Warren hadn't been home since the night of the ball. Work had been far too busy, and though he was tired, he was happy for the distraction. Being Captain meant far more desk work, paperwork, and mind work than the physical work that he was used to. So throughout the day he would leave his office to walk the military wing and keep an eye on what the soldiers were doing. A lot was changing very quickly, and while some were struggling to keep up with these changes, others were adapting. There was time for many of them to figure it out, to catch up, but those who couldn't would be left behind.

There were some others, however, that Warren was less concerned about. As he walked the halls, passing by a soldier or two headed to the barracks for the night, he spotted one of those such soldiers. Zarha Sliva, despite the issues that her parents criminal activities had presented, was not a soldier Warren felt he had to worry about. She was a hard worker and a good soldier, but everyone had their flaws. Zarha's wasn't much different from Warren's, in a way.

"Ms. Sliva, it's quite late," he said as he walked into the training yard to greet her. "You should be returning to the barracks. What's keeping you?"

Zarha was lost in making sure that she has the spells in mind when she heard Captain Warren walk up to her. She stood up straight, "Captain Woodwick, nice to see you." She hold her the book up, "Was doing a little reading, it quieter here then in the barracks." She give smile.

She looked around, "I was hoping to talk to you, but with the new routines and you new role I know you are very busy."

Warren nodded to her as she stood, his eyes moving to the book as she held it up. That she was reading was a good sign, it meant that she was keeping up with her studies. In all of the chaos of the past few days or so, he'd nearly entirely forgotten that he was supporting her in that way. "I understand," he said when she spoke of it being quieter outside than in the barracks. When it was still early, many soldiers were quite ready to go to sleep. They'd stay up, talking or joking around with one another, perhaps playing games of some sort. He'd been a private once, he remembered staying up entirely too late and pestering other people with noise. "But reading with little light strains the eyes. You may not worry about that now, but you will when you get older."

He could guess what she might like to speak to him about, so he gestured for her to follow him. "Walk with me, then." As they returned to the path that would lead them through the halls of the military wing, he continued. "I apologize if it feels as though I'm unreachable. It has been a chaotic time, but it is my job to make time for my soldiers. Have you been well since the events of the ball? I hope you were not hurt in any way?"

Zarha looked in the direction of the touch that was near her. "Where would you recommend would be best place?" She asked. She could stay in barracks but with spells she would like the utmost concentration on them to make sure she doesn't fuck up.

Following him as they started walking carrying the book in her arms. "Yeah it been chaotic." She thought but then she remember what Regan said about not speaking more then was needed and keeping her head low. It always was playing in the back of her mind. "I've been busy, with these extra training so I haven't had loads of time to think about how I am feeling. i guess confused, annoyed, angry, I always thought the first time I see a ripped up head would be on the battlefield not because some..." There was some anger in her voice but she took some deep breath. "physically I am okay. How about yourself? Have you visited Ber I mean Stormcrest? I heard he got hurt in the event."

"Somewhere inside," he said, looking around. "At least then the light will reflect off of your surroundings." Whether or not she listened didn't matter. It was only advice, coming from a man who may or may not have been having trouble seeing things plainly as he was normal for people his age. She was still very young, and it made sense that she could see the book perfectly fine in low light.

He nodded along as she explained how she was feeling. All of it was normal. A lot of the soldiers had felt the same as Zarha following the events of the ball, and Warren was one of them. Confusion, irritation, anger. Being betrayed by your own kind would naturally spawn those. "I'm okay as well, thank you for asking, Ms. Sliva," he said, though he lifted a single brow when she spoke of the other soldier. "Yes, I saw him the night he got out of the infirmary. He's recovered from his injuries thanks to the healers."

He turned to glance at her as they walked, hands behind his back. "I'm also glad to hear that you've devoted your spare time to further training, though I have the utmost faith that you will do well in the assessments."

Giving a soft laugh not really at lieutenant but at what his said of course inside somewhere. but trying to figure out where would be the best choice it has to be somewhere quiet so she could read. "would if be possible if I could use the room I use for study to read? The lighting in there great." She wouldn't use it if he says no after all he is her captain have to follow his orders.

"I am glade to hear that you and stormcreast are doing well." She would of visited him to see if he was okay but she was sure she was the last face he wanted to see well he was healing. She tried to be nice with him but he hates her guts and there nothing she could do about it.

She was surprised when he said that he has the utmost faith in her that assessment, she looked down. "Captain? before the ball I had one-to-one training with the witch who turned Private Wulfbrund at the ball. I feel guilty for having these lesson as we was practicing magic, I thought I could look up to her, thought she could of been trusted. I wanted to improve my skills." She looked down for a moment. abit ashamed for her action even though she wouldn't of know what was about to happen. 

"Yes, that should be fine," he said with a nod. "Should you have any trouble accessing it, please let me know. I'll make certain that it's open to you." Hadrian had made it clear that the soldiers would be culled, and that only the best would remain. In doing so, he had lit a fire under many of them, and it seemed that Zarha was one of those soldiers. It wouldn't be fair for them to be working to get better on their own time, only to struggle because they didn't have the tools necessary to learn.

Her mention of Bex had his own chest tightening in anger. It hadn't been officially announced, but it seemed that most of the soldiers could guess who had done it. The one who had not showed back up. Whispers had gone around. There was little to be done. "Ms. Sliva, we all trusted her. She was a well known and accomplished witch, with a high rank. You could never have predicted what would happen, none of us could have. That said, she was a powerful witch. Your magic is what you make it, no matter who taught it to you. As long as you use it for the right reasons, that is all that matters."

Looking at Warren as they walked "Loyalty and dedicated to the crown. That what I vowed when I pledge my service to the military. I was starting to think maybe I was taking the whole dedication to heart. Having no me time, people keep saying I will burn out. After my reading lessons are done I have no idea what my next step going forward." Her eyes was looking around them making sure that it was quiet and nobody was around.

"There something else, with the investigation into my parents. I understood that there is additional responsibilities you have to take with being captain, so you might no longer have time to look into it. So I am wondering who i am to report to in regards to the case."

"We all must learn our limits, Ms. Sliva. Pushing ourselves past those limits can be helpful, useful, but sometimes you can push too far. I agree that it is important to take time for yourself, when you can. But in all honesty, few of us have any spare time at the moment. The only thing forward is preparation for the war. It's hard to see beyond that." The unfortunate truth was that the war had to be every soldiers singular focus, because if it wasn't, they might not make it through to achieve their goals after victory.

As she spoke of her parents case, he shook his head. "I will continue to work on that. I have been carrying out a steady investigation in my own free time, which encapsulates not only your parents, but some others as well. I admit it is slower moving than I would have hoped, but I have collected some information and intend on arresting them soon. Once they're in our custody, you and your family will be able to move back into your home, unbothered."

"Yeah, it hard to find time to relax when the only day you have odd you want to sleep from the previous six days of intense work. I know I run too fast which i am working on, pacing is possible my biggest thing, I know my spead can be a blessing in it own right too, but it just controlling it that I will need help with. Learning to say no when people going to push me too far. I see it as a challenge, I know you feel like the possible more for me behind being a soldiers, but I am only eighteen and like you said who knows what tomorrow brings." She sighs softly. "I want to do what best for the king, everybody here. You."

"There's nothing wrong with knowing ones strengths and weaknesses and learning to make the best of both. Speed is good, but it can tire you out. Endurance is better. You'll find it difficult to breathe on the battlefield. The spaces are tight, chaotic. You won't be doing a lot of long distance running. Sprinting, perhaps." He nodded as she spoke of being young and not knowing what tomorrow may bring.

"That is a good perspective to have. Loyalty to ones crown and kingdom should always come first, but loyalty to yourself should come next. Not to me. While I appreciate the thought, it's not necessary. I'm merely an instructor here. In the end, you will have yourself to thank for all of the hard work you've put in. I cannot force you to be dedicated. Whatever you achieve, you will have achieved because of your own determination, not mine."

Zarha eyes were soft "Captain, you more then a instructor, you the first Superior who have faith in me to be more then just a soldier and willing to help me to see what that might be. You didn't throw me to the streets after our the mess hall incident when I am sure some of the others might of send me packing. Even though I still struggle to trust, I know I can trust you to be like a father figure to me cause sure as anything I never had one." She paused after realising what she said. "I mean... umm..." Fuck.

A father figure.

In many ways, the word father held nothing but pain for Warren. When he thought of his own father, the feeling was bittersweet. He'd looked up to the man, wanted nothing more than to make himself in his fathers image, to make him proud. But his father was dead, and as much as he would like to think that stepping into the role as Captain would have made him proud, Warren couldn't help but doubt himself. Maybe even doubt his father. The most important role that either of them could have played in their lives was the role as husband to their wives and father to their children. Warren had failed in both.

"You can trust me," he confirmed finally, quietly. "As your superior, it is my job to ensure that you are the best soldier you can possibly be. If you aren't, I'm not doing my job well enough. It's that simple." He couldn't bring himself to openly acknowledge her comment, to give it validity. It was best to ignore it, though admittedly, he struggled in these kinds of situations. Rarely knowing what to do. "As long as you continue to work hard, you have nothing to worry about."