after session 20, Season 6 Prax
There is whiff of cold air when door opens and closes. Xenofos looks around the room and nods when he sees the two women at the table. He picks up a drink and a plate of cheese and cold cuts from the counter and walks towards the table. “Good to see you Berra.”
The little Humakti raises a hand in greeting. “Hey. I get to be here tonight, and then I’m probably busy for a bit… do you know what the required time for militia is in service in New Pavis? Is it a cult time thing or a forever thing?”1Insight: With Xenofos there, a touch of caution is back in Berra’s demeanour.
Xenofos shrugs. “I really don’t know. I suppose it depends if it is town militia or Suntown rules. I would be surprised if any militia is forever, but with the thing handed out as penal thing… Can’t tell unless it was spelled out at court.” There is a pause. “Do you mind if I join you?”
Berra sighs in answer to the first, and with her foot pushes out a stool in answer to the second. “You should eat and drink plenty when it’s this cold.”
Xenofos nods and sits down. Plate gets placed with in reach of all three. Perhaps slightly closer to Varanis than others. After divesting his cloak he cuts a slice of cheese.
Berra has meat and bread from a platter already, but reaches forward to cut off a bit of cheese and thus eat what is offered. “Varanis said what happened. That you bound a hollri and called on it.”
A cloud passes Xenofos’ face. “I would not say I bound it. I asked it to yield and released it on parole. It paid it’s ransom by doing my bidding.”
There’s a shrug in acceptance of that. “Well, it worked.”
“Have some Varanis?” Xenofos offers.
Varanis waves down the serving boy to ask for more mulled wine, then accepts a small chunk of cheese and bread from the plate Xenofos has brought.
Xenofos nods to the Humakti. *Yes. It worked in the end. “
His cousin adds, “Seems like a good thing too, as the spirit in me was attempting to kill you.” It’s a shift in language, but it’s there at least. Not I but the spirit. Perhaps she is admitting that things may have been out of her control.
“Happened to me once. I think I went for Mellia, although I’m not quite sure. But I got put down pretty quickly.” Berra seems untraumatised by the event. “So, are either of you any good at the Ur-game? The one where you move counters around with dice? Lord Raven keeps beating me.”
“I took lessons, but it was always too… slow for me. Boring. I wanted to be out doing things, not playing at doing things.” Varanis shrugs. “Lord Raven’s not had much of a challenge from me the few times we’ve played.”
That gets a grimace with nose-wrinkle. “I don’t even wanna find out how he plays taffle.” Berra’s accent scrapes off the name of the venerable game.
“With terrifying precision,” Varanis says ruefully.
Xenofos cuts more cheese. Most slices are left to other side of the plate but he takes couple of them himself followed by some cured pork.
Berra considers, and then tilts her head to the other side to keep on considering. “Yeah, that seems about right. He only sounds friendly when he’s playing.”
“Is he still giving you grief about your hand? How does it feel now by the way?” Xenofos has not been staring, but it is obvious he has been observing Berra. 2Insight: not with the pining he thinks he can hide, but closely and seriously
Berra holds it up for inspection. The base of the missing finger still has a whitish scar that could look like a spider’s web if one had too much imagination. “He started giving me grief about other things instead, like how many people dropped by to make sure I stayed warm. It’s fine – it doesn’t really hurt, I just sometimes don’t hold things right.”
“Did you… Never mind.” Xenofos takes a bit of bread and sip of wine. “I think I have written everything that needs to be written of the late events to library records. That raised some questions in my mind.” He peers over his shoulder towards the crowded room. “Perhaps discussed better at some other time and place.”
“I got this evening. After that I might get put on duty for a long time. I dunno yet.” Berra shrugs.
“My room is somewhat secure, if we need it,” Varanis offers.
Berra gives Xenofos a glance and jerks her thumb upward in question. It’s the closest to an invitation to a bedroom with her that he’s ever going to get.
“We eat first,” Varanis says firmly. “Last time I let you eat in my room, there were crumbs in my bedding.”
Xenofos nods to Varanis and takes another piece of bread with some pork.3((We can pause or stop here, enjoying the meal. Varanis will even eat a somewhat normal amount of food for a human of her size.))
“There was probably good reason for crumbs, like people being hungry,” Berra says wisely, but there is food in front of her, and even though she has eaten, she starts on another plate of food.
“In my bedding?” Varanis asks. To be fair, if she’d made her bed the crumbs would have been on it, instead of in it. She ignores that part and reaches for more bread and cheese instead.
Bigshrug. “I can’t remember when it happened, so I can’t … what’s the word, refuce it? refute?” Nom nom. Berra eat.4Insight: Xenofos is happy to see food disappearing and making his best to not look smug about it.
“The redsmith I talked with had some words about my swordcare. But he got it fixed.” Xenofos taps at the hilt. “I could get a new one but I am used to this one.”
“It’s got history,” Berra points out. “It’s done deeds.”
“I suppose so…” There is a faint smile from Xenofos. “Uncle Des gave it to me, the day I was sworn into the Greens. Said he had to since uncle Sestar was not around. Told me he did not like or understand swords himself so I should switch it to a better one with no qualms if needed.”
Berra quirks a smile, looking into the past. “Nice. It’s already got story.”
“It has worked. I have not felt a need to change.” The patina of the hilt has been polished off but the redsmith has not done anything to the worn green scabbard. It is a quality sword with antennahilt and pommel. No extra inlays, just a small truth rune engraved to the strong of the blade… Desdel may have said he did not know swords but he acquired a good one.
Berra points out, “It is long and thin, but we forgive Esrolians that.”
“Fixed for now anyway.” He shrugs “I’ll get my helmet back tomorrow.”
Berra looks at the demolished remains of her meal. “Right. So. Wanna talk now we can do it without crumbs, or are we leaving that for later?”
Xenofos looks at Varanis. “Might be prudent to do it now. You never know what might happen… You ready Varanis?”
“Oh, you want her? Right, sure.” Berra rolls out her shoulders and relaxes.
Varanis finishes a mouth full of food and takes a final sip of her wine. “Now is as good a time as any. Shall we?” She moves to rise.
“Sure.” Xenofos raises to his feet and looks at the little Humakti.
Berra asks, “Y’wan’me to check out the place, or what?” She seems relaxed, but when Xenofos stood she leaned sideways a little, casually, to keep an eye on the room.
Xenofos looks over his shoulder to see if he missed something. “Yes, I want to speak with Varanis, but I was expecting you too?”
Berra hauls herself to her feet, and gives a little shake like a dancer making sure their arms still work. “You know where the stairs are.”
Varanis leads the way. While a few of the folks lingering over drinks watch the trio go, no one says anything.
Her room is tidy. Everything is packed, as if she’s prepared to leave at a moment’s notice, except for the damp cloak that’s been spread out across multiple wall pegs.
Berra tries, and fails, not to show surprise.
Varanis fails to notice, instead pointing Berra to the lone stool in the room and waving Xenofos over to take one end of the bed. She claims the other end for herself.
Berra goes to perch on the stool rather than sitting there, balancing with a little back and forth rocking.
Xenofos sits on the edge of the bed. “Have you told her what we were upto, Varanis?”
Berra looks mostly interested in her hands, or else in the stretch that she is doing that keeps her hands out in front of her.
“Yes,” his cousin replies. “Everything, I think. Even the part where I succumbed to a Lunar spirit and X11 had to…” She rubs her jaw. “Remove me from the fight.”
Berra gives Varanis a mild look.
“Good, I suppose I can then go to things that started bothering me when writing this stuff down.” Xenofos looks at his now shiny swordhilt as if it was somehow new. “I don’t think they mean we lost. But there may be some loose ends that may or may not require inquiry.”
Berra narrows her eyes thoughtfully. She is listening, even if she seems distracted.
“We should probably ask Cherry Blossom Dancing if they can check if we got all the eggs. I am pretty certain hollri smashed all the ones in that cavern. Based on their earlier divination I think that was probably the whole stash, but…”
Varanis nods. “Yes, that would be wise.”
“And I am a bit concerned about not confronting the Sable thief. I mean someone left, bound those spirits or whatever they were in the cavern.” He taps his sword hilt nervously. “But that trail is quite cold by now. We may run into him by chance or if he seeks us out. What we did there was not exactly a secret even when we did not announce our deeds ourselves.”
Berra makes a little dividing motion with her hands, like a Shaman persuading a lake to stand aside for a few hours.
Xenofos nods. “Quite. Apart from that, that mission does not have other loose ends I am aware of.”
“Talkative people at this end,” Berra supplies. “Anyone might have questions.”
Xenofos shrugs. “But they are too numerous to do anything about, I am afraid.”
The Vingan leans back against the wall, stretching her legs out so they hang off the side of the bed.
“We have to stay here until we’ve served our debt to the city. What then? Do you think we’ll be permitted to return to Boldhome?”
Xenofos looks at Berra with a question in his eyes.
Berra takes a moment to reply. “The Hero wants us safely out of the way until Sacred Time, when at least he should know what’s going on. A lot of what’s being kept safe there is probably his plans.”
“Before or after?” Varanis pushes, but before Berra can reply, she answers herself. “After. Of course it will be after. The new… claimant… will want his shot at the throne without any potential division caused by my presence. Keeping me away keeps me alive. Once the throne is secure, I cease to be any sort of threat. Mostly.” Air huffs through her nostrils like a bull issuing a warning. Her grey eyes focus on Berra. “That about right?”
Xenofos tugs his beard.
“Pretty much, yes. And maybe after that the High Sword will be in a position to ask the new Prince if I can come back. That’s all sorts of politics in that right there, mind. I mean, you know that.” Berra shrugs, like she is resigned to it.
“I may have to travel alone then… Unless we head for Nochet.” Xenofos looks thoughtful and twirls his moustache.
“Why?” Varanis directs her sharp gaze to him now.
Berra considers. “I have done what I came to Prax for,” she says, letting the other part of the conversation flow around her.
“The Pavis Library is afraid to keep the grimoire we got from that boat. They fear denizens of Ogre Island will come for it, something New Pavis has scant chance of resisting.” Xenofos looks at the two others. “So I agreed to take it to safety. Either Boldhome or Great Library.”
Berra gives a little nod. “If you’re free, y’should do that as soon as you can,” she notes.
“And you’d prefer the Great Library… that’s fair, I suppose.” notes Varanis.
“I am kind of bound to Varanis, Berra.” Xenofos says “Though I am free, I do have commitments…”
“Well, if we can’t go back to Boldhome, he can, but if he goes to Nochet we can go too.” Berra tilts her head to think about that from a different angle.
“Quite. What Berra said. ” Xenofos looks westward. “You can travel to Boldhome in Storm Season. It may be risky, but I have done it. Ships don’t sail to Nochet at that time though. As to which library… I believe both can keep it safe. It is not a boon, it is a heavy responsibility. But I would not expect Librarian of either place to shirk their duty.”
“We couldn’t go through Sambari Gap, so we might have a problem with the mountains.” Berra seems to be thinking about it seriously.
“I think it is safe from scrying as long as it is inside the Library.” Xenofos says “But we cannot be certain that nobody makes the right questions. Once I retrieve it from there it may become visible for divination, if the people looking for it keep on asking for it. I mean – it is way over a season since we took it. Or should I say – I took it.”
Varanis jumps up, agitated. “Stuck in New Pavis for Storm Season. Missing the High Holy Day. And bound to stay away from my chosen home for my own safety during the point where I might be needed the most. What if he fails?” She crowds the little room with her frustrated pacing, gesticulating wildly so that Berra will have to duck lest she get hit.
Berra does duck, flattening out like a mallard in a press. “Here for High Holy Day. Where we can… mind out. Where we can look out for the Khan Argrath’s history.”
“Or what has not been edited out of it. The stories I read at Libray were carefully curated.” Xenofos interjects.
“And I didn’t get much from talking to my ancestors, such as they are.” Vingan says.
Berra hmms. “I’ll see what I can pick up at the Sun Dome Temple. Who else might know him?”
“Are there any Orlanthi inititates or priests from time of the occupation left? They might have known him at the time?” Xenofos muses. “Apropos, Sun Dome Temple. Are they still having an active feud against me, Berra?”
“I only just got back into town,” Berra admits. “I came here because I haven’t been reassigned yet. That’s likely tomorrow.”
Varanis is still pacing between them, though she’s ceased the hand-waving that nearly cost Berra her head a moment ago. “I can ask around. But, I’ve already made some enemies at the Temple. Apparently, I might have accidentally attempted to usurp his place when we first got here. Some people are holding onto that.”
Berra leans back, seeming to fall off the stool until she catches herself with her hands on the floor behind. “How much should we mind about enemies here?” she asks.
“Depends on how often they seek to kill us?” Varanis answers.
“I would not make things excessively hard for the clan, if that is avoidable.” Xenofos tugs his beard “And if Argrath is raised the king of Sartar I suppose his thane should not be disloyal.”
“Well, I’ll see what I can do.” The Humakti sounds like she is taking it all in.
“As for trip to library. I would rather travel alone to not put either of you in harms way. ” Xenofos looks at both. “But it is pretty important the book does not get into wrong hands and I can not think better people to help keep it safe.” He looks at his sword “I did tell at the library that if I am killed or disappear they can give that tome to either of you if you so request.”
Berra nods. “Yeah. We’re… there are probably a few better people in Prax, but not many. An’ if you’re released from the Storm Bull Temple, I think I get released from the Sun Dome too.”
Varanis comes to a halt and looks down at Xenofos. “Of course we’ll protect you!”
“I know. But I would not like to put you to any extra risks.”
“Xenofos, you’re getting a bit insulting. We’re here for that.” Berra crosses her ankles on the stool.
Varanis has her hands on her hips as she glares at him.
“Not meant as an insult, Berra.” Xenofos looks at her in the eyes “This thing needs doing. It is result of my actions. Although of bad choices available it was probably the least bad. But it will put people in my company to extra risk. I do not have to like that.”
“You don’t have to like it, but you don’t have to mention it like it might change our minds.” Berra speaks to the ceiling.
“Like being with me has never caused you the same problem?” Varanis snorts.
“Rest assured Berra, I had no illusion of changing mind of either of you two.” Xenofos says to Humakti before raising up turning towards Varanis. “I promised you my sword, so…” He is blinking rapidly and seems to be unable to finish his sentence.
“And that goes both ways you beloved fool.” Before he has a chance to try to evade her, she yanks him into a hug.
Hug is returned.
Berra wiggles her feet, watching the way her toes move back and forth.
- 1Insight: With Xenofos there, a touch of caution is back in Berra’s demeanour.
- 2Insight: not with the pining he thinks he can hide, but closely and seriously
- 3((We can pause or stop here, enjoying the meal. Varanis will even eat a somewhat normal amount of food for a human of her size.))
- 4Insight: Xenofos is happy to see food disappearing and making his best to not look smug about it
