The man was sitting stiffly but she couldn't help but notice the faint smile. Nodding her gratitude as he inclined his head to allow her to be seated, she lowered herself gracefully into the chair he had designated for her.

Listening calmly to his words the woman smiled warmly and nodded to his words "As you wish Kenji". The young lady's words were spoken softly, full of emotions, for she was indeed interested in this man, and why he was in this area, and anything she could learn of him.

Sitting comfortably in the chair she listened to his words carefully her eyes not once leaving his gaze. A smile permanent on her lips as she shook her head slightly "I'm not a chronicler, I simply adore writing, and having memories of my adventures, if you wish to see my work, I'd be glad to show you. I am however nothing more than a fighter/mage in this group." she shrugged away the rest of her words.

The woman smiled warmly to the man as she now posed a question "Kenji, where are you from? I have not ever met a man like you, yet I have read of the skills required to be a Samurai as you are" she bowed her head to show respect to the subject and to the man to which she spoke.

Kenji watched as Haila sat across from him smiling warmly as if he were and old friend. He seemed a bit uncomfortable with her and sat up even more stiffly as she spoke of her profession.

"I'm not a chronicler, I simply adore writing, and having memories of my adventures, if you wish to see my work, I'd be glad to show you. I am however nothing more than a fighter/mage in this group." she shrugged away the rest of her words.
He nodded slightly to her words and thought about what it meant. She apparently was part warrior and part magician, something unheard of in his lands even for a man.

The woman smiled warmly to the man as she now posed a question "Kenji, where are you from? I have not ever met a man like you, yet I have read of the skills required to be a Samurai as you are" she bowed her head to show respect to the subject and to the man to which she spoke.
He frowned slightly at her question as it brought back memories of his homeland but he didn’t blame her for the unpleasantness of the subject for she did not yet know his past.

“I come from the Bushido Islands,” he says softly with a hint of sadness reflected in his eyes, “a place far different from this place.” He paused a moment before continuing.

“The people and culture are more …. Structured and orderly,” he struggled for the words to explain it, “I have found the mainland here to be far more chaotic and troublesome since my arrival. It makes me long for home sometimes.”

He sighed slightly and inwardly shook off the pains of losing his family, his home, his very way of life.

“But I have come here to your land seeking honor and to help those in need,” a slight smile returning to his lips, “I find no end to the need of my services here it seems. I just hope I can aid your group in their endeavors in protecting those who are helpless.”

He sipped his wine making a slight face at the taste of it; what he wouldn’t do for some good sake right now, even that thought made him long for home again. A home to which he can never return.

Looking up at her again he asks, “So tell me, what is the purpose of your band of adventurers? Do they serve some Lord of this land or are they Ronin?” The term may or may not be familiar to her, a term for a masterless warrior, one who acts from their own beliefs and not those of someone higher.

Cor closed the door behind him as he entered his room. It seemed many had found happiness this day; some at the restoration of old relationships, others at the prospect of new relationships. Out of habit the elder dwarf kneeled and offered up a prayer; only this time he felt nothing. 'I hope the lad finds happiness. T'was a dear price indeed was paid to give him a chance at that which until now has evaded him. For too long he has served as a paladin of Odin out of a sense of honor and duty alone. Never did he understand why the others of the Order shunned him. Service is given so loved ones are kept from the very dangers the Order faces daily. Perhaps he is standing upon the brink of understanding this himself. He is about to be weighed and measured in a way he has never been before; may he not be found wanting.'

Exhuasted and drained by the events of the day, Cor drifted off to sleep.

Haila had noticed a hint of sadness in the man as he spoke of his homeland, this she could tell. The woman had always been quick to pick up on all things. The man was cautious of her company, and perhaps it was against laws for a man and woman to be seen alone in public, even if they would be traveling together. Questions raced through her mind and she smiled warmly to the newest member of their posse.

As she listened she would nod occasionally to his words until the final words were spoken. Her voice soft and warming all the same "We are on a mission for a friend of my father's." she fell silent. She wasn't sure what else he was asking. Shrugging slightly "Ultholk is apparently our leader in this mission, it would be wise to direct any questions his way in regards to the mission." a faint smile lined her lips as she pulled out her writing materials and began sketching the man who sat opposite from her.

Kenji’s thoughts followed similar lines as Haila’s in regards to him sitting with her in a public place. In his land such things were not done and considered inappropriate unless the woman was your wife or betrothed.

"We are on a mission for a friend of my father's." she fell silent. She wasn't sure what else he was asking. Shrugging slightly "Ultholk is apparently our leader in this mission, it would be wise to direct any questions his way in regards to the mission." a faint smile lined her lips as she pulled out her writing materials and began sketching the man who sat opposite from her.
“I see,” he nodded in response to her suggestion that he talk to Ultholk about the mission.

When she pulled out her materials and started to sketch him he looked surprised and leaned over slightly to see what she was doing. Seeing her begin to sketch a figure of him he quickly stood up.

“Please.. Do not attempt to draw my likeness,” he asked firmly as he stood picking up his sword by the scabbard with his left hand. He immediately seemed embarrassed by his small outburst.

“Forgive me! I apologize!” he says as he bows to her and takes a step back, “I must retire now.. Have a pleasant evening!”

Straightening from his bow he turns without waiting for a response from her and heads up the stairs to a room he secured for himself.

The woman listened to his words and she shrugged as he left, she spoke not another word to the strange man. Sitting, now alone, at the table, she ordered some more food, paid for it and went back to sketching. The woman had a great memory when it came to people, and she sketched him along side the blurb she had written about him. When she finished she flipped the pages to the picture she had of the rest of the members of the posse. A sigh released from her lips as she found the first page and immediately she lost her composure. The woman had heard news of her father falling ill, and it didn't hit her until this moment that while she was gone, she might miss his last hours.

Her father had fallen gravely ill a fortnight in the past, and biting her lip she sat at the table lost in silence sketching on the cover of her book, without even knowing what she would draw. It seemed an eternity before the food arrived, and a refill on her drink. She paid the order and sat alone sipping from her drink and eating a plate of food, the special of the night. Haila knew she would not sleep this night, and decided to simply sort out her thoughts. The woman would stay at that same table the whole night.

Kenji retired to his room and after securing the door he withdrew both swords and laid them atop the chest in his room placed there to store his belongings. He sat upon the bed in seiza position and thought about his outburst in the common room.

He knew that Kaila meant no harm in her sketching of him, but such a thing was not done unless the person was asked to perform such a task, or if the person was a close relative. He shook his head slightly, he found himself constantly making little slips in character in regards to the lack of structure and civility in this strange land.

It was just that seeing her sketching him reminded him of the portrait that his beloved wife had done of him shortly after they had been joined. She had been extraordinarily talented with a brush and he had never seen a likeness more closely resemble it’s subject. When he had found that portrait in his home, cut to ribbons by the Daiymo’s men, he had vowed never to have his likeness again taken in such a manner. For in his eyes, none could compare to the one by his beloved.

He sighed softly and closed his eyes and meditated for an hour, attempting to calm his soul for the coming mission upon which he would soon find himself. After he finished his mediation, he rechecked the lashings of the window and the door, and lay down to rest, his sword both close to hand.

Rayne left the temple shortly after Cor did. Leaving Conall and Cynil together. THhey certainly didn't need her around however to be honest, they probably were not even aware that she was off to the side for a while before she left. Seeing Conall on the mend and making sure he had no setbacks. When she was convinced that he did not need her she went back to the inn. She ws going to talk to Cor when she got back,but did not find him. She did see Haila, though working away at a table with a tablet before her. Arwen is still sticking close to her and that is fine by Rayne.

"May I join you," Rayne asked politely not knowing whether Hails waa busy with others things or not. "I was looking for Cor, but do not see him about. Did he get back here after the healing?"

Cynil remained a silent sentinel next to Conall and never moved her hand from over his heart, until she patted his hand that he had placed on hers.

"You do need to rest," she said matter-of-factly. "I need to eat and when you wake I bring you back some bracing soup, or thinned stew."

She did not realize how hungry and tired she was, such had been her viligence that she had skipped eating and sleeping. She gave Conall a soft smile and put his hand on his own breast and drew up the covers.

"Rest, and I will be here when you wake."

Cynil will go the the inn and order soup and bread for herself. She will eat slowly knowing that Conall will sleep for some hours, healing does draw from the body and it will have to be replenished.

Like most inns soup, or stew is also available, after eating she heads back to the temple and as soon as Conall wakes she will race back to the inn to bring food.

When Conall awakes Cynil will be seated on a chair by his bed with her arms on his matress and her head on her arms, alseep.

Haila had been drawing and writing since Kenji had left her alone at the table. After a while, Rayne had approached and asked to join her and the woman nodded. "Of Course, Mi Lady Rayne. I'm always willing for company" she fell silent as she gestured to a chair nearby. Haila finished writing in the book for a time, for her eyes were starting to burn from looking at the paper for such a long time.

The young lady smiled warmly to her companion "Cor retired for the night, as did Kenji." she fell silent, leaving her reply as simple as that. A faint smile upon her lips she replied "It seems as if we will be here at least a day longer than I had thought. We shall wait for Conall to heal, and then we shall take up arms and continue our journey" she smiled to Rayne.

Cor lay in his bed tossign and turning. He would just drift off to sleep when the void who emerge again and he would wake. After fighting it for a few hours, Cor knew he would not win this battel and so he dressed once more and headed downstairs. 'Might as well get something to eat and then check on the lad.' he thought. As he arrived in the common room he saw Hailia and Rayne at a table, engaged in conversation. After placing an order for a bowl of stew he headed towards his companions. "Good evening ladies. Mind if an old dwarf joins you at table?" He hoped a bit of comapny would ease the emptiness.

Rayne was a quiet companion for the most part, however she would willingly coverse with others as they came in and out or with Haila when she paused from sketching and writing/ Rayne also made sure that drinks were refilled, What would lyou like Haila," she asking Haila andd had the serving girls provide whatever Haila sns she wanted and savory and sweet treats for nibbling on. Rayne preferred these to big meals that sat heavily in her stomack.

She saw Cor coming into the Common rooom and making his way over to where they sat. He did not look well rested erhaps it had takeing more out of him than the rest of them that helped. SHe again wondered at the mighty spell that he had cast, and wondered the cost to the old dwarf. Gods performed miracles sometimes but at a cost as well she knew.

"You are very welcome to join us, Cor. I hope you are feeling more recovered from your casting. Haila and I have sbeen sitting here in companionable silence and light conversation. We two thought it best to stay another day for evenone to recover."

There are snacks on the table, sweet and savory tarts. cheeese and bread. Rayne indicates with a sweep of her had the treats, "Please help yourself to whatever is here and if it is not enough for a hungry dwarf we will order more. What would you like to drink?"

Haila sat writing and sketching while carrying light conversation with Rayne. A faint smile cast upon her lips as the familiar steps of Cor approached. Glancing up from her work she smiled "Greetings Cor, yes we would love your company on this sleepless night" falling silent she managed a soft smile. The woman shielded her emotions well, for none would note the sadness she felt in her heart. Soundlessly she began eating and sipping from her goblet once again. Listening faintly to the conversations of her surroundings.

When Rayne mentioned about staying another night she smiled and continued on her comment. Softly she added "It has been quite apparent that we are all too emotional and far from well rested to continue on this mission. It would not be smart to journey out when the team isn't well rested or in the right set of mind." she shrugged away the rest of her explanation and smiled to her companions.

"Thank you both for letting me join you." Cor sat and picked at the food, he was hungry but had no real appetite. Rayne commented on the physical and emotional toll on the party. "Tis true that many of us are drained physically and mentally; some even spiritually. I believe we will be here a few days as Connel's leg will grow back slowly and he will not be ready to travel for a few days." Again Cor picked at his food before continuing. "It seems some have found new hope and joy this day; others have found inner torment. Strange how one event can cause such varied feelings."

Haila wasn't surprised by the man's reply but spoke faintly "It is not strange, it is to be expected. When it rains it pours. We have been blessed by the return of our lost companions, it is time we find both more luck, and more trouble. I figured it common knowledge that when good luck comes, back luck rapidly follows." she shrugged gently. The woman ate steadily, but her stomach was warning her to quit stuffing her face before it retaliated.

Soundlessly she listened to the conversation at the table and yet her mind wandered as well. The woman nodded when Cor had spoken that their companion would need a few days yet and she agreed yet again. The woman added "Yes, a fortnight at the minimum I'm assuming." In that moment her gaze flickered to the open window and the owl that flew in. It was her father's owl, the one he always used to communicate in means of emergencies. Immediately her face turned pale as the owl landed on her shoulder and she untied the ribbon to read the message attached. Her fingers were shaky, and she completely forgot everyone else in the room, she soundlessly started reading the message and hadn't the heard to finish it. The writing was not that of her father's it belonged to his caretaker.