Sanctuary|Clan Lach Linnod, Naurorod

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It had been a very cold trip, but little Charii had proven to be a trooper. It also helped Alexi did everything possible to keep her warm. But it seemed they both missed Charminei. Lars had been acting subdued as well.

The Elder soothed his conscience that the situation was only temporary, but that didn't help much. He wondered if he made the right choice at times, even though it was for Charii's sake, and Clan Char's.

At least the trek was over. They were outside Linnod's walls, and the man raised his voice. "Hey! Elder Alexian Black of Clan Char requests sanctuary!"

[adris]

The guard made a wave of his hand and the gates started to open with no questions asked. Almost as if she were waiting Ajil was on the other side of the door to greet the leader.

"Well hello there Alexi! No need to be so formal now, please come in. We can take you someplace out of the cold," she gives a quick surprised gasp, "Is that a baby?!? Well then you being out here just won't do at all! Give you're fine steed to one of our able stablemen and I will show you to my house immediately."

She gives Alexi a quick bow and with a wave of her hand three people present themselves. Two are men and one a woman, they all three owned thier own stable and with them was some proof of thier ability to Alexi can choose the one he wishes. Once that is taken care of she will lead the man to her home.

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Alexi slid off Lars, taking the supplies the two humans would need, leading the goat along as well. Lars observed the three stable owners, then picked the man in the middle and walked up to him expectantly.

"'Fraid I'm in a bit of trouble," Alexi told Ajil without preamble, and explained the situation in Clan Char while making sure Charii was still napping. "I need to stay here a little while before I go on the move again."

[adris]

Behind the man the gates closed and Lars was taken off to the stable of Alexi's choosing. As they were walking a seamstress approached the elder holding a cloak of wool as an offering of good will of the clan.

"Of course, you know the gates of Linnod are open to all clans and thier members, whatever trouble you are in just warn us what to look for and worry no longer. Please, step inside, Aesc will prepare a meal and we can catch up on where we need to. After that I will show you where you can stay."

She holds the door of her home open and invites the fire leader inside. The heat of the coal fire could be felt, a good thing quite a bit was stockpiled for blacksmiths thanks to the successful trade with Humontis. Even then though it had to be rationed for the trade routes had grinded to a halt.

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Alexi accepted the cloak, but used it to make a sort of sling for Charii, cuddling her against his chest as he sat on the floor by the fire. "I do appreciate this," he told Ajil. "I won't stay long and burden your resources. I should be ready to go again in about.... three days."

[adris]

Ajil just giggled at the man and him worrying about thier rescources. Thanks to help from Daileon they have enough to last a year if everything is rationed just right. Thanks to the sheep's wool things were even easier then that.

"Don't you dare worry about it handsome. Just relax, take a load off, and stay as long as you need to," A bowl of soup was placed before Alexi, it was more of a pasta dish if it weren't for the beef broth, "Now then, you just finish you're little meal then and I will get something for the little one as well. Is there anything you need during you're stay? I am afraid that you might have to pay for some things if you don't ask for them now through me, elder or not. Economy has been tight since the snowstorm."

She sat down with her own bowl, sipping at the broth then eating the pasta and vegtables seperate. Daileon couldn't help but laugh at her eccentricities from his post at the table. She just ignored him and kept her attention on the elder.

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(OOC: Alexi already explained at the gate.)

[adris]

(OOC: I didn't catch that part, so edited so Alexi can now give a response)

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Alexi half smiled. "Mostly I need someone to look after my daughter while Lars and I rest," he said. "I had to bring her with me to help protect everyone, including her. It's harder to find a moving target and all." He gulped down some of the dish, relishing the taste, then paused thoughtfully.

I should find Master, he realized. There's no hunter more skilled than he. I couldn't be in better company if I could find him. He may be in his eighties, but he can still kick MY ass any time he pleases, and he still takes missions. He frowned. But what are the odds he'd be in Ilyamen now?

It's worth a try, Alexi decided a beat later. Even if Master isn't there, I can lose myself there for a few days before I move on again. I can send a letter to 'Minei while I'm resting there, too. Yes, that's what I should do.

Resolved, he fell to the rest of his meal with vigor.

[adris]

Ajil smiled brightly, humming as she thought everything over. After a moment of that she just replied without any change in her usual bubbly emotional state.

"Well, I have raised two kids of my own and they both seem to have turned out all right."

"Thank the forces." Daileon interjected, Ajil rolled her eyes at him.

"I would be happy to help you out with everything you need, especially the little one. And nobody will get through those walls I promise. As soon as you leave I will lock them down to excuse and elder examination only entry."

It was pretty tight for such a town, but if it was only a few days they could manage. Perhaps during that time she could convince Alexi she was trustworthy with Charii, there is no reason to take one so young on such an expansive trip.

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"Thank you," Alexi said with heartfelt sincerity, then put his bowl down for a moment as Charii stirred. "Hey, princess," he whispered to her. "Finally awake?"

The baby yawned and blinked sleepily, looking up at her father. Grinning like a fool, Alexi motioned Ajil and Daileon over. "This is Charii, heir of Clan Char."

[adris]

They both came over, also happy to see the baby, more for the reason that it is a child then the significance of it though. Ajil clapped her hands joyously and Daileon steadied her lest she reach out to take Charii from her father's arms.

"She is adorable! I'm so happy for you, she is truly a forces blessing during such a turbulant time. It's as if they are telling us to not give up hope."

Aesc also showed up to look over the baby, smiling softly and able to restrain herself better then her mother. Not by much though as Daileon could hardly keep eye on the baby as much as he had to hold his two 'children' in check. Ajil saw her daughter and thought this was as good a time as any to introduce Aesc.

"I don't know if you have met Aesc, she is the one who made dinner tonight. She will be the heir of Linnod if she ever gets around to finding a suitable husband."

This was not only her wish but also a tradition of Linnod that the leader be wed during the appropriate age. There isn't as much in the settled existance to show strength of muscle as the nomadic tribes, but strength of spirit was of the utmost importance to Linnod.

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Alexi inclined his head to the young woman. Anyone who could cook that well deserved respect. "A pleasure," he said, though the words turned into a yawn. "Whoa, sorry. Guess I've been getting less sleep than I thought," he apologized. "Got a spare room anywhere? If not, I can just drop off right here at the fire."

[adris]

Ajil raised an eyebrow at Alexi. It wasn't as much for his actions as if she was silently asking him 'what did you just say?' There wasn't a chance she would let him and the child just sleep here.

"You will get a full bed tonight, and Charii will get to sleep in the children's bedchamber. It is where Aesc and my son slept when they were little. The walls are actually nonexistant so cries can be heard and tended to. Follow me please."

She smiled excitedly and bounded up the stairs. Once at the top she directed the two to their bedchambers. Waving a goodnight to Charii she left the father and child alone to themselves for as long as they needed.

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Even with the offer, Alexi refused to put Charii anywhere out of his sight. He sat on the bed to tend to Charii, feeding her from a small waterbag of goat's milk and changing her wrappings. All the while he spoke softly to her, telling her of the things they would see in Ilyamen, relating anecdotes about his Master, and what he would tell Charminei when he wrote the letter. Of course Charii couldn't participate in the conversation, but it still seemed she was listening.

She fell asleep again after she was fed; the trip had been tiring for her too. Alexi cuddled his little princess against his chest and allowed himself to pass out as well.