“This from the melodramatic therian who has been closer to death over the last few weeks that I have in my entire lifetime? I’m flattered by your concern. But at the same time. Thank you, for believing in me,” Her voice held hints of sarcasm, yet at the end it was more sincere. Touya frowned at her for a moment but didn't comment on her calling him 'melodramatic' and having nearly died several times already. Though he had to admit, she had a point there. How many times had he come so close to death and just barely escaped its clutches? Too many, and all within the short amount of time that he'd known her.
"Of course I believe in you. It is as you said, you human's have learned to thrive despite the many odds against you. You're race is... strange, yet oddly alluring to me. I do not understand half of the things you do or don't do. I don't think I ever will, but none-the-less your people have a way of surviving no matter what it is that is thrown at them. I'm intrigued to see what you will be like in another forty years or so," Touya mused, the last part was mainly to himself though he figured that she could hear him.
After that, he did not engage in conversation with her for some time. He was lost in thought rather, and let the horse take them towards his people. He could feel them in the distance, just over another couple of hills and still moving. They were not heading towards the human cities, but they were getting rather close. He figured that they would change course soon enough, though. As they rode, Touya remembered his order to Damea and wondered how the fire mage was faring in the two days -now three as the sun was being to peek it's golden rays over the mountains- days that he'd left him.
"I sent Damea to find Reginald," Touya said aloud, informing April of the decision and the reason as to why the man was not with them right then, "He should reach the city soon. I did not know who else to inform..." Touya was lost in thought once again, wondering if he'd done the right thing by sending the human on his own to seek out a single man.
He felt arms around his and in a matter of moments he was standing up right, held between two people. He hadn't even heard the groups approach, nor could he really comprehend that he was being addressed. Cold water poured over his head, drenching his hair and clothes. some of the dirt washed away to reveal the bright colors of his mercenary clothing and pale features. His white hair clung to the sides of his face and got in his eyes as it dripped from the water. The men holding him released him and Damea took in the people around him. Guards, maybe... he wasn't quite sure. His vision wavered slightly and it took quite a bit of strength to stay standing.
“Hmmmm. Give the man some water, and food. He looks absolutely famished,” a man up on a horse ordered and Damea found himself almost drowning in water as it was forced down his throat. He winced as it burned going down his throat and coughed harshly as whoever held the flask to his mouth pulled it back. He was released again and he stumbled from the rough treatment. Water poured from his mouth, at least what little that hadn't gone down his throat. Wiping his lips he coughed again and looked up to the man seated on the horse.
“This is a dangerous road to pass out on. Never know when a horse could just trample over you. What’s your name?”
Damea hardly comprehended the words spoken to him, however the water had been refreshing and seemingly woke him a bit from his daze.
"Reginald..." Damea answered softly, his mind still trying to connect two and two with what the man asked him. After a moment his eyes widened slightly as he realized that since the past couple of hours he'd been whispering Reginald's name to himself to remind himself why he was wandering the wilds. Curses... Though the men around him had given him water and bread, their brutish looks and armor set him off. He didn't like their aura at all and didn't think they needed to know where and why he was traveling.
"I'm... Damea, the names Damea," he tried again, hoping that the word that had slipped passed his tongue had not been caught by the intimidating man up on the horse. Everything could be ruined if he said the wrong thing now.