[Calairiel Mynendil Gil'dae]

She had been fairly certain Larien would volunteer without question, but she would rather know the young woman’s mind before asking such a thing of her. Nodding softly, she gave her a quick smile and offered a cup of tea.

“ I have no great love for the Empire…but I loathe the orcs more. Besides, the Empire keeps us from having to deal with our enemies full force and until we are ready to do so, provides us with a measure of protection. That will not always be. The safety of this family is my first priority. While you are gone, I will begin making preparations to make sure that we are not caught unaware should things go wrong. I feel that the Combine is…complacent, at this time, and that we’ve lost the desire to protect ourselves from those that would see harm come to us. I won’t allow that to happen.”

In truth, there were many things going on in her mind. So many responsibilities that it boggled her mind sometimes. She welcomed the task but sometimes, she just wanted to throw it all away and take herself and her family away to some remote mountain top, far away from the world.

But no…they had responsibilities…they -all- did.

Perhaps someday.