Few Still Stand Tall (Alex, Gwen)

[Brynn Reade]

Nervously fiddling her fingers, Brynn stood there in the courtyard, watching the scene unfold before her disbelieving eyes. What had the world come down to just inside a week? Could this really be the remaining knights of Camelot being lined up like culprits sentenced to die, awaiting their execution?
“I will give you one more chance to pledge your allegiance to me!” The harsh voice of Lady – of Queen Morgana rang through the courtyard as she was standing side by side with her sister Morgause on the royal balcony, and the very moment the words had left her lips, the immortal soliders lifted their crossbows and aimed at the eleven remaining knights, still standing tall and proud, facing their imminent deaths with unwavering hearts.

A tense silence ensued and Brynn held her breath, her hand subconsciously clutching Alex’ as he was standing beside her. What would the knights do? She knew some of them by sight, and had observed them all her life from afar. Now that Prince Arthur was away – and Brynn prayed he was still alive and maybe even plotting to strike back wherever he was right now – Sir Leon was the one in charge. Whatever example he set, the knights would follow. If he crumbled, so would they, if he chose to die for what he believed, then they would not hestitate to die as well. But Camelot was lost without the knights! They were the ones still representing the regime of the Pendragons, and while Brynn had never been a personal fan of King Uther, all with his obsessive hatred of magic, this was totally WRONG! Who would have thought the gracious Lady Morgana held such foul intentions?

As she was standing a bit to the left side – or right side judging from the balcony – Brynn could see a smile spreading out on Sir Leon’s face and raising his head proudly, he called out: “Long live the king!” – a call the other ten knights quickly adopted.
As much as it filled Brynn’s heart with joy, she now knew their fate was sealed. Taking a shivering breath, she closed her eyes. She didn’t want to see them fall… it was a childish move, but she couldn’t just bear the sight of the arrows hitting home, robbing Camelot of its finest warriors, all honorable men.
“Perhaps this will help you change your mind!” she heard the new queen of Camelot snap and then there was an odd sound, not the snapping of a bowstring, just the soft clinging of metal as if a band of soldiers… moved in unison!

Brynn snapped her eyes open just in time to see a crossbow pointing directly at her quivering chest. And then Queen Morgana raised her arm. The goosemaiden knew she should duck and run for cover… already she heard the shocked intakes of breath all around her, errupting into panic-stricken screams. But she couldn’t move. She simply couldn’t move a single muscle.


Tag: Alex, Gwen
Timeline: The Coming of Arthur II - Courtyard scene
Time of Day: around midday?

[/color][/size]

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Alexander]

Alex was not sure how much longer he could stand quietly in the crowd. He felt his every limb quake slightly with suppressed anger. The only thing keeping him from doing or saying something rash was Brynn's hand in his. For this reason alone he kept his mouth pressed into a firm line and did not utter a sound. Although with every traitorous word the new self-proclaimed 'Queen' he found it increasingly difficult. With the events of the past days happening so quickly, it hardly gave anyone time to adjust. Alex knew his family were most likely holed up in their bakery, as he had told them to do. Alex had spread word to them that it was no longer safe for anybody.
With the prince in hiding and the king and knights in chains, Alex could find no other thing to take hope in. What he did now was wait for nothing short of a miracle. Although, in Camelot, those seemed to actually turn up sometimes.

Alex felt his mouth grow into a small grim smile when the knights called out. Even if he could not move to join them, he let his whole being echo their call. He looked to Brynn quickly to make sure she was alright. He was not happy she was even here in the square but he knew there was nothing he could do about it now. As the Queen spoke he turned his eyes back to the spectacle with a cold determination not to look away and to hold his own personal ground. This was the only reason he saw the soldiers turn quickly enough.

"Move!" He shouted as chaos seemed to break out. Alex did not think he had ever been so afraid when he saw the crossbow pointed directly at Brynn. The rest of the crowd faded from his vision as he shoved himself sideways into Brynn with all the speed and strength he could muster. Screams were the only noises he heard as he felt his shoulder hit the ground roughly. Looking up through the dust he saw people running in every direction. He was almost sick when he saw a body lying not to far from where he struggled to get up.

"Brynn, are you alright?" He said urgently as he attempted to drag her and himself out of harms way. The stampeding people were almost as dangerous as the crossbows at this point. Alex felt his hands sting slightly from where he had braced for the impact with the ground. His anger grew in him, but he focused only on hovering over Brynn and blocking her from any further danger. His fears increased as he searched her to check for injury.

[Brynn Reade]

It was one of those moments when everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Brynn’s visual field narrowed down to the crossbow pointing at her, she didn’t even quite see the man holding it. The sounds, especially the screams she only could hear like through a thick wooden door, muffled and highly unreal.
She heard Alex’ desperate outcry, and his “Move!” mixed with a shocked, long “Nooooo!” that seemed to come from everywhere, but Brynn was apt enough still to recognize Sir Leon’s voice. She felt being jostled and lost her balance like in trance, starting to fall in what seemed like eternal minutes to her and yet were only split seconds.

Just before the goosemaiden could hit the ground something bumped into her shoulders with surprising force, sending her smashing onto the hard cobble stones of the courtyard. The impact was enough to let the world spin up to normal pace and suddenly Brynn was VERY aware of her surroundings, the screams and stampeding feet, all so very confusing. And something was off. Why couldn’t she move? She should get up, there was no use lying on the ground, was there? And why had she fallen anyway, that was such a stupid thing to do…
And while they were at it, could they all stop screaming please? She was trying to THINK here for crying out loud!

And then: Pain.

Pain so sudden and severe Brynn’s breath caught in her throat, making her cough in surprise – which only seemed to add to it. Everything blurred again, the odd clarity from just seconds ago was wiped out by some sort of red mist clouding her vision, and by the heavy rushing of blood in her ears. The feeling of pain was so ubiquitous it took Brynn several moments to locate its source: her left shoulder. Something warm was trickling down her arm as well, tingling on her skin, adding a frustrating itch to the pain.
Then, in a rush everything came back to her: The command of Queen Morgana, the turning of the soldiers, the crossbow pointing at her… she had been hit! By a crossbow bolt!

Again Brynn tried to move, to catch at least a glance of the damage, but as black spots began to dance before her eyes she quickly gave up on it.
Alex was suddenly there, his concerned voice piercing the red cloud around her mind. His voice, so filled with concern and panic would have made her heart melt on any other occasion. But her heart was too preoccupied trying to keep on a steady beat at the moment, to keep her conscious why she felt herself slipping away.
She wanted to say: ‘I am fine, Alex, I am good’, but all she could get out from between tightly pressed lips was: “A-Alex…I”

[Alexander]

For a brief moment Alex was sure his heart ceased to beat. No other words could describe the sudden drop of his stomach and loss of breath. The red seemed to spread over both Brynn's shirt and his mind. In the midst of the chaos Alex was still momentarily and the world halted on its axis for that split second. Quiet was all Alex registered as his mind seemed to process the situation so slowly that he almost grew frustrated. The shock felt like it took an age to fade, but it must have only been for that one heartbeat because suddenly the screaming was back.

His hands moved quickly as he ripped one of his sleeves from his shirt and wadded the fabric together. He pressed it to the wound on Brynn's shoulder and winced at the pain he knew she must feel. Alex was aware he needed to clean the wound and take the bolt out, but he was also aware that in this courtyard and amidst the running people he was far more likely to further injure Brynn. It was then he knew he had to take her into the castle.

He put his arm, that wasn't holding the makeshift bandage, around Brynn's waist and he lifted. He was once again glad that he was relatively strong do to his normal job, and he tried to be as gentle as possible as he half-carried Brynn away from the mass of people. He heard behind him the shout of Sir Leon which seemed to embody the very thoughts that ran through everyone elses mind. Alex made his way to the small side door that was partially hidden from view and that went into the kitchens.

"Don't worry, I'm going to fix it. Your going to be ok, I promise." He repeated over and over in his gentlest tone. He knew that the wound was probably not life threatening, but even so, the words were as much to assure him as they were to comfort her. Brynn would be ok because she had to be, because Alex needed her to be.

[Brynn Reade]

Brynn would have never thought such an amount of pain to be possible. She had grown up in relative peace not suffering from far more than occasional sprains or burned fingers, sudden upflaming of pain that died down after mere minutes. But this, this was different, and it just never. seemed. to. end! Wave after wave of pain seemed to flood through her body, spreading out from her shoulder in the rhythm of her heartbeat.
Some part of Brynn actually wished to give in to the darkness already looming around her, waiting to take hold of her mind. But then she felt another stabbing pain and it felt like the bolt was driven through her flesh all over again. She bit her lips so hard she tasted blood but a low groan escaped her lips nevertheless. What was Alex doing?

Through only half opened eyelids she observed him prodding against the wound, probably trying to stop the bleeding. She wanted to say something to reassure him, mutter some words of comfort as she could almost feel the desperation radiating from his very being – and desperation was such an off emotion when it came to her beloved Alex. He had always been the stronghold for her, and seeing him actually at his wits and scared Brynn senseless. Was it really that bad? It surely hurt like hell, but maybe she was just not used to this, she was no warrior like her father, she had been a peaceful goosemaiden in all her life. How times were changing…

Thoughts like this raced through Brynn’s mind like buzzing bees, stinging every now and again but ever hard to grasp. That she could think at all seemed like another miracle to her, through all that pain --“AHHH!” However much she tried to be brave, when suddenly Alex took her up in his arms the pain stabbed through her shoulder now like a broad fiery sword, however gentle he tried to be, the cry escaped through her lips and echoed through the courtyard.
Then things went dark around Brynn.

As she was pulled into consciousness again after mere seconds of blackout, her surroundings were still darker than in the bright courtyard, and the part of her brain that was not occupied with dealing with pain realised she must be on her way towards the kitchens. Oh, goodness gracious what would her mother say? And Gyrth and Elinor… they needn’t be around! They should never see their sister like this! Alex mumbled words were like a soothing blanket of comfort for her and as she didn’t trust to be strong enough to speak yet, she simple leaned her head against his chest and let his strong arms and words carry her through this painful experience.

[Alexander]

Alex did not think he could bear Brynn's cries of pain. If there was a way to take the pain from her onto himself Alex knew he would not hesitate a single moment. Every time she made a noise of agony, Alex found himself gripping her waist a bit tighter, but he always managed to be careful to not cause any more discomfort. The blood was barely getting through the makeshift bandage which was a good sign, but it still did nothing to spare Alex's nerves as he finally got Brynn into the kitchens.

Thankfully there seemed to be nobody there as they entered. Alex was sure they were all either in the towns with their families or watching the chaos outside. He would not be surprised to know that they all had found places to hide after the events that happened in the courtyard. A queen who shot at her subjects could not be trusted to treat her servants well at all. Alex could not wait for the day the pretender who sat on the thrown fell. When she did, you could bet Alex would want to help at least a bit.

Alex had noticed that at one point Brynn had slipped into unconciousness. At first it was a relief to know she might not be in as much pain that way, but Alex also worried it might indicate a larger problem. However, she regained conciousness near the kitchens and Alex almost sighed a bit in relief. Instead, Alex moved her to a low table and lifted her onto it. He kept one arm around her waist untill he was sure she would not fall and he lowered her gently onto the table. Alex turned to grab a few bandages from a pantry immediatly to the left of the table and returned to Brynn in moments.

"Don't worry, you're ok now. I know it must hurt, but just know that I won't ever let anything happen to you." He said to her softly as he moved away for a brief second to put some water on the still burning fire, o that it would boil. He didn't want to leave a chance that her wound would get infected. He returned to Brynn's side to wait until the water was ready and he could let it cool. He took a small look under the makeshift bandage and saw that his original assesment was right and that it was a relatively minor wound. He knew however the difficult part was going to be removing the bolt that was still there. Alex almost couldn't do it.

"I am so sorry but this is going to hurt. You just look at me and hold my hand, alright?" He said and let his left hand graps Brynn's. He reached with his right hand and took hold of the corssbow bolt. He hesitated slightly and looked to Brynn. He was glad to know the wound was smooth and he felt the bolt come out easily, but he could not imagine how it felt.

[Brynn Reade]

As her first and utmost worry about her mother and siblings happening upon her in that state proved to be moot, Brynn relaxed a bit more. The kitchen was empty, thanks be to God! She didn’t know how bad the chaos outside still was and how many apart from herself had been hit by bolts. As far as she knew the kitchen could turn into a sick bay the very next instant, just as it had been a year ago with the Dragon’s attack. So many things had happened since but the pictures of this horrible night still were branded into Brynn’s brain, although she had all but forgotten about them during the last months. Funny how such things worked, a similar situation bringing forth old memories.

But then another thought crept up on Brynn and it was enough to almost let her lose consciousness again. So far so good, the impact of the crossbow bolt had hurt like hell, but the previous incident with Alex touching her shoulder had given her but an inkling of the pain she might have to go through once Alex started to pull the bolt out. Pull it out… oh sweet love, no! But Brynn knew enough about battle wounds to realize the bolt needed to get out of the wound as soon as possible.
Nodding feebly to Alex’ reassuring talk, she forced an “I k-know!” out between gritted teeth, to say at least something. Oh yes, she knew Alex would always be there and he had probably just saved her life by knocking her out of the way. Just that right now this didn’t prove to ne of much comfort. The dead felt no pain…

Closing her eyes for a split second, Brynn tried to gather all willpower and strength she had left to prepare for what was to come. Her damp hand found Alex’, slippery with her own blood and she pressed it tight, rearing up in agony as the pain doubled, the bolt making its way out of her flesh. Thankfully it wasn’t barbed, or the shaft might have torn the flesh of her shoulder to shreds. Still, it hurt so much Brynn couldn’t surpress another outcry, and she was so delirious she didn’t even notice a heavy gust of wind bursting open the kitchen door, letting it fly against the stone wall with a loud bang. She only felt a soothing breeze against the skin of her face, as if someone was caressing her.

“Oh, rot in the lowest parts of hell, Morgana LeFay!”, she panted, drawing quick and shallow breaths. “May… may your wretched soul suffer for all etenity!”
Brynn had never understood the soldier’s need to curse whenever they were in pain, but just now she found it to be quite relieving.

[Alexander]

Alex had seen Camelot in worse situations. However it was funny, that none seemed worse at the current time. He could say that having a dragon destroying Camelot was the worst thing possible, but having a dragon reigning over Camelot seemed just as bad. Alex was also sure that the moment Brynn had been injured, he had felt as hopeless and afraid as he had ever felt. This including the time he was faceing an undead skeleton. As Alex threw the bolt across the kitchen and held some cloths to the wound, his focus was as steady as a rock. Even if the rest of his emotions were fraying and unraveling.

Brynns cursing was almost enough of a shock to pull him from his reveries. He had always known Brynn was no soft spoken slip of a girl, but he had certainly never heard her speak the way she did now. If anything it made Alex prouder of her. He also wouldn't mind if those curses came true. Never a violent person, Alex didn't think he had ever thought about killing anything. However, it was hard not to imagine pouring boiling water over their current monarch's head. But no matter how much Alex believed she deserved it, he knew it was not in him to kill. Perhaps maime a bit, but never kill.

Alex placed Brynn's hand over the cloth so that he could retrieve the boiling water. He soaked a few strands of bandage in the water and laid them out to cool. Returning to Brynn He took over holding the cloth. He faced her and leaned against the counter heavily.
"Thank the heavens your all right..." He breathed out. Alex did not think he could ever go through this again, but with the way things were he could not see avoiding such situations.

"Let us agree, that we never want to do this again." He joked weakly. His eyes were half lidded as he smiled slightly. Relief was so evident on his features that for a moment his worry was gone. Brynn was going to be ok and there was no present danger at the time. This was a very much needed break from the crazy happenings all around them. Alex made a note to himself that he would not be going to anymore public events while their current Queen was in power. Even if they weren't optional. Somehow getting shot with crossbows was a bit far from the normal welcomed festivities.

[Brynn Reade]

As soon as the bolt had been succesfully removed the pain died down to a bearable degree. It still hurt like nothing Brynn had ever experienced, but instead of this white hot stinging ache, it now was rather a dull throbbing in sync with her heartbeat that gladly now was steady again. Also, the blood had stopped pouring out like a fountain and now only leaked a little like a permeable kettle.
That new development however left space in Brynn’s mind for other things apart from dealing with pain, and suddenly awkwardness rated very high on that particular scale. For one, she had just cursed like the most uncivilised mercenary in front of the man she loved, and that was surely not meant to make his heartrate speed up in admiration and love.
And then… Alex had been all about treating her wound, but now when he placed her hand over the bandage she realised with sudden clarity that a good deal of her upper boddy was bare or at least showing more skin than she ever had around him. Not that she did mind, but this was so not how she would have expected it to be, the worst circumstances imaginable.

If Alex sensed anything about her unease Brynn couldn’t tell and so she kept silent and just focused on the difficult task of pressing the bandage to her wound without hurting herself too much but also not too slacky.
“Thanks to YOU!” she spoke softly, her breath still a bit ragged as every intake hurt. “If you hadn’t pushed me out of the way…”
No, she didn’t want to ponder over this possibility. Being so close to death could leave you with quite the queasy feeling. Fact was she had survived and that was all she wanted to focus on right now. She just needed to lay low for a little bit and make sure there were no soldiers with loaded crossbows anywhere near her the next time she had to attend a gathering in the courtyard. Or she would simply not attend it at all. The risk was great, but it was low in comparison of dying.
“I don’t even know what came over me, why I couldn’t move”, she mused with an almost apologetic tone.

To Alex attempt of a joke she gave a weak smile and a nod, extremely glad he had not lost his sense of humour entirely during this fateful hour. Some things needed to stay in place else the world would tumble down and Brynn believed the day when Alex was not able to muster a joke, this day would be the last on earth.
“Oh, but wasn’t it quite entertaining, we were let in on the noble action after all other than just be humble spectators”, she replied, chuckling and panting, before her expression turned serious and almost harried.
“This can’t end well, Alex, this whole turn of events. There was a time when I thought King Uther was a tyrant, but this… there must be something we can do!”


(OOC: Shall we ask Gwen to join now? xD)

[Alexander]

((Yeah, Gwen can post after this one.))

Alex was glad to see the wound was not bleeding as much, and he couldn't be more grateful for the first aid he had learned from his mother when he was smaller. Working in the kitchens he had never expected to have to deal with more then a few cuts, but none the less he had begrudgingly listened. Now he felt it was probably one of the most important things he had ever learned in his life.
Alex found it amusing that Brynn had picked up a few curses somewhere. He would have teased her if they were in a different situation. Instead he just stored the info away for later. He figured he couldn't bring himself to really tease her now anyway. She was injured and Alex was still trying to calm down from the whole scare.
The fact that she wasn't covered up very well hadn't escaped his notice. However, before he had been too worried that she might be seriously hurt to even think about it. Now he was a bit too relieved to let it get to him. He tried to just not think about it and succeeded for the most part. They could save that sort of thing for another time. Right now Alex just wanted to get through the day with no further injuries to either of their persons.

Brynn seemed to be a bit uncomfortable so Alex kept his eyes on her face to reassure her. He met her eyes before he spoke.
"Let's not think of what ifs. All that matters is that you're safe now. Nothing else." He said seriously. He couldn't even bring himself to contemplate what might have happened if he had been to slow, or the bolt too fast. Brynn spoke again and Alex hurried to reassure her that it was not her fault.
"It isn't your fault that you couldn't move. That happens to everyone in that situation. When I faced that skeleton thing, I almost couldn't move." He would not have Brynn going through any more trauma today, emotional or physical.

When he saw a brief and small smile Alex returned it with one of his own. He was glad he could help at least a little.
"Let the nobles have their entertainment. I want no part in it now." Alex said a bit sternly. He was quite tired with always seeming to get caught up in the troubles of the nobles of Camelot. He didn't think fighting skeletons and dadging crossbows was all that fun. However, he gave another smile to show Brynn he was still just kidding for the most part.
"Our so called Queen is no tyrant. She's a monster. If there is anything I can do, then I shall do it." Alex said with a fervour that surprised even himself. He had never really been much of a proactive person as far as fighting went. He was content to merely defend those he loved when it was absolutely necessary and never throw the first blow. This, however, was something Alex deemed absolutely necessary.

[Guinevère]

Chaos was an adapt word. In the space of an few moments, Morgana had broken and forced loyalty she had gained. The people might have come to support her, had she not made them targets. Guinevère wished she could speak to Morgana the way they used to speak to each other. Wished she could be that friend, and try to pull her back from the darkness but she was afraid of Morgouse. If she began pulling Morgana back, what would the sister do then?

And would Morgana even attempt to hear Gwen's words? To truly hear them? Or would there only be Gwen losing her position? While it appeared that Gwen had keep her job and offered loyalty to Morgana it was only a show, and the few who truly knew Gwen surely knew that. Didn't they? She was only doing it, so she could find a way to use it to help Arthur when the time came. However, after a week of Morgana's rule she was beginning to doubt that, that day would ever come!

Gwen was working in the hospital to help with what she could for the few that were only injured and not dead. She picked up a bucket and hurried out of the room to seek out some hot water. She ran as quickly as she could down the halls and all the way to the kitchens were she froze in the door, with a slight gasp!

(¯`v´¯)
.`·.¸.·´ ♥
¸.·´¸.·´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´ .·´ ¸¸.·¨¯`·.♥

[Brynn Reade]

Alex was right, oh yes he was. She shouldn’t linger on ‘what if’s and also not on any ‘if only’s. What’s done was done, what hadn’t happened, hadn’t happened, and no one could change anything about that. You had to be realistic about these things, even more so when your life was at stake. But Alex’ presence alone was made to make her feel better, feel almost safe. He had done so much for her again, far more than she ever could repay him!
“Thank you!” Though her voice was still hoarse it was filled with all the gratitude she could muster. “For making me feel better… for being there… for being you!”
A single tear started to run down her face, born out of the sheer relief of being alive. As the shock was wearing down more and more, it all came crashing down on her, and it was hard to grasp and live through.

On one hand Brynn was glad Alex seemed to share her newfound hate for their current Queen. She would call it current, as she still believed Prince Arthur was out there having some sort of plan to return and get his foster sister off the throne. And then it was too unsettling to even think about this whole nightmare going on for who knew how long. She could not dare to believe it, it would drive her crazy!
“Then there is two of us… we might not be a great influence, but something MUST be done! You cannot rule a kingdom without its people… however much they would like to think that!”
On the other hand though, they both were clearly talking high treason now. If someone overheard there would be hell to pay. She might just have escaped a random death to be put to it personally. One never knew with such a mad ruler!

Just when she wanted to shush Alex, reminding him of the danger they both were in, she heard a gasp coming from the door. It felt like being hit by an arrow all over again, just into her guts this time! Someone had overheard them! Now they both would be executed for High Treason! Oh sweet stars, give me strength to face who is gonna betray us…
Slowly, hestitantly, Brynn tilted her head towards the door, squinting her eyes to get a better view on the person – and instantly relaxed.
“…Gwen…!” her name was a sheer sigh of relief. But then she tensed again… after all she knew Gwen was still Morgana’s maid. Did that mean she was on her side?!

[Alexander]

"I will always be there for you. Come what may." Alex said softly. He noticed the way it seemed difficult for Brynn to talk and moved slightly closer to her. He raised his hand and gently touched her throat as if to will it better. Seeing the tear that followed her words, he brought the hand up to brush it away with the tips of his fingers. He did not speak in that moment, for he could not find anything to say. He did not think words could do the emotions he felt justice.
Along with the prominent feelings of anger and worry, he felt a surge of terrible joy that he could bring her comfort. He did not think it appropriate for him to linger on how he made he worry slightly less, when everyone was still in such great danger.
However, when he looked at Brynn with his hand still lingering on her cheek, he could manage one of his brightest smiles. In and of itself, that was no surprising thing. Alex could always manage a smile for Brynn.

Alex chuckled at Brynn's next words. He found a moment to compose an appropriate answer as he lowered his hand to rest at his side.
"I do believe the kingdom would crumble in on itself if it lost its people. And with our most insidious queen, that cannot be far from a possibility." He responded. Alex was sure that it would not be long before Morgana faced true resistance at every turn. Camelot's people were stronger then anyone ever could know, and they knew their true leader was out there somewhere waiting to return. No indeed it could not be long now.
Alex also felt a bit on edge as they talked. It was possible that they could be overheard even here. To be caught was to sign their own death warrant. Morgana was not a merciful queen. However, Alex had never been one for caution and did not bother to steer the conversation onto safer ground. In these times there was only the thin illusion of saftey anyway.

At the sound from the doorway, Alex turned quickly. His motion was out of pure instinct when he moved his own body to shield Brynn from the new entry. He put one arm in front of him as if to ward off any threat, but lowered it when he saw who it was.
"Gwen..." He said in an echo to Brynn. Alex let his shoulders untense and stepped slightly to the side. However, he still stood a bit in front of Brynn. He might trust Gwen with his life, but that did not mean he would completely let down his guard. Gwen might not be completely alone.
He also realized that Brynn was still partly undressed so that he could fix the bandages. It was enough to make him slightly embarrassed, but he didn't show it much. Instead he tried for a smile. He couldn't help but feel glad to see that Gwen was unscathed. He had not seen her close since Morgana's rise to power. It was a relief to see her well.
"You are alone?"