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* Orlann has been working double shifts for nearly three weeks now. He's been summoned to "fill in" for "sick" people on his days off. He returns to their small apartment exhausted whenever he can to catch a few hours sleep. <Orlann> ::that evening, prior to one of his days off - if he can actually manage to take a day off - he suggests that they take a room at a local inn, on the theory that if he cannot be found, he cannot be called in:: * Tarri agrees with alacrity, both grouchy over seeing even less than usual of him, and worried about the state of his health. <Orlann> ::the inn they select, the Oaken Wheel, is clean and homey, the rooms fresh and airy. Orlann collapses onto the pillowtick mattress with a groan of relief as soon as the innkeep leaves:: * Orlann scrubs at his face with one hand. "Damn me if I don't reckon they might actually win this here argument, if this keeps up." He sighs and sits up. * Tarri laughs and sits on the bed behind him, massaging his neck and shoulders. "What argument?" <Orlann> Whether or not they c'n make me quit... I reckon I'd about confess t' killin' the Queen, just t'get some sleep, some days. <Tarri> ::scowling:: Is that what this is all about? I thought they'd left off that nonsense! <Orlann> ::rubs at his temples:: I reckon. I'm just on the bottom of ever'one's midden heap. Ain't nothing that can be done, official, but they ain't making things so very easy for me, neither. <Tarri> ::sniffs indignantly and digs her thumbs into his knotted muscles:: You'd think *some* of them would have a little sense! <Orlann> ::smiles wearily:: Some do... it'd be right easier iffen we could afford a bit of a leave... if I weren't in everyone's face, reminding them of what they'd rather not be thinking on, it might blow over faster. <Tarri> ::chews her lip:: Well, we might be able to swing it for a little while... It'd be easier if this was winter and I had more clients, but I've got a little money saved... <Orlann> Ain't hardly fair of me t' go putting you in distress because I ain't handling my own problems well enough. ::Orlann shrugs:: <Tarri> *You're* handling them just fine. It's those others- Well, I won't push it too hard for now. But if things don't get better soon, we might have to take a vacation, or I'll forget what you look like. ::she grins and kisses the back of his neck:: Wouldn't *that* be embarrassing! * Orlann startles, then looks around at her, a little shame-faced. "I ain't... I've been neglecting you, darling. I am sorry 'bout that." <Tarri> ::firmly:: It's not your fault. And I did the same to you, when I was getting the clinic set up, didn't I? ::she smiles:: It'll blow over eventually. <Orlann> ::nods slowly:: I hope so, darling, I really do. I ain't much for weathering this sort of storm. ::he touches her cheek:: Reckon I don't have the words to tell you just how much I love you. <Tarri> ::puts her hand over his and kisses his palm:: I love you, too. ::she gives him another look, faintly worried:: Are you sure it's just work? <Orlann> ::doesn't quite meet her eyes:: Ain't that enough? ::he scoffs:: <Tarri> Yes, I'm sure it is, but you're not usually so- ::she sighs and snuggles under his arm:: You don't have to tell me, if you really don't want to, but I want to help you. * Orlann looks excessively uncomfortable. "I know y'do, darling, I know." He sighs. "Just had a bit of upsettin' news from... well, it don't matter, as I ain't made up m'mind as to what I'm gonna be doing about it." <Tarri> News? From whom? ::her worried look becomes more pronounced:: <Orlann> More like 'from what'. ::he takes out a necklace, twisted beads of bone and ivory inlaid with uncut gemstones. It looks vaguely familiar:: <Tarri> ::frowns at the necklace, turning one of the beads over with a curious finger:: That's... interesting. I don't understand. <Orlann> ::smiles faintly:: It belongs to my mother... <Tarri> Oh! I knew I'd seen it- What's the news, then? <Orlann> ::shakes his head:: No news. I dreamed about her, night afore last. And when I woke up from dreaming, this was laying on my pillow. <Tarri> ::looks startled:: That's... odd. What did you dream? <Orlann> It didn't make no sense, darling. Caverns underwater and ice and... all confused, like. <Tarri> ::bites her lip:: Well, it must mean *some*thing... ::she sighs:: Are you thinking of going to see her? That's a long trip, isn't it? <Orlann> ::softly:: Very long. If I was t'go, darling, I wouldn't be back for... near six or nine months. <Tarri> Oh. ::pause:: I could go with you. <Orlann> ::sighs:: No, I reckon not. Time I's to get out there, whatever it is'd be long since over. Don't even rightly reckon I could find it again. <Tarri> Are you sure? <Orlann> ::softly:: No, I ain't sure. <Tarri> ::nods and hugs him:: I won't press. But let me know, when you decide. <Orlann> ::holds her:: It's a long ways... near to two thousand miles... an' it ain't exactly civilized for much o' that. <Tarri> Mm. Better bears than bandits, maybe. ::she shrugs and grins up at him:: <Orlann> ::yawns dramatically:: I ain't gonna be no use to no one, I reckon, if I don't get some sleep. Jus' let me sleep late tomorrow, s'all I ask. * Tarri nods and pulls back the sheets for him. "Yeah, let's get some decent sleep. No sense making any decisions with a fuzzy head." <Orlann> ::grins at her:: Well, I reckon I might be good for... a bit more, tonight. No sense takin' a day off if I ain't gonna enjoy it. Come t' bed, darling. <Tarri> ::laughs, pleased, and kicks off her shoes:: I see they haven't worn you *quite* down to your last thread, then... ********** Dearest Tarri, I know you're not going to be happy about this, but I don't think I have any choice. It's too far and too long for you to uproot everything, risk everything that you've worked so hard for. I've left my mother's necklace. I want you to sell it, it should bring a fair price and hopefully make up what I can't provide. I've already talked with my captain, and there's a small stipend that will come to you, for a few months. It isn't nearly enough, but it's what I could get. I'll send you word when I can. I will always love you Orlann ********** * Tarri is walking through the market... Well, perhaps "striding" would be a better word. She is carrying a fairly large - and full - rucksack over her shoulder, and her face is set determinedly, and flushed from something more than the summer heat. * Tarri pauses at a corner and fishes a list out of her pocket. She consults it briefly, scowls, and stuffs it back into her pocket, fishing around for a different piece of paper, which she consults more carefully. * Temire wanders the market dressed in her usual shirt and breeches, her conchshell hilted sword at her side, apparently bored senseless and looking for something to do. * Temire looks up and notices Tarri in her ill temper and moves to catch up with her. "Tarri, what's wrong?" <Tarri> ::looks up, frowning, then forced out a tight smile.:: Good afternoon, Temire... I'm... trying to get ready for a longish trip. * Temire looks curiously at Tarri, but decides not to question Tarri's attempt to hide her mood. "Where're you going? And would you like me to carry that for you?" Gestures to the rucksack. <Tarri> ::starts to refuse, then shrugs:: Sure, why not? ::she heaves the rucksack off her shoulder and turns it over to Temire.:: I'm going... Well, to Wheloon for starters, and then across the Sea of Fallen Stars. I think. I'm not sure exactly where I'm going after that. * Temire grunts for a moment as she gets the rucksack settled on her shoulder, "Anything breakable in here? And why so far away?" <Tarri> The breakables are in cases. And because that's where Orlann's mother lives, and she's in some kind of trouble. ::her mouth tightens, and she consults her list again:: * Temire looks curiously at Tarri, "If I'm being too nosy go ahead and tell me to mind my own business, but... You seem more angry that worried. What's wrong?" <Tarri> ::sighs:: Orlann's already gone. Didn't even *tell* me about the trouble until last night, and then only 'cause I dragged it out of him. When I woke up, he was gone, and there was nothing but a note. He's been planning to leave for *days*! ::she glares at random passers-by, as if they might have been his accomplices.:: <Temire> Ah. ::The concern obviously clears from Temire's face.:: So you're closing up shop and chasing after him? <Tarri> Of course I am. Even if all I can do is give him a piece of my mind and then come home again. He didn't even have the courtesy to *tell* me! ::she growls, then looks at her list again and deflates as she considers:: I need a sturdy, fast horse... How are you at judging horseflesh? * Temire laughs, "I have no idea. Every time I've been on a horse someone else has bought it for me." More seriously, "Are you taking anyone with you?" <Tarri> I hadn't planned on it. I'll be gone for at least three months, probably closer to six. ::she bites her lip as she considers:: Oh, there's that new tenant at the 'Hall! He's a horse-doctor, he ought to know *some*thing about how to buy them... ::she heads toward the Hall:: * Temire follows Tarri, "And what were you planning on doing if it takes you three months just to catch up with Orlann. I trust him to protect you when he's around, but he's already got a head start on you, and he knows where he's going." <Tarri> ::not slowing down:: He discussed his route with the innkeeper of the place we stayed last night. She was quite happy to tell me all about it. ::grinds her teeth:: I'm not entirely helpless, Temire. * Temire clearly spends several minutes trying to find a diplomatic way to speak her mind, "Tarri, how long have you been training in self-defense?" <Tarri> What? ::thinks:: Three years, now, I think? * Temire sighs as her argument deflates, "Can I just come with you? I won't have to worry about you then, which would be even worse than being bored, and then Orlann will have one less thing to defend himself with when you catch up with him and give him what he deserves." <Tarri> ::gives Temire a worried look:: Are you sure? I mean... It's a *long* trip. What about Ilarion? * Temire frowns a moment before shrugging, "If he can't accept me helping my best friend then he's not worth keeping." <Tarri> Well... You'll at least have to tell him before we leave. ::firmly:: No notes. * Temire laughs and salutes Tarri, "Yessir!" <Temire> So any idea of the kind of trouble we're talking about here? <Tarri> Not the slightest clue. But we've got to *get* there, first. I'm hoping we'll catch up with Orlann before that. * Temire chuckles again, "I'm not saying I'll argue if you catch up with Orlann, chew him out, and then want to come straight home, but unless you brow beat him enough to make him come home I can't see you letting him go off to help his mother alone Tarri. But yes, the sooner we catch up with him the better." <Tarri> Well... It depends on exactly what he says when we catch up with him, doesn't it? ::shakes her head:: Never mind. That's for later. ::she strides down the Meade Hall's alley, and knocks on the door.:: I hope someone's here. * Temire waits with Tarri to see if there's an answer. * Ennis gets up from his impromptu tea at one of the tables and goes to the door. "Er... Hall's closed?" <Tarri> Master Ennis? It's Tarri Mandeil, sir. I wonder if I might have a word? <Ennis> Ah, Tarri, lass! I'll even grant ye a whole sentence, if ye care f'r it. ::some fumbling at the other side of the door, and he opens it wide to them:: Care f'r some tea, then? <Tarri> ::smiles slightly:: Thank you, Master Ennis. This is my friend, Temire. ::she comes in:: Tea would be nice. It's been a pretty busy day. * Temire carefully sets the rucksack down on a table and takes a seat beside Tarri. * Ennis offers both girls a short bow and closes the door behind them, escorting them both to his table and pulling out chairs for each, making a show of dusting them off with his hanky first. He whistles between his teeth, and a couple more teacups come strolling out from behind the bar. <Ennis> Grand things, they are. Gave me a bit o' a turn the first time, but we've struck up quite th' companionship since, I think. ::he winks:: Partic'larly the whisky glasses. * Ennis pours out tea-- very strong, dark tea-- and offers sandwich makings of bread, cheese, and vegetables. * Tarri smiles distractedly at his joke, picks up one of the teacups, and sips without paying much attention to what's in it. "Master Ennis, would you say you're a fair judge of horses?" * Temire grins at Ennis' joke, but keeps quiet. <Ennis> ::considers:: Fair enow. Spent me whole life tendin' to one end or t' other o' the fair beasties. <Tarri> ::chews her lip:: I need to buy a- ::glances at Temire:: two. I need to buy two very fast, very sturdy horses. Do you think you could help me? <Ennis> ::considers:: Aye, likely I can. I wouldn't be trustin' meself t' pick a track winner, but I know a sound, sturdy beast fro' a hack. But horses don't come cheap, lass. Better t' hire out fra' livery, if ye don't mean t' travel far. <Tarri> ::laughs weakly:: I'm going to Wheloon, most likely. I'll re-sell them when we get there, if I'm going to continue on. <Ennis> ::frowns and scratches the back of his neck, thinking:: Wheloon... that's... nae so far, if memory serves. ::considers:: Ye mean t' take the road eastward t' Sembia, then? Why resell th' horses, if ye mean t' go on? <Tarri> Well, Wheloon's the first major city... Ultimately, I think we'll wind up crossing the Sea of Fallen Stars. <Ennis> ::raises his eyebrows, taking a sip of tea as he looks back and forth between the two girls:: Jes' th' two o' ye? <Tarri> ::grates her teeth briefly:: Well, I'm *hoping* we'll catch up with Orlann before he gets too far. * Temire hides a grin behind a sip of tea. <Ennis> ::blinks in surprise:: Yer man's... left ye? <Tarri> You might say that, yes. I need to find out whether he actually knows how... ::she trails off, looking angry:: Yes. <Ennis> ::carefully:: So ye mean t' fetch 'im back, then? ::looking up at the ceiling, tilting his chair back a little:: P'raps a third, then, braw enow t' tie him on 't? <Tarri> ::pulls out her other piece of paper and consults it:: Oh, not Wheloon. That's the first stop. I'd be selling the horses in... Yhaunn? ::she badly mangles the pronunciation:: <Tarri> ::looks at him, surprised:: It's a pretty long journey, Master Ennis. <Ennis> Yhaunn. ::correcting her pronunciation gently, and eyeing her with an impish twinkle:: A bit o' saddlesore fra' bein' tied o'er a horse's rump c'n only be fair treatment f'r th' man who'd run off on *ye*, lass. ::casually:: Ye've travelled in Sembia afore, then? <Tarri> Um... ::hesitantly:: Not that I remember. * Temire shakes her head, "The one time I was there I got a 'port from Master Bluestar." <Ennis> ::grins expansively, tipping out the last of the tea into their cups and starting to pack up his lunching things:: Ye've come into a fair bit o' luck, then! As it so happens, I've business eastward meself. I'd be honored t' find horses fer th' both o' ye, if ye'd care t' offer me a spot o' bright company an' fair conversation on th' long an' lonely road. <Tarri> ::eyes him briefly:: Well... If you're going that way anyhow. ::bites her lip:: I did want to go fairly fast, though. The sooner I catch up to 'Lann, the sooner this is settled. <Ennis> ::putting a hand over his heart, his expression solemn:: But o' course, lass. I'd not dream o' delayin' ye. <Ennis> ...well, p'raps five minutes, to leave a note wi' th' keep an' fetch me pack. <Tarri> Well, then... ::she offers a small, but genuine smile:: Why don't you and I go see what's available at the market, and Temire can go home and pack. ::she gives Temire a significant look:: <Ennis> Aye. ::considers Temire:: Lass, would ye do me th' honor o' walkin' yonder 'cross the hall, and back? An' tell me if ye've ridden afore? * Temire waves her hands in protest, "Alright, alright, I promise to talk to him." * Temire looks curious at Ennis, but stands and walks across the room and back. "I've ridden before, but it's been a few years." * Ennis watches her attentively, nodding to himself as he watches her stride back and forth. "Well enow. I'll find ye a good, sturdy beast, ne'er fear." <Tarri> ::smiles again:: I knew you were the right person to talk to. Thank you, Master Ennis. * Ennis stands and bows. "A pleasure, lass. Please, finish yer tea, damas, I'll be back down in a blink." * Temire drains her tea, "Wish me luck." <Tarri> ::grins weakly:: Good luck. <Ennis> ::swiftly kisses Temire's cheek and winks:: Luck go wi' ye, lass. ::grins and heads up the stairs, taking them two at a time:: * Temire hugs Tarri, "We'll catch up with him. Though maybe you'll want to get a riding crop to properly explain to Orlann why he shouldn't do this again." Temire winks at Tarri and heads out the door. <Tarri> ::snorts:: If he doesn't feel the sting from my tongue, I don't think a crop'd do much better. * Tarri smiles grimly and leans back to finish her tea while she waits for Ennis to come back downstairs. ********** Ennis notices the lert sweeping in the hall outside his room as he reaches the door and dives for his haversack, packing his things within neatly but quickly. He runs a hand over his hair as he looks about the room, making sure he hasn't forgotten anything important. He ducks into the bathing room, rolls up his sleeve, and retrieves a tight-wrapped oilskin bundle from within the small water reservoir above the privy. Opening it quickly, he counts out several gold coins and sets them aside, shoving the remainder of the packet deep into an inside pocket. He sits down at a small writing desk and hastily scrawls a few notes-- one to Master Rhys, apologizing for his rapid departure and hoping that the money enclosed will stand as security to hold his room for the season, if necessary, as he hopes to return; one to Stick's Boys, requesting the enclosed message be delivered to the written address, and read to the foreign lady Missa Misalin, as she does not read Common; and finally, with much frowning, this last: "To the fair desert princess, greeting and apologies from your most humble servant. I beg forgiveness, lass, that I will not be able to ride out with you at week's end as we'd promised. An unexpected journey calls me away for some time-- I know not how long-- and I can only hope that your wanderings won't have taken you away from Marsember before I can return. I do look forward to exploring this city with you; I can only hope this duty will but delay us for awhile. In brief, young Tarri Mandeil came to the Hall today with a friend, seeking help in buying horses to take her to Wheloon. She means to follow after her man, who I understand has taken off for points east. Neither lass, I think, kens much of travel beyond this land's borders, and they're both in a tearing rush. Tarri waits downstairs as I write; we're off to the horse markets and away after this, so I'd best close quickly. I could not in conscience let them go unescorted. I've made out that I have business in Yhaunn, where they're headed, and wish for them to bear me company. I hope you can forgive me for rushing off so, and ask that you tell her friends where she's gone, and that she and Temire are being looked after as well as this poor but travel-wise horseleech can manage. She means to go some distance, I think; we could be gone for a few months. Alas, I can only dream of your smiling eyes until the road delivers me back. Fare well until we meet again, Ennis." He seals the letter within the other and shoulders his pack, taking up his walking stick and crossing to the door in long strides. Getting the lert's attention, he gives it the messenger letter and asks him to deliver it to Stick's Boys. The other he takes downstairs, to leave tucked behind the bar before putting himself at Tarri's service once more. |
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