Previous Maia and Brennen file.

Narrator:
Oddly enough, their journey might not be as long as planned. There has been a sharp rise in the number of ships coming out of Devnshire and heading west. Two on successive days, the first of which they still talk about. A third is loading now with space available.

Neil:
I don't care what we use to get you two there, there is enough time in the setup for either way to work.

Narrator:
The trip is uneventful. It has become obvious that people aren't talking about the internal politics of Devonshire openly. Things are changing, that much is certain.

Heather:
Talk about? Why? If they are talking, we're listening. Brennan may even ask some leading questions if necessary. Maia will just listen.

Brennan:
#include leading_questions:

Narrator:
On the ship, Brennan had notices that Maia keeps to herself and doesn't talk to anyone but the horses, his dogs, and him. A day out from shore, when the ship really begins pitching, she doesn't even communicate with that select group anymore. Brennan figures it's because she is unhappy so far from land (and sick), and that she'll be back to her feisty self when they reach shore. She is almost as bad a patient as she is a sailor, so after Brennan has had his ministrations spurned for the third time, he decides to stay on deck as much as possible.

Brennan himself, on the other hand, seems to be enjoying himself. He appears to welcome the chance to put his muscles to work again. Although he's not an accomplished sailor, he's been at sea more than once and knows his way around. He also appreciates the opportunity to swim in the ocean whenever the ship is travelling slowly enough to keep up with. Even at times when others fear that he's going to be left behind, he seems to have no problem. When this becomes the subject of some friendly joking among the crew, Brennan appears to enjoy the humor, but his "EVAs" stop abruptly.

Brennan's dogs are another matter altogether. Although only four decided to come along, their shipboard time has been as miserable as Maia's, if not worse. There's no where to run, they can't swim fast enough to be allowed overboard, and when they do feel strong enough to nose around, they end up underfoot and in inappropriate places. Only Brennan's relationship to some of the crew members kept Zeke from being unceremoniously pitched overboard during one particularly bad incident in the galley.

It has become obvious that people aren't talking about the internal politics of Devonshire openly. Things are changing, that much is certain.

Other than a few early winter storms, a lot of sick and complaining passengers, and a very grouchy Maia, the trip is uneventful. Brennan finds that sure enough, once they disembark and pass through the port town, Maia is back to ordering him around, arguing with him, and singing songs to the animals.

The dogs disappear the instant landfall is made and aren't seen at all for days afterward. Fortunately they do start showing up periodically again, appearing none the worse for wear. It is clear, however, that they will not make the return trip.

It doesn't take long to get into the hinterlands of McMannon. All around are signs of a duchy that has seen hard times - times that ended with a short civil war. People are preparing for the coming winter with a prayer that it will be short and followed by a good growing season.

When opportunities present themselves to talk with locals and learn about what's been happening, Brennan takes full advantage. He is also careful to see that those of the ones he talks to who are deserving are discretely rewarded. Maia is uncharacteristically quiet when he is talking to the locals, but appears quite interested in the answers.

Brennan is very aware that the moon has been growing each evening. With some trepidation, he wonders what will happen *this* month. He cannot bring himself to relenquish control as he did the last time, but he decides that learning is important enough to warrant at least limited risk. If Maia insists, he'll compromise with a much smaller portion of her brew.

At last it is full. When they choose a camp site for the night, Maia is insistent that they find one near running water *and* trees *and* a view of the horizon. As a result, it is getting quite dark when they finally stop. She rushes to set up camp, has a very quick bath in the icy water, and (unusual for Maia) skimps on dinner. Then she dresses in her white robe and silver girdle again, spreads a blanket on the ground and sits facing the horizon where the moon will appear.

Maia:
Come on and sit down, if you're coming.

Narrator:
Brennan places his belt, knives, and other non-silver metal items by his pack and tells Zeke to guard them. He sits down cross-legged next to Maia, who has begun to pour the liquid from the stone jug to the carved cup.

Maia:
Do you want to have some this time?

Brennan:
No. Thanks. But I will be happy to sit with you.

Narrator:
Maia nods, and tosses down her drink. It is very chilly; Maia, in a thin woolen robe and bare feet, is soon shivering. She doesn't pay any attention to it, but when her teeth begin to chatter, Brenna tentatively puts his cloaked arm around her shoulders. He is mildly surprised when she glances up at him and smiles for a moment, rather than pushing it away. She turns back to the horizon to watch, and the moon begins to rise.

They sit like that, unmoving, as the moon does her stately dance across the sky. In the breathless quiet, Brennan can hear her pulse. It is regular and strong, but slower than would be normal for someone of Maia's size and weight. He attributes this to the mead.

After a while, the other ingredients being to make their presence known. Maia's pulse quickens and her breathing becomes somewhat irregular. She begins to hum a strange, almost tuneless melody. Brennan leans forward to get a look at her eyes. They're dilated, but then they are sitting in the dark... She's staring fixedly at the moon, and doesn't appear to notice him. Brennan tries to stay as alert as possible, watching Maia, the moon, and everything else all at once, but nothing else happens - except that Brennan's arm goes to sleep. Hours later, the moon sets, and Maia gives herself a little shake, almost as if she is waking up. Brennan massages the circulation back into his arm.

Maia: [gaily]
A blanket underneath and a warm arm and cloak around... winter moons can be almost comfortable! Let's go to bed.

Brennan: [smiling, to himself]
Surprising how answers invariably lead to even more questions...

Narrator:
The next morning, as they sit sipping some tea before packing to continue their journey, Brennan begins the discussions that will undoubtedly last for the entire day.

Brennan:
I believe I effectively excluded myself from participation in the ceremony last night by refusing the drink. Nothing out of the ordinary happened to me all night long. Furthermore, nothing that couldn't be explained by spiked mead appeared to happen to you either. What did you experience?

Narrator:
Maia has been a little saddened that Brennan seems only to be able to live in Abred, but she assumes it is because he is Other. She had given him the drugs before because they help make Crossing easier (the only other easy way is Death), but he evidently finds it impossible to believe in any other World. Since that is who he Is, she accepts it.

Maia:
I sat here and watched the moon rise and walk across the sky. That is never ordinary! I was warmer than usual because you put your arm and cloak around me. I sang a Moon Song.

Brennan:
What are the other ingredients in the mead? Do these herbs have other uses? Or is their use restricted to ceremonial purposes?

Maia:
Every herb has many uses.

Brennan:
Is the setting and/or timing crucial, or do you have similar experiences if you consume the spiked mead under any circumstances.

Maia: [wincing at his obtuseness]
You can't celebrate a Full Moon without a full moon.

The "experience" isn't the mead, the mead is part of the experience. You can celebrate a Full Moon without it, if that is what you are asking. Just as you can celebrate a Full Moon without having sex. And I don't *have* to put on my robe and girdle or take a bath or have bare feet or put away all metal except silver. All you need is the Moon. All the other things make it easier, but they aren't Required.

Brennan:
Magic mist notwithstanding, you are horribly vulnerable at these times. Can you be brought out of the spell should a crisis arise? Do all of your people participate, or do some act as guards? If I am to participate again (including drinking), I would need my dogs to be alert and able to wake me.

Maia: [snorts]
Your dogs *were* alert. And Shabash and Erin were alert. And if Farley were here, he'd have been alert. And last night, you were alert. And, believe it or not, *I* was alert, or the part of me that was here was alert, anyway.

And it isn't a "spell".

And have you noticed any of the People around since you've been around me? Even if we did guard one another when we're together.

Brennan:
Is this the primary source of mystical experience for your people, or are there other mechanisms by which you are guided?

Narrator:
Maia pretends not to hear, and changes the subject.

...they continue on the road toward the center of McMannon.

Banditry has been a common problem in McMannon this year. It's not a good year for bandits either. The two pass near a bridge that was the site of a battle. Or, more accurately, the sight of a lot of killing. A close examination of the site brings a bit of a surprise to Brennen.

He can't be sure, but the signs are right. There aren't that many huge horses in the realm, and he's seen this one's tracks before. Two huge horses, both carrying serious amounts of weight, rode out of here.

Brennen:
Sir Richard is ahead of us a few days. Well, at least I think his horse is. Which means that he is - I've never seen anyone else ride Bukephelos. He'll probably know where Jhereg is - if he isn't with Jhereg already.

Narrator:

As they begin to approach the larger party, Brennan notices Maia begin to shrink into herself again. She puts her hood back up, hiding her hair and most of her face, and looks as if she'd rather be anywhere else. Just before they are within earshot, she looks up for a moment.

Maia:
Oh. I'd rather you didn't mention anything about my being your teacher. I'm just Maia. I met Sir Richard once before, at Harold's wedding - he may remember me, he may not.

Brennan:
Please tell me more. I count Sir Richard as one of my closer friends. We've been back to back more than once.

Maia:
Not much to tell. I went with Alaric and Lerona, Manjack introduced everyone, the fancy folk went to the wedding. Then I headed home. They seemed to think I was part of "Alaric's troop".

Narrator:
She doesn't mention watching the wedding as a bird in the clerestory, or any of the subsequent battle. To Brennan, she doesn't seem evasive, just disinterested.

heather:
If you still have any of Dave's e-mail, you can go back and read it. Brennan may have heard something about Maia before - this would be a chance to put it together with the small woman he followed home.

Maia:
And if we're talking about old times, you still owe me the story of your green pearl.

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Next Maia and Brennen file.