Private Tales Archnemesis

[Kristen Pirian]

Peculiar though it all was, that flittering sense of credulity, easier felt than firmly grabbed, suggested to Kristen that Sable spoke not a falsehood. Not a single falsehood, not even one born of innocent misapprehension. His tale seemed to be a true account. Ghosts and spirits unclaimed by the gods did indeed inhabit Arethil, and so it would seem that Chasmine, perhaps with "one foot already in the door", had come to join their number.

...I've not had any such ghostly encounters since.

Kristen let out a relieved sigh, mostly for show. Mostly. "And this is good. The company of the living shall make for better fellows."

Her lips pressed into a thin line—not quite a smile, not quite a frown. "Still, though she lingers in undeath, I hope that Chasmine may come to find some rest. Ralene as well, so I have heard—it was not so long ago at this very diner that I had spoken with her. Mayhap she met a true warrior's end."

She studied Sable after the mention. For all she knew, this could well be the first Sable himself had heard of it, being a Knight like Ralene notwithstanding.

Sable Pembroke

 

[Sable Pembroke]

Kristen's quite tangible relief earned a meek smile from Sable. Reintegration hadn't just been about steadying himself and learning to live with his past, but also reassuring those around him that he was not the monster he'd become.

That brief moment of satisfaction was, however, interrupted by a statement that at first rather confused him. Sable blinked, then blinked again. Then the realization dawned on him. Sable chuckled, heartily so.

"Ah...it seems that woman's own efforts have paid off. I'm sure she'll get a good laugh out of this later..." Sable prefaced with a cheeky grin. "Guess I get to be both the bearer of bad and good news today. I'm quite relieved to tell you that Ralene lives, Kristen...though she would tell you otherwise."