Kalya caught the smirk on the other elf's face with something of a sinking heart. Though not even fully mature by elven standards, the Storm elf had seen more combat than most, and had suffered the loss of many friends. War and combat was something that she accepted as part of her life and her duty but never something to be relished. Not any more. She had seen too many new recruits with grins exactly like the one briefly worn by Zaer, desperate to prove themselves, certain they were invincible, only to have that smile extended fatally by a sword blade. Or perhaps even removed entirely... Kayla brought herself back to the present with a shudder, feeling much older than her years all of a sudden. But she needed to focus on the now if she were to get them out of this. It said something of her character that she never really considered the idea that the situation may be entirely hopeless, rather than simply torturously difficult.<br/><br/>She glanced from the ball of glowing flame up to Zaer's face. In the rush of escape and combat she hadn't really had a chance to study each other properly. Was it a handsome face? Not precisely, but something in it was attractive beyond the arrogance and bloodlust. Trustworthy? That remained to be seen. "I hope that light will stick somewhere other than your hand. I don't want to plunge into darkness every time you grab the swords you are no doubt aching to hold every time you see a shadow". She knew her words were harsh with a practical stranger, but she couldn't help it. There were huge stakes in play which this reckless fool knew nothing of, and the strain was beginning to take its toll on her. She bit her tongue and tried to remember the fire elf was simply obeying his nature. Instead she looked down at the inert Light elf, her features softening as she studied the helpless girl. "Did you feel the weight of her? Or lack of it? Something has half taken her into the spirit world. This shell is just a shadow of her, a marker for her physical presence if you will. She may be able to find her own way back... or I may have to get her to a Shaman. In any case she will not be much of a burden, but carrying her will take two hands which means no weapons should we be taken by surprise" Kayla sighed, swallowing her pride and forcing herself to show some confidence in the fire elf. "I will take her, if you can be our swordarm for the time being? It should be my responsibility. She came to me after all." She looked back up at Zaer, just for a second her defenses down and her deep silvery grey eyes naked. Worry and affection and weariness showed there. And then the veneer of confidence and ability snapped back into place. She hefted the Light elf carefully in her arms, her toned legs shaking slightly despite the lightness of the form she supported. There was time to rest later.<br/><br/>The sword on her back glowed twice as brightly as Kayla studied the passageway they were in. The huge black bricks of the wall they had come from seemed very out of place with the rough grey rock walls which formed the rest of the tunnel. Patches of moss appeared here and there and there was a certain dampness to the air. The tunnel stretched off in both directions with no markers or footprints of any sort sort to follow. Kayla frowned, not completely sure of the directions. She sniffed the air cautiously, summoning her own internal sense of direction. The fresher air was to the north, which seemed to agree roughly with her memory of where the exit was. She just hoped they would find it open and unguarded. And her luck hadn't been good so far. With a sigh she signalled Zaer and nodded ahead. "After you Lord Ash, lets get this done".