It was truly nice to sit with a friend without work or crisis hanging over their heads, even if only for a few minutes. To drink tea and bask in being alive and whole and in good company, lit by a cheerful fire and out of the weather, whatever it might be outside. The bard had rarely had a chance to enjoy such peaceful moments since coming to Caido, or in the seven years preceding his arrival, and he cherished this one for as long as it would last.
Which wasn't nearly long enough, as it turned out. There was always another threat, another dire mystery that needed to be solved, another emergency looming on the horizon. Arduinna's unexpectedly wicked reputation was something he had not seen coming, but should have done more to mitigate, another failure in his role as Guildmaster that had led two more of his colleagues and friends into danger. His sober expression over his teacup softened at the nobility of Sam's decision, but he gave a small shake of his head in negation. "It is a brave thing to offer, my friend, and honorable, but as Provost this falls on my shoulders and is my responsibility for calling on you and Killian. Please, if she does find you before she comes to me, tell her that I will be the one to pay any debts accrued on that journey by members of the Loreseeker's Guild. That is the price of leadership, and one I decided I was willing to pay when I formed our Guild." And he did not like to think of what Arduinna might ask his shy, gentle friend to do for her, if she discovered his abilities.
In an attempt to return their conversation to a brighter note he brought up the bookmaker's upcoming projects, and happily accepted the papers that his friend had been illuminating, making murmured sounds of appreciation and admiration of the work that had gone into them. "These are beautiful! The details are exquisite. These blue flowers are particularly lovely," he added, gently shuffling the pages to prevent them from becoming scratched or smeared as he looked over the artwork. "I should request blue flowers and crescent moons for my page in the Guild Chronicle," he added with a twinkle in his eyes as he looked to his friend. "And what designs will you choose for yourself?"
The question aimed at him earned a wry smile as he handed the pages back with care. "There are answers to find and lore to seek even if our ability to deal with the Fae is currently limited. If they do not wish us to go through the Woods, then we should turn our attention to the coast to the east, and perhaps see if sailing is a skill we can learn. Much of the Underground is still unmapped and waiting exploration as well. Vervain has spoken of wanting to join our Guild, and I need to meet with her about that, and Killian and I discovered another section underneath the main floor of the Atheneum that I've been meaning to gather the Guild together to investigate," the Provost explained wryly. "Where I'm going to find the time to do it all in addition to more personal matters I don't know... I suppose I'll have to set priorities and see when everyone's schedules allow for things." He arched a brow atSamuel , smile lingering as he glanced to the companions playing happily with a poor little beetle that had trundled out from beneath the spiral stairs at the wrong moment. "What of you? In between your book work, does any of that sound like something you'd be interested in joining in? Or do you have any ideas for activities the guild might undertake in the next season or two?"
Which wasn't nearly long enough, as it turned out. There was always another threat, another dire mystery that needed to be solved, another emergency looming on the horizon. Arduinna's unexpectedly wicked reputation was something he had not seen coming, but should have done more to mitigate, another failure in his role as Guildmaster that had led two more of his colleagues and friends into danger. His sober expression over his teacup softened at the nobility of Sam's decision, but he gave a small shake of his head in negation. "It is a brave thing to offer, my friend, and honorable, but as Provost this falls on my shoulders and is my responsibility for calling on you and Killian. Please, if she does find you before she comes to me, tell her that I will be the one to pay any debts accrued on that journey by members of the Loreseeker's Guild. That is the price of leadership, and one I decided I was willing to pay when I formed our Guild." And he did not like to think of what Arduinna might ask his shy, gentle friend to do for her, if she discovered his abilities.
In an attempt to return their conversation to a brighter note he brought up the bookmaker's upcoming projects, and happily accepted the papers that his friend had been illuminating, making murmured sounds of appreciation and admiration of the work that had gone into them. "These are beautiful! The details are exquisite. These blue flowers are particularly lovely," he added, gently shuffling the pages to prevent them from becoming scratched or smeared as he looked over the artwork. "I should request blue flowers and crescent moons for my page in the Guild Chronicle," he added with a twinkle in his eyes as he looked to his friend. "And what designs will you choose for yourself?"
The question aimed at him earned a wry smile as he handed the pages back with care. "There are answers to find and lore to seek even if our ability to deal with the Fae is currently limited. If they do not wish us to go through the Woods, then we should turn our attention to the coast to the east, and perhaps see if sailing is a skill we can learn. Much of the Underground is still unmapped and waiting exploration as well. Vervain has spoken of wanting to join our Guild, and I need to meet with her about that, and Killian and I discovered another section underneath the main floor of the Atheneum that I've been meaning to gather the Guild together to investigate," the Provost explained wryly. "Where I'm going to find the time to do it all in addition to more personal matters I don't know... I suppose I'll have to set priorities and see when everyone's schedules allow for things." He arched a brow at
