<div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Ugh, I've been feeling a little sick over the past couple of days. Sorry about another long-delayed update. I started writing last night but fell asleep before I got much done; there's a lot of stuff going on all at once. My posts will probably be relatively short until I recover.</div></div></div><br/><br/>Even before Vendra had finished her first sentence, Xali realized that her little attempt at helping the human understand her position would not be effective. She hadn't really expected the captive cleric to listen, at least not yet. Xali half-regretted the cruel taunting she had engaged in since Vendra's capture, but it had been so enjoyable at the time she couldn't help but smile. Well, it wasn't really possible for Vendra to both like and fear her, though Kahimori seemed to have made some progress in that direction. Not showing any sign of being put off or insulted by Vendra's denouncement of her, she simply smiled, but then, she noticed Kahimori react strangely.<br/><br/>More difficult to read than his obvious emotions, Xali noticed something strange in the kitsune's eyes as he responded both to her own words on the subject and Vendra's. For a moment, Xali was worried that she had given him offense somehow, but he seemed to be focused on Vendra's statement. Furrowing her brow in thought ever so slightly, Xali decided that she didn't have enough information to continue on this topic in a productive manner, so she attempted to withdraw gracefully. As far as Satrina's cruel demise was concerned, Xali couldn't quite comprehend why Vendra would care what happened to some ignorant Nulan. For all of her intellect, Xali had never quite been able to understand the concept of other people's lives having inherent value, whether or not she herself cared for them.<br/><br/>Making a point of not speaking directly to Vendra, Xali held up the white-furred palms of her hands in a plaintive gesture. "Oh of<span style="font-style: italic">course</span>, Kahimori... I apologize for upsetting your 'friend'. Of course the poor thing is still angry and frightened, it was inappropriate for me to make light of her situation. I assure you, in the future I will keep her emotional as well as physical health in mind. I'm sure she will come to terms with my company, and yours, in due time."<br/><br/>She turned then to Vendra. "And as for you, my dear... well, there are, understandably, few things I might say to improve your opinion of me, or the anthro tribes as a whole. But take solace in the fact that your story has taught us that our efforts in the war should focus on shattering the army of Rel itself rather than dealing with the auxillaries of conquered nations. Oh, we may have some beastly and barbarous habits, it is true, but I think you shall see that in the grand scheme of things, we are more reasonable than the one who forced you into this war."<br/><br/>All the while, Xali noticed that Alexei had been strangely silent and looked slightly uncomfortable. That surprised her a bit, as he'd shown no more mercy in the aftermath of the skirmish than she had, though to be fair, the blonde archer had nearly killed him. There was a glint of something in his eyes... recognition? Was something in Vendra's situation reminiscent of his own past? Hmm. Perhaps he was merely affected by the priestess's highly emotional conviction. Xali wished she had access to spell that would tell him what exactly he was thinking, and resolved to learn one someday. For the moment, though, it was another reason not to rub any more salt in Vendra's hurts.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">At the keep</span><br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Is Vendra still just wearing a blanket? I thought Kahimori had given her some clothes already.</div></div></div><br/><br/>As soon as they arrived at the keep itself, Xali immediately became distracted by the fine decoration of the main hall. "Oh my, are those stained glass windows? Splendid, simply splendid. I don't believe I've ever seen such a lovely hall outside of human lands." Of course, some might question the wolf-clan's decision to invest in making their stronghold fit for loyalty while a still-undecided war loomed over them... particularly since Yiemo was no doubt drawing funds for his war chest from all of the lesser tribes who looked to him for defense.<br/><br/>Xali, however, had a different opinion. "Even in the direst of times, it is important for a leader to be held in awe and respect. It is good to see Yiemo understands this."<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">After meeting Helix</span><br/><br/>Much like her companions, Xali was quite surprised by Helix's intimidating stature. At a little over six feet tall, her time in human lands had always made her feel large by comparison, as she was even taller than most human males. Spending time with creatures like Kahimori and Helix reminded her that by Southmourne standards, she was merely average. Even after having indulged her physical desires at length, she couldn't help but shudder slightly when confronted by the majestic general. His 'armor', such as it was, concealed very little of his herculean physique, and for just a moment, Xali's eyes wandered involuntarily up and down Helix.<br/><br/>Blinking several times, Xali made an effort to clear her thoughts of speculation about what lurked beneath that flimsy loincloth and compose herself. As she did, Xali made a mental note of the oddity that Lakehaven itself was under the command of a non-wolf general. No doubt he had proved himself to Yiemo extensively.<br/><br/>"It is our pleasure to be here, General." She bowed, quickly and not too deeply; she wanted to come off as polite, but not obsequious. "I confess, I did not believe we would make the acquaintance of one so highly placed so soon after our arrival in Lakehaven. I, for one, am most flattered, and can only hope that we live up the expectations Drir has spun about us."