The night didn’t offer much by way of guiding light, but Kire soon was able to pick her way through it. Once she knew the general direction of it, she kept her eyes on her surroundings, tense with concentration for any errant [i]feeling[/i] to disturb her senses. Nothing yet, until—[i]there it is![/i] A tingle, making her whole body shiver, similar to the magic she sensed in the earth in Ziad but stronger, fresher. Her nose and mouth filled with the signature of its caster: a sweet smell and taste, like the nectar of flowers. Incense smoke? It wasn’t unpleasant, but Kire knew to be wary of anything that had to do with magic.

She risked a backward glance. No Rulitus. She hissed out a sigh. If she were to summon a portal now, it wouldn’t take her very far, and that would deplete the reserves of dragon-strength she could call upon. Best to proceed, for now. “Try not to look like a murderous wench,” she reminded herself. How did one do that? She didn’t exactly have the gentlest of countenances at the moment. But she let go of her sword hilt, tried to walk with a more relaxed gait, and hoped this sorcerer didn’t have any marksmen trained on her every step. 

The sweet-smoky scent was everywhere. This was strong magic. Rulitus was right about the level of skill his "friend" had. [i]Why were they not on good terms? Besides that rosy attitude,[/i] she wondered. "Now what?" she asked aloud. Clearing her throat, she raised both hands. "Rulitus sent me," she said, louder this time.