Rabbit by the Fire

It had been a good hunt, tracking through the forest for their prey. Zeke was admittedly not the best hunter, but he was endlessly patient. Willing to wait for a rabbit to hop directly in front of him if that's what it took to catch it. In truth, it had been his idea, this hunting trip. He'd been fishing with Seldan many times, but actually hunting was more of a challenge, and it was nice to spend time with Seldan away from the city and the concerns of the world.

Now, with the sky darkened and the fire warm, Zeke was comfortable watching the rabbits that they'd caught cook slowly over the fire. There was plenty of warm tea already ready to go to keep them warm as they waited for the actual food to cook. Zeke sprawled lazily beside the flames, his tail waving behind him.

The blue-scale had been in a fine mood the whole day, cheerful even. Though only one who knew him well would be able to tell. It was nice to see him with his spirits high. "You ssseem in a fine mood today Ssseldan. Did sssome-thing happen to make it ssso, or are you merely in good ssspiritsss?" It seemed funny for him to say such a thing considering his own mood, but he'd noticed that Seldan seemed in better spirits than he had been the last time he'd seen the man.

Seldan, on the other hand, has proven a skilled hunter, although his movements are not quite his signature motions, and his knowledge is abrupt at times. Still, the skill with Guiding Star is all his own, and Reunion remains sheathed at his hip for the entire duration of the hunt. Now, though, he is equally sprawled by the fire, head pillowed on his pack, bow and sword similarly laid by and even his armor off, leaving him in woolen shirt, leather trousers, and covered by his traveler's cloak. His hands are behind his head, and he stares up at the stars, seemingly relaxed for the first time in weeks. The day's exertions have left him pleasantly weary, but satisfied.

"Indeed there is," he looks over at Zeke across the fire, grinning wolfishly. "You will recall the matter of the statues being shipped to Charn. The one responsible is in guard custody for consorting with a demon."

Zeke blinks in surprise at this news and then flashes his own teeth. It has a different meaning for a sith-makar than it does for a softskin but the meaning is well-deserved in this instance. Zeke bares his teeth with equal wolfish delight and eagerness at the thought of just rewards being lavished upon this foe to the light. "That isss excellent newsss kin! Thisss one doesss indeed remember; Seyardu wasss hunting thisss man and it ssseemss that the hunt wasss proven sssuccesssfull at lassst!"

"Even so." Seldan sits up and turns to face the sith-makar over the fire, sizzling coming from the fire as fat begins to drip into it. "The man had a statue in his possession, a summoning circle in the sewers beneath his house, and a Chorus hidden in his basement." The smile fades abruptly at that. "The Captain permitted me to destroy it, for the safety of all."

The blue-scale tilts his head. "A chorusss?" Zeke tries to remember the meaning of the word in the common tongue and then only tilts his head further. "He had a group of sssingersss trapped in hisss bassement?"

GAME: Zeke rolls knowledge/religion: (11)+18: 29

"Nay, Zeke. A thing far more sinister," Seldan replies, but after a moment snorts softly. "I shall not ruin your fine mood by attempting to explain, for truly is it well to see you so pleased, and I would have it for longer." A ghost of a smile accompanies that, and he paces his fingers together and loops his arms over one upturned knee. "We have enough evidence to convict, I think, although he means to lay accusations against me as well. I shall not permit the distraction. We're I to have my way, the man would answer to the Halls for those he sent there first."

Zeke seems to relent at this, though ducks his head in embarrassment that his own good mood is so obviously evident to Seldan. Still, he can't and doesn't even try to deny it. Instead he focuses on Seldan's words, nodding in approval that the man who had done such terrible things would be facing some kind of justice. "Thisss one will be glad to sssee jussstice done for thosss who were kept trapped as ssstatuesss, or worssse... ssold off asss ssslavesss. Much lesss thesse other atrocitiesss that he hass committed. He will anssser to the Hallsss in time enough Ssseldan. Now or later. Though thisss one would have it sssooner asss well." He admits this last with a rough flash of his teeth again.

"So he will." Seldan agrees at once, staring into the flames. "Mal does better as well, his nightmares grow less. I mean to, as much I cam, grant him a life of peace. I think it the best way for all."

"Thisss one hasss meant to asssk you, conscerning thisss." Zeke looks at Seldan through the flames. "There mussst be sssome-thing that thisss one can do to asssisst you. Sssome burden of yoursss which you can allow thisss one to take up. You have taken on ssso many thingsss, but thisss one would not have you bear sssuch burdensss alone."

The topic is not a happy one, and Seldan's eyes lower from the sith-makar to stare into the coals of the fire. His hands come to rest in his lap. "I - and yet there are so few. I must do all I can. The Temple no longer sends me upon its errands, and that is much. I have ... taken to avoiding the Temple, of late," he admits shyly. "But - perhaps there is a thing where your wisdom and patience will be of great aid."

"Then thisss one would be glad to be of assisstance." Zeke can not reach through the fire to touch Seldan, but if he could, he would. Instead he hums low in his throat. A comforting sith-noise. "Thisss one knowsss that it can be difficult to sshare sssuch burdensss, but thisss one isss capable of sssome thingsss. Even if thisss one lacksss your ssstrong arm and ssskill with arcane magicsss." He shifts his tail to these words in amusement. He knows his failings, and he is not afraid of them.

"It is neither that is needful for this task," Seldan begins, "but wisdom and discretion. A warlord exists in Charn, holding an artifact called the God's Hand. With it, he knows the truth of anything to which he turns his eyes and mind. Illusions, deception, lies, all are stripped away by the power of this artifact. It is in my mind that it is a Shard of Animus, but with it, he seizes power in Charn and makes war upon the Raven Lords. It must be wrested from him, ere he conquers all of Ea."

"That he can weild sssuch sssafely sssaysss ssomething. Of him, or of the artifact. If it be asss you ssay; a ssshard of Animusss. Sssuch would require care to deal with." Zeke nods his head. "Thisss one will look into thisss for you Ssseldan. Sssurely thisss one can help in sssome way." He would have to think on it though, for it sounded as though this was no small problem, and one that would not so easily be dealt with.

"I shall not leave you without assistance in this," Seldan says quickly. "I consult with Master Mithralla, to seek the aid of Llyranost, if they will. I know not if they will, but we can ask. Grauthis the Griever is his name. It is dangerous to speak the name, lest he learn of it and take an interest in you, but there are those who refer to him as Giggles. But - I would have your wisdom and insight, that perhaps an avenue that none see presents itself to you."

Zeke nods and looks at Seldan warmly. "Thisss one did not think that you would leave thisss one with-out aid. Thisss one however, will however come up with sssome manner of plan, if thisss one can. Looking for aid amongssst thossse of Llyranossst isss a wissse idea. Thisss one will remember, and ssspeak hisss name not."

"Your aid is most welcome, but I confess not wishing to trouble you without real need. You have much of your own business, and I am spread too thin, why then that is my doing, and I ask none other to bear that burden."

The blue-scale shakes his head. "Thisss one isss happy to help. It isss ass you sssay. You are ssspread to thin, and thisss one would lighten your load. Thisss one knowsss that you would not asssk; ssso thisss one offersss. Thisss one _insssissstsss_." This last word is difficult for him, but he manages. "Thisss one doesss not have very much to do thessse daysss in any cassse. Not with the templesss closssed."

With those words expressed, their conversation slips into other topics. Things that are going on in their lives that have nothing to do with demons, shards of Animus, or even the state of Alexandria. It’s good to share words.

-End