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Truth be told, Prince Skrimir was not incredibly annoyed that these nomadic peoples did not seem to trust their company. No, he had gathered that earlier, he could accept that. Let them fear; they are not the ones who could at any moment snap necks and rend bones. That honor was on his part, and his anxieties didn't stem from it. He was bold enough to take the final seat, anyhow: an act that likely made several blink in confusion, or wince in dread of what he might do there.

His irritation stemmed from that he was not Learanian, whatever that meant. It was the country, or a country, yes-- and these nomads seemed to have a problem with it. But that he was not one of this group, yet he was judged with them... The looks flung at him from these new peoples felt like they thought he was the one that had scorned them so, that he was the guilty party, that his name and honor were sullied.

Skrimir couldn't stand it. Not only had he done no such thing, he barely knew who had done what, and to whom, and what those parties stood for in the first place!

And the Hawk King had not mentioned much on the journey, or the gathering, or the final organization at all. Skrimir snarled softly and vowed that the damn bird would get his dues eventually. Lyre was in the doorway as well. That was good. At least he had a witness, one of his own people who wasn't a raving lunatic like that blue cat he had seen a few times over.

For the time being, he thought, he had put his foot in it and there was no point not finishing what he started. Even if he hadn't been the one to start it, really. But the sooner this entire affair was over, the sooner he would be on his way home to Gallia, sooner he would be in his own bed after days of this confusing gambit.

He did not want to confront the fact that that bed might not have been possible anymore, so the bed still existed in his head.

"I would gladly kill a hundred of these cowards who sully... Learania," Skrimir said, tongue slipping around the still-raw and unfamiliar name and not truly meaning it. "If what this girl, and you wise ones, say is true, then the guilty ones are no more than scum! If it will mean an end to this, I will hunt them. My claws will waste their flesh and pay them for this insult."

If it was too bold to speak, Skrimir did not care. Every moment sitting in the tent was a moment that the errand, to him, could have been over and won and done with. If he was going to be judged as a Learanian (whatever that really and truly was) then he had might as well fight on their side, stand up for himself.

The lion itched. The seat was too small for him.

Songhua knew that this wouldn't be easy. But he also didn't expect them to freely give the Learanians a chance to prove themselves. And of course, Edlder Shamir did his part. Songhua butted heads with him every time he came for council. He knew that the man was wise, powerful, and well suited for his position, but Songhua still didn't fully trust or respect him. The old man let his bottled frustration cloud him. But he wasn't always like that; it was only recently that the elder's behavior had become so unlikable.

In any event, Songhua was glad that they were at least given a chance. "Yes, Elder Kenafa. Thank you. My tribesmen will keep them safe and in line." He bowed his head, then motioned for everyone to leave. When the elders said that they had nothing more to say, they meant it. The guards were already directing the foreigners out of the ger. "Do not fret, dear Sue. Your words have reached them. And tomorrow is a new day... I am sure you will find the proof you need."

Before everyone knew, the next day had come. The nomadic guards had led the group to various tents, and had a fire lit for them. The long trip had naturally made them all weary and in need of rest. A good night's sleep was just what everyone needed, to get off to a good day's start. As the sun rose high enough into the sky, the smell of the grasslands with all its refreshing flowers and trees filled the air. Birds could be heard chirping. The cool temperature was perfect.

The group could waste no time in preparing to leave. As soon as they prepared themselves, their weapons and horses were fetched. Songhua, accompanied by Kalilah and his other tribesmen, took Tibarn and Sue aside, for a moment. "Kalilah will stay with you, as she has been, and my other three will come along as well. However, I will stay behind and try to plea with the elders. I may still be able to help sway them more. The only issue is that I am not completely certain where the Aishyu was located this time of year. I was told that the elders were going to supply us with some sort of guide, so this person should be coming any time now. Anyhow, may the spirits bring you good fortune in your search for proof, my friends. I will await your return."

"...Tell me what they look like, Shade."

There are two women, dressed in Adlian garb. Then there are a few odd-looking humans, but humans all the same. ...Then there are some... humans with tails, humans with wings... one has an almost lion-like mane of red hair.

"These 'shapeshifters' I've heard of, no doubt. The... Learanians. The one I'm..." his voice dropped. "GUIDING."

No, being blind wouldn't complicate matters. Shade was eyes enough; Shade knew where the Aishyu had been at the time of the massacre. It wasn't that which bothered Cairne, it was just... seriously? He was now guiding the same people that stood accused of said massacre back to that same spot? Outrageous! What, were they ashamed they had let one go? Were they going to bring him back there to "finish the job"?

But the Elders... they still opted to give Learania this chance to prove their innocence. And how, then, would they do so? What could they possibly find at the final resting place of his people? Bones, no doubt.

Cairne spat on the ground in disgust.

They wish to find proof of their own innocence? Hah! Let them try! He thought to himself.

To the assorted mostly-laguz band, it may have seemed strange to watch a tan-robed man with a black hood and blindfold approach them. At his side strolled a large, shadowy dog, its flaming eyes glaring at them.

"..." He said, his head moving as though to gaze at all of them. It must have been pretty creepy, having a blindfolded man see you despite the obvious impediment. (This was, of course, Shade doing the seeing for him, but they had no way of knowing that without spending considerable time in the company of Summoners.)

"I was told you are to be taken to the site of the Aishyu," Cairne added, speaking to the group at large. "You are therefore in need of a guide."

Shade lay down as the Summoner put one leg on the other side of the great beast's body. The dog then stood back up, and Cairne was now mounted as though this was a perfectly normal way to ride across the plains.

"...Try to keep up."

And with that, Shade began walking in the direction of the Aishyu camp. He'd give them a bit of time to get their horses, or their paws under them, or whatever it was they did to move quickly. Then they would ride swiftly and leave this place in an eyeblink.

A dark, winged shadow passed suddenly over the clearing in which the Eydar tribe had made its temporary home. From the white wyvern soaring high above them, a torch fell, spinning through the air, and struck one of the gers. The flames caught the unprotected cloth and quickly spread until the entire tent was ablaze, and fire was spreading across the dry grass toward the tents on either side.

Shastah swept around, flying a Learanian flag proudly, and with a barking laugh, Siegell whipped back a Tomahawk and threw it at the nearest woman, who fell to the ground just moments after the enchanted weapon returned to its wielder's hand.

The smoke rose into the air-- the attack had come quickly, before the nomads could mobilize. Responding to Siegell's signal, magical attacks erupted from the edge of the woods, rending and engulfing occupied tents in flame, and a loud, low roar rumbled from the northern woods.

Siegell smiled back at the winged girl clinging to him, and casually threw his axe once again, this time striking down a warrior who was readying his bow. "Elise," he said charmingly, "You have an audience that wants you to sing for them, so be nice, and remember to project so they can all hear you." Shastah swung low to the ground as Siegell lifted his glaive, sweeping it to his sides, cutting down civilian and militia indiscriminately. A cruel grin spread on the Dragonlord's face. These were the moments he lived for-- the chance to completely obliterate something as if it was never there. What power! The simple ability to tear apart an entire village, reduce it to cinders in the span of an hour, maybe two? This was the flaw of the nomadic lifestyle-- there would be no reinforcements, and a surprise attack could destroy all they had.

Siegell reveled in it, even as blood splattered from a woman's neck onto his face and porcelain mask.

Black, acrid smoke rose high into the sky above the forest.

I wonder, I wonder...





To sing to...

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Abel watched the Chieftain run out and stood up, nervous about what was happening. "W-what is it? What's going on?"

The mercenary's eyes widened at the sudden shouting from his employer. "W-w-w-w-" Abel saw the man take out his blade and fell back onto his bottom in surprise, as he had begun to back up. "W-W-W-W-W-W-WHAT?! Hey wait, I don't know what you're talking about, Chieftain! Honest, I don't even know what's happening outside! Why are you upset with Learanians?! Why are you accusing me of being muderous?! Why are-"

Suddenly, a melodious tune entered the Ger and reached Abel's ears. The boy's wide eyes instantly became relaxed and carefree. He began to sway with the song. A goofy smile plastered onto his face and he almost began to drool. "Preeety muuusiiiiic....."

The affects of the music obviously applied to him, and perhaps even more than other people. Certainly it would seem strange for an enemy tactic to affect somebody on their own side.