There was little surprise that he did not drink the vial. In any other instance, Edda would have considered it rude, but he seemed to be lacking in common manners, and she supposed he seeked to rectify that in his own way. It was admirable. A shadow of doubt still lingered in her mind, but there would be no harm in humoring him for now.
"The masked warriors were the Wood Wailers," Edda began, addressing his first question. "They protect the Black Shroud, the forest in which you were lost. The citizens of the Shroud follow a certain set of rules - they must follow these rules. The Wood Wailers apprehend those who do not, and thus protect the forest."
The woman looked him steadily in the eye with a sharp look, an apprehensive curiosity. "I do not know what it is you did, but doubtless it was something illegal. I will not lecture you of the laws of that region, but know most confrontation can be avoided by dropping your weapon and surrendering yourself. You would be imprisoned, but at least you would not be hunted as a wanted killer."
She paused, and thought on his other query. It was less of a question and more of a request than anything, and Edda frowned in thought. "As I said before, social conventions are usually learned, not taught. But, if you insist..." She trailed off, and looked up at the cloudy veil.Â
"Give your name before you ask things of others. Use phrases such as 'excuse me' and 'please.' Thank people who help you, and bow to those who are gracious to you." She sighed and looked back at Khadai. It would be much easier if he were more specific. Even then, she was far from qualified for this. "It would help you to smile from time to time as well, you know. Like this." Edda gave him a practiced smile, full of gentleness and warmth, a default expression that she had been taught from before she could remember. She waited for the Xaela to try, though she doubted he would.
"The masked warriors were the Wood Wailers," Edda began, addressing his first question. "They protect the Black Shroud, the forest in which you were lost. The citizens of the Shroud follow a certain set of rules - they must follow these rules. The Wood Wailers apprehend those who do not, and thus protect the forest."
The woman looked him steadily in the eye with a sharp look, an apprehensive curiosity. "I do not know what it is you did, but doubtless it was something illegal. I will not lecture you of the laws of that region, but know most confrontation can be avoided by dropping your weapon and surrendering yourself. You would be imprisoned, but at least you would not be hunted as a wanted killer."
She paused, and thought on his other query. It was less of a question and more of a request than anything, and Edda frowned in thought. "As I said before, social conventions are usually learned, not taught. But, if you insist..." She trailed off, and looked up at the cloudy veil.Â
"Give your name before you ask things of others. Use phrases such as 'excuse me' and 'please.' Thank people who help you, and bow to those who are gracious to you." She sighed and looked back at Khadai. It would be much easier if he were more specific. Even then, she was far from qualified for this. "It would help you to smile from time to time as well, you know. Like this." Edda gave him a practiced smile, full of gentleness and warmth, a default expression that she had been taught from before she could remember. She waited for the Xaela to try, though she doubted he would.
