Reluctant Messenger [Plot-North]

[Darastrix]

It had taken much precious time for Thoth to recover, both from whatever illness he'd picked up during his unaccustomed travels and the death of his companion. More time than he'd thought, it seemed, though the healers had told him how long.... He shook his head, dismissing the thought. It wasn't important.

Not much was nowadays.

He shook his head again and turned his attention to his surroundings. Odd. He thought there would be more people out and about. He'd heard that Skyheort was nearly as crowded as Rivenway. No matter. He just needed to get this ring delivered, and then the next. After that, he wasn't sure.

"Excuse me," he said when he came upon someone on the street. "I"m looking for a young man named Seafoam. Would you happen to know where I can find him?" It was, thankfully, an unusual name for someone in the Wind nation. He could probably go through a handful of Seafoams in Ronduin before finding the one he wanted.

[Northen Light36]

Tavia blinked in surprise, but nodded. "Yes, I know a young man by that name. Seafoam Calder, the son of a friend of mine and the palace healer. Is that who you're looking for?"

[Darastrix]

"Possibly," Thoth replied. "I wasn't given a great deal to go on." His lips twisted bitterly around the words. How much effort would it have taken to give him full names to work with, to make this task just a little easier? Wasn't losing his last friend in the world more than enough hardship?

He closed his eyes for a moment and breathed out slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose above his glasses. Whatever his issue with Efil, this woman had nothing to do with it. "I'm led to believe he's a healer, at any rate. I doubt there are many healers named Seafoam in Talen'sul."

[Northen Light36]

"True," Tavia remarked with a smile. "It's not a common name for Talen'sul." She gave Thoth a thoughtful look. "You look tired, and getting into the palace isn't easy right now. Why don't you come back to my house? I can get you something to eat or drink and my husband can contact Seafoam for you. Can I ask why you're looking for him?"

[Darastrix]

"Thank you; I have a delivery for him." He knew that many leaders were by then aware of the rings, and he thought he would have an easy time getting into the palace if he told what he was delivering, but he wanted to keep a low profile.

[Northen Light36]

"I see," Tavia murmured, idly touching the ring on her finger and hoping her guess to the nature of the delivery was wrong. Flash would not be happy if his son was involved in this war, over protective man that he was. Bad enough that Saph and little Teardrop were a part of this.

"Well, come along, my house isn't far." She led Thoth to her home and remarked, "Tavin will be downstairs in a moment. Oh, and I'm Tavia by the way." She smiled ruefully. "I should have introduced myself sooner. Ah well. I have some lovely peppermint tea, would you like a cup?"

[Darastrix]

"Yes, thank you," Thoth murmured. "And my name is Thoth, formerly of Ronduin."

[Northen Light36]

"My oldest sister lived in Ronduin for a time," Tavia commented idly as she set about making the tea. "It's a lovely place." She didn't even blink as Tavin teleported into the kitchen. "Oh really, Tavin! We have stairs you know. Forces, you're as bad as Aideen! Tea, love?"

"That would be lovely, dear," Tavin replied, enduring the scolding with a good-natured smile, though a flicker of worry crept into the expression at the name of his daughter. Turning to Thoth, he remarked, "You must be the guest Tavia mentioned. How can I help you?"

[Darastrix]

Thoth gave a startled jerk at Tavin's entrance. He'd seen more teleporting in recent weeks than he had over the course of his entire life, but he was far from used to it. "I was told that you could contact Seafoam for me since getting into the palace is difficult at the moment; I have a delivery for him."

[Northen Light36]

Tavin smiled. "Seafoam Calder? Oh, that's no problem at all. Just give me a moment." He touched his sign and focused, reaching out to find Seafoam's mind. After a moment he looked up and smiled. "You're in luck. He was actually just heading to the market. Shouldn't take him long to get here."

"Just enough time for you to drink your tea," Tavia added. "Here you go." She handed out the cups and sat down at the table. Then got up again. "Drink up. I'll just make a cup for young Seafoam. He prefers his cooler." She busied herself doing just that.

"Tavia likes to keep busy," Tavin remarked with a laugh. "Her way of relaxing, really."

[Darastrix]

Thoth gave a small, weak smile in return, eyes downcast as though that cup of tea was the most interesting thing in the world. After a few sips, he decided he should probably make some attempt at conversation. "I'm rather tired of keeping busy," he murmured. "But I'm not quite sure what I'd do with myself otherwise."

He looked up at Tavin with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry if I seem a bit...." He gestured vaguely. "It's been a poor month."

[Northen Light36]

"I understand," Tavin remarked. He chatted idly with both Thoth and Tavia until there was a knock on the door. "Ah, that'll be Seafoam. Or at least I hope it is him and not work." Chuckling, he went to greet Seafoam and show the young man into the room. "Seafoam, this gentleman has a delivery for you. Tavia and I thought he'd have an easier time if he came here then going to the palace."

"Probably," agreed Seafoam and gave Thoth a smile.

[Darastrix]

Good; it was the right man after all. "Would it be possible for us to speak in private?" Thoth asked. "There's a message attached as well."

[Northen Light36]

Seafoam frowned just slightly. He didn't like to be suspious, but he was the Calder heir and not entirely comfortable with being entirely alone with a complete stranger. "I would prefer to speak in front of my friends, if you don't mind."

[Darastrix]

"As you wish," Thoth said tiredly. It wasn't really important, though he felt he could do without the odd looks he though he'd get from the other two.

"The Forces have chosen mortals to aid them in putting an end to the demon incursions. How they will do this, I don't know, but they gave rings to be delivered to these chosen, and will bring them all together when it's time." He drew the ring from his robe and held it out. "Efil has chosen you."