Old friends and old secrets|Sensatiamens, Sensatia

[Kender Bard]

"More grown than you'd realize," Thelon chuckled. "He's got a little sweetheart in Khelek. A daughter of two healers. Her name is Harmony. She's a bit of a wild child, if you ask me. Probably takes after her father. Their relationship won't last, thank goodness, but it's nice to see Libre enjoying himself. He's in Khelek right now, in fact, acting as my ambassador there. Seems all our children are beginning to step into their roles already. Does your son have a love of his own, if I may ask?"

[Northen Light36]

Flash chuckled and looked at Tres. "Yes, actually. Well, an interrest anyway. He's quite taken with your niece."

Tres laughed at that, but looked thoughtful. "Really? Well, I'll have to see if I can arange for her to spend some time in Sensatia while he's here then. They'd make a sweet couple."

Flash grinned. "Sounds like a plan to me. And what about Flame? She's a little young for sweethearts, unless I've lost track of her age, but I imagine she'd be starting to take on clan duties by now?"

"Forces help anyone who tries to stop her," Tres laughed. "She's got my spirit and Thelon's work ethic. Our biggest problem is keeping her from trying to do more then she's capable of, isn't it dear?"

[Kender Bard]

"Yes it is," Thelon agreed, his good cheer dimmed by that. "Well, we'll keep working on it at least. So, Flash, have you tried any of Sensatia's invaluable hotspots before? The hot springs is by far and wide the most sought after."

[Northen Light36]

"Yes, you really should visit them if you haven't yet," Tres remarked with a grin. "Given how you whine as soon as it gets mildly cold."

"And you don't?" Flash shot back playfully. The old friends continued to tease and chatter with each other, always careful not to let Thelon be left out, until Flash had to excuse himself to go find his family.

---

Tres and Flash were both a good deal less playful after a private talk the next morning. When they returned from it, Flash seemed slightly uncomfortable and Tres kept glancing at Thelon out of the corner of her eye with an expression that seemed to suggest she was torn about something.

Finally, Tres took Thelon aside and asked quietly, "How soon can you be free to take me to Maelstrom, love?"

[Kender Bard]

Thelon frowned in concern. "I can go this very moment if it's something urgent. What is it, Tres? What's happened?" He brought a hand up to stroke her cheek lightly, still looking worried.

[Northen Light36]

"I'm... not sure," Tres admitted softly, reaching up to press her hand lightly against Thelon's. She sighed, her expression troubled. "I'm worried, Thelon. Shadow... hasn't been himself lately some of what Flash has been telling me is uncomfortably similar to something that Shadow went though when we were children. But it's something we all swore never to reveal to anyone else."

Tres gave her husband a pleading look. "I love you dear, and normally I'd tell you everything right away, but if I'm wrong, I'd be betraying the trust of one of my best friends. If I'm right, well, I'll have to tell at least Lya, and I'd be willing to tell you, if you give me your word that no one else will ever know. Can you agree to trust me for now, love, and to keep the secret if I'm right about this?"

[Kender Bard]

"Of course," Thelon agreed and kissed her. "You know you can trust me. And I'll trust you in return. Did you want to leave now then?"

[Northen Light36]

Tres kissed Thelon back and gave him a warm smile. "I would, thank you love. And thank you for being so understanding."

[Kender Bard]

"Did you want me to get Flash and Salacia too?" Thelon asked. "Or is this something that you want to handle on your own?"

[Northen Light36]

Tres frowned thoughtly. "I think I'd rather try and handle this on my own for now," she replied after some consideration. "Shade and Flash fought before Flash left. If Shade's still sour over that, or if I'm right about what's going on, my turning up with Flash would probably just get us both thrown out."

[Kender Bard]

"I'll stick around then," Thelon replied. "You can do what you like, but I intend to spend a little time catching up with Lya or just wandering Maelstrom and browsing the shops. I'd rather be nearby in case he decides to throw you out too or if you change your mind and wish for me to fetch them."

He brought up a hand and touched his signs. "Ready?"

[Northen Light36]

If I'm right, I'm likely not to be too welcome, Tres thought quietly and slightly uneasily. "I'm always glad to have you nearby," she said aloud. "I'm ready."