No place like Home (Bailey/Leon)

[Blake Oleander]

"The fires were that of all of their homes burning to ash."

[Leon]

The group took pause at this information.

"The four of you destroyed the entire territory?"

Jake would speak up.

"Majority of the work was Brill and Sai. I provided back up. Blake showed up after it was done. So it didn't even take four of us."

[Blake Oleander]

"Apparently they were too excited to wait."

Such as it was.

[Leon]

The guy gripped the handle of his blade as he stood a bit more on the defense.

"Why return to sixty three?"

[Blake Oleander]

"Because we learned of a disturbing situation within your borders and we still see our duty as to protect the people of 63 against anything that could threaten them."

[Leon]

He would exchange looks with the others with him there was some murmurs among them.

"Speak then."

[Blake Oleander]

"The Elders are Qi users."

He doubted they would want to hear it, but it wouldn't change if they lied and told everyone at once. Honesty and bluntness was the best way forward he felt. At least, it's how he would want to be told.

[Leon]

"What?"

Utter shock and disbelief at a bold claim like that.

"That is beyond a bold claim. Careful with your next words."

He would take a stance ready to draw his blade.

[Blake Oleander]

"A claim I would not have believed myself if they had not come in the night and attacked us with their abilities."

He made no move for his own blade.

"You may hate what I have become, but remember who I am. I would not lie about something like this, nor return if I did not believe it."

[Leon]

There would be silence for an abundant amount of time before the response came.

"The elders attacked you in the night... Which means..."

He was already putting two and two together.

[Blake Oleander]

"That you will find them buried with the honor they deserve in the ruined village of 64. A place we could not have brought them had they not come on their own."

As there was little chance they could have abducted three elders from their homes and brought them out of the territory without being caught and discovered.

[Leon]

It was proof enough of the truth, but they didn't;t know how to respond.

"We were sent to find the missing Elders... They are dead. Sixty four destroyed, and... You would have us believe the Elders have the infection..."

He was obviously trying to rationalize it. One among the group drew his blade tears running down his face as the obvious conclusions were reached and destruction of a train of thought. Disbelief and disdain, denial.

[Blake Oleander]

"Yes."

He frowned, it was a lot to take in, and he still struggled to grasp it himself. But he needed to remain calm and strong for the others. That was what he latched onto.

"The Elders may be no different than us. And there may be others like us we don't know about. It may not be an infection, but salvation. If two of us can destroy 64 and secure us water, what can we do together? We may not need to struggle to survive every day. We can show how strong we really are."

[Leon]

They would seemingly pass glances at each other.

"We can not abandon our duty and mission, even with this news. We can not trust the word of an outcast."

They would draw blades.

"However, you are on a mission of your own. Your life in your hands you wish to present these findings to everyone. Then do so, and move yourselves from our path or fight us now."

[Blake Oleander]

He would stand aside.

"We have no interest in striking down the warriors of our home. If you insist on seeing it with your own eyes then you will see we have spoken the truth. Move like the wind brother, and may the dusk see your safe return."