Checking in on the kids

"I guess that's better than things could be going, under the circumstances..." Kallista said.

"Yeah, it actually sounds... pretty good, all things considered," Aleyn agreed, pleasantly surprised to hear that at least some of the kids sounded like they were settling into their new environment. "I mean, I'm sure it's tough for everyone, but it could be worse."

Malinoriel shrugged nonchalantly, turning to lead them slightly further in. They came to a sliding double doorway, the sounds of students training in the yard drifting through. Opening the door, the elven girl revealed the courtyard of Halatir's compound, quite sizable by Highmark standards. Malinoriel gestured to the far corner where the tiefling teenagers had congregated.

Most obvious were Quest and Torment, sparring each other with practice weapons. On a bench behind them sat Scion, braiding Nowhere's hair. The younger tiefling's gaze only occasionally rose as far as the two combatants. Random occupied the bench next to his compatriots, leaning back with a book balanced on his knees.

"Just like I said," Malinoriel observed. "I'll be up front if you need anything else. I'm on watch duty tonight."

"Thank you, Malinoriel," Kallista said, "for all your help. If you could let Master Halatir know we're here on your way back, I would appreciate it."

She nodded to the young elf as she turned and walked away. Kallista stuck to the wall of the courtyard, circling around to where the tieflings were gathered. She didn't hurry, but she also didn't try to linger, making sure that they saw her and Aleyn approach and giving them time to prepare.

"Hi..." she said as they approached the group, waiting for them to acknowledge their presence.

Quest turned immediately to acknowledge Kallista and Aleyn, managing a sideways deflection of Torment's attempted strike at his distracted opponent. He training sword immediately found its way into the frog at her belt as she nodded to the pair with a strange, serious expression on her face. Torment took his cue from his fellow fighter, stowing his weapon and turning to regard the two adventurers.

Behind them, Nowhere looked up tremulously from the piece of wood she was carving, while Scion gave a smile and a wave. Random straightened on his bench, but his book remained open across his legs.

Quest was the first to speak.

"Borruk* Sinsinger, Sorga** Harrowden, its nice to see you."

*= title of Geyr Hextor soldier, roughly "warrior"
**= title of Geyr Hextor arcane caster, roughly "sorcerer"

"It's good to see you too," Aleyn replied. "Sorry to interrupt your practice."

"Oh, this is hardly practice," Scion said from behind the sparring partners. "They just like hitting things, including each other. What brings you up here?"

"Well..." Kallista said, feeling suddenly a bit nervous, "...we just wanted to see you. See how you were getting along. Are you guys... doing okay here?"

"More or less," Scion replied, shrugging. "We don't really leave the dojo much, other than Random. The city is kind of...overwhelming."

"Even the library at the nearest temple has more books than the entire fortress back...at Bael Nehruk," Random commented," and I'm told its pretty small. There's so much more to learn here."

"Ohtaren Halatir has been instructing us in his style, the same one Delona uses," Quest reported.

"We've barely touched him in training, even three to one," Torment added, a hint of hero worship in his voice.