Welcome to Gaia! ::

Asmyrra mulled over the words of the angel as she hastened her steps, following behind the pale figure. While a small number of her race did have dealings with the Earthen folk, her city had not had a great deal of information regarding the sort of things those clever folk created. Certainly nothing that hinted at the kind of mechanical wonder that Miss Rosso's ship had shown them over the last day.

The other part of her words nagged faintly at the commander's mind, as well. Relm. Clever mind associated the name with the tower that they had just left, guessing it had some reference to the Kae'Dryn. After all, why not? The Kae'Dryn was said to be more than old enough to remember the Dragon Wars... But the way the pale woman spoke, it indicated a closeness of relation that was far more than any of her kind would claim to the ancient and temperamental Weaveshaper. Perhaps the Kae'Dryn had been some unmentioned ally during the wars?

Rather than replying verbally, however, Asmyrra merely kept pace with the hurrying angel, carefully measuring her exertion in the thin mountain air against the faint numbness lingering near her heart, remaining vigilant of any hint of pain. After all, the small ship had said so much on closer examination than any words could probably manage to Asmyrra, and it would likely do the same for the Lady. As Evalin was inside the ship, Ash would be more than able to take a closer look...

The apology caused witch to slow her step just as she was passing a porthole. The girl had realised her impulsive response was in error and had acknowledged it. No, she was not a fanatic. Just young and with nothing but the recycled words of the Order to guide her. The dark head of the shadowy figure canted slightly to the side in thought.

Iris was not in the habit of receiving apologies. Humans were too oblivious, Elves too proud. The closest Dwarves ever came to remorse was a humbled grunt. Her sisters... well, they spoke with their eyes. And Relm...

An annoyingly familiar and decidedly unwelcome energy coming into range curbed the witch from that train of thought. Colourless eyes narrowed and a whispered murmur fell from her lips, extending forth a mental brush to locate the undesirable.

The Angel.

What was she doing here so early? Iris had been sure that the feathered nit would remain at the tower with Relm until at least dawn. Perhaps her little stunt with the newcommers had angered the ancient magi more than the angel anticipated. If so Relm would probably be locked in her quarters and in the midst of a minor rampage of irritation. Iris chose to ignore the slight twinge of smug satisfaction that briefly emerged from that possibility. Relm was her dearest friend. She would go to her.

But where would that leave Eva? Shifting her weight to turn her body further in the halfing's direction, the witch internally explored the consequences of this unexpected arrival. She had counted on the idea that the angel would not attempt to assist until morning. That would have provided enough time for the spell to repair the majority of the internal damage. A delving would only show minor injuries from that point, and Eva could have convinced the angel that divine assistance was unnecessary. If such a delving were performed now, the extent of the damage would be severe and the angel would not be so easily swayed.

This could be a problem. Although she was not sure how much the angel knew about the weave, as a long time friend of the Kae'dryn she might be able to recognize that the girl had recently received magical healing. Even then, however, Iris doubted the feathered nit would be clever enough to identify the type of magic and the harm her own divine intervention would bring. Not to mention the sickness that would come should Evalin continue the medicinal dosage if there were no injuries to treat. The colourless gaze flickered back to the halfling. The medicines were not poison and therefore could not be cleansed through the angel's priestly magics. They would have to work their way through Eva's system naturally.

"They are coming," that soft, steady voice broke through Eva's guilt-ridden silence. The witch was torn. The girl had proven herself practical but heavily influenced by the Order's teachings. Evalin had trusted Iris in action, but had no faith in her words. Would a reminder of the witch's earlier warning make any difference? Should she bother at all? Did she care? Quickly she settled upon a compromise.

"The 'seed' will put you to sleep. Do not take it until they have left" ... or they will undoubtedly come upon your sleeping form, remove any option of choice from you and attempt to heal you outright, naively causing even more damage in the process, the last part of the sentence finished only in the witch's mind, unshared with her erstwhile patient.

The halfing had apologised. If she meant it, she would be brave enough to trust Iris's earlier recommendation and find a way to curb the angel's advances. If she didn't, well... Iris would know soon enough. The competency level of the angel in question did not spark any assurances. That damned fool could kill the girl if she was not careful. Hopefully the halfling would take her words to heart. Her word against an Angel. The irony was not lost on her. If the girl would foolishly believe the word of a black winged Sin Eater over the white winged Angel of Dominion, she might just allow the black witch's warning over the well-intentioned fawning of a speckled winged git.

Forgoing any ceremony of parting, the witch slipped behind a stack of crates sitting a few feet from the porthole. A dark hand moved out to release the clasp and open the small, circular pane of glass before disappearing behind the crates again. In another moment there was a flutter of wings and a jet black raven hopped up upon the top most carton of wood. It peered purposefully at the halfing for a moment before spreading wing and escaping through the porthole into the night skies.

Morning would bring news if the girl had lived or died. Washing her hands of the situation, the ebon feathered bird made her way back to the tower. It was time to check on Relm.

Although pleased with the unprompted apology, Nae Nae was still smarting a little from their earlier encounter. Truth be told, he seemed sincere and pleasant enough. But truly, he couldn't even remember her name? She waited for a moment, half expecting Cyrillia to introduce them as she still wasn't sure what to call him either. When the introduction does not come, she subtly peeks an eye towards her fellow apprentice. Seeing the other girl still staring in wonder at the human knight standing before them, she releases a well deserved sigh.

"I am Naeloni of the House of Dalearin. My brother, Heron, and I are also apprenticing here with the Kae'dryn," she responds politely, trying desperately hard to keep her patience in tact when the knight was obviously attempting to make peace. "I see Cyrillia has shown you your quarters for the evening. I hope they will do."

Despite her slight off-humor created by their earlier interaction, Nae could not help but remember the look on the Kae'dryn's face when she vanished up the stairs. She had never seen the sorceress so angery before. Maybe she should try to talk to this man, warn him of the possible consequences their actions would face in the morning.

"I can bring you some stew, or you can accompany me to the kitchens if you'd like," she offers, secretly hoping he'll take the hint. "It would be good for one of your party to know which areas of the tower are open to you and what is not."

I am a leaf on the wind...

Bringing her jog to a stop beside the pale-hued angel, Asmyrra allowed her own violet gaze to drink in the sight of the small ship settled in the waters of the lake before them. Her inescapable memory noted some of the faint damage marring the hull, compared the slight angle the deck sat at against what she had first seen... She couldn't even begin to imagine what sort of construction the vessel had, but the alarming trip through the debris field did not seem to have made much of an impact on the ship.

That slanted gaze shifted to her companion as she spoke, however, the spellweaver concentrating on the matter at hand. Memories spooled quickly behind her eyes, reminding her of how they boarded initially...

"...There is some kind of ladder, but I am not sure we have the means of bringing it down to us," she stated quietly after a moment's thought, still savoring the lack of lingering pain in her chest. The wounds finally seemed to be a matter of the past, rather than a persistent concern. "The inventor did something to a small hole on the side of the hull, but... We were standing on a dock. Here, we would be swimming..."

Pausing at that stage, Asmyrra returned her gaze to the ship, absently catching the corner of her bottom lip between her teeth and worrying it a bit as she thought. It wouldn't take her a terrible amount of effort to shape a Weave that would grant her brief flight, especially compared to the rigors of swimming in those icy waters again. The lady beside her would certainly have no trouble, being an angel and all...

Four Leaf waved her hand and stuck out her tongue playfully at Molly. It had not been the first time she had met the business end of that ladle, but she swore she'd be faster than it one day.

However, this day, she was more than happy to follow her friend's directions. After tossing more logs into the fire, Kari strode over to the shelf the wee healer's drinks were kept on. She slid her eyes across each of the labeled jugs. "Let's see..." she whispered to herself. "Duncan's Lobster Scrumpy? Woul'na settle right with the roots. Blackadder's Bowel Basher? Not wit' one arm ailin. Firefly's Faerie Stumpet? The very thin' I was lookin' to pass." Until finally her eyes laid on the jug she had personally delivered, causing them to light up. "Ah, Liulfr's Liquid Courage. A bit unfair, but a good'un for t'night's victory."

Kari took the jug, two mugs, and then performed a balancing act of her own. She barely managed to make it to the table with the precious cargo in tow. Four Leaf set the jug down roughly and danced the mugs across the top with a fancy spin. All that and not a scratch. Four Leaf indeed!

She poured a generous helping of her family's brew for herself and the good friend sitting across from her. She took her mug and took a sniff of the fine spices. With a satisfied exhale she then raised it toward Firefly. In their native tongue she toasted, "To days long past, and the many yet to be had!"

Nae blinks in surprise when Cyrillia abruptly excuses herself and turns to leave. Oh no you don't! she thought to herself, You aren't leaving me to entertain the human alone! Who else would help her warn them about the Kae'dryn and their precarious position here?

"Cyrillia, Heron is away overnight at the markets. I could use some assistance in the kitchens, if you are not otherwise engaged." As she waited for an answer, Nae Nae reflected on her shy companion and her time thus far at the tower. Cyrillia had not been with them for long. Nae knew she came from a good family and she had all of the proper mannerisms of a good Elvin lady in training. Unfortunately, shy and passive were not qualities that the Kae'dryn held in regard. Nae was becoming increasingly worried about her friend. She had come to like Cyrillia very much.

Nae, herself, was extremely shy when she arrived at the tower. Memories of the Kae'dryn's disapproval and subsequent decision to provoke her to 'buck up' still brought a faint discomfort to the young maid. Yes, she was absolutely stronger for it and in a way she was grateful that the Kae'dryn gave her a chance. But she knew that with the behavior her friend was displaying, it would not be long before the ancient magi turned those harsher attentions towards the newest apprentice.

Well, at least Cyrillia would have Nae to help her through it, just as Nae had Heron when it was her turn. They would just have to stick together.

I am a leaf on the wind...

Seizing her mug by the handle, Molly clinked it against Four Leaf's offered toast. "Here, Here!" she conceded, also switching to their native tongue. She took a healthy swallow of the signature brew before returning her attention to her stew. The next hour passed pleasantly, filled with the playful bantering and goodhearted groans that only the oldest of friends can appreciate. Eventually the stew bowls were empty, their bellies full and only crusty breadcrumbs remained of their royal repast. Around this time the special brew was replaced by mugs of steaming warm cider, accompanied by crispy sweet biscuits.

Happily snuggled in the pleasant lull that a full tumkin and warm drink can provide, little Firefly had fallen silent, content to simply watch the flames dancing against the shadows of the hearth. It wasn't until many moments had passed that her internal musings surfaced into public domain.

"Tha' tree tonight..." she murmured, unconsciously slipping back into her widely used trade tongue. "It'd been sliced, you know. Sumthin' brought it down on tha' giant... intention'ly"

Kari had been swirling what little cider she had left in the bottom of the mug pondering that very thing. It hadn't even entered her mind until she started watching the flames lick off of the kindling. The wood brought it back as though it had happened seconds ago. The sprint, the blow to her shield, and then the abrupt silence that came as a result of the giant's incredibly unlikely demise.

And then there were the cuts. One on each side, withe skill skill and accuracy of a woodsman. An impossible feat for even a giant. Four Leaf had been lucky on many an occasion, but she didn't think luck factored into that event.

Emerald eyes raised from the cider to the wee healer. A moment of silence passed before the guardian finally uttered, " Aye. A single deep strike ta both sides. I can't stop thinkin' about it. There's no sense to be made from it."