Of Bandits and Blades

[Tolleson]

Here the snow drifted. The sun hung low in the winter sky, it tangled in bare branches, and it cast misleadingly golden beams that held little warmth. Wind howled and trees groaned, the boards of the stable creaked and the rest was eerie and silent. Here the ground was frozen and firm under foot.

No longer aloft somewhere over Wrexham, Tennant pet the patient horse before he replaced his gloves and cap. Rather than remove the blankets and depart from this gods-forsaken, abandoned tavern, he simply looked Solena with a transparent smile. It was a sweet expression but one that belied concern for the mission they'd just accepted.

"Shall I take you home? Or buy you a drink?" He spoke with confidence as if these were the only two options. He was the driver after all and it was fair to say they weren't going to discuss their plans in the snow, especially with dusk at hand.

[Elfling]

"Home, of course. Arkista is going to flay me alive for this," Solena smirked back at him, but behind it was a note of solemness. Her mate very likely would flay her alive for agreeing to this undertaking so easily. Not that the undertaking itself would be easy. Oh no. And if Burel actually sent who he said he was going to..

Well. She'd deal with it as she had to. Right? Right.

"How are you going to manage to get time off? I think he'll notice a few days, hm?" Regardless of whether he was content to linger in the stables, Solena started for the open air and the snow drifts beyond. Perhaps she would even use one of the blankets he'd brought for her, this time. There was a needed time to think. To plan. To try to prepare for anything, because anything was possible. Especially down there.

And then there was the fact that she'd be letting Tennant in on her little secret.

[Tolleson]

Either the cold seems colder or there is more concern now, tugging at his mouth and eyes. Perhaps more astute in his perception than he let on, he watched her, he listened. No matter how subtle, the solemness in a woman like Solena was no light matter.

"I think you over-estimate how useful Glenn thinks me..." Though it was very likely that his absence would be noticed, it was not likely that anyone would go after him if they knew where he would be going. He gave her a smile then, full, confident, reassuring. A smile to ease her worries, though it was hardly appropriate considering he knew next to nothing of the Underdark.

"I will be honest with you Solee," had he not been before? No matter, he continued on, placid and direct. Maybe just eager to get out of the snow, but finding the words too valuable or best said where no other ears would hear. Even Arkista.

"These coins do me little good and... the last thing I want to do is to put you unnecessary danger." Tender in tone, it was almost believable that it had been this man who had taken her to bed, perhaps, fallen in love with her. Affection, admiration, compassion, or care, whatever it was that compelled him to address her this way now, his eyes fell to hers and implored her to be honest with him.

"Do you trust Burel?"

The Duke was considered a threat to Myrken, one that might use the weapon, especially if it held some other purpose, against the town, Genny, and the people he had come to love here. And he'd had Tennant pegged wrong; he cared about family, but not the titles, relics, and glories of the past. Family was one of the only real reasons he'd even agreed, much of the Tolleson family remained in Thessilane, displaced. If for any reason the Duke decided the stick was better motivator than the carrot, his bothers in Meadowford might find their situation more difficult. In this regard, it seemed Tennant and Burel did share something in common; both had something of value in a place they could not set foot.

[Elfling]

Trust. Trust was quite the issue with the elf. There were very few that she trusted completely. Even Elliot hadn't gained that, though he was close. Burel was not as close to her as Elliot.

"I trust him enough," came the answer after a long silence. "If you do not wish to go, you don't have to, Tennant. The Underdark isn't for the faint of heart. But I will be going."

Full disclosure was far more complicated. It was true that Tennant knew.. things. Things that not even Elliot knew. But it was also true that he worked for Glenn in some fashion or another, and caution was important in these cases. Either way, Solena climbed up into the cart and pulled a blanket around herself. He'd need time to hitch up the horse, after all. Beastly animal. Huff.

[Tolleson]

Tennant did ‘work’ for Glenn, though perhaps ‘involuntary servitude’ described the position best. And it didn’t look like there was much room for promotion; but the idea of sharing this new intelligence was not without some merit.

To her reply he says nothing, offering only a smile. It is calm, collected, confident as ever, and most of all, ready to take her home. Ensuring the blanket has her tucked firmly and cozily in, he’ll return to the horse and commence the hitching. It doesn’t take long, Tennant is deft with his hands and looks to have managed the task, or something similar, many times before.

Several minutes later he would mount with a big sigh, his breath is hot in the air, thick and rising in wispy clouds. Another second and they’re off, a steady trot down the snowy road and towards Solena’s home.