The moment Narda said they were free to go inside, the elf didn't hesitate. She strolled toward the door and pushed it open noisily, one hand on her weapon. They were met with a flustered looking woman with pale brown hair, which was disheveled and sloppily held back in a bun. Her face bore the remnants of a bruise, the yellow-tinged skin around her eyes nearly healed. 

"Lyta?" Ysaryn asked, hoping not, but making no assumptions. 
"You're here for here?" the woman demanded to know. "But the Madam sent word tha-"
"[i]Lorraine![/i]" the husband came inside after them, running his hands over his balding head to smooth the failing hairs back. "They're the Crown."
Lorraine frowned, looking over Ysaryn curiously before she noticed Narda and Daryll. 
"The Crown?" Suddenly, her expression shifted from skepticism to fear. "Why? What has she done?"
"We are to take her." Ysaryn repeated, hand on her blade. "Take us to her."

Though she still looked reluctant, Lorraine turned and led them through the house, up a set of stairs that creaked. As they met the landing, Ysaryn tilted her head. "Ooh." She cooed, grinning wickedly. She could [i]smell[/i] it. This Lyta girl's fear and anxiety. While she couldn't scent magic in the same way Kire could, she could smell that something was very different about her. Her seat reeked of it. 
"Open." She demanded of Lorraine, pointing to the door.

"No!"
The shout came from within. Ysaryn turned her head to glance at Daryll and Narda, one eyebrow arched. 
"I'm not going! You can't mak-Ah!" She'd shouted, and something thumped against the wall. Ysaryn heard the girl move, further from the door, could hear her erratic breathing. "Go away!" 
"Something is wrong." Ysaryn said to Narda. "I can smell blood. Not much, but is present." Her brow was furrowed as she listened. Lyta was breathing unevenly, her voice seemed strained. "She is afraid."

[hr]

Ruli barely registered any of it. Barely heard the villagers speaking. Was vaguely aware that Kire set her sword down in front of him. Was aware he'd reached up automatically to take her Ring from her when she removed it from her finger. He heard her promise to bring him back, but the words seemed empty.

He couldn't sense anything. Wondered if she could follow Envy's trail. Tobacco and flowers. That's what she'd said his essence smelled of. But if she couldn't?
Ruli's brain shut down, feeling out the harshest of possibilities. If she couldn't find him. If he was lost. He couldn't begin to hope that she would succeed.