Shortly after Ezrin joins the group, Alexis finds himself alone with Gustav and Ethelred.
“Just so we’re clear, we’re not saying anything about Telosh and his penchant for magic meddling. If you have any questions, say nothing and send them to me.”
Alexis makes it clear with body language that he’s talking about not talking to any member of the Collegium about Telosh’s use of magic.
Alexis looks between the two of them and then settles his eyes on Ethelred. “Is that clear?”
“I will do the best I can. What would be very helpful, is you told what exactly you might say if asked. How can I say nothing and still direct any questions to you.
A prime example would be The Pit. or do we mention it at all? What of the Girl and her stone? His love for the Crow? All of those are part of telosh interest in magic. Some are very dangerous others tame.
How do we weave the story and leave out so much that might need to be explained.
What is written, or will be written, in your book?”
Gus listens to Ethelred and then gives Alexis a knowing look.
“I pledge to avoid talking about Telosh’s magic meddling. Are you worried the Collegium will send members after us and try to take their cut of magic? Like Telosh’s money debt, but of etherial energy?”
Alexis nods
“I appreciate your understanding of the situation.”
Alexis seems to be unfazed by the questions.
“Excellent questions” he says as if he was expecting them “If any of those things come up, send them to me. Is that understood?”
Alexis looks at Ethelred for his agreement.
Ethelred pauses for a bit.
“Surely I can send them your way. But what do I say. It seems like you are asking me to lie to the Collegium. Or you intend to lie to the Collegium. For if anything you say includes me as being part of or witnessing, then by sending them to you I am not giving them the truth. Which I am hopeful that the Collegium will give me the truth, if and when I am able to join.”
“By your reasoning, you lie all the time Red. You ‘lied’ to Earicka and Leer by not telling them everything about Raff. You ‘lied’ to the people at the fort by not reporting Leer for making troll-power.”
“But for some pit-forsaken reason you chose to have your come-to-Raiden moment with the group of people who are only too happy to throw us in prison and torture us until we tell them something they want to hear.”
“Until you overcome that social-pit within yourself, send everyone to me to talk about anything to do with Telosh. Is that clear?”
Alexis looks expectantly at Red.
“ommision is…
But..
…
Fine.
…
”
There is so much more Alexis can tell red wants to say. But red figures now is a good time to tell alexis what he wants to hear. The future will unfold how it unfolds. The story of the chaos pit may fade away. The deeds of telosh may go unspoken. Or other things might happen. Who can know for sure.
“I need something a bit more… firm from you right now Red.”
Alexis looks expectantly at his engineer. At the friend who he helped lower 2 mules into a pit with. His companion in solving the hardest problems they’ve ever come up against.
“Alexis I will do my best. I do not like to lie. I see issues and conflicts in avoiding the subject. But if and when it comes up I will deflect like a well made roof.
As I said before knowing what you plan to say with regards to our lost companion would help. But for now I will just play dumb and keep quite.”