“…Well obviously, I know that!” Liaena snapped back at Rithrynn. Thea folded her arms together behind her desk, but did not comment.
“You don’t need to teach me about subtly, Rithrynn. You’re the one who’s lacking in that department”
A finger was stabbed in Bella’s direction, who was looking increasingly pale at the topic of conversation. Points scored, Liaena snatched her ‘battle plan’ back to poke at it viciously.
“The Red Vanguard draws the guard away from the waterfront, like Fran said. Empty buildings are good” Liaena nodded at Fran, with a brief smile indicating her approval of at least his input. “Although it doesn’t really matter how you do it. I guess you guys know best”
“I can go into the fort before you guys…using Hester” Liaena added that last part slightly unwillingly, shooting a glower at Rithrynn should she interpose any commentary about ever willingly shrinking herself. “Once I’m in there, I can easily cause enough trouble to have half the battalion looking the other way while you lot” she nodded at Rithrynn “get in whatever way Serphia feels like and go and get Kitty – Kathlin, and the Vanguards man. You think I can’t do that?”
“The keep will be warded”
“Hester….my owl. She can get past those” Liaena said by way of explanation, looking over to Thea with a shrug. “I don’t know how. It’s been tested”
“Figures you couldn’t keep that vile parrot out of anywhere…”
“So you will be splitting into two groups, then?” Thea pronounced quietly as she leaned back in her chair. “If there is a cultist element within this fort, that would leave you vulnerable, Rune.”
“Cultists?”
Bella said weakly. Thea ignored her, eyes remaining on Liaena. “…Although I cannot believe that every man within that organisation has sold himself to darker powers”
“I’d hope not” Liaena said quietly, before switching a lighter tone as she smiled at Thea. “I’ll be fine”
“Hmm.”
Thea stared at the dark haired girl for a long time, before glancing over to check the clock on the shelf. The days were short at this time in the year, and although the weak afternoon light still lit the sky, it would not be there for much longer. “I have kept you long enough, apprentice and I have my own responsibilities to take care of. Be about your duties….and it was a pleasure to speak with you two. I hope you enjoyed your visit”
The priestess stated as she rose from her chair to nod to all of them politely. Recognising the obvious dismissal, Liaena climbed to her feet as she stared at Thea on tenterhooks. “Yes priestess. And what we talked about earlier…with assistance?”
“Yes, well.” Thea stated blandly as she set about tidying her desk around Rithrynn’s bum. “I understand that our leadership in their wisdom saw fit to provide Sharon Dal’dieb with protection against alleged threats to his life. As Father Marshall has seen fit to recall himself, it would be my duty to ensure that our protection is continued, nothing more”
“Ye…yeeess Priestess. Thank you Priestess” Liaena breathed as she backed away towards the door, pulling Rithrynn with her before she could say anything stupid. “And…uh, what sort of assistance will it be… exactly?”
“I will make enquiries. I am aware of your schedule” Thea gifted the girl with a sharp look and Liaena bit her tongue to avoid quizzing her further. Bella had also got up to make for the door until a word from Thea stopped her in her tracks. “Not you, Silva. I would like to have a word”
“You don’t need to teach me about subtly, Rithrynn. You’re the one who’s lacking in that department”
A finger was stabbed in Bella’s direction, who was looking increasingly pale at the topic of conversation. Points scored, Liaena snatched her ‘battle plan’ back to poke at it viciously.
“The Red Vanguard draws the guard away from the waterfront, like Fran said. Empty buildings are good” Liaena nodded at Fran, with a brief smile indicating her approval of at least his input. “Although it doesn’t really matter how you do it. I guess you guys know best”
“I can go into the fort before you guys…using Hester” Liaena added that last part slightly unwillingly, shooting a glower at Rithrynn should she interpose any commentary about ever willingly shrinking herself. “Once I’m in there, I can easily cause enough trouble to have half the battalion looking the other way while you lot” she nodded at Rithrynn “get in whatever way Serphia feels like and go and get Kitty – Kathlin, and the Vanguards man. You think I can’t do that?”
“The keep will be warded”
“Hester….my owl. She can get past those” Liaena said by way of explanation, looking over to Thea with a shrug. “I don’t know how. It’s been tested”
“Figures you couldn’t keep that vile parrot out of anywhere…”
“So you will be splitting into two groups, then?” Thea pronounced quietly as she leaned back in her chair. “If there is a cultist element within this fort, that would leave you vulnerable, Rune.”
“Cultists?”
Bella said weakly. Thea ignored her, eyes remaining on Liaena. “…Although I cannot believe that every man within that organisation has sold himself to darker powers”
“I’d hope not” Liaena said quietly, before switching a lighter tone as she smiled at Thea. “I’ll be fine”
“Hmm.”
Thea stared at the dark haired girl for a long time, before glancing over to check the clock on the shelf. The days were short at this time in the year, and although the weak afternoon light still lit the sky, it would not be there for much longer. “I have kept you long enough, apprentice and I have my own responsibilities to take care of. Be about your duties….and it was a pleasure to speak with you two. I hope you enjoyed your visit”
The priestess stated as she rose from her chair to nod to all of them politely. Recognising the obvious dismissal, Liaena climbed to her feet as she stared at Thea on tenterhooks. “Yes priestess. And what we talked about earlier…with assistance?”
“Yes, well.” Thea stated blandly as she set about tidying her desk around Rithrynn’s bum. “I understand that our leadership in their wisdom saw fit to provide Sharon Dal’dieb with protection against alleged threats to his life. As Father Marshall has seen fit to recall himself, it would be my duty to ensure that our protection is continued, nothing more”
“Ye…yeeess Priestess. Thank you Priestess” Liaena breathed as she backed away towards the door, pulling Rithrynn with her before she could say anything stupid. “And…uh, what sort of assistance will it be… exactly?”
“I will make enquiries. I am aware of your schedule” Thea gifted the girl with a sharp look and Liaena bit her tongue to avoid quizzing her further. Bella had also got up to make for the door until a word from Thea stopped her in her tracks. “Not you, Silva. I would like to have a word”