/nump

no...

/hump <BLUSH> no no no

...erm...


/BUMP

/bump

 

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Arcalan sighed. "Well I hadn't really expected you to give it up so easily. Would you like to see what the key opens?"

Crispian indicated his mild interest. No doubt some box of power or wicked tome.

"This" Arcalan produced a slim volume from under the stone she sat upon. She rose and handed it towards Crispian, while still retaining her grip.

"And that is.." Crispian began, certain Arcalan would tell him this was the key to ultimate power and riches.

"Lexi's diary" she answered. Crispian almost laughed. "I want to know what is in her past" continued Arcalan "And I need to key to open it."

Crispian regarded her with a firm even stare.

"There is more to all of this than you suspect Crispian, son of Jasper. I am now a Seneschal of the League, and am as I always have been, concerned with Lexi's past. You suspect me, but I bear you no malice. You spy upon me, but I have done no wrong since I broke free of D'Vena's curse. What do you want in return for the key. Think upon it Crispian, there is much I can offer."

/bump till the morning

((This IS my morning!!!))

/bump till the morning... still 2 hours away... sorry arc <tries not to laugh>

Crispian's eyes narrowed at the cabalist across from him. There was much she did not know that he knew, about those terrifying moments near the end with D'Vena, when the entity within her had asailed him and he had been one with the two. He could recite much about D'Vena by memory, could tell Arguyle why she hated him, and so many other things. He decided to let the ruse play for the moment.


"What is that obsesses you about her, Arcalan? And what of your secret errands and meetings?" His gray eyes surveyed her cooly. "Answer me some of your own riddles before we share in this one."


He let the book go and stepped back, sitting on the stone bench opposite her.

 

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Good shot, Kanna thought through the cloud in her head as she crouched in the bushes, watching the man fall with an arrow in his chest. Carefully she brought her flask to her lips and welcomed the warmth of the brandy as it flowed through her. She pondered this turn of events as Hecathia's servant untied Apolexia, and shrugged.


Azi had asked her to return to the camp and keep close watch on her sister after she was certain Kanna had fully recovered from the poison. The others had returned to Camelot, Kanna knew, and she was content to creep around in the bushes as much as anyone asked her. She'd spent most of her life doing it, and she was pretty good at it..


"Bettern tha' smelly city anyway," she murmured to herself as she took another swig. She slipped silently out of the bushes, leaving a safe distance between herself and the pair as Danndiar and Lexi left camp.

"ou don't fear me Crispian, I'll give you that" said Arcalan "but I am not obsessed with D'Vena. She sought power over others and sacrificed herself for it, she was a fool who meddled in things she didn't understand and paid for it. I'm not like her." She smiled at him, held his gaze firm. it was tempting to be totally honest with him, it would feel good to gloat, but she knew it would be a mistake at this juncture.

Far away Hecathia broke into the League hall full of self-importance and confidence. In a few minutes she'd lie dead on the cold stone floor.

"I am not ready to tell you all of my doings, just as you are not ready to expose all of your own. You have shyed away from Tobyas since you ended D'Vena's life. You're not ready to deal with the truth behind what is going on here, but it's enough for you to understand the surface. I won't be like other people Crispian, I won't stay in the gutter when life deals me a harsh blow. And I won't shrink back from the edge when victory is in my grasp, fearful of what some may say. I won't rush headlong like a fool into the honey-trap of power, but I won't stare at it like an untouchable idol either. Do you think I play games Crispian? Content yourself that I do, convince yourself of that. But don't stand in my way Pontiff." she smiled grim smile and her eyes set with the determination that had turned her from Slave into Seneschal in a few short months.

"My meetings should not concern you overly much, I am frequented by those who see in me what they lack in themselves. They hope I will show them a path to glory, but they should hold little hope. They are moths Crispian, and I am the flame, they dance with interest and if they try to approach me they fall dead."

Hecathia was bleeding, bleeding into a pool on the floor. Her soul was struggling off it's mortal shell, and the hand of Hecate reached out for it. Arcalan felt it soar into the nether realms as she sat in the belltower watching Crispian staring intently at her.

"If you want an answer Crispian ask a straight question. Else, hand me the key and our business for today is concluded" she cocked her head "There are things in motion now you should be a part of. Speak quickly for the League will call you back soon, and we'll return to the dance we're locked in, you watching me, and me watching you."

Crispian smiled a chilling smile at Arcalan. "Let's end one lie right now, then, Arcalan. You were never touched by D'Vena, and I know that in ways you could not fathom." His expression changed not one bit. "And as to Tobyas, we have spent much time together." His eyes were cold and steady on her.


"To say you play games would be like calling a Troll large. If you want what's in that book, it's time for you come clear on your purpose here. Don't think you can't be expelled from the League, nor that I do not know enough now to act against you, IF that were my intent.


"Tobyas has stayed my hand against you, Arcalan, saying you seek a goal that might aid Albion, but that you have a bitter edge from poor treatment in the past." He shrugged. "I personally feel you're a vile bitch, but I am willing to hear out otherwise."


He toyed with the key in his hand, finally slipping into his belt pouch.


"Care to prove me wrong, Arcalan? To come out of your murky shadow and risk an honest hearing? Or would you rather continue to feel you can manipulate everyone to get what you want?"

 

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