Page 501: Messages for the Messenger
Messages for the Messenger
Summary: Two Terrick retainers catch up. Briefly.
Date: 06/Dec/2012
Related Logs: Missing children saga in general. Who shot Dania saga in general.
Mortimer Nathaniel 
Rockcliff Inn, Terrick's Roost
Thu Dec 06, 289

It's evening at the Roost, the light has faded for the day and the good citizens are either at home or enjoying the beer and conversation at the Rockcliff. The town is possibly a little on the subdued side, what with the talk of kidnappers in the woods and such, but on the whole, it's just another night on the coast. Having returned from the day's searches and had word from tose watching the road that Nathaniel is back in town, Mortimer takes a detour on his way home and sticks his head into the inn to see if the man can be found.

Nathaniel is leaning against the bar. The dust of travel is evident on his cloak even though he tries to leave as much of it outside before he enters the inn. Before him is one of the clay cups of tea that the tavern-girls routinely bring. He is sorting messages into piles. When he sees the deputy, he nods to the man. "Good evening, master!" he calls. "I've heard that my quarry at Stonebridge slipped past me in answer to a message from Lady Nedra, so I returned. So much for hoping to catch him there."

With Nathaniel so easy to spot Mortimer wastes no time in glancing around the rest of the inn, prefering instead to simply make his way over to the bar and lean on it next to the other man. Waving away the barmaid who approaches to ask if he's drinking anything he nods at what is said. "Aye, he was here, although I'm not sure if he's gone yet or not." Who knew Maesters were such slipper creatures? "Looks like he did some good an'all," he adds, although he doesn't yet know if it was enough. Glancing to the messages a moment he then turns back to the courier, "'fraid I've got another couple to add to that lot."

Nathaniel lifts hus mug and sips some of the tea while Mortimer confirms the maester's visit and then mentions that he needs to convey anther message. "Judging from your look, it's not glad tidings," he concludes. He shifts his pouch from behind his hip, and opens it. he removes several long leather ties for bundling each stack of messages. "If you need this message in writing, we can move elsewhere," he offers, glancing toward the back of the room. "We'll find a table int he back. If needed, I'll drop a coin or two to move some people elsewhere."

Mortimer shakes his head gently at the offer, "They're both for you actually," he offers by way of explaination, "from Lord Ozric, so I'll let you figure if you're glad of them or not." Now the rest of the room does get a quick glance, although it's more out of habit than any concern for wagging ears or such. "He has some messages for you to take east apparently, wanted me to tell you to seek him out when you got back. Also, he wants word taking to Highfield, there's a Flint man there he wants to borrow for the searches, a Master Pariston or some such."

Nathaniel listens and nods solemnly. "I'll see him as soon as he's available, then," Nathaniel agrees. "As for Master Paristan, I know him. He's a fine tracker. You'd do well to have him along. I know another who could add her skills to tracking, too, if the lord wants to ask about her." He sighs and adds, "I've heard of some sickness in Highfield, although I haven't seen it for myself."

"Thank you," Mortimer replies, mentally taking one thing off his list of things to do, "I imagine he'll be about the tower somwhere." The news of sickness he greets with a slight nod and a long slow exhalation, "aye, so Lady Nedra was saying, I pray it's none too serious." Switching back to the tracking thread of conversation he pushes himself up so he's standing straight again and offers simply, "If you're talking about Mistress Caul then I've spoken with her already. Although she indicated she would not be staying long."

Nathaniel chuckles. "I wasn't thinking of her, master," he assures. "I often think that I'm one of the few men in this town who /doesn't/ think often about Mistress Caul." He sharks his head. "I mean another courier with whom I am well acquainted. She's also a skilled hunter and tracker. She's no stranger to rough work, and I'll vouch for her personally if necessary."

"We'll take what help we can," Mortimer replies after a brief moment's pause, "although with the news from Heronhurt I'm starting to think maybe all this is in vain." It pains him to say it but he adds, "you might be better pointing her towards the Erenfords, it might be down to them now."

Nathaniel smiles and nods. "She's their retainer, and if the hunt has gone to them, she might urge the Erenford lords to seek /our/ help. However, she is already looking into another matter for them." He starts to tie up the various piles of messages. When he has finished with each, he stuffs it into a different part of his pouch.

Mortimer thinks that over for a moment then shrugs tiredly, "she's probably in the best position to decide where to look then, but if she heads this way then we'll find a place for her." That seemingly settled he declines to order from another passing barmaid then turns abck to Nathaniel, "I should probably be heading on. I still need to go see Inna's parents and let them know we found nothing again today."

Nathaniel frowns darkly and nods. "That's grim news to deliver, but please assure them that people are still watching for signs. They need to understand that no one has given up on their daughter."

"Thats the general idea," Mortimer confirms with a brief glance to the bar. Taking a deep breath he holds it for a moment before nodding once more and exhailing slowly in an effort not to actually sigh. "Aye. Anyway, I'd best be off."