The flood of information throws her into a deep, meditative silence that feels heavy and dire. To say she was worried was an understatement. Perhaps she should reach out to Eameia? Perhaps she should give her her two cents on the matter... Perhaps...

No.

The less he thought she knew, the better. She would silently do her research before she took any other measure. Knowing there were other instances where that happened, specifically that he hurt Astrid, was something she would hold onto. That she would probably hold against him. Navigating through memories and secret encounters, she met many faces she didn't know and a few known ones. It warmed her to see that, despite the front he put up, Zarius was also capable of creating attachments, no matter how much he denied it. No matter how much he avoided it.

But what she really wanted to find brought a sinking feeling to her stomach...

Stirring and revolving inside, she felt the darkness. The maelstrom of smoke and blackness and azure flames that obscured his very core - she didn't know what to make of it at a first glance, but deep inside she felt it and how ancient it was, the power and influence it wielded... and how much of a problem it would become.

It was... a lot. Kamille would need time to digest it all, maybe even re-think some of her choices, reach out to people eventually. But for the time she needed to step aside. While worrying about Snow, at some level she knew that whatever prompted that had ran out of fuel, and so Zarius would probably be himself once again when he woke up - or so she hoped. She couldn't command Snow to say whatever she wanted, what meant they would probably recount the events that just transpired as they witnessed them.

"I doubt this will happen again anytime soon, but regardless, I can't stay."

As far as she knew, she might've done something that prompted it, without even realizing it. After all, the fellblood attacked only her, and the voices that spoke with his voice seemed intent on ending her.

"I can help taking him to the closest village, or wherever you guys are stationed at. But for now, that is all I can do for him."

While her plan consisted on getting Kalaf to take them, the black drake glared at the fellblood. The giant drake would respect the Witch's decision, but it was clearly against his own wishes to do so.

Snow looks like they want to argue with her. They had mixed feelings of being left with their employer-- their ally-- unconscious after what just happened. They didn't know what to make of the witch needing to leave so suddenly, but the catfolk did know that the Witch of Moonglade was someone of incredible intelligence and skill. She had to have her reasons. 

They nod. "Alright. I don't really understand but I respect your judgement."

Then they glance past her at Kalaf. "...Home would be ideal, but that is too much of an ask. Just an escort back to the closest village would be appreciated."

They gently lay down the unconscious fellblood before getting up themselves. Taking a moment to gather themselves and rearrange how they carry some of their gear, they then pull the fellblood up and onto their back. 

"I'm sorry for all the trouble," the catfolk looks apologetically at Kamille. "I don't think he wanted to hurt you."

Though they mean to reassure the witch, that statement could easily have the opposite effect. Whatever was going on with Zarius did not seem to be something he had any control over, and it was dangerous to those around him. It was a serious issue. If Zarius had managed to hurt Kamille, or worse, there were no doubts that the consequences would have been severe. Everything that the fellblood had worked towards to gain the trust of various allies across Charon would all come into question.

Snow knew this at least with a surface level of understanding, but given the complexity of the fellblood's scheming and connections, there were likely even more consequences to losing the favor of the Witch of Moonglade or any of his other allies of high repute and skill. 

The catfolk felt bad about it. Sure, they were just technically an employee, but they were also a friend to the fellblood. A part of them felt like they were watching as someone they cared for the wellbeing of self-destructed, and they did not have the knowledge, wisdom, or ability to help stop it. They felt helpless in a lot of ways, and they couldn't even talk to someone about it. 

The smile Kamille flashed at Snow tried very hard to look reassuring, but it was clear she thought the situation to be a complicated one. While she didn’t know for sure why Zarius started acting like that - or, even as important, what prompted it - she thought she needed to take a step back. If Snow was being honest that he never saw that happen, he would probably be safe.

"No need to worry, Snow. I know."

Kalaf was clearly unhappy about their arrengement, as he eyed the fellblood with suspicion, but still agreed to take them to the nearest village, where they could take Zarius to an inn to recover. The drake had to land a bit closer to the village this time, so they wouldn’t have much of a long distance to drag Zarius. Once the fellblood was properly healed and rested on an inn's bed, Kamille once again turned to Snow.

"If that ever happens again, do not try to fight him. Just run."

Snow knew they couldn’t face Zarius alone, so she doubted they would.

"I would like to help Zarius, but I can’t do it without the proper information."

Kamille doubted Snow would report back to her, but if they would at least tell Eameia everything, it was all the better. She assumed Snow had no reason to think she had any ill intentions towards the fellblood, as even in the heat of the battle she didn’t use a single offensive spell against him, only trying to control him. Which was more than could be said of the drake, but even him was trying to protect his rider in the only way he knew.

"I'm sorry for leaving so suddenly, but I'm sure you can understand. Take care, Snow. Don’t put yourself at risk."

With a gentle pat to the shoulder, Kamille left the catfolk with his dangerous, but unconscious, employer. The sleep potion would grant him a good few hours of a restorative sleep, and at the end of that... Well, she hoped the catfolk would be okay. 

Kalaf was still looking very angry when she met him again, hoisting herself up his back, this time alone. For a moment, the drake refused to move, growling softly while eyeing her up his shoulder. The Witch squinted her eyes at the black drake, seeing her own serious expression in his ruby eyes.

"Don’t look at me like that. I will take care of it, okay?"

She could hear Kalaf anger manifesting itself in a low, rumbling sound she could feel more than hear.

If you don’t, I will.