âSo, my dark-haired beauty,â Xelara turned to the Crown as their group walked down the hallway, arms casually folded behind her head. Crown HavĂźn looked over at her, one hand still on the cane assisting their right side. The Pale Sword grinned, delivering her joke with mirth twinkling in her eyes. âIâm still surprised you havenât fallen for me yet.â
Crown HavĂźn blinked at her before sighing, taking in a deep breath as they pushed brown curls back from their face. âXelara.â They began. âYou are my friend and I am very fond of you. But if you make one more joke about me âfalling for youâ because of my health,â HavĂźn raised their cane, sticking it squarely in the womanâs face, right between the bridge between her eyes. âI will stick this lĂ»le directly down your throat.â
Xelara held up her hands in mock defense, stepping back with a casual slide. âAlright, alright, point taken. No more stupid disability jokes.â
HavĂźn lowered their wooden cane back down with a slight harrumph, but the noise seemed to be mostly in good humor as they continued onward through the hall. Delal hung back with Xelara, mentally chiding the Pale Sword as their Crown sidled up between Azad and RĂȘzan.
Azad raised an eyebrow at the Crown, the dimples on his cheeks fighting to keep back his amusement. âIâm starting to wonder if you even need my services as the Royal Protector, Majesty, if youâre just going to keep threatening everyone who approaches you with your cane.â
HavĂźn seemed to shudder at the thought, wobbling slightly at their next stop. âAzad no, please donât leave me.â They immediately beg, to which the rest canât help but laugh slightly. âJust because Iâve knocked out a few people before doesnât mean Iâm invincible.â
âWait, youâve actually attacked people with it before?â Delal chimed in, RĂȘzan mimicking her slightly concerned expression.
HavĂźn stopped, face flushing slightly as they turned their head to the side. âMost of my makeshift âmobility aidsâ were just big tree branches.â A pause. âTheyâre disposable.â A quieter mumble. â...And very good for hitting enemies with.â
A brief silence. RĂȘzan looked conflicted about whether to be concerned or amused, as did most of the others.
Then, Xelara broke the silence.
âWait, is that why I saw one of your guards limping earlier today?"
"I FELT REALLY BAD OKAY?!"