Narrator:
At false dawn, Maia awakens and shifts carefully in her hammock, unwrapping herself from her quilt. At the movement, Brennan awakens, sees that Maia was the cause, relaxes again and watches her drowsily. Maia shimmers into her falcon form and flies over to the little stream, where she shifts back to herself. From his perch, Brennan can no longer see her, but he notices the telltale shimmer of Mist spilling from that direction.
Within the protection (not enough, Brennan would say) of the Mist, Maia kneels beside a still, clear pool where a branch of the stream is caught between some stones. She concentrates on a mental picture of Castle Llughen, but doesn't move or say anything. An image forms in the water, and she seems to hear words/ideas in her mind.
The place is a rather nice castle. But the people there are all leaving in a great hurry. No time to load a wagon, or even hitch it up. People flee on horse, on foot - as fast as they can RIGHT NOW. The sounds of confusion and chaos are present. The last people leave and the vision starts to fade. The castle appears to change shape here and there, and other strange Escher like activities appear to alter the reality around the place until the picture becomes grayer and dimmer and incomprehensible.
Heather:
GM - she has successfully cast a Divination (water) spell... 6 on a 21 skill... What did she see? I don't have the books here, but I seem to remember it takes about an hour, and uses up most of her ST, even with the reduced cost. She'll end up pretty near unconscious.
Brennan: [managing to look both anxious and annoyed at the same time]
What in the world...
[he starts to get up]
I'd better go and... No.
[he shakes his head and leans back again]
No. She's older than me and none the worse for wear...she can take care of herself just fine. Besides, I'm sure she wouldn't appreciate me intruding.
Narrator:
Brennan doesn't look convinced, but he tries to relax anyhow.
Within the protection of the Mist, Maia kneels beside a still, clear pool where a branch of the stream is caught between some stones. She concentrates on a mental picture of Castle Llughen, but doesn't move or say anything. An image forms in the water, and she seems to hear words/ideas in her mind.
When Maia hasn't returned after about 15 minutes, Brennan's concern gets the better of him. He climbs down from the tree and moves quietly toward the Mist. As it encloses him in its tentacles, he has a momentary spasm of pure terror, but concern for Maia overcomes the fear and he pushes on. It seems to be a much longer journey to the stream than it was the previous night - even with his superb skills, he fears he may have lost his way. Finally, after what seems like an eternity, he stumbles upon the stream. Lying beside it in a crumpled heap, is Maia. With a cry, he rushes to her side, kneels and begins to loosen her bodice so she can breathe freely.
Brennan: [to himself]
Please, please let her be alright!
[To his great relief, she slowly opens her eyes]
Thank you (whoever you are!)...
She seems fine, just exhausted...She must have been casting spells and simply worn herself out...but why?
Maia: [mumbles]
Go away. I want to sleep. I don't want to have sex now, maybe later.
Narrator:
Brennan's laugh of relief sounds almost like a sob. He hugs her tightly for a minute and then lays her back down and sits there looking at her for a moment longer. His brows begin to furrow and he stands up.
Brennan: [real anger showing now]
Do you have any IDEA how dangerous this is?!! I don't CARE if you're the grand muckety-muck of the woods, you're TOTALLY HELPLESS like this! ANYONE could have walked into the mist!! If you won't be careful for your own sake, at least be careful for the sake of those who are STUPID ENOUGH to care about you!
Narrator:
Maia has been tossing about during this, trying to get comfortable on the ground, but hasn't opened her eyes. If this were Devonshire, small birds and animals would be taking cover. Brennan is caught up in his lecture and doesn't see the approaching storm.
Suddenly, Maia rolls over, opens her eyes and points at him. A gout of flame spurts from her finger and leaves a scorched patch of grass where Brennan's feet had been a moment before. His jaw hangs open as he gets up from the ground where he flung himself several feet away.
Brennan has just learned a useful lesson - if you want to stay around Maia when she loses her temper, you'd better have good reflexes, good luck, or (preferably) both.
Maia: [grumbles]
I *said* I wanted to sleep.
Narrator:
She rolls over again and pillows her head on a sharp rock. Brennan stands amazed and bemused for a moment, then overcoming his better judgment, stoops down and picks her up. She snuggles into his chest without opening her eyes - Brennan is relieved that he hasn't set her off again. This time he wouldn't have been able to dodge.
He carries her a few steps, then lowers himself to the ground with his back propped against a sturdy tree. Maia doesn't wake. The rising sun turns the torrent of copper curls cascading down her back to a riot of gold, pink, and platinum. Brennan sits and holds her, occasionally brushing her hair back out of her face as she twists and turns in sleep. She doesn't hear him when he whispers that he loves her.
Heather:
Good thing, too. They'd have been in a argument/discussion that lasted all day.
Narrator:
After almost an hour, Maia stirs. Brennan feels her fingers beginning to unlace his jerkin. The quickness of his reaction surprises even him...
Maia: [brightly - sunshine after a summer storm]
Good morning!
Brennan: [smiles and then draws her close]
Isn't it though!
Narrator:
A while later, as they're dressing...
Brennan:
I'm sorry I raved at you. I almost followed you when you first left, but I convinced myself that you would be fine. When I finally gave up and came to see if you were all right, I was half angry with you and half angry with myself for not coming sooner.
Maia: [bristling]
I *was* fine. I don't know what you were worried about. You didn't have to come at all - if I'd needed you, I'd have brought you.
[in a quick change of mood, she grins]
Though it was nice having you here when I woke up!
Brennan:
Just what did you do? And was it worth it?
Maia: [shrugs]
Nothing much, just trying to get a feeling for the state of things. I haven't been in this part of the world much recently... Of course it was worth it - I don't *do* things that aren't worth it.
[Brennan snorts, but stifles it when Maia glares at him]
Though it'll take me a while to sort out what the things I saw mean. Or meant, or will mean...
*You* don't believe visions and hallucinations are real, anyway!
Brennan:
We need to talk about this castle situation anyhow. It's become clear to me what we're doing here. Perhaps not entirely clear why it must be *you* instead of whoever among your people governs this area, but maybe you'll explain that to me. In any event, it seems that you know half of the principals in this and I know the other half. Can you tell me how you intend to handle the situation so we can work out our position here in private? I think I am well situated to help resolve any conflict. I certainly care about my friends as well as you and your People. And I would like to understand the motivations of both parties. Please tell me about yours.
Narrator:
Maia is mystified by this speech. She shakes her head quickly, as if to make sure she heard everything right.
Maia:
What??? What *are* we doing here?? You heard what Sunshine asked me (I find it hard to believe she would talk in front of you unless she intended you to hear..) I was asked to come and see what is going on... mainly because I'm one of the few Druids who actually live out in the world with Others. And sometimes I wonder why I do.
Brennan: [looks annoyed]
I'm not stupid, you know. We're here for you to discuss and negotiate the resettling of Castle Llugon by Jhereg, of course! It took me a while to remember the legend, but once I did, it seems obvious. Saying you're here to "see what's going on" is silly, because *you're* the one whose going to have to decide and act. Sunshine even *said* "working with these poeple", and "Jhereg wants to reopen the castle" or something like that.
Maia: [seriously]
I know you're not stupid. Wouldn't waste my time with you if you were. It may seem obvious that "we're here to discuss and negotiate the resettling of Castle Llughen", but that is only because you don't understand the Tuath. Yes, Jhereg evidently wants to open the castle. But that doesn't mean that every Druid - on the Council or not- is in agreement as to what should be done about it. And it certainly doesn't mean that *I* would jump to do whatever the Council says to do - if they even would try to tell me to do something.
We work for the same Goal, but we don't agree on the direction or methods. I *am* here to see what's going on, because I have to do that before I act. We've talked about this enough before, you should know what I believe, even if you don't agree. I don't trust *anyone's* judgment or plans, willynilly.
Besides. I don't happen to agree with the Council on a lot of things. They wouldn't send me to negotiate as their representative - but I'm a good observer and they know I care about the Balance.
And - "Governs this area"???? By Cernnunnos' left buttock! Where did you ever get the idea that the Tuath are even *interested* in "governing"??
[mutters for a while]
"governing". Hmph.
[it sounds like a dirty word]
Brennan:
Substitute "watches over" for governing if you wish. But this is not your normal territory. It must be someone else's. Why isn't it their problem? Because as you said, you have experience dealing with..."Outsiders". Doesn't that imply to you that you're going to be *dealing* with outsiders here? Whoever's local could have "seen what's going on!"
Maia:
There isn't anyone here right now. But that wouldn't matter anyway. My motivation is ... I wanted to see for myself. Maybe it's time for Change - maybe not. I'm certainly not going to wait for the Council to make the right decision.
Narrator:
She pauses. Then blushes. Then gets annoyed with herself for blushing.
Maia: [to herself]
And besides, I didn't want to take you to my winter home, and I didn't want to send you away... And this was a good way to solve that problem.
Because you show potential. That's the only reason, of course.
Narrator:
As usual, she manages to convince herself.
Maia: [ticks off his many questions on her fingers]
What am I going to do...this was the last one, right? I'm going to head toward Castle Llughen, listen and watch and use all the rest of my senses. If I need to make a decision, I will. If I don't, I won't.
However, I don't discuss Druid Business with Others.
Narrator:
She realizes she just has.
Maia: [flustered]
You don't count. I'm your Teacher.
Brennan:
That may be your plan, but I can tell you, Jhereg and the others will not wait if you decide not to decide. And they are my friends. If it's not time for a change, then we've got to tell them that and make it clear when and how it will be time for a change. I will not have you butting heads with them. This can be resolved peacefully either way -- castle open or not. Just let me work with you. You *know* I will not betray you, and I will not betray them either. Look, you were chosen by your council because "you've worked with these people before". But you don't feel comfortable because you really haven't that much. *I have*. I know what motivates them, *and* they trust me. I've saved their butts and they've saved mine before. It makes perfect sense for you to work with me on this!
Maia: [grudgingly]
OK. I'll let you work with me. I think we have common aims. But if it seems that we are heading in different directions, then I must choose for the Balance.
I'd rather not "butt heads", either. [grins] or "butt butts"?
Brennan: [echoing her grin]
Well, at least you're close!
Narrator:
He grabs her before she can scamper away, and pulls her down to sit snuggled with him.
Brennan:
We've got time, and I don't want to go anywhere right now anyhow. Teach me.
[he catches her hand in flight]
No, really. You have my full attention, and I'd love to listen to you for a while. You've been hinting around about teaching me about balance -- get it out!
Maia: [getting back up]
Not now... It's getting late and we should get back to the rest of the party. Tonight I'll show you a children's game we use as a starter.
The Mist slowly dissolves around them. It is full morning. When Maia reaches to braid her hair, which is in its usual tangled state, Brennan gives her a hand with unknotting it first. Then she pins it into a knot at the back of her head.
They return to their tree camp, dismantle the "spider web" and pack up the hammock and the rest of their belongings. Before they reach the campsite of the rest of the party, she covers her head again with her hood.