characters: Maigyn, Edmund, Simon, Fiana (by permission)
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Master's Bedroom (Dozan Manor) Edmund staggers out of the ward-robe, forehead streaked with perspiration, a certain high mage cradled in his arms. Nevertheless, he looks far more woozy than he ought to be. Maigyn is lounging in the shadows on the master's bed. At your entrance, she stands, striding forward to your side. "Let me help..." Edmund shakes his head, insisting on shouldering the burden on his own. "No...no" he gasps. "Where is the carriage?" Maigyn's eyes narrow. "Some ways yet..." Edmund mutters a curse under his breath. "Well...what are we waiting for, then? This potion whatchamacallit isn't going to last forever." Maigyn nods. "Follow me..." She gives Fiana a brief once-over. "And do you have something warmer to wrap her in?" Edmund nods, compressing his lips. "Yes...my cloak" he murmurs, then steps towards Maigyn. "Let us depart." Maigyn nods. "About fourteen or fifteen hours, maybe longer, the shape she's in..." she murmurs to herself. "By the Three, wasn't she eating at all?" She leads you down the stairs. Edmund shakes his head, and wrinkles his nose. "You have no idea how many dishes I whipped up, trying to tempt her. But nothing would work. She is as ornery as a mule." Maigyn chuckles softly. "Aye, that she is..." Edmund arches his brows, still managing to remain peevish despite his obvious weariness, and the bundle in his arms. "She /still/ won't teach me any magic" he mutters. Maigyn grins. *** Front Porch (Dozan Manor) Edmund steps out of the open Front Door. Maigyn turns as she steps out the door to make sure Fiana is adequately covered. Edmund has somehow managed to remove his cloak.../while/ carrying Fiana. Not only that, but he has managed to tuck it about her rather respectably. "Keep going..keep going." Maigyn nods briefly, pace quick enough that you'll have a hard time following it. *** Edge of Haven The streets are quiet; few stir in the cold air, and Maigyn knows the way. [Maigyn] Edmund manages to keep up with Maigyn, being powered by will alone at this point. he isn't about to beg her to slow down. Besides, time is of the essence. Maigyn turns. "Stay here; I'll get tickets." Edmund nods, readjusting the bundle in his arms as his emerald gaze trickles after Maigyn. Friends they might be...but he still does not trust her entirely. Perhaps he does not trust anyone, not even himself. Maigyn disappears inside, and returns. "We leave in ten minutes." She slips her cloak from her shoulders, wrapping it around yours. "Are you sure you won't let me help?" Edmund nods, wriggling uncomfortably. "I am fine" he murmurs softly. "But you must be chilly...Do wear your cloak. I have no need of it." You feel Edmund's eyes travelling over you. Maigyn shakes her head. "You can't stop me from being nice once in a while." Edmund almost grins. "My dear...I've trotted all the way from the tower with what amounts to a sack of wheat in my arms. The cold is the /last/ thing I am worried about at the moment. In fact, I feel a bit over-heated." Maigyn gives you an even look. "You're losing more heat than you think. It's -cold- here. Don't argue with me." A smile plays around her lips. Edmund is probably a bit ill anyways, judging from the flush that has suffused his cheeks. "Who is arguing?" he inquires cooly. "I'm right, you aren't, end of story." Maigyn reaches out to tap your nose with her finger. "You haven't got free arms to argue." Edmund twitches his nose, jerking away from Maigyn slightly. "I will as soon as the carriage arrives" he points out. Maigyn grins easily. "The carriage is warm." And here it comes. Edmund gazes at the carriage in relief, shifting his bundle ever so slightly once more. "Finally." Maigyn steps forward, opening the door for you. "Careful." Edmund passes Fiana in first, then steps back. "After you" he murmurs, courteously. Maigyn slips in through the door, moving immediately to settle Fiana better. Amazing how she seems never quite to turn her back completely on anyone. Edmund slips into the carriage after Maigyn, shutting the door behind him. "So...who is this healer?" Maigyn waits until the coach has started moving before she responds. "Simon, High Priest of Zelos." Edmund hisses, positively serpentine as he jumps to his feet and attempts to drag Fiana out the door...moving or no. "Are you trying to get us all killed?" Maigyn moves just as fast as ever, blocking the door. "You're going to have to trust me now when I say they've been in communication for some time, although they've not met." Edmund retreats to his seat...simply because Maigyn has him at a disadvantage. He shall undoubtedly attempt to slip away when she lowers her guard. "I don't see as I have any choice" he remarks resentfully. Maigyn takes up a cross-legged seat on the floor of the coach just in front of the door. "He is doing this unofficially...without announcing his intentions to the Church or even divulging that he has a patient." Edmund sighs disagreeably, but allows his weariness to get the better of him and leans backwards, gradually drifting off to sleep. Or so he would have Maigyn believe. Maigyn doesn't lower her guard, let alone sleep. There's another person in the room; she can't sleep...she simply half-closes her eyes and mentally reviews her exercises, refocussing her mind. Edmund inwardly curses...Getting away shall simply have to wait. But now...it wouldn't do too much harm to sleep? After all, he is so very tired... Maigyn watches Edmund through half-lowered lashes. "You sampled it, didn't you?" she murmurs. Edmund is jolted awake...though not wide awake. He is too far gone for that. "What did you expect me to do?" he inquires, drowsily. Maigyn smiles quietly. "You might as well sleep...you're a healthy man; it'll be worn off by the time we get to Abalon...and the longer you fight it the worse it'll be." Edmund does drift off to sleep...but it is a light, troubled and restless sleep that is bound to give him no rest. A light touch on your shoulder awakens you, the lethargy of the drug gone. [Maigyn] Edmund snaps awake, emerald eyes rapidly coming back into focus. "Are we there?" Maigyn nods. "Aye. Come on..." Edmund lightly leaps from the carriage. "Can you pass her out, please?" Maigyn lifts the mage without trouble and hands her out to you, carefully tucking the cloak around her. Fiana's breathing is regular, if slow, her colour no worse. Edmund gathers Fiana in his arms, and nods thankfully towards Maigyn. However, once Fiana is clear of the door, he sends a booted foot crashing into it, attempting to at least delay Maigyn. Maigyn catches the door as it's nearly closed, expecting something. It grants a moment's delay, but how far are you going to get in a moment? Edmund has apparently not fully recovered, for his gait is a bit sluggish, and before long he simply gives up. "Well...that didn't work" he admits, ruefully. Maigyn pulls her cloak around her once more. "You're going to have to trust me, Edmund. Come on." She more or less pushes you toward the town. Edmund mutters unhappily, but follows along. "Fine...fine...but you don't have to touch me." Maigyn removes her hand from your shoulder. "Are we agreed...?" Edmund sighs, and rolls his eyes. "Fine. I promise to not run away if you don't touch me." Maigyn nods shortly. "Ideal." She strides off into the city, staying close to you, keeping to the shadows. Edmund flushes delicately. "Not that I find /you/ revolting...tis just, well, you know." Maigyn nods. "I know." She gives you a long look. "If I go into the Temple, will I find you here when I come out?" Edmund nods, obviously resentfully. "I give my word" he mutters. "And you know that I am good for it." Maigyn nods. "Aye, I do." Without so much as a backward glance, she pulls her hood up and vanishes into the Temple. *** Sanctuary (Abalon Temple) Simon is sitting on a pew near the front of the Sanctuary, reading a text. Maigyn makes her way silently to your side. "Father..." she says softly. Simon looks up, closing his book when he recognises Maigyn. "Hello, my daughter. How are you?" Maigyn smiles. "Well, although I had...matters that I thought were best brought to your attention..." There is meaning in the words. Simon raises an eyebrow, standing. "Yes?" Maigyn's voice is soft, would carry no further than your ears. "She needs to be brought inside; it's -cold- out. But I didn't know the best route." Simon sighs. "I can probably send the acolytes in the hallway out there to do some meaningless task in the library, if they aren't all in their studies. This room and the garden path should be clear. If anyone is not in studies now, they're cleaning the halls." Maigyn nods. "Meet us out front when it's cleared?" Simon nods, smiling. "Give me a few minutes.... how is she?" Maigyn's smile fades. "Malnourished and currently drugged into unconsciousness. She's not here of her own free will, Father." Simon nods slowly. "I didn't figure she was... I pray I can help her." Maigyn gives a wry smile. "I'm putting my trust in you." Simon takes a deep breath. "I will do what I can, my daughter." Maigyn nods, turning to go. Simon ducks out into the garden. *** Town Square (Abalon) Maigyn slips back out the door. "He'll be out as soon as the path is clear." Edmund is /still/ standing, cradling Fiana in his arms. It may be noted that the young man looks a tad cross. Simon opens the door to the Temple, just barely stepping out. "Hurry. I don't know how long it will stay clear." Maigyn motions to Edmund to follow Simon. Edmund nods sharply, and heads towards the temple at a brisk, efficient pace. Simon holds the door for Edmund and Maigyn, his eyes studying Fiana. Edmund arches his eyebrows ever so slightly. "Mostly exhaustion and starvation, I should think" he says, tones soft, though raspy. Simon nods slowly. "Probably... although I don't know what this cold may have done to her. Follow me... it's not far." Simon heads toward the Sanctuary. Edmund trips after loyally, though he casts a 'I don't know how you talked me into this' glance at Maigyn. Maigyn follows in silence, eyes scanning around. *** Sanctuary (Abalon Temple) Simon walks quickly toward the doorway leading to the gardens. Edmund continues onwards, clothing rustling slightly as it brushes against a doorway. *** Temple Gardens (Abalon) Simon leads you through the garden to a small door near the back of the Temple. "She should be able to rest here. It's not much, but it's all I could manage without causing undue attention...." He takes a small silver key from his pouch and unlocks the door. Edmund nods, brow clouding over. "Thank you, sir. How long will she be here? May I stay as well? I shan't require anything but that." Simon sighs. "I can hide one person in here as I use it for a retreat. I think the kitchen will notice me taking food for 3 people." Maigyn motions for Edmund to lay Fiana down on the bed. Edmund arches his eyebrows. "Sir...I do not require food" he murmurs, as he sets Fiana down on the bed. "I brought my own." Edmund raises his eyes towards the ceiling. "And yet I would rather stay?" he snaps at the (thatch?). Simon shakes his head. "I'm afriad I can't... I have no idea how long it will take her to heal. I know I could explain her presense to a too-nosy acolyte, but I'm not sure I can explain the both of you." Simon picks up a small pouch from the wall and begins looking through it, moving to kneel beside the bed. Edmund glances over at Simon, then sighs. "Very well, sir" he acquiesces, casting a parting glare at the ceiling. "What, if I may ask, is in that pouch?" Simon pulls a dried leaf out of the pouch. "Herbs. They help in healing." He reaches up to feel Fiana's forhead. "May I know the her name? I'm afraid I've only ever been told her position." "Fiana." [Maigyn] Edmund wrinkles his nose. "I am well-acquainted with herbal properties...What sort of herbs are they? Forgive the interrogation, but considering history..." Simon sighs. "I understand. My predacessor was a bit, harsh and close minded, to say the least. It's echinacea. It helps fight off illness." Simon takes out a small mortar and pestel and begins crushing the leaf. "There should be a small tea kettle with some water and the equipment to warm the water on the shelf over by the window, could you get it for me?" Edmund slips over to the shelf and reaches for the kettle and equipment, though he keeps an eye on Simon. "Not even a personal attack on you, sir..." he amends. "But even the best of men may be compelled by others. Would you like me to heat the water?" Simon nods his head. "I understand. There's quite a bit of animosity here still... It's so hard to get hatred out after it has set." Maigyn leans against the wall, watching. Edmund smiles grimly. "My wariness has nothing to do with hatred...merely caution. One can never be too cautious, unless time is of the essence." Simon sighs. "I wish that people here listened half so well sometimes.... Anyway, yes, heat the water and put this" He hands over the mortar to Edmund, "and let it heat until it's warm, but not too hot. Don't want to burn her." Edmund sniffs at the mortar delicately. "Covered or no?" he inquires, as he sets the mortar aside and begins working on the stove, attempting to get the thing to work. Simon glances over at the setup. "Covered...." He starts looking around the room. "Where did I put those blankets." Edmund nods, then sets the pot (which has been half-filled with water) on the stove, and caps the entire apparatus with a flourish. Simon looks around the room, finding them under the bed. "Here... let's get something that hasn't been out in the cold on her." Edmund glances at the blankets skeptically, as if to say, "/This/ is the best the church can offer?", then shrugs and turns to Maigyn. "Lenora" he murmurs, unwinding a bit of fabric from his shoulders and offering it to her. "Your cloak...in case I should forget later." Simon wraps Fiana up tightly in the blankets. He places his hand on her forehead and closes his eyes, lips moving silently. Maigyn accepts the cloak, then returns to her position against the wall. Edmund holds his fingers a fraction of a centimetre above the water, testing it for warmth, then begins scraping the echinacea fragments into the pot. "How long should it sit?" Simon finishes a silent prayer. He looks over to Edmund. "Let it sit for 5 minutes or so." Edmund nods, covers the pot, switches off the stove, then clasps his hands behind his back. "Yes sir." Simon stands up, looking down at Fiana. "I suppose we haven't been introduced." He looks up at Edmund. "I am Simon, High Priest of Zelos." Edmund bows stiffly. "And I am Edmund" he replies softly. "Peasant extraordinaire. A pleasure to meet you." Simon chuckles softly. "Sorry about the title. I'm just used to putting up with formalities." Maigyn drawls from her post along the wall "Simon seems to suit him just fine..." Edmund allows his lips to twitch into a half-smile. "Not at all" he notes, then casts a warning glance at Maigyn, followed by a resigned sigh. "I've always been rather fond of titles myself." Maigyn laughs softly. Simon nods slowly. "And I'm just around people who call me 'Father' and 'High Father' all day..." Maigyn grins irreverently. "How about 'Daddy'?" Edmund smirks. "You call him Daddy, and I shall call you 'Mummy' in front of Kyra...and you shall never live /that/ down." Simon smirks at Maigyn. "Since I don't have a wife, that might get me in trouble." Maigyn gives Edmund a wry glance. "If Kyra were my child, I would have been seven when I bore her. I hadn't even met Corin yet." Edmund clears his throat, obviously a bit uncomfortable with this train of conversation. "Right." Simon glances to the tea kettle. "It's probably ready. Could you help me get a little into her?" Simon sits down on the bed next to Fiana. Maigyn laughs, deep in her throat. "Unless that was an offer to inflict me with children..." Maigyn lets Edmund help first, eyes missing nothing of Simon's actions. Edmund nods, though he does not retrieve the kettle yet. "How? Pinch her nose and pour the brew down her throat?" Simon winces as he props Fiana up a bit. "I hate doing it that way, but I'm not sure we have a choice." Edmund grins...and removes the pot from the cooling stove. "Should we put it in a cup first, or just pour it through a funnel?" Simon reaches down and pulls a small cup out of his herb pouch. "This should work." Edmund reaches out to take the cup from Simon. "Pity" he remarks. "I was almost looking forward to the funnel idea." Maigyn chuckles softly. Simon sighs, shaking his head. Edmund dextrous pours the liquid from the pot to the cup, then sets the pot down. "Would you like to pinch her nose or may I have the honour?" Simon smiles. "It's up to you." Edmund hands the cup to Simon. "If I pinch her nose" he notes, "she can't blame me for force-feeding her." Simon nods slowly, placing the cup just below her lips. "I see.... Ready when you are." Edmund gleefully reaches out to clamp thumb and second-finger on Fiana's nose. "Pipe away!" he observes, gaily. Simon uses one hand to open Fiana's mouth and the other to pour the contents of the cup into her mouth. "She'll be glad she's not tasting this..." "She's not?" Edmund inquires, almost disappointed by this revelation. [Edmund] Simon smiles. "It's not going to wake her up, really." He closes her mouth and Fiana reflexively swallows. "Although, she'll probably have quite a taste in her mouth when she wakes." Edmund chuckles. "Usually a little suger helps with that..." Simon nods slowly. "That it does." He lowers Fiana back to the bed. "But what she needs now is rest. I'll find a cot after most of the other clerics are asleep and set it up in here." Edmund nods, and steps towards the door. "Thank you, sir" he says politely, bowing to Simon. "I am in your debt." Simon shakes his head. "Don't mention it. She needs help, but she'll get better." Edmund offers the barest of nods. "I shall keep the others occupied for as long as possible...until she recovers, that is." Simon nods. "Of course. Is there any way I can contact you if the need arrises?" You say, "Through me...as usual." Edmund arches his eyebrows. "Or...if you do not wish to do so, pin a note to the under-side of the split table in the infested mansion." Simon says, "Hopefully there won't be a need. But best to be safe." Edmund nods. "Right. If the mages should find out Fiana has been kidnapped...I shudder to think what might happen." Maigyn's smile is dry. "You can always blame me." Simon smirks. "And by the High Priest and tucked away into his private retreat? Ill or not, that will cause someone to draw the wrong conclusions." Edmund smiles cynically. "I suppose I could send a ransom note to the mages from...oh...somewhere in the mountains, and send them on a wild-goose chase." Simon says, "Let's just hope they don't find out before she's well." Edmund tosses his head confidantly. "Most of them are idiots anyways. They'll spend a week barking up the wrong tree, then begin tearing each other to pieces." Simon sighs, looking to Fiana. "Is that what she has to put up with? I feel sorry for her... At least the clerics are mostly united." Maigyn gives a wry smile. Edmund compresses his lips. "The tower is not the most...comfortable environment, though it has gotten better recently." Simon nods. "Well, I hope it can pull itself together through this and isn't pulled apart. And we should let her rest. She'll be fine here and probably won't wake for a good while." Edmund smothers a smile. "Indeed. So...shall we go with the ransom note?" Maigyn [to Simon]: If she were healthy, I'd say an hour...but it could be much longer. Simon nods to Maigyn. He turns to Edmund, "If you must. Hide it in her quarters so that it will only be found if absolutely necessary." Edmund arches his eyebrows. "Nay, sir. These things must be done properly. What sort of a kidnapper would hide the ransom note?" Simon nods slowly. "True.... Do what you must." Maigyn says calmly to Edmund "Give it to me...I'll have it properly delivered." Edmund cants his head to one side. "Oh come on, Lenora. If I'm going to be risking my life, at least let me have the fun of planting the thing." Simon sits back down next to Fiana, but watches Maigyn and Edmund. Maigyn sighs. "If you must." It's needlessly dramatic. Edmund is obviously tickled...rather child-like. "Thank you" he notes, with a grin. "I wonder what Jhenna will say?" Maigyn pouts at Edmund. "Jhenna this, Jhenna that...one would think you -liked- her..." Edmund wrinkles his nose. "About as much as a blister, I fear" he replies. "Now...is there any parchment lying around?" Simon glances around the room. "Here? I'm afraid not. All I really have is some that's used with some of the herbs, but I need that for healing. There should be some in the library, though." "Yes, yes, of course" Edmund murmurs. "Now...If I were to write a ransom note, how would I do it?" [Edmund] Maigyn rolls her eyes quietly. "This isn't a common skill, Edmund..." . o O ( I've written plenty, but damn if I'm goign to tell you. ) Simon shrugs. "I would have no idea." Edmund smiles cheekily at Maigyn. "How about a little poem? Would that be acceptable." Maigyn sticks her tongue out at Edmund. "What are you? The happy kidnaper?" Edmund clears his throat. "If you were going to become momentarily rich, wouldn't you be happy?" Simon sighs. "And I'm going to have to shoe you both out of here. Go on... Before some acolyte decides they need to come and find me." "Not until I had the money in my hand," she drawls. [Maigyn] Edmund sniffs and heads for the door, still bickering. "You haven't got any sense of the future" he complains. Simon stands up and motions you both out the door. "Come on... talk about this else where. The High Mage needs her rest." *** Temple Gardens (Abalon) Edmund sniffs, then shrugs. "I still don't trust him." Maigyn smiles easily. "You don't trust anyone. Now...do you really need help with the ransom note?" Edmund shakes his head. "No...no. I think I can compose it." Maigyn grins. "Very well." Edmund waves dismissively, and heads off. "Oh mages of the tower tall, listen to a tale of your fall...no...something else." Maigyn rolls her eyes. "Please...don't get too creative." Edmund sniffs once more. "I thought it rather good." Maigyn laughs, wandering off through the garden. Edmund sets off on his own, still trying out different phrases. |