Meredith looked over the four cabal members in front of her lead by the man known as Kedwyn, then back to her own companions. Ellena, Tize, and Aslak. She didn't particularly care for any one of them, but she was caught out. Alone. Her options were limited.
KEDWYN "We would be leaving this place behind, I fully suspect I will never return. Which is why I'm not going to part with that book. Travelling with me or not won't change my opinion on the matter. I've seen the alien threats that lie just beyond the veil, they are waiting to break through into our world. Eadris. This... King in Yellow, there are worse things out there in comparison to him. I can assure you of that." Meredith Lockridge nods her head toward a somewhat impatient silhouette some distance back. MEREDITH "I'm going to get my mount, then. The book.. we'll keep discussing. But we can talk about it while we move." Tize Ash-Hand yawns a little bit where she stands, watching the two groups go back and forth. TIZE "...If we're travelling with you... Why the need to have the book in your hands? Not like we're going to run off in the night... At least I'm not.", scoffs. MEREDITH "He's concerned I'm going to open it in the night when he can't watch and learn from it." ELLENA "I pray that you do." TIZE "I'll put forth my argument again that I'm neutral... But really I don't care that much about a book..." Kedwyn closes his eyes, shaking his head. KEDWYN "The book, Meredith. There is no room for discussion. Information will be shared with you when I deem it necessary. I've said this once. I'm done with the games, you have two options. Hand the book over and travel with us. Refuse and die." Aslak accompanies Lady Meredith and pets the horse; feeding it a little portion of oats. Tize sighs a tiny bit and frowns. TIZE "...Knew that was coming...", holding up her hands lightly. Fedot, one of Kedwyn's cabal members looks around confused as tension is getting thick again. Meredith scoffs in the wintry air. MEREDITH "I've seen what glimpsing a simple scrawled symbol can do. This is..what, a thousand pages? I've little desire to start poring over it like a children's novel," she states as if such a thing from her example were common. When Kedwyn addresses her again, however, her tone comes in a cooler and more authoritative tone. "I am the Lady Lockridge, sole surviving member of my house, and I will not be threatened by some.. -cultist-. If I hand you this book -- if -- I want your word that you fill me in each and every day. Not when you deem it necessary, only so that you can die like every single person that's traveled with me. Daily. That's as far as I'm willing to bend. I came to you in good faith, I lowered my weapons first, and I didn't pick you off at a distance when we rode up on this fucking tree in the first place. You've done nothing but point pistols at me and my companions and tell us we don't deserve to know anything. So -forgive me-, Kedwyn, if I don't seem particularly enthused to part with the only tether to understanding what happened to me." KEDWYN "I think maybe you forget your standing in the new world, names don't mean a damn thing to me. Grey Cabal members aren't hampered by political intrigue and we certainly aren't influenced by the powers of nobility, your house ends with you. We can make it a reality and snuff it out permanently if that's what is required. I have no desire to kill you, but I will if it means that the Grey Cabal is in sole possession of that book. If there is pertinent information, you'll get it. You're better off never knowing what's contained within those pages but I'm willing to keep you informed if it's relevant to you." Meredith Lockridge 's gaze narrows thinly -- though it was already somewhat slitted due to the light coming up off the bare snow -- and after a half-minute's silence during which she looks over those gathered, and particularly Cycil's plate-clad form, the rigid locking of her arm holding the book close to her chest starts to ease. MEREDITH "..I do not appreciate your tone or your threats, and I will not forget them. We have an agreement, but you do not decide what's relevant to me. I do. Learn to negotiate, Kedwyn -- I have conceded at every available opportunity." KEDWYN "You will continue to concede again and again, when it comes to matters involving the Grey Cabal. You are an outsider. Until I say otherwise you will be privy only to the information that I choose to share with you." Meredith Lockridge rubs her lips tightly together, pressing them back and forth as if the taste of something soured and bitter had been brought up into her mouth. She again looks between the strangers, and with tight, rigid motions she extends the thick tome. MEREDITH "Your inability to avoid pressing people into corners and allowing them to save face will not serve you well, Kedwyn. You best learn to adapt for the future. Take your fucking book." Comments are closed.
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