Hansyn leans back toward in his chair with his hand behind his head. “What can I say? They know talent when they see it.” The boy says with a grin. Then leaning forward quickly he says in lower tones ”I didn’t see anything. The Chosen did though. I think they are letting me go with them for whatever is coming next!” he looks back and forth to see if anyone was paying any attention to the boys. ”We need to sneak into Holgast’s library again. See if we can find out anything out about some things Rankev had from the crypt.”
Finlogan heads back into the common room and retakes his seat next to his mother, Magnolia the seamstress. She knows his smile is a facade but just pushes his drink toward him.
"There's something more," he whispers. "We've two days before we meet a Pathfinder and at Holgast's tower."
Asina finds Aldelenna after the meeting. "Don't worry," she whispers. Even as young as she is, she knows how to whisper in a tavern and still be heard. "Jocyn is entertaining them. I can see you don't have it in you right now. Was it that bad? We're hearing rumors, but this has never happened before! Injuries among the chosen, sure. I mean, it's dangerous. But never..." Tears are in her eyes and she hugs Aldelenna fiercely. "I'm so glad you're safe!"
Aldelenna squeezes Asina good and tight, holding her for a long moment before letting her go. She then withdraws, grabs Asina's left hand in both of her own and squeezes it while looking into her eyes. "It wasn't what anyone expected, but we're here. We're safe, and the Everflame will keep the people's spirits high through the long winter." She smiles, a crooked half smile, one that clearly displays Asina's astute observation of her current emotional state. Then she leans in and offers more in her own soft whisper. "There's more too, more that needs finding out. I might be leaving again, and soon. You and Jocyn'll have to watch over things at the Silvers if I go." The look she gives her speaks volumes that her voice cannot, trepidation, but resolve as well. She has seen its beginning and she is resolved to see things to their end.
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Magnolia seems sad as she looks at her drink. A seamstress who always needed a steady hand, she's never been one to drink much except on feastdays. The return of the Everflame ranked on that list.
She looks at the small mug of ale. "They'll have you leaving again, then," she says. "With all your wandering with Arnama's rangers, I've gotten a lot of practice, but it's still hard. You're all I have left of him, you know."
For a moment it looks like she might say something else, but then she drains her ale in a single long pull, and wanders to the bar. When she returns it's with a bottle, one Fin quickly realizes she spent more on than is proper. But she shushes him before he can say anything. "They've been storing it for me for years. It was his favorite vintage. We had a case, bought it when he was flush with gold. Your father was often flush with gold. Only a few bottles left, but if ever there was an occasion for it, it's this."
She pours two goblets with a steady hand, and then lifts. "In memory of those lost. In remembrance of friends. And may the stars shine safely upon us all and keep us safe in the night."
For a moment Fin sees a spirit about her, one he knows is only there when she is remembering his father. But it passes quickly. The wine she sips, cherishes as though it might be her last cup.
Turik stares at Hansyn with eyes wide. "You can't be serious. We'll get in so much trouble!"
Then he leans in. "They brought things from the crypt? Things they took from the tombs? Or something else?"
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Finlogan sips to his mother's toast swallowing wine and his overwhelming emotions.
It had taken him years of introspection and side prodding from Arnama to realize that his wanderlust was really a search for his father and his father's approval. His apprenticeship with her rangers was only practice for his real quest to follow in his father's elven boots away from town.
After a pause to collect himself, he offers his own toast in return, "and to you, Mum. Where ever I go, you will be with me in my heart."
They sit in silence staring at each other hoping it won't be the last.
After a bit, he asks her, "Mum? Have you ever heard of an Asar? He was entombed with Kassen."
”The idea is not to get caught.” Hansy says with a grin. ”I can’t be sure since I wasn’t there but I think the stuff they brought belonged to tomb robbers.”
Rankev runs his hands through the now loose hair of the lovely guard Yvette. "Told you I'd return that favor."
She smiles at him. wriggling in a way that makes him shudder and finally gasp out. "There." She dabs at his forehead with the handkerchief that was her favor. "That's a proper celebration."
Rankev's eyes grow dark and he stands, leaving Yvette in the piled hay at the base of the guard tower. "The thought of doing that made the crypt bearable." He holds out a hand and helps her to her feet.
"And now?"
"I had a mind to go to Skelt. Maybe from there into the Bloodsworn Vale. This thing we found is too close, and too dangerous." He brushes her hair. "I'd like to have you somewhere safer. Skelt can always use another guard. And the Vargidan name carries some weight."
She pushes close. "Were you planning on telling anyone?"
"I told Zandre. I'm not sure he heard. The voices in his head are loud, sometimes. One of them said very nasty things about you." Rankev waggled bushy eyebrows. "I want to try every one of them on the way."
"Can I tell my mother?"
Rankev smiled. "You brought me my pleasure, darling maid. Wouldn't you rather wait until I'd brought you yours?"
She dragged him back down. "In the morning then."
In the final hours before the meeting with Holgast, you have a little time to prepare. Who this Pathfinder Cygar is, and why the Mayor is willing to treat with him, you know not.
What you know is that the town you love, and the lands around it, may be in danger.
What might lie ahead?
Find out in Mask of the Living God