Re: Alienage Back Entrance
The exchange was far calmer than the first. Falina's approach seemed to have soothed the bitterness of the confrontation a moment before; though Dolain still watched with prickly disdain, the belligerence had drained away, and the elf that was Davin's friend actually looked eager to hear what she had to say. Ordhan watched in silence. His attention lingered upon the three elves with them. Every word, every mannerism was weight for meaning and motivation. Davin he was certain he could trust--the elf depended on their aid and goodwill, after all--but Dolain made his skin crawl, and though the other elf seemed friendly enough, that he was a companion of Dolain's gave Ordhan pause. For all he knew, he could be a member of Dolain's gang. He was unsure what to make of the glance the elf cast his way; if he recognized him, had he been part of Dolain's attack? Was he the "Shiv" that sold his armor? That was wondering too much, really, but this was the Alienage. One could not be too careful.
The knight maintained a calm, almost disinterested expression as they spoke, until the moment that Darrian suggested going to Dolain's house. Ordhan bristled, eyes widening and posture stiffening in alarm. Surely Falina would not consider it, especially after what he just told her. Dolain, meanwhile, looked disgruntled but conceding. His barbed glances at Ordhan clearly said that he was unwelcome, but if he thought Ordhan would remain behind and let Falina follow him, he had another thing coming--especially after his leering attentions towards the young dwarf earlier. "I don't think that is necessary," he spoke up. His voice was icy but quiet, drowned in the conversation that sped on.
The severity of his expression softened as Davin spoke to Falina. It was clear there was more to his motivation than the simple desire to be useful. It seemed that the young elf had as much to prove to himself as Ordhan did, here. More, perhaps. The source of Ordhan's guilt lay a decade and a half distant--dulled by time, it remained a leaden weight on his conscience. But the memory of the torment on Davin's face when they first found him was still fresh in his mind as he nodded his agreement to Falina's response. Perhaps this task could provide absolution for both of them. Despite these solemn thoughts, the corners of Ordhan's mouth twitched in amusement at the mention of brawling. Hopefully they could move on from such antics to a more serious attempt at their mission.
While Ordhan was distracted wondering what Dolain's response meant--elves familiar with the Alienage? Wouldn't most Denerim elves, having lived there their entire lives, find themselves familiar with the Alienage? What was so strange about that?--a welcome voice spoke nearby. Cormac, thank the Maker. Ordhan could think of no better companion for facing the situation, whatever it would turn out to be. He returned the man's nod, unsmiling, but a hint of relief showing in his solemn eyes. Certainly Dolain would not be pleased by the presence of another human.