Cuhai is a town well-known for its artisans of several sorts, and also serves as an economic hub for this mountainous region. Its sister city is Culheru...though the latter is far less successful economically, it raises the status of both towns for being the birthplace of the Ono family's founding ancestor.

---

Rey'deyono is pleased as the horses set foot onto the bustling town streets...she's very much become accustomed to city life.

"So, do you know your way around here?" her boon compatriot inquires of her. "Or shall I ask for some directions?"

"Much of this is new," she comments as she looks around, "but I know where to find the smith." She looks over to Meir'cillus and smiles. "That, or perhaps it is not 'men' who refuse to ask for directions."

"An arrow through my heart, Rey'deyono. I like the smart mouth you've been developing lately, you know." The drow chuckles. "It is a nice city though. Very... Spartan, I suppose, for a place famous for craftstypes."

She nods. "It is fairly typical in the region, really, save my family's estate...artistic values is placed upon the architecture and generally how well anything is fashioned, and garish decoration would simply detract from that philosophy."

Meir gasps, jestingly. "Functionality? I think I've come home." The drow trots along, laughing quietly, and admiring this and that with an eye that both cares and doesn't in equal measure. "Will you be able to walk into the guy's shop? I doubt he'll want horses inside."

"I think it would be better if I wait outside, Lord Yerosyn." She smiles sheepishly. "I most probably can with help, but...I still maintain my part of posturing for my family, and the rumor of a gimped Ono does not need to be circulated." She sets a gentle hand on her horse's neck, and it wanders up to a nearby shop--terribly obviously a forge--and stops.

The drow's expression sours a bit. "If they've sent anymore assasins, I'd rather you were with me..." he looks into the shop. "But I guess it can't be helped.  Scream if anyone looks at you funny, alright?"

She smiles, a slightly false sort of expression that holds far more genuine reassurance. "I will do that, Meir'cillus."

The drow is heartened by that face, and smiles in return. "Okay. Just a minute." That said, he turns and tramps into the forge.

"Pardon," he calls, looking around, "who do I see about getting something pointy around here?"

"That would be me." A tiny little man--about exactly Meir'cillus's height and build, actually, any possible muscle hidden so perfectly by his baggy work shirt that he just looks like a rejected coat rack--looks up from arranging some things on shelves, and bows. "How may I help you today, sir?"

Meir approaches him, grinning. Man, it's nice not to have to look up.

"Well, I am in need of a few fine weapons. Two daggers, a kris and a stiletto, and a good sword short sword." The drow nods, looking over the shelves. "Something noble, to replace my swordbreaker."

"Hm...well, we'll look at the shortswords in just a moment, and a keris I have, but 'stiletto'?" The word hadn't translated. It doesn't have an equivalent.

"It's a little double-edged, pointy dagger about this long," Meir softly answers, holding his hands about eight inches apart. "Long edged, not really fancy. Something like that."

"Mm..." the smith scratches his bearded chin, nodding as he thinks. "Well, I don't think we have anything two-edged in that description right now, adn it's a bit of an important detail...you going to be in town a few days, long enough to make one?" He heads over to some cabinets as he speaks.

"Speed is of the essence, I think. If you don't have that, I need something more functional, that someone without any experience could still use." The drow shrugs a bit. "Something simple."

"Fair enough. For now...shortswords." The smith, eyes sparkling at the sharp toys he just adores, looks over the impressively large inventory of short and mid-length swords displayed with the cabinet's opening. "So, how do you fight with them? Heavy on blocking, slashing, lunging...or do I stop patronizing you and let you pick your own damned sword?"

Meir'cillus chuckles, recalling how he would've ordered this sweating monkey bitchslapped like a cheap gigolo on a bad day back when he was in power. Today, though...

"I'm a patron. If you didn't patronize me, I'd question how you got this job. I tend towards defense, and secondary, horizontal slashing."

"Hm...prefer two-edged on that, too, yes?"

"If it's possible, no. I've been using a single edged my entire life, unless you count the teeth. Do you have any dao?"

The man smiles brightly. "I specialize in them." Anyone with at least three tenths of a brain should be able to recognize that Meir'cillus is quite wealthy ...and the smith certianly would not complain. He selects four of the very best, humming to himself a little as he sets them in their scabbards on the counter before Meir'cillus for examination, pleased at being able to root through his toys.

The drow glances over them, sniffing lightly. He picks up the first, tests the weight... too heavy. The second doesn't suit his... height dilemma, as it's slightly too long. The third he sets aside, and the fourth goes with it. "Those two will be fine. Has your seal been set into them? And tell me your name."

"Of course, sir." The smith smiles as he puts away the other two, though he is surprised that Meir'cillus doesn't know who he is, since he is in the shop. "My name is Kong Wu Kang. Will you be taking these now, then?"

"Kong Wu Kang. Right. And yes. What sort of currency is the norm here?" Meir tilts his head. "And do you accept precious metals, or gems?"

"Coins issued by our emperor, of course. But precious metals may do, yes, it depends on the type and quality.'

Meir reaches up to his good ear and unclips two rings, sighing softly. The fittings remain in his ear, but the bulk of the rings, hoopish sections of metal, click cleanly away. "How is gold for you?"

"It may work nicely." The smith picks up one of the earrings, examines it with a critical eye, and raises an eyebrow before setting it back down. "These are...impressively pure. But they will still buy you a sword and a half or so."

The drow chuckles. "I have awfully large ears. How many of those will it require?" The drow gestures towards his head, which, when it was whole, held thirteen such rings.

The smith smiles. "One more should do, thank you." The metal's extremely pure. It's gold. It would be too soft for earrings were it not braced by something...almost certainly a mithril wire, considering how cold it is. That does make even two quite enough to cover the cost.

"Just so you know," Meir tells him as he unclips another, "these rings are important to me. So if these weapons falter, I'll be back for you." He smiles. "Them. For them."

"They will not." The smith isn't pleased at the threat or the insinuation that his blades may not be perfect, but bows anyway. "Thank you for your business."

"And the daggers?" Meir asks, pleasantly enough. "My friend has no use for a full-size sword."

"Of course." The smith is decidedly less happy now, but does relax a bit in thumbing over his daggers. He selects a good kris and sets it on the counter and, thinking a few moments, takes a two-edged dagger that's not terribly far from what Meir'cillus had described a "stiletto" to be, and sets another, single-edged knife with a sharp point beside it. It's a bit closer in length and weight. "Will any of these do?"

Meir laughs quietly. He's a drow... what had this guy expected? Wine and roses? He thought that he had done fairly well.

"The double edged will be fine." The drow unclips another golden hoop. "Here you are."

The smith nods. "Thank you. Now, if that will be all, the door is behind you.'

"Is it? What a delightful sense of perception you have." The drow takes the weapons, smiles that sickening sweet smile he used to use on Faresylia, and heads back out the door. As the door closes, he calls back to the smith. "Give your mother my regards!"

That business done, he immediately looks for Rey.

She's still on her horse, of course, posture absolutely impeccable. She's been noticed, that much is for sure...the shop's generally given a slightly wider bearth than normal, though a few people stare from here or there. The priestess smiles at him when he returns. "Were you able to acquire what you need, Lord Yerosyn?"

"Quite," Meir'cillus replies.  He looks around, nodding in approval. "I see you've drawn a crowd, my lady. Shall we retreat to an inn?"

She smiles, a little sheepishly, and nods. She hadn't missed this about the region."

The drow mounts his horse, stowing the weapons carefully. "Then lead the way, my priestess. If anyone asks, I'm your bodyguard." He looks back. "Let's not waste any time. I can't help but think some of these gawking buffoons might be planted gawking buffoons."

She nods. Not to the "buffoons" part, of course, just to the bit about possible plants. She's a bit more paranoid than she used to be, considering the last few years.

The inn, as Meir'cillus will no doubt appreciate, isn't horribly fancy, but it does offer soft sleeping mats and hot food. She waits quietly for the now-familiar ritual of being helped off the horse, but it does hurt her pride, in a way. And probably Meir'cillus's ribs.

Meir holds his hands up, trying to look subservient as he aids her in dismounting. She's not heavy enough to cause him real discomfort, but the grumbling is certainly there if a little quiet.

"Have you any actual money, my lady?" he whispers to her, "if I'm not careful, I'll run out of earrings."

She nods, leaning on him as they walk inside."Yes. My brother gave us money to travel by, so that is no concern."

"Oh good," he answers, supporting her as subtlely as he can. "I was afraid I'd have to start selling favorts to people. Though... a drow makes a poor gigolo for humans."

The priestess laughs softly, and just avoids commenting on that one.

The innkeeper greets them graciously...more so when he sees Rey's eyes. "Welcome! How may I help you two today?"

"We just need a room. Something nice and discreet," Meir'cillus speaks quietly, but commandingly, a trick he'd actually learned from Rey'deyono some years ago without her direct consent.  "Whatever comforts you can spare, though, should be for the lady."

The innkeeper bows, though heaven only knows what's going through his mind right now. Regardless of appearances, it had been decided ahead of time that sleeping in separate rooms could be far more dangerous than reputation could justify. "Most certainly, sir. I will have a boy go and unload your bags."

Before too long, they're settled in a reasonably clean though simple room. Rey'deyono is still standing. "This is becoming much easier," she notes, though her hands are still on Meir'cillusfor balance. She looks over and smiles at him. "And soon I can stop wearing out your shoulder."

"It'll be nice to know that the option is there, anyway," Meir'cillus answers her, "though you are welcome to it. Is this room to your liking?"

She nods. "Certainly. It is warm and clean." It's all she really needs...travelling is a bit of a reality check.

"Good. Now that we're alone, would you like me to show you how to use the knife, a little? Or would you rather sleep?"

"This seems as good a time as any to learn..." she nods.

Meir'cillus nods, and leads the priestess carefully to a place that she can sit. "I'll show you. Just sit there, and look pretty." He steps back, taking a moment to fish the double edged dagger out of his pack. "Hold the dagger at an angle, near waist level. When someone rushes you, stab upward," he moves his arm in such a motion, "and stick this in their belly. An attack could potentially survive, but they'll be gimped enough that you can run. Simple, see?"

Rey'deyono blinks slowly. She does understand. "Yes...but, if I wanted to leave them more chance of surviving...? Then what might I do?"

"Not stab them," Meir laughs, though he's only half-kidding. A knife wound is serious business.  He turns the knife, holding it so that the blade points away from his thumb. "If you hold it like this, you can stick it in a shoulder, or a thigh if you're low. It also protects your wrists from another knife. You should know where the major arteries are... avoid them, and you'll be fine."

She smiles, nods. "Thank you, Meir'cillus. I do appreciate it."

"Hey," the drow sheaths the knife. "What are ruthless bastards for? Now... do you want me to get another room for myself, quietly?"

She shakes her head. "No...there are two beds, and this truly is safer for both of us."

"All right. We're slightly late for our visit to your relative, so... I don't know how to handle it. Do you know if word was sent ahead?" As Meir asks this, he's busy setting the swords where he can quickly reach them... one set near the door, a decoy, and the other he will keep under his blanket. That way, if someone comes in, they might go for the sword to keep him away from it, while he remains armed.

"Word was sent ahead...I did some planeswalking to alert him to our layover. It will be no problem." Rey'deyono nods as she removes her cloak.

"Well, you're far too talented for your own good, beloved." The drow helps her as he can, keeping his hands cautiously away from certain strike-triggering points that all females seem to share. "If you're hungry, or need a bath, or clothes, or seomthing, now is probably the time to tell me."

"Bathing would most probably be good to take advantage of while it is available, especially to meet my cousin."

Meir glances at her, bites his lip. "Please don't misunderstand this. But... I'm afraid I must insist on being nearby, in some capacity, if you go to the baths. I promise that I won't peep on you, but I can't run the risk of someone getting to you in such a... compromising position."

A wry little smile touches her lips as she fingers her way through a bag, quite amused. "Just for my own interest, Lord Yerosyn...how do you expect me to react to that suggestion?"

"Meir'cillus, you are so brave to even consider such a daring act of chivalry, and your valiance knows no bounds."

Rey laughs quietly. "well, in any case, it is a valid point. I certainly do not mind."

The drow nods, beaming. "Have you clothes for this adventure, my lady? Fresh ones, that is?"

"I do, yes." She finishes what she's doing in this bag and limps the few paces over to the other...genuinely moving better than she has been despite her previous grace having taken a nosedive. She retrieves the clothes, looks up at Meir'cillus, and smiles. "Is there anything that you need to gather, Lord Yerosyn?"

Meir'cillus starts to say no, but thinks better of it, and retrieves the weapons. "There we go," he says, "I'm ready if you are, my beloved."

The priestess nods, and heads for the door. The baths, again, are a fairly simple facility...inset into the floor this time, though, not a tub. Rey'deyono gestures to a screen in one corner of the room, mobile and just set off to the side. "Instant privacy," she observes.

"Where's the fun in that?" Meir asks, heading that way to draw the screen for her. "I'll be right here," he promises her, "so if you need anything... well... yeah. I'll be right there."

She smiles at him, nods. "Thank you. I will remember that." She undresses carefully once the screen is in place, sighing inwardly at her bandages while simultaneously reminding herself that Meir'cillus has been injured more often and more seriously since leaving Vayen's keep, as per his habit of putting himself between her and danger. That last aspect does put a slight smile back on her lips. Bathing is accomplished as quickly as possible, though it isn't in her nature to hurry anything along too terribly much. She finally finishes rinsing the soap from her hair and promptly removes herself from the chilly water to take shelter in a towel. "Thank you for waiting with me, Lord Yerosyn."

"You're of course welcome, my priestess. Never was a man more honored than I at this moment. Except for me, ten seconds from now." Meir'cillus chuckles, wondering to himself why he doesn't dare sneak a peek. "I hope you had no trouble?"

"None, thank you," she notes as she finishes drying off and begins dressing. "I do hope that you are not too horridly bored?"

"My imagination kept me far too busy to be bored, dear priestess," answers an honest Meir'cillus. "Far too busy."

Rey'deyono smirks quietly as she finishes dressing. "You are welcome." She wraps her towel about her head, and looks out from behind the screen. "Are you ready to go, Lord Yerosyn, or did you wish to bathe as well?"

"I could probably use it," Meir agrees, "but then, that would leave you without guard..."

She smiles at him. "I will remain here as you did with me, if it would make you more comfortable. And you did teach me to use the dagger." Though it does occur to her as she says this that she'd left it in the room....

The drow nods reluctantly. "I'll be in and out." He takes his own dagger and hands it to her. "Don't slash with this one. Only thrust, okay?"

She smiles, and nods, taking hte dagger before heading over to the corner he'd occupied.

Meir disrobes and hops into the water, scrubbing himself as quickly and thoroughly as he can manage. He leaves the swords within easy reach, though. "Just so you know, this water's very cold."

"Oh, really?" She laughs softly. "I must have missed that." She also misses the sound of the door clicking open. Her back is mostly to it.

Meir'cillus blinks. Had he imagined it? Either way, he begins to drag himself up out of the water, reaching for the sword, quietly. Speaking might not be the best idea, if he wasn't hearing things.

Rey'deyono's eyes glance over to the door when it begins to open, still with that fearless, naive trust she's not yet shaken entirely.

Out of the water now, Meir draws the sword and pokes his head around the screen. "Who's there?"

At his voice, though, and before either Ionnyan can get a glance at who the figure was, the door shuts quickly.

Rey'deyono blinks. "I suppose he didn't realize that it was occupied."

Meir grumbles, and steps past the screen to pull the door open and look, dao in hand. It only occurs to him as he's doing so that he's still... in a compromising position.

Rey'deyono blinks once, twice, before covering her eyes with an amused, twitchy little smile resting on her lips. She's trying so very hard to avoid laughing.

In the hall, though...there's no one visible. Whoever was there, isn't now.

Meir does a pretty good job of retaining his composure on this little matter. It's a small thing, really, but only in this situation. 

"Someone was looking in on us, and..." he stops when he looks at her. Though it takes pretty much all his concentration, he manages to say, in a neutral tone. "What? I told you that the water was cold." 

The priestess finally laughs, whatever tension there is broken, but doesn't remove her hand. "Yes, yes...resigning yourself to it again may be a good idea, however."

Meir smiles at her, a pointless gesture. "I'll be drying off now. Please, if that door opens again, call for me, please..." as he speaks, he moves into the screened area and proceeds to dry and clothe himself, mortified.

She nods, though that amused little smile is still on her face. She tries to be casual, though, hearing the embarassment in his voice, and changes the subject as he dresses. "There is no reason to believe that this wasn't simply someone checking whether the bath room was occupied, Meir'cillus...do you agree?" It's a genuine question, really.

Meir comes out in his pants, still sliding into his shirt. No. If it was an accident, the person would most likely have uttered an 'excuse me' or a 'sorry' or what not, especially with the screen drawn. The drow looks at her. "Don't worry," is what he actually says. "You're probably right. All the same, I'll keep my eyes open."

Rey'deyono smiles and nods. She knows it's not what he means. She can read people fairly well...and him as clearly as a scroll in her native tongue. "It is probably wise, Lord Yerosyn, thank you." She stands up without too much trouble.

He smiles at that. "You're getting so much better," he praises her. "Come. Let's go back to our room, my beloved." He holds his hand out for her.

She smiles at that, brightly-for-her consider the eyes, and is glad to take his hand and the support. For more than just practical reasons, really, though she does appreciate having that excuse.

Meir'cillus leads her back out the door, eyes peeled, though his heart is still singing and he doesn't seem all that grim or concerned. He squeezes her hand very gently, loving her in that moment more than any one previous. 

"Let me look in here," he tells her when they get to the room, even as he's edging the door open.

Rey'deyono nods, and stays back. Actually, there'a very quiet rustle from inside for just a moment before it becomes quiet again.

Meir blinks. Draws the sword. "Stay back, my love." He lifts his foot and kicks the partially open door the rest of the way, ducking to the left side so as to avoid any surprise attacks. "If you have any regard for your life, you'll come out now, with your hands raised. Friend or foe."

No attack comes. The rustle had been near the packs, though...with cloaks hanging and everything else, there's plenty of cover.

Meir'cillus signs to Rey to draw her dagger, and then turns to step into the room. Only... he steps past it at first, before turning again to enter. His paranoia is keeping him far from on balance, but... this is his area of expertise, anyway.

Rey'deyono blinks, but does so...hesitantly, but does so. She looks up, ready to follow.

There's another rustle from near the packs.

Meir doesn't hesitate. He turns and lunges with the sword, feet turning to dance back if necessary, a growl of warning escaping his throat.

At that, a scraggly kitten squeals and dashes out between his legs, scampering to a stop and hissing when it sees Rey'deyono, and darts into another claws-bared circle of the room, knocking things over and throwing blankets into all manner of disarray.

Meir'cillus stumbles enough to fall over, pulling back his attack. "Gah! You little bastard!" He looks at the little beast from his suddenly sitting position. "It's a cat. Just a cat."

Rey'deyono's eyes had widened at the ruckus, then sparkled the slightest bit at the humor of a rudely broken tension. Now they're quiet again as she watches the kitten...barely a kitten. It's just a hair under fully grown. The priestess limps about halfway across the room to where the little cat's taken residence in a corner, and then, ignoring the pain of it as best she can, seats herself on her feet. She holds a hand low, calling for the creature softly and patiently.

Meir scrambles up, moves behind her. "It nearly gave me a heart attack. How on earth did it get in?"

"I am unsure, Lord Yerosyn," she notes softly. Perhaps there is a hole in the wall, a dumbwaiter or such, or a break in the outside door...?" There is a small, screened slot where they can shove their dishes to be picked up, actually, that's probably the answer.

The kitten, for now, just cowers.

"Welll... what should we do with it? After scaring me, I vote we employ it." He gazes at the thing. "All claws a moment ago."

Rey'deyono smiles softly as that. "That is certainly a possibility, Lord Yerosyn...do we have any meat?"

"Does the cat count?"

She shoves him just the littlest bit. "Meir'cillus!"

The drow smiles at her. "Yes dear?" He laughs, even as he goes to get some of the preserved food they still had left. He brings back a slab of wrapped fish. "Like this?"

The priestess smiles. "That is perfect, thank you." She cuts off a little bit with the dagger and divides it into some small pieces, which she softens with her front teeth. And then, approaching the cat on her knees slowly, leaves this on a small cloth nor far from the animal, then moves back over to her sleeping pad, seeming to wash her hands of the matter, and sets to combing out her long, black hair.

Meir still wants to eat the cat. Not that he likes cat.

"Do you need any help," he asks of his dearest love, "with anything at all?"

I do not believe so, Meir'cillus, but thank you." She smiles at him.

The malnourished kitten is interested in the fish...especially the one piece she'd tossed closer, and the nose is working overtime. Still doesnt' quiet go for it, though.

Meir nods. "I'll keep the watch, then. You can rest, my priestess." He reaches out, touches her shoulder for a moment. "I'll watch your cat, too."

She smiles at him, though her face becomes mock-stern. "Malnourished cats do not make for good steaks, Lord Yerosyn, remember this."

He smiles at her. "Maybe, but skinny can be beautiful, if not tasty." He looks at her, most meaningfully. "Trust me, my love. I won't eat your cat unless you want me to."

Her cheeks turn very red at that, very fast, and it's all she can do to sputter a moment, before going quickly back to coming her hair. "Well. I am sure the kitten in the corner will appreciate that." Too slow to feign ignorance. Oh well.

Meir simply whistles innocently, and sets up his sleeping pad nearer the door. "You know," he says before lying down, "you're very pretty when you blush."

"You must think me 'pretty' rather often, then," she observes, laughing her quiet little chuckle in a way that, though genuine, still holds remnants of disconcertedness.

"No, not really," Meir answers, his eyes already closed. "Only every moment of every day." His tone is a bit contrite; he knows how sensitive she can be. "I didn't mean to put you off. But I love to watch you blush."

"Well...that aim, you are good at accomplishing." She smiles at him. All's forgiven. She's still disconcerted. But all's forgiven. She glances over to the kitten, which is practically inhaling the fish, and a smile tugs at the corners of her lips again.

The drow nods a bit, grinning sidelong at her. "Get some rest, my priestess. I'll wake you in a bit."

The priestess smiles at him, nods, and takes a minute to settle herself beneath the blankets. "Are you not going to sleep as well, Lord Yerosyn?" Silly question. But she has to ask.

"Not right away," the drow answers. "I'm still not perfectly sure that we aren't anonymous in this room, but I will sleep. Thank you, beloved."

She nods, smiles sleepily, and pulls the blankets to partway over her face, breathing slowing before long.

The kitten's ears prick, and it noses its way over to Rey, sniffing cautiously.

Meir watches it closely, examining the little monster. "She certainly likes you. Could be the whole 'cute and pathetic' combination. Teach me how that works sometime."

The kitten seems to smile at him, finds a soft spot where it's warmed by her body, and cuddles up in a ball near the priestess's head.

Cute and pathetic... but Meir still doesn't trust it completely. "I must be getting too paranoid," he says to himself, "if I think a cat is some agent of the enemy."

The little creature just purrs quietly.

Meir snorts, and returns his attention to the door. He starts to relax before long, and within a half hour or so he's sleeping lightly.

The kitten purrs quietly, cuddles up nearer to Rey's face, and just stares at her, unblinking, until morning.

When Meir'cillus wakes up, his eyes go first to the door, then to Rey, then to the cat. 

"Hey you," he quietly grumbles, "give the woman some space."

The cat looks up after a few moments, blinks once, very slowly, and then stretches in a very kitty-like way and trots over to rub Meir'cillus's legs.

Rey'deyono opens her eyes quiet groggily. "...good morning," she manages after a few moments. She yawns heavily.

The drow glares at the kitty for a moment. "Good morning, beloved. You don't sound all that rested, Rey... perhaps you need more sleep?"

"Mm...perhaps. I don't seem to have rested well. But...I probably simply need some more time to wake up, and I will be fine." She smiles a little at him, sleepily. "How did you sleep, Lord Yerosyn?"

"Well enough, beloved. Well enough." He stands, sighing softly at the ache in his back from the long few days. "We need to get moving as soon as you can manage. Alright?"

She nods, though her eyes speak of concern for him. "Most certainly," she notes softly. Within a few minutes, she finishes packing up their currently meager belongings.

The drow gathers his swords, watching her closely. "What about this thing," he asks, looking to the cat, "leave it?"

"I am not sure, Lord Yerosyn." She yawns, raising a hand to her mouth. Apparently taking the raised hand as an opportunity to be petted, the kitten jumps up on--and in--the bag she's just about to close. A little smile touches the priestess's lips. "Do you suppose it would be too much a bother...?"

Meir looks at the cat. "You'd better be glad that she likes you." Then to her. "Rey'deyono, if it is what you want, it is what we shall do."

Rey'deyono smiles, closes up the pack--once the kitten jumps out, of course--and slips it over her shoulder. She limps towards the door, and pauses to kiss the drow's cheek. "Thank you, Meir'cillus." The kitten trots along after.

Meir warms at that, his hostility momentarily forgotten. "Might be worth keeping around after all, cat," he quietly says as he follows, careful to close the door behind. "So... which way?"

"Are you hungry?"

The drow shakes his head, then nods. "Maybe. Are you?"

She smiles a little. "A bit, yes." If he'd have said "no," she wouldn't have been. But she knows he must be hungry, and that the "not" side just wants to make time. "Perhaps it is downstairs to retrieve some food, then, before taking our leave? Unless you would prefer to simply nibble on our rations, of course." A hot meal sounds so terribly attractive...

"That sounds like a good plan to me, my priestess. We may as well conserve our rations, anyway." The drow nods slightly, and leads the way, eyes still peeled. She leads him by the nose, and they both know it.

Breakfast is simple though perhaps a little truncated...rice again, and eggs. Their bags are loaded onto the horses for them, and before long, they're bound northward again. It gets quite cold, and a storm threatens once...but the way is passed well enough. Just before sunset, a plume of smoke becomes visible, as well as a sulphuric smell, and the priestess smiles faintly. "That must be my cousin's residence, Lord Yerosyn."

"Oh, good," Meir notes, looking out at the plume. "That means I can stop having my tailbone rearranged by this saddle for a bit."

She smiles, and nods. "I am sure that your tailbone will appreciate it, Lord Yerosyn."

"soo... remind me," the drow says, "which cousin was this?"

"Sai'chi'tiono...he is a man who, though born with what would be exceptional magical talent in most circumstances, is not skilled by the standards of the family. He therefore sought post outside of himself, and eventually became a dragon-rider."

Meir smiles sort of uncomfortably. "Does he have a smaller name...?"

She smiles at him, eyes amused. "I am afraid not, Lord Yerosyn. Sai, Chi, Tiono."

"Dammit." The drow sighs softly, looking off that way. "I'll just stick to 'hey you'. Why does it stink like brimstone?"

"Dragons like heat, a good deal, actually. So he made his home on a volcanically active area." She smiles, still a bit sleepily, though now that can be passed off as travel-weariness. "So, yes, the ground beneath us could hypothetically explode at any time, to ease your mind."

"Oh, good. I don't care for coddling." Meir trots down the path, getting closer to the place, but keeping an eye on her. "Is there some way I'm supposed to greet him? Any rituals or customs that I need to know about?"

"No, none in particular that I can think of." That would be the trick...for her being able to actually be aware of her own native customs. "I don't remember this cousin or his temperment well, to be honest," she notes as she reigns the horse to a stop just outside the gate. Rey'deyono takes a deep breath and tries to slip from its back herself this time...bad idea. A very muffled cry, but she does manage to catch herself on the bags before it turns really bad. She's quick to comfort the horse.

In a few seconds Meir is at her side, grumbling at her, and reaching out to support her weight. "Baby steps, Rey'deyono. Your pain is my pain, and I don't like hurting. Okay?"

She smiles most sheepishly, embarassed, and nods. The kitten paces a few times this way and that, before finally bunching its little muscles and jumping to the ground. It lands much more gracefully than the human.

"Show off," the drow mutters in its general direction. "Lean on me, beloved. Just point me in the right direction."

Rey'deyono nods. "Thank you..." looks to the house. "Just over there, I don't sense any magical tricks or traps."

The drow nods, helping her along. "Just the same," the dao is drawn with his free arm... it might hurt her, but if a threat did show up, he could still move to attack... better than dying, he guesses. They come towards the house at a fairly quick pace, considering. "Hello?" the drow calls.

It's quiet a few moments before a massive figure pulls itself from a suddenly-materialized mist above the house, stretching out massively muscular arms before taking a threatening stance towards the visitors. "Who dares to disturb my place of residence?!" it thunders.

Meir'cillus blinks. "Oh that's just fantastic," he grumbles, "it isn't enough that I have to be shorter than regular people, now I get to play house with a frigging giant." He sighs, shakes his head. Jesting, but still, he knows better than to scream out their names right away. "We're book salespeople from the Ono lands, and we need a ride."

Rey'deyono looks up at the phasm, blinks a few times, then looks back towards the door. "Stop that, Tiono'sai'chi. You're not impressing anyone." The mist-giant pauses, then sticks out its tongue and dissipates. "I remember which cousin this is now," the priestess ponders quietly as the door cracks open...

revealing a skinny wizard fairly tall for the region. He surveys the visitors a few moments, then grins broadly. "Deyono'rey! I have not seen you since your coming of age ceremony! Goodness you look so much more grown up...who's your friend?" The man grins rather dopily, looking at Meir'cillus.

The drow blinks, sheaths his sword. Covers his face with one hand, shaking his head. The last words that he says behind his hands, soft, but Rey can probably hear them, are 'little bitch.'

"Oh, thank the Twins. I am a devout supporter of Deyono'rey. My name is Meir'cillus." He smiles pleasantly.

The tiono grins, and steps aside. "Come in, come in then...oops..." he picks up the cat when it starts to walk in the door, and pokes it in the belly. "Hm. You'd best be careful. Scraggly as you are, youd' make great dragon food."

Meir takes the cat carefully, looking at it. "No, no, if anyone eats this cat, it will be me." He steps inside, nodding his gratitude. "So you are Deyono'Rey's cousin, then?"

"I am! Twice removed, actually, but...who's counting?" He grins. "So what brings you two out to my humble abode?" He shoves things around to provide sitting room as he speaks.

Meir'cillus stands as long as the Priestess needs his support, all but forgetting about the cat.

"I wish I could say that it was a social call. But we seek passage to Ionnya, as quickly and discreetly as possible."

"Ahh..." Sai'chi's face gets a little more serious, but head tilts. "Ionnya. Um. That's on Ilitair, right?"

Meir nods. "Quite."

"Mm." Scritches his head. "Well, I don't normally go far onto Ilitair anymore because of that crazy-ass--excuse me, Rey, crazy-butt--drow sorcerer and all his lovely armies. But I guess I can take you as far as Verisea, if you can get where you want to be from there."

Rey'deyono stiffens a little. "I don't believe that Verisea would be ideal, cousin," she notes softly. It's where she had seen Meir'cillus and herself killed. "Are there any other potential ports of call?"

Head tilts the other way. "It's a dragon, not a galleon. Anyway...um...none jump out at me...why?"

"I have quite a few enemies at Verisea, who'd like nothing more than to break my bones." Not untrue in the least. "Discretion is the word, friend. I'd rather that we returned home without doing so in crates."

"Tsk tsk, pick picky. Hm..." the dragon rider ponders this a bit. "Well, I guess I can drop you off at Kiee and you can hop a ship back to Ionnya? That work?"

"It should. My lady?" He glances at Rey'deyono.

"That would be fine," she notes half a tone softer than even her normal one, a fairly constant phenomenon around members of her own family, and, really, in this region in general. She nods. "What will we owe you for this service, Tiono'sai'chi?"

"Well, as much as I'd love to offer to fly you two for free...it's very far out of the way, and will require several stops. Since you are family, seven hundred eighty gold should be about enough."

It's an obscene sum, but the priestess simply nods. It's to be expected travelling by dragon...a little under the normal price, actually, but just barely. Just enough to show that he's cutting her a break without really doing it. "That would be fine."

Meir twitches. Clamps down on his tongue. Even the Ono's are money grubbers, eh? Sick bastard. I should cut his throat and... can't. Damn.

"When can we leave?"

"First thing in the morning, if you're ready. I'm afraid my mount isn't used to flying at night, master drow, my apologies."

Meir growls low in the back of his throat. "Fine. I'll need something to cover my eyes, though."

Sai'chi nods. "That can be arranged. So. You two hungry?"

"Famished," Meir answers before he can bite his tongue.

"Splendid, then!" Tall, fair, and skinny stands up. "I'm a pretty damned good cook, I'm sure you'll agree. Though, I'm not sure what you drow eat..." he ponders as he wanders into the next room, much to Rey'deyono's chagrin.

"Skinny wizards, mostly," Meir answers, looking to Rey'deyono with a look that screams 'is this idiot for real?'

He doesn't seem to hear.

Rey'deyono just smiles in that sheepish little way that apologizes for one's relatives, and pats his hand before taking one of the cleared seats, the kitten wasting no time in jumping up on her lap and receiving a scratched chin and soft smile in response.

Meir sits, looking around... he doesn't trust this guy. Not in the least, but then, the only person he trusts is Rey'deyono, at this point. Maybe Thenai. Breasts have a way of persuading men to that effect. "I wonder if Vayen will have troops waiting at Kiee, as well?"

"It is hard to say, Meir'cillus. I had not heard of his moving so far, but then, it seems to have been many, many months since I have had the opportunity to receive reliable information."

The drow looks somewhat crestfallen, at that. "Sorry... I was just idly musing. Too much could go wrong, and it's stressing me."

Her eyes sadden with his demeanor, and she places a gentle, covered hand on his shoulder. "Do not apologize, Lord Yerosyn. It is quite legitimate concern."

The drow nods slowly, thoughtfully. He just... wants more than anything for all this to be over. The tediousness, the worry, the fear that any move is the wrong the one. But he can't say that. He must be strong.

"Well, we'll see when we get there, I suppose," he nods as he says, smiling at her. "That expression doesn't suit you."

Her lips twitch back towards a smile, and she nods. Rey'deyono looks down at the kitten after a moment, trying to hide an admittedly faint blush that came from nowhere. She's just...a bit reflective, really. Really realizing how close she has become to Meir'cillus in these past few weeks.

The kitten just purrs, and much banging and the occasional burst of profanity can be heard from the kitchen.

Meir looks down at the little bastard, still sort of unsettled by it. "You realize that, were this gentleman not your cousin, I would have been tempted to slap him around at that price."

"I know. It is...less than he would normally charge, but only just barely. It is a break for show." Scratches the kitten's ears. "Regardless, though, this is our quickest way to return to Ionnya safely. My aunt's teleportation carries more risk."

"Blasted practicality," Meir grumbles, though it has a jesting tone to it. "I can't wait to be done with all of this. Back to..." he stops, blinking. He had almost said 'back to normal', but... the day that he has decided to treasure most was actually recently, back in the cave before those idiot bandits had attacked them. Normal was nothing compared to that. "Well... to simply be, I suppose."

Rey'deyono smiles faintly for a moment, then looks down to the kitten. "Yes. To be." There's a pause. "Both our lives will be very different after all of this," she observes. Her no longer the High Priestess. Him with the option of taking Ionnya's crown or not. A new continental political stage that promises to be most tumultuous. And, eventually...their being husband and wife.

Meir looks at her, nods. "Different is alright, beloved. Without different, you and I would never have come to such... good terms." He's trying not to think about all that... he can't very well turn his back on the crown. If it's offered him, he will have to accept it. As for their being bound together in marriage, well... if he's breathing, and she has not said no, then it will be so.

She nods. "Yes...that is certainly true. I cannot say that I am glad that all has happened, has, of course not. But...not all outcomes were unfavorable." She smiles at him, shyly.

His heart simply melts. It always does, and it's not bloody fair. He's tempted to kiss her, truly is, but has this notion that last time was forgiven on a technicality. Instead, he simply returns her smile, nodding his agreement.

She goes back to petting the cat, eyes quietly content.

Dinner is surprisingly good, true to the admitedly boistrous little wizard's word. The guest room has to be cleared out to an extent. "So. Do y'all sleep wanna sleep together, or...?" Sai'chi is clearly uncomfortable at the question.

"But we've only just met," Meir blinks, looking at the wizard, "and you aren't my type."

He blinks. "I...I ah...mean..." points at Rey sheepishly. For her part, the younger Ono has an impressivly straight face.

"Oh. Whatever's convenient, though I'd like to remain in sight of her if at all possible." Meir smiles innocently. He doesn't trust this psychopathic waif any more than that damn cat.

"Ohh...right. Of course." The cousin nods, still disconcerted, and throws down some extra blankets as a second mattress.

Sleep comes quite easily to Rey'deyono this night, Kitten still beside her.

---

The next morning sees Tiono'sai'chi excited to be up and about, and their bags are loaded onto the dragon quite early. He's practically bouncing. "Deyono'rey, would you grab that last bag for me? Thank ..." he starts as she heads in that direction, then cuts off to a tilted head. "Heey...are you limping?"

Rey'deyono actually, physically rolls her eyes a little, though this is, of course, only visible in the most subtle of ways, as she grapples for proper response.

Meir'cillus, who is already awake, yawns loudly. "Dammit all to bloody hell, is it already time to go?" He gets up, yawns again, doing his subtlest best to become the center of attention and spare Rey the question. He's been waiting for this, actually. "And what do you think you're doing, asking a woman to carry bags? Give me that. Come now, before your dragon decides to sleep in."

The priestess affords him the littlest of smiles for the assistance...and not for taking the bag. She's not really trying to hide her injuries from her family, just...couldn't bring herself quite to terms with the question. At least without a response that would be considered too bold for a woman.

"Yes, yes..." the rider reddens just a little, but laughs again as he slings the bag over the dragon. Really, there isn't much cargo to serve humans...it's almost all dragon food, in case one night's stop doesn't yield the usual food availability. The dragon, a mid-sized one, looks rather excited, too, for its part...it looks this way and that, finally winding its long neck around to Meir'cillus, a head three-quarters the drow's size sniffing in his face.

"Now this is a beast to admire," Meir observes, promptly sniffing the dragon back. His eyes water a bit. "Though... its teeth could use scrubbing. What exactly do you feed such a noble creature?"

"Meat and grain both. Redovan here will eat anything, right?" Sai'chi guffahs, and half-pats and half-smacks the dragon, though the creature doesn't seem to mind. He nudges Meir'cillus with his nose, then turns it over to Rey to investigate her. The priestess smiles, and actually knows how to pet a dragon's face...much to the creature's delight. It also proved the little-known fact that dragons can purr...kind of. It sounds like badly coordinated cannon fire.

Sai'chi grins, final preparations done. "Well...all aboard who are goign aboard, then!" The saddle-like contraption, really just a series of seats, is actually quite straightforward. It's easy to see who goes where.

After being quite nearly bowled over by the dragon's nose, Meir stands by the contraption, ready to offer Rey'deyono what ever help she might need. "I hope it's worth the noise," he remarks, though he's really referring more to Sai'chi and less to the dragon.

"Aww...don't worry, he'll quiet down as soon as we're flying, right boy?" The wizard grins, rather oblivious.

Rey'ono heads over to Meir'cillus with the slow, uneven step that her dear cousin had taken hours to notice, smiling at the drow for the help, and is situated in the "saddle" before too terribly long, in the middle seat.

Meir pats the dragon once he's helped Rey up. "You have my sympathy," he assures Redovan, before clambering up to sit behind his beloved Rey'deyono.  "I hope you aren't afraid of heights, Deyono'rey?"

She smiles, shakes her head. "No. I enjoy looking over Gerionay from the temple's high tower. And you, Lord Yerosyn?"

"Of course not. When one is as low to the ground as I, one learns to enjoy the view when he can."

Her eyes sparkle, and she nods. Tiono'sai'chi hops nimbly onto the dragon's neck and plops down on the nearly bareback rider's section, adn grins. "Well, that's good, kids...hang on!" With only that warning, the dragon takes a few bounding steps and leaps from the high cliffside, wings snapping out and taking a sharp upward turn on a thermal.

Rey'deyono catches her breath, admittedly gripping her seat a little more tightly. High is one thing. Fast is different.

Meir's reaction is vocal, for certain, but totally unintelligible. Whoops of excitement and laughter mix with something that sounds like Drow swearing to form a potent.... something. He watches the ground disappear below, and instantly decides that Ionnya must start training dragoners. "Don't you think, Rey'deyono?" he asks after a bit more gibberish.

She laughs, only a little quietly, unavoidable excitement in her eyes. "I think that that may be a worthwhile venture, Lord Yerosyn."

"You hear that, wizard? You might have an impending client!" Meir calls to Sai'chi, whom he still takes to be a little bitch.

The dragon-rider laughs, as much at the exhiliration of flying as anything. He does so love his job. "Only if I won't get blown up by drow cannon fire!"

"I'll make a note," Meir answers. Cut you up instead. He looks over the side of the dragon, at the mightily pumping wings. "It makes the quibbling of people seem kind of moot, this creature."

"They really are fantastic beasts." Sai'chi's voice, though no less ecstatic, does quiet with a genuine respect and understanding of the creatures. "You'll never find anything so powerful or so majestic or so noble as a dragon, anywhere, in any society."

"Don't tell the other drow that," Meir answers, "most would disagree."

"Yes, well, so would most humans." The tiono smiles back at Meir. "But they're kidding themselves, too."

Meir agrees quietly, and goes back to watching.

---

"When the hell are we gonna be there?" Meir finally asks after what feels like a forever of travelling.

"Soon, soon..."

Rey'deyono is napping, with surprisingly straight posture. She's jerked awake when the dragon alights on a rooftop, through a mist that proves to be a Kieean city. Sai'chi grins, apparently thinking surprising people by not announcing a destination's proximity is a clever thing. "Welcome to Kiee."

"Oh, lovely. Right in the bloody heart of 'hey, didn't you just kick our frigging asses' land." Meir looks down. "I guess we walk from here?"

"Something like that. Dragons aren't permitted in the city limits."

Before long, Rey's been helped down and bidden her cousin goodbye...and she and Meir'cillus are left to carry most of their belongings. More by him, of course, since he's stronger by a good margin, but both do their share.

A ship is surprisingly easy to come by...individual Ionnyans are politically accepted now based on their "refugee" status, so the only thing questionable about the obvious foreigners being on the docks is the fact that they're seeking transportation back to Ilitair. Passage is booked, and the way is somewhat uneventful...though Rey'deyono seems to have contracted some illness, based on a gradually worsening fatigue that keeps her sequestered below deck except when Meir'cillus coaxes her topside and keeps her awake once there. Her walking ability, though, is improving, even faster than Meir'cillus's ribs, which are healing well due to good medicine. Many hours are spent talking between them, and most are spent together...it is not an altogether dark time, despite the overall circumstances.

A month, two large storms, and no truly desperate moments later, the ship docks in a port only a few hundred miles from Ionnya's border.

Though exhausted, as she always is these days, Rey'deyono smiles faintly when their feet pass over the solid pier...though she sways now and again before regaining her balance. Not due to a limp...these planks simply have the audacity to not rock like the ship. "Goodness...it is very nice to be on dry land again, Meir'cillus."

Meir'cillus, once he's sworn properly at the boat, nods his agreement. "You aren't kidding. Now... where are we, exactly?"

"We are..." her almost permanently heavy eyelids snap wide open. "...down!" She jerks back and down herself, stumbling and throwing a hasty magical shield before them...a huge spinning blade just barely glances off. It falters just long enough to give a glimpse of its double-crescent shape before regaining its full speed, missing Meir'cillus this time. It's caught in a black-gloved, heavily tattoed hand. Its bearer's face is absolutely cold.

The priestess, for her part, looks very much like she's about to faint, trembling and far paler than weeks below deck can explain. Her visions...Gods, it can't be....

Meir'cillus snarls, heart slowing to just above normal in a hurry. "Felara," he mutters, looking at her, but not. He's watching for a stone, more than anything. Bags hit the dock, and dao come out without his direct instruction. "Long time."

"Yes. You've been keeping busy." Her hand re-settles on her blade, ready to throw at an instant's notice, eyes unchanging through all of this.

"Yes. Doing what I said I would. And I see you've wasted no time in toadying." The drow shrugs, letting his cloak fall aside a bit, just enough that a certain pendant-thingy see the light. "But I did promise to kill you, if I failed. So." His eyes gleam.

Felara narrows her eyes. "You didn't return. I figured he'd killed you. I'd have been killed myself for refusing my loyalty...and I don't give my allegiance to the dead.." her voice cuts off rather suddenly as the field passes over her, eyes taking a starkly surprised and absolutely furious. Perhaps, ironically enough, somewhat betrayed as well. Blade whips towards a throw as part of the wall behind Meir'cillus and Rey'deyono cracks sharply.

Meir'cillus, though, is graced with a sharp, disorienting power spike, telekinetic, and Rey'deyono catches her breath at the same, though her head jerks back towards the falling wall, eyes wide.

The drow bites his lips, until his mind starts to clear. As the blade approaches, it is almost as if it travels in slow motion, so heightened are his senses. "Equal power levels," he can almost hear Chian saying. Fine. Meir'cillus steps forward and swings his own sword so that the flat of it should strike the edge of the spinning blade and throw it off course.

The demi-human stiffens, eyes narrowing, when the blade is thwarted...calls it back towards her, but it is slow to respond. Felara is tense...she understands what Meir'cillus has done, now, somehow. She doesn't let her eyes travel to the descending bricks behind them.

"Meir'cillus...!" Rey finally manges to cry, and fairly leaps towards him, trying to get him out of the way.

Meir starts at her voice, recalling. Stone. Wall. Dammit! The drow rolls along with Rey'deyono's leap, hoping to carry her with him, away from whatever harm she had envisioned. It's not a good situation at all.

They both clear the danger...just barely. A thick cloud of dust leaves the priestess coughing and disoriented, unable to see much.

"Heh." It's the perfect opportunity to kill them, though, for one reason or another, Felara waits. "This is the whimpering little fool you betrayed us for?" Catches the blade again.

Meir isn't thinking about anything else except for Felara, now. His power-hiding cloak finds its way over Rey'deyono's shoulders, and he himself emerges from the dust like a bat out of hell, swords raised and snarling in pure rage.

Felara affords one of her rare smiles, somethine like amusement in her stark grey eyes. She has the raw musclature to move her weapon fast. Not as fast as Meir'cillus's, maybe, but...it has quite enough edges to be used for defense that it's hard to get past. For now, though, a hand is on one of the grips near the tip, slashing towards her assailant's weaponse.

Meir'cillus, armed with two smaller weapons that probably aren't as well forged as Felara's disc, finds himself faced with a quandry. Attack, or defend... either way is a risk. He chooses, as per his nature, to cross his swords in hopes of parrying the attack, looking to stomp down on Felara's instep if it works.

The maneuver works, in part...the blade's deflected from him, yes, but jerks at one of the swords with terrible force. The foot, though, connects to a furious yelp and the first time her nether-arm slashed towards him, claws glinting.

Meir had been ready to let the one sword go and simply stab her, but that arm gets his attention. He lets the momentum of her attack move him, rolling with it as he had with Rey a second ago, but the tip of her claws still slashes through his cheek and his good ear's tip as he rolls back and to his feet. He'll have to deal with that claw, and the best way... he charges, full intending to simply cut the damn thing off.

Felara growls, and turns...interestingly enough, not to place the virtually invulnerable nether arm more completely in the way of the blow, but rather to bring the crescent blade swinging towards his chest.

Rey'deyono's eyes widen...she thinks she has some small handle on the telekinesis, just from training in another psionics...a weak grab at Felara's blade is enough to send it awry. But that's not her main focus. Searches for the spell...there! A well-placed burst of the right kind of energy disintigrates an illusion spell...and the nether arm vanishes, leaving a jagged stump bandaged near the elbow. It throws various other gashes over her body into clearer focus.

Felara snarls at that, truly pissed now, but leaps back a few paces. Her disrupted swing would have left her vulnerable. "Don't know why you would really think I gave over my loyalties without...persuasion." Teeth bared in stark anger, blade stilled but ready to strike forward again at any second, very much a dormant volcano.

Meir, though slightly confused, doesn't lower his weapons. "Imagine if you would, that someone known for changing sides tried to kill you. What the hell would you think about loyalties?" He breathes slowly, furiously, eyes locked upon her. "I'm going to kill Vayen. I'm going to cut him slow, too. If you want to live, run. Stay here, and I'll kill you too. Like I promised."

"'Promises'?" The demi-human scoffs. "Ask Xayu's little bitch what she thinks of your 'promises.' Ask those elves you dragged to Vayen's doorstep. Hell, ask your country. Ask me." Sends the blade flying again. Rey'deyono seems to be forgotten.

The drow has had quite enough. For weeks, he's been holding himself to a higher standard, showing mercy, treating others with respect... but enough is enough. No mercy.

Meir crosses his swords, stepping just to the left once again as he approaches, hoping to deflect the blade off its course.

It's knocked hard, but had been moving fast...it's going to require some maneuvering on the drow's part to avoid taking the spinning blade in the side. Felara, meanwhile, glances off to the side, narrows her eyes, and darts off in one direction.

Meir'cillus recoils from a harder blow than he'd expected, and curses the extra sidestep he needs to dodge the thing. It gives Felara the extra step she needs to get a lead on him. He takes off after her, eyes peeled for traps and snares... she'd run too quickly.

Felara's aim is clear before long...she grabs a certain priestess's wrist, pays almost literally no mind to the weak escape maneuver Rey tries to execute, one Meir'cillus had taught her...before she can so much as blink, the priestess's back is clasped to the telekinetic's chest with a too-strong arm and well-placed stump. She's quite intentionally staring straight at Meir'cillus. She struggles a little...that ceases as soon as a blade's pressed against her throat. Her eyes are a vivid, panicked, nearly sky-blue color Meir'cillus has probably never seen before.

Meir stops, eyes narrowing. "You fucking dolt. What in the hell do you think taking her will do for you?" He steps brashly forward. "If you kill her, I'll just kill you. You know better than that."

"But you want to avoid that. Further, I don't have to kill her to hurt her. Seriously and repeatedly." Felara narrows her eyes. "Deactivate your beacon." She means the pendant.

Rey'deyono starts to shake her head, but the accompanying protest catches in her throat at a tightened grip and closer sword. Her breath is fast an shakey, eyes sparkling with fear...most unlike how she usually acts even in dangerous circumstances. The visions seem to be getting to her.

Meir takes the thing up in his hand, shrugs. "Oh, this. Let her go first." Meir's been put in this situation too many times lately. "You have no choice, Felara. Let her go, and I'll deactivate it. But it's going to end the same either way, with your mangled little body in pieces."

The telekinetic narrows her eyes. Finally, after a few moments...shoves Rey to the ground, unharmed.

"Rey," Meir'cillus orders, "get behind me." The drow clasps the pendant in his hand, hiding it from the light. "Now. If you still want to fight, fine. If you don't, you had best start running now, and never stop, until after I'm finished Vayen."

Rey'deyono, though her pride has taken quite the beating already, is fairly quick to comply.

Felara closes her eyes a few moments as the powers normalize, then opens them, then narrows them. "I don't want to fight you. Not really. But I'll be damned if I run from you." Calls the blade back to her hand. Its path is again straight, sure, and strong.

"Idiot. Don't you see? You're damned either way." Meir'cillus scoffs quietly. "I'm done with you. My business is with Vayen. So stand here until the end of time, for all care."

Felara narrows her eyes, some of their past interactions flowing through her mind. She's hurt...she truly is. "You are such an ass." Raises the blade again, though doesn't throw it.

The drow shakes his head. "Yeah. I thought that was why we got along so well at first. Look. Are you going to switch sides again, and help me, or what?" He looks at her, his eyes clear as they've ever been. "I really don't care for drama, Felara. I goad you, you hate me, we scuffle, you convince me that you hate him, I believe you, we go. Sound about right?"

Felara blinks. Frowns, clearly conflicted. This is easier when she pretends that damned whimpering little human isn't behind him, which she's doing right now. "Fine." Returns the blade to her back, then holds out her one hand. "Cut it off."

Meir looks down at it. "I suppose the obvious question is 'why', now isn't it?"

Felara turns the hand to reveal a deep scar. "There's a beacon of sorts in it. Vayen can use it to control me in various ways. Cut it off."

Meir'cillus shrugs. "As you wish." He looks to Rey. "Don't look." Still watching her warily, the drow lifts one of the dao and slices, aiming squarely for the far end of the scar.

The priestess complies, shutting her eyes tightly...opening them once the deed's done.

The blade's well-smithed, and the cut is just as clean as can be expected. Felara grits her teeth, sucks in her breath sharply with a growl...not only at the pain, seeing as that was the only hand she'd had left. She's startled when the priestess takes hold of her wrist gently, though. Very nearly knocks the cleric out, actually.

Rey'deyono can feel the tensed air, Felara's telekinesis...but her eyes are fairly steady, and mostly returned to her normal, much deeper color. "Here. Let me help you."

Meir'cillus smiles at Rey'deyono. "See? That is why I choose her over anyone else. Now relax, Felara. Let her help."

Felara's eyes glance to him, then back the the priesess, evaluating though narrowed against pain. She finally sighs, and sits down. Rey'deyono smiles faintly and retrieves some medical supplies from her bag, setting to the telekinetic's hand with skill that's been quite refined by this particular trip.

Felara stares at Meir'cillus. "So. I'm just dying to know. What did happen when you waltzed into Vayen's chamber and challenged him, that you're still alive?"

Meir'cillus sits across from them, breath wearing down to a lazy pace. "I threatened him, he threatened me. My trump card was the orb, that would've shut down his power and made him my bitch, and his was Rey'deyono's life. Reports of her death, while accurate, were greatly exaggerated." The drow shrugs. "Then the bastard sent us to... oh... beloved, what was the name of that dimension?"

"Cocytus." Rey's voice has quite reverted to its usual softness.

Felara raises an eyebrow. "'Cocytus'? He sent you to Cocytus and you're standing here? How the hell..." sucks in her breath, winces as the priestess tightens a bandage, then continues... "is that possible?"

"Right now is when I want to say something cheesy, like 'the power of our love saw us through' but it isn't my style." The drow chuckles, greatly amused at all this... and honestly, quite vindicated that he got to slice off her hand. Though that's his own secret. "We had help from a friendly sorcerer."

"Must have been a damned friendly sorcerer to be willing to piss off this whole continent."

Rey'deyono only smiles at that, and finishes bandaging what very little there is of Felara's hand.

"Just one who is beyond the trifles of this place," Meir answers. "So... what will you do? You can't very well fight now, Felara."

Felara shrugs as Rey'deyono sits on her feet beside Meir'cillus. "I'm still telekinetic. Ask Therian if that can do damage."

"Fine. And just so you're aware, despite attacking me just now, and holding a blade to the throat of Rey'deyono, my promises to you still stand." Meir blinks. "We have to go, though. Now. Yesterday."

She nods at that. "Fair enough. There aren't any significant numbers of troops headed this way that I know of. Not that I get told a whole lot."

"More than us," the drow nods. "So. How exactly do we get back to that freak's place? I want him dead yesterday, as well."

Felara shrugs. "You can guess how I got here, but I can't carry all three of us so far. Just taking the main roads up there is probably fastest until we'll pass too many troops, then I know some side routes."

"Oh, good. Well then." Meir looks around, suddenly remembering where they are. "If we didn't frighten off too many locals with our scuffle, I think we'll need some horses. Faster than walking, more discrete than flying." He looks at Rey, smiles. He would walk, but for her. The extent of her injury, however, is none of anyone's business.

Rey'deyono returns the smile, quiet gratitude in her eyes, and stands up. Felara follows suit. "Okay. Well, if you want to go, let's."

Before long, they're situated on horses and northbound.

"There are a few things that you can tell me, Felara," Meir begins once the docks are far behind them. "Like, has Vayen increased defenses at his fortress? Obviously he knows that we escaped Cocytus. Is he expecting us? Has he hired more mercenaries of ability? That sort of thing."

"Extra defenses: no more than might be expected. I don't know if he's expecting you alive or not, exactly, but he wouldn't want you dead if he thought you were going to mind your own business. I don't know if he's sent anyone else, probably not until he's realized that I didn't do my job."

The drow nods, thinking. "In and out," he tells them, "we can't risk a battle. Rey'deyono... I would much prefer that you went someplace safe, before all this goes down." He looks at the human, drinks her in as he always does. "Thoughts?"

Rey'deyono's eyes travel down. "There is much that I need to settle with the church council before rumours of my survival begin to cause dissent within it..." she notes softly. Looks back up to him. "That is south. But...I would very much like to travel farther with you."

Had it been anyone else, Meir'cillus would have probably smacked her. But...

"I cannot say no to you, Rey'deyono. I'll just have to keep my eyes open." He looks to Felara. "Why not, right? She and I have literally been to hell and back on this trip."

The telekinetic just rolls her eyes. She's positive now that all common sense has left her former and current ally.

Two days later...Rey'deyono is quiet and withdrawn. This is the last major city before they reach the Ionnyan border, and definitely the time for her to head south. She remains quietly wrapped in a travelling blanket picked up along the way as they come up on an inn in the light of pre-dawn, having again reverted to sleeping in the day.

Meir'cillus is acutely aware of their surroundings, as well. He wishes that they could simply turn back, bid Felara farewell, and spend the rest of eternity hidden away together. But... he has a duty to perform. He urges his horse a little closer to her. 

"Rey'deyono. Are you all right, beloved...?" he inquires of her, knowing the answer.

"I am...concerned for you, Lord Yerosyn," she notes quietly, not looking at him.

Meir'cillus nods slowly. "Don't be, my priestess. I go to face a maniacal sorceror. You go to face politicians. Yours is the short end of this stick, I think." 

She finally looks up, subdued humor in her eyes and a very small smile teasing the corners of her lips. "Thank you, Meir'cillus." She appreciates his lightening the mood.

It's all Felara can do to keep her mouth shut and jumps off her horse in front of the inn.

Meir gets off his horse as well, ignoring her. Whatever she thinks... Felara's opinion towards Rey'deyono means nothing to him. "My lady," he offers his hand. "Come. Time is not up yet."

She smiles and nods...taking his help carefully, a fair amount of weight on him when she lands, but as little as she could manage, and they're used to the drill. Felara notices. "So. What's wrong with her feet?"

"Frostbite," the priestess answers for herself, quietly.

Meir bites his lip, eyes softening in sympathy. "Rey..." he shakes his head. "It is my fault. Forgive me."