It's evening time in the Northern continent and in the Igen coverage area the air is cooling as Rukbat sinks towards the horizon, golden rays shining their last on the road between Igen River Hold and Red Butte. A few Zingari clans remain, preparing for their journey back to their own roads. Amongst these lingering clans is the Mother Clan, surrounded by guards and spies for the leading family’s protection.

Willimina sits within the confines of the yurt she shares with her husband during the fair months. It would soon be time to move back into the wagon for the season. She sighs softly as she throws sand over yet another missive. Communications have opened back up now that the summit has ended. She stretches and lifts bleary eyed to focus on the rest of the yurt - Lillia studying a scroll on runner breeding, Taimin napping in his bed and baby Taliana asleep in her cradle. It's the first calm evening they've had in months… “Lilly, you can stop studying now if you like, you've been at it long enough. Why don't you go see if any of your friends are around, eh? There's a couple of candlemarks left before supper and I have things I need to discuss with Papa.”

Lillia lifts her eyes, displaying the same bleary eyes as her other had. “Okay, Mama.” It doesn't take long for the girl to clean up and disappear outside.

About two miles down the road, an Armida spy swears as he goads his runner into breakneck speed, the poor thing already lathered and foaming at the mouth. He'll be lucky if he doesn't kill the beast, but he must get to Willimina and Tallel.

Tallel has been just outside for most of the afternoon, finally allowing himself a moment to tend to the making of some of his medicines. What he’s working with today is quite pungent, so best to work outside with anyway. He’s just wiping his hands clean of the last grindings he’s gotten into a jar as Lillia comes out. With a grin, he swoops his stepdaughter up into a hug and plants a noisy kiss on her cheek before setting her down and on her way again. Then he ducks into the yurt with his little flat of medicine jars and mortar and pestle, carefully placing them back in their appointed spots before drifting toward Willimina.

“Not many more of those for you today, I hope,” he murmurs, bending to tilt his wife’s chin up toward him for a greeting kiss.

Lillia squeals as Tallel picks her up and lands that noisy kiss, her nose wrinkling as the scent of those pungent medicines drifts into her sensitive olfactories. She grins when released and darts off, waving a goodbye to her stepfather.

Within the yurt, Willimina has begun preparations for tea, mixing one of her favorites in a sachet at the table. Tallel's kiss is greeted warmly, a true smile sliding across her lips. Smiles have been absent these last sevens and it feels good to do so again. “This is the last, actually.” She says of the sanded hide. “I was just about to make tea, would you like some love?” Willa keeps her voice low so as to not disturb their sleeping younger children.

“Are the last clans preparing to leave? I saw the DauDin off earlier this morning. We'll need to head to Red Butte ourselves soon enough.”

The runner falters, breaths coming hard, but the Armida man spurs him on. “H’ya! Get-up!” In the back of his mind, the man promises to heap attention and love and care on his mount if only he should survive this breakneck pace. Foam seeps from the runners mouth as he gives what is probably his last sprint a go, tearing across the land. The summit camp is within sight now. So close…

“Not this time, saikhan, but thank you,” Tallel says to the tea with a smile, lifting a hand to pull back some of Willimina’s hair. “Just because I’ve been up to my ears in herbs these last candlemarks. A nice change of focus for the moment.” He’s close to truly relaxing again, enough that he’s starting to chide himself for continuing to worry about further retaliation from the Elders.

As for the matter of the clans, he sighs and nods. “It looks that way, though the few Kheerin that arrived will be staying with us until my parents get here. They sent a flit to tell me they were anticipating camping this side of the Pass tonight, so we should see them by tomorrow evening.”
He sits on the end of the bed and starts to take off his boots.

Of course, it’s right then that a familiar voice rings down from one of the lookout spots above the camp. “Runner!” Javid’s high baritone bellows out. “South approach and pushing hard!”

And that has Tallel back on his feet, dark brows furled in concern. “I have a bad feeling…” One he can’t quite explain. He wants to be wrong.

Willimina smiles softly at Tallel, catching his hand as it slides through her hair. She presses a kiss to his palm before releasing it. “I'm glad to hear they'll be joining us soon, it will be nice to have family and a loyal clan nearby.”

Javid’s alarm has Willa's eyes darting for the door of their yurt. She swallows. “Well, we best see to it.” Reaching over, Willimina pens a note to Timo, asking him to collect Lillia and to come guard the children. Regina is gone in a flash with the note and it is only moments later when Timo arrives, Lillia in tow. Willimina thanks the man and nods at Tallel. “Let's go see what this is about then.” Squaring herself, Willimina exits the yurt and takes her place at the central fire to await news.

The Armida man’s runner drops to it’s knees with a weak neigh of protest just as they reach the putter guards of the Zingari Caravan. The man makes haste in identifying himself and instructing care for the near dead runner. He then makes his way to the central fire, where he's told the leaders wait for him. As Tallel and Willimina come into view, the man swallows hard, knowing his urgency must be showing.

“I beg your pardon for disturbing your evening, leaders of the mother clan, but I have a warning of some urgency. Can we speak somewhere more private please?” It's all the man can do not to scream his news to the heavens, but discretion is in need when there might still be those plotting against them here.

Once in a private location, that being the confines of Willimina's wagon, the man removes his hat and can barely meet his leader’s eyes. “I came with such haste and abandon because there are Elders meeting in secret some miles from here, and they plot against you. I didn't hear it all because I didn't want to be spotted. But what I did hear…” The man drifts off, as if unsure how to report his next.

Tallel has to keep himself from pacing by the fire as he and Willimina wait. He pretends there are roots shooting into the earth from the soles of his feet - a rather inane distraction but an effective one nonetheless. Javid joins them, keen amber eyes making an intent study of the new arrival all the way into the wagon. Once inside, the spymaster melts into a corner to listen while the spy speaks to the Leaders.

Tallel can’t suppress the scowl that contorts his features as his intuition proves correct. He has no patience for hesitation right now, a growl of, “Out with it, cousin!” snapping off the end of his tongue just as Javid, who seems to be of like mind, clips out a low, strident, “Let’s have it!”

The spymaster straightens, his arms folded over his chest as he adds evenly, “Remember the importance of alacrity, Armida; we have no time to dance around things.” The quiet dangerousness of his tone implies that there will be unpleasant consequences if this visiting spy doesn’t get his head level quickly.

The Armida man seems shocked back into his place by the stern comments and nods. “Of course. I apologize, I was so frantic to get here that I let myself get caught up in it.” With solemn eyes the spy adept turns from Javid to Tallel. “I'm sorry to report, sir, that there's been an attack planned on the Kheerin as retribution for the events of the summit, or so I understood. They dispatched a rider moments before I left and he was not nearly going the speed I pushed myself to. I passed him up marks ago, but if you want to do anything about it sir, you'll have to leave, now.”

The words coming from the Armida man's mouth ring in Willimina's ears as she sits shocked for a moment. That the Elders would have the audacity to attack after the summit fills her with rage and her fists ball at her sides. “Oh, I shall have their heads for this, mark my words… “ Willimina growls as she turns concerned eyes towards her husband.

“You must go to them, saikhan. We cannot let this happen.”

Part of Tallel wants to take the man to task for not ensuring the Elders’ rider wouldn’t make his mark once he’d passed him, but he holds himself in check, understanding why things didn’t work out that way as soon as the thought springs to mind. He immediately seeks out a scrap of hide and a stylus, scratching out a quick note to his parents to send with Khurel and hoping fervently that he’s not too late in doing so.

“They mean to separate me from you by doing this; you do see that, yes?” he grits out, his eyes flashing with anger even as his lips draw thin in resignation. Of course they can’t let this happen, and of course he has to go ensure that nothing happens to his parents. But above all else, he needs to make certain his family is safe. “Nothing less than exile from us is what they deserve, Willa. Please tell me it’s what you mean to do. We can’t let them continue to divide us; they’ve gone too far this time.”

“Tallel.” Javid speaks up again, taking hold of the other man’s upper arm in a grip both gentle and firm. “I will watch over yours while you go to your parents. I’ve sworn to guard my leaders with my life, and this is a time I can put direct action to my vows.” He casts a quick glance to the Armida man, holding up a finger in a silent bid for him to wait.

Tallel’s jaw clenches in defiance of all of this, but if there’s one man Tallel trusts with his family beyond S’ayde and Timo, it’s Javid. He gives a nod, then looks to Willa for anything else she may have to tell him before removing himself to go ready for the journey.

Willimina's face is a studious mask of barely contained rage, but it softens when she looks at Tallel and places her hand on his cheek. The protectiveness of her feline-hearted husband raises pride and love in Willimina, but sometimes he forgets that Willa can protect herself, almost as good with a knife as she is at beguiling men with her hips. “I see perfectly well that they mean to separate us. But we are as strong apart as we are together.” Willimina waves at the caravan and the Armida camped outside. “I am surrounded by spies and spylings my love, you need to save your parents and bring them to the fold.”

Willimina straightens her stance, determination setting her shoulders straight. “They will be lucky if I don't stake them for Thread and feed the remains to the tunnel snakes at Kurkar.” A dark shadow crosses Willimina's face, much like the one that had dominated her features when they'd located Ephraim’s murderer. The very same rage fills her now. “And this time, there will be no one to stay my hand should I choose to unsheath my blade.” A pointed look is given to her husband.

The young leader turns towards Javid, a set determination on her face. “And you, Javid, shall not be staying here with me. You, along with our ally here, will see if you can track down this messenger of death sent by the elders, and you will try to intercept him.” Willimina blinks, chocolate eyes steady and brimming with the dare to defy her orders. “And I want those you suspected as moles gathered and brought to me as quickly as you can, I'll call back the DauDin as well, for extra protection, but they'll be a day or so getting back I assume.”

“It is time we take our children to task, boys. Let's kick some arse, eh?” Willimina has had enough of all this.

Tallel can’t restrain a little shake of his head. He does that he and Willa are strong as individuals, and he does remember that she can handle herself. He’s simply protective and proprietary and would rather she not have to. But further protests are swallowed when she touches his cheek. He recognizes when she won’t be budged. He doesn’t have to like it, but he won’t argue now, even when she mentions pulling her blade on someone if need be. Things are much different now than they had been the night they’d caught Ephraim’s murderer.

Javid is also savvy to Willimina’s ways and doesn’t defy her beyond setting his jaw. There is one point, however, he cannot keep silent on. “There is one mole I must handle myself, Willimina, and she may bolt if she suspects I am off on the hunt. Would you have me give chase first…or bring in our moles first?” A difficult thing to prioritize, all things considered.

Willimina is glad that Tallel doesn't argue the point with her, because he's right, she won't be budged on this. She notes the set of Javid's jaw and raises a brow at him, half wanting to ask him to be frank about his thoughts, but his words have the Zingari woman deep in thought. “Mm. I see your point. Send someone with Tallel to help if you can spare them, none of us should be truly alone right now.” Willa assumes they all have targets on their backs at this point. She sighs. “Bring in the mole first, we need to find out all the Elders have planned before it is too late to save our people.”

All this while the Armida man has stood silently, eyes darting from leaders to spymaster. What does the spymaster want with him? Can't he go now?

That’s all Javid needs to hear before he’s in motion. “It will be done,” he all but growls as he leaves his corner, beckoning the visiting spy with him. He means to brief the man, asking a few more questions of his own…and to make sure he’s taken care of after such a hard ride.

Tallel waits until the spies are gone before turning to Willimina. Only when he’s alone with her does he let his mask fall, the anger and fear the situation inspires in him drawing tension through handsome features and furrowing his forehead over the furling of dark brows. “I’ll take Harai with me,” he tells her in a low, strident tone, the statement carrying more weight than might be immediately evident. “If my message arrived too late…” The Kheeriin’s Second will need to be there, for obvious reasons.

Seeming to bristle and loom like a wild canine on guard before all that is his, Tallel steps closer, his gaze fire-laced as he looks upon his wife. “They wouldn’t do this without having a plan for you when they have me out of the way, saikhan,” he says, his tone gravelly with emotion now. “You and the children are guarded, I know…but if anything happens to you…”

Willa watches Javid take his leave with her jaw set and tensed as if she clenches her teeth. When would this end? Tallel's words after have Willimina's anger fading a bit to show worry and concern. “We can't think like that my love, or else we shall crumble.” She says of Tallel's message potentially being late. “I'm sure your parents are hale and hearty and now preparing for the snake in the grass…”

When Tallel brings up what might very well be the truth of things, Willimina shrugs, a determined look in her eyes. “They may very well have a plan for me Tallel, but I cannot back down, and you can't not go to your parents. They'll need someone who's apprised of the situation around to fill them in. All the same, be careful my love, and watch Harai’s back, too. Being our ally he's a target as well, I'm sure” After all, Willimina knows that there's a potential for blood being spilt here, particularly if the Elders seek to end her family line as it was done in the old days when they deposed a leader.

“I would die if something happened to you too Tallel… but we have more to worry about than you or I. If they get through us they get the kids too… and anyone else who is loyal to us. We can do this. We can win, my love, we just may not be standing side by side when it happens. I will be as careful as I can, Tallel, and I'll guard our children with my last breath, but you must go. I'll be waiting for you when you get back. At the Red Butte, like we planned. I promise.” And even though it's a promise she may not be able to make, she makes it anyways, because that's what lovers do when they don't want the other to worry.

“You are frustrating when you’re angry.” It’s stated in a growled undertone before Tallel hooks a hand behind Willimina’s neck and pulls her into a fierce kiss, as though he might be able to leave enough of himself behind within it to protect her. “I’ll be back as fast as I can, saikhan,” he rasps out, and turns on his heel to get out the door before he changes his mind about how to go about all of this.

He throws only the barest of his needs into a satchel and lashes a sword and knives to his belt, a pair of hardened and engraved leather bracers he’s only worn a few times before buckled to his arms and a bow and quiver slung across his back. It’s Shurga he saddles and rides west upon, a cloud of dust marking his ride for leagues. He aims to reach his parents’ camp by nightfall…and to not have to use any of his weapons by the time he arrives. But for now, he doesn’t know what he’ll find. He remains bent upon getting to his mother and father before it’s too late.

Willimina returns Tallel’s fierce kiss, thinking, as if of one mind with her husband, that she may leave some seal of protection upon him. The emotion of it is enough to leave her gasping for air and wanting to take back her insistence that he be the one to leave. But being a leader means the safety and comfort of your people always comes first. She puts on a strong face while walking out of the wagon after Tallel's departure, watching Shurga’s dust as it settles. She folds her arms under her breasts, a look of determination settling on her fine boned features.

Enough is enough.

Snagging a passing teen, Willimina turns fiery chocolate orbs upon him. “Find Griggs. And find Jarvis. Have them report to me immediately, there's work to be done.”