Dinner

[ehren]

Mes sees Sveja coming down the lane in front of the Manor. Its a crisp night, and they are all weary from their recent fight with the Wendigos. The Blood Sun, as some are calling it, casts an eerie glow about the whole Kaer.

"Sveja, thank you for coming! Do come in. Mal has cooked, well... Heated, a nice meal. I believe it is time for us all to talk of next steps. Come in, come in."

Mes motions her inside and leads her to the informal dining room where Maw and Mal are waiting.

[Sveja]

Sveja arrives for dinner just a couple of minutes prior to the time she was invited for. She has changed into a clean set of street clothes, but has clearly not had time to clean up much beyond that despite some apparent effort to. She has changed her jewelry from earlier - and shows up now with no weaponry but a single side-arm like dagger.

She waits outside rather nervously, unsure if she should approach or wait. By the time the staff informs Mes that she is waiting, it has already been several minutes and she looked relieved at his waving her in, despite an obvious anxiety.

She steps carefully up the stairs into the entry, very much unlike the earlier sight of her taking out her anger on the Wendigos.

"Mes'Illayah, thank you for the invitation. Truly, it is an honor unlike any I am accostomed to." She pauses at the door, to slip off a pair of slipper-like shoes, entering the house in mostly bare feet wrapped by leather leggings.

"This has hardly been the day I expected!" she laughs in an effort to dispel some of her own awkwarness.

[ehren]

Noticing her nervousness, Mes attempts to put her at ease.

"Sveja, we are glad you came by. It is important to spend time with friends, especially during circumstances like these. Master Terak Val in his seminal work Emotions and Disturbances, discipline and it's values, is clear, at least for a Trubadour, that release of tension is key for repair of the individual and community spirit. While it will be difficult to repair our community, we must continue to strengthen the ties that bind us. Our social web protects us in ways the Wards and Traps cannot. "

After some innocuous small talk, they arrive at the informal dinning room.

"Brothers, Sveja has arrived! She is also braver than even we are. She was walking the streets with only a dagger. I don't know that even we did that prior to... well, you know."

"Sveja, please have a seat. Mal has made a great meal."

Mes activates the Thought Link, "Brothers, I believe she is strong and brave, but will take some convincing to convince her to accompany us on our recon mission. "

[Mawaris]

May 2, 2020 12:34:32 GMT -5 ehren said:

"Brothers, Sveja has arrived! She is also braver than even we are. She was walking the streets with only a dagger. I don't know that even we did that prior to... well, you know."

"You mean prior to Reginald Hightower's last pathetic assassination attempt? What a sore loser. I've never gone after Sveja for beating ME in the tournament! But there have always been nearly as many enemies within as outside it seems."

[Sveja]

Sveja's nervousness is readily apparent as she follows Mes through the manor. For a "simple soldier" of her background the tastefully ornate decor of the Maderae manor serves only as a sterk reminder of how different the world's are in which the residents of Daiche reside.

That these are elves - and the childrenof one of the most powerful individuals in the city does nothing to put her at ease.

Arriving at the dining hall she seems visibly nervous, if not apprehensive, in a way that was never so obvious at their other meetings. Both at the Grand Tournament, and in their fight together earlier in the day she has always seemed to carry herself with a reasonable sense of ease and confidence. But here, in the formal dining room of the Elven Councilor of Daiche with the company of three sons - she seems almost paralyzed.

"Yes - thank you Brothers Madeara!" She greets them with a deliberate attempt at sounding excited and pleased before offering a polite bow of her head to the other two. "Mawaris. Malinous. Thank you for having me tonight."

She brings up a canvas bag she has carried from the barracks, dawing out a roughly gallon sized glass jug. "I am afraid I have nothing special to offer, but I have brought some of Gronan's Ale that I have been saving." She sets it down on the table, clearly unsure of exactly where it should be placed.

She then nods to Mes's pronouncement, "Yes. Just so." She couldn't agree more - though her thoughts were with friends back at the Company. This was proving an adventurous day in every way: Wendigos in the street, and Elves in the parlor.

"Not everyone understands the value in a fair bout well fought - or in the grace of losing well." With that she gave both Maw and Mes particularly meaningful looks. She owed a lot to both of them in defeat.

"And with that..." she looks for alcohol to toast with, either some already poured, or opening the beer and pouring it into a wine glass (yes). "To the Brothers Madeara!"

[ehren]

"To friends! Especially when we can have a relaxing evening. "

Mes signals to Maw and Mal that we should do everything we can to put Sveja at ease.

"With some of that great Ale, my tongue feels slightly loosened. Now, may Garlen bless this house and all who seek protection here."

"As you all well know, I'm not good at making small talk. I'm more at ease on the battlefield or the library. As you also know, this Kaer is under dier threat. I've search all the tomes available, but have yet to find a viable solution. I think I may have an idea. It involves danger. But, with so much in the balance, we must risk a bit."

Pause to see how Sveja is taking this news and track of conversation.

"Ah, the food. Let's eat while we discuss. Then me can mix the dangerous with the mundane."

During dinner "As I was alluding too; I believe much would be gained by scouting the Enemy. It is difficult to make battle decisions in the perverbial dark. I suggest we find an exit that is not well guarded and sneak out of Daiche. We can get valuable information as to who and what we are facing as well as where they appear to be prepared to attack from.

We will need to be sneaky. Sveja, we might be able to call in a favor to have your place of duty here. *In fact, I think Father's old war horse is in need of your expert care.* Sveja, as you have probably heard, we have made excursions out before. This will be more dangerous. However, we have found shelter outside in the past. I believe those places will still be available."

"Ah, dessert! This is wonderful Mal. So, Sveja, what say you?"

[Sveja]

General levity, and the edition of spirits does ease Sveja's mood though nothing seems to leave her at ease. The fact of the matter is that the manor itself, and being in the company of the Brothers is a test of courage for her every bit as daunting as that posed by the Wendigos earlier in the day. Though she does her best to be polite, it is inevitably obvious just how out of place she is being familiar neither with the food offered, nor the details of appropriate table manners among genteel elves. At the very least she does not completely embarrass herself, only appearing naive and ignorant in the process.

(Etiquette roll, for curiosity, was a 6)

The mention of danger is the first moment that seems to banish the awkwardness, catching her full attention as she stares at Mes. "I am listening Mes'Ilayah. What are you suggesting?".

The suggested scouting mission, vague as it was, was specific enough to her in being external to the Kaer. That seemed to immediately leave her startled. Filled by a mixture of hesitation and curiosity. Twinned desires of obedience to her Company commanders, and the curiosity of exploration pulled her in opposite directions.

She looked back his way, eyes narrowed in a look that mixed admiration and accusation. "You have been outside the Kaer? Tell me then. Have you seen the great air ceiling?"

Ever since she had first sailed through the memory of Aetoc, the Great Eagle Spirit, it had been her dream to see it with her own eyes. Could it really be true?

She showed little interest in dessert, at least for the time being.

[Sveja]

Much Later - At least it Seems - Morning the Next Day

Sveja barely slept the night before, but it did not keep her from rising at the usual time in the early morning. No matter the fatigue she had decisions to make, and much to contemplate. The nightmare had returned the night before - the encounter with the Wendigo reopened old scars with the fresh events that cut deep. Master Ashbite had taken the opportunity to unpack lessons and messages he had waited a lifetime to deliver. The weight of these she still did not fully comprehend. But it was clear enough that the end of her apprenticeship was nigh. The red-hued light cast over the Kaer and the quickening pace of events had everyone on edge. Despite it all, she knew that routine was still essential to make sense of any of it.

She rose at dawn. Checked on the animals. Washed, briefly - though a good bath was desperately needed after the events of the last day - another symbolic cleansing would have to do for now. She prepared her hair, a time consuming if comforting task. She was not hungry, which was good for there was not much food. She grabbed a piece of bread but only took a couple of bites and then set off for the yard for morning exercises. She usually performed them indoors and alone. But the yard was quiet, and something of the eerie calm under the red glow had drawn her here. Moving through stretched, exercises and manuevers served to settle the mind and strengthen the heart. Roughly half-way through her attention was drawn to the enormous shade-tree that grew in the yard between the Company buildings. They said the tree had been planted in the first days of the Company's residence in this buildings while the Kaer was being sealed. It had grown here for centuries and now towered several dozen feet in height, broad limbs spreading out in every direction. It provided shade from the Kaer-light, though those who used it were unfamiliar with the relief shade offered from the warmth of true sunlight, it provided a convenient meeting spot for friends, groups, and rivals.

Now she watched as a group of black birds flew over the nearby buildings before settlign in the limbs of the tree. The first was nothing that strange - ravens had been among the resident animals who found their way into the Kaer before it sealed. Life beneath sun crystals suits the adaptable and opportunistic birds as well as anywhere. But the first was soon followed by several more. She paused her exercise as several more pairs settle there, and she counted at least a dozen birds in its branches. She sat up, pausing her exercise and rose to inspect them more closely. She stopped about twenty feet from the tree, not wishing to startled them, and rested her hands on her hips as she watched them. One's call went up and the others soon joined in to raise a brief cacaphony of greeting. She called out in response, "Lo, Ravens! What news have you today?" For Ravens were long known as bearers of messages and news.

The birds grew quiet and seemed to glance around nervously.

She could amost hear the words of the Shaman, "True coincidence is rare, though few recognize are capable of reading the signs the world offers them. Always watch. Always be aware. For spirit, beast, and plant have sight unknown to us. And those who are kind to them, they may be kind to in return. Chance opportunity, may be just the chance you need to understand the choices you face."

"Ravens... ravens..." she thought to herself. The words came back to her, "You can understand their meaning. You will hear it in your heart, if you listen closely enough."

She closed her eyes and calmed her breath. Under the Shaman's tutelage she had been studying meditation: techniques to free the mind from the limits of its own senses and open itself to deeper connections. She had cultivated relationships with spirits, beasts, and even namegivers that resonated with meaning and purpose - and she had learned to tap into the well of ancient memory and practice to which the threads of her pattern were had become bound. Meditation was a deep dive, the complete submersion of the self within this well of other-being. But here she only wished to touch the surface, to tap into that collective memory and share in its wisdom. The environment was not as suited to the effort, but neither was the task itself as challenging. It would have to do.

She adopted a relaxed stance, controlling the inhale and exhale of her breath with a deliberate mindfulness. She made a slow and graceful motion of her hand drawing the focus of her own energies and attention to the center of her body - drawing them away from the outward senses and focusing them inward. She exhaled and relaxed and felt the veil of shadow open before her mind's eye. She reached into ancient memories of shaman, beast, and spirit, and the moment of inspiration she was looking for struck like lightning. The words came to her as if a memory of her master's voice: "Ravens are messengers. Reminders that one should listen to the words of experience. Heed your guardians, they seek to help you with their wisdom. Ravens represent synchronicity - appearing at precisely the moment in which they are needed. They are also opportunity. They are change. And a sign of the working's of great magic."

With the message received her were eyes forced suddenly open. The rush of light from the outer world washed away the black void of the inner. The voice and presence was gone, and though it had seemed an eternity within, only a few seconds had passed outside. She lowered her arms, and then brought herself down to her knees to bow in thanks towards the tree. "Thank you for your message. I understand." Reverently she placed what was left of her bread on the grass and rose to leave. Her exercises would wait.


It was an hour or so later that she appeared in front of Madeara Manor astride Tochiko. With the streets emptier than usual, the massive wolf had worked up a keen sweat on a swift ride over from the Black Company. Sveja was in gear, with a large hunting horn, craft from the tusk of what must have been an astonishingly massive boar, newly hanging from her belt.

Out in front of the manor she turned turned several slow circles on her mount as she cried out, "Mes'Ilayah! I accept! I shall be there, Mes'Ilayah!" Her cry and just the sound of the wolf and her gear moving energetically out front raised quite the commotion.

She repeated her call several more times, all to no response. That is, until, an elder and bored elf retainer emerged from inside and descended part way down the front steps. "Ah, good Miss." He addressed her in a polite if condescending tone while offering a partial bow. "Please be so kind as to keep your voice down. This is the manor of Councilor Madaera, and he is a very busy man."

She grinned excitedly as Tochiko turned yet another circle. With her obsidian-black skin, and crimson hair she was a sight to behold - even more so atop a wolf large enough to swallow a man. Her long tusks threatened to gleam in the red glow, while her golden eyes were alive with energy. "That it is!" She laughed, "I know this well! Pass my message on to Master Mes'Illayah, will you? Tell him Sveja accepts!" With that she gave a touch of the spur to Tochiko who took off at speed down the open avenue.

The doorman shook his head in dismay at the company the young men of the house choose to keep.

[ehren]

"Well, Sveja, I'm not normally the tale spinner of our group. Also, I'd somewhat thought some of the tails of our adventures had made it into the mainstream conversation, even though they were small matters. "

Giving a sideways glance at Maw, "Especially when someone makes a performance out of them."

"To answer your question though, yes, we have been outside the Kaer. It was slightly before Daiche was besieged. We never made it to the surface. We were quite distracted with several fights, some for our lives. Maw got his hat on the trip, I believe... no, we didn't make it to the surface..." <a wistful stare into space> "But, we weren't trying to either... There are caverns and tunnels that surround this Kaer. We found the Enemy moving minions into position to siege Daiche and took some small actions to slow them down. Unfortunately, we have been betrayed from within." <He shakes his head in bewilderment >

[Sveja]

"No, no... you're right, I would leave the tale spinning to your brother. He certainly has the flare for it."

She also takes the news about the intelligence they gathered rather gravely. "Did you tell the Council about the preparations you witnessed? Did they know that there was a chance we would come under siege? Why do they seem so unprepared?"

"Still... we have our duties and assignments at the Company. And our regulations forbid any unauthorized attempt to leave the Kaer defenses, for obvious reasons."

She seems perplexed, if not outright conflicted. She could make no commitment that evening, though at least the stakes were finally coming into focus.

[ehren]

"Sveja, of course we provided the intelligence to the Council. What else would we do with it? We have for awhile suspected some within the Kaer of consorting with Dark forces from without to further their own power and position. We have found tantalizing bits of evidence, all pointing in a clear direction. But, I will not act off mere suspicion, nor tear our fragile society asunder without evidence. So, we continue to collect threads, slowly making the tapestry clear... agonizingly slow at times. Sveja, we trust your judgement - if you cannot come with us, we will not force you. I will say, however, that this task, while seeming a small thing, has the chance of making a large impact to the defense of Daiche. Large events have been set in motion. But, large events usually turn on small deeds. This, I feel, is one of those times.

We could stand our ground within our fortress, crumbling at the edges, and wait for the Enemy to seize the initiative. Or, we could work to foil their dastardly plans. As a Wizard, I've found that knowledge is beneficial in all circumstances. We do not have enough knowledge to turn the tide in the coming battle. We can conduct this small mission, and possibly twist the thread the Enemy is weaving - twist it into a knot that will bind them - bind them from further harming Daiche."

[Sveja]

The news that such information was in the hands of the Council so early had an obvious impact on her, and her mood. Suddenly rather dour, she became distracted from the food and drink as she thought through the implications of that. There had been no warning before the detonation at the Council Meeting - indeed the meeting itself would have been ill-advised with such information at their finger tips. Just what was going on? She had heard nothing of this - then again even if the Company knew, it may not have made it down to her level. It was most curious.

"So far everything we have done has been reactive. And the Council does not seem even now to consider taking any kind of action, do they?"

"At the Company it is all patrols, and watches... though if they were planning anything more I cannot say that I would know yet. But I am sure they would call upon the Cavalry Squadron if they did."