Weylin didn't speak as he and Demelza & Oberon made their way slowly from their nightmare and to the tavern where they had first met Ishmael, the first and only Eldouir they had ever actually met in person. Turned out to be just as terrible as all the stories they had heard. Weylin didn't know what to say. He kept wanting to apologize as if any of this was somehow his fault but even that he couldn't put into words. Weylin was used to feeling small, it was part of the make up of who he was, both in stature and demeanor. Even so, he'd never felt as small and insignificant as he did right now.

Obri spoke to Oberon and Beth and the four of them made their way up the stairs and into the room to see Ona. Weylin didn't know why they were here and didn't know the Dresmondi the way that Demelza had got to know her but he still managed to squeak out a couple of words when the entered. "Thank you," he said to Ona & Obri. Though for what he wasn't quite able to put into words just yet.

During their whole journey, Demelza focused on keeping the hot, angry tears behind her eyes that threatened to spill over onto her cheeks. When she arrived back at the makeshift camp where she stayed along with many of the other Dresmondi from Arynn Frey, she went directly into her tent, letting the flap swing close behind her. Oberon dropped to the ground outside and listened to Demelza as she sobbed. He soothed her, waiting until the tears started to die down before taking a sterner approach.

You’ve shed enough tears, little one. It’s time.

Sniffling, Demelza took a moment together herself before setting off to Ona & Obri’s tavern. She’d be the last to arrive. Due to his size, Oberon stayed outside, watching for any that might be unwelcome.

Demelza was guided into the room where she saw Weylin & Beth, Ona & Obri, and a woman she didn’t recognize already there. She couldn’t bring herself to look at Weylin, so she focused on Ona and the unfamiliar woman instead. She just…stood there, looking at Ona for direction.

It was a smart way to communicate about such delicate matters and had been a method he'd used on occasion, though usually because he was trying to be quiet rather than trying to hide anything. The image of all those birds and rats at Ishmael's final announcement certainly had him feeling nervous. It would be too easy for a rat to be hiding in the walls and listening. He listened as Beth repeated all that Obri had spoken to the dyrs and felt a knot of nerves twist in his stomach. He was scared but he knew he couldn't stay scared. They had already left their fellow Dresmondi behind to suffer and he knew he couldn't do that any longer.

He glanced at Demelza & Oberon, even if she didn't make eye contact with him. She had always been the strong one between them but maybe it was time for him to find some sort of inner strength so that she didn't have to feel like she had to carry the weight for them both. He glanced to the unfamiliar woman as well, Lovina & Thorn. All the women in this room were so beautiful and he looked at them like pillars of strength and confidence.

He then used Beth to reply, feeling too nervous to try to speak aloud himself.

"We want to help. Ishmael has assigned us to be his...assistants or whatever term he intends to use. We are to do his bidding as he asks it of us so we will be in regular contact with the Eldouir and can keep our ears open there as well as when were with others."

Weylin also had other ideas of how he might be able to assist Ona & Obri even more but he was both undecided and wasn't sure he wanted to say it to everyone else, so he kept those thoughts to himself for now.

Demelza “listened” as Oberon relayed Obri’s message to her. Her eyes widened at times, at others her brow furrowed in confusion. But by the end, an indignant smile spread across her face. One of possibility and hope…and a touch of vengeance. Demelza stood and went over and planted a big kiss on Ona & Obri ’s cheek.

“I’ll do whatever you need,” Demelza said smiling, “Whatever I can do to be useful—I’ll do it.” Oberon grumbled, saying to the dyrs in a grumpy voice.

I suppose that means we’re in.

The determination he felt to be helpful sat strong in his chest. They hadn't even been back in Dresmond long but he was already tired of the oppression that was here. As hard as it would be for him to stay strong and be brave, he was determined to help. He shook his head when Ona asked if there were other questions. He wasn't quite sure what he would need to ask. He was the epitome of a follower. He was the type to do what he was told loyally and not mutter a peep in question about it.

Though her weapon now was her mandolin, Demelza used to fight with steel. She feared stagnancy, not death. A life without purpose or glory was the worst fate one could imagine, and now that a window had been opened to find her valor once again, she couldn’t stop smiling.

“Just tell me what I need to do,” Demelza said, her hand still on Ona’s cheek, “I want to be useful.”

Slow down, cub. Oberon rumbled in caution. Don’t start running before you’ve made sure there’s ground beneath your feet.

Weylin nodded as Ona explained the plan and their roles. He could get information, that shouldn't be too hard. He could tell Beth wasn't so sure, she knew how shy and scared Weylin could be. He'd need to be brave, even proactive if wanted to actually learn anything useful. She'd be there to help him with that.

"I'm ready," Weylin said with a determined nod.