Peiter was perfectly content waiting down on the forest floor, especially since he would not have been able to climb the ropes anyway. Up in the higher platforms, the first person Sabine saw was Sees-No-Colors, who was standing outside the main structure in the center, evidently getting some fresh air. When asked, he readily informed her that there was a stream nearby, just to the east of the ropes. Peiter had indeed been correct that the supply outpost was built near a water source. 

Shortly after Sabine left, Colors headed back inside the main structure with the others. It, like all of the other structures, was built encircling the trunk of one of the large trees. It was anchored to it, and other surrounding trees, by wooden beams and thick ropes. Inside, it had all of the amenities that one would expect from a home. There were candles for lighting, proper chairs and furniture, and even a fireplace for cooking. There was more than enough food in the main structure for their dinner and a breakfast in the morning, and there was more food in the storage building nearby. While there were not enough chairs for three entire packs, there were cushions that anyone else could use if they were sitting on the floor. 

Once they had become settled in, Meesei's packs had spent some time speaking with Ra'maranja's group. The topics were serious at first, though they quickly became more casual. Ra'maranja asked about the Bruma clan, and Meesei herself, while Colors described the Senchal clan, and particularly its leader. Now, most everyone had settled into groups either eating their dinner, or just conversing among themselves while they waited to become tired enough to actually fall asleep. As Ra'maranja had suspected, it seemed as if they would be waiting until morning before they went to meet with the Senchal clan leader. 

After pacing in front of the fire for a few moments, Colors eventually walked over and sat down on a cushion near Janius, Kaleeth, and a few of the others. Most of Ra'maranja's group appeared relaxed, but Colors looked almost to be nervous. He seemed oddly alert, but had said nothing to indicate that anything was out of the ordinary. He looked at Janius and Kaleeth curiously for an almost awkward amount of time as he seemed to be deliberating on something intensely within his mind. "So you two are bonded, yes? Mates?"

Down on the forest floor, Peiter had taken the time while Sabine was away to pack up the practice swords and other belongings. He was surprised to see that, even with the amount of time they had trained, his shirt had still hardly dried at all. It made him wonder which he hated more: the heat, or the humidity. Nevertheless, he packed it up carefully, away from anything he wanted to keep dry. Once Sabine returned, it was not a far walk to the east before they could hear the flowing water over the rest of the sounds of the forest. Peiter was glad to have hope of relief from the heat, though a river this body of water certainly wasn't. As they walked up to the water, Peiter could see that, while large for a stream, they certainly would not be able to swim in the traditional sense. It was about as wide as Peiter was tall, and at its deepest, only came up about halfway to Peiter's knee. Still, the water was fairly clear, and when he knelt down and ran his hand through the water, he could feel that it was crisp and cool. 

"Well, we're not going to be doing any diving, but at least it will be refreshing. I can at least wash these city clothes." Peiter commented. 

---

In her response, Irenya was completely firm, and serious. "Gallus, it is my duty to protect them. Lord Hircine has commanded this task, and has seen fit that we be the ones to accompany the Champion. No matter what I think, you know me well enough to know that I will not fail in my duty, no matter what that might be. If Hircine commanded me to protect Vile himself, I would do it. You will not find me starting arguments or fights, but I cannot control the actions of that prideful cat. If I were you, I would be sure to address her as well."