Katahnia remained silent for most of the meal. As much as she knew they were out numbered, inside that blonde-haired head of hers, she was ever calculating something, anything to help those suffering. So internally she was at war with herself, despite her already knowing nothing would become of it. It would be silly to die now when she could formulate a plan once she was backk on her feet. They were but three survivors, not an army, and she drew in a careful breath as she peered over at the group.
Joshua still had his face in his meal, and Conall, she noticed, ate careful, due to his injury. SHe gave a small smile in his direction before moved on to finish her own. She was famished. After all, half of their 'would be' soup from earlier was ont he floor,a nd a bit on their clothing. SHe again, smiled at the memory, flushing lightly. The soup, what remained, tasted good, especially with soft chunks of bird broiled through it, and a dash of pine cone. And the rabbit also tasted like heaven.
Once they were finished, they gathered their things and cleaned up the place as quick as they could, and Joshua was impressed they had three horses.
"Well, as terrible as it is to say, I'm glad the men hadn't finished you off, Lady Katahnia. THough I'm sure you suffered greatly, the people back in Connlaoth will be moved to know you have survived."
Katahnia nodded sagely, keeping close to her stallion that sniffed lightly at her side.
"And I can not wait to get back to help those who suffer so. These are terrible times we live in. To think how radical the laws have become..."
"ANd how radical the entire land has become," Joshua agreed with a shake of his head. He peered up at the sky. "I'd hate to say this, but if we aim to get going, there's only about three hours of daylight. Not a lot of time to travel, but enough time to make some grounds. Do we have supplies to make a camp? To build a fire? If not, we should fill up with what we can while we're resting here, and move swiftly as far south as we can. Hellvion.." he stared at the map over Conall's shoulder now. "It's pretty far west, though I think Hellvion is safer than Bellkrath. It would be wise to come down that direction. Hellvion is one of the least touched duchies from the war. I know for a fact Duchess Melora is not a supporter of mages, however, she is a vain woman and wants nothing to do with mage camps if she can help it. She sees it as a pox on her land." He rolled his eyes. "Not many mages live there to begin with, but wouldn't she be surprised t know there's our own safe house there as well? Not to mention the ruined city beneath Uthlyn. Those safe havens have been a god send."
"And we have the Free FOlk to thank for that. So many people have risked their lives already, so many people have died..."
Joshua placed a hand upon Katahnia's shoulder, offering her a smile.
"And Connlaoth won't defeat us. Mages are as natural born as your hair color. Just because those without the power are fearful and remain in ignorance to understand us, does not mean we do not have a place here. But come, what have we decided? I'm itching to move. We shan't linger less we risk exposing this place, or ourselves."
