The strange man with the tattoos had decided it was proper to barge into what was obviously a private conversation, but when he blathered on something about Antivan Crows, Valerius had perked his ears and began to pay a bit more attention to the new potential threat than to the apparently rude stranger with the intricate brands. At a moment's notice the old veteran pulled his shield forward, blocking his upper body and face as if the simple wooden shield were an Aegis of a sort. In a flash he was at the side of the door, doing his best to press himself against the inevitable blind spot. If intruders were to storm the room, they would have to deal with a flanking attack before they could take out their target.<br/><br/>Moving a hand up to his lips, Valerius made a motion to stay down and for Aimil to draw her sword, hoping to try and use the female as bait. His blade at his side and poised to strike, Valerius awaited the first sounds of footsteps crossing the threshold. He would not have to wait long. It had been some time, he thought, since he had last fought a worthy opponent in honorable combat, having spend the last decade mostly training new guardsmen and the occasional sparring match. He had to admit, it felt good to get the blood flowing and the excitement coursing through his veins. The old veteran had almost forgotten this feeling, the rush of adrenaline that one could only get from an impending life or death situation.