<strong>Eshalu - enjoying lying in late at the Chapterhouse</strong><br/><br/>The sound of Aeryn's voice and a sudden movement of fabric - then the release of air from under the thin sheets. Eshalu saw this in the waking dream that was the rest of her People. Even if she could distinguish the sounds and see the images, it took a moment before her mind progressed to a higher level of alertness, so that she could make out specific meaning, rather than simply determine if danger was at hand.<br/><br/>Aeryn's soft, coppery skin shifted in front of her. Eshalu allowed the human to slip out of her embrace. She rolled onto her back, the sheets pooling at her belly. Sunlight and warm air, still tinged with an unpleasant hint of salt greeted her. She stretched and shut her eyes again and heard Aeryn leave the room, taking with her her scent and the more distant scent of the girl who had opened the bedchamber door.<br/><br/><em>That scent.</em>Eshalu could smell it on the sheets, on the pillow, on her fingers. She would take water later - perhaps when Aeryn returned from her duties. It would have been impolite to interject in business which clearly concerned Aeryn's clan. So Eshalu decided to accept Aeryn's advice and enjoy being a guest. For the first time since leaving her Caern, she felt she was in a place safe and friendly enough not to rest with her shortsword by her side. So she decided to rest, if only to make up for the unpleasantness of the sea voyage.<br/><br/><em>Only prey goes unarmed.</em>The Mistress of the Track's voice spoke to her suddenly and directly from her memory. She could almost feel the sharp strike with the flat of a shortsword that followed that admonition. Instinctively, she reached out for the hunting knife she had left by the wooden chest by the her bedside.  You could never be too careful.<br/>