<strong>Eshalu - the Matriarch</strong><br/><br/>Eshalu never lowered her guard. She remained carefully wary of her surroundings. Carefully, she memorised the layout of the area, observing the great Matriarch's movements, seeking to divine each movement, impressing them into her mind. It would come in useful if the next time they met they did so in less friendly circumstances. Always deferring to the better diplomatic judgement of Aeryn and Reliyian, Eshalu remained silent until the end. "We will take our leave, Cold Mother," she said, her spear still at the ready - it was a guard pose, the wicked, triangular point at the height of her knee, ready to strike or parry, "I have communed with the spirits of this place and have no intention of offending them further. We will leave them to you and to the memories of your ancestors. Our gratitude for your hospitality, but know that you have nothing that I wish to take -"<em>save, perhaps, for the skin of the one who call itself Kelcis</em>, she thought, deciding to keep the sentiment to herself. The Matriarch was almost certainly too much for them. Her size, insight and age spoke of a power far greater than their own. It was a surprise that the mighty Saurian required such a large number of mature males to protect her person.<br/><br/>"Now the memory of your people will know me and the clan that sent me to see the world beyond the First Growths and the loreweavers of my clan will know of the first Cold One we have seen in many seasons. But do not fear; we have no designs on you. We are not like humans..." for an instant, Aeryn sprung to mind and she quickly corrected herself, "we are not like<em>many</em>humans, and have no hunger for land, or bright metal or bloodshed for the sake of stories drawn on the skins of dead beasts. We will go in peace if you allow it."