THE OFFER COMES EASILY exactly for the fact that zelgius would recognize this particular stride anywhere, under almost every single circumstance he can think of; had he not been the manâs shadow for a while now? would it not be natural to learn to the point heâd know it by heart? his devotion comes in many ways, he supposes, and these strange bits of learned knowledge of the intended target of his loyalty seems to accompany him wherever he goes.
âi suppose my routine makes me predictable,â he chuckles, and though his expression remains warm by his own, muted standards, heâs quick to catch the way the grand general looks at his sword. he realizes he now knows what ettard has once meant and while his previous allegiance has been discarded, rightfully so, he knows jericho holds his amount of doubt regarding what lies in his heart about sephiran. if heâs honest, he doesnât know in its entiretyâbut any flame he held for the heron has long died out.
he watches in silence as the other sheds away his cloak, the understanding that this is to become a sparring session coming to him with ease, without protest. see, he does not find the idea of sparring with the grand general distasteful by any means. he knows the man holds his pride as a warrior. despite how age may make him seem frailer and how his own blood makes him into a living weapon, the idea honors him.
the only issue he has, however, is that his sword is improper for the occasion.
ettard is a weapon meant for war; the magical proprieties it was imbued by the goddess who had it crafted makes it deadly, even when handled with the utmost care and expertise. taking to a loosely defensive stance, he frowns slightly. âi welcome the challenge, my lord, but i shouldâ,â yet before he can finish the sentence, the older of the two engages. muscle memory serves him well, then, because his body reacts before his mind does, moving to parry swainâs engagement.
holding his ground, sword against sword, green meets crimson, a touch of heat coming to his expression, a quality he usually only ever gains in battle or in bed. ânow, will you let me finish my sentence, jericho?â