Love at First Sight

*Several years ago, Northrend.*

"More than half of you will be dead before the end of the month," the woman's voice rang out. It echoed strongly around the confines of Valiance Keep's central courtyard. "If you take the lessons you've learned today to heart, and practice the skills we've shown you, you have the chance to be one of the survivors. Remember that during your nightly devotions. You are dismissed."

Tobies paused as he heard the words, one of his armored elbows coming out to nudge the man walking beside him. The other turned, his face almost a mirror image of his brother's. "Is this how we're encouraging morale amongst the green recruits now Tristan? I'd think the scourge are already doing enough to take the fight out of the men!"

Tristan smiled, a genuine, warm smile that was infectious to any he was talking to. "You know how it is Tobies, we have to be as tough as possible on them or they just won't GET it. In the end, it'll save lives, you'll see."

In the courtyard in front of them, the woman, dressed head to toe in heavy plate armor, saluted the group of recruits in front of her, all of whom saluted her back before they began to disperse. She turned, making her way towards the armory, passing near where the two men had paused to converse.

"Even so, she could have been a bit less blunt about their chances," Tobies commented. He shifted in place, his armored helmet resting casually in the crook of his arm. The wind picked up, as it always did so far north, blowing the tabards of the Argent Crusade that both men wore and making the tassels that held their cloaks in place spin wildly, the gold color glinting in the light.

Before Tristan could reply, the woman whirled around, her hands planted firmly on her hips. Although they couldn't see her face through her helmet, Tobies could easily detect the glint of two blue eyes staring at him from within its depths, "What did you just say soldier? Do you have a comment on the way I'm conducting my training exercises?"

Tobies blinked stupidly for a moment while Tristan made an effort to hide the mirth that threatened to creep over his face. After a moment, Tobies managed to formulate a reply, "I was just saying that perhaps we should encourage the men rather than tell them how bad their chances really are."

The woman stepped closer, her breath frosting the air between her and Tobies, smelling a little of mint, "The men need to know what they're facing. They need to know that this is a serious fight against the scourge and that many of their companions are not going to make it back in one piece. They need to know what they're facing so they are ready for it."

"Look, I just think..." Tobies began.

The woman snapped back at him, "You are not being paid to THINK soldier. You're being paid to do your job and fight back against the scourge. We didn't come all the way up here so that you could sit and spout your opinions all over, especially when they might lead men to question the orders they have lawfully been given."

Looking irritated now, especially with Tristan practically laughing at him behind his back, Tobies straightened up and stared down at the woman, using his height to its full advantage, "Maybe if you were a little less negative, the men would have higher morale to begin with and would do better on the field, soldier." He followed this up by shifting so that his rank emblem of Knight-Lieutenant glinted in the light.

"And maybe if you were a little less of a fatass, you wouldn't get so tired after you're finished with the latrine duty I'm about to assign you, Knight-Lieutenant," the woman growled back. She lifted a hand up and moved her cloak aside to allow him to see her own rank insignia.

Knight-Captain.

Tobies paled a little even as Tristan's laughter escaped the confines of his body where he'd been trying to keep it contained, "I-I only meant, that is I was just trying to assist you Ma'am..."

Mercifully, Tobies's humiliation was quickly put to an end as another female voice drifted across the courtyard. "Tristan! Tristan there you are love!"

All three of the armored figures shifted as Ilhedith Knox walked up to the group, wrapping her arms around Tristan and planting a quick kiss on his cheek. "I've been looking everywhere for you! I have wonderful news! My cousin survived the fall of the city! She's been assigned to a unit that is heading here right now! I..."

Ilhedith trailed off as she realized the three figures had been glaring at each other. As her voice died down, the woman reached up and pulled her helmet off her head. Black hair cascaded down her back in waves and a smile lit her face as she looked at the mage.

"Illy! So you ARE here! It's so wonderful to see you again!"

Ilhedith's smile mirrored the other woman's and she surged forward to embrace her cousin, "Adyta! Oh Light I'm so glad to see you! This is a wonderful reunion even if the times are dark. Oh and have you met my fiance Tristan? You and he will have so much to talk about! And this man here is my soon to be brother-in-law Tobies Mcmaren!"

Adyta returned Ilhedith's hug and then nodded towards the two men, "We were just getting acquainted." Her tone was somewhat sinister as her gaze locked with Tobies's own gaze.

Ilehdith noticed none of this, clapping her hands together in excitement, "Excellent! You simply must come for dinner tonight. Tristan and I have quarters in the keep. Tobies you should come too! We've so much to talk about!"

Adyta grinned, the look seeming venomous to Tobies's eye. "Yes of course Illy. Allow me to go freshen up from today's training. I'll be along in a bit. I would just LOVE to learn more about your fiance and his VERY bright and intelligent brother."

Her sarcasm was lost on Ilhedith, who nodded happily and linked her arm with Tristan's, "Great! I'll see you in a little bit then!"

Adyta nodded once, turning to leave. She shot a murderous glare at Tobies before marching off. Tristan by this point could no longer contain himself, and burst into infectious laughter. Tobies stood stock still, swallowing hard as he watched the curves of the woman who had by now reached the door to the armory on the other side of the courtyard.

Ilhedith blinked, looking at her fiance in confusion, "What's so funny love?"

After a few more moments of uncontrollable laughter Tristan managed to get himself under control, sweeping Ilhedith up in another hug, "Oh nothing dear. I just think my brother may have finally found the woman that will ultimately be the death of him. Dinner should be QUITE fun!"

He clapped Tobies on the shoulder and then turned, heading towards the main entrance to the keep, Ilhedith walking arm in arm with him. "Do try not to be late Tobies. I would hate for you to upset Illy's cousin."

Tobies just shook his head as his brother's laughter trailed off across the courtyard, his eyes locked on the now vacant opening to the armory.

"I'm screwed," he muttered to himself before taking a deep breath and heading towards the keep himself.

Dinner would certainly be interesting.