[b]"I haven't decided yet."[/b] Ronan shrugged, taking back the meat and taking a huge bite from it. The juices dripped down his stubbly chin as the beautiful, warm sensation of semi-melted fat filled his mouth. He took a moment to savour, before he continued to speak in a plain, unassuming tone. [b]"I'm not in the habit of killing women, you're valuable, and you [i]probably[/i] wouldn't be able to lead anyone back there. On the other hand... I think this will be a good experience for you. Damusrada, I think it was, who said that [i]all things should be tasted, smelled and touched by those raised in cocoons[/i]... or something. Can't say I remember the quote. There was something in there about spiders, I think... anyway, I'll probably keep you around until I get bored of you, then sell you to the highest bidder. Probably your daddy, if he really loves you."[/b]

[b]"[i]To those born into a woven-silk cocoon, all things seen, touched and smelled are of benefit for the flourishing of the soul.[/i]"[/b] a gruff, cracked voice spoke softly. One of the larger, uglier, bandits had been listening in to the conversation from a couple of feet to Alianor's left. The man was a brute - utterly hairless, beard and brows shaved along with his scalp, and dense black tattoos which resembled fire snaking across the top of his head and around his jaw. [b]"Damusrada, [i]On Eternal Things[/i]."[/b]

[b]"Gort gets it."[/b] Roran said, holding his hand out in the man's direction triumphantly as if that somehow proved him right about everything in the world. [b]"Hey, bud- how 'bout you explain to the princess what it's like out here. I'm trying to show her the beauty -- the pure, untouched beauty -- of a life the way nature intended. She doesn't get it."[/b]

[b]"The woman had her life torn from under her earlier today, I doubt she is in much mind to listen. Leave her be, give her some sleep, and after a few nights under the stars the world will seem different to her."[/b] Gort nodded sagely. He looked Alianor in the eye, with a strange mix of sadness and determination evident on his face. [b]"I am sorry for that, and for your horse. Fate may often seem cruel, but the divine shall protect or curse those men according to their souls. Until we join them, we must all find our place in the world-- yours may have changed, or may have not, but it is the test of your person to make good with the situation you are in."[/b]

There were a few seconds of silence, as the fire crackled softly. Gort looked into the fire moments later, and continued eating. Roran asked him if his headaches were faring well today, and Gort replied that they had been calmer recently.

The bandits talk and eat in good spirits. Before long, the stars are beginning to rise in the sky.