((Sorry for the delay, got busy and delayed.))
Aidan watched the going on, noting the trickery and pride targeting the others did. Many a warrior from his homeland held such weaknesses as well. Target their pride, tarnish their honor by insulting their ability, and you could draw much valor-but also much folly. His order had trained him to lead, and he had learned the risks of such things. He had heard murmurs and rumors of what the black mage had, and believed that forcing his use in this way was a risk beyond drawing from a warrior who's wounded pride would recover and possibly improve them.
However, it was their best bet, and he didn't believe that such a small task would much affect one so old and powerful. Even if he was wary, his people respected power of all varieties, and raised the masters of such things to heights sometimes above their realistic capabilities. His eyes watched the landscape passing by, wondering what threats lay ahead. Even if his homelands forts were of much different design strengths, as well as what many barbarians would scoff and call inferior technology, they shared many features. Such tunnels were purpose built to smuggle the important people out if there was no point or honor in the fight, or to smuggle supplies in, or even to smuggle out raids of soldiers who could use ambush and guerrilla warfare to exact a telling toll on the enemy before fading back into the shadows.
He knew well that this tunnel, unless forgotten by time, would likely have pickets with an easy alarm system. Likely they could seal it, but the seals were weaker than the surroundings. They likely could dig out the rubbing if they were careful, but it would slow them down and likely they would be forced into a fuller force. He also had seen magic was far more common in these lands, and had known of one fortress in his homeland who had been enchanted by a mage trapped during the siege. The spells that may be woven could be dangerous, for in a confined space there would be no room to move away from torrents of flame, enchanted vines, or other horrors he likely could only have nightmares of.
To this point, he quickened his step, coming nearer to Nicholas. "Penswyddog, I am sure you already have had such thoughts, but what is our plans when it comes to taking out guards before they can raise alarm, as well as any traps-magic or otherwise. Assuming they could collapse the tunnel, we could always dig through-even if they collapse a large stretch, the ground would be softer and easy to dig aside. However, the blades of men are not my concern, as Haiden and <War God Name TBA> watch over me." He did a semi chest beat salute with the last bit, then continued. "I know I am not to question your plans before they are revealed in full, but do you have all this accounted for?"
