the outnumbered (eragos, sleeping tiger, vera)
It was strange leaving the Castel in a tunnel made by Elden, she wasn't even sure how such a thing was possible, but he had made it and came with her back out into Simanel. Despite the fact that Agrippa was disappointed with her, he'd still given her this task to complete. Eithne had no room to complain any longer, and wouldn't complain. She was in higher spirits than she'd been in quite awhile. She was less elated about sneaking around the city that used to serve as part of her home than Elden was. He seemed quite good at such a thing, and Eithne thought she was sneaky. The man moved carefully around corners, and while he was probably drunk, he was at least good at hiding it. they were sent to check up on plans, plans which, Eithne still wasn't quite clear on. but Elden knew them, and he wasn't as grumpy as Agrippa so he made a fine enough partner. Eithne didn't have enough time to think about the grim things that had happened in these past weeks while they were travelling carefully from place to place.
There were people stationed all around the city, laying in wait for whatever it was that the Captain had planned. Eithne was surprised to see the numbers of plain clothed citizens sitting with White Riders. Ready, it seemed, for the end. Or the beginning. Whatever came, they were ready to defend their home. Eithne might have applauded them if it didn't make her sick to think of what would happen to some or all of these people. Riders included. She'd lost enough friends in this, and didn't want to see another fall. But there was no telling how or when this would end. Even if they managed to stop The Grey Riders, and Eragos' brother, what of Gavrie and Seca? What of Gola?
There seemed to be more enemies than they could ever hope of arresting or defeating.
When Eithne and Elden were finished checking over the various hiding spots and contraptions that Agrippa and the rest of the Riders had set up during their absence they made their way through a different tunnel than they had before.
"They're never the same." Elden admitted to her.
"Cause that would be dumb." Eithne offered the wizard not a smile, but a smirk nonetheless. He took it as anyone might, with a scoff and then something that looked like a smile.
During their journey back into the Castel, Eithne had the time to reflect upon everything that had happened since yesterday. They'd spent most of the night checking on people, but before that she'd been.. She didn't know if there would ever be time to spend alone with Eragos again. She hoped there would be. She hoped Agrippa didn't send them on separate assignments for the duration of their.. lives? They could both die in this. Life had never been easy for Eithne. Abandoned at birth. Left in the care of a temple which had too many children to watch over. Maybe she could have made it easier by staying and becoming a Priestess or something else. Join the army? She'd run off into the streets and hadn't ever looked back. She didn't want to look back.
Because if she changed anything, even one small thing she wouldn't be here. She wouldn't be here with him and then what? Would she still want money so much she'd do anything for it? Would she have killed for it? A minute's difference, a different choice and she could have been... But no. Even she couldn't force her thoughts there. Or try to find pity for the people who were killing her friends along with countless innocent people. they made a choice, just as she had.
They had to be back at a specific time. Strange to tell things by time again. It'd been so long since she'd known what day it was, let alone the hour. But she and Elden were expected to the same meeting everyone else was supposed to be at. She wondered it if was new news, or if it was simply to be a strategic meeting or maybe something different. At least it wouldn't be another trial in the middle of the Yard. She began in the direction of Agrippa's office, when Elden took another turn around one of the corners and Eithne had to run to catch up with him. Apparently she hadn't been listening as clearly as she thought she had. Instead of a formal meeting in the captain's office, they were taking over one of the halls that used to be used for feasting. There were still cots and rolls pressed against the wall where people had been sleeping. she wondered how many bunks and bedrolls were littering the Rider's normal quarters. How many citizens? How many riders had been pulled back to Simanel?
Agrippa was already at the table and reading something. Elden fell into a chair and found something interesting to look at on the table. Eithne just sat down as quietly as possible, and hoped that Agrippa talked to Elden instead of her about their little mission. She busied herself by looking back at the door and waiting for the others. She hadn't had a chance to say anything to Hasna. She hadn't seen Nieve either, not that she particularly wanted to see that green Rider. She hadn't seen Geoff, or really anyone since she'd returned. She hadn't spoken to Vera since the meeting..
She wondered, suddenly, if Vera had left because of.. she hadn't thought of it before. she hadn't even considered.. Well she had tried to kill her, however accidentally. It wasn't like they were best friends but.. Still. As much as she wanted to know what Agrippa had to say to them she also wanted to have a chance to say something to everyone before whatever that was going to happen actually happened. She wouldn't have another chance, would she? None of them knew. It was weird to be so quiet, weirder to be as still as she was and not to try lighting something to smoke here with Agrippa there.
She didn't think she'd miss making everyone scowl at her. A little normalcy would have made this thing seem easier. A little less stressful. It might even make her stop thinking about how vastly outnumbered they were. Maybe.