News traveled fast in Halo, and part of that was thanks to Tal. The General (ex-current-future?) was back, and an iron-haired woman with a straight back and an eyepatch handed Tal a letter with strict instructions. He grinned fondly at the old soldier, tossed her a sloppy salute, and took off with his companion and his favorite dog running beside him, helping to clear the way.
The problem was, the closer he got to the Barracks, the slower his feet moved, until the courier had dropped to a walk, all trace of mischief gone from his face. Tal swallowed hard and rested a hand on Boreal's shoulders as the big dragon leaned against his hip. The dog kept trotting forward and then paused, realizing he wasn't following. When she tilted her head inquiringly in canine confusion Tal finally sighed and pushed open the door, heading back to the training grounds. The animals stayed outside, while Tal's booted feet trudged a hall that was both familiar and new since the last time he'd been by.
A peek in the office showed it empty, so he continued on to the training grounds and sure enough, the old Sword was there. Tal waited for a little while, watching the flurry of blows admiringly before an opportunity presented itself for him to clear his throat and offer the sealed envelope. "Letter for Deimos," he announced, eying the target's remains surreptitiously.
The problem was, the closer he got to the Barracks, the slower his feet moved, until the courier had dropped to a walk, all trace of mischief gone from his face. Tal swallowed hard and rested a hand on Boreal's shoulders as the big dragon leaned against his hip. The dog kept trotting forward and then paused, realizing he wasn't following. When she tilted her head inquiringly in canine confusion Tal finally sighed and pushed open the door, heading back to the training grounds. The animals stayed outside, while Tal's booted feet trudged a hall that was both familiar and new since the last time he'd been by.
A peek in the office showed it empty, so he continued on to the training grounds and sure enough, the old Sword was there. Tal waited for a little while, watching the flurry of blows admiringly before an opportunity presented itself for him to clear his throat and offer the sealed envelope. "Letter for Deimos," he announced, eying the target's remains surreptitiously.
