orders from the magistrate

Just after setting out for the quest "Magistrate's Orders", in ACT I.

"You think it's a good idea to do whatever this magistrate tells you to?" Aveline spoke up just as they came out of range for the magistrate to hear.

Ophelia spun her head around to stare the guardsman in the eye. "And why not? I'll be paid, and we'll be delivering a fugitive into the hands of the law. Or would you rather take it to the guard, and wait around until they go and deal with it?"

"I... I don't think we should interfere with the law. Not unless Guard Captain orders me to."

"So you're going to do whatever that caption tells you to. What becomes wrong with me doing what the magistrate tells me to do?"

Aveline glared a little and straightened her back. "That's not what I meant, and you know it." She had a slight frown on, and so did Ophelia. Carver looked between them for a few moments before he finally stepped in:

"Listen, you two, I have to listen to enough bickering at home. I don't want to hear anything else out of the both of you," Carver said as he took a few steps closer to his sister. To protect her, to comfort her? Carver felt the need to be closer, physically, to his sister in order to calm her down. He felt his presence would calm her, and it did.

The mage sighed before showing a bright smile. "I understand, Aveline. And I know it's in your best interest to go to the guard first, but you, too, heard Vanard. There are creatures in that place. I bear no ill intent; but do you honestly believe your fellow guardsmen would battle those things? There could be giant spiders, abominations, walking skeletons!"

"But they can still try--"

"Besides, the men that magistrate sent probably are guardsmen in the first place! There's no need to report to the Keep; telling people things they already know."

Aveline paused for a moment, thinking about what Ophelia was saying. She didn't completely agree, of course, but some of Ophelia's logic was understood. "You're right. Let's go."

"A-ha! You see my light, Aveline! Let's head into the wild!" Ophelia wrapped an arm around the guard and waved her staff into the air. Aveline couldn't help but laugh along and contentedly follow.