A Return, Sooner Than Expected

Submitted by Jeroen S. on Sun, 8/18/2013 at 11:39pm

On the edge of town after the sun’s rays had long been missed from the sky, a light appeared on the side of the road leading to the small town of Jastrey. This tiny pinprick of light grew into a glowing circle and from its center fell a few tiny specks of white; snow from another place entirely had decided to fall onto the warm dry road of gravel.
 
Then just as the first snowflake hit the ground a large man, hood drawn and robes of dark blue drawn tightly around him, bounded through the opening with his back covered in the same powdery precipitation. Shaking the cold from his clothing he threw back his hood and turned to face the portal. Raising his hand, he waved it to the glimmering gate and lowering the hand again, the portal disappeared leaving the man shrouded in the sparse moonlight that shone through both the canopy of the trees and the clouds overhead.
 
He grunted as he stretched and brushed the few remaining flakes from himself. “It’s good to be back,” he said with a cheerful smile, taking his first step towards the center of town.

As Cail traveled down the path towards Jastrey, he was met by a dark clad figure hunched over a staff. "Didn't expect you back so soon." Came the low, even tone. 

Cail smiled as he met Akon on the path and stopped a few feet from her. "Nor did I, My Lady. It's good to see you again."

The faintest hints of a smile perhaps graced her lips for a moment, before her low tone continued. "Your trip went well, I presume?"

"Yes as a matter of fact. Quite well. I feel... invigorated by my experiences there. Though I will miss the snow and crisp air. Of course I'll have to return, soon, to the monks so they can check on my progress, make sure everything is... holding."
 
Cail stopped and seemed to think about something for a moment and then continued, "But anyway,  how has life been in Jastrey? Nothing you -couldn't handle- I suppose."

"Nothing but the usual minor annoyances." She remarked. "I got your letter..." She added, after a moment's pause, a slight smirk coming to her lips. 

"You did, huh? That's... good," said Cail noticing her expression. "I wasn't sure if the courier that took them would actually make it. Small, sneaky little thing. Didn't know if she would even make it down the mountain. But you got the letter, that's what counts."
 
He cleared his throat and spoke again, "What's got you in such a -good- mood?"

"Nothing." Akon grinned wryly, still keeping a mischievous glint about her eye. 

Cail laughed at Akon's reply and his smile grew wider. "Alright then, have your way. I'd hate to be accused of 'coercing' you into telling me," he said with a wink.

"You can be damnably coercive indeed. A right ass." Akon kept her smirk. "And an interesting language you chose to sign it with. I've never seen it before. Took me a while, but I managed to piece together a rough translation I think...."

"I am not coer-. Oh... You did huh?" Cail lowered his head and laughed once to himself. "Well it's not like you didn't know it to begin with, I guess."