Narrator:
Jhereg sees Gallilei approaching. He hopes for a moment that he is just heading in this direction, not coming for something in particular. A moment later, his hopes are dashed upon the rocks as it becomes clear that Gallilei is heading directly for Jhereg.
Gallilei looks about, and sees Jhereg enmeshed in quite a mess. It comes as no surprise to Gallilei that the center of much of the disturbance is a series of dead dogs found about the camp.
Gallilei's entreaty is simple and direct.
Gallilei:
Jhereg, I've learned something which you will find to be of great importance, and even some immediate relevance.
When you have a moment, you and I need to take a walk.
Jhereg: [thinking]
A WALK? Can't he do this here?
[saying]
Breaking free for a walk may be a bit difficult.
Gallilei:
But necessary. We need to do this in full, open sunlight. I'm sorry to leave you in the dark like this, but explanations will have to wait until then.
Jhereg: [exasperated]
Fine. Five minutes.
Gallilei: [nods]
Narrator:
Some minutes later, Jhereg comes to Gallilei. Gallilei motions for them to walk. A nice quiet walk in the countryside. Uncommon indeed among the humans. Quite a common way to discuss things privately among the elves.
As they walk, Jhereg's impatience begins to show a bit as Gallilei begins with the usual opening trivialities. It is a normal conversation thing: first inquire about a person's day, and the weather, maybe their families. Always this simple prelude before getting down to business. During the opening chat, it becomes clear that Gallilei is not maneuvering Jhereg to a nice, quiet stand of trees as expected. Quite the contrary, Gallilei is making haste towards the largest, brightest, open field he can find. It takes nearly half an hour to get there, but they do eventually arrive.
Gallilei looks about, as if searching for something.
Gallilei: [distracted]
Good. Not a shadow in sight. This will do quite nicely.
[Jhereg squints at him with a look that says that this is perhaps the worst possible place Jhereg can think of right now, as the albino shades his face with both hands.]
[pause]
Now, while we have a moment, it is time to get down to business.
First, having reconsidered it, I believe I mishandled last night. I should not have made that request in front of the humans under your command.
[Implied: "The ones who don't know us and our ways."]
Rather, let me explain a bit.
[pause]
Forgive my abruptness in this discussion, I rather doubt that your charges will care to have you gone for very long.
[pause]
There are, among our people, some who would like very much to see you take this castle, and to serve as one of the contacts between our people and the humans. This is good for them, it is good for us, and it will be good for you and yours as it seems that significant trade is part of the deal. That's why I'm here. We are to lead a delegation to meet with the Counsel of Elders. There, I will serve as your liaison to negotiate having the curse lifted from the castle.
Now, this negotiation is not to be taken lightly. The people who placed that curse are powerful on a scale that even I am just beginning to grasp. To begin with, assaulting the castle before those negotiations are complete will be suicide for the men involved. There is no need to even attempt it.
Understand, while there are significant people who want to see this thing happen, there are also a contingent who will not like to have it occur. That's why I want you to choose a small contingent to travel with us. Just enough people to make an impression -- and just the right people to make very certain that it is a good one.
Jhereg, I don't mind telling you that I'm a little worried. The fellow I will be negotiating against is Wood.
Narrator:
The look of shock on Jhereg's face indicates the remark had the desired effect. Wood is legend. He's the oldest of the Old -- the joke about him predating his namesake, is only said with half a smile.
At least then some one will be doing it to Gallilei the way Gallilei has been doing the "elder" bit to him.
Gallilei:
Leaving things to chance on this -- especially something like trusting a band who even your own staff says are untrustworthy -- simply is not acceptable. We're both in over our heads here, and we need to be very, very careful.
I understand your need to appear to be "in charge" before the humans. I will strive to respect that in the future. On the other hand, please understand that at least for the first leg of this adventure, it is *my* responsibility to make certain this event occurs as it should. I will not, nay, I *cannot* allow anything to jeopardize that.
Do you understand?
Jhereg:
I know what all of the words mean.
Gallilei: [continuing]
To further complicate matters, there is the visit by the messenger from the Morkons last night. No, I don't mean the appearance in your tent, I mean the visitation I had later in the evening. He is a messenger. It is my suspicion that he was behind the death of your dogs this morning -- he had said "Come and talk quietly, and don't try to summon any of your Shadow Dogs."
His first message was very simple. He has a message for you, and means you no harm. I believe this because had he meant you harm, he would have returned and loosed that crossbow on you last night instead of on any of your dogs. We both to go out tonight after dark, step into a dark shadow, and summon him verbally. He will hear, appear, and give you the message.
Morkon involvement in all of this was unexpected. At least, by me anyway. The worse thing, though, is his method for the summons. Since the name he gave was a title, and not a true proper name, I can only assume that this means they are quite capable of hearing things said in the shadows. Since your staff meetings are typically held in poorly lit tents, by night, this represents a problem.
That's why we had to have this little talk at noon, in the best lit location I could find. I would suggest a similar precaution be taken for any meeting you are not ready to have broadcast. At least until we know the Morkon intentions are in all of this.
Jhereg:
Very well we will speak with him tonight after I finish dinner with Frederick of Tudor and Brandon of Harrogate. Now let us return to the camp as I have much to do.
[talking as they walk back to camp]
Would you like to accompany me to dinner tonight Elder? I would value your opinion of both Frederick and Brandon. I would like to know if you think they should be included in the delegation to the Elders.
Gallilei: [the same smile as when a toddler does something very right]
Thank you. I would like that.
Narrator:
The trip back is filled with the usual sort of small talk -- mostly Gallilei carrying on about his experience with Adrenaline.