Aftermath|Obsidian, Humontis

[Kender Bard]

Gale hunted for Layla in the mid-morning hours. She was dead tired and sported an injury--her right arm was cradled in a sling and she had a number of cuts and bruises.

But her duty wasn't done yet. She looked for Layla in the places she expected most to find her--the senate chambers, her own home, the area around the Obsidian Spire.

[Deleted]

Layla was to be found in near the obsidian Spire. With Adam's help she'd found a healer for her burns and was now walking around doing her best to help people stay calm and assure them that things were being handled.

She looked no more rested then Gale herself and hadn't slept at all that night.

[Kender Bard]

Gale was glad to find her, alive and whole. She walked up and bowed stiffly. "Milady," she greeted gravely. "The faeries have been routed. We've won this battle, though not without its cost of life."

[Devon]

Adam who had been near by in the Spire approached the two as well, bowing to both of them. "Milady, General," he said, offering Gale a quick salute. "Has there been any sign that the faeries are going to come back?"

[Kender Bard]

"No," Gale answered. "It's possible we killed almost all of them. There's a lot of dead and they're still being sorted out right now." She shifted uncomfortably. "We still haven't found Atarai, alive or dead."

[Deleted]

Layla sighed and nodded her head. In a lot of a ways she felt terrible about all this, in many more ways she felt responsible. She had wanted to give everyone the chance to live peacefully, give them a chance not to do this to themselves, and now because of it, Senators, and good men and women were dead.

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. This wasn't the time. She could break down later, alone or with Adam and confess her terrible crime then. She shot a sideways look at Adam, as a regret and sorrow moved through her eyes. What she wouldn't give to be alone with him right now, just to talk.

She turned then to regard Gale. "I doubt she was part of the battle at all." There was a guilt note to her voice for not being there herself. " I would like to help inform the families, as names come in. We'll remain here in the mountain till things are sorted out up there. How much damage to the villages and city topside?"

[Kender Bard]

"Not as much as I'd anticipated," Gale said with a wan smile. "So there's that blessing at least. The faeries didn't seem interested in pillaging. There was some damage, of course, but nothing that can't be patched up soon enough. What are your orders for me now, Milady?"

[Deleted]

Layla felt a little wave of relief knowing that things topside weren't in complete ruins. Most people would be able to return their lives, with little hindrance.

Taking a deep breath she let it out slowly. "Continue to gather the dead. We'll begin delivering the news soon. In the mean time, I want to gather as many people possible near the spire and talk to them. Explain what just happened. There's a lot of confused and scared people. After that once it's safe and sorted, we'll begin moving people back outside." She said looking between Adam and Gale.

[Kender Bard]

"That sounds good," Gale agreed. "My men can oversee the collection of the dead. I'll go ahead and start spreading word to the people to meet at the Spire, if you're ready."

[Devon]

Adam nodded and replied to Layla, "And I'll stay with milady...to keep her safe that is." He glanced away quickly. He was so used to not showing his emotions in front of others, but being with her made it hard from him to do so.

[Deleted]

Layla nodded to Adam and took a small step closer to him out of habit. "Thank you." Then turned back to Gale. "Yes I'm ready as I'll ever be." She said with a deep breath as she began to run her speech in her head.

[Kender Bard]

Gale nodded and went on her way to do as ordered. In short order, the vast majority of Humontis had been ushered into Obsidian and gathered around the Spire, awaiting the words of their Milady.

[Deleted]

Layla took her place atop the small pedestal that resided in the square for such speeches. She looked out over the nervous, scared and confused faces and felt for them. Her empathy showed on her face as she took a breath and cleared her throat.

"Good Morning." She said finally. "First off, I wish to apologize for the rude awakening we all got this morning, however, I am, and you all should be pleased with the sense of community and help that I saw in helping each other get to safety. It's heart warming to see that sense of community within our people. As you all know not so long along Creature we all though to be myth and legend appeared on our doorsteps asking to make a home here. Shortly after I was informed of a conflict between the Fey and the Beasts. After talking with other leaders and the Fey themselves, for our safety they were asked to not cross into our borders any further. After gaining the permission of the Senate and the Scion a border was established in the event the Fey retaliated. Which they did. Having the permissions needed I gave the order to have the Fey driven from the mountain." She said keeping her tone level and even.

" I have no doubt that many of you are scared, confused and have concerns for loved ones. " She said clasping her hands in front of her. It felt odd to be so nervous and not feel the comforting soft leather of her gloves, which she had gotten in the habit of not wearing since Drystan convinced her to become better versed in using her signs, the whole purpose of her gloves. "At this time, if anyone has concerns or questions I will certain take them time here and now to answer what I can and try to lay to rest any fears." She said opening the floor to questions.

[Kender Bard]

There were quite a few and the place was momentarily a chaotic uproar until order began to establish itself as everyone realized nobody would be heard over the racket. It was still noisy but at least some voices could rise up to be identified individually.

"Are the fey all dead?"

"What of our topside homes?"

"Are they going to strike again?"

"Where were the Beasts to protect us like they promised?!"

[Deleted]

"Commander Willowweep informs me that they Fey have taken heavy losses, however it's hard to say if they are all dead because we simply do not know how many there were to begin with. She also tells me that the topside damage is minimal and will be easy to fix." She considered the next two questions carefully. "At this time we have no reason to believe they will strike again. Their numbers are low and they have been defeated twice now. The attack came to fast and sudden. None of the Beasts would have made it here. I did call on PackLeader Thavan, but there simply wasn't enough time to get anyone here."