"They might not have survived if you hadn't." Difyr said. She glanced over at Ila. "You know more about, uh, mental afflictions than I do."

Aalyssa glanced at the girl. "I don't believe I have ever seen her before. What is her story?"

"She has a story, not sure if it's all true or a delusion. Her name is Ila." Difyr said. "She used to work at a brothel called the Crimson Dove; she didn't tell me this but I saw the brand on her arm. She has been chained and badly abused. Aislyn caught Nelek... using her." Difyr had a hard time accepting how horrible Nelek had become. "Xavier and his men captured Nelek and put him in chains, but not before he knocked Ila unconscious. After Ila came around she had a fantastic story about Nelek not really being Nelek, a shapeshifter. I don't know if it's real or all some fantasy she made up to cope and can't tell fantasy from reality anymore."

"Interesting. I've not sensed anything off in Nelek the few times that I've seen him over the past few months. I'll go over and speak with her. Unless you want her to rest for a while."

"She has been very anxious since speaking to Aislyn. Ila wanted to tell Aislyn that Nelek isn't Nelek and of course AIslyn did not believe her. Aislyn is under a great deal of stress, seeing her husband with another woman did not help, so Aislyn was harder on her than Aislyn would normally be." Ila handed Aalyssa the bundle of mended clothing. "Maybe you can put the girl's mind at ease."

"I will speak with her," Aalyssa said, taking the bundle of clothing that was no more than mended rags. "I do hope they can find things to salvage in the village tomorrow. We are in dire need of supplies."

Aalyssa walked over toward Ila and then knelt. "Hello, Ila is it? I'm Aalyssa." She handed her the clothing.

AT this point in the conversation, Shawn was certain he not only had a fever but was delirious. "Did you say she says Nelek isn't Nelek?"

In reply to Aalyssa (msg # 133):

"Yes. Thank you." Ila said, taking her clothes. She turned to get dressed.

In reply to Shawn Spenser (msg # 134):

Difyr nodded. "She's been through a lot, I don't think she's all there."

Aalyssa turned to give her a small measure of privacy. "How are you feeling? Do you need anything to help with pain?" She fell silent for a moment. "It appears your husband did quite a bit of damage." Aalyssa felt it would be better to play dumb than for Ila to know Difyr had discussed her with her.

In reply to Difyr Bateman (msg # 136):

"I see." Shawn found he was disappointed that for all intents and purposes, Nelek had truly walked away from his family and took up with another.

In reply to Aalyssa (msg # 137):

"He wasn't my husband." Ila said as she got dressed. "I was just a woman he lived with."

"I see," Aalyssa said gently. "If ever you need to talk, I am willing to listen."

In reply to Shawn Spenser (msg # 138):

A part of Difyr wished Ila could be right. Nelek was like a brother to her, she hated what he had become.

"Difyr, do you think there's a chance of truth to what she said?"

In reply to Aalyssa (msg # 140):

Ila finished buttoning her blouse. She shrugged and sat on the floor. "You know the healer?"

In reply to Shawn Spenser (msg # 142):

"I don't know." Difyr admitted. "Her story is crazy. I hope Aalyssa can figure it out."

In reply to Ila (msg # 143):

"I do.  I've worked by her side for a few years."

In reply to Difyr Bateman (msg # 144):

"It would be nice to have hope that Nelek had not changed so drastically."

In reply to Aalyssa (msg # 145):

"I don't think she believes me." Ila said, rubbing the stitching on her skirt with a thumb.

In reply to Shawn Spenser (msg # 146):

"It would. It would also be nice if raiders hadn't attacked our village too." Difyr sighed.

In reply to Ila (msg # 147):

"Believe you about what?" Aalyssa asked. She sat down on the floor next to Ila.

In reply to Difyr Bateman (msg # 148):

"Yes, I agree with that. I hadn't received any warnings from the palace that raiders were attacking the kingdom." Shawn's brow furrowed. "I wonder who they are and what they wanted." It seemed to him that his family and Aislyn's had been hit the hardest. It almost felt...focused on them.

In reply to Aalyssa (msg # 149):

"About Nelek not being Nelek." Ila said.

In reply to Shawn Spenser (msg # 150):

"I don't know... I hope they're caught before anyone else gets hurt." Difyr said.