Another One

[Sebastian Arcturis]

The Warden Inquisitor found himself needing to speak to two of his Centurions, so the captain of the guard sought the men out after their patrol.

He had spent a lot of time with Cian and Rowan. To say they were like family would be a stretch, at least on Sebastian's end but he did find he liked both men, for what it was worth. He felt a bit closer to Rowan, honestly. Despite being closer in age to Cian, Sebastian had always been awkwardly mature. Of course, Sebastian also felt like he had to prove himself to the DeGraff family. Jareth had taken him in, after all. It didn't color the inquisitor's notions about how the brothers did their job (only their personal performance did that) but he was conscious that any normal person would feel connected to the pair.

As it was, Bastian felt...something. Something positive.

He found the brothers near the training yard and barracks, talking. The captain cleared his throat loudly, interrupting. "DeGraffs. Come with me." As direct as ever. It was a good sign the man used their names at least and not their ranks. Even last names were more personal. It meant he cared.

He lead the way to one of the training rings and ordered the pair of sparing soldiers out and they complied with salutes and 'yessirs' and curious but not too curious looks. No one was close enoigh to overhear, but it was still a public space.

"How are you feeling?" This to Cian mostly but Sebastian's look encompassed both men. It was a question that indicated concern, even though his monotone was still evident.

Cian DeGraff
Rowan DeGraff

[Cian DeGraff]

The days after the Unseelie attack had been fairly uneventful. Well, to an extent. Kingdom-wide, fortunately nothing more had happened. Yet, for Cian personally, his mind kept flickering back to things he was trying to forget or figure out how to get a hold on.

He was talking with Rowan after his patrol- chuckling at something his older brother had said as he lightly jabbed him in the arm. It had been a little while since he'd really been able to spend time with him. Cian actually felt that way towards his whole family right now. Perhaps he could remedy that, once he was sure things with the Mystics had settled a bit.

Someone was clearing their throat, bringing that bright gaze over to the captain instantly. 'DeGraffs. Come with me.' He looked sidelong to Rowan in curiosity before his feet were already moving, carrying him after Arcturis as requested. The fact that he wanted to see the both of them indicated this was Warden business, considering the eldest DeGraff son was with the Rangers and not the Guard. Cian wondered if he should be nervous.

When they finally came to a stop, he shifted his shoulder at Sebastian's question. "It was just a graze. I'm completely fine now. Thank you, sir." He managed to survive a training session with a particular Lee Frye after the Unseelie encounter, he was pretty certain his shoulder was fine.

[Rowan DeGraff]

Rowan had begun to spend a little more time around the family after the Unseelie attack. For several reasons: Dunstan had fought with the leader of them, should the man return looking to seek revenge or to finish what he started-- Most of his family had been involved with the wardens, and if anyone had found out, they would surely be a target. And they had been at the attack. Even though things had somewhat settled down. Rowan wouldn’t allow his guard down.

He had done his patrol through the forest, scouting to ensure no one was hiding or that there were any signs of another attack. He had the advantage of being able to easily hide in the shadows and not be detected by anyone who would hide at a figure approaching. Luckily, he hadn’t found anything out of the norm.

Upon returning, he had caught up with Cian and was glad to spend the time catching up and taking some time to enjoy even just a brief moment to try and lighten things up amongst all the chaos that had surrendered them. He was reminding his younger brother of something from when they were younger--the trouble they got into together. Although Rowan had been seven years older than Cian and has always tried to be a positive role model to both his brothers...and sister, he also surely knew how to get them into trouble (and out of it).

As the other voice broke in, Rowan glanced over to where Arcturis was approaching, requesting both of them to follow him. Just as Cian glanced at him, he returned the gaze and ever so subtly shrugged his shoulders, as if answering a question that was probably on both their minds. What did he want? Sebastian wasn’t his captain for the Rangers division, so he knew it had something to do with the Wardens.

Quietly, he followed until they came to a stop and the room cleared out. Rowan folded his arms over his chest, as the other two conversed about Cian’s injury. After his brother answered, he shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve been injured far worse than a few burns…” He spoke, his voice deep and gruff, but he forced a small smile. Rowan was a rather large man with a lot of strength behind him--it would take a lot to bring him down. “And you, sir? Everything alright?” He spoke with an equal amount of concern and care as the Captain had.

[Sebastian Arcturis]

He nodded, glad to hear both other men were doing well. "And your brother, Dunstan?" He'd seen the man get into quite the fight and while he had been busy in one of his own and then securing the safety of the nobility with the others, he had heard the man was injured. He wasn't the only poor soldier to be wounded in the encounter, but not many others could claim to have found the 'leader' of these rebels. Sebastian was not, in fact, that personally concerned for the man. But it was appropriate to ask, considering the circumstances.

The captain was not exactly fine. But he covered his limp well enough that only those who knew him well might noticed and Sebastian did not, unfortunately, make a habit of knowing anyone well, let alone letting them know him. "Everything is acceptable. I wanted to commend you both for your actions at the party," he added, glancing at Cian more directly. Here was not the time or place to be more specific, but it was good to let people know he noticed them.

"I had hoped to talk to the three of you sometime. Once he's back on his feet." It was a suggestion. Not a command. And certainly not an invitation. The Warden Inquisitor was not about to extend a hand to just anyone for a stupid fight, even to a DeGraff. But he did want to let his brothers know of his intentions to interview the man and get their opinion on the notion.

Well, all that, and to be honest, he should do better at getting to know them. Perhaps not as friends, but as more than strangers.

[Cian DeGraff]

At the mention of Dunstan, his face fell a little. "He's on the mend, fortunately." Cian had been worried. Well, they all had been, of course. He and Rowan had been there during the attack, Cian had heard his brother cry out and he struggled to get to him. He had been terrified that this was "Cara" all over again, yet fortunately the elder DeGraff got to Dunny and brought him to safety. They could have lost him because he had been so stupidly brave.

Cian was clenching his jaw at the memory, only realizing he was doing it when it began to hurt. Then the captain was speaking again, garnering the man's complete attention once more. There was the faintest curl of one corner of his mouth, hardly noticeable, at the light compliment. "Thank you, sir. We just did what was expected of us." And that was protect the people, regardless of how much he felt like the king had been foolish for even having the party...but he wouldn't exactly say that out loud.

'I had hoped to talk to the three of you sometime. Once he's back on his feet.' His brow lifted a bit in curiosity. "Of course. Dunstan would be more than willing, I'm sure."

[Rowan DeGraff]

Rowan stood there silently, his arms remaining folded over his chest as his gaze remained focused on the Inquisitor. At the mention of his youngest brother, he only gave a slight nod, though Cian answered for the both of them. It was something he didn’t exactly wish to think of or be reminded of on how he had to put Dunstan through even more pain to help and save him. He would have been damned if he had lost another family member to the Mystics--or at all.

His thoughts were interrupted as Sebastian spoke, commending them for their actions--for doing their jobs. Though, he noticed his attention had shifted to Cian more so with his comment. Cian had taken charge in his attempts to get people to safety, and Rowan couldn’t be more proud of how he had handled things. Rowan had had his own agenda of fighting off the Unseelie to further prevent any more people from being hurt or killed. Aside from being a Warden, he was also a Ranger in Teronna’s military. It was his responsibility to defend the people, rather than to bring them to safety. That was Cian’s purpose as a guard. Rowan knew, as a Ranger and as one who typically worked at trying to be unnoticed, that his efforts often got overlooked or unnoticed. He wasn’t the type to go looking for recognition, nor did he really want it, so he remained silent. At Cian’s response, however, Rowan nodded simply, in agreement. They did what was expected of them.

At the Captain’s suggestion of meeting with the three of them, Rowan raised a brow, regarding the man with curiosity before he turned his gaze to Cian. His response caused him to smirk ever so slightly. Yes, Dunstan seemed to idolize the man in front of them. “We will let him know you’re expecting to talk with him-- I’m sure that will lift his spirits a bit… Give him something to look forward to.” He nodded his head once, confirming his words.

He regarded Sebastian, wondering if that was all he wished to speak to them about, or if there was more he wanted from them at the moment.

[Sebastian Arcturis]

Ot was good to hear the man was alright. They had lost a few people and had seen a lot more injured that day that he would much prefer not to lose another.

Sebastian nodded. They were humble, which suited them both well. DeGraff men, in his experience, weren't often talkative or prideful sorts. They were generally easy to work with and simple to read and more than competent. He liked having them around. While they might think it was strange to be thankfully for services they were expected to provide, not every soldier was a dedicated or skilled. Whether it was leading people to safety or taking the fight to the enemy, both forms of protection and service were valuable, expected or not.

The Inquisitor caught the small smirk from Rowan (considering the man didn't let much emotion across, it stood out) but didn't know what it meant. "Good. Once he is back on his feet properly," he clarified, having not intention to rush a meeting.

"I have tasks for both of you and a few others who were involved in the defense of the party," he said, using the term as casual cover. It was clear from his tone that he had been just as annoyed about the venue as any sane soldier might have been, loyalist or otherwise. "We have a few leads on some of those involved, to varying degrees. Are you willing?" He asked both of them. Wardens or not, Sebastian wasn't about to make the men do anything they did not wish to. It was a dangerous job and he valued their lives as a family he had never had. He certainly wasn't about to assign them a mission or objective if he hadn't already assigned one to himself. The Inquisitor liked to lead by example.

[Cian DeGraff]

The Unseelie attack had been a surprise. Despite the amount of men they had, it had been a difficult position to protect...but it had been what their king wanted. Cian could only hope that His Majesty learned from this and didn't further put his people in unnecessary danger like that. It was becoming a sore subject with the DeGraff, considering his brother could have died.

Still, in a strange sense, something good may have come from it- Dunstan might get his audience with the captain. It was true, their brother seemed to idolize him. Whereas Cian didn't carry the same amount of sentiment, he respected Arcturis nonetheless, as both a guardsman and Warden. Dunny just happened to go overboard with many things and he was constantly telling him to tone it down.

'We have a few leads on some of those involved...' Not that he didn't already have the younger DeGraff's attention, but he certainly had it a lot more now. Cian shifted, folding his arms across his chest as he listened, already knowing his answer before he opened his mouth to speak. "Absolutely." Any chance he got to deal with the Mystics, he would take it. He figured he didn't need to elaborate on that. Not only was he a loyal soldier, there was that quiet vendetta towards the magic users that his brother also carried. And it had nothing to do with being a Warden.

[Rowan DeGraff]

Rowan didn’t give many people the time of day when it came to him showing emotion or friendliness. He did his job and what was expected of him. He worked hard and held a dangerous form of carelessness when it came to fighting and defending. All he had cared to live for (save for the rest of his family) were gone, so he no longer worried or cared about dying--it was perhaps what made him such an intense force to be reckoned with. He did not hold back. If he hadn’t had to stop and save Dunstan, he would have continued fighting on. Family came first, to him.

He raised a brow at the Inquisitor’s words of having tasks for them, and that they had some leads. Once questioned if they were willing to accept whatever these tasks were, Rowan turned his gaze to his brother, who didn’t hesitate to agree. Blue-green eyes turned back to Sebastian and he gave a simple nod, followed by a guttural sound of assent.

Like Cian, Rowan had several reasons of his own to get involved when it came to dealing with the Mystics. Any chance he could get to seek revenge for his wife and sister--any chance he could get to coming closer to finding who was responsible for that attack, he’d take it.

“What are the tasks?” His voice gruff and void of much emotion.

[Sebastian Arcturis]

While Sebastian hadn't expected the brothers to say no, he knew they were family men. While driven to protect their family, especially in the wake of a new affront with Dunstan being injured, some people needed more time to grieve. The Inquisitor didn't have some familial ties to anchor him, and could not begin to understand. He imagined, should something happen to Cera, he might. But until then, he only had his job.

They were alone enough here that he knew they could talk a little openly. He nodded to Rowan. "There is a known earth mystic who has been terrorizing local farms for the past year." They had probably heard about him and his goons. Whether he had been at the gathering or not, Bastian wouldn't be surprised but he also didn't care. "He was seen in the city. Open engagement would be...risky with civilians, but he is a public threat." Meaning they could use public force as the guard and army and not have to slink through real or bureaucratic shadows. Of course, he was unaware of Rowan's magic, but it would probably match up well with a mystic who could level buildings.

He glanced at Cian. "I will leave you a note tomorrow. I want you to help me pursue a few mystics from the party. See how they made it to the city." That would be the farmers. Not that he had all the details just yet.

[Cian DeGraff]

There was a determination on Cian's face that he didn't bother to hide. He'd been more engrossed in this war than he liked to admit, desiring to find an end to it and perhaps for many of the wrong reasons. It was his job, naturally, but the younger DeGraff couldn't ignore the revenge streak that ran through him for what the magic users had done (something Rowan carried with him as well). And those bastards hadn't dealt with the brothers at the same time yet...

He wanted payback, and didn't care how care how thoughtless that sometimes made him. They almost lost Dunstan the same way as Cara and Muriel.

His brow furrowed at the mention of an earth mystic. No, having them running around within the city was far more dangerous. Whereas, he would assume, the mystic's magic would be more powerful out in nature, there were buildings he could easily bring down...crushing innocent people inside.

Cian was about to ask more about it when the captain's attention drifted to him. He had a lead, and he felt his jaw clenching in anticipation. He was willing to go wherever was necessary at this point. "Of course," the Warden said with a nod.

[Rowan DeGraff]

Rowan folded his arms over his massive chest and listened attentively as Sebastian explained the situation at hand. He had caught wind of the earth mystic he spoke of, or he had at least heard stories of him and that he had been causing problems for the last year or so. Various mystics were, though.

What Rowan didn’t like, was hearing that he had found his way into the city. The memory of losing Cara and Muriel, trapped in a burning building, suddenly crept into the front of his mind. He wondered if that same earth mystic had been involved in that too. He dropped his arms and clenched his fists at his sides and nodded in response to Sebastian’s instructions. “Alright,” he said after Cian’s agreement.

The Inquisitor had directed the statement at Cian in regards to the letter, so he wasn’t entirely certain if he meant the letter would be left for just his brother, or for the both of them. But he figured if he had his own orders, Sebastian would tell him, so for now, he assumed the man was addressing both of them.