Two Mules for Sister Sara

Posted on 03 Oct 2020 @ 1:38am by Rogue Elinowy Ursulas & Rogue Cainan Sauvage

3,184 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Prologue
Location: The Raven's Roost Tavern
Timeline: After A Rogue, a Guardsman, a Mage, and a Chantry Sister, walk into a bar

OOC: Continued from A Rogue, a Guardsman, a Mage, and a Chantry Sister, walk into a bar

The sister turned around and looked at the man with a pleasant smile. "Monsieur Sauvage, I am Sister Elinowy Ursulas of the Bette Noire Chantry. Thank you, acts of charity and generosity are smiled on by the Maker, who am I to refuse? I will take a mug of tea if you would. You see, the Maker provides when you react in kindness his blessing multiply. You now have a book room for the night in place of a vagrant woman living off your generosity. You will be remembered." she spoke toward Tess.

"Thank you, sister," said Tessa with head bowed to hide her eye-roll. She began preparing the woman's tea.

"Perhaps we should move out conversation to a table instead of the Bar." she said gesturing to a nearby vacant table.

Politely straightening her robes, Elinowy sat down at the table. She motioned for her new companion to sit. "Please, join me."

Cainan took a seat, amused at the heavy-handed guilt wielded like a Warhammer. "Thank you, Sister," he said, taking his seat.

Tessa brought a tray into the common room, and set a tankard of ale and a teapot and cup on the gentleman and Sister's table. Then she tactfully laid the key to room 2 between the two drinks. "Please let me know if you need anything else."

Taking the teapot, Elinowy briefly snifted to the tea to see if it has steeped enough. Satisfied she poured some into the cup then looked at Sauvage. "This will sound odd, but you strike me as out of place in this tavern as I am. What does a man of means seek in a place like this?"

Cainan chuckled at that, looking around for a moment; his was not the only fine coat in the establishment, it was true, but the others all had the subtle imperfections of the trappings of wealth; the scuffed sleeve of ever so slightly different material to hide a tear, the wrong style epaulettes, last seasons colours and, more often than not, the cut of cloth made for someone a size bigger than the wearer; all signs of those accustomed to wealth trying to make do without it. His clothes, by comparison, were fine enough to know his lineage by; and an exact fit to boot.

"You have a point, this is not my usual fare," he admitted, lounging slightly in his chair. "but the old haunts were getting dull, and my attempts to spice things up were... received poorly," he admitted, thinking back to the last few haunts of his; the Rose, although the most recent, was certainly not the only establishment that had reason to ask him to leave. "So I thought I'd try the next place along, and already I've seen the least subtle thief in Jader taken down by a humble sister of the Chantry, a man that literally gives all his money away and at least three people who clearly can't play cards or dice to save their shirts," he shrugged slightly, raising his tankard. "Who would I be not to see where this goes?" he asked, taking a sip. "So tell me, where is your destination? Jader is so out of the way, unless you are on your way to Ferelden; I'm not used to seeing Sisters in Jader outside of the Chantry."

Elinowy smiled. A gambler. It made sense. His appearance help with intimidation of his opponents. She could respect that. Much like her scarlet robes created an immediate reaction in those she interacted with, it brought guilt, fear, respect and generally a more respectful attitude from others. That disposition could be used to advance the cause of the Chantry as needed.

"I am not from Jader, can't say I have visited the city before, but I am on a spiritual journey directed by my Grand Cleric. I go where the Maker takes me, looking to help others while having no means unto myself. It teaches faith and humility. And quite a journey it has been. The streets are cold, but the hearts of so many burn bright with Andraste's love for the Maker.

What is your principal trade? You look to me a man of leisure, but judging by the swelling of your knuckles, you embrace violence frequently. A mercenary of sorts? Or are you perhaps working for yourself?"

Cainan held his chest in mock heartbreak. "You wound me, madam!" he laughed, before continuing. "It is true that I am fortunate enough to be able to choose what I do, so I tend to choose what interests me. Alas, I suffer from malaise when held in one space or position for too long, so I move from employ to employ with my changing tastes. I have some investments, my father owns a trading company; other than that I have been a mercenary, a bodyguard, a raconteur and, briefly, a man of the sea; though I'll admit, the life within a strict hierarchy did not agree with me," he admitted, with a wince. In truth, he had been so bad at it he had been booted off mid-journey; Cainan had met Captain Richelieu when he had bartered his way as a passenger on his ship; even then, he had gambled the good captain out of his coat, but had instead written off the debt in lieu of payment for his passage back to Jader. "Most recently I have taken to relieving men of their financial burdens at the gaming tables throughout the city, while I seek my next purpose."

"I am curious," Cainan began, leaning in a little to show his interest. "What led you to a life in the Chantry?" While she wore little or no makeup from what he could see, she was still plainly attractive; in any noble house she would have had her fill of suitors, and he suspected from the way she had not only taken out a thief but also gotten herself a room for the evening that she would have been adept at The Game; perhaps even had she a commoner's roots.

Eyeing the man curiously, Elinowy likewise leaned in a little. "The call of the Maker manifests itself in unusual ways. Perhaps your unrest is more than mere malaise. As for my story, it is unexceptional. I was an orphan of the streets when a kindly man took pity on me and brought me to the Chantry. I was educated and raised by the sisters, and in due course of time, I joined the order. My days consisted of singing, sharing with the poor and helping maintain the Chantry. The Maker called to me one night, a group of horrible mages attacked and destroyed our Chantry, murdering many of my sisters including our beloved Reverend Mother. From the ashes, through our grief, I brought our community together, and with the help of the local village. we rebuilt, and the song of Andrante continued on. I carried on as the new 'mother' even without proper ordination. The hierarchy took notice. My Grand Cleric has plans for me, but I am on a journey of discernment before following the path the Grand Cleric envisions." she stirred her tea looking for reactions in Cainan.

Cainan had to admit, he hadn't expected that; though the idea that people might gravitate to her in times of strife was not hard to believe. "Such a story, I knew you would be an interesting woman," he admitted, though it did not come out as flirtatious as he had thought. "And as for myself, if the Maker intended me for the Chantry, I fear the skills he gave me draw me to other callings."

He considered for a moment, as they held each others gaze. "So this is not the usual type of initiation for a sister... Mother, then?" he clarified, internally squirming at her gaze; she had the piercing gaze of a Revered Mother, at the very least. "So you follow the call of the Maker and do good deeds in his name in the places he delivers you too? How do you know when you've found his will? That this meeting or that opportunity is just a coincidence, rather than the Maker's expressed will?" he asked, interested.

A slight chuckle came from the sister. "Heavens no. What I may be undertaking is not common. The Maker has a most creative mind, many things are supplied in the Maker's will, but it is up to us to take advantage of these... opportunities. I am following the path of one such opportunity. If the Maker truly wills it, that will become manifest. If it does, I will never be a proper 'Mother'. While that may have been my ambition for myself, the Maker may have other plans for me. This is the discernment I seek. So I am journeying, in faith, and in humility to see how the Maker might use me."

She looked Cainan squarely in the eye in a way that hearkened unto a strict school matron. "I would venture to say, that this 'chance meeting' of us in this place neither of us belong in, indeed may become something more. I cannot speak for the will of the Maker, there is an irony of purpose in doing so, but a man of your skills maybe be just what the Maker requires in the near future." she settled back in her seat, tipping her teacup in salute to her table companion.

Tessa kept an eye on the unlikely pair. The nobleman fit the description of a gambler who'd made trouble in a few other taverns in Jader, and the unusual Chantry sister who had lured that thief to his demise strangely was not lodging at the chantry. They were like a pair of characters from a Tethras serial. With her husband holding the baby, Tessa returned to the odd couple's table with a pitcher of ale and noticed the key to room 2 was still on the table between them. "Would you like a refill, ser? More tea, serah?"

Elinowy covered her teacup with her hand. "Thank you my dear. I am fine with what I have." she said authoritatively but with a smile.

Cainan considered his tankard a moment, smiling. He had already surmised that room number two would have only one occupant tonight; the sister, or Mother-in-waiting, was not flirting with him; but she was interesting, and he had been so painfully bored with the mundane recently. He could feel the tumble of the dice in his head; the dice of carnal desires landed firmly on one; the dice for his curiosity… well, it hadn’t come to rest yet, but he could already tell it was higher than a four. “One more before I return home, I think,” he said, smiling at the innkeeper. “My thanks, madam,” he added, as she retrieved the ale for him. From the ale and his previous fare at the Rose, he felt a pleasant warmth in his belly; but he retained his senses and, he supposed - his coordination.

A ragged woman worked her way through the Tavern crowd and dropped a red rose on the table. "For the lovely lady from the mothers of the disappeared." she whispered. The gasp as she recognized the sister's robes was audible. "Maker, no! Sister! I am so sorry. I had not realized. Forgive me."

Slinowy smiled at the woman with great kindness, reaching out and touching the woman's head. "It is fine my sister. Andraste smiles on your desire to kindle human love. If the gentleman wishes to purchase a rose, it will not be refused."

Cainan felt the dice shift and suddenly the one became a two. Slim odds to make it six, but he would always play the long odds at least once. “What manner of gentleman would not offer a woman a rose?” he replied in mock bewilderment, a silver coin appearing between his fingers in a flourish. There was no way the flower was worth so much, but Cainan liked to splash the money around; it intrigued women and incited men, and both offered their own brands of entertainment once a whiff of gold or silver was had.

The ragged woman looked stunned for only a moment before she took the coin, bowing her way backwards before he could change his mind. Cainan lifted the rose and smelled it briefly before handing it over to the sister. “You know, no one has ever had cause to mistake me for an instrument of the maker,” he said, with an amused smile. “But I’ll admit, I’m curious to see what he has in mind… which skills of mind do you expect he has use of?”

The Chantry sister gave Cainan a wide smile as she sniffed the rose he had just handed her. . "Oh kind sir, you already have helped advance the good will of the Maker. A simple act of generosity, such as to that poor woman." She signaled to the ragged woman trying to blend into the shadows. "It's alright, come closer." The woman like in fear of dis respecting a woman of the Chantry timidly approached the table again. "Dear sister, tell me again, what you were collecting alms for when you presented us with this flower?"

The woman spoke with barely a whisper. "I meant no offense. The proceeds of these flowers benefit the families of the Disappeared."

Elinowy smiled in a warm matronly way, even on her young face. "And tell us my child, who exactly who are these disappeared?"

The woman looked sheepish, but her voice grew stronger. "Numerous member of families in the Refugee camps have vanished, often on night such as this. My brother is one of them. We are collecting funds to bring awareness to our plight from the city Guards, or perhaps hire individuals to help protect our people."

Sitting back away from the table, Elinowy turned her attention back to Cainan. "So your simple act of chivalry and generosity has provided hope for those in distress. Who knows, perhaps they may even have collected funds to hire a rakish professional such as yourself. Or you might even feel compelled to help them in their plight for other reasons. The Maker calls us in mysterious ways."

She turned back to the ragged woman, extending her hand to place a blessing upon her. "Go my child and spread the Chant of light and the Maker will return his bounty upon the world."

Cainan watched as the ragged woman bowed her way backwards, now as before impressed with the reverence offered to the woman. Cainan was not a heathen; he followed the chant, or what parts he felt applied; and he observed the major holidays and such, but he had never been one to sing in the streets or openly pray; it was fair to say that the Maker turning his back on his creation was not a situation that Cainan felt needed fixing, so sufficed to say he was hardly a religious fanatic. But he did envy the woman in that moment; not Elinowy, the recipient of such reverence, but the old woman, who believed in something so hard as to be all-encompassing.

"So... does the Maker call you towards the refugee camp?" he asked, his eyes watching the woman leaving the tavern rather than returning to his companion at the table. Whenever he was bored, he could always count on the city to provide him with the entertainment or distraction he craved. "Even a lady of the Chantry might have need of an escort for such a visit..." he offered, finally returning his gaze to her.

The sister considered the man's words. Certainly there was something amiss with the poor in the refugee camp. And as much as she trusted the way of the Maker, sometimes it was good to have a little help, especially in violent areas. It seemed clear enough the Maker was tying her to this man for some reason, so she should best investigate where it led. "I would be grateful for your escort ser."

The return of the guardsman and the man who had helped him return the thief to the station did not go unnoticed, and Cainan had the notion that the man scrutinised him for a moment before taking a seat and ordering some ale with his companion not too far away. Cainan's immaculate appearance and clear incongruity with the surroundings was, he decided, the probable cause.

"Well, if we plan to approach the refugees in the morning, it would make sense for me to stay here too," Cainan stated, smirking; the implication was clear, but he had no intention of pushing the issue - more letting the implication hang in the air for a good ten heartbeats, unaddressed, before turning to the woman who had provided the key to room number 2. "Madam? Would there be another room available?" he asked, producing his money.

Tessa paused at the table. The gentleman and the sister… my, but wasn't this a fascinating turn of events… worthy of a Tethras drama! Tessa's eyes shone with interest, and yet she kept her expression and tone neutral but informative, with the practice of a seasoned tavern proprietor. "Room 2 is equipped with two single beds, ser. If you would prefer one large bed, Room 1 is available."

Pitching an eyebrow slightly at the implications, Elinowy smiled at the Tavern keeper. "I am certain Ser Sauvage would be more suited to the single bed while I keep in Room 2. If you are pressed for space, I am still more than happy to sleep next to your hearth."

Cainan smiled at that and handed the money over to the barmaid. "Ah, but what a night that could have been. Then I shall take room one, and the good sister shall keep her bed," he said, casting a glance at the hearth. "Not to say anything unkind about the common room, but that hearth does not look so comfortable to my eyes as it seems to the sister's, and I couldn't bear to have her sleeping on the floor on my account." With that, he drained his tankard of ale and laid it carefully back on the table, as he stood. "Dear Sister, I take my leave - until the morning?" he asked, bowing his head to her before accepting the key from the innkeeper.

The sister lifted her tea cup to the gentleman as he arose. "Thank you for your generosity, ser. Your kindness will be returned in kind. I pray the Maker brings you such dreams as to ignite your imagination. I will see you in the morning to start our adventure." she said with a pleasant and amused smile. It was risky to toy with the passions of men, but Elinowy felt fairly secure in her loyalty to the Chantry. The Maker would work things out to his purpose.

 

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