With her hands bound, Deryn trudged along with her captors, still somewhat uncertain of who she was a captive of and where they were taking her. The various individuals in the scouting party were new to her, some looked just like the drawings in the texts she'd only half understood, others looked completely otherworldly. They poked at her, joked around at her expense, and at one point, even expressed concern about her sanity, but they did not kill her, which was all Deryn could ask. She was quick on her toes normally, but in situations where she was out numbered such as this, it was going to take a bit more than a leap of faith to secure an appropriate escape route without drawing too much attention....or dying.<br/><br/>When nightfall came, she caught sight of fires in the distance and before too long, she was standing in the middle of the encampment, awaiting the giant dark skinned male to give his report to his commander. Deryn could feel the bits of dirt caked on her clothes and the sides of her face that had been thrown up as they'd traveled out of the forest, and she winced as she was roughly pushed forward to stand in the light of the flickering flames. Her shoulder still ached and her eyes were a bit heavy with tiredness, but she was as aware as she could be to the happenings around her. She paid attention as the brute spoke, rolling her eyes and chiming in as with defense when he'd brought up the question of her sanity.<b>"I am not mad, you brainless ogre." </b>Deryn stated with a growl, but she was mostly ignored as he looked over to a group of onlookers, slowing his words with a bit of awe. She followed his gaze, swallowing hard when her eyes found Malkier. An embarrassed frown settled across her features, and Deryn had to fight down the heated redness that highlighted her cheeks. It would be hard for anyone to tell her coloring had changed in the lack of light, but her face felt like it was on fire and she knew herself better than anyone. This was just more material for Malkier to tease her with - it was bad enough that he used that nickname for her anyway.<br/><br/>When the blade cut the ropes around her wrists, Deryn quickly removed them from her skin and massaged the paleness with her fingers. The bindings hadn't been tight, and ironically, she probably could have gotten out of them if she'd actually tried. But while she'd initially been threatened by her captors, as she walked along with them, she realized that there was nothing to be terrified of. They were as witless as Bran after a few too many ales, and if she'd been able to handle Bran at his worst, she could certainly handle a group of strange misfits such as these.<b>"Thank you, Sir, for removing my bindings."</b>Deryn commented, doing her best to remain formal and unaffected by Malkier's familiarity of her. While he might think they were on good terms, part of her was still a bit perturbed by the fact that he'd stomped off without even saying goodbye to her. It had been quite rude of him.<br/><br/>Purposefully, she ignored his question initially, moving to take a seat by the fire and warm herself from the cool night air, but as she made herself comfortable, the look from the chieftain made her second guess herself. With another hard swallow of her pride, Deryn sighed and nodded to Malkier to take his seat so they could converse.<b>"I told you that I did not agree with Bran's decision."</b>In her mind, that was enough of an answer, but the looks she continued to receive from those around her told her otherwise.<b>"You left the shrine without as much as a farewell and I decided to follow you, which was more of a challenge than I'd originally expected."</b>Deryn crossed her legs at the ankle and her fingers picked at the dirt on the side of her face.<b>"I navigated through the forest on my own and by the grace of whatever power you wish, I stumbled upon these baboons....."</b>She pointed back to the brute and his companions before correcting herself.<b>"These fine warriors at the northern edge. Bran might not think I pay attention, but I am good with details. You'd mentioned the Starcraft Tribe shortly before you disappeared, and I thought it would be a good place to direct myself if I wanted to get word out about the beastkin." </b>Deryn straightened her back and sat proudly.<b>"Bran might not be the best example of Albion, but he has his reasons, just as I had mine, and although it was my first encounter with beastkin, I knew that something was off, especially when you'd said as much."<br/>
</b><br/>A fleeting thought crossed her mind, and Deryn started to question about the goblin they'd found in the forest.<b>"You don't think...it couldn't have been the beastkin, could it?"</b>Two puncture marks didn't sound like the beastkin she knew, but then again, her knowledge of the Egg was limited. Stranger things were likely to exist.<b>"Have you heard anything more about them?"</b>As Deryn spoke, she didn't pay attention to the cheiftain, who sat there watching her. With the feeling of eyes on her again, Deryn looked away from Malkier and caught the stare Imperellis gave her. Quickly realizing her rudeness, Deryn jumped to her feet and gave him a shallow bow out of respect.<b>"Apologies, Sir. My name is Deryn Calhey, and I am a knight of Albion, although if I retain that title after abandoning my station to come to you, I will be very much surprised."</b>Deryn straightened herself and motioned to Malkier.<b>"I am sure you are already aware, but we had an encounter with beastkin at the shrine four days ago, and I took it upon myself to find Malkier, here, and deliver the news to you with as much haste as possible. Please forgive my lack of finesse. I have been told that I am rather flighty for someone who wields a sword."</b><br/><br/>Deryn turned to look at Malkier for reassurance, still uncertain of what she should and should not do around these people, but quickly her attention returned to the chieftain.<b>"I do require some assistance, if you've the resources. A bed for the night and perhaps some rations as well. I do not take up much space and will eat like a bird if I must, but I will be on my way in the morning." </b>Where she would go, Deryn wasn't certain. Albion was not a choice, at least not until this beastkin matter had been settled. Perhaps she would visit the Prince herself and council with his advisers, but that would require her more knowledge of Teutonia, which meant coercing someone to travel with her. Deryn took her seat again, and openly looked at Malkier with interest. A curious smirk was the only indication of what thoughts roamed through her mind, and the way her shoulders set in determination sealed his fate. Of course, Malkier would be her new traveling companion. He really had no choice in the matter.<br/><br/>Tag:<a class="username" data-user-id="92" data-username="@Malkier" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/92/">@Malkier</a>