Legend of Ransera

9 Ash, 121 Steel
Dornkirk Expedition Campsite,
The First Deep, The Third Watch

Sleep didn't come easily between the excitement of their mission and the anxiety of their surroundings, so Brenner Dornkirk grumbled as he was woken with a nudge to his shoulder. He rubbed at his eyes as they adjusted to the firelight and registered the whispered reminder that it was his turn to stand sentry. He sat up and stretched his arms over his head, yawning as the two who'd stood second watch found their bedrolls and settled in. Brenner did his best not to make any noise that might wake his stalwart crew as he got his boots on and rose to tread over the gravel to get closer to the fire. Myles Arnnett had been his patrol-mate for the past few nights, and this was to be no different, though the strapping soldier looked to still be dozing, albeit propped against a stalagmite.

Brenner sat down beside him and nudged him with a shoulder.

"Oi, mate!" He uttered in an exclamatory whisper, "Planning to leave me on my own to ward off all the fell beasts of the Warrens, are you?" He offered a playful grin, and hoped his joviality would be taken as intended. Brenner knew all too well that humour wasn't always well received before one was wakeful. A notion that reminded him to check to see whether the last shift had left them with coffee which, to his great pleasure, they had. He poured a cup for Myles, handing it off, before getting one for himself. It wasn't piping hot, but it would do the trick. They were in the Warrens, not a posh club in the heart of the High City.

"Sorry to wake you." He offered with grim sincerity, "Truly, I am." Though Brenner was perfectly pleased to have Myles to keep him company over the next few hours- hopefully fortifying their fledgling bond.

Stirring awake Myles blinked a few times registering Brenner, a few seconds later his snarky remark also registered in his molasses like brain as it struggled to shift into alert mode. “I wouldn't leave ya ta do it if I didn't feel perfectly secure under your watch my friend, It's a compliment I swear” He said his tongue thicc with the accent of his nanny and the man who raised him his relative comfort. It didn't hurt that he had spared no expenses on his bedroll, made from bear pelt and lined with wool it was becoming one of his prized possessions with each use.

Taking the proffered cup of hot black liquid Myles sniffed it appreciating the innervating aroma of the coffee that so many Zaichaeri used to fuel their ambitions, his taste buds however cringed at the thought of actually consuming the beverage sans the plethora of sweeteners he usually needed to enjoy coffee. Reaching into his pack he retrieving a rotund pastel pouch Myles pulled forth several sugar cubes and dropped them into the drink with a satisfying splash. Setting the pouch between himself and Brenner he blew on the coffee as he waited for the sugar to melt and the beverage to reach a temperature that wouldn't scald him. Looking to Brenner when he apologized to him he smirked the man looked like a dog trying to look contrite for enjoying a treat it had stolen.

“No, you, aren't” Myles said with a chuckle appreciating his watch partners mannerisms. He'd had many watch with far grumpier a watchman. That and their was no rain to torment them here. If it weren't for the unknown biome they explored he would have been perfectly at ease. As it was the still cave air unnerved him. Instead of the rustling of trees one was left with the ever present dripping of water and echoes so numerous and layered it was hard to say their origins. Pulling his armor out from his pack he eyed the heavy array of equipment with some tired disdain, it was difficult to ever become comfortable in the heavy garment which could make for long watches, that said with unkown threats about it was hard not to take every precaution. “Captain, think I'll need armor to help me watch your hide this evening?” Winking at Brenner he deferred the decision to his superior to abdicate himself of any guilt.

Brenner chortled mutedly, finding Myles' rising retort rather quick for one who'd just woken.

"Then I shall take it as such." He replied, with a gentle pat to Myles' broad shoulder. With that, he let the man take a moment to compose himself as he assumed his station staring out into the inky darkness beyond their firelight in search of aught that might gaze back.

As Myles sidled up, Brenner glanced sidelong to find that he'd brought his own sugar cubes and, without intending to, let out a scoff of amused disbelief.

"Did you really...?" He trailed off, thinking nothing further was needed to take his point. If this were another man, or less than a man like Albrecht, he'd likely have mocked him openly. Playfully dubbed him a ponce or a princox, too posh to lead their tactical team. But he didn't know Myles well and, for whatever reason, he wanted to be liked as much as respected by him, so he bit his tongue and swallowed back his venom in favour of honey as sweet as those poncy little sugar cubes.

"Ohh, I think not, Myles..." Brenner regarded his physique, which was too often concealed beneath armour which shielded not only from the blows of enemies but also from the sight of appréciateurs. "Better you should be free to move quickly should the need arise. Lightborn warned that the sly and stealthy monsters that haunt this part of the Warrens are passing nimble. We must be nimbler." He smiled to himself and sipped at his coffee.

"Honestly, I'm surprised how quiet it's been thus far. I half-expected us to be fending off threats from the moments we stepped into the maw. Perhaps these beasties are cleverer than we thought and wise enough not to stand athwart Zaichaeri patriots and their righteous endeavours."