It's a Journey

SUMMARY: A recently rescued Charneth slave may provide the Inquisition with another lead. 

The soldiers defense has quite a few new faces in it, all of them looking rather quite crap all things considered. The group of about ten, a spattering of races and genders, are all set in hospital beds, eating, drinking, be cared for and tended to. One of these people, a female Dawn Elf, is sat up in her bed talking with Kira and happily reaching for some offered bread. No doubt, this is the group of slaves that were rescued by a group of adventurers just a day ago.

Halana smiles warmly at Kira and moves to take the offered bread, "I've been a slave, for" she pauses her eto think a moment, "Oh, several years. Lost count to be entirely honest. I'd ran during one of the more recent rebellions, along with Eletha over there" and she thumbs at another female Dawn Elf down the way. We thought we'd make it to Alexandria, but they caught us. Along with the others, so, I was resereved to dying when they took me back to charn. I imagine the others were resiend to their fates as well, then, these adventureres came, and they, saved us all. So, I'm really quite happy now, more than ever."

Yelrona had heard just a few minutes ago about the Charneth slaves who'd been rescued, and had arrived at the Soldier's Defense to confirm that story and both learn and offer what assistance she could. Directions had led her to this room, and the conversation she walks in on confirms that she's arrived at the right place. <We are happy to welcome you> (sildanyari), she replies formally, before switching to Trade. "Is there anything you need that you lack right now?"

"Well, if there's anything any of you need..." Kira turns her smile from Halana to Yelrona and it widens. "...I think there are many willing to help you with it. Hello."

Halanaestra gives Kira a reassuring nod that she understands and the smile shows that she is truly thankful. Though, hearing her native languge coming from Yelrona, who is also a Sil brings another smile to her face. "I am happy to be here and not in a cave or dead" she replies to the other woman. "As to anything I need? The Paladin, Sorscha, I believe was her name, had promised to find my things. The slavers had taken my pendant, it's a symbol of the blessed lady Althea. I feel, alone with out it. If another one could be made? I would work for it, somehow try to pay for it. Outside that, my armor, sword, shield and horse were taken as well." <sildanyari>

Yelrona nods. "I'm sure we can find you replacements," she assures the woman, "if Sorscha proves unable to secure the originals... although I don't expect we'll have to, as she is quite resourceful." She takes a step into the room, waves a greeting to Kira, and extends a hand. "I'm Yelrona, of Tarien's House, and I see you've already met Kira."

If Hala takes her hand she'll be startled by a small mechanical joy buzzer in Rona's palm... perhaps to be expected from a Tarienite.

Razen has arrived.

As Yelrona makes her greetings Razen makes his way throuh the hospital. Now that he's wearing his armor any signs of his previous fight are hidden from sight. Aside from a conspicious bruise on the side of his face. That and the slight limp that he has developed. He moves through the hospital clearly looking for someone, and brightens upon seeing the group made up of Halanaestra, Kira, and Yelrona. The half-oruch quickens his step slightly and draws closer. "Hello again!" He's holding a box in one hand. "And you too Yelrona. I did not expect to see you here."

Kira isn't fluent in elvish, so just sits and smiles politely while Halana converses more with Yelrona. She does nod when Yelrona answers in common. That she understands. The latest arrival gets a smile and wave, with a wave to a large basket of bread. "Please, take some if you are hungry."

Halana looks to Yelrona again and returns to tradespeak for everyone elses benefit. "I, am sure she is. It's just that I really feel, off, with out it. I know the blessed lady is with me, but I really" and she just exhales and then, zap. Halana lets out a surprised gasp and curses in elvish. "I, umm, what in the world is that?" she asks before turning to Raz and Kira. "Hello again."

Yelrona chuckles, showing the device in her palm. "It's a tradition, of sorts," she says, shrugging. "A reminder that the gods are always with us, perhaps, even if they present themselves in forms we don't recognize and don't expect. A reminder to trust in what we know to be true, even when it can't be seen." She pockets the device and adds "Or perhaps just a silly prank. In any case, I'll see what I can do to help with your gear. I'm afraid I don't know very much about the circumstances of its loss, though, or of your rescue... would you mind talking about it?"

Razen flashes a grin at Kira, but waves away her offer of bread. "I am glad to see that not all customs here are different! I come bearing gifts as well." He lifts the box a little by way of explanation but keeps ahold of it as Yelrona starts to question Halana. For a moment his lips press into a thin line, and he grasps the box he's holding with both hands. Then offers the woman a small smile as he sets his box on the edge of her bed. "Yelonra means well. You don't have to talk about it if you do not want to. Perhaps this will make you feel a bit better though." He pats the box once with a fond look for it. "Because if you can I am certain she can help"

Halana looks to them both, confused a moment at what Yel just said, and well, did. She exhales deeply, seems she didn't think it was all that funny. As to talking about it? She looks to Raz first and smiles warmly as she gives the box a surprised look. "Is this for me?" she asks him, as she reaches out to grab it and pulls it forward to open an look in. A meat pie and a dagger, wow. Well, first things first, the meat pie gets all Halana's attention as she dives in to munching on it like she's not ate in days, and she probably hasn't outside hospital food, malnourishment and all that. As she's got a mouthfull of meat pie, she looks back Raz with a big ol goofy grin, "Fhank youff" mmhmm, big ol doofy grin. To Rona on the other? She holds up a hand and nods a yes, "Inf a momef" is her reply, something akin to, /in a moment/.

Yelrona laughs and nods. "Please. Take your time."

For his part the half orc looks utterly pleased with himself; grinning widely as she devours the pie. "My sister Parba always used to say that when a warrior comes home injured you give them meat for the body and a weapon for the next time." Razen says the words as fondly as he'd patted the box earlier.

Once the young elf has finshed stuffing her face, and also taken several drinks, she reaches in the box to look at the dagger to. She sets it back down and looks to Raz first, "Your kindness is" and she stops a moment and pretty much breaks down in to tears. "It's, umm, thank you..." pause, sniffle, "all of you." She's just now having everything come crashing down no doubt, that she might be free again, that she's not alone, no longer a slave, that she might be able to make friends and live a life. It's a bit, much. "I umm, ok, so, story.." she adds, looking to Yelrona with puffy eyes and red cheeks.

"If you're ready," Rona adds hastily. "If not, it can wait until you are."

"Yea." Razen agrees with Yelrona, quickly finding someplace to sit down nearby so that he isn't towering over her. He doesn't seem to know what to do with himself, but he offers her a comforting smile. "There's no hurry. We can just sit here while you eat pie if you want."

"You want the long form or the short form?" she asks them both, thoug, mostly Rona.

"As full a story as you care to tell," Rona replies.

Razen remains silent, a steadying presence as he listens to Halanaestra speak.

Walery has arrived.

Halana exhales deeply, "I was taken, years ago when the Manse of my Lord was attacked. I lost my mother and father during, and ran, with some of the others." She pauses a moment, "I've been a slave since, and I was, reserved to that being my fate until I was given up as food, or any number of horrible outcomes." Another deep exhale, "Though, there have been, more numerous uprisings and rebellions as of late in Charn and I took an oppertunity, along with Elthea over there" and she thumbs at a now sleeping Female Dawn Elf. "We thought we'd make it to Alexandria, but, we were caught in the redridge, a few weeks ago. We were, just two more to add to the rest that they'd already taken" she adds, looking around at the others present and then back. "Then, before we knew it? This team, of women, burst in to the cave and laid waist to the slavers and, well, here we are now. All of us. Alive, safe, free.."

Yelrona nods approvingly. "Gods of Light be praised," she breaths out. "And you as well, all of you, for your bravery. Not everyone would have taken the chance at freedom you took, when it was available."

Walery has only just arrived at the inn, and takes a look around to see what's going on.

Walery has only just arrived at the hospital, and passes a missive off to one of the orderlies. He'll pause and look around, as it seems a bit busier than usual. "Some big battle?" he wonders aloud.

"In a manner of speaking," Rona says to Walery. "Halana and her friends have been fighting a battle all their lives... and it's not over yet, but at least they can rest from it now, and be safe." Then she thinks about that and, given her own recent experiences with Charn and its agents, adds as gently as possible "Or... well, perhaps I'm taking more for granted than I should. Is there anyone from Charn who took a singular interest in you, or your friends? Who might come after you? In general, they wouldn't," she hastens to add. "Slavery is a business, ultimately... a reprehensible business, but a business just the same... and expending resources in pursuit of escaped slaves just isn't worth it. But if you're of special interest to them, then we will establish special defenses." She shifts her shoulders in a way that makes clear that those defenses include having to come through her dead body.

The question that she was worrying about comes, and Halana exhales deeply. "I am, of particular interest to my former master. I don't know why, to be entirely honest, but I do expect I have a bounty on my head for recapture."

Walery ohs to Yelrona and peers at Halana curiously. "Well," he says, "Well done in escaping their clutches. We're glad to have you here and fighting agaist the forces of evil. They're quite nasty, as I'm sure you know all too well." As to the continual battle, he explains, "I meant did some specific event happen that has so many adventurers here?" To Halana, he says, "Don't worry too much. Stay with your Temple, they're almost always safe. The good ones are. Tarien's temple is .... a bit prone to surprises and jokes, and Kor's is full of fighting, though.

Yelrona chuckles at Walery's comment, then shrugs. He isn't _wrong_, after all. She nods more seriously to Halana. "All right. I'll talk to the Hearthguards about increasing security, and to the Inquisition about lending a hand. What should we expect from your former..." the word 'master' sits in her mouth like a rotten prawn before she spits it out. "I mean, are they more prone to send soldiers? Magic? Demons? Artifice? Assassins? They're all dealable with," she says with palpable confidence, "but the more we know, the better prepared we'll be."

"To be entirely honest? I have no idea. All I know is that my master was, for some reason, enthralled with me. I'm a Cleric, I can't raise the dead and I'm not even stronger enough in my faith and devotion to the Blessed Lady yet to bring anyone back to life. So, in short? I have no idea why they want me, or what they'll do to get me back. I'm sorry."

Walery nods at what Yelrona says. "Though hopefully if we bite their hands enough, they'll stop reaching out," he says hopefully. "I guess it depends how mad they are." He hrms to Halana, and ohs about being a cleric. "That'd be a good temple to stay with; lots of paladins besides the priests. You should be as safe there as anywhere." As to why, he says, "Who can fathom their dark purposes? It could have been as simple as delight in having stolen you from Her. Or he could just be obsessive. Who can say?"

"You have _nothing_ to apologize for," Rona blurts out. "Nothing," she repeats fiercely. "All of the apologies are due _to_ you, from the monsters who forced you into service. You may have to settle for their death, though." She nods agreement with Walery's advice, then thinks about it some more. "May I know their names? If they are putting out a bounty among the Charneth agents in Alexandria, that may help me track them down."

GAME: Yelrona accepts a meet and will depart momentarily.

Yelrona has left.

GAME: Yelrona accepts a meet and will arrive momentarily.

Yelrona has arrived.

Svarshan has arrived.

"I was never permitted to address master by name. I do not know his name." Seems she's still having troubles breaking out of all of her /chains/. "Master" she still says it, "Master insisted that I was, like all the slaves here" and she motions to them all, "Beneath him. Beneath knowing his name and no one was permitted to speak his name around us if they were not a slave."

The door opens. The door shuts. Somewhere, and adventurer gains a million xp. This door however, isn't known to operate on its own. The movement comes with the dry shiff-shiff of scale. Eventually, a sith-makar may be seen making his way down the aisles. He ambles on fours, does this sith. The armor he wears could as well be barding. Smoke curls faintly from his muzzle, the faintest smell of coal and fire.

Walery ohs as Halana explains the conditions of her servitude. "Yeah, that's pretty harsh. But if you don't know his name, don't worry. The chance of someone stumbling across you as you move around the city is low, and at your temple, you've got good protection. I ... what?" he asks, turning to look at what's just wandered in.

Yelrona nods, then looks at her intently. "I want you to listen very carefully to what I am about to say. It's fine that you don't know his name. Anything you can tell me about him will help. But the most important thing you need to know about him is that he's NOT your master. He never was. He claimed that title by threat of violence, but not with any justice, and he can no longer make that threat." She speaks firmly, loud enough to be heard throughout the ward. "He is not your master. He --" she blinks at the Sith's arrival, opens her mouth, closes it again.

"Peace to your nest. Svarshan, have you met Walery and Halana?"

Svarshan pats the door a few times with his tail, to make sure its closed. Outside it's sunny and warm. A bright, brilliant day, and the closing of the door casts a shadow on the inside. "Peasse to you," he says comfortably to Yelrona. He ambles over that way, a slow, reptilian walk.

"One hass met walery, and sshared words," he says, and sits on his haunches. "But not Halana. Peasse to you. Thiss one iss Svarshan, sservice to the Empress."

Walery waves to Svarshan, and says, "It's been a while. Peace to your ... er ... nest? Or house, or wherever you live?"

Halana can't help but watch the Sith, she's seem them before. "Sweet water and light laughter to your Nest Svarshan" she replies rather plainly, bowing lightly. She puts a hand on her chest, "This one is Halana, Cleric of the Blessed Lady and former slave of Charn." To Wal and Rona, she turns back, and Rona gets the most of it, the nod. "I know, only what was my purpose as master gave it to me. Outside that? I know nothing else and while I understand, it will take time for me to move past the last several years of my life."

Yelrona nods. "It's a journey," she agrees, then looks around. "I should go talk to the Hearthguards and to the Inquisition about your protection... the sooner the better. Thank you for your help, and your bravery."

The sith-makar tilts his head to the side as he listens. He takes in breath at Halena's words. Holds it. Lets it go in a slow, controlled fashion. After that, a sense of peace seeps into the air. A sense of peace, of brotherhood, and strength. "Peasse to you," he says again. "One iss glad. That you are able to find purposse," he says. He looks up, and smiles. Looks to Walery. "Nestss," he says with humor. "Though there are housses."

Walery ohs, nods. "Nests it is, then. I guess that's enough, in Amshere. I can't think it'd be enough with the winters here. Though I guess I'm thinking of a bird's nest. What sort of nest do your people build, anyhow," he wonders, ever the dilettante.

Halana breaks the current conversation up with a rather loud yawn that signals she's still really quite worn out from her ordeal. With that, there's some more food and drink to be had and she's going to have them and rest while everyone else talks.

"The few buildingss are made from wetmud, made into brick." Svarshan sits on his haunches, and holds his hands so-far apart, then maneuvers them to form a box. "But one would not ssleep insside them, often. One would. Ssleep outsside, where it iss cooler." He drops his hands then, resettling. A slow humor shows on his features, though just barely. Reptilian faces aren't quite made for expression.

Walery hrms about mudbrick buildings, but sleeping outside. "Hrm," he says. "That's interesting. So, peace to your adobe hut, then," he'll offer. "Though I guess that doesn't roll off the tongue as easily, does it?"

Hissing. Laughter. "No," he agrees, after a time. "There are. What you would call ssteppe pyramids. But buildingss are fewer than. Here. There, the ground iss ssoft. It iss easier to make nesst on the earth." Svarshan flicks his tail then, and looks towards the yawning Halanae. "Food iss a good idea. Have you been in. Alessandria long?" he asks.

"I was a slave until last night, so, no." Her reply is pretty straight forward and deadpan. She does force a smile though in betwen mouthfulls.

Walery ohs, and nods about building on soft ground. "Yeah, you can't build a city like this on soft ground. Everywhere would fall down." He nods gravely. "Your flat areas with solid support would be at a premium. Hard bedrock here is easy. And dwarves have ways of anchoring in the earth, I guess," he muses. "Yeah, a nest sounds easier if your ground is mostly soft. Even with a stone foundation, you couldn't build very high." He ohs to Halana. "I hadn't understood you were so recently arrived."

Svarshan falls quiet after that. Quiet, and thoughtful.

"Ssa. One iss grateful for your esscape. And may the jusstice of the Dragonfather find your enemiess, and the. Warmth of the Hearthdragon guard you." He thumps his tail after that, a quiet yet solid thissh-thump on the floor.

Walery has learned a bit about Sith architecture, now. "I wonder," he muses, "If Alexandria has ever offered to export stone, or even gravel to your home, Svarshan. I'm not sure your people would even be interested in the shelter, it's so warm there. And you're well-protected," he taps his arm to mean the Sith's scales. "But surely solid walls to keep out threats would be valuable? I'm sure we could find some way to build them," he says, though from his tone, he hasn't worked out that way yet, himself.

"Thank you for that Svarshan" she turns to Walery and nods, "Only just saved last night actually. Just like everyone else here."

As Svarshan enters the room Razen stirrs himself a little bit, smiling at the Sith-Makar. "Greetings again Svarshan, what brings you to the hospital today? No injuries I hope." He has a livid bruise on his own cheek and is sitting on the chair beside Halanaestra's bedside. Has been doing so so quietly that it was almost easy to overlook him. If it is ever easy to overlook a half-oruch in scale mail.

"Everyone..." Svarshan looks around. The sith-makar is slow-moving. It takes him a while to pause again, to nod hesitatingly, in the softskin-style, towards Razen. "The..." he says. And then, "Ssa...esscape iss good. It iss good. The Charneth have harmed the People, alwayss." He seems quiet after that, or at least reflective. Razen gets a second, distracted thump of the tail as the sith-makar turns over the number of people in the room. It is not as though Walery is ignored, either. It is just somewhat overwhelming.

Walery ooohs as Halana explains why they're all in the hospital. "That makes sense," he agrees. "I hope they are taking good care of you all." He peers at Svarshan dealing with all the people, doesn't press him. He ohs as Razen speaks up. "You were so quiet I thought you were asleep," he says with a small chuckle. "Say, are you looking at upgrading your armor anytime soon?" he asks out of the blue.

Razen glances toward Halanaestra, and noting how tired she looks stands up and lowers his voice; ignoring Walery entirely after giving him a short unhappy look. "It has been a long day for her." He sighs and shakes his head, meeting Svarshan's gaze. "So, you did not mention what brought you here. Was it her and the other freed slaves?"

"One comess by, from time to. Time. The Dragonfather did not ask for me to be a. Healer. ...but all of Hiss warriors have. Ssome sskill," Svarshan says, low-voiced. He looks towards the cots, the chairs...and then eyes one of the latter.

Quiet, quiet.

Then stands, moving to two feet. And settles onto the chair, with care for his tail.

Walery mumbles to Razen, "I'll take that as a 'no'." He hrms to Svarshan, filing away that piece of knowledge also. "That's interesting," he says. "I know a small bit of battlefield medicine, but only enough to deliver first aid packs."

Razen looks toward the resting freed slaves, but particularly Halanaestra before sighing low. "I can not understand how anyone could do that to another person. Keep them as a slave?" He shakes his head and crosses his arms. Like Svarshan he keeps his voice low, but even so it's a bass rumble that isn't difficult to hear. "I do not understand how something like that can happen here in Alexandria."

"One hass never. Sstudied medissine. I understand the Hands are working to. Make their way to. Am'shere," Svarshan replies comfortably. And then Razen replies, and the sith-makar goes tense. Quiet.

"There are ssome here. Taarans. Who ssupport thesse things. They may not ssay sso out loud. ...but you will know them. By what they do /not/ ssay," he says, snarling at the last. But tightly. Controlled.

Walery shrugs to Razen. "Evil is a strange thing. Who /can/ understand it? I would mistrust anyone who said they did. Really did, I mean." He nods at what Svarshan says. "The trick is you fight them when you can, and thwart them when you are able."

When the half-oruch flashes his teeth it's not in a smile. It's clear that the thought of these people makes him tense and angry, and he seems to take a moment to get control over himself. "I do not want to understand. All I know is that we have to stop it." Razen tightens a hand into a fist and nods toward Svarshan. "For your people, and for all these people. I do not know what I would do if I was not doing something to put an end to all of this."

"You would hunger." Not even a hesitation. A smile. "Your jawss would itch. Warrior." Svarshan leans against the arm of the chair. He looks to Walery then, quiet. Listening. Thinking over the man's words.

"Hrnnn. Have the priessts taught you of the wordss. They usse?" he asks.

Walery nods about stopping it. He's not excited about it, but he does take a couple steps back from the huge half orc. "Don't take it personally. You do what you can. That's all anyone can do." He hrms to Svarshan. "What? Oh, for the healing? No, no priests involved," he says quite proudly. "But Reos is champion of fixing things, and if you can create a golem and give it life, then you can, with Reos's blessing, repair a person. Or so I was taught. Though in truth I think there may be a bit of healing potion in the formula. Though, I don't know much about healing potions."

Razen has to acknowledge that the Sith-makar is right about his words, so he nods and chuckles lightly. Gently enough and low enough that it only draws a little attention. "True friend. I would be hungry indeed if I could do nothing. Thankfully I can." He lets his words fall away as Walery speaks, but from the less than understanding expression on his face Walery might as well be speaking a different language for all Razen understands him. "Sounds like magic to me."

The eyes tighten around the edges. A scaled smile. Warmth. "Ssa," Svarshan says, laughing. "You are both. Brave. And one only meant. The wordss evil would usse. The priessts will call thiss. 'Doublesspeak.' It iss often heard from Charn and itss followers. One ssuspects. Thosse here will have heard it. Often enough," he says, with a move of the tail towards the cots, and the rescued slaves.

He goes quiet a while, reflective--because a room full of rescued slaves, of the injured, the rescued--deserves that sort of silence. That sort of reflection. "Have the priessts sshared thesse words?" eventually. "Even warriors, one believess. Thiss 'doublesspeak' iss useful to know."

Walery nods to Razen. "Artifice is a bit like magic to the untrained," he agrees. He hrms, trying to understand what Svarshan is saying. "I think Tarien's disciples know about something called Doublespeak, though they use it for puns and jokes. But I need to get back to the Guild. Thanks for chatting, though." And he'll rush off, back about his mission.

Razen scrubs a hand through his hair and waves a brief goodbye to Walery. "I can not say that I am very good with double-speak myself, and I did not hear anyone mentioning how the... people that did this talked." He motions toward the woman who's bedside is closest to them and lowers his voice a little more. "I did hear her mention that she was not even allowed to call the man who took her by name. But that is all I know of them." Razen looks apologetic.

"She...ssa. Perhapss not. And there iss nothing to. Apologisse for. You lisstened, and are /here/. /Here/." Svarshan says quietly, sadly. He looks to Razen a time. Listening, thinking. "One sshould sshare these words," he says, with regret. He leans forward a small degree, his elbows on his chair.

"One wass taught, even as warriors, we musst be ssometimes hunters, with earss to the wind and. Nosse to the earth. Words sshared /here/ will be more ssubtle than in. Charn." Svarshan says, and pauses. "Perhapss one hearss Maugrim as referred to the god of perssonal choice. Or Taara as perssonal freedom. One heard ssuch words from a nonsscaled, after sshe had assaulted one of my sshamans. After sshe had argued. Passionately. That the ensslavement of our children wass for their. Betterment."

He's silent after that. Then, gives himself shake, as though getting rid of the memories. "Normally, they are more ssubtle. One thinkss perhapss, sshe had had ssomething to drink," he says wryly.

By the time that Svarshan is giving himself a little shake Razen's mouth is half open with disbelief. His eyes hold just the small edge of the horror of it. "By Angoron." He whispers the prayer to a god that esposes freedom, and thinks that what he just heard is worth more than a little horror. "Do you think though that maybe she actually... believed that?"

The half orc looks appalled by his own words drawing back a little before leaning forward once more into the space he had vacated. "I am glad to say that I have never heard someone say such things, because if I had... I do not think I could stay my fist hearing someone say that little children should be..." He can not even say the words, instead he looks nearly as though he might cry. He tightens his hand until he feels the bite of his own nails in his skin. Suddenly he unclasps that hand and touches Svarshan's shoulder. "I am sorry that you did hear those things, and about the children of your own people."

"One iss uncertain if they did," Svarshan admits. Goes quiet a while, sorrowful. "Ussually, they are more. Ssubtle, in Alessandria," he says after a time, because it's the only response he can think of to well, that.

"Ssa. One might alsso fasse accusations of. Biass. That is perhapss their favorite tactic. They count on good to be. Good. Kind doess not mean sstupid, warrior," he says amused, and looks to Razen's eyes. A faint grin. Faint teeth. "Though perhapss it doess not hurt to let them. Think sso. One only sshares words that you might be. Aware of them. And to watch for what they do not ssay, as well as what they. Do."

Suddenly Razen grins more than a little abashed. "It never seems to hurt me to let my enemies think me stupid as long as possible. It is not as though they expect a smart Oruch anyway." He lets out a little sigh as though he might wish it otherwise, but there's a clever idea burning the sadness away in him. "Thanks Svarshan. I might well need to know these things soon enough because I mean to see these slavers gone one way or another."

"You possess Angoron's bravery," Svarshan returns gravely. "One iss glad to know you, warrior," he says. The sith-makar thumps his tail.

He falls quiet after that, companionably so. "Where did you learn the. Blade?" he asks after a time. Just conversation, relaxed. And after a time, he reaches down, to procure a seated waterskin.

Kira brought in fresh bread earlier, the basket still sitting available to all. Whether there's any left now, though... She's been busying herself making rounds with the Hearthguards among the various patients to help with care. Finally she comes back around and, after making sure it's not the last one, takes a small loaf for herself. Only when she looks up does she realize that Razen is still here, and there's a new, but familiar, face. "Oh, I didn't realize that you were still here." Her smile and tone make it clear it's a pleasant surprise, and her greeting to Svarshan is similar. "Welcome, Sunblade Svarshan."

In the silence Razen finds his own seat again, content to the silence for a moment before Svarshan's question which makes him rest his elbows agaisnt his knees. "I hail from the far north, where the land becomes ice and snow and the Bonesworn clan that calls it home. I suppose you could say that my father taught me to fight but in truth he had very little time for someone... like me." Razen smiles a little self-deprecatingly but doesn't pause to explain the odd comment. "So my sister Parba took up my training. Taught me the ways of the wilds and how to fight as well. She is an amazing hunter who would tend my wounds when I was hurt from a bad hunt, and gave me the weapons that came with me from the north."

The telling makes Razen's gaze go a little distant but he nods to Kira and offers her a welcoming smile. "Hello again. I was just telling Svarshan something of where I grew up."

"Kin?" the reptilian's brows, or what passes for them, go upwards. "You are blessed with ssuch hunterss." He looks to Kira then, and thumps his tail the once. "Peasse to your nesst. One heard there were. Refugees here. I am glad to ssee the honored of. The Hearthdragon here among. Them," he says.

"That sounds lovely. Please, continue. I didn't mean to interrupt," Kira encourages Razen. She looks to Svarshan, responding, "Peace to you and yours. Yes, there are some here rescued from slavery, and I'm delighted they were freed." Her lips purse some, though smile never fully fades. "It must have been horrible."

"Thanks. I was just... or rather Svarshan asked where I learned to fight is all." For a second his accent is a little thicker, and the way he stumbles a bit over his words suggests that he might have been close to slipping into the oruch tongue. Clearly the memories of his home are close to the surface. "There isn't much more to say than that."

He motions toward Halanaestra, and when he speaks again it's with the sort of care he always speaks with. Each word spoken carefully and in it's own time. "I gave her one of the blades my sister gave me, I hope that is alright."

"A warrior'ss memory can be. Sstrength. In more than wayss physical," Svarshan says with difficulty. Not just putting the words together, but...it's putting the words together. He smiles then, warmly. "One iss ssure she will honor it. Casste-kin. But, one iss due for prayers and. Cleanssing. ...the guardian clossed Mictlan. After you left," he says with an odd tone to his voice. A kind of sadness, but... He directs the statement towards Razen, though Kira is included as well.

Kira nods, understanding most of what Svarshan says, difficult words or not. She doesn't have her own words to share one strength or weapons, but the last part, especially his tone, makes her brow furrow. "Closed? Was it that bad?"

Razen nods. "I had heard that they did. It was terrible. An army of undead stretching as far as the eye could see. Monstrosities that I can not begin to describe. They broke into the city in spite of our best efforts." He'd been keeping an ear out for news after everything. "I wish we could have done better for your land Svarshan; there is too much falling on the shoulders of the Sith-makar." "We sstand. Together," Svarshan says firmly. Then, "Thank you. ..." deeper breath. Quiet. Gathering words. "Hearthguard... Mictlan iss sslowly healing. But the corruption built from the ressent attacks are sspreading into the. Earth. It sseeks to join with corruption from the Felwood and. From other eventss in the wild. The priessts there will be bussy for. Ssome time," Svarshan says with regret. He puts the cap on the waterskin, and replaces it onto his shoulder. "Peasse to you both. And, thank you for being there, warrior-kin," he says to Razen. A thump of the tail. The reptilian's words are stiff and awkward, even when being sincere. Not a great speaker.

Kira blinks. "Oh my..." She'd hear forebodings of something, and that something had happened, but not much in the way of details. "That is terrible. My brothers and sisters and I would be happy to help any way we can..." Her concern grows, more than Svarshan seems so wearied. "So much is happening so rapidly..."

The half-oruch looks tired himself. "Terrible is too kind a word for what happened." Even so he nods, agreeing that there was far, far too much happening in this place, and to the Sith-makar specifically. "But he isn't wrong either. We stood together and we defeated the army of undead that came to destroy the land. Perhaps it was not our strength alone, but it was our strength that saw it finished. His, mine, all of ours."

Kira nods, twice, smile strengthening. "We are always strongest together. It's warming to know that so many stood together. Not that I didn't expect that they would."

Razen stands and stretches. "And that is why we can not back down from this fight either." He motions to those who were so recently freed from captivity. "There are more like them that need their freedom."

"I don't think I know anyone who would back down from defending others," Kira beams proudly. "We're all very good at doing what's right."

Razen nods once. "Speaking of, I should get down to the docks. I am supposed to be sleeping down there tonight."

Kira nods back, then blinks after a pause. "Oh! If you'd like different accomodations, the temple is open to any who want a comfortable, safe place to sleep."

"I appreciate the offer, but I have good reason for it." He lowers his voice a little when saying this as though it's a secret, then lifts his voice once more. "It's comfortable enough." Razen offers her a wave before he heads out of the temple. "Goodnight!"

"I understand," Kira's smile widens as she waves. "Rest well, and may The Healer's Grace be upon you."

-End-