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-LurkingWolf
_________
<i>March 6, 708CR</i>
With Lois in a cage and the threat of plague weighing heavily on his
mind, Alex passed his evening in a state of restless contemplation.In
the end, he rose well before dawn and waited beside an eastward facing
window to watch the sky brighten as the sun slowly painted the far
reaches of the sky.
As it turned out, he was not the only one to have trouble sleeping that
evening.His first inkling that another one of his companions was also
restless was a spicy tang his sensitive nose detected coming from behind
him.He turned slightly, and caught a glimpse of Lucy approaching,
carefully carrying a small, steaming pot with a cloth.She nodded to him,
setting the pot on a nearby table before drawing out a pair of cups as
though from midair.While her apparent age could not have been much
higher than ten years, the subtle confidence with which she executed
every daily task spoke of her hidden years.
"Ever drink tea?" she asked quietly.
He shook his head."It smells good, though," he admitted, turning back to
the window.
She silently poured a cup for each of them without further inquiry.The
lynx sniffed the proffered beverage experimentally.It combined a spicy
scent that he did not immediately recognize with a second, sweeter
flavor that complemented the first flawlessly.He took a sip of the
concoction, and nodded in approval.
"It is quite delicious," he stated."Thank you."
Lucy took a small sip from her own glass before responding."I had gotten
this for my father in the Keep before we left, but did not have the time
to leave it with him before we left.With the quarantine and Lois'
situation, I expect that it will be disappointingly stale by the time I
return, so I decided to use it now.My father also drinks it to relax,
and I think that is a use we can both appreciate at the moment."
Alex sighed with resignation."Have you taken a look at Lois yet?"
"Yes," she responded."It was only a brief look last night; I wasn't
certain where to start, and I needed some rest.I think I'll finish my
drink and take another look at the earliest possible convenience."
Alex nodded his understanding."Where is Julian?" he asked.
She tilted her head and nodded towards one of the barracks
walls."Sleeping in the next room," she replied."Based on my experience,
we do not have to worry overly much about waking him.He has an
unprecedented skill when it comes to sleeping through any situation."
"Do you think he might have any useful input into the question of
reversing the spell on Lois?"
Lucy shrugged."It is possible.He spent quite a bit of time in Nasoj's
base of operations.He might be familiar with spells I do not recognize.I
am likely the more experienced party when it comes to enchantments,
however, so I will perform the initial examination."She sipped her tea
once more before turning to look at him."Do you have family in the Keep?"
He shook his head."I don't have any family remaining in the North.Much
of my family moved south after Nasoj's last attack prior to the Three
Gates, and my father lost his own life during that battle.As far as I
know, my family in the South is still alive and well, but communications
have been difficult to maintain since the Curse.Attempting to visit is a
near impossibility for the same reason.I worry for those within the
walls; plague is perhaps the worst way I know of to die.Gerard and his
family do concern me, but I still do not have as personal a concern as
some others."
Lucy nodded."My father should still be outside of the walls, and I know
he can care for myself.I do not worry overmuch for him, but I am
concerned about what this could mean for Metamor.Trade relations are
difficult as it is, and there are bound to be many merchants trapped
within the Keep during the quarantine.Things may become much more
difficult, very quickly."
Alex sighed before quietly taking another sip of the warm drink.It truly
was relaxing, he decided.He would have to find some of this tea for
himself once the walls had reopened.
The two continued to drink their tea together, but conversation stalled
until well after they had finished their drinks.By that time, the edge
of the sun's disk was visible over the horizon, and they both realized
that they had a task to tend to.Lucy collected her teapot and the cups,
and left to stow them with her belongings before they began their work.
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