Like her friend, Sherani can't help but wince at the sight of the refugee camp. While she's no stranger to rough living, this is worse than the roughest settlement she's visited... and some of those people thought<span style="font-style: italic">roofs</span>were an indulgence. At least they were well-fed; with a forest full of game, no one in Falteen has to worry about an empty larder.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Or an overflowing one,</span>she adds, as her predatory side re-evaluates the huddling masses. She'd never prey on an innocent herself, of course, but there's a slum full of hungry preds next door who don't share her high morals. Once the last of the food stores are emptied, it's only a matter of time before this camp starts turning into a smorgasbord.<br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Lilium wrote:</cite>"Sherani… These lands are unfamiliar to me, You’ll have to take the lead as we travel to Falteen forest if you don‘t mind."</div></blockquote><br/>"Huh? Oh, sure, no prob," Sherani answers, sounding a bit distant. While Lilium's request snaps her out of her rumination, her attention is just as quickly drawn to the kitsune's condition: clutching her chest as if in pain, her voice barely a whisper. And entrusting<span style="font-style: italic">her</span>with leadership- definitely a sign of desperation.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">I hope this isn't some kinda "life-force" problem,</span>Sherani worries, recalling Lilium's comment from earlier.<span style="font-style: italic">If Lil's sick because she burned too much magic saving <span style="font-weight: bold">my</span> furry butt...</span>she pushes the thought aside before it drags her into another woolgather. There are other problems to worry about now- like how to get a sick fox across two days' worth of dangerous ground. If only she had some backup...<br/><br/>And then, a light comes on in the shifter's head.<br/><br/>"Ya think anybody else is bound for Falteen?" she asks. "Maybe we could bargain for a ride on a caravan or something. Hitching a wagon ride's a heckuva lot faster than walking, and we might even earn some cash if we sign on as guards."