Valen had offered his help to Lynn, smiling to her, the woman seemed like she was in pain, though she had quickly recovered from whatever she was feeling, when the female took his hand, he almost winced, even through his temperature-resistant gloves, the touch of her fingers was still quite scalding. Valen's own hand was nice and cold, and remained that way even when exposed to her warmth. Once Lynn regained her strength and followed Valen let go, allowing her to follow the elf as she left, he had other concerns<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffffff"><b>"I'll catch up to you lynn"</b></span>Valen offered her his brotherly smile and turned to face Brand and the Newcomer, his pleasant expression growing colder. Valen's left hand held his spear and his pipe, which he absent-mindedly took a puff from, relishing the feeling of the smoke filling his lungs and the drug rushing through his body.<br/><br/>Valen approached Brand and the hooded figure frowning and looking over the figure, he couldn't tell if it was male or female, or even human, and he didn't particularly care, it didn't want them to know. The figure seemed loath to show it's identity, this made the Champion Knight bristle, his protectiveness rising.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffffff"><b>"There are healers within the city, you may accompany us that far, but we will only remain in Cam for a little time, normally I would offer to you more, but I would like you to show me your face before I do, otherwise it would be best if we parted ways after we have seen to your injury.</b></span>Valen was uncomfortable with this new person, he didn't like how evasive he or she was at all, a behavior which immediately drew Valen's mistrust, he knew Brand would protest, but Valen knew the penalty for trusting too easily, so he spoke again before the other had time to interject.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffffff"><b>"I am sorry, but I cannot trust someone who hides behind a hood"</b></span>the figure seemed focused on Brand, which was enough of a reason to be suspicious, for all that Valen knew, this newcomer was an assassin who would plant a dagger in one of their backs. Valen's fingers tightened around the shaft of his spear, holding the weapon upright beside him.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffffff"><b>"Let me see your face at least, so I can rest my worries, you have until we leave if you intend to stay in our company, if not, so be it. ."</b></span>If no one else was going to make the stranger reveal his or her identity Valen would, Brand may have been kind enough to trust a total stranger who refused to even have the common courtesy of removing his or her hood when speaking to another, but Valen wouldn't have that.<br/><br/>Valen turned, walking away, still using his spear as a walking stick as he moved to catch up with the others, turning his head to Brand when he spoke to him again Valen took a puff from his pipe and continued on, leaving a ring of smoke in his wake. Brand could take care of himself if the figure did something stupid. The male put the thought out of his mind, walking briskly so he could catch up with Ari and Lyn, approaching the women after casting the irritated look from his face on the way to the female.<br/><br/>When he did he noted that the dark figure had walked up to Ari, and was harassing her, oh this did not sit well with Valen at all. Lowering his spear a little he quickened his pace, if he was right, and recognized that form, the man harassing the girls was one of the king's minions, a dragon in disguise of all things. The lowering of the spear from it's position into a different one, one which he could quickly take action if the dragon decided to do anything stupid.