The Hunter and the Templar

            Lyndon watched as Tyrael and Killashandra came down from the battlements. Both were crusted with snow and ice from the horrible storms outside. The ex-angel looked a little more affected though as he was shivering. The hunter beside him appeared entirely unaffected. She still wore the hood and mask she had in Caldeum but it was far heavier and weighted with metal for protection and to keep it in place.

            They were speaking about something, likely the coming battle. Considering the two, he decided to get a little closer. He was correct. They were speaking of lighting signal fires to rally the remaining soldiers. Neither noticed him as he stood against one of the support beams near them. When he heard Tyrael give her the locations for each signal fire, he expected to see her approach either him, Kormac, or Eirena to accompany her.

            Instead, she started for the gate with only a spider at her side. Watching her go out alone, he frowned. The things he had read in her journal ate at him. Pushing away from the post, he hurried to the gate to look out. He was almost sorry he did as a blast of frigid wind-driven snow hit him directly in his face. Scrubbing it out of his eyes, he squinted and peered through the snow after her. The white blended in too well but could not conceal the crimson of enchantments on her bow.

            Shivering, he pushed forward and past one of the few guards outside the gate. Making it to the wall, he stared over the edge at the sheer drop. The drop--and the rolling black tide that was the demon horde. It covered the ground and stretched into the distance as great balls of fire flew toward the keep. Lyndon could not hope to count the sheer amount of demons below or above soaring through the skies. Dread formed a huge lump in his stomach the same temperature as the ice.

            Pushed back toward the gate by the wind, the scoundrel shielded his face in futile effort to see where Killa had gone. Her white armor had blended in too well with the blowing snow. There was no sign. And no way he could hope to catch up to her. Stumbling back into the keep as the guards shut the gates once more, he shook as much snow off him as he could and hurried toward the great fires--and one person in particular.

            "Kormac!"

            The templar looked up from where he had been sharpening his sword. Eirena, actually fully clothed due to the temperatures, was bundled in a cloak beside him. Apparently they had been talking and Lyndon had interrupted. He chose to ignore it.

            "Killashandra's gone out onto the battlements!"

            "So is her way. She has not once faltered or hesitated to do her duty."

            Eirena suddenly spoke up, "Wait. Why has she gone and you have not followed her?"

            Lyndon sighed, "Because she went alone. Kormac, with this storm--did you even look at what's on the other side of the wall?'        

            The templar was still. But after a moment his face did grow hard to match the paler hue of his skin. Setting the sharpening stone aside, he lifted himself from the solid stool he had been sitting on. Metal hissed as he slid the blade into the sheath and turned to where his shield and helm rested. Haedrig had been busy helping the soldiers of the keep fix their armor and weapons but he had already finished the templar's newest armor which was far heavier.

            "Which way did she go, thief?"

            "I heard her talking with Tyrael about lighting the signal fires," he answered without taking time to enter his usual arguments with the man about the title.

            Eirena looked on as Kormac pulled the helm on and secured it. "How do you always know what to do?"(1)

            "What do you mean?"(2) he asked as he hefted his shield and slung it onto his back.

            "You are so certain about the right course. Do you ever question yourself?"(3)

            He paused at that. Turning, he moved one hand to check that the tome was still in place at his hip on the heavy chains. The green eyes were barely visible in the shadow cast by the helm. Studying the enchantress, he also glanced at Lyndon before answering her.

            "A wrong decision is better than no decision. And once I decide, I have to be committed, or we all die."(4)

            The woman went silent to consider his words. Bowing politely to her, the templar turned to the scoundrel. Lyndon was giving him another strange look but he would worry about that later. Not that it prevented him from reaching up to make sure his amulet was still in its place around his neck.

            "I will find her."

            Nodding, Lyndon moved aside so Kormac could pass. Rising as the templar departed, Eirena moved to stand beside the scoundrel. "I do not understand. The demon hunter has not had much trouble overcoming hardships before. Has something changed?"

            "Whatever could you mean?"

            "Neither of you have reacted like this simply because she has gone out alone to face the daemons. I feel as if I am missing something."

            Lyndon looked at the beauty at his side. Again he found himself hesitating, but he was still a scoundrel. So, he fastened on his most charming smile and turned to face her. "Not at all, my dear. Our dull templar friend is simply understanding how it feels to be left behind. Why, all he wants in life is to be out there killing and preaching his faith to every cursed beast he comes across. Well, I was simply giving him the chance."

            "You do not like the cold very much, do you?"

            "Not one bit!"