Carantathraiel

Wanderers

Her pale face coloured softly as he spoke to her in her own tongue, never quite able to get over the flutter of delight she felt in hearing it. His following comment on the customs of Amria produced a soft chuckle, and the princess extended her silk swathed hand. "You could never me impudent, Edward." She answered, her thin fingers gripping his gently.

As he departed, she turned her attention to the map, adding what landmarks she knew to help them find their way, before she rolled the map and carried it with her, following Ed toward the Amrians. When approached, she bent her head in apology for interrupting. "If I may ask for six of your men or women." Aera requested. "We lay your soldiers to rest in coffins, two to each should be enough to carry them."

With Ed, Kire, Narda, and three of their soldiers followed Aera to were their cemetery lay nestled against the mountains cold face. There was a structure made of marble that protruded out of the mountain; the entrance to the catacombs beneath that housed their own dead. This place of sacred ground outside of it was for those who could not be interred within; so it was sparsely filled. Three boxes lay neatly aligned side by side, a gathering of moonflowers resting on their engraved lids.
Aera stood aside, her dark eyes roaming to the nearby tree that sat on the edge of the cemetery plot; there was a host of lavender flowers growing from the base of it. She stared at it for a time before shifting her attention back to the others, guiding them back out wordlessly when they'd hoisted their deceased.

Conhal was waiting for them. The only evidence that he'd been woken from a sound sleep was the subtle lines if his pillow against his neck. He bent low to Aera, who stepped up to him to speak low, offering him instructions on where to take their group. He nodded in understanding, and Aera turned to the others. "Cohnal will gather the rest of your party, and than lead you to the border." She bent at the waist, her black hair falling over her shoulder. "I bid you all safe travels. May you have joy and laughter until our next meeting."

Ruli and Ysaryn were directed out of the holding corridor, the elf still wearing her borrowed clothing, but her leathers and weapons, including Ruli's sword, were tucked against her torso. The bracelets had been removed, and she looked deeply pleased about it. Beside her, Ruli was still fidgeting, looking every bit like an animal that just wanted to run and expel energy. Cohnal muttered a pointless threat to them both, and Ruli and Ysaryn snarled in unison.

Their journey to the border was longer than their journey in; they moved directly outward, leaving the mooncourt behind them. Cohnal walked relentlessly, apparently holding no inclination to slow his pace for the coffin bearers. Ruli was silent and strained, Ysaryn casting amused glances his way. It wasn't until Cohnal turned to them and announced they'd arrived at where Aera had indicated that Ruli groaned and vanished immediately.
Cohnal, looking relieved at his disappearance, pulled the map from his robes and offered it to Kire. Immediately after, Ruli reappeared, looking wind tossed and damp; his skin smelling of rain. "Storm." He said shortly to Ysaryn. "Take them to the caves." He reached into his tunic and withdrew Kire's ring from one of his hidden pockets, offering it to her.
"Thank you, Cohnal." Ysaryn said. "You're dismissed."
The male bristled, curling his lip at her, but he moved away, stepping just on the other side of the group, no doubt just inside the border, to observe.

They split the group up, Ruli with all his built up energy taking seven on his own and vanishing instantly, without so much as a warning to the Amrians about how it would feel. He stepped into the caves with them, gesturing with his hands for them to step back and make room for the others as Kire and Ysaryn brought the rest. He counted, his pale eyes moving from body to body before he once more vanished without so much as a word. Ysaryn slipped away shortly after, muttering about her clothing.
Outside, the rain roared loudly, the rolling thunder echoing against the rocks.

"I gather that went well." Envy's voice came as he cautiously stepped forward, having waited until he heard enough familiar voices. He bore today a bright teal top with purple stripes. "You sound happy enough that I feel I may accurately guess you found your cousin?"
Introductions were made, Envy listening patiently, before he nodded in the direction of Ed. "Your cousin was very concerned about you. I am very pleased to know you've been well cared for."

He turned, searching, his nose pointing at Zeke. "How is Aera?"
"She wrote back." Zeke announced instead, fishing into his pocket to withdraw a handful of folded papers. "I, uh. I'll help you read them, later."

Envy extended his hands and gathered the papers against himself, his clutch gentle on what he deemed precious to him. "Thank you." He said to Zeke before looking back around to the others. "Rab and Aeron have found spare houses on the southern side, they'll show you whe-, erm. Boys?" He called, and the two both rushed in from outside, drenched and grinning wickedly. Envy paused, listening to their breathing. "Please show the Amrians where they'll be sleeping. And make sure you dry properly or you'll fall ill."
"Alright." Aeron said, pushing strands of his soaked hair from his face. Rab made a noise that could have been laughter.
Envy turned back toward the Amrians. "I gather many don't speak our language, so please inform them they have the freedom to go anywhere and do anything they please so long as its not destructive. Knowing the Raielwen's dislike for meat and Kire's love for it, we have four spits cooking, pork and venison, as well as a squid stew. Clothing has been provided in each of the homes, though I have no idea if they'll fit. The hearths will dry their own clothes, however."
"Turns out Rab is really good at setting fires." Aeron mentioned with a grin, looking around to Rab, who smirked.
"Don't make me ground you both." Envy answered, and both their smirks dropped.

Wanderers

"I will toy with this map a little more." Aera promised. "Add a few landmarks that will help." She gestured apologetically at the vague map, her eyes scanning the paper as if already planning each mark she'd make. As Kire moved off, she turned to a lingering servant. "Please wake Cohnal. See that he will be ready to escort our guests to where I instruct him."

As Ed remained behind to speak to her, she smiled softly. "You are very welcome." The elf responded. "A long time ago, unfortunate circumstances found me half dead at the feet of someone who had long been my enemy. He extended a hand and kept me alive. Gave me friendship in places I never thought I would find it." Her expression was warm. "I thought I would pay the favour forward. So far, it has been greatly rewarding."

Slowly, she tucked a gloved hand into a hidden fold of her dress and withdrew something. When she held out her palm, a round brooch, about the size of a coin, rest on the soft silk fabric. There was a moon flower made of a white-toned metal in the center, with twisting and braided whorls beneath. "Should you ever have the desire and capability to return, this will tell our scouts you are a friend." Aera raised her gaze to him, tucking her hands into one another once he'd taken it. "You will always be welcome here, Edward of Amria."

Wanderers

Ruli snorted when Kire called them hopeless, releasing his grip on the bars to pace again. He dug his knuckles into the small of his back, as if trying to ease the pressure the wards sent against his spine. Ysaryn smirked at Ed before looking back to Ruli. "I will stay with you." She told him as the Amrian's filtered out. "Maybe gossip about these elves will make you feel better, hm?"
"Easy." Zeke warned, and both Ruli and Ysaryn shot him a dark look. "They are helping us, if you haven't noticed." He turned and followed the others, leaving Ruli and Ysaryn alone.

Tailing behind the others, Zeke studied the three from behind. Kire seemed to chomp at the bit often, while Ed was the stone to her fire. Sturdy, strong, grounded. He hadn't decided on Narda, yet. But, Gods, she was tall. His grey eyes roamed her strong shoulders, wondering how Envy felt about her.

Aera stood on the second tier, along the edge where she could watch them approach and they could see her well enough to know in which direction to head. Before her, on the marble railing, was a cup of tea brought to her by one of the servants, already half gone. Calming tea, for her nerves that had frayed when she debased herself by speaking to him. Aera inhaled and sighed, sipping once more as the group crested the stairs. "I am having the map brought here." She offered before they could inquire about the lack of papers before her. "Have you all eaten?" She wondered in return, turning to have something brought out, regardless.

When the maps were delivered, by a tall blond male with dark blue eyes who frowned at Ed as if the Amrian had displaced him, he splayed it on the table. With the corners weight down with small stones, Aera dismissed him and stood before it. It was quite vague; it seemed the Raielwen were not willing to divulge much in regards to their territory. "This," Aera pointed to a spot on the map that beheld nothing but empty space. "is where you entered our territory." She informed them as if she could see far more than they could on the sparsely adorned paper. The the princess drew her finger sideways, to the west. "This is where we found the majority of your men. These markers indicate where each was found, in order. You were the third." She added to Ed, glancing at him from beneath her dark lashes. "The first was your brunet soldier with the freckles. The second is one of the three who did not make it." Her fingers tapped on the corresponding markers.

"Not long before, we felt a surge rip through our wards. A power that was unsettling and dark. Part of it moved, away from our borders. We were inclined to lie in wait for the rest of the disturbances to settle, but there was something about the way you all felt. So we investigated."
Sighing, she went back to the map, gesturing to a blank spot. "This is where the disturbance originated. If I had to guess, this is where your gate is. I forbade my people to go near it, and to give it a wide birth." Aera swallowed. For all she knew, more bodies lay near it, abandoned for the sake of safety.

"To get there, we will deliver you to the edge of our borders, then you head due west for two miles. When you begin to feel it, angle yourselves southwest, and its not far." Her finger tapped a spot, the edge of their territory where they would exit. "Just tell him to return you here, and it will be easy to find." Aera said, meaning Ruli and his Walking. Not once yet had she been able to say his name.

Wanderers

Ruli's gaze shifted from Kire to Ed as they spoke, the latter correcting her to emphasize that she was not doing this alone. He gathered that this was a habit of hers, taking on the world on her own. Somehow, that didn't surprise him. They look similar. Ruli agreed with Kire's statement in the woods. 'He looks like me.' She hadn't been lying. The same angle of the eyes, the same shade of blonde, the same way they carried themselves. Proud. Their bodies were relatively relaxed, comfortable and glad to be near one another.
They smelled like the elves, though.
At least he did. Kire smelled like mineral water.

He groaned and bent, the bars crying in his hands as he squeezed them. "So we're just waiting on whatever she went to get?" He demanded, his torso parallel to the ground for a few seconds before he straightened again, now rolling his shoulders. There was no sign of Kire's Ring, but the sword she'd gifted him had been removed from his belt and set on the cushions behind him. "Then we're leaving with them. Your men." Ruli stated back, trying to understand. He should have just asked Aera to let him leave ahead of them, let him out.

"And of course, you're not going to this thing alone." Zeke said casually behind them.
Ruli glanced his way, still frowning. "Well, look. Something we agree on." He snarled.
Zeke frowned back at him, and Ysaryn rolled her eyes and cut them off. "We fought beside you once, Kirai. We glad to do it again." She smiled wickedly at the Amrian woman. "Plus, I want to see how you friends fight." She added, gesturing to Narda while her eyes fell on Ed.

Wanderers

Aera lowered her chin as Kire thanked her. "A risk of trust, well rewarded." The princess answered, meeting Ed's warm look. Her own eyes flashed in kind response. She held his gaze as the Empress turned to the dark skinned elf, who raised her chin in thought.
"Yes." Ysaryn answered briefly. "Enough room." She thought to mention that her people, crammed inside the slums for so long, had often slept elbow to elbow. She herself, even as her father's daughter, had slept with someone or another using her leg as a pillow, while she used someone else as one. A few days of it once more wouldn't kill them. But she felt no desire to betray that fact of her people's suffering in front of the Raielwen princess.
Not that she believed it would matter. The cliffside city was vast, and with not only the northern side far from full of her people, the southern side contained the very few survivors of Ziad. There was room for fifteen men and women, easy.

When Ed turned toward her again, Aera's eyes shifted back to the Amrian from the dark elf she had been observing. Her face was blank again, but her eyes not as cold as before. "Ah." She said, inhaling in thought. "I will gather than information for you. We have kept records." She listened politely to the exchange between cousin and cousin, listening to the language they spoke with interest. Few languages outside of their own was spoken here in the Moon Court, the common language making its roots only because of her own knowledge and persistence. She had for a while asked Ed to try to teach her this language of his homeland, but it was so heavy on her tongue she'd given up quickly. Only being able to recognize perhaps a half a dozen words, at best, Aera gave up trying, their speech far too fast.

As it seemed they decided to involve the others in their party, Aera cleared her throat. "I must also raise an somber topic." The dark-haired princess spoke as she began to walk with them toward the holding cell and the fiend within. "We have a small number of your soldiers who were not so lucky in recovery." Aera informed Kire delicately. "Their bodies have been cared for and laid to rest, overseen by your cousin, but I have every reason to believe you will want them returned to your home. We will make this as easy as possible for all involved."

As they neared the archway that led to where Ruli was held, Aera's expression hardened again, but her steps were unfaltering. Ruli, inside, was still pacing, and clearly waning in patience and strength. Sweat coated his skin, the cell reeking of it, and he had purple crescents beneath his eyes from lack of sleep. He went the bars when the group approached, his blue eyes quick as he took in their faces. "Are we leaving?" He asked, his voice unable to hide the hope he felt. His eyes fell on Ysaryn as she stood in the elven silks, the stiffness in her shoulders, and the lack of a limp. Then his eyes snapped to her wrists, as if he could see the bracelets hidden beneath her sleeves.
"Soon." Ysaryn promised him gently. The word echoed, Aera having said it at the same time. The two elven women glanced to one another; the purple gaze utterly guarded against the challenging fuchsia stare.
Ysaryn gave first, lowering her gaze to the floor. Seeing Ysaryn back down, Ruli turned to growl at Aera.

She looked utterly unbothered, but her eyes were empty and cold once more. "You have a fine group of allies around you." She stated simply. The only tell of her emotions was the hammering flutter of her pulse in the hollow of her throat. Aera opened her mouth to say more, but her words were lost. Instead, she turned to face Zeke, a muscle feathering in her jaw. If I can speak to him, so can you, her stare seemed to say before she turned away. "I'll fetch the information you need and leave you to speak among yourselves." Aera said, her voice muted as she left the corridor.

Zeke watched her, his grey eyes disapproving, but he turned to face the others, waiting patiently.
"Have they harmed you?" Ruli asked Ysaryn quietly, glancing to Ed for a moment when he recalled that he could speak the language.
Ysaryn grinned and shook her head. "I am fine. I swear it. Aside from dirty looks, they've done nothing, and you know I give as well as I get."
Ruli's pale gaze went to Kire, then. "What are you waiting for, then?"

Wanderers

Ysaryn only twitched, glad that everyone was eager to leave, and not only her and Rulitus. Kire, at least, wasn't forced to wear these damned things, and Narda had no magic to speak of. Ysaryn raised her head, suddenly aware that she hadn't seen Zeke since they were locked in the cell together. She should ask about him, later.
At least they couldn't lose track of Ruli.

"Judging from the way they act, yes, it is a backhand. 'Strong one', as if they thought you would have given up." Ysaryn wrinkled her nose. "Despicable. Strength should be honoured." She opened her mouth, then closed it. "But, I cannot speak against it. Had you landed in our slums nine months ago, many of mine would have argued to cut you throats." Ysaryn glanced sidelong at him. "Sorry. Men had long abused us. We are not trusting, either." She rubbed the spot on her abdomen where the cut had been made against her flesh, feeling the scar through the thin silk.
"A long time ago, we were more trusting. Perhaps, in the new home, we will become again. The Ziadi know we are not the elves that hunted them and destroyed their city. So perhaps they will not grab they children when they see us."

As Kire and Narda appeared, Ysaryn glanced to Ed and let them unite, her hands still fists in her pockets. While out of the way, she observed the way the Amrian soldiers lined up, their eyes on Kire like she was a dream. Their Empress, out of the shadows to spare them from this cruel world of vegetarians with rods up their arses.
Speaking of which, Ysaryn caught movement from the corner of her eye and turned her head to find Zeke standing beside a dark haired elf she assumed to be Aera, judging by the deep set of purple eyes. They both watched the Amrians speak to one another, as they bowed in awe to their Empress. A few of the Raielwen guards, or guides, whatever they were calling themselves, glanced toward their princess in question.
As Ysaryn looked back to the princess, she gave a soft shake of her head, expressing that this behavior didn't bother her.

Interesting. Ysaryn looked back to the soldiers, watching the exchange.

"She must be a great leader." Aera commented idly to Zeke. "Despite the fact that she doesn't currently hold her seat of power."
Zeke shrugged. "I haven't interacted with her much, but she seems genuine." He took steps as Aera moved down the stairs to approach the Amrians and her own kin, clasping her ever-gloved hands before her.

"I am please to see you reunited with your Empress." Aera said loudly to the Amrians, knowing at least the majority of them would understand. Those who didn't had others to translate. She then turned to Kire. "Not many of our numbers can withstand sunlight. But any assistance you need in getting your men and women home at last, we will gladly offer." Aera promised. "I would say you are invited to stay as long as you'd like, but beside the fact that these warriors are likely very eager to return to their families, you have a very irate party member in our possession who may very well begin biting the next hand who tries to feed him."

Wanderers

Ysaryn grinned. "She did warn about her cooking. She has made no attempt. I think she is aware we have suffered enough." She wandered along beside the Amrian, still absently fidgeting with the bracelets, though that stopped when one of the Raielwen elves they passed eyed her critically. Recalling the warning of their guide that they would not hesitate to harm her, Ysaryn dropped her arms and shoved her hands into her trouser pockets. "Whatever they decide to call the city, it is pleasant. Good smell. Strong stone. Lovely view."

Her fuchsia eyes turned toward him. "What of your tall friend?" Ysaryn asked. "She can cook, yes? Perhaps, if not, she and Kirai can give instructions, and I may try. Not all of us who can wield a sword are disasters in the kitchen."

She fell quiet as Ed knocked on the door and spoke to his soldier, the elf standing aside but listening with interest. The tongue they spoke, the way Ed spoke it to the man, the respect and reaction the man had before bowing (so much bowing!) and obeying. Ysaryn studied Ed curiously. Knew enough from Kire and Narda to know he was a leader of sorts. She could tell from his posture that he was a good fighter. Strong. And he had the loyalty of his men, who had lived here, willingly or not, on his guidance.

"Mine?" Ysaryn chewed on the inside of her cheek for a moment. "We are not Raielwen. I assure that." The elf mused. "We have not had good lives. No prosperity. But it is changing. With Kirai's journey here, with the help offered to her, we have found a way to a gooder, erm. Better life." She considered it in more depth. "We take pride in combat. The ability to stand a ground. We are loyal to the chief and his family, as is me. It is our duty to see to the well of all the tribe. Much like any chief. Like Kirai, with her throne. Yes?" She asked, glancing toward him.
Ysaryn followed his guidance, having no idea where anything was in this marble maze. Her skin still itched due to the bracelets, and it irked her not to be yanking on them repeatedly, to not be putting in an effort to break free. Knowing they were currently out of sight of any Raielwen, Ysaryn withdrew her hands from her pockets, inspecting the bracelets again. "We are not allies with this tribe." Ysaryn grumbled, gesturing to the blasted accessories. "There is no trust, and I cannot wait to be out. How Rulitus has volunteered to remain in the prison is out of my mind. At least here I can see more and be distracted."

She threw her hands back into her pocket as she heard footsteps, and Ysaryn inhaled, rolling her shoulders uncomfortably. "The fact that you learn the language is impressive. How many of them are aware?" Ysaryn asked him with a mischievous smirk.

Wanderers

Ysaryn barely slept; besides the anxiety that coursed through her over the idea of sleeping here, among these elves, so far from where she felt safe, she didn't feel right. The bracelets. She tossed and turned, occasionally waking to try to pry them off again, only to find there was no way to remove them short of severing her hands from her wrists. She wasn't powerful in the ways of magic, and didn't suffer as much as Kire had, but wearing these stupid things made her feel like she slept beneath a heavy, itchy blanket. It was hard to get comfortable.
At some point, she rose and, with a soft snarl, she quite literally tore the dress off of her, tossing it off her cot so she could sleep in nothing but her cloth bra and the pants she'd claimed. It helped, but the elf still struggled to rest.

By the time morning came, she'd given up all hopes and moved to the little stream within the stone wall. Using one of the sleeves of her torn dress, she rinsed her skin, tearing off the bandages binding her leg to rinse free the salves and medicine the Raielwen had coated her flesh in.
After washing and re-braiding her hair, she rummaged through the wardrobe again, finding a silk shirt to cover herself.

Then, it was just a matter of waiting. Narda woke after she did, then Kire, who looked like she struggled quite a bit to keep awake. Around noon, Ed arrived, and Kire asked for a bath. Ysaryn frowned, having completely forgotten they could ask for one. With a shrug, she followed after the others, unwillingly slipping on the sad little slippers the healers had provided.

Walking after the other three, she felt naked. No leathers. No weapons. No magic. If things turned for the worse, she'd have to rely on the other two, or three, or four, if Zeke found them, to remain unharmed. And the chance of that? Ysaryn had eyed the guide just as Zeke had. Most of the elves here had little else to do but practice and perfect their bodies and skills.

"Hm?" Ysaryn looked up when she heard her name. Ed. "Och. No. I am daughter of a chief. Not a lady." She insisted, falling into step beside him. Her braid swayed lazily behind her. "I understand. I rarely let on that I knew the common tongue. Listened to men talk. Sometimes the surprise is fun. You already know you are pretty. Is no matter to me that you know I think it." Ysaryn flashed her sharp canines at him.
"I listen to you and Kirai speak. Are you to stay with us by the sea until you can leave?" She wondered. "I cook well. No doubt you miss meat, hm?"

The Amrian women were led silently into the mountain, the corridors muted in comparison the the night light hours. The halls were cooler, the warmth of the court less potent, but the flower smell lingered, even when the ceramic planters and urns disappeared.
On the second tier, Farryn directed them into a small corridor that swooped down a set of stairs and into the belly of the mountain itself into a short but wide chamber. It arched upward, enveloped in darkness. The sound of droplets sounded on the stone floor as water built up and fell from the ceiling. On either side were two round pools of water, partially hidden from view by more dividers. All four of them steamed lazily, the mist rising up from behind the barriers. The sound of disturbed water betrayed that someone was already present, though they remained unseen.

Farryn turned to speak in elvish to them both, indicating to her robes, and gesturing to the stone shelves along each wall, above a set of cubbies that held neatly folded drying robes. She gestured a few more times, to the water, to the dividers, while still speaking, trying her best to explain regardless of the difference in language.
When she finished, she bent low in a bow and swept from the room to wait.

Wanderers

Ysaryn chuckled lowly, watching Kire to ensure she didn't actually murder her friend like the giantess predicted. As Kire lay herself down and stared upward thoughtfully, Ysaryn watched her. "Yes and no." She admitted. "My first bedding, I quite enjoyed." The elf grinned wildly. "Much older male. After a battle four ten years back. Against a group of men who came to burn us out of our homes, chase us deeper into slums." Ysaryn inhaled and sighed. "Much heart racing after fight. Blood pump, as they say. We met eyes and just-" Ysaryn clawed her hands and brought them together. "-all night. He did not care I was Scindere's daughter and hair." She frowned, translating in her head. "Heir. To him, I was a strong woman who fought beside him, and he a male who could handle me." Ysaryn grinned wistfully. "He did not make it another five years. Another fight. He did not survive."

Sighing, she rolled onto her side to face Kire, her head propped up on her arm. "Now, yes. Is not so easy. I know what I deserve, and cannot find a mate to meet."

Wanderers

Training with the elves. Ruli's eyebrows twitched upward in surprise. Never did he imagine the elves would allow that. But her mention of Ysaryn made him forget his rude comments. He was relieved she was alright. The his mind repeated her words. Tomorrow. Outside. No need to restrain. The bars whined as Ruli gripped them harder. Tomorrow. Outside. No need to restrain. "Fine." He said shortly when she told him ... whatever it was as a goodbye. He wasn't listening. He leaned back again, glaring once more at the wards, before he resumed his pacing.

Ysaryn chuckled, stretching in a yawn. She felt more rested than Narda sounded; her time on the medical bed more refreshing than she wanted to admit. "Being chieftess is not always easy when it is to bed mates." Ysaryn sighed. "The ones who are eager are not worth it. The ones who are worth it are not eager. Or have mates already." She frowned, thinking of a certain blond who had turned out to be far from eager. Ysaryn was working on convincing herself he was no longer worth it.

She was quiet, thoughtful, until she heard the door open, and Ysaryn raised her head from her pillow. Her unbound hair swept off the side of the cot and dangled onto the clean floor like a curtain.
"While I like the bed, I, too, cannot wait to leave." Ysaryn admitted, dropping her head again. Then she grew a wicked smile. "We were speaking of how many you have taken to bed." She teased, her teeth showing. "Maybe you are not so good with the tongues?"