He stood in the shadowed side of the hill, easily going unnoticed amongst the trees and underbrush that already dotted the grassy incline. wasn't so far away that Desi couldn't hear her interchange with the templar. Her knack for theater worried him, but there wasn't anything to be done about that. For now, he trusted her even though he knew it was foolish--the need to destroy his phylactery was urgent enough that it'd be equally foolish of him to turn down help when it was offered.
The templar had only just started reaching for his helmet when Desi popped the vial open and took a brave sip of its contents. For having the appearance of old blood coagulated together over red sand, the solution tasted like crisp river water with just the slightest hint of lavender and cinnamon. Desi tried not to think about what else could've possibly gone into it to give it its color and consistency. A moment's reflection would give him the urge to spit it back out, and while that might be good for his digestion, he didn't want to provide even the slightest unnecessary movement to attract the templar's attention.
Per Yonca's instructions, he applied the blue salve to his arms, passing on doing the same to his legs. He didn't have the time to pull his trousers out from his boots, and Desi had the itching suspicion that Yonca'd forgotten that he wasn't wearing a dress anymore. The salve felt like his entire arm had fallen asleep and then an apprentice tailor with two left hands stabbed him with a handful of copper needles. Next time Yonca told him something might sting, he'd take her at her word. Luckily, the effect only lasted a moment, and he soon felt a distinctly unnatural strength coursing through him. One minute, she'd said. Either he'd only need a second, or one minute wouldn't be enough.
Desi stepped out the underbrush, moving as quietly as he could without losing haste. That proved a simple task; the salve was no parlor trick, and he closed the distance between him and the templar with ease.
One swing of the quarterstaff and an unhealthy thwack later, Desi readied himself for a second swing though he knew if he needed a second attempt, he'd likely never get a chance for it.