Outsider (Closed)

[Ulric]

“Pastries?” Ulric’s voice was deathly quiet. He did not like being mocked. “Do not condescend to my Gasvik, or I swear that you’ll come to regret your poorly chosen words. He is one of the last of his kind. Do you have any idea how ancient he is, or what he is capable of doing? I don’t know how you can see him, but he clearly believes that you are a threat. That puts you in the same category as Krysus.” “Uaskn akw!” the Gasvik bared its teeth, hissing with fury when Ulric spoke of Krysus. “We’ll hack her to pieces one of these days, Ulric promised him, and then scowled at Sira. “I have some powerful enemies, so don’t take it personally when I say that I don’t trust any of you further than I can spit.” When Sairque stepped into the room, Ulric gestured to the Gasvik and spoke a few words that he had picked up over the preceding seasons. “Jaudn ual,” he motioned with one hand, and the Gasvik stalked to the other side of the room. “Iadkn wna lwan awkmaw nwjeb,” it replied with relish, giving Sira another angry look. Ulric peered at Sairque, and then at Aidara, his brow furrowing not only with the recognition that they were twins, but because the sight of them conjured up memories from his days as a canal rat. Petching Gregor, he scowled, recalling all the occasions he had been thrashed by the smiling twins. Petching Garth. They were the bane of his existence as a child – that is, until one of the Stryfe caught Gregor with a hand in his purse. It didn’t make a lot of sense, considering that the twins were as cunning as they were cruel, but Ulric had viewed their capture as the answer to his prayers. I wonder if these people have a gallows, or do they feed their felons to the eagles instead? It would certainly cut down on the shyke, he reflected, thinking of how the condemned tended to release the contents of their bowels the moment the trap dropped beneath their feet. For all your conceit, Ulric thought as he regarded the Inarta, there’s no denying that your shyke reeks the same as mine. He stood in silence while the twins said their pieces, not really listening, but wondering if he was making a mistake in confiding in these women. Sira could not be trusted, especially now, after the Gasvik’s outburst. Aidara was petulant, but while Sai seemed more tactful, that only meant that she’d be harder to convince. As for the quiet one, not only were her prolonged silences discomfiting, but the dye on her hands was a perfect disguise for one of Krysus’ marks. This was one of the main reasons that Ulric had ordered the Gasvik to guard his flank. If they were attacked, he needed the Gasvik to take her out quickly so he could deal with the others. Can they play their roles to perfection? Ulric wondered, even though he realized that it was too late to turn back now. Leo needed to meet with a predicament that forced him to rely on Ulric, forcing the mage to reveal his hand, and perhaps yield a precious favor. Ravok must burn, Ulric smiled as he visualized the city wreathed in flames, sinking into the dark waters of the lake. “I suppose I do have some explaining to do,” he spoke at last, trying to keep a neutral tone. “Very well, I shall endeavor to be succinct. I am bound to a creature that few people can see or hear, but his secrets are none of your concern. He seeks only to protect me, just as I seek to protect him. I escorted Glav Navik and Akvin Kultra from Syliras, along with my comrades Leo Varniak and Torc Ironwood, and I will be leaving once the snow melts. If you must know, I have a list of people that need killing,” he smiled, his dark eyes glinting. “I’ve already met with the Valintar, and he didn’t order his bird to gobble me up. I suppose that’s a good sign, but that’s not why we’re here. It’s quite simple, really. I suspect – no, I know that Leo has an ulterior motive for being here, which might endanger your people. I’ve seen the mark on his back, and while I’m not an expert with these things, I can put two and two together. I don’t give a shyke what he’s here for, but I’d caution you to watch him for the time being – and see that he isn’t harmed,” Ulric warned. “I’m telling you this as a gesture of good faith, but to be fair, you should probably watch me, too. I have been known to cause a great deal of havoc,” he grinned again, his eyes returning to Sira. “Oh, and to answer that question of yours, I didn’t raise the matter until you asked. I enjoy a good secret, but keeping them gets boring after a while. I prefer to share. So tell me, isn’t this a more fascinating topic than fish?”

[Sira]

Krysus? This man was comparing her to Krysus? Sira was not the religious type, but she knew enough to be offended by Ulric's statement. Had this been anyone else such an insult might have warranted a good beating, but something about the name stopped her. Why would he compare her to Krysus, of all things? She hadn't come off as a killer, had she? Maybe as a bit nosy, possibly overbearing, but evil? It all had something to do with the strange feeling she got just being around the man. "I won't get offended if you don't trust me so long as you understand I don't trust you either." When Sairque entered the room Sira greeted her with a nod, watching as the Gasvik took it's place across the room. She took comfort in the fact that Silwyn, and not one of her friends, was the closest one to the creature. She had no desire to see the woman hurt, but if it had to be someone... Pushing such thoughts aside she returned her attention to the warrior in the room as he started his explanation. Sira's mind wandered as he spoke, though she still caught most of what he said. This man was unlike any she had ever met, and not just because of the invisible companion. That alone was strange enough, but she could get past that. There was more to him, a power that she could almost see, and a darkness as well. Sira wasn't used to seeing things like this. She was not an actual Wind Eagle, though she was privy to some of their secrets, but she never believed she would use them. How had the other eagles missed this man? Sira hoped Catabasis was listening in on all this, because she would need a real eagle's perspective assuming they made it out of this without being attacked by little monsters. When Ulric finished and posed his question, Sira couldn't help but smile a little. At least the man had a sense of humor. "I can see you're friend because I am not like the others. ...I can see a lot." She looked Ulric right in the eyes as she said that part, wondering if he even knew what she was referring too. "...What you do outside of Wind Reach is none of my business, so long as you don't kill anybody here. If the Valintar didn't didn't kill you, then I wont either. But trust me, all the eagle's eyes will be upon you, and you're friends. So I suggest you think carefully before you wreak any havoc." Sira paused, trying to think of how to phrase her next sentence. "You're friend... Leo. What does his mark look like?"

[Sairque]

Eyebrows lifting in surprise, Sai, unconcerned with Ulric's scrutinizing gaze, regarded Aidara for the few moments she spoke until she made her demand of the entire group. The healer could produce no justification for any one of the actions she had taken in regards to the stranger. Belatedly, she sought answers that could provide absolution should this turn into a bad encounter. But since when had that ever bothered Sai before? Ah, yes, since Addy had started trying to be something that she wasn't, whatever image she had of how an Endal should behave.

With this in mind, Sairque requested Catabasis form a link with Sira so that the twins wouldn't have to go through the Eagles to speak to each other without vocalizing. Sira never had a reason to link up, beyond the natural ability to communicate with other Eagles, having no Rider to bring into the connection, Sai was fairly sure. And Addy hadn't had a bond to connect with; the few times that Sai attempted using their empathetic bond hadn't ever worked. The inexperience, if there was any, on either part, wasn't a concern, however. Catabasis could form it with little trouble if Sira didn't object. Not that Sai had anything in particular she needed to communicate, at the moment, but she wasn't adverse to stacking the deck in her favor. Aidara would be able to see her prominent thoughts clearly, and vice versa, an advantage that could prove devastatingly effective. Of course, Sira and Catabasis could speak telepathically to either of the Endals and each other already.

The subtle request had taken up little of her attention, and she remained listening to Sira and Ulric with a pensive furrowing of her own brow. Between Sira and Aidara, there was no need to ask any questions of her own yet. And the man-Ulric Catabasis supplied-was volunteering information. The group congregated in the center of the large living space, and Sai, already on the outskirts, took up a slow meander around the furniture. Coincidentally, or not, her path led closer to the little fellow whose image, supplied by Sira, was spreading throughout the Eagles and Riders like wildfire. Sai couldn't keep her eyes from drifting to the spot he occupied in the image Sira had of him. There was nothing there that she could discern, but she didn't doubt its existence, nor its appearance. Not a very attractive little thing, maybe I should give it some scarves or beads to make is look less like a naked mole rat. And when she turned her head to glance at Urlic, she saw only a man. A man with large ears, outlander clothing, and much suspicion. But Sira was uneasy about him, of something that surrounded him but was not of himself. Or of the little fellow. Catabasis echoed, less powerfully, as he hadn't actually a chance to see Ulric, this sentiment. Its secrets, at the moment, are none of our concern, but everyone in Wind Reach knows you have it and that it's violent. But you don't know that. The twins knew one another well enough that Sai felt comfortable leaving her thoughts to echo in Aidara's mind, that she would pick up on them and be the one to ask the questions they sparked.

Glav Navik, Akvin Kultra, Leo Varniak, Torc Ironwood. I'm starting to accumulate a 'list of people that need killing' as well. Petching outsiders. Leo Varniak. You know he has an ulterior motive that might harm us, because of this mark on his back, and you don't care about this ulterior motive but you do care that he doesn't came into danger. You're telling us that you condone his possibly harmful actions, and are only warning us as an 'act of good faith'. For what? What do you need our help for? What do you need our help for? The thought process ended abruptly, Sai having reached her destination: Silwyn. Physically, she hesitated only a fraction of a second, and her pensive eyes slid over the back of the woman's head.

Silwyn was staring at a vase on an end table, like that was where the voice in her head was coming from, and those wide-eyes were growing larger with concern. The natural dyer leapt to her feet and hustled toward the door, not bothering to excuse her abrupt departure. Catabasis did, however, his dry voice coming to the remaining women's minds. Unless you were planning on having her reclothe the outsider, her business here has been concluded. The departure and explanation came on the heels of Ulric's last question, one that Sai shrugged off as unimportant as it seemed to be nothing more than a reference to their earlier small talk. With her favorite seat no longer occupied, Sai calmly vaulted over the back of the couch and settled into a comfortable lounge. Granted, the positioning of folded hands near her knife was not happenstance. There was a violent little critter somewhere near her, after all, but she didn't look for it.

Catabasis' banishment of the Avora was telling. There were things that he refused to speak of with her, and she could sense the same wariness in him now. Only he couldn't keep this from her because Ulric was standing in her living room. Ulric with the shadow. Sai didn't understand, she couldn't see what Sira did nor draw on lifetimes of experience as Catabasis did. She saw only a troubled man that laid a problem at their feet and wanted something from them. Ulric with the shadow. The shadow that has nothing to do with Leo; a personal demon. A powerful one, Catabasis supplied, and Sai's thoughtful gaze drifted between the other three in the room.

He has a list of people to kill, and that shadow is waiting for it, this time the Eagle's words were for Sira. It wants more. Do not neglect this in your dealings with him. Perhaps if we find out from whence it comes, we can use it to our advantage in damage control. They did have a few secrets to safeguard.



OOCTalked to Silwyn, she can't access her account any longer so I'm going to write her out of this thread. It's not very creative, I'm afraid, but our options became limited without her ability to control the character. And sorry about the delay, and the hasty post. But I wanted to get something up to keep things moving along. Let me know if I missed anything or made a mistake.

[Aidara]

Lost. Lost lost lost. And confused. Trying to hide this fact under a shroud of poorly portrayed authority, Aidara floundered for what she really should be doing here, in this room with these people who seemed to be far more qualified for... well, what ever was going on, than she was. There was a moment of clairvoyance then, when Addy felt her sister touch upon their link. She almost sighed in relief as the familiar waves of emotion emanating from Sai washed over her. The little woman had felt the loss of their connection clearly, and the reconnect was like feeding an addiction. Her shoulders lost their painful stiffness, her face melted from a scowl into a more natural concerned, yet completely lost, expression. Now that her sister was here, Addy felt that she could just fade into the stonework and listen until she was needed. Green eyes flickered to where Sai lounged and Addy opened her mouth to speak. Having gathered up mental fistfuls of emotion to share with her sister, Addy was carefully feeding them through the small channel of their bond when there was a shift. In a matter of seconds it went from their small, familiar empathetic bond to... something more. The channel had become a chasm and Addy backed away from it in fright, her mind recoiling from what she felt. Well, heard would be more accurate. Four voices, including her own mental self, bounced around inside of Aidara's skull. It took only moments to deduce Sai from Sira from Catabasis and only a few moments more to feel completely overwhelmed and cramped inside her own head. Close your mouth, you look daft. Don't loose your advantage here. There was amusement in Sai's voice as it drawled through Addy's mind. Completely startled, her mouth snapped shut and her gaze jerked to her sister, eyes wide. "I uh.... Yeah, I'm going to sit over here." With her lame reaction completed, and an equally lame sigh, Addy moved with slumped shoulders over to her chair, the one to the left of where her twin had positioned herself. You could have warned me. What the petch is this? Wide eyed and completely thrown off her game, Addy had to consciously force herself to relax as her attentions flickered between the two women in the room. An inelegant flop onto her chair and the woman reached for a pillow, pulling it into her lap and hugging it close. Screw appearances. A link. The Eagles do it for us so we can coordinate during hunts or long flights. Sai was clearly distracted. As relaxed as she seemed, the Flightleader had all of her attentions on Ulric, leaving Addy irritated, shocked, and still confused. And now without a proper explanation. Yeah I've known that since we were 16. I'm asking why you haven't shared this super secrect special link and how to do it before now And then a little realization hit. ......Sira? The probing question was hesitant, almost fearful. Since they had bonded, neither of the women had really had any time or desire to test what exactly said bond was capable of. They had been too busy enjoying each other, to be frank. Addy knew her mate would respond. Twenty three years of having easy access to her twin's emotions made it pretty darn easy for Addy to sort out what was going on in her head. She could feel four presences now. She knew Sira was there. Uh, someone should say something. Out loud. This is starting to look awkward. On a side note, I am guessing that he is the reason why I am feeling all edgy and completely out of sorts? I don't really know where it came from, but it's making me ornery. Addys gaze had flickered from Sira to Ulric now, her expression thoughtful. "You came with companions? Why didn't we bring them here, too? Or is he the only... worry?" The question was posed at all in the room, though Addy continued to watch the man. She'd lost the bossy edge to her voice, let the cloak of authority slip. It was easy to do, since it wasn't her to begin with. Little did the woman know, but her twin was going to berate her about that anyway. Maybe one of you seventeen people in my head can explain to me here what is going on? I am so confused.

[Ulric]

Ulric shrugged when Sira stated her distrust. It was nothing new, really. He wasn’t the sort of man that inspired trust in people, and he certainly wasn’t the sort that others were willing to follow. How the petch are we going to kill The Voice by ourselves? he scowled at the Gasvik, who upon sensing that the gathering wasn’t going to come to blows, offered him a sour look. It had grown to half his size by now, and he wondered how much larger it would become in the days the followed. Its presence was one of the few things keeping him sane. It offered him a way to right all the wrongs that had been inflicted upon him, and the wrongs he had inflicted on others. Not long ago, Ulric had been all for burning Ravok until it sank into the lake, but he was coming to realize that wholesale slaughter was not the remedy he sought. Its people had been misled, nothing more. Rhysol was their protector, but the god differed from Glav in his desire to protect only his minions. Glav wished to keep all people from harm, and Ulric, for all his faults, was determined to do the same with his crusade. Except, of course, for the sacrifices he’d have to make along the way. “Grakm am wlewk ansjd odla,” spoke the Gasvik, disturbing his reverie. Not now, Ulric gritted his teeth, watching the quiet one rush from the room. It was clear that she was out of her depths. I was probably wrong about her, he mused. I’m not in the wilderness any longer. I can’t keep suspecting that everyone is planning to slit my throat. He only hoped that she kept her mouth shut. Listening to Sira speak, Ulric had to restrain a surge of malice. He didn’t like being threatened, but he supposed it was her prerogative. None of these shykes could kill him, but if he showed them the devastation he was capable of then she would have won. Krysus, you bitch, he frowned, studying the others. Ulric could see the cracks forming in Aidara’s brazen facade, and he wondered if she even had the stomach to face the horrors to come. Sai, on the other hand, had the look of a woman whom had once tried to kill him. “Leo’s mark looks something like this.” Lowering himself to the floor, Ulric traced it as best he could remember – which wasn’t well. “It’s not as if he flaunts this sort of thing,” he spoke in a vague apology. “If you wish to see the mark, then corner him in the baths. It might work, but then again, it might not. I’m not even certain that you could get the robe off his back by spreading those legs of yours.” “Wan rmwe owe petch odt,” the Gasvik sneered. “Shut up,” Ulric glared, but something about one of Sira’s earlier statements was bothering him. "What did you meant by that?” he peered at her through hooded eyes. “How are you not like the others?” It was surely related to her ability to see the Gasvik, and he wanted answers. So far, the creature had relied upon its invisibility. Its safety was dependent on not being seen, and Ulric would sooner saw off a hand than see it harmed. Ulric scratched his chin when Aidara asked about his brothers, and then offered a crooked smile. “Let explain what would transpire if we all crowded into this chamber. Leo would argue that he is innocent, and that I am not only dangerous, but deceitful. He would be right. Glav is certain to speak on Leo’s behalf, but explain that while I am misguided, my heart is in the right place. Torc will echo Glav’s sentiments, and seek to dissuade me from my chosen path. He won’t succeed. He knows that we have to fight back, and that it would be folly to interfere with my crusade.” He scanned the chamber again, trying not to show his distaste for the rich trappings. “Go and speak to them, if you wish. I am not privy to many secrets, so it would be prudent to seek other perspectives,” he cautioned, and began to edge toward the door.

[Sira]

It was true Sira had never really had a reason to link with anyone other than the eagles, though the concept was nothing new to her. She knew it could be done, and in truth it was one of the main reason's she had requested Sairque's presence to begin with. That and she needed a real eagle's perspective on the matter. Sira and Addy had not played around much with their bond yet, Sira only being telepathic while in her eagle form. In truth, with all the cold weather and snow storms she hadn't been spent much time in the sky at all this season, so she and Addy had very little experience with eagle/rider interaction. The connection did not surprise her or effect her disposition in anyway, having expected it once Sairque came into the room. A tiny smile crept onto her face as she listened to Sai and Aidara, responding when she heard her name. I'm here, Addy. And as much as I'd love to enjoy this moment, we've got business to attend to. The twin's could feel Sira's agreement as Addy expressed a need for someone to speak, even if she didn't voice her feelings. She was an open book, at the moment, and both of them could feel her concern. When the Gasvik spoke Sira glanced in it's direction, having not a clue what it said, but wondering if it could understand them. If it was there to protect Ulric, then it would know she had threatened him, even if she had no intent on following through with that threat any time soon. Then Ulric began to trace the mark. He didn't have to be perfect, he didn't even have to be close to perfect, Sira could recognize the mark, and the image that popped into her mind leapt to the twins and Catabasis as well. Of course, Sairque and Aidara would not recognize it, but Sira did. She ignored the jibe about spreading her legs, having had her suspicions confirmed about the fire mage. The mark was Ivak's, which meant trouble. Sira was glad for the change of subject when Ulric brought up her earlier comment, even if it wasn't her favorite subject to get into. It always brought about unwanted questions, but seeing as they were treading on dangerous waters that she wasn't supposed to talk about with present company, she was willing to explain. Perhaps telling her secret wasn't the best idea, but it wasn't like everyone in Wind Reach didn't know about her.. he was bound to find out soon enough. "I am not full blooded Inarta. My father was a Kelvic. I am a Kelvic... but there's more to it. My animal form isn't just some mundane cat or dog, I am a Wind Eagle Kelvic, complete with everything that comes with being a Wind Eagle. That is why I can see your friend, that is why I have to ask you all these questions... You have been helpful. I don't know who it is you want to kill, or what this crusade of yours is, but you haven't shown yourself to be our enemy, even if one of your friends is." Sira paused and thought for a moment, reflecting on something Ulric had said. "What do you mean by fight back? Who are you fighting against?" Meanwhile, across the bond, Sira spoke to Catabasis directly. The mage is marked by Ivak. We need eyes on him at all times. I don't get it.. why is he even being allowed to walk free? There's something weird about Ulric too, aside from the fact that he's being followed by a little monster. He's being followed by something else too... Sira opened her thoughts to the twins, top secret portion of her conversation being dropped. I don't think Ulric is our enemy, though he's not a friend either. ...I think he's in trouble actually, even if he doesn't know it. But I don't think there's anything we can do about it either. ..so I'm at a loss here.

[Sairque]

Catabasis answered Sira readily, Ivak’s prison is not unguarded. Divinity trumps Gnosis. The mention of said power brought a flash of images of the divine ones and a few of the people that they showed intense interest in. The Eagles could tell the latter from the way an aura of music followed, or a haze of beaming hope--the presence depended upon the God. One of the five doors in the aerie led to the nest, this door had a cloth covering a small clear window. Though no one in the room would probably notice, it was ripped aside by one jerk of Catabasis' beak and replaced by a huge yellow eye. He's being followed by a God, he over zealously corrected her last statement, shocked by the realization that a powerful being directly correlated to the sadistic and murderous darkness swallowing the man. Poor lad, no wonder he is so unpleasant. However, I do believe the power you smell is separate. His next statements followed on the heels of the concerns Sira shared with the twins, his words also for all of the women.

Ulric could very well have his ‘heart in the right place,’ as he says, but there is the distinct possibility that he is in over his head. That shadow, not so much the image as the feel of obsession with agonizing murder came to the twins. Belongs to a God. I also suggest speaking to his companions about him. If he delights in this attention, then, unlike his implicated companion, we know for a fact that he’s dangerous and should be removed from Skyinarta. The door to his aerie eerily swung open and light from the overcast sky bathed the large chamber weakly.

Sai took her eyes off Ulric, skimming over Aidara and peering out into her Eagle’s nest. Not even a tail feather was visible. Aidara...needed to be dealt with at a later time. As Sira had mentioned, there was "business to attend to." A shiver raced up her spine, and it wasn’t from the chilled air slowly working its way through the room. But when she looked back at the man, there was no bloodthirsty being salivating over her tasty O-. Just an arrogant piece of shyke stinking up her home.

“Sit down, Ulric,” Sai finally entered the conversation with a velvet covered command, even though the man appeared to have little control over his easily offended sensibilities. She didn’t particularly care. He had come to them with information on the dangers of this Leo fellow but hidden his own danger to them under some ridiculous paltry warning about himself. The anxiety running through her Eagle had spiked even further, and it was leaving a nasty taste in her mouth. Patience was running thin. Her gaze drifted over to him and then to a chair just to her right, which she made a gracious motion toward with one scarred hand. “Sit,” she would repeat if he balked and then give him a reason to listen to her. “I believe that this Leo could be trouble. But I only believe it because he came here with you and the murder and death rolling off of you isn’t making you any friends in or outside this room.” She assumed that he knew this divine presence was there, but not how he felt about it. And also that he didn’t want to die. That seemed like another safe assumption. “Why don’t you tell us a little about that, instead?”

Sira, I see no reason not to get rid of him. We don’t need him. Her feelings about useless outsiders mooching off the hard working Inarta and taking the food out of their mouths wasn’t a secret. Especially one that admitted he couldn’t control himself. Pursing her lips, she glanced over to the altruistic Kelvic. However, if he explains himself, I suppose I know where we could find him some help, she allowed, trusting the newest member of her family.

Sira, Catabasis’ pensive words echoed throughout all the women’s minds. That little feral thing Ulric brought in with him…am I mistaken in the sense that he smells of the same power that Ulric does? Catabasis had picked out the foreign smells in the room easily. The smell of divine power had fairly rushed out into his nest upon the door’s release, and there was no way to differentiate between their two guests.

[Aidara]

It wasn't a new thing for her, sharing the space of her mind with another. However, the voices of her twin, her love, and the eagle was just a bit overwhelming. It was taking a bit of some getting used to, listening to people talk within her skull. So, quietly she sat as they all secretly discussed the man that fidgeted before them. Ulric was rather unassuming looking, Addy decided...well, aside from the fact that he had a little invisible monster following him and just reeked of death and icky things... unassuming looking. As her three companions argued about his motives and whether or not he was dangerous, or just unfortunate, the healer was coming up with a decision of her own. I think we do need to meet his friends... but he's staying with us. I'm going to help him. He hasn't hurt us...yet. He could have easily hurt me- admit it, you know it's true. But he didn't. He came with us. Her eyes never left the man as she spoke to the women and Catabasis. He is in over his head. Maybe with our help, he won't... have to be removed. Do you want him to fail? His friend is against us. Why should we increase the possibility that he might succeed by passing up the chance to....help. Falling quiet, green eyes passed over Sira first, looking for a response in her face, before they skipped over to where Sai sat. Capturing her twins yellow gaze, a slender brow raised in her silent question. "Would you like anything to drink, or eat?" The Flightleader had ordered Ulric to sit. Addy felt the need to do something, say something, while her words marinaded in the minds of her companions. "You look hungry slash thirsty..." Addy spared a glance to her sister again, who had just finished snapping at Ulric for information. "Listen, we're worried. But you are our guest, and we're going to make you comfortable and get the information that we need." Addy had planned on waiting to hear the thoughts of Sai and Sira before she continued on with her own little plan but... "I want to help you. Any information that you can give us, will help. I don't like commiting to something and then running off into the darkness blind. You don't know me, I don't know you. But we can both make assumptions. I can help you. We" Another pause, another glance at her sister and bondmate "can help you. I can't ask for trust, but I can ask for honesty."

[Ulric]

Two children, one beastling, three enemies – and he’d scarcely the restraint to stay his hands. Ulric was trapped in this reeking mountain, a prisoner of the snow. The darkness was choking him again, urging him to reduce these children to bloody rags. But he couldn’t. He had to survive, for the sake of the god whose essence he bore inside of him. “Tell you about myself?” Rage yielded to a smirking levity. “No, that’s not going to happen. I don’t want to sit down. I don’t want a drink, and most importantly, I don’t want to spend another moment in this mountain. I only spoke to her because she asked for a straight answer.” He peered at Sira, dark eyes glittering. He was more upset at being asked about his greatest secret than by the distrust that clung heavily to the air of this chamber. It was so hard to control the words that spilled from his mouth, their meaning twisted by the rising darkness, skewed by paranoid delusions, yet it was harder still to force back the murderous thoughts that crept unbidden into his head. He could not surrender to the infernal rapture, or everything he was, and everything he worked for, would be for nothing. He needed to get out of this place. “If you were you,” he growled, “I wouldn’t seek any more answers. I am only a danger to those who discover what I truly am, for then you, too, will be among the hunted. If I remain here, they will come. If I perish, they will come even faster.” He glanced slowly over their faces, knowing that he was only inflaming their fears. “I do not like making bargains, but sometimes that is what we must do to survive. I will not harm any person in your city, so long as they don’t meddle with my comrades.” “Come, Desank,” he said, and together they swept out of the chamber. It was time to return to the caverns.

[Sira]

Sira sat in silence for a moment after Ulric left. She did not move to stop him but simply watched as he and his invisible companion exited the room. She wasn't overly concerned, there was no where in Wind Reach he could go that he wouldn't be surrounded by loyal Inarta ready to leap to their city's defense should he or any of his companions try anything. The Inarta already had a mistrust for outsiders, so there wasn't much to worry about. The part that did concern Sira was what Ulric said about being hunted. Sira already knew more than she was letting on. She was no wizard who could read people's souls.. or auras.. or whatever they were called, but she could see Ulric's as clearly as she could see the Gasvik or her two friends in the room, and the longer she looked at it the more she learned. There was a lot more to this Ulric than he was telling them and if he was being hunted Sira could only guess at the nature of those who hunted them. Sira fed all this information to Catabasis, sharing everything she had seen, so that he could spread the information to the other eagles, then she looked to Sai and Addy both putting a helpless smile on her face. "Well.. that was interesting. I don't think he'll be any trouble though, at least not while the snow falls.. but we should be ready just in case." Sira kept her concerns about Ulric and his friends to herself. There was no point trying to explain his connection to the gods or his friends connection to Ivak. They would probably forget half of what she told them anyway by the time they left the room. Sira sighed.. sometimes being a Wind Eagle kelvic was just too much trouble.