Maly nodded her thanks to Jaxon as he helped her settle into the chair across from the Warden Commander's desk. She leaned back and offered an icily thin smile.

"It's been too long, dear Rylan," Maly waved a hand as she spoke, as though she had not a care in the world. She would play the elderly woman card as long as she could. "I was so terribly surprised when you sent for me, my dear boy."

Rylan took a deep breath. From day one, the old Warden had driven him insane. Personality clashes, differences in style, technique, even the way they put on their trousers, as far as he was concerned. He returned the smile, though his might have managed to be a fraction cooler.

"Don't play me for the fool, Malaya," his chuckle was not one of amusement. "I assume Jaxon has spoken to you about our purpose and I'd like to get right down to it."

"What? Before I get a meal, a hot bath, and a good night's sleep," Maly's voice quavered, causing the other Wardens in the room to shift uncomfortably. "Really, Rylan, I've journeyed so far and I am so tired."

"Surely this can wait one more day, Commander," Jaxon spoke up. He knew Maly was not as feeble as she led others to believe, but he had also seen the way she had paled and started shaking when they came into sight of the Warden compound. There was something else going on with the mage beyond her wanting to tweak Rylan. If they were to get the desperately needed information, then they needed to keep her in good health.

Rylan growled, "Very well. But do not expect me to let you sleep in, Old Woman."

Reaching out her hand to Jaxon for assistance in rising, Maly smirked at Rylan, "You know, you always were a little scitan*, Rylan, even as a recruit."

Her spine was straight as she left the room amidst the gasps from the others. As they made their way down the hall towards her room, Maly noticed that Jaxon was shaking. She angled her head to look up at him questioningly. He could only shake his head, his face turning a darker shade of red with each passing second. Once they were far enough away from Rylan's office, he let loose with a whoop of laughter that startled Maly.

"My dearest lady, that was the most magnificent display I have ever in my life seen," he gasped out between chortles, "The look on his face, the shock of everyone else as the sweet, little old lady used such a word," Jaxon leaned against the wall to catch his breath.

"Yes well, I meant what I said," Maly said primly. Jaxon composed himself and offered her his arm once more. As she placed her fingers in the crook of his elbow, he leaned down and placed a kiss on her cheek, "If I were but twenty years older, my lady."

Maly snorted genteely, "If you were but ten years older, my dear boy."

He opened a door and waved her through, "I hope this will suit you, Maly."

She nodded, barely glancing at the room, "It will be fine."

"I made it a point to have them place you next door to me, as a precaution."

Maly arched a brow at the young Warden, "A precaution? Why? Is Rylan going to murder me in my sleep," she held up a hand before Jaxon could reply, "No, no, he wouldn't do such a thing. He'd never get his lily-white hands dirty. Ohh, let me guess, he's hired the Crows to finish what they failed to do years ago!"

Jaxon sighed, "Really, Maly, it's just in case you need something in the middle of the night."

Maly stopped the tirade that was forming on her lips the moment she saw his face. Blessed Andraste, the boy was serious. He meant to make sure she was all right during the night. And then realization dawned as bright as sunlight on the edge of a sword. He had heard her nightmares in camp. How could he have not?

She smiled softly, "Thank you."

He blushed and shrugged, "I thought it might be easier if you had someone you knew close by. I know the," he paused and then rushed on, "the nightmares are getting worse."

"I appreciate the thought, Jaxon. It is nice to know there will be someone nearby."

Jaxon nodded and backed out of the door, leaving her to her own devices. Andraste's knickers, but he liked the old mage. When she let her guard down, she was funny and interesting. He had no idea what Rylan had planned, but it could not be good. He had never seen Rylan look as hateful as he did when Maly entered the room. Best not to think about it now. He needed to get some sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a beast of a day and he had a feeling that he was going to need every ounce of wit he had to keep the Commander and the Mage from hurting each other.

Scitan: Old English for sh*t