Aera lowered her chin as Kire thanked her. "A risk of trust, well rewarded." The princess answered, meeting Ed's warm look. Her own eyes flashed in kind response. She held his gaze as the Empress turned to the dark skinned elf, who raised her chin in thought.
"Yes." Ysaryn answered briefly. "Enough room." She thought to mention that her people, crammed inside the slums for so long, had often slept elbow to elbow. She herself, even as her father's daughter, had slept with someone or another using her leg as a pillow, while she used someone else as one. A few days of it once more wouldn't kill them. But she felt no desire to betray that fact of her people's suffering in front of the Raielwen princess.
Not that she believed it would matter. The cliffside city was vast, and with not only the northern side far from full of her people, the southern side contained the very few survivors of Ziad. There was room for fifteen men and women, easy. 

When Ed turned toward her again, Aera's eyes shifted back to the Amrian from the dark elf she had been observing. Her face was blank again, but her eyes not as cold as before. "Ah." She said, inhaling in thought. "I will gather than information for you. We have kept records." She listened politely to the exchange between cousin and cousin, listening to the language they spoke with interest. Few languages outside of their own was spoken here in the Moon Court, the common language making its roots only because of her own knowledge and persistence. She had for a while asked Ed to try to teach her this language of his homeland, but it was so heavy on her tongue she'd given up quickly. Only being able to recognize perhaps a half a dozen words, at best, Aera gave up trying, their speech far too fast.

As it seemed they decided to involve the others in their party, Aera cleared her throat. "I must also raise an somber topic." The dark-haired princess spoke as she began to walk with them toward the holding cell and the fiend within. "We have a small number of your soldiers who were not so lucky in recovery." Aera informed Kire delicately. "Their bodies have been cared for and laid to rest, overseen by your cousin, but I have every reason to believe you will want them returned to your home. We will make this as easy as possible for all involved."

As they neared the archway that led to where Ruli was held, Aera's expression hardened again, but her steps were unfaltering. Ruli, inside, was still pacing, and clearly waning in patience and strength. Sweat coated his skin, the cell reeking of it, and he had purple crescents beneath his eyes from lack of sleep. He went the bars when the group approached, his blue eyes quick as he took in their faces. "Are we leaving?" He asked, his voice unable to hide the hope he felt. His eyes fell on Ysaryn as she stood in the elven silks, the stiffness in her shoulders, and the lack of a limp. Then his eyes snapped to her wrists, as if he could see the bracelets hidden beneath her sleeves. 
"[i]Soon.[/i]" Ysaryn promised him gently. The word echoed, Aera having said it at the same time. The two elven women glanced to one another; the purple gaze utterly guarded against the challenging fuchsia stare.
Ysaryn gave first, lowering her gaze to the floor. Seeing Ysaryn back down, Ruli turned to growl at Aera. 

She looked utterly unbothered, but her eyes were empty and cold once more. "[i]You have a fine group of allies around you.[/i]" She stated simply. The only tell of her emotions was the hammering flutter of her pulse in the hollow of her throat. Aera opened her mouth to say more, but her words were lost. Instead, she turned to face Zeke, a muscle feathering in her jaw. [i]If I can speak to him, so can you,[/i] her stare seemed to say before she turned away. "I'll fetch the information you need and leave you to speak among yourselves." Aera said, her voice muted as she left the corridor. 

Zeke watched her, his grey eyes disapproving, but he turned to face the others, waiting patiently. 
"[i]Have they harmed you?[/i]" Ruli asked Ysaryn quietly, glancing to Ed for a moment when he recalled that he could speak the language.
Ysaryn grinned and shook her head. "[i]I am fine. I swear it. Aside from dirty looks, they've done nothing, and you know I give as well as I get.[/i]"
Ruli's pale gaze went to Kire, then. "What are you waiting for, then?"