Confronting Cordelia

Keldean had gone straight to the Pony to find Frarin after following Cordelia and confronting her. Unfortunately for him, Frarin hadn\'t been at the Pony (at least that Keldean could find) and after checking a few more likely places the teen had gone to the jail. The dwarf hadn\'t been there either, but the boy lingered longer than he should have. As he slips out into the cold night air again, his breathing is heavy and his features pale as he tries to think over the conversation he just had.

[Frarin(#31050)] Through the west gate comes a short figure with only the lanterns of the gate behind at his back. Even so silhouetted, however, the figure is a familiar one: short, broad, with a long wagging beard and a limping gait. It is Frarin, the very dwarf that Keldean seems so intent upon finding. He comes along at a steady pace, but seems to be at his leisure, as if returning from a walk just before the closing of the gates. His cloak is wrapped tight around him, with the hood drawn up and a scarf about his neck, but the lightly falling snow still clings thick to his beard and shoulders. For once he looks slightly less dishevelled than of late, but even so he does not look towards the guardhouse as he nears and does not see the young man lingering there.

Keldean spots a bulky dwarven figure approaching, and at first he presses back into the shadows of the doorway to the guardhouse. When he recognizes Frarin he rushes over, his fear forgotten for the moment when his original plan of action finally becomes possible. \"Frarin! I need to talk to you, right away.\" He says quickly, the words spilling out rapidly.

[Frarin(#31050)] At first the dwarf pauses sharply, wary as his name is called from the shadows, but the pale face of Keldean soon enters what light there is upon the street and Frarin relaxes. Indeed, he seems in moderately good spirits. \"Hello, lad,\" he greets, coming towards the youth. And he looks as if to continue with some conversational question until the urgency in Keldean\'s voice and words breaks the still night air.

Frarin\'s brow furrows in question. \"What? What is it, Keldean?\" There is both question and suspicion in his tone as he peers through the dark at the teen.

Keldean looks back at the guard house, unable to stop himself from checking to make sure that Barlok isn\'t somehow escaped and following him. He licks his lips as he returns his attention to Frarin. \"I think.. I should tell you about something. It\'s about Cordelia.\" He begins, trying to determine a way to explain things without getting into trouble himself.

[Frarin(#31050)] The youth\'s introduction to his confession brings an interested look to Frarin\'s face, but not an innocently interested look or the look of one interested for the sake of gossip rather, it is a look that clearly indicates Frarin\'s eagerness for whatever Keldean has to say. A serious eagerness, and given the youth\'s eavesdropping of several days before, it should not be entirely surprising why.

Lips pursed and brows pressed together, Frarin nods slowly and regards Keldean with narrowed eyes, suddenly all business. \"Go on then,\" he says in a measured voice.

\"You told me to be careful around her.. so did Seeker. Well, I started asking her why she\'s been so nervous lately, and she keeps telling me it\'s because she\'s worried about her safety. She begged me not to ask questions and just to trust her, kept telling me to stay in town and not go out in the woods.\"

His brows knit together, \"This morning she told Hazel she was going to the market and I followed her, thinking I could ask her again and get more information. Only, she didn\'t go to the market at all. She went off to the hill, up and down the other side. It was at least an hour, way out of town.\"

[Frarin(#31050)] \"Towards Combe?\" Frarin asks, knowing well enough the terrain of Bree proper and its surrounding environs. His lips are parted now in interest and he is edging away from the main of the street, away from where prying eyes might look out upon them. \"What did she do? Did you follow her all the way?\" He runs an absent hand through his beard. \"Worried about her safety, is she? She said as much to me the other day. Damnit I need to speak with Seeker.\" Frustration laces his voice now with this last comment to himself.

\"No! I don\'t think you should!\" Keldean says in a hurry when Frarin mentions Seeker. \"After over an hour she just stopped, at the bottom of the hill. She stood there for a while and didn\'t do anything more than look around. Finally I went and asked her what she was up to. She was surprised to see me and d-.. and she told me that she was only out for a walk and to think.\"

Keldean follows along as Frarin moves away from the street. \"I asked her why she would go out of town when she insisted that I shouldn\'t, and she wouldn\'t tell me anything, so I said I was going to come talk to you. That\'s when she got really upset and begged me not to. She said I could go tell -Seeker- if I wanted to, but didn\'t want me to say anything to you.\"

[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin does not look pleased as Keldean explains his having followed Cordelia and her reaction. \"But you\'ve got no idea why she was out there?\" The frustration in the dwarf\'s voice is not masked and growing by the minute. His leisurely walk seems now a thing of the past. \"Was she meeting someone? Was there anyone else? A woman in a red vest?\" In his eagerness, Frarin forgoes all pretense, and all former lectures to the lad about gossiping. This is dwarf business, apparently, and Frarin is a dwarf who means business.

\"No.. She wouldn\'t tell me. I thought maybe she was out looking for Seeker, but.. I don\'t know.\" He frowns. \"I wouldn\'t have thought much of it, but why would she lie to Hazel, and why wouldn\'t she want me to tell you that she went out for a walk? She\'s really mad at me now, but she\'s scared. What if.. someone might be threatening her? She was all scared about Barlok still, but he\'s in the jail..\" Keldean looks that way again, a nervous expression on his face once more.

[Frarin(#31050)] \"Seeker thinks she knows someone involved in Thari\'s kidnapping,\" Frarin says bluntly, now pulling at the end of his mustache in deep thought. There is a distant look in his eyes as he looks vaguely towards the Pony. Had he been sitting at a table, doubtless his fingers would be restlessly drumming at this point. He speaks again, but his tone is rapid and musing, more to himself than to Keldean.

\"Out for a walk? If she were so damn frightened, why\'s she walking alone from Bree to Combe? Threatening her? Maybe. Yes, maybe. If she knows whoever\'s behind this, that would explain the attack on her. That was real, I\'ll wager.\"

[Frarin(#31050)] \"No, you\'re right,\" Frarin nods, glancing at Keldean in agreement, despite the growing irritation in his eyes. \"And you\'re sure of what you saw? She wasn\'t just shocked at seeing you and annoyed at having her personal time invaded? She really was angry? Knowing what I do, I\'m inclined to believe you, lad, but you do have a record of outlandish theories.\" He does not sound put off, but certainly as if seeking some confirmation that he is not simply believing what he wants to.

And yet even as Frarin continues his grilling of the talkative youth, a hooded figure steals the dwarf\'s attention. Coming first into his peripheral vision, he stops speaking and turns to look full on at the unwelcome passerby. Or perhaps not so unwelcome? His brow furrows as he watches the woman in the darkness, then tentatively but with a gruff tone, he calls, \"Cordelia?\"

\"She did -not- want me to talk to you.\" Keldean says softly as he follows Frarin\'s shift in attention and sees Cordelia as well. The teen adopts a more defensive expression, pressing his lips together tightly.

[Cordelia(#1394)] The woman\'s steps pause and she looks up, first as her name is called and then at the familiar voice. One hand reaches up to draw back her cloak hood slowly. It /has/ been a while since Keldean confronted her in the woods and she was hoping the issue would pass...she sighs. \"Yes. Evening.\"

[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin\'s lips purse as Keldean answers stubbornly behind him and the dwarf nods, but he is limping back onto the main of the street now, towards Cordelia once the woman has given her affirmative. Evening in the darkness, his face is clearly unhappy and irritated and he wastes no time with pleasantries. \"Why did you not wish for Keldean to speak to me about your walk this afternoon?\" he says gruffly, not quite growling, but certainly demanding. \"And walking alone to Combe hardly seems the sensible thing for someone with a broken arm and apparently frightened out of their wits.\"

Keldean follows more slowly, trailing behind the dwarf with that quiet attitude about him now. The look he throws towards Cordelia is that same injured, determined expression as earlier.Cordelia mutters something quietly under her breath, likely a soft curse, but watches the two approach. Her eyes narrow. \"I went to Combe because....\" she starts, then falters. \"Actually, I don\'t have to give either of you a reason that I went there. I\'d advise you to talk to Seeker about it.\"

[Frarin(#31050)] \"No, Cordelia,\" Frarin replies, scowling, \"you do.\" One hand upon his hip, the other now pointing at the woman. \"This is dwarf business and you\'ve got your nose stuck in it and you\'re going to talk about it. Seeker isn\'t here and he would not answer me my questions even if he were, I\'d wager. That is why you are going to. You guilted me into backing off once, but when you go tramping about on your own, claiming fear isn\'t going to fly. Now what do you know about Thari\'s kidnapping?\"

Keldean surrepticiously places himself behind Frarin, not without remorse for going against his friend\'s wishes. He\'s still of the theory that she either knows someone involved, or is being coerced somehow. The teen keeps quiet, not about to interupt now.

[Cordelia(#1394)] Looking nervously from one to the other, Cordelia bites her bottom lip. \"Look...\" She\'s hesitant. \"I don\'t know that I really know something. I might, but I have to check it out first, and I can\'t go around letting the whole world know.\"

[Frarin(#31050)] \"I am not the whole world,\" Frarin says in a low, steady tone of voice, still scowling at the woman. \"And you will be hard pressed to find a dwarf with my patience.\" The presence of Keldean is for the time ignored by the silver merchant, who inches closer to the woman, hands on hips. \"And even that is wearing thin. This is dwarf business,\" he repeats. \"It was a dwarf taken and beaten, it was a dwarf treasure that was sought. And it will be dwarves who settle it. I have been told enough that someone suspects something but will not say it without proof. Well speak your piece, woman, and I will judge whether it is proof enough.\"

Cordelia(#1394)] \"No.\" Cordelia\'s own hands are on her hips, just as stubborn, though her cloak covers them. \"I thought I saw a woman that night in the Pony when Thari\'s room was broken into. That is all of it.\"

[Frarin(#31050)] \"I am not a fool, Cordelia!\" Frarin growls, now coming towards the woman and shaking a frustrated fist at her. \"You have mentioned seeing a woman already and had no trouble saying so before. If that is your concern, why then warn Keldean against telling me of your walk? Why then go on a walk in the first place if you are so concerned that your having possibly seen some woman puts you at mortal risk? Speak up!\"

[Cordelia(#1394)] \"It\'s nothing! Just...leave me alone. I needed to think and I was afraid Keldean would come to you and stir up all kinds of crazy ideas--as he has!\" Cordelia is starting to sound frightened.

[+POLL] Announcement: Cordelia(#1394) has changed the poll to: When in doubt, blame Keldean!

Keldean has been taking it all in silently until she starts making accusations. \"That\'s not true! I kept your promise, and I gave you the benefit of the doubt! What am I supposed to do? They know who I am too! I have to worry about my safety and my sister, and you won\'t tell me anything!\" He seems more keyed up than when Cordelia saw him earlier, more stressed.

[Frarin(#31050)] \"Why should you think that?\" Frarin demands, not backing down this time. \"You have been his confidant in every ounce of trouble that has plagued the dwarves since Yule. He knows better than to try his theories with me!\" Still the youth behind him is treated as if not there, until Keldean himself pipes up in his own defence. Frarin nods sharply, fists clenching into balls.

\"You\'re frightened of something, Cordelia,\" he growls. \"And it\'s not residual from that Barlok. Nor is it some silly possible sighting of some woman on some dark stairwell. It\'s something to do with what Seeker knows, maybe even told you. Now /what/ is it?\" He advances, very angry now.

[Cordelia(#1394)] The dwarf\'s tone frightens Cordelia, her eyes wide with it, and she backs up. For a moment she looks like she is about to say something--but she resists and keeps her mouth shut, just shaking her head.

When Frarin mentions Barlok, the teen looks over towards the jail in fear, as if saying his name will summon the man forth. He looks back at Cordelia, his face a silent appeal for her to share something, brown eyes begging.

[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin\'s breathing is deep and sharp with his irritation, his beard rising and falling with each heave of his chest. For a moment, one of his balled fists lifts as if to prevent the woman from backing up, but he restrains himself and settles with a glare instead. His advance halts. \"Cordelia,\" he growls through clenched teeth, clearly attempting some return to his usual composure. \"I am /not/ trying to institute a witchhunt against you. I have told no other person of my suspicions, not even Thari. You are involved in something that you should never have been and I want to know how. If you are so damn scared, then better to have the favour of the dwarves than their anger.\"

Cordelia takes a breath. \"I went for a walk. In broad daylight. To sit in a spot that I know and breathe in the peace and quiet, because it reminds me of when I was a kid and my sisters and I used to play a game stacking stones. Because I miss my family terribly and sometimes I just want to cry--but not in front of everyone. So I lied and went out though I shouldn\'t have.\" She says a little prayer inside, hoping they buy that.

Keldean wants to believe her, but the way she was acting when he was following her doesn\'t seem to fit. \"You were nervous, and said how I was in danger being out there.\" He crosses his arms, obviously uncertain about all of this.

[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin looks highly dubious, but he does at least pause, regarding the woman with a deep scowl and narrowed eyes. Much seems to be going on behind his eyes, memory upon memory quickly reprocessed as he seeks for holes in Cordelia\'s explanation. \"I do not like to threaten a woman for being scared,\" the dwarf says finally, crossing his arms in imitation of Keldean. \"But I do not believe you.\"

\"My people do not forget, Cordelia. When we know our justice, our revenge is final and swift. And if I discover that you have been lying to me about this whole affair, you will not escape it. Do you understand that?\" His tone is steady and measured, no longer growling, entirely business.

[Cordelia(#1394)] \"Aye,\" Cordelia nods slowly. \"I understand. But you should talk to Seeker. I know he means to talk to you.\"

[Cordelia(#1394)] She turns next to Keldean, nodding to agree with him. \"It was dangerous and I was frightened, but I was angry that morning and it made me throw caution to the wind.\"

\"What does Seeker know? Why do you keep saying to talk to him?\" Keldean asks, shoving his hands into his pockets again. He doesn\'t expect her to explain anything, and even the question lacks any confidence.

[Frarin(#31050)] \"Good,\" Frarin says sharply. \"I mean to talk to him as well. He has as much explaining to do as you.\" He moves to depart angrily, but pauses at Keldean\'s question. His look is interested, but like the youth\'s, doubtful of an answer.

[Cordelia(#1394)] The question earns a laugh. \"I don\'t know what Seeker knows. He doesn\'t answer questions, does he?\" Cordelia replies, eyeing Frarin.

[Frarin(#31050)] The dwarf gives the woman a glare and nothing more, unwilling to rise to her question as she turns the tables on him. Glancing at Keldean, he gives a frowning nod of appreciation, then looks back to

Cordelia and begins to move again. \"Remember my words,\" Frarin reminds her gruffly. And then he is gone, limping down the snow-covered cobbles in the direction of the inn.

Keldean scowls at her answer and looks away, biting back some nasty retorts. He isn\'t ready to head back to the inn yet, because he blew off an entire day of work and Hazel is probably ready to scream. He gaze wanders back to Cordelia with a sullen expression, then the boy begins walking towards the market at a meandering pace.

[Cordelia(#1394)] The woman gives the dwarf a wide berth as he leaves, watching after him and letting him get mroe than a good bit ahead. \"Keldean!\" she then calls, running after the youth. \"Keldean...\" Cordelia forwns.

Keldean turns, glaring at her. \"What?!\" He demands, crossing his arms defensively again, obviously insecure now.

Cordelia sighs. \"I\'m sorry. I know you\'re hurt by this, but...I\'m sorry. I really am. You probably hate me...\"

\"Just forget it! At least one of us will feel bad about what happened to Thari.. I\'m trying to help! You\'re just.. lying, and being sneaky, and I know more than you think I do.\" The last is said in a lower, challenging tone.

[Cordelia(#1394)] At that, Cordelia hurries out to get ahead of Keldean, trying to block his way. \"What do you mean?\" she asks, her voice lowered. She glances back once to make sure Frarin isn\'t within hearing distance.\"I mean that you think I\'m dumb and that I don\'t notice things, but I do. Get out of my way.\" Keldean says, reaching to try and push her aside.

Cordelia stands her ground--Keldean being a lot less imposing than an angry dwarf. \"No, I think that you\'re smart. Maybe too smart for your own good. What do you know?\"

\"Oh please. You think that I\'m going to tell you anything, now?\" He asks, tone dripping with sarcasm. Keldean is hurt and angry, and underneath all that he\'s afraid.

[Cordelia(#1394)] \"No... I guess not.\" Cordelia\'s tone softens and she steps out of the way to let the youth pass. \"I\'m sorry,\" she offers again.

\"Sorry for what? Keeping secrets? Lying? Thinking I\'m not mature enough to handle whatever it is?\" Keldean shakes his head, starting to move again. \"I\'m going to help track down who\'s responsible for all of this. I already have a plan. You can be afraid and hide behind Seeker all you want. Don\'t worry..\" His tone grows sarcastic again, \"I won\'t gossip about it.\"

[Cordelia(#1394)] \"What plan?\" Cordelia asks, voice suddenly sharp again. \"Keldean,w hat are you going to do?\"

\"Leave me alone. It\'s none of your business.\" Keldean keeps walking, lowering his head against the cold winter wind.

[Cordelia(#1394)] \"See? Even you have things that you want to keep secret!\" Cordelia jumps on that, hoping to regain the youth\'s good humor..or something. \"And I\'m /not/ hiding behind Seeker. Seeker...well, I trust him. I told him I would do what he said. Swore it to him, in fact.\"

\"Well I\'m glad that you trust -him-.\" Keldean snaps back, not responding to her mention of secrets. He\'s a complete hypocrite, but isn\'t about to admit as much. \"I hope you and him are really happy together and have lots of babies.\"

[Cordelia(#1394)] Mouth open in utter astonishment, Cordelia stares at the youth. Babies?! Though she doesn\'t say that word--just stares, blinking at him. \"Oh...\" she says, coming to a slow understanding. She blushes--though how she manages to blush at will might be a puzzle. Then she looks down at the snow, scuffing her boot into it. And sighs. \"I...I didn\'t think anyone would guess.\" If the boy wants to believe she\'s in love with Seeker, far be it from her to dissuade him.

Keldean keeps that glare leveled at her, having expected her to get angry.. not bashful. \"Yeah.. whatever. I don\'t care. That wasn\'t my point.\" She completely stole his thunder and not he\'s unsure how to continue, and just snorts in irritation and starts walking again.

[Cordelia(#1394)] Seizing on this opportunity, Cordelia promptly trots after him. \"_Now_ you understand why I had to keep it secret? I mean...we\'re not married...\"

\"Leave me alone!\" He hadn\'t even considered that this might have been what she was hiding. Mostly he\'s been hurt that she trusts Seeker more than him, and won\'t tell him anything. Keldean needs time alone to think this all over and sort things out without more distraction. He starts walking again, running his hands through his hair again, frustrated and confused.

Cordelia doesn\'t try to follow Keldean, now, instead letting him walk ahead of her and letting her lie do its work without her intervention.