The fire raged brightly. Its flicking tongues danced beneath the moonlight. Merry cheers and shouts filled the cold night. Communers sat on rugged pelts around small wooden and stone slabs that acted as their tables. Each table was surrounded by around three to four people of various species, the most Sonhu had seen at one table was seven. In total, Sonhu guessed there were likely around sixty people in attendance. Food was haphazardly dispersed throughout the tables. Stews, fruits, vegetables, breads, and even the occasional meat made its way from communer to communer in a spiraling passage as they joked amongst themselves, told stories, and entertained each other.

  Ruffus had explained sometime earlier in the day to Sonhu that tonight's feast was their last one before winter set in. Commemorating a final harvest before they are forced to become more frugal during the colder months and resort to hunting game for food.

  Ruffus sat with Sonhu and Ketra at a stone slab towards the outskirts of the feast. With them, a crusaeder, Cole. He sat on the side of the table closer to the fire. His back to the forest behind him, he watched the flames with a distant stare as he drank a dark, foaming drink from a wooden mug. He had broad shoulders, but a narrow face. Dark black hair, accompanied by deep blue eyes. His left ear had a nick in it, likely from a dagger. His crusaeder helmet sat next to the man, and his chestplate lay tipped over, still loosely fastened to the legwear he had not taken off.

  Ruffus sat next to Cole. Describing his latest trip to the market to the crusaeder, who nodded along politely. Ketra was next to Sonhu, watching everything. Her gaze oscillated back and forth throughout the night, resting on Sonhu every once in a while. She had not grabbed any food as it passed by.

  Sonhu ate quietly. He had acquired a small, lightly cooked, unseasoned piece of chicken, some other bits of vegetables, and a small bowl of stew. The food was bland, and by the time it reached him, it was cold. His eyes were mainly fixed on the crusaeder. That made two that he had seen. One more crusaeder and a Neolite, and it would be a complete missionary force, but this was far from a standard missionary.

  "... an' then I met Mr. Sonhu and Ms. Ketra," Ruffus explained. Sonhu's ears twitched.

  "I see." The crusaeder said, taking a drink from his mug.

  "Yeah. Mr. Sonhu says he's some Talmari," Ruffus added, "Yah ever heard of one 'em before?"

  "Can't say I have."

  "Ruffus. You should have better manners." Ilgen Pander said as he approached the table, setting down a bowl of stew, then sitting down cross-legged on the dirt next to Ruffus and across from Sonhu. The crusaeder watched as he sat down. "I am sorry for my small friend, he forgets himself sometimes."

  "It's alright," Sonhu replied, tearing another bite from his piece of chicken.

  "How is the food?" The Ilgen asked between spoonfuls of his stew.

  "Delicious," Sonhu replied, "It's been a while since I've had such a filling meal."

  "I'm glad to hear it," The Ilgen replied with a smile, "and how about you, Ms… Ketra, was it? Is there anything you would like? I'm sure we could get you some."

  "I need nothing." She stated flatly.

  "I see." The Ilgen gave her an odd look. "Well, if you change your mind, just ask."

  Ketra did not reply, and the group ate in silence for a few moments before Ruffus broke the silence.

  "What’s wrong with Mrs. Dycello?"

  "Ruffus," The Ilgen started frustratedly, before letting out an exasperated sigh, "Her husband has been sick. I think it started just before you left.

  "He's not gotten better yet?" Ruffus asked.

  "No. So you best be a little more sensitive and give them their due space."

  "I will. No need to fret." Ruffus said to him.

  "You kno-" The Ilgen started.

  "Let's go see if Mykel brought her jam." The crusaeder said suddenly, lifting up Ruffus onto his shoulders and picking up his drink.

  "She made some again?" The fey man asked excitedly.

  "We'll have to see." He said, walking away.

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  Sonhu watched them make their way through the crowd. The Ilgen let out another sigh and then returned to his stew.

  "I'm sorry about that," The Ilgen apologized suddenly, "Ruffus can forget his manners. He has his own charm, though, I can assure you of that."

  "It's quite all right," Sonhu replied with a polite chuckle, "He seems to just be excited."

  "Yes. 'Just excited' is an excellent way of putting it," He replied with a smile. After a moment, he added, "You two are welcome to go around and socialize. I promise we won't bite."

  "Oh, I'm fine here," Sonhu replied.

  "How about you, Ms. Ketra. There are lots of agreeable folks among us. I'm sure they will be delighted to chat with you." He offered.

  "I would rather not," Ketra replied coldly, leaning closer to Sonhu. A chill ran down his spine. The Ilgen lifted his hand up in a conceding manner,

  "Alright, alright. I get it. I mean no harm." He said patiently. "I understand caution is necessary for people with your kind of… dynamic." He said, deciding on a word. Ketra's brow furrowed,

  "What do you mean?" She said with a hint of hostility in her inquiry. The Ilgen opened his mouth, then seemed caught, parsing the correct way to phrase things.

  "Yes. You can imagine the kind of response for… our dynamic." Sonhu interjected to stifle any escalations, "It is usually best for us to approach with caution."

  The priest nodded, satisfied, "Exactly." He said, content with the confirmation of his assumption.

  A convenient explanation. Sonhu thought to himself. Best to play into what is expected rather than be pressed and scrutinized. Ketra bristled next to Sonhu. Clearly perplexed, but willing to let Sonhu handle the Ilgen.

  "Where are you two headed?" He asked as he returned to his stew.

  "We are headed North," Sonhu replied.

  "You mentioned that earlier, but where North?" He asked. He set down his spoon, finished with his stew, "Buk-Joq, Kyendon, Trest?"

  "Uhm…" Sonhu started not sure. He looked at Ketra, who watched him. "Probably not those areas, they are likely just as unfriendly to us as some of the more Southern human states."

  The Ilgen nodded, "Yes, that does sound about right."

  "We are mainly moving from town to town right now, until we can find a more stable environment."

  The Ilgen's eyes lit up at this. "The Commune is always welcoming," he offered. "And we can always use another pair of hands."

  "That's a really kind offer, bu-" Sonhu started.

  "The Commune is an extremely tolerant place." He interjected, "This is a place where you could be safe, comfortable. No need to hide here."

  "Yes, however…" Sonhu said, thinking.

  "Genuinely. You wouldn't stick out here." He gestured around, "We have all kinds of people here who come from all kinds of situations. We pride ourselves on our openness and hospitality."

  "No offense, but we haven't exactly had kind interactions with the Syrgerd church up until now," Sonhu said. The Ilgen's smile faltered slightly, and his eyes revealed a look of disheartenment.

  "I understand." He said. "The church… has its problems, with how it interacts with others." He parsed his words out carefully, "It is something I have struggled against since I founded this Commune." He paused, then looked up to Sonhu, "What happened? If you don't mind me asking."

  Sonhu thought for a moment, "It wasn't one specific thing. Prejudice over time. Not just the church, but humans in general, and when they found out… well, you understand."

  "I do…"

  "The Syrgerd presence here is a bit… too worrying for us to consider it," Sonhu concluded.

  "That isn't something you have to worry about." The Ilgen rebutted passionately, "The Syrgerd presence doesn't expand past Me and my two crusaeders Cole and Davin."

  "You aren't a part of a Missionary force?" Sonhu asked.

  "No, we are not. You could say that the three of us are estranged from the organized Faith." He explained, "Still practitioners, but our efforts are isolated."

  "Really?" Sonhu asked, perplexed.

  "Yes. This place, the Commune. It means a lot to me and is something that cannot exist under the jurisdiction of the Faith. So believe me when I say that you have no need to fear the church here. I swear upon Finality, this is a place where my crusaeders and I can protect you."

  “Well… uhm…” Sonhu worked his way through it all. In the Ilgen's eyes, another spark.

  "Winter gets tough. If you don't have a destination, why don't you stay until spring? Weather the winter here." Sonhu thought about this. "All we ask is that you help around with the work. We have space and supplies, enough to keep you through the winter." He added.

  A generous offer. Too generous an offer. Sonhu was torn. He looked back around the feast. Then to Ketra, her piercing eyes waiting for his decision. Ketra. Another complication. An oncoming Winter. They lacked supplies. They had no destination. Here were supplies. Here was protection. However, there is also a Syrgerd presence here, no matter how little. And Ketra… too unpredictable a force. Too many variables. Still, when weighed, there was little choice.

  Sonhu nodded reluctantly, "I think we could stay the Winter."

  The Ilgen gave a warm smile, "Fabulous."