1629, Fire Season, Illusion Week, Wildday or a little later
Context
Berra has Lord Raven with her, and is taking advantage of his presence to talk to him. A lot. Session S5.O-16.
Events
“Hey, Lord Raven?”
This is going to be awkward, isn’t it?
“Yes, but how…”
You have been keeping me up to date about travel for the past three hours, and now you speak as if a new thing has occurred to you.
“Yeah. There was a lot on. I think Jar-eel’s power’s still alive, even if she’s not. I had a kinda vision.”
My illustrious counterpart is already aware of this distinct possibility.
“I figured he was. Kinda passed out, and she was singing to me. I had my head resting on her lap. She cared. So I was trying to wake up, but it took me a while.”
Keep your mind on the job, mm?
“I… ‘zat a joke?”
I am never anything but serious.
“Anyhow, whatever it she represents, it’s still around and pushing.”
Tell me again about the weather.
“Hey, Raven. It worked, right?”
Lord Raven. Please supply context for your question.
“Kallyr… Prince Kallyr… apologising. The Yelmalians are moving again, right?”
“You ain’t said much for a while, Lord.”
I have little to say.
“Yeah, but you usually manage. Is it because we’re in Duck Point?”
Yes.
“Am I gonna have to argue?”
I do not intend to say more.
“Riiiiight. Listen. I’m about to go see someone I … lemme just put you over my back for a while. You go meditate.”
Indeed.
“Alright, we’re done.”
Enough wallowing, eh?
“Not much mud right now. Also, ducks are not your targets and I don’t mind you coming at me, but if you say that kinda thing about them, I’m gonna get angry.”
‘Ducks’ are perfectly capable of defending themselves. They simply do so without dignity.
“Ehhh… Listen. No.”
Mm.
“So. You ain’t ever… you probably don’t know much about the Duck Hunts, then.”
I know enough.
“I’d… yeah. Don’t you start… alright, we’re attracting attention.”
You are attracting attention.
“We. Because I could be talking to you a lot more quietly.”
And a lot less coherently.
“It’d still be your duty to listen.”
—-
Where are we?
“Waterfront. Loading and unloading district. Docks, not fisheries.”
…
“You been here before?”
Yes.
“You alright, Lord Raven? You feel distracted, somehow.”
I do not need to answer to you, or your sort.
“People who defend people that are smaller than me?”
People who pry into personal matters.
“Alright. Lemme know if I can do anything. An’ sorry.”
Your apology is accepted. Be silent now.
“…”
—-
I was sharp with you.
“Not a worry.”
Nevertheless, it was unjust.
“Yeah. It didn’t hurt me though. I’m used to sharp.”
This is not the comfort you may believe it is, little fool.
“More… I want you to know it sometimes happens. I get you’re locked away.”
And idiots remind me of it regularly. I can almost hear the tact falling.
“Heh. Yeah. Sorry.”
Move on then. Where are we now?
“Nearly at the Temple. I’m going in as me, not as your Priest.”
Wise.
—-
“Wanna talk about it?”
Not with you.
“Who, then?”
You never met Gorak. He was a friend of mine.
“Nah. If I could find him? Would that help?”
He is unlikely to be in the locale. He was a Praxian, a bodyguard to a chief’s son. He will be with his tribe now.
“Kay. But we might have time in Prax. We could keep an ear out.”
You can.
“You can keep your hilt out. I dunno.”
—-
“D’you want to go out once it’s dark, and have a look around? I could do with a walk anyhow.”
Don’t patronise me.
“For… alright. But I wasn’t trying to.”
Talented.
“Lord Raven. Please. Lemme help if I can?”
You cannot.
“Alright. But if you want to go for a walk, let me know.”
“Hey, Lord Raven? Is one of the reasons you’re with me so I don’t disturb the Hero at the wrong time?”
Obviously.
“Right… When the time is right, can you let him know that I really resent him controlling me. He should know this one. He wields me. That’s different.”
The answer is a soft laugh
“Anyhow, we’re gonna be worshippin’ tonight, right? Maybe not until he’s on the way home.”
