Raul
Scarlett Prynne
Witherlands

"It's alright," Scarlett said gently, wanting to calm Cerei down and make her feel better. As much as Scarlett disliked Lucius, he would be of more use to Cerei than she would be, and it was important that Cerei maintained a relationship with him. Besides, it wasn't healthy for Cerei to get herself so worked up when she was still so badly injured! Scarlett could see the pain etched across Cerei's face, and that in and of itself pained Scarlett. 

She smiled at Cerei, continuing with, "The truth hurts sometimes, yes? Though I appreciate your willingness to defend me. For now, it's more important that we focus on getting you better and settled into your new life."

She cast a disapproving glance at Lucius as she added, "I'm assuming that we both want what's best for Cerei, and upsetting her to the point of pain isn't in either of our job descriptions, I don't think. When will we leave?"
Michelle
Cerei Davren
Witherlands

Cerei smiled and sat back down. "Thank you. Though it might be a while before you are ready to leave." She said, closing her eyelids. All of a sudden a caw rang out, and Cerei jumped from the sudden noise. 

Lucius walked outside and came back in a few moments later holding a weathered folded paper. "It appears to be a letter." He said, unfolding it and reading its contents. "Unfortunately we will not be going to the manor after all. A council is forming in Taemar, because it appears to be the last place on Earth that the Rat Plague has not yet touched. I think it's a good place to start, Cerei." Lucius said, looking up. "You may not be sworn in yet as the official ruler of House Davren but you can still go to this council if you wish." He said, holding the letter out so Scarlett could read it.
Raul
Scarlett Prynne
Witherlands

The words seemed to blur before her as she realized that Taemar was the one place where they might be safe. That was what she had wanted when this whole ordeal began, wasn't it? Somewhere safe to ride out the plague. And now, with Cerei's wealth, they could get to Taemar safely, without coming into contact with anyone that had been infected. 

She skimmed over the letter once more, then turned to Cerei as she said, "I think we should go. We'll be safer there, and maybe they'll figure out why Taemar seems to be unaffected and we can bring a cure back here, to everyone in your domain."

Catarina Tanner
Witherlands Roadside

Catarina woke with a start, frosted lashes opening like dandelion seeds being whipped away by a stiff spring breeze. Ah, if only spring were here! It would be at least a little warmer!

Her teeth were chattering, it was still dark, and the fire had gone out, save for a few of the last embers that glowed faintly, clinging to their last breath. Quickly, she sat up and looked around, moving a little closer to the fire and reaching for some wood and a long stick to hopefully rouse the fire back to life. 

Yet something was off. Something that gave her pause. She stopped, her hand part way towards the firewood, and glanced around the campfire, looking for her companions and what had woken her. It wasn't just the cold. Something...
Michelle
Cerei Davren
Witherlands 

"I agree. It seems to be the best idea that anyone has, though if we do go we must be prepared for the journey, maybe it's a good idea to buy a carriage. We can load it down with supplies and set out tomorrow if you all are ok with that. There would be enough room to lie down during the journey and as long as someone is awake to drive we would be fine." Cerei said, agreeing with the two. 

"Lucius, you can handle the arrangements can't you?" Cerei said. 

"Of course I can." He said softly.
Raul
Scarlett Prynne
Witherlands

Scarlett nodded, her brow furrowed with anxiety. And yet, despite her fear of the plague and her new position in life, she found that, for the first time since the accident, she was feeling genuine hope again. Like a breath of fresh air, it gave her new life, and she pushed herself up so that she was sitting in a more proper position than she had in quite some time. 

"Thank you," She said to Lucius. 

And to Cerei, "I hope this will be a good trip for you. You'll get to experience the world, for once!"
Stephen
Maren was so used to the cold, she actually felt comfortable sleeping in the pile of hay next to the big ox that pulled the cart. With all the wrappings and capes she had been given, she was curled up in her nest without a hair on her head sticking out. In fact, with a warm meal, this was the most comfortable that Maren had ever been in her entire life.

She breathed evenly, but was awoken by Catarina's movements and shuffling. She poked her head up, allowing the bitter coldness to hit her. She inhaled and winced. The coldness biting at her lungs was a bitter reminder of where she was. She looked over at Cat and cocked her head. 

"Morning...?"