The sound of rustling parchment came from one of the back rooms of the Prancing Pony. Lisca was at work, poring over maps and making quick notes in a thick leather-bound volume. The scene would ordinarily have been called tranquil; the soft murmour of voices floated in from the distant common room and a fire crackled gently in the hearth, illuminating the ancient timber beams with a warm glow. However, the frown on Lisca's face as she regarded the documents intently combined with the steady stream of muttering to herself as she worked would have no doubt put any observers on edge.
The candles nearest the entrance flickered as someone entered the room, the movement in the air disrupting her light and her concentration. She looked up angrily with a sigh, the beginnings of a retort on her lips.
"Must you disturb me with your.."
The tall figure of Tzel stood in the doorframe.
"Ah, Tzel, there you are. My apologies, I thought..."
Tzel bowed, neatly, his customary grin establishing itself on his face, much to Lisca's irritation.
"At your service, Ma'am".
Lisca sniffed, disapproving of the man's perpetual levity. "Is it time already?" she asked, resting her quill in its holder with some regret.
"Actually, it is already 20 minutes past the appointed hour. "
"Don't worry though, " he added with a rakish smile, "I found plenty to keep me amused in the common room!"
Lisca shot him a dirty look, knowing full well the sort of amusement he sought and wondering whether he made a point of irritating her deliberately with such references.
"Must you...lounge about so?" she enquired pointedly, seizing on the only thing she could think of to bring him down to Earth, as he propped himself up against the doorframe.
Tzel straightened himself up and then got straight to the point. "You said there was something to discuss, Lady?"
"Ah, yes, indeed." she responded. "I require your assistance. I've decided that it would be to the advantage of all were I to become proficient with a blade."
Tzel bowed his head briefly at her words, studiously maintaining a neutral facial expression to avoid the wrath that would inevitably fall upon him if he let a hint of a smile cross his face. "But of course" he said.
"I know I haven't the build or the strength to become a warrior; I just need to be able to pick up a blade and not make a fool of myself with it. You know that I rely on my various powders and knowing just when to strike with my staff to survive in combat. But what happens when I run out of ingredients, or I have no room to swing a staff..?" Lisca breaks off briefly with a shudder, as a memory of the spiders closing around her resurfaced.
"I quite understand" Tzel said. "But where do I come in?"
"Well, " replied Lisca. "I thought, or rather I hoped, that you might be willing to give me some lessons. I've seen you wield a blade when the fighting is too close for your great bow..."
"Ah, I see" Tzel remarked, stroking his beard thoughtfully, no doubt thinking what a wonderfully cooperative pupil Lisca would make. "Well, of course, it would be of benefit to the Warband and I'm sworn to further its cause whenever I can. I..." he paused briefly, before committing himself "I would be pleased to assist. "
Lisca nodded, pleased at his agreement. "I am grateful for your assistance Tzel, and I'm sure I can compensate you for your trouble. " She thought for a moment. "I have in my possession some items of lore relating to the enchanting of bow strings. Perhaps that might be a suitable payment for your time."
Tzel's grin broadened at the prospect of improving his beloved bow and bowed again. "That would be very welcome, Ma'am." He turned to leave and then turned back enquiringly.
"If I might enquire..?" he asked hesitantly pointing to his face, "but I couldn't help notice those marks..."
She cut him off abruptly. "You may not!" she said shortly, acutely conscious of the small scars still visible on her face and arms from the spider bites. She picked up the quill again. "Now, if that was all..."
