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* Summer is sitting at a table near the bar. There is a plate of food in front of her but she's mostly just pushed it around. She's looking off at nothing, lost in her own thoughts. She's wearing a dark blue dress and her hair is cleaned and freshly braided. <Aeryn> ::after a hard day's work, Aeryn decides that a decent meal would be a better idea than settling for his own cooking. Approaching the Meade Hall, he stops at the door and speaks softly for a moment, slipping through when it opens for him.:: <Aeryn> ::Once inside, he looks around briefly. Spotting Summer, he moves over to her hesitantly.:: Good afternoon, lady Summer. * Summer looks over sharply when she hears the door. She's half out of her seat when she sees it's Aeryn. Slowly she settles back down and nods to him. "Hello Aeryn" <Aeryn> Sorry to disturb, but how might a tired worker get a good hot meal around here? <Summer> ::she stands:: I can get you something. ::she offers him a half hearted smile:: Sit. ::Then she disappears into the kitchen:: * Aeryn watches her leave, then crosses to the bar. Reaching under, he retrieves his throwing knives. He takes a seat at the table, making sure he has a clear view of the door. * Summer returns a few moments later with a plate of food and a mug with water. There is little on the plate, something that looks like meat and potatoes. She places them down for him. "There is not much, and Rhys is saving most everything that's not water for when everyone comes." She moves to sit opposite him. <Aeryn> Aye, times are hard indeed. ::he takes a couple of mouthfuls:: So...do you want to talk about it? ::He gives her a level look.:: * Summer twists her mug around on the table a few times, not meeting his gaze. "I don't...I don't know." She sighs softly. * Aeryn shifts slightly. "It is not easy at all, the way they are acting. They use our own humanity and feelings against us." <Aeryn> I may ask a small favor of you? * Summer nods a bit and looks to him. <Aeryn> ::motions slightly to the side with his hand:: Please do not sit with your back to the door. Wanted as you are, you need a clear view of the people entering. <Aeryn> I do not know the reasons the orcs wish to 'speak' with you so dearly, but I do intend to make sure they do not. * Summer nods again and moves her chair around the table so she is half facing the door. "I broke into the Mage school, to find out what they were doing there. On my way out they discovered me." * Aeryn raises an eyebrow as he reaches for his mug. "I take it you gained some information they do not wish us to know?" * Aeryn takes a sip of water and continues with his meal. <Summer> Some. I just hope that some is worth the consequences of it. Somehow I doubt it though. ::She looks sullenly into the bottom of her water mug:: <Aeryn> ::without looking up:: The consequences are not much more severe than would be for another accident. In addition, they were set especially for you. <Aeryn> I will admit, not having anyone I care for at the mercy of the orcs allows me a detachment most may not. <Summer> ::Softly:: You are lucky. * Aeryn looks at her. "Aye, that I am. I misjudged their skills, and I alone paid the price. You...either must let others pay it for you, or will likely get no chance to learn from your mistake." <Summer> They should not have to pay for my mistake. ::She bangs her fist lightly on the table top and then stands and paces some:: <Aeryn> ::turns in his chair to face her:: As I say, they set the consequences deliberately. And will continue to do so for everything they catch us at. <Aeryn> Either we must turn into monsters worse than they, willing to sacrifice the hostages, or we can do nothing. ::his hand closes over his mug, harder than necessary:: <Summer> There must be another way. Those people, they must not die. So many, so innocent. ::She moves back to her chair and sits heavily in it:: <Aeryn> From your action? None will. ::takes a small bite:: <Summer> No, but maybe worse for some of them ::She shivers:: <Aeryn> ::reddens slightly:: Aye. <Summer> It should be me. I would take anything over the guilt I feel for what is happening to them because of me. * Aeryn raises an eyebrow. "Your life?" <Aeryn> Painfully? * Summer closes her eyes and rubs her temples lightly. "At moments I think yes." * Aeryn looks at her grimly. "Then they have already won, and we should stop trying to fight them." * Summer sighs and shakes her head. She looks to Aeryn. "I have never in my life had a thing like this happen to me. I do not know what to do or think." * Aeryn nods. "Aye, neither have I, and I am older and better travelled. It is a difficult thing, carrying responsibility for an entire city, and I do not know if either of us are capable of it." <Summer> ::she nods:: I thought if I could help, do something. Kevil was so angry. ::she rubs her hand over her face and shivers:: <Aeryn> ::nods and shivers slightly as well:: Aye, as he would be. Had it been his Loria... ::shakes his head:: <Aeryn> Both of us, we are not experienced enough in our areas to remain undetected. Neither of us realized this before it was too late, unfortunately. * Summer glances sidelong at Aeryn and nods. "Why did you come here, to Marsember?" <Aeryn> I was merely wandering. I left my home village as soon as I was trained, and have yet to find a reason to stay in any one area. <Aeryn> A caravan was headed in this direction and paid well for trained guards, so I signed on. <Summer> Were you not happy? At home that is? <Aeryn> ::his face darkens:: No, my lady, I was not. The life of a half-elf is often a lonely one, and mine was no different. The forest was my only friend. <Summer> ::she nods a bit:: I am sorry. <Aeryn> Here, of course, I had no choice but stay. And I had thought that I might be able to help...but all that earned me was an uncomfortable week. <Summer> I hope that soon you will have the opportunity to leave, if you still want to. * Aeryn looks slightly uncomfortable. "I am not so sure I would, even had I the opportunity. I have had few friends before, and now...I...I do not know." <Summer> ::nods:: My Da once said that friends willing to give their life for you are the ones you keep close to you all the time. ::She glances to him and smiles a bit:: Perhaps you have found those friends. <Aeryn> ::smiles slightly in return:: Well, I have come close once already. <Aeryn> ::slightly uncomfortable by the turn of the conversation into areas he is unfamiliar with, Aeryn turns his attention to what is left of his supper.:: <Summer> ::she nods:: Well for what it's worth I hope that you do stay around. I would like the chance to know you under less demanding circumstances. <Aeryn> ::glances back up:: As I would you. ::thinks for a moment:: Out of curiosity, how were you discovered? <Aeryn> I still have yet to understand how the orcs knew to ambush Kevil, Diya and I <Summer> Discovered? Oh you mean my abilities. My grandda was a psionic. ::She pauses and frowns a bit, shaking her head:: Although now I guess he's not really my grandda. But I came to Marsember to go to the psionic school. It was then discovered I was not psionic, but a mage. <Aeryn> ::shakes his head:: No, I meant how the orcs caught on to you sneaking in the Mage School. <Summer> They can watch us, without us knowing ::she nods:: In the school I heard Kevil and Diya talking, even though they were not there. Somehow the orcs can watch us. <Summer> Oh ::she nods:: I do not know how. Tho it is a mage school. I suspect any number of things I was not aware of could have happened. * Aeryn raises his eyebrows. "They can watch us, from a distance?" He curses momentarily in elvish. "That complicates matters indeed." <Aeryn> I assume that you were moving quite silently, and made no loud noises? Was it some type of magical tripwire, perhaps? <Summer> ::nods:: Yes. I do not think they can all the time, or as Kevil said, why have they not taken him already. <Summer> ::nods:: Perhaps. I think that is what it was. <Aeryn> It indeed makes sense, in a place of magic. As for the other...know you of such spells? <Summer> I know of them, but not how to use them ::She frowns:: or detect them. <Aeryn> To block them, perhaps? * Aeryn finishes off his food and pushes the plate slightly to the side. * Summer shakes her head "No I am afraid. It is something I should very much like to ask Zoya about when she returns though." <Aeryn> ::muttered:: Great. Now not only can we not do anything, we can not even talk about doing it! <Summer> Well I think here we are safe. Rhys has protections around this place that I think the orcs would be hard pressed to get through. <Summer> But be careful what you say, and where. They could be listening to you at anytime. <Aeryn> ::understandingly:: Ah, that would explain it! * Summer nods and smirks a bit. "So it was not that I was not worried about the door behind me. Just that I trust that I am safer here than anywhere else in the city." <Aeryn> I see. And that does explain the orcs' confusion the first time I was here. <Summer> ::nods a bit:: <Aeryn> Have you any training in the fighting arts? ::he pulls out one of his throwing knives:: * Summer blinks in surprise and then shakes her head. "No, only in magic." * Aeryn raises an eyebrow. "Nothing whatsoever?" Unspoken is the thought, And you went into an orc stronghold? <Summer> No none. I have never had the need. * Aeryn looks a little grim as he puts the knife away. "Consider it. Even just bare-hand training. All spells wear off eventually, and you can run out of them." * Summer nods thoughtfully. "Perhaps. I will mention it to Zoya when she returns." <Aeryn> Magic is the one area of Ranger training I have yet to enter. I have not found a teacher to learn from. <Summer> ::nods:: I do not know any Ranger's here. But I am sure you will be able to find one that could teach you. <Aeryn> ::considers:: Any who know the divine spells of the deities I revere should suffice... * Summer watches him for a moment and then nods. * Aeryn stands slowly. "In any case, I had better be on my way if I am to return before curfew." * Summer nods and stands as well. "Be careful, Aeryn. Sleep sweetly." <Aeryn> Aye. And you as well, Summer. |
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