*the eruptions from the sky begin less than 2 days after Otani and Poppy begin traveling, and from as far as they have traveled they still light the night sky like a distant show of fireworks. Their eyes widen, as they both can gather what magic of that calibre is capable of. They look at each other, silent and solemn*

Otani…all the people…*poppy says, seeming almost on the verge of tears even thinking about it. She grips her portion basket* I…I-I’m a healer Otani! I-I can help with the- *she takes a step back in the direction of the city, but Otani blocks her, his face deadly serious*
you can’t. *he says gruffly* you can’t save or help them. 
B-but Otani! *she pleads helplessly, but he stays between her and the violence*
That, small one, *he steps aside and looks back at the city*…that, is why we avoid big cities. Politics, grudges, laws…war. 
*He crouches and his eyes meet hers* if we return to that city now, we will both die and save nobody and nothing. Keep moving. We did not know them as anything more than passing allies. I hope they’re ok, but we can’t exactly go back and find out. *he stands, scooping her up in one hand and placing her trembling form over his shoulders* we should head for Lieb-Olmai. They started this, and will be safer until this places gathers its strength to strike back. *his hand softly pets her head as he talks* when Volaire regroups and gathers its strength, we will join the fight. Until then, I am not so attached to that place that we ought both die over a feud we have no stake in. 

*they continue through the forest, poppy closing her eyes and trying not to sob as Otani walks forward with silent stoicism, not daring to look back.*

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