[Aelxirn and Daltem - still in the seedy inn]
   
> Daltems eyes narrowed dangerously at Aelxirns less than polite reply, and   
> the way he sat back smugly in his chair.
> "Now you listen *Aelxirn*, I have no idea what my lady has planned, I am   
> merely a messenger." Daltem began.
 
  Aelxirn's eyes narrowed, almost to slits, as if he was a feline waiting
for the chance to attack its prey.  For a messenger, this Daltem character
was certainly acting highly above his station.  He waited to see what the
'messenger' had to say. 
 
> You seem to forget where you are, you are alone without wealth or power.   
> What else do you propose to do? Stay at the inn until what little wealth   
> you may have been allowed to keep runs out.
> 
> Don't be a *fool*  my lady offers you a chance to regain some or all of   
> what you threw away." Daltem could see Aelxirn flush red in what he   
> presumed was rage, but he pressed on, wanting to drive the point home.
 
  Aelxirn went red, partially from anger, and partly from the fact that
the fool semed to be reading his thoughts.  He *had* been thinking of
trying to get back his lands..if not his Title.  At least to be at the
place he'd called home since he was born....that he'd been banished from.
THAT still rankled deeply, and make him feel like throwing up.
  
> "It angers you does it? The way I speak to you? Last night you could have   
> had me flogged for speaking to you like this, but now you're no more than   
> a commoner - worse at least they have a home and family! You have   
> *nothing* but the clothes you wear and the money in your pouch.
> 
> That can change - will change if you ally yourself with my Lady. She is   
> your friend not your enemy. There will be others there, lords and ladies,   
> with reasons different from your own for attending." Daltem paused as two   
> tankards of ale were put on the table with a thud by the serving lass.
 
  Aelxirn shook, both from rage, and shame.  Shame that someone would
throw in his face all the things he'd been thinking of since being
escorted from Xylian, and after getting the few things from
his...*Kedrina's* manor, being escorted to the edge of his lands..never to
return!
  
> Daltem could see Aelxirn visible trembling. Would he contain his rage and   
> think over the offer, or would he erupt into one his infamous outbursts?
 
  But Aelxirn still had one thing on his side, if naught else.  He'd
learned not to explode, but to quietly plot and plan...and his body was
still in good enough shape that he might be able to best this blowhard.
 
  His hand moved too quickly for Daltem to respond, and caught the
'messenger' by the collar of his tunic...pulling him close, and almost
cutting off his air.
 
  "Now you listen to me, *messenger* Daltem.  I may not have my title, or
my lands, or any of the wealth I used to throw around.  But I do still
have my good sword arm, and I will use it if necessary."
 
  Letting Daltem go..he sat back and thought quietly for a few minutes.
Then he took a good long gulp at his new tankard of ale.  Finally, after
making the messenger wait, he decided to speak again.
 
  "As I said before, and you decided not to hear...I accpet your 'Lady's'
offer to come and visit.  But you will answer my question first.  I know
that if you delivered a letter to me, you've most likely delivered others.
I want to know who you delivered them to.  I will not walk into something
unawares, or even into any sort of ambush.  Now that I no longer am in
power...and no longer Lord of Nambril, there are those that would wish me
harm.  I'm sure that you can understand my caution here?"
 
   Grinning an almost feral smile, one he was known for...and one that
brooked no argument..no matter what his station, he crossed his legs, and
again repeated his one simple request.
 
   "Now...you will answer the question I asked you.  Who else was invited?
And as you also said that there were going to be other Lords and Ladies
there....I'm assuming that this is some sort of meeting of the Nobility.
In which case, you'd also have invited Lady Kedrina, the new Titleholder
of Nambril Villiage, is this correct?"

   Aelxirn found himself wondering just what kind of meeting this was
going to be, and just how much trouble he could expect to run into.  His
thoughts wandered...back to his daughter...at least she was safe now at
Xylian.  That was what mattered most to him.
 
[Tag:  James!]
 
==============================
 
Jeanette
Aelxirn/??
Lady Kedrina/Nambril
Sarilyn/Lunath * Xylian
Ashelle/Oaklah-to-be * Whiteriver
 
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                   "Comfy as a Kitty on a Carpet"