Nighttime Message

[Evelyne]

Evelyne stroked the hawk that sat on her shoulder as she sat lazily on Ruella's window sill. The woman had done as Evelyne requested, and left the window to her room open.

The girl had worn completely black so she would be that less noticeable. Pushing back her headdress, the girl gazed at the woman who was petting her small kitten.

Clearing her throat, Evelyne ran her fingers through her dark wavy locks. "Milady..."

[Ruella of Aili]

Ruella paused beside the open door, a small delighted smile on her face. She understood that the thief-girl had been confused by the illusion she'd crafted of herself - the one that was always active in her rooms when she wanted to wander the city without anyone noticing. Not wanting to let the girl know she'd seen her, to allow her that dignity, Ruella closed the door sharply behind her.

[Evelyne]

Evelyne jumped at the slamming of the door, looking from the illusion to the true being. Sighing, she grinned sheepishly and shrugged, her pale cheeks slightly pink from embarassment.

"Just as strong as ever, Milady," the girl said gleefully before turning suddenly serious. "Is there a place we will not be heard or seen. A place we can talk alone, in private? I know your rooms are safe, but does your magic protect us from unwanted guests?"

[Ruella of Aili]

Ruella calmly took a seat. Although she didn't make any movements, she was able to activate the cloaking spells around her room. "No one can find their way in."

[Evelyne]

Bowing her head slightly, Evelyne slipped into the room, closing the window behind her. "Milady Ruella, I thank you for seeing me. Excuse me for not carrying this conversation on further, but I have word from those I trust about the Scanrans.

I did not know who else to turn to, I only trust you. Nobles are pigs, I dare not show my face around them, however, you, Milady, I trust with my life. And that is why I'm telling you what I know.

A group of Scanran men have just entered into Tortall. They are seeking refuge within the forest trails so as to be hidden from our sights. They are not yet close to Corus, but it will only be a matter of time.

Putting myself in their positions, I believe they are scouting out the best routes for their own use. This way they can seem to appear out of thin air, taking us by surprise." The girl bowed her head again, "that is all I have to say," she mumbled, daring a look at the woman.

Her emerald eyes gazed pleadingly at Ruella, and her mind thought of only being used to help pinpoint the enemy's location. She secretly wanted to be included in an adventure, something more daring, and divine than pickpocketing. She lothed soldiers with envy, and despised all women who became 'lady knights' for she wanted to be one as well. She wanted to be the hero for once, but knew she had not the knowledge nor the skills to do such a thing. The most she could do would be to sneak around like many of the Crown's spies.

[Ruella of Aili]

Ruella frowned, considering the information. "Would you be willing to put forward such information in a Council? I'm afraid I can't just bring such important information and not have a reliable source..." She tugged at a curl of hair fallen loose.
"I thank you for trusting me, and I will see what I can do about this.... but you must understand that I don't have so much power over the defense of our country."

[Evelyne]

"Ruella, the Council would not trust the likes of me! I-I will do so, only if I must. I will keep you updated on information I receive..." She let her voice fade off as she went into thought.

"Milady, would not the Council ask me where I received my information? My sources are not greatly reliable. I hear stories told by those who visit my Inn, and when I was cleaning up, a report fell onto the floor. I know it was wrong of me," she said, blushing, "but I read over it. You know the theif lord is away, do you not? He has reports of sighting these men, creeping about at night."

The girl remained silent, yet again in thought. Finally, she gazed levely at the woman. "What if I appear before the Council as a noble? Would they not question me so much?'

[Ruella of Aili]

Ruella's brow furrowed further. "Do you still have this... report?" She asked, wondering how trustworthy such a document would be - or if it could be a fake... She knew she would never be able to live with herself if she sent any Tortallans into a death trap.

The woman glanced out the window at the evening sky, subconsciously biting her lip. "They probably would be more likely to believe a noble, it's true," she conceded. "But they would be even more likely to believe evidence like a report." She said, looking the girl in the eyes once more

[Evelyne]

Evelyne gazed back at the woman, a grin appearing. Fishing in her baggy black tunic, the girl produced two rolled up parchments. "Here, Milady," she said softly, "I figured they would be needed. These are the two with the most description. I had gone through Milord's other reports, but they just had casual spottings of the same group of men. These are the most recent."

Evelyne held them out to Ruella while stroking the hawk that remained calmly on her shoulder.

[Ruella of Aili]

Ruella accepted the papers gravely, quickly scanning the pages for any hidden clues. She nodded to Evelyne. "These will be better than just my word.... who did you say you got them off?"

[Evelyne]

(OOC: i thought i responded, but i guess i didn't x.x; )

Evelyne grinned ruefully, "Milord, the king of the rouges. He is a good man, I trust him with my life, as I do you."

[Ruella of Aili]

Ruella nodded. She knew the King of Theives fairly well herself. She stood to tuck the rolls of parchment into a bag, then sealed it with a charm. No one but herself or another powerful mage could reach them now

[Evelyne]

Smiling, the girl gazed out the window. "Know what Ruella? I wish I could outdo Milord. Be better than I am, and feel important, or have power over something." Shakes her head, "sorry about that, I tend to ramble.." With that, the girl bowed deeply, "Milady, i bid you farewell for now. The sun is beginning to rise, so rest and save yer energry."

Going to the window, Evelyne slipped out, letting her hawk fly off of her shoulder as she made her way away from Ruella's chambers.

[Ruella of Aili]

Ruella watched the girl leave, still tugging a lock of her. No matter what the thief had advised, Ruella knew she wouldn't get any sleep now. She remained staring out the window for a few moments, as the palace slowly came to life around her. Finally, she picked up the bag containing the parchments, closed the window and headed out the door, nodding to her sleepy-eyed maid who had just risen. She had to talk to the Council, and soon. Better to go now before things got too busy with preparations for the day ahead