With a sigh, the barkeep tapped out an ale and set it on the counter, sweeping the gold piece into a box.


He turned and cleaned a section of bar, signalling the serving girl to him. In a hushed voice, he told her, "Find that young mage girl, and Lady Wynter. If not her, young Tannir the squire. Ye know, the one you eye over when stops for a topper of ale." He grinned at her as she blushed. "Go on now, lass, and be quick if ye will!"


Crispian set the empty tankard down and signalled for more, even as the voices echoed in his mind.


---------------------------------------


Jashen had made good an escape from the city, for things were getting just too strange. He loved his brother, but these past few days had been bizarre indeed, even by his own standards. He went deep into Mithra's Tomb and stayed for a time, using battle and slaughter to clear his mind, focusing on the sweet hiss of his swords through the air.


----------------------------------------


In a deep fortress in Lyn Barfog, D'Vena stroked a gold-haired figure. "ou will crawl to me for release I promise you!"


----------------------------------------


The Tower Library at the Retreat had been reknown for some time as a repository of great knowledge, and the poor scribes had been digging for three days when one of them found a scroll, bound in vermillion silk, that he thought might contain something of us. With a heaving chest, he rushed to the Lady Arienne.

 

-----signature-----

Tobyas sat watching the sun wester at the Downs. The crumpled letter was in his hand. Tears wet his cheeks.

Worried, Azi rushed through the crowded streets toward Ye Mug. She knew he was liable to start up again, but she hadn't thought it'd be so soon...

Crispian lowered the mug of ale and closed his eyes, steeling himself to turn around. The look of the barkeep had told him something or someone was behind him, and he turned.


She looked so refined, he thought. Poised, holding herself with grace. And anger. He dropped his eyes, adding another failure to his mental list.


"I'm shorry Azhi," he drolled.

 

-----signature-----

Azi shook her head, disappointed. Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and resting a hand on Crispian's shoulder, she managed a soft smile. She gently took the mug from his hand and placed it on the bar, throwing a grateful glance at the barkeep.


"Come on, Crispian, let's go talk," she said softly.

With bent head, he followed her, looking more like a scolded child than a powerful warrior, a knight of the Realm. He walked through the twilit streets watching her. A part of his mind wondered what his mother had been like, a calmness coming from that, even as maddening laughter gibbered from other parts of his mind.

 

-----signature-----

Her newly emblazoned cloak flapped gently with each step as Azi led poor Crispian through the streets. Thinking of the stories she'd been told of his glorious battles and fearless leadership, she vowed to herself that she would soon see the young lord restored. He seemed a just and fair warrior from the stories she'd heard, she thought, almost like her father. But her father never turned to the drink, even after all he'd been through...


Azi sighed, wondering exactly where she was going to bring the poor soul. Certainly not to her father's house, or to the Academy. Up ahead, the Church stood proudly, casting a long shadow before it. Of course. It was the perfect place for a quiet talk, she thought. Perhaps the perfect place for him to finally find some peace.

The steed reared to a stop at the stables of the east gates, and Tobyas slid off the horse with the ease of someone who had been riding for most of his life, which was close to true. The hood of his cloak was high, shielding him from the rain and wind as he hustled through the gate. He made his way through the streets and entered into the cathederal through a postern entrance.


He was making his way toward Lady Winchell when he saw them. The wizard and Crispian. He was too close to stop as he locked eyes with the young lord.

Crispian looked at the young cleric, his throat going dry of a sudden. "Tobyas," he said with a stiff and formal tone and a bow. "e come here to train?"


He felt his pulse quicken as the lad bowed back, coppery bright hair agleam in the candle light. "Aye, Lord, I came to seek out Lady Winchell." Tobyas replied with equal formality. "Permit me attend this busiess," he said stiffly and, bowing, moved on.

 

-----signature-----

Azi blushed awkwardly as she watched the stiff exchange between the two men. She watched Tobyas, trying to give him an encouraging look before he walked away. She thought of the day that she saw him on the riverbank outside of Camelot. She remembered thier short conversation, and the pain the young cleric had felt.


When Crispian turned back to her, she raised an eyebrow at him reprovingly.