Myths of Power

Coltan and Richard slowly walk to the Sickle & Scythe, Richard re-bandaging himself along the way.

"Tell me Coltan. How did you know Catherine had gotten a room?"

"Training...that and a good set of ears. I guess you wouldn't recognize me."

"Why? Have I seen you before?"

"Not looking like this you haven't."

"Then again... all you 'thropes can look like any animal..." Richards voice trails off as they enter the tavern.

Sitting in the middle of the room, at a table so misshapen a blind monkey could have cut straighter boards was Catherine. The thing that made Richard nervous was the fact that she seemed to be having a rather humourous conversation with the city guard from the southern gate.

Coltan pushes past Richard "Out of my way old man!" he whispers as he passes. "You don't know me."

Catherine looks to the doorway. "Father... come and sit. Did you enjoy your walk?" She places too much stress on the end, trying to convey some previous conversation.

Richard, having far more skill, simply plays along. "Yes, yes, but I told you to go into our room, not take this busy man away from his rounds!" Richard slowly pulls a matching misshapen chair to the table and sits with all the grunts and groans of an old man.

The gaurd stands. "Please sir, do not chide the girl. I saw her enter as you left for your 'walk' and wanted to ensure her safety. I am corporal Gailin. I'm sorry for the rude entry procedures but we must ensure that no..'un-wanted' enter the city."

Richard looks at him with surprise. "So you're saying that an old leper is 'wanted' in Haladan?"

"oh, um no, ...I mean yes... I mean we must keep non-humans from entering."

Richard nods and thinks 'hmm, of course..even though most of us are completely harmless and most humans would kill us on sight if they had the chance.'

Gailin grabs Catherine's hand and kisses it. "I will take my leave of you, fair lady, and place you into your fathers kind hands." Both of them stare into each others eyes as if no-one else in the world were around. The kind of stare that makes seconds become minutes and minutes into hours. where sight and sound vanish and the two become a reality unto their own.

Richard coughs.

Gailin left Catherine's hand fall. "Yes, sorry. I will see you tomorrow?"

Richard coughs hard. "hmm? tomorrow?"

"Yes, I offered your daughter an escort to the monks lodging in the morning. He can be quite busy sometimes and the people he sees are not always, shall we say 'hospitable' as others."

Richard remains silent as Gailin dons his helmet and walks out.

Catherine looks at Richard sheepishly. "He's very friendly."