There was more fur.<br/><br/>It was rather childish to be the first thing she noticed, yet it was the most prominent trait she remembered about being around him. The slightest fear or troubles sent her to his arms, burying her face into his chest or shoulder if she was not already clinging to him.  It took weeks to ween herself from the initial comfort his strong arms provided in a time of chaos in her life, though he was a young warrior then himself.  It was both embarrassing and comforting to remember.  Now that they were face to face after all those years ago, she didn’t quite know where to begin, memories mixing with the reason she stood before him.  Her eyes were drawn from his form, to the dragonkind and then back to the face of her friend as he spoke. The years had been kind to him and the weight of his position wore well on his massive shoulders. Pride and a discerning kindness was in the set of his gaze, but his aura held an edge of sadness, one her senses longed to explore. Atia held back out of respect as she did for all she knew and held dear.<br/><br/>“Long indeed, Chieftain Marjak.”  she returned after some pause. The formalities were stiff on her tongue, but she understood well the honor and respect that must be maintained between them.  There were eyes on them that knew nothing of her or their friendship. “Hail and well met.”  her eyes shifted again to the dragonkind finding a surprising amount of comfort in it’s careful gaze as it watched over it’s master.  “It was the foul whispers of war that would not let me stay still.  Noble or not, it is they that brought me here, truth be told.”<br/><br/>“Oi. Let’s not get so weighty. There’s a time for that soon. Tillien here, my Lord Marjak.” The old priest  inclined his head slightly in a respectful bow to the Chieftain and stepped closer to the pair.  “To be sure you remember me? Olan and Mina behind us here could probably word it properly, but there are matters my lady needs to speak with you on.  Much to do with the ...malice incarnate just over the way there.” Tillien was quick and to the point, a trait Atia admired at the moment.<br/><br/>“A private audience if you would, Jak.” Atia added softly. She raised a hand knowing the protests Mina would bring, silencing the woman behind her before sound passed her parted lips. Her voice rose to a volume that did not seem loud enough to carry the way it did over the small clearing.   “As the exiled Oracle and princess of  Palavei, I, Song of Fire, Malatia Kl'evbeir have heard the voice of flames and saw the hand that fate may soon have played. Will you hear my supplication, Blackmane?”<br/><br/><i>Release me!<br/>
</i><br/>Atia strained at the pressure of the beast but held firm against it's calls, finding she had more control. Her actions were now directly in the path of the vision that flowed within her body, her resolve solidified with the sight of Marjak and his tribe before her.  A tendril of hope wove it's way into the path calming her and pale gold eyes mirrored the strength she saw in Jak.