Eiyuu Kishi Den

Cian found a table and sat down, as he did so the young boy noticed he just came up to the table top by a bit. With an exasperated look the boy, sat trying to make the best of his small size. Ciprian got himself a bowl of porridge and a sweet roll and sat down with Cian. Looking up at Cip, Cian sighed and spoke with a slight laugh. "Cip? When you teach me to be a knight, can you help me to gain some muscle? Small size is good for thieving but, is sometimes tiresome for other things."

Ciprian chuckled and ruffled Cian's hair. "Of course. You'll fill out better as you get older too," he said, then hungrily dug into breakfast. The porridge was a bit plain, but there was a hint of honey sweetening, probably all the cook could spare.

Looking around Cian noticed the reactions of the townsfolk and smiled as he spoke once again. "They really appreciate you Ciprian, I wouldn't listen to anything that lady knight said. You fought really bravely and you saved a lot of lives...including mine. I didn't thank you before..thanks Cip. I was just a...maybe a little bit scared. Thanks for getting me out of that nasty situation I got in, I have to remember to be more careful next time."

Cip smiled. "It's my duty to protect. I did all I could," he said humbly. Ciprian felt a bit of guilt for the lives lost, but he assured himself he really did all he could. That was all everyone did. "You were very brave though Cian. If you stick with me, you'll make a great knight one day."

Cian eyes widened as he prepared to go fetch a bowl of soup and some bread for himself. Cip's compliment caught him off guard, all the time with Emir the only compliment he'd looked forward to was no stings of the lash. And that was only if he'd completed a job well done, praise was a rare thing for him. Quickly returning the boy sat down with a grin that threatened to split his face. As he gobbled down his meal quickly, he looked up at the knight with bright eyes and spoke. "You..you really think I'd make a good knight? Thank you Cip, that makes my day great."

Ciprian chuckled and continued eating. After a few moments, he glanced around the tent, looking for Nuij. "I wonder where Nuij is? Maybe she went to go make her little trophies." Again, Cip chuckled. "That's one hell of a woman. Killed a demon single handedly and yanked out it's teeth for trophies."

Ciel was brought a breakfast, which she thanked the people for and gave her prayer to Marfa and stared her breakfast when she noticed that Veriss still was standing. "Veriss do come and sit down and eat. You need strength to help."

She then took a bite of the bread and drank some water. There wasn't much left but she was grateful that they were willing give what they had left for her and others. Though she was a little weak from not eating breakfast, she hoped things weren't so bad. Marfa please protect us all...she prayed even as she ate her cheese and bread.

Veriss nodded and took a ration for herself. She had the same, blank look on her face when she sat down, her face just as blank as a new sheet of paper. She did not seem to be concentrating on much more than the meal before her.

Veriss finished her food in silence. She wanted to finish the job. She hadn't swung her blade in a while. And Greysoul was off in the fields somewhere. Something she needed to check on, then. Veriss picked up her tray and brought it back to the server, thanked him or her, and left the eating area without a word. Her mind was single tracked, her face grim, and her heart lost. The clunk of the gigantic mace on her back announced her dissipation from the room.

Ciel was also curious as to what really happened, she thought she should ask the knight or the dark elf or even the boy. Then she was greeted by another priestess of Marfa who was residing in the village. They quickly exchanged bows and brief review of what happened. The priestess was glad that she brought more supplies. Ciel turned her head to look for Nuij, Cian or the knight Ciprian.

Ciprian and Cian had finished breakfast, but they wanted some time to rest. They hadn't left the bench in the breakfast tent. Ciprian had spent most of that time telling Cian about his years as a squire so Cian would know what to expect, if he were enrolled in the knighthood. Where Nuij was, that was any body's guess. Ciprian expected the half-elf demon-slayer was reflecting on herself and carving up those demon teeth. For earrings she said? Possibly she was having them mounted. She was also an apothecary, so it was possible she was gathering herbs since her store had burnt down.

Cian listened intently to Ciprian's tales of his squirely years, and training as a knight. The small boy's eyes grew wide, as he rested his chin on his elbows and didn't avert his attention from Cip once. Something he'd never done before, the life of a knight seemed a lot more fun than, one of a thief. Though he had to admit the rules and regulations were probably a bit of a pain, still he found every word captivating. Thinking for a moment he looked at Ciprian and spoke. "I can handle it, knight training sounds like it'll be good for me. And...if I become a good knight, hopefully as good as you Cip, I can stop slavers. I'll do it, I want to learn to be a knight Cip." Then he looking around he noted that Nuij was nowhere to be seen, probably she was off tending to something. At least he knew she wasn't in any trouble, at least he hoped she wasn't.

Ciprian smiled. The boy was determined and intelligent. "That's an honorable cause," Ciprian replied.

"That will be very good, Cian. My brother used to be in training to be a holy knight for Valis. Marfa bless him if she knows where he is now," Ciel said as she came to their bench and smiled. Her feet shuffled quietly across the floor and she sat across from the Knight and the boy. "My mother was the daughter of a Duke, Honorable Duke Starwind of Flaim. Though she was nearly disowned because she married a non-noble and non-sorcerer. My father just a wealthy merchant." Ciel still held a small grudge against the Starwinds for that.

Cian glanced towards Ciel and smiled, as he looked the priestess in the eyes. As he spoke he looked at her with a slight moistness to his gray eyes. "Mmm...what's the word I should use? Um..lady..um Milady Ciel? Yeah that's it.. If I'm gonna hope to be a knight I should learn to talk like one I guess. Milady Ciel..when was the last time you saw him? When you see him again, make sure to cherish the time with him, once family is gone...it's too late." He didn't want to worry about Linette, but still with the troubles that'd arisen lately he did. He wondered about his sister's welfare and if she was even alive, the alternative was too difficult and too painful for him to consider.

Cian seemed to get along with everyone, it seemed to Ciprian. He quietly listened to the two talking. They weren't the only ones to have lost family, Ciprian lost his father, but that was nothing compared to your entire family.

"No just call me Ciel. The last time I saw my brother was thirteen years ago," Ciel patted Cian's head smiling. "Just follow what your heart wills and you won't be lost."