Patchwork Universe

Kalyndis · Average Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 124 Location: Kerya

Kalyndis visibly tensed. If Kao Sheng was indeed an elder of immense power, it was not wise to antagonise him; however, he had thus far been very polite, so perhaps he would not kill Violetta on the spot. Though he took a step back from both of them, he said placatingly, "Please excuse my young friend, Kao Sheng -- she has only recently left the nest, and is understandably on edge. Though I must say I too am not entirely at ease with the idea of being plucked from my native continent."

Kao Sheng · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 6:28 pm Post subject:

"It is entirely understandable, O noble Kalyndis," came the reply. "The truth of the matter is that those who extracted the Oath from me did so with the particular intention of witholding the information thus protected from you, and others like you, in the highly misguided belief that possession of such knowledge would influence your future behaviour in a manner that they consider to be possibly detrimental to their goals.

"As has been implied, there may be solutions to this problem, if you wish to undertake the tasks required. Otherwise, perhaps the only reassurance that can be given is to state that it is incomprehensible to the limited mind of this person that any living creature should knowingly and voluntarily turn aside from the opportunity that now lies before you both."

Lady Violetta Kingsley · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 9:01 am Post subject:

Lady Violetta was now looking distinctly nervous. "Um, yes, thank you, Mr. Sheng. I think I should, um, retire to the inn at this point. Would you happen to know if there's somewhere I can stable Blackie? I do hope that's not one of the forbidden questions or anything like that."

Kalyndis · Average Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 124 Location: Kerya

Kalyndis, evidently relieved when Kao Sheng failed to burst into incandescent rage, asked another question.

"You speak of tasks and opportunities. Can we suppose that these tasks and opportunities will be revealed to us soon, if not by you then by those who extracted the Oath from you? Otherwise your reassurance would seem not to offer a great deal of comfort."

Kao Sheng · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 6:02 pm Post subject:

"Esteemed Lady Violetta, this humble traveller must offer his most sincere apologies for the burdens thus placed upon you. It cannot be doubted that the upright and dignified Jones, who manages this establishment with great dedication, will be able to offer a stable for your fine steed, and if you would do this undesirable person the honour of listening to his discordant voice for one further moment, he would hope that the knowledge that Aldersley Manor is currently to the north and to the east of our present location might in some small way relieve a little of the gravity of your current situation."

With the subject of conversation temporarily diverted from the business of oaths and secrets, Kao Sheng appeared to have regained his usual verbosity.

"O honoured Kalyndis," he continued rather more carefully, "it seems unlikely that you will receive specific guidance from those to whom this unfortunate person is so inconveniently bound. Of the two most obvious alternatives, one would requires a certain amount of subterfuge and a high degree of persuasiveness, and should not be undertaken lightly. The other might involve less personal risk and may be less obviously arduous, but is, unfortunately, critically dependent upon the ability of the seeker to ask the correct questions."

Kalyndis · Average Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 124 Location: Kerya

Kalyndis felt emboldened to be increasingly impertinent.

"But you said that you could not comprehend of any creature knowingly and voluntarily turning aside from this opportunity. If we are not to be told what this opportunity is, or what tasks are involved, then it seems to me that we have not been given either knowledge or volition to have the option of turning aside. If we do not know what our choices are, how can we make a choice?"

Kao Sheng · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2004 6:34 pm Post subject:

"It is indeed a most lamentable circumstance," agreed Kao Sheng patiently. "Were it within the powers of the person who is now speaking, the opportunity recently referred to would indeed be clarified, and the potential for personal choice thus agreeably obtained: However such a choice is not available to this one, and therefore he must resort to subterfuge in order to further the causes that he believes to be right and just.

"For this reason, the choice that is currently placed before you relates to the manner in which you wish to proceed: What risks you wish to take, what hardships you are willing to endure, what challenges you wish to undertake, and of particular relevance to this objectionally cryptic speaker, what secrets you are prepared to keep."

Kalyndis · Average Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 124 Location: Kerya

"Very well then. Not being able to think of any questions I can be confident you will answer, I suppose we might as well follow Trubshawe's lead and venture in to meet the estimable Jones. Dare I wonder whether he will be any more informative? Nonetheless, it has been a pleasure meeting you, Kao Sheng." Kalyndis bowed.

Lady Violetta Kingsley · Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 8:06 pm Post subject:

"Oh, erm, yes, thankyou," Lady Violetta said eventually, obviously not having paid much attention to the intervening conversation. "I'll just tie Blackie to this post here, I think. Isn't there normally some sort of stable lad at one of these establishments. Oh well, never mind, never mind. Nice to meet you, Mr., er, Sheng, but I must go inside now, I think. Yes, that sounds like more or less the right thing to do, even if I suspect I can't actually do it in any way I would consider meaningful. Still one must make the best of things and so forth." Tying Blackie up, she courtesyed to Kao Sheng, and and headed into the pub, resembling nothing so much as a scalded cat.

[Lady Violetta moves to the "Public Bar: A new day" thread]

Kao Sheng · Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 8:59 pm Post subject:

Kao Sheng appeared disappointed, but bowed formally to Kalyndis and the retreating Lady Violetta.

"If such be your decision, then it is not for the humble Kao Sheng to attempt to force your dignified hand," he said sadly to his remaining listener. "It may be that the dedicated and skillful Mister Jones is able to answer your insightful questions to your satisfaction, but should this magnificent outcome fail to manifest, and you decisions therefore be reconsidered, this inadequate person shall always be available for further conversation."

Kalyndis · Average Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 124 Location: Kerya

"If we think of better questions, where might we find you? Are you always here?" Kalyndis gestured at the pub.

Arnora · Average Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 45 Location: Yggdrasil

As Arnora stepped through the door of the pub she saw that one of the voices she had recognised earlier was still there talking a gentleman she did not recognise.

She turned and nodded her head briefly to the other genleman. "My apologies for interupting, I am Arnora."

She turned and nodded to Kao Sheng "I am glad to see you again sir, I hope that your travels continued on successfully after your kind assistance."

As she spoke she looked around her for Jane and the horse.

Kao Sheng · Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 6:38 pm Post subject:

"It is indeed an honour to meet you once again, O sublime Lady Arnora," said Kao Sheng sincerely. "Please allow this humble traveller to likewise hope that your own noble goals are proceeding swiftly to glorious fruition."

"O noble Kalyndis, please be assured that should you wish to locate me, you need only make the matter known, and your message shall be heard, and this fine establishment would undoubtedly provide a most salubrious environment for pleasant conversation."

Jones · Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 8:57 am Post subject:

Jane Jones appeared from around the side of the building, having exited from the side door. Her eyes widened slightly at the cluster of people hanging around outside the door and her mouth curled as she had an amusing thought about how to prevent this endless hanging about outside the door.

But at the moment she had a job to do and approaching the tethered horse she said:
"Scuse me gents, miss. I've got to take this horse to the stable."

Kalyndis · Average Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 124 Location: Kerya

"Thank you, honoured elder. I will endeavour to call upon you as soon as I can think of an appropriate question."

Kalyndis bowed to Arnora and gave her a glittering smile. "Lady Arnora, if I may introduce myself, I am Kalyndis of Kerya. I see you have an elvish shape? One of the cleverer human varieties, as I recall. Has your flock also been transported into this collection of domains? And have you too come here seeking the mysterious Jones?"

Kalyndis moved out of Jane's way, but his attention remained fixed on Arnora.