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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4707054" data-attributes="member: 3285">Sibling Rivalry: Part 3 – The Dining AreaThe large room was half-filled with members of the faithful eating a frugal meal. On the far side of the chamber area were a few Ansharans tending a large simmering pot from which porridge was served to a line of waiting pilgrims. Beldin licked his lips.  “Good, food.  I’m hungry.”The room was subdued, with only minimal conversation and the clatter of wooden spoons scraping against bowls to accompany the muttered moans of pain coming from the next room. Beldin got in line to partake of the evening meal. When it was his turn, he discovered it was watered down gruel. They sat at the table while they consumed the soup. “This is disgusting.” Vlad made a face.Sebastian slurped his gruel. “While it may appear unappealing and tasteless, it’s quite nutritious.”Vlad looked around in search of a better meal. He stared over Beldin’s shoulder. “Ilmarė?”They all turned around.  Ilmarė was sitting at a table by herself, staring with obvious distaste at her bowl. Her head snapped up at the sound of her name. All three of them walked over to her table.  The elorii stared up at them with her usual cold gaze.  “What are you doing here?”“It’s good to see you’re well, Ilmarė!” said Vlad.  He almost stepped forward to hug her but hesitated.  “Are you recovered?”The elorii rolled her eyes.  “Obviously.”Sebastian cleared his throat.  “I’m…sorry about that business—““With my sister?”  Ilmarė sighed.  “She was sick.  She will be reborn in a new life, a better life.”Sebastian rummaged through his belt pouch.  “Anulee asked me to give this to you.”  He handed her the wrapped item; he had never opened it.They stood around in uncomfortable silence.“Are you going to stand there looking foolish or will you sit down?”They sat down. “I came here with Ilovios, a Marokene.” It was obvious from the way Ilmarė said the elorii’s name that she disliked her. “We were about to go our separate ways when the storm hit.”“What are you doing here?” asked Vlad. “Looking for Quintus,” Ilmarė said frankly.  “I had heard he was on an expedition to find an artifact.  Such a momentous discovery should not be left to humans alone.”Sebastian smirked but kept his opinions about Ilmarė’s true intentions to himself. “We’re searching for him as well. I’m exhausted, so I’m retiring to bed.” He got up from the table; Beldin and Vlad followed.Ilmarė continued to contemplate her bowl.  “Do what you wish.  I will finish my meal.”Once they had all left, Ilmarė opened the package. It was a pin with a motif of a gliding bird.The elorii pinned the brooch to her cloak. “Umor will pay for what he did to you, Anulee.”</blockquote>

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