"I never really put much daydreaming into other worlds or that sort of thing." Zeke admitted as he walked. "But I find it both very strange and incredibly discomforting to hear that two worlds not only have so much in common but that people from your world can just intrude into ours whenever they can bother." He sheathed his blade now that they were out of the unsettling thicket, glancing behind him once or twice to ensure no more wolves followed. 
"Suppose its also comforting in a strange way. We're not alone." He added with a stiff shrug. 

He began walking with a purpose to retrace the miles to the border, reversing the directions they took to reach this place. "Aera gave me one of those brooches, same as she gave Ed." Zeke admitted after Narda expressed her concern. "Implied I wasn't to show Ruli I had it, so I haven't brought it up until now. It should get us into the court again, at least. That," He turned to gesture to the wolf she dragged behind her. "may not make it with us. I rather hope they confiscate it at the gates and make decisions there."

For the duration of the journey, Zeke was mostly quiet, often turning to glance behind him for caution's sake. The tension in his shoulders eased, which he hoped meant promised the headache wouldn't follow afterall, but he still longed a hot cloth against his nape. When they drew near enough by their combined estimation to where they had first begun, Zeke turned south and started for the border of the elven territory. He fished into his pocket in order to withdraw the moonflower pin. Once it was adorned on his chest, he tried to slow his pace, hoping to avoid looking menacing, or too much like a soldier on the hunt.
It really didn't help that they were covered in blood and dragged a mutated animal behind them. 

The elven voice that called out made them both halt, and Zeke raised his hands to show he intended no violence. The elf that emerged to cut them off was a female, her long black hair pinned back and coiled around her head similar to the way Ysaryn wore hers for combat. This one wore armour beneath her robes, just as Cohnal had, and she looked deeply unamused as she addressed them. 
"We cannot understand you." Zeke said cautiously. 
[i]No shit.[/i] The woman's expression said. 
Tapping his breast to draw her attention to the pin, Zeke continued. "We seek to speak with Princess Aera. Please."
She didn't glance at the pin; either because she'd already gotten a look or because she had no intention of humouring him. Instead, her eyes went to the giantess and the thing she dragged. Her face remained thoughtful, this one not quite having adapted the blank expression of her kin, before she gestured for them to follow her. 

Once in the shadow of the mountain that embraced their marble court, they were told to wait, the female elf insisting on something that Zeke assumed to be instructions not to bring the wolf any closer. He glanced warily at Narda, standing beside her, and clasped his hand over his wrist to wait. 
"I did not expect you so soon." Aera said as she approached from the tiers and crossed the courtyard. She was dressed in the usual robes, but her hair was twisted back in a elaborate knot, her ears exposed. The teardrop earrings that dangled from her ears waved slightly as she walked; one carved of white pearl, the other black pearl. Her dark eyes took in the duo, and the creature behind them. She folded her hands into the long sleeves of her robe. "I expect there is a story to accompany you?"

Again, Zeke glanced at Narda, before he began to explain, beginning with the thicket of trees and continuing through the mutated wolves, the gate, and the disappearance of the rest of their party. Aera listened without reaction, the other elves nearby, few who spoke their tongue, looking both curious and annoyed. 
"Narda and I were wondering if you'd burn it." Zeke finished. "All of it. There are more of these things out there, and its an infection that could spread."

Aera swallowed, glancing toward the mutated animal again. "I should feel glad that my fear of allowing my men to approach is justified, but I just feel ... sick." She admitted, tearing her gaze away from the body. Inhaling, she looked them over once more. "We'll provide baths, beds, and any medical attention you require. I cannot tell if any of that is your own." She gestured a gloved finger toward their bloody clothing. "From there, we'll sit down and speak. Leave that there." She instructed to Narda about the wolf, before she turned to pass along instructions to a tired looking servant. "He'll lead you to the baths, then the guest chambers. After that, if you're up to it, we'll converse."

~

Ysaryn smirked at his compliment. "[i]If I hadn't just lost all my hair and spent half the battle writhing in agony, I would believe you.[/i]" She admitted, turning away. "[i]Now I just think you're trying to flirt.[/i]" 
Still, the sight of the horse wiped the smile from her lips, and she stood a healthy distance back as Ed mounted and settled. Reluctantly, she took his hand and climbed up behind him, wrapping her arms tightly around his middle. Her face turned so her cheek pressed against his shoulderblade, she gripped him tightly as the horse broke into a gallop. Her thighs squeezed him, her eyes closed, and she hugged him tighter, disliking every single head-pounding movement of the horse as it thundered along. 

"[i]Still alive.[/i]" She answered him when he asked, her grip on him refusing to loosen even as they slowed. She wasn't sure what the information of wider and smoother roads meant, but she guessed it meant they'd move faster again. Her stomach twisted at the thought, but she kept her eyes shut. [i]Just a bad boat ride. Just a bad boat ride.[/i] "[i]Maybe when we're not on a horse, I will accept.[/i]" Ysaryn answered him again, not bothering to answer the question about her head. It was no use, if she admitted that her head still pounded, it wasn't as if she'd let him slow down. They were galloping for a reason. "[i]Don't talk, just focus on making sure the horse doesn't trip or run into anything.[/i]" She insisted, her face still pressed to him. 

~

Ruli watched them, his hands still raised, eyes flitting from face to face as each woman spoke in turn, much of their tones suggesting that this wouldn't be something they agreed to. No matter, he would get out and run in a new direction, dragging them in this game of chase until they got tired or lost him. 
Or killed him. Ruli blinked, shoving that option aside. The fact that he'd be left here, more than likely, and Envy would never receive his body was an ache he wasn't going to pay mind to.

He caught the word 'Gemini' spoken a few times, and Kire's name at least once, his gaze shifting to the speaker in turn, even if he could understand little else. Their leader, her name he could hazard a guess to be 'Myka', judging by the repeated word used when addressing her, called for some sort of vote. Voting for [i]what[/i], exactly, he didn't know, but he hoped he had enough time to bolt before they shot him. If that was an option. 
Which, lets face it, it was. That was always an option. 

When Maybe-Myka spoke directly to him again, Ruli met her gaze, raising an eyebrow in question as she listed the demands. His heartbeat skipped when she mentioned restraints, but at least she offered a different option. He didn't like that either, but it was better than being bound. 
"Okay." He nodded. "I'm going to stand up." Ruli warned before he lowered his arms and pushing himself to his feet. His left arm objected painfully to the weight he pressed on it, but Ruli ignored it, going to work to unfasten the blade at his hip. He tossed it upward, watching hands snatch if from the air before it was passed around for inspection. 

With a step, he Walked to just a few feet beyond the pit, to where he'd last glanced at the ground before falling into it. Their bodies riddled with tension as he reached out to take the blindfold and pressed the blindfold over his eyes. Whomever tied it behind his head jerked it tight, and he wondered if she had been outvoted over just outright killing him. On their orders, he moved forward, his steps cautious, and he made no comment until he was spoken to again. "Rulitus, I don't know, and it was a gift from Kire." Ruli answered shortly. He tilted his head in a way he'd often seen Envy move, trying to listen. "I am not Gemini. You can ask your empress yourself."