From what Jigano had heard, Sunjata had vied for the position of leader first, and only become Arbiter when his bid for power had failed. But the bard was hardly one to throw stones in that particular glass house, so he merely hummed a noncommittal assent through the bond. Not disbelieving what Sunjata claimed... but not sure that was all there was to it, either. Not with the Guild he ran, or at least so the bard assumed from the old information he had, long out of date.
Here's hoping they can hold to such pursuits, he rumbled, envious, perhaps, that they had such freedom from cares and woes while Grounders died. But glad, too, that Torchline would provide such a haven for those refugees coming here. He was glad that Melita would be staying somewhere safe, at least, though the other name... Nate? Which one? Or is he a Torchliner? He had known two Nates within the Grounds - or at least, known of one, and met the other but briefly. Sam's boyfriend, and a Healer who had once come to Vervain's roundtable. Perhaps it was simply a common name, though.
The request as he swam deeper, seeking to see what lay beneath this great, dark, gaping maw in the ocean, brought a suspicious bristle to a body that had no hackles. Maea's death had created a rift between them, one of his own making, and he was proud and vain enough that he was reluctant to let that pain go. But... what would Maea have wanted? His anger, old and softened about the edges as it had become, was nothing of what she would have asked of him.
I suppose that depends on what you like to read, he thought with an internal sigh, probing at the jewel in his mouth with a restless tongue. What are your usual preferences? Genres you like and don't like? Not the conversation he was expecting to have after nearly being eaten by a whale-killer, but it was a start.
Here's hoping they can hold to such pursuits, he rumbled, envious, perhaps, that they had such freedom from cares and woes while Grounders died. But glad, too, that Torchline would provide such a haven for those refugees coming here. He was glad that Melita would be staying somewhere safe, at least, though the other name... Nate? Which one? Or is he a Torchliner? He had known two Nates within the Grounds - or at least, known of one, and met the other but briefly. Sam's boyfriend, and a Healer who had once come to Vervain's roundtable. Perhaps it was simply a common name, though.
The request as he swam deeper, seeking to see what lay beneath this great, dark, gaping maw in the ocean, brought a suspicious bristle to a body that had no hackles. Maea's death had created a rift between them, one of his own making, and he was proud and vain enough that he was reluctant to let that pain go. But... what would Maea have wanted? His anger, old and softened about the edges as it had become, was nothing of what she would have asked of him.
I suppose that depends on what you like to read, he thought with an internal sigh, probing at the jewel in his mouth with a restless tongue. What are your usual preferences? Genres you like and don't like? Not the conversation he was expecting to have after nearly being eaten by a whale-killer, but it was a start.
