Etania was checking on some iguanas from the Copper Isles when Lindhall came in, looking agitated.
"Tough day?" Etania asked, looking up from her work.
"In a word, yes." He sighed. Etania got him a chair, which he gratefully collapsed into. Etania pulled up a seat for herself, resting her elbows on her knees and her head on her hands. She waited for the explanation she knew would come.
"Emperor Ozorne was not there at the palace, and those I inquired about the matter were most cold and a hindrance." he closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.
"So... you think he's up to something..." Etania concluded.
"Indeed. What's more is that Numair tells me his Duke Roger has also gone missing."
Etania smiled at the mention of Numair. He was Lindhall's most favorite pupil, and had only left earlier this year… fleeing from Ozorne. Though she knew she could never live up to the mage's position in Lindhall's memory, it was a challenge, and she *loved* challenges. At any rate, she admired the apt mage, as she did Duke Roger. The mention of Roger's name, however, slightly caused her to cringe. It made her think of her sister, Delia- a most unpleasant and foppish person in her opinion.
"So, you think they are conspiring together?" Etania inquired.
Lindhall smiled, still not opening his eyes. "Youngling, you are far too presumptuous for your own good."
Etania grinned, but Lindhall luckily was unable to see, as he still had his eyes closed. She persisted. "But you DO think Ozorne is-"
"Yes." Lindhall said, waving his hand in agitation. Etania smiled, victorious.
"Indeed." she said, using her Master's phraseology. She gave a smile that showed off perfectly lined white teeth. "Well, what business would Ozorne have with a Tortallan?"
"I could only imagine..." he wandered from thought to thought. "Duke Roger is next in line to the throne, beyond Jonathan. After the Sweating Sickness-"
"Surely you don't think HE caused that-" Etania tried to intrude, but again, a wave of Lindhall's hand silenced her.
"After the Sweating Sickness, which could only be caused by a most powerful mage- I only know of three in our country: Master Numair (who, might I add, was not even there at the time), Thom of Trebond (who was far too young), and Duke Roger."
"Preposterous. Did it ever occur to you that it could be a *natural* occurrence?" Etania said, defensive of a mage she admired.
"Possibly, but interesting timing, was it not? With Jonathan being hit last? After all help had dwindled down?"
"How do you know- *Numair* again?"
"No, he was still here at the time, I already said that. You need to listen more carefully, youngling. I had my... sources," he said, tiptoeing around the subject. "Mages are most co-operative with one another, for the most part," he provided to Etania's probing curiosity.
He finally opened his eyes and got up from his seat.
"Where are you going? You're far too tired to-"
"Business..." Lindhall muttered. He exited the door, ordering the locking spell that it was not to allow anyone to enter, and only let Etania out. "I will see you tomorrow," he said, bidding her goodbye wearily.
It only occurred to Etania once he left that only an immense drain of his Gift could have left her Master so exhausted. Etania quickly finished with her chores about the office, muttering things like, "Impossible" and "Insufferable" under her breath. She didn't mean these words, but her strong curiosity, which remained unquenched irritated her unto the point of frustration with her beloved Master.