Jigano did not miss the creeping chill in Neron's gaze and posture, and inwardly he winced to himself. Stating his question forthrightly had been a gamble, but it was one he didn't regret. Somehow he doubted this Warden would have been any happier if the bard had wasted time pussy-footing around the question before trying to approach it obliquely. What was done was done now, though, and he had to live with the consequences of his words.
"Halo doesn't seem the kind of land to encourage second chances," the bard agreed soberly. "And if I come up empty-handed or worse, I know I've only myself to blame for being too curious. Still, any direction you might be able to give based on legends or myths would be welcome." He finished setting out the fruit and paused his words as he seated himself gingerly, aware that he was on thin ice with the leader of Halo and might be asked to leave at any moment. Still, he tilted his head thoughtfully at the other man, blue eyes appraising. Perhaps Neron really didn't know about Halo's mage glass? The man was supposedly an Outlander like Loren and Remi, and mage glass was clearly a rare commodity, or at least a carefully protected one. With reason, from what Jigano could tell; it could make for a fearsome weapon if Loren's rumors and the children's book he'd read were based in truth. Not the sort of thing Halovians would share or part with easily.
"But since I have a moment of your time, I would also ask what information my guild might be able to trade with you and your people, if you have any interest in the Hollowed Grounds or Greatwood that we might help you with in exchange for learning more about how better to survive our visits to your own land?"
"Halo doesn't seem the kind of land to encourage second chances," the bard agreed soberly. "And if I come up empty-handed or worse, I know I've only myself to blame for being too curious. Still, any direction you might be able to give based on legends or myths would be welcome." He finished setting out the fruit and paused his words as he seated himself gingerly, aware that he was on thin ice with the leader of Halo and might be asked to leave at any moment. Still, he tilted his head thoughtfully at the other man, blue eyes appraising. Perhaps Neron really didn't know about Halo's mage glass? The man was supposedly an Outlander like Loren and Remi, and mage glass was clearly a rare commodity, or at least a carefully protected one. With reason, from what Jigano could tell; it could make for a fearsome weapon if Loren's rumors and the children's book he'd read were based in truth. Not the sort of thing Halovians would share or part with easily.
"But since I have a moment of your time, I would also ask what information my guild might be able to trade with you and your people, if you have any interest in the Hollowed Grounds or Greatwood that we might help you with in exchange for learning more about how better to survive our visits to your own land?"
