| Logs |
2011 October 31
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Taps Logs |
Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree
The week in Baton Rouge isn't as much of a holiday as Roy would like it to be. There's Eacharn, for one thing. Actually, there's Eacharn for several things. The visiting king is around rather a lot because of the planning, and he uses that time to his best advantage in watching 'Chana so he can plan his own wooing of her. He doesn't try to get in Roy's way, though, and Roy himself does his best not to bristle. They've already been over this territory before; he doesn't want to get his hand slapped again over it. When not engaged in planning and negotiations, however, Roy and 'Chana spend as much time together and with Mary as they can.
The little girl is ecstatic at that, and she is almost inconsolable when it's time for them to leave. Roy soothes her with the promise that he'll think about letting her travel with Mama 'Chana when she gets older and stronger. He's very careful not to actually say he'll definitely let her go, though. Sulochana hugs Mary tightly and whispers to her the most important reason the Hetaera cannot take Mary along with her: who would look after Roy if they both left? She also hugs Roy tightly, promising to do her best to meet him in Houston for the summit. After that she has to focus on getting the caravan loaded and ready to roll, heading upriver as escort to the St. Louis king.
As Suraksha and the caravan prepare to get on the river again as escort to the St. Louis king's entourage, Eacharn invites 'Chana and Fantine to ride along on the Goldenrod. He doesn't insult 'Chana by making any comments about it being easier on her, but he does mention how much more comfortable it is. Suraksha is at this point in her usual jeans, boots, and light tunic top with the sleeves rolled up in business-like fashion, her hair braided and pinned up out of the way.
The caravan head smiles politely and thanks Eacharn for his kind offer, but has to decline due to her workload. He is welcome to row over occasionally, however, if he'd like, and she's happy to have a dinner or two on his boat as well. She thinks, but does not say, that it's always wise to keep the clients happy, regardless of what sort of escort service they're receiving. She knows several of her people will be on the Goldenrod as bodyguards already, after all. Though he's disappointed, Eacharn doesn't protest.
Once they're underway, though, the king finds there is not as much opportunity for visiting as he would like. He is also not best-pleased when he arrives one day to find 'Chana and Sna'tha discussing an upcoming stopover with a long-time client. He doesn't, however, make a fuss about it. Suraksha smiles politely to the king, "Good morning, your majesty! Would you like some tea? My godsmother and I have some tactical planning we must finish, but after that I'll be happy to help you with whatever you need."
She murmurs thanks as Buddy sets another teacup out; after that the slight young woman sips her tea, then continues, "So we're not sure if the bandits are still in the area, then? Hmm... I do want to visit the poor man -- he's been a good-faith and generous client for several years now, after all. I don't want to offend him, though, you know? Alg is one thing, but five or six armed companions..." She frowns worriedly, shaking her head.
Little Joe is with them and rubbing his chin as they look over the maps. Eacharn accepts the teacup and Fantine bustles over in her inimitable way to get it filled for him. Joe taps a couple of paths marked on the maps, "These are both bad ideas. The last I heard, they were still trying to track the bandits down to their base-camp -- and Peace Eagle will be really unhappy with a bunch of guards. Their little experiment is all about... well... peace."
Suraksha sighs softly, leaning to study the maps. Her voice is rueful, "He'll accept Alg, but not guards. Well, it's his clan; how he runs it is not my business. So... what paths, if any, are still available?" She frowns as she adds quietly, "I hope we can figure something out. I'm starting to run out of ideas though, I'm afraid."
Joe is rubbing the back of his head and peering at the map. Eacharn is starting to listen more carefully and leaning forward as the scout says, "None. Not this close to the river. Once you get past about... here..." he taps a spot a couple of miles in on each of the paths, "you should be golden. They aren't raiding inland because there's not as much loot to be had."
Suraksha wrinkles her nose in disgust. "That far? Blast them -- I can't stand sneak thieves!" She sighs, considering carefully, "All right, let's review. Somehow I have to sneak that far, with a backpack of the right sort of clothing, with Alg... and arrive looking fresh as a daisy. On a horse too, since he won't believe I ran that far." Sura looks disgruntled, "It would be easy, but for the darned horse! How do I sneak one past while I'm-" she pauses, glancing around, then nods once to herself -- everyone here knows she's a tiger-shifter, "while I'm running quadrupedally?"
Eacharn has been getting slowly more excited; he clears his throat, "I think I have an idea that might help..."
Every person seated there looks up at Eacharn, with mixed expressions of surprise, incredulity, and impassivity. Suraksha tilts her head curiously at Eacharn, smiling, "Yes?"
The king looks around, realizing his secret will be out if he just comes out and says 'Ride me!' Instead he opts for, "You do have access to at least one horse trained for hard riding and rough encounters."
Suraksha looks puzzled, her mouth opening to ask what he means -- then she blinks and goes still, her wine-red lips still parted as she considers that wonderful idea! Then it hits her: she'll be risking her escorted client! She shakes her head firmly, "Gracious, that sound lovely but... no. No, I don't want to end up having to stitch the poor boy up again." She grins amusedly at Eacharn, adding, "Thank you for the thought, though."
Eacharn says, "He's a warhorse. He's been stitched before. Could we talk about this a bit more... privately?"
Suraksha gives Eacharn a slightly exasperated glance, but Sna'tha simply smiles sweetly, "Oh, of course!" That earns her a similarly exasperated glance from Suraksha, but the sidhe is already rising to her feet, "Shall we?" as she waves towards Suraksha's wagon.
Sura opens her mouth to protest, but then realizes she's in public. She murmurs a quick, "Please excuse us a moment?" to her amused companions, then hastens after Sna'tha. Her low murmur is heated, "Godsmother, no! He is our client!" Eacharn rises, putting his cup on the camp table and following the two women. He keeps a polite distance back, but his ears are good enough to hear 'Chana's protests, and he smiles a bit to himself.
Sna'tha murmurs calmly back, "Then you can tell him no again in private more easily than in public, no?" Suraksha glances exasperatedly over her shoulder as Sna'tha opens the door and enters her godsdaughter's wagon -- then the slight woman gives Eacharn a grimly polite smile as she follows. She waits until they're all inside before she closes the door and folds her arms, "All right, godsmother, what are you up to?!"
Sna'tha is half-reclining on the unfolded bunk, one pair of arms behind her head and her expression serene, "I'm just making sure my godsdaughter is well-taken-care of, dear!"
Suraksha switches her glare to Eacharn, "And you -- what are you up to, Eacharn? Are you trying to get shot?!"
Eacharn leans back against the door and folds his arms over his chest, looking just as serene as Sna'tha, "Heavens no. I like my hide all in one piece, but it's the best idea you've got. Besides, I can outrun any nag they'd be able to throw your way and you wouldn't fall off."
Suraksha settles into the tiny chair by her desk, still frowning, "That's all fine and good, but I doubt you can outrun a crossbow bolt." She glances grimly at Sna'tha, "Are they using crossbows?" She gives Eacharn a puzzled look as she adds, "Why are you offering this, Eacharn? You'll be taking me as a Hetaera to another client -- you do understand that, yes?"
Sna'tha confirms mentions of crossbows. Eacharn says, "Hard to hit a moving target. I'm a river-horse. Not a regular one. And I'd prefer you stay safe. You seem intent on going." He does his best to hide his wince; he was trying to ignore the Hetaera part and just concentrate on being useful.
Suraksha's eyes narrow with a hint of suspicion as she silently studies Eacharn, checking to see if his chakras say he's sincere. "Why... I mean, what does being a river-horse have to do with it, please?" She shakes her head bemusedly -- she's really not sure Eacharn himself knows why he's offering this, and that worries her a little.
Eacharn says, "What being a river-horse has to do with it is that I can move differently than they'll expect. Zig when they'll be expecting a zag." From what she can tell, he's sincere in his offer and he seems confident he can do what he says. "And I reason better."
Suraksha hesitates for a long, thoughtful moment; his chakras say he's sincere and feels strongly about this. Eacharn just waits. He watches 'Chana's face very carefully, half-smiling. He knows already that she can be stubborn, but he also knows that he's offering something very valuable to her. Finally she looks to her godsmother, "You think this is a good idea then, Sna'tha?" She's surreptitiously watching Eacharn's chakras as she deliberately adds, "Riding one client to meet another? You don't think that might cause problems?"
Sna'thaid seems calm and undisturbed, "He's making the offer... and I can't say it's a bad one in the balance. He'll be extra protection for you." What she doesn't say out loud is that it will also force him to realize it's not just Roy he'll have to make way for.
Eacharn's chakras flutter a bit at the bluntness, but he doesn't move. The river-horse is apparently determined to stubborn this out, despite any misgivings. Suraksha smiles at Eacharn with some sympathy, reaching out to rest her hand lightly on his arm, "Well, I cannot doubt your courage. If you are sure you wish to do this, then I accept with thanks."
Eacharn relaxes a bit when he realizes she's going to accept his offer. "Good! I'd be happier if you could take Chanticleer or one of the other scouts with you."
Suraksha shakes her head, "You heard what we mentioned previously: Peace Eagle would not be happy if I brought guards." She pauses, considering for a moment... then glances at Sna'tha. "Hmm... could we have Chanti glamour himself as being, say, slighter than he is, so he looks like he couldn't possibly be a warrior?" Then she frowns as realization hits her, "No, that won't work -- he doesn't know Eacharn is also Tybalt." She smiles ruefully, "Well, it'll just be the three of us then: Eacharn, myself, and Alg." She does not realize it, but that will be a common phrase for her to utter in the future.
[Previous Log] [Index] [Next Log]