Found:
Oh, dear me, Owena.
I gathered what she had asked for and got a few items I would need of my own, then returned to Towerglan. I hadn't expected to be side-tracked from my building work for so long, but how could I not be?
A quick visit to Neyaa to inform her of tomorrow's plot saw me return through the village square and come face to face with both the baker and Loakee, playing the part as Red. We danced, she and I, to the music that he played, and then along came Baldvin as Blue.
Their tandem act began as insults hurled back and forth. I had a good idea of what was coming and was quite happy to simply watch the show, but Owena... she took it to heart, believing the two would truly come to blows. When Blue produced a knife, she instantly set herself between the pair, protesting that it was time to stop. I initially thought to leave her to it, just to see how they would alter proceedings to accommodate her but... would that really have done any good? Instead, I pulled her away, allowing them to show her what they are capable of without her coming to any harm from her interjections.
I'm really not sure what to make of the scene. Oh, their act was perfectly timed, perfectly done and wonderful to behold! But then, I am a cynic and I have seen Red's solo act with blade juggling. I knew that if Blue was even half as good as his younger sibling that all would be well. Owena, however...
Is it naivety? Is it gullibility? Or is she just so soft-hearted that her fearful emotions would not allow her to act with a more rational mind? I don't know. I can't tell. But I was deeply annoyed! Not by her, but by them. I had to hold her still, I had to comfort her to ensure she would not accidentally get herself stabbed in an effort to prevent them from throwing the weapons so skillfully at one another. I had to reassure her that all was well, that Loakee had not been accidentally murdered in broad daylight by his brother. I shouldn't have had to! They, seasoned performers that they are, should have been able to read the audience and adjust their act accordingly! They could see, as well as I, just how distressing it was for her, yet still they chose to go ahead and complete the act by having Red pretend to take a blade to the heart! The poor woman almost fainted with fright!
And all this for the sake of a kiss to "resurrect" the dead actor. A kiss that he never received. A kiss that would have been his for the asking at any time of day. He knows how highly she thinks of him!
After they took off, pretending to continue their squabbles elsewhere whilst, in actuality, getting changed into their usual garb, it was left to me to reassure her further.
"Don't lose that wonder," I told her and I meant every word. It might be slightly maddening to someone like me, someone who was never allowed to have any, someone whose very life has so often depended upon implacable distrust of the world and all in it, but I would never wish to see it taken from someone else. Let them have their innocence. Let them enjoy it.
We retired to the White Wolf thereafter. I could have killed Loakee! The look on Owena's face when he alluded to what did and did not occur between us some nights ago! If I'd known of her feelings toward him at the time, I'd never have allowed it to go so far. If I'd known, I'd have kept my distance. But I didn't know and now those little self-aggrandizing jokes of his threaten to hurt her. Alone for a few minutes outside, I told him to stop and why. He didn't see it as an issue.
But, of course, why would he? He's still caught in the same loop. Go to a place, meet someone attractive, have some quick fun and leave them behind. Never return. Never look back. He doesn't yet see that it doesn't need to be that way. Or maybe he does and he's scared of the change. Certain comments made require further discussion, though whether the talkative or stroppy version of him comes to my door for our lesson tomorrow is anyone's guess!
Within the tavern, we laughed a little, drank a little, and further upset Owena a little when Baldvin mentioned a wish to leave town for a jaunt to Trestlebridge. She perked up again when he said they'd return and possibly with a present for her. It's a start.
I think I almost succeeded in making Baldvin sick, though!
Having mentioned that I had little desire to go to Trestlebridge for reasons of my own, the three pressed for answers. Hints that I had no wish to speak on those reasons were duly ignored. Rather than tell them who I was really avoiding and why, I gave them the factual version of my lost ear; drink, memory-loss, wilderness, missing ear, warg. From the looks on their faces, especially when I showed a curious Baldvin the space where my ear used to be, I don't think a one of them will be asking me to tell tales again anytime soon!
So, the evening held some triumph for me after all!
Now, 'tis time to rest and prepare. I've offered my aid to Owena in the morning before my afternoon dance lesson with Loakee. I just hope I can keep the man distracted long enough for her plans to come to fruition!
It's going to be a long day.
