Dramatis Personae:

Forwil (the Sell-sword)
Kile (Terror-seeker; the Horse's Ass)
Leah (Queen's Attendant)
Uchiki (Thief)
Thorn (Master Sculptor)

Location:

Estate District, Cairhien

From out of a sprawling yet direlict estate, a lone figure emerges. Clad in pure black is this one; a doublet of sable along with a pair of trousers that match. But despite his clothing and armament, he does not possess the confident strut of one noble-born. Instead he possesses the strut of one arrogant and at ease with himself; this one might be called haughty and base by the moral right of Cairhien.

Atop his head rests a floppy hat; girt about his waist is a sword of cold and slender steel. A dangerous one this one might be.

Leah smiles. "Oh, I did not intend 'big' mean, just little things. I was not thinking of really bad stuff when I spoke before. " She wiggles as the front part of the saddle begins to dig into a tender spot on her lsteral thigh. Kile and she are riding double, her sitting sidewise with him reaching around her to hold reins and guide the horse.

Kile chuckles, and pulls Leah away from the pommel and into himself. He puts one hand on the pommel since his hand is softer than the saddle. "Well, alright. A 'little' mean I suppose would be okay. But then, would a 'little' mean make you stop liking me?"

The figure makes his way easily down the well made Cairhienian streets. A broad grin can be seen spread all across his features and a humming sound comes forth from his lips; he whistles a nameless tune, even though it does have the beat of Altara to it. He does not seem to be in a hurry to make it anywhere, if the way his arms and hips sway as he walks can be any indication.

Then the horse with the double riders pass his field of vision. He watches them for a short moment and then throws his head back and allows a long laugh to flow forth from open'd lips. Two lovers in the middle of the noble section of Cairhien seems to amuse this traveling man.

Leah 's cheeks flare red as the hand is palces againgst her and she fidgits, looking up at Kile. "Oh, er..." She is flustered and takes a breath again. "Maybe not. Depends on if it were to me. Even then it might be temporary aggrivation ranther than stopping liking you." The tone of voice indicates she is not straying into romantic territory nor is she using coquette mannerisms.

Leah 's attention is drawn by the man who laughs and she grows ver pale and quiet, directing her attention away in a haughty manner. The closeness of the manor seems to occupy her attention.

Kile shoots the man a glance that says 'Don't mess' and continues to ride towards the Manor, he whispers quietly to Leah as they continue along.

The glance that is shot towards the man does not have the intended effect. Instead of leaving off and turning his attention towards another thing, the man only laughs with more velocity and frequency. The presence of the Manor seems to have no affect on the deameanor of the black clad individual, other than to inflame his mirth.

Leah 's haughty ignoring of one who is so uncouth as to turn a simple mode of transportation into a spectacle and comedy is clear. She simply speaks "Seems another time I will have to decline a hasty exit and suffer through hours and hours of that " The tone of voice implies 'dammable' "women's committee meeting."

Kile hmms. "Well, I suppose you could... but I'm sure when we get to the manor things will be better than that meeting, have no fear My Lady."
The black clad figure approaches the horse more closely and narrows his eyes a bit to focus on the features of it; his laughter fails but his eyes still twinkle with mirth. "My dear old mother did tell me that I would find some strange things in this strange land," he shakes his head slowly and allows himself a bit of a chuckle, "but never did I expect to see a horse with two asses."

Leah stoically ignors the taunting but holds herself stiffly errect, keeping a bit of distance, an inch or so, between she and Kile when she is able to maintain that separation. That she is not emraptured with her companion becomes clearer from her posture. Her head turns so her face is averted, less likely to be observed by the man in black.

Kile ignores the man, but makes mental note of what he looks like. He's not one to respond to insults, most especially when he is escorting a lady somewhere.

In her keeping as much proper distance from Kile as sharing a ride on a horse permits, Leah's position, and a purse string frayed and weak inside its casing cause an unexpected problem, the pursestring breaks. Down the purse goes and the side splits as it plops on the street. Out tumble and scatter all sorts of 'woman' things, a tiny vial of perfume, a few notes, a purse sized writing kit, a handfull of coins, a shopping list, and a pair of gloves and spare hankie.
Leah says "Nooo, oh, no. I have to get those letters." she, for some reason does not seem so inclined to worry about the coins. "Kile. Quick, let me down before they blow away.""

The face of the figure screws in annoyance as both horse-bound characters ignore his pointed insults, "Perhaps the horse has only one ass. Yes, yes, it seems I was mistaken on that point. But those atop the horse do speak, so they cannot possibly be muzzled dogs. And the one in front is too pretty for that," his musing rambles on; musing would be an interesting way to put it, seeing as the whole of the district can easily hear his words. "I know what they must be then! Traveling Ghealdan menagerie!" He begins to call out to them as the purse falls free from the great beast.

The hard and thin mouth shapes into a large 'O' of surprise, "What, ladies now travel with the ass of a horse? O woe be unto Cairhien!" And with that he rushes as quickly as he might towards the coins and other items that have fallen. His steps are long and quick, but he is a good distance away from the horse and riders.

Uchiki enters the fashionable quarters of Cairhien's nobility from the north.

Kile stops the horse quickly and lets Leah down, dismounting as well to help her retrieve her things. He glances towards the man as he approaches as well, but pays him no heed and so goes back to quickly gathering the things that have scattered.

The motion of the black clad fellow grins to a halt as he sees the man jump down from the horse, "Light!" He swears; he seems surprised that the fellow could jump down from the horse, let alone move so quickly. He skids a few feet before his weight causes his forward motion to cease. "I fear I have taken in too much of that good fellow's wine cellar! Did I just see the ass detach itself from the horse's body? Please tell me that I did not see that!" He rambles on even as he stops and observes Kile with a gleam in his eye.

Much to Leah's dismay the light breeze begins to make the notes flutter away, drifting off in several directions. She leaves the costly perfumes and coins to chase after one that determinedly evades her, moving along just inches out of her reach when she stoops over to pick it up.

Kile turns and stands. Looking down at the man who seems intent on insulting him he frowns, a dangerous look in his eye... only for a moment though, as he turns to see Leah scurrying about he dashes the stuff on the ground together and heads off after her.

Uchiki walks slowly down the street of the rich homes of Cairhien and blinks seeing this display...

In the area may be seen one horse, one female chasing some dropped papers, and two men. On the ground near the horses hoofs are a variety of the things that seem to inhabit the age-old woman's bottomless purse.

"Ay!" The black clad fellow cries out in surprise as a paper passes inches before his feet and keeps on fluttering along the road. He watches it for a moment and then leaps, headfirst after it. He catches it in his grasp a mere second before his chin meets the cobblestone street. He grunts loudly and then stands up quickly, almost like a plant sprouting in spring, and dusts himself off. One might notice that he does not allow the slip of paper to become injured during the whole exchange.

With quick steps he approaches the woman and sticks out his hand to her; the paper is clasped lightly in said hand, "I have found this just now over yonder upon the ground. I believe it belongs to you?" He gives her a most engaging smile; ivory teeth flash.

Uchiki keeps back and watches the comotion.

Leah 's own glance goes to the other papers being scattered and she sucks in an impatient breath. One hand extends to take the paper offered her at such risk of sprawling on the street to the man. "Oh, thank you, Sir." The words are rendered with her usual contralto cultured tones and utmost dignity. She tenses, prepared to head off after the next paper as soon as she gains possession of the first.

Uchiki picks up a scattered piece of paper and looks at puzzled. She trys to catch up with the miss that scrammbling to get the rest of the loose papers.

Uchiki calls out.."Miss? "

Thorn enters the fashionable quarters of Cairhien's nobility from the north.

Kile hurries about after a certain piece of paper that somehow got blown up in a tree. He takes it down and looks it over quickly, and gets back to hunting for the other papers, her purse in his hand.

In the square are a group of people, a short female holding a paper and trying to catch Leah's attention. Leah is reaching for a paper a man clad in black is extending to her. Kile is not many steps behind her Near a horse who stands still near the entry to Rhinorth manor is a small pile of woman's items and a purse that has been split.

Uchiki waits till the miss can speak with her so she can give back the piece of paper.

The figure relinquishes the paper easily and makes a short bow to the lady before him, "A pleasure to meet you, milady. My name is Forwil--" and just as he begins to make an introduction, another piece of paper flies first between the legs of the lady and then between the legs of Forwil. "Oh dear. Will you please excuse me for another moment?" He speaks with ease to the lady and then does an about face and goes leaping after the next piece of paper.

The paper moves left, and then right. Forwil, however, only dives left; he misses the paper by scant inches and slams his fist on the ground in annoyance. Then with a quick motion he reaches out with his right hand and snatches the paper before it can escape his grasp once more, "Ah-ha! Gotcha!" He cries out triumphantly as he stands up and approaches the lady with the second piece of paper. He laughs softly and bows once more, "I believe this belongs to you, too?"

In the square are a group of people, a short female holding a paper and trying to catch Leah's attention. Leah is reaching for a paper a man clad in black is extending to her. Kile is not many steps behind her. A horse stands still near the entry to Rhinorth manor.

Thorn, clutching his leather bag as tightly as ever, walks up the street admiring the architecture. Finally his eyes drop so that he can see what is happening.

Leah blushes lightly as she identifies Forwil has the paper with she and her sister's mesurements and insructions for ordering a new dress on it. She swalows nervously and clears her throat before responding. "Thank you, Sir. I am known as Leah Ostlyn of House Ostlyn." That she is clearly reluctant to introduce herself to one who was so insulting a few moments ago is obvious, however the man, now having had a closer look at her and the garb previously concealed by the lightweight cloak would betray her as who she is to any who bother to describe her and ask the right person.

Thorn wanders a little closer, but stops short, watching people retrieve papers. He makes sure that none of the papers pass him by if they haven't already been collected yet.

"As I was saying before," Forwil replies with an embarrassed grin, "I am Forwil Ianthol of Ebou Dar. It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Leah Ostlyn of House Ostlyn." He then pauses for a moment and glances towards the obviously disregarded Analo Manor; he seems quite interested in that place. "Do you know who inhabits yon Estates?" He says curiously as he points with one hand towards the manor from which he emerged only moments ago.

Uchiki waits patiently to hand back what ever is listed on the paper she has.
Not being able to read to well she can't make it out.

Leah smiles at the other female and takes the list from her with a soft "thank you" that is a little less formal sounding. She looks toward Kile for a moment and then asks. "Would you offer her a coin to acknowledge her kindness in retrieving that for me, please?" To him she gives a thankful glance. "A letter from my sisters reminding me to order their dresses for their stepmother's birthday celebration and...the list to drop off at the dressmakers, the queen's shoping list. Oh, light, there is a note from my brother I have not yet read." She sounds somewhat dismayed at that.

Thorn lets his eyes fall away from those gathered here to the smooth stone street. He finds a clean place near its edge, and takes a seat without much ado. Placing the satchel in his lap, he begins to dig through it.

Uchiki says "no coin is need madame. " She smiles. "Oh Kile...nice to see you again.""


Kile smiles and nods. "Good to see you too Uchiki." He hands her a coin anyway. "Feel free to take it though Uchi." He smiles and hands Leah her paper as well.

Leah glances back to the man in black and responds to his question. "That estate? No, I don't recall seeing anyone there for quite a while. I've had no messages or packages to deliver there and have attended no events there in recent years. Why do you ask?"

Uchiki chuckles and nods. "aye.." She tucks it into a side pocket.

Thorn produces a book from the bag, and a with it a small set of chalks. Sitting there in silence he studies the estates he sits across the street from. FInally he chooses one, and begins to sketch it, laying down lines lightly at first so that he'll get the proportions right.

Forwil smiles disarmingly and shakes his head once in reply to her question, "No reason, really. But it did seem a bit out of touch to me, and I was wondering if there were not laws in this city concerning abandoned buildings. Such a law would be no doubt uncommon, but I have seen stranger things since arriving here." His smile broadens at his last words almost as if to say: And I've participated in stranger things as well.

Uchiki says "how are you today Kile?"

Kile nods to Uchi. "I am well, and yourself?" He keeps an eye on Forwil, and looks back towards his horse as well real quick, happy to see that one of the Rhinorth Attendants has come out to take it.

Uchiki smiles. "I'm doing well.. earning what i can"

Thorn lays down a basic sketch of the enormous home rather quickly. It's basically a line drawing, with no shading to represent dimension. He switches to a darker chalk then, and begins to add to it.

Leah 's glance slides around the square seeking that ellusive letter from her brother yet to be recovered. She is too polite to walk away from the conversation in progress though and responds promptly. "It is owned by someone, Sir. I expect the city guards keep an eye on it for them. As well as the guards of some of the adjacent houses. There may even be resident staff, could not really say. A property here is valued and seldom is 'abandoned' though people may move to an estate for health reasons or to be near a particular business interest. The city officials could tell you who owns the place I would imagine."

Kile nods and chuckles. "Well, I imagine so, that's the way of things, is it not?" He winks, and looks back over to Leah, catching her look, he glances about as well, looking for that paper that has elluded all attempts to procure it so far.

Uchiki looks about what ever Kile is. Thinking that not all is found then

Forwil Ianthol nods his head once more to Leah and then gives a quick bow, "Thank you for that information, milady. It may be more useful than you can possibly imagine. And now business calls and I must part. Fare thee well, Leah of Ostlyn. May the Light Guide and Protect You!" He half-turns to go and then turns back towards her and gestures broadly towards Kile, "Ah, and give my good will to the horse's ass." The final insult is his. Quickly he turns away from Leah and begins to walk towards the Sunburst Square. The good natured hitch still remains in his step.

Uchiki blinks. "Why did he call you that? "

Kile smiles slightly. "Well, because he's an ignorant pompous bastard Uchiki. Pardon my language, but, sometimes the truth hurts." He pats her on the head.

A slight breeze blows along the street then. It picks up anything in its path not weighty enough to hold its ground. It picks up a piece of parchment, and sets it down next to Thorn. Picking it up, the journeyman looks at it for but a moment before setting his drawing utencils aside so that he might stand. He brishes his backside off, and begins to slowly, apprehensively make his way toward the small gathering.

Luckily for Kile, Forwil has already had done with the Estate District. All that can be seen of the haughty traveler is the white-feather of his cap now; and soon that too dissappears over the horizon.

Leah 's expression closes into a tight aloof mask rapidly as pleasentries voiced by Forwil fade into the insult rendered. "Such messages are best delivered by those who utter them. I do not understand why you judge him so." She offers no blessing or honorifics in the face of one turning from pleasantries to insults again. Her quiet dignity stands her in good stead to keep her from losing her composure. Only a faint raising of color in her face betrays her dismay..