Sigrun gave an affirming nod to her newly anointed master, "Yes, my lord. Does this conflict with the desires of the other masters?"<br/><br/>The knight-turned-slave looked to the other two, seeing the ahketan had already trotted off and the quiet one was appreciating the wooden structure of the table with her face. Truly one who appreciates expert artisan crafts, that one. With that matter settled silently, Sigrun followed Riu to his chambers as his orders demanded. When his quarters were reached, she took her position and stationed herself near the door. Her silence persisted still, no questions constantly streamed from her like before; a strange determination that seemed to set off as soon as her command was given. She propped her large towering shield in front of the door in an effort to barricade entry from any would be assassins... at least those forward enough to use the front door. She stared on, watching the window adjacent to Riu as he slept, not really noticing his actions, but her gaze was still direct enough to be a little unsettling.<br/><br/><br/>---------------------------------------------------<br/><br/>Feet hurt. Legs hurt. Back hurts. Everything hurts.<span style="color: #BF0000"><span style="font-style: italic">Have these bumpkins ever heard of a library? How am I supposed to do anything productive here?</span> </span>Learin's thoughts echoed. An exasperated sigh escaped his lips as he unfurled his map for what seemed the millionth time during this expedition.<br/><br/>"A surplus of mana existed here years before, and I know it wasn't shared with the Calleran Isles; Ifrit's domain couldn't extend that far... and it died out long before the archipelago blacked out." His arms rotated about as he viewed it from every angle, trying to pinpoint something, "Oceanus's domain used to extend out in the Izhel Marsh, there's little reason for a spirit to migrate so far from... pfah!" he hastily rolled up the map he toiled over so desperately, "It would only be too convenient to find two spirits; with all that funding I could easily continue my research but..."<br/><br/>He ceased his audible thoughts, deciding to resign to the inn instead of stressing over potential discoveries. The bags over his eyes seemed to actually weigh his eyelids to a close; even with his near-narcoleptic work ethic he wasn't immune to the lulls of slumber. Thankfully finding the inn wouldn't be a herculean task, as there weren't many in such a small hamlet.<br/><br/>After his face made contact with the hanging sign, Learin found himself in the tavern he was sure to have directed Sigrun toward. While it still seemed active, it also seemed that the day was winding down. A few patrons eating their last meals before retreating for the evening, a pair of men finishing up an arm wrestling match, and a lone girl who seemed to be... drawing, perhaps? He noticed the blonde girl looking up at the pair every now and again, so it wasn't likely she was trying to write out their facial expressions. With such an idle activity, it seems like she's been in here for awhile. A likely candidate if there ever was one.<br/><br/>The ragged researcher cautiously, but calmly, approached the young woman, "E-Excuse me, miss? A moment of your time, perhaps-" he stopped himself as his eyes wandered toward the girl's journal, but stopped himself quickly.<span style="color: #BF0000">Curse my unmannerly curiousity!</span>he thought to himself, clearing his throat and starting over. "I've been looking for someone; a woman. About this high," he raised his hand above his head, "lots of armor. Looks kind of... uh... catatonic? Can't miss her, I'd assume."