“Darlin’, you’ve repaid me merely by letting me help you get free of those shackles. The way people will react when they realise you’re totally free is goin’ to be beyond amusin’. Honestly, to think a goody-goody like you could’ve killed a High Priest pius as you are...” Wyl shook his head, grinning in amusement at the very thought. He had a good laugh when the news first spread, finding it ridiculous how easily people simply blamed the very convenient scapegoat. It was definitely going to blow up in their faces at one point; he could only hope that he was there to see it.<br/><br/>“As for me usin’ that thing,” he nudged the metal with a foot. “Never. Ain’t gonna happen, darlin’. Not only do I not have the skills, but I wouldn’t want to do it even if I had ‘em. That’s magic that takes the free will of other livin’ beings, and I’m not gettin’ involved in that. It has a nasty habit of bein’ addictive for one. Secondly, it can far too easily turn back on the caster themselves, and usually in the nastiest but most subtle ways ever. Once came across a lord tyin’ everyone to himself like that simply because he thought he was doin’ them a favour by directin’ their lives.”<br/><br/>Wyl watched Dane Volen carefully. The man was a wheezing, exhausted, emaciated shell of his former self. Even with this newly gained freedom of his, Wyl wouldn’t be surprised if he just gave up and keeled over dead in the next couple of days. He was broken – or thought he was broken – with the foundation of his entire life having been rocked to the core. That could destroy anyone.<br/><br/>It didn’t seem right, though.<br/><br/>“You know, I saw you once. Durin’ the royal procession in An-Hinlia for the annual joustin’ tournament.” He said and propped his chin on his hand, resting the elbow on his folded legs. “All shinin’ and bright on your white steed – and, seriously, could you be more stereotypical? I mean, you were a literal knight in shining armour, darlin’, nearly hurt my eyes with the reflection on your breastplate and pauldrons. You painted a very pretty picture for the masses, and they were eatin’ it up. Personally I thought you looked ridiculous, all that shine hidin’ the dirty truth underneath. Do you even know what the truth is?”<br/><br/>He plucked at another sweetmeat, ripping it to small pieces and occasionally eating a tiny part of it. Wyl smirked again. “And yet, here you are. Killer of all things ‘beast’ enslaved by your own without hesitation, and bein’ saved by and eatin’ with a so-called beast – although it has to be said that I’m merely a half-breed. How the mighty have fallen. Huh. Might even discover the truth while you’re down here in the dregs with the rest of us. Wouldn’t that be somethin’, darlin’?”<br/><br/>Finishing the mead in one long swig, Wyl licked his lips and then dried his mouth with the back of his sleeve. For a moment he just lazily popped pieces of food into his mouth, chewing slowly. But all the time he was watching his companion carefully, his eyes completely black in the darkness of the night. Finally he seemed to come to a decision.<br/><br/>“Alright, how’s about this: you come with me. We’ll fatten you up on the way to the old high-elf city, and you can protect my delicate self however you deem necessary as we go. When we reach our destination you can decide whether or not you want to join me in some underground adventures. What say you to that? Sounds like a nice deal?”