Dolphus turned and saw Ari.
Stepping just enough to the side to see around her, he looked at the figure who approached. Armored in mail, he fit the general idea of a military officer involved in ground work, although his voice - elegant, commanding, and very controlling - seemed far above the rank and task that he had been given.
Hundreds of questions flooded his mind - why would an officer suspect there were children here and no one else, why was there a Northern Armada station this far south, and why did the Armada Captain happen to be right here, wherever here is, and just so happen to find the two of them were all prominent questions amidst the many, but many if not all of them were destined to remain unanswered…
The forest buzzed and swirled in horrible form as those dark pits stared out at Dolphus, his horrified eyes staring right back. He had seen eyes like these once before, and while Gregor’s were fierce and threatening, the dull void present in this pair were somehow so much worse - not just a starless void, but a soulless one.
He could feel his mind buckling under the pressure of those voids. To tear himself away would be relenting; to remain would be impossible. But thankfully, the choice was quickly made for him.
Dolphus stumbled to the side to avoid getting trampled, and in doing so had his gaze torn from the eyes of the mysterious stranger. The words of Captain Althain were intoxicating in their brilliance, with such a splendid delivery that the man seemed the father of all Gorovs. No one would have been a more skillful and capable opponent for his father.
Yet while even Gregor Gorov might have possibly stood a chance against this individual, Dolphus knew when he was hopelessly outmatched. There was only one clear option available, only one path and outcome that would succeed, and in order to pull it off Dolphus had to dial in 110%. Which would be difficult if Ari got in the way again…
Good. Dolphus shut his eyes and took a deep breath. Adrenaline cracked through his veins as he opened them again, and flipping his sword around held it backwards in his hand, pointed at the ground.
“A pleasure.” Dolphus stepped just in front of Ari and took a bow, sweeping his one arm out as he did so. “My apologies on behalf of the girl, she was hired as a deckhand and is not familiarized with the proper etiquette of an Armada vessel.” He turned his head to glare at Ari, but it broke into a pleading expression as soon as it was turned just out of view. Please, oh please don’t botch this. We get on the beach and we’re gold; any sooner, and…
“Dolphus Greylark,” He swiftly turned back, adjusting his collar and trying to not think about mind readers again. “Assistant to the Captain of the Caelin’s Hand, acting on behalf of the crown.” It’s technically not a lie… And I’ll make sure Ari gets some kind of manual labor job once we’re out on sea again to make that the truth as well.
“Our ship was caught in a torrential gale which ran us partially aground here, and I was instructed to seek temporary provisions while repairs were made.” Dolphus gestured up at the trees, which he immediately looked at as well. “So far, nothing sufficient for our crew. But I’m sure that doesn’t come as a surprise to you.”
Okay, that part is a lie. But once we’re on the beach it won’t matter; lean and cut here is more than capable of outrunning any of these armored stooges.
“I suspect the Captain will be able to provide you with more information than I.” Dolphus took frequent dramatic swings during the conversation, to allow himself to repeatedly break eye contact, as even with an adrenaline charge in his body, not being overwhelmed by Althain’s eyes was too tall an order on its own, much less while also trying to make his body stop being in cold, trembling pain long enough to put on a good act.
…
Don’t do it…
Dolphus, stop, you don’t want to do this…
“If it isn’t terribly inconvenient, may we meet the men under your command?” Dolphus gestured about, towards the edges of the small clearing. “It really is awkward knowing they are listening in without getting the chance to greet them.”