"Pfft..."
He lead the way out of the door. They appeared to be in a small hut. It was dark and nearly quiet outside. A few distant conversations and occasional clanks of fetal filled the air. Xolia had been brought to a fortress, securred and guarded by many men and filled with many dilligant families. Atlas owned it all, and not o ly this, but he knew each inhabitant by name.

As he walked out of the hut with Xolia, the few guards shot him a questioning look. He simply mumbled something to them and they nodded along.

"Come on Kitten, the kitchens are this way."
He guestured his hand towards a large well lit building at the center of the fortress. The gaurded walls seemed to be protecting a small thatch village and a mine.

"What do you think?"

" I've seen better. " She said, clearly unimpressed.

"Oh, I'm sure, but I wasnt refering to the village, bor the fortress. I meant...them," he said with a chuckle as a group of women came closer. There were about fifteen of them. They all surrounded Xolia and Atlas, throwing questions out. Over all of their comments and mindless chatter, Atlas had to holler.

"Ladies! Please, calm yourselves in front of out guest."

One of the women, seemingly the leader, put an arm above Xolia's head as of to measure her.

"So, where did you pick this one up at? She's a cutie, and a keep I'd say. We will have to show you the ropes, eh girls?"
The group erupted in small giggles and bits of laughter, even Atlas joined in.

"Sorry Maril, she is not a hire. In fact, we are quiet hungry. You can meet her some other time."
Atlas lightly tugged on Xolia's arm to let her know it was time to walk on. The women all pouted as Atlas tore Xolia from their eager group.

She followed Atlas away. " Well that was a friendly encounter. "

"They all came from various backround...and they all understand pain. The men came after the women. They are the backbone of this place and do much of the work. They are free to go about their day as they please, eat as much as they want, and leave completely unrestricted. I ask nothing of them, but in return for getting them out of their situations, they work for me. I was suprised they chose to live here ratber than out adventuring or something of the sort. Anyway, here we are. Please have a seat," he said as he pointed to a pilliw on the mat he stood near.

The kitchen was broken into two rooms. Those were the actual kitchen, and a dining area. The dinning area had a roof and suport posts, but no walls. The kitchen was nearly tthe same way, but with a waist high wall around it.

Atlas had pointed towards a pillow near the edge of the kitchens with a decent veiw of the villiage.

She followed him to the window seat, and reluctantly sat down.

Within moments, a young man came out and asked what they would like to eat starting with Xolia, ladies first as they say.

There were no menus. Just appetites and a really skilles cheif. He was waving at Atlas from the kitchens with a smile, already firing up the stove for whatever the two might be on the mood for.

" Im okay with anything. " She replied with a small smile.

The young man bowed to them and desmisse dhimself to the kitchen, coming back shortly with two small stone cups filled with tea.

Atlas gratefully received his, taking a large full.
"So, tomorrow, what would you like to do?"

She picked up her cup, taking a sip. " I want to leave. "