Desite her agreement, Envy still cast Narda a few wary points of his nose, inhaling, as if to make sure she hadn't gone wandering off to harass anyone else. "Yes, we found a place." Envy informed. "Ruli and Zeke showed me a few weeks ago. Its beautiful."
"Lots of fish!" Ysaryn added with a twitch of her eyebrows.
Envy grinned again, chuckling. "Your sea-smelling friend may enjoy it as well, it is surrounded by the ocean." He added after, with another glance toward Narda.

As the ladies explained their business here, Emvy sobered, listening. "You may have family stranded here?" He repeated, looking worried. "For the last ..." He tallied. "...nine months?" His brow furrowed. He hoped this person would be able to survive in unfamiliar land. Looking between Kire and the giantess, he had an inkling that whomever it was had some skills to rely on.
He opened his mouth to make a suggestion when Kire announced she'd brought gifts, and he silenced, hearing her excitement.

He held out his hands for the pipe, feeling it in his fingers with an approving smile on his lips. "It feels lovely." he admitted, turning it in his hands. As Kire offered him the box, he inhaled and groaned. "That smells far better than the stuff from Cordon." He observed. Ysaryn muttered some indignant retort that had him chuckling. "I look forward to trying the herbs." He bent in a grateful motion, still twisting the pipe in his fingers to become more familiar with it.

At the mention of tea, Ysaryn raised her eyebrows and stepped forward, peering down. "Oh, Kirai." Ysaryn breathed, her eyes wandering over the pouch as she pulled it opened and inhaled, catching the many aromatic thrills that tickled her nose. "You should have sent word, I would have prepared for you, also!" She complained with a grin.
"Aeron will be happy about the candy." Envy said as the elf retreated beside him, crouching to explore the pouch. "If you'd like to put anything down in my chamber, it will go untouched. I can't promise the candy will be safe from wandering hands." He grinned. "Rab is not here, though, so I suppose they're safe anywhere until he returns."
He nodded, anticipating Kire's question. "He's good. Learning to communicate better, and happy. Gavin, as well. Many of us have been working with him, but even we struggle to keep up with how quickly he learns." Envy turned to smile approvingly at Gavin. "He helped us procure our new home. We had to have a few discussions with the man who is still technically its mayor, and we were able to procure it from his willing hands much easier with Gavin's help."

He held out his arm, and Ysaryn bent back slightly to avoid his arm bumping her forehead. "Please, wander around. The other camp is nearly empty, a group of the ones here have taken over their now-empty tents. Show the Countess around, or rest your weary traveling feet over some tea."

“Yeah, nine months is plenty. But whether alive or not, I just want closure. He was like an older brother to me, watched over me when we were orphaned. If there’s even a small chance I could finally find out what happened to him, I’d like to take it,” Kire replied, slinging the sack over her shoulder again. She grinned at Ysaryn’s complaint, waving it off with her free hand. “Come on. I was the stranger who dropped into your lives unannounced with a dangerous mission. This is the least I could do, really.” She grinned at Envy’s comment about the candy. “I’ll set it down there, thanks. And for as long as some candy is left for Aeron, I will look the other way.”

She listened as she explained how Rab and Gavin had been doing under his care, and she looked over at the Gemini, smiling. “Told you he was a decent lad,” she muttered in Narda’s direction, who only shrugged. “Thanks again, Envy. I’ll show my babysitter around, and then come back for tea. You behave, Nard, this isn’t a pirate ship,” she said, to which the giantess chuckled.
“No ‘Countess’, good gods above. Just ‘Narda’,” she said to Envy. “Or I will insist that my stubborn friend here be called Her Majesty.”
“Please no, gods above,” Kire pleaded to both of them, tugging at Narda’s arm as the giantess laughed aloud. “I like him. No-nonsense. Good leader, got a strong spine on him. Not bad-looking, either.”
“You know we aren’t out of earshot of him, right?” Kire said, stepping through to the kitchen. “We’ll be back! We could try the tea together,” she added to Ysaryn with a grin.

Kire showed Narda around as she’d said, taking her to the camp first before directing her to the surrounding forest. She was about to lead her to the spot where they had first decided to rebuild but stopped, clearly seeing the reason for abandoning that plan. From the way Envy talked about the new place, however, Kire knew they were much happier with their recent choice. “Kay,” Narda said, as they conversed while walking along the stream, “if we don’t find him, or we find evidence of his passing—are you prepared for that?”
Kire was quiet, pondering on her friend’s question. “I don’t know. It might break my heart. We already lost him once, and it took me a long while to accept it. Now I’ve gotten myself all worked up again at a feeble hope and—well. I don’t know. Finding that he’d died might be better than not finding anything at all.” She glanced up at her friend. “What about you? You two were close once.”
“I mourned him too, same as you. Or almost. He’s your family. But I’ve known the two of you for practically the same amount of time.” Narda crossed her arms, looking around them. “If it turns out he had died in a place this peaceful, I wouldn’t mind it so much. He’s led a warrior’s life. At the least, I would like to know if he’d had some rest.”
Kire nodded. Narda looked at her, her mind on another question.
“Given everything that had happened to you, is it so wise, befriending this boy? Gavin?”
Kire huffed. “He saved my life. And he has no memory of Amria, or he wasn’t born there at all.” She frowned. “Until he breaks it, he has my trust.”
“It’s just that you used to say the same about Gael.”
“This is different, Nard,” Kire said firmly. “And he’s just a boy. With the right guidance, he’d be his own man. Not Gemini, not blood mage, he’d be offered a choice. You said you thought Envy was a good leader. Trust in that, too.”

They went back inside to the kitchen, where Gavin had a pot of tea and some meat on a spit ready for them. He glanced warily at Narda, both because of the outburst she had earlier, and out of worry that the food might not be enough. “I won’t bite your head off, boy. On my honor,” Narda promised, catching his look.
“I’ll bite her head off if she does,” Kire reassured him. “Now, catch me up to speed on what happened back there,” she said, pointing a thumb outside. “And you tell me what you’ve been learning, exactly.” Gavin grinned at that.
“You got it.”

Over tea and a meal, Gavin told them about the landslide and sickness, and about how they were able to strike a deal with Cordon that would benefit everybody, including Ysaryn’s people. Kire hadn’t had the ‘pleasure’ of meeting and conversing with Princess Risa the first time, but from the sound of it she didn’t miss much. The bit about Ysaryn being some sort of handmaiden Kire didn’t like, but if it helped the elf go about Cordon without getting harassed, she had no right to complain about it. “I’ve been learning a few basics here and there with Envy, and from Ruli, some enchanting skills. A bit of fighting, too, from Zeke and Ysaryn.” The face he made there told Kire those were harder lessons for him than the magic ones, and she shook her head, chuckling.

“It’s never easy. Especially if your body isn’t used to moving a particular way.”
“Mm. You should have seen this one in her early days,” Narda said, nudging Kire with her elbow.
“Ahhh no,” Kire muttered, bending over the table, burying her face in her folded arms. Narda laughed.
“I’ll save it for when we have a bigger audience. Maximize your humiliation, Your Majesty.”
Gavin snickered. Their conversation continued into late afternoon, after which Kire and Narda went out to hunt and forage to get some exercise and not impinge too much on the camp’s stores. Though with the coin they were getting from Cordon, they were doing much better than the last time Kire had been around. They returned just as the sun was setting, and they prepared the fowl they’d caught for dinner.

Ysaryn wandered in part way through tea, listening in silence as Gavin explained his lessons. She grinned behind her teacup, eyes sparkling, when he explained that she'd been teaching him to fight. Clearly, the elf had no mercy for the boy, and had claimed her revenge for his participation in her capture and torture by torturing him in return in the sparring ring.
"Risa is not so bad." She admitted when the conversation turned. "She gets everyone to ignore me, which I like more than the alternative." Ysaryn shrugged delicately. Her eyes shifted between the two women, wondering how the princess would react to them.

When the two broke off to go hunt, Ysaryn busied herself, returning to the duo when they were found in the kitchen prepping their catch. Ysaryn leaned against the wall, watching Kire and Narda curiously. "How is your home, Kirai?" She asked gently, recalling that the woman had her reservations about her throne, and unrest lingered. "If not conversation for here, I will wait." She obliged, opening her mouth to continue when the smell of cinnamon filled the air. Ysaryn grinned wickedly, turning her head to where the newcomer stood just behind Kire. "Welcome back."
"Thank you." Ruli greeted, lowering his gaze questioningly to Narda, and then to Kire. A small smile played on his lips. "You're back." He stated simply.
"Nothing gets past you." Ysaryn teased, pushing herself off the wall. He clicked his tongue at her, watching her approach him. "All is well?"
He nodded. "Mmmhm. Rab chose to stay with Bolym and the others for the night."
"Good." Ysaryn grinned, looking back around to Kire as more introductions were made.

Ruli didn't extend his hand, unsure of how much Narda knew about him, and didn't want to feel insulted by her avoidance. "Nice to meet you, Narda." His gaze went back to Kire. I didn't expect you so soon. His eyes said.

Kire was about to answer Ysaryn’s question when she sensed a familiar signature. Cinnamon. Her mouth twitched into a wide grin for a brief moment. She turned in time to see Ruli, his hair a different kind of unruly now that it had grown out a bit longer. Narda waited for Kire to speak and make introductions, but the Wyvern seemed to have forgotten that she hadn’t said anything yet. The giantess nudged her with her foot. “Oh. Right.” She cleared her throat. “Yeah, I’m back,” Kire said, rubbing her nape. “Ruli, this is Narda. She’s one of my pirate friends. Well sort of. She’s a countess first before we met the rest of the crew. I’m surprised she didn’t sink the ship when she first jumped on it.”
“Your ego is heavier than I ever will be,” Narda retorted, before turning to the newcomer. “Ruli, eh? My pleasure,” Narda replied, though her eyes looked at him appraisingly. “Hm.” She turned to Kire, who was looking up at Ruli with what seemed to the giantess a puzzled look. “Kay.”
“Huh? Right. Want dinner? There’s dinner,” Kire said, pointing to their catch, then standing up. “Be right back, just going to get something.” Narda’s gaze followed her friend as she left the kitchen to go to Envy’s room. Gavin, too, was looking at Kire, puzzled at her absentmindedness.

Kire stepped into the main chamber to see Envy and Zeke talking with each other. “Hello, Zeke,” she greeted, not quite sure how the man would react to her return. “Envy, I’ll just go get something in your room for a moment.” She returned to the kitchen not too long after. “Zeke’s back too, I saw,” she commented.
“’Zeke’? Which one is that again?” Narda asked. Kire rolled her eyes, then turned to Ruli, holding out something to him.
“I know you can handle yourself without weapons, but—yeah. That one’s for you.” She handed him a short sabre. Gavin, in the middle of stuffing his face, ogled the well-made blade.
“That is a lot nicer than the knife you gave me,” he pointed out.
“Well, you’re not getting one,” Kire commented. The sabre’s hilt and sheath had the Wyvern insignia on it. “Consider it payment for breaking your bow,” she said, a small smile on her face. Narda looked between the two of them, humming in thought.

She stared at him. Until Ruli gave an uncertain glance toward Narda, wondering if something was wrong, and then to Ysaryn. Though the elf wouldn't have told him if he had something on his face or not to prompt such stares. When Kire remembered to speak, amusement flickered across his countenance again.
"Dinner sounds good, yes. Thanks." He said, moving to the opposite of the hearth to fetch a plate. Kire left, and Ruli glanced at Ysaryn. "Did she get into your herbs?"
Ysaryn only chuckled, crouching beside him to help herself to the meal.

Zeke turned when he heard a voice, his expression shifting into one that expressed his thoughts; her presence meant trouble. "Hello." He said cautiously, admittedly blanking on her name. She was in an out, and Zeke looked to Envy.
"That was Kire." The elf remarked. "She and her friend Narda are visiting. They have business here."
"That's not good." Zeke sighed.

With his plate in hand, Ruli stood, eating with his fingers. When Kire approached and held out a weapon, he froze, looking from her to the blade, then back. "You're serious?" He asked. Ysaryn, beside him, ogled the blade just as Gavin did. Slowly, Ruli licked his fingers clean before he took the blade, all but pushing his plate into Ysaryn's hands. She frowned at him, looking like she would have preferred he hand her the blade.
"I'm a shit shot with a bow, anyway." Ruli forgave her.
"You may be shit with this, too." Ysaryn prodded, and he snorted, partially unsheathing the thing to peer at it.
He narrowed his eyes and prodded the blade. "Amrian steel?" He asked, glancing toward her. "Feels stronger than what I'm used to." He grinned, sheathing it again. "Thank you. Its lovely. I ... didn't get you anything."
"Is what I said!" Ysaryn said, shoving his plate back in her hands so she could keep eating.

Ruli tucked the blade between his arm and torso so he could eat. He was dressed in his usual earthy tones, his clothing thicker, less ragged. Though he still wore no shoes. His feet carried a bright white sand that declared he'd been near a beach, though the smell he carried resembled caves, more than shore. "So, what are you doing here?" He wondered carefully.

Kire grinned wide when Ruli took the blade and admired it. “Of course. Wouldn’t have gifted anything less,” she said proudly.
“That means she likes you,” Narda said casually over her meal. Kire blushed, frowning at her friend, who smirked as she ate.
“I mean of course I do. I wouldn’t come back here if I didn’t like anybody I met here.” Kire sighed, cursing the way she had been fumbling with her words tonight, and Narda for getting her so easily flustered. What is wrong with you today, Kay? She got herself a plate to eat and sat nearby, then looked up at him again at his question.

“We’re looking for the point of entry for all the stray Amrians,” she said, pointing to Gavin, who muttered an indignant ‘hey!’ at her description. “Make sure there isn’t any other funny business going on with them and, on a more important note, see if there’s any evidence of my cousin getting caught in the world gate and winding up here somewhere. Like we said to Envy earlier, it’s more a longshot than anything else, really.” She started on her meal, thoughtful. “Tell me, what’s the new location like? May I visit?”
Narda shook her head at her friend.

Ruli looked to Narda in surprise, her expression mirrored in Ysaryn's face. "Is that you culture?" She asked. "Give weapons to potential mates?"
"She doesn't like me as a mate." Ruli insisted.
Ysaryn merely pointed to Kire. "Her red face says otherwise." The elf teased, delighted.
Pursing his lips, Ruli ignored her from then on, focusing on Kire's reason for the visit.

"I," he said as she very suddenly switched topics. "Yes, of course. But do you have anything that belongs to your family member?" Ruli asked, turning the conversation back towards the gates. "Has Envy offered to try to scry for your family member?"

"I do, actually," Kire said, pulling out a pin. It had a Wyvern encircling a helmet in profile. "He would wear this on special occasions. He used to be Captain of the Guard and this was his insignia."
Gavin looked to Ruli then. Scrying took concentration, and he hadn't yet perfected it. And to try it on something that came from another world is another matter entirely.
Narda didn't say anything. She would usualy be suspicious of sorcery, though she admitted they could be useful and deadly, depending on the occasion.

"Envy hasn't offered yet, though we did get distracted earlier, right Nard?"
"Mm. Gavin survived, did he not?"
"I'm right here, you two," Gavin, exasperated.
"How long would it usually take, and how accurate would it be to scry?" Kire asked.

Ruli extended his hand for the pin, inspecting it. His thumb traced the wyvern that encircled it, trying to get a feel for the signature. "And you said he is a cousin?" Ruli clarified, being mindful in using the word 'is' rather than 'was'. If they failed to get a potent enough trace from this, adding a drop of her blood would strengthen it. He glanced sidelong at Gavin, meeting the boy's gaze. Not that he would express such a thought here, knowing Envy's ban on blood magic in the lad's presence.
Handing the pin back to Kire, Ruli shrugged. "Depends on the object. Envy will be able to tell you more. With more of Ysaryn's kin around, and easier access to Cordon's stores, we've an easier time obtaining supplies. Few hours, once Envy tells me what he needs." He shoveled more of his food into his mouth, chewing as he spoke. "I can take you to the new place in the meantime. Both of you. Pirates have a history, there." He added to Narda, hoping to get her to make any face except that thoughtful, curious gaze.

Kire appreciated that Ruli assumed Edward was alive. She glanced for a moment at Gavin, who looked eager to hear more about the process. "Thank you. I'll trust your and Envy's judgement on how best to go about it then."
"And here I thought you were being sentimental when you brought that along," Narda commented.
"Well, that, too. But mostly I was hoping they could do that. Ruli's quite good at what he does."

"Mm." Narda gave her a knowing smile again, before turning to Ruli. "A pirate's den, then? Interesting. If this one is done eating before she devours everything on sight, we can go."
"I won't," Kire replied. "I'm almost done, I'll be ready when you are." She considered telling Nard to prepare herself for Shadow-Walking, but given the giantess's near mishap with her portal today, Kire didn't mind her getting a shock.

As the two enjoyed their banter, Ruli turned toward Ysaryn, requesting she get a list of items Envy would need from the Kartaian, and fetch them so they could work. He spoke in elvish, also slipping in the detail that they may need a droplet of Kire's blood, but he wasn't sure. Ysaryn nodded, smiling wickedly to Kire and Narda. "See you soon."

Ruli took his time eating, both to allow Kire time to eat her fill, as well as Narda, who looked like she could eat as much as Envy if given the chance, and to torture Kire's impatience. When he was finally finished, he stood and cleaned off their dishes just to annoy Kire further before he offered his hands to the both of them. "Keep your feet moving, and breathe." He warned Narda before he took a step and yanked them into the shadows.

They emerged onto a pier, the wood creaking beneath their feet as their weight fell upon it. Dusk painted the sky purple and the waters black. Brine filled the air, though it was mixed with the warmth of healthy greenery. "I could have taken you directly into the place," Ruli said, releasing both of their hands and shoving his own into his pockets. "But I thought you'd appreciate the dramatic entry."

The pier ran straight before them, connecting to a white sand beach. A few yards of the soft shore before the cliffs climbed upward, a peninsula that stabbed straight into the sea. Homes dotted the cliffside, abandoned and in need of repair, but sturdy and solid. Made from the cliff itself in most places, while a few had been born of wood or brick, painted to once stand out like little jewels. Orange tiled roofs covered nearly all of them, safe where the buildings themselves had suffered damage.
Further to the left, the southwestern point of the cliff rose higher than the rest, and sported an old castle on its crown. Its walls, while as well built as the rest if the city, were covered in moss an lichen, sea gulls swooping along its base to the nests they'd built in its roots. To the right, the peninsula burrowed into a large mountain covered in tropic forests, the green dark in the setting day.

"I forget what they call this place in the language here." Ruli admitted, allowing them to eye the cliffside a few more seconds before he started for the shore. "Scilabria or something. Its not even on the maps." He admitted. "A storm tore through here a few decades back and a wave devoured a bit of the cliffs, causing a collapse. They left it. Moved inland, some ten leagues away. We have managed, or, at least, Risa managed, to convince him to release it to us. Him being the signore or whatever he called himself. Wasn't a strain, we paid him coin for something he had no interest in."

Their steps echoed on the pier, growing softer as the land beneath the water rose up. Ruli led them across the sand and to the stone steps carved directly into the cliff, winding its way between the buildings like a snake. "Not just the storm. Pirates have been known to harass the cliffs, trying to take prisoners. They just got tired of it, I suppose." He turned his head to smirk at the women from over his shoulder. "They've never come across a group of magic-wielding fiends, though. Envy has some ideas to keep us from being bothered."

Up and up the climbed, around three stories before he cut through a level platform that ducked behind a sizable building and directly into the cliff itself. Inside the cave, the temperature dropped a bit, the wind instantly muted (Envy's tobacco and floral signature tickling as they passed through some ward of his) as they entered the underbelly of the little city. Here, Ruli paused, pointing south. "Beneath the castle is a series of old chambers we're working on clearing out. For Envy." He clarified. "Risa has already claimed the castle, as far as we can think, the elves will take the northern side of the cliff and the houses there, while the Ziadi will take the side we just climbed. Risa thinks she'll rule over them, but it'll likely be Envy from beneath."

“I forgot how cold that is,” Kire muttered when they emerged. Narda, to Kire’s delight, was trying to contain her shock at the experience. But both women fell silent when they looked out at the sea from the pier. Kire gazed out at the fading light for a few moments, enjoying the sea breeze. Each seaside is different, both in Amria and here,, she noticed.
“Kay,” Narda said, tugging on her. Kire turned and stared in wonder at the view. Though the homes looked like they hadn’t been lived in for some time, she was sure that would change soon. She stood there, admiring the cliffside, her eyes wandering to the left, where an old but sturdy castle stood nestled against the rocks. Its make reminded Kire of the Palace’s older ramparts. The lush forest that covered the mountain explained part of what Kire smelled upon their arrival.
“Scilabria,” Kire repeated, her tongue clumsy in her first attempt, as she listened to Ruli’s explanation, the two women following him to the shore and up the carved stairway. Now and then, Kire would look around and behind them, admiring the view. She smirked when Ruli did. “Of course Envy would.” She grinned. She had faith in their confidence. The people of Ziad and Ysaryn’s tribe were all hardy people. Anybody who grew up in the kind of hardships these people had endured so far would survive in a place like this.

The familiar signature of Envy’s wards greeted them as they entered the cave, already a testament to what Kire had just thought. She snorted at the comment about Risa, knowing what Ruli said about Envy leading from underground was most likely true. “This place is good. More than good. It’s beautiful here.” She looked at Ruli, smiling fondly. “Well done. All of you. I’m happy you found this place.”
Narda chuckled. “You do like castles with a view, Kay.”
“Can you blame me? Look at it; the sunsets must be spectacular!” Kire said, grinning. Narda laughed softly, nodding.
“Careful, Ruli. She might not come back to Amria, now that she found one more thing to stay for.”
Kire shot her a glare.

Ruki chuckled, his teeth showing as he grinned before he closed his mouth to hide them. "It's large enough for all the refugees and Ysaryn's tribe. But far from large enough for her ego." He explained to Narda before he turned and wandered toward the underside of the castle.

Voices echoed ahead. Or one did. The other was just annoyed shouting. A few twists and turns before the chamber opened into a large circular cavern with a worn smooth floor. Aeron, Rab, and Bolym stood in the center, the three appearing to be in an argument as they stood over some crates. Other elves stood nearby, silent and impatient.
Ruli whistled, silencing the two, whole Rab dropped his hands. All three looked their way.

"You're back." Aeron said with far less enthusiasm than Ruli had as he eyed Kire. That was the extent of his greeting as he turned to Ruli. "Bolym won't listen."
"He doesn't speak your language." Ruli pointed out as Bolym broke in an angry rant, knowing without the shared tongue that Aeron had complained about him.
Ruli listened patiently. Over the crate, Rab raised his hand to wave amiably to Kire. He then pointed to Narda and raised his hand, palm down. Tall. He dropped his hand to brush his cheek with his knuckles. Beautiful.

Instructions related to put an end to the quarrel, Ruli turned back around. Bolym and the other two lifted the crate and disappeared with it down another winding path. "We're trying to outfit this for Envy, now. So he can move in. He's the reason we linger. So I suppose you had good timing, showing up when you did."

“Ha! I see why you like him, Narda said in Taakalon to Kire after his comment on her ego.
“Stop it. You have the wrong idea. And he’s not interested that way, even if you did.” Kire muttered.
“You can be very wise, Wyvernling. But you can also be incredibly stupid.” Narda patted her head as they followed him down the underside of the castle.
Despite Aeron’s lack of enthusiasm for her return, Kire still smiled at the boy. She raised a hand to wave back at Rab, then he signed something Kire didn’t quite understand, but from the look on the half-elf’s face, she could guess. “Well now. Between the two of us, you’re the one who’s charming everyone,” Kire teased.
“Not a bad height on him,” Narda observed. “Only a little shorter than me.”
“Aeron’s the boy, the angry is Bolym, and that one is Rab,” Kire said quickly as they carried the crate away. Narda looked on, most particularly at Rab.
“You’ve made some peculiar friends,” the giantess pointed out. “Wonder what that one’s story is.”
“If you paid better attention to any of my numerous retellings, you’d know,” Kire muttered, turning to Ruli as he spoke. “Indeed. If I had gone back later to an empty mountain I wouldn’t know what I’ve done.”
“Most likely torn through half the world, probably,” Narda pointed out.
“I know how to ask for directions, Nard,” Kire sighed, before continuing. “So what else needs doing? With both the elves and the Ziadi working together I assume you have plenty of hands on deck? What kind of plan does Envy have against the pirate problem? Hopefully none of them have stubborn giantesses in their crew,” she added, to which Narda chuckled.

"I would have guessed you'd go back to Cordon." Ruli pointed out, his hands still in his pockets. "We've been salvaging what furniture we can, building or buying what is left and necessary. We've naturally had to make Envy's bed." He added, turning to gesture toward one of the three dark corridors that lead out. "The elves are managing nets to catch fish, a few of us wandering into the trees to see what can be found, occasionally to the neighbour city to browse and learn. I'll need to ask Zeke for the name, too." He pondered. "But yes. Alot of hands, thankfully. It will be more lively in the morning. All that really needs done for us is preparing for Envy. He's dragging his feet a little."

"We're entirely south of our continent, about three thousand miles south of Ziad." He offered as a tidbit of information. "Alot is new. The language is weird."

He shook his head and strolled to the southern corridor, following the stone steps that climbed downward with a warning about their slipperiness. It spiraled a few times before opening into a small room packed with small boxes and half made tables. "This will be where he keeps his supplies. Tobacco. Potions. Wardstones." Ruli informed them. "His plan is to create an illusion that, when seen from afar, will make it appear as if the place is still empty. It will go ignored. Anyone who comes near enough will break through, see reality, but we'll know and be ready."
He frowned. "That's the plan. I don't like it, myself. I wouldn't mind being inviting to travelers. Like Cordon." His eyes roamed Narda. "Perhaps you could offer input as to how to protect ourselves. What it would take for you to leave a city be?" He wondered, shifting from foot to foot on the cold stone.

Still averse to boots, Kire noted as they followed him. “I would’ve gone to Cordon, but not without first assuming the very worst for a moment there.”
Narda nodded in agreement. “You are very dramatic.” Kire let that slide, chuckling.
They listened to him explain what preparations they were doing, as well as Envy’s reluctance. Kire understood that well. It was hard enough to flee one’s home because of violence, and to have to acclimate to a totally new place with so much unfamiliarity in it was another level of difficulty. Even she, who had at least the luxury of remaining allies and potential strongholds, had a terrible time adjusting to their new normal. They followed him down to where Envy’s supplies will be kept, Narda commenting about how she was happy she didn’t need to bend or duck to move about.

“I know you started out as desert dwellers, but if you’re going to be settling here for the long haul, learning to be seafaring folk would be wise. You should learn the tempers and humors of the water,” Narda put in. “You have a good resource here, besides the mountain. You should take advantage. As for the illusion, well, it’s always a tightrope walk between prioritizing your safety or your commerce. The more inviting you are, the more trouble you will attract, but any thriving city has that problem. And making friends helps with the safety bit, too.”

Kire smiled as her friend offered her serious input, letting her take the lead here as Narda continued, gesturing vaguely in the direction of the sea. “Firstly, our crew depends on being able to get in and out relatively quickly. A city that has natural fortifications would be harder to approach. Especially if you don’t have any naval capability of any sort. The illusion would be helpful while you’re only just learning to live here and get used to the environment, and afterwards, if you’re more confident about defending your shores, you can consider letting it down. For the moment, though, you’re a young settlement. Unless every member of your community can pick up a sword or bow, I wouldn’t make your home too inviting. Magical defenses are all well and good, but in the end, you must strengthen your own skills.”
“She doesn’t like relying on magic,” Kire whispered dramatically. Narda shrugged.
“If you’re a shit swordsman without magic, you’ll squander your advantage when you do get it,” the giantess commented. "Besides, you didn't like magic, either, until you got that fancy bauble of yours."
“Ugh. Fair enough.” She glanced at Ruli’s feet again and clicked her tongue. “I should’ve brought you shoes, instead,” she commented. "The hair is an improvement, though. And you, where will you be staying? With Envy, I assume?"

He listened attentively, nodding along. She had valuable advice, which he cataloged to for later. Most of which had been said by Zeke already, being the one without any sort of magic to depend on. While Ruli swore that hadn't been the only reason he'd disagreed with the plan, he felt the former-soldier hadn't believed him.
"You and Zeke would get along." He said casually. "You, though." He looked to Kire as she commented on his shoes and hair. "Nothing ever pleases you royals, hm?"

As Kire asked about his sleeping arrangements, he shook his head. "No, I've chosen a house near the top of the cliff." He admitted. "Its small, but I don't need much space. We'll have to find an empty house for the two of you." His eyes unfocused for a moment, his expression reminiscent. "In Ziad, I had a house I could have welcomed you both into. Homey thing with a blue door. Had the ugliest couch." Ruli sighed. He wished in no small part that he could bring that couch here.

With a beckoning hand, Ruli led them back upstairs through the cave system. To the northern side of the cliffs, where the elves had claimed residence. A few wandered, either restless or on some job. They emerged near the top, the view of the darkened sea and the coast that spread upward, twisting and turning like a multi-colored serpent one of the reasons Ruli had chosen a home on this side.
Tapping the door to a building, Ruli then extended his arm toward the water. "My view." He explained. The house itself was small, undoubtedly bearing only a single room, but it had a patio that Ruli could access from outside, as he did now to stand over the tumbling cliff and city to take in the sea and all its glorious colours. "I've seen a few sunsets now. They really are never the same."

Tearing his eyes away from the waters, he grinned to the women. "Would you like to find a home together? If your visits will be frequent, we may as well offer you one to claim. A vacation home for the empress, I suppose." He added teasingly.

“If this Zeke is a soldier, then yes,” Narda commented. Kire grinned.
“Well you got along very, very well with Ed, didn’t you?” she teased. Narda smiled wistfully.
“There is no shame in that. Edward is a magnificent specimen.” Kire stuck her tongue out at that, grimacing, before turning her attention back to Ruli. His earlier statement about his old home, something about it making her brain itch. House with a blue door? She went quiet, frowning in thought, as she tried to remember where she had seen or heard of such a house before. She was silent as they followed him through the caves and up to the northern side of the cliffs. Kire was gladdened to see the elves there, Ysaryn’s people finally having a place to call their own without worry of enslavement, and having human neighbors who wouldn’t discriminate against them. She was sure these cliffside homes would outmatch Cordon, given time.

When they reached Ruli’s home, both women took in the view, very pleased with his choice. “You have a good eye,” Kire commented, smiling out at the fading sunset. Both of them, however, turned to him when he made his offer.
Narda cocked her head in surprise. “You are offering us a home? By the gods, that’s generous,” she said, grinning wide, running a hand through her curls. “It is rather tempting, though you’d have to find a house fit for a giantess. Still not as difficult as finding a vacation home for a dragon-sized ego who does not know the meaning of the word ‘vacation’. But I may have to politely decline, owing to my other obligations in Amria, and the fact that I’ll only ever be able to go here when this one allows me to come along.”
“That didn’t stop you today,” Kire pointed out. Narda snorted.
“And, as one of her oldest friends, I can tell you now that I’d rather not share a house with her. It’s hard enough to be stuck on a ship with her for long periods. You should see how her already sour mood sours further with seasickness.” She laughed aloud, thumping Kire on the back, which made her stumble a step forward, making the Paladin grumble.
“Thanks for vouching for my character. If I’m away from you, that’s definitely a vacation,” Kire muttered to Narda, before turning to Ruli. “That’s—wow. I’ll think about it. I’m sorely tempted to say ‘yes’,” she murmured, smiling. Even now, when the descent of evening meant that the colors had begun to fade to muter darks, the view was gorgeous. She turned back to Ruli. “I used to come to a spot by the beach back home. It was lovely. Of course, I’d rather you direct your resources to your own people, I don’t want to impose, but if you really have one to spare for me, I’ll seriously consider it.” Unaware once again that she was staring, Kire’s attention was on Ruli’s face. He looks so happy. Something about it tugged at her, like she was seeing something she hadn’t known she was looking forward to.

“So!” Narda said, clearing her throat. “For the meantime, we’re staying at a house here? I suppose I can put up with the Wyvernling temporarily.”
Kire snapped out of her thoughts. “You were the one who insisted on coming with me, you big buffoon!”

Rumi's gaze shifted between them after he offered the house, lingering on Narda. After a while, he cleared his throat. "Ahem. Well. Ignoring my fear of you tossing me over the cliffside, I was really offering the empress a home. If she's coming back and forth between here and Amria." Not to mention Narda may very well he more comfortable in Envy's room. The Kartaian would unhesitatingly give her his bed and sleep elsewhere.

"There is also the house Ysaryn claimed. I doubt she'd care if you two used it. Or you can take mine, and I'll manage elsewhere." He shrugged, very much indifferent. He would be busy half the night anyway, and wouldn't be using it.

"Depending on the length of your visit, we can find your own quarters, temporary or otherwise, tomorrow. Might be easier in the daylight. We haven't exactly found torches to illuminate the city yet." An unnecessary find, for now. The elves could see well in the dark and the Ziadi didn't venture much after dark, yet.

Kire looked clearly torn between wanting to be polite and instead staying someplace that wouldn’t dislodge him from his current arrangement and taking up the offer of a room with a spectacular view.
“Why, Kay, is this place too small and humble for the Empress?” Narda teased.
“No!” Kire hissed. “You shut it. Yes, if you don’t mind, we could stay here for tonight and find new lodgings tomorrow. I am rather eager to see the cliffs at sunrise.” Dawns were less dramatic than sunsets, but they had their own quiet beauty that Kire still appreciated. Beside her, Narda stretched, yawning, sincerely looking forward to rest. She, Myka, and the crew had been harassing the Gemini-occupied ports, and she hadn’t had a proper night’s rest for a while, same as Kire. Kire chuckled at her friend, understanding her tiredness. “Thanks, Ruli.”

Contrary to Narda’s teasing earlier, the two had been used to staying in camps, ships, and chambers of every sort throughout their long friendship. After Ruli left, the two stayed in the patio, admiring the serene landscape in silence or carrying on conversation in Taakalon. “You got that look in your eye,” Narda said, “that look that says ‘fuck everything, I want to stay here.’”
“Amria has places like this, I’m sure,” Kire said, though Narda could tell it was a weak defense.
“It’s not just the beachfront, and you know it. And before you punch me again, I don’t mean him, either.”
Kire sighed. “What would Ed say, if he was here, seeing me be all stupid with my decisions again?”
Narda glanced sidelong at her friend. “After everything we all have been through? Maybe he’ll say you should be happy.”
Kire didn’t look quite convinced at that. Guilt, at the thought of not having found him yet, sadness at the idea of losing him a second time, and melancholy at the memory of who Ed had been. He and Jan, the two steady anchors she relied on during her rule. She knew Ed wanted the best for her, but he was a Wyvern, too, and the oldest of the surviving lot. Even before Kire had taken on the burden of the crown, Ed had been learning what responsibility meant.
Narda and Kire lapsed into silence once again for a while until they were too exhausted to stay up any longer.

“Wake up, Wyvernling.” Narda grinned, hunched over her sleeping friend. Kire cursed, pushing her away. The giantess laughed. “I thought you wanted to see the dawn.”
“It is not dawn, you liar,” Kire groaned, turning the other way, wrapping her cloak over herself. “Go back to sleep.”
Narda grinned wickedly. She was much more a morning person than Kire ever was, and she was eager to explore this new world at daylight. “Fine. If you say so,” she said, before grabbing Kire and hoisting her up and over her shoulder.
“NARDA!”
Any of the elves who would have already been awake at the time would have seen the hulking woman carrying another cocooned in a travelling cloak while traversing the winding path. “Put me down, or I swear by all the gods you hold dear—”
“Fine, fine,” Narda sighed, snickering as she set her down carefully outside. Kire glared at her, pointing an angry fist at the giantess’s chin, then sighing, grumpy, as she let it down. The two of them looked about, at the gentle dawn light giving everything a soft, warm glow, and Kire had to admit this was worth getting up for.