|
Post by twilightblade on Mar 16, 2007 12:42:28 GMT -5
Anaz sighed, feeling his anger drain out of him. Anjala always did that. "Same to you, Magess Anjala." He rose and bowed a little. "Surely you're not here on behalf of the council?"
*******
Demanvar's muscles bunched and his eyes narrowed. The mage and the man who'd followed him knew each other. He gritted his teeth. Blast this courier duty! Council or no council, he had to deliver his message to one mage, and one mage only. He shoved back his chair and stood, giving the mage a short nod, then turned to leave the room.
|
|
|
Post by blossom on Mar 16, 2007 13:52:02 GMT -5
"I'm looking for someone," Anjala replied to Anaz, but her eyes followed the soldier out of the inn.
|
|
|
Post by twilightblade on Mar 16, 2007 17:02:54 GMT -5
Demanvar hurried to his room, picked up his pack and left by the back door. He stopped by the stable and picked up his horse, then set out on the road, digging some bread out of his pack as he rode. Time was important now. Who knew if that mage would come after him? Arin, here I come.
****
Anaz glanced after the soldier as well. The man was leaving. He turned back to Anjala. "Anything I can help with?" He looked around at all the staring people and shook his head. "We should speak elsewhere."
|
|
|
Post by blossom on Mar 16, 2007 17:27:11 GMT -5
Anjala turned back to Anaz with an amused smile playing about her lips and her eyes twinkling. "What makes you think we should speak at all?"
|
|
|
Post by twilightblade on Mar 20, 2007 17:29:33 GMT -5
Anaz raised his eyebrows. "Two things. I know something you need to know and don't. The soldier."
He started to move out of the main room, spinning a silver down on the table.
|
|
|
Post by blossom on Mar 21, 2007 10:14:00 GMT -5
"Well then," Anjala smiled, amused, "It seems I have no choice."
|
|
|
Post by twilightblade on Mar 21, 2007 19:08:24 GMT -5
Anaz paused and bowed again, smiling. "Well, if you want to put it that way." He offered his arm.
|
|
|
Post by blossom on Mar 22, 2007 9:48:11 GMT -5
Anjala inclined her head and took Anaz' proffered arm with a smile that suggested she was silently laughing.
Ed watched in dumb amazement, the book in his hands completely forgotten. Sofie just stared, her green eyes wide.
|
|
|
Post by twilightblade on Mar 23, 2007 17:32:06 GMT -5
Anaz escorted Anjala to a room he knew would be secure from listening ears, prying noses, and peering eyes...and handed her carefully into a seat.
"First, the commander of Serin sent that soldier out as a courier. With a message for one of the Council. Second, he has some small ability at magic or else he wouldn't have noticed me. Third, he thinks I followed him. And last, you're being followed. By an assassin."
He smiled at her sardonically. "Worth the trip?"
|
|
|
Post by blossom on Mar 25, 2007 15:06:25 GMT -5
Anjala leaned back in her seat, her lips still curved into an amused smiled.
"Whether or not the trip was worth it remains to be seen," she replied, eyes glittering, "I was aware a message had been sent by Serin to one of the Council, but I didn't realise he was the Courier. I wonder who the message ...? But never mind. Yes, obviously he would have magical ability to sense you, and any well trained soldier would assume you followed him. Now .... an assassin you say? Interesting .... I don't suppose you know whom? Or why?"
|
|
|
Post by twilightblade on Mar 26, 2007 10:12:12 GMT -5
Anaz shrugged. "The soldier broke my cover. After he kept staring at me, the one I was really following broke off and didn't contact anyone." His eyes narrowed, then he shook himself. "As to why...not sure, but possibilities are that someone in the Council is behind it."
|
|
|
Post by blossom on Mar 26, 2007 10:41:15 GMT -5
Anjala laughed aloud, "Someone in the Council? My dear boy, you really don't know them that well, do you? No, no. It's much more like to be one of Prince Lukas' court," she placed a heavy emphasis on the word, showing her disdain for the rich upper class who liked to pretend they still had influence in the country, "They've been dying to eliminate Saehenine and the rest of us since we came into power."
|
|
|
Post by twilightblade on Mar 26, 2007 13:06:13 GMT -5
Anaz shook his head stubbornly. "On this one, I am sure, and I wish that I was not. All points to one in the Council. The court may be mixed in, but all that I gathered before losing the woman was..." He stopped and shook his head. "Never mind. I'll get some proof for you. Better that way, after all."
He looked down for a moment then added, "Tell Saehenine to be careful as well. It's important. Enough so that the messenger is the only one who really knows who the message is for. He was given the information in pieces from different people, and he is the only one who has it all."
|
|
|
Post by blossom on Mar 29, 2007 11:05:42 GMT -5
Anjala watched Anaz piercely for a moment, then nodded, "I will. Unless, of course, you wish to tell her yourself. I will only stay here for a few hours at best before leaving for Arin, and travelling is always so dull when one is by oneself."
|
|
|
Post by twilightblade on Mar 29, 2007 17:10:51 GMT -5
Anaz looked up and shrugged. "Up to you if you want the company of a thief." He rose, bowing again. "I guess I'll be looking around the courier's room if you want to keep in touch." He turned to the door.
|
|
|
Post by blossom on Apr 1, 2007 4:28:07 GMT -5
"Perhaps I'll see you soon," Anjala smiled, leaning her head on one hand, "I'll give Saehenine your regards, shall I?"
|
|
|
Post by twilightblade on Apr 2, 2007 10:32:04 GMT -5
Anaz stopped in the middle of a step, then shook his head without turning around. "Best not." He opened the door and checked the hall. "It's clear. Shouldn't be anyone around." His voice went dry. "Not even the assassin."
He stepped into the hallway.
|
|
|
Post by blossom on Apr 2, 2007 10:38:44 GMT -5
"You never did learn to control your tongue, did you?" Anjala remarked, rising from her seat. "Well then, I should probably be getting on. If you change your mind about coming to Arin ... let me know."
|
|
|
Post by twilightblade on Apr 2, 2007 10:46:27 GMT -5
Anaz felt his anger rise, but he shoved it away. "Oh, I'll see you there. Sometimes soon, no doubt. With proof." He left the door open and moved on down the hall toward's the soldier's room. There might be traces left. If not, he could always pick up the trail at the stables. That man was inordinately fond of his horse.
|
|
|
Post by blossom on Apr 2, 2007 10:49:57 GMT -5
"I look forward to that," Anjala said to Anaz' retreating back, then turned and made her way back down the stairs.
Silence once again fell over the inn as she descended, much to her amusement. From where she was serving, Sofie gazed in awe, and at his table in the back Ed paused with a forkful of bacon halfway to his mouth.
Anjala's gaze skipped over Ed for a moment, recognising him as a Librarian from Arin, then with a faint smile she left the awe-struck inn.
|
|
|
Post by twilightblade on Apr 2, 2007 14:24:02 GMT -5
Demanvar moved the black along at a quick trot, marking the distance he had yet to travel. At least he had avoided that odd man who had been following him and the mage. Magess Anjala. He shook his head. He didn't yet know exactly who he was supposed to give the message to. The next piece of the puzzle was to be found just outside of Eren. (sp?)
|
|
|
Post by blossom on Apr 3, 2007 6:43:54 GMT -5
(I think we need another character! I think I may use Hester from #10, only slightly different)
Laughter rang throughout the air as the caravans travelled the roads. The Singers, as they called themselves, were well known for their merriness and simple joy in life. It was remarked that the Singers laughed more than they actually sang.
Hester was sat up front of the lead caravan, guiding the white mare that pulled it at a leisurely pace. Her harp was perched on her lap, where she could keep an eye on it. Next to her was her older sister, Rois, who was supposed to be watching the road but was actually leaning out to talk to the boys on the second caravan.
Rois was praised highly among the Singers, for her handsome looks and her beautiful voice, and Hester supposed that it was only natural she would rather flirt with boys than babysit her young sister. Hester had suffered the worst misfortune that could befall a Singer - she had been born mute. It didn't matter that she was the most talented musician and a graceful dancer, for she could not speak and worse, she could not sing. Most of the elder Singers pitied her, and treated her like one born with mental disabilites, but the Singers Hester's own age reviled her, and went out of their way to make her miserable.
Rois, while she had never condemned Hester for her misfortune, never stood up for her either. Hester sensed that her sister would rather she weren't there, but was too kind hearted to complain. It saddened her that she should be such a burden, and to make up for it, she tried to live her life with twice the joy and cheerfulness as any other Singer. She was rarely seen without a smile on her face, whether true or false.
It was with a smile now that she flicked the mare's reins, and listened to Rois joking with the boys. For an instant she took her eyes from the road to watch her sister's radiant face, which was how when she turned back the soldier on his black had already turned the corner in the path.
|
|
|
Post by twilightblade on Apr 3, 2007 10:37:08 GMT -5
Demanvar swung the black to the side of the road with a quick movement of his knees as the driver of the wagon turned back to the road. That had been close! He looked again at the wagon. A woman driver, with a harp on her lap, and another beside her. He nodded to them, controlling his restive mount.
***** Anaz could feel the anger building again as he sensed Anjala leave the building. There had been nothing in the soldier's room, and it was time to check with the stable hands to see which direction he had taken. Probably toward Arin, but best to chek anyway. He went back down the stairs and into the common room.
|
|
|
Post by blossom on Apr 3, 2007 12:05:44 GMT -5
Hester's mouth opened in a silent gasp, and she roughly pulled on the reins to draw the mare to a halt. The mare neighed in pain and protest, but Hester was sat frozen on her seat, her heart slamming hard against her ribcage. Rois had been jerked forward, but had managed to keep her seat.
"Hester!" she cried, "You silly little fool! What's the matter?"
The young men drew their own caravan to a halt beside them, and further back along the road the word was passed to the other Singers that something had halted the train.
"What's wrong?" asked Jakob, the driver of the caravan beside them.
"I don't know," Rois replied, in a much less irritated voice, "Hettie, why did you stop?"
Distressed, Hester indicated the soldier, who had pulled over to the side of the road. Rois gave a little gasp, and Jakob leaned over to get a better look.
"Oh, my!" Rois cried, "Oh, Sir! Are you all right? I'm terribly sorry! I apologise for myself and on my sister's behalf!"
|
|
|
Post by twilightblade on Apr 3, 2007 13:10:09 GMT -5
Demanvar nodded shortly at them. "Quite all right. No harm done." The hint of a smile crossed his face and he added, "Good of your sister to stop as she did."
|
|