[Mkguild] The Illusive Chain: Coincidence (2/?)

[Azariah Wolf]

Back to our main team...

-LurkingWolf

_________

<i>March 6, 708CR</i>

With Lois in a cage and the threat of plague weighing heavily on his 
mind, Alex passed his evening in a state of restless contemplation.In 
the end, he rose well before dawn and waited beside an eastward facing 
window to watch the sky brighten as the sun slowly painted the far 
reaches of the sky.

As it turned out, he was not the only one to have trouble sleeping that 
evening.His first inkling that another one of his companions was also 
restless was a spicy tang his sensitive nose detected coming from behind 
him.He turned slightly, and caught a glimpse of Lucy approaching, 
carefully carrying a small, steaming pot with a cloth.She nodded to him, 
setting the pot on a nearby table before drawing out a pair of cups as 
though from midair.While her apparent age could not have been much 
higher than ten years, the subtle confidence with which she executed 
every daily task spoke of her hidden years.

"Ever drink tea?" she asked quietly.

He shook his head."It smells good, though," he admitted, turning back to 
the window.

She silently poured a cup for each of them without further inquiry.The 
lynx sniffed the proffered beverage experimentally.It combined a spicy 
scent that he did not immediately recognize with a second, sweeter 
flavor that complemented the first flawlessly.He took a sip of the 
concoction, and nodded in approval.

"It is quite delicious," he stated."Thank you."

Lucy took a small sip from her own glass before responding."I had gotten 
this for my father in the Keep before we left, but did not have the time 
to leave it with him before we left.With the quarantine and Lois' 
situation, I expect that it will be disappointingly stale by the time I 
return, so I decided to use it now.My father also drinks it to relax, 
and I think that is a use we can both appreciate at the moment."

Alex sighed with resignation."Have you taken a look at Lois yet?"

"Yes," she responded."It was only a brief look last night; I wasn't 
certain where to start, and I needed some rest.I think I'll finish my 
drink and take another look at the earliest possible convenience."

Alex nodded his understanding."Where is Julian?" he asked.

She tilted her head and nodded towards one of the barracks 
walls."Sleeping in the next room," she replied."Based on my experience, 
we do not have to worry overly much about waking him.He has an 
unprecedented skill when it comes to sleeping through any situation."

"Do you think he might have any useful input into the question of 
reversing the spell on Lois?"

Lucy shrugged."It is possible.He spent quite a bit of time in Nasoj's 
base of operations.He might be familiar with spells I do not recognize.I 
am likely the more experienced party when it comes to enchantments, 
however, so I will perform the initial examination."She sipped her tea 
once more before turning to look at him."Do you have family in the Keep?"

He shook his head."I don't have any family remaining in the North.Much 
of my family moved south after Nasoj's last attack prior to the Three 
Gates, and my father lost his own life during that battle.As far as I 
know, my family in the South is still alive and well, but communications 
have been difficult to maintain since the Curse.Attempting to visit is a 
near impossibility for the same reason.I worry for those within the 
walls; plague is perhaps the worst way I know of to die.Gerard and his 
family do concern me, but I still do not have as personal a concern as 
some others."

Lucy nodded."My father should still be outside of the walls, and I know 
he can care for myself.I do not worry overmuch for him, but I am 
concerned about what this could mean for Metamor.Trade relations are 
difficult as it is, and there are bound to be many merchants trapped 
within the Keep during the quarantine.Things may become much more 
difficult, very quickly."

Alex sighed before quietly taking another sip of the warm drink.It truly 
was relaxing, he decided.He would have to find some of this tea for 
himself once the walls had reopened.

The two continued to drink their tea together, but conversation stalled 
until well after they had finished their drinks.By that time, the edge 
of the sun's disk was visible over the horizon, and they both realized 
that they had a task to tend to.Lucy collected her teapot and the cups, 
and left to stow them with her belongings before they began their work.


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