Hildigrim startles at Auriel’s question, his face flickering for a breath between surprised youth and the steadier Watcher he is meant to be. He brings himself under control with a slow inhale, then lets the paladin’s concern settle into his thoughts.
Carl’s ready voice warms him, and for a flicker he allows himself to return the smile — only to have Hex cut in with the practicalities he’d been trying not to force on others.
The halfling’s cheeks go faintly pink. He clears his throat, hands folding the note once more before tucking it away with the careful reverence of someone handling old margins.
“Th — thank you,” he murmurs, almost under his breath. “I was hoping some of you would be willing to help, but I did not wish to command. Having you at my side will make the task … far more feasible.” He forces a small, brittle smile and pushes his spectacles higher on the bridge of his nose. “It will also make the task far less lonely.”
He straightens and adopts the voice of calculation again. “It is my estimation that Glevith will honor his commitment. Olisara passed this note to me through him. The gesture confirms a working relationship. The Welcomers are opportunists — yes — but at their core they are guardians of Phlan’s streets in their own crooked way. If anyone will move folk unseen, it will be them. They may well relieve evacuees of coin, trinkets, and dignity on the way out, but alive and penniless is superior to dead and whole.”
He inclines his head toward Hex. “Ask Glevith tonight about the tunnels and whether they connect to Valjevo Castle or the vicinity beneath Stojanow Gate. If the tunnels reach that far, they are the simplest and safest ingress we possess. If they do not, we will need contingency plans.”
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Hildigrim startles at Auriel’s question, his face flickering for a breath between surprised youth and the steadier Watcher he is meant to be. He brings himself under control with a slow inhale, then lets the paladin’s concern settle into his thoughts.
Carl’s ready voice warms him, and for a flicker he allows himself to return the smile — only to have Hex cut in with the practicalities he’d been trying not to force on others.
The halfling’s cheeks go faintly pink. He clears his throat, hands folding the note once more before tucking it away with the careful reverence of someone handling old margins.
“Th — thank you,” he murmurs, almost under his breath. “I was hoping some of you would be willing to help, but I did not wish to command. Having you at my side will make the task … far more feasible.” He forces a small, brittle smile and pushes his spectacles higher on the bridge of his nose. “It will also make the task far less lonely.”
He straightens and adopts the voice of calculation again. “It is my estimation that Glevith will honor his commitment. Olisara passed this note to me through him. The gesture confirms a working relationship. The Welcomers are opportunists — yes — but at their core they are guardians of Phlan’s streets in their own crooked way. If anyone will move folk unseen, it will be them. They may well relieve evacuees of coin, trinkets, and dignity on the way out, but alive and penniless is superior to dead and whole.”
He inclines his head toward Hex. “Ask Glevith tonight about the tunnels and whether they connect to Valjevo Castle or the vicinity beneath Stojanow Gate. If the tunnels reach that far, they are the simplest and safest ingress we possess. If they do not, we will need contingency plans.”