Jaegar, however, seemed to pluck the true meaning from the strained ether surrounding them.


    "I''d wager you''re thinking that without these...talents, I''d be afforded none of the distinctions you now heap upon me. A hailed ''benefactor'' one moment, a easily discarded relic the next."


    Try as he might, Kaeso could not conceal the subtle wince that betrayed his body''s reaction to Jaegar''s cutting insight. Rubbing his hands together anxiously, he opened his mouth to formte another paltry reassurance...


    ...only to find their path had led them to the entrance of the princess''s personal pavilion. With a resigned inward sigh, he ushered Jaegar ahead of him, steeling himself for the confrontation toe.


    Jaegar, along with Kaeso, entered Princess Kyra''s opulent tent, his gaze sweeping over the regal surroundings beforeing to rest squarely on the princess herself. Kyra met his eyes evenly, sizing up the imposing warrior before gesturing for him to approach.


    Though d in modest attire of flowing ck silks, the princess''s presence was undoubtedly one of stately bearing and authority.


    Her tall, powerfully built frame and sharp, angr features projected an aura of pure, unbridled willpower. Thick blonde tresses were woven into an intricate braid, while her prating eyes seemed capable of piercing straight through any facade or falsehood.


    Her dress enhanced her bosom and hourss figure , further entuating hermanding presence.


    Those piercing emerald orbs now raked over Jaegar with naked appraisal, lingering for a moment too long on the muscr physique left bare to the elements by his battle-stained tunic. Despite himself, the wizard felt his breath catch momentarily in his throat as their gazes met and were held.


    "Come in," she stated, her tone betraying no hint of the wariness that had crept into Kaeso''s manner.


    Deferential maidservants swiftly arranged plush chaise lounges for Kaeso.


    Jaegar dragged one from the side, put it himself beside Kaeso, and sat in it.


    Seeing his actions, Kaeso and the maidservants were stunned enough to speak. It was fine that Jaegar behaved in such a manner in front of him, but to shove such contempt in front of her highness, Kaeso quickly looked at Princess Kyra.


    Kyra''s features tightened in a disapproving frown at the breach of courtly protocol, but she made no remark as Jaegar lowered himself into the seat.


    "I can clearly see that you are no mere soldier," Kyra began bluntly, sweeping an appraising gaze over Jaegar''s form from head to toe. He closed his eyes briefly but remained outwardly impassive, even as Kaeso shifted with palpable difort nearby.


    "In fact..." Kyra continued, her sharp eyes studying Jaegar''s rugged features more intently now. "I feel I have seen you before, though I cannot ce where or when."


    Jaegar''s weathered appearance belied his rtively tender years of just one and twenty summers. His hair had grown enough to be bound back in a practical ponytail, framing a bearded countenance that would seem more at home on a grizzled veteran.


    With his towering, perfectly muscled stature, nearing 6.2 feet in height, Jaegar certainly struck an intimidating figure - that of a battle-hardened warrior more than a studious wizard.


    Yet Kyra''s prating gaze seemed to pierce through such superficial assessments, sensing deeper mysteries yet unplumbed.


    Holding her probing stare, Jaegar gave a subtle roll of his shoulders. "If you have questions for me, Princess, I would prefer you give voice to them inly," he stated in a tone that bordered on brusque.


    One finely arched eyebrow inched up Kyra''s brow at his mild insolence, but she recovered her imperial mien quickly. Settling back into the elegant chaise, she fixed him with an intensely focused look.


    "Very well, I shall be direct," she stated in clipped tones. "Who and what are you, exactly? Based on the impressive...abilities you disyed against those monstrous brutes on the battlefield today, I can only surmise you have been concealing the full extent of your power."


    Jaegar''s expression remained an inscrutable mask, the only outward sign of his inner reaction being a tightening along his jawline. "And if I have?" he challenged after a moment''s pause. "Why does that concern you?"


    "It concerns me."


    "Why are you fighting for our side, then?"


    Kyra understood from his countenance that he was not of this kingdom and certainly didn''t care about the war.


    "Well, I don''t care. You certainly seem capable, and I won''t bother why Lord Kaeso is respectful towards a mere soldier or why you would act arrogantly even though you are sitting in front of a princess of the kingdom."


    Jaegar chuckled, watching her. "If I have to say, I am just stopping by."


    "What do you want exactly? Why bother me?" He said it in a tone of annoyance.


    Those maidservants were ring at Jaegar, and Kaeso was clearly nervous as to see how Kyra would react.


    A flush of piqued colour tinged Kyra''s cheeks momentarily at his tart rejoinder, but her regal confidence quickly reasserted itself like a cloak of iron-tipped power.


    "Because I want - no, I require your strength at my side in the wars toe," she dered with the ring of absolute certainty. "You are clearly a skilled mage in addition to being a formidable warrior. Such assets could well prove invaluable to my cause. Perhaps...essential."


    The unspoken implications hung in the air between them like the low trill of a plucked chord, thrumming with burgeoning tensions not yet given voice. For Jaegar''s part, his facade disyed neither outward acquiescence...nor repudiation.


    The battle lines had been starkly delineated. And the sh of unyielding wills had only just begun to be joined.


    Jaegar blew out a breath and met Kyra''s intense gaze squarely. "Let me ask you this - what''s in it for me?"


    His words carried the unmistakable undercurrent of self-interest. Though the princess did not know it, Jaegar''s primary aim was to regain his full magical abilities before settling any other scores lingering from his past few months.


    These people, however, clearly did not know when to beg or when tomand. They just keep oning and asking him to fight.