Henry
**Barbaric. The very word clung to her thoughts. That did not deserve to represent Lazaroth, she pondered. It did not deserve to represent her, as Henryk so boldly claimed. There was more to the Tale of the Ancient Syvatheran Tree than its victims so proudly shown. The Duchess wished to preserve the image of its long-lasting legacy, rather than the bodies buried to get there.**

**Henryk's words would catch a curious gaze from Vierna, a stare that seemed intent to try and pluck away any dishonesty in the Doctor's answer. It was lucky that such words fell so simply, hardly a fault in her Advisor's tone that seemed to deepen what was rarely ever found in the tides of Lazarothi Nobility. - Trust. Henryk was no Noble, after all. She found him as a struggling Findaran Doctor with a dream. An outsider, prepared to face the risk of Lazaroth's dangers. That too, trusting the Drow Noble that accelerated him on this path.**
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**There would no blatant acceptance of his words. No response would come for that, but it seemed clear she found no fault as her stares locked with his. Before words would spill, the carriage would come to a halt as they reached the very foundation of the Ancient Tree - Its presence looming over the convoy like an agitated elder. The faintest of smiles spilled on her expression at the _convenience_ of its timing, her reply remaining a mystery as the doors to the carriage soon opened up by the guidance of a loyal soldier.** "Come." **The Duchess would simply offer to Henryk, their path clear.**

**Out she would step, fur draped around her shoulders as her gown fortunately avoided the potential mess of mud and the like. It wouldn't take long until her stares flickered to the presence of the Great Tree. It held a regal nature to it, one inflicted by the crimes of the Nobility that hung these corpses so freely. It befitted the savages of Dazvas, not Lazaroth. A thought that seemed key in her mind. Eventually she would stop at a certain pace, awaiting Henryk to be at her side as the motions of the other carriage made their way. Very soon a group of 4 would dismount from the other carriage, draped in robes and all women. Druids, and all who offered a bow of their head to Vierna before moving in place near the Dead Man's Tree.**
Everett
**Stepping outside,**

**Henryk looked at this tree— it's scaling up close felt almost colossal. The dark, oppressive atmosphere here felt stronger now that he was up close, seeing the various cadavers hang freely. The Doctor felt multiple alarms go off in his head, as his hand reached for his medical satchel. He didn't want to _breathe_ this air, the amount of airborne diseases that loomed were probably numerable. These druids— they must've conditioned themselves to prevent sickness. Unfortunately he doesn't have the luxury to adapt so quick.**

**He would pull out his black leathered gloves— the gloves he used to touch potentially viral subjects and objects. Then, he'd also pull out cloth— cloth he would use to wrap over his nose and face _tightly_ as a safety measure to prevent himself from falling ill.**

**Sliding his gloves on, he felt a little more comfortable now, but, he would look to Vierna with an air of concern. Henryk would take out another piece of cloth, extending it out to her as they walked.**

". . . I don't want you falling ill." **He would rationalize to her.** "Rotting cadavers are known to carry diseases. I wouldn't want you to fall victim to any pestilence." **Henryk further explained to her.**

**His concern he showed wasn't the usual doctor-patient sort. He was showing concern for someone he felt a bond with. That he _cared_ for. Even to Henryk, this was an unusual display, why did he act this way? He wanted to rationalize that it was because she was his main benefactor— that without her, his dreams wouldn't be on track. Yet, there was something more. Something... No, it was too frightening to think about.**

**He continued to pace by her— he didn't want her to fall ill. If she did, he knew he'd likely have to come back here to collect flesh and blood from these rotting criminals to engineer a remedy.**
Henry
**The Duchess had been far too entranced by the sight of Majestic Dread to witness Henryk's urgent move to glove up. It would be his words and the sight of her beside him that knocked her out of it, stare looming over the offered cloth and Henryk's already garbed face. The words he offered brought her to a halt. Logical, indeed, yet it was true that the way he offered it seemed far more personal. For a moment she would lose her mind of the situation, riddled with considerations as she watched the Doctor calmly as ever. Composure, fractured until her hand eventually took that cloth with an acknowledging smile.**

"You're.. Right, Doctor Henryk. Thank you." **She considered simply calling him Henryk, but that composure seemed to snap her back to business. Gazing at the tree once more, she would move to adorn herself with this cloth. Her words, likely far more muffled but with less risk of disease.**

**Returning to the matter at hand, she would offer a beckon with her hand to the looming Druids. They seemed to have been awaiting a signal, the exact one likely answered as they began their motions and closened to the majestic sight. A channeling would start to begin, the mysterious hyms of the Senior Druid fluttered in the ears with a peculiar calming. Their target, being the Great Tree.**

"You were right. With.. Your words. This does not represent me. This Tree should not bring fear of punishment, but a reminder of this Cities lasting legacy. I have tasked these Druids with the tending of such a magnificent sight. The bodies, to be removed. Corruptions, to be dealt with. With time, perhaps this place can be favoured as a Grove." **Vierna finally reasoned to Henryk, her attention turning simply to the Half Human.** "..I value your input, Henryk. Doctor Henryk." *A small correction that seemed to tell a larger story, Vierna smiled from beneath her mask then returned to watch the work of the Druids.**
Everett
**Henryk listened and watched, seeing the Druids signed off to begin channeling their magics. It seems that Vierna was already debating what to do with the tree. It was his input that made her decide that this place should be cleaned of its taint.**

**When she said she valued his input, he would shake his head slightly, before looking to watch the druids in their ritual.** "Vierna... I'm your advisor, no? It's my job to provide input when you need it." **He would say, placing his gloved hands behind his back. He spoke to her in a quieter voice, as to not let anyone hear him address her as simply _Vierna._**

**Beneath his clothed mask, his lips would stretch into a small smile. Something about being addressed simply as _Henryk_ made this conversation feel... Personal. Especially in public, near people who'd potentially see the formalities between the pair slip. It was scandalous in a way.**

**The Doctor then cleared his throat, before speaking.** "I'll trust the druids to dispose of the bodies— It's their grounds, their business." **He'd rationalize, mostly to himself.** "...Speaking of business, I don't imagine simply visiting the tree is all that today entails, does it?"