Kire was thankful the Raielwen were diligent about documenting the Amrians’ locations when they were found. She and Narda walked in step with Aera, while Ed gave his soldiers a few quick instructions before he, too, followed after Kire to the cells. “I see,” Kire said, nodding solemnly. “Thank you for giving them dignity in death. If possible, yes, we would like to return them so they can be interred in Amrian soil.” She turned to Ed, the two cousins speaking softly in Taakalon, with Ed confirming the names and the provinces to which the dead belonged. 

She wasn’t particularly surprised by Ruli’s state, and she both pitied his state and admired his stubbornness. Still, better get him out as soon as they could. Kire frowned as Ruli, Aera, and Ysaryn spoke in Elvish, the tension thick between them. Kire nodded to Aera in thanks as she left, while Ed merely raised a brow at the exchange between Ruli and Ysaryn, appraising this Rulitus. He looked like a trapped animal, which, given his current circumstances Ed couldn’t really blame him for. He and his soldiers had been in the same boat during the start of their stay here in Lithilote. But frustration and weakness aside, Ruli seemed to Ed then to be a dangerous man. He wasn’t sure yet if that was wholly good or bad. 
“Information,” Kire answered Ruli, hoping to be firm but not combative, “the Raielwen had recorded the location of my people when they were found. I’ll—”
“—[i]We’ll[/i],” Ed put in, just as firmly.
“[i]We’ll[/i] use that to pinpoint the location of the world gate. First, we’ll return to the cliffside with everybody. From there I’ll bring the first batch of them back to Amria, as many as I could manage with my portal limitations, the next batch tomorrow, along with the remains of the three who died. When all of them are back home, I’ll—”
“—We’ll go find the world gate,” Ed interrupted again. “Along with anybody else among us willing to help.”
“I still think I should scout on my own, in case the world gate decides to fling anybody within reach of its power into Amria,” Kire stressed. 
“And I still think you need backup, in case you encounter things other than the world gate,” Ed pushed back, before turning to the others, “this is blood magic we’re talking about. Of course, all this will be rendered inconsequential if you decide not to come along.”