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The Raven's Tale: Chapter Forty-Five:


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#1 Guest_Serena_*

Posted 05 December 2005 - 06:53 PM

The Raven's Tale:
Chapter Forty-Five:

I stood back at a distance as Anomen spoke once again to Sir Ryan. I did not think they would be dishonourable enough -- or fool enough -- to attempt to harm me, but I still wasn't sure of the entirety of their reactions. After I had stormed out, Anomen had attempted to explain the situation to me. He had been asked to 'keep an eye on me,' but had not been asked to bring me here. In fact, the order seemed to be one of the better behaved organizations out there, in terms of how they viewed me. They had only wanted to see me to get their own opinion of the woman that Anomen had apparently spoken quite highly of.

I felt my cheeks burn at the thought, and wondered exactly what he'd said about me. It felt odd to have such a defender. He was . . . well, so much of a gentleman that at times it was almost comic, and yet I enjoyed having him around, and had come to think of him as a friend. It seemed however, that his depiction of me had made the order curious, and they had truly only wished to speak to me. Apparently, I had even managed to impress Sir Ryan, though I didn't feel like I had.

*I really messed that up, huh, Numel?*

*No, you just operated on an incorrect assumption, brought on by an emotional reaction.*

*I felt like he had betrayed me.*

*But we proved he actually is quite loyal to you, and speaks quite highly of you.*

*Why?* I knew he valued our friendship, as I did, but it just didn't seem reason enough, at least to the logical part of my brain; the part that understood the interest and worry about me. I knew why other people could logically consider me a threat, I would just hope that they could look beyond that initial label.

*Why not ask him?* Was Numel's simple response, tinged with sarcasm. That stupid bird obviously knew something I didn't.

*I -- oh, dammit.* Anomen had gone very formal around me, ever since he had explained things. I couldn't quite figure that one out either. And a part of myself quailed at the thought of asking him.

*He will not bite you, mistress.* Numel said, chuckling.

*Shut up. I know that.* I rolled my eyes skyward. Having a familiar was a pain sometimes . . .

"My lady?" Anomen came up to me. I glanced at him, still unsure of exactly where I stood. I disliked having my footing crumbling underneath me, but that was exactly how I felt. I settled for nodding at him and giving him a quick smile.

"Sir Ryan has agreed to watch Ployer." Anomen jerked his head towards where Ployer was being hauled off by two of the knights. "Apparently, they consider catching a criminal like him quite a feat. Many of the squires are speaking of it -- and of both our roles." He wore a proud smile.

"Great," I muttered. That didn't thrill me as much as it seemed to thrill Anomen. However, he either didn't hear me, or chose to ignore me. He motioned towards the doors, and I fell in beside him.

"Anomen?" I asked, tentatively.

"Yes, my lady?" The smile faded, to be replaced with the stony face I had come to see over the last few hours.

"I-- I owe you an apology." I said, bowing my head. My hair spilled over my ears and in front of my eyes. Anomen stopped suddenly, and I found myself a pace ahead before I spun around to look at him.

He sighed. “Nay, lady Elshana. You owe me nothing.”

“Anomen --” Why did he say that?

“Do not blame yourself for the events of this day, lady Elshana. I have spoken to Sir Ryan, and he has agreed that it might be for the better if I were to leave your company.” I could read nothing of his face. He could have been a wax statue. “After all, my role in this was to be . . . well, for lack of a more honourable word, a spy. Now that my mission, such as it was, has been fulfilled. . . there is no further reason for me to remain within your company.” Again there was the stone face, the face of someone desperately trying to conceal their emotions.

“What specifically did the Order say, Anomen?” I had a hunch there were things he wasn't telling me. Besides, I didn't want him to leave. Despite the fact that he could be a pompous ass at times, I counted him as one of my friends, who had already stood by me through one hell of a lot.

“Nothing that needs – that is -- “ Anomen broke off mid-sentence. “Oh, Helm!” He turned back to face me. “Pay no attention to my ramblings, my lady. Suffice it to say that Sir Ryan stated they could find another placement for me if I were to desire it.”

“Do you want to leave?” Despite the stupidity of some of the things he did, I didn't want him to go. I tried to keep that emotion from my voice.

“My lady?” I saw that wax mask shatter. “What do you mean?” There was open shock on his features.

“Well, I'd rather not lose someone who defends me so strongly.” I smiled at him. Oh Gods, what was I saying? Apparently, Anomen did have the ability to mess with my mind. I mean, it was true, in a way, but --

“My lady?” He tilted his head and gave me a bemused look. “While I am honoured that you would think of me so, I cannot make a claim to be a defender of your virtues. You would be willing to have me by your side? After my betrayal of you?”

I gave him a sad smile. “It wasn't really a betrayal. I figured people had to be 'keeping an eye on me.'” I rolled my eyes. “I will admit to being mad at you . . . and misjudging you to be just a spy. That was what I was apologizing for. But you're also a comrade. And I'd rather have someone who knows me, and can represent me fairly, talking about me to his superiors, then some fool who's never spoken to me.”

His face lit up. “Thank you, my lady. I – I am honoured,” he frowned, “I think.”

I chuckled. “That's the spirit. And enough with this 'my lady' stuff. My name's Elshana, don't be afraid to use it.”

“Ah yes, La – that is, Elshana.” He frowned again. “It does not seem right.”

“What doesn't seem right?” I cocked my head and looked at him as we retraced our steps to the Sea's Bounty, where the others would be waiting.

He gave me a slight smile. “It – you are a lady, are you not?”

I chuckled. “Last time I checked, yes.”

“I – no – my lady – I - that is --” I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing.

“Anomen, stop. It was a joke.” I smiled at him.

“Forgive me, my lady.” He was smiling slightly too. “Your comment, such as it was, was somewhat unexpected. What I mean to say is that you, well, you are a women, and worthy of at least some basic courtesies.”

I shook my head. “Anomen, I've been on the road for a long time. It doesn't really matter to me. I've never been one for great formalities.” He held the door of the Sea's Bounty open, as we headed inside. I wanted to roll my eyes at him. I didn't though; I got the impression I was on the losing end of this particular battle.

“My lady --” He held the door to the back room open as well. Beyond was Ployer, still bound to the chair. Jaheira turned to look at us as we entered.

I sighed. Anomen could be so exasperating. “I think I do understand.” I smiled at him. “I'll explain the rest of that later.”

Anomen bowed his head slightly. Why was that man so infuriating?





It had fallen to Anomen and Minsc to actually tackle the task of carting Ployer through the streets of Athkatla's temple district, a task I didn't envy them. I trailed a bit behind with Aerie, one hand sitting on the hilt of my sword. Everything just felt, well, wrong, somehow. It was like the charge in the air before a great thunderstorm; when that storm broke, I wanted to be somewhere safe, and not be caught out in the open.

“Elshana?” Aerie turned and looked at me, blue eyes wide. “Are you alright?”

I mustered a smile for her. “I'm fine.”

“Are you sure? You look worried.”

“I – well, I am worried. I've got whatever Isaea decided to do to me running rampant, and only Jaheira and Anomen – and you --” I nodded to her, “keeping it at bay. Adding to that that my sister's in the hands of those cowled bastards, and yeah, I've got a lot to be worried about.” My voice grew harsh.

Aerie blinked. “I – I'm sorry, Elshana. I didn't mean to – I wasn't trying to --” She closed her eyes and turned away.

“No wait,” I blurted out. “I – oh, I'm not mad at you, I just --” I sighed. “I'm just frustrated right now, and apparently, prone to ranting.” I gave her a small grin.

Aerie chuckled, hiding it behind a small hand. “Ooh . . . you're funny sometimes, you know that? But I wish I was like you.”

“Why?” I frowned.

“Because you can laugh despite all that's happened to you. You can laugh about what's happened to you, and that --” her voice trailed off. “I just wish I could do that.”

“It's a learned ability.” I smiled at her again. “One that you can probably learn in time.”

“I- If you say so. I --” Her gaze tracked past me, and I turned. Something was going on, further along the street. “W-what is that?”

I shook my head, hoping it was not one of my companions getting themselves into trouble again. “Let's go find out.”




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