Interlude to a Fight

[Devon]

After leaving the meeting, Darin made his way back to his family. There was a lot to share and a lot more preparing he had to do before the big battle. He also wanted to show off his sword to the boys and test it out for himself. Walking into the home they had taken when they entered the Sanctuary, Darin glanced around and announced his presence, "Honey I'm back."

[Kender Bard]

Pandora rolled out of her seat and onto her feet in a fluid movement, hurrying over to hug him. She didn't usually let herself get this ruffled, but her nerves had become increasingly frayed while she waited. "Welcome back," she said, and kissed him full and deep. When she broke the kiss, she added, "Now tell me everything."

[Devon]

"I hate long stories, I was actually kind of bored there until Worg spoke to me. It was weird, Worg was inside of my body for a moment," Darin started. Taking a moment to set his things down, and take a seat he continued, "Anyway, big battle coming up and of course Worg wants yours truly to be in the fray mowing down demons. Worg even gave me a blessed sword," he said pulling out the blade which he had taken to calling Breakblade.

"I call it Breakblade, Worg named it Metalsplitter, anyway this thing can cut through armor and demons like butter, I just have to keep it sharp is all. Also the Forces asked for willing sacrifices to close the rift, I declined."

[Kender Bard]

Pandora reached out to touch the sword but jerked her hand back at his casual mention of sacrifice. "Damn right you did!" she snapped, suddenly angry. "Who in their right mind would agree to that?! How many did they even need? Just one, right?"

[Devon]

"One per Force," Darin replied. He was handling things in his usual manner, but from the look in his eyes even he was a tad nervous. Darin reached out and grabbed Pandora's hand, "Damn right I declined and you can bet your pretty little tail, I'll be back after the battle. Probably a little soar, so I'm definitely going to need a massage."

[Kender Bard]

"Well don't look at me," she replied with a slight twitch of her mouth. "I'm probably going to be smarting too." She squeezed his hand tightly. "Don't think I'm letting you go out there alone. I might not be Chosen but I'm a worthy fighter and I'm sure I can hold my own against at least a few of those things."

[Devon]

"I really don't want to have this argument, and you know this can only end in an argument Pandora," Darin said sighing deeply. "Why would you even want to do this?"

[Kender Bard]

"Why wouldn't I?" she said. "I can be very careful. I know my limits. How can you expect me to NOT do something? I am a warrior. You don't ask the likes of us to put up our weapons and wait. What would you do if our roles were swapped?"

[Devon]

"This is why I didn't want to argue," Darin said. "You'd make a good point that I'd have nothing to say to it and we'd be stuck with you being right about something. If the roles were swapped, I'd be right beside you."

[Kender Bard]

"Exactly," Pandora said. She stroked his cheek and lowered her voice to a soft, reasonable, calm tone. "I promise that I won't be out in the middle of the melee. I'll stay close to where it's relatively safe and just help repel anyone who gets that far. Fair?"

[Devon]

"Fair and I'll see if Worg can add some protection to you," Darin said giving up on keeping Pandora out of the fight. "Some of the Chosen got gifts to protect others so stay near them if possible," he added.

[Kender Bard]

Pandora smiled and nodded, trying to pull him back into her arms. "I will behave. I know how to, when it's in my best interests. I think you forget what it was that I did before I became a mercenary."

[Devon]

Darin didn't resist going back into his wife's arms. "I haven't forgotten your former job honey, I always have to keep one eye open around you. Last time I forgot how sneaky you could be we ended up with twins," he said with a smirk.

"Speaking of them, what trouble are they off getting into right now?" he asked

[Kender Bard]

"I'm not sure," she replied with a shrug. It was a comfort to know she could let them run wild without any fear of harm. "Not too far, though. I think they're outside. They must have missed your coming home. Let's go and call them back to us."

[Devon]

Darin nodded and got up from his chair, moving with his wife to the front door to call out for their boys. "Seth, Sawyer, come here!" Darin waited for a few moments before he felt a familiar poke in his mind.

~Geez dad, you don't have to yell,~ Sawyer said to him, heading back to their temporary home with his twin.