* * *
Alestere
* * *
Jhe h'Akribastes is so very dear as to carry the tea tray for me as we proceed through the corridors of my Hall. It's a relief to see him willing to keep his hands occupied - he looks less tense in my domain now. Still alert, though. As if my Poets will come out and assault him with papercuts, hurling stone inkwells at his head.
"It's looking a bit calmer in here," he mutters. His eyes are examining every crevice, paranoia showing through.
I raise an eyebrow. "Well, it is a place of study and introspection." His glance is dubious. "Elric lives in a more quiet wing than those I suppose you've most often been in. My son lives here as well, as do those who tend to the Library, which is nearby. Anyone who requires a great deal of silence for their studies, or need their work... muffled, tend to be housed here. It's well-warded, and some rooms double as single infirmary units for those with special needs. Those such as Elric, in fact... or Jhe Aaren."
He stiffens at the mention of his Armed's name. "I'll need to see him, before I go."
I raise both eyebrows. "You're departing?"
"Yes, to Robinstead for some time. I've a daughter there, as I'm sure you've read in recent writings. It should be a short trip, but I've made my arrangements in case it drags out. I need to make sure Aaren will be alright in my absence, though."
"We've been looking after him. I do think Jhe Emily has been a good fit for him - he's recovered quite dramatically under her care." I fail to mention that Tesynnodai might have done well to mention to me that he would be taking leave soon - it's a bit of a heavy subject to bridge. Later, perhaps.
"Still, I'll need to see him before I go." 'Sy's expression is like steel - sharp and cold. I would hate to be the person that incurred such wrath. Even without being the focus of that gaze, I'm chilled.
We've arrived at Jhe Elric's room. I raise my hand to knock, but before I do, I sense the Poet within beckoning us to enter. I lower my hand, then open the door. "Please, after you."
'Sy walks through, careful in how he treads. The room within is much like the more quiet corners of our Library, with a bit of Rhivendish decor sprinkled about the place. Elric stands, then produces a quite formal bow for Jhe h'Akribastes and I. He looks up at me after he rises. There's something odd in his expression... a kind of fear.
Are you well, Jhe Briarseal?
He doesn't immediately reply, even mentally. He's not comfortable with speaking aloud yet, too afraid that Nul will take his tongue again. Still, his thoughts are safe from any taint, as far as I've ever sensed. I give him a nudge, and then he makes an effort to compose himself. I'm sorry. I haven't received many guests here, and am not used to it yet. If ye would, please have a seat, sire. He gestures to the table within his quarters, which he's already neatened up for us to confer at. He then steps forward to the Judge, takes the tea tray, sets it on the table, and begins pouring the tea.
I relay the gesture to 'Sy. "Let's have a seat, then?"
He takes a seat with his back to the far wall. I wait for Elric to sit, then seat myself as well. Steam trickles upwards from my cup, bringing with it a gentle, floral smell that reminds me of open fields and meadows. "Well then. Jhe Elric, you have news of Jhe Lyric for us both?"
My Poet nods. It's been sparse before, his goings-on. He's been afraid to say much of what's been happening, out of fear of being caught. Too close to the Queen Mother for his liking. Now, though, he's been sent out on a mission for her.
As Elric speaks silently to me, I repeat the words aloud. A little of his Rhivendish accent carries over on my voice - something I find a crime to edit out of his speech in any form.
'Sy leans forward, his hands steepled under his chin, teacup underneath them and untouched. He's studying Elric fiercely, as if he could see his son's face through the Briarseal boy's features if he peered hard enough. His focus gives a favorable cast to his features, something I find I'm drawn to gazing at longer than is actually necessary or warranted. I allow myself the pleasure, though - 'Sy's too distracted by his son's boyfriend to notice me.
That stings, just a tiny bit.
He's already traveling on his own, off the leash as it were. He's relieved, and has been relaying much to me. I can map out the area where the Lady Thelea has set up her new base, but it's dangerous to approach by any means right now - and of course, any deliberate actions against it would out him as a double-agent in the current situation, so he requests that we stand down for now until he can make an overt move worth our while. She has gathered the dryads and nymphs she stole from Jhe o'Audiva Rocale-- err, Jhe Lyric still accords the former Emperor his title sometimes -- to the new base. It is far north, almost to Moana. Elric frowns. As an aside, my tribes mark that place as a dark area, known as dangerous to our ancestors - a place from which evil tended to come with great regularity, aided by great power. It troubles me to think too much on it, in my current condition. Obviously Nul is... strong there. Jhe Lyric's observations agree with me. He looks up at me, eyes focusing again. There's a bit of darkness to his expression that fades in a blink, and that I try to forget was ever there. I'll draw a map at your convenience.
"Later," I say. "Speak now, and remember your tea."
'Sy is looking off to the side now, contemplating. His expression's the same as when he plays chess. Gods, how I miss that. But can I really? 'Sy's never played chess with me. He's played hundreds of times with Elete, and I can remember that as if through the bottom of a glass. How much easier it would be to just be Elete, in so many ways...
But I'm not.
Elric frowns a bit, unsure of how to explain the next part. He's going to Robinstead, to gather the resources the Lady Thelea and the ex-Kommissar have planted there over time. Of all places... but apparently, it's oft-overlooked enough to be a meager bit of stronghold. There's something that's been put in motion there as well, and he's to look into it. I... he is not sure what. His eyes flick up to mine, concerned. Even the Lady Thelea knows not what exactly is to be found in Robinstead. She has not been made privy... these are plans the Jherent Nul has made himself. Lyric is being sent to Robinstead on Nul's command, not the Lady Thelea's. She would prefer he stay near her base, or gathering forces within Audiva Rocale where he is less likely to be seen by Radian forces. Her will isn't being done as she wishes, though - the Jherent Nul does not want her to be endangered by venturing to Robinstead herself. She is one of his few pieces he is still at liberty to play directly. He looks away, expression darkened for an entirely different reason. It seems that Jhe Edward has not been seen by Lyric, or the Lady Thelea, since he was appointed the Jherent Nul's Herald.
I bite my lip, then exhale. "Oh, he still lives. I feel it."
'Sy raises his eyebrows at me. I shrug.
"We are constantly aware of the targets on our backs, yes? It seems Edward is not a piece we will find 'in the wild', though - which means we're more likely to find evidence of his Poetry in place of him." I frown, contemplating this. I haven't felt it yet, but I've wondered if he and Nul simply bide their time.
The Judge looks perplexed. "Can't you just stop him? You're Jhe h'Logos." I can hear that ever-so-subtle ring in his tone, the unsaid rest of the sentence: 'aren't you?'
"I can stop a Poet from writing his Poetry as much as you can force an Armed not to awaken her Arms away from your Hall." The point is made well when it's his daughter as the example, but I can see he's a bit angered by my ready use of one of the weak points he so fiercely guards. I try to venture away from the sore spot, then. No sense in aggravating him. I'd much prefer the opposite. "Nul's Poet ranks are much fewer, now. Jhe Edward, however potent his work is, cannot overcome my entire Hall - especially now, when we are restored so close to our full power. And especially united as we are with the Armed, yes?"
"Mm." 'Sy sips his tea, not meeting my gaze. "Gerude and Erynn certainly are useful together... sometimes."
I try to keep the chagrin off my face. I note that Elric's expression is well-schooled, and mentally commend him for it. "Elric will relay any updates to me as he receives them. We should discuss later how you'd like me to send those along to you while you're in the field."
He waves his hand. "Katherine will see to it easily enough."
I raise my eyebrows. "She's not coming with you?"
A grim cast overtakes his face. "No, especially not after this conversation. I had considered it, but... the Treaty is in too much danger as it is."
I'd question him more on it, but Elric's growing uncomfortable. I prod him as to what could be bothering him.
With all due respect, Jhe h'Logos, I am still a security risk until I'm cleansed of Nul's infection of my speech. I trust myself to keep Lyric's secrets because his abilities to stay hidden will add protection to his plight - I'm not comfortable, however, with hearing anything that could be... listened in on.
I don't relay that to 'Sy. Jhe Briarseal, you can be assured that I keep aware of just who hears the words of those who speak around me, aloud or otherwise. You are also behind protective wards. I believe you've nothing to fear.
He bites his lip. ...Still, Jhe h'Logos... please, show caution around me.
I pat his hand. "Jhe Elric worries that he can't keep this up too much longer. He's still recovering from his injuries in the field. Would you like him to answer any more questions before we leave?"
"How is Lyric doing?" It's a completely unexpected question, even with me knowing how much 'Sy loves his kids. I've become so used to him limiting our conversations to strictly business that I didn't anticipate it. His voice even broke a little. It's been two months since he's even heard from his son, after all... and out of all of his children, Lyric may be in the most direct danger.
A smile peeks onto Elric's face. He is happier than he's been in a long time, which he finds strange enough, but he's... free, and he feels strong. He learned from his ordeals in Audiva Rocale, and he's confident that he can take anything on. Now that he's not directly under that woman's thumb, he's looking forward to causing her a great deal of trouble.
'Sy lets that sink in for a moment, looks down into his tea, and brings his palms to his face. Then, he does what I expect least. He laughs.
"Thank you." I can imagine some reasons for why he's covered his eyes at this moment, but it's good to see him smile. "Thank you, Jhe Elric."
* * *
We leave Jhe Elric's room soon after - the Poet doesn't take long to sketch out two copies of an easy-to-follow map. I make a note to come by later and check on Jhe Elric in private. Or perhaps I should ask Jhe Camden - he may have more insight into his brother's condition. He's certainly with him often enough.
'Sy raises an eyebrow at the copy of the map in my possession. I only shrug. "I do like to know where that woman is."
He winces. "Elete's mother? So would I." He looks away after that statement.
I clear my throat. "My mother, actually. Ebrelle is more Elete's mother than Thelea Xaillyndesse was." He looks back to me with surprise. "Mind, I'm not eager to claim her as mine, and an excuse not to do so would be serendipitous, but Elete is not that excuse."
He looks away again, and for the life of me I don't know why.
I decide a change of subject might be in order. "Jhe Aaren's room is this way."
It's a bit strange to lead 'Sy to one of my Poets and then let him go in alone to talk to his Armed. I'd be a bit put out, but Jhe Aaren did work in a sensitive field, and... well, this is Armed business, right? Only, 'Sy did agree that he and Jhe h'Logos needed to work together instead of keeping things from each other anymore.
But he agreed to that with Elete, and perhaps it is that I am not Elete.
I sigh. He's such a mother hen sometimes. Aaren is fine.
Regardless, he's only in there for a few minutes before he comes out again. Jhe Aaren closes the door after a nod to me - he seems tense, but well. 'Sy looks relieved, if anything, which I suppose is an improvement.
It's probably best that I show him out now, I suppose. We walk back towards the entrance. "Is there anything you'd like me to keep an eye on while you're away? You didn't mention how long you would be." He really didn't mention leaving at all, but I won't press the issue. No sense dwelling on past grievances right now.
He shakes his head. "I've made my arrangements already, but thank you for the offer." He might notice the dismay I'm hiding, or perhaps he feels like elucidating, because he goes on. "It's only been two months since you took over Elete's Hall. I wasn't sure if you'd have control of everything by now, so I apologize. From an outsider's perspective, it seems impossible." He puts his hand to his chin, thinking for a moment while I try to comprehend whether he meant all of that in a good way. Then he looks at me and those gold eyes lock with mine. "I'm impressed with you. You've taken what Elete built and instead of getting overrun, you seem to be steering it. And you do it on purpose, or at least you look like you do."
Of course, what he's saying about me runs completely counter to the state of my mind right now: overrun and scrambling for purchase, madly looking for light or focus or anything that isn't that golden gaze. I'm failing. When he looks away, relief and sorrow mingle together in me. "I do try," I manage to reply. "Thank you for the kind words." The double doors to the hall loom before us. 'Sy pushes one open, already making his leave.
He grins, then snorts. "Just keep them out of my hair." Then he's gone.
It's a few minutes before I can remember what else it is I mean to do today.
* * *
Katherine
* * *
I'd say I wasn't waiting for him out here all this time, that I have nothing better to do with my day, but that would be a lie. That's sort of his fault, too, and I'm not going to ignore it. I catch one glimpse of Jhe Alestere with that adorable 'I've no idea what to do now' look on his face before the door closes behind a grinning 'Sy.
He automatically tries to avoid the fountain I'm perched on the side of. I'll admit that it might not be me - he really doesn't like being near any body of water more than an inch deep. I clear my throat to get his attention.
He blinks up at me, then steps back a bit. The grin fades. I tell myself it's the water, but I can tell when I'm lying to myself just a little bit. Perhaps the anger is showing on my face - it tends to.
"'Sy? Could we talk?" I can already see his answer written across his face, so before he answers I interject: "Yeah, we need to talk. How about your office? There's tea there. It's quiet." I think I'm being a little too nice, but what I like about his office is that if I scream in it, nobody outside hears me. He has no choice but to agree to it, but I swear he contemplates wiggling out of the meeting. "It is quiet, in there." He tries to look me in the eye as little as possible, the wretch. I just walk, pretending nothing's the matter, or trying to. I could wring his neck, but that wouldn't force the smart out of his throat and into his brain.
The Armed Hall is very close to the Poet Hall (something 'Sy despairs of quite often when he's not trying to use the placement advantage to keep an eye out for trouble from the Poets). The walk doesn't take long, and perhaps that's why nothing is said - but I swear 'Sy looks like a naughty little boy that's about to be reprimanded by his mommy.
He manages to regain his bearing once we reach his office - he saunters behind his desk and sits down as I go and retrieve the tea. There must be something special to my expression right now, because Benny just smiles up from her desk, makes a little wilting wave, and then closes her mouth before she actually says anything.
I bring the tea set into 'Sy's office and shut the door behind me.
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