Isadora's been on her feet for hours, making preparations and last-minute alliances. Even with the recently-acquired support of the Rhiani, she's starting to boggle at the magnitude of what they're about to attempt, and how little prepared she is for the magic ahead. She seeks out Okhfels, wearing her best "don't ask me questions" face for anyone watching along the way.

She finds Okhfels at the Tethite camp, getting a lesson in the ancient runes from Beliria. They're examining the Crown of White Metal and discussing the meaning of the runes inscribed on it.

Isadora, who's not used to having to nerve herself up for conversations, composes her face as she approaches the group. She'll wait until there seems to be a pause in conversation between Okhfels and Beliria, then say to him, "I need to talk to you."

Okhfels' makes an all too familiar expression of mild confusion, then shrugs and stands up. He nods politely to Beliria, and then walks with Isadora out to a quiet corner of the camp.

Isadora looks for a second like she's trying to decide how to start, then says shortly, "I may owe you an apology." She takes a deep breath and continues in a more normal tone, "Talking with Laura, I've realized that there are... certain things about my life that don't make much sense to people out here. I don't think I communicated to you the importance of the duel."

Okhfels smiles that smile of his, giving a glimpse of those straight, bright teeth before he speaks.

"I won't say I'm sorry I for what I did, but I /am/ sorry for how I did it. You want... you NEED me to be more... I don't know...

"I need you to be willing to let me die," Isadora snaps, then gets control of herself and runs a hand quickly through her hair, holding up the other hand to forestall interruption before she speaks again.

Okhfels' lips tighten sourly.

"When I agreed to duel Lana," she continues, choosing her words carefully, "and you intervened, it made a liar and a coward of me."

Okhfels looks past Isadora at a blank expanse of canvas, then closes his eyes, and nods. "I guess I did. Is it wrong to want to have a living liar in my arms than a dead... um..."

"No," Isadora says, sounding tired. "And no one else in this goddamn camp has heard of an honorable duel, so it was unfair for me to expect it of you."

Okhfels opens his eyes, and gently puts a finger under Isadora's chin, bringing her gaze up to his eyes. "Teach me." More words are there, waiting, but a tide of emotion chokes them off.

Isadora opens her mouth to explain, and finds the idea rather more complicated than she expected. "I... all right. I'll try, but I also came to ask you a favor." She smiles crookedly. "You're probably not going to like it, so I'll ask before things get too comfortable--I want to convince Egani to come along, and I'd like your help with that."

Okhfels grumps. "I may not know much about honor, but I know there's something wrong with raising the dead. Can't we get someone like Haikain for that part? His crazy doesn't bother me as much as Egani's."

"I'll drag Haikain along too, if I can find him," Isadora says grimly,"but we may need all the support we can get. Haikain seems all right, but his crazy sometimes involves wandering off in trances. I want your help to keep an eye on Egani--you're better at staying out of his verbal dances than I am."

"Alright... if you think it'll help to have me along, I'll come."