Rhoynar held his sword tightly, his mind racing with suspicion and the image of his home burning to the ground. Flames ripping through the bay, consuming every building and all life along the streets. Screams and shouts, the cries of families and souls trapped before the fire. His mind could see his mother, clutching a babe to her chest, begging his little brother to come back as he lay choking on his own blood. He could hear his little sister screaming, begging for them to stop- Rhoynar pushed his blade against the man, wanting so badly to end his life. The stranger may have had no part to play in the potential downfall of his family but behind the brown eyes, all Rhoynar could see was flames and the loss of everything he had. His sister humiliated, his mother sobbing as his family's men pulled her from his brother's dying body. They needed to leave.

Rhoynar had been about to demand exactly what friend, until Illinfer spoke. He was thankful for it, although perhaps his gratitude wasn't clear. He tried to focus his mind of how unlikely it was that his family would be dead upon his return to Astipor, after all Ilyn Grey needed his family alive if Rhoynar was to return with his treasure. Watching the man raise his hands, Rhoynar pulled his sword back and returned it to his side. 

"We need to carry on. Through the night if we have to." He spoke quietly, turning his horse towards the road. "The sooner we get to Astipor, the sooner we can rest." His voice twitched with his own nerves, all of which had been shattered at the appearance of Illifer's old friend. His mind was curious but the questions could wait, after all, the man was still close by. He would wait until they were safe before questioning his companion on her past. No doubt such questions would arise in the future. He paused for a moment but pushing his horse into a trot. He turned his back to check before heading back along their path with the vision of an inferno in his mind once again. He would convince his family to leave if it meant delaying their journey for a few days. It wouldn't be a retreat if they still held power in Astipor. They had a council, no doubt someone would be willing to take up seat there in his families place. What if they couldn't be trusted? The worry was exhausting.

He paused on the darkness of the road until he knew Illifer was following and quickened his pace. 
"Who was that man?" Rhoynar asked, the suspicion evident in his voice now. "You seemed more than shocked at his appearance."