Swords And Fists Filled With Resolve [Erika, Shaoling]

"She is jubilant and maybe a bit naive..."

Erika could list quite a few qualities about Murasaki that she wasn't necessarily fond of though they were quite different in that respect so maybe that was a given. People didn't like what they didn't agree with or understand. However for all the bad things that Erika could name about Murasaki there were more good things that she could say about her captain.

"Despite that though, she's a good captain commander. She utterly crushed my conviction then she reminded me of who I was before and remade it, stronger."

That was something she'd never want Murasaki to hear though, it'd make her die of humiliation if she heard those words but Shaoling probably wasn't going to repeat them. If she did they'd be sure to end up in this situation again.

Crushed. Given the fact that Erika's resolve seemed on par with her own, Shaoling found that thought almost impressive. In a way, it was faintly amusing to hear. A child that the nobility had done everything in their power to remove from the equation, one that Shaoling herself had been fully prepared to put down if the order was given, now the Captain Commander. Perhaps that was who deserved to be in charge, however, if she had the will for it. If nothing else, Shaoling couldn't say that she minded the nobility having to face that shame.

"I see. Maybe I should speak with her, then."

It wasn't much of a promise, or anything of the like. After all, Shaoling wasn't the sort to simply go back on her principles based on the promises of another. She would have to determine what she thought of the commander herself before she made any actual commitment, especially one that she knew went back on what she had resolved a few years prior.

But, frankly, it would have been unthinkable of her not to at least give Erika that much. She had lost this bout, and she would not be a child about her defeat.

"You do that."

She said while deciding it was better to move while she still had the fire in her gut - and not the other woman's hand - so she reluctantly dragged herself up and spluttered a bit more blood. God, this was going to be a pain to do but she refused to lay here and pass out for however long. Grabbing hold of Shaoling and trying to pick her up over her shoulder Erika groaned while fighting her own body's desire to collapse.

"Let's. Get. You. Back."

It was her fault she was out here after all and frankly, she didn't want to pass out here. Throwing the woman over her shoulder and trying to centre her weight and not collapse she was at least thankful that Shaoling wasn't heavy and only made lighter but lacking a leg. Maybe she could drag her if it really came to it or at least make a valiant effort until she collapsed on the way.

When you ran out of will just dig and find more. Unfortunately that was easier said than done.