Tweet
With a low grumble, Fenton’s shovel buried once more into the ground. Although night had fallen, the gentle sunless breeze did little to brush away the sweat and exhaustion of the rather brisk walk immediately followed by the need to dig a 3 foot hole. At the very least Fenton was not alone. However, while the bard beside him worked with just as much visible sweat and effort, all Fenton could see was an annoying man who had dragged him away from a rather pleasant conversation with a beautiful woman. Such a thing was only fogiveable if done by Osclow, and even then anger did not fade quickly or easily.
“Why the hell are we doing this again?” Fenton bellowed, his irritation beyond obvious. “Why the hell are we out in the middle of nowhere? And HOW in the hell do you keep convincing me to do these stupid little favors for you?”
“Precaution.” Osclow answered tossing aside another shovelful of dirt. “We are doing what we can to fight against the threat of divination.”
“Divination? Pfft… well magic was always your specialty. I don’t see how digging a hole is going to protect you from a bunch of fortune tellers.”
“It is not that.” the bard quickly retorted, caught in a rather unusually serious moment. “I am not just worried about any diviner. I am worried of those of the red-robed variety.”
Fenton nodded in understand, beginning to see the importance of their task, even if the specifics were still a mystery. He knew all too well how powerful and intimidating the dreaded Red Wizards of Thay could be.. The task of delivering Osclow’s letter had proven most difficult, seeing as how it was supposed to be intended for the eyes of those bearing true rank within the Aquor enclave. More than a few times, Fenton had felt watched and followed, making him all the more glad to be rid of that place.
“Does that Kathryn girl know about this?”
The question bit hard into Osclow and for a moment he dare not answer, as if not doing so would aid in the rationalization of his actions. This was all part of the plan, all necessary for the safety of Sundren, as well as the woman he loved. It was not betrayal it was not! The money was likely distant from the minds of Kathryn and the others. Besides, Pyras had said himself that even Hano was accepting a donation for the good of the Triumvirate.
“No, she does not..”
Fenton merely shrugged. In all honesty, he did not care. His friend Osclow was all that mattered. This valley could simply turn to dust for all he cared.
“Four pens.. Four different styles of writing. There are ways to scrye the importance of an object or the use or user of it as well. Considering who we are dealing with here, we cannot take a chance. They would likely find that which is responsible for providing the letter. Four boxes scattered randomly throughout sundren will certainly stall them. Let them chase shadows.”
“Interesting?” Fenton stated. “What about the paper?”
“Common parchment. It will likely reveal nothing.”
“Likely?” Fenton asked with question in his eyes.
The bard sighed. “Well, is it is arrogant to state we are untouchable. There is always a chance. Everything we do now still has meaning, but I am taking every precaution necessary to ensure all goes according to plan.
A brief plea for forgiveness went through the mind of Osclow to as he envisioned all the good 15 million stags could do for this land, the same land he had sworn to protect. But everything was already being put into place by another hand. And it was he who would claim the reward in the end.
This was not a betrayal. It was necessary.
“Why the hell are we doing this again?” Fenton bellowed, his irritation beyond obvious. “Why the hell are we out in the middle of nowhere? And HOW in the hell do you keep convincing me to do these stupid little favors for you?”
“Precaution.” Osclow answered tossing aside another shovelful of dirt. “We are doing what we can to fight against the threat of divination.”
“Divination? Pfft… well magic was always your specialty. I don’t see how digging a hole is going to protect you from a bunch of fortune tellers.”
“It is not that.” the bard quickly retorted, caught in a rather unusually serious moment. “I am not just worried about any diviner. I am worried of those of the red-robed variety.”
Fenton nodded in understand, beginning to see the importance of their task, even if the specifics were still a mystery. He knew all too well how powerful and intimidating the dreaded Red Wizards of Thay could be.. The task of delivering Osclow’s letter had proven most difficult, seeing as how it was supposed to be intended for the eyes of those bearing true rank within the Aquor enclave. More than a few times, Fenton had felt watched and followed, making him all the more glad to be rid of that place.
“Does that Kathryn girl know about this?”
The question bit hard into Osclow and for a moment he dare not answer, as if not doing so would aid in the rationalization of his actions. This was all part of the plan, all necessary for the safety of Sundren, as well as the woman he loved. It was not betrayal it was not! The money was likely distant from the minds of Kathryn and the others. Besides, Pyras had said himself that even Hano was accepting a donation for the good of the Triumvirate.
“No, she does not..”
Fenton merely shrugged. In all honesty, he did not care. His friend Osclow was all that mattered. This valley could simply turn to dust for all he cared.
“Four pens.. Four different styles of writing. There are ways to scrye the importance of an object or the use or user of it as well. Considering who we are dealing with here, we cannot take a chance. They would likely find that which is responsible for providing the letter. Four boxes scattered randomly throughout sundren will certainly stall them. Let them chase shadows.”
“Interesting?” Fenton stated. “What about the paper?”
“Common parchment. It will likely reveal nothing.”
“Likely?” Fenton asked with question in his eyes.
The bard sighed. “Well, is it is arrogant to state we are untouchable. There is always a chance. Everything we do now still has meaning, but I am taking every precaution necessary to ensure all goes according to plan.
A brief plea for forgiveness went through the mind of Osclow to as he envisioned all the good 15 million stags could do for this land, the same land he had sworn to protect. But everything was already being put into place by another hand. And it was he who would claim the reward in the end.
This was not a betrayal. It was necessary.
Comment