Just here on business|Sensatiamens, Sensatia

[Deleted]

Riding up to the gate, Leon felt a rolling excitement. He'd only been to the land once, and had longed to return. Only now he wanted to sample of the delights of the land before getting to work. He wasn't sure how he was going to handle his job, but it didn't matter. that was far in the back of his mind, the first thing on his mind was sampling some of the wine, dine and women.

[Kender Bard]

The guards at the gate had each traveler pause. Their minds were scanned, briefly. Only the surface thoughts. When it came to Leon's turn, the guard just brushed his mind briefly against Leon's. Nothing new there--a weary traveler seeking the comforts of Sensatia. He waved Leon through the massive gates.

[Deleted]

Leon spent the day relaxing in the company of food, wine and women just as he had planned, as he waited for night fall.

Once the sun set however, it was time to go to work. Dressed dark Leon moved his way to a nearby tree his crossbow strapped to his back, and climbed up high till he found a window that looked to belong to a bedroom.

Perching himself on the branch, he knocked an arrow and waited.

[Kender Bard]

Thelon was not in his room, but that wasn't unusual. He often spent most of his time in his study. It was growing late, however. Libre entered the room briefly, glancing around with a look of disapproval. He turned abruptly as Thelon entered the room as well. From Leon's vantage point, Libre was partially blocking Thelon from a clear shot. From their body language, it seemed the two were arguing about something. Thelon slouched slightly; tired, defeated. Libre's spine was rigid with annoyance and anger.

[Deleted]

Leon was nothing if not patient when waiting for a kill. He trained is bow on where Thelon would be as soon as the man moved. He was prepared to shoot both if he had to, having a small quiver of bolts hanging at his hip with easy access.

[Kender Bard]

After a bit longer of argument, Libre shook his hard sharply. He stormed out of the room.

Thelon leaned back against his wall, a hand against his eyes. "Oh Thuoth," he whispered.

[Deleted]

Leon shook his head. Poor bastard. oh well. He thought to himself as he trained his bow on the heart of his target, and instant he felt steady shot.

[Kender Bard]

A lot of things were running through Thelon's mind in that short moment.

Regret. So much regret. A deep sorrow. A firm resolve in his decisions and actions. A prayer to his lord for absolution was on his lips.

"My lord, please forgi-hrk! Argh!" His prayer was cut off from the sharp pain his chest and the sound of breaking glass as the bolt went through his bedroom window. He glanced down at himself, at the bolt protruding from his chest and the heartsblood pouring down his chest already. Eyes wide, he started to slide down against the wall he had been leaning against. "Libre!" he called out in a strangled voice with air left in his lungs. It came out as more of a loud gasp.

Libre heard, however. He hadn't yet gone to his own room and he stepped back into the room. "Wha- oh Thuoth!" He knelt next to his father, mind reaching out to the healer he was most familiar with. ~My father has been shot! Please, come and help us!~ Swallowing hard, wondering if he should take the bolt out or not, he told Thelon in a shaking voice, "It's okay father. It'll be okay. The healer's on his way. Oh Thuoth." His stomach twisted. "All this blood." It was gushing out of Thelon so fast. Too fast. Tears flooded Libre's eyes.

Why this? Why now? He needed his father. "I'm sorry I yelled," he said in a high, frantic voice. He felt like a little child again, helpless and guilty.

Thelon managed a tremulous little smile for his son, despite the pain and weakness. He didn't have breath to talk. I could never be mad at you, son.

Evidently Libre heard. He took his father's hand and clutched it tightly in both of his own, sobbing.

[Deleted]

Leon was about to get down when he saw the son rush in. It was a touching scene for sure. He knew he couldn't stay, or he might be spotted, best to leave now while they were still tripping over themselves to save the man.

Carefully he slipped his crossbow into his bag and began to slip down the tree then out the way he came.

[Kender Bard]

The healer recognized Libre's mind voice and teleported to the Master's home. ~You didn't even give your name~ he chastised. ~Where are you?~

~Father's room~ Libre replied tersely. The healer quickened his step. If the sight of the Master crumpled on the ground next to the wall with such a mortal wound shook him, he did well to hide it as he knelt and inspected the wound, already grabbing a full bottle of healing water.

I'm sorry son, Thelon thought towards Libre, closing his eyes. I've made a lot of mistakes.

"Just hush," Libre told Thelon in a low voice.

I tried to take care of my family, Thelon thought. To be a loving father and husband. He thought back to time spent in the temple and desperate prayers to Thuoth. I tried. Would that be enough for his lord?

There was so much said about the vast wisdom of Thuoth. But how compassionate was his Force?

"Please stop worrying," Libre murmured to Thelon. "For once in your life. Please. Everything will be okay."

Thelon didn't even open his eyes. His mindvoice grew quiet as memories flickered through his mind.

"My lord," the healer said quietly to get Libre's attention. He had unstoppered the bottle of healing water but was putting the cork in again. "He's far too wounded for me to help. The healing water will not save him fast enough." He was surprised that Thelon had held on this long.

"You can't do this," Libre told Thelon in an angry, despairing voice. "You can't! You can't leave me alone, it isn't fair!" His voice cracked and hot tears ran down his cheeks. "Father, I need you..."

But Thelon had no reply. Nor would he ever. Even in death, the former Master carried faint look of worry and concern. The healer and Libre stayed kneeling by him, the silence broken only by Libre's soft sobbing.

The healer cleared his throat and rose. "Shall I... I will... I'll let the Taedeans know." The Taedeans would handle everything from this point. Brushing his sign, the healer teleported away to the temple.

Libre, alone, pressed his palms into his eyes as he whispered brokenly to only the Forces, "It isn't fair."