[center][h2][color=#b3ccff]Esben Mathiassen[/color][/h2][/center]
[hr]

As Esben had been finding out since earlier that morning, even a week under the combined ministrations of Miina and the Brightlam Cathedral's healers was barely enough to feel up to doing much of anything after the battering he'd taken. Even if it wasn't debilitatingly so, he was still [i]sore[/i] all over, and still had to remind himself that he [i]could[/i] afford to breathe fully and deeply now. After having to get up early, finish sorting out his things, and then make his way through the tree-top city back to the cathedral, he was already aching. On top of that, the exhaustion that had kept him sleeping so well with his wounds had long since run out.

Were it not for the miniature galette he'd been given for his breakfast helping to brighten his mood, he might have let the growing frustration with everything in Drana Asnaeu get the better of him. Neve taking the place of one of the other Grovemasters was unsurprising, even if he was glad that it came about naturally rather than the Kirins installing her in the position. Eve fully parting ways was just as expected. Likely for the best, as he'd said to Izayoi; anything else that could be said regarding it wasn't worth the air it would take, given how set the decision was.

So his focus would be purely business, then.

[color=#b3ccff]"Skael should prove more of an opportunity for us to rest, recover, and resupply,"[/color] he said after swallowing his last bite. [color=#b3ccff]"Not to mention that Éliane and I have quite a bit to report on regarding what has happened here, and it would be far easier to do that in person. Edren's crystal ought to be...[i]doubly[/i] secure, by this point. Unless anyone should have a particular objection, the main question will be what route we take. Passing through Lunaris and the Earl Demet's lands seems to be the frontrunner there."[/color]