The Sorceress's Chambers

"Oh..." said Elsey, quite confused. "I think you seem like a very good person, but I suppose there are times when one should not show everything about themselves. I suppose if someone knows who you truly are, it makes it easier for them to hurt you."

Elsey trailed off, her face thoughtful.

[ooc - no need to apologize]

"True, I was taught when I started weapons training that getting your enemy to underestimate you was a great and valuable skill, and I suppose it can work just as well off the battlefield," Elsey smiled knowingly at Kesi.

"As for falsehoods, I do not think anyone can truthfully say they have never uttered even one, but I believe in avoiding them where possible. It took me longer than most to learn the importance of tact," she said, with a self-effacing, slightly embarrassed look, glancing back down to the bowl.

"Does it need anything else?"

"True. You are very wise about people. You would make a good whisperer," Elsey said, amused by the memories of pretending to be one of Lord Darklyn's whisperers, and feeling a bittersweetness at how he would call her his favourite spy. She set the bowl aside on the table, assuming it to be finished, for now.

"But... how can one know who is an enemy, since we cannot tell by looking?"

Elsey thought for a moment, straightening up in the chair and rotating her shoulders a few times.

"Have you looked closely at my brother and sister? What could you tell me about them?"

Elsey laughed a little, imagining Rhaegar as a big, puffed up bird. In her mind was a grumpy pigeon with his face.

"He certainly does brood a lot," she said, in amusement. The amusement did not last long, as she then thought of how things had deteriorated between her siblings, and how they were soon to be separated even further.

"I'm sure they'll both be happier when they leave here. This place holds some bad memories. It might help them to be more distant from it."

"It can do. I think it does," replied Elseyris, after a moment of thought, though also with a twinge of wistful sadness to her voice, as she thought of those of whom she was fond, but were absent.

"I also think that, perhaps, if my brother were to have a happy marriage, he might become less cold. He isolates himself a great deal, and I think that has lessened his ability to really care for anyone. I think Father's death affected him more than he lets on. I suppose that works for some people, if they are prepared to shut themselves off from feeling."

"Yes, it certainly seems to work for him. I do sometimes wish I could do the same, but to feel nothing would be to forget joy as well as sorrow."

Kesi had obviously been asleep as most people would be in that hour in the morning, her hair was in a long plait and her black robe was pulled tight to her body.

"Are you being stupid?" She asked not even bothering to check who was there. "Is there being emergency?"

Kesi is a little bit intimidated by Maekar, though she is not entirely cowed by his threats.

Sergio walked into the chambers naked, and yawns, "Good morning all. You are being a bit loud." He walks over and pours himself a wine, and one for Kesi. He walks over hands it to her.

This time Kesi is definitely intimidated by Maekar.

Vira does not believe Kesi's claims, any more than Maekar does.

"Be silent, Delinaal," Maekar replied. "Better yet, leave here now. I have business with this witch," he said, turning his attention back to Kesi. "The truth, this time, unless these children are meaningless to you?"