2 ✦ text ✦ unseelie locked

[erythristic]

[backdated to August 2nd, sunrise.]

I require several shardholders who can accompany me to Redgate within a few days. Aside from your availability, I also require that you be skilled in combat without magic and that you can take directions without raising a fuss. None of this is negotiable.

If you believe yourself to be capable of this, please respond, and we can arrange to meet.

Comments

[caditquaestio]

...and you've found many willing in this way?

[erythristic]

Three so far. I would only take on one more before I deemed our numbers more than adequate for this journey.

[caditquaestio]

You speak and I hear: what danger is there?

[erythristic]

[there's a pause before her reply.]

A proposition for you--you give me a demonstration of your abilities in combat, since by responding I assume you know how to fight, and in exchange I give you the information you desire with no obligation to join the group.

[caditquaestio]

But I don't mean to join you. Truly. I'm only intrigued: you can't tell me there are so many men of honour willing to join cause without purpose, gain or complaint. I don't trust in so much zeal.

private.

[erythristic]

There is purpose, there is potential gain--this charge comes from the Queen herself--there will naturally be complaint as such lingers in all our natures. My offer stands, but should you find it distasteful, you can wait for the full accounting upon our return.

private.

[caditquaestio]

If you return, is that not how it goes?

[erythristic]

We will return. That has already been decided.

[caditquaestio]

Fate favours the bold, friend. But are you that, or are you foolish?

[erythristic]

That depends on who you ask about me.

[caditquaestio]

I'm asking the person who's succeeded in persuading at least three people in joining cause selflessly in nebulous quest.

[erythristic]

Then I'd say I'm a bold woman who is charming, intelligent, and brave, who reserves foolishness for matters that don't have one's life potentially on the line.

[caditquaestio]

'Charming', 'intelligent' and 'brave'. And 'virtuous' and 'modest', yes?

[erythristic]

It makes me blush to have to describe myself so highly.

[blatant lies]

[caditquaestio]

A blush the donna hides.

[erythristic]

You also hide your face, sir. Yet forgive me, the magic that allows one to look upon another is still something I'm getting used to.

[caditquaestio]

That much I'll grant you. It's a fickle thing. My horse, mind, enjoys the viewings.

[erythristic]

I could eliminate the hindrances and simply come to see you in person.

[caditquaestio]

You won't name me your goals or your means or your reasons, but you'll come see a stranger at a moment's notice.

[erythristic]

Yes.

[what else did you say to that? no?]

[caditquaestio]

I... don't... follow your reasoning.

[erythristic]

If you had been interested in my proposal, we would have met at a moment's notice so that I could observe your ability. Then, the same as now, we would be strangers save for an exchange of names.

You've proved yourself a clever man in our talk. Is it odd that I would wish to place a face to the one who has given me the pleasure of this discussion, that I should meet a stranger so that he is no longer one to me?

[caditquaestio]

Hardly. If you were a man.

But you're a woman.

[erythristic]

A woman can be curious too, sir. A trait we've had since Pandora walked the earth.

[caditquaestio]

But do I want another woman who reaps tragedy?