Whitestone: The Gap Year Begins

[whitestone_npcs]

The two come to consciousness, with no memory of what preceded the unconsciousness, in the middle of a cluster of trees. An orchard, branches laden with pink and white blossoms, tucked against the white stone wall of a castle.

It's a bright spring morning, sunlight spilling down from a clear blue sky. There doesn't seem to be anyone around besides the two of them, at least not immediately.

Comments

[ss_buttcrack]

Is it weird that a guard acting reasonably is somehow a novelty? Here's hoping this captain follows that pattern. For now, he's willing to see where it goes. Worst comes to worst, he does happen to know a secret way out of the dungeon thanks to Cass.

He grabs one of those chairs and turns it around so he can straddle it. His fingers drum anxiously on the backrest. "My friend here has summed it up nicely. I'll add that I know of this city because I've visited once before but that was a while ago. Don't know how we got here this time, but we didn't come to make trouble. Only things we have to our names are the clothes on our backs. We could use a little help." Is he leaning into that to try and get some sympathy? You bet your ass he is. They're going to need somewhere to sleep tonight and they don't have any cash.

[whitestone_npcs]

"A little help," repeats the captain, almost tonelessly. "What did you have in mind?"

"Captain ..." One of the guards steps toward him, and lowers his voice, not quite out of range of hearing. "This is some kind of magic bullshit, isn't it? Two men pop up out of nowhere, no one sees them come?"

The captain gives the younger man a narrow look. "Yes, so?" he mutters.

"So shouldn't someone tell the Lady de Rolo?" the guard persists, still low-voiced.

It wouldn't be clear to anyone not paying very close attention, but something in the captain's face darkens with some unspoken worry. "We'll see," is all he says, no louder.

[mistertwister]

"I'd take no jail time, for a start." He's too nervous not to be a little sarcastic.

He tries not to jump at the name. He tries to be ready for if she doesn't recognize them. He hopes the disappointment won't show if she sees him without knowing him.

[ss_buttcrack]

"That, and maybe a little bit of charity if you can spare it..."

He eyes that guard, worried about what news this could bring, but he isn't prepared to hear Cassandra's name. His lips twitch and pull tight. Never did have a great poker face. If she's here then... will she know them? He's not getting his hopes up.

[whitestone_npcs]

He glances back and forth between them, his gaze sharpening at the way their faces change. "I take it that's a name you know. When was it you said you were here before, mister ...?" Focusing on Crichton, with a look rapidly darkening toward suspicion.

But before Crichton can answer, the door opens again from outside and yet another younger guard leans in. "Sir," he says in quick low tones, "the Lady --"

Behind him, rather louder -- though with a possibly alarming note of strain to it -- comes a voice both Crichton and Okie will recognize. "The Lady will announce herself, thank you, Lewis."