Dragoncrest Cliffs with walls and towers were girdled round

a very handsome man greets her, and she wonders whether this is aurewen's beau that had been mentioned in sly, furtive passing. she dips her nose demurely, giving him a smile that straddles the edge of bashful and coquettish.

my cousin, isleña, dwells here, tashkent says, eyes wandering a little around his bulk, further into the territory. i wish to join her, as i've no other family left in these parts—and being alone is a terrible thing. she lets a little bit of grief slip into her tone before it vanishes again into warmth.

she tilts her head, regarding him curiously. do i need to prove my worth, sir? the barbarian asks. i assure you, i am not dead weight. i can be of whatever service you need in. . .drageda, she recalls the name, which pleases her. it is full of elegant violence.