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Isokla nodded to Ydalon at his mention of an astronomer. Although versed in the arts of stargazing herself, she was by no means an expert and even though she had offered her aid, it would not hurt to have another piece together the pieces, so to speak. "I agree," she added softly, catching his eye and watching him with a quiet gaze. "By now, if any survivors had escaped they will have informed those who serve the Lords' and a bounty shall be upon our heads in short order. Expect mercenaries, bounty hunters and any local guard to come after us. With luck, we shall be well away before that can happen. Honestly, I am not happy with stopping here for the night but.. I suspect by the time we reach Talryr the gates will be closed and sneaking in under cover of darkness will be more dangerous than entering at first light. I expect that should the Lords' be on the lookout for us, they will expect that."
Changing the subject abruptly, Isokla asked with surprising gentleness as she saw him take out the locket, "Your mother?” She paused, "Or could it be… a sister?”
Continuing her observation of him, the young woman sat back on her hunches, seating herself on a nearby fallen log and brushed several strands of silvery hair from her eyes. Moderating her voice, she spoke in low tones, "Just how old are you anyway, Ydalon? You don’t look my senior – yet despite being youthful enough to be my younger brother, you speak with an authority and act with a direction that belies your age. When you speak, the others listen. Where you tread, the others follow. When you command, they obey.” The girl had not taken her dazzling blue eyes off him, but finally lowered them, "They respect and adhere to you. You seem to have a natural gift for leadership that few possess. Forgive me if I seem overbearing, but… how are you holding up? None of this can be easy. Whatever drives you can be no simple matter of merely overthrowing the Lords’ on a sheer whim alone.” Isokla paused and pleaded softly, "Tell me?”
Meeting his eye again, she finished, "Let me help, if I can. If you have a burden, I am willing to listen if you are ready to share. After all,” she added with a light smile, "we cannot have our gallant leader overcome with woes.”
~~~
Meanwhile, over the other bank of the river...
The mysterious figure skulked, collecting bullrushes and the occasional reed. Those fishing would see a figure hooded and cowlled occasionally bob up and down as it moved around.
[ 03-04-2006, 10:24 AM: Message edited by: Calaethis Dragonsbane ]
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