The soldier led the back to the headquarters. A handful of halberdiers stood guard, marking the groups passage but not impeding the trio. As they neared the flap, raised voices could be heard through the canvas barrier though exact words could not be made out.
A Tara and Joshua's approach, one of the guards signalled to stop just as the argument ceased. Within moments, the tall swordsman from the night before stormed out of the tent, almost bumping into the bard in his haste. Forced to pause, Wolfram took a moment to glance over his shoulder before bending close to the girl's ear. "Meet me by the stables later..." Before she ask him to elaborate, the Lieutenant took his leave, clearly aggrevated by whatever had transpired.
Joshua knew this could not bode well but could not think of anything specific and could have only shrugged if his companion questioned him. Before they would have had a chance to ponder things further, an authoritative voice from within demanded that they enter...
Within they found a woman, seated in a simple camp stool, appearing darkly pensive as her lips pressed against her clasped fists. Her brooding demeanor was only amplified by the raised red scars radiating down from her temple. Still, her pale eyes flickered up to her two guests and she quickly pushed herself to her feet. "Joshua, its always good to see you," she said, clasping his shoulders and pecking him on each cheek. "I'm sorry I could not welcome you back myself."
Oh...Uh, its fine," the smith replied awkwardly. Despite being Connloathian himself, he rarely found himself in situations where he might be greeted so conventionally. Or perhaps that was just an inward excuse to explain himself. Glancing back to his companion, Joshua quickly sorted through his words. "Colonel Mandel, this is Tara, a...friend." It felt lame and noncommital to simply introduce her as his friend but it was all he really had to go with...
"Of course, Tara. A pleasure to meet you." The officer offered the bard the same greeting as the young man, a light kiss on each cheek before stepping back. "Again, welcome to the Ash Guard." Gesturing to the other stools arranged around the room, Mandel continued: "Have a seat. We have something to discuss..." Joshua could not help but find those last words ominous.