Finding Larson|Skyheort, Talen'sul

[Kender Bard]

"I don't know," Mina said, trying to keep her voice calm. "But I know that I can't just ignore it and do nothing. For all I know, if I do, then that man will die and who knows what will happen?"

Or Etaf could just shrug and pick someone else and nothing would change. That was the problem of being her servant. You knew a lot, but you rarely ever knew what your own free will would render.

[Darastrix]

"And how long is this going to take?" Nathan asked in frustration. He didn't like Mina going off on these trips along, but with Astrophel to take care of, he was essentially chained to their home.

Why can't you just leave her alone? he thought at Etaf.

[Kender Bard]

"I don't know," Mina gasped, finally unable to contain herself. "A lot of things are variables, unable to be known for sure. As far as I know, I just need to be there. I don't know what's supposed to happen after. Perhaps I just cause an event to happen just by where I'm at and from there I can finally stop."

But maybe not.

She crossed her arms and turned her back to him and paced unhappily. "If you truly do not want me to get involved, I can always say no," she told him. "And let the consequences of that be what they will be."

[Darastrix]

"I'm not going to ask you to do that," Nathan said, frowning. "I'm just not going to be happy about it. I know this is probably important, but it doesn't mean I have to like it any more than someone married to a soldier has to like their being called out to fight."

"I just wish I could go with you, or that someone else could. I miss you, and I worry about you going off alone."

[Kender Bard]

Mina chewed her lip lightly. "If you asked, I would," she reminded him. She would do anything for him; she was Generous, after all, and she loved him. "If it will make you feel better... I think I can arrange for an escort. I could ask one of the Wrathful at the temple to come with me. They are Soahc's enforcers, after all."

[Darastrix]

Mina would at least have protection, then. Nathan closed his eyes and gave a small nod. "Fine," he muttered. The word tasted bitter.

He didn't want to ask Mina to refuse her Force. He didn't want that man she had seen to end up dead because she'd done him a favour. He didn't want to part with his peace of mind, either, but that was done. Even if he were to tell Mina to tell Etaf "No," that was just for this time. Who could say when Etaf might call on Mina and disrupt their lives again?

[Kender Bard]

Mina sighed as she hugged herself. "Is Astrophel awake?" she asked, murmured. She wanted to change the subject and see her son; she did not want to stay in the room that was thick with hurt and anger.

[Darastrix]

"He's in his crib," Nathan said, "but he's probably awake by now."

[Kender Bard]

Mina nodded. She seemed on the verge of saying something else, but then changed her mind and silently walked off to go see her son.

---

She went on as normal; no more visions interrupted things for quite some time. It wasn't until midday almost two weeks later that she was jolted by another vision, urgent, almost instructive. It's time to go, she thought, now with a clear image of where she needed to be. It was a place she'd seen before on the way to the prophecy repository. Either whatever was going to happen would happen there or else she'd learn more once she got there. Astrophel was drowsing; she picked him up and carried him to the temple, heading into the Soahcian branch.

"Well if it isn't the little ray of sunshine?" another Generous priest, Marissa, cooed. She was the one that Mina often had helping her with Astrophel, when such help was needed. "Do you need me to watch him a while?"

"Aye, and more than that," Mina told her, handing the boy over to her friend gently. "Can you go to the guild and let Nathan know that I've been summoned?" She was looking around for Howl, the Wrathful who had agreed to act as her protection.

"Hmm I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever go," Marissa sighed. "Aye, I will. Be sure to tell us what happened when you get back."

"If I can," Mina agreed. "And... Tell Nathan that I'm sorry."

"Whatever for?"

"Please."

"Well if you insist," Marissa sighed, waving as Mina finally located the man and left with him to another part of the temple. She pat Astrophel gently who was awake now. "Let's go, cutie." She headed off towards the guild to do her duty.

[Darastrix]

Nathan was in the common area of the guild, deep in conversation with Eril, a slim, red-haired bard who held a harp balanced on his knee. Neither man looked particularly happy.

"Are you sure?" Nathan asked, frowning.

"I can't do this anymore," Eril replied. "I want to--you don't know how badly I do--but not like this. Not the way things are." He sighed. "Anarlina is the only chance I can see, but I'll be going alone. That by itself is telling."

Nathan opened his mouth, but closed it when he noticed Marissa and his son. "Excuse me, Eril," he murmured, squeezing his friend's shoulder in passing. The other bard nodded and withdrew.

"What is it?" he asked Marissa, feeling a sort of dread settle into his chest as he looked at her and Astrophel.

[Kender Bard]

"Sorry if it's a bad time," she said.

"Daddy!" Astrophel enthused, reaching for him. Marissa shifted her grip so the toddler wouldn't lean right out of her arms.

"Mina's been summoned," Marissa stated. "She was in a great hurry so either she has a lot to do or else not much time to do it in. She and Howl are probably on their way to wherever. With any luck, that means they'll be back that much sooner, aye?"

[Darastrix]

Nathan's face fell. She couldn't even say goodbye in person. "'Luck' only seems to apply to the people Etaf decides to use Mina to save," he murmured. "I don't think there's any left for me."

[Kender Bard]

Marissa winced at that. Well, that's what it means to be a Generous, she thought at him, but didn't have the nerve to say aloud. We give and give, even if it means we're hurting ourselves and those around us by doing so.

Instead, what she said was, "She wanted me to tell you that she's sorry."

[Darastrix]

"So am I," Nathan sighed. Sorry he couldn't be more understanding, sorry he needed her as much as he did, sorry he wasn't more important to her. "I guess this means I'll be coming by the temple later on to take Astrophel home?"

[Kender Bard]

Marissa gave a little nod. "I'd steal him away from you if I thought I could get away with it," she said lightly, chucking the child under the chin. Keeping her tone light for the toddler's sake, who was beginning to look a little anxious, she added, "If you need more help than normal, I'm willing to give a hand however I can."