Nobody
Alexios Group
Posts: 1,409
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Post by Nobody on Jan 27, 2021 23:34:56 GMT
Aethyl remains outwardly calm, but Mairwyn knows him well enough to see the registered surprise. He shifts to Elunian.
"Who is Merchant Árón?! The men outside cried out, thinking I was him!"
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 27, 2021 23:38:49 GMT
"He is a noble and true-hearted priest of Galadrin," I say. "He was here earlier, indeed, but as a Merchant high in the favor of Galadrin that means little. Distance is as meaningless to him as to a Correspondence Master of Ravenwood. If they thought you were he, then you can be flattered. He is Kindor," I add, "and he was the one who made me a priestess."
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Nobody
Alexios Group
Posts: 1,409
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Post by Nobody on Jan 27, 2021 23:54:20 GMT
Aethyl, clearly impressed, leans back a little.
"And based on how those men reacted, he is capable of far more than transforming lovely maidens into priestesses." He grins at her.
"They were terrified, and fled. He is a man of no mean capacity, I'll wager. They have clearly had dealings with him that have gone poorly for them. I would love to speak with him if there is a chance. It does not sit well with me that they escaped."
He stops himself short.
"Well, most of them."
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 27, 2021 23:56:48 GMT
I smile. "Well done, Cousin! I do think that Merchant Árón will be back here sometime soon, and I hope that you two can meet! He is kind, and he has done much to heal my heart..."
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Nobody
Alexios Group
Posts: 1,409
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Post by Nobody on Jan 28, 2021 0:33:55 GMT
"In that case, Cousin, I like him already."
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 28, 2021 0:43:50 GMT
"Thank you, Cousin! And I hope ... that you and Evily can meet again. Am I right in thinking you favored her?"
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Nobody
Alexios Group
Posts: 1,409
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Post by Nobody on Jan 28, 2021 0:56:44 GMT
Aethyl does something Mairwyn has never seen before. He opens his mouth to speak, blinks, jaw slack, catches himself, closes his mouth, and smiles awkwardly, color rising in his face.
"It is strange, Cousin. She... She is my enemy. I know that in my head. But, in my heart . . .
It is so strange. . . "
He drifts off momentarily, clearly puzzled by his own reaction to Mairwyn's simple and innocent question.
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 28, 2021 1:00:31 GMT
"Cousin," I say seriously, laying my hand over Aethyl's, though my fingers tremble a little even from that innocent contact. "Evily was quite kind to me, within what limits she could be. I hope it is not for my sake you might think her an enemy."
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Jan 28, 2021 1:12:32 GMT
Rajit is pretty convinced he's found the right people but he's in no hurry. After his meal, he pulls out a fist-sized piece of wood and begins to carve. Coaxing whatever shape is buried in the wood is always soothing to him and helps pass the time. (Made by 2)
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Post by Diocles on Jan 28, 2021 1:24:47 GMT
What shape are you carving?
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Jan 28, 2021 1:35:16 GMT
What kind of predators are native to my homeland? Something like a jackal or coyote.
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Post by Diocles on Jan 28, 2021 1:41:38 GMT
Wolves!
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Jan 28, 2021 1:42:21 GMT
Excellent. I carve an alpha male wolf.
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Nobody
Alexios Group
Posts: 1,409
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Post by Nobody on Jan 28, 2021 2:05:24 GMT
Aethyl smiles at Mairwyn. "I am glad she was kind to you, Cousin. For all of her...outward strength, her heart seemed kind to me, as well. But her people prey on others. And she serves them willingly."
He says nothing about their captain, but his face darkens again.
Presently he looks over at the stranger, and sees him pull out a block of wood and begin carving.
Aethyl studies the man intently - his face, his hands, and the small but surprisingly detailed lupine figure taking shape under his knife. At last he stands up, and without a word approaches the stranger, and addresses him in Skenje.
"The wolf is sacred to my people."
He pauses a moment, looking into the man's face, searching. "And you have some skill, traveler. Only a man with eyes to see the world can shape it to his will.
"You have been watching us for some time, yet you are at ease. And you have the look of a man who hunts beasts, yet you honor beasts with your hands. Your appearance is rough, yet your heart is full of beauty, and you love beauty. A man cannot hide what he is. His heart comes out of his mouth, and his hands, and his feet. You are a hard man, but I see no ill favor in you.
I am Aethyl, son of Mheodwyn, of the clan Tuath of Elunia."
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 28, 2021 2:07:11 GMT
I admire Aethyl's boldness in approaching the stranger, and I wait to hear what this golden-skinned stranger has to say.
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