Lonán Arzura's Story

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Watching Kyero engage in combat with the Bandit Leader, the girl could only wince slightly as the man was beheaded in a single clean slice. Clearly, that hooded figure was leagues above her own capability in combat, but that didn’t make the way he went about it any less gruesome. Not that she could really talk. She’d killed five men today, more than she’d intentionally done in her life up until this point. It made her stomach turn, but the alternative of leaving the innocent civilians here to die would have still stained her hands. With a few words of threat, the example that Kyero had made of their leader seemed to be enough of an example to scare them off - after all, it didn’t look like she or any others of the elected warriors would be much good against the remaining 79 or so bandits. A relief, to say the least. She didn’t much feel like dying, though her body might be arguing otherwise with the amount of pain it was in.

Having staggered slightly away from the crowd, Okumi planned to make her leave. There were too many risks in staying amongst this many people in her state. She’d established that the Wilt could be spread through the air and had taken precautions for that. When it came to her injuries however… Although contact with her blood didn’t necessarily spread the illness, no doubt if it got into someone else’s wound or was ingested the effects would be catastrophic. Gritting her teeth as her shoulder flared once again, Okumi knew she was in trouble. This wasn’t the kind of thing she could patch up with a set of bandages and medicinal herbs at home. She’d saved this village, so perhaps it was time to be a martyr. Slip off unnoticed and meet a peaceful end. Had she done enough to deserve that..?

"That bolt needs to be removed, carefully... Will you let me?" A deeper voice sounded beside her, startling Okumi slightly as she turned, pivoting around the pole of her weapon. She’d been kneeling down to retrieve her bag, and hadn’t fully realised his approach or concern for her. Looking up, she met his red, glowing eyes, and was suddenly struck with tales from her childhood and travellers she’d met at the shrine. The Red-Eyed demon… Even as a priestess, she’d always assured herself that those rituals she performed were more of a tradition than any sort of actual method of containing or stopping a demonic presence. Somehow, the stories seemed a little more real in that moment. Slowly pushing herself back up, Okumi did her best to force a smile behind her mask, shaking her head slightly. She couldn’t risk having someone else deal with this and becoming infected. Gesturing with a point to herself, Okumi made the simple ‘okay’ symbol again, hoping that her message was clear: ‘I’m okay’.

Except she wasn’t, and that would be clear to anyone that looked at her. She was disheveled and barely managing to keep herself standing and moving. In fact, she thought she might faint if she stopped, so that was why she refused to. Making a pulling motion towards her heart, Okumi then pointed to Kyero, putting her hands together in a clasp, then pointed at Lonán. She wasn’t sure if he got the message, but what she was trying to say was thank you, followed by directing Kyero to help Lonán rather than prioritising her. Then, while he was busy with that, she’d make her escape from the scene.

Kyero observed Okumi carefully, his eyes narrowing at her gestures.

"If you mean to tell me you're all right, you're not fooling anyone. If that bolt isn't removed it will become septic, and you have given too much to these people and this village to allow that to happen."

Kyero flipped his hood back up just in case any villagers came back, not wanting to cause a stir. But he stepped forward and scooped Okumi into his arms and carried her over to Linde who was finishing helping Aetrius with her wound. He set Okumi down, and Linde shared her tools with him. He carefully cut the fabric of Okumi's outfit around the bolt and applied the same tactic Linde had. Applying a bit of numbing paste and creating two small incisions to remove the bolt before inspecting it for tissue and arterial damage before sewing it shut.

Linde was fast running out of supplies though. But with Okumi's most significant wound treated for the time being, Kyero helped her to her feet and looked to the others.

"We don't have enough supplies to treat all of your wounds. You should head to the local clinic. It's just down the South Road."

Linde had just finished helping Aetrius as he made the announcement.

"You won't come with us?"

He shook his head.

"It would be unwise for you all to be seen with me, regardless of what we accomplished here. You and the local doctor can finish this without me."

"Okay, but will we see you again?"

He nodded.

"I intend to follow those bandits to see where they went and what they're planning to do. They retreated for now, but there's no guarantee my threat will keep them away. I need to be sure."

"Then wait for me. I wish to be sure of that as well. Once I have seen to their injuries, and my own, I will come with you."

Kyero was clearly hesitant to take her up on her offer.

Lonán’s head was swimming at the moment. He felt the area where his head was struck swell, making a good lump on his head and making the pain feel like his head got hit by a wagon. He caught glimpses of the other fights but it seems by some miracle, they survived the onslaught, and the hooded man began his assault on the leader as he promised to do. The short work of the leader and the sudden fear in the now broken gang made it clear this man was no ordinary human. In fact, all the rumors and ghost stories began to flood in his head, though it ached his mind so.

About a man with red glowing eyes. If this man had them, then Lonán knew he was in the presence of someone who could kill him and end his Clan Line without even a second thought.

Then the Angelic Knight and He began to help others, the masked woman being the more seriously injured being tended to by the former and the spear wielder being approached by the latter. Lonán needed a drink, but his flask was in his saddlebag. Hooking his good arm around his blade handle, he gave two sharp whistles to signal Hawk it was safe to come to him. He watched as Hawk came out of the hiding place, leading the Mare he had been instructed to protect, causing him to sigh in relief. ”Hawk. Come.” he simply said. The sooner the drink came the sooner he can take the edge off his headache and concentrate on his other injuries.

Hearing the Hooded man talking to the mute woman, who almost told him to tend to the red haired warrior first, caused a chuckle to come out of Lonán. ”I’ll be fine, A good drink and a little visit to a doctor will fix me up...and cost me a bit from my gambling purse..” The latter part he muttered to himself as he watched both The Angelic Knight and the Red Eyed Demon fix up the two women.

Then the Demon announced his intentions and next instructions and Linde almost interjecting her insistence to go with him. ”Some of those wounds on you need rest to fix. And plus, I’m in this as much as you both are now Milady. Allow me to accompany you whilst he scouts ahead. If he is who I think he is, he can handle himself for a while.” He said, trying to intercede and come with a better plan of action, one that gave a bit more strength in their numbers as well as a second opinion. ”It’s just a thought-ow my brain box...” Hawk seemed to whinny a chuckle, causing his owner to glower at him.

Someone was not getting sugar with his oats tonight, that was for certain.

---

The man eyed her over, and Okumi felt like he was appraising her somewhat. Either that or her curious mannerisms was leading him to become more scrutinizing. Okumi wasn’t aware that what Kyero was actually doing was working out how to deal with her. It seemed he was determined to assist her, so she’d simply have to get her parchment roll and spell out why that wasn’t a good idea. As he flipped up his hood and stepped towards her, Okumi’s thoughts raced as she tried to work out what he was doing, as she’d only just started kneeling towards her bag. “..!!..” Moments later she felt her legs swept out from under her, and found herself somewhat embarrassed but equally surprised how firm he felt as he carried her across the street. Firm… But still gentle. Not wanting to fall, and not quite knowing what to do with herself in being treated in such a manner, Okumi held on until she was set down nearby Linde and the other woman, the warrior who seemed in worse shape than she was.

Now seated, Okumi could only watch as Kyero set about getting the tools he needed to remove the crossbow bolt. Taking the time to look him over herself, she could tell he was indeed greatly concerned, but what she was more concerned with was the presence of any cuts or injuries on him. Seeing none, despite her initial embarrassment she reluctantly relented, turning her body to allow him access to her main wound. Even with the numbing paste, it was a painful extraction. The process was uncomfortable, not the least of which was after he’d cut into her maiden’s outfit she was forced to slide it down her arm, leaving her shoulder and an uncomfortable amount of her side showing, her chest bandages apparent to keep her dignity, as did the way she held her arm. Still, he was respectful enough in treating the wound, and Okumi couldn’t deny she was grateful. The white of her outfit was stained a deep red from blood, and Okumi was aware that she didn’t have too much else to change to; especially with her travel bag. She’d have to acquire cloth and dye and make herself something new when she returned to her little abode.

Once he was done and helped her to her feet, the shrine maiden took a loose strip of cloth from her sleeves, tying it tightly to hold the shoulder of her outfit up and into place to reduce her amount of exposure. Turning to Kyero, Okumi made the same gesture she had before to indicate thanks, however, his attention was diverted to Linde and the others, and she self-consciously stopped herself from doing anything more to distract him. The talk moved to following the bandits, of which Linde and Lonán planned to accompany Kyero when given a chance. Depending on which way that lead them, she might be able to provide them some modest accomodation at her shrine. Still, if she was going to be attending another clinic, she’d have to make preparations. Retrieving the long roll of parchment in her bag, she unfurled a small portion, writing out a simple message dictating the danger of her blood before tearing along the base and rolling it up. Tying it with a simple rope, she cut that with her Naginata in a practiced motion. Seemed she wrote stuff like that regularly.

For now, she was set as she’d ever be, but even as they meandered towards the clinic, Okumi’s thoughts turned to the people she’d met. Who was Kyero? Was he really that notorious figure, the red-eyed demon? And what was his connection to Linde? If he was a demon, why had he been so kind to her and the people of the village? She had a lot of questions playing across her mind, but she’d become so used to her solitude and remaining silent she didn’t really know how to speak and ask them anymore. So instead she’d simply follow. Maybe she’d get her answers if she remained with them a little longer. After all, she did miss company. And if she could aid and thank them for that by allowing them to stay at her place on the mountain road, that would make her happy. For now, she wandered to retrieve her sandals and the other bits of belongings she held before they completely left the area.

Kyero and Linde nodded to one another before turning to the others. Kyero walked away, disappearing around the corner of a nearby building while Linde faced everyone.

"Please follow me, everyone. The local clinic is just down this way."

Aetrius, as she was called, was initially reluctant. But with a little friendly persuasion Linde managed to convince her to accompany Lonan to the stables nearby to tie their horses while they came to the clinic.

Once everyone was present, Linde and the local doctor got to work. They dressed their cuts, applied basic pain killers to some water or tea, whichever was preferred, and had them drink, etc. Other wounds which were more serious were dressed with antiseptic paste, sewn if need be, and given pads and medical bandage wraps.

In total, tending to all four of them, Linde included, took about two hours. But once everyone was fully taken care of they all remained in the clinic in their medical beds to rest and relax.

By early evening, they had all woken up from a group nap and had gathered at the inn just across the way. They shared a series of rooms joined by a central meeting room, usually reserved for VIP guests such as nobles or royals, but today the massive suites had been conveniently rented for them by a 'friend.'

Linde faced everyone with a smile, hoping to break the ice, and stood up to bow to everyone.

"I suppose a more proper introduction is in order." She said, clearing her throat.

"My name is Linde Xe' Almna. I hail from the capitol city here in Cre' Est, and work in the Almna Apothecary and Clinic which I founded four years ago. Since then I have both been running the clinic and doing volunteer work in situations just like today, though usually it had less of a violent ending... It's a pleasure to meet you all."

She sat down, looking to her right where Lonan was seated.

The nap Lonán had at the Clinic was well deserved. The treatments helped his injured limbs, head and side. The lump on his head has gone down a tad and now he, along with the other defenders were in a meeting place with the other defenders, minus the man in the hood, whom he had suspicions about his identity but didn’t care at the moment. There were bandits to find and kill obviously. They were scared off but who knows where they went?

Linde got up and felt the need for proper introductions. Lonán silently nodded as she introduced herself completely. Nodding as she explained what she was doing here and what she usually does. Then she sat down and turned to him, to see if he would like to introduce himself. There was a moment where he almost was lost in her gaze for a moment before clearing his throat.

Standing up with a nod he began with, ”Greetings. I am Lonán Arzura. I’m an adventurer of sorts. I wander the continent looking for work from repairs to escorting trade caravans or provide security for when disasters such as that storm several days ago.”

Heaving a sigh he braced himself for the more personal facts. ”I am from Saharan, where I was born to a powerful Clan of Warriors. My Grandfather was rather famous before retirement to try his hands at blacksmithing. If you’ve heard of tales of a person called ‘The Iron Wolf’ that’s him. I picked up skills from both his jobs, but am always willing to learn new sword skills or learn about new metals, to potentially improve my weapons of course. I came here, as I’ve said, hoping to help the town any way I can.”

He sat down with a small, yet sheepish grin waiting for the next person to speak. There was no need to poke into his past just yet. Better to wait until he knew everyone first, and become friends with them first before sharing his life tale.

---

The doctor had been highly accommodating, especially when Okumi shared the parchment explaining her condition. Thankfully, she’d been gifted a few masks - a fresh one to wear, as well as a few spares should she find herself needing them again. Her wounds were patched up carefully, the doc taking care to remain clean and wear gloves while handling them before disposing of the dirtied material. Unfortunately, there were no fresh clothes for Okumi, so she had to make do with her tattered shrine maiden outfit for now. The rest she had after did her a lot of good, as did the food she received; and thankfully, she was able to get some privacy to consume it and did not have to worry about her illness spreading.

When the group reconvened to stay at the inn, Okumi had initially been hesitant, but with the light beginning to fade, it would be quite dark before she got home, and the maiden could only hope that it hadn’t been ransacked by the bandits by this point. Not only that, but she wasn’t in the shape to fend off anything dangerous, so it seemed to be the safer judgement to remain for now. Sitting with the others in the meeting room, she listened to their introductions in full despite fumbling around her bag. Those that bothered to watch her found that she retrieved a somewhat sizeable length of parchment before getting to work writing on it, looking up only to nod and express interest in what they were saying. By the time Aetrius finished her little speech and looked away, Okumi was done.

With everyone’s eyes on her, Okumi lifted and flipped the parchment, absolutely beaming behind her mask as she got to show her work. The parchment read with two words: ‘Okumi Chrysanth’. The handwriting was quite fancy, but the shrine maiden really had gone the extra mile, drawing a small flower to further symbolise her surname, as well as a small very simple caricature of herself. Just in case anyone wasn’t sure what the name stood for, she’d also drawn an arrow pointing from the name up to her face relative to how she was holding it. Setting that parchment aside, Okumi retrieved the next one, but rather than hold it up as a presentation, she instead passed it to her left and let it go around the group, as it was more formally written on and explained more about who she was.

‘Local Shrine Maiden. I came to assist in honouring and burying the dead. My home and shrine is out of town within the mountains if you wish to stay on your travel from here. It is not much, but it is all I have to offer in thanks.’ As the parchment went around, Okumi watched and waited for any questions. She probably could have covered why she wore the mask and why she didn't speak, but alas, it didn't really occur to her. For now, she simply gave a pleasant wave as a further greeting to her companions.

Linde nodded to Lonán's greeting, smiling sweetly for him as he made his introduction. After he was finished, she gave him a quick, "Well met, Lonán."

Aetrius was next, and Linde repeated her "well met" greeting to her as well. However Linde was somewhat put off and concerned by her dismissive and distant tone. It seemed she didn't seek any kind of companionship, nor want it. And for Linde this was a rather foreign concept. However she seemed polite enough when she wanted to be, so Linde gave her the benefit of the doubt, being a bounty hunter who had just gone through a tough battle and gotten hurt.

And finally there was Okumi, who was absolutely adorable! Linde could hardly contain her amusement and how cute she thought the girl was with her name and drawing. She made an audible "awwwwwww" sound which rose in pitch to the end as she beheld the little doodling on the name presentation.

The information about Okumi was passed around, and Linde gave her a "well met" greeting before the parchment was returned to the girl.

"Seems we all share a desire to help when needed. I am grateful for that. Had you all not been here today things may have ended up very differently. And not in a good way."

She slowly looked around the circle.

Upon being introduced to everyone, and mentally ‘awwing’ Okumi’s drawing skills, Lonán listened to Linde’s thanks for helping out. The young swordsman only nodded. ”Well... I expected to fight them eventually anyway, just later then sooner. This was a surprise.” He said. These bandits decided to come back. Usually bandits don’t come back. And what war was the former leader talking about?

Lonán wasn’t sure. He didn’t catch a rumor of war in his travels, either it was recent or he was dead drunk when the news reached his ears.

”We should also thank our now mutual friend, who is scouting out the rest of them. Not sure if they’ll be back but it’s nice to know where they’re roosting and cut out the problem at its source if possible. Question is, what do we do know?” he asked that part, avoiding the main subject. He didn’t want to ask directly if the man in the hood was the red eyed demon. if the daggers and the red eyes weren’t proof enough, Linde’s words might.

He took a look around the Hotel suite he was in with everyone, and a small bit of nostalgia hit his mind when he joined his grandfather on weapons delivery as a child. He couldn’t help but mentally laugh. It was a reminder of his life before he was on his own. Maybe being with this group was a sign from Heresta to not be on his own, and join up with this group. He’d follow Her will when he felt it was so.

But Heresta help him if it leads to trouble! ”What I mean is if there is a definite plan?” He corrected himself.

Linde nodded as she listened to Lonán.

When he spoke about everyone's "mutual friend" being "out scouting," she nodded and said, "I agree. He should be returning any time now." She said.

She nodded quietly as he asked if there was a definite plan.

"I am certain there will be a plan, but sadly I don't know what it would be yet. However, one thing I am certain of is that it will involve attacking them where they are least protected. Given their numbers, there's not much other option."

Lonán nodded at Linde’s assurances that there was a plan. Then Aetrius spoke about what will happen, for when they came back. Lonán’s scarlet brows furrowed in a slightly annoyed way. It wasn’t because she wasn’t speaking the truth, she was speaking it.

But saying the town isn’t safe anymore would mean defeat. He narrowed his eyes and simply said, ”That last point is precisely why they need to be dealt with sooner then later. To wait for them to come back is lunacy. To say this town doesn’t have a hope for survival means defeat, and for this occasion, that is blasphemous. Heresta did not grant this victory to give false hope.”

He sat up to his full posture. ”We find them, and strike fast and hard. Hard enough for them to scatter into the winds or to fall to the earth, their bloodshed proof that the Goddess smiles on our prowess.” he added, giving an air of confidence in his statement. But the confidence was his shield. Shielding his anxiety, that would often crop up at a monent’s notice. But the anxiety did come. It made him stare at the table and not at anyone directly in the eyes. He had to keep calm and fake the looking in the eyes for awhile..

He had to if he could win their friendship so he can look at them in the eye for real.

Linde looked back and forth between Aetrius and Lonán as they exchanged words about the bandits and the situation at hand. Her face contorted slightly as she drew her hands in towards her stomach and slumped ever so slightly while looking to the side. She kept her eyes on the ground for a moment, the gears turning in her mind. And finally she looked back up to the others.

"I must agree with Aetrius that this village is no longer safe, but not for the same reasons."

Her voice was soft and calm despite her somewhat despaired expression.

"Those bandits lost their leader today, and for men like them who follow no creed or any laws but their own are unpredictable enough as it is. Kyero took their leader's head in a single stroke, and they all fled in response. But that retreat means little if there is nothing to ensure it sticks."

She took a breath and let it out on a sigh.

"However, striking hard and fast against numbers like theirs when we have only the four of us is a death sentence. All of us barely fended off five each today, and there are still well over seventy of them left out there. Even with Kyero by our side I doubt we'd survive any kind of blitzkrieg assault against them."

Lonán was humbled by Linde’s talk, as he realized he was talking out of his convictions of battle. But he had to calm down from his momentary bout of anxiety and think rationally about the situation. Then Aetrius again spoke, and through the cynicism he picked up on what she was trying to say.

Find a way to get the people somewhere safe. But that potentially would hurt the local economy...would it? It was then he realized he hasn’t had a shred of sustinence! He now realized why his anxiety was on the rise. He needed food to take the edge off. Old Wolf always told him that if he got hungry, his mind would lose its focus. He needed supper. A great big helping of supper, and the quicker and most filling, the better. He would have voiced this to everyone when Aetrius made the offer, which was two birds in one stone indeed.

It gave him quite a lot to do and gave more opportunity to at least be social with everyone, hopefully he didn’t screw it up. So he stretched in his chair, popping a several vertebra into order.

”Well, I feel I can think better with some drink and food, in fact I think I’m as hungry as a horse, no offense to mine or yours.” he said as he stretched his legs and winced a bit at his hurt one. He then nodded to himself before moving to join Aetrius and whoever else would be joining them downstairs for drink and more pleasant conversations.

Linde nodded, rising from her seat.

"I suppose you are right. None of us have eaten in some time. Best not to make plans on an empty stomach."

She looked back to Okumi.

"Would you like to come with us, miss Okumi? I'd love the pleasure of your company a while longer."

---

Though mildly condescending to have her parchment cooed over, Okumi seemed to enjoy the attention, still beaming throughout the introduction. As far as the actual conversation went, Okumi stayed silent for the most part, nodding and looking to whoever was leading the talk at the time. In one on one conversation she did her best to hold her own, but it just wasn’t practical to try and communicate her thoughts in large groups. Besides, it’d be rude to interrupt the talking only to gesture some vague concepts. Truthfully, she kind of missed being the loudmouth at the family table who wouldn’t shut up, but she’d adjusted to this new form of living, and now barely remembered how she used to act prior.

The conversation moved on to the bandits, a rather normal progression given what they’d just been through. Honestly, the talk was a little disconcerting to Okumi. She valued peace, balance and harmony – If everyone could get along, that would be the best solution. Unrealistic, true, but it didn’t sit well with her as they discussed plans for attacking the bandits unaware. Overall, the attitude around the whole situation was a bit of a downer, Aetrius speaking of the inevitability of another raid and the end of Atlum. Reflexively, Okumi rubbed her shoulder injury. It was true, they’d been lucky to survive the last assault, but why couldn’t they use this time to celebrate rather than looking at all the negatives? Perhaps it was naïve to think so, or maybe immature, but Okumi wasn’t fond of this kill or be killed perspective everyone seemed to have.

Still, she wouldn’t voice it. Instead her expression was the only thing that gave away her opinion and intentions – Though not many tended to pay attention to the mute girl in conversations. Either way it was a relief to hear that Aetrius wasn’t completely defeatist when it came to Atlum. With the comment for drinks signalling the end of the conversation, everyone seemed to be getting up to make their leave, Okumi included. She wasn’t the kind to drink – One slip up with her illness could be disastrous – so this was when she’d likely make her leave. She could do some more work with the dead into the night as long as she rested her injured shoulder by only using her left arm. Then, as long as she got some sleep she could-

"Would you like to come with us, miss Okumi? I'd love the pleasure of your company a while longer."

Snapped from her thoughts as Linde spoke from the doorway to look at her, Okumi jumped to her feet in mild embarrassment. Pointing to herself, she waved her hands dismissively while shaking her head, first mimicking the motion of drinking from a cup before Forming a cross above her face with her arms. Letting her arms fall back to her side, she then gestured to Linde, making the drinking motion again before giving a double thumbs up. Once more letting her arms drop to her side, she pointed to herself, then outside, before pantomiming a digging motion. Overall, it was a pretty spirited performance, but she hopefully got her message across. As much as she liked company, it wouldn’t do well to get too attached. She’d isolated herself for a reason, so remaining close to people was a risk they shouldn’t have to take. Besides, what good was a mute girl in a conversation? Especially one that wouldn’t eat and drink with everyone...

Heading to the tavern with the group, Lonán eventually was about to fish into one of his coinpurses to buy a round, but Aetrius tossed an assortment to the bartender and nodded rather sheepishly, as he now realized he was in his gambling purse, about to pull out a gold coin on accident. ”That’s for gambling only.” He thought to himself as he silently moved his hand away from his two coinpurses. Then eventually followed his new friends to a table to sit.

He ordered what he hoped was a pint of beerequivalent to his personal favorite brand of brew from Saharan, as it was a favorite amongst his Clan, it was often used as a code that there is family about and gather close. So far, there was none. When the punt arrived he took a long swig from it to take any edge off his headache if it still lingered. ”Hmm, lacks the malt taste, but not bad all the same.” he assessed. Thus did he enjoy himself after tossing another silver to ask for something warm in his belly, which he received in the form of a plate of three hot rolls with carrots and beef. He was halfway done eating with gusto when he noted Aetrius was not paying much attention to her third round.

Then she got up and began to interrogate a person. It seemed that it was something personal, but it covered a crime thrown upon her family. He wasn’t talking either. He decided, against his better judgement, to try and lessen the severity of the situation, by making the tongue loosen with a worse threat, and then maybe a convincing bribe.

”Aetrius, Aetrius, you don’t threaten to gut a rapist. You threaten to do the Saharan Punishment for that. I won’t bore you with how I know this but the first in a series of steps involves Castration.” He said, exaggerating a rather harrowing punishing process reserved for threats against the more....upper crust living of the old homeland. He fished into his gambling purse.

”Or! We loosen his tongue another way. See I’m a gambling man and I bet, let me think one? No, two! Two gold that he talks. I mean, worst is I’ll still be two gold richer and he’ll be two balls poorer.” He grins wolfishly as he says this. But what he wouldn’t say was that he only had three of those gold coins on him, from a lucrative caravan security job. He didn’t wish to waste them but if it eased the tension, so be it.