The Chetwood: Waterfall(#16939Rnof)
A small stream cascades in a waterfall down among washed stones before collecting into a small pool. The waterfall is no more than ten to twelve feet high, with the landscape rising in a jumble of rocks to reach it. At the waterfall's base, the pool is ringed by small plants, their green leaves leaning out over the water. Set back from the smaller plants are larger trees, their roots running down and into the water, through the shrubbery. The stream that feeds the falls vanishes into the wood to the west. A small animal track that leads to the water, also leads away westward. It is in that direction that the country rises up from the pool.

================================== Bree Time ==================================
Real time: Sun May 29 05:17:23 2005
Bree time: Midnight <1:51 AM> on Hevensday of Spring - April 5,1435
Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous Moon
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Breelands Weather
The midnight spring air is cool but pleasant around you. The night sky still dumps copious amounts of rain down upon you.

The hour is late, or perhaps early, and the skies above relatively clear, allowing the brilliant rays of moonlight to penetrate the canopy of the Chetwood and illuminate the area surrounding the falls. The running water of the waterfall fills the area with a tranquil, soothing sound, the light from the moon reflecting beautifully in the pool beneath it. There is another reflection, besides that of the moonlight, present in the water... the reflection of a man, Glaurion. He stands atthe side of the water, his cold gaze fixed directed upward, apparently fixed on the sky. There is a very soft breeze, which rustles but a few blades of grass and leaves as it blows across the water, also creating slight rippled. The man's cloak also flutters softly, as do a few loose strands of his hair. All and all, it is a quiet and peaceful night at the waterfall, though why anyone would be here is unobvious.


From somwhere downstream comes the sound of humming. This, unlike so many voices of Bree is actually able to hold a tune quite well. Had life led her in other directions, perhaps she could have sung for a living- if people could make a living off such things. And then, out of the darkness- which isn't all that dark considering the light circumstances, a woman appears wading steadily upstream. Her cloak is held above the level of the water, as are her skirts which, in turn, exposes some amount of shin, or knee. Quite carefree she appears- her attention focused on the water about her legs. A heavy set of keys hangs from the belt around her waist.

As the sound of a new arrival slowly intrudes on the otherwise peaceful sounds the the night, Glaurion's head is forced to tilt slightly, showing at least some level of awareness that there is another approaching. Removing his icy gaze from the sky, he turns ever so slowly, surveying every bit of landscape there is around him, until finally he spies the intruder. Crossing his arms, he backs toward the waterfall, so that there is no room behind him, before asking, "Now... what brings another to this place at such an hour? It is quite out of the way... and that is why I am here. If I wanted a guest, I would have brought them." His tone is low, colder than usual, even for him, and almost threatening. For now, though, he fals silent and awaits a response.

So startled is she at the voice that suddenly sounds through the darkness that hands release their grip of cloak and skirt, so the edges go tumbling down into the water. Caught momentarily without her guard up, it takes a few moments for the woman to respond. When she does, however, it's with a steady forward movement, the face gently smiling- though still with no warmth nor humor. "I would hope that I am able to go as I please, when I please. And I'd hardly consider myself a guest, since I have come alone and with no intention of meeting anyone myself. Though I'm hardly complaining," The last words are said in lower tones as she comes to a halt within the water, "You're as good company as any I could have been seeking- was I seeking any."

"Oh, it is you," comes the reply from the shadows, "One might think you are stalking me, dear Ms. Greythorn... of course... I doubt you find me favorable enough to do any such thing, so I will consider it coincidence." Finding the situation safe, Glaurion steps forward and uncrosses his arms, choosing to clasp them behind his back instead. Eyeing the woman, he notes, "However, it is still quite late... and I fail to see how I keep meeting you in the most unlikely of places at the most unlikely of hours." With a shrug, he adds, "And if you consider me good company... I pity you... and it might also be a good idea to stay clear of the water for a while... until you dry off." The last words, of course, are spoken with a slight smirk.
The woman is stubborn, so almost hesitates to step out of the water and onto the shore. However, as the breeze blows through, she shivers, just slightly, and wades out of the water- coming to sit instead on the bank and squeeze the water out of her clothing. "I am an unlikely person, Mr. Glaurion, therefore, it is expected that I am in unlikely places at unlikely times. Or I'm just a creature of the night- like yourself." She pauses and lets out a long breath, "I like the water, anyway. It's never the same."

"Then by all means, get back in... if you freeze to death, who will find you? Not I," Glaurion yawns. Walking closer to the woman for perhaps the first time ever, he studies her closely, "Now... there is no one around, and no reason to maintain appearances. This is somewhere we can be honest. So, I will ask you the same questions I asked before... I do not want long winded replies, I want them short and simple. In return, I will do the same... this time, I will assure you of that." Moving to the water's edge, he turns his back on the woman and looks back up at the sky, "Wh yis it you are in disfavor with the guards, Ms. Greythorn?"

"I got out of the water, did I not? You don't have to make an argument of everything, you know?" Scarlet frowns, drawing her knees up to her chest, and sitting her chin on them- watching his movements carefully. "You should at least sit down, and not turn your back to me. If you'd like to be polite to women, then at least do not have your back to me while you expect me to be answering your questions." Apparently she's grumpy tonight- at being caught off guard? Or being out here, where everything is peaceful, and she's unable to come across... right. "Why am I in disfavour? Because they think they know what I have done, because they think they know what I do, and what I've yet to do, and because they're frustrated that they cannot find anything to prove what they suspect."

There is a moment's pause as Glaurion considers what was said, then he responds, "Well, it would seem I am not concerned with being polite to you, would it not? Considering our initial exchanges, I would not think you would be concerned with it, either? Apparently, I was incorrect. Well, fair enough, I suppose... I have been wrong before, just not often." He then turns around and takes a seat on the cold ground, motioning to Scarlet, he offers, "Well, join me then... I am being polite, as you say." Cracking his knuckles, he asks, "Next question... why do I keep running into you... what do you want from me?"

Scarlet unfolds her legs, then crosses them. "It was you who initially insisted on calling me Ms. Greythorn.." She points out, smoothing her skirt and generally fidgeting for a few moments. Perhaps she needs to smoke. And then, at his last question, she laughs aloud, though the laugh is a cold one and fades into silence some moments later. "Oh, you are a modest man, for certainly if we keep meeting I must be wanting something from you. Of course, I never smoke at the Prancing Pony so quite obviously I was looking for you then, and the time we met on the hill- despite the fact I'd never seen you before, yes, I was looking for you then, too." In the darkness she rolls her eyes, though only as she turns her head. "I'll admit you intreuge me, Mr. Glaurion but I'm hardly going to lose sleep searching the depths of the Chetwood for you."
<

"So then, Scarlet... why are you here? You are most definitely not looking for me... so there must be another reaosn. Another greatly important, wonderous reason," his statement is said in a perfectly synical tone, though one would not tell it based on the features of his ever emotionless face. Stroking his beard, he adds, "Now... I will volunteer something about myself... just so you are not unaware of my thoughts. You also interest me... as you are not as boring as most of your kind. That is the only reason I tolerate your attitude, honestly."

"There are a few reasons.. I grew up near here. I spent many years exploring these woods and running through this stream early in the morning, late at night. I slept under these trees and pulled up the grass..." She pauses, nostalgically, then shrugs. "Also, walking through water leaves no tracks, nor any traces of which direction I might have gone. I have borrowed something from my friends down at the Breeguard headquarters, and they may get it into their minds to follow me."
Then she falls into silence again, especially at his last comment, and her face slowly drops into a scowl. "What attitude is that? I hardly think I have one, though perhaps I don't know myself as well as a man who's met me three times." She tries to make this comment somewhat lighthearted, but fails.

While he listens to the woman speak, hs eyes drift over to the water, though he still manages to hear her. "You borrowed something from the Breeguard, did you? That would mean they let you borrow it... so the problem with them following is? Oh, wait... that would be if you truly borrowed it... ah, yes... my dear Scarlet... naughty, are you?" Glaurion states with a slight sneer. He climbs to his feet and brushes himself off, "Enough sitting for me... it is not my preference." Waving his hand in a dismissive nature, he notes, "Your attitude is one of confrontation and challenge... few like to be confronted or challenged... it makes you rather... hard to tolerate."
In response to the allegations about borrowing, Scarlet says nothing, and that could be taken as answer enough. As he stands, Scarlet rolls her eyes, then pushes herself to her feet as well, brushing herself clean of leaves and grass. "Ah, confrontation and challenge! And here I thought you were critising me. No, Mr. Glaurion. I like to be on top of things- in control. I quite like power, though I wouldn't exactly call myself power-hungry. But I'm certain I'm only confrontational and challenging to those I don't know well- yourself, for example. I'm sorry- I'm talking about myself an aweful lot."

"So... I imagine the incident on the hill... and this incident of borrowing are connected? Interesting... you are just a regular little Bree criminal, are you not, dear Scarlet?" Glaurion persists as his lips curl slowly into a smirk. He places his right hand on the hilt of his sword, not grasping, but simply it there, as he speaks, "I knew you liked to be in control... unfortunately for you, there are circumstances where that is not possible. I am one of those circumstances. Why that is important to you... I shall give you a guess."
"You can imagine that, if you'd like, though I'll know that they are not. Buying the fat Breeguard a drink at the Pony, however, is." Glancing sideways, the woman notices the movement, and her own hand moves subtly to rest briefly upon her leg, and then move away again to grasp the other hand behind her back. "And I have realised this, Glaurion. It often frustrates me, but I shall accept it this time- I feel you shan't be in Bree forever, so it hardly matters to me... And I'm not sure exactly what I'm supposed to be guessing- why it's important to me that I do not have control over you or..."

Shaking his head, a low chuckle escapes the lips of Glaurion, "As much as you enjoy flirting with the guards and the threat of jail... you do not seem to notice every advantage you could have. That should be a priority when messing with the supposed law. I am here... I have no obvious love for the Breeguard or for Bree... what use could I possibly be to you? Well, that is for you to decide... I am content to be of no use to you... and I am sure it would take a greater offer than you could ever dream up." He then removes his hand from it's resting place on the hilt of his sword and adds, "You are improving, however... at least you admit you are beginning to understand the true nature of our relationship. No more insisting you are soemthing you are very far from."
Again, Scarlet rolls her eyes and takes a step forward- closer to the stream so her back is now toward him. She tilts her head to one side and cracks the bones in her neck. "Hmm. I'm certain I have enough help already from people who are happy to help me- I should not need to beg and offer you things if I already have help enough. The only thing I would want from you would be whatever pearls of wisdom you seem to think you have, though I can hardly imagine... there is so little to do in this town..." This thought fades, and she lets a shrug roll across her shoulders. "No, I do not like things to not go the way I would like them too. Therefore, I have a habit of giving up on things quickly. Perhaps that's part of the nature of our relationship, then. I suppose I should be grateful that I am not a more stubborn person. Or something along those lines, at least."

"Pearls of wisdom... I have many. I will not deny the fact they will cost you. After all, I am a mercenary... everything I do is the result of some arrangement. I do not suppose you have a nice sum of money, by chance?" Glaurion says with a shrug. He takes a moment and spits upon the ground, "Of course... I am sure we could agree to some terms... if you are, indeed, not in possession of such a fee as I would desire." He examines his hands for a while, staring into the palms almost as if searching for something, "Many things I have done... and I dare say I will do more. Now, if you truly do not like to have things go bad on you... you will need far more than yourself and your little associates in Bree. You can refuse to believe it, but I speak the truth."

The woman watches the water rippling and bubbling away at her feet, though she listens- there is no doubt about that- there is certainly that air of intense listening about her. "I have a sum, yes, though I prefer not to spend it, if I can help it. It is difficult enough to make the money without needing to spend it all suddenly. I'm sure you understand." Briefly she glances back at him- as if to make sure he's still there, and then shifts her focus again to the stream. "It's true- contacts outside of Bree would no doubt prove useful..."

"Pearls of wisdom... I have many. I will not deny the fact they will cost you. After all, I am a mercenary... everything I do is the result of some arrangement. I do not suppose you have a nice sum of money, by chance?" Glaurion says with a shrug. He takes a moment and spits upon the ground, "Of course... I am sure we could agree to some terms... if you are, indeed, not in possession of such a fee as I would desire." He examines his hands for a while, staring into the palms almost as if searching for something, "Many things I have done... and I dare say I will do more. Now, if you truly do not like to have things go bad on you... you will need far more than yourself and your little associates in Bree. You can refuse to believe it, but I speak the truth."
The woman watches the water rippling and bubbling away at her feet, though she listens- there is no doubt about that- there is certainly that air of intense listening about her. "I have a sum, yes, though I prefer not to spend it, if I can help it. It is difficult enough to make the money without needing to spend it all suddenly. I'm sure you understand." Briefly she glances back at him- as if to make sure he's still there, and then shifts her focus again to the stream. "It's true- contacts outside of Bree would no doubt prove useful..."

Shrugging, Glaurion walks over to the water, peering at his relfection, at which he spits, causing a ripple that temporarily destroys the mirror-image, "If these contacts would prove sueful to you, you best start thinking of a deal for them. They are leaving Bree soon, and will not be back for some time... if at all. Make it worth my while, and i shall make it worth yours. Waste no more of my time with your futile attempts to best me... simply make me a deal or do not. I have had enough conversation." He then cracks his knucles and looks from his reflection to the waterfall, "Well... speak."
One eyebrow raises just slightly, a tiny smirk appears. After all, Scarlet Greythorn likes games- especially those that are out of the ordinary. "Well, Mr. Glaurion, I have already informed you of my financial situation- what do I have to offer you, then, that you would deem fitting? Of course I'm interested, but I hardly know what I have that would interest you, though perhaps you'll surprise me..."

"You have no money to spare to me... and you have no items of interest, I suppose?" Glaurion asks, soundign rather bored, "Well... there was a time where I might have done it for the fun of it all... or perhaps just an ale or two. Unfortunately for you, that time has passed." Turning around and facing the young woman, his lips twist into a sly smile and his cold eyes seem to glisten in a coldness that is even chilling for them, "I want you. Every little bit... the attitude, the frailty." Pausing, he crosses his arms and notes, "However... not as you might think... not yet, anyway... we shall save that to see just how difficult your little task proves. until that time comes, what I mean is... you are to work for me and I will get this little mess of yours fixed. I need a figure who can blend a bit beter than I... and who better than one of Bree? No one, I should think."

At his words, the eyes widen in surprise, for just the tiniest moment. And then she laughs, quietly, then stops and takes a breath, "I'm sorry, I was not laughing at you. Private thought. By 'little mess', do you refer to the issues I have with the Breeguard? Because I assure you, they are no problem to me, and can be easily dealt with.. I do like the sound of blending in.." She pauses, then fishes in her cloak, "I need to smoke," These words are muttered with a frown- a momentary glimpse of weakness, or at least a sign that she's losing her bravado and energy as the night draws on. "So that's it, then? You want 'me'? Hardly a respectable thing to demand of a young woman of Bree, I should think."

"I do not recall claiming to be respectable by Bree's standards," Glaurion notes smugly. He takes a few steps past the girl, facing the woods, and adds, "I will be in touch... you just make sure I do not have to put great effort into finding you... and for your own sake, quit toying with the guards... and give them back what you stole. Get on their good side, it will prove beneficial in the long run." With that said, the mercenary walks off into the Chetwood, disappearing into the blackness, and soon his footsteps against the foliage fade into silence.