Rising of Tides

[Lion]

Christophe's eyes softened with sympathy largely unseen.  Though he worked, silently and quietly, to keep the mages afloat both physically and emotionally, and from tearing each other apart, he was a hard man to most, with little time for humor, for foolishness, for anything that would waste what precious time was available to them.  He looked at Olive and saw her blush, and gave only a silent nod of understanding.

Bess saw it but kept her mouth shut.  She only smiled.  Just a little, and that too faded as quckly as Christophe's sympathy.  She stayed silent as Christophe stepped forward and put a hand on Olive's shoulder and squeezed it lightly.

"I trust the task couldn't be in better hands.  You can take a little more risk than the rest of us, and we'll put that to good use.  You're valuable to us, Carwick, and don't think I don't know what kind of risk you take all your own.  Even with your family name to back it up," he said softly.  He gave her a ghost of a smile and looked at the others.  "Perhaps it is time to close up shop.  The soldiers will be coming soon to check the shacks, and change rounds.  Carwick, what time were you meeting the Priest?  I'm assuming after bedtime for most of the guard."

____

Mercuxio's attention was gained when at last Bromlin dropped in to further extrapolate on the matter of Niel's ire.  Indeed, the priest could understand the source of her irritation in the sense that mages needed to be contained, and controlled.  But magic could not be so contained, as any mortal could be born with certain gifts without prior knowledge of inheritance.  Not everyone had the choice, as the woman in the confessional had pointed out.  And though they did not, it was an unpleasant fact that they had to suffer the consequences of others' actions.

He'd let Neil speak and took her words with what value they had.  She may have been the only woman at the table, and perhaps that stemmed into her tone.  Something to prove in a camp full of men, run by men, and commanded by men.  He only nodded to her and raised his glass, thanking her for her input.

At long last he turned to the Lieutenant Colonel and shook his head.  "Please, Bromlin, I assure you it's quite all right.  I did ask what she thought, and that is exactly what I expected from her.  But it is strange what you say.  I understand mages are interred here at the camps weekly, more are found where they might be, perhaps more often than that.  But surely you don't mean you  have a Duke's daughter here?"  He smiled, as if it were little more than a joke, veiling the realization that he knew the name.

Indeed, that must have been why the voice of the woman earlier in the morning sounded so familiar.   "But what possible trouble could Duke Carwick's daughter be causing that would make Major Neil so upset?"

[kleineklementine]

Olive didn't meet Christophe's eyes when he affirmed her task; rather, her gaze was fixed somewhere in the distance as she listened to the man.  His hand on her shoulder made her feel oddly like a child, or like he was deputizing her, she wasn't sure. But she couldn't help but think for a moment of her own father, what he thought or knew about what was going on here, or about her.

When Christoff was done, she looked up at him, and simply nodded. "After all the work shifts are over and the night guards are on watch, I take whatever scrap firewood I can manage around to some of the older mages. The night guard know about it already. They're alright, and as long as I'm not too late, they don't mind. I'll go to the priest after I've done that... and hope I'm not too late." She gave a little shrug to say, safety-wise, that was really all she could do.

"Alright, well take care, child," Bess said resignedly, rising to escort the others out of her tent. Bremen echoed her sentiment and Olive left with Darnell. The two younger mages typically left first; an unspoken admission that the older mages might have other business that they weren't privy to.

"Well, I can't say that I love the way you go about everything, Olive," Darnell sighed, shaking his head at the girl. "I mean, he's a priest, for Angsar's sake! I would certainly hope we can trust him, or we can't trust anyone." This was a bit tongue-in-cheek. Both knew that they couldn't really trust anyone. "But I got your back, either way."

"Thanks," Olive said soberly before turning the other way, "I hope we can, too."



Bromlin immediately shot Neil a look that she should hold her tongue. There had already been too much said and the last thing that the Lieutenant wanted was to give the impression so quickly that matters were not entirely under control at Valinarus.

"It's no joke." It was Fawley who finally spoke up, noting the smoldering looks passing between the two older officers. "I imagine, politically-speaking, sending his daughter here was the only option available to the duke. Major Neil here is just angry that we won't let her use Lady Carwick to make a political statement of her own."

Neil opened her mouth to make an angry retort, but Bromlin held up his hands. "Peace, peace," he interjected. "That's more than enough of that. Father, I'm sure you've already had an exhausting day, burdening yourself with the troubles of the soul. And we all still have duties to attend to before the night is out. I'm sure you'd like to retire to your cabin, as humble as it is." It was far from a suggestion, or even a request. "But I have to thank you, Father, for joining us. I hope I can look forward to dining with you while you're here? I'd be quite interested to hear your thoughts during your stay."



Olive dropped the last bundle of wood - just scraps and twigs, really, but they would burn better than the cold empty air - by the makeshift fireplace shared by three old women, all over seventy. She found that this was when her years of aggressively staying positive and friendly (then in light of wearing a Mark) came in handy the most. She chatted brightly with the old women for a few minutes, putting on an air of let's-make-the-best-of-this that she didn't really feel. Not tonight, at least. She kissed the women on the cheek, then head out into the cold autumn night. She flashed a grateful and slightly sheepish smile to the night guard as she led her way, ostensibly on her way home, but once she left his sight, she swerved and headed to the small chapel. Olive wished that she had Dac, her tracker, with her, but he was back in the shack that she shared with Orchid and the Carriage twins. He was a great comfort to the children in the camp and she hated depriving them of that, but it would certainly be nice to have the shaggy bear at her side now. She paused and looked carefully around when she reached the chapel then, seeing no one, slipped quickly and quietly inside.

Her heart racing, she scanned the dimly lit little chapel, hoping that nothing would go wrong. "Father?"

[Lion]

The rest of the dinner had been long and quiet, almost painful with what unleashed tension Mercuxio detected between Neil, Fawley and the Lieutenant Colonel.  He forgave them for their curt manner and choice words and they went on to eat peacefully.  Conversation was wanting and idle, talking about little more than mundane things like the weather and various politics that were of little consequence to anyone.  He was thankful when it was over and he could retire back in his cabin.

But he couldn't rest just yet, that much he knew.  The priest had kept in the back of his mind, Major Neil's words.  The Lady Carwick.  The girl that wanted to speak to him...  Her voice had been so familiar, and yet...could it really be true?  He doubted the officers at dinner would have any good reason to lie to him at this present time.  Of course, he couldn't deny the possibility either.

He had heard of such an incident, there were a few mages found among noble blood, so it was not completely unheard of.  But he'd known Olive Carwick, or at least had become acquainted with her.  She was one of Dani's friends – perhaps one of her only friends – as far as he could remember.  But he'd been removed from the world for such a long time, he was separated even from his own family.  His father wanted nothing to do with him, his mother was quiet in her affection,  Jaimie and Severine had their own lives to live, and Dani...well, poor Dani.

He had no doubt of the Major's words, and it would be an interesting prospect to speak with Olive, to find her, perhaps even to make her a proper tool in his investigation.  But even Merric knew he was treading on thin ice here.  Tensions were high between the mages and the guards and the matters of finding the malignant rebel could very well be just as explosive as a black powder keg if not handled with care.  The first thing he needed was someone he could trust, and who could trust him in return – well, more the latter than the former.

He arrived at the Church just a minute after her, carrying a few objects against him.

"I am here, child.  I didn't forget," he spoke softly as he entered the chapel, walking past her and not turning to look at her just yet.  He laid some relics down by the altar, arranging them in a better fashion before turning to peer at her.  He took a step back, his expression stunned.  "Olive Carwick? Is that really you?"

[kleineklementine]

If Olive's heart was racing before, it stopped when the priest spoke her name. Olive stood stock still, a mix of surprise, confusion, and suspicion on her face. Recognition hadn't struck her yet. In truth, it seemed somehow preposterous that anyone outside of Valinarus would know who she was. That life, her life before this, seemed so far away. Trying to reach it now was like trying to remember something from a dream. But he didn't only know her. She knew him, she was sure she did, she just couldn't...

Then Olive's green eyes widened and whatever color was left drained from her face. Dani. It was Dani's brother. She didn't say his name out loud; she'd learned in here to temper her reactions. But her lips moved to silently form it.

Mercuxio.

Olive wasn't ready for the jarring force of that realization. Of a real, flesh and blood manifestation of her old life. And the people in it. Valinarus had seemed like the only real thing for so long. Mercuxio's simple presence felt like being ripped from one reality into another.

She simply stared at him in silence, her mouth open, unable to articulate the emotions coursing through her. For a moment, all of her present intention left her mind and, when she spoke in a quiet and maybe frightened voice, she didn't answer his question but asked, "Is my family okay? Do you know?"

((OOC: They are-ish. Up to you if Mercuxio knows that or not!))

[Lion]

She wasn't the only one in shock.  He knew he wanted to find her, but he hadn't expected to find her so soon.  And the connection was made quicker than he thought it would.  The voice, the forthrightness with which she spoke.  And she wasn't the onle one to suddenly be reminded of family.  The family he felt like he hadn't seen in years, the family he felt like he was hardly a part of.

He blinked back tears from the thought of it and his face turned solemn, sad even and he swallowed hard on a dry throat.  "I, uh, had heard that they were doing well.  As well as can be in the present time.  But I don't know much more than that, I'm afraid."  He cracked his knuckles afterward, the rellization settling in.

"My sister is well, if you'd like to know.  But...she didn't tell anyone that...you were in a place like this.  I'm as surprised as you are.  I've been away for a long time.  I hadn't heard that you..that you, well..."  His hands gestured up at their surroundings.  "How long have you been here?  Since it was built?"

[kleineklementine]

Olive nodded numbly, touching a hand to her face. "I thought maybe... I was afraid... because of me..." She didn't finish the fragmented sentences. Either because she couldn't form the words or because she thought they were unnecessary. As more rumors trickled into the camp of the mounting tensions outside, Olive had become increasingly worried about what would happen to her parents whose only child was a mage. She half opened her mouth to say something else, but closed it and managed to sit down on one of the makeshift pews. She needed to sit.

"Of course I'd like to know," she answered a little defensively and her eyes flashed defiantly at him for half a second before clouding over again with shock of it all. "Sorry, I just... It feels like a dream now, all of that life..." She was silent for a moment, her eyes unfocused as memories swam in her head like darting fish she couldn't quite catch. "She, she probably didn't know. Oh, she probably doesn't know. When they came to take me... I'd already been under house arrest for some time... I didn't really believe the camps existed. I knew they were taking mages, of course, I just didn't think they were keeping them alive... I probably told her that, I can't remember now. So when they finally came," she recalled, her voice foggy and her expression far away, "I expected to just be taken out of the city and shot. But I didn't know what else to do, so I went... The idea that something like this actually existed seemed so unbelievable."

Olive's face tightened with the realization that the last thing her friend had heard from her probably led Dani to believe Olive was dead now. But would knowing about this be any better?

"No, it was already built when I arrived," she answered, shaking her head slowly. "I'm not sure how long I've been here. At least a year. But the weather is so miserable here all year and... well, no one counts days for too long."

[Lion]

Her revelation slowly spread the web out in his mind, the reality that mages were drawn out and corralled like common cattle.  For their own good, he was sure, but it still seemed surreal all the same.  Mercuxio had thought little of the matter when he peered on the denizens of this camp.  They were mages and magic-users all the same with their own reasons for being here.  But hearing Olive's story, her fears, her own narration, made it all the more real for him.  It didn't seem so important until he heard it from someone he knew.

"I can't imagine what that was like," he aside, and realizing only then the kind of blasphemous thoughts arose with those words.  But his eyes were open and curious and his concern was genuine - surprising even himself - as he took a seat beside her on the pew, though with enough distance to keep their own bubbles of personal space within respective zones.

"And I don't suppose they'd have any reason to believe they would be free tomorrow.  Even I don't know how long this would continue, but what do I know..."  Merric dropped his head.  "I'm sorry..."  He didn't know what more to say.  Except perhaps.  "How are they treating you...at least?"

[kleineklementine]

Olive looked up sharply at Mercuxio's question. "Everything I said before was true about what's going on here." Her expression stayed hard for a moment more, then softened again.

She rubbed her face. "I do have an easier time of it than the others," she admitted with a sigh, and it was clear that this was a somewhat painful thing for her to say aloud. And, though it was true, it wasn't readily apparent to look at her. Always a twiggy thing, she looked far too thin now. Her  hair had grown out lank and a little unkempt from the neat bob it'd been when she came. And her clothing looked worn and inadequate for the coming winter. But they all looked like that.

Olive didn't look at Mercuxio as she explained. "My title carries some currency, even here. Not with everyone, but it does with Lieutenant Bromlin, and that's enough for the time being. I've never been beaten, at least not yet. I think they're just not sure what to do with me, and no one wants to be the first one to cross the line with the daughter of a duke. The worst that ever happens is I get thrown into the solitary cell with no food for a few days, but that's it." Olive said this in an off-handed manner that suggested the girl really didn't think the punishment was so severe. A view that might at first seem startling to someone from outside the camps. "The men don't bother me, at least."

"When I first arrived, they actually kept me and fed me separately. I didn't have to labor like the others." Olive sneered in disgust at the memory. "I think they wanted to make some sort of example of me. A pious noblewoman put up on a pedestal to make it all seem a bit more humane. I don't know. I couldn't stand it, sitting idle and fed while everyone toiled and starved. It didn't last for very long. But I suppose if I'd played along I might still be dining with the Lieutenant as some sort of macabre guest. I don't know."

Finally, she gave a short, mirthless laugh, "And I still have my dog. With all the children who come in here without parents, and vice versa, they let me keep  my tracker. I suppose that's the privilege that comes with station."


((*fails at making shorter posts!!!*))

[Lion]

[You could if you tried! 8D But you don't have to if you don't want to!]

Mercuxio was taken aback by her revelations, slowly and carefully, like weights were slowly and gradually being placed on his shoulders and he felt heavier and heavier.  But he knew he couldn't let his connection to Olive overshadow his judgment, he still had a mission to do, rumors in investigate.  Yet even still, hers was an almost surreal visage to face, after so long and to find her in this place out of anywhere else in all the world.

A soft grin spread across his face, one that might seem out of place in the moment, but it was genuine and Merric dropped his head a little.  "I don't know if it's any consolation, but as her brother, I'm happy Dani made friends with someone like you.  I mean, for your concern for the people here.  It shows a certain strength of character.  And that's something to be proud of.  As ironic as that might be," Mercuxio replied, his smile fading a little.

"And to see her brother in these frumpled clothes, I imagine must be as much of a shock to you as me seeing you here.  This is where I've been all this time, though I doubt my father would say so.  I'm sure Dani's told you how he can be.  Well, father wouldn't be a term I'd use often.  But there you go.  And here we are.

"I wouldn't know much about luxury myself, aside from that old life I left long ago.  The priesthood isn't as glamorous as many make it out to be.  But I'm no bishop.  I'm just a lay priest for a parish to the south.  And being here, only makes reality set in all the more.  I'm sure I don't know what it's really like out there, but it wouldn't be hard to get a pretty good idea."  Merric gave her a small, humbled grin and bowed his head again.  When he managed the courage to peer her in the eye, he sat straighter.

"I guess there's only so much catching up one can do.  And I do recall you'd come here with purpose."

[kleineklementine]

Olive looked up then. Yes, of course she'd come here for a purpose. Had she forgotten that? It was only a few hours since she'd warned the others to be wary of this priest and she'd lowered her guard with him without even thinking about it. Olive felt her realities creak and shift until they all realigned to Valinarus. She'd let Mercuxio make her think, for a moment, that the old realities still applied, and that was a dangerous mistake. Of course they didn't.

Despite her newly rekindled wariness, Olive couldn't stamp out a flicker of hope that it would make some difference.

She met his eye, hers clearer now, sharper. "Can you actually help?"


((Haha! I did it!))

[Lion]

The question hung in the air like a giollotine's edge hanging above the neck of a prisoner.  Mercuxio winced inwardly at the sting of expectation and the sharpness of doubt that surrounded it.  He looked her in the eye, however and solemnly replied, "I can try.  Where I can, I will.  And if I cannot, do not think it's because of a lack of effort.  I want to help."

[kleineklementine]

Olive held Mercuxoi's gaze steadily for several long moment. Gone was the mist of memory from her eyes, replaced by a clear, and maybe challenging, resolution. It was clear that she was determining something about him, likely whether or not she could trust him, or if she believed him. But after a moment longer, it seemed that he passed. When Olive spoke now, her voice was harder and almost business-like.

"Their names are Harret and Schelmner, both sergeants. It's probably been going on for six months, at least. There are other guards, and other women; I don't know them all. But I could get more names. I know about this girl because I share a hut with her and two younger children. If they come when I'm there, I can keep them from taking her. They don't want a scene."

Olive paused for a moment, taking a breath. Some of the edge came off her voice as she continued. "I've talked to Lieutenant Bromlin and Captain Fawley – multiple times – and even Major Neil once. I think they all believe me, except perhaps the Major, but the Lieutenant won't tip the boat here against his soldiers in favor of a mage, even if it's just a girl. I think..." Something flickered across Olive's face, but it passed as quickly as it came. "I think the Captain is more sympathetic, but he's under the Lieutenant and his hands are tied. Major Neil, well," Olive gave a shrug to signify that the Major couldn't care less.

She pushed her hair back, looking a bit anxious now that she'd said her piece. Like she wasn't sure what she could expect the priest to do, but she wanted to believe he could do something. "I think you'll get a lot of push back, but maybe they'll listen to you." She considered a moment, then added, "And don't feel that you need to protect me as your source. They'll know."

[Lion]

The seconds it took to receive a response from her felt as if a noose was slowly tightening around Mercuxio's neck.  Were it not for the loosened collar of his own evening robes, he might have believed such a notion.  The make-shift chapel was cool, as winter air seeped in through the folds and underneath the tent flaps.  He took in a deep breath of fresh, crisp evening air when Olive at last murmured the names of the two guards at fault.  There were more, of course there were more.  There was always more, and Merric knew this wasn't the only camp this kind of abhorrent activity was happening in.

But it was this camp he was sent to.  It was this camp, where the rumors were said to have been coming from, that word of dissent was threatening to trickle out.  Tensions were high in every corner, between mages, between guards, without need for both groups to clash.  The men wanted to be transferred, to go home on furlough, to at least take a visit to a brothel.  If the quality of life was miserable for yourself, who cared if it was worse for another.  Man would always bemoan his station.

"Thank you for telling me this, Olivia," Mercuxio replied in genuine earnest.  "I know it may not be much, but I will do the best that I can to see that these men are rightfully dealt with and see the severity of their crimes.  The Church has not turned a blind eye to the war, or to the suffering of those involved, but if no one speaks up, how can it attend to that suffering that it has yet to hear.  It will be difficult.  Perhaps more difficult than you because I am a newcomer here, but I will try.  You have my word as a priest, as a man, and as a friend.  Though...perhaps it is too soon to think of ourselves as the latter.  We barely knew each other even back then. 

[kleineklementine]

Olive watched Mercuxio steadily as he said his piece. It was clear from her expression that she did not consider him a friend, whatever his words. But she wanted, against her better judgement maybe, to trust him, and that showed, too. And when she spoke again, it was perhaps to establish this distance.

"You should call me Constance, if you have to call me anything. Not Olive. I don't think it would help anyone if it seemed like we were familiar with each other."

She had to hold her tongue on the matter of the 'Church not turning a blind eye' and his assertion that the Church could not act if 'no one spoke up' about the suffering going on in the camps. And, she supposed, outside of the camps. Whether or not Mercuxio knew the full extent of what was going on in the camps before coming here - and she wasn't entirely sure yet that she trusted his alleged ignorance - she didn't believe for a moment that the Church as a whole was so ignorant. That they simply did not move to stop the atrocities of war because 'no one told them about it.'

Olive held her eyes on him, hard and uncertain, for several moments longer, then glanced to the door of the chapel and back. "I shouldn't stay," she told him. "The guards on this shift turn a blind eye to me being out now, when I take fire wood - or whatever burns - to some of the older people here. But if I'm too late they'll be suspicious. I hope you can do something. Things here... I'm not sure it's sustainable."

It was unclear if her lat words were a musing or perhaps a warning, but it was all Olive would say on the matter. She got up then, but turned back to Mercuxio before she reached the door. And when she did, she looked worried again, uncertain of the wisdom of asking him a favor, but...

"When you leave here," she asked quietly, her green eyes beseeching him, "can you tell someone? That I'm okay. My parents or Avery or, or Dani. Someone."

[Lion]

Mercuxio couldn't have expected anything more than hard scrutiny from the likes of Olive Carwick.  And that was just what he got.  He reminded himself, he wasn't here for her well-being, he wasn't here for her comfort or concern, but with a clear mission from the Order.  To find any source of rebellion and snuff it out.  He was not a babysitter, or a caregiver, no matter if he was a priest or not.

Then why did that hard scrutiny cause strange pangs in his stomach that felt a lot like guilt.  Merric had often had the luxury of carrying out his duty without knowing the identity of those he encountered.  None of the mages that had been paid retribution by his hand had been anyone he knew.  He had no reason to believe that she would give him her trust so easily.  And yet...

Merric did the only thing he knew how to do with such a matter and shoved it far away from his present focus as possible.  Mercuxio nodded to her in understanding.  "Very well," he answered with another nod.  "I will.  I think Dani would appreciate hearing about you.  Listen...er, Constance.  If you would like...because I have not yet been made aware of the arrangements for communication of the camp...  If you have letters you would like to send to your family, I mean, I could see to it that they get to their proper destination.  The Lieutenant hasn't told me if the denizens here are allowed to send letters to the outside world."

[kleineklementine]

Olive looked seriously at Mercuxio when he made his offer. She had no idea what to make of the brother of her friend. Dani, of course, had never spoken well of him. And Olive had learned quickly here that the less you trusted someone the better. Representatives of the government or the church should be trusted even less. But something seemed genuine about him; and then again it didn't. So his offer gave her pause. Perhaps he was genuine, though that suggested his ignorance of the camps was greater than she would have guessed. Or perhaps he wasn't; would Mercuxio Rastognlir be above laying a trap for her?

In this case, however, her answer was the same regardless.

"No," she answered. "We're not. And I wouldn't want to endanger anyone outside by possessing a letter from a mage."

This was one thing Bromlin had been very strict about; even before she'd fallen out of his good books. Written, first-hand descriptions of life in the camps was not something they wanted circulating outside of the camp walls.

"But thank you," she said and her expression softened. She meant it. "And if Dani... If you could ask her to pass the word on... No," Olive looked down. Olive wanted very much to get word to her family, even if they'd sent her here, but she couldn't ask her friend to endanger herself. "No, I guess she shouldn't."

She didn't say any more, but hurried out of the church and into the night.

Olive's head was in a whirl as she stepped into the cold night air. She hadn't known what to expect from the priest, but it wasn't that. To do anything tonight would be too dangerous, or too stupid. So she hurried back to her hunt and crawled into bed beside the sleeping Orchid. It took her a long time to fall asleep herself.

The next morning, Olive took a path to her labor shift that she knew would intersect the man's who she wanted to talk to. And when she saw Christophe Corbinius, she didn't say anything, but gave him a meaningful look. When the time was appropriate he, she knew, would find her.


((OOC: Obviously I'm happy to write for Bromlin or Fawley or Neil if you want to have Merric talk with them "on screen" as it were. :D))

[Lion]

Merric didn't know why he had offered to send letters to her family, but in the moment he had done it, it had seemed like the right thing to do at the time, to say despite the circumstances and the answer he knew she would give all along.  Even he couldn't tell if the words were said out of earnestness or what possible answers he might gain from them.  Of course, she had to know they would be read before being passed on.  No one survived in a place like this without quickly learning who they could and couldn't trust.

And he had yet to earn his piece.

Merric busied himself cleaning up the church before closing up for the evening and returning to his own cabin long after the night watch had changed.  There was too much to borne in such a short period of time and his mind was working endlessly at what it could mean, it's potential use - it's futility.  He slumped down into his cot and fell asleep immediately, snoring a little.  And dreaming only of the sun shining on a place far away from Valinarus, and the longing to be there.

When morning came, a soldier arrived at his door, knocking softly again and calling clear through the door.  "Father Merric, Lieutenant Colonel Bromlin would like to extend an invitation for breakfast, sir, if you will have it.  I shall escort you to the premises if you are willing," the young guard said.

Merric put his necklaces over his head before opening the door and nodding to the young sergeant.  "I will be along shortly, though I can find the way myself, thank you.  Please, tell the Lieutenant I will be coming, thank you sergeant," he replied and the young man saluted him and went on his way.  After a few minutes, Merric was ready as promised and found his own way to the Lieutenant's table once more.

He felt his stomach grow cold at the prospect of facing the man once more, particularly with the concerns Olive had given him, the names of the two guards she had given as well.  She had already spoken with him...and nothing was to be done of it.  He quickly thought of his strategy and in the present moment, so early in the morning, perhaps it was better to be cautious than to come on strongly.  He had no doubt Bromlin had already made up his mind.

"Good morning Father Merric," Bromlin addressed him when the door was open and the priest was shown into the room.  He flashed him a rare smile.  It was a small one, but a smile nonetheless and allowed the priest to take his seat before taking his own.  "I hope the morning has treated you well so far.  How was your sleep?"

"It has, I think.  But I'm not sure yet, I've only just awakened," Merric smiled at the Lieutenant and peered at the other guests that joined them at the table and seated after him.  "Ah, but don't worry about me, Lieutenant, I assure you needn't be worried of my own troubles.  Forgive my manners, good morning to you all.  The meal looks quite appetizing."

[kleineklementine]

Bromlin smiled tightly at Mercuxio. He was looking forward to the time when either they could be sure that the priest had fallen into step with the running of the camp or, better yet, left. It lent some boost of morale to have the priest here, yes, but Bromlin didn't like having someone in the camp who wasn't under his command. He wasn't particularly interested in other people having their own opinions on how things ought to be run. Fawley and Neil had more than enough already; though at least Fawley knew when to shut up.

And once either thing happened, Bromlin could go back to having his meals in peace. But until then he wanted to keep a close eye on the priest.

"'Appetizing' might be pushing it," Fawley remarked amicably, "but you won't get much better up here. Best not to think about what you might be eating at home."

Neil shot Fawley a look that said quite clearly that she'd heard enough of his idle chit-chat. Once Fawley shut up and went focused on his food, Neil turned to Merric with the distinct look of a predator. "I'm sure you'll need a good breakfast, father. Saving souls must be exhausting work."

Bromlin gave an exasperated sigh as he took his seat. "It's like keeping children in line, these two."

[Lion]

"Of course, thank you for the concern, Major.  I assure, though, it's nowhere near as exhausting as protecting yourselves and the mages here," Merric nodded to Neil and went about eating as if nothing more was said on the matter.  There was little more to it than what fresh eggs that could be spared, a slice of ham, and bread.  With it was a bitter, dark drink that had a kick to it, one unusual to the priest, but he drank it anyway and then sipped the water that was beside it.

"So Lieutenant Bromlin, would you mind telling me a little about yourself?  How many years have you dedicated to your service in the army?" Mercuxio asked, peering at the Lieutenant colonel with genuinely interested eyes, though he would talk about anything to keep from having to hear Major Neil's voice at the present moment.

But it was clear Bromlin hadn't been expecting the question and he coughed a little on the water he'd been drinking.  He wiped his face and peered at the priest with hard eyes.  "I've been in the service of our fine army for the past eighteen years.  I first served under General Abrim Rolon, a decorated general, who you may have heard of.  I spent ten years in the southern part of the Valley, just before the mountains of Serendipity, before being promoted to assignments near the capital," he replied, before clearing his throat uncomfortably.  "But I was assigned to Valinarus in the early spring, when the camps were first constructed.  In a place as desolate as this, I was the only one who would take it."

[kleineklementine]

Fawley looked at at the question-and-answer between Bromlin and the priest. It sounded to Fawley, and likely to the other two, an awful lot like an examination. Neil, on the other hand, looked delighted.

"Are we getting to know each other?" Neil asked, looking pointedly at Mercuxio. "I'd love to hear more about your work, Father. What sort of ministries you typically do, since I'm sure you can't be sent as far out as this so often. What was your calling, Father? If I can ask. What order are you a member of, again?"