Kell's dusty, slightly weathered face split in a wide grin as he took the lady's hand in his firm grip. Anyone with sensitivities such as hers would be able to feel a great deal at the touch of Kell's hand. Strongest, and foremost among all else would be his strength. A great deal of power lay just beneath the surface of this man's carefully composed demeanor. Power, both dark and light, love of unspeakable depth, and devotion to his people.<br/><br/>His eyes twinkled with genuine amusement. As he held her hand gently, he spoke in a light, lilting tone broken slightly by a chuckle.<br/><br/>"Dear lady! I would never ask for blind committal. To be quite frank," he leaned closer to lower his voice into a conspiratorial tone, "I would have doubts for your mental faculties if you assented to such. Let your heart be at ease, milady. I will not ask more than you can give."<br/><br/>When he finished, he leaned over, drawing her hand up to press his lips to it before releasing her with a slight bow of his head. Just then, the traveler spoke, and Kell's gaze shifted to him. When he had finished speaking, Kell laughed again, a sound that rang through the cave as if it belonged there. Laughter was not uncommon from this man.<br/><br/>"My friend, you are as tense as the lady here! Rest at ease, i beg of you. I will not ask for you to abandon your loyalties. Far from it! The fact that you have loyalties at all speak much to your character. You are among friends here."<br/><br/>Something caught his eye and he glanced over their shoulders. A young lad held up a pair of items from across the cave, meeting Kell's gaze. Kell, in response, shook his head and waved a dismissing hand before glancing at Sir Turbertus, who spoke up just then.<br/><br/>"Aye, that he does, and the people are kept unaware. I must agree that we cannot afford a panic, but if they are not prepared, they will surely be slaughtered like the sheep they are. It is never too late to fight back, which is exactly what we do here. Come. There is much to show you."<br/><br/>Kell descended into the cave and led the way through passage after passage. Through the tour they met many of the dwellers, and witnessed much of the work being done. Crops for food and medicine were grown in large open caverns, fed by carefully constructed vent shafts which fed sunlight through a system of mirrors. Potions and weaponry were also constructed, items which would be useful in warfare and healing. Explosives, bandages, sedatives, herbs of every kind. The children were schooled, taught all that was appropriate for them to know. Refugees were housed and tended. Crafts of all sort were practiced and share, utilizing many moderately sized, well fortified caverns to practice the spells that few knew about. The people in these caves were all friends. they worked as a family unit, all working and serving and giving freely of their knowledge, their labor, and their belongings. Everywhere they went, questions flew at Kell with the speed of summer rain. He handled them all, sending the inquirers on their way with a smile despite his own long night without sleep or food. Finally, when the tour was complete, he led them to the kitchen, where make-shift ovens prepared food for the masses.<br/><br/>Turning to his companions, he indicated a table fashioned roughly from the stones. "Shall we sit, and eat as we talk? I'm sure you must be hungry..."<br/><br/>============================================<br/><br/>Raven absorbed the dark news with a heavy heart. Her time was up. After so many years, it was finally upon her. She shook off the weight of the realization and nodded her head. The mention of food set her stomach to aching.<br/><br/>"I would be most grateful. You have little reason to aid me, and many reasons not to. I can offer no more than my apologies, and thanks, if you will accept them."<br/><br/>When the man spoke, she settled her gaze on him, still confused as to why she felt as though she knew him so strongly. His words clarified a great deal of her confusion.<br/><br/>"I see... there are few with the ability to do what you did. Even fewer who could have come through it unchanged. You must be strong of will and mind. As to my attack, I must say that I owe you an explanation, but I warn you not to ask. It is a tale that will serve only to put you farther into the path of danger which you have only just begun to enter. I will explain if you ask it of me. I owe you that much. Tread carefully... be sure you truly want to know the answer."