Nirael felt a little embarrassed about the whole matter, while he felt grateful the matter was not a big deal for the elves at the village, he also felt a bit awkward about his own mistake. Still, hearing Nilari asking him so had him draw a long breath and smile to her, shaking his head.<strong>"I convinced myself I should try and find out about it since borrowing Lunari's image for such an act felt like I had made a mistake and needed to correct it somehow, but truth is that what happened, happened, and I am merely grateful you and Lunari did not find it a reason to throw me out. I have a bit of way to go, learning of different culture and lifestyle. No, we can stop here with the search. I think my pride is costing too much when there's much more important things on the line too."</strong>He nodded his head to her respectfully, taking her advice to drop the matter.<br/><br/>The matter about the matriarch's refusal to tell him more right away did leave him feeling a bit curious though, there was a secret he'd hope to learn but at the same time he felt pressing on would only harm things and a little patience would do wonders. He would let them all know him and open up at their own time if they were willing to trust in him.<br/><br/>As for the kobold woman, he had to admit he found himself a little torn. At the time he saw her situation he felt her imprisonment was a cruel thing to do but at the same time he could understand she had little to expect from the life beyond it. Unless he could find an alternative, she would leave there only to be dead before long, whether by the weapon of an elven guard or the harsh nature she'd face alone if he could convince them to merely send her away. No, he found himself sympathic and wanting to take her in, protect her, but at the same time he felt more than a little worried he'd alienate a lot of others if he did so.<br/><br/>Yet listening to her he hoped to learn more, and felt a wish to understand her and help her despite the way things were set. It would be difficult, but at the same time he found it interesting, he was intrigued by her and wanted to learn more yet the time felt so limited. Even as he left, he quietly promised to come again the next day. He could not know how long it would last, but he'd try his best while he had the chance.<br/><br/>The study had been rewarding, the realization about the staff made him pause as he recalled the sensation back when he asked for Pooit's life to be spared. The staff might be judging his nature, and at the time he realized this he found himself wince, and found himself doubting his own worth. Truthfully, a fair part of him abhorred the idea of harming someone he cared about or someone he thought possible to change, but at the same time his heart was hardened towards others. He could lash out and slaughter bandits without even a shred of mercy, he could focus magic to kill without hesitation if it came down to it. He found himself admitting he might lean a bit too much on the avenger side rather than redeemer for the staff to truly bond to him. He would not be one to murder someone who would honestly surrender to him, but he would kill without mercy in a fight if he had no particular reason to try and take down his foes with non-lethal force.<br/><br/>Thinking back, he realized that Mara too would be dead if things had gone differently, and now he considered her a pleasant friend and companion, but her former allies at that time were not the kind of men he was going to regret killing. He wondered if the staff would ultimately accept him for his failings to show mercy equally and to all, or if it would choose to exist with him without truly bonding to him while waiting if he'd find someone else worthy enough for the staff's test. This was a part of his own nature he was not sure about, for despite the good there was in him, there was a shard of evil that quieted the empathy in his heart when he looked upon those who he saw as already guilty of harming others. He could only wait and see, and aim to take down foes alive where possible, but certainly not let it become an absolute code he would have to conduct himself by.<br/><br/>Those thoughts were interrupted when he came to notice the change in the artifact, the small change in its direction. It was alarming. It was worrying. It was far closer than he would have liked. Swallowing quietly when he felt certain of it, he took the piece of artifact with him, and went to find Lunari and Nilari.<br/><br/><strong>"Nilari, Lunari! The artifact piece is moving."</strong>He spoke seriously as he stepped to the rest of the house.<strong>"It is still slow, but it has moved since I began studying, and went from south west to north west during the time of my studies. I would say it might be worth mentioning to the matriarch about, just in case."</strong>His expression had grown grim and serious. He had studying to do but if the foes drew closer then it was best that the matriarch and these two ladies were well aware of it.