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* Lini is slowly pacing the length of her cell. She appears quite frustrated and slightly disheveled. <Jaret> ::massed footsteps approach the door to the cell block, a key rattles in the lock, and the door opens, letting in Jaret, escorted by four guards with drawn nightsticks:: * Lini turns to glare at the guards. <Jaret> ::three of the guards fan out, and one accompanies Jaret to the door to Lini's cell. That guard unlocks the door, lets Jaret in, and then closes it behind him. The four guards promptly turn and hustle out of the cell block, slamming the door closed and locking it behind them:: * Lini continues to glare until they are out of sight. * Jaret takes off his hat. "Hello. I'm sorry I'm later than usual." * Lini lets out a sigh of relief. "I thought you might not be coming today." * Jaret steps to Lini and embraces her. "No... I wouldn't miss a day." * Lini looks somewhat uninterested but asks, "So how have you been?" <Jaret> About as could be expected. Lonely, I suppose. I was late because I had an idea about how to try disprove the charges against you, and I went to the Hall to talk it over with Bai before I came here. <Lini> Oh really? ::with a touch of sarcasm:: Have the two of you decided what to do about me yet? <Jaret> I think the 'Get the charges dismissed as soon as possible.' plan is still a favorite. <Lini> Well, I certainly prefer that to the let her rot in jail option I've become familiar with lately. <Jaret> Lini, we're working on things. I know this is unpleasant. I just want to get this all *legally* taken care of if I can. <Lini> Legally?! I am not particularly trusting of the legal system. <Jaret> Being as how you're imprisoned for a crime you haven't committed, it's certainly an understandable mistrust. But that reason is why I'm confident that we can triumph over this in a legal fashion. When you get right down to it, we're right, they're wrong, and you should be released immediately. We just have to convince them of that. <Lini> ::exasperated:: Have you seen the way they look at me? I doubt they will see it as clearly as you do. <Jaret> ::quietly:: Of course I've seen it, Lini. None of these here, these slovenly guards and wardens, however, are responsible for adjudicating your fate. I have to believe that the judges of the courts, being more educated and wiser men than these, will listen to reason, and not be swayed by the superstitions of their childhood. * Lini throws he hands up in frustration. "You may be right. But I m still here, losing weeks of my life to this place." <Jaret> I know, lover, I know. I'm trying to get things moving again towards your exoneration. That's why I went to see Bai today. * Lini looks at Jaret with a tinge of curiosity visible beneath her frustration. <Lini> Well? What did you talk about? <Jaret> I was thinking... we have that hair at the house, that used to be Baltana's braid. I asked him if he thought he could use it to prove that it belonged to the murderer, and not to you. He said proving it wasn't yours would be simple... but that we'd need something that conclusively belonged to the murderer in order to prove it wasn't you in that room that night. * Lini nods, listening. <Jaret> Also, I thought if we could put Nilonmin under a truth spell, he could swear you weren't at that house that night... but the next question the King's counsel would ask would be where you were, which could lead to some more troubles. * Lini smiles slightly. "That could be a problem indeed. Depending on how directly he was asked." * Jaret nods. "The idea hasn't been thrown out... but's definitely been moved to the back burner." <Lini> How is Nilonmin? <Jaret> He's... out of sorts. Cranky. * Lini nods. "That is to be expected. You should take him to a good blacksmith and have him sharpened. He usually calms down for a few days after that." <Jaret> Very well. Also, it can't hurt to have him ready, in case things go down a fell road. * Lini continues on there train of thought without really hearing Jaret. "I'm just happy he has not decided I am lost and sought out Baltana." * Jaret raises an eyebrow. "As am I, I suppose." * Lini looks at the face Jaret makes. "What?" <Jaret> I wouldn't wish to have to try to convince him of the inaccuracy of his position. Especially if he were in Baltana's hands at the time. It could prove complicated. * Lini chuckles. "Yes, I think it could." * Lini smiles for a moment. "I am amazed at how few interruptions we have during you visits." ::laughing a bit:: "You must have {bribed} the whole watch." * Jaret shakes his head briefly. "The head guard is... tractable. He gives orders, the rest follow them." * Lini nods then with a playful look in her eyes. "Well, I certainly hope it isn't costing you too much. Not for a jail of this low quality." * Jaret grins. "Any time I have with you is priceless, regardless of the setting." <Lini> You really do enjoy using pretty words don't you. <Jaret> I try to match my words to their recipient. So if all you hear are pretty words... I'll have to start learning some beautiful ones, so I can start using those. * Lini rolls her eyes just slightly. "You really should have been a thief my dear. You have one of the natural talents for it." * Jaret grins. "Charming personalities are naturally suited to larceny? I wasn't aware. In seriousness, though, has your treatment here improved? I've... had some discussions with people, who seemed to be in positions to affect that sort of thing." * Lini looks serious again. "Well, I'm clean at least. That's a start. And a blanket mysteriously arrived in my room one night while i rested." <Lini> So I suppose you could say it is getting better. * Jaret twists his mouth up somewhat. "Such basic amenities... well, it's something, at least. I'll see if I can do more." <Lini> I'd be perfectly happy to have this place stick to the basic amenities and for me to go home for the comforts. <Jaret> Soon, Lini. It'll be as soon as I can make it. <Lini> Which reminds me. What have you been doing while I have been here? You do not have to work do you? <Jaret> I've been... "working" on this, I suppose. I've talked with the guards at the gate about what time they might have seen you pass into the city that night, that sort of thing. So, I haven't been working my regular profession, no. Although... I may have to go again, shortly. Beginning of Alturiak, maybe. <Lini> Oh, ::looking interested:: Is it something pressing? <Jaret> Not precisely. It's just... nothing. Don't worry about it. I'll explain more once you're free. <Lini> ::lini's face shifts to a familiar determined look. "No...Tell me now." * Jaret looks at Lini quietly. "The head guard is half-elven. He has certain prejudices that took more funds to work past than I expected. I'm not destitute and on my way to the poorhouse, but I could stand to build my financial reserves back up some. The job is... it's something they've been wanting me to do for a while. I said I'd do it if they tripled the usual fee, and they agreed." <Lini> {And what might you be doing? Or is it something you can't tell me.} * Jaret smiles slightly. {I don't consider you a security risk. You'd probably be upset if things went south on me. It's just... it involves going back to Chult. I've been trying to avoid returning to places, so I don't get recognized. It's probably safe, but... } <Lini> {And what would you be doing in Chult of all places?} <Lini> {And why is it dangerous enough that they would triple your pay?} * Jaret sighs. {I was down there... a little over two years ago. A snake cult had kidnapped the king's granddaughter, and... well, you can figure out why I was there. I rescued her, but ever since, there's been a state of guerilla war going on with all Cormyr ships and people that pass through the area.} * Lini laughs. {Tell me you are not going to try and stop a war.} <Jaret> {The high priest has sent back notice that if I return down there, and defeat their champion... they'll stop attacking all who pass through the area. I've hesitated, because I don't know the truthfulness of his statement, but now... Well, I suppose I'll find out.} * Lini blinks a few times. {What?} <Jaret> {It's a matter of personal pride for him... apparently I killed his son or brother or... something like that.} <Lini> {So it's a vendetta.} ::Sarcastically:: {That makes it all better.} <Jaret> {Of course it doesn't make it better. All it does is explain why he's acting the way he is.} <Lini> {So you are suppose to go and fight this man, who obviously feels he can beat you, why? For the good of Cormyr or for the triple pay?} <Jaret> {Some of both. There aren't many who travel down that way, and those few that do are amply warned, but it would be nice to not have to be concerned about it.} ::he winks:: Besides, sword tax is collected soon, and I'm always amazed by what the total comes to, given my personal collection. * Lini rolls her eyes. <Lini> {I am beginning to doubt I will ever a full week of your company again.} * Jaret grins. "I don't think it's that involving. I've just been busier lately than I had been for a while. Especially since for a while 'Stay in Marsember in case something happens.' was my job." * Lini does not look convinced. {How long will you be gone this time?} <Jaret> {I don't think it will be long. I'll get transported down there, there'll probably be a few days leading up to things, it'll happen, and I'll come home again.} * Lini shakes her head. {I am never going to get use to this.} <Jaret> {Is it truly that bad?} <Lini> {Depends on how you look at it.} <Lini> {That I worry is good and bad. That we almost have a fight every time you do something overly dangerous can't be good.} <Jaret> {And how are you looking at it, then? I mean, at least I'm not out *adventuring*. I think if I go the rest of my life without having to kick a troll's limbs into a fire, I'll be one of the happiest men around.} <Jaret> {If we have a fight over what I do... well, I'd rather avoid it if we can, but if we do, then we do. As long as we reach an understanding at the end of it, we'll be fine. It's the fight we won't make up from that I'd be concerned about.} <Lini> {I just don't know why you put yourself in so much danger for money. You don't need the money.} <Jaret> {It's not just money. I'm helping people out, and as I've said, it keeps me from being bored.} <Lini> I understand. I guess I just need to find something to do to hold my interest while you are away. <Jaret> Well... I don't know what to suggest, exactly. I don't think I'll be gone more than a week this time, though. * Lini nods. "I suppose I can cope with that. So long as you don't leave TOO soon after I leave here." <Jaret> After all this, it would be most remiss of me if I were to not spend good time with you before I left. * Lini smiles. "You were telling me that you and Bai had ideas. You only told me yours." <Jaret> Ah, yes. Bai came up with another possibility right before I left. He wants to try to cast some spell that will show the spiritual image of who was in the room the night of the murder. At that point, it becomes a matter of showing you have a different spiritual image than the murderer. Since it will probably involve some examination of you, he wanted me to make sure I requested your permission to take this course before we started down it. <Lini> And this is possible? <Jaret> He seemed to think it was. I'm no spell-tosser. He said it might require a psionic to determine the difference between you and the murderer, but aside from that point, he seemed fairly confident about it. * Lini mutters to herself. "Psionics... might work... spells are harder..." <Lini> And what then? <Lini> Even if They do find that it was not me they will certainly feel I should have told them about her. <Jaret> I don't care if they nominate you for the Bad Parent of the Year award. It's not something they can keep you in prison over. <Jaret> And, from what you've told me, they haven't given you an opportunity to tell them about her. <Lini> True... <Jaret> So, frankly, they've got no one to complain to but themselves for not knowing about Baltana. In the meanwhile, you're free. * Lini shakes her head slowly. "When?" <Jaret> That's up to Bai, I guess. As soon as you tell me it's all right, I'll tell him, and he'll feel no barrier to casting the spell. Whether his casting will be seen as acceptable by the courts... that's something we'll work on together. * Lini nods. "Tell him yes. He was so worried about me, and I just could not make him understand why I was upset when he said he had to cast a truth spell on me before he could assist me." <Jaret> We skirted around the edge of that topic... it sounds something like the restrictions his goddess puts on him, more than something of his choosing. <Lini> I just couldn't explain to him how that made me feel or even why I was upset. <Jaret> It's just that... he sees that it could solve things so quickly, and so he's loath to let go of the idea. I think he understood enough, though. He didn't try to cast the spell on you. <Lini> I know. I just feel as though I've hurt him so many times...this was just one more. * Jaret quietly nods. "He'll feel better, getting to help you like this, though." * Lini looks at the floor of the cell. "I hope so. I hate to cause him such worry and then not let him help." <Jaret> I think it will. Oh, something else he said... apparently the gods and godlings from his world are still traipsing about over here. He thinks they may work some mischief to keep you in here, for the purpose of causing Bai distress. <Lini> Wonderful....One more thing I don't need. <Lini> You should go and talk to Bai love. The sooner I am out of here the sooner I can defend myself against these 'gods'. <Jaret> I know. Why there can't be *helpful* gods and the like just wandering around, looking to bestow help and aid on people, I'll never understand. There are certainly enough of the other sort. <Jaret> I'll go back to the Hall, then, and let him know he can start on whatever preparations he needs. * Lini reaches up and lightly touches Jaret's cheek. "Thank you love." {And the next time you have to bribe a guard on my behalf....use my money.} * Jaret gently leans into the touch. You're welcome. {And if that is what you wish...} * Lini nods. * Jaret embraces Lini. "I'll be back tomorrow with more news." * Lini clings tightly to Jaret. "Hurry back. I miss you." <Jaret> I always do, lover. I always do. |
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