/if Azi was still posting she'd have wanted a bump here


"Good sir Crispian" said Arcalan getting within earshot of him "I beg f you one moment of your time, please!"

The young knight looked round at her, breaking stride. His eyes took in her familiar form, but none of the usual anger and emotion she had stirred in him came to the surface.


"Please, I know why you may have reason not to hear me, but I did desire greatly to throw myself upon your mercy and with all my heart to tell you... Crispian, I am sorry." Thus saying she stopped in the street before him and bowed her head. She could not meet his eyes, and her own reddened with tears.

"Sorry that I was weak, sorry I have been the instrument of your ...torture. Sorry for these past miserable months" she turned as if to go, then looked back on him again. Would he speak with her? Would he believe she had been D'Vena's minion, and against her will?

She finally met his eyes as he spoke.


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<talking stick moves to Crispy>

Crispian turned to Arcalan, a smile of greeting on his face. "Arcalan! Long have we missed each other in the Guild hall with our duties! A happy coincidence this!" He bowed slightly to her. "We missed you at the feast, I fear, but I'm sure you had pressing matters to attend to elsewhere."

 

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Azi frowned at the voices outside her window, pulling the sheets tight over her head and trying to force herself back to sleep. But then it dawned on her.. that was Arcalan.. and Crispian...


She drew the sheets around herself and crept to the window, pushing the shutter open to a small crack. There in the street stood Crispian, bold and gentle, his armor shining in the sunlight. Arcalan stood before him, trying her best to look meek and humble. Azi shivered even now, even this far away from the witch. She listened to the exchange quietly as thoughts of the past few days ran through her mind.


She wished she had proof of Arcalan's evil intent, but all that she did have was a feeling. And Azaeli was not one to make false accusations.. perhaps it was just her past with Arcalan that bothered her so.


She was grateful at least to have Kanna and Emlae keeping a watch on things. Kanna had told her of Hecathia's attack, as had Emlae, and Azi felt something was wrong there.. She knew also of the potter's kiln exploding, and that Arcalan had been there with Lexi when it happened, and that made her uneasy. So many things were swimming in her head, along with the wine from feast day that still seemed to be making her ill.. Her stomach turned again and she crept bcak to bed, leaving Crispian and Arcalan talking in the street.

((time-break, to be mended later))


Crispian watched Arcalan continue on and paused, listening to the rhythymic hammering of Judan. He liked this simple shop, and wished the public work space was more like it. He smiled slightly, allowing himself the moment of being a lesser smith near to a great one, rather than an involved young leader of the Realm, or at least the League.

 

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Arcalan replayed the conversation in her head as she parted from Crispian. How well had it gone?


"My lord, forgive my absence, but.. I did feel worthy to be there." She held up a hand to stop any protests "I know that many have forgiven my past and given me words of comfort, but the sight of so many people I betrayed.. it bothers me terribly still. Lord Crispian I owe you my life, my sanity and my thanks. You owe me a swift death if truth be told, for I was D'Vena's instrument in causing you pain" her sight misted over in recollection and pain, and a dew came to the corners of her eyes.

"I have longed to say this to you, but .. now I have the chance, I... I can barely stand to speak with you so" It was true, she was fighting down the urge to cast an acidic cloud onto that patient face of his "I spent the feast day in atonement, fighting the goblins that stole the mines from Ludlow. But all i do is a mere drop in the ocean of my past weakness... I have decided to turn myself over to the King's Men Lord Crispian. I just wanted you to understand, to know how sorry I am..."

She let her voice trail off and lowered her eyes, awaiting the effect on Crispian. he was a good man, a man of generous and large heart, and she felt sure that this weakness in him would let her continue in her ruse. Even if it did not, the peace spell upon Crispian meant he couldn't move against her until she took action against him first.

Crispian sighed. He had the evidence he needed himself to act, but would continue to let her play this out. The Officers and Leadership of the League, Omnia Patricius, as well as some other key people, would know of it. His agents continued to work the matter, at no small cost.


"Arcalan, dear," he said to the cabalist, only a bit older than he was himself, "we all make errors in the part, and let us make sure that they stay part of the past." He knew she thought him weak, soft, even too trusting. "I am sure that you have genuine sorrow in your heart, and who am I to gain say what forgiveness the Almighty has given you?"


He put on his best tender look, even calling up his innocent look that had worked on Mirashta in the past.

 

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Azaeli sighed to herself through the turning of her stomach, and gingerly rolled to her side. She could still hear the two talking, and now her thoughts were racing enough that she knew it would be impossible to salvage the wonderful dream she'd been having.


Reluctantly, and slowly so as not to upset her stomach any more, she slid out of bed and pulled on a thick robe and soft boots. Down the narrow staircase she padded, and set a kettle on the hearth for tea. Ever aware of the conversation outside mingling with the ring of her father's hammer, she lowered herself onto a stool. She would wait for Arcalan to leave, rather than risk having to invite her inside with Crispian. The thought of that woman setting foot in Azi's father's house was undesirable, to say the least.

"ou are too kind sir" Arcalan had said "Much too kind" she hid a smile at first but then let it show, grinning as though she were truely happy, rather than the grin of amusement at this fool's naievity.

"I will indeed seek forgiveness from the Almighty, for he is compassionate beyond our measure. I am right glad to see you looking so well after your ordeals, and pledge to continue to try and do equal measure of deeds to atone for past failures"

Yes, she had failed her Master once before, and she'd set that right. Crispian and the League were the perfect hiding place for her activities, for beyond Azi none doubted her intentions. Suddenly she looked up, and caught the eyes of a woman staring through her window. The daughter of Hammerfel the paladin, now a Paladin herself.. ha... no doubt she'd continue to spread rumours of Arcalan, but to what effect? Even Crispian believed her blameless. the figure quickly withdrew, and Arcalan used the moment to make good her escape from Crispian before he became sentimental and sickening.

"But now milord, by your leave, I must to Church to undertake some tasks for the clergy of Albion, following the troubles in Brfog. I'll spare you the details, but I hope we can speak more later?"

"I have no doubt we'll have much more to talk about soon Arcalan" Crispian assured her with a pained look in his eyes, clearly a sign of misplaced compassion. Arcalan returned the pitying stare and curtsied, before making her way down the street.


Yes, it had gone even better than she hoped. Now to get back to the Hall and find the key, then she could take off for Llyn Barfog and discover Lexi's past....

It was all going so well!

Crispian watched her go, and saw the shadows that even she could not know of detach and follow her. It was good, he thought, to have so many friends outside of the League and mostly unknown to others. Being quiet is often mistaken for being stupid, he mused. He paused a moment to buy an apple from a vendor and nod to Master Judan. As he munched, he thought over what Arcalan was up to.


He was not complete sure of it, but he knew her deeds were vile, and that others were now being implicated. He chewed a mouthful of apple as he mulled this over. Justice could be swift and merciful, or it could just be swift. He would see which Arcalan deserved when the time came.


Let her play her games, and think him the fool, or niave, or whatever. He grinned as she turned at the tailor's shop, to be about her business. She did not all of what stirred in Albion, and a surprise might be in store sooner than she thought.


He was musing so when he heard the door open. Battlefield time taught one to listen for everything at any moment. His grin was warm as he turned to greet Azi.

 

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Azi stood in the doorway, looking out at Crispian. Her eyes flicked toward the tailor shop for a moment as the shiver disappeared. Had she been deaf and blind, she would still be able to tell when Arcalan was near, she thought to herself.


"Crispian, it's been ages. Come inside and have a chat?" She smiled warmly at her dear friend. He was looking rather well since D'vena's threat had passed, and even his badly broken leg showed no sign of a limp anymore. She swallowed with a smile as he stepped inside and settled himself at the little table. Another quick peer into the street, and she closed the door tightly behind her.


"Tea?" she asked pleasantly, setting two mugs on the table.