At this Ae'thenal did now find her feet and stand, discovering that the weakness and trembling in her limbs had departed. And that her body was no longer a wasted thing within her armour and clothing. Her eyes sought out her friend seeing her fierce beauty, though whereas yesterday there had been love and joy shining from Si'anelle's face, in this present hour her friend's features had become hard and cruel.

"You dare to question me Nimine Starbrow," said Si'anelle her voice tight with a cold fury. With a tensing of her hands and with her jaw set she did extinguish the flame within the Banepearl in proof that she was its mistress and not its slave. "Both my mother and my father did die at the hands of the Dark Kindred. This trap of Chaos did use my love for our Everqueen of Avelorn to bind both myself and Ae'thenal to its fell purpose; - and you do ask if I am still worthy of your oath."

Standing straight and with her hand resting on the hilts of her sword Nimine did reply, "Yes, I do ask this of you Si'anelle, daughter of Arthaindir Moonhand, and more I will demand. Speak aloud the name of Isha."

With her fierce gaze leveled on Nimine her champion Si'anelle did say, "I do ask for Isha's mercy upon Ae'thenal and I Nimine Starbrow." And when the Banepearl did quiver in her hands and hiss with renewed fire she did make it once more still and quiet despite the pain it did cost her.

"And now you Lady Ae'thenal," Nimine did demand of her as her eyes did seek her out.

"Am I so marked that you do need this test Nimine?" she did ask. "Our Everqueen did think me worthy of her trust to guard and ward Si'anelle forever." Except that the severity of Nimine's expression did inform her that she would indeed have this test of her, or else she would die by her hand for all her being her foster child. Biting her lip she did first look towards Si'anelle and then she did say aloud, "Isha alone is my protection." The pain that did knife into her in the aftermath was not more than she could bear, though it did display itself to her foster mother's eyes in the tight tensing of her jaw.

"Not yet then numbered among Chaos's servants," Nimine did say her eyes upon them both. "Our Everqueen was wise to command me to make this test."

"A foolish test," Si'anelle did reply with a fierce impatience, "for it may have cost your death Nimine Starbrow."

In response Nimine did but incline her head, "In failing my death would have been but the first of all our race My Lady Si'anelle. However now we do know we are safe for a time and perhaps we may in the days ahead learn the means to undo your Doom." Bending a little she did pick up Si'anelle's sword from the cache of their belongings at her feet and offer it to her mistress. Taking her sword from Nimine's hand Si'anelle did kiss the blade before sheathing it, her act strange and fierce and not an act that Ae'thenal did recognise as being a one her friend had made before this. Next Nimine did put her spear into her hands and Ae'thenal inclined her head to accknowledge her foster mother's trust while Nimine did exchange a rare warm smile with her.

Si'anelle did moan softly then as her fierce cruel manner did seem to slip away from her as if it was a discarded cloak. With her voice now marked with the beginings of despair Si'anelle did tell them both, "The Banepearl hungers," as she did raise it in the cup of her left hand, the wicked object a denial of light in its blank darkness. And may Isha give of her mercy Ae'thenal could feel the whispers of that restless hunger within her own soul as her friend's fearful gaze did touch her. "I do pray Ae'thenal that we shall find wicked creatures in need of death and soon." Si'anelle did say softly as she did claim her pack from the ground and begin to wrap the Banepearl in sky blue silk.