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* Jaret leaves his house, closing the door firmly behind him before any more of the chill can race inside. He's wearing a heavy, encompassing cloak, belted shut, and a medium-sized traveling bag attached to the belt on the opposite side from his sword. He sets off out to the woods at a determined shuffle, head bent to keep the icy wind out of his eyes. * Jaret follows the road for a while, for easier traveling. He raises a hand in greeting to the few travelers he meet, and they do the same, but it's too cold for any conversation, and each quickly moves along on his own way. After about an hour, walking at a brisk pace, he looks about and leaves the road, heading out to the woods. <Jaret> ::after a while of traipsing through the woods, Jaret reaches into the pouch and pulls out a shirt of his that has seen better days. The collar is getting a bit threadbare, and close examination would reveal two buttons missing. Jaret awkwardly ties the cuff to his belt, so the shirt drags along beside him in the snow, puts his heavy gloves back on, and resumes tramping through the snow. <Jaret> ::he stops when he gets to a small glade with a frozen-over spring. He scans about on the ground for a bit and makes a sour face. He looks at the sun, thinks with some effort for a bit, and then picks a direction and walks on for some distance more. After another hour or so he stops, and begins removing items from the pouch.:: <Jaret> ::among the items are several long poles, wrapped in canvas, far too long to come from the bag, were it only what it appeared to be. Jaret sticks the poles in the ground, a few at haphazard angles. When he gets the last one planted, the tent-like affair wriggles about a bit, straightening crooked poles, the canvas pulling snug and tight over the poles, until it looks like a rather well-assembled tent. Jaret sighs happily, lifts the flap, and enters:: <Jaret> ::inside, the temperature is already markedly warmer than outside, and still rising. Jaret pulls a coatpole out of the pouch and hangs his snowy, wet cloak on one of the hooks. Also from the bag he pulls a small folding table and canvas chair, a bottle of wine, and two goblets. He assembles them all, and twitches the flap open a crack. The interior temperature drops some, but is still reasonable. Jaret, in warm clothes, settles down in one of the chairs:: * Jaret pulls a chapbook out of the pouch and begins to settle into his new environs, and starts reading. <Lisl> ::The winter sun, already well past its height, pulls the feeble warmth with it to the other side of the world as it sinks low and vanishes into the trees.:: * Jaret looks up as the light dims, reaches into his bag of fantastic items, and removes first a lantern, which he hangs from the top of the center pole and lights, and then a small brazier, which he assembles and places near the back of the tent. After a few minutes of twisting and turning, he activates the brazier, which soon glows with warmth. <Lisl> ::The woods fall silent for a little while as the few creatures still active bed down for the night, and the night predators wake from their dens. As the temperatures drop lower, the nearby spring-fed pond groans loud and deep like some nether beast. Ice cracks with loud, sudden retorts as the water still strains to find a way to the surface.:: <Lisl> ::A fox barks in the near distance, and once, a sudden scruffle of feathers against the tent fabric marks the near passage of an owl.:: * Jaret looks up as the owl has a close encounter of the tent kind, listens for a bit longer afterwards, and returns to his reading. <Lisl> ::The tent walls lighten a bit as a near-full moon rises. Off to the east, a lone wolf howls, and the sound is picked up by answering calls even further eastward.:: * Jaret perks up again as the wolf howls start, listening intently. <Lisl> ::The wolves sing back and forth between themselves for close to an hour as the moon climbs higher. Another voice, from somewhere westward along Jaret's backtrail, adds to the chorus.:: <Jaret> ::Jaret's head tracks back and forth at the calls, nodding once, and then returning to his book, lingering on pages as he occasionally gets lost in thought:: <Lisl> ::The larger pack howls continue, fading off westward a little more. One of the voices starts to approach a little closer and drops out, as do the closer calls from east and west:: <Lisl> ::The quiet around Jaret's tent is disturbed a little later by a crunch of snow somewhere beyond the spring and a soft, short whine:: * Jaret puts his book on the small table and rises in a fluid motion. He goes to the tent flap, kneels down, and sticks his head out. He starts shivering almost immediately. <Lisl> ::another short, squeaking whine, almost mistakable for the sound of tree branches rubbing against one another in the cold, sounds from the opposite side of the clearing, behind Jaret's tent. The light spilling from the open flap of Jaret's tent is caught and reflected back by a pair of eyes at the edge of the trees... eyes carried more than three feet above the ground.:: * Jaret glances up to the sky. "Beautiful moon tonight. Wouldn't you say?" <Lisl> ::The eyes bounce and disappear briefly, as if their owner had just reared back in startlement:: A yip and a soft whine answers from the trees. {The man can speak! Nightrunner-- he speaks?} <Lisl> ::The snow crunches around the side of the tent to Jaret's left-- his off-side, if he's right-handed-- and a large, coal-black wolf with startlingly gold eyes appears around the curve, answering with a soft whine and snarl of his own:: {He speaks, Bear, I heard. Guard your tongue.} <Jaret> ::Jaret's gaze flickers to his left, and the new wolf.:: I can speak. That's what it boils down to, at least. I came to request a meeting with... Grandmother. At a place of her choosing, at a time of her choosing, if she chooses to meet with me. * Nightrunner stops about five feet away-- out of easy sword-range-- and stretches, dipping his forequarters in what might almost be mistaken for a bow, responding in the tail-flicks, whines, and yips that constitute wolf-speech:: {I know you. You've been with the pack before. You're of Grandmother's human pack... the Otter-with-Fangs.} <Lisl> ::Nightrunner straightens, approaching a little closer, ears pricked, nose up to sample Jaret's scent. From the woods, a huge tan-and-black wolf paces warily around the spring, head low to the snow, keeping his distance still.:: * Jaret nods, and bows his head in return. "It has been a few winters since I was with the pack, but you remember well." <Nightrunner> ::turning a small circle, getting a little closer to the warmth flooding from the open tent flap:: {My mate is a memory-singer of the pack. And I have run with the human pack more than others, your ways are not as strange to me.} ::He circles again, the tuck of his tail against his hindquarters indicating caution, hesitation.:: {Why do you wish to meet with Grandmother? Are there troubles in the city again?} <Jaret> There are no more troubles in the city than usual, I do not come to disturb Grandmother with such things. She left... in what seemed to be a hurry, without talking to those of us from her pack there. I wish to meet with her, and ask how she... to ask how she is. <Lisl> ::The larger wolf slinks a little closer, crossing the last few feet of snow at a short trot and touching his nose to Nightrunner's tail before dropping it to snuffle curiously at Jaret's boots:: {He doesn't *smell* like a wolf...} * Jaret remains still as Bear approaches,shifting the flap open a little more to allow easier access to his snuffled-at boots. <Jaret> It might be impertinent, but would you like to come inside my... den, to discuss this? The wind is robbed of its teeth, and I have made it warmer inside. <Nightrunner> ::turning and nipping at Bear's wagging hindquarters:: {He's a two-leg, Bear. Don't sniff the beehive again.} ::turning back to Jaret:: {The air is summer-warm, it would be most welcome... but we have no meat for you...?} <Jaret> I have enough meat for myself, at least for a few days. Perhaps you would accept it as a favor for taking my request to Grandmother? <Nightrunner> ::jaws parting in a silent laugh as he slips past Jaret and into the tent:: {You speak, but you do not sing. Wolf tongues are long... if I sing it from here, the pack will carry my voice to her ears.} * Jaret holds the flap open for any others that wish to come in. "'ware the... shiny hot pot, in the back. It will burn like fire, if touched." <Nightrunner> ::turning to nip at Bear's shoulder in a "behave" gesture as the big wolf trots in behind and instantly puts his nose to the ground. Bear yelps and rather shamefacedly sits, 3-and-1/2-feet-at-the-shoulder of bulky wolf attempting to be invisible. Nightrunner turns back to Jaret, his tail expressing wariness and hesitation again, his ears steadily forward:: <Nightrunner> ::his golden eyes regard Jaret steadily:: {We are pack. Grandmother-Who-Hunts has long guarded and cared for us, and we guard and care for her and hers. I do not know what happened in the city before the White Wolf bared its fangs, except that there was much fire and fear and shadows aloft.} <Nightrunner> {Grandmother came to winter with the pups, and because she felt she was falling out of harmony. She even spoke of leaving this place, to go run with the ancient ones in the south she met long ago. I do not know what could have made her that way, for she is stronger than any of us.} <Jaret> ::nodding:: I had thought it might be as much, although I did not know for certain. Mostly what I want to let her know is that those of us in her human pack haven't forgotten about her, and are concerned about her, and her well-being. <Bear> ::lifting his head from a close inspection of Jaret's discarded book to speak up:: {Grandmother is well, with us. She is still herself, although she fears she is not.} * Jaret raises an eyebrow. "She fears so much that she is too much human, and not enough wolf? Or do you mean something else?" <Nightrunner> {I am not sure... perhaps... that she is not enough of either, anymore. Or too much of both.} <Nightrunner> {I will send your message, although I do not know if she will answer you. She wished to be away from the two-legs for a time.} * Jaret has been crouched over, and leans back onto his heels, thinking. "Do you think it would be a bad idea for her to meet and talk with me? I came out here to reassure myself that all was well with... Grandmother. I thought I could best do that by meeting with her and letting her know that she was in our thoughts. But if she is unsettled... I do not want to further disrupt her." <Lisl> ::pushing the flap aside with one furry shoulder and entering, dipping her head to gently nip Bear's scruff:: {Late for that, I think.} <Jaret> ::casually shifting to one knee, better to pivot about and address all the guests:: It would certainly seem so. It's good to see you again... Grandmother. <Lisl> ::nipping Nightrunner's scruff as well as he dips his head and crabs forward a little in apology:: {Yes, yes... I'm old, but I'm not deaf, you know.} ::twitching an ear at Jaret:: {That's a new sound for you, Otter-with-Fangs. A gift from Seeker-of-Rainbows?} * Jaret shifts and nudges the pommel of his sword with his elbow. "Older than that. It's of limited use in Marsember, though. Out here... I don't know how I'd be getting on without it." <Lisl> ::bumping Bear lightly with her shoulder:: {Bear's nose is whole, and your tent still stands. Does that answer?} <Jaret> ::laughing:: Quite well. I'm rather fond of this tent, and I imagine Bear likes his nose the way it is. <Bear> {My nose is always the first part in trouble.} * Jaret laughs again, putting a hand down for balance. <Lisl> {What brings you here, Jaret? Is there trouble? The scouts haven't sung of any... nor mother.} <Jaret> No trouble, Lisl. None that I know of, at least. As I was telling Nightrunner and Bear, I came to see you. * Lisl turns in a small circle, the tuck of her tail betraying wariness. {Here I am.} <Jaret> So I see. I suppose I understate my purpose. I didn't hear from you when you left Marsember, and you've been gone for such a time... I wanted to come find you, and make sure that things were all right. That you were all right. ::he smiles, tightly:: I suppose you could say... I was worried about you. * Lisl shifts forms in a slightly queasy blur of motion, as easy as standing up. She straightens the fall of the wolf pelt over her shoulder and cups Nightrunner and Bear's noses reassuringly with her hands as they nuzzle her in concern. "Ah." Her voice is a little rough and oddly-accented, as if she hasn't used it in awhile, and her eyes remain wolf-yellow. "I suppose you could say... so was I." * Jaret nods. "I was being led to understand as much. And now...? How are you, my friend?" * Lisl scrubs her face with a hand, and runs it through her somewhat shaggy hair. "I... don't know." She looks around the tent, rubbing Bear's ears absently. "I'm happy with the pack, Jaret. I'm free, here." <Jaret> I'm glad to hear that, Lisl. Truly, I am. I can tell they're glad to have you around as well. <Lisl> ::eyeing him warily:: But...? * Jaret grins. "Selfish reasons, only. Steel Street is much more accessible to me than... wherever precisely we are. While I would enjoy your company in the land of the two-legs... I have no desire at all to make my friends unhappy, Lisl." <Lisl> ::grins, tilting her head back as if she could stare at the moon through the tent roof:: A little more than three leagues east-northeast of Marsember, in the Hullack Forest. ::lowering her head again to meet his eye:: And you didn't make me unhappy, I did that to myself. <Lisl> Mind if I take a chair? This is a comfortable enough position on four legs, but hard on the knees, on two. <Jaret> Please do. I didn't bring them along solely so that side of the tent looks balanced. <Lisl> ::dryly:: I wouldn't have put it past you. ::sitting, and stretching her legs.:: * Jaret joins Lisl in a chair. "I almost wish it was my fault, because then I could somehow address the problem. Would you like to talk about it?" <Lisl> ::Nightrunner sits on his hindquarters, looking back and forth between the two humans a touch worriedly. Bear promptly slouches across Lisl's outstretched legs, muttering, {Grandmother's with pack, stop worrying}, and promptly falling asleep.:: <Lisl> ::snorting at Bear and picking up one of the wine goblets, staring into it with a scowl:: No. Yes. I don't know. <Jaret> How about another question, hopefully easier to answer. Wine? <Lisl> Yes, please. ::holding out her goblet:: * Jaret pulls a bottle out of the bag near the table, decorks it, and pours Lisl and then himself a glass. <Lisl> I'm sorry I left without saying anything. I... wasn't in much of a mood to speak to anyone when I left, I guess. ::swirling the wine and looking at it:: I half-thought, or half-hoped, that no one would really miss me. <Lisl> ::holding up a hand:: Protests of devotion are not necessary, thank you. I know I have friends. And duties, for that matter. * Jaret raises his glass to Lisl. "I thought for a while I might have simply have had bad timing, and missed you about town and otherwise. After a while though... I went to see Goody Bea." <Lisl> ::absently toasting Jaret back:: Aye. I wanted to make sure someone knew my place was empty, and knew how to reach me if something *did* happen... ::scowling:: I haven't forgotten about that damn dracolich. * Jaret grins tightly. "Perhaps it's hibernating for the winter. Or for the next century or more." <Lisl> ::snorts:: If that helps you sleep better, nights... ::shakes her head:: I had to get out of there, though. If it *had* shown up, I didn't know what I could have done. I was useless enough against those damn celestial dragons. <Jaret> That was a special circumstance. Something about all the flying, most likely. I was able to lend a hand due to where I was at the time, nothing more. And, no, I doubt the dracolich has just gone away. Still... we've been fortunate so far. <Lisl> ::raising an eyebrow:: If demons, magical plagues, evil dead gods, *more* demons, and dragon wars count as "fortunate" in your book, I'd hate to see what you call unlucky. <Jaret> Fortunate in that the dracolich hasn't returned. That's what I meant. <Lisl> ::small smile:: Mmmhmm. Still... ::smile fading again:: I can't rely on good fortune. I've been losing my edge in there. ::nodding westward, towards Marsember:: I've been losing myself. <Lisl> Out here, I'm free to be myself, for the most part. In there... ::shrugs:: I'm something pretending to be a human with a deep, dark secret. Or someone's exotic "pet." ::meeting his eyes again:: She knew what I was, Jaret. Her senses were even better than mine, and I can't lie on *that* many levels. And dammit, what do I do when the lie serves my enemies better than me? ::taking a deep drink of wine:: <Jaret> By she you mean... Ishiko? She was a dragon, I don't know if there was much she wasn't able to sense, if it was possible to do so. <Lisl> Yes, Ishiko. ::waving a hand irritably:: They're not infallible, and they're *certainly* not unkillable, but I know how keen their senses can be. I'd gotten soft... lax... I just wasn't prepared. ::shakes her head, taking another gulp of wine:: Too damn trusting. <Jaret> None of us was prepared, Lisl. You're hardly alone in that failing, even if it is one. It's hardly reasonable to assume that everyone you don't know is a dragon in disguise. And that whole affair was marked by that sort of surprise. You may remember I spent a short time wanted for the murder of Hoshomati, after that servant wandered into the room and found me standing stock still over his stone dead body. <Lisl> Aye. ::darkly:: But not having an idea of what in the nine hells I'd do if my secret were discovered? Or worse, revealed publicly? What do you think I'd do, cut down an innocent in cold blood? Kevil certainly seemed to think so. I'm not like that. Not anymore. * Jaret quirks an eyebrow. "No, I don't think you would. Is that what you're concerned about?" <Lisl> ::snorting:: One concern in a list of them, Jaret. ::shakes her head:: Maybe keeping the secret has become more important than what it's actually worth. ::grinning humorlessly:: What do you think Captain Adiethian would do if I walked into the local post and told him I was a werewolf? ::snickering:: Can't very well be peace-bonded, now, can I? * Jaret laughs, tinged with nervousness. "What would he... right." Jaret grins. "This is going to be a trifle topsy-turvy, but overdue as well." <Lisl> ::raises an eyebrow:: What, you seriously think I *should*? <Jaret> That's not *precisely* what I was going to say, no. ::he clears his throat:: I really feel like this should be a little more dramatic than this. Oh, I guess I should ask first. Are you adverse to learning certain things about me, including my employer? I probably should have told you a while ago, but... the time never presented itself. <Lisl> ::raises an eyebrow:: *You* have a regular employer, Jaret? ::snorts:: Time never presented itself, hm? Such as any of those times I blatantly *asked* you? ::shakes her head again and smiles to herself, taking another sip of wine:: No, Jaret, I'd not be adverse to learning certain things about you. But if you tell me you're also a were, I can't promise you'll... how might you put it? Evade unfortunate consequences? ::grins:: <Jaret> ::grinning:: Of course I have a regular employer. However, I happen to be an irregular employee. And when you've *asked* there were usually other people around, and I didn't want to discuss it. And, no, I'm not lycanthropic. I think you'd have picked up on that. In any case... we begin our tale with some backstory. It all starts over four years ago. * Lisl raises both eyebrows and reaches for the wine bottle, pouring herself a refill and settling back into her chair. <Jaret> You may remember, I used to have a rather nice matched rapier and main-gauche. That was before Jelarthna started being attacked by demons. Demons with acidic blood. To cut to the end of *that* little story, we won the day, but the weapons were irrevocably ruined. Jelarthna lent me one of his, but... it wasn't *mine*. It didn't feel right. <Lisl> ::grinning a little:: Aye. I know the feeling. ::absently rubbing one wrist:: <Jaret> In any case, I ended being sent out by... someone -- another story, for another day -- to find what I'd lost. And I sort of was deputized by the purple Dragons, who were after this murderer, whom I assumed I was intended to track down anyway. So, in the end, I did the Purple Dragons a favor, and ended up with the sword I use now. ::he taps the rapier hanging at his side:: <Lisl> ::frowning faintly, trying to follow:: So... you did a job for the Dragons, paid in that blade. Alright. With you so far. ::nodding:: <Jaret> So, I returned to Marsember, and my usual occupation of teaching students, and shortly after I received an invitation to... to not be bored again, I suppose. <Lisl> Not... be bored... ::narrowing her eyes:: <Jaret> Yes, not be bored. Few things worse. <Lisl> ::dryly:: I can think of a few, myself. So... how "sort of" was this "deputized"? Are you telling me... ::starting to laugh:: Jaret, are you telling me *you're* the *law*? <Jaret> So... there are the Purple Dragons, who are sworn to... oh, I can't remember how it goes exactly... Ah, yes. to enforce the laws of Cormyr, to protect her heart from her enemies, and to be eternally vigilant for threats to her sovereignty. And... no, that's not me. A policeman? No no no.... <Lisl> ::hiding laughter behind her hand:: Does your father know? <Jaret> And the deputization was quite standard. 'Please stop this murderer who's attacking people and leaving them devoid of blood who is heading in a straight line for Suzail and stop him before he kills King Azoun and we will be quite grateful.' I thought it quite straightforward. <Lisl> Straightforward, and quite specific. It wouldn't seem to cover being... not-bored in the future? <Jaret> Does he know... what I do? We had a talk about it one night. I don't think he's as happy about it as he could be, but he's glad to see I'm putting myself to some use. <Jaret> The deputization itself? No, of course not. What came later... another thing entirely. <Lisl> ::leaning forward in her chair, swirling her wine glass in one hand:: Which means you still haven't told me who your employer is, I think. Gods and demons, Jaret, I think you're better about this whole evasion thing than I am, and I've been doing it... ::thinks a moment:: alright, we'll not talk about how long I've been doing it. * Lisl grins ferally. <Jaret> So, as mentioned, there are the Purple Dragons. The police. Cats pulled out of trees, cutpurses accosted, that sort of thing. The public defense. And then, there's the Black Dragons. <Lisl> ::mildly:: I think they see to a trifle more than that, but yes. Black dragons? ::raising an eyebrow:: You *do* know that black dragons are evil, don't you? Interesting symbol, there.... * Jaret shrugs. "And purple dragons are mostly non-existent. It's a symbol. The members of the Black Dragons are... quiet, undercover, doing unacknowledged work to keep Cormyr and her people safe from various and sundry threats and menaces." <Lisl> Ah. ::putting her wine glass down and leaning forward a little more, weight on the balls of her feet. Her eyes have a faint golden tinge to them:: So... was there a particular reason you came looking for me now, Jaret, and told me this? <Jaret> I told you my particular reason to come looking for you, Lisl. I hadn't seen you in quite some time and was concerned. And I'm still slowly working towards the reason I'm telling you all this, aside from that it's overdue and I should have done it some time ago. <Lisl> Ah. ::said somewhat less warily, as she rather deliberately unclenches her stomach muscles and leans back again slowly:: <Jaret> So... to say what must now be an overwhelmingly obvious point, I was made a member of the Black Dragons. An irregular one as I indicated, due to my lack of Cormyrean citizenship. I didn't have to swear certain loyalty oaths, and I also get to refuse missions if I have... ethical conflicts with the results of said missions. * Lisl quirks an eyebrow again and picks up her wine glass. <Jaret> It was a request I thought prudent to make when I agreed to join, but I haven't had to exercise it yet. I've turned down assignments, but for more personal reasons than ethical ones. <Lisl> ::smiling slightly as she murmurs into her wine glass:: Winsome mermaid princesses no longer to your taste? * Jaret chuckles. "Sea elves. And, no, more along the lines of my wanting to stay in Marsember and see things like the Celestial Heavens through to conclusion." * Lisl nods, looking wry. <Jaret> When I joined up, I was determined that all of my secrets would stay *my* secrets, and what I did for the Black Dragons would be theirs. And then I was handed their file on me, and found out it really didn't seem to matter. They already knew. <Lisl> ::makes a sour face:: Spies. <Jaret> Which leads me around, and I can tell you're thinking 'finally', to my original point. If you truly *wanted* to go in and tell Adiethian, who is one of the few joint members of both the Purple Dragons and the Black Dragons, I suppose you could do so, but I don't know if he'd do much more than close his office door and ask if he could shake your hand for all you've done for Marsember. * Lisl blinks a few times. * Jaret refills Lisl's wine glass while she's dazed. * Lisl looks blankly at her wine glass, and drains it in a few swallows with the air of one doing what's expected of her. <Lisl> So... *everything.* ::blinking again, her tone of voice highly skeptical:: <Jaret> Well, probably not *everything*. But all the main salient points of my life. Including information on known associates and... oh, they had such a good word in there. Associates and compatriots, I think it was. <Lisl> *Everything*. ::frowning deeply as she thinks about it, her look of skepticism slowly being eroded away by a dawning horror:: *Everything*??? ::sitting up straight:: Aerdrie, I need to warn... oh, hells... but... wait. No... no. ::shaking her head:: No one's that good. Hells, no one but me *lived* through enough of it to know. ::looking away briefly, haunted:: * Bear wakes with a start as his head is unceremoniously dumped off of Lisl's suddenly straight legs and onto the floor. Like a shot, he picks up on the signs of her conflicted mood and gets to his feet, raising hackles, baring his teeth at Jaret. <Jaret> I suspect my file was more in depth than others, as they researched me some before offering me this mostly-permanent position, so... I don't think yours is as-- ::he breaks off as Bear assumes a threatening posture and locks eyes with him, closing his left hand into a fist:: <Lisl> ::looking back quickly:: Bear. ::her tone is mild as she grabs his scruff, but he backs off instantly, sitting again and turning his head to lick her fingers:: * Jaret relaxes as Bear stands down, reaching out and having a sip of his wine. <Lisl> ::sighs:: Sorry. My fault. ::scratching Bear under the chin in apology, tilting her head to one side and whining softly in the back of her throat:: <Jaret> Quite all right, Lisl. ::he grins:: It's one of the few systems of etiquette I haven't had a chance to become proficient in. <Lisl> ::one-sided grin:: Amazing. <Lisl> But, you were saying? <Jaret> Yes, my file is most likely more extensive because they researched me some before they offered me the position, and I doubt your file is anywhere near as... detail-oriented as mine was. I know that's scant consolation at this point, but... I'm not sure what else to offer. <Lisl> ::snorting:: How about a reading copy? I doubt they'd allow it. Don't let the enemy know that you know what they know... gods, this is why strategy hurts my head. <Jaret> I can ask, I suppose, once I get back to Marsember. But... I was hoping you'd see, the people in the Black Dragons, the ones who know, they're happy to have you here. Frankly, you make their lives a lot easier. Something about... stablizing what might otherwise be a soft approach vector for hostile elements or information gathering. <Lisl> Ah... once again? In Common? <Jaret> I'm not sure what it means in Common. I think it's something like. .. you and your pack out here make sure orcs don't get too close to the city. I think that's what it means, at least. <Lisl> Damn straight, I don't. I live here! <Jaret> And the city of Marsember, and the country of Cormyr is grateful. If you want, they'd probably give you a medal for years of meritorious service. I don't think you can wear it publically, though. Not that you'd be inclined to, I suppose. <Lisl> ::snorts, shaking her head, still looking unconvinced:: No need to tease, Jaret. I can't believe they'd be actually *happy* about it. The sort that needs to know everyone's secrets generally isn't the sort that likes something like me running about off the leash, so to speak. ::narrowing her eyes:: Or... do they think they can control me? * Jaret quirks an eyebrow. "Why? How? Never mind. No. It's... you're not a problem, Lisl. They're quite happy with you doing whatever it is you choose to do. Through your past actions, you've shown them that you're... well, one of the good guys." <Lisl> ::sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose:: I wish I could believe they were all like you, Jaret. * Jaret stands and bows. "Compliment graciously accepted, Lisl Ferinsdottir." <Lisl> ::lifts her eyebrow and laughs:: Ah. Right. You're welcome. ::grins:: You're one of the good guys, too. ::shakes her head a little disbelievingly:: Officially, even. * Jaret grins, and sits, finger to his lips. "Officially, unofficially." <Lisl> ::laughs:: Right. Gods... cloaks and daggers... ::runs her hand through her hair again, rubbing the nape of her neck:: So... *un*officially, my "secret" is blown six ways to the Nine Hells anyway. I'm... not certain that's as reassuring as you might've hoped it would be. * Jaret pulls his queue straight. "I know. I knew that part of it wouldn't please you, but when you talked about being concerned about if your secret got out... I wanted you to know there were people out there who knew, who haven't been swayed by your charming personality, who have only your deeds to judge you on. I know the first part is what's bothering you now, but I was hoping over time, the second would be a balm for that irritant." <Lisl> ::snorts, giving him a look:: My "charming personality"? A stretch even for you, Lord Malkier. ::sighs:: I'm afraid all it does, really, is reassure me that they don't know *everything.* <Lisl> For what it's worth, I'm... glad to know they know. Tho' it's disturbing to think they knew when I *didn't* know they knew... Aerdrie... my head hurts again. ::empties her wine glass:: * Jaret frowns and drinks some more of his wine. "I don't think there's anything I can say at this moment to reassure you, which isn't what I intended. If anything comes to mind, please do ask." <Lisl> Hm. ::eyes his beltpouch:: I don't suppose you've got any 'kick in there...? * Jaret laughs. "No, I didn't want to risk it, in case I stumbled in the snow, or slipped on some ice." <Lisl> Heh. No matter. Just as well, most likely. ::thinking it over as she ruffles Bear's ears, frowning slightly:: What's... your role in all of this, Jaret? Are you... you're not expected, unofficially of course, to be my "watcher" are you? ::frown deepening:: I don't want to think of you being put into that sort of bind... <Jaret> ::shaking his head:: No, I'm still simply your associate and compatriot, and that's all. I don't think you have an official watcher. ::he laughs:: Unless you count your mother, but I don't think she and the Black Dragons have an sharing arrangement. <Lisl> ::bark of laughter:: No... no, I think not. Gods above and below, she's going to be *ticked*... <Lisl> ::grinning faintly:: ...she's the only one who's allowed to regularly invade my privacy, after all. * Jaret chuckles. "Now... would she do that?" <Lisl> ::darkly:: *Frequently*. ::glaring accusingly at the tent roof as if it had suddenly grown spying eyes:: <Lisl> Unless... ::brow wrinkling:: You prefer I keep this from her? It's... my, this does get sticky, doesn't it? It's not exactly my secret. ::grinning a little:: For that matter, Adiethian wasn't exactly *your* secret. If he shows up at the Hall wearing wolfsbane like Felis did way back when, I'll know he knows I know. Ye gods, there must be some sort of shorthand for this kind of thing, isn't there? * Jaret finishes his wine. "I'm not going to tell you what to do. I didn't ask for permission to tell you what the Black Dragons knew, but because I thought it might help you feel better if you knew, I told you. And I don't think Adiethian would do anything like that. If you want, I can let him know that I've told you, if that would make you more comfortable. But if you think your mother's reaction would be... vindictive, I'd rather you didn't tell her. But I won't tell you not to." <Lisl> ::stares at him a moment, and begins to laugh again, wiping her eyes after a minute and toasting him with her glass:: Ahhh... Jaret, I salute you. * Jaret returns the toast. "Verbal gymnastics are good for more than tongue twisters. They let me feel like I'm making sense when I want to." <Lisl> ::restraining her laughter to the occasional chuckle, attempting to become serious once again:: Since you ask... yes, I believe I would be more comfortable if you told Adiethian. Holding secrets on law enforcement only gives me itchy shoulder blades. ::smiling:: Not that I believe he's a dishonorable man. I'm just... heh. Paranoid that way. In many ways, really. ::looks rueful:: <Lisl> And... I suppose it's... reassuring to know that I won't have an instant bounty on my hide... ::makes a face:: ...well, officially, anyway... if something *does* slip at a bad time. * Jaret nods. "Very well, I'll let him know the next time we have a meeting. Bear in mind, though, this only applies to the Black Dragons. The Purple Dragons, things are still at they have been. If things do come out, I think there would be a hasty exchange of intelligence, but... the Purple Dragons aren't as closely screened as the Black Dragons, so not everything is passed along." <Lisl> Aye, noted. ::mutters:: Just as glad the whole damn barracks doesn't know all the gods-blighted idiotic stunts I've pulled... so. ::looking up at him again from a frowning contemplation of Bear's ears:: Things continue as before then, I suppose, only with all concerned parties just a little more... enlightened? <Jaret> A bit more, at least. ::he grins, mischievously:: If things continue on as before, shall we look forward to your return to Marsember shortly? <Lisl> ::sticking her tongue out at him:: What, Jaret, don't you like camping? And you so well-prepared! * Jaret gestures around. "Do you have any idea how many years I've spent accumulating all of this, so I don't have to be cold and miserable out in the woods, when I have to be out here? Besides, I'm almost out of wine." <Lisl> ::grins:: A tragedy, truly. My heart bleeds for you. Well, for a few seconds, anyway; I heal fast. ::her smile fading:: Seriously though, Jaret... I'm not sure. This does ease my mind a little, but it still leaves a number of things unresolved... not least being how to be... ::shrugging:: settled and civilized, and still be myself. Marsember's the longest I've lived in any one region since... well, since childhood, really. <Jaret> I wish I could help you answer that question, Lisl. I really only know how to do the first, and I can't tell you how to 'be yourself.' I can't say as I *precisely* understand what the main points of conflict for you are. And if you have to explain it to me, how could I pretend to offer you advice? <Nightrunner> ::looking back and forth between the two two-legs, and getting up to brush a furry cheek against Lisl's knee:: {Grandmother-Who-Hunts has been walking the ridge path in the two-legs' world. A hard way to walk... to see both sides, but never tread too far to one or the other, or you fall... but the valley path has its own dangers as well.} <Lisl> Aerdrie... ::sighs, her voice roughening to a growl:: {You've been too long with Barkeater, my brave scout.} * Nightrunner gives her a doggy grin and playfully worries her ankle. <Jaret> I understand the generalities of the situation well enough. However, I don't know anything but the valley path, Nightrunner. I understand its pitfalls and intricacies well enough. But I can't guess what difficulties and loose stones might be on the ridgeline. <Nightrunner> ::switching his tail:: What do you walk between, Otter-with-Fangs? <Jaret> Between my house and the Hall, some days. Eheh. Human joke. Don't worry about it. I don't know if the metaphor really applies, to my life. To try to apply it properly...more often than not, I reach into snake pits, rattle beehives, and the like. <Nightrunner> {He is as Bear.} <Bear> {I don't do it on *purpose*.} <Lisl> {He races the deer in its prime just to see if he *can.* I don't know anyone else who does *that*.} ::she grabs Nightrunner's muzzle and shakes it, grinning:: <Jaret> ::laughing:: They all seem to apply, depending on your point of view. <Lisl> ::chuckles:: Aye. ::sighs:: Well, I can give it another try, Jaret. Not like I was giving up on it all for good... I just... needed to run for a while. <Lisl> ::looking a little uncomfortable:: Sorry to make you worry. But... thanks. <Jaret> I was hoping it was only for a while. It was the suddenness of your departure, that concerned me. ::he smiles:: So, in the future, if you just leave a note or something..." <Lisl> ::grins:: Well... you *did* find out handily enough where I'd got off to... <Jaret> Oh, I didn't forget this area that quickly. And I might have asked around to make sure you hadn't traversed too far afield before I set out. <Lisl> Aye... Mother's watchful eye. ::shakes her head:: Still... the scouts kept an eye out, and the Goody has a way to reach me. Anything seriously wrong, and you can bet I'd have been back in a shot. Can't let you have *all* the fun, after all. <Jaret> ::nodding:: I talked with the Goody, too. I thought about sending a message, but decided in the end, obviously, I'd hand-deliver it. <Lisl> Obviously. ::sly grin:: You *must've* been bored. <Lisl> Oh... oh, hells... ::eyes widening:: Does Lini know about your, um, sometime employer? <Jaret> Concerned. The word is concerned. <Jaret> And, yes, Lini knows... speaking of which, I should tell you, Lini left on a piece of work many months ago and... she hasn't come back yet. <Lisl> Hm. ::frowning:: Well... I'd say "she does that," but... *has* she done that, since staying with you? Not to pry, but... ah... she likes her space. Have you two some sort of agreement on that...? <Jaret> The agreement was we let each other know where we're going, if it's for an extended period of time, and try to send word if we can. She's done neither this time. She'd been getting fidgety, shortly before she left, but... I'm not sure what to think. <Lisl> ::slowly, chewing her lip:: Welllll... I'm fairly certain Mother would know, were there something seriously wrong with her. Lini's far closer with her privacy than I am, Mother doesn't scry her... least, as far as I know, she doesn't. <Jaret> Quite possible. It wouldn't have been right, though, for me to not tell you. <Lisl> And... you know her. She *does* do this. Perhaps she needed a good run even more than I have, lately. Are you... gods, Jaret, I really don't want to put my foot in the middle of this again. Are you alright with it? Do you have... expectations of each other, beyond that? <Lisl> ::makes a face:: And there's her daughter... ::voice flat:: And her "ex." <Jaret> I thought... ::he trails off:: It really doesn't matter what I thought, does it? What matters is the way things are. Lini's gone, quite possibly for a long time. She always seems to follow a comet's path -- she bursts into my life with little to notice, we're close for a time, and then, as suddenly, she races away again. I'll be happy to see her when she returns, but without knowing when that might be... I don't pine for what I don't have. Life is too short. <Lisl> Hmp. ::shaking her head:: Well, that makes one of us. If I hear from her, Jaret, I'll be sure to let you know. <Jaret> Thank you. ::he looks around:: It's not much, but if you or any of your pack would like to share the tent, I've got room for some. More once I pack up the brazier for the night. It's somewhat late, and I should get some rest for my hike back to Marsember. <Lisl> ::grins, looking around:: Weather's due for a bad blow in a day or two, I'd say, a little extra warmth shouldn't be refused. Um... ::squints, gauging space against numbers:: Well, perhaps some of the old ones, and the pups, and the rest in shifts.... But if you want some sleep, Bear sleeps outside. He snores. <Jaret> I hope it won't damage my reputation for hospitality, but I am afraid I will need some sleep. My apologies, Bear. <Lisl> ::rubbing one furry flank with foot:: He's had his summer afternoon, at least. {Nightrunner, Bear... call the pack. All-clear, and night's den. The gossip can wait.} <Lisl> ::the two wolves scramble to their feet and disappear out the tent flap. Moments later, a duet of howls rises towards the moon from mere feet away. From the distant east, a chorus answers.:: * Lisl cocks her head, listening. "Alright. On the move. Thank you, Jaret." <Jaret> You're welcome, Lisl. Very much so. Thank you for seeing me. <Lisl> ::smiles, holding out a hand:: Why wouldn't I see my friend? * Jaret takes the hand warmly, covering the handclasp with his other hand. "It was a minor concern, when I set out, since I hadn't seen you in so long. I'm glad it was quickly proven false." <Lisl> Heh. "Long" is a relative term to a lady of certain age, Lord Malkier. ::cocking an ear as the howls change in pitch:: Ah. I believe the fur carpet you ordered is on its way... perhaps we should make room for it? <Jaret> Of course. ::Jaret gets up and begins fiddling with the brazier. After another few moments, its glow quickly subsides, and after testing its temperature with a hand he breaks it down into smaller pieces, placing the parts into his bag. After that, he folds the table and chairs back up, and slides them into his bag:: * Lisl starts forward to help and stands back as the brazier quickly disappears, watching bemused as Jaret packs up his other things. <Lisl> Right. Experience, indeed. * Jaret grins up at Lisl. "I figure you're coordinating everything else... " He pulls a bedroll out from his bag. "I understand I probably won't need it, with as many arriving as it sounds like, however... habits." <Lisl> ::grins:: You may be camping, Jaret, but I will never accuse you of "roughing it." And gentlemanly behavior and certain bawdy lyrics aside, I'd just as soon sleep in fur, if you don't mind. So... ::handing him her wine glass:: Good night, Jaret, sleep sweet. ::shifting back to wolf form and stretching her jaws wide on a yawn:: <Jaret> Good night, Lisl. ::he sets the wine glass in the top of the bag, then draws it shut. He unrolls his bedroll and settles down for the night:: * Lisl waits at the tent flap, exchanging silent greetings with the arriving pack and getting them bedded down for the night before settling in herself, tucked nose-to-tail at the entrance of the tent. |
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