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Liu’s comment about jesters had caught Esther off guard. It was interesting to know that jesters tended to play the same role in this world as her old one, and that Liu wasn’t afraid to comment when he desired. Truthfully though, she felt like she could hold her own against Vetreus, and didn’t know if he’d get defensive if everyone ganged up on him. Not that anyone wouldn’t be justified. If you wanted to dish it out, you needed to be able to take it. 

While the banter may have continued for longer, the air in the room changed with a late arrival. Valeriana interjected before the newly arrived could say anything. The Proctor reminded Esther of a German woman: Focused and direct, without an ounce of room for smalltalk. 

So interference from the West Empire and the Church was a possibility, and one they would try to avoid. She certainly didn’t have faith in her ability to debate her way out of a fight with anyone, or even be diplomatic when she barely understood the land’s politics. 

And it seemed “within the hour” had suddenly become “ASAP.” Not that Esther minded. The anticipation was making her nervous, or maybe it was that aura. 

[color=74c3a2]“Of course, thank you.”[/color] She bid Valeriana just as she left. 

As to be expected, Severin took the lead and expected everyone else to follow him. There was no reason not to, but Esther couldn’t help but feel like the man acted a bit like a politician. She only spent a moment looking back at the other before walking after Severin. Esther considered walking directly beside him, but made sure to stay a few steps back so that her wings didn’t collide with him. They hadn’t been out of the room for more than a few seconds before he asked a question. Esther felt nervous about answering it, but there was no reason to lie here.

[color=74c3a2]“I wouldn’t say I’ve ever been in dangerous territory.”[/color] She answered truthfully. At least, truthfully for this world. [color=74c3a2]“Though some would say the forests in the See can be dangerous.”[/color]

The fact that some of the students and even animals were afraid of the man didn’t surprise her. In fact, Esther felt good that she was able to hold up as well as she was. 

[color=74c3a2]“Cults, hmmm.”[/color] Maybe it was the optimistic part of Esther thinking, but part of her wanted to think that there really was a wounded entity, and all it needed was to be healed somehow. It was unfortunate that she didn’t know any healing magic, or much of anything. She had been in this world for a month tops and everything she learned was from a retired dwarf artificer. And frankly, she was quite glad she found him. But it still wasn’t clear why he suggested she come here. 

It wasn’t until she got to the carriage that she sighed. She was going to have to sit near the doctor and his menacing presence, wasn’t she? At least he seemed to be polite thus far, and the others seemed like good people, even if Vetreus seemed a bit combative. She hadn’t decided if he was genuinely mean spirited or just liked to joke around. You couldn’t be all bad if you were carrying around a pet that cute though. It was a pet right? He had scales, so it could have been his baby. But why take a baby on a dangerous mission with you. 

Given her wingspan, it would probably be best to find a place to sit down before everyone piled in. So when Severin stopped outside the carriage Esther stepped inside. [color=74c3a2]“Thank you.”[/color] she bid the doctor before disappearing inside.