[center]
[color=#736AFF][b][h1]Ranbu no Izayoi[/h1][/b][/color]
[/center]

[b]"But of course, child!"[/b] Cid chortled, affording Robin a brief nod. [b]"As I told the young lady here,"[/b] A gesture towards Miina. [b]"I am bound to all of the Goddess's holy ground, the price being that I cannot leave its bounds. 'Tis a simple matter for me to go between holy site to holy site. As for the undead monstrosity, well..."[/b] The priest trailed off, offering a shrug. 

[b]"It took no small amount of effort, but we did manage to fend it off. But that tale would take too long. For now, you all ought to continue on your quest as best you're able. Consult with me when you can via any holy grounds you find. I tend to know before long."[/b]

Before those gathered could leave, Cid called out once more. 

[b]"Oh and, Eve, my child: a moment, if you would please? We have some matters to discuss regarding your progenitor."[/b]

___

The next morning, Eve regarded the party with a solemn stare, having never gone to the inn with the party in favor of whatever long conversation she'd had with Cid.

[color=d3d3d3][b]"I'm sorry, but I won't be joining you from here on. Cid has...many answers regarding me. He can summon Eidolons, after all."[/b][/color] She left the matter at that and bowed her head before taking her leave, though not without an apologetic glance back. 

___

[center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYtHWyrVm30[/youtube][/center]

The boat ride upriver to Brightlam took three more days. During that time, the surrounding scenery changed from coastal town, to jungle, and then finally to a slightly more temperate forest as they approached the forest nation's capital. As soon as the Kirins disembarked from their transport, they were hurriedly ushered by stone-faced guardsmen towards the largest tree-building in the city, where the Grovemasters held council. 

In comparison to the size of the tree that held it, the meeting chambers that Drana Asnaeu's three Grovemasters met them in was far more constrained, the three hooded figures sitting on carved stools overlooking the entrance. 

[b]"Miss Shadesbough and company."[/b] One of the Grovemasters, a female voice, spoke. [b]"Please. Have a seat."[/b] A wave of her hand, and wood shot up from the floor in the form of stools, one for each Kirin. [b]"We thank you for bringing Neve back, though she ought never to have left in the first place."[/b]

This brought a derisive scoff from Izayoi. 

[color=#736AFF][b]"At least she is trying to do something about both the Blight and the occupiers to the north. Tell me, do you intend to simply bury your heads in the sand and pray all of this blows over? Are you even aware of the truth behind this crisis?"[/b][/color]

[b]"Silence, warmonger!"[/b] A second Grovemaster, this one having the voice of an aged male, rasped angrily. [b]"If you have something you believe we should know, you will say it with appropriate respect or be ejected from this chamber."[/b] Izayoi narrowed her eyes at this, her seated self keeping one hand close to her sword. 

[b]"Enough, the both of you."[/b] The final lord of Drana, this one a comparatively younger-sounding man, raised a hand. [b]"If you know something we do not about the Blight, please. Speak."[/b]

The floor was theirs.