Maleki froze upon entering the tent. None of them had said a word about the old woman since they left the fountain, much less since they returned to camp. There was no way the old woman could have known about that. Unless this is all some trick and a royal spymaster was sitting in front of him as her minions had been following him since the day his father set out to govern land for the kingdom. The former lord did not even acknowledge what Aleksandra said or gestured to him. Instead, he marched directly towards Storka. Immediately, Storka pulled another pillow from behind her and placed it a respectable distance away from her. And with that, she finally opened her eyes and stared expectantly at Maleki.<br/><br/>Maleki let out something akin to a growl, albeit much more frustrated as he plopped down onto the pillow, not breaking eye contact with Storka.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“How much do you know?”</span>Maleki asked after a few moments.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#a64dff">“Most of it,”</span>Storka replied immediately.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“Who told you?”</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#a64dff">“No one.”</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“How do you know then?”</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“I have my wa-”</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#a64dff">“Not good enough.”<br/>
<br/>
“It’s going to have to be.”</span><br/><br/>Maleki let out another of the frustrated growls, before continuing.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“Have you told anyone?”</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#a64dff">“I kept my word, young lord,”</span>Storka said in such a manner to placate Maleki.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“I meant before tonight.”</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#a64dff">“The few who I told are no longer alive, and they told no one.”</span><br/><br/>There was silence for a few long moments, aside from Tommen fussing as Aleksandra cared for him. Maleki had averted his gaze down, mind obviously still trying to come up with more questions to attempt to get anything out of the old lady who was continuing to completely piss him off. But he was already beginning to think she had no intention to answer the questions he wanted answers to directly. However, Maleki’s thoughts stopped, finding something that he believed she would answer.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“Why do you know?”</span>Maleki asked, looking back up to her.<br/><br/>Storka smiled, as if silently praising Maleki for coming to that question.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#a64dff"> “Because I have lived long enough to know that old bonds are not enough to sway those who have been scorned,” </span>she said solemnly. Before Maleki could continue with his barrage of questioning, the tent flap burst open and Barnstorm stormed into the tent. Without a word, he moved to Aleksandra as she stood from her supplies and embraced her tightly. After a moment, he pulled away from the hug, hands still on her shoulders.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#808080"><i> “I am so sorry for getting you into this mess,”</i></span>Barnstorm said to her, remorse and joy equal in his voice despite the smile on his face.