Azaeli leapt from the bed and took up her greatsword in one fluid movement, pointing it steadily at the shadowed form before her.


"Best put that down," she said firmly. The prospect of burglary was not unknown to her. Many times before she'd chased thieves from Pappa's shop and even thier house in the night. Her bare feet were firm on the floor as she stood ready. "Steady now, do not be foolish."

Ayslyn chuckled, but continued to sort through the armour. "Lass, had I wished to take it, I would be gone now. Be at peace." He grinned as he looked over his shoulder at her, and winked. He spun round gracefully and sat on the floor, his back against the wall. He held up the greaves. "Fascinating things. The worksmanship is, of course, astounding. But look at the detailing." His fingers lightly traced along the etchings.

 

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Azi shook her head and pulled a blanket from the bed to wrap around herself, taking care not to wake Pappa. She lowered herself to her knees, laying the sword across her legs.


"Ayslyn, I should have known.." she whispered, leaning in to look at the greaves. "es, beautifully made, though for some evil purpose. Can you not feel it?" She ran her fingers along the etchings, feeling the unnatural cold of the metal. Pappa snored peacefully. "By the Almighty, Ayslyn, what does it all mean?"

Ayslyn frowned. "I am not sure, lass. I am slightly familiar with a number of scripts but I don't know these. Some of them are familiar but," he paused thinking. "Its like listening to someone with a strange accent. The words are all off. " His fingers traced across several of the sigils. "These seem to be some sort of binding seal, but at the same time, they aren't." He shook his head, frustrated.

 

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"Indeed," Azaeli pulled the blanket more tightly around her, but it was no comfort against the type of chill radiating from the armor, "I recgonise some of it as well, from my wizardly training, now that I have a chance to look at it." Pappa rolled in his sleep, his hand flopping off of the bed onto her shoulder. She fought back a wince at the reminder of the wound she hadn't allowed to heal, and leaned closer to the elf.


"Its best if you go, Ayslyn." Azaeli lowered her voice to less than a whisper, "Pappa is a patriot and would never tolerate an elf in his home I'm afraid. If you think you may be able to help, I shall make rubbings for you in the morning and send them...ah, where shall I send them?" She gently took the greaves from him indicating that they were to stay in her possession. "I'm sorry, but I'm sure you understand."

Ayslyn chuckled softly. "I understand lass. Crispian knows how to find me, and he also has something for you. Give Tobyas a copy of the rubbings as well. They might help him in his research." Ayslyn grinned and swung out the window and onto the roof.

 

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Azi smiled to herself as Aysyln made his graceful exit. If not for him, because of her past, she'd hate elves over any other race of the world. She thanked the Almighty for bringing Aysyln to her for insight and understanding as she wrapped up the chill greaves.


As she opened a pack to push them inside, her fingers brushed the bare metal of a piece of armor and she gasped. More clearly than before she saw the image of the man, a serpent in his left hand. She shook her head and it was gone as quickly as it came. She shivered slightly and lay down again beside Pappa.


Tomorrow she would write to Lexi, and visit Crispian with rubbings for Ayslyn and Tobyas.

(missed a bit of this over the weekend, will have to catch up)

 

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/bip

/bap ;p