One open space that is being filled in is where Karen has joined with Caspian and The Caplan's and is leading them to where they can rescue the kidnapped daughter and son of the Caplan's.
I had not realized how upsetting Karen would be initially to Caspian. She actually finds his upset to be a bit cute, despite herself. As well, as they are two singles traveling with a married couple, the couple is taking some mild delight is forcing the two singles to interact. Karen takes it in stride as her background and social and professional situations have left her better socially adjusted than Caspian, who has been a bachelor traveler and farmer for the previous time in his background.
--
Caspian sat on a log putting his thoughts and reagents together. Karen had waited in good humor, while helping Rox put up the Caplan’s tent. Steven had prepared their dinner. Cyrril was on the ground, helping Caspian set up a magic circle. This had a triangle circumscribed by a circle circumscribed by an octagon. Finally he was ready. Caspian turned to where the ladies waited. Karen stepped over, careful not to step on the drawn lines, and sat in the circle.
Rox paid attention as first Caspian cleared and neutralized the mana in the area, then he set up a ward against outside interference, a ward against inside interference, and then a requirement that only what Karen believed true could be spoken, and bound the output of this to a pair of stones he held. Caspian finished, and then turned his attention from his casting to Karen.
“This setup does not constrain you in any way. It will only respond if what you say is not true. Tell me as much of your name, as you are willing to tell us.” Caspian started simple.
“Lady Dannakarena Konsalva Olegsdottor.” Karen composed her face to neutral.
“Tell me something that is untrue.” Caspian held up is pair of pebbles.
“I am a man.”
The pebbles vibrated against each other then stopped.
Caspian and Karen both nodded.
“Give me an example of a subject that should I ask about it, you would react violently.”
“My sister.” Karen snapped this out, without having to consider it.
“Care to say why?” Caspian was slightly curious.
“No. I don’t.” Karen’s face had hardened slightly.
The pebbles did not vibrate.
“To business. Will you tell us now who has commissioned you?”
Karen did not have to consider this. “No I will not.”
“Why?”
“Guild policy.” Karen answered. The pebbles were still.
“Will you please tell us why you are helping us?” Rox overran Caspian and cut to the chase.
Karen looked up, then back to Caspian. “Because I choose to. There are issues involved that you are not aware; some you cannot be aware of, some I choose not to tell you about. Suffice to say I have my reasons and they are my own.”
They waited for her to continue. Karen being a bit taciturn, held her silence.
Caspian got to his first issue. “Are any of us in danger in your presence, and whom?”
Karen countered. “Define ‘Danger.’”
The pebbles did not move.
“Do you intend to kill any of us.?” Caspian clarified.
“If need be. I haven’t fully decided.” Karen answered. She was a bit surprised at herself as she said this.
The pebbles vibrated a little, but not so strong as earlier.
Caspian said what was really troubling him. “You have already admitted that I am a target. Do you intend to kill me?”
“If I need to. There is more going on than you are aware of.” Karen had pulled herself back to neutral, squelching her own surprise at her previous answer.
Steven grabbed the pieces of information floating around and put them together. “Will you tell us your time table? What order events are supposed to happen in?”
Karen looked over at him, and paused, then back at Caspian, thinking. That she did not get up actually was comforting to all but her.
Karen took a breath. “First, I need to get you to the caves, and send you in after your kids. Then after you return with them, things happen.”
Steven kept up the asking, wondering if the others had picked up on this. “Involving the monarchs of this land, and Diana and Alex interacting with them?”
Karen felt trapped. Her guild training told her not to even be doing this, talking about her assignment. Her professionalism was impressed that the Caplan’s were capable people. She felt she should be slightly resentful of Caspian for doing this truth of consequences test, but was instead a bit put off of herself due to what she realized was some attraction to him.
“I cannot say.” The pebbles vibrated loudly.
“That is to say I will not at this time if at all.” The pebbles quieted down.
“I need you to trust me, and not worry about why until later. I cannot say exactly when. Part of the plan is your death, but the details have been left to my discretion. Things need to happen, and we all have our parts to play. I will not say more.” Karen focused into her professionalism to keep from saying more.
Rox asked the next question. “Will you be going with us into the caves to the villages?”
Karen answered this a bit too quick. “No. I will not. I don’t like caves.”
The pebbles were still.
Caspian let her down on this. “Care to say why?”
Karen non-verbally responded negatively. Rox picked it up, remembering from the night in city, just after their swim.
“You didn’t like the sewers after the river. I can only guess that you are claustrophobic. Fine. Is there more information that you have, that you need to tell us right now?”
Karen looked at Rox, and dissected the question. Then answered with a bit of relief. “No. not right now.”
Rox looked at Caspian. “Are you satisfied? It appears to be as Steven said at the Bloody Daggers. There is more going on that we are lesser players in. We play our roll, and learn what we can along the way. And wait for things to happen. Kind of like how you were with Steven versus the elves before getting me. Judging by Karen’s reactions and behavior here, I think she is breaking some of her own rules by telling us anything. But I gather being a trail guide is not a usual task for an assassin.”
Caspian dropped the stones, picked up his staff, and planted the point in front of Karen, than drug is across the three symbols diffusing the spells. “I’m satisfied for now. I know of the sense of death that you mention some magic users having. It is not as common as you appear to think. But I do not sense my death in the close future.”
Karen stood up, and dusted her seat off. “Well, tomorrow we cross the Ring Road. We head south along it to the east highway to the caves entrance. With any luck we should not encounter any traffic. But there is always traffic, so don’t be upset if we see any.”
This is going to be a sticking point and obstacle in the relationship between Caspian and Karen. How it gets resolved, I do not yet know. Caspian is worried about the bigger picture and it trying to kill him. A few pages/days earlier, Karen had plainly told Caspian she had been contacted to kill him. He has been of a dark and negative mood almost since meeting Karen.
For Karen's part, she is developing as light hearted and professional, and slightly sadistic, in demeanor as she shows up being later. That her moods can change on a dime is part of her character. For instance at this point she is still grieving for her sister, who died about eight months of character time earlier. But unless that grief is actually touched, it is naturally healing. Touch it, and she will snap at you.
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