Private Tales White Lies & Unknown

[Corin Rook]

Mission: Escort Serelai Virelle
Location: Meeting spot at Tavern before the road out of Falwood
Level: Easy Money​

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Corin loved escort missions. They were by far the easiest and often paid the most. Silly nobles and their kin frequently feared the outdoors, so they looked for the best blade, obviously her, to guide them through the “treacherous” journey to wherever they were going. Most of the time, nothing really happened, and she got to meet interesting people. Other times, someone got a spot of bravery, and suddenly she was chasing down a drunk noble who thought he could fight a bear.

Sometimes, she wished she were one of those frilly nobles or royals. Though she often wondered how different her life would have been — maybe her parents wouldn’t be dead.

She shrugged at the thought and decided to focus on her work. Today seemed easy enough: a short journey and a single escort. According to the notes, the girl traveled light and seemed agreeable. Corin made a mental note to tip her informant a bit better after this job; the girl supposedly had money, which meant that if Corin was extra nice, she might earn a little more.

The half-elf found her mouth watering at the thought of a whole chicken at the next tavern. Last night’s dinner had been light — just a bowl of potato soup and a small loaf of bread she’d managed to flirt onto her plate.

At least the baker had been desperate enough for a bit of attention. Though she didn’t understand why, if she were interested in human men, she’d find herself a good baker or butcher. There would always be food on the table, and she’d never go hungry.

Shaking her head free of the thought, Corin waited at the small meeting location. They were to traverse the road out of Falwood — somewhere she’d never actually gone without a guide — but her informant had made her sound knowledgeable. What were a few white lies to a customer?

Corin chuckled, slightly nervous about the trip, but she was capable.

“Where is she?” the red-headed elf mumbled to herself. She wanted to get this started; the faster they began, the faster she could drop this frilly noble girl off to her probably awaiting husband.

Then… she could go eat.
​

 

[Serelai Virelle]

The path through the outer Falwood was damp and overgrown, the air thick with the scent of moss and rain. Serelai had been walking since dawn, following the winding trail out toward the road that would eventually lead her to Elbion. The thought of civilisation again, of clean linen and candlelight, was enough to keep her moving.

She saw the arranged escort before the woman saw her, a red-headed half-elf waiting by a mossy milestone, posture sharp, boots planted like she owned the road, and tall. Serelai slowed, taking her in with open curiosity. When she reached conversational distance, she stopped, cocked her head slightly, and spoke with genuine brightness.

"Oh, your ears are small."

A delighted laugh slipped through her fatigue.

"How cute! I don’t think I’ve ever seen such neat ones before."

The words hung there, light and unguarded, before she seemed to remember herself. She smoothed her cloak with a deft hand, recovering that languid composure like a curtain drawn.

"Forgive me. You must be Corin. I’m Serelai."

She tipped her chin in greeting, eyes glinting green as they met the other woman’s.

"Thank you for agreeing to this escort. I promise I’m not nearly so troublesome as I may look."

A half-smile ghosted across her lips, elegant but a little sardonic.

"I'm rather in your hands here. I don't quite know the way out of Falwood."

She stepped past a patch of mud and came to stand nearer, adjusting the strap of her satchel, the faint scent of cedar and smoke trailing with her.

"Shall we?"

Corin Rook​