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Still Waters Maxwell waited until Lady Terin left the dungeon so he might have a few words with the recent 'acquisition' of Double Moon. His words began with one, to get his attention. "Thief." Thus the ragged property was presented to them upon his arrival and thus he was assumed to be, for the moment. He had been beaten severely, then dropped off at the castle and already had tested the will and patience of Lady Terin. He needed to learn more quickly and Maxwell would teach him. The chained man frowned slightly. His eyes flared as he raised his gaze to Maxwell's. "I, sir, am no more a thief then you are a lass." Maxwell leaned in and grinned, still in his most courteous way but his quiet voice was stern. "I use it to address you. Get accustomed to it. You are what we say you are here. Crossing me is of little matter, only because I choose it to be so. Mind yourself with the Ladies however." There was a smile and a momentary flash in the infidel's eyes. "You do what they say, just as I will. You appear to be in service here just as I, so cross the ladies I will not, but crossing you, though not my intention, is the least of my worries..." He threw his head back, trying to get the hair out of his eyes. "...and calling one a thief--" He went silent and smirked, knowing he did not steal however this impression of him may prove useful. A gesture from Maxwell summoned aaron and layton to come from their posts and help undo the wastrel's bindings then support him as needed. They stood on either side of him, gripping his arms enough to make it clear that he would go nowhere and do nothing without them, even if he thought he had the strength. The captive smiled faintly and nodded, dropping into their arms, knowing he was still too weak to put up a struggle. However, this situation kept his mind working. It might prove interesting, if it did not destroy him first? Too much of his obstinate will showed in his glare at Maxwell. Furthermore it appeared the fellow had a touch of the arcane about him as his eyes glowed for a moment, hinting at a trace of magical ability. Reaching in, Maxwell slipped his hand around the side of the man's neck then pushed up beneath his chin harshly with his thumb. His grip was amazingly strong and effectively cut off the captive's ability to draw air. The thief grumbled into a gasp and looked at Maxwell's face as he felt the air loss further draining him. A very business-like smile met the thief's choked gaze. It's the same smile Maxwell might use to greet any visitor. He released enough pressure for shallow breath to pass through, as his eyes locked with the captive's. "You've no concept of power. Dare not use it without permission." "I have no power." The thief answered quickly. "Only a few natural talents and teachings. Nothing supernatural, I assure you." He smiled nervously as he spoke in between labored breaths. He did not lie, precisely, given that any magic is natural and not quite supernatural, or so was his own justification. He wondered briefly how Maxwell knew of his abilities but realized it must have been his eyes. He had forgotten. Yes, it must have been my eyes, he thought. Very well, I will abide by their rules. "I will nae do a thing... without the LADIES permission." Maxwell released his hold on the thief's throat then backhanded him with such force that the captive was ripped from aaron and layton's grip, and dropped to his knees. "Nor MINE." Licking blood from his lip, the ragged captive chuckled half-heartedly and nodded. He stood again, weakly, having gained a little respect for the man before him, though wondering about his actions. "You make a fine point, sir." Maxwell stepped back and ran his hand through his hair, visibly composing himself to return upstairs. His voice was quiet and still calm. "Lack of knowledge makes for erroneous assumptions." He waited for the two attendants to steady the thief then continued. "You are fortunate that the Ladies are no longer available for a Review this evening. Thus, you shall be inspected on the morrow. You'll have time to ponder what you have learned this day and make good use of it." Oddly, the thief chuckled again and nodded, waiting for his escorts to take him to his cell. Maxwell shook his head then waved offhandedly for aaron and layton to carry or drag the infidel, as necessary, to temporary quarters in the Cellar. |
 (Click on candle to return to the Great Hall) The Dungeon |