Ysaryn smiled back, glad for Kire's acceptance of her decision. Given orders, Ysaryn turned to put herself to work, joining the [i]Wenches[/i] in another sweep of the palace. Ysaryn's fingers twitched at her sides as they wandered the halls and the rooms. So much refinery. So many things that could be sold for coin enough to feed her people for weeks. No wonder Kire and her family wanted back here. But, with all of this around them, so many resources, how was Kire not fat? 
Suppose the Gemini kept them on their feet, constantly prepared for a fight. But with them all dead or captive, maybe they'd get soft. If Ysaryn had nothing to fight, she'd go soft and round with so much food.

She found more of the dead Gemini and searched their bodies, gathering the carnelians from their pockets for Daryll or Envy's study. And finding a few coins and items of jewelry in the task. With the exception of the pendant she knew from her nightmares; the ivory faces facing one another on an ebony field. Those, she refused to touch. 

By the time they'd returned to the empress and she address her soldiers, Ysaryn's adrenalin had waned, and she felt fatigued. In need of a good rest. A hot bath. A table full of food. Silent, she listened to Kire, standing on the edge of the group as they took in her words and instructions. Sleep in the camp. Mourn those they'd lost. Take back their home and sweep their enemy out of it. 
"[i]Edward.[/i]" Ysaryn greeted as he passed, her voice soft with her fatigue. Her fuchsia eyes roamed him, checking for injury. He'd been near the explosions. She could smell that on him, but couldn't yet tell if he was burnt beneath the soot that covered him. "[i]You appear to have a few scratches on you. Pity.[/i]" She smiled teasingly. "[i]Let me know when you'd like a few more, hm?[/i]" A suggestive wink, and Ysaryn turned toward Kire, who asked for a way to Elva's.

When they arrived at Elva's, Ysaryn could smell a heavy amount of herbs in the air. She sniffed, rubbing at her nose, and left Kire to find the infirmary and check on Ruli. Ysaryn followed, briefly looking into the room to see Ruli alive on the bed before she left the room, needing to clean her weapons before she could collapse into a bed.

~

Ruli was barely conscious. He lay in bed, more relaxed, thanks to the medicine administered, but he shivered relentlessly. His muscles unable to calm. His breathing was rapid, but steady at least. His skin wan, his eyelids dark. He felt more aware of his surroundings as he tried to sleep, his thoughts turning and coiling like a restless snake just above the line of sleep. Resting, but not restful.

He knew Gavin slept nearby, knew people wandered around him with no intention of harming him. Knew he was in Amria. In Elva's house. He knew the ache in his body had lessened, and that the burning lines on his back were his imagination. Everytime he breathed, the pain far less than before, he could smell Elva's tobacco, a healer's sanitary soap, and after a long while, sulfur. 
It was for that smell that Ruli opened his eyes. His sclera was irritated and pink, making his blue eyes seem even more bright. He struggled to bring her into focus, though he knew who she was without. 

Shivering still, Ruli couldn't feel his body. Why, he was unsure. If he was blocking out to pain or the medicine had numbed him. All he knew was that he couldn't stop shaking. "Take me home." He begged softly, his voice barely audible. 
Ruli could see it in her face, her blurred features shifting to something negative. Pity. Regret. Sorrow. He couldn't tell what, but knew that her answer was 'no' without her having to physically speak the word. 

He closed his eyes again, blocking her out. Inhaling, and putting a tremendous amount of effort into his senseless body, Ruli rolled, summoning his magic and vanishing from the bed.