The journey home was even more tiresome than the journey away - her paw pads were scarily close to cracking and she was covered in sand. She'd gone the nights without sleeping, making her exhausted but she simply had. to. get. home. There was no time to waste anymore, who knew what the Saints were planning so close to their forest and the Empire?

It was late in the evening already when she arrived, sniffing around for @Orlaith while keeping an eye out for the two pixies, @Cassidy and @Pestilence - while at the same time hoping to bump into @Dante so he could soothe her nerves. She was at the brink of a full on exhaustion-induced breakdown with all she'd had to endure because of these Saints. She prayed and wished and did everything in her might to make sure they'd end up in whatever Hell they believed in.

As the queen stumbled into their queendom, nearly tripping over a branch, she was spotted by the fire fae she'd left in charge of the territory while she was away. Despite the grin on their face, Lumi felt a disturbance in the force. Was there a faint scent of Saint in the air, or was she imagining things? She wasn't that tired already, right? Orlaith's words didn't promise anything great either, and she felt her heart drop in her stomach awaiting what just exactly she'd missed.

So much I'd expected - so please, do report on what's been going on. She responded in a soft tone. It was before anything could be said and done about it that she saw the approaching figure of her little mouse - she was too tired to welcome him with her usual dance, but the smile on her face said enough about how happy she was to see him again. They hadn't been separated this long ever since they'd met - it'd been scary, but not anything Lumiya couldn't handle.

heyy - Hey, I'm okay. Everything went well, I'm just a bit tired. She reassured, eyes whipping up to Orlaith in an apologetic fashion. Though a drink sounded nice, there were more pressing matters she needed to discuss. Her well being could wait - informing their allies could not. Her plan was to rest for tonight, then make her way to the Empire at the break of dawn. After that she could probably make it to Whitebark Stream and back without doing permanent damage to herself... For the rest, she had to rely on Hua. Has there been trouble in my absence, Orlaith?

She hadn't the energy to comment on the weird energy between Dante and Orlaith, instead opting to focus more on words. Her ears were still working as they should, even though her body was shutting down. She knew she should've taken a break on her travels, at least for an hour or two, but the girl was awfully stubborn when it came to her duties. She'd rather die doing something important, something that mattered to her or her court, than sit and watch for a moment... But she wasn't dumb. She knew planning a trip to the Empire so soon after making it all the way past the coast was crazy-talk, that her limits were reached, so hearing Eleuthera had gone in her stead made her feel relief... and worry. Worry not only for Eleuthera alone, but for the whole court. If they were cocky enough to enter claimed lands and urinate on it, then there was no predicting their next move. They were crazy.

Her eyes rolled back for a moment, and she would've taken a tumble right then and there had Dante not been beside her. The contact they briefly made was enough to wake her again - for a moment she didn't know whether she just fell asleep or actually fainted. Either option wasn't good, she didn't need Deidra to tell her that. Well, that takes care of one of my duties... She replied softly. Perhaps if she hadn't been so tired, she would've been angry at Orlaith for letting Eleuthera leave while it was her job to protect their weaker members. Lumi's mind was racing with all the things she could take care of, all she could possibly still do to prevent a war - prevent her court's light from dying out. What was she to do? What could she do, in the state she was in?

Dante, I have an urgent message for Artyom, mate of the Alpha of Whitebark Stream. I'd like you to carry it there. She spoke with a tone befitting a queen, having finally made up her mind. She trusted Dante, and she was sending him further away from the Saints in a way. As far as she knew, their terror did not spread to that part of the realm. He was young and fast - faster than her in her state of being, that was for sure. Would you like to? She asked then, ears draping over her skull apologetically. She hadn't meant to sound so stern at first, but she was terribly tired and worried.

A tired smile crept upon her face. She knew she could count on him. She hadn't needed to ask, but it was in her nature to do so. Sure, she could be all stern and leader-like, but she saw her faeries as equals - advisors, in charge of their own fate and destinies. She wouldn't force them to do anything they didn't want to. She cleared her throat and would begin her explanation, sure and steady.

They're locacted east of here - through the plains and over the moraine. To your right will be a forest. It's just straight from there on out until you come across their border. She explained. She'd explored the area vigorously before she'd settled down in their own forest. Call for Artyom and make sure to mention my name. Tell him our court is in dire need of help against a threat that might spread to them if we are unable to drive them out. That was the most important bit. Tell him this threat is called the Saints, led by a man named Donovan. He is not to be trusted under any circumstances. She pondered after this part, not knowing what else to add - but maybe that was a good thing, otherwise Dante might not be able to remember everything. you got it? She asked.

I promise. She said, barely having noticed Orlaith's leaving. That was a bit mean of her, she should make it up sometime. She stuck her nose in the fur on his neck, cherishing this moment of finality before she needed to miss him for at least three nights or so. She was bad calculating time, especially with her head so drunk of sleep. She padded behind him till the edge of their forest, watching him with big, sad yet proud eyes and a melancholy smile. Be safe. She said as a goodbye, not actually wanting to say the words. She wouldn't stop looking until he was out of sight, then sighed and turned back.