voice; open to both courts

[reticence]

[Faolan is not one for making announcements. Being a spy, he does not like to put himself in the spotlight. But he needs information. And they need this information as well. So after consulting the necessary sources, he turns to the lockets.

When he speaks, his voice is soft yet strong and sure. And a lot smoother than his normal speaking voice. He's got to disguise himself somehow, after all. He is used to using this tactic, and he is good at it. For those that know him, it will take a moment to recognize him from this speech.]

Fellow shardbearers. A moment of your time, I beg you. If nothing else should catch your attention on this day, then at least heed this announcement. A great force is rising. Some of you may have heard of Reynard the Fox, Lord of Maupertius. Violent, fickle, and unstable, he enjoys power and conflict, and having turned on both courts at once, he is seeking both for his own means.

Reynard is collecting shards, Unseelie and Seelie alike, for the purposes of gaining power. Unseating a monarch, perhaps. Creating his own court, certainly. Creating his own army, his own champions. Collecting more shards. Gaining more power. We cannot allow such a man as Reynard the gains that he seeks.

Be wary, fellow citizens. Be on your guard against him. A slight man with long red hair, beardless and fair of face, who flies a banner of a red fox on a black field. They say he is deathless, that he can transform into a fox. If you are cornered by him, run. If you are seeking him out, don't. His gain is everyone's loss.

For those who have encountered him before, I seek a few answers. A gathering of information. What has he promised you, if anything? What dealings have you had with the man? What do you know of Reynard the Fox?

Comments

[gordianknots]

[Waver trusts about...three people in the entire Drabwurld, and two of them are people from home. Everyone is suspect, until he can read intentions.]

I don't like giving information that's inaccurate or will prove to be harmful to all involved if I make an error.

[reticence]

Not unwise. [But unhelpful for Faolan's purposes, alas. Never mind that it's very similar to what he might do himself.]

I would meet with you, if you are willing. Perhaps it might ease your mind. You understand why I hesitate to reveal myself over lockets, I hope.

[gordianknots]

I don't blame you for not trusting the network, even with the filtering system.

I own a coffee house out in Nimh Gleanne, as I have made the conscious choice to not partake of the courts.

[reticence]

The monarchs have made it clear to me that they care little for us shardbearers as individuals. I will not blindly swear allegiance to a power that does not care for its people. There is only one King that I serve, and I have been forced to leave him behind back in Fortriu. [He realizes that these could perhaps be considered treasonous words. Perhaps Waver will understand his viewpoint better if he uses them, though.]

Nimh Gleanne. It is tempting to arrange a meeting. I feel that we are of like mind, you and I. But I cannot leave my Lady Sigrid, certainly not for as long as a venture to Nimh Gleanne would take. [From either direction of Caer Scima or Caer Glaem, or the Station, that is more than a day's absence, and one he cannot risk. Not after he has given her his promise.]

[gordianknots]

[More than Faolan will likely ever know, Waver understands.]

They're really rubbish at picking people who are inclined towards loyalty on both sides, I'm becoming convinced of it.

Mm, the problem of being so far out of the way. I might propose that the next time you need to travel, I can attempt to meet you somewhere that's on your route.

[reticence]

[Having been publicly shamed by the Seelie court for trying to demonstrate his desire to ally himself with them, so yes. He will agree with this statement.] You and me both.

If you ever have need to travel close to Caer Glaem, or Caer Scima, I have ways of traveling between them. Barring that... My Lady may perhaps be convinced into travel to Nimh Gleanne. Particularly if there is more reason than just coffee to make the journey.

[gordianknots]

I'll let you know if I'm ever near either, or around at the Station - that might be easiest to do.

I'm also sure that plenty of others will be willing to help you with Reynard troubles. He's pissed off people.

[reticence]

That is what I am hoping. A gathering of information, as I said. There are many in this realm who have useful knowledge to share, and yet they keep it to themselves. Out of fear or greed or other reasons I cannot say for certain. Yet being so removed from each other as we are, communication must happen. And if I am the one to do it, then so be it. Better the words of a Friend than silence and ignorance and the downfall of us all.

[gordianknots]

Safety is always a factor too in what one keeps quiet. Saying the wrong thing at the wrong time does get people hurt, and that people think twice before speaking is a high reflection of them.

Should you work towards a solution of moving against Reynard in any concrete way, please consider keeping me informed.

[reticence]

Safety is half of the reason I am on this endeavor. [Not necessarily his own, though. He made a promise to Sigrid that he would do everything he could to keep her safe. Perhaps she does not yet understand how far he will take this oath, after all.]

Consider it done. Though I would ask to whom I speak. Should I have other means of communication aside from lockets, it would be useful to know.

[gordianknots]

Lord El-Melloi II. Apologises for forgetting to introduce myself sooner.

[reticence]

That is quite the name. [Is he supposed to say all of it? Do you expect him to call you 'Lord'? Helppppp.] Whereas I myself am called Faolan.

[gordianknots]

[As long as you keep the II in there, Waver doesn't care.]

Any preference for a Mr, Sir, etc. in front of that?

[reticence]

[The releasing of breath that may or may not be a laugh]

I have no title. You may call me what you like. There is little need for formalities, in my trade.

[gordianknots]

I like to double check and make sure no matter who I'm dealing with. I'd rather be overly respectful than make an error and offend.

[reticence]

I appreciate the effort, but you will not offend. Whatever formalities I may have been born with I gave up long ago. Simply Faolan will do, my Lord.

[gordianknots]

Faolan it is.

[reticence]

I would ask that the same be held in reverse, my Lord. Should relevant information be obtained, I would like to know it.

[gordianknots]

Absolutely. We'll be in touch.