<span style="font-weight: bold">"If you'd prefer not to make it back to your city, you could always just ask. That way at least you'll only get yourself killed."</span><br/><br/>Eva smiled charmingly at Holt at his remark with a pleasant flutter of laughter. You could almost hear the playful defiance ringing about her melodic tone. â€œWhether or not I make it back depends on if there is anything better at keeping my attention,â€ she said pleasantly. She followed a long making note of the path that the knights chose.<br/><br/>She thoroughly enjoyed her companions more than she would ever admit. She certainly seemed to be in a better mood than the prior night and withheld her tongue for any witty, fight-provoking comments in exchange for the most delicious of smiles. As she looked about her party she saw the chess pieces moving into place. Sydney was intriguing and the fact that he was a sanctioned played very little into her evaluation of him. There was that hint of venom in that surreptitious grin, but his company would make this entire journey interesting. Definitely a bishop. That bastard moved on diagonals entirely. Then there was Adalwolf whoâ€™ good-natured demeanor and soldier visage. He probably did eat far more radishes than she herself did and barring the ridiculously tall knights even this one made her feel dwarfed in stature. He struck her as a rook; moving in one direction with unbelievable dedication. Oh Charlotte, Charlotte, Charlotte. She was so full of energy that Eva wondered what she had eaten for breakfast to make her smile so genuine. The thought tickled Eva into a blush with a light laugh to herself that the woman could be so happy about being thrown into battle with small chance of survival. She, also a bishop, but the one that stayed back next to the heart of the castle to keep the king and queen entertained and bask in the mirth of the kingdom. Then Mira; the spunky thing caught Eva a bit off guard, but only for a moment. If only pawns could have broadswords and beat up all the other pawns once a month, she pegged that as Mira. She was certain that pawns could wield broadswords with a little bit of glue and craftsmanship. Then there was Holt, the pawn with a hangover that probably forgot where he placed his sword that moment. Lastly the knights; Dedrich the model knight hopping about intercepting and slaying whatever needed to be slayed.  Then there was Quinn; whose gaze she had caught and it had not gone lost on her. It has been her last chance to run; to turn back and go to town and leave the game for nowâ€¦ but the opportunity may never come again. She decided to sit and play for her life; too enticed by what overtaking a square may bring.<br/><br/>Eva walks with no real order; occasionally closer to Dendrich then Quinn, and others towards Mira  or Charlotte, or gazing back to make sure that Holt hadnâ€™t fallen over yet with a delightful smirk. She couldnâ€™t help but to feel the least bit excited for her own reasons. She was doubtful that they would have liked to hear her lectures on territory and how yes, they were invading anotherâ€™s territory at the moment. Her face contorted into a precious pout for a moment as the knights traipsed along through her forest. Few these days respected the wilderness, and she wasnâ€™t surprised that the two knights were among them. Her eyes occasionally drifted to Quinn. He had taken such liberties with his eyes she found it only in her right to view the pretty thing when nothing else seemed to hold her attention with such an active mind. Once they became lost and could swallow their manly pride, they would ask her for directions; the point all women look forward to when travelling with a male companion.<br/><br/>Then something moved. She turned her head, drawing in a breath. Her gait moved slightly towards Quinn in reaction; although there was little fear on her face. He simply happened to be the closest utilizable meat shield to her. She looked at his armor seeing where he could take a hit, and what could possibly get through as her mind worked possibly to figure out what the best angle was to hide behind him and take minimal amount of damage. Quite possibly a sign of vulnerability was helpfulâ€¦in getting the menâ€¦to ask for directionsâ€¦for once in their wretched lives.  Sydney was a few strides off but if the knight faltered he was easily reachable; save for the fact that evisceration may occur in the movement process. The silence unnerved her. She wasnâ€™t used to all this quiet; but the wolves didnâ€™t seem to be anywhere near them at the moment and had moved off in the midnight hours. She tread carefully about the ground and was surprisingly silent with the leather boots about the earthen floor.<br/><br/>Whatever had moved was gone; and her attention was wearing thin as she waited to actually be useful; although they hadnâ€™t known of the security she had brought them. It was often better that way. She wondered silently if these knights with their dedicated gait and silent demeanor would even react to any form of interaction or would they keep their expressions plastered on marching like machines into battle.<br/><br/>Perhaps it was Evaâ€™s classically inappropriate and often dark sense of humor that caused her to turn her head to the meat shield, look up with those sweet jade eyes and a tender innocent smile, and finally break the silence. â€œSince youâ€™ve made it perfectly clear we are expendable bodies for you to trip when the hordes are running after you, I suppose it wonâ€™t hurt to ask you if you come here often?â€ there is that upturn in at the end of her question and that precious smile. It was hard to tell if she was merely trying to lighten the mood or she was serious. Sure, she may be scolded, but that didnâ€™t matter very much to her. At least several people would be thankful for that insanity inducing melancholy to be broken.