"You can't deny blood."

"It's her that has the problem denying blood," the guard says with a sneer. 

Defiance ripples over Raeli's skin, a sneer obvious in eir manner.

"-It's all too much. It's sickening. It's wrong. It's not. It's not."

The guards shrink back from Defiance, snarling. "She brings abominations and monsters and shems in her wake. And you blame us for being fearful."

"Charming, really. Anyway, we'll be about our business."

Ilska glares at that guards as she passes.

The guards glare at the group, but do not bar their progress. 

Merrill is already at the centre of the camp, mid-argument with a older elf, recognisable to Henri and Rae as the Keeper.

Defiance slides away, leaving Raeli.

"Keeper," she greets with a nod.

Cia tucks closer to Ilska's side.

Marethari nods at Raeli. "I feel as if we just spoke, Raeli," she says warmly. 

She looks behind her, to Henri. "And I suppose you're here to help Merrill with this foolishness?"

"You know me and Talia, always up for a little foolishness. But this is a favour for Karl and Blaise." He gestures to the boy.

Who is half trying to hide behind Raeli.

"And I'm invoking vir sulevanan, for the arulin'holm." 

The Keeper turned tired, sad eyes on Merrill. "Merrill, please. Give up this foolishness. Come back to the clan. Let Tamlen and Mahariel go." 

"You might've given up on regaining our past, Keeper. But I have not."

"We've lost so much," Raeli says quietly. "We should take any chance we have to regain some."

"Merrill put the whole clan at risk to bring back something that killed our People. I will not be lectured by either of you, on this."

Sigh.

"But there is a task I would have you perform."

"A favour for a favour. The best kind of deal."

"A varterral has taken up in a nearby cave. Three of my hunters have already been killed. I need you to-"

"Who?" Merrill's voice is stricken.

Raeli curses quietly.

"Of course we'll help."

"Who, Keeper?!"