An unnerving advocate

JP with Lucian, Winteroak and Bandorchu

Tarmen was off put by this whole exchange. Normally he would have spit at the idea of this kind of work just for a shelter. He was used to being barely tolerated, but he had always been paid for his work before getting kicked from a town.
It was only Alexis that kept him in line, not wanting her ire and worried as usual.
Throw in the kid shaman and he really wanted a drink. Instead he wearily turned to Alexis and Zargari.
“Can he be trusted, do you know? We haven’t had the best experience with native magic users and I for one don’t need anymore shit while doin’ this town’s dirty work.”

The aversion those people held against them was palpable. Again, Alexis didn’t blame them. Ostiarium had done little to endear itself to the natives, quite the contrary.

Seeing who she assumed to be the parents of the missing girl being desperate enough to all but beg to let the outsiders help despite all that made her want to forego rest even longer to start searching right away.

And… that boy. A… shaman, Zargari said? So… a magik user? It was so strange to her, knowing how this boy, Berus, would have to fear for his life among her people, when here it seemed he was revered, his word clearly carrying a lot of weight, and the boy himself likely carrying a lot of responsibility despite his young age.

She found she rather preferred it the way it was here.
Never truly having hated magik in the first place, learning about Islana’s gift had made her more curious about it, if mostly out of the wish to help her young friend to deal with it.

But what made that young … shaman speak out in their favour? Even more so, invite them to camp near his abode?
She supposed they would learn soon enough.

As young Berus cast his eyes her way once again she inclined her head in silent thanks for his intercession, before turning to Tarmen and Zargari.

“He seems to be held in high regard in any case. I assume his goodwill would go a long way?”

Zargari's face visibly paled at Tarmen's words and worriedly looked at the young boy that approached the group. He bowed his head deeply touching his forehead and his chest.

The young child smiled at Alexis and came to stand in front of Tarmen.
"Men whose allegiances swift according to their whims and perceived slights should not speak of trust." He said looking up at the man's eyes as if he knew him. "Are you a trustworthy man?" The young child asked as if hinting at something more.

The young boy was lean with a thin, wide mouth with dark, deep-set eyes. He wore his hair in braids which hung down past his shoulders, knotted with small bone fetishes. He was tall for his age and he carried a small hunting knife on his belt along with a leather pouch around his neck.

Tarmen turned to his challenger, not liking his tone or his insult.
The boy had adapted well to the fearful respect of others and if not so fed up with everything, he might have found it charming.
“You know nothing of my allegiances and I rarely discuss them with strangers. I trust those who don’t stab me in the back and my trust earns them the same.”
He held his gaze, despite feeling unnerved at the boys eyes. They were like the cold stone, ancient and everlasting.

The boy smiled wickedly. "For a second it sounded like you were about to preach..." He said his last word stabbed like a dagger at Tarmen. "Now come, your companion is carrying a large burden and can use the rest." He said turning around nodding to Zargari, expecting the two of you to follow.