Assallya peered over at the scaly figure of Silvack staring out the glassless window through the wooden shutters and thanked the arcane arts for the spells that allowed the outer planar guests to both speak and understand their own tongue. However, his utter callousness and not just towards their rescuers but concerning his people aboard the ship that bothered her. There were many more, many without armour like those worn by those here that littered the wreckage, their bodies pulverized, twisted and mangled in ways that made Assallya shudder to remember them.

"You are quite welcome for our saving your lives lizard man," the voluptuous elven woman answered the Hirogen warrior's derogatory commentary, "We are quiet pleased and honoured to serve as your hosts in our primitive hovel. Your sky bird, the vessel in which you travelled is a twisted wreck. Many of your companions did not survive and you have our sympathies. We brought all of you we could save here."

"Some of your people here may not awaken for weeks yet," she added, "for they are in a magical slumber to speed healing and quiet their pain."