<div style="text-align: justify">Sitting, facing the prisoners, caught in his own mind, Elric tried to shake off that sour taste of spoiled victory. Something changed today, while dragging the bodies a whole new perspective bloomed in Elric’s mind. Since a young boy prepared for the worst, groomed to battle, not for defense as he always thought. All his life death wasn't more than a supporting actor. You heard about it, how old relatives died, how people died in battles that happened 80 years ago, some poor kid that met his end in slavers hand somewhere on the border. Always a far away concept, something you would have to deal with in the future, never as immediate as those figures on the ground were - <i><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(102, 102, 102)">How heavy a lifeless body is</span></i>.<br/>
<br/>
On that thought, Elric came back as Cullen crouched in front of him facing the prisoners - <i><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(102, 102, 102)">He looks calm</span> </i>- As the Owl mage started to groan Elric stood up as silent as he could be in his gear and glanced sideways at his compatriot.<br/>​</div><div style="margin-left: 40px"><div style="text-align: justify">“<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(41, 105, 176)">Two minutes.</span>” - The enchanter mumbled at the shadowmancer in such a low tone that he wasn't even sure he was heard, and to be honest, it didn't matter.​</div></div><div style="text-align: justify"><br/>
Stepping over the rubble and getting out of the inn, he checked his surroundings, the crowd that was starting to pile up, the guards and his colleagues tending to each other. A sudden flash made him crouch, bracing himself for an explosion, but nothing came. His heart beating like a drum as he recovered just to see the mages zooming towards the sky. Elric stared at them till they were only a point in the sky vanishing over the mountain. Helena made a remark about something and for a second Elric lost all his patience with her, just for a second. Glancing at all his friends, checking if they were okay, Cullen looked unharmed. Emrin seemed apologetic, Geered slowly looking like his old self, Leila was pensive and Helena… fighting with his dog for some reason. A shy smile came to his face as he saw the snow flurry and his dog being brought to him.<br/>
<br/>
The brief snow shower felt nice for a change as he caught Popcorn from the air and slowly sat down putting her in between his legs. She looked up at him with her ears back, worried. Elric looked back into the dog’s eyes and gently caressed behind her ear.<br/>​</div><div style="margin-left: 40px"><div style="text-align: justify">“<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(41, 105, 176)">Everything is okay, sorry if i scared you.</span>” - He whispered to her that leaned and gave his cheek a nose kiss before licking his face.​</div></div><div style="text-align: justify">​</div><div style="margin-left: 40px"><div style="text-align: justify">“<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(41, 105, 176)">Hehe.</span>” - He chuckled and then felt the subtle magic in her lick.​</div></div><div style="text-align: justify"><br/>
 She was trying to cheer him up. He leaned over and hugged her furry geared body.<br/>​</div><div style="margin-left: 40px"><div style="text-align: justify">“<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(41, 105, 176)">Thank you.</span>” - His hood covered his face as he stayed there for a minute or two.​</div></div><div style="text-align: justify"><br/>
Elric smiled at popcorn as he backed out, petting her with a bit more vigor and slowly stood up.<br/>​</div><div style="margin-left: 40px"><div style="text-align: justify">“<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(41, 105, 176)">Go grab Beatrice i will handle the apples</span>” - He said looking down at Popcorn meaning the rubber toy. She replied with a loud bark before trotting away.​</div></div><div style="text-align: justify">​</div><div style="margin-left: 40px"><div style="text-align: justify">“<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(41, 105, 176)">OKAY!</span>” - He shouted and clapped his hands making himself heard “<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(41, 105, 176)">Leila, make sure Geered is up and good to go. Heal him! Cullen, I put their gear over a table, check if anything is useful and see if there are still rations we can take with us that weren't destroyed. Check behind the bar! Geered, prepare some protection symbols you can put on us. And rest! Emrin… Map!</span>” - <br/>
He nodded at her - “<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(41, 105, 176)">Helena…</span>” - He turned to her just to see her purse diving - “<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(41, 105, 176)">... whatever… I'm gonna go talk with the guards what I can of our situation. 10 minutes everybody! Then we are moving!</span>”​</div></div>