Tenuous State

"Habit," Nuala said and stepped aside to let Sergius enter.

Sergius walked in and sat at the table. "I just want to talk about what we talked about last time."

"And like I told you last time; I can't tell you everything," Nuala said.

"Then can you tell me what you want to." Sergius asked.

"That depends on what it is exactly that you want to know," she said.

"Now you're speaking my language..." Panthier said with a predatory grin. "Alright, I'll take the job."

"Who is he, and what does he want." Sergius plainly asked.

"He's the court sorcerer, and he wants information on the Novafaita," Nuala answered just as plainly.

A clear disliking look spread across Sergius' face at the mention of the Novafaita. "Those scum. Why does he want information on them?"

"They're not entirely bad..." Nuala said. "And I don't know," she half lied.

"I didn't mean to offend you, or anything like that, but you know of my burning hate for what they did all those years ago." Sergius said "So he wanted information on them, huh? I wonder if he wrote to find out about the other Faita's."

"Do you think he's planning something?" Nuala asked, testing Sergius' suspicions.

"My feelings tell me he is up to something and we can't trust him." Sergius said "And I no reason to doubt them."

Nuala nodded. "I thought that might be the case..." she said.

"And you..." Sergius asked "What do you think of all this?"

"I suppose we'll just have to wait and see what happens," she said. "Although I'm confident there's nothing to fret over."

"Very good." said Facade, "The message is as follows:" He cleared his throat for effect.

"The strength of a kingdom is measured in deeds
quell the unrest and pass my test with ease.

Come the king from the desert on a horse with black reigns
if he wins then we cycle as nights follow days.

But should the king fall before red-bloodied steel
no more to the heavens must poor souls appeal.

Yet, hearts must be hardened to hold blades that cut
so to war you brave Nova's else you hide 'neath your hut."

"Think you can remember that?"

Sergius nodded in understanding. He decided to change the conversation "So, how has your son been? Since he moved out."

"Konbei's doing fine. The world is his oyster, as it always is," she said with a thoughful smile. "Although I can't seem to shake the empty feeling from these walls."

"Moved in with that girlfriend of his did he?" Sergius asked "And what of Celeste? Is she alright now days?"

Nuala nodded in response to his first question. "And nothing ever changes with Celeste, I suppose that's one perk of being child-like for the rest of your days."

Panthier nodded and silently took in the words while repeating them in his head. "I will remember..." he said as he turned around and began to hastily jot down the words on a spare crumbled up piece of paper and pen. He glanced back at Facade with a grin and went back to writing.

Sergius nodded "Yes, that would have its benefits." he remained quiet for a few moments, hoping Nuala would say something else, when nothing came he rose "I had best be heading back, I don't like to stay away from Kakariko for too long during times like these. I'll see you another time." there was some annoyance in his tone, he was annoyed at the fact that Nuala was hiding something from him. He had slowly come to trust her, but obviously, the feelings weren't mutual.

He proceeded to the door and left the Novafaitan woman to her business.

Nuala said goodbye to Sergius, she pursed her lips and sighed when the door shut behind him. Her eyes shifted to her fingers as they absent-mindedly traced along the little cracks in the wooden table. His tone had bothered her. She could tell he had expected her to be more open about her business with Facade. It wasn't that she didn't trust him, but rather she wasn't sure how he would react to the truth. Nuala knew what he was like and that they both had different views on the world, so she did her best to avoid a clash by deciding not to tell him everything right away. Not yet, anyway. It was still early days...

Gwene stood up and picked up her belt and fastened it around her waist. "You always know which buttons to push." she said looking at Konbei with a satisfied smirk on her face.