One of those drizzly, misty nights when a person would be at a loss to avoid moisture with or without a cloak, often drew people to the inn for a share of drink or tale, or intrigues to play. The Barrister, Lucien ?Lucky? Mallorek, recently believed to be deceased, had dared the public appearance once again at the Red Dragon Inn. His recovery from the explosion that claimed the life of a good woman and housekeeper and nearly claimed his was progressing enough to feel a desire to visit familiar surroundings. He kept none beside him when he entered the inn directing his slower steps to the bar where he would find a glass to fill with scotch.
A reserved presence he made, though willing enough to speak with those whose attention latched on to him. In particular, the sprightly young tendress, and frequent benefactress of fruit, Taneth Mercer. The arrival of Baroness Sylvia and Master Ewan, the baroness?s now frequent guard, was just as subdued as the barrister?s had been. Perhaps this weather did more than flavor the air of the outdoors. The lady kept a casual study of the inn and its patrons while moving around the edge of the room to the bar. She tapped out ale for Ewan and prepared a glass of port for herself. As they settled at the bar with barely a word spoken between them, the two let conversations drift their way for consumption and storing.
Sylvia had a great need to speak with Lucky, but the inn was not the place. She would bide her time. But the effervescent Taneth ripped the luxury of time away from her, and the Baroness stepped in to inform Lucky, ?I?d beware of speaking with Othinsson.? Through Taneth, Sylvia, and Ewan, Lucky learned of Guthorm?s confrontation of Sid and attack upon Sylvia over a disagreement. Too, Taneth?s news of being offered a position by Dewey, Cheetham, and Howe raised none too few brows, and Ewan?s displeasure was more than clear when he walked from the inn to await Sylvia?s departure on the porch. While the discussion continued, Sylvia noted the departure of a young woman not long after on the trail of Ewan.
It was not to raise concern, when Lucky offered for an evening stroll, that Sylvia noted Ewan upon the porch with the same lady. She sent a signal for him to stay. One guard, the man across the street in shadows, would be more than enough. Her hand set formally on the barrister?s arm, she walked in step with him, careful of his stride and as ever, tried to asses his health through cues from his body. His pace was casual, perhaps even slow for him. He too had his recent habits, one of which was keeping his left hand, the sleeves of his outfit long to just past the wrists, tucked into his pocket. When he spoke, his voice was steady, but hollowed, like a fallen tree starting to have its insides rot away. ?Things in life have a way of taking turns.?
Sylvia could do nothing but agree, ?So very true,? adding, ?Very sharp turns at times.?
?Ewan is a good man, Sylvia.? His words formed from images scattered in his mind and a desire to explain and, mayhap, convince.
Unknowingly interrupting, she smiled up to him, ?Ewan is a good man. I trust my life and death to him.?
?As is the Captain. But as men, we fail.? His voice also seemed to fail in strength with those final words he spoke. Sylvia?s smile saddened. It was not men alone who would fail. Failing is life, and she knew the Barrister was wholly aware of the fact. No, his statement was not of some new information, but an affirmation of the inevitability of it. He spoke again with a reforming smile, ?I don?t think Ewan was too happy about being relieved of his post.?
?He takes his obligations very seriously. Too seriously sometimes,? she laughed softly. ?In a way, he and Othinsson are very similar. Proud and focused on what they see is the right thing to do.?
?Well, I?d hate to think the good Baron finding fault with me for allowing that,? Lucky added with a knowing grin, ?Although we all know there isn?t anything that anyone can do about it if you don?t wish it.?
His teasing her eased her mind somewhat. That glimmer of him before the tragedy drew up memories, ?Aye, that I am. You know me too well.? Her elbow drew back towards his ribs for the slightest jab, merely a brushing across as she still took care of his health.
His chuckle evidence of a slow ease to his guarded stance, ?Come now, after all we?ve seen and had to deal with just from behind the bar, I would hope I?d know my Partner by now.?
Memories evidently played in his mind as well, and Sylvia sighed a smile, ?Aye, you?re greatly missed back there behind the bar with me. But still, I understand your path is leading you on to other ways.? Not wishing to dwell on that, she took to the matters at hand, ?So, what news do you have for me, dear friend??
Lucky released a slow breath, the echo of past events whispered out in that breath, and he shook his head lightly, ?I?m not the same man anymore, Sylvia.? He could feel the pressure from her hand on his arm. Knowing the words might cause distress, he managed a grin for her, ?Not necessarily a bad thing either.? A few steps more in their leisurely stroll before he spoke again, ?There hasn?t been much. I?ve been,? a tentative pause to select the phrase most fitting, ?laying low, I believe is the term. But I saw Sid and spoke with her, regrettably not at length.?
?And what did she say??
?She mentioned the Captain was getting himself into trouble, but she hadn?t mentioned his attacking her.? His brow furrowed once more with the perplexed frown. ?What is going on with the man? What is he thinking??
It was a brief nod of agreement, ?He?s getting in deep waters, I?m afraid.?
?How could he ? he attacked you!? It was a stunning revelation to the barrister still, and his mind could not set it to rights with his heart.
?Oh, aye, aye, that he did. But it was required.?
?Required??
A murmur matching a scowl as she recalled the event, ?He didn?t have to call me a coward though.? It still rankled that she had to turn from that comment.
?There?s no reason for that! He called you a coward??
?Well, yes, I wasn?t about to draw a blade on the fool, and I can?t best him in hand to hand. I had to run or get my head smashed in on the cobblestones.? She cut to the chase before Lucky?s perplexity caused any more hurt to him. ?I can?t exactly balance his first ideas on his current ones, but I?ll give you what I know.? With a nod from Lucky, she continued, ?He?s separating himself from us. He wants to get in with DCH.?
?Why?? the question was breathed out in dismay.
?He wants information,? a brief shake of her head. ?So we had to have a very loud and obvious disagreement, and so I must maintain that in public. Thrice fool.? She muttered, but it was not completely clear if she spoke of Guthorm or herself.
The barrister?s pace slowed all the more and his breath, unknowingly held during her explanation, released. ?I know the Captain is a strong man, but this?the DCH,? the edge to his voice as he speaks the name is slicing sharp, ??this is beyond mortals.? His blue eyes seemed to search the air for some answer as he tried to wrap his mind around Guthorm?s intentions, ?I can?t?I don?t??
Sylvia?s hand moved from his arm to his shoulder, ?I know, Lucky, I know. You have to let Guthorm do as he thinks is right, though.? Severe in her tone as she continues, ?I?ve warned him that this is beyond us and that he walks a very lonely road.? Worry softens her voice, ?I won?t have you trouble yourself over this.? It was a futile statement, knowing too well that he would all the same.
They came upon a bench and Lucky took reprieve from the weight of this news by sinking down onto its slatted seat. Sylvia followed and crouched down before him, looking up to his face. ?He?s my Captain, Sylvia. My friend.? He lifted his eyes to her, ?He helped me when I was floundering. I can?t just let him march into this.?
?You aren?t well enough, yet, Lucky,? though this is spoken as she searched his face for confirmation of her uncertain statement, ?Tell me what you need to have done, and I?ll do it.?
?This is? his jaw clenched, the roll of a muscle beneath the beard, as he recalled Gwyr?s own warning to him, ?bigger than me.? His resolve set, ?You know I can?t walk away from this, right??
?As much as I hate it, I know,? a wry twist to her smile, ?And you know I won?t let you walk to it without me and mine, right?? spoken with a dare-deny-it tone.
His crooked grin tugged behind his beard, although the smile didn?t quite reach his eyes. ?I know,? he conceded. Another slow breath, he shook his head and dropped his gaze to his hand, ?If anything happens to you?.The Baron won?t have to worry about finding me to exact justice.?
In a change of pace, levity brought to the fore, she tsks, ?Nothing is going to happen to me. I?m too contrary to die.? She moved to sit on the bench beside him, ?It might help, though, if you could tell me more of what we could be facing,? pointedly added, ?Particularly about you and how you survived.?
A nod, he spoke quietly, yet the weight of his words was not to be lost, ?The DCH isn?t just a law firm. The partners aren?t,? a telling pause, ?human. They?re not even mortal. I don?t know what they are, but I do know that.? At her nod, the intensity of her violet eyes on him, he knew she listened well to his words, ?They want what the Bloods have. And not just their holdings and businesses. This is something else. Something more. More than about this realm. More than about RhyDin.? His voice just a touch above whisper, ?And they?ll do whatever it takes to get what they want. Everyone is fair game. Anything is fair game.?
His eyes remained on the ground before him, but his attention was obviously not on studying the cobblestone work, ?I guess I was more than a nuisance for them.? A misty touch of a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. He felt more than saw her match that smile briefly. His grin, too, was short lived. A harsher expression replaced it as he spoke, ?They?ve burned down the Oak and Ash. They?ve stolen a lock of Sid?s hair. They?ve made claims on all the Bloods holdings in the West End. If they find an interest in someone, you can be sure they?ve found use for that person, and it won?t be just a job.? Venom laced his voice, ?Lives are a dispensable commodity as far as they are concerned.?
?So Ewan was right in his concern for Taneth,? Sylvia broke in briefly.
He glanced her way and nodded, ?Yes. His concerns are well founded.? He turned ever so slightly to face her more, ?I fear, Sylvia. Fear for her. Fear that somehow she?ll be the Captain?s undoing, if he doesn?t do it to himself.?
?Should we try to stop her then?? She felt as if she stood on uncertain ground, not knowing which next step would be the right one.
?These ? people,? his choice of word hard for him to complete, but he lacked another more appropriate, ?are not to be underestimated. As to stopping Taneth -- that I do not know.? His uncertainty of the woman was evident, and his trust had not yet been given. ?Something isn?t right,? his right hand reached out as if trying to grasp at something tangible that wasn?t there, ?She is more than she seems.? He shook his head once more, ?Or maybe I?m becoming paranoid.?
?At least your perceptions have not dulled from your recent experiences,? a firm nod. ?No, not paranoia. Ewan has been keeping an eye on her ever since Guthorm fell upon her. Something that he could only describe as energy came out of her. He heard of how her energy could revive a tree, plant life gone far into decay.? She told as much as she had heard, and noted Lucky?s brows rose with the news. ?The boundless energy, I think she?s somehow made of it, and it can be sent out in other ways. I do not know for certain, nor do I know anything more, but it is one of the reasons Ewan spends time there.?
A brief compilation of ideas she voiced tentatively, ?There?s a reason DCH want her in their employ, and it isn?t her skill at parties.?
?I wish I knew what exactly the DCH is looking for.? Lucky said in frustration, ?I do know it has something to do with the Nexus.?
?It seems they are pulling at slender threads; no longer directly attacking the Bloods. Is this so??
?I don?t know,? he quietly confessed. ?They are adaptable. Maybe they are preparing the noose.?
A reserved presence he made, though willing enough to speak with those whose attention latched on to him. In particular, the sprightly young tendress, and frequent benefactress of fruit, Taneth Mercer. The arrival of Baroness Sylvia and Master Ewan, the baroness?s now frequent guard, was just as subdued as the barrister?s had been. Perhaps this weather did more than flavor the air of the outdoors. The lady kept a casual study of the inn and its patrons while moving around the edge of the room to the bar. She tapped out ale for Ewan and prepared a glass of port for herself. As they settled at the bar with barely a word spoken between them, the two let conversations drift their way for consumption and storing.
Sylvia had a great need to speak with Lucky, but the inn was not the place. She would bide her time. But the effervescent Taneth ripped the luxury of time away from her, and the Baroness stepped in to inform Lucky, ?I?d beware of speaking with Othinsson.? Through Taneth, Sylvia, and Ewan, Lucky learned of Guthorm?s confrontation of Sid and attack upon Sylvia over a disagreement. Too, Taneth?s news of being offered a position by Dewey, Cheetham, and Howe raised none too few brows, and Ewan?s displeasure was more than clear when he walked from the inn to await Sylvia?s departure on the porch. While the discussion continued, Sylvia noted the departure of a young woman not long after on the trail of Ewan.
It was not to raise concern, when Lucky offered for an evening stroll, that Sylvia noted Ewan upon the porch with the same lady. She sent a signal for him to stay. One guard, the man across the street in shadows, would be more than enough. Her hand set formally on the barrister?s arm, she walked in step with him, careful of his stride and as ever, tried to asses his health through cues from his body. His pace was casual, perhaps even slow for him. He too had his recent habits, one of which was keeping his left hand, the sleeves of his outfit long to just past the wrists, tucked into his pocket. When he spoke, his voice was steady, but hollowed, like a fallen tree starting to have its insides rot away. ?Things in life have a way of taking turns.?
Sylvia could do nothing but agree, ?So very true,? adding, ?Very sharp turns at times.?
?Ewan is a good man, Sylvia.? His words formed from images scattered in his mind and a desire to explain and, mayhap, convince.
Unknowingly interrupting, she smiled up to him, ?Ewan is a good man. I trust my life and death to him.?
?As is the Captain. But as men, we fail.? His voice also seemed to fail in strength with those final words he spoke. Sylvia?s smile saddened. It was not men alone who would fail. Failing is life, and she knew the Barrister was wholly aware of the fact. No, his statement was not of some new information, but an affirmation of the inevitability of it. He spoke again with a reforming smile, ?I don?t think Ewan was too happy about being relieved of his post.?
?He takes his obligations very seriously. Too seriously sometimes,? she laughed softly. ?In a way, he and Othinsson are very similar. Proud and focused on what they see is the right thing to do.?
?Well, I?d hate to think the good Baron finding fault with me for allowing that,? Lucky added with a knowing grin, ?Although we all know there isn?t anything that anyone can do about it if you don?t wish it.?
His teasing her eased her mind somewhat. That glimmer of him before the tragedy drew up memories, ?Aye, that I am. You know me too well.? Her elbow drew back towards his ribs for the slightest jab, merely a brushing across as she still took care of his health.
His chuckle evidence of a slow ease to his guarded stance, ?Come now, after all we?ve seen and had to deal with just from behind the bar, I would hope I?d know my Partner by now.?
Memories evidently played in his mind as well, and Sylvia sighed a smile, ?Aye, you?re greatly missed back there behind the bar with me. But still, I understand your path is leading you on to other ways.? Not wishing to dwell on that, she took to the matters at hand, ?So, what news do you have for me, dear friend??
Lucky released a slow breath, the echo of past events whispered out in that breath, and he shook his head lightly, ?I?m not the same man anymore, Sylvia.? He could feel the pressure from her hand on his arm. Knowing the words might cause distress, he managed a grin for her, ?Not necessarily a bad thing either.? A few steps more in their leisurely stroll before he spoke again, ?There hasn?t been much. I?ve been,? a tentative pause to select the phrase most fitting, ?laying low, I believe is the term. But I saw Sid and spoke with her, regrettably not at length.?
?And what did she say??
?She mentioned the Captain was getting himself into trouble, but she hadn?t mentioned his attacking her.? His brow furrowed once more with the perplexed frown. ?What is going on with the man? What is he thinking??
It was a brief nod of agreement, ?He?s getting in deep waters, I?m afraid.?
?How could he ? he attacked you!? It was a stunning revelation to the barrister still, and his mind could not set it to rights with his heart.
?Oh, aye, aye, that he did. But it was required.?
?Required??
A murmur matching a scowl as she recalled the event, ?He didn?t have to call me a coward though.? It still rankled that she had to turn from that comment.
?There?s no reason for that! He called you a coward??
?Well, yes, I wasn?t about to draw a blade on the fool, and I can?t best him in hand to hand. I had to run or get my head smashed in on the cobblestones.? She cut to the chase before Lucky?s perplexity caused any more hurt to him. ?I can?t exactly balance his first ideas on his current ones, but I?ll give you what I know.? With a nod from Lucky, she continued, ?He?s separating himself from us. He wants to get in with DCH.?
?Why?? the question was breathed out in dismay.
?He wants information,? a brief shake of her head. ?So we had to have a very loud and obvious disagreement, and so I must maintain that in public. Thrice fool.? She muttered, but it was not completely clear if she spoke of Guthorm or herself.
The barrister?s pace slowed all the more and his breath, unknowingly held during her explanation, released. ?I know the Captain is a strong man, but this?the DCH,? the edge to his voice as he speaks the name is slicing sharp, ??this is beyond mortals.? His blue eyes seemed to search the air for some answer as he tried to wrap his mind around Guthorm?s intentions, ?I can?t?I don?t??
Sylvia?s hand moved from his arm to his shoulder, ?I know, Lucky, I know. You have to let Guthorm do as he thinks is right, though.? Severe in her tone as she continues, ?I?ve warned him that this is beyond us and that he walks a very lonely road.? Worry softens her voice, ?I won?t have you trouble yourself over this.? It was a futile statement, knowing too well that he would all the same.
They came upon a bench and Lucky took reprieve from the weight of this news by sinking down onto its slatted seat. Sylvia followed and crouched down before him, looking up to his face. ?He?s my Captain, Sylvia. My friend.? He lifted his eyes to her, ?He helped me when I was floundering. I can?t just let him march into this.?
?You aren?t well enough, yet, Lucky,? though this is spoken as she searched his face for confirmation of her uncertain statement, ?Tell me what you need to have done, and I?ll do it.?
?This is? his jaw clenched, the roll of a muscle beneath the beard, as he recalled Gwyr?s own warning to him, ?bigger than me.? His resolve set, ?You know I can?t walk away from this, right??
?As much as I hate it, I know,? a wry twist to her smile, ?And you know I won?t let you walk to it without me and mine, right?? spoken with a dare-deny-it tone.
His crooked grin tugged behind his beard, although the smile didn?t quite reach his eyes. ?I know,? he conceded. Another slow breath, he shook his head and dropped his gaze to his hand, ?If anything happens to you?.The Baron won?t have to worry about finding me to exact justice.?
In a change of pace, levity brought to the fore, she tsks, ?Nothing is going to happen to me. I?m too contrary to die.? She moved to sit on the bench beside him, ?It might help, though, if you could tell me more of what we could be facing,? pointedly added, ?Particularly about you and how you survived.?
A nod, he spoke quietly, yet the weight of his words was not to be lost, ?The DCH isn?t just a law firm. The partners aren?t,? a telling pause, ?human. They?re not even mortal. I don?t know what they are, but I do know that.? At her nod, the intensity of her violet eyes on him, he knew she listened well to his words, ?They want what the Bloods have. And not just their holdings and businesses. This is something else. Something more. More than about this realm. More than about RhyDin.? His voice just a touch above whisper, ?And they?ll do whatever it takes to get what they want. Everyone is fair game. Anything is fair game.?
His eyes remained on the ground before him, but his attention was obviously not on studying the cobblestone work, ?I guess I was more than a nuisance for them.? A misty touch of a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. He felt more than saw her match that smile briefly. His grin, too, was short lived. A harsher expression replaced it as he spoke, ?They?ve burned down the Oak and Ash. They?ve stolen a lock of Sid?s hair. They?ve made claims on all the Bloods holdings in the West End. If they find an interest in someone, you can be sure they?ve found use for that person, and it won?t be just a job.? Venom laced his voice, ?Lives are a dispensable commodity as far as they are concerned.?
?So Ewan was right in his concern for Taneth,? Sylvia broke in briefly.
He glanced her way and nodded, ?Yes. His concerns are well founded.? He turned ever so slightly to face her more, ?I fear, Sylvia. Fear for her. Fear that somehow she?ll be the Captain?s undoing, if he doesn?t do it to himself.?
?Should we try to stop her then?? She felt as if she stood on uncertain ground, not knowing which next step would be the right one.
?These ? people,? his choice of word hard for him to complete, but he lacked another more appropriate, ?are not to be underestimated. As to stopping Taneth -- that I do not know.? His uncertainty of the woman was evident, and his trust had not yet been given. ?Something isn?t right,? his right hand reached out as if trying to grasp at something tangible that wasn?t there, ?She is more than she seems.? He shook his head once more, ?Or maybe I?m becoming paranoid.?
?At least your perceptions have not dulled from your recent experiences,? a firm nod. ?No, not paranoia. Ewan has been keeping an eye on her ever since Guthorm fell upon her. Something that he could only describe as energy came out of her. He heard of how her energy could revive a tree, plant life gone far into decay.? She told as much as she had heard, and noted Lucky?s brows rose with the news. ?The boundless energy, I think she?s somehow made of it, and it can be sent out in other ways. I do not know for certain, nor do I know anything more, but it is one of the reasons Ewan spends time there.?
A brief compilation of ideas she voiced tentatively, ?There?s a reason DCH want her in their employ, and it isn?t her skill at parties.?
?I wish I knew what exactly the DCH is looking for.? Lucky said in frustration, ?I do know it has something to do with the Nexus.?
?It seems they are pulling at slender threads; no longer directly attacking the Bloods. Is this so??
?I don?t know,? he quietly confessed. ?They are adaptable. Maybe they are preparing the noose.?