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[Dwarmin]

Tala flitted her emerald green eyes, reminiscing.

"A barn, actually...love by candlelight has it's risks."

[filiusenox]

"Ah...It does, doesn't it? Who's barn did you burn down?"

[Dwarmin]

Tala tapped her chin again, sighing.

"Who? I can't say I stuck around to exchange names once the smoke started to rise.

I do recall it was a farm a few miles from estate. They grew apples...of more interest to me was the farmers son. His name started with a 'D', I think. He talked into in his sleep-always dreaming about me, apparently...I sometimes stayed up hours and hours, listening to him.

You would be surprised what I learned about myself in those days. Then again, whats childhood if not a time for discovery?"

[filiusenox]

"Indeed...Ones childhood should be a time of discovery and hapiness, before one is thrust out into the world...For most it's a time of survival...So what were your parents like?"

[CyberGenesis]

Terryn and some of his men go tavern-crawling in Ligoria, spreading word that they're willing to take on small/odd jobs if the pay is right.

[613]
After a night of crawling the seedier taverns in town your men come up with only two real jobs, and another where a tavern patron nearly had his eyes gouged out by one of your men because he was propositioned a job involving his mother. One of the legitimate jobs is a simple escort run to Lowlands and back. Pays about [3*.25=.75] ducats to sit on a boat known by other mercs to be carrying something valuble. The man that owns the ship is apparently [3] a modestly ranked SCTG merchant.

The other job pays well, almost [2] ducats from what the man was saying - but several of your men are under the assumption it'll get them killed, arrested or worse.

[Dwarmin]

"Indeed...Ones childhood should be a time of discovery and hapiness, before one is thrust out into the world...For most it's a time of survival...So what were your parents like?"

"Well...my mother was a strict disciplinarian...she devoted her time to raising me into a paragon of the Household. I think she did  a good job, but our relationship is still...strained. "

Tala taps her fingers on the arm rest of the chair.

"As for my father...it's painful to remember. He died when I was very young. Passed in the winter-a hunting accident, I believe.

I recall, he liked to played games with me, strategy and such-he was a general, after all. One could say he taught me how to be strong, honed my mind for the hard times...he did teach me how to fight and how to survive, and for that I wish I could thank him. He was also quite the romantic, you know. I inherited that from him, as well.

Mother...well, she never quite recovered from his loss. Never quite the same."

Tala dips her chin for a moment.

[filiusenox]

William frowns slightly and his voice becomes quieter.
"That's such shame, I lost my father when I was young as well...what are your parent's names?"

[Dwarmin]

Tala nodded somberly, a flicker of sadness crossing over her features.

"My mothers name is Arete, my fathers was Achal.

...but, Your questions strike close to the bone, William.

I would not have indulged the curiosity of a lesser man than you...are you yet satisfied?"

[filiusenox]

"Very much so...Sorry for asking you such questions just to satisfy my own curiosity...I do hope you forgive me..."

[Dwarmin]

"It's not a question of forgiveness. You could have asked far worse, for far worse reasons than curiosity. I am not unhappy to speak about these things to you, because I believe we can trust each other.

But dredging up ones past brings up the bad, as well as the good. I am yet young, and it wearies me all to quickly. Makes me dwell on mortality.

I'd rather speak of the future...for me, it is has become quite bright...It took me long enough, but I found it's not all hopeless...not everything is about chasing power, or living in someones shadows. Not for me.

Not for someone like you, either. I see pain in your eyes, William-deep down, but it is there, just as you saw in mine. But I'm living with it.

Might William hazard a guess as to what universal constant balms one pain?"

Tala only flashed a small, weary smile.

[filiusenox]

"Hmm...Yes I know of what you speak..."
William smiled.
"And indeed it would be quite a pleasure...But unfortunately for me I'm in a somewhat stable relationship at the moment. So I really must apologize."

[Dwarmin]

Tala blushed, putting her hand over her mouth. Then she laughed brightly, and punched William lightly in the shoulder.

"You are a true fiend, sir!

I'm talking about Love, Willliam. From whence true passion flows...and all the acts that support and sustain it. You have confused the mere stone block for the entire structure, silly boy.

I'm getting married, if you haven't guessed. Quite a happy occurrence, wouldn't you say?"

[SeriousConcentrate]

"I would," Pasha said, stepping into the room with a tray in hand. On the tray was a large, handled jug and a few empty glasses. He set the tray on the table and took a seat next to Tala. "So, you're the exiled William." A statement rather than a question; he'd listened to the entire conversation from his place outside the door. Lifting the jug, he poured drinks for the three of them and took a sip from his glass. "I'm Pasha Dolgorouki, soon to be Pasha Alanis. A pleasure to meet you."

He put his free arm around Tala's shoulders and leaned back, crossing his legs comfortably. "It sounds like your fortunes have improved," he observed, meaning his statement of being in a relationship. "There have been a few changes for the better here, too. Kathos and Nikephoros jointly rule Ligoria, and all of us on the council would welcome you back, should you want to stay," he said. "So... why don't you tell me about yourself?" he asked. Tala already knew him, so the pair hadn't talked of William's past, only hers, and he was curious about this man.

[filiusenox]

"Ah, ef aðeins væri ég ekki burt ... fjandinn Laythe."

"Ah so your the lucky man who gets to marry the lovely Tala. Quite a pleasure to meet you Masteri Dolgorouki."
William picked up the drink, and took a light sniff before taking a sip.
"Really nothing much to say. Came from Lonemine because I heard a few rumors about Ligoria needing nobles. Talked to a Laythe, got some land, got exiled because I acted a little bit too zealous in gaining her land. After that I travelled a bit and gained some interest in Polca."
William shrugged and took another sip of the drink.

[SeriousConcentrate]

"Ah. A westerner." Pasha inclined his head slightly at the term 'masteri.' "I'm from the southeast, myself. Traveled the Storm Coast most of my life." He finished his glass, refilled it. "Lucky doesn't begin to describe it." He smiled wistfully, looking into his glass. William had mentioned what had gotten him exiled, and he nodded, returning his attention to their guest. "I understand. She really was a horrible leader. Not only did she lead Ligoria's armies to a defeat at Mileth, she even attempted to kill the enemy general during peaceful negotiations."

Pahsa shook his head. "He died from his wounds shortly after that. A rib had punctured his lung, or so I heard. And then, in a true cowardly move, she looted the treasury and the bank, and fled on a ship within a week or two of returning to Talama. On top of that, she and her soldiers murdered several civilians on the way out." He breathed through his nose. "So you being unfairly punished for being better than her at something doesn't surprise me in the slightest. Here's hoping she's fled the Storm Coast completely and never shows her hide here again." William had mentioned an interest elsewhere.

"Do you plan to go back to Polca?"