Reality Fault - Heartwood: Logs for 17May2000

...the courier boy scampers into the night, and there is a the cool wisp of a winter breeze snaking through the commons until the heavy wooden door closes again. And it is late, the light flickering from crystal sconces, fed by oil and not mundane candles. The patrons have thinned, perhaps a wealthy merchant or two. The swordsmen, most have vanished, perhaps to some guildhall or their master's guardhouses. Only Mordyn is left to serve, her slinky figure slouching by the warm hearth, betraying her weariness when no one appears to be looking. At the table Brisa watches the courier leave, before turning back to her companions...

Brisa takes a sip of her drink, stretching out and sighing softly, "Well... have done all I can now. Now is up to Herself." She has another drink, then nibbles a piece of bread, thinking, her gaze traveling slowly and curiously around the room, noticing things... until it finally comes to rest on Romana. Brisa tilts her head... then swallows her mouthful of food, still regarding Romana... then finally smiles and murmurs softly, just to her table companions, "So, Romishka, why are the Hellswords in the Forest of Roth?" Benedict folds his hands in front of him on the table, frowning. The Hellswords. He'd heard precious little about them in the past, one of a dizzying array of names he was pummeled with. The pretty black haired lady blinks, not once but twice. She slowly raises her hand and places it upon her chest. For a moment her eyes go wide and she has that simple, almost innocent me? expression. Brisa watches... it takes her a moment to realize what Romana's doing -- and then she gives a small snort of laughter! -but... continues to watch with quietly interested expectancy for her answer.

Benedict gives Brisa an amused look at the expression on Romana's face. "I'm not nearly that good even when I'm trying to look innocent," he quips wryly. Brisa laughs at that.

Romana's expression fades, and with all the eloquence of an almost adolescence child she pouts. "Tcha! How come never works..." She then takes a long breath and scootches her chair over, crowding Brisa and Benedict. When she speaks, her words are soft, low, and deadly serious. "Because they follow Him."

Benedict blinks, looking over to Romana, and can't help but shiver at the way she says that word. "H-him?" he murmurs.

Brisa grins at Romana's first comment, but then obligingly shifts her chair for Romana, and listens quietly. At the answer she looks faintly puzzled, "Schto? He requires suicide missions for generations? Am I understanding?" She glances at Benedict and gestures with one finger in a slashing motion across her throat, "You know... that particular Eastern lord."

Benedict *grks* and nods quickly. "Oh, right, right! Oh dear... Him?"

Romana shakes her head, slowly. She swallows, dropping her shoulders, as if trying to look small. Hard for a girl who stands more than six feet tall. "He asks for blood, asks for pain, asks for to be brokens, no? He also asks... for... revenge."

Brisa is silent for a moment, staring into her mug and thinking... then looks up at Romana and says softly, "Revenge for what, Romishka? Is there something that was done to him in the Second Age that we don't remember any more here?"

Benedict erks softly, putting a hand to his throat. He's starting to remember the tales his teachers had hammered into him about the Eastern Lords. He also looks decidedly pale. "Revenge?" he mouths.

Quietly whispering, Romana lets a fine finger trace long and twisted spirals upon the countertop. "Old friend, new world friend. Taught us how you think. Taught us how your Friends think... brought to daylna'Bordertown, brought to Silk Creek. And after, when all was smashed? He ran and hid on the other... your side. Marin's special one was angry... betrayal... and went and took the place that hid him. A forest called Roth."

Brisa looks blankly confused, but tries her best to piece out what that means -- it must be very important! Benedict starts to understand what Romanas means when she says 'Friends.' And what 'special one' means. "His Suns- er. Ahem. Sorry," he mutters. He falls silent.

Brisa shakes her head confusedly, then gives it her best shot. "Ahh..." Her glance darts to Benedict as she says softly but strongly, "Hush!" She takes a slow breath, collecting herself... then tries again, "All right. Old friend, new world friend... that means He was friends with someone here?! Who? Or am I wrong on understanding that?"

The movement was faster than even Brisa could see. Romana's hand shot out, suddenly covering Benedict's mouth. She speaks one word, sharp, quick, and sure. And there is a strength behind it, of one who knows she must be obeyed. "Quiet!" Benedict bristles a little, looking at Romana over her hand. He says something which, translated from speaking-behind-hand, probably means, 'I get the idea.' With a soft smile Romana then pulls her hand away. She tarries a bit however to tease a single finger across Benedict's lips. And when she sits back she softly nods. "Davidson Cor'Nightfall."

Brisa realizes how that sounds and gives Benedict an apologetic glance, "Sorry, Benny... panicked for a moment."

Benedict blinkblinks at the touch, then proceeds to rack his brain for references to that name. He shakes his head distractedly. "That's all right, Brisa, I don't blame you. The fear of the Eastern Lords wasn't quite as ingrained into the novices as much as it should have been, I guess. Otherwise I wouldn't have even started to say anything. Cor'Nightfall... that could be a epithet, or where he came from..."

Brisa says grimly, "Davidson the Black, Benny... that's who she's talking about. The sorcerer."

Benedict blinks, and erks. "Oh, dear. That one."

Romana's head ducks, long bangs dancing in the dim light. "Yes. Him. The Twice Traitor."

Brisa says, "All right... so we have Davidson the Black who's friends with... with Him." Her voice is quietly, coldly vindictive as she whispers, "Bastard!" and then she looks up in sudden revulsion, "Is... that your Father's dark Friend?"

Romana shakes her head again, back and forth very, very fast. "No. Father's Friend even... darker."

Benedict shivers, frowning. More dark than even Davidson the Black...? Hastur, give us the knowledge to be preserved from this! Brisa blinks in astonishment, "Darker than He of the Bloody Scarf?!"

Romana swallows once, her head slowly nodding. She speaks one word. "Older."

Benedict shivers. Older. Older than...? Or is that her father's Friend's name? Or something that his mind is simply refusing to acknowledge...? Brisa's expression darkens slightly, and her hands tense on her mug for a moment... then she takes another deep breath and nods, "All right. Let's keep going then... so Davidson the Black betrayed us, that live on this side of the Black Mountains, by teaching about us. So... are you saying that he brought the um... the Eastern forces to Bordertown and then Silk Creek? Or something else?"

Benedict says, "I think she meant that... that the Eastern forces -- including you-know-who, or you-know-who's you-know-what, at least -- followed him."

Romana's head bobs up and down, confirming Brisa's words. "Yes. Bordertown... Silk Creek, the Coven he broke."

Brisa nods slowly, "So... there was the battle at Bordertown, then down to Silk Creek... and that's when the Knights of Roth came and turned the tide of the battle, even though the Coveners all died to save the land." She sighs softly, her gaze distant in both time and memory... then nods again, "And then Davidson the Black hid in the Forest of Roth. Was his being there the reason that kingdom fell in a night?" She murmurs in sudden slow anger, "Did he also have a hand in the betrayal of the defenders of Brementown?!" Benedict blinks, looking over to Brisa.

Again Romana shakes her head back and forth, and as she shrugs the shoulder of her chemise slips, ducking down one arm. "No no no no... Brementown fell when folks run... and yes yes yes yes when He came, who could stand before Him? and his Lord's wrath?"

Benedict erks, and suddenly realizes who -- or what -- Romana's father's 'Friend' is. "Oh, Hastur..." he murmurs.

Brisa takes another slow breath, her eyes sparkling with anger... then nods slowly, "All right. So Davidson fled to the forest when the side he chose lost." She thinks slowly and carefully, turning her mug quietly in her hands... then looks up at Romana again, "Wait. Why would the chaos riders stay... unless he was still there?! Or... or is it just that they like the um... the smashings?"

Anuje speaks after being so silent during the conversation, "They passed the revenge down?"

Brisa says, "But to whom, Anujishka?"

Benedict closes his eyes. "I think they like it, from what we've gathered." Anuje nods at Benedict's comment.

Romana shrugs quietly. Her shoulders droop for a moment before she immediately brightens. "Only way to find out visit Roth castle, yes?"

Anuje blinks. "Uhm...wouldn't that be something like suicide?"

Brisa blinks, "Wait... are you serious?! He might still be alive?!"

Again Romana shrugs, this time so philosophically. "Favor of Friends... call Gods, live long. Disfavor of Gods... live longer." Brisa stares incredulously at Romana... then shakes her head slowly. Romana shakes her head quietly. She just looks at Brisa and then nods. She swallows, her head dropping. The pale easterner actually looks... ashamed. "Especially at Home."

Benedict frowns. "Disfavor of... oh, I see. Oh, dear..."

Anuje says, "I don't."

Romana turns to Anuje, her head lifting. Her sapphire eyes are dull. "When gods angry, they hurt. When very angry, keep Anujes alive... so can hurt longer."

Benedict looks to Anuje. "I think she means by that, that if you earn the favor of the gods they'll let you live for a long time. If you earn their disfavor... they make sure you live even longer in... something less than ideal condition."

Anuje blinks. "Oh... better to be on the good side, then." She smiles wanly.

Romana nods to Anuje. "Truth. Friend with Friends... much better."

Brisa delicately uses a single finger to gently brush the bangs back from Romana's forehead. She says softly, "Romishka... where you are from is not as important as who you chose to be, I think. I think it is good thing that you are now choosing difficult path... but one that feels right to you. That takes courage, Rommicats. That is something to be proud of, to work towards... not to be ashamed of."

Romana's eyes brighten at the gentle touch, and they fall half lidded for a softly breathed sigh. She nods slowly, and the smile she wears is simple and honest. "If Romana wishes to feel good, how can Romana do so upon the unhappiness of others, yes? That is only right. I am... I am... it makes Romanas hurt sometimes, to think of what is done at home, that is all. Not right, and nothings Romanas can do. Only can Romanas be Romanas be Romanas." Anuje smiles.

Brisa nods quietly, smiling, "A good philosophy, I think... to not hurt others in order to feel better oneself. Well." She finishes off her drink, then sighs softly again, "Well... well, I think we must wait for the morrow to look for maps of Roth and wells, eh, Benny?" She smiles, a little tiredly... then oh!s silently, "Rooms! I almost forgot." She glances at Anuje, then nods, "All right... so far I have gotten us two rooms. Each room has a couch in it, and a feather bed. I'm guessing the feather bed can sleep 2 easily, 3 in a pinch. So..." she glances at Anuje, "-which room do you want to be in, kisa? The boys' or the girls' room?"

Benedict lets out a soft breath. "Well..." he says softly, "-that... does explain the enmity of the East with those of us on this side of the Mountains." He looks to Romana, his expression softening. "If you followed your heart, Romana, you did the right thing," he says quietly. Even as he says it he wonders about his own faith and if Hastur would say the same thing.

Anuje blinks. "Oh... I hadn't even thought of that."

Romana's eyes sparkles as she picks up the most important words, "Feathers!" Benedict blinks for but a moment, then grins quietly at Brisa's question to Anuje.

Brisa grins quietly at Anuje, "Kisa... either is all right. Am wanting you to be comfortable. Am sure boys will be on best behavior if you chose there-" she looks up, smiling, "Da, Benny?" She adds, "And if you chose other... well, room there is, p'jalst."

Benedict shakes his head to Brisa. "Nothing! Nothing at all!"

Brisa grins at Benedict, "Meant only that you and Trys would be on best behavior, Benny. Why? Is something else you wish to tell that you were thinking?" Her eyes twinkle as she gently teases.

Romana smiles, her head bouncing as she whispers, "Too many nights, too many days, rock and tree and leaves and ticks with wigglies in them... feathers, soft to leap and tumbles and snuggle in!" Anuje smiles at Romana and glances at Benedict curiously. Brisa blinks at Romana... then chuckles softly before she also looks back at Benedict, still smiling.

Anuje says, "Sounds like Romana gets the bed."

Brisa says, "Romishka will share so there is room for all, Anuje. So... which prefer you, kisa, eh?"

Benedict blinks to Brisa. "Brisa, I'm an ordained priest! Well... all right, if I were an ordained priest of a fertility deity that wouldn't be much of a protest against implications against the implications, or-" He sighs, and rubs his head. "That's also the last time I try priestly humor. The novice masters seemed to make it so much easier..." He looks up. "Anyway yes, I will be on best behavior. I could be no less."

Romana laughs and nods, "No problem at all... more pillows, betters."

Brisa laughs softly at Benedict's comment, then nods, "I knew we could trust you so. Now only needing Anuje's decision. Kisa?" She looks back at Anuje inquiringly.

Anuje says, "Well...I think with the women. No offense, chum." She nudges Benedicts shoulder, friendly.

Brisa nods, "Will work out then. Romishka, Roxanna, and you, kisa, can share bed. I will take couch. Trys and Benny can have other room." She thinks a bit, then adds, "We need to sell spare horse so Romishka has money. Um." She looks around the table, then adds, "Everyone does understand how money was sorted out from carts of sword blanks, yes?" Benedict nods in affirmation

Romana blinks, and just gives Brisa a very confused look. "No?"

Brisa smiles at Romana, "Was before you arrived, Rommicats. No worries... the horse's price is yours once we sell it. I think that is fair, no?"

Hugging herself, Romana smiles. "So nice, to in real city be again!"

Anuje says, "I can go tomorrow and get that metal pounded, too."

Brisa nods, "Good. Romishka, if you have more of those coins with the daggers and the wolves on them, I think maybe best if you have them sold as metal weight? Safest for you."

"But wolves and daggers are... pretty..." Romana frowns, looking back. "What about redstones and wheels and bluerocks and stones with bugs in it?"

Benedict says softly, "I don't know how many people here would recognize currency from across the Mountains."

Brisa pauses... then checks to make sure she understands -- she does that a lot with Romana, she realizes amusedly, "Look, these..." she pulls out the coinage she got from the Easterner, "See? Wolves and daggers. Best to hammer them so they cannot be recognized and then sell them?" She nods to Benedict, "They do not need to... just need to realize she is foreign and then they start watching more close. That we do not need... they watch enough already because of me."

Benedict nods, "Good point."

Anuje leans across to Romana and Brisa and grins. "Which one of you wants to be on my arm?"

Brisa gives Anuje a blank look, "What's wrong with your arm, kisa?"

Anuje says, "You know...to complete the illusion. Got to be a reason for me to be entering a room with three women." She grins.

Brisa gives an amused snort, "Don't push illusion, kisa." She turns back to Romana, "So... what do you mean about redstones and wheels and all?"

Anuje grins up at Benedict. "The illusion would've ended at the door."

Benedict says, "Well... more or less..."

Anuje says, "Huh?"

Romana nods, so very sure. "Like sneaking yes..." She nods once, following Brisa's words. "Romanas like sneaking... she reaches for her purse, heaving and jingling, almost ready to dump it on the table. "Now?" Anuje blinks.

Brisa says, "Wait!" She looks startled, "Um... maybe best to just open it and let us look in, not dump everywhere?!"

Romana stops, just in time . For a moment she looks disappointed, then shrugs and ties her purse back on her belt. Brisa says, "Just open a bit, Romishka... dumping everywhere is good way to attract too much attention."

Romana looks to Brisa. "Romanas smart, better in room, yes?"

Brisa nods, "Better yet, da. So..." she looks around at her companions, then smiles, "We will go see the rooms, da?"

Benedict nods, standing. "That sounds like it's best, yes..."

Down a set of stairs, down a small hall, and the polished wood door to the room opens... and inside it is as rich as the commons above. Wood floor and paneled walls. A diamond paned window opening to the court, a casement too, already half open to let in the fresh air. A small padded couch and a wooden chair are set next to a wooden trunk, and atop the table a pitcher of water and a basin. Dominating the wall beneath the window is a four poster bed. It has a quilted comforter and two pillows. And with a bright squeal Romana skips and jumps right into the center of it, sprawled without any concern for propriety or decency. The feather mattress simply floomfs and accepts it.

Brisa grins at Romana's enthusiasm... then examines the door for locks, and crosses the room to see what the window lets out on... or if it's large enough for a human to slip through. Romana rolls over and just sighs. Brisa lets her pack slide off her shoulder onto the couch as she paces quietly across the room. The door is sturdy, and it even has a small latch and bar on the traveler's side of the room. And while a child might be able to slip through the narrow casement panels, an adult would most assuredly get stuck. Anuje walks over to the couch and tests the comfort. "I'm the smallest, Brisa. Why don't you share the bed? You'd hang all over this couch."

Brisa nods quietly to herself, then closes the window securely. She smiles at Anuje, "Couch is fine for me, kisa. It is far more luxurious than I usually have. So, Romishka, show us this purse of yours, eh? Just be careful to pour only on bed, da?"

Anuje smiles. She walks over and looks at Romana on the bed for a moment before laying down on the edge. "Mm...that's gonna be hard to get out of in the morning." Brisa pulls the chair, the couch, and the wooden trunk over to near the bed so everyone has seats.

Romana smiles, "So... sleep longer, yes?" Brisa chuckles at Romana's words. Anuje grins. Benedict blinks and chuckles softly. Anuje kicks her boots off and they make hardly a noise as they fall to the floor.

Brisa blinks at a sudden internal thought... if Davidson the Black led the Eastern troops to daylna'Bordertown... and in Eastern daylna means star... does that mean that Bordertown also was held by Dayallans for as long as they stood? And... if the Rothians fled... where did they flee to? Perhaps... Bordertown? That would account for the many new Jvrillians, both here and elsewhere -- they fled to all corners of the Heartwood, taking their skills with them... she glances at the small window again, wondering if she sits now in a town her people originally held, that is now held by the unwitting descendants of the former kingdom of Roth... and sighs softly, wondering when her people will not always be the last to stand, the first to die, against the Eastern Hordes...

Romana awkwardly kneels on the bed. In a lovely flurry her belt is tossed, her purse lands with a thump upon the floor, and last her overtunic shucked in a playful twirl. She then falls back, a pretty figure, her hair a wild pool, her eyes delightfully closed, "kkkhhhhyyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa..." Anuje laughs at the display.

Benedict blinks at the sudden swirl of fabric and hair and Romana thoroughly enjoying the feather bed- "Ah... we've ah, got the next room over, right? I mean Trystan and myself?"

Anuje glances over at Benedict. "Gee... you and Trystan sure have it rough. Two guys with a whole bed all to themselves."

As Brisa looks out the window, she can just see the top of the lonely tower above the rubble. The night sky is clear and as she looks, just above its peak a new star appears. Benedict of course is oblivious to the new star; otherwise he'd probably have some sort of conniption. "Erm... well, Anuje, I mean, er... if we could move it in here for you four we would..." Brisa's eyes get very bright for a moment... she rises silently and crosses to the window and says a small prayer for the new star.

Anuje glances curiously at Brisa for a moment and then back to Benedict. "Is something wrong, Bene?"

Benedict blinks to Anuje and looks over to Brisa, seeing her suddenly over by the window. He frowns slightly. "Brisa...?"

Brisa turns away after a few moments and sees Romana on the bed... she smiles a small smile, although her eyes are tight with weariness as she sits back down. She reaches down to retrieve Romana's purse, setting it gently on the wooden chest, then spreading it open with careful fingers. She looks up a little tiredly and smiles at Benedict, "Da, Benny?"

Benedict's frown wavers slightly. "What... what did you see...?"

Brisa's smile gets a little gentler, "Was a new star, Benny. A new sister. She needed a welcome."

Benedict blinks. "A... a new star...?"

Brisa looks down at the purse she's opened, pausing only a moment to rub her face, "Da, Benny. So... what have you here, Romana?" Benedict is at the window in a flash, looking up into the night sky. Anuje blinks and sits up, climbing off the bed and following Benedict over to the window. Brisa sighs softly, mixed happiness and weariness at her news, and gently tips the purse over so some of its contents can slide out.

Benedict spots the star and his breath catches. Hastur, Knower of All, he prays silently, as my master said, the world, the Truth, is too large for coincidences to take place. Teach me what this might mean or let me know somehow, let me be your Eyes that I might See... He turns away from the window, deeply thoughtful, leaning against the wall fretfully.

Anuje blinks, listening. Romana rolls over, looking to Brisa then crawling up to look out the window. Her head turns back, quiet. "Is true then?" Brisa nods quietly, not looking up, gently and unseeingly touching her fingertips to the small objects that have fallen out of Romana's pouch, leaning her head in her other hand.

Benedict gnaws lightly on his lower lip. He nods quietly to Romana. "I think," he says softly, "-that this is a sign of some sort." He looks out the window. "The star... is a herald. We've started on a road that is going to change a very great deal in our world." He sighs and shakes his head. "Or maybe I should just not even try to read anything into this... but a new star in the heavens..."

Flouncing back across the bed, Romana draws herself up. Elbows lost in softness, she rests her chin in her palms. "It very pretty is, Brisa. Wish Romanas could be as pretty as stars."

Anuje shakes her head quietly. "I never thought I'd see so much in so short a time when I left home."

Brisa nods quietly again to Romana's statement, but isn't quite ready to trust her voice for conversation. She just quietly keeps her head turned away, looking at the things that have fallen out of Romana's pouch. And from the lass' pouch tumbles coins of all sorts, crowns and stars and wolfs and daggers, even two which look like a wagon wheel. But What is even more amazing is the absolute fortune in gems and semiprecious stones. Rubies, sapphires, and rare, rare amber. Anuje glances over at the sound, eyes almost popping out.

It takes Brisa a while to realize what she's lightly touching with her fingertips... and then at some point she pauses, her hand drifting aimlessly over the small fortune before her. She slowly straightens, really looking at what she's spilled out... then rubs her eyes and looks again. When she finally does speak her voice is quiet, "Well thank Herself you didn't spill this out in the bar... Romana? Where did this come from, please?" She gently picks up some of the stars, looking for any indicators of date that might be stamped on the coins.

Romana smiles quietly, "Folks like giving pretty Romanas pretty things... and when fed Master to Friend, then master didn't need coin or jewels, yes?"

Benedict looks up at Brisa's words and the odd tone they carry. He frowns slightly and pads over to crouch beside her. Brisa looks up sharply at Romana, staring expressionlessly for a long moment... then simply nods quietly and goes back to examining the amazing collection before her. She murmurs softly, "Benny? Where... what... wagon wheels?"

Benedict blinks and gently puts a hand on Brisa's shoulder. "Wagon wheels?" he whispers. Anuje walks over to look too. Brisa selects one out and hands it to Benny.

Romana's eyes brighten. "They coin from Home. Each one, handful perfect sapphires, size of thumb will trade."

Benedict blinks, looking down at the coin, and gingerly takes it, examining it. Brisa holds up another one of the wagon wheels, handling it as carefully as Benny is his, as if she's almost afraid it will wisp away like a dream... "This... this coin you are saying... is worth a hand of huge and perfect sapphires?!" Her voice is low and awed.

Romana smiles and nods her head. "Those wheel, no smash, yes?

Benedict's expression is, to say the least, stunned -- he knows he's holding the equivalent of 10,000 crowns in his hand. His jaw literally drops and he's visibly speechless. Brisa stares blankly at the coin in her hand. She's not sure whether to drop it like a poisonous snake or admire it. She whispers softly, "Well... she did say she was a princess..."

Benedict is a little more decisive. He very deliberately puts his hand forward and sets the coin, the likes of which he'd likely never see in his life ever again, on the small pile before Brisa. "This is... oh, dear." Brisa also carefully but firmly sets the coin down. She nods at Benedict's words, still staring a little blankly at the treasure in front of her.

Romana's head ducks, "Princess Kh'lhy'ra's... big fish!"

Brisa's voice is still soft and awed, "I... I guess so, Romana..."

Anuje swallows. "You sure your father won't be coming after you?"

Brisa looks up at Romana, her demeanor still rather expressionless, "I'm guessing, kisa, that this is... is nothing to him... that what he really wants is just... Romana." She adds flatly, "For... his black Friend."

Benedict looks up to Anuje, his face pale. "I think that means that it's a given that he will." He takes in a deep breath. "I would say we should run West, as far as we can, if I thought it would help."

Frowning, Romana nods. "Ya. Father wants Romana. Friend wants Romana. It's not coins... it's blood."

Anuje says, "I know...but that is incentive enough for almost anyone to turn black. Know what I'm saying?"

Brisa looks at Romana... then back down at the treasure... then just sighs and starts neatly re-filling the pouch, "Cannot run through storm season, Benny." She nods to Anuje, her expression bleak, "Da. We'll have to keep this very well hidden."

Benedict says, "I know, Brisa. Which is why I said 'if I thought it would help.'" He looks up to Anuje and nods quietly.

Brisa says, "Well." She takes a deep breath, then sighs at herself and empties the purse out again. She carefully picks out all the dagger and wolf coins, adding them to the tiny few she has, then hands the small purse of them to Anuje, "There, kisa. Those should all be smashed so they cannot be recognized." She pauses, then adds softly, "Kisa... be very careful who sees you do this, da?"

Romana looks up, quiet. "Truth? Romanas... Romana feels... safe. Brisa smart, keep Romana smart. Anuje bright eyes and nice. Bennydicts knows things... and last place Fathers think of looking, with Dayallan and Imperial, no?"

Anuje nods to Brisa solemnly as she takes the purse. She glances at Romana. "Bright eyes?" One of her brows quirks.

Romana smiles, "Mischievous sparkle Anuje have, no?"

Anuje grins. "Don't let on."

Brisa then neatly sweeps the sparkling gems all neatly back into the pouch, tying it carefully shut, then handing it back to Romana, "Romana... be very careful with this. Spacebo that we make you feel safe... but if you flash these you will have more than just Easterners hunting you, da? You understand?" Her voice is a little weary, "Here none have such wealth... poorness makes people desperate sometimes."

Benedict blinks to Romana, then looks to Brisa and Anuje. "I really and honestly hope she's right."

Brisa says in a rather flat voice, "Da, I also, Benedict."

Romana looks down then and swallows. "If wish. Romanas leave. Yous safe then be."

Benedict stands, shaking his head and smiling quietly. "And loose your company? I don't think so..."

Brisa tilts her head, regarding Romana... then smiles a small, quiet smile, "Romana... would not be right to chase you off just because of some sparklies. And am thinking you already know um... starbredkillers are never safe... what we do is not safe, but we do it because it must be done. Stay, child." She adds, "Was just a bit of a shock."

Benedict nods in agreement to Brisa, then stifles a yawn. "And I don't know about anyone else, but I should probably get some sleep. I have a feeling we'll have much to do in the coming days..."

Anuje nods. "Yes... then again... it might be an incredibly boring winter."

Brisa grins at Anuje, "We pray for that, da?" She smiles at Benedict, "Tomorrow you want company to go visit Lord Random, Benny? Am thinking it wisest for none of us to go outside of town alone or on foot, if bandits are such a problem here."

Benedict purses his lips, then nods, "That might be best, yes please, Brisa." He looks to Anuje. "I hate to sound like a prophet of doom, but... well, we can only hope and pray. But I'm hoping for a boring wintering, myself. A good night to you all."

Brisa smiles at Benedict, "Sp'coy'nonotchya, Benny."

Benedict smiles softly and inclines his head. "Good night to you all..." He slips out of the room, to the neighboring room. As he lays himself down onto the bed which is much more comfortably than any bed has any right to be, he wills himself to sleep, slowly but surely, unable to get out of his mind the thoughts of those who are not named for fear of summoning them... and how Romana's father could have possibly made a bargain with one such as them. These thoughts, troubled as they are, haunt him as he drifts into a blessedly dreamless -- and nightmareless -- sleep.

At Brisa's words Romana suddenly pouts. "Borings... oh woe is Romanas..."

Brisa laughs softly. She grins, "I'll teach you doublebluff, how's that, Rommicats?"

Romana then brightens, shrugging her shoulders, her eyes laughing. "Doublebluffs! Is it fun? Rommicats always love new things to learn!" Anuje goes to her bag after Benedict leaves and pulls out something comfortable to wear to bed. Something more comfortable than road clothes, at any rate.

Brisa says, "And if you ask nicely maybe Roxanna will teach you some of the songs she knows. Doublebluff... it's a strategy game." She thinks a bit, wondering how long Romana's span of attention is, then smiles and shrugs -- it will be as long as Romana wants, of course. "I enjoy it, da. My teacher taught me."

The young lass considers, and then she nods, "Maybe Romanas teach new friends too."

Brisa says, "That would be nice, Romishka. You must have many games also from your people to pass time during wintering, da? Some that you could teach us maybe?"

Romana nods quietly, "And tales and songs too maybe?"

Brisa smiles, "Da, I would like that... and I am guessing Roxanna also would very much like."

As the door closes, Romana looks up and her head tilts. "Now... just us... yes?"

Brisa tilts her head curiously at Romana, then nods and smiles faintly, "Da, Romishka... just us. Why you ask?"

"Just... curious. At home, in tower, girls all in one room gather to talk. Of course princess no. Always wondered..." Romana looks up expectantly, "What talk about?"

Anuje removes her chrys and lays it down on top of the bag. The corset she wears to hide her curves looks tight and uncomfortable. Brisa blinks at Romana... then laughs! "Romishka, don't know I'm afraid... had many brothers and sisters and being alone was prized. Once I started training with teacher Poppy what we talked about was training, da? Um..." she glances up at the other two women, "Maybe they know?"

Anuje blinks and glances up as she's referred to by Brisa. She's halfway through unlacing the back of the tight undergarment, contorting a bit to reach the strings. "Huh?"

Brisa reaches over and with a practiced move loosens the laces quickly and easily... it's much like certain types of armor, after all. Brisa says, "Did you spend time alone with girls, kisa, talking? And if so what about?"

Anuje looks relieved, smiling her thanks to Brisa. "Uhm...not really. I had two sisters, but they were much younger."

Brisa nods thoughtfully... then grins apologetically at Romana, "Um... am thinking you will have to ask Roxanna tomorrow, Romishka. But am guessing it was about things important to them? In my family was always horses... we were the horse watchers for Kierkegaard's mares."

Anuje shrugs. "Doesn't mean we talk what we want to now." She turns her back and slips off the corset and picks up the shift, pulling it over her head.

Brisa looks puzzled, "Don't understand that, kisa? Explain?"

Romana nods quietly, settling her head on the mattress. "Just a curious Rommicats, this night. Only princess thing taught Romanas. That and calling Friends, of course."

Brisa says, "What is only princess thing, Rommi? Er... wait... so Friends are just for nobility?"

Anuje tugs her breeches down and leaves them with the chrys. She moves over to the bed and sits against the headboard. "Well... I mean... just because we don't have that type of experience before doesn't mean we can't make one like that now, right?"

Brisa says, "Oh." She pauses, thinking about that... then laughs softly, "Oh, of course, da, we can! Um..." she grins only a little mischievously, "So! What we talk about?"

Anuje hmms. "How about how you met Bene?"

Romana's head bobs back and forth. "Dance and sewings. Romanas horribles at sewings. Can play lute and know numbers and letters... dagger to protect, the skills of court and poisoning and how to make folks speak and take long to die. Princess learnings. And Noble, talk to Friend."

Brisa blinks in astonishment at Romana's list of 'princessly' learnings! "Uh... I see..."

Anuje blinks. "How to make people talk and take a long time to die? Why?"

Romana shrugs, "In case something need to know or lesson taught. I was very good at it." Romana lets out a sigh. "But made me wonder if was right."

Brisa murmurs softly and incredulously, "Um... poisoning...?"

Romana looks up, quiet. "Romana not think so."

Brisa nods, "Ah... I see." She puts her chin in her hands, her elbows resting on her knees as she sits in the chair, "So... strange, all the different ways of growing up... all the different teachings."

Anuje lays down on the bed and snuggles into the softness. "Mm... I'd love to talk... but I'm so tired... you can, though. It won't keep me up."

Brisa nods quietly, "Sleep well, kisa."

Reaching over, Romana pats Anuje's shoulder, a soft and simple motion. "Good nights, Anuje..." Anuje smiles and closes her eyes.

Brisa says uneasily, "Romishka... are you carrying any poisons?"

Shaking her head, Romana's hair cascades wildly. "No. If found would be end of Romanas, no?"

Brisa nods in firm and relieved agreement, "Am afraid so. Good."

"Do you miss Home?" Romana's fingers knead the soft mattress like a cat.

Brisa hesitates, getting a somewhat shy expression on her face as she studies her hands... then she finally looks up and says slowly, "Ah... Romana... I have always wondered... er, am meaning more um... ah, home?" She blinks, thinking... then smiles and shakes her head quietly, "Home for me is childhood... cannot go back to that, and have always loved the land most of all." She adds simply, "And the land... I live on. Khari and I."

Romana's eyes narrow slightly, not an angry look but one concerned. She slowly draws herself up, up on her elbows again, a fancy ragamuffin with long, soft hair. "Khari and Brisa... Dancer and Romana..." She smiles, quiet. "And what Brisa always wonder?"

Brisa hesitates again, then says a little sheepishly, "I ah... always wondered how pointed ears worked? What they felt like? If they were different to live with?" She pauses, then adds quietly at the concerned look, "Something is wrong?"

Romana blinks, and then sits up. She crosses her legs and pats the bed beside her. "Come. Nothing wrong, was worried when Brisa worried..."

Brisa looks faintly surprised... then grins suddenly and moves with a quiet economy of movement, to seat herself next to Romana. Romana shakes herself and then brushes back her hair. With one smooth motion her exotic ears are now plain to see, slender tips rising from exquisite lobes. As she turns to Brisa she speaks, "Hear good, small sounds, high sounds, like birds across field, yes?" She reaches down and then takes a deep, short breath, snaring Brisa's hands and letting her fingertips just brush the sensitive skin. Closing her eyes, she lets Brisa's hand free as hers fall away. "Otherwise, my ears, yes? Yours... to Romana's, just as tempting."

Brisa looks with fascination at the (to her) strange new way of seeing ears... her fingertips are very light and careful as she touches cautiously... she breathes softly, "How... fascinating! So you hear a little differently too? ...do they move at all or are still like ours? Do you see many um..." she grins, "-many round ears in your city?" She echoes a little puzzledly, "...tempting?"

Brisa's soft touch can't help but raise a shiver from Romana, bright white teeth catching upon her lower lip. Her sapphire eyes close as she softly sighs, "...oh, khhhyaaaa..." Her breath catches and she whispers, "Not move, just hear, been told not hear deep deep sounds as well, but can hear higher than in these lands. Whistles, crack of ice..." She takes another quick breath. "No. Not many. Save for Romany sometimes. And tempting... round to me, exotic, tempting wrong word, wanting to know, that not tempting?"

Brisa leans back, still with a curious expression but carefully not touching if it causes such an odd reaction in Romana. She thinks a moment, then suggests, "Ah... interesting? Curious, odd? Would you like to see mine also?" She'll brush her hair back behind one ear so Romana can see her ears also. "So the Romany travel in the East? or just to the city of towers?"

Romana shivers again as Brisa's fingers drop away. She gathers herself up, letting out another soft khhhyaaa. With a smile she nods, leaning close to Brisa to investigate her ears. "So round, soft, gentle, yes. And Romany go everywhere, all that know, ya?" Her hand reaches up and then she stops. "May I?"

Brisa smiles quietly to Romana, "Da, is why I moved hair, Romishka." She holds still for Romana, idly puzzling about how pointed ears must be more sensitive to touch than round ones and why... and about the Romany, "So... how do the Romany keep from being killed by the first easterner that is bored? What do they do there in the East?"

Gently Romana's fingers explore Brisa's ears, gently following each curve from tip to lobe. Her eyes are bright, her touch smooth, just the new experience bringing a simple smile. "So... different..." Romana sighs. "Romany trade, Romany sing and dance. And if bored, sometimes a caravan smash. But that risk of anyone in East."

Brisa says, "Huh." Brisa sits up again thoughtfully when Romana's done checking her ears, and muses aloud, "I wonder why they do it..."

Romana smiles softly, "Because they Romany."

Brisa rises a few hours before sunrise, at her usual rising time. She dresses silently and slips out, heading down to the barns. There she quietly saddles up Khari (after sharing a carrot with her), then puts halters and lead-ropes on all the other horses. She mounts up and heads out of town to exercise the horses briskly in the predawn chill -- the last thing she wants is for them to founder at the sudden change in amounts of exercise! She pauses only for the rising of Herself, singing a quiet prayer-song of welcoming as the horses canter along together. Finally she walks the horses down, then lets them graze while she and Khari work on equitation and bowmanship from horseback.

Brisa returns to the barn after handing the horses over to the stable boys for a grooming and their breakfast, and feeds Khari herself, then happily grooms her, humming quietly and contentedly to herself. It's the simple things she enjoys the most... grooming Khari in the warm barn, still aglow from the chill morning air, listening to the contented chewing sounds of the feeding horses and the soft cries back and forth of the stable boys at work. Finally she puts her equipment away and heads into the inn for her own breakfast.

Benedict is awake, and has been for only a short time as the sun comes up. He performs the morning ablutions, the dedication of his work that day to Seeing the Truth set before him, remembering and focussing, and meditating upon his faith in Hastur. By the time Brisa returns Benedict is pulling himself wearily into his robes. Despite the incredible comfort of the bed he hasn't slept well at all since seeing the Apostate Imperial, Velikii, back at Cragside. He comes down into the commons as Brisa enters, and looks both surprised and not surprised. "Oh! Good morning, Brisa. Er... you've already been to the horses?"

Brisa nods, smiling, to Benedict, "Lovely day already, da. So, hungry?" She glances around curiously, wondering if breakfast is the meal captain Garrick has here. She hopes so.

Benedict blinks and smiles quietly. "A bit. Er, if possible, Brisa, I'd like to help out with caring for the horses in the morning and evening..."

Brisa says, "Whyso, Benny? Cost is already figured in. But if you want just for training experience to help, that can be done easily, da?" She checks with the closest girl -- Reveka, she thinks? -as to what's for breakfast.

Benedict smiles, "Well, partly for the experience, partly because... well, one of them is good enough to let me ride him," he says wryly, "-without throwing me for the fun of it; the least I can do is keep them comfortable as well."

Brisa chuckles, "Then we can arrange times, da. I ride early, before Her rise to when She is above the forest. You would like me to wake you then also?"

Benedict nods, "Yes please, Brisa. It's not been that long ago that I rose before Her; we did it all the time in the novice house."

While inside the inn Anuje finally stirs, the soft light slipping in through diamond panes. Her head rests gently upon the... mattress, her pillow somehow vanished... vanished along with a corner of the covers. But yet the young lass is not cold, instead quite comfortable and while Anuje might have lost her pillow, she now knows what it is like to be a pillow. Aye, it is the slender easterner who has wrapped herself up in the quilt, wrapped up all three pillows and has in a quiet and comfortable manner wrapped up all of Anuje. And it seems that princesses do not keep the same hours as common folk, for Romana is still fast asleep.

Anuje blinks and rubs her eyes with the one arm she can free from the entanglement. She looks at Romana and thinks about whether or not to wake her. She looks so peaceful when she's sleeping. A sleeping Romana doesn't answer Anuje's thought. She does shift, however, and the last of the blanket is now stolen from Roxanna. In her sleep Romana quietly smiles. Anuje chews her lip and tries to climb out from under Romana without waking her, replacing the absence of her body with a pillow if she can extricate one. The young woman just quietly murrphles and curls up around Anuje's pillow, a happy Rommicat. Anuje smiles, watching for a moment. Then she goes about the business of preparing for the day, finishing by donning and tightening down the corset and putting on some warm clothing. She heads downstairs a few minutes later, covering a lingering yawn as she approaches the table where Brisa and Benedict are seated.

By the time Anuje climbs the stairs to the Dragonstooth commons it is already a quiet bustle. Not only is there oatmeal in the kettle, but the smell of hot bread and small meat pies drift out from the kitchen. The room is not as full as it was last evening, but it is far from empty. Most gather around the tables in quiet morning conversation. One table garners a mote of attention. Three well dressed gentles claim it. One is young, no more than twenty-five seasons old, with slick dark hair and the dashingly carven features of a classic rogue. But his clothes, while simple, are finely cut. The second seems old, a narrow staff of a man, with a heavy shank of white hair. He wears fine clothing rimmed with the rarest fur matched by a heavy wool cloak. Its clasp is made of gold and silver and precious stones, and even folded down its spotted fur trim rises above his ears. The last is a mountain of a man... well... perhaps a low-and-round-top lazy mountain. He has a rich beard, and of all, the finest clothes, bedecked with pins and all sorts of jewelry. And of course behind each man stands a single New Jvrillian guard.

The others, less so distinct. A sturdy swordsman in red and black breaks his fast with three of his men, non-recognizable from the night before. In the other four or five slowly raise their mugs, each wearing light green upon a darker green.

Brisa studies the room with quiet interest... merchants, mercenaries, soldiers... but no captain Garrick. She sighs softly internally. When she next sees him she simply must remember to ask him if he got her message -- AND introduce herself and her party! She smiles a little embarrassedly into her mug... that's twice now she's forgotten basic manners! She looks up and smiles at Anuje, "Morning. Nice hot oatmeal in the kettle there." She nods towards where Reveka's keeping things moving, then nods to Benedict, "I will knock tomorrow. We will start you working with horses too."

Anuje smiles. "Thanks. Rommicat and Roxanna are still sleeping."

Benedict nods, "Thank you, Brisa, I appreciate it."

Brisa says, "Tomorrow I do sword practice instead of bow practice after horse exercising. If you like you can practice riding then also?"

Benedict blinks. "Since I wouldn't practice sword or bow, that might be a perfect time to practice riding. Thank you!" He grins softly up to Anuje. "Still? I can't say I blame them, the beds are comfortable."

Brisa nods, "Both are not often riders either I think. No wonder they are tired."

Anuje laughs a little and goes to get some oatmeal. "Not sure how much it had to do with the bed..." She comes back and sits down. "I've never really ridden, either."

Brisa nods, "Am thinking though you are used to harder life than they, kisa."

Anuje smiles. "Yes... I could get used to that bed, though. Maybe I should sleep on the floor." Brisa chuckles quietly at Anuje's comment as she eats.

Benedict eats a little bit of the oatmeal in his bowl. "It's definitely a lot different from the straw-covered shelf I had at first in the novice house."

Anuje glances at Benedict. "Just different, Bene?" She eats slowly from her own bowl. She finishes her bowl in fairly short order. "Did you want me to take care of that... metal problem today or wait?"

Benedict nods, smiling quietly to Anuje. "A bit different, yes. Of course they let us have straw-beds after a few months, though we still didn't get to use them much..."

Brisa grins at Benedict, then nods at Anuje's question, "If you like, Anuje, da. I must also buy a sword, I think... a cold iron one, just in case. After that maybe we can head for the tower?"

Benedict blinks to Brisa and shivers a little. There's only one need for a cold iron sword, as opposed to the steel ones usually found. He nods slowly and asks softly, "Do you think you'll need it?"

Brisa says, "Don't know, Benny. Know only that I was taught by teacher Poppy best it is to always be prepared."

Anuje says, "What is wrong with the one you have?"

Brisa says, "Nothing, Anuje. But recently have learned that cold iron works against the Fair Folk where steel and magical metals don't." Benedict nods softly, still unable to quell this new sense of foreboding.

Anuje says, "Mm...what if we're outnumbered?"

Brisa smiles at Anuje gently, "We die, kisa. But we fight until we fall."

Anuje glances quickly around and leans towards Brisa. "Please... careful with calling me that."

Brisa nods quietly, "I am sorry, Anuje. I will work on it." Her voice was quite low in her previous conversation... but she lowers her tone a bit more just in case.

Benedict says wryly, also softly, "I would like to hope that it doesn't come to that."

Anuje nods. "Maybe I could use some practice, too."

Brisa looks curiously at Anuje, "Practice in what, Anuje?" She hrms suddenly, softly, looking around, "Am thinking we need to make sure Romana also some light armor buys."

Anuje says, "Practice against impalement." She grins.

Brisa nods thoughtfully, "All right, ki- Anuje, we will see if I can teach anything helpful for you." She thinks about her rapidly filling morning schedule... then smiles. Should be fun having so many folks around -- very different from what she's used to!

Benedict says, "You think she may need it?"

Brisa shrugs and smiles to Benny, "Need it? Am thinking if she ever needs it, will need it right then! -not half an hour later to go run to armorer's?"

Benedict nods, sighing. "Good point. It's just that if she needs armor, Brisa... I'm thinking that we'd be facing something that would laugh at cold iron, if her father's 'Friend' is who I think he is."

Anuje says, "Well. I think that if I go to the smith it will take all day. If we're going to the tower, I should maybe do that a different day."

Brisa nods to Anuje, "That could be good, da. We can all go to armorer's later. For now we leave message for Romana and go to tower?" She smiles at Benedict, "Benny, worry not for what is not here yet. Nice leather armor like you and all others have can help keep warm, can protect against horse kick, can stop most animal bites, can blunt fall from horse. Does not have to always be against swords, da?" She gently squeezes Benedict's shoulder, "Relax, Benny... too much worrying works against you."

Benedict smiles quietly. "This is true. Actually, my own master told me that often enough before he made me an Eye." The small group of friends finish breakfast, then leave a message with Reveka for Romana, telling her where they're going.

Outside the morning is brisk, the hint of the coming storms lurking in the air. Towards the town's eastern gate the three walk, past the well where the town wives have already sent their daughters to bring in the morning's water. As the three pass, of course Benedict claims the most interested stares and Brisa the most suspicious. Until there is a bustle from behind, a flash of blue and white and black rushing down the Dragonstooth stairs, tunic and loose surcoat flapping like windstormed banners...

Romana rushes after, her hair a tousled chaos, hooking her long belt about her tunics as she runs up. Breathlessly she blinks, one hand pointing. "She... she... she... she not even halfway up from mountains!"

Brisa blinks at Romana, then looks at Herself... then looks back at Romana, "Da? Um... is there problem?"

Benedict blinks to Romana, trying to fathom -- oh! "You're used to waking up later, Romana?"

Brisa grins and teases gently, "She goes up the mountains every day, no worries, Rommicats!"

Anuje blinks. "Doesn't She go down the mountains for you?" She doesn't say that loud. Brisa covers a grin. Benedict glances to Anuje, but manages to hide the almost-shocked look when she says that.

Hands upon her knees, Romana drops her head and shakes her head, and when she stands again she combs it back with her long, long fingers. She just looks at Brisa and stamps one foot. "I know... but not supposed awake before! Why have softest nicest feather beds and not use!"

Benedict coughs slightly, and grins to himself. Best to let Brisa explain this... Brisa waves ahead, still grinning, "But Herself has given us such a beautiful day, Romishka? Why have lovely day and not use?"

Romana just stops. Her nose wrinkles. Her lips tilt poutingly, as if caught between two delightful conundrums, having already made her decision. But then she just shrugs and pads fast after Brisa. "Romanas can always change minds, yes?"

Brisa chuckles, putting an arm around Romana's shoulders, "Come, Rommicats... am thinking would like, if you will, to order you some nice leather armor, da? Will be warm, will be helpful, and will make me worry less about you?"

Leaning into Brisa comfortably, Romana nods slowly. "But what would armors do? Can not run fast in armor, no?"

Brisa smiles, "If you need to run, Romishka, ride. And armor is very useful. Like I just finish telling Benny... it can be warm, it can protect from animal bites, it can blunt fall from horse... not just for swords or arrows. Make sense to you?"

Looking back, Romana seems a bit skeptical. But wrapping an arm around Brisa in return she nods. "Never worn armors before. Could be fun..." Brisa chuckles quietly, and they resume their journey.

Benedict frowns, then blinks. He touches Brisa's arm, sighing. "Brisa... don't bother going to an armorer..."

Brisa looks down at Benedict, "What? Why, Benny? What's wrong?" Romana slowly turns her head, listening. Anuje glances up at Benedict.

Benedict sighs and nods to the side as if to indicate the town. "This is a Jvrillian town, Brisa, an Imperial town," he says quietly. "I'm willing to bet that you didn't get your armor in a town like this."

Anuje chews her lip. "Even leather?"

Brisa thinks about that... then nods slowly and thoughtfully, "Da. You are saying they will not even make protective leathers for woman?"

Benedict shakes his head, sighing. "That's -- supposedly -- what Knights and guards and such are for." He looks around, fretting. "Supposedly."

Anuje hmms. "Well...I bet I could buy leather. Who's closest in size to Romana in our group?"

Brisa frowns thoughtfully, staring at her boots and thinking... then she nods, looking up, "Very good point, Benny." She looks at Romana carefully, still thinking... then nods, "All right. Benny, can you order cold iron sword for me, please? And- da, Anuje, that is what I am thinking to do. But you are unfortunately a little short for her... Trystan maybe... maybe. Armor for women is different... maybe captain Garrick can help. We ask later."

Benedict blinks and nods slowly. "They may be surprised that an Eye is ordering it, but I don't think that should cause much consternation.

Anuje smiles. "Did you hear me suggesting me?"

Brisa says, "Good then. You go order sword, please, Benny? We ask Garrick later." Benedict nods, and slips off into the town's streets to find an armorer... Brisa nudges Anuje gently, "Keep an eye on him, Anuje, please? Romana and I will follow?" Anuje nods and heads to catch up with Benedict. Benedict glances back, and grins and waits as Anuje catches up.

Anuje says, "So... did Trystan keep you up all night jabbering?"

Benedict chuckles softly, moving down the street with Anuje. "He was fairly tired, I think. He fell asleep sometime before I did, I think."

Anuje says, "And really drunk, too."

Brisa almost has to drag Romana away physically as Benedict goes into the sword street smithy to discuss a cold iron sword with the smith. A fierce look had entered Romana's eyes, and her dark grumblings were about how dare someone not let Romanas do something, anythings, buy armors or swords if Romanas might wish, Romanas big fish, got pretty stones, why not sell to Romanas or Romanas find brand new Friend for stupid smiths... the smith is perplexed at the Brother's request. But Benedict's coin is good.

The problem, of course, is reaching Lord Random's tower. The gate immediately adjacent to the tower is closed, its gates bricked up solid. Through the Eastern Gate the four must walk, beneath the shadow of the town wall. The signs of battle are obvious here. Broken spear shafts, torn up ground, stone, hoardings and grass charred by fire. The sun is almost halfway to noon by the time the base of the broken hill is reached.

They rise, taller than the town walls, a wide, rough square. The grade is steep and often one must scramble on all fours, even up what passes for a narrow footpath. The underbrush is thick, always threatening to trip, a natural defense to the hilltop, and while there is leaf-covered earth, the primary component of this terrain is broken stone and jagged rocks. The hill rises in a series of equal ramparts, scrubby pine claiming the tumbled slopes. Until finally the top is reached. In one corner the runs of a stone wall remain, and a stalwart rock tower is nestled in its broken corner. A wooden stable and grainery is tucked next to the tower. And while there is a large door at the stables, the true entrance to this retreat is a heavy wood and steel reinforced door set into a small portal at the base of Lord Random's Tower.

Benedict looks up... and up... and up... and up at the tower. "Oooh dear." He looks down at the door. "He doesn't seem keen on visitors.

Brisa nods quietly, also looking up, "Very wise, here where the chaos riders roam." She glances at the small stables and smiles quietly as she waits for some of her companions to catch their breaths, "Next time we ride, da." Anuje briefly considers putting a hand on one of her daggers but decides it wouldn't do much good, remembering the last time. Brisa keeps a wary eye out as they move through the underbrush, rubble, and overgrown trees and bushes.

Benedict nods to Brisa, heading for the door beside her. He glances to Brisa and smiles wanly. "If there is a next time..."

Brisa grins cheerfully at Benedict, "Think positively, Benny! Think of fascinating knowledge here hidden! Think what you can learn here!" Brisa shamelessly pushes Benny's buttons... especially since they're hers too!

Anuje glances at Brisa and Benedict and smiles, then hmms at the circular pattern of rubble opposite the door. "I wonder what that was..."

Benedict hms? to Anuje, glancing over to look at the pattern. "You mean, those ruins just over there?

Anuje nods. "Yes... do you suppose the tower standing here isn't the original?"

Benedict frowns slightly, looking around, comparing the tower to the ruins. "It's... possible. If that's true... what was here before...?"

Brisa looks around, "Regular four walled keep, towers on all four corners, am thinking? Hmm... keep. A keep over the town."

Benedict nods slowly, "That would make sense, actually... yes, a keep..."

Brisa suddenly whips her head around to stare at the center... then in quick, long strides she's heading for it. About 7 strides away she slows cautiously, probing in front of her with her scabbarded sword, listening for a different sound as it hits the ground. Anuje blinks and quickly runs after her. "What is it?"

Brisa holds out a warning arm, "Careful, kisa! Am thinking maybe well here, but do not want to fall down it!" She adds with suppressed excitement, "Maybe the well we want!" Benedict blinks and moves over to Brisa as she dashes over to the center, stopping short as she holds her hand out. Romana watches, curious, as Brisa sprints over the two little ridges of rubble. She scrambles, following, curious. She stops as Brisa's sword probes through rock and underbrush. And it is obvious that Romana hears it first, her head jerking around fast as the Dayallan's long sword hits wood... but it is a hollow sound. Brisa pauses, taking a slow, triumphant breath... "We find. Now... carefully we can search." Methodically and carefully she starts pulling up underbrush to expose the ground. Anuje glances back cautiously at the tower portals to see if the party is being watched.

Benedict frowns slightly, "Brisa... what are we searching for...?"

Brisa says, "A poisoned well, Benny. The well. I do not know yet why is so important... but Poppy has been searching for it for as long as I know her. Am thinking from things I have heard and seen... that it must be here, near Bordertown!" She pauses, then adds, "Er, here around Bordertown. Might not be this precise one. But we will look, da?"

Benedict blinks and nods. "All right."

Brisa continues to clear the underbrush to reveal whatever was clonking woodenly and hollowly when struck. The tower is silent, their activity unnoticed, save for Her watching above. Anuje looks back from checking out the tower portals as Brisa starts clearing plants. "Brisa... aren't plants that thrive near poisonous water poisonous as well?"

Brisa blinks at Anuje... then shakes her head, "Do not know, kisa. But gloves, all, please?"

Benedict nods to Brisa. She had said it was a poisoned well. He pulls out his pair of gloves, slipping them on. "The plants might have taken on the poison of the well, Romanas, be careful, please..."

Romana stops and takes a moment to look over the collection of underbrush. "No poison plants here..."

Brisa looks relieved, "Good. Good thinking, Anuje."

It takes a while with everyone working. Even Romana, even Romana gets in and furiously works. Anuje looks curiously at Romana as she goes to work with the others. Until finally there is a roughly circular space cleared, maybe big enough for a Roxanna to curl up in. The base of this space are wooden planks, obviously extending further into the rubble. The planks are gray, older than any one here, maybe even older than anyone here's great great grandfather. Benedict gulps slightly, looking down into the hole. "And if this is it...?"

Brisa pauses, wiping her forehead and taking a breather. She studies the planks with a queer, suppressed urgency in her demeanor, looking for some sort of lid or cover to the well that she can raise, "If this is it, Benny... then I must fix somehow. Resanctify."

Benedict looks over to Brisa and nods slowly. "How are you going to do that? Did Poppy give you any suggestions how?"

Brisa takes a slow breath... then shakes her head and says simply, "I... will ask. But until then, will keep searching to see if this is it." She carefully examines the planks... they look old. Hard to tell if they're sturdy or rotted. She pulls her scabbarded sword again and does some cautious tapping along one edge, listening carefully.

Benedict stays well clear of what might even be the well's edge, but still can't shake his nervous feeling. "Perhaps we should get some rope...?"

Anuje nods. "And a bucket."

Brisa nods to Benny, "Very good idea. Will need bucket too." She sits back, looking around at the area gaugingly... "Wonder if any around here."

It is winter coming on with storms, and the air is damp. Beneath underbrush and round, the wood is too. It easily crumbles beneath the sword taps, awkward shards disappearing into whatever is below. Brisa blinks as the planks disintegrate, cautiously waving everyone back... then grins cheerfully at Anuje, "Da. So... let's search!" She listens for a rough idea of how deep the well is from the small splashes. Brisa and Romana listen... and they listen... and they listen... and there is no sound. Just silence. Benedict blinks as the planks disappear. He starts looking around, staying well clear of the opening, searching through the area. Brisa looks rather startled... it's going to be tough to test the water for poisonousness if they can't reach it! Anuje eyes the stables and starts heading in that direction.

At the stables, Anuje finds the door locked, obviously barred from the inside. Anuje will peer into the stables first to make sure they are clear and then start searching for a bucket and rope. Brisa also searches for rope or a bucket. "Hmm... makes sense. They don't want chaos riders in stable. All right... so now we need information from people in tower, da? Since we have no rope, no bucket, and can't hear any splash." Anuje frowns and glances to one of the partially standing buildings to the west. She starts in that direction. Brisa watches Anuje for a second... then nods. Best to be thorough. She goes to search the other last remaining ruin.

The only thing ones finds out amidst the ruins is broken and faded wood, underbrush and rocks with half remaining runes upon them. Many are circle fragments, some the waves of water. Bits and pieces of metal filling, but no rope, no bucket, nothing except... "Tccchhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiii!" Romana suddenly scrambles over the rocks and brush, a clumsy tangle of long limbs and catching on twigs and rocks. She tumbles behind Brisa, using the Dayallan as a shield, and she looks back in the direction she came from and just scowls. Brisa straightens, instantly alert, her hand on her sword, for what Romana's spooked by. Romana points, "Badger!"

Benedict whirls at the sudden sound -- could it even be called a voice? -and scrambles through the ruins to Brisa. "Brisa! Anuje! Romana!

Brisa blinks, "Ah... da? If you leave her alone she will not bother you, Romishka?" She calls, "Slow, Benny! No problem. Only badger. Do not scare, please?" Anuje quickly pops out of the ruins she is searching and runs over towards the others. Tossing its head, the badger chitters and then burrows back into the underbrush. Brisa slides her shield off her back onto her left arm, but doesn't bother drawing the sword... it's not the badger's fault it's all riled up, after all... she nods when it burrows back, sliding her shield back into its usual carrying place. Anuje catches her breath.

Benedict slows down at Brisa's call, slowing down to a slow trot, panting. "A... a badger?" he gasps. "Oh..."

Brisa smiles at Benedict, "Da, do not worry." She looks around curiously, "So. Runes of time, runes of water... none of horse. Curious."

Anuje says, "Hmm. Well...should we go talk to the people in the tower now?"

Benedict says, "Runes?"

Brisa frowns, looking at the badger's lair, "Wait... badger. How can it live and drink here if the well is poisoned? Unless... water elsewhere too?"

Anuje glances at Brisa. "Maybe it's a mad badger?"

Brisa grins at Romana behind her, "Can't be too mad... didn't stay angry long at Romishka!" She stoops, picking up a piece of wood with two wavy lines on it, "Rune of water, Benny. Still... would be hard to tell a horse rune if it was shattered."

Benedict frowns, following Brisa's train of thought. "How would it know not to drink here?"

Brisa says, "Hmm. Well, maybe the well is dry, and that is the 'poisoning'?" She shakes her head, "We have looked and looked. Let's go to the tower, da?"

"Tcha!" Romana sits down, legs askew. "Tried to bite Romanas. Without even asking first!"

Benedict blinks to Romana, and laughs quietly. "And if it had asked first?" Brisa tries to stifle a giggle at Romana -- and at Anuje's expression! Anuje may realize Brisa is gently teasing her.

"Never been bits before by badgers... could be fu..." Then Romana shrugs. "If just a nibble, yes?"

Brisa laughs! and offers Romana a hand up, "Come, we talk to people in tower, da?"

Benedict blinks to Romana, then glances over to Brisa and nods, sighing a little. "I'm sure we've caught the attention of whomever's in the tower..."

Brisa says, "Hope so. Many questions we have now!" Brisa's demeanor is almost eager now.

Taking Brisa's hand, Romana lets herself be pulled up. As she does she nods philosophically, "If merebeast, still mad be." The she follows the little group to the tower door.

Anuje nods. "Maybe... they might just think we're strange... or the new gardeners they've been asking for, for the last 10 years."

Brisa laughs at Anuje's comment! -then strides cheerfully over to the door and knocks strongly on it thrice... then grins at the others, "So, Benny, you are doing the talking, da?"

Benedict bites his lip, and nods slightly to Brisa. "What did you want to ask about again? The well?

Brisa says, "Da, poisoned wells and maps of Roth today and then!" Benedict nods quietly, sighing softly.

It takes a long while for the door to be opened, a very, very long while. Long enough that even the most patient might think there would be no answer. But then finally there is the sound of a wooden bar being drawn back; very, very slowly. A pause. Then the sound of a latch being thrown, with equal slowness. The door creaks, a long, long, and low sound that almost makes Romana wince. Open a crack it is, and from the dark slot within there comes a soft, broken voice of an elderly lady. "Good Day. Who are you, to be disturbing us here? Playing more mercenary games in our court and one of you cut yourself on your swords?" There is the sound of someone spitting. "Only reason you mercenaries come here is to get a free touch of my Lady's Mercy. Good for nothings."

Brisa bows politely, "No injuries, dama."

Benedict blinks to the person. "No, madam, no injuries..." Anuje notices Brisa's action and quickly bows as well. Benedict glances to Brisa, and bows as well, quickly.

The old voice complains. "So you brought our supplies? You forgot the sugar last time. How am I supposed to bake? Good for nothings."

Brisa straightens, her face both serious and thoughtful... a bitter Atteran. This she's never seen before... but upon reflection she can certainly understand it. She says gently, "Sugar. Next time we come we will bring some, dama." She glances at Benedict and nods hopefully towards the door?

"Always next time. Where are you when needed?"

Benedict coughs a very little. "Er, actually madam... we came to ask after permission to look in your library. We are looking for information on... on some local wells, and maps. May we come in? Er..." He has no answer for the woman's invective.

Brisa gets a sudden thought, glancing at Romana... maybe a horse would be of use to this woman? She sniffs the air thoughtfully, glancing towards the little barn... does it smell like there's a horse in the keep? She hms quietly to herself... doesn't sound or smell like there's a horse anywhere near. The question would become... would a horse be more work than it is worth to the elderly lady, or no? She'll have to ask Romana about it later... especially since technically the horse is probably Romana's battle spoils. She says softly, "Dama, my people try always to be where they are needed... but we are limited in numbers. Please, may we enter?"

The door opens just a little more, so slowly. Now wisps of gray hair can be seen, and frail fingers on the edge of the jamb. "Good for nothings. Still haven't said who you are."

Brisa bows politely again, "I am Brisa of Highgaard. My companions are the Eye of Hastur Benedict, Anuje, and Romana. You are dama Kay, da?" Benedict lets Brisa speak, remaining quiet and stepping a bit to the side. Brisa blinks, realizing what she's doing! She reaches out apologetically to Benedict, to draw him back. Benedict *erps* as Brisa pulls him back forward. Anuje puts a hand on Romana's shoulder as she listens.

From within there comes the sound of spiting again. "Another of brother's Brothers. That means I got no choice now." Slowly the door opens and a tall but old woman stands behind it. Her eyes are a pale blue, clear and as sharp as daggers. Once she might have been a handsome woman, but somewhere, just by her carriage, she seems broken. Lean, her skin outlines sinew and bone. "Come in, if you dare. You get lost or killed by something falling, it's not mine or the Lady's fault. And yes, I'm Her Lady Kay Random. So what."

Romana smiles and leans closer at Anuje's touch. Her eye sparkle for a moment, looking at the lady. As if she was something she had never seen before. Brisa tilts her head at the lady, then says softly again, "Blessings of Herself on you, dama, and spacebo." She waits 'til everyone else is in before following. Anuje doesn't want to be first inside, but she knows how these things goes and walks carefully inside, glancing up at the old lady. Benedict sighs softly and glances to Brisa, then bows to the lady quietly and humbly as he enters. Brisa studies the lady quietly in the sunlight as the others enter. Is she sick? or just old and broken seeming? She shakes her head quietly to herself. What's wrong with the folk in the town? Why don't they take proper care of their healer?

Benedict clears his throat a little. "Uhm, madam... you, ah, mentioned that there were... was another brother?"

The inside of the tower is quite a sight. Along the perimeter a stairway rises, open and without railing until it vanishes into the floor above. But easily traversable? No. For there are stacks of true books, sheathes of paper with rocks upon them, all towering crazily as if the slightest breeze would send them tumbling. And if the tower had a far wall, it cannot be seen. Stacks and shelves run this way and that with maybe a pair of feet between them, a strange maze of learning. Scrolls are lain loose, there are barrels upon which hang syllabi, more individual sheaves of paper, rare leather-bound books. Every spare inch of this tall tower dedicated to the collection of knowledge.

Romana lets out a long, long breath. "Cor..."

Lady Kay looks over her shoulder. In her other hand she carries a small lamp. "Yes, my brother Lord Jonathan Random." In the light, no, Lady Kay does not look sick. Simply all worn out.

Brisa looks around slowly in open-mouthed wonder. Finally she glances at the lady sharply... then at her companions. She sighs a touch regretfully, then gently touches Benedict's shoulder, "Benny... maybe best if you take Anuje, talk with Lord Random? And maybe Romishka and I can help the dama some here?"

Benedict looks around, simply stunned and shocked. "Oh my..." he breathes. "This is... this looks bigger than the library at Talantal!" He nods, still dazed as he looks around. "That... that sounds like a good idea, Brisa..." He still seems more that a little rooted to his spot though.

Anuje blinks, looking around. "Those are all books?"

Brisa grins quietly at Benedict, then looks at the tired lady, "Dama, we do not wish to take something for nothing. Is there anything we may do to help you here?"

So slowly Lady Kay begins to climb the stairs. "Lord Random is this way. Follow me. Shut the door behind you. Latch it. Bar it." Brisa does so quietly and firmly, then nods to the others to follow the lady. Pausing, Lady Kay turns to Brisa, her tired shoulders shrugging. "Leave what you wish. What satisfies your heart. Never asked for more all my life, not starting now."

Anuje follows Lady Kay and glances back at Benedict. "You coming, Bene?" She has an expression that indicates that she certainly doesn't feel good about going up these stares without at least one of her friends.

Brisa grins and gently nudges Benedict to get him moving from his stunned and rooted spot. She nods up to the lady, "We shall, dama." She follows, looking around and frowning thoughtfully... what would most help here, she wonders? Benedict looks over to Brisa and nods, turning to quietly follow Lady Random up the stairs.

It seems like forever Lady Kay walks round and round and round and round up the stairs. One floor, two floors, three floors all filled with books and scrolls and kegs and barrels. Romana hikes up her skirts and with a flashy step follows up after their guide. But who ever is behind Romana has to deal with her irrepressible distractions. And yes, it is obvious that without the Lady's guidance far too easy would it be to get lost in this literary maze. On the third floor at least there are two doors leading elsewhere, perhaps to the Lord and his sister's rooms. On the fourth floor Lady Kay stops and begins to weave her way into the dangerous stacks. It is an incomprehensible array of zigzags until the room opens up a bit. Here there is a desk. And behind the desk sits a man even older than Lady Kay. He is bald -- well, save for a few wisps of white hair. He is short, sturdily built. His fingers are stained black and so are his lips and tongue. He doesn't even look up as everyone approaches.

Lady Kay just sets her lamp down on a flat rock atop a small stack of paper. "Brother... Brother... Brother... Brother... BROTHER!"

Lord Random looks up and smiles, "Good day, my darling Kay. Is it lunch already?"

"Is that all you think about, is food?" Lady Kay just points accusingly, "You have guests."

Brisa grins quietly from behind the small group, watching... there's a man who loves his work! She wonders what happened to break the dama, when the lord seems so... cheery. Or wait... isn't he supposed to be damaged also somehow? Mentally? She bows politely when they're pointed at. Anuje quickly follows Brisa's lead, bowing.

Lord Random blinks, rubs his eyes and smiles. "Oh!" He nods, "Good morning. It is morning, correct? Please have a seat... anywhere."

Benedict blinks a little in the dim light, barely making out the figures in the lamplight. He, too, bows as Lady Kay indicates them. "Erm... yes, ah, good morning, Sir..."

"Yes yes..." Lord Random doesn't look up from his scribing, "...oh, I'm in Hastur's service... only Knights are Sirs."

Anuje looks around for a suitable place to sit, but will remain standing if nothing looks safe to sit on. Romana looks around, her fingers trailing on the scraps of paper and the spines of leather books. And she takes up their host's offer and flounces down, to sit unceremoniously upon the floor. Brisa watches the dama thoughtfully... she's guessing the dama will return to whatever work they interrupted. Perhaps Brisa can help with that.

Benedict says, "Oh! Oh, I see! I am, er, Brother Benedict, Eye of Hastur of Talantal. This is Brisa of Highgaard, Anuje of Cragside, and Romana of... also of Cragside... It... is a pleasure to meet you..." Anuje glances at Benedict, not bothering to correct him about her origins in front of his peer.

"Benedict Benedict Benedict..." Lord Random suddenly blinks, pulling down a large book from above him, abruptly opening it up. "Talantal you say? Of course, of course, there, Benedict Matthewson. Hieronymous' lad, aren't you. Oh. I remember now. How is your sister?"

Brisa blinks and is suddenly much more impressed with the mentally wandering lord! Anuje lifts a brow and glances at Brisa. Brisa whispers to Benedict hopefully, "Wells!"

Benedict blinks and opens his mouth. "That's... why yes, Lord, exactly right, Benedict Matthewson. But I-" He breaks off, visibly wrestling with something, then gives a quiet, uncomfortable expression. Hastur, you entreat your servants to value Truth. Even so... even so, forgive me for this. "I'm... I'm sorry, Lord. I don't have a sister..." Brisa blinks at Benedict in surprise... then looks quickly to the lord. A baby maybe? Or maybe he's just wrong? Anuje purses her lips. This should be interesting.

"Oh no... no, that's not right." Lord Random takes a deep, deep breath. "I was hoping... I do hate holes in my lineages, I do. You see it's right here, Ann, daughter of Mathew and Teresa, she would have been four years older than you. That was the year your parents did go traveling however. Oh well, she will show up one of these years. They always do..."

Benedict's expression goes from sad and regretful to totally confused. "A sister...?" he murmurs. Brisa leans forward in sudden interest... yet another missing child?

He scribes some more, turning another name into mumbles as he speaks. "Anuje, Anuje... and crowns become stars no surname. That means Montague, Brockman's, or one of the small villages that no one ever gets out to. Why are all the brothers so interested in cities, do they not know this is where all the knowledge hides. By the quiet I'd say Montague. Though Romana..."

Romana brightens, "Romanas are Romanas are Romanas."

Lord Random just gives the girl a look. There is a moment's pause. "Right." He then nods and takes down a third binder, this one with horses carved upon its faded colors. He just scribbles a line, nodding. "Brisa .. Brisa... Brisa... but there's no Brisa's in Highgaard. Where did I read that name..."

Brisa blinks puzzledly again, then says gently, "I can't imagine anyone's written about me, lord Random?"

Anuje jerks up straight. "How do you know where I'm from?"

Brisa shushes Anuje gently, "Might be accent, Anuje."

Benedict blinks as the Lord pinpoints Anuje's home. He notes quietly, in awe, "Anuje hadn't spoken at all since coming in front of the Lord." Is this what it means to know all the Truth a mortal may See? Brisa opens her mouth to reply... then pauses, glancing at Anuje... then closes her mouth -- and looks more impressed.

Random scribbles quietly on his parchment. "Because Brockman's would have been poorer, the farmer's child more simple, only Montague so seriously quiet. Like the rock of the quarries... " He pauses then, scratching his chin, just looking at Brisa. Then he goes back to his scribbles. Brisa gives the lord a faintly puzzled look. How can she not be listed as Highgaard, if Highgaard lists all its people? At least in the birthing records, she thinks. She waits with almost bated breath, watching. Benedict is as silent as a mouse, almost holding his breath. The cleric continues his transcribing, every now and then looking up, his attention mostly falling on Brisa and Anuje and sometimes Romana. Eventually he snares a blank sheet of parchment and continues.

Brisa finally gently murmurs, "Where have you seen the name Brisa written, Lord Random?"

Shaking his head, Random pauses, tapping his chin with his quill and leaving little dots. "That is a puzzle. Not where one would expect... one of the Richter's, aren't you?" Anuje glances from Lord Random to Brisa, watching for her response.

Brisa gives the Hasturian a blank look, "Pardon, Lord? The who?" She struggles with a sudden smile as Random dots his own chin, trying to remain respectful.

"Richter Gwynn's. Otherwise you would be wearing Dawnview colors."

Brisa goes still, staring at the lord... then just nods dumbly. A moment later she takes a wild stab at coincidence and odd things in her life... she breathes, "Amber," then watches, holding her breath to see if that triggers anything.

Benedict blinks, looking between Brisa and the Lord. "Poppy?" he asks Brisa softly. Brisa nods a quick, short, tiny nod, although her fascinated, almost hopeful gaze doesn't leave the lord. Anuje is confused, but she's getting used to that by now. It is obvious this is very important to Brisa.

The one word just catches Random's attention. He stops and lays out his pen. Turning, he rises to disappear back into the maze of books. When he returns he is carrying a large leather-bound volume, this one also with faded horses all carved in its covers. Brushing off the dust he slowly opens it. Page by page he turns, each one slow and careful, until from between two sheets he lifts a sheet of vellum old and stained and wrinkled. Holding it to the lamp, he reads.

Brisa looks puzzled... she isn't that old, so this can't be related to her surely? She hesitates for a long, slow minute... finally she says softly, "Is that... what does that tell you, please, lord?"

"...she is safely ensconced and watched in the mountain vales..." Lord Random reads slow, as if he might be translating the words, "...where she will be trained in the skills most revered. She was spirited away and none will know of the dam's shame. And then finally with the colt of Sana's Kirill and Brisa djen Aliya we shall have the bloodline we have sought and worked..." Setting it carefully back into his book, Random nods. "Knew I read it somewhere."

Brisa just stares at the lord, her face pale... then says softly and vehemently, "What?!" Benedict blinks, listening to the words, sneaking glances to Brisa as he says that, and wincing at Brisa's exclamation.

Anuje chews her lip. "Sounds like someone planned it a long time ago, Brisa."

Brisa takes a slow, angry, deep, hurt breath... she is not going to be angry with this poor man -- he's probably thinking of some other Brisa -- some OTHER woman who will be having children! NOT HER! Settling back in his chair, Lord Random sets the book aside. "That's all there is. It was brought in with the remains of a courier from Amber, I think."

Benedict says softly, urgently, almost a whisper as he sees Brisa's anger, "Brisa... he didn't write that... we don't know who wrote that..."

Brisa takes another long, slow breath, her fists clenched and squeezing her eyes shut for a moment. She nods tightly, "I... I know, Benny. I... it was just a bit of a shock." She opens her eyes again and says woodenly, "Thank you, lord Random, for looking." She bites her lip, trying to focus... right! Wells... "Have you... have you anything on poisoned wells around Bordertown, please? Or... or how to repair them?"

Lord Random pauses as he retrieves his pen. "Wells... wells... there was a Jacob Wells down in Talesan's Village, poisoned by a sea urchin I think... but that's all. And don't eat sea urchins."

Anuje says, "Uhm...what about that hole in your courtyard?"

Random blinks, "Oh, that kind of well. That's a thing... not important..."

Brisa is still breathing slowly and deeply, but doesn't currently look like she'd like to yell violently at anyone anymore... she says quietly, "What kind of thing, lord?"

Settling back into his copying, Lord Random looks up. "A built thing. A trinket. The frame and not the picture. People are the picture, Brisa djen Aliya, their stories and paths of which history is made. The rest, just the setting of the stage. Not important."

Brisa's eyes narrow dangerously but she holds her tongue. Benedict blinks, wondering what point the lord is making. Brisa takes another very long, slow breath, her fingernails digging into her palms. Finally she says very slowly, carefully, and politely, "I. Am. Not. That. Woman." She takes another breath, "So. If people are the picture, lord, then how do I make the chaos riders return East and free the Forest of Roth from their presence?"

"Oh, that's easy." Lord Random looks up and smiles, "A Hero must arise to drive them from the Forest. And that reminds me, I have a letter to write to Talantal. Those Riders are still here. The Knights aren't doing their duties..." Setting his first paper down, Random searches for another one to inscribe this new message.

Brisa rolls her eyes, then says with desperate patience, "How does a Hero arise, lord? Does this have anything to do with a poisoned well? I the um... trinket in your courtyard part of this?" She's beginning to look more frustrated than not.

"How do heroes arise?" Lord Random just scratches his head, "That I wouldn't know. I just scribe their histories so they will always be remembered."

Brisa represses the urge to clutch her head and scream at this man -- how can he not know of the well? It was supposed to be important! Carefully but quickly, before she loses him again, she says, "Do you have any maps of Roth, either past or present?!" She throws out another random, desperate question, "Who is the Counselor?"

For the first time Lord Random snaps down his pen and crosses his arms. "He is Krysta-cursed frustrating he is." Brisa blinks -- then struggles mightily not to laugh! So there is someone even more frustrating than Lord Random around! Brisa's other question however immediately returns Random to his previous good humor. "Oh. most certainly... somewhere. I could find them; maybe come the next two days?"

Brisa nods, looking relieved, "Thank you, lord, we'd be happy to return in two days." She glances at her companions inquiringly -- do they have any questions too?

Anuje says, "Is there a bottom to that hole out there?"

Returning to his letter, Random starts to scrawl out his careful script. "Oh I would believe so. If it's a well, it has to have a bottom somewhere."

Benedict simply bobs his head. "I have nothing, except... concern... about that hole outside the tower... in the center of the courtyard..."

Brisa looks thoughtful, "Could it... have been blocked off somewhere under the hill?"

The cleric continues to write. "Possibly. It's one of those building things."

Brisa nods slowly to herself... then looks up at her companions again inquiringly. If no one looks curious to ask more she'll just gesture towards the stairs. Anuje shakes her head confusedly and then nods to Brisa, following. Benedict nods quietly to Brisa and says softly, "Thank you for your time, Lord." Random just nods, once again absorbed in his work. As they follow Lady Kay back to the court, Romana is the last to stand. And for once she is quiet. So very quiet.

Slowly Lady Kay stands, lifting her lamp. "This way then, if you are done."

Brisa nods to the lady, "Thank you, da, dama. If you do not object we will return tomorrow and the day after?"

Lady Kay sighs quietly, "Not that I have a choice."

Anuje smiles. "And try to find some sugar, too."

Brisa nods gravely to Anuje, "Da." She looks at the lady and says gently, "Dama, will you permit me to look at your kitchen, please?"

To Brisa the Lady nods, and once upon the ground floor leads the small group towards the stable side of the tower. There between tower and stable is a small kitchen. It is clean, simple, and so very spartan. From the rafters hang perfect rows of cheeses and smoked meats; the table is clean, the hearth fire crackling softly. Brisa is looking more for what is missing or low in the lady's staples, than for anything else. She makes notes to herself for things to purchase and bring tomorrow. She quietly compliments the lady on her immaculate kitchen when she's done.

Lady Kay's instructions to Brisa were simple on how to find a long length of sturdy rope. Of course, in the secured stables. The stables themselves stood empty, and it was easy to see that the stables haven't been used for years. Instead it has become a pantry and grainery, keeping enough food here for over a month of siege. In fact, a huge cistern has replaced one stall. But here, as she sets the lamp upon barrel, Brisa can find her rope. As she stands there is the softest touch...

It is the silent Romana. Her eyes are half lidded, serious. She is quiet, just as she has been ever since Lord Random spoke. Her hand is upon Brisa's shoulder, a warm and gentle anchor. "Brisa?"

Brisa glances absently at Romana, "Da?" She blinks again, realizing Romana's demeanor, and pauses, "What is wrong, Romishka?"

Romana simply shrugs her shoulders. She speaks very, very quietly. "Reason Romanas are, Father had Mother bred, so Romana could be pawn in Father's game." She reaches up to touch Brisa's cheek. "Make own, yes? Brisas are Brisas are Brisas, yes?"

Brisa's expression darkens and tightens... but she just nods once, short and sharp, at Romana's words, "Da. They will need to find new breeding cow. Will not be me."

Stepping back, Romana smiles. "Da. Fierce Brisas."

Brisa smiles faintly at Romana, feeling slightly sick to her stomach. How could people do this to each other? she wonders. Unhappily she also wonders why her mother never told her she was adopted... if she even was. For that matter... adopted... an Amber woman's shame... would this be Lord Fakhri's sister that Poppy was so curious about? She feels a huge amount of pity for that woman, if so... how horrible to be so used!

Last modified: 2000-May-23 19:11:54

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