She didn't want to think back on it, but Daphne's mind still often turned to the events of the previous meeting. All within the Company who held any higher position were supposed to be there and most of them had been. The purpose was to sort out their plan of action after what had happened in Minas Eriol.
Catrena had still maintained those men were "simple highwaymen". Not only that, but she somehow found it within herself to blame the lad who had just lost all he had loved. To even say that it was his fault his entire village was slaughtered while he was away.
Daph nearly lost her temper and chose to remain quiet for most of the meeting. She had expected such folly to be spoken at some point. She felt they were missing far too much information at the moment to truly come up with any sort of plan. But she was certain it wasn't just "fish man's" problem. Even if it was, he was now one of their own and deserved at least some support.
But in the end, Furley had thought up a decent way to respond to the situation, and Daph didn't need to say much more.
After this, the evening seemed it would go somewhat more smoothly. Although, meeting a man who could change into a bear was certainly a life-altering moment. Many tales she'd heard as a child were apparently not so strange and ridiculous. The man was kind, however...if a bit strange.
Aside from that, the evening seemed to be going nearly as normal. That is, until Ioranir stepped into the room, looking for Furley.
As Furley inquired after the lad's health, he searched a pack which had been hanging behind him. Once he found what he'd been looking for, he held his hand out toward Furley. Daphne's attention went to the lass, Arrdith, who was speaking to Anastasiar at the other end of the room.
It was then, when a shriek more high pitched and feminine than Daphne could make, was heard from Furley's lips. She turned and saw him dropping small bones on the floor.
"I figured you would wish to lay eyes on the knuckle bones of the children of my village. So now, you can see the brutality of those you now face," Ioranir had said.
Furley looked at her in alarm. "Daph..." was all he said. All he needed to. Their situation was worse than they'd even thought before.
Suddenly, as she gazed at bones which children had once used to play happily, she felt her cider rising back up her throat. "Oh God..."
