Brucker and the Preceptor commander, dismounted in the battle's aftermath, embraced and parted. They were obviously old friends, likely old war buddies. Jardon shook his head and headed towards them.
He came up at the same time as Jarl, both plainly intending to lend a certain military gravity to the meeting. Brucker had many virtues, but it was hard to anticipate how he'd handle any given issue that didn't involve smiting the wicked. Some tasks required a hero, others needed the precision and attention to detail that Solomon lacked.
Jardon spoke first. "Sir?" he let the question hang in the air. He wasn't entirely certain how Morrowan martial ranks progressed, precisely. The knight was clearly a man of some import, likely commander of this shrine, but his exact title eluded Jardon's recollection. Knight-Captain? Boss Man? He twisted his lips in irritation.
"Father" corrected the Morrowan, "Father-Defender Gaxxon if you want to be formal. I lead the defense of this holy place. Your arrival, Sir, was both timely and fortunate." He was a broad man, not terribly tall but not short either. Encumbered by his heavy riding plate he gave off an impression of ponderous deliberation. "Thanks for escorting Solomon back to us."
Jarl spoke up. "Father, thanks for the save. Your assault on the enemy's back turned the tide of the battle." He paused a moment, then continued. "We could use your force's assistance from now on. The enemy we face is greater than the division between church and state." He'd have gone on further, but Gaxxon was already shaking his head.
"Out of the question. Our oath is a binding one, we can not for a moment cease our defense of the sacred relic entrusted to our care." Despite his words, the Father-Defender was smiling broadly, and Brucker was also grinning like a dolt. Jardon squinted and thought for a moment. Something wasn't quite right about this. There was no way a friend of Solomon's would let some oath stop him from aiding the living against Cryx.
Jarl didn't pick up on whatever was amiss, and continued on. "What? Are you serious? We need your help man! Do you truthfully intend to...what's so funny?" He'd noticed Brucker's broad smile as well. Even Jarl, surfacer though he was, understood that Brucker wouldn't smile in the aftermath of a battle as their request for aid was denied.
It wasn't Gaxxon who answered, Jardon had figured it out. "Thamar take it, I'd forgotten how high you ranked. 413, it's your armor they are watching over, isn't it?" Both men nodded, and Jarl got it at last. "I thought their was too much force in this shrine. The Church watches its assets, eh?"
Solomon spoke then, looking out over the battlefield. "Father-Defender, if your charge was born into conflict you'd be concerned about it's welfare, yes?" Gaxxon nodded. "Your duty then, would be to accompany its bearer and assist him in the war, yes?" Another nod. "So, what you are saying, is that you are coming with us."
Gaxxon corrected him. "What I'm saying, Brucker, is that these Cryxian scum have had their own way long enough."