Judging from Crispian's sudden change of expression from a mere stern look, Mirashta surmised that he was aware there were problems. That was a good sign. "Aye, Crispian, and ye'r recent stint of foul moods is not going to waver that", she said, allowing some of the mirth to come back to her expression. Best not push him too far. Besides, finally attaining the 45th Circle in her Wizardry was something to keep her spirits bolstered under nearly any circumstances. She smiled to herself at the thought.
"Why, whatever do ye mean, Auntie? I've no more bad moods than normal", Crispian replied taking a sudden gruff expression.
"Maybe he isn't fully aware", Mirashta thought to herself, "Best to find out." Raising an eyebrow, Mirashta said, "
e know perfectly well what I mean. All these angry outbursts at long-time friends and Allies for no apparent reason." "I thought I raised ye better than that, LORD Crispian", she finished with a smirk.
"I haven't said anything to anyone they didn't deserve!", Crispian snapped, a dark expression taking over his entire countenance.
A quick glance around the gathering room told Mirashta that this needed to be a more private discussion. It was obvious that nearly everyone was treading lightly, speaking volumes of Crispian's recent behavior by obviously trying not to stare at the pair suddenly embroiled in verbal combat. Mirashta moved closer to Crispian, lowering her voice and drawing him back toward his office. "What, precisely, did Tatyanna do to deserve being slighted? And, I've heard of nothing Arguyle has done to deserve ye'r anger", she said.
A shocked expression came over Crispian's face. "I would NEVER do anything to insult Lady Tatyanna!", he replied in the same, shocked voice.
"Well, that's not what I hear," Mirashta said, lowering her voice again, "and, the way ye'v spoken to Jashen is absolutely unconscionable!"
"Well, Jashen should never have taken that ring!", Crispian retorted with sudden anger.
Drawing Crispian into his office and closing the door, Mirashta let a little anger into her demeanor. "As I was told, Jashen was GIVEN that ring, in order to perform duties THOU wer't unable to perform at the time, being that ye were too far gone in drink!", she said. At Crispian's sudden surprised expression, Mirashta let some of the anger go and said, "Just because Oakleif and I have been hunting the far reaches of the Realm, lately, does not mean that I don't keep my eyes and ears open."
Crispian slumped down into his chair, saying almost in a whine, "It's not like that, Auntie!" Sudden tears sprung up along with a pained expression around his eyes. His hands, almost involuntarily, raised to his temples, seeming to claw at the hair there.
Squinting at him just briefly, Mirashta took a sense of his aura, a thing she would normally only do to assess an enemy. Something was... wrong. His aura was diffuse with jagged lines of the worst putrid, dark green. "Mind magic!", she thought to herself, "As a few have suspected. Definitely best not to push him too far until I can consult with the Sorcerers at the Academy." Trying to lower her voice to a comforting tone, she said, "It seems it IS like that Crispian, and ye must do something about it. Unfortunately, as soon as I spoke with my Master at the Academy, he informed me of a most dire mission to thwart Morgana's further schemes. I must be off to wring some vital information from Uther's Shade. We'll speak of this further when next I can return." She paused and added, with a twinkle in her eye, "
e must also tell me of this Tobyas, as well. A right fair coincidence ye'r seen mucking about the Shadow Quarter, only to have this young man come out of there with sudden coin, turn his life around, join the Church and then the League in short order, all the while asking questions about ye." To Crispian's sudden shocked expression, Mirashta replied, "People that care about ye talk to me, dear one. Enough for me to put two and two together. Wouldn't I of all people be able to puzzle things out long hidden even to ye'rself?" Cupping Crispian's face in her hands, she said, "Mayhap ye should seek out the lad again and not ignore everyone who cares about ye, Crispian."
To her surprise, Crispian suddenly bolted up from his chair seeming near a fit of rage. "FINE! Go off with Oakleif hunting, like always!", he nearly shouted, forcing her hands away from him.
Mirashta noticed a hint of embarassment in his demeanor. "Just like him to change the subject instead of confront anything directly. Almost as stubborn as me", she thought angrily. Drawing herself up straight again, Mirashta glared down at Crispian. "Don't 'FINE' me, young man! This is business of the Realm I must attend to quickly, or lives will be at stake! We WILL discuss this again as soon as I can return", she snapped.
"Whatever you say, AUNTIE!", Crispian spit between clenched teeth as he threw open the door and stalked out into the gathering room. "Tannir! My shield and helm! I'm going to the Barrows", he snapped. Everyone present nearly jumped at his angry tone, but had little time to react as Crispian stalked out toward the stables.
Mirashta sighed heavily, her head and shoulders slumping. "That did NOT go well", she muttered under her breath. "I hope there's help to be had for this", she thought to herself. She thought it odd that Crispian had chosen the same destination, but did not offer to accompany her; almost seeming an act of rebellion. "It's almost like this ensorcelment has dredged up every negative thought the boy has ever had, even from childhood", she mused.
"Chin up, girl. Best get to your work, before it's too late", she muttered. As she retrieved her staff from where she'd propped it near the door, she squared her shoulders and thought about where she was to go. Seeing all the concerned faces in the gathering room, she said, "If anyone can spare the time, I must seek out the Shade of Uther in the Barrows. He is a much stronger foe than Oakleif and I have ever attempted. We could use some help to put him at his rest this day." She turned to a squire lounging near the door. "Please send pages to the other Alliance Guilds. Tell them to meet Oakleif and I inside the Barrows, if any can make it", she said.
As she proceeded toward the stables to follow Oakleif south to the Plains, a smile spread across her face at the thought of her long-time protector and husband. "I must focus on the task at hand," she thought to herself, "this will take all our skill." A spring returning to her step, she hailed the stable master.
Almost as soon as she'd mounted a horse, voices began sounding in her head in response to the pages. She couldn't help but smile at the response; Keblen, Keisha, Chancelor, Caloron, many from one of the newest Alliance members, the Guardians of Val Sans Retour. She found herself offering a silent prayer that this much concern among brothers and sisters could be brought to bear to aid her still-young charge.
