<strong>Eshalu - in the Magna Sophia chapterhouse, in the room shared with Aeryn</strong><br/><br/>The sudden flurry of activity next to her stirred Eshalu from her reverie. She had become accustomed to Aeryn waking more slowly, with a tranquil, unhurried ease. The jolt of action caught the ranger by surprise. But it was familiar to her, a reminder of a time when the slightest movement in the undergrowth would rouse the whole hunting band to action in a few short moments.<br/><br/>She rose and followed Aeryn's lead. She washed swiftly and efficiently with splashes of cold water, dressed and readied her weapons. She felt an odd instant of emptiness in not invoking the Great Mother's blessing that morning and resolved to become accustomed to the fact that any contact with the ethereal realms on the island was likely to do great harm.<br/><br/>"I am by your side, as always," Eshalu said and readied her spear, the tip glinting in the first rays of the sun. She dashed out of the room, following Aeryn's lead until they both ran out into the chapterhouse courtyard.