Quaen also rises, leveling a steady gaze at Adele as she does so. "Just as well. My shop needs a final few arrangements for an extended leave, and I need to change into something practical." Leaving the building, she returns to the streets of Flamekeep, turning the corners and moving from the affluent quarter where the Inquisition's headquarters were located to a more mercantile district. Suddenly ducking into a side alley, Quaen finds herself facing the familiar sight of her shop and residence.
Sinesam's Sigil Shoppe
Passing through the door underneath the sign, Quaen passes the main display area and heads directly into her own living quarters upstairs. Opening the door into her bedroom, she quickly changes and picks up her pack, already filled with the equipment she thought would prove useful on her journey. Truthfully, Quaen had already made all the neccessary arrangements needed to ensure taxmen would not seek her out, nor confused customers come looking for this strange component or that rare book. All the proper forms, letters, and notices had been sent out.
12 years.
It was how long she had been waiting in Flamekeep. That was what Quaen was told to do when she was sent forth from Aerenal, back to Khorvaire in order to fulfill her potential, or at least to further the goals of the Undying Court. She had no idea, at first, how long she was supposed to wait. Within a week, she started trying to find something useful to do to past the time, and haunted the local libraries. Within a month, she was doing research for hire. And in three, she had purchased the Shoppe and begun the process of building up a reputation as a reliable source of nearly anything related to the occult, within reason. Quaen used the connections that her family name afforded her, and furthermore established herself as an importer of Aereni artifacts and materials, although the bulk of her material was still standard arcane goods.
On occasion, Quaen fancied the thought that she had been forgotten, but that was quickly quashed when she found books being delivered to her residence, with no return address, all pertaining to her further training, despite the fact she had yet to make contact with her ancestors. It was a nearly a one-way relationship, Quaen staying put, and the Court sending her more material to study with no further instructions. Then came the Church messenger, comming into her shop like and offended cat. She read the poffered letter, and quickly realized that this was the moment her ancestors had described to her, "... you will know the auspitious moment in which to act".
Did they intend for her to stay in Flamekeep and establish her reputation, so that she would be contacted for this mission? Or the Court contact Father Mikel? Was she suggested, or did he come up with the right expert on his own? Those and more questions whirled in Quaen's mind in idle moments, and she was not any closer to an answer than she was when she first recieved the letter.
Leaving doubts and questions behind her, Quaen locks up the door to her shop one final time, and heads in the direction of the docks.
