Naramis found that sex with her was quite pleasant. Enough of his focus returned though were he knew that it was a bad idea to linger though he let her do her thing.

He remained silent, his hand resting upon her shoulder as she spoke. His magic sword, which he had no idea was magical at this stage had been sheathed and at his side though soon they were off after her wounded foot had been seen to.

They proceeded onward the serpent things did not bother them further though they soon came to a valley containing a sandy yellow temple. A tall armed man stood in front of it though he had yet ti draw the blade at his side.

Victoria gripped Naramis' arm tightly when she saw the arm guard at the temple. Had they tarried too long? Had their enemies beat them here. "Naramis, who is that? Do you think he is from Urik?"

He stopped at the grip on his arm looking at the armed man. There was only one man from what he could tell and it was more or less a clear path to him but they were at the edge of the forest and could gain some concealment from the trees here.

“I'm not sure ...”

He studied the figure for a bit longer than smiled with a shake of his head. “No, I don't think he's from Urik. His fashion for clothes is different, the weapon not what I've seen on the guards there. To get ahead of us unless he used magic or what not and that would be rather powerful magic at that, I don't think he would have had the time to circle around the forest to get ahead of us. The other Urikians haven't caught up to us yet and their making a direct line towards us. I think he's a native ...”

Naramis surmised too distant at this stage to make out things like skin complexion or any of the finer details associated with the man.

“Shall we take the risk or do you think we should come in at an angel and try to blind side him as best as we can though he's in that valley and that may require a bit of climbing, can your leg hold up? And if we waste time trying to circle around that gives our pursuers more time to catch up too.”

Victoria was torn. The strange sentinel at the temple might not be from Urik but that did not necessarily mean he was friendly. He was also heavily armed enough to pose a serious threat to them. Still, she was too exhausted from traveling and her injured foot was starting to throb painfully from over exertion. She frowned down at it and shook her head. "I do not think I can manage the climb in my condition. Jack told us to meet him here so perhaps that means the people here are allies of his. Of course, if that was the case I know not why he did not mention them... Perhaps, if one of us were to approach alone to ascertain whether they are friendly or not. I am the least threatening, if I were to go to him first and explain our situation. You could watch from a distance then come to my aid if the man attacks me."

Naramis considers. It there were any problems he would be too distant to assist her. He considered for a moment. She could not climb and he judged the matter. If there was trouble he wanted to be close though and not here.

He would prefer to go himself though he was not a skilled diplomat. “Alright. If you trust that he is associated with Jack. Allow me to make he climb and come in on the blind side so that I can get to you quicker if there is trouble.”

Whether he was allowed to get into position or told to stay here did not matter in as much that without cover she was seen well before she got to the temple.

The man said something as she approached in a foreign language, Siroccian she guessed though when she did not answer him in that tongue he tried Urikian to mo success. He then tilted his head and took stock of her, the cloak was Urikian in style, the ress was not though. Brindel or Taavarian?

Victoria was hesitant about letting Naramis circle around on the soldier's blind side, feeling it might make them appear deceitful once he was revealed. Still, she saw the necessity of it and agreed to the idea. She approached cautiously from the front, pausing only when the man addressed her. She did not recognize the language he was speaking at first but when he tried again in Urikian she frowned.

"Forgive me, I am not familiar with your language and I am not proficient enough in Urikian to speak to you in that tongue either." She said in her own language, hoping he would know it too and that his understanding Urikian did not mean he was allied with them. "Please, if you can understand me, I have had hard journey through the forest and I am injured. If you could be of assistance to me I would be much obliged."

Did he understand? Did he surmise. He nodded briefly as if he had though he did not speak her language. The scimitar at his side looked menacing but was not drawn as he says something and gestures her to the temple. Stops and looks back at her to see if she were following, if not he makes another gesture.

This close to him she could see that his flesh was a mocha coloration. He was young though he had a goatee and his clothing was loose fitting and white.

Several rings adorned his hands and he even wore a gold stud in his right ear.

Victoria hesitated when the soldier gestured for her to follow him into the temple. She still wasn't sure if he could be trusted and following him into an unfamiliar building seemed dangerous. She didn't think Naramis would approve. Still, he was insistent she come with him. He hadn't drawn his weapon or tried to seize her. She had to trust that that was a good sign. She limped after him slowly hoping she was not making a mistake. "I am supposed to be meeting someone near here so you know." She wasn't sure he understood her but she felt the need to inform him that she was not completely alone and that there were allies who would come looking for her if she went missing.

The man nodded in smiled as if he understood though he probably didn't he brought her into a room, there were no furnishings just a blue mat. He got out some salves and treated the wound commented to some effect them bound the wound. He called out for someone or something, held up one finger then pointed to the mat.

Soon enough after a few minutes another mocha skinned man entered were orange robes and sporting a bald head. “So you are the visitor that Abdul speaks of I am Rahmiz. How may I assist you today?”

"Oh good, you speak my language." She said, clearly relieved. "Was Abdul the man who brought me in here? I was not sure he understood me but he did treat my wound." She gestured to her foot. "I am exceedingly grateful. I have had a very rough journey here and cannot tell you have nice it is to find the people here so helpful. I was attacked in the woods not far from here, which accounts for the sorry state I am in, and I admit I was a little wary about approaching strangers for aid. Still, it must be done. I am supposed to be meeting someone here you see. I don't suppose he is here already, is he?"

Victoria frowns slightly to hear that Rahmiz does not know about Jack's plan to meet them here. She had hoped he had sent them to a place where he had allies who would be expecting him. As it was she had no idea of these people knowing Jack at all and she was afraid to mention his name given she was still not certain if these people were allied with Urik or not. She decided to ask more probing questions. "I thank you for your hospitality. Yes, my party and I did encounter the snake people you mentioned a little while ago. They took us quite by surprise... one of us did not survive the attack. I made the last member of my party stay behind when I came here. He is armed and I did not mean to alarm you guard, Abdul. We did not wish to have another incident so soon. I am sorry to hear that our other companion has yet to pass by here. Is this a common meeting place for this forest? For your people to know so many languages I imagine you must get many travelers. I would like to wait here for my friend if possible though I must return to my companion outside soon lest he began to worry about me."

“This is a common meeting place I suppose, it is the Temple of Flame and is usually a tourist attraction, especially with wizards that practice fire magic. We get our fair share of visitors but since the Flame Serpent resides below this is deemed holy land. Thus no blood can be shed on it of course.

“But because we get visitors from all over the world we are have learned many languages, myself, the temple guards and other monks that is.

“Your friend is welcome to come here. It is rather unfortunate that you lost a traveling companion but the forest is dangerous because of the Yuan-Ti. Still they have learned to avoid this place, even revere it in a sense.” He draws that in and nods a little at that. He considers her for a moment, especially the attire but the disheveled look about her. He feels that she needs a bit of reassurance that he can offer.

“The forest is avoided by most travelers that make a pilgrimage here but this is a safe area. While here no one can confront you or forcible remove you. All that is asked is that in return you avoid causing conflicts yourself while a guest of the temple.”

Victoria's relief was immediate and she visibly relaxed, letting go of tension she hadn't even realized she'd been carrying. "Thank you, Rahmiz. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your kindness. My friend and I have received very little of it in the last couple days. I would like to go back to the entrance to let my friend know it is safe to approach. I promise we will start no conflicts while we are here. We have no desire to quarrel, we just wish to meet with the rest of our party and hurry home."

He nods and smiles allowing Victoria to summon Naramis. By this stage Abdul is outside again though he says something as she calls Naramis forth. It's almost as if he's teasing her about something but since she cannot understand him it's anyone's guess.

Naramis is brought forth and he is asked to give up his weapon while here. He will not need it. He does so, with a degree of reluctance though but there is no huge issue here.

That evening they get a tour of the public areas of the temple, show their guest rooms that had two simple blue mats on the floor and two dressers. Baths are drawn tor them and clothes, orange robes are turned over to them.

The night approaches without incident and they of course have a portion of the evening meal. It is a simple stew both warm and filling. Their pursuers probably know of the dangers of the forest and are circling about it respecting the power of the Yuan-Ti.

“So, we wait on Jack and the others. Should we keep watch? The temple doesn't have one at night as far as I am aware anyway.”