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 Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 3:13 pm
The king turned to his counselor. "Lady Alena would know the answer to that question much better than I," he smiled. "If you would ..."
Alena bowed her head respectfully. "Of course, your Majesty," she smiled, raising her head again. She turned to the others. "Shiro is quite busy with the copying of the archives, and is also working on ways to open the older scrolls, since some of them are getting a little too brittle to use ... my own fault, I must admit. I do not do as much with them as I should. He has also been showing me the books that he uses. Kaito on the other hand ... he seems to enjoy what Shiro does, but he also spends quite a bit of time wandering the castle and getting to know his way around. He has mentioned a visit to the city, but also that he did not want to go without some of you as well."
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 3:17 pm
Lin smiled at that, it was very thoughtful of Kaito to think of that. It would be wonderful to visit the city.
"It's good to know that they're doing well and Kaito is able to keep himself busy."
He was always so active, at least he wasn't kitten active anymore. Thank goodness.
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 3:23 pm
"He does seem the active sort," Alena laughed, "so I'm actually quite impressed that he hasn't yet felt the need to wander outside. I'm not sure if he's worried about gnomes, but up here in the third tier of the city, he really doesn't need to worry. We are quite safe."
Arwen smiled, glancing down at Celeb. "That's a relief," she murmured softly, watching him eat.
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 3:33 pm
Lin smiled, Kaito had come a long way from the little neko that got into everything.
"That's good to know, I'm sure once he's explored every nook and cranny here he will wander outside. Though... the thought of going into the city sounds interesting."
She couldn't help but think it interesting though.
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 3:37 pm
"Feel free to go there any time, as long as it is daylight," the king invited them warmly. "But at night, the people are more wary, and strangers would not be as welcome. Though I believe that you would be better off with a guide."
"Captain Striate?" Celeb asked hopefully.
The king chuckled. "If you wish," he smiled. "I will speak to him."
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 3:48 pm
Lin chuckled at that if she didn't know any better she would say that Celeb really liked (or looked up to who knew with a child) Captain Striate.
"That would be wonderful, really...." she eyed Celeb for a moment before turning her attention away from him.
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 3:52 pm
Celeb eyed Lin back, well aware of her gaze on him, but he didn't say anything else. He was satisfied.
"That reminds me," Alena remembered suddenly, "how are your clothes coming along? Prince Earendil had said that he would begin his work when everyone had sufficient clothing for the winter ..."
Earendil smiled softly. "Very well, thank you very much for all of your help. I believe that we may be ready to set out within the next week or so."
"And as my son promised you," the king said, sitting tall, "you will have Captain Striate at your service."
Which of course meant the roc that was his steed ... which was something Earendil wasn't especially looking forward to.
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 3:59 pm
Lin smiled at that, she looked forward to it, even though she was aware that Earendil was not.
"Thank you, it'll be a great help, and it'll help Earendil chart faster."
As long as Earendil got over the whole flying part. Unless he convinced Haldia to come along.
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 4:05 pm
That was the only thing Earendil could see that was good about using a roc to chart the island.
"I would advise you," the king added, almost as an afterthought, "to only take people who are able to fight, and be sure to bring your weapons. Unhappy as the thought may be, and as much as I hope that all goes well, you must always be prepared for an attack from the gnomes."
"They seem to be a bit of an annoyance," Rhea remarked. "Do they cause a terrible amount of trouble? I admit, I do not know much about them, but from what I saw of them ... they don't seem very intelligent ..."
"They aren't," the king nodded, "but they are resourceful. They do not have sophisticated weapons, but they know of bows and slings, and they can do quite a bit of damage even from a distance. And they are a very superstitious lot ... if they believe that you are in a place that is, to them, hallowed, you will be in more danger than usual. Captain Striate would know the areas of which I speak, he will be able to warn you."
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 4:20 pm
"Hallowed?" Lin questioned.
She had heard of the term but probably not in the way the king meant so she was a bit curious.
"What do you mean?"
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 4:23 pm
The king's brow furrowed thoughtfully. "Ehm ..."
"Sacred," Alena substituted for him. "They have areas where they believe that spirits reside, and they revere these spirits as if they were the Valar. They offer up sacrifices, perform rituals ..."
Earendil turned to Lin. "I think that sounds a bit familiar ... I'm not sure if you remember, but when Uncle Gion went with your brothers to the Northland, they found something like that ..."
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 4:34 pm
It took Lin a minute or two to remember but she did and she was utterly amazed that Earendil had remembered that at all for him that had been decades ago.
"Can't forget that's when we met, but I never asked the details on that trip, well I couldn't I was a child back then, and then by the time I became old enough it slipped my mind."
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 4:44 pm
Earendil chuckled. "It's not as if I just have that good of a memory, I was fourteen at the time, after all. But I've spoken with Uncle Gion over the years, and he told me about the circle that gave him chills down his spine ... to this day, he still doesn't want to think about what that was about."
He grinned at Lin. "Maybe our next journey should be around the Four Lands, and discovering what secrets are close to home."
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 4:53 pm
Lin couldn't deny that held a great deal of appeal to see the rest of the Four Lands as well. She nodded at this.
"Add it to the ever growing to do list," Lin replied, "But that would be most interesting."
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 4:59 pm
Earendil smiled. "You should know by now that the list may well never get any shorter," he teased her. "The way we keep adding to it, well ..."
He grinned.
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