It was a soggy morning when Destrier had inquired if any of his family desired to follow him into the reaches of the swamps to help him accomplish the next- or was it last?- part of his quest. Kaj of course had been delighted by the invitation, heading out with his wingless brother immediately after assuring he had no plans. Destrier was wonderful company, not someone he would turn down for a pleasant afternoon with. The pale fellow was rather saddened that he had not been able to spend as much time with his friend as he had wished, but times were tense and everyone was needed at hand. Not to mention the dark brute was a single father as well. The mere thought of Tor still twisted his face into disgust and rage, but he dare not let his features change around the young one and Resplendence. She had seemed excited to come along with them, or...as excited as she could appear in her fearful world. Kaj couldn’t understand her, but her weakness attracted him like a magnet. Having been the brute support in a female-dominated herd, he was used to defending and caring for them when they fell. Of course, they would always be stronger, but in their moments he had cared for them. And when the time came, he would step in front of any blow to protect his Mage, regardless of whether or not Death met him on the other side.

Kaj’s rank brother turned and gently queried over whether his son had traveled so far before, and Kaj walked calmly behind them, the same daydreaming smile upon his lips as always. He may appear unalert, but that was only part of the illusion. Kaj was raised a protector, a killer, a fighter. It was his very blood. There was no way he would be caught unaware, especially with a little one and a frail mare in their group. The same question from coal lips was directed at him, and Kaj’s clear blue eyes focused on Destrier, the same wistful smile on his lips despite the clarity and somewhat feline look within his gazers. ”I have not ventured to this particular area, but I have been much farther than these reaches,” he rumbled in his deep, soothing vocals. Destrier then turned to Resplendence, and Kaj was glad that he was including their unforeseen addition in the conversation. Spotting the young Luken gazing over his shoulder and smiling at him and Resplendence, Kaj smiled back, giving a kindly and playful wink before Luken turned back round to his father.

The swamps were thick and congealed, a disgusting slop that made every step sound like a suck-pop-squelch pattern. Uncaring that his legs were getting coated in the disgusting substance, Kaj glanced around them to make sure nobody was around that was not supposed to be, wishing he could secure a perimeter but knowing they would be traveling around the swamp looking for the bones Destrier needed. Resplendence’s soft, broken admittance brought a frown upon Kaj’s strong features, and he turned to give her a look of concern. ”Do you not wish to stay, zusje?” he asked her softly, though it was clear enough to be heard by all. Would they deny her the right to leave if memories were too harsh for her to stay? Kaj knew her better than the others present, after all.

Nevertheless she seemed determined to stay, and though concern continued to knit his brow, Kaj followed after them, nodding with a small smile towards Destrier for his thanks. Luken’s disgusted expression had a low chuckle shaking his chest, and he stretched out one large wing to brush the youth’s shoulder gently. ”The Earth Lord made it, it may feel unsatisfactory, but it’s truly harmless,” he grinned playfully. ”Though I must say, it makes the skin so soft and shiny,” he teased, dancing in place and spattering a little of the gunk all over, pretending to be in absolute exhilaration over the ‘wonderful properties’ of the disgusting substance.

His play was cut short by Resplendence calling out, and he was already alert and moving briskly towards her before her words even registered, so used to jumping to protect-mode. Turning to give Destrier a curious, almost childlike look, he turned back round and advanced. ”What do you think it feels like, zusje?” the lad asked softly, making sure to stay within her peripherals as he came close, peering down at the swampy waters as if they would part and give up their treasure at his mere gaze.