The Ancient Paths - Path I

Nae'talis quietly sifts through the items laid before him as the females exchange words. He straps the bracers on quickly and lets the long sleeves of his robe drop back down into place, hiding them from view. He then tucks the wand into the folds of his robe and hefts the magic shield carefully. He palms the ring as well.

Not caring much to begin with, he gives up on getting any further information about his pardon from Syrriel and steps outside into the open air. Spying Dowkan across the square making a raucous with Sunder at his smithy the young Thayan makes his way to his dwarven companion.

"I believe this belongs to you," he states, offering the dwarf the magical shield. Once taken, he also reveals the ring in his upturned palm. "I also believe the most intelligent course of action would be for you to wear this as well. If your task is to protect me from harm, said harm can be avoided if the threat does not manage to get through you to begin with," he explains, eyeing the dwarf carefully, gauging his reaction.
 
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Dowkan cocks his head to one side and eyes the mage thoughtfully for a few moments. "Aye, what ya say makes sense ta me," he says finally, taking the wooden shield and ring and nodding his head in thanks. "But what have the others to say 'bout it?"
 

Nae'talis nods as Dowkan accepts the items. Without pause he responds to the dwarf's concerns. "The others I trust will see reason. If not, I shall bring them around to it. Hildor should be no trouble, being particularly spineless. I do not plan to associate myself with him for much longer anyway. Hrolf though appears to be a fair man. I find little reason to suspect he will disagree with this arrangement either."
 

Dowkan raises a single eyebrow at Nae'talis' harsh words of the mage's companion. Considering the Thayan for a few moments longer, Dowkan's face resumes it's usual postuer. "Aye, I bets you can."

"Let's find the others and sort out what we's be up to. I've got me some ideas that you might be wantin' to hear."
 

As soon as the wizard leaves, Sabriel blew out a breath and laughed softly. "Lurue bless, I can't believe I laid it on that thick," she said, shaking her head and then became more serious as she leaned back into the chair.

"Syrriel, I really don't know much about what's going on down here, or why the Lady Enellienen wants to question you. " she waved her hand towards the fairly ruined town. "Whatever happened here, it was bad and I have a hunch you are in up to your ears in all of this," she said. "You need to tell me what's going on at least, before I decide anything."
 

The wizard nods again and gestures with a hand for Dowkan to lead on. "Last I saw him, he was still in the garrison where our trial was held," he mentions, indicating himself and Hildor.
 


"Yes..." the wizard breathes. "That's what I find peculiar. It seems Syrriel has done me the courtesy of awarding a pardon on my behalf after I had been nearly on my way back to Thay. When I questioned her just now, she avoided giving an answer as to why. I am just glad to be rid of that mess and could care less when it comes down to it, so I did not press her. Her reasons are her own and I suppose they shall stay that way."
 


~ Syrriel ~

"You certainly have grown presumptuous since I last spoke to you," she says, eyeing Nae'talis' expeditious retreat. She turns her head slowly back to Sabriel and studies her with a furrowed brow.
Old friend? I can't have known of the girl for more than ten years... Half her life... Humans.
"Do you have any idea...? No. I suppose not." Syrriel pulls an ethereal harp out of thin air and begins plucking a few notes. She casts a spell on the room to prevent eavesdroppers from listening in, magical or mundane. "I don't need to tell you anything. In fact, I would imagine that High Lady Enellienen would flay both our hides if I did." She shakes her head in exasperation. "You need to spend more time with the elves and less with the gnomes, Sabriel. Your tact is severely lacking."
Syrriel was never a forgiving teacher; always quick to admonish and quicker still, to punish those that didn't learn fast enough for her tastes. That's probably why she wasn't around very often; always out on field missions, having adventures and seeing new and exotic realms. Much better than spending hours teaching little brats the complicated histories of lands they'd probably never see...
Syrriel shakes her head again for good measure. The gall of the girl to demand she tell her anything.
"What I told you will do. I have a duty to Silverdown now."
 

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