"Shane," Audria says when he begins asking Bartholomew if he's sure. "You'll be fine. I don't think he'd offer if he thought your appearance would cause trouble."
"My concern is he's kindhearted but others might not be and that cause him trouble... I'll go along then but I'll also be ready to head to the Inn if anyone there is uncomfortable with me. I'm many things, but I don't plan to be a burden," A hint of pride there.
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Bartholomew snorts and waves away Shane's concerns. "You think I'd teach my children to refuse hospitality to a traveller out of fear of a bit of gossip? Don't worry, in a month or three they'll find something else to talk about."
The eldest's farm is quite large, with rows of grapes, olive trees and a vegetable garden. There's a few goats as well, and chickens mix with geese in an enclosure to one side of the barn. The house has two stories and a wide porch that shelters farming equipment, with a tall peaked roof covered in a thick layer of straw. Olga and Bartholomew's eldest son is in his thirties, ruddy skin creased by wind and sun and with the beginning of a pot belly - for which he good-naturedly blames his wife. The missus is short, powerfully built, with a resonant laugh and dark velvety eyes.
They show no surprise at the sight of guests, so their parents must have sent word ahead somehow. Theo's room is already prepared, up in the attic with smells of sun-warmed wood and the chirps of the birds nesting in the straw. After a hearty lunch of dense brown bread, chicken soup and vegetable stew, everyone willing is taken on a tour of the farm and the village, and after dinner beds are made on the floor of the common room for the men, while the women share the master bedroom and Pava gets the other guest room.
Shane does get a few odd looks in the village, but a lynching does not seem forthcoming. It seems that the villagers not only respect the Holdts, they are also not terribly inclined towards superstition. With their proximity to Korvosa, they probably get their share of travellers - including prospective Acadamae students.
Bartholomew and Olga intend to spend a couple of weeks here before returning to Korvosa, but Bartholomew insists on Audria, Shane, Pava and the others using the rented cart to get back to the city.
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Audria feels a little more nervous than she thought she would be when she meets Bartholomew and Olga's children and their spouses. That said, she does enjoy getting to meet the older couple's grandchildren and teaching them a few of the more simple dances she knows, along with an assortment of silly songs Eliana, Trinia, and she had come up with together. Tally stays in her thrush form, mostly to save on space when it comes to sleeping arrangements and because she found she likes the attention she gets from the children for being a talking bird.
The young paladin spends some of her time in Harse painting and sketching, letting her thoughts wander as she takes in the landscapes and paints a few en plein air or does studies of the people and horses the town is known for. While she mostly does it to help clear her mind, she is happy to sell them to the locals or take a commission or two.
In the mornings and evenings, she tries to convince Bartholomew and Olga to stay in Harse for the time being, at least for a few months, offering to send them anything they need or anything else she can think of to get them to agree. She even stoops to trying to talk their children into guilting them into staying.
Unfortunately, she's far less successful than she could have hoped and tearily admits her fears and defeat the night before she's to leave. She spends a long while being held by both Olga and Bartholomew after that.
Between all of that, she finds time to spar with Elric, more so she can talk to him.
In between bouts, as Audria catches her breath, she looks over to the Sable Company Marine and decides there really isn't anyway around it. She has to ask him.
"Elric, do you prefer men," she asks, as blunt and subtle as Bartholomew's eponymous maul.
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Elric finds that the trip away from the city and the relaxed atmosphere in Harse is just what he needs after the events of last few days.
This is what it feels like when people are allowed to just be free from oppression and exploitation. Korvosa could be like this with a just and righteous ruler. he thinks to himself as he interacts with the Holdt family and their neighbors.
Audria's forthright question almost makes Elric drop his hammer. He was certainly not expecting this line of questioning when the young paladin suggested a sparring match.
"What, you mean romantically?...No...well, not exclusively. I guess you could say that I'm attracted to individuals, not a particular type or gender." he responds with as much calm as he can muster, while looking curiously at Audria.
When Elric nearly drops his hammer in surprise, Audria quickly looks away and focuses on a very mundane fencepost that she seems to find oddly fascinating. Her face turns bright-red as he asks her if she meant in a romantic sense, and she nods, though she still doesn't look his way. She wrings her hands on the haft of her glaive as she works up the courage to ask the next question.
"So the other day, when-- I-- um, y'know..." she says as she her nerves get the better of her for a moment. She turns the glaive with her hands as its butt spins on the ground. "I was wearing that outfit, and-- and I was talking to you. You just didn't see me like that."
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Bartholomew snorts and waves away Shane's concerns. "You think I'd teach my children to refuse hospitality to a traveller out of fear of a bit of gossip? Don't worry, in a month or three they'll find something else to talk about."
"No insult meant to you and yours ,sir. And.. thank you." And he partakes of the generosity offered.
---------------Shane learns a lot from the Holdts, when next he gardens, he should be better at it, thanks to their expertise on growing what's green kindly and generously shared. He does repay them in small ways:
1) Crows are a nuisance to any farming community. Smart and opportunistic, they don't always fall for the scarecrows meant to fool them. But they're not immune to illusions, so when a murder settles on the field ready to have at... they find it no mere straw head guardian awaiting! Rather it bursts to life, eyes flaming, roaring in the back of its throat, and terrifying them to scatter for their avian lives!
They'll return , but not for at least a month! Such is the power of a skillfully created illusion in the hands of a master!
2) Speaking of illusions, while, as proven, no thespian, Shane entertains any grandchildren or youthful cousins with displays of magic that show scenes right out of bardic tales. Fair maidens, bold strapping lads... (and sometimes the other way around) fighting battles against evil. At first, the Boldt youth are the only ones to see, but a few of their friends get invited or invite themselves, making Shane a bit nervous, but he puts on another display. The Unicorn parade is a particular hit.
3) He makes sure Bartholomew and Olga have a half day off, encouraging them to do so. "Not sure how much you'll like this, but I wanted to return the kindness in a way you both might find nostalgic in a good way. Odd question, but how old were you both when you were married?"
Provided they go along with this, Shane shows he has memorized a spell twice, and uses it on each to return them to the appearances of their wedding night! Youthful Appearance is a vain spell, and it doesn't actually make one younger. You'll be no more spry or energetic for example, but nostalgia mixed with love is powerful and can be a lot of fun. With both now stunned looking 'newlyweds' looking at each other in what he hopes is delight, he says "It's all illusion, but a fun spell that I thought you might enjoy. You two have five hours each, enjoy time however you spend it." and he inclines his head and gives them privacy, a smile on his face.
-----------
Shane does get a few odd looks in the village, but a lynching does not seem forthcoming. It seems that the villagers not only respect the Holdts, they are also not terribly inclined towards superstition. With their proximity to Korvosa, they probably get their share of travelers - including prospective Acadamae students.
Shane is relieved, if still a bit skittish, but he also finds he misses horrid ole Korvosa's many shops and spots. The hustle of the crowds even. But there's no denying Harse is not what he expected, and he was wrong to think there would be a lynching. Outside of the Holdts, he doesn't intend to interact with too many locals or transients, but.. plans are what one does to amuse the gods it seems. A few interact with him!
1) "Young man, you single?" One middle aged man inquires of him.
"Ah," The Tiefling blinks, "Yes...why would you ask?"
"I got three daughters," the man states, "One's married, but the other two ain't much in the looks department... then again, neither are you. I figured that means you might not be too picky. They're both hard workers... one cooks well, the other sews well enough. If you care to meet them? We'll see if anything clicks."
"You do know I'm a tiefling right? I likely have devil blood in me?" Shane points out, a part of him not sure this conversation is really happening, "Most people don't want that in their family line."
"You should have met their mother when she was alive, with her the devil was on the inside," The man laughed, "Seriously I got to get them out of the house. I need some peace."
Shane holds up a hand, "I'm sorry, but I go into dangers every day you can only dream of in your nightmares. For one of your wonderful daughters to accompany me once I leave Harse, she would be in constant danger, perhaps against the very forces of darkness. I cannot, in good conscience, put your daughters lives at risk. I am sorry, sir". It's a touch over dramatic, but ironically there might be truth to it and that helps.
Please let this be the end to this conversation
"Well, all right," the man says "Wouldn't want them in DANGER. Thanks for considering it."
"Thank you for understanding," And Shane retreats. This man is nuts!
2) Passing by the Inn, he sees why folks aren't in complete shock about him. The Rancher's Retreat is sizable for Harse, perhaps bigger than one would expect for such a small town. But then, Harse has its foot traffic. Folks going from here, to Korvosa.
Including a prospective Acadamae student or two. They're young, of course, the Acadamae is a ten year program after all. So when he hears the half orc girl and the human boy talking, he's not surprised their not quite in their teens yet.
"The Acadamae is dangerous," the half orc girl protests, "You shouldn't go just because I'm going."
"You're my sister, my LITTLE sister," The boy says firmly, though as Orc bloods age faster, Shane is sure she'll outgrow him in the next few years. Still, the young man set his still youtful jaw and continued, "Dad may hate your guts, but I don't. I'll go too, we have the money."
"Barely," The girl replies as she leans on the railing of the Inn's livery area, "If you die I'll feel terrible."
"But, if we don't die, we'll come out amazingly powerful, and everyone will respect us!" The boy grins, "I'll go into evocation, you into divination..."
"Why aren't I the one going into Evocation?" The gray skinned girl hurumphs.
"A cream puff like you, casting fireballs?" The boy faux scoffs, "Sides, you're nosey, and think you know everything; you'll go to Divination."
His sister gives him a playful shove.
Shane wants to warn them. Two out of ten don't make it in the first three years. And some lose what's good in them. Best to stay hidden, not draw attention. If these two are heading to Korvosa they don't need to meet a graduate they can talk about. He's trying to lay low.
He takes five steps and hears the girl say "I just wish we knew what to expect."
Damn it, Damn it, Damn it! Shane says, and turns around.
He doesn't give his full name when he makes his introduction to them. He does say he graduated, recently. For the next hour or two, he gives them warning of the Acadamae's dangers, and what he learned of how best to survive it. He tells them which teachers border on the actually kind, and what areas to avoid lest you be trapped in them. He also mentions alternatives to the Academae where they still might learn magic if they get rejected, or perfer a safer locale.
"If you insist on going and survive to the last year, they'll insist you summon a devil, even a minor one, to graduate. They'll teach you how to summon a devil, don't listen to it, don't bargain with it, just banish it anew as safely as you can. Don't let them twist your soul."
The boy blinks, "You mean it, right? The Devil?"
Shane looks at them both "I mean them, the Acadamae. You can get the knowledge AND remain good people. Staying decent is the real test there. If you must go there, I hope you pass that." And he rises and departs, worried for their future but he's done what he could.
3) Despite his fleeing from potential matrimony, Shane is not beyond noticing feminine charms. Quite the opposite, but the problem with being a Tiefling is, when you look at women, their men folk often see you as a threat to their delicate flowers and will rush to defend them by beating the leaving crap out of you. Because that's what 'gentlemen' do.
Nevermind that whoever the fellow is, leering is a good way to get slapped, and rightly so in many cases. Still, as he walks by the temple of Erastil one day, he sees the towns folk there have a private garden to celebrate the god of farming (Among other things) and sees one woman bending over to pluck up a root vegtable. Her rear is shapely, toned, and... it has a tail, a bifurcated tail that does nothing to detract.
She seems to sense him there and says "If you'd like to set up an easel and start painting, I can't hold the pose THAT lo.." She turns and faces him, equally surprised but she recovers from that surprise first.
"You're a tiefling," Shane blurts and immediately feels foolish.
The crimson skinned woman puts her hands on her hips and looks up at the slightly taller wizard, "Good eye, No fooling you. You must be the genius of that group of visitors the Holdts are taking care of."
She might mean it playfully, but he feels a bit affronted, "I AM a genius actually."
"I'll take your word for it," She grins, then goes back to pulling that plant out, "Yes, I am a Tiefling, a Nephilm, a devil spawn. I am also known by some as Marta-Carla. Do you have a name, or do you really want me to call you genius?"
"You started that," He points out.
"Now I'm finishing it, what's your name?" Marta-Carla inquires again.
"Shane," He answers before remembering he's not supposed to be interacting too much and he's done it far too much here. He doesn't share his last name. Though the woman clearly knows he's at the Holdts place, "I admit, I was surprised to find another tiefling here. I was expecting a good lynching when I first arrived."
"Unlike the paradise of tolerance that is Korvosa?" Marta-Carla looked back to arch a brow, "If we're going to talk, help me with some of these, will you?"
"I guess we're going to talk," he was used to his fellow tieflings laying low, hanging to the shadows. Here, Marta-Carla was outside a temple, with her tail up in the air as if she didn't give a damn. He bent down to help, "And you're right, Korvosa is not a bastion of tolerance. In fact," he confided, "I think it's going to get worse. Tensions there are rising. Stay here, it's safer."
She pulled out a new plant and threw it into a cart, "See, now it sounds like there is trouble. How do you know I'm not some paladin to Erastil ready to rush off and save those silly city folks from themselves?"
"ARE you a Paladin of Erastil?" He inquired with a smirk.
"No, but I COULD be," She hurumphs, "Well probably not. My father's a priest here, and I pay respect to old dead eye, but I'm not modest enough to really make his chosen."
"I noticed," Shane ahemed.
She shot him a dangerous look.
"I didn't say I didn't approve," he hastily added.
She arched a brow, "So you DO approve?"
"Not, that you need any man's approval," Shane sputtered a bit wondering how he had ended up in this verbal trap, "You know, back to the subject... I apologize if I gawked."
"SO, I'm not worth gawking at,"She snorted.
Shane blinked, then grinned, catching on "You're having fun with me, aren't you?"
"Not much entertainment in Harse so I take it where i can get it," The She-Tiefling replied, "Shane, I won't lie and say Harse is a utopia, but it's okay to be out in the open now and then."
"No," Shane sighed, "It's not really not. Things are stirring that may go beyond the city, and the less your people know us, probably the better for you all."
"By Dead Eye's antlers, that sounds lonely," Marta-Carla looked at him with pity.
"I have friends," He assures, "Good folks. We'll do what we can to help as many as we can."
"Are you sure YOU aren't a paladin?" She inquired looking at him thoughtfully.
"I'm not," he laughed at the notion, "Just a wizard who has a paladin friend. You think the idealism is infectious?"
"I think your idealistic friends have given you an excuse to embrace the idealism you had all along, and you should be grateful for it. It looks good on you." She gave another look at him, one that wasn't a leer, but was rather ..complimentary regardless.
"Oh, so I'm not just a genius, I'm a GOOD looking genius," He quipped. Thank goodness Jessica had trained him so he wasn't a complete social invalid.
The tail smacked his side lightly, "Grab a spade and get to work, Genius."
He'd never enjoyed physical labor so much in his life. Confusing!
---
When they leave Harse, Shane will have a much better opinion of at least one smaller town.
He still thinks crickets need to shut the hell up though.
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Elric looks puzzled for another moment, then he smiles. He realizes that perhaps his otherwise sharp observational skills have missed some glaringly obvious signs lately.
Gods, she's so young and innocent. And I've been blind as a bat, apparently.
"I did notice your outfit and that you looked lovely in it....of course you did, you look lovely in anything, even armor. I guess I just saw it as another disguise. I've been so preoccupied with everything that's happening with the city since my return to give much thought to....well, you know."
He steps closer and places his own hand over Audrias where she is holding her glaive. Then he pauses.
"Wait...your hair isn't going to start growing wildly if we keep talking about this, is it? It would be pretty awkward to have to explain to the others when we return."
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It's been almost ten years since Nips at Heels spent a night out under the stars.
They didn't miss it. Being back out here made them feel like a kid again, gawky and ungainly as they tried to keep up with what seemed like every day's new changes to... everything. They'd lived in Korvosa their entire life, even their Gran, or the most gnarled and rigid of their uncles and aunties knew that they couldn't make their way here in the full traditions of the Tamiir-Quah. Hells, their father was a fisherman, and there hadn't been fishermen in their line since the time of the Azghat to hear some tell it.
But there were still right and wrong ways to do things. It seemed like sometimes everyone had just wanted little Ayotah to give up, and live fully as a tshamek, an outsider. It would have been easier, but it wasn't who they were. So they'd gone up the Jeggare, and out onto the plains, and after every elder, even Mother of Song, had heard them suggest roof running for their rite of passage, and given some variation of the same denial -That's not our way- they finally went up to the Storval Plateau to run and fast and breathe what they could of the ways of their ancestors.
Nothing ever made them feel smaller; only leaving would make them feel more alone.
They were grown now, and the time they'd spent out away from their world seemed shorter with older eyes; this trip was shorter still, and busied with guarding Theo, and chiding Duckling, and idly flirting with Abella, and dark dreams of featureless steel.
But beneath the great open sky, everything but them fell away.
It was beautiful; Harse was still a relief.
Audria stops spinning her glaive in place and looks up as Elric replies. She feels both a little giddy and very foolish and selfish as he explains himself. Then all rational thought goes fleeing as he steps closer. Her heart begins to beat faster as he puts his hand over hers, and the tell-tale prickling in her scalp begins.
And just as Elric asks if her hair would start to grow wildly if they continue to talk about this, he gets his answer as it begins to grow.
"I-I think it's a little late to be worried about that," Audria says as she bashfully looks up through her lengthening bangs, but she doesn't seem upset. She gives the marine a wry smile. as she puts her other hand over his.
"At least this time I'm fully clothed," she says with a laugh.
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As his words prove prophetic, Elric chuckles softly. This time, there's no mistaking the signals that the pretty paladin is sending him.
"Well now...I guess we might as well make the most of it, then." he says with an impish grin and shifts his grip.
Both their polearms clatter to the ground as he pulls Audria in for a passionate kiss.
Audria's eyes widen in surprise as Elric pulls her in for the kiss, her first kiss. As the shock wears off, she relaxes and returns the kiss as she wraps her arms around Elric. For one blissful moment she forgets about all of her worries, despotic queens, and the turmoil still bubbling under Korvosa's surface. She feels warm and giddy when their lips finally part, and can't keep herself from giggling as she catches her breath and leans into the marine. As the high wears off, she smiles contentedly.
"Thank you," she whispers just loud enough to be heard.
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The feeling of the kiss is almost electric and Audria's skin and hair feels smooth as silk. Even though they are pressed close together, their armor prevents him from feeling softness of her curves and the warmth of her body.
Resisting the temptation to tear away their breastplates and clothing, Elric instead holds her slender frame gently and strokes the locks of her magically extended hair.
This is so different from the lust-filled and experimenting encounters I've had in Magnimar, Ilsur's Arena and as a marine. Her innocence is so pure. I must handle her heart as carefully as a dove's egg, he thinks to himself as he gazes down on the lovely teenager.
"The pleasure is all mine" he smiles as he holds her close. Leaning down to kiss her one last time, he releases his grip and moves to recover his fallen weapon.
"We had better get back. We'll find some time to be alone again soon, I promise."
Audria looks up and meets Elric's lips again with hers. When Elric lets her go and says they need to head back, she blinks as she comes out of the pleasant daze she had fallen into.
"I-I would like that," she stammers before she grabs her glaive.
As they walk back together, Audria stays close by Elric's side and hums a pleasant little tune. The extra length of her hair slowly dissolves into sparkling motes of light, though the newest nine inches remain strawberry-blonde. It's certain to lead to some questions, perhaps even awkward ones, but for now, she's content just to live in the moment.
At some point during their stay, several inches of Audria's hair, starting from the roots, changes from being dyed raven-black to being its natural strawberry-blonde. After that, whenever she and Elric are together, she has a shy smile curling the corners of her mouth and stands or sits closer to him.
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She is displeased to find that now, despite her somewhat longer limbs and much higher physical strength, that light jog is still exhausting to maintain. On the other hand, although she still must push herself on through the burning of her muscles with an effort of will, she no longer feels in danger of passing out at the end of three hours. And at least the road itself is flat and well-maintained. No hopping streams, climbing slopes of rocky scree, or pushing through dense underbrush is required. She pauses when the nighttime lights of Korvosa come into sight, getting her breath back for the final mile or two and also stepping off the road for a minute to bind her ears and change into Merula's clothes unseen. As a final precaution, she takes the southernmost gate back into the city, rather than the northern gate by which they left.
But it was no bad thing to have such an experience to go with her undeniable skill and stage presence, and Saratha had lost no time in snapping her up as soon as she announced her intention to quit the Marbledome. With her dark skin and long, black hair, the Varisian Deyanira had featured in several exotic-themed productions there, the most notable being her role as Malika, the faithful servant of a Vudrani princess who falls in love with a young Taldan army captain. And she had picked up an artistic specialty in the form of a martial double fan dance, which Merula was eager to learn. Of course, wanting to incorporate new techniques that would combine well with the very warlike and acrobatic choreography of the Tsomah and Brekka roles was reason enough; her other reasons were her own. Naturally, she had offered to pay generously to learn the secrets of the technique, and Deyanira had agreed.
Their lessons are to start on Toilday, from early morning until midafternoon, each day until Merula has mastered the general ideas of the double fan.
"Our friend asked me to check on you." The croak emerges from the shadows just before Shrike herself does, the pale sharp-beaked mask appearing almost to hover in the darkness. She pauses. That was not exactly a question about Jessica's welfare. She tries again. "Is all well."
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"Ah, it's you. Did everything go well?" Once she is reassured that Audria and her friends were not caught trying to sneak a wanted person out of the city, she answers Shrike's question. "Well... no, all is not well. I would never tell Audria this, you understand, but I'm worried. The whole story about Trinia a- doing what they say she did, the sham execution, and now a friend of mine has gone off to try and join the Gray Maidens!" Jessica throws her hands up in exasperation. "I hope they don't take her. But that's a slim hope. And... I get it. We're all struggling to make ends meet, and they promise good pay, stability, an impressive outfit, all that. I'm all for female power, but this... this is rubbing me the wrong way." She lets out a loud sigh. "Anyway, how are you?"
After a few days in Harse, Abella, Elric, Audria, Pava and Shane are ready to return to Korvosa. Audria has made some pocket change by selling one of her paintings - not a lot of coin, but a wicker cage with a pair of chickens, a basket of fresh eggs, five pounds of smoked ham, a jar of olive oil and a small wheel of aged cheese wrapped in waxed paper. At least they'll be eating well on the return journey.
About a day and a half out from the city, towards dusk, a group of six people move into the road to stand directly in the path of the cart. "Halt!" one of the shouts, making the horses nicker and shy away. "Lovelies and gentlemen, we are here to extract the new road tax. By order of Her Majesty, all travellers into the city of Korvosa must pay, mmm, ten gold sails each!" He smiles obnoxiously, hands on the shaft ends of the handaxes tucked into his belt. His companions look a little rag-tag, their mismatched clothes bearing crudely sewn emblems of Korvosa. They are armed with clubs, knives and a couple of shortbows.
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Pulling the cart to a halt a good distance from the wannabe "tax collectors", Elric simply smiles an overbearing smile and calmly retrieves a small signal whistle hanging from a chain around his neck.
He blows a series of three sharp notes in rapid succession, then lets the whistle drop.
"Gentlemen, that odd screeching you'll begin to hear in a brief moment is the sound of 1,500 pounds of ill-tempered hippogriff initiating a dive attack from high altitude. I strongly suggest running," he says as he reaches for his enchanted longbow.
"I hope Tally and Majenko have enough sense to either fly clear or hang on real tight..." he adds to the other occupants of the cart.
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"I think Tally's hanging on tight," Audria whispers back to Elric as she grabs her bow as sneakily as she can manage while she feels Talanaliel's surprise and terror through their link.
"Aim for the leader," she asks.
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"Well... no, all is not well. I would never tell Audria this, you understand, but I'm worried. The whole story about Trinia a- doing what they say she did, the sham execution, and now a friend of mine has gone off to try and join the Gray Maidens!" Jessica throws her hands up in exasperation. "I hope they don't take her. But that's a slim hope. And... I get it. We're all struggling to make ends meet, and they promise good pay, stability, an impressive outfit, all that. I'm all for female power, but this... this is rubbing me the wrong way." She lets out a loud sigh. "Anyway, how are you?"
"Still looking for the necromancer. Rolth Lamm." Jessica probably knows the story of Gaedren's death from Audria by now. "And his... associate. An elf woman. But childish. Half-cracked and half-fuddled, sounds like. Goes by many names. No fixed address."
Shrike pauses, struck by a thought. The South Shore elves had said this girl was a self-destructive and drug-addicted outcast from their kind, though not in so many words. She needed help. Might she have looked to the servants of the gods for it, at one time or another? Or for charity of some other kind? Food, a place to sleep? Better ask around the temples. And Madame Ioana is a Calistrian initiate of some kind. Though if she does much out of charity, she certainly keeps it close to the chest. But she's set up right next door to the biggest drug den in Old Dock, and there're no more than a few hundred elves in Korvosa altogether. Say half of them are women. There just can't be that many who are addicts bad enough to get tossed out of the village, besides. "If you or that Madame hear aught of either. We'd be obliged."
Her head turns down and away. "Don't like the Maidens much either. Something's wrong there. Don't know what yet. Didn't know they were recruiting here. Who's your friend?"
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Pava sighs. "Lads, you do realize that the only way any of you walk away from this is if all of you walk? Sharpish?"
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The leader maintains his overly pleasant smile, but a couple of the others glance upwards and their jaws drop. Almost gibbering, they scramble to get off the road and crawl into the bushes bordering it. The commotion makes the leader's false affable expression falter, and the sight of the arrow trained on him seems to make up his mind.
"Ah, esteemed citizens, I almost forgot an important point! The first visit to the city is free, by the magananimosity of our glorious queen, so please be on your way. Enjoy the sights!"
With hurried hand signals, the rest of the "toll collectors" clear out, leaving the road free.
As for the topic of the Gray Maidens, Jessica lifts one shoulder in a shrug. "Tall, well-built, beats rich people for money." She pauses for a beat, half-grins. "In the sexual way. It's good money, too, but she says they disgust her."
"Should we tell them about the weapon tax?" clearly Shane thinks these fellows need defanged.
"They'll just try this again if we don't do something, won't they," Audria asks. She's in full agreement with Shane that these bandits need to be taken care of.
"Not so fast, fellas! Given your shoddy discipline, poor recollection of the law and general bad manners, we've decided you collectively need to take up a more peaceful profession than the Queen's service. Turnip farming or something similar. Now hand over the weapons nice and easy. I promise you won't be able to outrun neither the arrows or the hippogriff." Elric says calmly, while glancing up at the dark spot in the sky that's rapidly growing bigger.
As a pointed reminder of the consequences of refusing, Audria stands and reveals the bow and nocked arrow she has ready for them.
"Elf...? I think I know who you mean. Long blonde braid, pretty, mood swings. Don't remember her name, Jenny maybe? Josie? She goes to the Dragon's Breath, more often of late since..." A head tilt is enough to communicate the recent leadership changes in Eel's End.
As for the topic of the Gray Maidens, Jessica lifts one shoulder in a shrug. "Tall, well-built, beats rich people for money." She pauses for a beat, half-grins. "In the sexual way. It's good money, too, but she says they disgust her."
The mask is still and impassive as Shrike listens, giving no sign of her intent interest in this new description of her quarry. It is less able to hide the controlled rage that bunches her shoulders at the situation of Jessica's friend. "Can't blame her. But she won't find freedom there. The Queen treats people like things too." The croak is flat and grim. She notes that Jessica carefully avoided giving her a name, but doesn't press. We've seen what she did to a random person who happened to be in the wrong place with the right look when she wanted to make an example. What happens when one of her perfectly matched toy soldiers steps out of line? Wants to quit?
Nothing she will be able to do anything about, is the answer. So there's no point in borrowing someone else's trouble. "Anyway. That's more than I had. I owe you one."
The pretend tax collectors grit their teeth at the request to hand over their weapons, but the threat of numerous pointy things pointed at them wins above any ill-conceived notion of fighting back they might have had.
The day after, a little after noon, the wall encircling East Side comes into view and the familiar Korvosan skyline is visible behind it and above, hazed by distance and the smoke from thousands of chimneys.
Shane smiles as the pretend tax collectors are stripped of their weapons, but later as the city comes into view, he inquires of his peers, "I just thought of a problem, what do we do about the weapons in our cart? Claim we're arms dealers, or just hand them over to the authorities?"
"A handful of clubs, knives, and hunting bows? I think claiming to be arms dealers is the option that raises more questions, innit?"
"I say we tell the truth and hand them over for any bounty they offer."
"Let's see if it becomes an issue. We're pretty heavily armed as it is, so a few extra weapons in the bottom of the wagon should not make much difference. If we get challenged, we can play it by ear depending on who's asking. If it's a city guard, we can be truthful and hand over the weapons, if it's one of those Grey Maidens, probably best to just gloss over the incident and claim we're just being extra careful traveling the countryside. After all, there's a slim chance they were real tax collectors appointed by the Queen. I would not put squeezing travelers for gold past her."
He nods at Pava's point "Sometimes I do perhaps over complicate." Then Shane listens to Audria and Elric "Very slim I'd say, but good plan, Elric."
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Korvosa looks much like it did two weeks ago. The Breaching Festival has come and gone, and so did the Day of Destiny, which marks the day Emperor Halleck IV signed the charter that eventually became Korvosa. Soon it will be the summer solstice and Riverwind Festival, when the prevailing winds shift for a few weeks, bringing a cool breeze down from the Mindspin Mountains. This break from the heat is celebrated in the traditional Korvosan way (which is, drinking to excess).
The bridges and gates are less heavily guarded, and things seem to have somewhat returned to normal. The guards do spot the weapons in the cart and inquire about them, listening to the explanation with some concern. "Well, thank you for disarming them for now. We'll report to the Field Marshal and see what she has to say," one of them sighs. "Damn bandits, this close to the city. You're lucky they were not looking for a fight."
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Shane lets others do the talking at the gate, keeping his cowl over his features as best he can. Frankly, he is of the opinion that the would be bandits were the lucky ones for not seeking a fight, but he’s not going to debate the guards; particularly when braggadocio about how dangerous you and your friends are to authority figures is probably not prudent.
He can’t help but smile a bit as they return into the city proper. Korvosa is wicked, narrow minded, and appallingly harsh at times, but it is home. Harse felt so small and he was sure he’d be bored stiff of it if he stayed too much longer. Yet, wistfully, he thinks of Marta-Carla. Her, he might miss. A most engaging lass, to be sure. He pondered writing her a letter, but wasn’t sure how she’d feel about that. And, he must confess, the Holdt family made a good impression on him too. The kids appreciated illusionary shows. Overall, he hoped they would all prosper in the years to come.
But he has things to do.
As he waves farewell to the others, the first thing he does is make sure his house is okay. He needs to the plants, and seeing how Majenko is doing. The little House Drake has become more than an Ally, but a friend.
Of course, he’s a bit suspicious as he notes that various high areas in the house show signs of being shuffled around, not rudely, nor is anything is destroyed. Pillows have been re-arranged as if made into make shift nests. There are signs of foodbits he doesn’t quite recognize here and there.
A thought occurs, ”Majenko? Did you throw a party for other House Drakes here while we were gone?”
However the House Drake does or doesn’t answer, there will be a bit of a straightening up.
----------
In a fit of rare extroversion, the oft reclusive Tiefling goes to visit his friends.
Jessica L'Morie, a fellow graduate of the Acadame, should have all the dirt on how the Breaching Festival went and so on. If times are rough, he lends a shoulder. Also, he mentions the two potential students he met in Harse, and asks her to keep an eye out for them. He plans to do the same with Grumbly Hale, who no doubt will try to talk them into the Theumanexus College instead.
His last visit to a friend is Old Broom, custodian of the temple of Aroden, and fellow Tiefling. As usual, once with someone he trusts, Shane can get a bit loquacious is no one else fills the air, and Old Broom isn’t much of a talker. Rather the old tiefling listens to Shane, and when Shane talks more than once about Marta-Carla, the old man’s brow rises until finally, the janitor begins to shakes his head sadly as if youth is wasted on the young.
----------------------
While shopping for food replacements and more, Shane finds himself curious about how the DeGuidice family is doing? Oh he dare not get too close to their grand estate, but he worked very hard to tarnish Gissperia DeGuidice’s reputation, and hopes some of it has caused her a hassle. Only now does he really consider that it might have hurt his father and siblings too. Tristayn DeGuidice had shunned him publicly, and yet helped provide for him privately, even going so far as to pay for some very expensive education. An Education that had nearly gotten Shane slain more than once, but also brought him knowledge, power, and more respect than most ‘hellspawn’ would ever know. Then there were the two half sisters he’d never met, and one half brother. He doubted any would welcome him with open arms.
But he can disguise himself with spell, or cloak himself invisible entirely. This allows him to get closer to the DeGuidice estate than ever before. And he is curious.
That said, he won’t go past the front gates. He’s curious, but not a fool, and magic only protects one so much.
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Audria is more cheerful than the others have seen her since the night they all went to see Brekka and Hommel being put on by the troupe Merula is a part of. She spends a good chunk of the journey back staying close to Elric, getting to know him more and learn more about what he did as a marine before meeting up with all of them, staying up late into the night more than once as they talk. She asks about things like his favorite foods, places he likes to go to, and what he does to have fun or relax, but she also asks things that tell her more about his character and his worldview.
As they talk, Elric finds out more about her and what her life was like before the madness started in Korvosa. She tells him about how she'd been kicked out onto the streets when her mother died by Halvara and how Gaedren lamm had lured her into his net. When she talks about how she met Eliana and how she'd nearly been killed when she tried to protect her dearest friend shortly after that, she tries to put on a brave face, but winds up spending a long moment quietly curled up by his side as he holds her.
He learns how she and Eliana met Brother Theolan and Trinia, and about the numerous shenanigans the three young women got up to over the years, which makes it very easy to see why Sister Jenelyn had dubbed them the Trio of Chaos. She talks about how she met Misses Olga and Mister Bartholomew, though the way she talks about them make it clear they're more like the parents she didn't have growing up to her than anything else.
One night, when Audria kisses Elric on impulse before she can think about who is watching and winds up with her hair temporarily being longer than she is, she finally explains why her hair does that when she gets upset or embarrassed enough. She tells everyone about how some imps had bombarded both her and Eliana one day with some goo that the fiends had stolen from an alchemy lab at the Academae. The imps had hit their targets and there hadn't been anything the Shelynites could do or the Academae would do to remove it or restore their locks, and the two of them had wound up almost shaved bald after the goo had been cut out with seemingly no choice but to spend several years growing it out again.
Still, even with their hair gone, the two of them are pretty, and one of the younger Academae students told them about a rumor he had heard. That led them to meeting Madame Ioana, Jessica L'Morie, and the other Dockside Doxies, as well as Devargo Barvasi, when the two of them snuck out and into Old Korvosa a few nights later, something that Tally rather pungently observes was not their finest moment. Jessica was able to help them grow their hair out, but ever since that night, they both would have their hair spontaneously grow by feet whenever they were particularly stressed, mostly by being upset or embarrassed. After finishing her tale, she explains that whenever Jessica would cut the excess length, she'd save it so Madame Ioana could make wigs from their hair, which have proven to be rather popular.
In one of the quieter moments, when it is only the two of them, Audria confesses how she still feels guilty about killing Giggles and one of the assassins they'd run into while looking for the children, Lamm's Lambs, that had scattered when they realized that Giggles, Yargin, and Hookshanks were dead and about her part in Gaedren Lamm's and Devargo Barvasi's deaths. She recognizes the silliness of it, given that they wouldn't have thought twice about her death at their hands if the situations had been reversed, but it's clear that she doesn't like violence and taking lives weighs on her. That the course she's chosen will inevitably require her to cause more bloodshed even in the best case is not lost on her, and even knowing that, she still believes it's the only path she can take, now.
"Is it naive of me to not want to hurt anyone," she asks him.
Audria feels a strange mixture of relief and returning apprehension as they return to Korvosa and make it through the gates unmolested by the Gray Maidens. She keeps her hood up to cover her hair, now that it is once again its natural color.
"I suppose Desna smiled on us and Shelyn blessed us with silver tongues that day," Audria replies.
After returning the wagon, Audria bids farewell to everyone as they split off until only she and Elric are left. She gives him a hug when they have to go their own ways, asking him if they could meet the next afternoon before kissing him on the cheek.
"Until tomorrow my valiant marine," she says quietly and gives him a warm smile.
Their goodbyes said, Audria hums a lovely tune as she heads for Jessica's flat.
Audria uses the key that Jessica had given her to let herself into the alchemist's apartment. The smell of flowers, spices, herbs, and fruit fills the air as the door opens. Jessica looks up from where she's sprawled out on a divan reading a book at the sound of the lock's tumblers releasing the latch and smiles as she sees Audria walking through the door.
"I see you made it back safe and sound," she says. Her eyebrows rise above the rims of her glasses as Audria lowers her hood of her cloak and Tally flits out from under it to turn into a half-elf dressed in a set of traveling clothes. "Did something happen," Jessica asks as she realizes that none of the dye she's put in the young Shelynite's hair is left.
"Hmm?" Audria turns to look at the alchemist as she cocks her head and narrows her eyes to give the paladin a look that reminds her strongly of the ones that Sister Jenelyn would give her whenever she, Eliana, and Trinia had gotten into trouble. "Like what," Audria asks.
"Whaddya mean, 'like what?' I mean what happened to all of the lovely work I put into giving you the most beautiful raven locks the city has ever seen," Jessica asks as she gestures as Audria's head and shoulders with her arms.
"Oh." Audria giggles and blushes as she remembers, vividly remembers, both the sparring session and the impulsive kiss that had lead to her hair growing out and the part that had been dyed fading away. "Well-- um--"
"Oh c'mon, Audria! It's not like you kissed a boy or something," Jessica says with bemusement and exasperation at her friend's inability to spit it out. She laughs until she sees Audria blushing even more and nodding her head.
"You did?!" Jessica looks at Audria, dumb-founded. "Who?!"
"Elric," Audria admits, a smile she doesn't even notice curling the corners of her mouth up.
Oh. Oh my! She's well and truly smitten. Well, I suppose it was bound to happen sooner or later. Jessica pushes the thought to one side.
"And when is the next time you'll be seeing each other," Jessica asks, a feline grin on her face.
"Tomorrow afternoon."
"Perfect! That's plenty of time! Now let's see what I can do to help you knock him senseless," Jessica says as she starts pushing Audria towards her bedroom. "You can tell me all about your trip and how your first kiss was while we're at it!"
The next afternoon, Audria shows up at the place she and Elric agreed to meet with her hair once again dyed raven black and wearing an airy dress, inspired by elven fashion, with a fitted bodice and billowing skirts and sleeves. If not for the lack of pointed ears, she might be able to pass for an elven maiden.
After talking for a little bit and enjoying themselves while they get somewhere they won't be overheard, Audria asks if Elric would be willing to help her take Halvara down. Leaving the vindictive half-elf to pick up the pieces of Devargo Barvasi's criminal empire hasn't sat right with her, and while she doesn't know what to do about Queen Ileosa, she does know what she can do about Halvara, and she would like to have Elric's help in putting her behind bars where the Robins might be able to get her to sing about all of the rats she deals with. Whatever comes of the conversation, she thanks Elric for hearing her out and gives him a kiss after planning their next rendezvous. As she walks down the street with a spring in her step, she hums one of the hymns penned by a romantic thanking Shelyn for her blessing and letting them see their dreams of love come true.
If Audria is going to succeed in getting Halvara behind bars and permanently breaking up the criminal enterprise run out of Eel's End she will need to get past Halvara's guard, and while she trusted everyone in the small band trying to do what they could for Korvosa, Merula, or as everyone else knows her, Shrike, is the only one that she knows can help her go into the imp's nest without getting stung or worse. Pava's modus operandi seemed to be to stand out as much as practical. Shane could use magic, but between his distinctive features and the limited duration of his spells, it won't suit her plans. Elric nor Abella had the right skills as far as she knew, which only left Shrike.
Audria spends the morning after her date with Elric asking where she could find Florescu's Farrago, the troupe that had premiered Hommel and Brekka close to three weeks ago. It takes about an hour of talking before someone points her in the right direction. She hopes Merula is there so she can ask her quietly whenever the young dancer has a free moment, but if not, she asks that they pass a message along that she'll meet her at Three Rings Tavern the evening after they next expect to see her.
With the meeting set up, or at least with a message to pass on, Audria heads for one of the places she remembers being a good spot to earn some coin by singing or dancing. She finds a group of Varisian musicians playing in one of the market squares nearby and asks if she could join their performance. While hesitant at first, they agree when she shows that she knows at least a few of their traditional dances. After only a few minutes, however, the hesitancy is gone as Audria puts on one of the best performances of her life.
Audria dresses as plainly as she can for her meeting with Merula, wearing the outfit she normally wears while painting. The simple, cream shirt and green skirt are made well enough, but they are a far cry from anything that speaks of wealth or fashion. Her hair, dyed raven-black, is tied into a plain tail that goes down her back and ends a few inches above her waist. Anyone looking at her might just assume she is one of the many artisans and shopkeepers doing their best to get by. She only hopes that no one sees the two holy symbols she wears hidden under her shirt. The silver one would raise enough eyebrows without anyone seeing the abalone one. Still, she would much rather have them than to not.
After ordering something cool to drink, she settles in and waits for Merula to arrive.
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After a fortnight of the city lurching from one crisis to the next, Merula finds it a pleasant change to see no one's blood except for that from a ripped toenail or skinned knee for nearly the next two weeks. Her life returns almost to the previous six months' normal, except that now when she wakes from a nightmare in the grey predawn light only a few hours after slipping in through her window, she knows that Isi is sleeping just down the hall. Each time she remembers, it is as though a great crushing weight has been lifted from her chest, and she can turn over with a muttered prayer of thanks to the Hunter and go back to sleep. If she sometimes gets up anyway to slide noiselessly to his door and open it just a crack to check, well, that is her business. And, of course, she goes to Zellara's twice a week to tend the garden and Gaekhen's tree.
Each day Merula goes out to take lessons, give lessons, dance for the Farrago, or simply spend time with her family on days off. Each night after the first five days, when she does not have to wake unusually early in the morning to learn the secrets of the double fan, Shrike watches patiently for usable information or any sign of her quarry from atop roofs and behind corners in the grimy alleys and stinking piers of Old Dock, paying special attention to Eel's End and its ship the Dragon's Breath. She returns home late, practices with the billy-jacket and tumbler's dummy, and falls into bed. Occasionally for color, she finds some unlucky spider-sipper wandering out of the Dragon's Breath fuddled and alone, and whisks him or her into the shadows for a terrifying 'chat' — albeit one that usually ends in an unseen escort out of the stalking grounds of the Old Dock rushers and night-prowlers that might otherwise have fallen upon such unfortunates. In spare moments she performs drills that apply her new double-fan techniques to combat with the branch-spear and other weapons, still making use of the tumbler's dummy.
Merula arrives at the Three Rings Tavern at half-past the tenth bell, her silver-blonde hair pinned in a low, loose chignon and her pale cheeks still slightly pink from scrubbing away makeup and paint. It takes her a moment to recognize Audria with the new hair color, but she waves slightly when she does. As usual, the bar has plenty of custom, but it is relatively quiet compared to the roar of an ordinary tavern, and as many of the patrons are nursing cups of coffee or tea as flagons of ale or glasses of wine. Merula ducks past the sour face of the imposing Shoanti bouncer with a diffident nod, and in short order is able to get a mug of her usual from the middle-aged Chelaxian woman tending the bar — a retired adventurer, she's heard. She soon slides in across from Audria holding a thick pottery tankard of something that smells herbal and green, almost minty.
"Hello, Audria; how did you know about this place? Don't tell me: you're a regular." Merula's slightly mischievous smile stays in place as she adds, "I do hope your period of rustication was peaceful. Your friend is holding her own, by the way. She seems a bit rattled by the recent goings-on, and it is of no help at all that one of her own friends is considering joining up with the Grey Maidens."
Audria returns Merula's small wave with one of her own. She sips from her own dew-beaded mug as she waits for the silvery-haired woman to get a drink for herself and join her. She chuckles at Merula's question and the smile that comes with it, though the levity fades as she hears about how Jessica is doing.
"Thank you for checking on her. I can't say I'm surprised. I guess she really does see me as her little sister that needs protecting," she says as she looks down into her mug. "Did she say who her friend was? I might be able to convince her not to join."
After getting an answer to her question, she frowns, though she really isn't surprised. Jessica was pretty good about keeping confidences. She flags down a server as they pass and puts in an order as she puts the concern away for now. She'll just have to find out somehow.
"Sorry," she apologizes while the server is still in earshot. "I didn't answer your questions, did I? The trip was fine, though we ran into a spot of trouble on the way back. Thankfully, they saw the error of their ways before things went poorly for them. As for how I found out about here, I was asking around about where I could find the Farrago, and this was one of the places where I asked. I'm not a regular, though I think that's going to change if the food is as good as their drinks are."
It's subtle, a slight coloring of her cheeks, a wistful curl to the corners of her mouth, and the sparkle in her eyes say that the trip, or something that happened during it was more than fine. There's definitely more to the trip than Audria is letting on.
As they talk while waiting for their meals, Audria tries to make sure there is no one that could eavesdrop on their conversation. After the food is brought out and she's satisfied that no one will overhear, Audria gets to the true reason for wanting to see Merula.
"I need some help," she tells the dancer quietly. "It never sat well with me that Halvara was left to pick up the pieces after what happened to the King of Spiders. I want to do something about it, but in a way that gets her and anyone protecting her behind bars or at the gallows after a fair trail. Think you know someone that could help," she asks just over the background conversations before taking a bite of whatever the special of the day is.
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Merula asks for more detail about the journey and makes small talk for a time until Audria feels safe to bring up her true request. She trades questions about the encounter with trouble on the road, Bartholomew and Olga's children and their farmstead, and how 'that young cousin of Master Orsini' is getting on, for the latest news of Audria's and her own friends in the temple of Shelyn and the theatre world over the last two weeks: Deyanira's dramatic resignation from the Marbledome, the ripples of shock and solidarity over Gaekhen's death, shows that have opened or closed, a messy and public falling-out between the first and second violin in the Follies' orchestra.
"I need some help," she tells the dancer quietly. "It never sat well with me that Halvara was left to pick up the pieces after what happened to the King of Spiders. I want to do something about it, but in a way that gets her and anyone protecting her behind bars or at the gallows after a fair trial. Think you know someone that could help," she asks just over the background conversations before taking a bite of whatever the special of the day is.
"A fair trial?" Merula's smile is gently sardonic, though it does not seem that the mockery is directed at Audria. "It is a noble goal, but I'm afraid I don't know anyone who can guarantee that, in this city. It sounds like you would first need the cooperation of some... redbreasted friends."
A flash of cold purpose flits over her expression like a cloud, before she veils her eyes and sips deliberately from her tankard. "But I might know someone who has a few tidbits they would like to know."
Audria can't help feeling a little bit like the naive girl learning how the world really works as Merula smiles at her. The mockery may not be aimed her way, but she still feels her cheeks heating as she feels that she's venturing into deep waters, as Bartolomew had told her whenever she was about to get in over her head.
"I was thinking more about casting a net or laying a hook than asking about fishing spots," she replies. "I'd provide the bait, and I think that would land us something that would attract some friendly red-bellies."
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Shane is about to step away, the front gates still feel like a barrier, and at this rate, even invisibility would be chancy. Perhaps it would get him closer yet, but no...
He does get a glimpse of a girl at one of the upper floor windows, peeking from behind lace curtains before turning away with a decidedly frustrated huff and toss of her head. Her dark hair is elaborately plaited and pinned and her features are a little too sharp to be called beautiful, giving her a somewhat hawkish air.
And he pauses, taking a moment to memorize the features A half sister? I think so. I wonder if she'd hate me? Or maybe she takes after her mother and is just hateFILLED? Or maybe... mmm dont' fool yourself , Illusionist. Still, I do wonder if she's caught up in this over much. I only meant my mother's murderers to pay for the crime. We'll see how it works out. I wonder what my half siblings are like as people? But I'll not likely learn anytime soon. No, I fear the slander will continue ; it's the main weapon I have.
And he heads home.
During the trip back, Elric enjoys the relative peace and comfort as much as he can, especially the time he gets to spend getting to know Audria better.
He keeps the details of his childhood and youth vague, mentioning only that he left his family in Korvosa in his teens to go live with relatives in Magnimar.
Instead, he tells plenty of stories from his time at Ilsur's Arena, the fighting academy where he learned to master the bow, hammer and longsword, as well as his time in the marines.
He smiles when Audria tells him the story of her hair and why it keeps growing.
When she talks about not wanting to hurt others, he replies.
"It is not naive at all. I don't want to hurt anyone either. We both know that sometimes, that can't be avoided, but the intention makes a big difference. During my training as a Marine, one of our instructors told us that most people are like sheep, unable to properly defend themselves. And some people are like wolves who prey on the sheep if they get the chance. And some people are sheepdogs, living peacefully among the sheep but ready to defend them if the wolves come. You and I are sheepdogs, Audria. And woe to the wolf who mistakes our gentle treatment of others as weakness."
Once back in the city, Elric continues to enjoy Audria's company. He agrees without hesitation when she ask him to help her take down Halvara, although he silently suspects that the outcome of their efforts is more likely to be similar to the demise of the Spider King than end in imprisonment and trial.
He considers if he should approach Marshal Kroft about the matter, but decides to gather a bit more info first.
Listening to Elric pass on what his instructor had once told him, Audria feels something click into place and the tension she'd been feeling eases. She leans against Elric and lays her head on his shoulder.
"Thank you for sharing that," she tells him. "Don't ever tell that to Tally, though. She doesn't like dogs any more than she likes cats." Her laugh is soft and gentle as she closes her eyes. "Do you prefer ear scritches or head pats," she asks, stifling a yawn at the end. Before Elric can answer, though, Audria is fast asleep.
"I was thinking more about casting a net or laying a hook than asking about fishing spots," she replies. "I'd provide the bait, and I think that would land us something that would attract some friendly red-bellies."
Merula raises her brows delightedly and leans in as though Audria has told her a delicious secret. "I hope you do not mean to make yourself that bait, and I would not count on the abbess herself taking it anyway. She grows ever more paranoid, despite her purge of the king's people. But I am sure you have a plan," she murmurs. Then she settles back and returns to her normal tones. "Are you back at the Sanctuary of a morning then?"
"I did, and I was hoping you'd help me with the plan," Audria whispers after leaning in close enough to bump her head against Merula/s. She settles back into her seat and shakes her head at Merula's next question.
"Not yet. I think it's better if I'm not underfoot for a while," she says.
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After the curtain call to scattered applause of the swiftly dwindling spectators, the news begin to trickle in. Apparently the trebuchets installed atop Eodred's Wall near North Bridge fired at - and sunk - a ship that was seeking to enter the harbor. The rumours speak of pirates, Shoanti invaders, a trading house bribing the guards to sink a rival's vessel, but nobody seems to have actually seen the ship or know exactly what happened.
A few days after Audria and Merula's meeting, a messenger from the Sanctuary finds Audria with a note that there is someone from the Korvosan Guard looking for her and her friends at the temple.
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Audria is more than a little surprised to find that someone is looking for her and is very worried when they deliver a message about one of the robins looking for her and the others. She asks the messenger if they could help her round everyone up, sending them to where Shane and Elric are most likely to be while she looks for Merula and Pava and Tally finds Abella, asking all of them to meet her at the Sanctuary as soon as they can.
===
Audria feels her nerves twisting as she stands before the Sanctuary of Shelyn for the first time in almost a month. She wears her nicer robes under a light cloak that she wears to keep them from view. With Trinia still at large, she's noticed that wearing her holy symbol openly garners far more unfriendly looks than she is used to. She prays that her friend is safe and wonders if there is a way to reach her and see how she is doing. For that matter, she wonders if she could do the same with Eliana.
She shakes her head and steels her nerves. Now isn't the time to fret. She needs to focus. She enters the Sanctuary and looks to see who else has arrived.
"I did, and I was hoping you'd help me with the plan," Audria whispers after leaning in close enough to bump her head against Merula's. She settles back into her seat and shakes her head at Merula's next question.
"Not yet. I think it's better if I'm not underfoot for a while," she says.
"But this is famous!" Merula exclaims. "Setting up on your own for the first time? You must let me help you. What will your direction be in the meantime?"
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"I'm staying with a friend for the moment. She lives in Northpoint in the Griffin Building off of Saint's Walk. She'd be delighted to meet you, too," Audria answers, hoping she got the meaning of Merula's message right. "Though I think she'd recognize you in costume."
Around the tenth bell of evening, Shrike drops noiselessly into the Sanctuary's atrium from its central tree and goes looking for Audria, wondering what the coded note left at the New Korvosa Theatre for Merula was about. She had not seen it until she arrived after her afternoon lessons, whereupon the performance had been about to start, and it had not sounded like an emergency, so she had decided to come to the Sanctuary afterward. But she reflects that she would do well to figure out some way to allow Audria or the others to contact her more immediately, for use in times of crisis.