Nirael couldn't help but feel worried when Lunari was gone a while. He had taken care to get some food ready for them and request the waterskin to be refilled, but he felt a need to go look for her, yet at the same time wanting to give her a measure of privacy. If she wanted to freshen up it might involve a removal of clothes, and though he enjoyed what lay beneath there was also a matter of respect to think about. So he had held still, but looked up at her relieved on seeing her return safe and sound, and looking a fair share better.<br/><br/><strong>"Welcome back. Good timing too, the food just got here and is hot and waiting for an eager mouth to jump in."</strong>He smirked a bit jokingly, but nod to her. He began to eat while listening to her tell about their options, considering them seriously for the time being. Truthfully the notes her father left would be useful, but the thought of being out at sea left a nasty feeling in his gut that a foe might just try and strike them where they were dependant on others. As a spellcaster he was inclined to think he might have managed to reach some agreement with the wizard living in the area, but that could be a hasty journey with uncertain results. Same was true with the request for help from the queen. While she might be willing to listen to them, there was a chance she would get quite curious on the object the demon was after and might insist on protecting it herself then. Something which might only make things worse. He wasn't sure if that would happen, but he wasn't someone that thought of nobility as people with only the best interests of their subjects on their mind. Which didn't mean they couldn't be, just that he'd have to see what a person was like before making such judgement.<br/><br/><strong>"I think we will eventually have to defeat Marda anyhow, and if we get on the ship to cross the ocean we are leaving ourselves in care of others, and dependant on their success. If Marda could arrange an attack while we are on the way, we could find ourselves with a serious problem. I would have to say that while I want to be able to read your father's notes, it might be best to make sure Marda cannot intercept us along the way like that."</strong>He allowed himself a sigh and then scratched his cheek briefly.<br/><br/><strong>"Let us visit the sheriff when we've finished our meal, and ask about any sightings or rumors of demons, or other such signs lately. If we can lay a trap for some of them, we could get some valuable information off of one of them. If Marda is too powerful for us right now, we'll take a trail to the mage and see if we can get his aid, and if he refuses, we'll talk with the Queen. While information on the object would be useful, I believe we can travel there together with more peace of mind if we have defeated Marda and hold both pieces of the object then."</strong>He reached out and rested a hand on her own, smile on his lips.<strong>"As much as I enjoy the thought of being on a ship with you watching the wind play with your hair and enjoying your figure along the way, I figure such a journey will be safer for us once Marda is gone for at least that decade. Now, as for the possibilities for aid, I'd figure if the mage is willing to help us out, he might send us along through the use of a spell, though those have a limit to their reach as well, unless we're talking of a truly frighteningly powerful mage. Beyond that, it might be possible to acquire something strong enough to leave even Marda staggering from the blow. Though it might leave us owing the mage for that help, and mean possibly having to do something in turn to pay for the aid we would not be able to cover in gold."</strong>He nodded at this thoughtfully, humming.<br/><br/>He was a bit divided on the matter of revealing to her his changeling nature, but figured he would try and do so when they reached a suitable distance from the town later, to let her know that last part of him, before he'd need to put it to use somewhere and then hurriedly explain himself once his form had shifted to that of another.