In the plains of Prax after season 6, Prax session 9 and shouted discussion that had Varanis eating at least something. (No you shut up )
When Berra comes to tell Xenofos what his guard shift is, she finds him a bit distant from others, sitting crosslegged and gauging the sharpness of his bared sword. There are no nicks, but he still decides to give it a few touches with the sharpening stone.
“You do that when you don’t know what else to do,” Berra says. “You alright?”
“Sharp blade, sharp mind….” Xenofos shrugs “Or so they say… I am decent. You?”
“I ain’t exactly happy, but we’re breathing. It’s enough. You’re going to be on just before Varanis, but staggered. I’ll wake you.” It might be a change of subject.
Xenofos nods. After a short break he says “Thank you.”
Berra stretches a bit, and considers something. “I talked to Varanis. If you’re worried about us, don’t worry.”
“I did not expect her to break her fast yet.” Xenofos casts a glance towards Varanis “Did you tell her of Wolfpirates at Boldhome yet?”
“I told her everything. She asked.” Berra shrugs. “S’pretty bad.”
A soft harp fugue drifts through the air from…. somewhere
Berra winces. “Do you hear that?”
He does
.It’s probably just a fisherman, out for a pleasure cruise at midnight through Eel infested waters.
“A harp…” Xenofos looks distracted, but shakes his head. “Thank you for telling her. I don’t like keeping things from her, even for her own good. And it is better she got the information from a good secondary source and not a tertiary one.”
“I dunno what tertiary means. But that’s Jar-eel harping. She ain’t forgotten us.”
“I thought she was dead, killed by Harrek.” Xenofos says.1 Insight he sounds pleasantly surprised, even though he speaks matter of factly
“Yeaaah. She ain’t planning on staying that way. I thought it was just me, but it’s more than that if other people can hear it.”
“Have you heard her before? I mean after her death?” Xenofos asks, scanning the plains for the elusive source of the music.
“Just to be clear, that’s bad, right?” Berra looks astounded.
“I suppose it is, she was rather powerful.” Xenofos looks over the plains. “or maybe I should say, she is powerful. And Lunar. But you did not answer my question…?”
“No, because you seemed to be happy at the idea Jar-eel was coming back.” Berra glares at Xenofos.
“I was saddened by her passing, even though she was a terrible enemy.” Xenofos looks back at Berra “And when you said that is her, my heart was gladdened even though I knew she was dead. But it as a thought it is rather worrisome. In same scale worrisome as Harrek or a Dragon in vicinity.”
“Screw her, and not in a good way. And yeah, I’ve heard her before, and it’s spreading. The moon-Harrek’s coming back.”
“I suppose it is too much to hope for those two to tear each other to pieces.” Xenofos looks at his blade and gives the already sharp edge another pass.
“He already did. It din’t take.” Berra scowls.
“Maybe other way would. But I would not bet on it. Does Varanis know?” Xenofos looks at the honed edge of his blade, Truth rune on the sharpening stone and puts the tool away.
“Yeah, I think so? But it’s not our main thing right now. Nothing we can do, right?” Berra shrugs fluidly.
“Quite. And not much in Boldhome either?” Xenofos sheaths his blade, takes two silk ribbons from the ground and looks at them.
“We get to … yeah. Decide what kinda noble you are. Peaceful’s good.”
“No use carrying a sword if you are not prepared to draw it when needed.” Xenofos ties the ribbons to hilt of the rapier. “I don’t quite trust the peace of nights in plains of Prax, outside the camp of the tribe.”
“Humakti ties can’t be seen.” Berra shrugs. “We done?”
“I will worry about you and Varanis. Unless I see you both happy. But it is good that you spoke, and I think I have to worry about one thing less if I understood you correctly.”
“I have no idea what you mean, but sure.” Berra raises her hand in farewell.
“Good night.”
The little Humakti slips off towards her sleeping hide, to get at least half a night’s sleep.
- 1Insight he sounds pleasantly surprised, even though he speaks matter of factly
