It was obvious that Allan wasn’t happy to be there. His expression, though non-specific, was distinctly detached. Uninterested in the goings on around him. The fire crackling in the stone hearth didn’t matter, nor the rug they stood upon in the captain of the guards room. Throughout the initial meeting with the captain and the elven man he was supposed to be protecting (Sigurd, he had heard), the way the captain was speaking made it clear to Allan that he was merely an accessory to this trip. And that if something happened and he didn’t make it out alive, it wouldn’t matter. So long as the man he was supposed to be protecting arrived safe and sound.
For a knight, giving your life for another would be par for the course. But Allan was not a knight. Everyone knew that. Likely even Sigurd, the man he was to protect, did. There was no doubt that the half-elf (mutt.) would be able to handle both himself and the other man however, so the emphasis that the captain put on Allan’s non-existent knighthood was confusing at best since it made little to no difference regarding his defence. He looked strong. Grounded. Muscular. Not the physique of a ranger knight (for reasons that Allan hoped would never become apparent), but very capable. Perhaps it was an issue of morals. But did morals even matter when blackmail was ones motive to protect?
Drawn out of his thoughtful fog by the captains voice addressing him, Allan focused. “Sorry?” He asked, just in time to hear the large man clear his throat and glance towards Sigurd. “Of course. Excuse me.”
He dropped onto his knees, taking Sigurds hand in his and pressing a kiss to the others knuckles. A kiss that was supposed to represent a bond that was built on nothing but fiction.
“It’s an honour to serve, sir.”