Herbert awoke to the smell of cooking meat and the sound of religion. For some reason, the Order knights seemed to think that dawn was an excellent time to sing hymns. Beside him, Erika slumbered peacefully, undisturbed by the Order's morning routine. Taking care not to wake her, he got out of bed and adjusted the blankets to keep the cold off his beloved.

Erika stirred somewhat and muttered something in her sleep before turning over and unconsciously wrapping the blankets further around herself. Herbert smiled at this and began to get dressed. Once he was done with that, he exited the wagon and walked towards the trio of knights. He had been meaning to speak with Lucian. 

The monster hunter found the three sitting a distance from the main camp, having built a crackling fire, wrapped in thick, wooly winter cloaks. They were indeed singing western-traditional hymns in High Aesernian, with Lucian leading the three-person choir, reading from a hymnal he had gotten from a chest of many tomes. As they sung their praises to their gods, the three of them worked together to cook up salted venison over the fire, pairing it with some sort of unleavened bread and some vegetables -- carrots and cabbage it appeared. Judging from the fact that they had already set down three full plates before themselves and yet still continued cooking, it became clear they weren't just making breakfast for themselves.

As soon as he was near enough to greet the three without waking the others, he spoke. "Good morning, mind if I borrow the Grandmaster for a minute?"

The Grandmaster did not initially reply, instead abbreviating the hymn in progress to bring it to an ending as he looked up at Herbert, eyeing him warily. He rose from the frost-covered ground and put away his hymnal, locking up the small chest and picking it up as he stepped over to the man, also picking up a plate of food and handing that off to him. "Continue as you were with the breakfast, Sorano, Kinara," he said, looking back over to his two disciples. "I will return momentarily and we'll serve once we are finished." He walked alongside the monster hunter, walking a fair distance away from the camp. "Now, what was it that you needed to discuss with me?"

"I have some concerns regarding Kinara." Began Herbert. "I have seen her rendered incapable of functioning twice now, and I naturally must worry that she is not fit for this endeavor that we are embarking upon. If we cannot rely on her, then both her safety and the safety of everyone else in our warband is further jeopardized." He then began to eat some of the food he had been given as he waited for the Grandmaster's response.

Lucian stared at the monster hunter completely unfazed as he let out a quiet sigh and set down his chest of books, popping open the locks and looking over a set of books with numbered spines. "I hear your concerns, and by initial appearances, they stand valid. However I believe this to be indicative of a concern of mine," Lucian said, reaching for the leatherbound book whose spine was labeled "K - 1" and holding it out for the man. "When I had asked the morrow of the feast to get to know each other, that was the time to bring forth such issues. Forsooth, you have yet to inquire as to why you see what you see; you have simply only lodged complaints however rational they seem," he said, smiling as he stood up to offer the book.

"You did the same the morning we met to discuss our current plan. You called her by her race and told me it was unwise to bring her with us to begin with. Know first that I can look at you and read your thoughts on the matter as easily as one might read this tome," he continued. "You wonder to yourself questions you know not the answers to: 'why is this unstable cow an Apostle to begin with if this supposed holy man handpicks them all? What does he see in her? Why bring her on such a dangerous task? Why not the Narbosi fellow with the black beard and sharp blue eyes wielding the large sword, he could hew a dragon's arm from its socket!'" Lucian chuckled good naturedly and waved his hand reassuringly. "Perhaps that last part is embellishment, or perhaps you truly would have preferred Raoulin to Kinara. Regardless, I say unto you that you have neglected to pose those questions to those who hold the answers you seek, and in this neglect, I feel that unnecessary tension is drawn between the two of us and our respective companions."

Herbert accepted the book and met Lucian's gaze unflinchingly. "The morning after the feast, when you asked to talk so that we could get to know each other, you gave the impression that you wished to discuss the two of us rather than Kinara. Furthermore, I had obligations to meet. Erika was expecting me. Last night, when Kinara had another episode, I would have spoken with you, but the arrival of our latest companion disrupted things."

"Assuming Raoulin is more stable, I would indeed have preferred Raoulin. Though whether he could hew a dragon's arm from its socket probably depends on the dragon. Explain then. Why did you pick 'this unstable cow' as you put it?"

"The text I have handed you contains Kinara's account of her life, summarized. When we had recruited her, I noticed what could only be described as the opposite of instability. She possesses a great and holy spirit, with strong determination, a powerful will to persevere, and an unwavering sense of justice. She is loyal, tenacious, faithful, and compassionate. She seeks knowledge where she can get it, craving it for the sake of self-betterment where Sorano desires the power, prestige, and piety that comes with his knowledge. She, in my staunch opinion, is a model Apostle. I respect her greatly and love her as I do all of my students, whom I am proud to associate with," Lucian replied. "As for her presence in this quest, I explained to you when we met that she was a strong archer. She spoke with Athaliah and Rhiara about her love of hunting as well, which will provide us additional food."

He gestured to the book and nodded. "Do read the tome  , but return it to me upon finishing it, and speak not of it to Kinara. The issues addressed are of a personal nature, but I feel through her memoirs that much could be learned about her."

The monster hunter almost handed back the book with a somewhat disapproving expression. "I will not read this book without her knowledge or permission. If Kinara wishes for me to read this tome, then I will read it. I cannot meet your condition of not speaking to Kinara about it and fully intend to ask for her blessing."

Lucian paused, mulling over the possible outcomes. "Very well," he said, somewhat hesitantly. "Though, upon reading it do hope our interactions and Kinara's behavior will make more sense to you. A simple, swift summary cannot do Kinara a mote of justice, I feel. We have time before we must pack up to get back on the road, anyway. But anyways, was that all you require?" He asked, bowing courteously to the Asmeinlander.

After thinking for a moment, Herbert nodded. "That's all unless you have any issues that you feel should be addressed."

"Not at all, Ser Leintke. Though do eat hearty, the road ahead is long and I can make no guarantees of its safety from beasts and bandits," Lucian advised, bowing respectfully before the monster hunter before departing.