Raffey wasn't sure how to handle this situation he found himself in, deposited upon the stone like the trash he felt he was. His life was now indebted to someone he could never pay back. It was the ultimate shame. He was too weak, worthless now. If he were back home, he'd be a [i]perchik[/i], a term that roughly translated to 'one that can only kill baby goats.'

Sirik seemed to have the strength to go on himself, and Raffey watched as the breath below filled the arena. He studied it carefully. It was clear that it was toxic to the touch, and yet he saw that it wasn't destroying the stone containing it. He felt a slight breeze coming through, probably equalizing the ruins now that the shield was gone. He saw the breath swirl in the breeze, noting that the breeze itself seemed unaffected. 

His concentration was interrupted by Drache's offer. He knew that walking would be slow and arduous and lead to death for at least him. Raffey nodded, and climbed up on her back, his racing heart beating against her back. He wanted to apologize, but the words couldn't find their way out. As they were leaving, Drache received a voice in her mind, from the creature, [color=f6989d][b]"If you wish me to purify you, return to me and pledge your soul to me. You will be mine Drachiathoryx."[/b][/color]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Up above, it was evident that a massive battle had taken place. There were many corpses, mostly justicar it seemed, a few kvaren from the scouting party. There were scorch marks and smoke abundant, unnaturally made boulders strewn about. Laurel was sitting tiredly atop Dibney, caressing her little sphere. Fleabit and his wolf were busy looting the corpses. Several other kvaren and newly freed slaves were wondering about, looting, helping the wounded, standing guard.

One of the more surprising centerpieces was the corpse of a large green dragon in the middle of the battle, its chest caved in from a massive stone. A dwarf man sat somberly next to its head, caressing it as only an old friend would. 

Sirik lead the tired group out of the ruins, sealing the entrance with a large stone. His silence was much quieter than normal, and was quite unnerving. Once topside, Raffey let himself down, using his spear as a crutch, wincing in pain as he walked back toward their camp, saying nothing as he went his own way, unable to say anything to Sirik or Drache. Once the Keremis was gone, Sirik dropped to his knees, weeping loudly, pounding the ground with his fists. [color=a187be][b]"Gods damn it Kraven! You selfish bastard!"[/b][/color]

Raffey managed to get to the camp in one piece, eyes glowing wide as he saw his trusted companion Dibney. [color=fff79a][b]"Oi, Dibneh!"[/b][/color] The Auric beetle chittered, and skittered toward him, Laurel holding on with her legs. The beetle nuzzled her face into Raffey's chest excitedly, and he rubbed her chitin, [color=fff79a][b]"Goo' gahl. Ah'm happeh tah see yah ta."[/b][/color] 

Laurel looked down at him, smiling, then her eyes grew worried when she realized he was alone. [color=f7976a][b]"Where's Drache? And did Sirik or Kraven find you? They went looking just before this battle broke out."[/b][/color]

Raffey couldn't meet her eye, [color=fff79a][b]"Drrrrrackuh an' Seeereek ah fahne. Dey ah restin' ovah dat wah,"[/b][/color] as he pointed in the direction he came from. [color=f7976a][b]"And Kra... Kraven?"[/b][/color] Her voice had broken, as she suspected the truth.

Raffey muttered, [color=fff79a][b]"Krahveen... save' us. Buh 'e di'n't make it."[/b][/color]

Laurel sat there in total shock and silence, before the silent tears flowed. The normally animated and gregarious woman was speechless. Raffey offered up a hand, and she slid down, hugging against him and crying into his chest. He gently patted her back, unable to say more. All he knew was that this was likely the ending point for their group. He was free now, and now found himself wanting to go home. He figured, after hearing Drache earlier, that she was done for him. And he'd understand. He was to blame here. 

The sands of the desert called to him. At least there, he knew the dangers.