Just when she thought their point had been made and they were finally in the clear to go slink back to their beds for a bit before sunrise, someone [I]had[/I] to ask [I]that[/I] question. Ridahne was at all times irritated by and expectant of that question, and though she had long since accepted its constant inevitability, the judgement in his tone made her boil. The shift in expression did not jump right to an explosive inferno of anger, like she was sometimes prone to. It was colder, quieter, more calculated and more controlled, and all the more dangerous because of it. She stood rooted to her spot on the floor, even after Darin turned away. A cold fury was storming in her amber eyes. 

"Wait." She had the look of a cat about to pounce. Ridahne didn't always feel up to explaining herself to strangers, but it bothered her somehow that the leaders of Eluri thought her a wretched monster, or at least some of them did. "You should know the truth, and unlike the rest of what was spoken here tonight, this you can spread as far and wide as you like. Khaltira," she said, and the lack of the suffix 'Sol' was obviously marked by the Council, "was a corrupt, lying bastard who thought her whims and desires were more valuable than the lives of the people she pledged to govern and rule and protect. She was a murderer and I was her tool. But no longer. Those who wield sharp swords without knowledge of how to use them often get hurt by their own reckless stupidity. I did not apologize to the Sols and I do not apologize now. Know the truth and judge me as you like, but until you understand what really happened, I'll hear none of your condescension. I am Ridahne Torzinei and I have spoken!" 

Ridahne pivoted on one heel and stormed away, some of her usual fire showing through the collected mask she made for herself. She did not give the Council a chance to speak after her, though she did nod at Mrixze as she passed. Once outside, and the cool air of night touched her hot cheeks, Ridahne huffed a final breath and tossed her hair back as if trying to shake something off of her and leave it behind. And as they walked a few paces, she admitted, "That felt really, really good to get that out. And did you see their faces?" She laughed like one who was free of a burden. "Absolutely worth it." 

As they continued to make their way back to the little inn they were staying at, and as Ridahne gave sharp warning glares to anyone who stared too long at them, Darin asked a question that Ridahne had never put into words herself, but had in some way thought about before. The warrior got very quiet. She understood her point immediately. She could be whoever she wanted in her own heart, and in the heart of Darin, but tonight made it all too clear that her own redemption had not become an external thing just yet. Ridahne reached out a hand and held Darin's, squeezing it once. "A story of dark deeds, ambition, and betrayal. Nothing good, really..." she said with a soft sigh. "For so long, it felt deserved but...well, it doesn't feel right anymore. Perhaps...I should give more thought to that, shouldn't I?" And then with resolve she added, "Okay then. Before we leave Lihaelen. I'll come up with something by tomorrow night and I'll make it happen."