Elayna had fallen silent after escaping the Necromancer's lair. No shouts of victory, no bright expressions. Just a sigh, and dead air. You know, after all they'd been through, she should have expected such a terrible thing to occur. Though, she did bring it upon herself, choosing Gorzath and Blade. But it was to prove a point, and a point she did indeed prove. The Breton was determined to make it known that she was an asset, not a liability. While the others assured her she was, she, herself, wasn't convinced. Yes, she could make some potent medicine, and yes, she had successfully, to a degree, reverse-engineered the highly -potent Elfbane. Yet, her experience with battle was paltry, at best. Facing down undead hoards seemed to remedy that, if only slightly.

Upon meeting up with the group who had gone to fight the goblins, Elayna couldn't be happier to see them all still kicking. Minus Vurwe...and while she was certainly a brat, no one deserved to die to such savage beasts, and at such a young age. A kernel of sadness sat in her heart as they arrived at the insurgent camp. She, and Toad, who thankfully survived with some crafty hiding, were taken to the female tent with Redguard-style equipment. A lump sat in her throat as Elayna removed the leather coat that had seen so much with her. It was a gift from her mother. Was she still alive? Was she okay, and with the rest of the Ferris family somewhere safe? A myriad of possibilities danced in her head, like a sadistic ritual circle, all detailing the mutilation or slavery of her dear loved ones. 

Tears didn't fall. She was numb, now that she was granted a reprieve. Only a crushing pain that she was sure the strongest alcohol could not solve. Placing the memory-laden garments, along with the fungus samples she'd taken from the Mausoleum. She was unfamiliar with them, and decided later to experiment, albeit sparingly. Slipping on the loose cloth, Elayna took a moment to sit on the bed, with Toad curled up beside her. He looked up, his deep brown eyes and bright orange body bringing visions of the bright Leyawiin forests. While her heart reveled in such thoughts, her mind was singed by the flames of decimation that singed Cyrodiil. 

Elayna had chosen carry her steel dagger on her person, when they moved out. It had been with her since the beginning, after all. Would it take down a Dwemer anything? No, most likely not. But it would allow her to be quick. That's all she could ask for, anymore. To be faster than Death. That bastard, she resolved, wouldn't take her before she finished her work. She looked to the chest, which also contained the book detailing her ancestors and the family "heirlooms". Those two, Serpent's Kiss and Panacea...they were dangerous. Of course, they were also apparently defunct. Either way, she'd have to find a way to High Rock. Preferably with the group, and not without.

Standing and heading out of the tent, Elayna walked through camp towards the tavern. Her once short hair had now grown to rest on her upper back, prompting her to pull it forward and letting it fall in front of her right shoulder. Some glances from men were sent her way, but she ignored them all. It was bad enough there was a damned brothel, there was no need for them to look at her. With a scoff, Elayna entered the tavern with a determined look. She ordered a bottle of Stros M'Kai Rum, quickly downing half the burning liquid. One of the patrons laughed at her. "Isn't that a bit strong for a lady such as yourself?" He prodded. "I'll have you know, sir, that I've drank two Nords under the table. Well, I guess it ended up [i]on[/i] the table...but still. I can hold my liquor." Elayna said pointedly, before heading out of the makeshift watering hole.

Outside, fire dancers practiced their incredible art. Sipping the rum, Elayna sat down and gazed into the spinning flames. There was work to be done. She couldn't afford sympathy anymore. The notion of being guilty about creating a deadly poison seemed far away now. The atrocities the Dwemer committed...they deserved a nice and painful demise. Maybe it was the alcohol talking. Frankly, Elayna didn't care. As Toad slept in the tent, the Breton Alchemist spent her night in drink and study, researching the new fungus from the Mausoleum. Anything to take her mind off of home.