Avolire Fort

"That is not an choice taken lightly. Are you sure you wish to do this? Risk the loss of her sight"?

Zaire looks at Avery for a long moment. "I'm willing to be branded a traitor," she repeats and meets Kiyori's gaze. "I don't want either of them suffering. I want her to be able to see, but I don't want her to only see a nightmare." Another pause. "If she loses her sight, then I will take the blame. But it there's anyway to prevent that, I want you to take that measure. I'm giving you your freedom for this, and freedom isn't something without a high price."

"Very well. You have to stand."

Zay studies the man closely before sliding his knife into his boot from where he used it for the herbs, and using the tree, he pushes himself to his feet despite the sharp pain snapping through his side and back. His balance falters just a little, but Aru quickly stands and keeps him on his feet, looking at Galen questioningly

"There may be a way to prevent it, but it isn't entirely a chance of succeeding. As for the poison's makeup, it was Linaria Rigida mixed with Ooklire and Red salbia. And my condition is that if I help you, you do as I ask, when it comes to her. Not my freedom."

The cleric studies the woman closely, and after a moment of decision, the nods. "You have my word." She looks back at Avery, mulling over the ingredients she listed. "What was the poison intended for?"

"That's good, rogue. Now attack me."

Zay frowns deeply, standing on his own after a moment. and Aru steps back, feathers rustling. "Sir?" the man questions, muscles coiling slightly.

"I'll hold you to that. It was intended to kill her. And to save her life, all at once."

"How could something like that work?" Zaire asks, frowning. "What would the point be of something like that?"

"I said, attack me. You would do anything you can to protect her? Prove it."

"Dad?" Aru starts, but Zay's expression sharpens as he steps forward.

"Perch overhead, Aru," he murmurs.

"But, you shoul--"

"Aru." Without another word, Aru shifts and flies up to a branch overhead, shifting back and sits there, golden eyes wide. Zay pulls his black knife from his belt and holds it in his right hand as his instincts take over, pushing away his pain and ailments like it always has. A foot slides forward as he lowers himself into a loose fighting stance, knife held with the blade pointing right, the handle curving across his knuckles, his other hand empty and unclenched. "Are you sure you want me to prove it this way, Commander?"

"What I speak is only half true, physically. The poison was meant to kill her, But in all reality, I was merely trying to save her life. If anyone who may have been watching thought she was dead, perhaps she would have been left alone. But she kicked me out before I could even attempt to explain, and I only made things worse for her, in the long run."

"Sometimes, things happen for a reason," the cleric murmurs, eyes bright. "But now you have a chance to try to right a wrong."

"If you cannot ever prove your willingness to fight me, your commander, than I will start to doubt your resolve to fight those that would harm her. And as it is, I don't truly trust you, rogue."

"You're right to mistrust me," he murmurs, fist tightening. "I'm a rogue with no king to serve." His hand tightens around his blade, eyes brightening. "I will hold nothing back." With a twist of his foot he lunges forward, actions blurred as he charges straight ahead, though last minute he shifts his footing and twists, dancing around Galen's dominant hand and swiping at his lower side as he passes, taking a leap back.

"Do not fool yourself, Oroze Errege. I am doing this to save her, not to redeem something that can never change. Now. I need Demon's ragweed, Esliper, and grim uxier from you. I would assume you have those?"

Zaire straightens at the term, recognizing the word off the bat. However, she replies to her later question. "I do." She walks over to her bag and pulls out the items, laying them on a makeshift table.

"I'd expect nothing less. Not bad. But you'll have to try harder than that."

Zay's face remains impassive as he darts forward again, circling around. With a swipe of his hand he jumps towards Galen, a short ice path forming as Zay's foot hit the ground, and he slides towards the man, body dropping low as he swipes again with the knife, this time at the back of the knee. He twists and the path quickly changes direction, and Zay steps off of it, twisting back towards where he started and swipes again.

"You would do better to hide your identity more. I recognized you by your looks alone, along with your cloak. I mean you no harm, but I can't say the same for everyone else."

"My hood only comes off to those I trust-- Not even the commander knows," Zaire murmurs. "This cloak, however, has been disassociated with the family, as it had been since the incident decades ago." She pauses, watching her a moment. "I know about those who are out for what's left of us, for those who want to see their brethren fall. It's a pity that our family has become so divided, that we've lost so many because of greed."

Faster, rogue. If you can't land a low on me, you have failed this test."

He slides to a stop, eyes sharp as he digests the information he gained from his missed blows. "I will not fail."

Zay darts forward, and instead of keeping an arm's length distance like he had before, he invades personal space. A side step to the side and he ducks under the commanders sword in a blur, swiping at the leather piece on his armor, twists and rolls across Galen's back, ducking under the other arm and snags that strap, eventually coming to a stop inches from Galen's face, knife poised across his neck, foot sliding a fraction as he instantly brings himself to a stop. His other hand grips Galen's sword, a layer of ice between his hand and the steel and another attaching his hand to the blade.