"The Unseelie have used dark magic to seal the planes," the eleven mage speaks up. "We cannot call for aid but neither can they...I believe you travelers were rhe last group stolen away," he adds curtly.

"Again I ask no one to fight. But please allow me to extend my hospitality and follow us back to the spire," Henwyn explains moving ahead.

Rashar answers, "I will accept. Thank you for all you have done for me and my allies. Perhaps I could pay you back in the future." 

Aliik lets out a breath of relief as his companions agree, turning to follow after Henwyn. He could understand that it was a tough situation; only moments before he too had had no memories of his past, but even with them, it was no hardship accepting the lady's offer of hospitality. And truth be told, Aliik, like Kyrian, had nothing holding him to his former life, and so he was happy to find himself on a new path. 

Something in what is being said gnaws at Rhogar. No, that’s not it. It’s what is not being said.

He turns to Aliik as they walk.

”These people need help but they do not ask for it. Instead they say they will not ask for help.”

He pauses and frowns.

”Do you think something stops them? I do not know how to talk to kings and queens. But you are smart with words. Is it so?”

He walks along quietly for several paces, organizing the loose fragments of his thoughts. This is so much more difficult than swinging a sword.”

”I think we must help without being asked.”

Aliik turns to Rhogar as he speaks, a thoughtful look taking over his avian features. "I think propriety stops them, honestly," he admits, then stops, considering. "It would perhaps be rude to ask us to fight for them after they've saved us," he explains, "because it may seem as though that's why they saved us." He does not think that is the case, here. 

"I think you're right, though," he adds, turning back to study Henwyn as they walk. "I would also like to the help them. We are trapped on this plane regardless." And he did so hate to owe a debt after they saved them. 

Mirion just takes in what the mage says, thinking before he responds "You may not ask for our help, but it sounds like we would like to give it. You have done all of us a great service and we owe you a debt."

"I invite you to all to join us and give whatever aid you wish," Henwyn replies. "Please this way," she adds moving forward down the earthen path through the purple grass dotted with golden heather.

Moving towards the white spires the party joins the princesses retinue. 

"Shall we pass more quickly your highness," the elven mage asks as Henwyn sighs loudly but nods.

"If you insist," Henwyn replies motioning for the mage to continue.

Again the party sees the mage moving his arms as the others before tracing symbols in the air as a portal springs open but instead of this field where they stand the doors to the spire glisten ahead! Moving through by order of importance Henwyn is first then the advisor before Iwan and the party. Everyone arrives outside the spire and now see the walled city that surrounds them.

"I part with you know but leave you in Iwan's care," Henwyn replies giving them a nod before throwing Iwan a firm look the spire doors then open and the princess is shuffled off while the party is lead away to another area, a garrison in seems.

Shown to rooms on a second story of a stone building Iwan departs with a smirk.

"I believe you'll find whatever effects those bastard took from you there," the goliath gestures at a pile of gear in the far side of the room. "You may find fresh robes in the trunks by your beds...expect dinner to be served soon. Remain here is wisest but you can wander if you like. You're guests of her highness but their are limits to outsiders," he replies with a nod lingering to answer any questions.

Rashar replies, “Thank you for your hospitality. A rest and some good food are just what we needed after that horrible arena fight.”

He pauses for a moment, before saying, “Could you tell us a little bit more about yourself? Were you born in this place, or did you come here from somewhere else, like we did?”

(Rashar will also gather up his equipment, putting back on his leather suit of armor). 

"Oh!" Aliik practically chirps, hurrying over the pile of gear to dig through until he finds his satchel, his feathers ruffling in delight when he finds his small book inside. It was a little worse for wear, but holding together, and he holds it briefly to his chest. "I definitely did not think I would see this again," he says, tucking it back safely in the satchel and stretching the strap over his shoulder. 

"Dinner certainly sounds wonderful," he adds, then looking down at himself, "and so does a change of clothes, actually." His current clothing was beyond filthy; while used to a certain amount of road dust and wear, the current state of himself is a little more than Aliik prefers. 

Hearing Rashar's questions, Aliik turns towards the goliath himself, suddenly a little more serious. "Yes, I'm curious as well," he admits, "though my questions are somewhat different. We are, as you've said, outsiders here. We don't know the rules or the proper etiquette; how do we avoid offending your people?" 

(ooc: Off to bed for the night!)

Rhogar also heads to the pile of gear and methodically claims his pack and other equipment. Without a trace of modesty he strips off his dirty prisoner garb.

"This should be burned."

Then he puts his armor and a clean robe on, the tension in his body visibly easing away. At the same time he listens to Aliik and the archer. A name would be better. He can not keep thinking of him as Archer. Their questions are good and he cannot add more. But maybe he can still help. His memories are still foggy, but he does believe that being direct and honest has served him well in the past.

"Yes. This place is strange. Not bad. Strange. Please answer my . . . friends' questions."

(OOC Persuasion check to help get more complete answers out of Iwan: 18 )

"Hen...her highness saved me too from the Night Market long ago. I never received my memories back but she gave me a new life...a purpose," Iwan replies. "As for behavior they're elves and Fey folk. Many take offense to the smallest slight. Just don't be pig headed and take anything you are offered. It's an honor to be among them. They are truly a selfless people keeping the darkness at bay. This newest offense against us....the Unseelie," the warrior grits his teeth, "comes after a failed marriage meant to unite the people of the Fey Wild but it ended in the slaughter of a daughter of the spire and now has renewed hostilities," he adds. "We are a nation at war. Keep your wits about you and listen more than you talk is my best advice," he adds before bowing out.

Soon after the party is given clean water to wash and food. Although the room is not locked you get the sense it might be cool hearty to wander but maybe interesting to chance it!

(Did we have a short rest? Roll hit die?)

Rashar turns to his companions. “I think it will be wise to see what kind of world we are in. Perhaps we should explore this city, talk to some locals, and perhaps visit some shops to prepare for future encounters with the Unseelie. Does anyone want to come with me?”

Rhogar stops short when Iwan says he never got his memory back. He feels sadness for the Goliath but suspects his pride would be hurt if Rhogar was to say anything. He just nods.

As he eats he listens to the archer’s suggestion.

“I would go with you, Archer,” he says, not thinking he would be helpful in questioning the locals but thinking the archer should not go alone.”But I am tired. Empty. I need sleep.”

he looks around the room for somewhere to rest his head. This place seems safe.

”if you are here after I will go.”

Mirion just walks over grabbing his gear "Freshening up would be nice." his stomach give a little growl "So would some food."

As Rashar suggests wandering he nods "Give me a few minutes to wash and put on my gear and I'll join you for that." with that he departs into the room to wash up and dawn his gear.

Aliik feels much better once he's washed and eaten, much more like himself, at the very least. He spends some moments pouring through his small book of maps, ensuring all of them are still within it. He runs his talons gently over the hand-drawn lines, pleased that he's gotten the book back; the blank pages at the back will be of use while he's in this new plane, and he's somewhat excited at the idea that he can add something new and unknown to it. "Wonders never cease," he murmurs, mostly to himself, before looking up at Rashar when he speaks. 

"Perhaps we should take a rest, and then we can go? I rather think most of us need it," he says, looking around at the group. They had just been through an ordeal, after all. "We should certainly be careful; I get the feeling wandering will be dangerous, though I admit I'm curious to see where we've found ourselves." He never could quite deny that part of himself.

He looks over to Kyrian, cocking his head just a little to the right. "What do you think? Rest or explore?" 

"I would quite like to explore, but if you need rest, I will wait" he inclines his head towards Mirion.

OOC: Picture Aslan's army Chronicles of Narnia.

Settling in for a short rest the party passes the time resting and eating. After an hour they're suited and booted leaving their room behind them. Moving down the long hallway they soon realize they're in a garrison. All visible soldiers and knights are in the dazzling blue tunic with the rearing griffin clutching the arrows and the laurel crown. These men and women as well as beastfolk look glorious. There's a group of fauns, centaurs, minotaurs, elves, dwarves, and half-elves. There's sprites zooming about too! When the party appears in the courtyard they gain curious looks from all around them.

A curious blue roan centuar leaves the side of her fellows and approaches the party. She's dressed in a tunic similar to the faun and carries a long bow on her back. She has black hair in braids and has dark velvet skin. She's smiling at the party eyeing the dragonborn in particular.

Any causal observation would tell the party there are no other dragonfolk or reptile folk about... It's primarily Fey folk even amongst the beastfolk mixed with the elves and dwarves...the "old" races.

"Greetings! May the light find you and guide you," she calls out with a soft smile. "Are you...princess Danathann's guests," she asks cheerily.

Rhogar blinks at the chaotic mass of soldiers and knights and thinks again of Iwan's comments from earlier. If he never got his memories back could this be home? Slowly noticing the stares and finally realizing he's the only one of his kind, that would be hard. He takes in all of the energy and warmth. Yes, hard, but not impossible.

The centaur's greeting stirs something deep inside. The greeting is familiar and he realizes it's similar to something in his old life. He is a paladin of the light. Light connects this world and the one he and his companions came from. He concentrates to get the phrasing correct and replies to the centaur.

"May the light find you and guide you as well."

He stops there. Does he know the name Danathann? That is new. Or did he miss something again. Let the better talkers talk. Instead he looks to the other half-elf in the group, the paladin. Does he feel the same things here? 

"Greetings to you!" Aliik answers, glancing curiously at Rhogar. "We are guests of her highness, indeed," he says, trying to keep it vague. Danathann had not been the name they'd been given, but he knows nothing of this place. Perhaps she has a different name among her subjects here, or perhaps there was more than one princess? "We are very new to this place," he admits with a sheepish chuckle, looking around at the gathered soldiers and knights with something like awe, "and thought we would explore a bit, as it does look like this may be our new home for the foreseeable future."

He's lucky, he supposes; he has no concrete ties left in the plane they came from, and so is nothing but curious -and somewhat wary- about this place. "Oh, where are my manners today," he fusses after a moment, clicking his beak. "My name is Aliik," he bows slightly to the centaur. "May I ask to whom we have the pleasure of speaking?"

Kyrian gives a nod. He is not as convinced as Aliik, but would follow his friend to the ends of the earth.