<strong>Eshalu - in the Magna Sophia Chapterhouse common room</strong><br/><br/>The presence of another member of Aeryn's clan did not trouble Eshalu in the least. She knew many humans were bound only by the most superficial of relationships with their kin, but, in the Magna Sophia, she had found a level of dedication to a common cause and to the collective good pleasingly similar to that of her own people. Aeryn's relaxed demeanour in the presence of her clan-mate was also comforting. Though her instincts told her that trust was earned, never assumed, Aeryn had proven herself to be a reliably good judge of character.<br/><br/>She ate sparingly - some soft berries and ripe red drupes and drank water, since the bitter tannin in the dark, hot drink Aeryn and her new human companion seemed to enjoy disagreed with her palate. Keeping her eyes focused on Catherine, seeking to read the human's body language and seeking correspondence between movements and words, she did her best to keep up with the conversation. When Aeryn spoke of the details of her trade, Eshalu understood little of the jargon, but it was clear enough that Aeryn was taking the opportunity to find answers to her many questions.<br/><br/>When Aeryn told Catherine of Eshalu's ill-fated attempt to commune with the Great Mother, she nodded in acknowledgement. "I apologise for my silence," she told Catherine, speaking slowly with measured words, "amongst my people we do not volunteer introductions unless asked. Aeryn is right - the spirits that dwell in this island and speak for it in the shadow world loathe life. All things are animated by spirits to which we can speak, if we know the song or the invocation. I am neither druid nor shaman, but this place wishes us ill. Loreweavers in my clan spoke of places where no living being would go, for great suffering had occurred there, and that pain had become like sap to amber, forever compelling the spirits of the place to relive its agony."<br/><br/>Eshalu paused and smiled - a thin, curious smile - her sharp eyes fixed on Catherine, seeking any trace of emotion, "Forgive me, your ways are not mine. I fear I may speak in terms strange to you."