"She's not a mage," Ariadne replied as Merrick led them up the stairs. "Her magic is...familiar, but I'm not sure why." They were led to the far end of the upper floor of the inn, down a seemingly empty corridor at the end of which was a plain looking door. But stood sentinel in front of it was a figure in a long red cloak, its hood hiding its face entirely, although the sleeves had rolled back far enough that, gripping a large spear, a pair of heavily tattooed arms could be seen. The figure lowered its spear as they approached.<br/><br/>"Merrick, I thought we had an agreement?" the figure asked, its accent so thick Ariadne struggled to place where it could originate from. "We offer you what protection we can, and in return you spare her from any visitors."<br/><br/>"I apologise Faeran," Merrick said, putting his hands up. "I promise I would not bring just anyone here, they are friends."<br/><br/>"And why should I trust them?" Faeran asked, turning towards Ariadne and Merrick.<br/><br/>"I come from the Dawnhammer tribe," Ariadne said, before Merrick could reply himself. She had been studying the figure's tattoos and realised where she knew them from. "My kind and yours once considered each other friends, I promise whoever you are protecting faces no danger from us."<br/><br/>The figure was silent for a moment, before moving his hands to lower his hood, revealing a man's dark-skinned face with an intricate tattoo covering most of the left side of his face. "I had thought those who knew our secrets died many years ago," he said, opening the door and signalling for them to enter. "I should warn you, she is...not what she once was."<br/><br/>Ariadne bowed respectfully, stepping into the dimly-lit bedroom, only to let out a gasp. Lying on the room's low bed, her breathing ragged and her skin pale, was a young woman. Her eyes were half-closed, the barest glint of jade visible beneath the lids, but Ariadne's biggest surprise was visible against the pillows she lay against: a pair of paper-thin wings could be glimpsed, although a rip was just visible in one of the pair.<br/><br/>"Great Gaia," Ariadne said under her breath. "Merrick, this is no mere mage you are in the presence of...she's a Queen of the<em>Sidhe</em>, I didn't think they remained in these lands any longer."