Taiyou waited for the new commander in the Dragons' Nest, where the knights' dragons stayed to rest. Taiyou already had Shioko saddled and had finished double checking the contents of the satchels on his side. She was dressed in her uniform and armor. Her sword rested at her hip, her staff on her back. Her long, unruly hair was pleated into two simple braids, while a colorful hairband kept her brown and white streaked bangs from interferring with her vision. The two waited by the take off point. Despite their readiness, Taiyou tapped her right foot repetively, her boot making a click with each tap.
Shioko nudged her, sympathetically.
Why do we have to do this? she asked him.
He needs you, he simply replied.
Taiyou scowled, glancing down at her ring before shoving on a glove.
Stupid escort missions.
Though Taiyou did not know Commander John Loghaine personally, she had fought in some of the same battles, and had seen his ceremony. She had heard rumors about his past, about his missing son. And, most of all, she had heard about his distaste for magic and for mages. The commanders that had put her on this mission, in fact, told her so personally.
Just keep it professional, she told herself. She sideyed her dragon.
You too, she warned, playfully.
Shioko yawned in retort.