Wren had a tent on the inner outskirts of the city, far enough away to not feel surrounded by men. Today, at the time of Viveka’s arrival, however, she was in the heart of the place, training women.

Someone had seen the arrival of a boat brandishing the Cambrian flag before it ported. A young girl no more than ten came sprinting to tell Wren of the news. Her lesson was abandoned without hesitation, her mace set to her back, and she sprinted towards the shore to meet her sisters.

The sight of Viveka made emotion Wren hadn’t felt in some time roar in her chest. She clenched her jaw to keep it at bay. As she drew nearer, she would reach a hand out to clasp her sister’s forearm and draw the other woman in, slapping her heartily on the back, a nice, manly greeting for the powerful women of Cambria.

The sight of the blonde running full speed towards her melted away her woes for just a moment. A smile split across her face as she clasped Wren's hand, returning her greeting but holding on to her for just a moment longer than usual, still conscious of the audience on the docks.

"Pretia," Viveka murmured as she pulled away, now doing a once over of her closest sister, ensuring she was well and in one piece. The sadness slowly returned to her eyes as she glanced over her shoulder to Kelder's sister and the small children hovering behind her. "I wish this was only just a visit, but I fear I bring bad tidings with me."

Wren hadn't even noticed Viveka's company. She did now. Her green gaze fell to the woman and the children, then returned to Viveka, registering her sister's sorrowful gaze. Her brows lowered over her eyes. Bad tidings from Cambria? She was certain it was related to Nevermere. How she wanted to crush that kingdom under her powerful fists.

"Tell me. What is it?" She asked, her voice hushed.

Viveka swallowed hard, though wouldn't allow her shoulders to droop from the sadness. Not here in front of these men.

"It turns out that we were not the only ones who disagreed with the Priestess's plans." She cast another glance back to the little gathering behind her, "Except it was Kelder, and you know how that woman is. She made a scene out of declaring her opinions, in front of the Valkyries. In front of Revna."

Shaking her head slowly, she turned away to study their surroundings as she continued to speak, "When I did not automatically jump to scold Kelder, Revna made assumptions, and went directly to the Priestess with them. I spoke to Kelder afterwards, and she was supposed to come with us here, but instead the fool decided to make a stand on her own." Her brow scrunched in quiet anger and Kelder's recklessness.

"It was too late to go back for her and her fate would have been my own as well. So I saw to it that her children, her sister, and her sister's children escaped safely." She paused and waited quietly for Wren's judgement.

Wren's face fell at what she heard coming from Viveka's lips. Kelder. Foolhardy, headstrong woman. There was a pecking order, and to challenge it was idiocy. Even Wren, rebel at heart, knew that. In fact, she knew it better than most because of her experience with a former Chieftess. She'd almost lost an arm for it. Had no one learned from her example? She certainly had...

A sigh edged with a groan left her lips. This was not how they had intended to do this. She and Viveka were biding their time, looking for an opportunity. Now...

"So what does this mean? These women will find refuge here, though I cannot guarantee they will not be expected to marry." She said it with a sad look in their direction, as marriage to her sounded like one of the darkest courses for a woman, especially one of Cambria. "What of you? What of us?" Could they return to Cambria and set things right? Or were they better off remaining in Coheed now?

She slowly shook her head at Wren's questions. She didn't have an answer to any of them, not really. "I am unsure. Kelder let it slip that she had been with a Nevermeran and that he was the father of her daughter. She wasn't going to allow them to brand her and was going to fight to the death if need be."

She heaved a sigh again, pressing her lips together before saying, "I do not know what would happen if I returned. We have obviously never been with Nevermerans, but I fear the lengths Isolde will go to in order to maintain control. She could decide to simply brand us as examples of what happens to those who disobey her. I don't know what to do."

The last sentence was a mere whisper full of sadness. She was certain she hadn't ever felt so lost in life.

Wren extended a hand and set it on Viveka’s shoulder, encouraging her sister to look up at her. Where there had been sadness before, Viveka would now see strength. Certainty.

“Then we return.” It was spoken like a declaration, but with Viv it was a suggestion. They were in this together. Always. “We do what we must to protect our sisters—from Neveremere and from Isolde, if necessary.” She waited for Viveka’s agreement or disagreement.

Viveka looked up at the hand on her shoulder, meeting Wren's gaze. In it she saw her sister's strength and realized why she had missed her so much in the time she had been away. Usually Viveka shared in that strenght, but everything happening in Cambria had slowly chipped away at her with no one to share the burden with.

At Wren's words, Viveka stilled. Of course it was that simple. It was what they had always done, work together to protect Cambria, and it was what they would do again. Her own strength settled over her features and she nodded once, placing her own hand over Wren's. "We return," she agreed. "Let us find somewhere for Kelder's family and then we can see about our own trip back home."