[center][h2][b][color=#d31c0a]Deo’Irah[/color][/b][/h2][/center]

Irah’s expression immediately softened upon the mention of having Fallen, her features softening into a pale imitation of the resplendently beautiful sadness she knew from another divine’s face, a pang of empathy rippling across her being. The poor thing–she wondered when, precisely, it had fallen. Before Feveesha knew it? During? After? With just how much the sadness had struck it… she would not be surprised if it was during, and Feveesha had been one of the few sources of power available to it. Perhaps the only source. Irah wondered precisely how it had come to be fully summoned at all–surely, given its reaction, it would not have [i]wanted[/i] her to perish? She could feel a certain amount of suspicion in it still, though, and she would have to temper her advances carefully–Thalks were wily, and she could not be too hasty with her words or risk the fragile truce. She took a moment to recall the information presented to her with a deep breath, letting her hands drop down to her sides.

[color=#d31c0a][b]“I believe so, though... The Lady Bor told us that she’d been trying to convince some of her guests–Feevesha included–to help save the town’s healer. One of her guards mentioned the attack was last night, and before we came to the manor here we tended to some wounded in the Fadewatcher station nearby–I assumed it was the same bandits, though I admit that I am uncertain of the details. The alarm bells went off in the Manor, we rushed over and were apprised of the situation, and the rest you know.”[/b][/color] Deo’Irah began, turning for a quick moment to Yanin, Freagon, and then Lhirin in order to query whether she’d missed any other information.

[color=#d31c0a][b]”We mean to ensure the safety of the healer and return him hale and whole. I… am sorry for your loss, Caleb. I did not know Feevesha, but she was noble enough to risk herself to help… and though she has now paid the ultimate price, we owe it to her memory to ensure her last wishes are done. I cannot speak for everyone… but I am of the opinion that now you are here, it would be an affront to her life to simply return you from whence you came. So long as you can remain here without harming the innocent, there is no reason at all to harm you.”[/b][/color] Irah spoke, her voice filled with both melancholy and sympathy. She took a brief moment to take stock of the situation, looking over to her newfound allies and her old companion with a brief glance. The expression on her face was not… pleading, exactly, but sombre and determined. Many more thoughts crossed her mind as she looked at the illusory Archangel, but most prominently that the charade truly was not necessary anymore. Now that this Fallen angel was untethered, each expenditure of energy was precious–and even though it would be advantageous were they to try and slay it, Irah was not willing to compromise how she felt for a base (though effective) tactic at its expense, when it had at least been willing to speak with them.

[color=#d31c0a][b]“I am Deo’Irah, and I am sorry we meet in these circumstances. May we see your true form? These illusions must be taxing your limited energy, if you have Fallen–I would not want you to overextend. By all means hide your location, you must be cautious, but… I have not the magical energy to lend you strength at the moment. Summoning an Iriao is not an inexpensive feat…”[/b][/color] Irah smiled, her voice softening as well. The others, in their caution, might have objections–reasonable ones, no doubt, given their inputs thus far… but an unmoored divine, she wagered, would feel significantly more at ease with someone unequivocally sympathetic towards them and willing to help them, well, live. Ease in this divine was what everyone wanted, even if some wanted to use that ease to other ends–and Irah hoped that the earnest sincerity she had displayed was enough for them to forestall their more violent impulses. The divine could certainly help with the bandits, and depending on its personality… well, a fully summoned divine was a very powerful ally. Deo’Irah would not be opposed to adding another divine to her retinue of confidantes, conspirators, and comrades if they proved their worth, and their values aligned with hers.