Corin, in contrast, talks more, trying to soothe ruffled feathers. Kei and Lark too spend more time wandering. For that matter, Kirin has never seen Kei so relaxed, even with all the added stress. The boy’s an elf, sure, but Kirin had never realized how out of place he’d felt in the city until he sees Kei in his natural environment. He practically melts into the trees, and there’s a weight off his shoulders that Kirin almost envies.

He makes a note to himself, to send Kei back here if he ever gets the chance. Their liaison with the Resistance, maybe?

By the time they’re within sight of Gisela, all of them are tired to death of walking, of sleeping outside, and of pinched stomachs. It’s not too uncommon for street rats to starve in Radasanth, but Kirin has provided well for his people, over the years, and they’ve all gotten a little spoiled. Kirin knows he’s getting a little too thin, himself, and he can’t even reprimand Corin for slipping the others some of his food, because he’s found almost all of his older group doing the same thing. Not a one of them does anything more than give him a vaguely sheepish look at being caught out, even when they know they might need to save their strength.