Nawain/Logs/20260414

(POV: Sael)

Lady of Frostbite Siendra just arrived.

You glance at Tekhelet, a male Rakash.

Siendra pulls Tekhelet to her in a tight hug.

(Tekhelet glances at his pack leader, uncertainty tightening his jaw for a moment.)

(Sael goes back to leaning against the grandfather orlog and watching the door.)

Siendra asks Tekhelet, It is Sofina.  You know that, right?

Siendra says, She sent me a letter.

Siendra paces back and forth.

You frown.

Siendra scowls.

You ask in an antiquated accent, Who is this Sofina?

Siendra says to you, A Necromancer.  One who once claimed she was not like what society would believe her to be, and yet here we are.

Siendra snorts, loudly.

You scowl.

Siendra says, She wants 20000 platinum kronars.  I...refused.  I did not trust that was all she would ask for.

Tekhelet says in a Rakash accent, I know the name fits. But the trail doesn t feel that simple.

Siendra glances at Tekhelet.

Tekhelet says in a Rakash accent, You were right not to trust it. Whether it s Sofina or not, that demand isn t clean.

Siendra nods in agreement.

Tekhelet says in a Rakash accent, If she sent something, it never reached me.

You lash your tail.

Siendra says, She...

Siendra nibbles on her fingers contemplatively.

You gaze at Siendra.

(Tekhelet's brow furrows into a tired frown, uncertainty pulling at his expression.)

Siendra quietly says, She is in my head now.  Claiming that Nawain is like her.

Tekhelet says in a Rakash accent, Saying Nawain is like her... that feels odd. I don t know what to make of it.

Siendra waves her hand distractedly.

Siendra says, It is not important.  What is important is that we must draw her out.  She is being a coward right now.

(Tekhelet drags his fingers across his eyes and shifts his weight, exhaustion pulling at his posture.)

Siendra gazes at Tekhelet. Siendra gently says, Tek...you do have to rest.  You are no good if you collapse.

Tekhelet says in a Rakash accent, E can try to draw her out  but we should be sure we re drawing out the right person.

You tersely say in an antiquated accent, Proof of life.

Siendra nods at you, obviously agreeing with your views.

Tekhelet says in a Rakash accent, I m fine. Just... slower than usual.I m not going to collapse. I just need a moment.

Siendra twitches.

You glance at Siendra, a female Rakash.

Siendra coughs.

Siendra says, I must also be tired...

Tekhelet says in a Rakash accent, Yeah... vIf she wants anything from us, she can start by showing Nawain s still breathing. You nod in agreement.

Tekhelet asks in a Rakash accent, If she wants to talk, she can prove Nawain s alive. That s the only thing that matters right now. She didn't send you anything... else?

You quietly ask Tekhelet in an antiquated accent, If she does have your wayward girl... Would you pay her asking price?

(Tekhelet takes another bite of cornbread, swallowing hard before letting his gaze drift back to Sael.)

Tekhelet takes a bite of the cornbread.

Tekhelet says to you in a Rakash accent, If she has my girl, yes... but I won t hand over a fortune to a voice in the dark.

You give Tekhelet a slight nod.

Tekhelet says in a Rakash accent, There was a bonesaw. I don t know if it's connected, but I can't pretend it didn't shake me.

You grimace.

Siendra asks, Where?

Siendra cocks her head.

Tekhelet says in a Rakash accent, It was close to where I found the hair. Qij dug it out somehow. I wasn't in any state to notice.

You sharply ask in an antiquated accent, Hair?

Tekhelet says in a Rakash accent, Yeah... a bloody lock of hair. It s the only thing I ve found, not for lack of searching.

(Tekhelet breathes in slowly, then exhales, shoulders rising and falling with the effort.)

You lay your hand on Tekhelet's arm.

You quietly say to Tekhelet in an antiquated accent, It's just hair. You know Nawain. She gets that mane stuck on everything.

Siendra glances at you.

Tekhelet says in a Rakash accent, I know... she sheds like a wild thing. But this was different. It didn't feel like something she just snagged on a branch.

You frown.

Tekhelet says in a Rakash accent, You could see it in the ground. The mud was torn up. Someone fought there.

You wince.

(Tekhelet's jaw tightens briefly, then he exhales through his nose to keep himself centered.)

Siendra rubs Tekhelet gently, massaging his muscles.

Siendra gently says, It will be okay, Tek.  We will get her back.  And it will be okay.

(Tekhelet looks to Siendra, jaw set but eyes tired.)

Tekhelet says in a Rakash accent, If that s all... I think I'll be on my way.

You ask Tekhelet in an antiquated accent, When was the last time you slept, mage?

Siendra gives a slight nod.

Siendra says, I will be doing what I can.

You say to Tekhelet in an antiquated accent, You're going to miss something, tired as you are.

(Tekhelet s eyes shift to the door, a quiet resolve settling in behind the exhaustion.)

Siendra nods at you, obviously agreeing with your views.

You gaze at Tekhelet.

Siendra says, Just take a break.  A small one.  There are others helping.

Tekhelet says to you in a Rakash accent, It's been a while. I won't lie. But I'm not gone. I'm tired, not blind.

You sigh.

You give a slight nod.

You say to Tekhelet in an antiquated accent, Tomorrow then. Or the day after.

Tekhelet says in a Rakash accent, I... really should get going. If I stay, I'll start thinking too much. There's still things I need to see to before I slow down any further.

Siendra hugs Tekhelet, getting a smile in return.

Siendra says to Tekhelet, I will let you know of anything else, as I can.

(Tekhelet looks at the cornbread, shoulders dipping slightly, then steadies himself without taking another bite.)

Tekhelet nods to Siendra.

Siendra gazes at Tekhelet.

Siendra quietly says, I will take my leave as well.  We will all be looking.

(Siendra rests her hand on Tek's arm for a moment before stepping back.)

You nod in agreement.

(Tekhelet pivots toward the door, shoulders tight)

You say to Tekhelet in an antiquated accent, Hunt well, my friend.

(Tekhelet nods once to Sael, quiet but resolute, before stepping out through the doorway without another word.)

You gaze off to the west.

You give Siendra a slight nod.

Siendra nods to you.

You go west.