[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/200731/7b0275756646d73c6e29c8c33a546a01.png[/img]

[color=B2E0DD]Location:[/color] Winton - The Wood by the Cove[/center][hr][hr]

Sybl moved as quickly as he could.  Worry made him shake, his hands not doing exactly as he asked of them.  But he worked hard and brought a sheen of sweat to his impassive face.  The little Queen had managed to ruffle his well-groomed and well-practiced feathers.  Larger branches and thin sticks, it did not matter.  He bundled them into his arms to vanish them into the psychic holding area available privately to each of the Blood.  He did not have much to carry on himself so there was plenty of room for the wood he collected haphazardly.

He heard voices and saw a flash of color.  There was the Pruulish woman coming down the side of the hill with a dog on her back.  He stared wide eyed, wondering how they had come so quickly.  It should have taken more time for them to realize Fatima had disappeared.  It was not too far behind the woman that two of Fatima's Court followed along with a boy.  He frowned and the first thing that came to his mind was - [i]'Shit. I'm so dead.'[/i]

Heaving a deep sigh he carried his bundle of sticks to stand in a more visible area to greet them.  If he was going to die he may as well do it with his head raised and the ability for someone to reach the cave with the needed materials.  He sent a message to Sadi- [color=B2E0DD][i]'Her Court has come.  I shall be there soon but I cannot keep them from coming to her.  Get out of there.'[/i][/color]  

[color=B2E0DD]"Good day,"[/color] he croaked and then coughed.  He let his mind brush first against Dareen's in a request for speech psychically. It held in his tormented understanding of this cruel matriarchal society that the woman should always be addressed first.  He also brushed against the minds of the other two but felt Jandar's anger keenly and a snowy coldness from Mikhail.  The boy just seemed nervous.  [color=B2E0DD][i]'It is easier for me to communicate this way, please let me explain before you lop off my head.'[/i][/color]

[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190811/ebaf9cbdde92c7897e853938cfe68fe5.png[/img]

[color=6E8E67]Location:[/color] Winton - The Cave[/center][hr][hr]

Fatima's shivers lessened as the warming spell cloaked her.  She could feel it settle over her like a warm summer evening.  She smiled slightly and leaned heavily against Saetan.  [color=6E8E67]"You should not exhaust yourself. I will be fine,"[/color] she assured him through chattering teeth.  She tilted her head up toward him and studied his face a moment.  [color=6E8E67]"I am surprised.  They speak of you; I have heard of you.  There was such cruelty described.  But here... I feel your kindness, comfort.  Like a big fluffy blanket and a cup of cocoa on a winter's day.  And you are all three.  The blanket, the drink, and the freezing snow."[/color]  She was speaking in delirium now.  There but not there.  It was not that she walked along the edge of the Twisted Kingdom.  Just a tired sort of rambling.

She laughed lightly and her white-gold eyes fluttered closed.[color=6E8E67]  "You are keeping me safe and alive.  How strange.  Thank you.  I hope I can properly repay that someday.  It must take a lot to do this.  Not just physically.  But... mentally.  Thank you."[/color]  She opened her eyes again and they were glossy with tired tears.  [color=6E8E67]"Would you meet me again?"[/color]