The tent was all but empty of people. Tallof had left Ellie for who knows how long, and had left the girl to her own thoughts, much needed as it was. Eliana had managed to get herself up, sitting on the ide of the bed with her legs swung out over the edge. She was lightly dressed; the torn dress having been taken by Tallof for some reason that Ellie didn’t pay attention to. Instead she had been given some new clothes, most likely in the Order’s colours, she guessed. Her eyes were still wrapped with the silky cloth, and the wet substance had rested upon her eyes for hours now. Meant to help, he had said. Perhaps just to shield others from looking at her eyes. The girl sighed wistfully, always having been rather happy about the way her eyes had looked. At least the voices were gone, she reminded herself with a slight smile.

The carpet hanging in the way of the tent were moved aside, and Eliana looked towards the sounds, presuming it to be the Cleric again. Instead, she was met with more footsteps than before. She quirked an eyebrow, which must’ve been an interesting sight to see from the newcomers point of view.
One of them cleared their throat, to announce their arrival.

“No, I’m not deaf.” Eliana burst out, in a mixed attempt of being humorous and acknowledging them.

Freda stepped forward, studying the girl with a mournful expression upon her face. “Ellie?” she spoke in a low voice, trying not to stir the Walker. Ellie rose her head towards the sound, smiling.

“Hey.” She whispered back, with a tone of hope. Miriam and Leia stood in the background, observing for now. Miriam had not seen Ellie since they had arrived, and her eyes were locked on the cloth around Ellie’s head. The huntress decided to let Freda run the show for now. She seemed good at … whatever she was doing. Leia stepped forward, sniffing Freda and Ellie. Freda stared the dog down for a second, before giving in to the eyes. The princess sighed, looking back to Eliana. She carefully placed her hands on the cloth, removing it with care. Beneath it still were her eyes, opening up as she felt the cloth removed. One could almost feel the disappointment, when her vision was still black as night. 

“I’m sorry.” Freda muttered out to Eliana, who simply returned it with a smile.

“You shouldn’t apologize. This wasn’t your doing, after all.” Eliana paused, her eyes still blankly staring into the distance, ending up looking at Miriam by mistake. Miriam rubbed her arm, somehow filled with relief that she hadn’t been the one to loose her sight, but still sorrow had overcome her. 

“Nonetheless, should you need anything; do not hesitate to ask.” Freda offered a kind smile to the girl, who returned it, even though she saw less than a dead rat in a cartwheel. 

“How about two eyes, huh?” Eliana lowered her head, both smiling and sighing at the same time. 

“Is Miriam alright?” she spoke again, looking around with her empty gaze.

Freda looked over her shoulder, peering at the huntress and nodded. “She’s alright.” Freda waved Miriam to her side, and the scavenger approached. 

“I didn’t expect this when I first met you, I have to admit.” Miriam shrugged, having crossed her arms.

Eliana looked towards her voice, offering some sort of smile again. “I’m sorry if I dragged you into all of this.” She paused. “It was never my intention for anyone to get hurt.”

“I know.” Miriam nudged her hand against Leia’s head.

For a moment the four were silent.

“I… Thank you. Both of you. All three of you I suppose. I would’ve been dead without the heroic savings, perhaps with a worse fate. But… I don’t want to be more of a burden than I already have been. I’ll take my leave soon, somehow.” Eliana sternly said, without much movement from her.

Freda raised an eyebrow.

“How do you intent to go out on your own? And you do not need to. We could use your help here, both the powers you keep a secret and those you don’t. Though you are within friendly boundaries now, no one can know of your being. Most here do not trust Walkers more than the common people does.” Freda concluded her speech, waiting for an answer from the girl.

“Is that supposed to convince me to stay? And what good would I do? I’m blind, for the One’s sake!” Freda retracted herself from Eliana slightly, grimacing.

“It’s… safer.” The princess turned her head to Miriam. “Safer to be more. Especially in these times.”