Good night and Bonne nuit

- Dalen Woodland, Night of 1 DSTR –

"Please enjoy, you will never drink a finer mead. You do not have an allergy to roses or lilies do you? Wouldn't want such an amazing drink to kill, beauty is far less striking on a corpse," he said sitting the cup in her hand. "You can have wine if this would kill you."

“I don't have any allergies, no, but if this should kill me my friend will most assuredly kill you,” Kalena replied in a lighthearted, but serious tone, however she was smiling as she said it and her instincts were telling her Lafayette was no danger—or at least not a clear and present one. With that in mind, she took a sip of the mead... and gave a soft moan of pleasure at the explosion of flavour. “Oh gods, you were not lying. This is so good!”

She lowered herself to a sitting position and took a second, longer draught. The mead was obviously of very high quality. A bit on the strong side, but the taste was fantastic.

“C'est très formidable!” she said, which was just about the only phrase she knew of Lafayette's native language. She sat back against a tree and took a third sip, regarding the man over her cup. Like Kline he had the bearing of a warrior, but unlike Kline he was positively gregarious and not so ill-at-ease socially. She could easily imagine him entertaining a room full of people or giving a rousing speech. Between this and his obvious combat training she entertained the thought he might be a prince of some kingdom travelling incognito. He certainly had a noticeable presence to him.

Kalena looked up as Kline added wood to the embers and expertly rekindled them into a crackling blaze. By his demeanour she guessed he had not found anyone or anything untoward around the camp. “You should try this mead, Kline. It's most excellent, Your Excellency,” she said with a giddy laugh, feeling the alcohol already buzzing through her bloodsteam. That with the the day's events swiftly catching up on her she was getting very tired and almost falling asleep.

She drained the cup, handed it back to Lafayette, and then stood a bit wobbly. “I don't wish to be dead on my feet tomorrow, and it is rather late and the tent is beckoning me. So not to be rude, gentlemen, but I think I must bid you both a very good night. Lafayette, you are more than welcome to travel with us. We're heading to the capital like I said, but we shall be making one stop along the way. Not that I exactly look forward to that one bit. Cordelia can be such an infuriating, headstrong girl, and so protective of her master.”

Kalena looked slowly to Kline, frowning at having said that aloud. “Oh that's one of Cartagan's servants. Or at least it was back when his Uncle was still drawing air.” She suddenly laughed, as if at something funny. “We shall see what young Tyreth has to say for himself. The man certainly has some explaining to do, doesn't he? The letter couldn't be any more damning.” She put a finger to her chin and thought for a moment. “Although... it might be wise for him not to know that I'm in league with you. It's safe to say that I am at my best as a secret weapon. Like a dagger in the dark or a—”

She stopped speaking, realizing fatigue and alcohol was causing her to be loose with her words and thoughts to such an extent that she was rambling. She leaned down to Kline, smiling, and brushed her lips softly across his cheek, then whispered into his ear: “You best watch that one. More than likely he's a grifter, or a drifter, or both, and harmless for the most part. But there is something strange about him all the same. See if you can find out any more about him. And try some of that marvellous mead whilst you're at it. But not too much.” She rose and flashed both men a smile. “Good night. And Bonne nuit.”

With that Kalena turned, pushing the canvas door flap aside and entered the tent. She laid down on a bedroll, curling on her side, thinking it probably a good idea to sleep in her clothes, and keep her boots on too. She shut her eyes, and trained her ears to listen to Kline and Lafayette converse, but within a few minutes, she had drifted off into a deep, exhausted slumber.