Ridahne didn't get an answer at first, but she knew her partner's moods a bit better by now, and she could see Darin was upset. Ridahne was about to soothe Darin and call her off. Ridahne had come to terms long ago with this kind of treatment, and it didn't rile her as much as it used to anyway. Someday Astra would know the real story. Even though Astra was not ready for that yet, Ridahne was not ashamed. At any rate, none of it was a lie, and that was enough for her. A half truth, but not a lie. But then the trees began to rustle and creak with their sudden movement, and the room shook and tilted. Ridahne dropped into a more balanced stance, ready to run or brace or whatever she needed to do. And though she had no idea exactly what was happening, the little tingle of [I]something[/I] in the back of her mind made her sure that it had to do with Darin. Ridahne locked eyes with Darin, giving her an urgent look. [I]What are you doing?[/I] To her relief, the shifting and lurching stopped, and the room fell into a relieved silence. This was insane. This was absolutely insane, and she had no idea what this young human girl was really capable of. A cold thrill ran down her spine, tempered by the fact that she knew Darin's nature and knew that she would not use this power for dark deeds. Still, it was awe inspiring to see how much power Darin had, and yet her full power was not yet counted. For a moment, she thought they might be dismissed, and for one fleeting second she thought she might be wrong about her assessment that the council knew. But then they were singled out, and Ridahne knew it was all over. Darin slid behind her, and Ridahne reached a cool hand back to grip her arm gently and in solidarity. [I]I've got this.[/I] This she knew how to navigate, and if doing so would offer her companion some peace, she'd be glad to serve. She spoke quietly, but with a hard, dangerous edge. "If you knew half the story of who I am, and how I came to be Sol-Slayer, you would not think it wise to play games with me and mine. I will be the pawn of no Sol, no Councilor, no King. I have suffered abuse at the hands of people who play with the lives of their dedicated servants like a cat bats about a mouse before finally striking and consuming it. I will not suffer it again." Her voice was steadily rising into almost a shout. "If you want words with me, or with Darin, you will speak plainly, you will speak directly, and you will not manipulate us into giving out information we don't want to reveal. I am Ridahne Torzinei and I have spoken!" With that, she pounded her fist against her chest with a hollow thump, and stamped her foot in a forward motion--an Azurei warrior's gesture of challenge. Ridahne let the slap of her bare foot against the floor ring out for a moment in the silence that followed before taking a breath and adding in a slightly cooler tone, "We've had a very difficult road," she explained. It was not an apology for her outburst--she'd stand her ground on that one. But they deserved to understand her, at least. "Astra is under attack. No, I do not speak of war. There is a disease in her midst that seeks to destroy its host. If you'd like to know what they're capable of, ask yourself what kind of person can bring an Azurei eija-alihn two steps from death. Beware the Red Hand. They nearly killed me to get to Darin, but it is my fate to see to it that she is protected at all costs. From murderers, and from people who would seek to manipulate her for their own causes and gains. If you want my trust, and hers, you'll have to earn it. We had hoped to remain anonymous, and you all must swear to both of us, swear upon the Tree, that anything discussed in this room tonight does not leave it without the express permission of the Seed-Bearer. Have I made myself clear?" She was firm, but her wrath had cooled a little.