This party was strange. Tonnerre was not unfamiliar to her, too many of the communities that had interests both above and below the surface were connected in some way. Tonnerre’s family was not unknown to Illene. Nor was Giovanni’s for that matter. It was only Daemon that was truly set apart. A nobody, in a party of names that would be remembered beyond this time.

What Giovanni saw in the bay Illene did not known. Nor did she, realistically, care. As long as Daemon held up his end of the bargain, as long as he did not form a weak link in their group, Illene would be happy to forget him as soon as the journey was over. 

When that would be was another question entirely. 

The dungeon had been remarkably dull. With the Harvester gone for another year (this was Illene’s first meeting the creature and he was just as strange as she had expected), the soul vines had withered, quickly turning to ash and swept away into nothingness under the travel of hooves. That did not mean that the dungeon was entirely cleared of spirits, but they seemed to be quieter of late. Or perhaps a last-minute push to rid them before the Harvester would no longer be able to ferry the spirits of the dead had dragged up more than usual, bringing the haunting of the halls to a dull murmur.

Deigh was such a silent participant to their lives too. It wasn’t quite that Illene missed Marshall (or, it was exactly that, but Illene would never admit such), but the old hound had been so vibrant. He had known her for too long to stay quiet. To not bound around her feet, as if he was still the same young pup that had grown up alongside her. Deigh was… cool, calm, collected. Well-trained, by Illene, in the time she had returned to the family holding.

The owl was perfect in every way. Which meant Illene had very little to complain about… how boring.

---

Tonnerre was always pleased to bid farewell to the Harvest for another year. HIs spirits not quite put to rest were a disorderly lot, and it always made her ponder his own capability that he should herald so much trouble with them year after year. One would think after enough of the same, he would alter his plans rather than insisting reliance on the Coursers who do work for him. Such thoughts were kept only inside her mind, never to see the light of day by anyone who mattered or anyone who didn’t for that fact. 

Both types were members of their assembled party, Daemon a strange tag-along at Giovanni’s behest but for the sake of things she had not argued. Much. 

It was only after the courser had proved himself capable that she relented, tossing her mane with indifference. Blood was one thing, but skill was worth far more. It had been an unwilling lesson she’d learned from her time in the dungeon,, coming across creatures unfathomable to those who old tread across the surface of the Buried Kingdom.

Loupe trailed along at her side, silent in the way his feet moved across the surface. He had not been with her very long, but he too had proved himself in the short time she had taken him as a companion. A creature just as noble as she, and just as vicious. His nares twitched suddenly, pressing silently against his mistress’ side in warning. She glanced behind her, nearly accusing at the pair of men that trailed behind almost certain the offending odor must have come from them. 

It could not have been Illene, and Loupe would not have alerted to his own scent. 

“Must you?” she asked of them, aloof and judging.

---

Suppose there was worse company to be had, granted he has been stuck with literal children and ones that are older than him that acted just as thus. Glancing at the ladies ahead of him, familiar in name and well known faces among the far more noble of places, he cannot say he knows them deeply.

Only at face value, what worth does that truly hold? One can be as pleasant as pie, only to be a wretched little thing the next. Two faces, and manipulative, things he had known so deeply of. Thanks Dad, he muses. 

Gi brushes into Dae with a smile, glancing at the ladies ahead of him. “Well could be worse, at least you’re here.” he whispers soft and sweet. Suppose he might be a man possessed. Who would have thunk someone of noble lineage, working his way to making a true name of himself in his family's bloodline. Saddled himself to someone like Daemon. Think it’s reckless behaviour, something he’d regret in the long run, but so many faces come and go, Gi had learned to forget it all. All except Dae’s. He burrowed into his skin like a tick, and he was a little smitten after the first bite.

Suppose he can’t get lost in his little thoughts as an all too familiar rotten stench wafts to him. Tonnerre turns head to look at the pair, and clearly accuses them of the stench. How polite of her. “Gross.” he mutters, before glancing over at Tonnerre. “Oh sorry, I should have kept quiet. I know how you ladies love to be discreet about such bodily functions. Everyone does it, no need to be ashamed. But I suggest…” he moves to look at Tonnerre. “Perhaps a more well balanced diet, shall save you of the tummy troubles. Unless you walked into it as we did, then perhaps it was Illene that took our breath away.” he teases.

---

Daemon ignored the judgemental glances and disinterest in his presence from the pair of ladies. He wasn’t here for them anyway. Glancing at Giovanni as the pale horse brushed into him, he smirked lightly. “If ya say so. You can barely hold your own. They any more competent?” He asked, teasing a bit as he nipped at Gi’s shoulder. 

He heard Tonnerre’s comment before he smelled the stench, something so foul it made his eyes water. He wrinkled his muzzle in disgust, glancing at Gi as the pale horse spoke, feeling a little light headed. “Well whoever it was, that's foul…” He muttered, shaking his head as he pressed on, trying to escape the stench.