Ludvig listened keenly to Noburo's words. He had met Lord Tokugawa rare few times and even then it had been a superficial meeting all around, never showing or telling too much. He looked at Noburo's finger, then back at the samurai's eyes. "I accept." Gwyneth seemed to realize what was about to happen and averted her eyes.
As the King, Gwyneth and others in the room reacted to her producing magic, Elisa ended her spell by simply cutting off the magic going through her with the ball of light vanishing just as soon as it had been conjured from her hands. However, her display of magic had taken a toll on herself with a sudden onset of a sneezing fit which thankfully for her soon subsided, letting her focus on the main points of Ludvig and Ulrich speaking, even if she was paying scant attention to pleasantries. As the mage processed the information, with a look of deep concentration hearing that the group was pretty much ensuring the home front was in order, while on their way to secure an artefact needed for victory from a very large ruin that needed the Saint to find out what it was, and where it was inside the ruin. Suffice to say she was hoping she'd get to visit other ruins along the way as well, mind salivating at the prospect of uncovering far more knowledge that would otherwise be lost. Letting everyone else do as they pleased and handling any conversations that they wished to embroil her in, Ferifan then left the throne room with an almost apologetic smile towards Ludvig, given that she was leaving early, and went looking for a library that she could settle down in, and go looking for anything that might prove useful for the journey ahead.
Ferdinand stood silently observing the things unfolding within the room with interest. The small creature had managed to escape his vision while he was paying attention to the king. He hoped the little creature would avoid those with less patience for animals than him. Then the strange warrior from a land he had never heard of knelt before the king and placed a blade to the knuckle of his ring finger. A strange way of showing allegiance if he had ever seen one, his people preferred to act first with words saved for after they proved their loyalty. Though he could commend the self sacrifice even if he did find it strange. After politely waiting for the ritual to end he exited the room and headed for the courtyard to find his horse tied to a post with another knight guarding it. After a brief conversation in the northern tongue explaining everything that had went on inside the other knight rode off on their own horse to inform the high priest while he waited their for the others assigned to the quest the king had mentioned.
Wandering the castle halls Elisa eventually stumbled upon a library. The room wasn't as large as one would expect but still cramped full of literature of all kinds, with shelves almost spilling out books. Most of it was religious text. Encyclopedias of Ostyakan flora and fauna, poetry and old tales, geographical works and old maps dated so far back that showed places that were not in modern maps anymore and so on and so on. A woman priest was in the middle of translating something in a big book at a neatly organized table, she quickly glanced at Elisa. "Not many strangers come here. Please handle the books with care, no stealing and I would appreciate quiet." With that said, the priest resumed her writing.
Elisa nodded at the priest's requests, and went carefully looking for more geographical and historical works along with maps that might provide information on places that were quite likely to still stand as current-day ruins, completely ignoring the religious texts considering their lack of use to her. Once she had found the books she desired, the mage would pointed take a seat where she could also look over the priest's translation while doing her own reading, and transcribing any useful notes into one of her own books.
Cyntheria nervously walks over to the king and bows before kneeling down and her head bowed to show respect. Her hair gently covering her face and her hands slightly shaking from her nerves. She takes a paper and gently holds it out to the king not looking up. She starts to speak in a soft tone. Sounding nervous. "I ask permission before looking at you Sir. But I have this small note that I am hoping will explain a little information about me. I am sorry but I like my privacy and hope you understand. I owe Noburo my life and if he serves you then please allow me to stay by him. I am loyal to him and will be of assistance. The place I am from is Quris. But I was one to study medicine. I can heal the wounded soldiers and be able to keep my debt if you will allow me to accompany him. But I ask permission for this?" She stays kneeled and her eyes still at the ground. She shows a part of the letter that has a small ring to keep it wrapped up to show a symbol of her loyalty.
The knife fell and separated the upper knuckle from Noburo's ring finger. Not even breaking eye contact - nor making another sound - Noburo used the blood flowing from his stump to draw a symbol in front of him meaning "oath", before taking a tissue from his belt and wrapping it around his remaining piece of finger. "Shizukana Shirayuki is yours to strike with sire," the Kensei said and pointed at his nodachi before getting back on his feet. At that moment he heard Cyntheria's words and nodded. "The child is correct. You would do us both honor if you accept her into your service alongside me. She has many talents and I am sure she will be a useful part of the group undertaking this quest."
The moment was broken by a loud snoring from the back. Ori was passed out, head leaning on the chair, jaw open as he snored. He twitched, hugging one of his retainers who looked quite ashamed, Ori muttered loudly "Mhm, lovely". He buried his face into the man's chest and made bubbling noises to which the retainer slapped Ori's head. Ori jerked up, gazing at everyone, a confused look on his face.
Shaila paused for a moment as she watched Gwyneth toy with her icon of Elusine. She slowly approached Gwyneth. "Execuse me... My lady, I couldn't help but notice..." She paused. It was not often one got to speak with someone such as Ludvig or Gwyneth. Shaila pointed at the icon. "Your hands, is everything alright? You seem, nervous?"
Cyntheria walks away but with Noburo to pull him aside and bow. She looks at him and gives a slight worried look. "Please forgive me for intruding but I can't let you go alone. I accept any punishment received for the disrespect to you. If you could overlook my intrusion and still accept my assistance I would be very proud to stay and help. But I do accept any punishment you deem worthy." She looks at Noburo and bows again before kneeling and awaiting her punishment.
