Search and Rescue, Part Five

"Wait, wait, wait, wait." The mage Enverna had argued with earlier spoke up. "She's just gonna go?" 

Xi blinked. 

"Yes...? Is that not what was agreed upon?" 

"But, what if we run into trouble?" The mage asked, arms spread with an offended look on his face. "You're just gonna leave us here?" 

"We're not looking to fight anything right now," Gareth replied. "If we have to, we'll send for her. It's-" 

"Obviously we're not looking for a fight, but a fight could happen!" 

"..." Gareth paused. 

Xi sighed. 

"Fine. How about this? I will escort you all for just a little while then I'll go back and make sure our dear rookie is alright. Okay?" 

"Thank you," the mage answered. 

"But, Lianna..." 

"Don't worry," Xi said. "I will be by her side in no time." 

---

"So, Enverna, how does it feel to leave Lianna behind?" Xi asked in a hushed tone, the question hanging in the air like a delicate frost.