"She is a very close friend." Maric growled at the priest, turning the man white as the knight grabbed the back of his collar before yanking him back from Nimue. "And I assure you all that I am under no such enchantments. If you knew anything of paladins, you'd know that it is quite impossible for their minds to be taken over due to their holy patrons."<br/>Maric was fuming in anger by now. How could people be so shortsighted and quick to worry? Morons, the lot of them.<br/>"You should not be shunning this talented women, or shaming her, as I would dare say that without her nurturing hand the dragon very well might have been one of ill will. But no, thanks to her, you have nothing to fear! Because of her, this magestic creature is as kind as a newborn kitten! And this is how you thank her? With pointed fingers and accusations? With curses and insults? You people are nothing but sniveling cowards, too afraid of anything outside of the thresholds of your very homes."<br/>The paladin paused, looking around at the surrounding people with a piercing gaze. His speach had thankfully halted the anger of most of the crowd, those still not glaring at him or Nimue either hanging their heads in shame or skulking away.<br/>"Now don't you all have better things to do? Get a move on!"<br/>And with that, most of the remaining crowd walked off, some still shooting angry looks their way.<br/>"Are you alright Nimue?" Maric said worryingly, instantly turning back to face her. "They have not harmed you have they? No cuts or bruises are there? Nothing stolen? Nothing torn?"<br/>As he spoke, the knight proceeded to examine her, despite whatever protests she may have made. He was not going to let her shrug any injury or anything off to keep him from worrying.