Henry
**Intimacy, a notion that Vierna rarely hid from. The Doctor had earned her trust, earned her presence. Other Matrons, she knew, likely would've treated Henryk like a simple Pet. The Young Argith, however, had found value in the words of an Outsider. A heretical thought to some, for the gates to Lazaroth often remained isolated. The clear view of this Ancient sight seemed ever more clear as the Escort mustered their way up the foundation of Syvatheran Hills. The Dead Man's Tree had loomed above the sights of the City like a watchful Elder - Idle and helpless to the whims of those who came before the Young Duchess.**

**Henryk's flustering thoughts were an expectation, the Duchess soon enough managing a curious stare over to the Advisor, Ignorant of their current travel. A strange thought to leave those trusted in the Dark, but it would not be an Argith without that air of Mystery. Her expression in response to Henryk's stares flared uncertainty. That clever Sapphire gaze watched Henryk's own before making quiet inspection of his tailored suit. Even with the styles of Lazaroth, she could still see that Findaran within him. Even the study of Drowish, or the refinement by Lazarothian cuisine, there was that side of him that she dearly wished to remain.**

**The faintest of smiles escaped her before her gaze returned to the showing of that Ancient Landscape. Darkened lips parted momentarily, a quiet ponder before she allowed her words to spill. Her accent, carrying the hues of Transylvanian subtlety.** 

"I was only a girl when I first set sight on such a wonder. A tree that has outlived generations. - Its very symbol binds my House and its Crest." **Quietly she'd elude to the Badge on Henryk, of the House Argith. The symbol darted in a darkish purple, the imagery of that mighty tree.** "It is almost a normal sight, now. For Syvatherans. Even the _bodies._" **Her final word seemed a spark different, unravelling quieter thoughts as she peered back to Henryk.**
Everett
**Henryk listened, and he listened closely to what she had to share. He gave her a nod, before looking back to the sight of the tree again, still collecting his thoughts on it. He thought about its cultural significance— what it represented. It was a sign of fear, a warning to those who entered Syvathere. If Vierna wanted to perpetuate this, then she would not have to do anything but allow the tree to remain as is. But, Henryk knew Vierna wanted to be a different sort of Duchess.**

**He would finally speak, while looking at the tree— more specifically the bodies which littered the place.** 

"It's a health hazard." **He would finally say— yes, through all the macabre thoughts of beauty in death, these were the words he'd share. Ones of a practical gentleman. He wasn't an artist, nor a philosopher, he was a _Doctor_ first and foremost. He had used his clinical eye to dissect what this tree could do. _Yes,_ Henryk thought there was a sadistic intrigue to it, but, the thought that sat at the forefront of his mind was the decadence which surrounded that tree. The bodies could be carriers of plague— the stench itself likely would make anyone who got near it become sick. Cadavers were known to be ample hosts for disease.**

**He'd look over to Vierna once more.** "If I may ask, what's the purpose of this trip, Vierna?" **The Doctor now asked, unfolding his arms. A hand now rested on a knee, while the other would be placed on the top of the carriage's seat. The temptation to pull his pipe out and smoke lingered, but he knew it'd be rude to smoke in a small space like this, in front of his employer.**
Henry
**The simplicity of his answer wouldn't go over her head. The calculated, logical reasoning of this Doctor she had been fortunate enough to enjoy company with. At first it seemed to amuse her, attention taken with a swift gaze to her Advisor and a heightened smile to accompany it.** 

"I.. Should have expected that from you." **Vierna replied quickly, a ponder distracted with her gaze before returning to the view of the Tree. Henryk was right, afterall. Often times the spread of disease would be ignored in favour of a show, and this one ever so vulgar. The Duchess would go quiet in that moment, allowing Henryk's question to temper itself among the pace of their carriage ride. It was a fair question, but one she wouldn't entertain with a simple answer just yet.**

".. I wished to show you a place, famed in Syvathere. One that those before me deemed a fitting sight for local and outsider alike." **It would seem the carriage ride was nearing its destination, the slight bumps of hillish landscape present as the convoy made its way through its final obstacles.** "I know of the local viewpoint. Tell me of the Outsider. Advise me, Henryk."