Darkened Skies

Sterling listened intently as he continued, and she was able to learn a little more about Erani. And then he spoke of Isardis, how the man had burned too many bridges, and how Dragon was now doing the same. It made her feel badly to know that Paladin's family would have such a divide in it, because of Dragon's actions. She didn't know what it was like to have family in two different places like that, especially ones that were not friendly with one another. The only family she'd ever known were her mother and father, and her sister. Her brother had disappeared at a young age, and she'd never heard from him again. Esarosa had simply told them that she, too, had left home at a young age, and not to worry about the adventures that Cobalt had taken on. So, Sterling had never worried or wondered. If her mother had been an adventurer - and it was true, Esarosa had been a rogue for a long period of time, and had only settled down to raise Sterling and her siblings - then Sterling had nothing to worry about with her brother going off on his own. Other than that, her immediately family had always been right there.

Her ears folded back when Paladin said that Valor had been taken prisoner, and because of that, hadn't gotten to say goodbye when their mother passed; in fact, he didn't even know about it. How terrible that must be. Sterling felt another surge of guilt rising within her. Dragon's actions, and the actions of Talis as a whole, had caused the wolves of Celestial a lot of grief. She counted herself lucky not to be hated by the very forgiving young man that was pulling her home with him now. A small smile lit her features when he looked over his shoulder, adding that she would not be punished for the actions of her former leader. He would also mention the conditions that would apply to her in return for the healing she would receive, and she nodded to him. "Talis doesn't really feel like home anymore," she mentioned, "It's more just... the place where I was born. My family's not even there anymore..." She only knew this because she had certainly spent some time sniffing around the borders, flip-flopping on whether she should return or not. But it had become apparent that her family's scent was all but faded.

"You can count on me to keep everything to myself," she assured him, although she had no idea if he would believe her, considering her past, "I promise. There won't be any repeats of what happened before." Her tone was sincere, and she meant every word she said. Even if she still felt internally torn on whether she'd ever go back to Talis, she knew she would never again do anything to put herself in a position to hurt anyone.