"Wow, you've never heard of New Bastion? The First City? I'll tell ya lady, its a beautiful city just North of here. She's filled with anything you could ask for. Those cobble streets are ancient and there's a lot of secrets she don't want to give up. I know a few, I've been in and outta there for years. You should check it out one day, I bet ya, ya birds would go like hotcakes on the Trader's Terrace. Any of you folks climbed the steps there before?" TC said. Nak took notes swiftly, but once again left the notepad out once she was done. She had a feeling there'd be a great amount of information to be gleaned here, and she didn't want to miss out on it. 

"This was well cooked, thank you.." Elise said to Nak. Nak inclined her head with a slightly smile to indicate her thanks for the compliment.  

"I am... not from around here," Nak repeated, for TC's benefit. "Anzu and I only recently arrived. I am still catching my bearings." Nak knew it pointed her out as not being a part of the main group - but that didn't bother her.

"Aye, I've been there a couple times over the past year. Nice town. It's actually where we heard the information that led us out here. You know the old dwarven ruins a bit north of here? The ones nobody pokes around in because it's crawling with undead?" Fionn answered TC's question as well - and elaborated upon it. "The farmers from the surrounding area have been seeing odd stuff lately. The ruins are lighting up, undead are wandering past the commonly accepted boundaries. The rumors and stories get more fantastical and unbelievable the longer you listen. One thing is certain though, something is happening out there and we intend to find out what."

".. which is something you should know if you plan on coming along - don't blame you if you don't - but you'll need to keep an eye on Scarlett.. she, uh.." Elise started, then paused as she tried to find the right words. ".. has a habit of getting into a trouble.. with no way of defending herself."

"Don't even know why.. I just.. have strange urges to help people.." Scarlett said, in answer to Elise's warning. "Doesn't bother me any though, even if Miss Elise thinks I'll end up hurt.." She shot Nak a coy smile. Nak tilted her head to one side, somewhat surprised by the action - was she being flirted with by Scarlett? 

[i]Gods alive - I'm probably old enough to be her mother, even if she were an Elf. And yet, she is flirting with me as though I were still in my prime.[/i] Nak thought to herself. 

"Wha- ..." Elise seemed taken back, but only for a second. "... oh. I'm sure Scarlett wouldn't mind the extra protection however.." 

Nak glanced over to Elise momentarily, and then to Fionn and TC. She sat back on her heels a bit, kneeling before the fire still. Her expression was blank, completely inscrutable. She had traveled alone for a long time. Longer, perhaps, than any of them had even been alive. They spoke of Ruins and helping farmers - noble, in it's way, but Nak had long ago gotten out of being a hero. She'd lost the desire about the same time she'd lost her eye. Or perhaps it was better to say she buried it. She was just going through the motions these days - she didn't live anymore. She just survived. 

She looked to Anzu, who was already staring back at her. He didn't speak, but she knew he understood. He wore no signs of displeasure - nor did he look particularly excited by whatever Nak might decide. It was up to her. 

A part of her wanted to believe this would be 'good' for her. That she would find purpose again. That she could believe, and would regain a semblance of a life that didn't feel like she was simply running from her past. However - how she chose to live her life now had become instinct. No connections. No one to feel sorrow for if they were killed... Elise had inferred Nak could 'guard' Scarlett. But Nak knew that was folly... she couldn't keep anyone safe. As she thought about even the prospect of having 'friends' again, her mind's eye saw the wing of her tower. Covered in blood. In her memory she heard her own voice screaming as one of the guards pulled her back and away. Told her she didn't need to see more than she already had. 

"I fear I am not much of a guardian," Nak admitted, never letting the memory show on her face. "Nor am I much of a Sorcerer. My skills are in silence, in mechanics, and in survival. In my day, I did used to delve ruins on my homeworld. I did it for fun, and for adventure, and to prove to myself that I could. It has served me well as a survivalist. Rope work, reading tracks, path finding - these are all skills that come in much handy in the wilds - no matter where you are. I believe this world will be safe enough for me. In light of that, if you believe you have need of my company - then all I ask in return is as much information as you could provide on the layout and politics of this place such that I do not find myself in a stockade by accident. I require no money from you. If you do not believe I will be of use, then you are all welcome to my fire as long as I am here, where I will share my kills as is custom - and we can part as friends." 

[@Lyla] [@Silvan Haven] [@LPRKN]