Stories to Tell

"If he has a reputation he already messed up," Hennesine said simply. "A rogue's prowess is largely in remaining inconspicuous. If he's renowned for what he knows, he probably doesn't know too much more than his reputation tells of. Fleara always says it's the humble ones you should worry about."

"Like you?" Conner asked, his eyes sparkling.

Hennesine cast him another slight smile.

Delfina collected her scrying tools. As she did so, Ashlyn yelped when the stone she was resting against scurried away. Her surprise only heightened when it crept back toward her.

"Stalagites," Hennesine remarked, amusedly picking up the creature which seemed intent on returning to Ashlyn. "They're harmless. They got the name because they can resemble stalactites or stalagmites, depending on what surface they cling to. They crawl about the interior of the city searching for the currents of negative energy which they feed on. They keep the atmosphere fresh. Without them, Lunaria would quickly become smothering, a festering spot for negativity. Think how emotionally claustrophobic it could be, trapped inside a city of stone never to see daylight, breathing the same hair as thousands of other people year after year."

Hennesine had the attention of everyone present; except, that is, for the Stalagite which was determinedly struggling to reach Ashlyn. She accepted the creature from the older woman before Conner would think much of its behavior; she could guess why it was drawn to her and that was a change she did not yet want him to see.