President Silen hummed before speaking, “You both had given the Council much to consider, but yes, any further discussion can wait until tomorrow. If people, ask about the nature of this discussion we will simply report that the Council felt the need to question your motives for being in Lihaelin. We were satisfied with the answer given and while we will pay close attention to you we do not believe that you are a threat.”

Then a Councilperson that Darin did not know leaned forward, “Out of curiosity. Why did you kill?”

Darin’s snap cut off the rest of the question, “None of your business!” She pulled away from Ridahne to glare at the asker a glare that could freeze the very air, “The death of that monster is the business of Ridahne Torenzi Seed-Chained, The Tree, by extension me, and no one else.” She turned her glare to the president, “Watch for the Red Hand. Discuss what you will. We are leaving.” She held out her arm towards the bird, “Come Taja.” She smiled at the cat that was still purring, “Will you lead the way MItaja?” Her attention shifted back to Ridahne, “Come along. Talking further at this point would be pointless.”

With that Darin was done with this whole pointless endeavor. She moved to leave the building only to pause for a moment when she came level with Mrixze Janeel. Darin smiled wildly at him as she ducked her head in respect. He was shocked into gaping at her like a fish. Taja let out a screech and Darin took that as her cue to move. As they moved though the halls Taja took flight again and as they finally exited the building was lost to the night sky. Darin was not unduly worried. She figured that the hawk was headed back towards the stable with Talbot and Tsura. At least she hoped that Talbot and Tsura were still in the stable. The forest seemed to be at peace for the moment. Though people would be suspicious that the two of them were asked to stay. Yet again Darin was left questioning the wisdom of traveling anonymously. It would all fall to pieces when they reach Azurei. Maybe traveling discreetly would be better though even that was debatable given the fact that all of Astra grew excited as she walked.

Then, halfway towards the inn, Darin stopped to ask a question that had been plaguing her mind for some time now, “If you had died that night. If the Red Hand had gotten you. What story would your Ojih tell the Keeper?”

Darin wasn’t sure she would ever really understand why a person would want their entire life story on their face, but she did know that was the purpose the Ojih served. She also knew that Ridahne’s story was incomplete. She was also painfully aware of the fact that the warrior could die at any time. She didn’t want that to happen, but if it did Darin wanted Ridahne to receive a fair judgement based on both her crimes and her attempts to make it right. They had discussed this before and had discussed waiting until they got to Azurei before Ridahne made changes to her Ojih but that was almost a whole year away. Who knew what could happen between now and then? It didn’t help that Darin was simply sick and tired of people looking at [i]her[/i] beautiful, amazing, stunning Ridahne and thinking she was a stain on Astra when she was one of the strongest Children there had ever been. Darin didn’t care that people may not know what the new mark, whatever that may be, was. She would know, The Tree would know, The Seed would know, and people would be forced to take at least a second glance. She couldn’t make Ridahne make changes to her Ojih if she didn’t want to, but Darin felt she had to at least try to make her concerns understood.