As they all gathered inside the pavilion after Eragon had managed to give.. something close to a speech, they were greeted with another crowd, this time of military leaders, nobles, and any human that held any amount of distinction. Saphira and GB stuck their head and skull inside at the back where flaps had been pulled back to admit their presence.

And thus began what seemed to be hours of nobles and the like greeting Eragon, the Twins watching from close by as Nasuada bade each guest to leave after meeting with the Rider.
Nightmare was grinning as Eragon tirelessly shook hands with each and every one of them, Dream shooting him a look every time it got too wide.
Of course, Nightmare was thoroughly enjoying Eragon's frustration, being exempt from dealing with the humans himself.

After a while, Dream started making an effort to greet the humans himself, dragging a very indignant Nightmare with him, to which said being was mortified that the Guardian of Positivity would make him suffer like this.
Admittedly, Dream didn't care, because his aura automatically made the humans eager to speak to them, only adding to Nightmare's silent despair and betrayal.

It wasn't long before it was turned right around again, Eragon quietly watching the nobles reactions to the Urgals behind Nasuada, giving Nightmare the idea to silently intimidate those who spoke with him in the most innocent ways he could think of, both drawing great amusement from the various fearful reactions- much to Dream's enormous disappointment.

The Guardian of Positivity gave up when Blue decided to join in, despite having previously been entirely uninvolved. He was simply drawn in by the prospect of trolling as inconspicuously as possible. He only stopped when Dream shot him a look, choosing to strike up a conversation with the Twins instead. This, Nightmare was happy to do. Though in any case, he would have been happier to fight Galbatorix himself than to deal with so many pointless humans.

After a while, they all hesitated, glancing at Eragon in near unison as both Twins and Blue were aware of the human reaching the very extent of social interaction he could handle.

In this, Blue glanced over at GB on the opposite side of the pavilion to Saphira. The skeleblaster immediately lifted his skull off the ground- and just as his deep, thunderous growl echoed through the crowd, Saphira's guttural voice did as well, shaking the ground itself.

The pavilion went dead silent, all eyes on one of the dragons. None of the humans dared stay any longer, excusing themselves and collecting their stuff as they hurried away. Nightmare grinned openly at their fear, Dream pretending he didn't know him as Blue hid a giggle, Error walking up from behind and watching silently.

It didn't help when Saphira started impatiently tapping her claws on the ground. Blue snickered, GB chortling softly as everyone filed out rapidly. The other members of the Wyrdaí Islingrya soon decided they were unneeded, ushering the humans out before leaving themselves with hardly a goodbye in some cases.

Eventually, all that was left was Nasuada, Orrin, Error, the Twins, Arya, Reaper, a confused Abyss, the 6 Nighthawk guards, the dragons and their Riders.

As the tent flap flapped close, Nasuada sighed, Orrin rolling his shoulders beneath his robes, Error grinning maniacally as he whipped out several beanbags, Abyss yelping as one nearly knocked him over. Blue snorted at the panic, GB slinking out of the pavilion to change into his more humanoid shape.

Nasuada turned to Saphira as several others found seats.
"Thank you, Saphira. And I would GB as well, if he had chosen to stay. I am sorry that I had to subject the lot of you to the misery of public presentation, but I am sure you are aware, you all occupy your own exalted positions among the Varden and otherwise, and I cannot keep you from the masses any longer."

"Indeed, the crowd is a fickle thing. No one can resist it's will once caught in it's gaze. Not unless you want to commit mass genocide, and even then, the ire of the crowd remains." Nightmare added, branches flicking in mild annoyance.

"Indeed." Orrin agreed, turning to Nasuada. "I do not think we require your Nighthawks to wait on us any longer."
The woman agreed, clapping to dismiss the guards. They left, and the rest of them found seats, Error flopping down limply in his own out of weariness.

Orrin finally addressed Eragon after glancing between him, Abyss and Arya. "Now, let us have a full account of your doings, Eragon Shadeslayer. I have heard only vague explanations for why you chose to delay at Helgrind, and I have had my fill of evasions and deceptive answers. I am determined to know the truth of the matter, so I warn you, do not attempt to conceal what actually transpired while you were in the Empire. Until I am satisfied you have told me everything there is to tell, none of us shall so much as step outside this tent."

Error shot the king a look, Dream hesitating as Abyss blinked rapidly, looking out of place as Reaper chuckled, Nightmare frowning as Blue sighed. Nasuada then addressed the king coldly.

"You assume too much… Your Majesty. You do not have the authority to bind me in place; nor Eragon; nor Saphira; nor any of the rest of those gathered here with us now. The ten of us are perhaps as close to equals as any of us is likely to find in Alagaësia, if I may be so bold to declare. You would do well to remember that."

Orrin responded in his own harsh tone. "Do I exceed the bounds of my sovereignty? Well, perhaps I do. You are right: I have no hold over you. However, if we are equals, I have yet to see evidence of it in your treatment of me. Eragon answers to you and only you. By the Trial of the Long Knives, you have gained dominion over the wandering tribes, many of which I have long counted among my subjects. And you command as you will both the Varden and the men of Surda, who have long served my family with bravery and determination beyond that of ordinary men."

"It was you yourself who asked me to orchestrate this campaign. I have not deposed you."
"Aye, it was at my request you assumed command of our disparate forces. I am not ashamed to admit you have had more experience and success than I in waging war. Our prospects are too precarious for you, me, or any of us to indulge in false pride. However, since your investiture, you seem to have forgotten that I am still the king of Surda, and we of the Langfeld family can trace our line back to Thanebrand the Ring Giver himself, he who succeeded old, mad Palancar and who was the first of our race to sit on the throne in what is now Urû'baen."

He continued just as airily.
"Considering our heritage and the assistance the House of Langfeld has rendered you in this cause, it is insulting of you to ignore the rights of my office. You act as if yours was the only verdict of moment and the opinions of others are of no account, to be trampled over in pursuit of whatever goal you have already determined is best for the portion of free humanity that is fortunate enough to have you as their leader. You negotiate treaties and alliances, such as that with the Urgals, of your own initiative and expect me, and others, to abide by your decisions, as if you speak for us all."

His rant stretched on, GB returning from the flap his skull had fitted into before and freezing at the sight.
"You arrange preemptive visits of state, such as that with Blödhgarm-vodhr, and do not trouble to alert me of his arrival, nor wait for me to join you so we might greet his embassy together as equals. And when I have the temerity to ask why Eragon- the man whose very existence is the main reason I have staked my country in this venture- when I have the temerity to ask why this all-important person has elected to endanger the lives of Surdans and those of every creature who opposed Galbatorix by tarrying in the midst of our enemies, how is it you respond? By treating me as if I were no more than an overzealous, overinquisitive underling whose childish concerns distracted you from more pressing matters! Bah! I will not have it, I tell you. If you cannot bring yourself to respect my station and to accept a fair division of responsibility, as two allies ought to, then it is my opinion that you are unfit to command a coalition such as ours, and I shall set myself against you however I may."

Nightmare glanced at Dream, who stared helplessly back, before both glanced at Abyss and Error. During this, Saphira's scales rose up from her face and neck, making her appear oddly jagged and ruffled, GB cautiously approaching behind Orrin, afraid of the king turning his ire towards him.

Nasuada laced her fingers together and rested her hands in her lap, the deep green folds a sharp contrast to the pale white of her bandages, responding in the calmest voice she could muster.

"If I have slighted you, Sire, then it was due to my own hasty carelessness and not to any desire on my part to diminish you or your house. Please forgive my lapses. They shall not happen again; that I promise you. As you have pointed out, I have but recently ascended to this post, and I have yet to master all of the accompanying niceties."
He nodded.

"As for Eragon and his activities in the Empire, I could not have provided you with specific details, for I have had no further intelligence myself. It was not, as I am sure you can appreciate, a situation that I wished to advertise."
"No, of course not."

"Therefore, it seems to me that the swiftest cure for the dispute that afflicts us is to allow Eragon to lay bare the facts of his trip that we may apprehend the full scope of this event and render judgement upon it."
"Of its own, that is not a cure. But it is the beginning of a cure, and I will gladly listen."
"Then let us tarry no longer. Let us begin this beginning and have done with our suspense. Eragon, it is time for your tale."

Error sighed faintly, clearly relieved to have the argument done with, shifting around in his beanbag to peer at Eragon, who took a moment to compose himself and glance at the Twins, then addressed them all.

"What I tell you, I tell you in confidence. I know I cannot expect either you, King Orrin, or you, Lady Nasuada, nor you, Error, to swear that you will keep this secret bound within your hearts or Soul from now until the day you die, if you even could do so." He nodded to the glitch, who shrugged, shifting to a nearly upside down position.
"It could cause a great deal of grief if this knowledge were to be whispered in the wrong ears."

"A king does not remain king for long unless he appreciates the value of silence." Orrin replied.
"Amen." Nightmare quietly agreed, staring off to the side.

GB finally arrived beside Blue, Error abruptly slinging a beanbag out of his inventory and at the skeleblaster, who caught it with a squeak, stumbling back and then seating himself. Orrin sat up straighter, studying him before Eragon started recounting his tale.

Everyone listened attentively as he explained what happened during his time in the Empire, after which Arya told her side, then an awkward and shy Abyss described his own experience with Bird, though he left out a healthy chunk of information involving his realm and personal issues, summarizing those to just "being confusing and chaotic", preferring to elaborate on it later.

As it was wrapped up, silence reigned between them, everyone thinking on this. Then Nasuada smoothed out her dress and addressed Eragon.
"King Orrin and the others of the Wyrdaí Islingrya may have differing opinions, and if so, I look forward to hearing their reasons, but for my part, I believe that you did the right thing, Eragon."

"As do I." Orrin surprisingly agreed.
"I believe so as well." Blue added.
Abyss nodded his own agreement, Dream smiling, before Error gave his own shocking opinion.
"It's better he chose not to be executioner. It's a path to becoming a dictator."

"You all agree!" Eragon exclaimed in surprise, then paused.
"I don't mean to sound impertinent, for I'm glad you approve, but I didn't expect you to look kindly upon my decision to spare Sloan's life. If I may ask, why-"
"Why do we approve?" Orrin cut him off.

"The rule of law must be upheld. If you had appointed yourself Sloan's executioner, Eragon, you would have taken for yourself the power that Nasuada and I wield. As Error has mentioned, he who has the audacity to determine who should live and who should die no longer serves the law but dictates the law. And however benevolent you might be, that would be no good thing for our species. Nasuada and I, at least, answer to the one lord even kings must kneel before. We answer to Angvard, in his realm of eternal twilight. We answer to the Gray Man on his gray horse, our Death. We could be the worst tyrants in the whole of history, and given enough time, Angvard would bring us to heel…. But not you. Humans are a short-lived race, and we should not be governed by one of the Undying. We do not need another Galbatorix."

The king laughed oddly then, glancing almost nervously between the silent Reaper, lazing Error and ever-watchful Nightmare. "Do you understand, Eragon? You are so dangerous, we are forced to acknowledge the danger to your face and hope that you are one of the few people able to resist the lure of power."

He then rested his chin on his hands, staring at a section of his robes.
"I have said more than I intended…. So, for all of those reasons, and others besides, I agree with Nasuada. You were right to stay your hand when you discovered this Sloan in Helgrind. As inconvenient as this episode has been, it would have been far worse, and for you as well, if you had killed to please yourself and not in self-defense or in service to others."

Nasuada nodded in agreement. " That was well spoken." She then regarded the others. "Have you anything to add?"
Blue hesitated. "It's always better to choose mercy whenever there is a chance. Even if it gets you hurt irreparably, over and over, there is always that moment when showing mercy or merely refraining from murder can show someone just what they need to see in order to start the path of changing for the better. I'm reminded of a few human stories I've heard in times past back home… the cruelest and most violent dictators becoming the greatest and kindest rulers because of one other human's act of mercy or something similar. Even if it is more difficult, it is always important to remember that everyone is capable of change, and should be given the chance to try."

He nodded to Nightmare with a smile. "In the end, I believe that he is quite simply the greatest proof of this."
Said Guardian of Negativity glanced away, branches curling in closer to himself.
"I admit that you are correct." He muttered, thinking back to the past.

Reaper hummed thoughtfully, drawing everyone's attention.
"Blue has a point. I've seen such things happen over centuries. In the end, true evil is rarer than than the rarest diamonds, all those lesser forms just being people formed by unfortunate pasts or simply sheltered and coddled into a pitiful existence. In the end, most anyone can become someone better, but it's really a matter of desire, among other things. In many cases, it's more merciful to kill them and let things start over again. Such as Galbatorix. I can see who he is, I've seen plenty of kings like him, all of them either defiant or giving up in the end. They all die, and so will he."

He brought out his old scythe, caressing the blade. A strange gleam seemed to emanate from it. "It's the greatest, most accomplished of the mortal races that I keep. To be remembered and such, to sleep eternally. I'm sure the same will happen to Galbatorix by the end of this all, whether or not he dies by my blade or not, I'll take him. After all," He glanced at the others with a slight smile, the dark, shadowy scythe of war appearing beside his simple one.
"Blunda's still so cold and empty."

...

There was a pause.

"Are you trying to scare them?" Dream suddenly asked, bewildered.
"Because it's not working, either." Nightmare added, unimpressed. Reaper hesitated.
"No, I wasn't trying to- I was just saying that Blunda is kinda lonely in comparison to-"

"Look." Blue interrupted, splaying his hands placatingly as he sighed. "I understand that you don't typically deal with mortals in average situations or anything really beyond your duty, but I think it's important to explain how threatening that could sound to someone who is not a god."

Reaper seemed to wither in place as he put two and two together.
"I said that to be friendly, though." He muttered, sinking down to stand on the ground.
"That's what it felt like." Dream admitted awkwardly. "Which is why I was so confused."
"Basically, what you said could be interpreted as you pointing out that you'll likely be there when they die, to which you can do whatever you please with their Souls when their time comes." Nightmare explained.

Reaper sighed, rubbing his face under his hood. "I was trying to explain that Galbatorix will die, and I'll keep him from causing further harm in the afterlife and so and so. Particularly powerful people in life can continue manipulation and cruelty in death as well, I'm not looking to instill fear when I'm already feared by all mortals anyway." He gripped the handle of his blade anxiously, staring at Nasuada and King Orrin.

Nasuada paused, then ran a hand over her bandaged arm, responding.
"I do not believe you are something to be feared, Lord Reaper. You merely have a duty to take spirits to the realm beyond ours when their time has come. What many fear is not you, but what you represent: the unknown, leaving everything we know now behind, no matter how willingly." She paused.

"We mortals fear the unknown. It is in our nature to fear it. Before I had known gods in person- before monsters began arriving in Alagaësia- I myself had feared such to a small degree. However, coming to know you and other gods, even if you come from a strange place unlike our own lands and do not rule over us as our own gods may, I have come to understand that even gods are not so mysterious and rarified as they had seemed before. They are merely their own people, rulers given charge over us who are short-lived- and even those less than mortal races- of our spirits, and of abstract concepts we struggle to comprehend. In this, you are unlike us, but not to the point of becoming entirely incomprehensible."

Error sighed, knitting quietly as he spoke.
"Glad to hear you being so understanding. In the end, Reaper and Life are probably the weirdest of us you'll know. They lived solely with other gods and don't really know what goes on in mortal lives. On the other hand, the Twins dealt with mortals so regularly that technically, mortals ruined their lives in a way that lasted eons after the perpetrators great great great great great great great grandchildren were long, long dead. Maybe I'm the one who's had the most familiar interactions with mortals. I'm literally family with some."

"No-no." Blue spoke up. "Geno is immortal thanks to his situation, and Fresh is technically immortal as well. And your interactions are far from familiar. Remember the waffles?"
Error hesitated, slowly turning to look at Blue, who was giving him a look.
"You ate the plate and fork, Error!" He fumed. "Not to mention all the other plates after that you still ate!"

The glitch jabbed a phalange at him. "Each plate had stuff left on it. You always said to eat all of it."
"But not the plates! Yet it was always the plates! Half the time I think you were just messing with me!"
Error froze then, his face twitching slightly.

Now Nightmare growled. "I knew it." Blue faced him. "You too?"
"And bowls and utensils."
"Error, why."
The glitch just broke into a grin, chuckling softly. "Maybe I just thought it was funny."
"That china was expensive." Nightmare glared.
"And crunchy. Admit it, that china was stolen anyway."
"The previous owner was a slave owner!"
"And mine came from a pedophile that may or may not have died the next day!" Blue exclaimed.

"Y'all over here having an argument about your china while I'm here wondering how the heck Error ate it." Abyss commented dully, blinking owlishly.
The god of destruction grinned wider. "I can eat anything. Best way to surprise the enemy."
"You did bite the metal straight off that one time Ink managed to shackle you. You definitely enjoyed that moment." Dream muttered quietly.

"His disbelief was more delicious than the iron."
"It was actually titanium."
"Even better."
"You ate a solid piece of titanium."
"Yes."
Dream just sighed into his hand, giving up. "You're enjoying this too much."
Reaper just snorted, laughing silently as the little side conversation drew to a close.

"Are we going to return to a serious topic soon? I don't mean to be a downer, but I'm pretty sure almost everyone here needs to get busy again soon." GB mentioned awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck vertebrae. Abyss sighed. "That's fair."
Dream nodded in agreement. "You have a point."

Blue shrugged, agreeing as he explained to those who didn't understand Wingdings what GB had said.
"Why don't we get some food in here while we're interrogating them, then?" Error suggested, now fully upside down on his beanbag, the fuchsia and magenta cloth he was knitting draping over his face.

"A harsh way of putting it, but a good suggestion nonetheless." Nasuada sighed, ringing in to order some food. They let her order food for them all, Farica scurrying out as the humans began questioning Eragon of the events of his journey, often one of the Twins adding their own thoughts, Abyss his own comments with no small amount of anxiety.

Eventually, they had a meal brought in, Error silently teasing Dream and Blue by pretending to bite down on a plate or similar utensil, Nightmare shooting him an evil look alongside Dream's anxious expression each time he did so, Blue just pretending to not notice, despite his scowl.

Abyss just watched them curiously, digging into the meat pies and cool cider, occasionally answering a question here and there. Arya, seated beside him, observed the silent shenanigans mutely.

Throughout all this, Toby Fox randomly appeared in their midst to hop into Error's lap, from there flying to Reaper's face and bouncing off to barrell into Abyss and get comfortable, said skeleton completely bewildered at the dog having so unexpectedly appearing in the middle of the circle of chairs.

They were all ranging from complete shock to mild annoyance at the interruption, Reaper bending over to poke the pup repeatedly as it's immunity to his death touch didn't escape him. Abyss just sat back and endured his proximity as the Dog wagged his tail at the god of death.

Eventually, after they'd recovered from the intrusion, Orrin bid his farewell, leaving to review his cavalrys' status.
Shortly thereafter, Arya excused herself so that she could report to her queen and return her face to it's natural appearance.

Before anyone could say anything more, Abyss suddenly grabbed Reaper's hand and moved it away from the dog, picking up Toby and handing him to the god of death before Reaper could do much other than freeze in place.

Abyss hesitated when he noticed everyone staring.
"Did I do something?"
He froze when it occurred to him.
"I touched Reaper."
"You did." Nasuada agreed hesitantly.

There was a moment of shocked silence before he turned to the god of death. "You sure your death touch is working?"
Reaper gave him a dry look, getting over his surprise.

Abyss blinked, then slowly slid back into his former position, processing the information.
"So.. I'm immune to the death touch."
"That makes you pretty special." Error said, mostly unaffected by the incident.

Nightmare then shrugged. "Really, it's unsurprising. You've had an unusual resistance to all sorts of magic and effects. All you seem to do is break free."
"You would know." Abyss replied rather drily himself.

The Guardian of Negativity sighed. "That certainly is true now, isn't it. Our past encounters are.. less than admirable."
"You don't have anything on me, I met Abyss by the shortie flying into me."
"And you then almost immediately attacked me."
"I was having a bad week at the time!" The glitch defended, looking miffed.

"You made a really big show of destroying one crystal."
"I take pride in my abilities, and they were in my Anti-Void."
"You took several hours to do it anyway when I already told you they'd disappear when one of us left."
"It was the principal of the thing."
"Several hours, though."
"...Bad week." He mumbled, realizing he had nothing to respond with, choosing to hide behind the strange clothes he was knitting.

There was a moment of silence, then Dream stood up. "Actually, I think I want to talk about something between the three of us with wings." He spoke shyly, gesturing to the exit. Reaper hesitated, Abyss glancing at Nasuada as though asking for permission to leave.
"You do not need me to dismiss you. Our questioning is over, besides."

"Oh. Thanks." He sighed, standing up. "I've felt like a third wheel sitting here."
"Oh no, not at all." Dream assured him, guiding both him and Reaper away.
"You're obviously the chosen representative of your team, so you're here." Error explained while knitting.
Abyss never had the chance to reply, Reaper waving goodbye before the trio had teleported away.

"You can relax, now." Nightmare spoke up, voice still a baritone rumble.
The leader of the Varden sighed, sinking into her chair.
"However did you know?... Nevermind, I see it now."

"Are you ill?" Eragon asked of his liegelord. She just nodded to her arms. "Not exactly. It's taking me longer to recuperate than I had anticipated…. Some days are worse than others."
"If you want, any of us can-"
"No. Thank you, but no. Do not tempt me. One rule of the Trial of the Long Knives is that you must allow your wounds to heal at their own pace, without magic. Otherwise, the contestants will not have endured the full measure of pain from their cuts."
"That's barbaric!" He cried.

Nightmare chuckled dully as Nasuada smiled softly.
"Maybe so, but it is what it is, and I would not fail so late in the trial merely because I could not withstand a bit of an ache."
"What if your wounds fester?"
"Then they fester, and I shall pay the price for my mistake. But I doubt they will while Angela and Sinead minister to me. They both have an amazing storehouse of knowledge where medicinal plants are involved. I have belief either one of them could tell you the true name of every species of grass on the plains east of here merely by feeling their leaves."

"And I'm sure they could tell us a lot more that they're withholding from us as well." Error spoke, latching strings onto the abandoned beanbags and dragging them over.

They all silently agreed, GB stretching himself out on his seat with a relaxed shudder, settling down as though he were going to sleep. Saphira, who had appeared to be sleeping, burst into a yawn and shook her head. Her gleaming scales reflected the light like shards of blue glass.

Nasuada sat up straight. "Ah, I am sorry. I know this has been tedious. You have all been very patient. Thank you."
Eragon stood up, kneeling before her as he took her right hand in his.
"You do not need to worry about me, Nasuada. I know my duty. I have never aspired to rule; that is not my destiny. And if I am ever offered the chance to sit upon a throne, I shall refuse and see that it goes to someone who is better suited than I to lead our race."

"It's really no trouble." Nightmare assured her, smiling faintly. "We could all use a little light talk before returning to business."
She chuckled softly.
"Indeed. You are good people…. What with you, Eragon, Roran, Murtagh and you gods, I seem to spend most of my time worrying about the members of your family and some higher power."

"Murtagh is no family of mine." Eragon corrected somewhat darkly.
"Of course. Forgive me. But still, you must admit it's startling how much bother the three of you have caused both the Empire and the Varden."
"It's a talent of ours."

It runs in their blood. Saphira added. Wherever they go, they get themselves entangled in the worst danger possible. She nudged Eragon's arm, GB snorting softly as he watched with a single, half-closed eyesocket.
Especially this one. What else can you expect of people from Palancar Valley? Descendants all of a mad king.

"But not mad themselves." Nasuada amended. "At least I don't think so. It's hard to tell at times." Here she laughed, Nightmare and Error chuckling alongside her, Blue grinning.
"If you, Roran, and Murtagh were locked in the same cell, I'm not sure who would survive."

Eragon laughed at this, responding without hesitation. "Roran. He's not about to let a little thing like death stand between him and Katrina."
Her smile grew a little strained. "No, I suppose he wouldn't at that."
A few seconds of silence ticked by, filled with the sound of Error's knitting.

"Goodness me, how selfish I am. The day is almost done, and here I am detaining all of you so I can enjoy a minute or two of idle conversation."
"The pleasure is ours." Blue smiled.
"Yes, but there are better places than this to talk among friends." She explained, before gesturing to Eragon. "And after what you have been though, I expect you would like a wash, a change, and a hearty meal, no? You must be famished!"

Eragon glanced hungrily at the apple in his hand, Nightmare shifting uncomfortably at the sight of the bites taken out of it before Nasuada continued.
"Your face answers for you, Shadeslayer. You have the guise of a winter-starved wolf. Well, I shall not torment you any longer. Go and bathe and garb yourself in your finest tunic. When you are presentable, I would be most pleased if you would consent to join me for my evening meal. Understand, you would not be my only guest, for the affairs of the Varden demand my constant attention, but you would brighten the proceedings considerably for me if you chose to attend."
The human hesitated, then quickly agreed, bowing and leaving.

"He did just come back after a stressful journey." Blue noted, starting to get up.
"But wait." Nasuada stopped him.
"I wanted to ask you all a favor, if I may."
They settled back down again, curious.