who our enemies were or how powerful. The fact that they put two of their charges in that much danger is enough reason alone for their commander to punish them. Thus we cannot even mention what has happened. Assuming they agree to that, of course."

[Tiruin]

"I'd counter with the idea that there's a third option in 'punish and excute' and 'spare due to protection'. What matters is that we're alive and rescued before we could be executed by the enemy's own hands, and obviously given that my wounds resemble battle wounds rather than...anything else."

Vivid images of what could have been flashed before Alessa's mind. The enemy could have really done a lot worse, but did not.
For some reason.

[Swordstar]

"And if you listened to what I was saying, you'd understand that wasn't an option. It was already discussed that if we rescued you two safely, we could avoid having them punished. But according to them, the mere fact that you got captured is enough. It doesn't matter that you only got captured because you split off from the main group like idiots, and it doesn't matter that we rescued you. What matters is they let you get captured at all. So better to simply shut up and pretend it never happened."

[Tiruin]

"Um...that's why I asked how they saw it as it was 'according to them'. I'm just trying to put things in bigger perspective as they'd have to file a post-battle report."

Not like I was ever planning to talk about it anyw-
...Was it implied that I was going to talk about it?!

Alessa fidgeted in place, before looking again at Sariya, then at the rest.

[Parsely]

Dol fumed and flew at the girls.

: Silence! You'll none of you approach the Captain, understood? Stay away from her! Not even so much as a word if you value your apprenticeship! One does not simply hide something from Nimia, it is one of many talents granted to her by the Prophet. Do. Not. SPEAK to her! Shabi and I must handle this matter, together.

: This is very serious, honesty is extremely important to the Sharifa. If only your guards' competence is in question then your honor remains intact; you can continue to serve the Prophet. Don't despair, learn from this: those who serve his Holiness do not fail.

Dol spun away to hide his shaking and stomped towards his horse.

: We go back to the Fortress as soon as Aalberg and Alessa are feeling well enough to ride. I'll be back soon with your mounts.

Shabi took a step towards him, and without looking Dol dismissed him.

: Stay here Shabi. Yah!

He snapped the reins and galloped away.

[Tiruin]

Internally, Alessa felt very anxious, and her face would reflect it if not for the many conflicting feelings revolving around being called incompetent and it actually being true--coupled with her failure affecting others.

"I'm ready to...ride," she said haltingly, wondering why anyone would think they would mention such a thing if it meant others getting harmed.

Ahhhhh its too late now, her internal monologue echoed. ...And its too late to say that I didn't think about it! Oh no...

[Blade Master Model 42]

Lucian watched Dol ride away before rounding on the rest of the group. "I find myself in agreement of Lucian. The failures of others should not cost either of our guards their lives. It sets a terrible precedent, apart from the pointless waste of life. Even though it would not be our place... I will speak for them, should they be sentenced to death. I refuse to do nothing."

[Powder Miner]

The triumph disappeared from Cedomir's face.
:"So... ya expect us all to just let ya get executed on the spot? ...No. What they said, no. We just went through an entire battle together, ya survived here, why the hell do you expect us to let ya die outta battle, in the middle of our own city?"

[Glowcat]

"The Sharifa will understand that it was not their fault. If anything we would never have saved Alessa and the mage without their aid."

She turns her attention towards Shabi and she bows deeply.

"I apologize for any trouble our foolish actions may have caused you. We will do everything in our power to let the Sharifa know that you are blameless. If you were punished for this, it would be a.." She closes her eyes for a moment as her thoughts turn inwards at the horror of that prospect.

After failing to find a better description that could encompass the sadness of their wasteful deaths, the weight of the personal responsibility, and the betrayal that she would feel if the system was so faulty to allow them to die for the lords' folly.

  "a great tragedy"

"and a terrible loss for the Prophet's cause. Your valor is worth thousandfold more than any jewel of the sands."

[Tiruin]

"The Sharifa will understand that it was not their fault. If anything we would never have saved Alessa and the mage without their aid."

The former was rocking lightly on her heels with face cast down in shame.

"Sariya said what I wanted to say," she muttered, having half the rest of the conversation in thought instead.

And I wish I could deliver words like her. I'm glad they were here-A-ahh...I'm tearing up. Breathe. Breathe...There's something in my hair. Wipe it away discreetly... Turn around and face the sky...

[Parsely]

Dol returns with the horses and you begin the long ride back home.

---

Partway through the trip, Aalberg experiences an overpowering sensation that wracks his senses. His body seizes and his eyes roll back into his head, he's about to fall from the saddle before the feeling suddenly subsides and he regains consciousness. A few of you notice the incident.

[Powder Miner]

:"Whoa! You okay??"