Cernya, who would describe her occupation in Kafra as 'Puckish Scoundrel', but that those who encountered her would describe more like 'Sadistic Robber', is very suspicious of their guide.
Nobody just breaks like that... Least of all some elf bitch who's spent the last 200 years licking the feet of her elf goddesses. There's no way in any of the hells that she'd betray her goddesses and people like that. She's the kind of person to play the long game, and if I were in her shoes... I'd be leading us into a trap. Get us wiped out, get back to my people... That's what I'd do. So I'll just stick near her, stick her with the pointy end if she tries anything. Maybe stick her in the leg for fun even if she doesn't. So many opportunities~~
Eisenhilde is extremely eager for their special mission. She's preparing for her possible death by marking herself with Hel's sacred symbols in her own blood, dedicating her own death to Hel, as well as preparing a short, sacrificial knife to offer any fallen enemies to Hel. She's visibly excited at the prospect of killing or dying for Hel, and doesn't seem to be very concerned about the possibility of the latter.
Arastine has made her choice. She'll help, but first she wants to try to recruit some people who weren't on Astrid's list.
First, she proposes they try to recruit Moira. While it's true that she might rat them out, at this point it doesn't matter too much anyway, and Arastine believes she can convince the Dark Mage to join them. After all, Toxin is much more powerful than Marla, and if she helps kill Marla, then it's likely Toxin will accept her as a new student, especially if the whole thing is presented as her doing. Right?
Second is Aura. She seems to have mostly returned to her former self, and thus would be a natural choice for their conspiracy.
Third, Judith. She hasn't been particularly vocal about much recently, and that makes Arastine think she's probably not too happy with the current state of affairs.
Fourth, Capricia. Same situation as Judith, and Arastine has a feeling they'll both join or neither will, but not just one.
Fifth, Minerva. She seems... honest, and it seems possible that she'd join if Arastine points out that Marla, though indirectly, had a hand in Asreine's death. Maybe she'd bring her green friends, too.
Sixth and lastly, Micci. She's a bit of an unknown factor, having quite recently joined Miasma, but Arastine has a gut feeling that she might join them.
Mireille is very anxious about the particulars of the plan, specifically the complete lack of any finer details. She's glad that Arastine will help, but is still very nervous about their plans. Nervous enough that she's begun to think of a scheme. A scheme that will, hopefully, make the rest of Miasma rally behind Astrid's plan, though probably not Astrid herself.
The rough outline of the plan is as follows:
First, get the mages and, ideally, the clerics too, mostly or all in a single large conversation. Then, make sure Marla hears both of this, and of a rumor of a possible rebellion, ideally from a trusted source, like Amanda. After that, all she needs is a few well-spoken words to convince Marla of a Mage's Conspiracy to usurp her, and she'll publicly and brutally execute whoever she thinks is the ringleader... And drive the rest of Miasma right into Astrid's plot. Even if it doesn't completely work, it should shake things up enough for a few absences to go unnoticed for long enough to escape.
August seems to be becoming less and less mentally balanced. He's prone to fits of rage, frequently mutters to himself under his breath, and often vanishes for long periods of time. It's not to 'break' Romillie, the Elf he's imprisoned, as the other slaves have figured out where he's keeping her, and are helping her endure while he's away on his increasingly long and frequent absences.
Hathus, deliberately slouching and appearing tired, approaches Minerva.
I had best look non-threatening... Who knows what she has been through?
He's glad that she doesn't look at him any differently from the way she looks at the others.
"Hello, my name is Hathus. I am an archer, and in my homeland Harpy feathers are said to make arrows that never miss. Would you be willing to let me have a few of your feathers, for fletching on one or two arrows?"
