Malakaus only grunted as Syndere allowed these strangers to gather. He can't say he trusts any of them, not Hammond or Delphine, and certainly not the singing loon. Hammon seemed like a deprived hollow, and Malakaus knew that the man would stop at nothing to enrich himself. Malakaus never trusted holy questers like Delphine, and certainly not the female ones. The loon spoke for himself; Malakaus knew the song he sung and it was practically the anthem for those who have given themselves to the cycle of death that was the Undead Curse. He kept a close eye on all of them, even as Syndere seemed more trusting.

Though it's not that Syndere trusted any of these people. it's just that unlike Malakaus, she wasn't so foolish as to anger all of them at once. If she truly felt threaten by any in particular, she would carefully set up her defenses against them while breaking down their own, and then strike them when they cannot properly defend themselves. Preferably from behind. 

But thoughts of betrayal aside, Syndere figured that this party would have to do. [color=firebrick]"I have come here seeking a promised land where the chosen undead, bearers of the curse, and ashen ones could come and find an end to their suffering. Mmmph mph mph... Perhaps that's a fool's quest, considering how many others have tried and found only suffering... So I am such a fool. I would imagine that we all came here seeking the same, no?"[/color] As Syndere asked, Malakaus had been looking at Hammond trying to figure out what he's been saying. Or pantomiming, as it were. Obviously there were archers in the castle, so Malakaus could guess that Hammond tried and failed to get past them. He had only a club and a piece of fencing as a shield, so Malakaus was not surprised to see how he failed. 

[color=silver]"Long story short is that we're going to go in there. And if we're all here, we might as well go together. Who knows, we might even make it."[/color] Malakaus was actually certain that he would. He's already been through things such as kindling the first flame, and even sat on the throne of want. He's never gotten the pleasure of being the lord of embers, but he took that as a blessing. Frankly, this undead curse was really weighing him down. He was simply growing tired of all the fighting and suffering. It was worse than nightmares; at least nightmares could be awoken from. He just wants to be able to sleep and never wake up again. [color=silver]"Now that I've rested up here, I'm ready to leave. What about you Syndere?"[/color]

Right after he asked that, Syndere rose from the bonfire. She felt herself rejuvenated by the flames, and her hands were engulfed in fire. The fire which spread to her ragged cloak, burning it off to reveal the full extent of her attire. Or the lack thereof. She seemed unarmed at her immolation and smiled at her guardian companion. [color=crimson]"I can leave as well. But I would like to know if anyone else whichs to accompany us. I understand some of you need more rest, but even so the only way to go from here is forward. There is nothing left for us to turn back to now. So the sooner the better, yes?"[/color]