Darin may have gotten to sleep quickly, but she had problems staying asleep. She kept waking up, and then when she realized she was alone in the room she worried about where Ridahne could possibly be. When she remembered that warrior was in the barracks the human would fall back into an uneasy sleep only to repeat the process more times than she cared to count. Finally, when the sun started to peak above the horizon, Darin called it quits and just woke up. It was easy enough to pull on her boots and slip on a belt. Her leathers for Taja were next. Her hair had dried while she was asleep, so it was easy enough to braid it back from her face. With that done she was ready for the day.

As she exited the room it was easy enough to find someone to tell her where to find breakfast. She followed the instructions to find what looked to be a dining hall. There were only a few people in the room and there didn’t look like there were any servers, so it was easy enough to grab a plate and fill it with food. The tastes were familiar. While on the road between settlements the two of them took turns cooking. Darin tended to make stews that reminded her of her home while Ridahne had made curries that reminded the Azurei of her home. The first couple of times had caught Darin of guard. Now, while it wasn’t Darin’s favorite, she still liked the spicy Azurei cooking.

Darin ate slowly, waiting for Ridahne to come find her. She trusted her sister, so she doubted that she went to the grave on her own. Still, the human hoped that the warrior had gotten more sleep than she did. Darin was almost tempted to tell Ridahne that Ajoran could come share the room with them, but that Ridahne needed to come sleep in the same place with her. Darin was not used to sleeping alone. The only time she had not slept in the same room as at least one other person was the three months after she left home but before she met Ridahne. Maybe she would just sleep in the stable with Talbot, Tsura, and Taja. That might just be easier.

Someone that Darin didn’t reconizge, but they looked young, came over. With awe in their voice they asked, “Forgive my rudeness, but I have to know, are you really The Seed-Bearer.”

Darin looked up from her plate to see everyone in the room look young and were either staring or trying to avoid staring. She couldn’t help the smile that came to her face, “And if I’m not? What will you do?”

The asker seemed taken aback, “I mean, mean no disrespect.”

Darin ran a finger over the rim of her water cup, “Shame. I learned long ago that if you are going to be disrespectful you should at least mean it; really commit you know.” She raised her finger into the air and the water from the cup followed it, “Pick a course you believe in and stick with it until you no longer believe in it or discover a better way or that you were wrong. Be strong enough to stick with your beliefs but flexible to change if they are proven faulty.” The water was following down her bare arm to form a series of interlocking bracelets, “But now I’m sounding like a preachy elder when I am not that experienced.” She smiled up at the questioner as they looked at the water with wide eyes, “And I am hungry. Do have any more questions?”

They shook their head, “No Astra-Sol.”

Darin flicked her head in dismissal as the water flowed back to her cup, “If you’ll excuse me back to my meal.” They hurried away as Darin called after them, “I am no Sol. That is not an honor I ascribe to.” She muttered to herself as she turned her attention back to her meal, “Ridahne better not be sleeping in. There’s too much to do today.”