Post by Tallaith on Feb 1, 2009 13:22:32 GMT -5
Maewynne is sitting in the dark in her study in the Kin house. The fireplace is cold and the room is chilled. Madzir lights a fire.
Madzir says, 'There now, that will help warm this place a bit. Now, fair one, what is it that has upset ye so?'
Maewynne says, 'Sir, don't be angry with me. I earned Ciaphias' hatred for this and he's right for it, I'm afraid.'
Madzir says, 'I know Cia and I canna believe he could hate ye.'
Maewynne says, 'Not so long ago, Coltsfoot nearly died. The first time you met her she was hiding from one who greatly harmed her in Brockenborings. And aye, he hates me. He told me all Men were corrupt at heart. Even me. For not telling him the truth.'
Madzir nods and begins to smoke, keenly intent on Mae's tale.
Maewynne says, 'She was poisoned, you see. And the only way for the antidote was to be bait for her husband. He had a bounty on him.'
Madzir's eyes remain narrowed, but says nothing.
Maewynne says, 'She... nearly died. And she's still terrified of folks in hooded cloaks.'
Madzir nods.
Maewynne says, 'She even has bruises.... on her wrists... where she fought to get away from the Man. She fought hard, I'd say....' She takes a breath to steady herself, closing her eyes as she goes on.
Madzir says, 'Aye, I saw them.'
Maewynne says, 'She doesn't know who did this. But I do. She'll seek him always and it's not safe for her. I wondered if I should tell Ciaphias... And I did. Today. He loathes me like none I've ever seen for it.'
Madzir says, 'Ye knows this man? Why does he loathe ye for tellin' him who he is?'
Maewynne says, 'It was a Man I know, aye. His actions made Ciaphias and Coltsfoot safe in the end though they were unwise. And the Man who tortured... Coltsfoot... is in his employ.'
Madzir's eyes darken. "Is this so?"
Maewynne says, 'Ciaphias met the Man today. And says I'm not a true friend for telling him. Though I cannot keep the truth to myself.' She nods hesitantly. "The Man who hired him told him to use the fastest means to get Coltsfoot her freedom. But they were... She almost died. And she's never going to be the same again."
Madzir nods.
Maewynne says, 'I... can't tell Coltsfoot myself. She was... hurt badly by the Man. And I've betrayed her once before by being a foolish lass. I don't know if I can betray her again."'
Madzir begins to pace the room, listening to what Mae tells him.
Maewynne drops her eyes to her lap and peeks at Madzir from beneath her lashes. "Many of my Kinsmen have sworn for revenge on this Man for hurting Coltsfoot. I don't know what to do."
Madzir walks over to the fire and stares into the coals.
Maewynne speaks almost in a whisper. "Should Coltsfoot know? This Man is one of her friends. She'll even call him such."
Madzir mutters, "So ye told Cia that ye knew who did this to me sister, and now he's gone, and you say he hates ye. And ye also says ye don't want Colts to know ye knew who the man's employer is?"
Maewynne shrugs. "Colts should know? I'm not sure. Though... The thing I'm most unsure of is if this Man is to be trusted. He gave me wine this evening and I wasn't sure if it was poisoned!"
Madzir turns his head around from the flames. "Ye were drinking this eve with the employer of a man that tortured me sister?" His eyes begin to blaze with a smouldering fury.
Maewynne meets Madzir's eyes and nods. "I felt he needed to be thanked and he offered me wine. But the one who did... that... is in his employ." She winces. "I'm already the least favorite person out of Coltsfoot's friends. I understand your anger."
Madzir says, 'What kind of .... friend... are ye to do this!' He begins to walk slowly towards Mae, his eyes burning into hers, his body quivering with anger.
Maewynne nods mutely. She looks ashamed to her very core and whispers, "I'm not perfect. Nor is my judgement. I'm just a lass."
Madzir reaches for his sword, finds it missing at his side.
Maewynne looks to Madzir, her eyes wide. She doesn't move.
Madzir is angry at Maewynne. His face contorts with great effort to control himself. 'Ye actually expect me to believe that this person that hired this... this... thug to torture me sister is a decent man?'
Maewynne watches Madzir's every move and prepares herself for the strike. She shakes her head slowly. 'I don't know. Obviously my judgement is flawed.'
Madzir says, 'Who is the one that tortured me sister?'
Maewynne says, 'But... Coltsfoot should know and I cannot bring myself to tell her! Ciaphias has abandoned her because he's angry with me... And she thinks of this Man as her friend. The first one I've ever heard her call such.' She hesitates only for a moment before she begins weeping again, looking Madzir in the eye. "His name is Cavanaugh. The one who hurt OUR sister is in his hire.'
Madzir suddenly reaches forward and seizes Maewynne by her shoulders, gripping them tightly and painfully. 'Your sister? YOUR SISTER?'
Maewynne gasps softly but doesn't pull back.
Madzir says, 'What kind of sister is it ye are, that allows this to come about?'
Maewynne says, 'Aye. My sister too. I did this for her. I've only known for a few days.. And thought it would ruin her to know! She trusts no one and I was proud she made someone a friend!'
Madzir throws Mae back into her chair in disgust.
Maewynne says, 'I didn't know any harm would come to her! She met Cavanaugh long before I did!'
Madzir says, 'I am her only kin! Not you!'
Maewynne hides her face in her hands. "I'm just a lass. I make mistakes, contrary to belief."
Madzir breathes heavily, trying mightily to regain control of himself.
Maewynne says, 'That I know well. I was just there when she was in swaddling. Learning to talk. Trying on her first dress. Holding her blade for the first time. But I'm not her blood.'
Madzir slowly steps back, his hateful eyes burning into Mae. Madzir points at Maewynne.
Maewynne stares at her lap, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I don't know how to right this. Coltsfoot is in Bree if you wish to seek her."
Madzir says, 'It is lucky for the both of us, I took off me weapons just a while ago.'
Maewynne looks up to Madzir. "I'd welcome your revenge, sir. This is the worst mistake I've ever made. I'm worthless for it."
Madzir says, 'I've ne'er before spilled the blood of an unarmed woman... but you...'
Maewynne closes her eyes. "I've never been hated. None have been angry with me. I've always been a good judge. Until now."
Madzir turns back to the fireplace, still breathing heavily.
Maewynne picks up her sheath of parchment and turns her attention to it, her hands trembling so much the words blur. 'Go. Coltsfoot is in Bree. Use your judgement, sir. See if she needs to know who her foe was. And if she deserves to know where her husband went when he abandoned her *this* time. My decisions are tainted. I will not choose this time.'
Madzir stares long into the flames before speaking again. "Where is this... Cavanaugh?"
Maewynne whispers, "In the Prancing Pony or the Hunting Lodge, likely. Hate me if you will.. But I'm just a lass."
Madzir turns swiftly at that. 'Just a lass. Just a lass, are ye?'
Maewynne looks up, arching an eyebrow. 'Aye. That's all. I tell everyone I meet.'
Madzir says, 'And do ye think that is any excuse for any damage or hurt that ye causes?'
Maewynne says, 'I meant only to save those I love from harm.'
Madzir says, 'Ye are just a lass, tis true. And I thought ye were something better.'
Maewynne says, 'But... I'm young. I haven't seen much of the world. And only know that much.'
Madzir glares at Maewynne one last time before leaving the room.
Maewynne says, 'No. I'm only what I appear to be. Though many dispute that.' She sniffs again as she turns back to her paperwork, letting the pages slip to the floor.
Madzir begins to put on his armor and weapons.
Maewynne looks up, wincing.
Madzir looks at Mae one last time. 'Good...bye, 'lass'. Good bye.'
Maewynne nods. "Travel well."
Madzir says, 'There now, that will help warm this place a bit. Now, fair one, what is it that has upset ye so?'
Maewynne says, 'Sir, don't be angry with me. I earned Ciaphias' hatred for this and he's right for it, I'm afraid.'
Madzir says, 'I know Cia and I canna believe he could hate ye.'
Maewynne says, 'Not so long ago, Coltsfoot nearly died. The first time you met her she was hiding from one who greatly harmed her in Brockenborings. And aye, he hates me. He told me all Men were corrupt at heart. Even me. For not telling him the truth.'
Madzir nods and begins to smoke, keenly intent on Mae's tale.
Maewynne says, 'She was poisoned, you see. And the only way for the antidote was to be bait for her husband. He had a bounty on him.'
Madzir's eyes remain narrowed, but says nothing.
Maewynne says, 'She... nearly died. And she's still terrified of folks in hooded cloaks.'
Madzir nods.
Maewynne says, 'She even has bruises.... on her wrists... where she fought to get away from the Man. She fought hard, I'd say....' She takes a breath to steady herself, closing her eyes as she goes on.
Madzir says, 'Aye, I saw them.'
Maewynne says, 'She doesn't know who did this. But I do. She'll seek him always and it's not safe for her. I wondered if I should tell Ciaphias... And I did. Today. He loathes me like none I've ever seen for it.'
Madzir says, 'Ye knows this man? Why does he loathe ye for tellin' him who he is?'
Maewynne says, 'It was a Man I know, aye. His actions made Ciaphias and Coltsfoot safe in the end though they were unwise. And the Man who tortured... Coltsfoot... is in his employ.'
Madzir's eyes darken. "Is this so?"
Maewynne says, 'Ciaphias met the Man today. And says I'm not a true friend for telling him. Though I cannot keep the truth to myself.' She nods hesitantly. "The Man who hired him told him to use the fastest means to get Coltsfoot her freedom. But they were... She almost died. And she's never going to be the same again."
Madzir nods.
Maewynne says, 'I... can't tell Coltsfoot myself. She was... hurt badly by the Man. And I've betrayed her once before by being a foolish lass. I don't know if I can betray her again."'
Madzir begins to pace the room, listening to what Mae tells him.
Maewynne drops her eyes to her lap and peeks at Madzir from beneath her lashes. "Many of my Kinsmen have sworn for revenge on this Man for hurting Coltsfoot. I don't know what to do."
Madzir walks over to the fire and stares into the coals.
Maewynne speaks almost in a whisper. "Should Coltsfoot know? This Man is one of her friends. She'll even call him such."
Madzir mutters, "So ye told Cia that ye knew who did this to me sister, and now he's gone, and you say he hates ye. And ye also says ye don't want Colts to know ye knew who the man's employer is?"
Maewynne shrugs. "Colts should know? I'm not sure. Though... The thing I'm most unsure of is if this Man is to be trusted. He gave me wine this evening and I wasn't sure if it was poisoned!"
Madzir turns his head around from the flames. "Ye were drinking this eve with the employer of a man that tortured me sister?" His eyes begin to blaze with a smouldering fury.
Maewynne meets Madzir's eyes and nods. "I felt he needed to be thanked and he offered me wine. But the one who did... that... is in his employ." She winces. "I'm already the least favorite person out of Coltsfoot's friends. I understand your anger."
Madzir says, 'What kind of .... friend... are ye to do this!' He begins to walk slowly towards Mae, his eyes burning into hers, his body quivering with anger.
Maewynne nods mutely. She looks ashamed to her very core and whispers, "I'm not perfect. Nor is my judgement. I'm just a lass."
Madzir reaches for his sword, finds it missing at his side.
Maewynne looks to Madzir, her eyes wide. She doesn't move.
Madzir is angry at Maewynne. His face contorts with great effort to control himself. 'Ye actually expect me to believe that this person that hired this... this... thug to torture me sister is a decent man?'
Maewynne watches Madzir's every move and prepares herself for the strike. She shakes her head slowly. 'I don't know. Obviously my judgement is flawed.'
Madzir says, 'Who is the one that tortured me sister?'
Maewynne says, 'But... Coltsfoot should know and I cannot bring myself to tell her! Ciaphias has abandoned her because he's angry with me... And she thinks of this Man as her friend. The first one I've ever heard her call such.' She hesitates only for a moment before she begins weeping again, looking Madzir in the eye. "His name is Cavanaugh. The one who hurt OUR sister is in his hire.'
Madzir suddenly reaches forward and seizes Maewynne by her shoulders, gripping them tightly and painfully. 'Your sister? YOUR SISTER?'
Maewynne gasps softly but doesn't pull back.
Madzir says, 'What kind of sister is it ye are, that allows this to come about?'
Maewynne says, 'Aye. My sister too. I did this for her. I've only known for a few days.. And thought it would ruin her to know! She trusts no one and I was proud she made someone a friend!'
Madzir throws Mae back into her chair in disgust.
Maewynne says, 'I didn't know any harm would come to her! She met Cavanaugh long before I did!'
Madzir says, 'I am her only kin! Not you!'
Maewynne hides her face in her hands. "I'm just a lass. I make mistakes, contrary to belief."
Madzir breathes heavily, trying mightily to regain control of himself.
Maewynne says, 'That I know well. I was just there when she was in swaddling. Learning to talk. Trying on her first dress. Holding her blade for the first time. But I'm not her blood.'
Madzir slowly steps back, his hateful eyes burning into Mae. Madzir points at Maewynne.
Maewynne stares at her lap, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I don't know how to right this. Coltsfoot is in Bree if you wish to seek her."
Madzir says, 'It is lucky for the both of us, I took off me weapons just a while ago.'
Maewynne looks up to Madzir. "I'd welcome your revenge, sir. This is the worst mistake I've ever made. I'm worthless for it."
Madzir says, 'I've ne'er before spilled the blood of an unarmed woman... but you...'
Maewynne closes her eyes. "I've never been hated. None have been angry with me. I've always been a good judge. Until now."
Madzir turns back to the fireplace, still breathing heavily.
Maewynne picks up her sheath of parchment and turns her attention to it, her hands trembling so much the words blur. 'Go. Coltsfoot is in Bree. Use your judgement, sir. See if she needs to know who her foe was. And if she deserves to know where her husband went when he abandoned her *this* time. My decisions are tainted. I will not choose this time.'
Madzir stares long into the flames before speaking again. "Where is this... Cavanaugh?"
Maewynne whispers, "In the Prancing Pony or the Hunting Lodge, likely. Hate me if you will.. But I'm just a lass."
Madzir turns swiftly at that. 'Just a lass. Just a lass, are ye?'
Maewynne looks up, arching an eyebrow. 'Aye. That's all. I tell everyone I meet.'
Madzir says, 'And do ye think that is any excuse for any damage or hurt that ye causes?'
Maewynne says, 'I meant only to save those I love from harm.'
Madzir says, 'Ye are just a lass, tis true. And I thought ye were something better.'
Maewynne says, 'But... I'm young. I haven't seen much of the world. And only know that much.'
Madzir glares at Maewynne one last time before leaving the room.
Maewynne says, 'No. I'm only what I appear to be. Though many dispute that.' She sniffs again as she turns back to her paperwork, letting the pages slip to the floor.
Madzir begins to put on his armor and weapons.
Maewynne looks up, wincing.
Madzir looks at Mae one last time. 'Good...bye, 'lass'. Good bye.'
Maewynne nods. "Travel well."