“I am [i]so[/i] dead….”

Liaena groaned, voice indistinguishable to anyone but Rithrynn due to how deeply her face was buried in her hand. In the centre of the nave, Benedictus gave the Night Elf captain, then Thea, a baffled look. “Your warriors? Why would we have them?”

“I believe her kin are visiting, Archbishop” Thea clarified softly from behind Serphia. Benedictus frowned as he absorbed this, before turning back to Serphia. “I see. It was good of you to visit. Your species rarely takes an interest in our teachings”

Serphia apparently decided to take that statement with all the contempt it deserved with a derisory twist of lip, looming over the paladin and by extension, Benedictus. “Tell me where they are, and I’ll gauge their intent for myself!”

“…..”

“Well…..there’s one over there” Benedictus mused as he pointed over one of Serphia’s shoulders. Swivelling around in one single, fluid motion, Rithrynn was caught like a deer in the headlights in the full force of Serphia’s glare, unsure in that moment of whether to stand her ground or flee. Liaena meanwhile, did her best to merge into one of the nearby columns. 

*

“…No, no, that’s fine” Kathlin said slowly, looking slightly bemused by the sudden flare of anger followed by the humble contrition. Perching on the bed beside the woman, she reached over to fluff up the pillow and ensure Alissah was settled comfortably. “I know the newspapers aren’t very good. But Bella’s been shrunk, so it might take a bit longer than normal for them to find out that  she’s down here. That’s something, at least”

“…..”

“Are you going to be alright if I leave you with the priest on duty now?” Kathlin enquired after a pause, during which she glanced around the small space to try figure out if there was anything she had possibly forgotten in her ministrations. “I’m very sorry, but I do need to go and explain what happened to Thea and the others. It’s probably important”