Cai watched wide eyed as the guard approached and began to make accusations. To be honest, it did look pretty bad. But they had only been fighting to save themselves.
"Hey!" Cairis' eyes widened as the metal was clamped on her wrists. She didn't anything more though, as much as she wanted to. She could feel an indignant rage rising up in her throat. She bit it back though, as Raif went on to defend them both. He had accquired a habit doing of doing that, defending her.
"Tell it to the judge, smart ass," snapped the guard captain.
"Don't be so rude!" Cairis finally snapped, glaring at the Guard. She was about to give him a piece of her mind when a voice rang out.
"Don't you lay a hand on him! You will let that young man go this instant, Captain,"
This must be the Steward She thought wryly, hiding a smile at his pompous outfit.
"And why the hell should I?"
As the Steward went on, Cairis couldn't help but sneak a glance at Raif, who was standing stoically. She could see he was hurt though, and she frowned, craning her neck around to see where the blood was coming from.
"She's my cousin," Cairis looked up in surprise, eyes flicking from Raif to the Steward, to the Guard. The Steward said nothing, but Cai nodded her head emphatically. Then the shackles were released from her wrist. She rubbed them gently - those men had been rough, and her wrists were already tender from being used in ways they'd never been before. Heck, they'd never even held a weapon!
The Steward immediately walked toward Raif and grabbed him by the arm, Raif in turn grabbing Cai by the wrist and tugging her along with him gently.
Cairis stumbled for a moment, trying to keep up, but then Raif let her go. She watched the exchange with a frown. She wasn't sure she liked this Steward. Yes, she'd been stupid, but Raif had been a hero. The steward smacked Raif over the back of the head, and Cairi's head snapped up, eyes suddenly blazing. "Raif saved my life!" She cried, spinning to face the pompous old rooster, "He didn't have to, I am a complete stranger, but he did. So don't you go smacking him, when really, I'm the one to blame. You should be proud of him! That he was so selfless as to risk his life for another. He was brave and courageous and selfless! THAT is what makes a man!" Her eyes narrowed into icy slits as she stared down the Steward for a moment, and then turned to Raif, taking a steadying breath.
"You're hurt. Let me see." Her eyes softened, and looked worryingly up at Raif's face. She was unaware of the few scratches on her face and a bloodied lip. She was focussed on the man who had undoubtedly saved her life, twice now. She reached out a hand to his arm, where several slashes crossed over each other. She could feel the familiar warmth in her hands as they touched. But it was a funny thing, this healing that she had. Unless it was a life and death situation, it wouldn't work unless given express permission from the heal-ee.