[center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/fWpmWD76/ba126c5312a21eb9b6823aa5d6245506.png[/img][/center]
[center][color=6ecff6][h3][u]Winton[/u][/h3][/color][/center]

Even though Mikhail knew they had no other option but to accept the price the old priestess gave them, he couldn't help but close his eyes, looking away for a second, sighing as Fatima agreed with the price. It was indeed a steep price and judging by Fatima's expression and the time she took to reply, she knew that as well. They would need to find a way to keep the black jeweled man under control. Otherwise, he could be a risk to the entire group.

As Fatima curtsied the old priestess and thanked her for her support, followed by a brief bow from Mikhail himself, she turned away from the old priestess, offering a smile towards both Mikhail and Gennar. Surprisingly, before they started making their way back to the inn though, Fatima took Mikhail's hands on her own, looking at him and thanking him for the words he said about her. Such gesture took Mikhail by surprise, as he wasn't expecting to be thanked by Fatima like that, especially seeing how heartfelt her words were.

[color=6ecff6]"I... was merely stating the truth. You indeed are... different from the other queens."[/color] Mikhail said, without knowing how to react to what she had said very well.

[color=6ecff6][i]"Apparently, maybe even enough to earn even the trust of someone like myself..."[/i][/color] Mikhail thought as they made their way back to the inn.

Back at the inn, the situation seemed to have calmed down, judging by the scene they saw when arriving: both Denvar and Dareen toasting each other with an amber colored drink. That said, upon noticing them, Denvar's smile towards Gennar as he greeted them wasn't exactly 'friendly' but it was still better than nothing.

Just as Mikhail was going to sit down though, Jandar arrived through the door. What they weren't expecting though was the fact that he had someone with him. Someone that they had never seen before and most importantly, someone they couldn't trust. Both Gennar and Denvar immediately stood up, standing in front of Fatima, shielding them from the stranger. Mikhail, upon seeing the stranger, simply let go of the chair, giving up on the idea of sitting down as he stood still, watching the stranger with cold eyes and a watchful gaze.

When Jandar began explaining who was the stranger and why he was there though, Mikhail's expression didn't change even one bit. Until it was proven the contrary, the local queen was still a potential enemy and having a stranger, under her orders near them wasn't really a good idea. Even if Jandar also seemed to dislike the idea of having a 'guide', as he himself mentioned, Mikhail still didn't like the situation. Even though the stranger didn't appeared to be exactly capable... or even healthy, Mikhail knew best than to underestimate someone based solely on their appearance. Mikhail kept his eyes on Sybl, as he went towards the counter to ask for something.

Despite Mikhail's silence, not much was needed for anyone from the group to figure out what he was thinking. It was already a known fact for them, who were traveling with him for some time already, that Mikhail hated anything that was beyond his 'control', any 'variable' in his plans. 

[color=6ecff6]"This queen... What do you have to say about her?"[/color] Mikhail said, finally opening his mouth as he asked Jandar about the local queen. 

[color=6ecff6]
"Drawing a queen, any queen's attention is rarely a good thing."[/color] Mikhail said, in a lower tone as he approached Jandar, being careful for not being heard by the guide.