A strong, rich scent invaded Iliana's senses the moment she stepped into the cabin. Her eyes easily located the source--a small cast-iron pot settled atop the wood stove. The sight twisted her stomach into uncomfortable knots and it let out a loud growl. Rhode laughed and stepped towards the clothing trunk.

"Don't be embarrassed," she said, catching sight of Iliana's red cheeks. "The scent of Dalphie's stew does that to the oldest of us."

Uncertain of what age had to do with the matter, Iliana simply nodded as she approached the pot. A quick peek inside revealed a mixture of vegetables and what appeared to be fresh game. The sirens hunt? She wondered, then gave herself a mental eye-roll. Of course they did. Inna was the goddess of instinct. Legends said she was the best hunter among the gods. It would be strange of her "children" couldn't boast similar skills.

Will I be good with a bow? She replaced the lid on the stew. I've never been a good hunter.

Thankfully, it was something that'd never come up aboard the Airlea. No doubt she'd have never heard the end of it had Kain learned Iliana's skills with the bow amounted to being just decent enough not to skewer her allies... most of the time. Would becoming a siren change this? Iliana attempted to picture herself standing as regally as Inna's statue, with a bow held naturally in her hand.

It was an impossible thought. Rather, she saw herself fumbling with the arrows as she'd always done.

"Go wash up," Rhode instructed, breaking into Iliana's thoughts. "I'll set the table."

"You're eating with me?" Iliana asked, turning around.

The siren nodded, a bright colored dress laid over her arm. Iliana eyed it with pursed lips. That wasn't for her, was it? The fabric looked expensive.

"I am," Rhode confirmed. "I thought it the best way to answer any questions you might have, as I'm tired enough that I think I'll retire to my cabin afterwards." She paused, a playful smile tugging on to her lips. "Not all of us lazed on the beach until midday. Now, take this and go wash up."

So, the dress was for her. "This one is clean enough."

"You'll catch a cold walking around in that," Rhode scolded. "Humans are fragile things. We've plenty of spare dresses."

Recognizing this as an argument not worth having, Iliana held her tongue and did as Rhode asked. Soon enough the two of them were sat at the small kitchen table, the pot and Dalphie's basket settled between them. A peek inside it revealed that the muffins had been replaced with golden buns. Iliana's mouth watered and she'd devoured half of one before Rhode'd finished dishing out the stew.

"There's butter baked inside," she marveled.

"You've not had these before?" Rhode questioned, surprise reflecting in her gaze. "They're extremely popular in Eol."

Of course they were, Iliana mused. Whereas Reotak was known for their prowess in warfare, Cieon their impeccable gems, and Aeolis its powerful merchant guild, the neutral country of Eol was known across the seas for their unmatched cuisine. Many said the reason laid in the country's worship of the sun and sky goddess, Taisol, as well as the nature and death goddess, Shinnah.

"We're not far from Eol, then?" Iliana ventured, thinking of Artemios' maps. Perhaps she should return to her idea of building a ship. If they were near Eol's shore she and Kain could possibly be able to sail the distance even if the current nearly destroyed whatever makeshift vessel she could construct.

"Somewhat under a week away, I believe," Rhode answered with a knowing smile. "These aren't imported. Dalphie was apprenticed to the King's head chef."

Curiosity filled Iliana as she put down the bread and picked up her spoon to try the stew. As she'd expected, rich flavor flooded her tongue. Her attention stayed focused on Rhode, however. Did Rhode know this much about everyone? If so, why hadn't she pressed Iliana for details about herself?

"Are you two good friends?"

Rhode seemed to hesitate, before offering a shrug. "We came here together."

Then who did that make Rhode? Iliana wondered. If Dalphie was connected to a royal chef... She almost asked, but the guarded edge to Rhode's smile told her the question would go unanswered. So, she switched gears.

"I've been thinking about your offer."

Surprise took over the emotions on Rhode's face, her smile growing. "Oh? What sort of thoughts?"

Iliana dropped her eyes to the stew, swishing her spoon through the thick liquid. She wanted to handle the topic lightly. Better to make it seem as she had few reservations about the matter than to make Rhode question her motives.

"It's appealing," she said, tone even. "I've already mentioned the things I'm uncertain about. I gave them thought when I was on the cliffs before, and then on the beach today, and I realized that the ability to take control of my own future is something I would give anything for--even my humanity."

Mixing truth with lie was the best way to fool someone, Iliana knew. It was something she'd learned during her short time at court, before the fiasco with her almost-fiance. Since then, she'd become quite adept at it. She'd had to, lest the crew discover her secret. This was reflected in how Rhode's eyes seemed to search Iliana's face, before pleasure took place of the siren's previous surprise.

"Control over our fate is something most women wish for," she mused. "And few gain. Our society gives little credit to a human woman's wit or strength, only to how skilled they are at reigning in a man. You could certainly have worse motivations than the power to lead yourself."

"I agree," Iliana said truthfully.

"If you're certain, then there's no reason to wait," Rhode continued. Her eyes studied Iliana with new thoughtfulness. "We'll do the ceremony at midnight. I will have someone prepare, then wake us all."

She stiffened. So soon?

"Midnight? Why not wait till morning?"

Rhode cocked her head, a slight crease forming in her brow even as her smile stayed in place. "When Inna changed Sarai, she asked for Umae's help. As indulgent of her Umae is, he gave everything she asked and many of his blessings are a great part of our beings. Given that he is the god of the moon and the sea, we repay him by holding the ceremonies at night when his power is strongest."

"T-tonight, though?" Iliana pressed, uneasiness sweeping through her. "I've... I've barely been here twenty-four hours. Shouldn't... why the rush?"

Rhode considered her, that small furrow in the siren's brow growing deeper. Then, she shrugged.

"The goddess will return either tomorrow, or the next day. Wouldn't it be nice to greet our lady as one of us?"

Iliana opened her mouth to protest further, but stopped. What could she say that Rhode wouldn't shoot down?

"My head," she pointed out. "Is it okay to do this while I'm injured?"

Rhode cocked a brow. "As you pointed out earlier, most who come to us are dead or dying. Your head is hardly a concern." She paused and pushed her bowl to the side, stretching out a hand to lay over one of Iliana's own. It wasn't until that moment that she noticed she was trembling. "What is it?"

Iliana bit her lip. Should she go with the truth again? Should she tell Rhode that the idea of changing her very being was terrifying? That even if she was doing this to protect Kain against a threat that may or may not exist, she still felt like it was a betrayal to the rest of her friends to become one of the beings that'd caused their deaths? That the fact she hadn't even lasted a day against the sweet temptation of the sirens' power cut deeper than anything else?

"It's... it's just a lot," Iliana murmured. "And it's all so sudden... I haven't had time to really process it."

Rhode's expression softened. "I'm sorry. I hadn't thought of it in that manner."

Curiosity, and perhaps an eagerness to escape the conversation, tugged at the back of Iliana's thoughts. With great effort, she put a thankful smile on her face--as if grateful Rhode understood--and recovered her spoon. Iliana then turned her face towards her stew, but discreetly kept her eyes on Rhode.

"The decision wasn't hard for you?" she asked.

If she hadn't been watching so closely, she would have missed the way the siren stiffened slightly, the emotion behind her understanding smile being swept away in the silent heartbeat following the question.

"I wouldn't say that," Rhode replied, tone light. "Rather, I wasn't given a choice in the first place. When Dalphie and I arrived, I was already dead."

Iliana winced. Perhaps she'd need to be more careful with her curiosity while with the sirens.

"I'm s--"

Rhode waved her off. "Don't be. It's an old, and common, story."

The way the siren held herself said otherwise, however. Iliana doubted that her careless words hadn't cut deep into an old wound. Still, if Rhode said to leave it, she'd leave it.

"Then, about the ceremony--"

"Two nights from now, at midnight," Rhode cut in, her expression relaxing. "Perhaps the goddess will arrive in time for the ceremony. That would be even better than having changed before her arrival."

Somehow, that was far from reassuring. Rather, it felt as if having Inna there would steal away her ability to freak and backout at last minute. Despite her thoughts, Iliana smiled and dropped her gaze back to the meal for real this time.

"Sounds fantastic."

Their conversation turned to lighter things. Soon, the meal had been finished and Rhode bid Iliana a farewell, an understanding smile on her lips as she did.

"Think on your decision," she said. "But don't waver. You're making the right choice. Ours is a family that will protect, and care for you. Whatever your experiences were before, whatever darkness gave you the chance to join us, life is better here."

She curled up, knees to chest, after Rhode's departure. Memories she'd long suppressed plagued her mind. It took time, but she fought them back once again. There was no need to linger over what gave her this opportunity. That fearful, Aeolian girl she'd been no longer existed. Whatever it was about this island that kept dragging her mind back to the dark, back to him, didn't matter.

Her motivation wasn't her past pain, but Kain. At the moment, Iliana happened to be his one shot at surviving after discovery. She'd become a siren for him.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Iliana stood, not wanting to greet a visitor in such a vulnerable position. Before she could reach the door, it opened. A young girl stood in the doorway, she couldn't have been older than seven or eight. A shy, yet friendly smile played across her lips.

"Sorry. I should've let you answered, but I wasn't sure how long it'd take..." the girl shifted from one foot to the other, impatience radiating from her stance. "Dalphie thought you might want to join us. So, she asked me to come..."

"Join you for what?" Iliana prompted.

"Oops, sorry. I should've said," the girl replied, stilling for a second. "Training."

Iliana knitted her brow. "Training?"

"Uh-huh," the girl confirmed. "Follow me if you're coming. They've already started, so we best hurry."

"Wait, what sort of..."

The door fell shut between them, cutting off Iliana's question. She scowled, but wasted no time pulling it open. The young siren girl was already halfway to the fountain. Iliana took off after her, ignoring the slight protesting throb from her head. At some point after the dinner her headache from the previous day had begun to return. At the moment, it was a faint, irritating throb in the back of her mind. She could only hope that whatever Dalphie and the others had planned wouldn't aggravate it.

The siren led Iliana towards the large building she'd noted earlier--the one that likely belonged to Inna. Behind it laid a large field with structures reminiscent of the palace training grounds Iliana'd seen in Aeolis. There were painted targets, and large, straw-filled figures. Training, Iliana realized, quite literally meant training.

A handful of sirens were circled around Dalphie, including the young girl that'd invited Iliana to join them. Their ages ranged from a handful of years older than the girl, to elderly. A few of them were armed with spears, their body-language leading her to believe that they were no strangers to the weapon. Every siren wore a bow on their back, with a quiver strapped somewhere on their body. Intrigue flickered through her, and Iliana sorely wanted to question them about why some wore the quiver on their hip rather than strapped to their shoulders. She resisted, however, as satisfying her curiosity didn't seem worth interrupting what appeared to be a lecture on Dalphie's part.

"--no need, of course, given the safety of Inna's Cove. However, I don't doubt you'll feel more comfortable with the knowledge. So, today we'll be sitting aside our weapons to work on hand-to-hand combat. As you no doubt know, there are many situations where weapons are useless, or beyond your reach.

"Choose your partner, and we'll begin."

The sirens began pairing off as Dalphie slipped past them, her bright eyes focusing on where Iliana lingered a good ten feet behind the rest of the group.

"I see Abilene persuaded you to join us," she said.

Iliana shrugged. Abilene must've been the young siren girl. "She didn't say much, just that you thought I might want to join you for training?"

She cocked a questioning brow, and Dalphie offered a soft laugh in response. Iliana was struck by the strangeness of this situation--that soft spoken, shy Dalphie was evidently the one who taught the sirens self-defense. Of anyone, Rhode struck her as the sort to take the position. She seemed to enjoy instructing others. Dalphie... she seemed too quiet.

"Once or twice a week, depending on the weather, we gather out here to train," Dalphie explained. "Most who come here were never offered the chance to learn how to fend off an attacker. And while what I said before was true--there's no need for such knowledge here--we like to offer new sisters the chance to remedy this. After all, who wouldn't feel more comfortable knowing that if the worst were to happen, they could fight?"

Her words resonated with something within Iliana. That feeling of being powerless--of being weak, unable to defend herself... she knew it too well.

"I'd love to join you," she found herself saying, then paused as heat flooded her cheeks. "I mean... it... it sounds interesting, at least."

Dalphie's answering smile was warm, and without judgement.

"I'd pair you with me, as we've an uneven number today, but I need to keep an eye on the others. How do you feel about a straw partner?" She gestured towards one of the figures Iliana'd noted upon arriving. "It won't strike back, but I'll be able to get a feel for your form."

Iliana nodded and started towards the target in question. Dalphie seemed to hesitate, trailing along beside her, then tucked one arm around Iliana in a half-hug. She stiffened, but managed to resist the urge to jerk away.

"I'm glad to have you here. From what Rhode's said, you have plenty of time to work your way up to partnering with someone, and I'll be happy to help you along your journey."

Iliana wasn't sure how to respond to Dalphie's words, and the siren didn't seem to expect a reply anyways, so she stayed silent as Dalphie released the hug. She wandered over to the pairs, giving Iliana the instruction to wait a moment, and started giving instructions on how the sirens were to spar. The spears and bows had been abandoned, and even Abilene seemed utterly focused on the task at hand. Her partner was a woman a good two feet taller than the girl's childish height--but clearly outclassed. Within minutes of Dalphie's calling, "begin," Abilene had sent her partner crashing into the hard ground.

Dalphie rejoined her around that moment, laughing at Iliana's wide-eyed stare.

"Abilene has been here for many years," she explained. "Longer than most who still attend my training. There are few out there who could beat her now."

Iliana tore her gaze away, focusing her eyes on the straw figure she was supposed to be fighting. "She's...

"Young?" Dalphie guessed. "In some ways, I suppose. Reality is, she's been alive longer than both of us. Physically, however... she never passed nine."

Iliana shuddered, deciding to leave the conversation there. She had little desire to learn what could enable a girl that young to qualify to become a siren.

Instead, she listened as Dalphie ran her through a series of stretches. The siren stressed the importance of warm muscles. While she'd never have time in a real fight--there was no reason not to prepare herself before a simple spar with a strawman. Afterwards, she drew Iliana's attention to the target, asking her to point out what Iliana thought were the most vulnerable places on an attacker. She managed to guess five out of seven--with the added bonus of an eighth place that only applied to men.

"An attackers ankles, and their chest, are weak points as well. You can't forget them," Dalphie had explained, after Iliana' listed off the locations she knew.

She went on to show her different attacks that would give her the chance to run. When Iliana protested--saying she wasn't as cowardly as to flee an attacker--Dalphie pointed out that only stupid people risked death over their pride.

"If you are truly in a situation in which you need to defend yourself, and you're alone, there are too many unknown variables. What if your assailant has a hidden weapon, or they have a partner on the way? You should never hesitate to run if it suits the situation."

So, Iliana calmed her irritation and listened. Dalphie had a valid point--and she explained things in a way that was easier for Iliana to understand. The lesson lasted only a few hours, and much of it was information that'd Iliana'd learned informally while growing up, but it was nice. And... intriguing. When Dalphie would break away to instruct the others, she came to realize that simple self-defence wasn't all Dalphie knew.

While on the training grounds, the siren carried herself with the confidence of someone who knew their way around a fight.

Once again, Iliana found herself curious. Was Dalphie really just a kitchen girl?

It was a question for another day, Iliana decided after training had finished and she'd been shoo'd back to her cabin to bathe. From the way Rhode'd reacted to her probing earlier, even Iliana could tell that the subject of Dalphie's past might be a sensitive one.

Later, she decided. When they trust me more. That's when I'll ask how the apprentice of a royal chef came to fight like a soldier.