Are you certain what you wish is what you want?

[Jirai]

Rhaena

"Stupid, stupid, stupid." The girl thought to herself as she poured over the books laid out on her desk, occasionally making a notation in one or another. "Stupid! Who knows what kind of damage you could have done? Maybe did do! Idiot."

And how much worse would her mental castigation of herself be, did the girl know how unrecovered Alastir was? She had told Lamai that he was better, thought it true. To find out that it was not... Fortunately, she hadn't, yet.

Lamai was gone, now. For a good reason, to be sure, but the healer's absence would only serve to make the girl even more nervous and critical of herself. Perhaps that might be remedied, when Lamai returned... but for now, the Trader buried herself in the rote task of summing up columns of numbers. This she could do without error, at least.

[Glenn]

Was it strange that it had taken Glenn Burnie almost three times longer than he expected to finish up the last bit of work done for Malaroth and his knights? Perhaps it was just a lack of desire in finishing said work and leaving the chapter house, the first place he could steadily call home in a great deal of time.

Was it odd that he occasionally looked off as if daydreaming as of late? Who would notice? Bloodmoon would consider it some sort of brooding. Alastir was in no condition to speak of such things. Really, did not Glenn have a great deal to think about, what with Fiends and hard decisions and that very large book on swordsmanship he was carrying about?

And then there was that strange opening and closing of his right hand, no matter whatever else he seemed to be doing at the time. Where had that come from? Would anyone worry about it? No, likely not. He was always showing one nervous tick or another, most specifically the scratching at the back of his neck when uncomfortable. Most people didn't notice that. Why would they notice this?

Most of all, the person who spent the most time with him, his current trainer, would notice very little at all. With her, he was singularly focused. His lessons continued, quietly, discreetly, but certainly without any sign of a lack of focus.

So, truly, no reason to think anything was wrong with Glenn Burnie... right?

[Jirai]

Rhaena

It was a regression of sorts, this excessive drinking. All too similar to her actions in the weeks and months after Bryce's "death." But could you really blame her? Dominik's pain was far to reminiscent of those memories she preferred not to remember.

And add onto all of that a certain mapmaker who had given her quite the cause for concern - and fear. Was it truely surprising that the girl would fairly drink herself into a stupor this night, this one night? Not at all.

But it was worrying.

[Glenn]

A letter to Miss Rhaena Olwak was left for her at the Dagger. She was staying there. She went there often enough to drink. There was some certainty that she'd receive it.

----------------------------------------------------------
Rhaena,

There wasn't a lot of choice. I told Cinnabar mostly everything. I don't think any trouble will come from it. If anything, the opposite. Still, I'm sorry.

Glenn

p.s. Are the kittens ok after what Ashfiend did? No wait, you can just tell me when I see you next.
----------------------------------------------------------

It was something of a stretching of the truth. There were other things he might have done. He might have lied, for starters. If she had contact with his mind that day, when he was so glum, so brooding, she might have some idea why he did not know just that. Such contact, however, had been totally out of the question. In the end, it didn't matter. When it came to that moment, Glenn felt that he indeed had no other choice.

[Jirai]

Rhaena

The response would come as a brief note, neatly penned. Even now there would be no lack of youngsters willing to carry such missives in search of their recipients - for a few shillings, of course.

Glenn,

There is no need for apologies.

Rhaena

In truth, it probably wouldn't have occurred to her to lie, either. Especially not to Calomel. The Constable-turned-Governor had earned the same sort of wariness that she held for Ariane.

[Jirai]

Rhaena

Another note - it would await the man come morning.

Glenn,

If you do not want something, why do you offer it?

We need to speak of this again.

Rhaena

[Glenn]

The reply was sent in the early afternoon, certainly after Glenn's training.

Rhaena,

Why? Because I was trying to bluff you so you wouldn't come. Why? Because I didn't want you to be in danger. Why? Because I care about you. I'll stop there. If you insist upon coming along, I cannot stop you, but not only will I request that you do not wear your veils, but also I would have you know that Ariane will be accompanying us. No one will think less of you if you change your mind. In more pleasant news, I am managing well with the shield. You have my thanks when it comes to that.

We shall talk soon.

Glenn

[Glenn]

It was fairly late in the afternoon when the letter arrived to the Dagger. It had not been written in haste and the writing was neat and clean. It had been a relatively quiet day, despite all the work he had to do.

Rhaena,

Hoping you are well after our excursion. Speaking of that, I would certainly prefer that you stop scanning the lake. I saw your expression upon finding Him. The thought of you consumed with rage is particularly unpleasant. You do not need to promise, however. Also, I'm curious if you could teach anyone else to maintain a shield, certainly someone who was a bit more mentally together than I am currently. If so, and if you could do it with no danger to yourself and without it being tracked back to you, I feel that would be useful to Calomel's work. We'll talk soon.

Be safe,

Glenn

[Jirai]

Rhaena

Glenn,

I feel the need to take this opportunity to assure you once again that I truly am fine. Please do not worry about this. It is really not as bad as it looked.

As I told you last night, I am not sure that I can do this thing you may-or-may-not ask of me. The difficulty will depend on the person in question and the exact nature of the shield that is needed. But as I said, I can certainly make the attempt.

Please let me know.

Rhaena

[Glenn]

Relapse would be far too kind a word, far too kind. That said, he was still mostly functional. He was patched up and sent to training with Ariane. That was something, no? Of course, his judgment was scattered enough that he'd tell her exactly what was going on, which on his list of very foolish things to do, was high indeed.

Regardless, a letter would be sent to the temporary governor's office. He CERTAINLY wasn't ready to deal with Calomel.

Cinnabar,

Not well enough to work or spar today. Mental Relapse. If you have heard about what happened at the Dagger last night, I don't THINK it was my fault. It's sort of a blur. All related. We'll talk about it later.

Sorry,

Glenn

[Jirai]

Rhaena

The poor Governor's mailbox would be rapidly filling.

Governor Calomel,

If you had not yet heard, the Fiend visited the tavern last night. Several odd things happened which I would like to discuss with you at your convenience.

Rhaena Olwak

[Glenn]

The letter arrives to Rhaena early in the morning, hopefully not too late to matter.

Rhaena,

Remember, you can always say no to Calomel if you are uncomfortable with this or if you feel it to be a bad idea. No one would fault you for it.

Oh, and of your OTHER idea last night, the one that you left me with as a joke, it's not the worst idea.

Glenn

Corresponding with her on a more personal, more frequent basis would not only be a counterweight to the rather dangerous letter writing he was already taking part in, but it would also be some way to try to seize back the privacy that was lost to them, that can no longer be found in their meetings at the Dagger.

[Jirai]

Rhaena

A note would be swiftly returned - such letter writing was a pleasant diversion from less-pleasant alternatives.

Glenn,

See how useful my jokes are?

I am truely sorry that I had to leave when I did. Please do not think it was because of what you had said - and there, I am sorry as well. I cannot imagine growing up like that. I might have my differences with my family - but nothing like that.

Rhaena

No need to mention Calomel at all. Not yet, anyway.

[Glenn]

It was nice to be able to open a letter and not feel that rush of adrenaline. Though it DID seem to be lacking something.

Her response had gotten to him right around lunch time. These letters took time to go back and forth even with the exceptionally built up system of scamps running around Myrken Town.

Now, Glenn pondered, it was probably, almost certainly, too late. She hadn't mentioned Cinnabar at all. THAT was telling. There was little he could do on that front, however.

Rhaena,

I still think my bluffs are more useful than your jokes. I always get something from them, even when you call them. Do you know how to play chess? I'm starting to do it again, myself (I beat the governor yesterday, thank you very much). I'd be interested to see how you play, since you always seem to win every argument against me. If not, that's fine. I'm better at cards, anyway. I'm amazed Agnieszka hasn't tried to used you to cheat everyone in Myrken out of their money that way.

Sorry, rambling. My childhood. Well, it wasn't as hard as you would imagine, namely beacuse I never knew anything else. They knew what I was going to be the moment I was born. It wasn't until I started having a bit more control over what I read that I started to realize what I had missed out on. Then I got ideas, my first really stupid ones, I suppose.

Be safe today, ok. And do NOT let him drag you off with him tonight. I won't make you promise.

Glenn

[Jirai]

Rhaena

The letter would come hours later, well into darkness. Her time had been well absorbed, today.

Glenn,

Think you I get nothing out of my jokes? Quite the contrary!

I can play chess, though I would certainly not call myself an expert. Speaking of games, how goes yours with the Lady Demarest?

I hope you do not take offense that I name your parents fools. But then, my people have too few children to waste even a one. My mother is much respected that three of her children reached adulthood.

I think Calomel is well. We shall see, after tonight.

Rhaena