laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Selyria watched intently as Lericanin carefully sifted a variety of herbs into the pot. The aroma wafted lightly to her nose causing her to inhale deeply. Almost immediately her mouth began to water in anticipation. She was always amazed at how a person of his stature could be so able to manipulate things on such a fine scale. He always seemed so focused and ready to wreak havoc, yet there was another side to him only a few have been able to open. She stared intently while pondering this series of thoughts quickly realizing he was staring back at her.

“Something on your mind?” He returned his attention to the stew.

“Well…to be honest I was wondering about you. We’ve been traveling for several months now and I know so little about you. I know you follow Ahrus, enjoy the company of women, can carve wood like any master carpenter I have seen, and your pretty handy in a fight.” She smiled with the last statement hoping her jest hadn’t gone too far. He could be touchy about such things and she still felt like a newcomer to the group. “How did you get started down this path?”

“This is the bard in you coming out eh?” He half smiled while glancing at her sideways over the pot.

“I suppose…” She admitted, “but we do travel and fight together so I thought it might be a good idea to get to know one another.”

“More stories for those songs you sing. Write them about Alaster, my work is for Ahrus and my hammer will sing his praises.” He watched her as he spoke to gauge her reaction but it was obvious she wasn’t about to quit that easily.

“The songs are important. You give people hope.” Lericanin grunted with disapproval at her statement interrupting her briefly. “It’s true. Through all that goes on in their lives they know there are those that will rise above the darkness and protect them. You are one of those people Lericanin. Your story is a good one to tell and since I have seen with my own eyes the things you have achieved, what better person to get the story straight?” She returned his stare raising her eyebrows to emphasize her question.

“Who better indeed? How does he put up with you?” His smile revealed the true nature of the question as he considered her argument.

“It’s all about the magic…he doesn’t know any better.” They shared a light laugh before she continued. “So what do you say, will you tell me?”

He knelt over the pot stirring methodically while considering her request. He had heard a few of the ballads written about the group from various bards who played at a few of the inns they found during their travels. All of the tales were completely blown out of proportion and depicted the group poorly, at least in his opinion. There was never any mention of their faith or their failures. Their successes were far and above what had really happened and not everyone was mentioned which was probably the worst part of the whole thing. Everyone participated so why shouldn’t they be mentioned? “Fine, after dinner we will sit and I will tell you what you want to know.”

Selyria smiled. She was surprised he had agreed so quickly. “I look forward to it.”

“Well that makes one of us.” His smile revealed otherwise as she rose to go clean up and gather her journals. Lericanin watched her walk away as Lisa slipped up behind him, “She means well and won’t reveal anything harmful.”

Lericanin turned his attention back to the pot. “I trust her. It’s myself I am worried about. How was the hunt?”

“It went well. Alaster is cleaning the animal as we speak now quit changing the subject.” She sat down on a log next to him as he stirred the stew.
“It’s never been that easy for me, you of all people should know that.” He sat back on the log leaving the cooking alone for now. “It’s not my way.”

“So don’t tell her anything, tell her you have changed your mind.”

“I told her I would talk to her so I will. We’ll see how it goes.”