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Tungro · May 6, 2002, 06:25 AM

Cherish

ooc: I'm grateful that most of the PCs understand

Lots of changes and shifting, trying to keep up. But I love it, so I can't complain

IC:

Skylar

The balif was astounded by the question. He wasn't a man of hidden thoughts. His father clearly shows the quick anger that consumes him. " That bastard. He convience Elliot to let him out. Said he wasn't guilty of treason and that Lady Meladora had set him up." He bit out. His gray eyes flashing. " Our Lady is a fine woman, a bit head strong, but she comes by it honestly. Her family has been in Abestat since forever." He mumbled on, his face turning an unnatural shade of red/purple. The anger taking it's effect on him. " Now Elliot is in the cell while that mad man is on the loose. The Prefect has his men looking for him, but I fear that he may try to hurt her." He growled, then looked at Skylar. " I told her father as much when he came asking me the same questions about Lord Culturen."

He paused as if he forgot something, he realized you had asked about the Lady herself. " Lady Meladora is a fine woman, she'll do right by this city, Diana knows we need someone like her to turn us around."

Gwindin

The Prefect chuckled. " Actually I'll do better then that." He called out a sharp, " Hec." Soon a young boy came running in. The Prefect wrote down on a parchment of the plans and then rolled it up. He handed to the boy and spoke stern. " Straight to the Lady Thane's office and hand this directly to Areal, understand?"
The boy nods and runs off. The Prefect smiles to you both. " Won't take long, hes a quick boy. The Lady Thane can give her answer. If she wants more detail we will set up meeting, if not she'll give the okay and you can be on your way." The Lady Thanes office wasn't more then two or three building down the boy made it there quickly and got an answer just as quickly. He ran back the Prefects office, bursting in and grinning boyishly. The faster he was, the more the Prefect gave him as a reward and pay. The Prefect opened the parchment and nods.

" She agrees, you may set it up and I will have some of my guards join you. I will attend myself."

Podo

The person behind the counter speaks clearly as they look over your Visa. " Check in at the east Gate, they will tell you what to do from there."

__________________
Skylar Dain

Skylar was overwhelmed by an odd sense of relief. He had not expected to receive that much information from the bailiff as he thought it was too intimate to be known to many. Skylar revered the man with the utmost respect now and was very grateful for having revealed what he knew of Culturen and his sudden release. Skylar began to roll over the new occurrences in his mind. Culturen...Elliot...I wonder what the relationship is between the two. Lord Lastra too hath been on the inquiry, mayhaps I should meet up with him in my search for this Conspirator. Skylar stopped and looked up at the man, grabbing and shaking his hand with much gratitude.

"Sir, I am eternally grateful for your information. You have supplied answers to my questions and inferences and it will help me in my little trek." Releasing the hand, and with his smile fading, Skylar began asking some more questions. "Tell me, this...Elliot, what kind of man was he? Was he a competent guard or would it have been easy to succumb to this man's corruption? You see, I would really need to see this man, though I realize this is probably not an attainable goal. Do you, sir, have the authority to let me see this turned comrade? Mayhaps I should go in and see the Prefect if not, though I find you much more social from what I've seen or heard of the Prefect.

I apologize for having made you angry, because it is quite visible on your person. The Thane is in danger sir and you have a good heart and mind for speaking so kind words of her. If you want her to remain well, please do not hinder my efforts or keep information from me, which I'm sure you haven't done. Tell me, what know you of Culturen himself? Maybe before his apprehension you may remember something that could lead to his capture."

ooc: sorry for replying so soon roz, i only post in this city as of now so...yeah...lol sorry

__________________
Podo Proudfoot

OOC: Now im just confused at the east gate they told me to come here and here they told me there now where must i go.

IC: The hobbit looked on queer. "But i was just there." he said with a frown "And they told me the place to go was here." he said in and began to turn around back to were he had been.

__________________
Gwindin Tor

The Prefect chuckled. " Actually I'll do better then that." He called out a sharp, " Hec." Soon a young boy came running in. The Prefect wrote down on a parchment of the plans and then rolled it up. He handed to the boy and spoke stern. " Straight to the Lady Thane's office and hand this directly to Areal, understand?"
The boy nods and runs off. The Prefect smiles to you both. " Won't take long, hes a quick boy. The Lady Thane can give her answer. If she wants more detail we will set up meeting, if not she'll give the okay and you can be on your way." The Lady Thanes office wasn't more then two or three building down the boy made it there quickly and got an answer just as quickly. He ran back the Prefects office, bursting in and grinning boyishly. The faster he was, the more the Prefect gave him as a reward and pay. The Prefect opened the parchment and nods.

" She agrees, you may set it up and I will have some of my guards join you. I will attend myself."

Her back noticeably relaxing, the elf felt a cool bead of perspiration drop down her back. "Thank you for understanding sir, I was concerned that you would take our assertiveness as something more than just a passion for our job." With a nod to her compatriot, she offered, "We may yet get home in time for the weekend stew you love so well." The dwarf grumbled at this remark and tried to suck in his hard earned gut.

When the boy came back, the response from the thane was announced. Coming back to attention, the elf sounded off. "It will be a great pleasure to report these tidings to General Tor sir. Figuring that it will take us 6 days forced march back, 1 day to prepare and 8 more to return fully laiden, I would say you could expect to see us in a fortnight." Saluting the perfect, she prepared to turn and start the march back to PG.

OOC: Thanks Cherish. Will get the details moving tomorrow with Tweety.

__________________
Cherish

The balif sniffed loudly, glancing towards the prefects office. He leaned in towards Skylar. " He's been stressed lately. Blames himself for the escape. He was under pressure with the issues of his wife, the whole gambling bit and well he assigned Elliot without thinkin." He was speaking of the Prefect, though he never said so to Skylar. " Can't say if Elliot will tell you what Culturen said or not. Tra was so mad that he started punching him in the face, not stopping till me and Gunther pulled him off. Elliots refused to eat and his face lookings pretty bad. But he refuses to have the healer help him." He leaned closer, his stale breath fanning on Skylar. He whispered lower then before.

" If you promise to be quick, I'll let you in to see him. Diana knows that Sweet Lady Thane needs protection, even if she is a stubborn, bull headed gal. She pretends to be tough and all, but I've seen her sweet side boy, shes a good girl." He glanced again towards the office. " If he catches you, it wasn't me who let you in, understand?" He motioned for Skylar to follow him down the hall to a door, he opened it and spoke to Skylar.

" Go down the stairs, his is the last cell on the right." When Skylar gets to the bottom of the stairs he can see a shoddy looking floor, dirt is some places, broken cobble stone in some. The cells had wooden doors with little windows in them to pear in. Following the long area down to the end, he comes upon the door the balif spoke of.

__________________
Skylar Dain

Looking back at the bailiff as he unsurely walked down the stairs, Skylar had a puzzled look on his face. He wasn't sure if he should indeed be going to see this man, especially considering the circumstances but he didn't really let that get in his way and he proceeded on. He glanced at the floor as he gets to the bottom and notices that it's quite dirty and was in the typical condition that a dungeon floor might have been in. Turning to the one who granted him entry Skylar spoke in a semi-whisper: "Fear not friend, no one will speak of your name, and again, I must thank you for your generosity towards me and I'm sure that the Thane and Prefect would offer their thanks, if not courtesies, if this leads to Culturen's capture. Close the door behind me and go on as if nothing was amiss so that we are not discovered."

Proceeding down the corridor, Skylar stumbled on a broken floorstone or two though he never lost complete balance and never hit the floor. He glanced at each door as he passed them as if he could get a sense of the inhabitants from where he himself stood free. He could imagine what sort of people were in the cells: from thieves to outlaws and whatever other scum was hiding in Abestat, or caught at sea. Quickly and briefly Skylar thought of his father and what had become of him, though he never could know for sure. He remembered his childhood days and the occasional house-calls guards made in search for Drayton, his father. He admired his father's ability to hide then, though he was just a boy, though now he simply hated his father for all that had befallen him and his mother after Drayton left, though it was his own fault in a big way.

He hated thinking of him but did so on occasion whenever surroundings or situations stirred up old memories. However, he shook the thoughts from his head, though not before he grew thoroughly angry. He finally got to the end of the hall, though he hadn't noticed it in his reminiscence. He turned to the door, his face flushed red and pushed his head to the window and looked through at the man, who sort of looked beaten though Skylar couldn't be sure, nor did he care. Taking out his rapier, Skylar used the hilt to bang on the door, sure to make an alerting noise before he put it back in its place. "Sir, please come to your feet I must speak with you, and possibly to your benefit." Not noticing much movement Skylar wasn't sure if he had been heard so he raised his voice and spoke on.

"I apologize for what has happen to you and for your assault." He put as much sympathy as he could muster in his uncaring state. "You must find yourself in a confused state but I may be able to clear some things up for you. The man, the one that you let loose, has lied to you and for your gullibility you are in this cell." In that moment he lost his artificial sympathy and recoiled for a moment. "Look, sir, I implore you, for your own behalf, tell me all that you know of this Culturen. Any information you give me now is proof that you are not guilty of your charge. I will petition to the Thane and Prefect on your behalf if what you say leads to his capture.

I must know, and know now, all that is at your disposal. I am here to help you so I will not do you any favors. I am asking once and once alone sir. To save your good name, confess to me all that you know as you must know something of him, seeing as he must have spoken with you on many occasions. A hangout or destination where he may plot against the Thane...any possible information, give to me now. I will not wait long for an answer because the Prefect is not to find me here. The fact that I am here unaffirmed should be proof enough that I can help you. I am not affiliated with this House of Justice and am acting on my own free will. I hate to see people lied to and cheated. Alas, I have spoken too much, the time to speak is now."

Skylar stepped back a step, though making sure that he had sight of the man. He glanced over to the other end of the hall, where he had come in, to make sure that no one was coming just yet. This constant danger made Skylar uneasy and tense. He clenched and unclenched his fists in an attempt to rid him of this but it was not helping just yet.

__________________
Taul Pellares

Taul watched and listened to the conversation closely, and his suspicions seemed confirmed when the elf refused to stay in Abestat for one night. There is something strange about this, but their reason is equally valid. He inwardly smiled at the emotions that had been displayed by both guards, as they had leaned for the answer. They’re not deaf – they probably want this to go ahead just as much as a child wants sweets! But nothing of that inward smile was evident on his face. And what about that personal comment about their own commander! That is unprofessional behaviour; I think something isn’t quite right. Unless they were just trying to lighten the conversation, of course. And it seems like the latter. But that does not justify calling their superior a ‘hardcase’…

As the messenger left, he turned his attention to the guards, and did not fail to see the elf’s back relax. She may be a soldier, but she has not yet managed to fully control herself, he thought. But then again, neither have I, although I am not a soldier.

Taul went through the conversation in his head once more. He had had no idea how the Lady Thane would react, because he had not yet met her, let alone seen her. As far as he knew, she was a blank slate. Yes, he had heard good comments from other people, but emotions mingle with personal opinions, and he had not known anyone here long enough to discover who gave good advice and who didn’t. Nevertheless, I’m sure she’ll be a just ruler. If she hadn’t displayed any ruling abilities, then she would not have likely become Thane.

Deducing nothing more in particular, he was thus occupied until the messenger came back. Not looking at the boy, he continued to watch the guards, casually, not intrusively. The soldiers seemed to take the news well, and seemed eager to get back. What is a fortnight? Maybe it’s a Centripaxian thing; I have not yet travelled far enough to know a lot of region-specific words. I gather it means… fifteen brightenings, or one and a half cycles. I have to remember that one.

As the guards left, Taul couldn’t help noticing that the guards had not even given the slightest nod, to acknowledge his presence. True, he had not done anything for them during that conversation, but, as the Prefect’s ‘assistant’, he should have at least received some respect.

Taul could do nothing now but wait to see what the Prefect had in mind now.

__________________
Chrysostom

Chrysostom peers gingerly from behind the door towards the Authority he was seeking. He was very tired from the bureaucracy just to attend to his duties in defending (hopefully) this most gracious city...until he had an idea.

He'd been hearing news from passerby about this new government in Centripax, quite a long ways off, but offered hope to a more politically active, aware, and optimistic person--just like him. Hopefully the Prefect would be of a similar mind and transfer his duty from here, as was ordered by the Brass in Alleria Prime, and assign him to Centripax, preferably in Primus Gaudeo.

After taking the position he deemed worthy of such a personage, he asked, in quite soft and polite tones:

"Sir, I am Chrysostom, late of the Alleria Prime militia with orders to report to this post. Unfortunately there seems to be some confusion as to whom exactly to report to...(he pauses for a deep breath and to swallow the fear he could taste as well)...and I was considering that perhaps I could be of more service to the Empire in Centripax, particularly in Primus Gaudeo..." Chrysostom let his words trail followed only by silence, and a meek stare at the floor. Then, he recollects himself, pulls out his military papers and presents the same for inspection.

Come on, it'll only take a piece of parchment and a little squiggle, and you can forget that I was ever here....not worthy of your time... Chrysostom muttured something to an unseen deity, hoping for a small miracle.

__________________
Cherish

Skylar

Elliot lay on the dirt floor staring up at the ceiling. He didn't speak for a long moment. His young face ashen and under his eyes were dark smudges. His shoulder length brown hair, stringy and dirty looking from him refusing to clean up. The Abestat gaol harsh on their inmates, yet not cruel. Though like Elliot they would not force the lot to take care of themselves. He continued to stare, ignoring Skylar. His face never flinching from its stone expression. Then a flicker passed his eyes and he blinked.

" I know nothing." His voice rough and low for one as young as he. " He told me Lord Lastra was involved with the misdeeds in Abestat. The killings, the gambling and pirates... Only I soon found out it wasn't Enamere, it was.." It voice broke off and he began to weep. " I've let that man out and now he's going to kill her. He blames her father for all his lifes problems. Now she will pay for it." He suddenly was off the floor and at the door looking at Skylar with a crazy eye. " You want to help her? Find Tarcel, he's the only one who will be able to find anyone in this town. Not even Lord Enamere's spys are as good as that hobbit." His face grew dark. " You won't believe me, as that bastard upstairs won't. I tried to get to talk to the Prefect himself, but he didn't want to hear anything I had to say. You probably don't believe me either." He started screaming then. " You don't do you! I'll riot here for the rest of my life. Go! GO! Get from my sight lest I reach through these bars and kill you with my bare hands. Then they will end my torture of four walls to look at. No fresh air, no freedom. Leave me!"

Chrysostom

The Prefect looks you over and nods without speaking. He signs the transfer papers and smiles. "Good luck to you sir." He hands you back your papers.

May 6, 2002, 06:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
Tungro Former Staff Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Wanderer Posts: 469 Total Awards: 1	Cherish ooc: I'm grateful that most of the PCs understand Lots of changes and shifting, trying to keep up. But I love it, so I can't complain IC: Skylar The balif was astounded by the question. He wasn't a man of hidden thoughts. His father clearly shows the quick anger that consumes him. " That bastard. He convience Elliot to let him out. Said he wasn't guilty of treason and that Lady Meladora had set him up." He bit out. His gray eyes flashing. " Our Lady is a fine woman, a bit head strong, but she comes by it honestly. Her family has been in Abestat since forever." He mumbled on, his face turning an unnatural shade of red/purple. The anger taking it's effect on him. " Now Elliot is in the cell while that mad man is on the loose. The Prefect has his men looking for him, but I fear that he may try to hurt her." He growled, then looked at Skylar. " I told her father as much when he came asking me the same questions about Lord Culturen." He paused as if he forgot something, he realized you had asked about the Lady herself. " Lady Meladora is a fine woman, she'll do right by this city, Diana knows we need someone like her to turn us around." Gwindin The Prefect chuckled. " Actually I'll do better then that." He called out a sharp, " Hec." Soon a young boy came running in. The Prefect wrote down on a parchment of the plans and then rolled it up. He handed to the boy and spoke stern. " Straight to the Lady Thane's office and hand this directly to Areal, understand?" The boy nods and runs off. The Prefect smiles to you both. " Won't take long, hes a quick boy. The Lady Thane can give her answer. If she wants more detail we will set up meeting, if not she'll give the okay and you can be on your way." The Lady Thanes office wasn't more then two or three building down the boy made it there quickly and got an answer just as quickly. He ran back the Prefects office, bursting in and grinning boyishly. The faster he was, the more the Prefect gave him as a reward and pay. The Prefect opened the parchment and nods. " She agrees, you may set it up and I will have some of my guards join you. I will attend myself." Podo The person behind the counter speaks clearly as they look over your Visa. " Check in at the east Gate, they will tell you what to do from there." __________________ Skylar Dain Skylar was overwhelmed by an odd sense of relief. He had not expected to receive that much information from the bailiff as he thought it was too intimate to be known to many. Skylar revered the man with the utmost respect now and was very grateful for having revealed what he knew of Culturen and his sudden release. Skylar began to roll over the new occurrences in his mind. Culturen...Elliot...I wonder what the relationship is between the two. Lord Lastra too hath been on the inquiry, mayhaps I should meet up with him in my search for this Conspirator. Skylar stopped and looked up at the man, grabbing and shaking his hand with much gratitude. "Sir, I am eternally grateful for your information. You have supplied answers to my questions and inferences and it will help me in my little trek." Releasing the hand, and with his smile fading, Skylar began asking some more questions. "Tell me, this...Elliot, what kind of man was he? Was he a competent guard or would it have been easy to succumb to this man's corruption? You see, I would really need to see this man, though I realize this is probably not an attainable goal. Do you, sir, have the authority to let me see this turned comrade? Mayhaps I should go in and see the Prefect if not, though I find you much more social from what I've seen or heard of the Prefect. I apologize for having made you angry, because it is quite visible on your person. The Thane is in danger sir and you have a good heart and mind for speaking so kind words of her. If you want her to remain well, please do not hinder my efforts or keep information from me, which I'm sure you haven't done. Tell me, what know you of Culturen himself? Maybe before his apprehension you may remember something that could lead to his capture." ooc: sorry for replying so soon roz, i only post in this city as of now so...yeah...lol sorry __________________ Podo Proudfoot OOC: Now im just confused at the east gate they told me to come here and here they told me there now where must i go. IC: The hobbit looked on queer. "But i was just there." he said with a frown "And they told me the place to go was here." he said in and began to turn around back to were he had been. __________________ Gwindin Tor The Prefect chuckled. " Actually I'll do better then that." He called out a sharp, " Hec." Soon a young boy came running in. The Prefect wrote down on a parchment of the plans and then rolled it up. He handed to the boy and spoke stern. " Straight to the Lady Thane's office and hand this directly to Areal, understand?" The boy nods and runs off. The Prefect smiles to you both. " Won't take long, hes a quick boy. The Lady Thane can give her answer. If she wants more detail we will set up meeting, if not she'll give the okay and you can be on your way." The Lady Thanes office wasn't more then two or three building down the boy made it there quickly and got an answer just as quickly. He ran back the Prefects office, bursting in and grinning boyishly. The faster he was, the more the Prefect gave him as a reward and pay. The Prefect opened the parchment and nods. " She agrees, you may set it up and I will have some of my guards join you. I will attend myself." Her back noticeably relaxing, the elf felt a cool bead of perspiration drop down her back. "Thank you for understanding sir, I was concerned that you would take our assertiveness as something more than just a passion for our job." With a nod to her compatriot, she offered, "We may yet get home in time for the weekend stew you love so well." The dwarf grumbled at this remark and tried to suck in his hard earned gut. When the boy came back, the response from the thane was announced. Coming back to attention, the elf sounded off. "It will be a great pleasure to report these tidings to General Tor sir. Figuring that it will take us 6 days forced march back, 1 day to prepare and 8 more to return fully laiden, I would say you could expect to see us in a fortnight." Saluting the perfect, she prepared to turn and start the march back to PG. OOC: Thanks Cherish. Will get the details moving tomorrow with Tweety. __________________ Cherish The balif sniffed loudly, glancing towards the prefects office. He leaned in towards Skylar. " He's been stressed lately. Blames himself for the escape. He was under pressure with the issues of his wife, the whole gambling bit and well he assigned Elliot without thinkin." He was speaking of the Prefect, though he never said so to Skylar. " Can't say if Elliot will tell you what Culturen said or not. Tra was so mad that he started punching him in the face, not stopping till me and Gunther pulled him off. Elliots refused to eat and his face lookings pretty bad. But he refuses to have the healer help him." He leaned closer, his stale breath fanning on Skylar. He whispered lower then before. " If you promise to be quick, I'll let you in to see him. Diana knows that Sweet Lady Thane needs protection, even if she is a stubborn, bull headed gal. She pretends to be tough and all, but I've seen her sweet side boy, shes a good girl." He glanced again towards the office. " If he catches you, it wasn't me who let you in, understand?" He motioned for Skylar to follow him down the hall to a door, he opened it and spoke to Skylar. " Go down the stairs, his is the last cell on the right." When Skylar gets to the bottom of the stairs he can see a shoddy looking floor, dirt is some places, broken cobble stone in some. The cells had wooden doors with little windows in them to pear in. Following the long area down to the end, he comes upon the door the balif spoke of. __________________ Skylar Dain Looking back at the bailiff as he unsurely walked down the stairs, Skylar had a puzzled look on his face. He wasn't sure if he should indeed be going to see this man, especially considering the circumstances but he didn't really let that get in his way and he proceeded on. He glanced at the floor as he gets to the bottom and notices that it's quite dirty and was in the typical condition that a dungeon floor might have been in. Turning to the one who granted him entry Skylar spoke in a semi-whisper: "Fear not friend, no one will speak of your name, and again, I must thank you for your generosity towards me and I'm sure that the Thane and Prefect would offer their thanks, if not courtesies, if this leads to Culturen's capture. Close the door behind me and go on as if nothing was amiss so that we are not discovered." Proceeding down the corridor, Skylar stumbled on a broken floorstone or two though he never lost complete balance and never hit the floor. He glanced at each door as he passed them as if he could get a sense of the inhabitants from where he himself stood free. He could imagine what sort of people were in the cells: from thieves to outlaws and whatever other scum was hiding in Abestat, or caught at sea. Quickly and briefly Skylar thought of his father and what had become of him, though he never could know for sure. He remembered his childhood days and the occasional house-calls guards made in search for Drayton, his father. He admired his father's ability to hide then, though he was just a boy, though now he simply hated his father for all that had befallen him and his mother after Drayton left, though it was his own fault in a big way. He hated thinking of him but did so on occasion whenever surroundings or situations stirred up old memories. However, he shook the thoughts from his head, though not before he grew thoroughly angry. He finally got to the end of the hall, though he hadn't noticed it in his reminiscence. He turned to the door, his face flushed red and pushed his head to the window and looked through at the man, who sort of looked beaten though Skylar couldn't be sure, nor did he care. Taking out his rapier, Skylar used the hilt to bang on the door, sure to make an alerting noise before he put it back in its place. "Sir, please come to your feet I must speak with you, and possibly to your benefit." Not noticing much movement Skylar wasn't sure if he had been heard so he raised his voice and spoke on. "I apologize for what has happen to you and for your assault." He put as much sympathy as he could muster in his uncaring state. "You must find yourself in a confused state but I may be able to clear some things up for you. The man, the one that you let loose, has lied to you and for your gullibility you are in this cell." In that moment he lost his artificial sympathy and recoiled for a moment. "Look, sir, I implore you, for your own behalf, tell me all that you know of this Culturen. Any information you give me now is proof that you are not guilty of your charge. I will petition to the Thane and Prefect on your behalf if what you say leads to his capture. I must know, and know now, all that is at your disposal. I am here to help you so I will not do you any favors. I am asking once and once alone sir. To save your good name, confess to me all that you know as you must know something of him, seeing as he must have spoken with you on many occasions. A hangout or destination where he may plot against the Thane...any possible information, give to me now. I will not wait long for an answer because the Prefect is not to find me here. The fact that I am here unaffirmed should be proof enough that I can help you. I am not affiliated with this House of Justice and am acting on my own free will. I hate to see people lied to and cheated. Alas, I have spoken too much, the time to speak is now." Skylar stepped back a step, though making sure that he had sight of the man. He glanced over to the other end of the hall, where he had come in, to make sure that no one was coming just yet. This constant danger made Skylar uneasy and tense. He clenched and unclenched his fists in an attempt to rid him of this but it was not helping just yet. __________________ Taul Pellares Taul watched and listened to the conversation closely, and his suspicions seemed confirmed when the elf refused to stay in Abestat for one night. There is something strange about this, but their reason is equally valid. He inwardly smiled at the emotions that had been displayed by both guards, as they had leaned for the answer. They’re not deaf – they probably want this to go ahead just as much as a child wants sweets! But nothing of that inward smile was evident on his face. And what about that personal comment about their own commander! That is unprofessional behaviour; I think something isn’t quite right. Unless they were just trying to lighten the conversation, of course. And it seems like the latter. But that does not justify calling their superior a ‘hardcase’… As the messenger left, he turned his attention to the guards, and did not fail to see the elf’s back relax. She may be a soldier, but she has not yet managed to fully control herself, he thought. But then again, neither have I, although I am not a soldier. Taul went through the conversation in his head once more. He had had no idea how the Lady Thane would react, because he had not yet met her, let alone seen her. As far as he knew, she was a blank slate. Yes, he had heard good comments from other people, but emotions mingle with personal opinions, and he had not known anyone here long enough to discover who gave good advice and who didn’t. Nevertheless, I’m sure she’ll be a just ruler. If she hadn’t displayed any ruling abilities, then she would not have likely become Thane. Deducing nothing more in particular, he was thus occupied until the messenger came back. Not looking at the boy, he continued to watch the guards, casually, not intrusively. The soldiers seemed to take the news well, and seemed eager to get back. What is a fortnight? Maybe it’s a Centripaxian thing; I have not yet travelled far enough to know a lot of region-specific words. I gather it means… fifteen brightenings, or one and a half cycles. I have to remember that one. As the guards left, Taul couldn’t help noticing that the guards had not even given the slightest nod, to acknowledge his presence. True, he had not done anything for them during that conversation, but, as the Prefect’s ‘assistant’, he should have at least received some respect. Taul could do nothing now but wait to see what the Prefect had in mind now. __________________ Chrysostom Chrysostom peers gingerly from behind the door towards the Authority he was seeking. He was very tired from the bureaucracy just to attend to his duties in defending (hopefully) this most gracious city...until he had an idea. He'd been hearing news from passerby about this new government in Centripax, quite a long ways off, but offered hope to a more politically active, aware, and optimistic person--just like him. Hopefully the Prefect would be of a similar mind and transfer his duty from here, as was ordered by the Brass in Alleria Prime, and assign him to Centripax, preferably in Primus Gaudeo. After taking the position he deemed worthy of such a personage, he asked, in quite soft and polite tones: "Sir, I am Chrysostom, late of the Alleria Prime militia with orders to report to this post. Unfortunately there seems to be some confusion as to whom exactly to report to...(he pauses for a deep breath and to swallow the fear he could taste as well)...and I was considering that perhaps I could be of more service to the Empire in Centripax, particularly in Primus Gaudeo..." Chrysostom let his words trail followed only by silence, and a meek stare at the floor. Then, he recollects himself, pulls out his military papers and presents the same for inspection. Come on, it'll only take a piece of parchment and a little squiggle, and you can forget that I was ever here....not worthy of your time... Chrysostom muttured something to an unseen deity, hoping for a small miracle. __________________ Cherish Skylar Elliot lay on the dirt floor staring up at the ceiling. He didn't speak for a long moment. His young face ashen and under his eyes were dark smudges. His shoulder length brown hair, stringy and dirty looking from him refusing to clean up. The Abestat gaol harsh on their inmates, yet not cruel. Though like Elliot they would not force the lot to take care of themselves. He continued to stare, ignoring Skylar. His face never flinching from its stone expression. Then a flicker passed his eyes and he blinked. " I know nothing." His voice rough and low for one as young as he. " He told me Lord Lastra was involved with the misdeeds in Abestat. The killings, the gambling and pirates... Only I soon found out it wasn't Enamere, it was.." It voice broke off and he began to weep. " I've let that man out and now he's going to kill her. He blames her father for all his lifes problems. Now she will pay for it." He suddenly was off the floor and at the door looking at Skylar with a crazy eye. " You want to help her? Find Tarcel, he's the only one who will be able to find anyone in this town. Not even Lord Enamere's spys are as good as that hobbit." His face grew dark. " You won't believe me, as that bastard upstairs won't. I tried to get to talk to the Prefect himself, but he didn't want to hear anything I had to say. You probably don't believe me either." He started screaming then. " You don't do you! I'll riot here for the rest of my life. Go! GO! Get from my sight lest I reach through these bars and kill you with my bare hands. Then they will end my torture of four walls to look at. No fresh air, no freedom. Leave me!" Chrysostom The Prefect looks you over and nods without speaking. He signs the transfer papers and smiles. "Good luck to you sir." He hands you back your papers.