04-08-2018, 04:08 AM
It turned out that what approached wasn't a group, but was rather a single person driving a horse drawn carriage. Celestia had been off the mark, which she guessed was due to the size of the vehicle. And perhaps, the number of different parts touching the ground when it moved. The revelation was a minor relief.
Or at least it was until they met the carriage's driver. At a glance, he seemed to be reasonable enough, if a little oddly concealed in his manner of dress. A glance at Revan, as the conversation began, made it evident that the swordsman was not entirely comfortable with the stranger. It wasn't blatant, but it was clear in the way he tensed up at points, and the caution he put into his replies. And in fact, Celestia was a little hesitant herself. The carriage driver stressed the fact that their home was in danger, yet they didn't reflect any typical signs of concern, and further the driver refused to give any details on what it was that was plaguing the village.
Despite the reasonable concerns though, Celestia couldn't ignore the possibility that there was really a town in danger, even if the source of it was the person in front of them. And even if their wasn't, it would be much safer to be diplomatic and cautious in refusal, and make it more easy to coax out or pick up information.
“I'm afraid there's not much we could do to help,” Celestia replied. She suspected that wouldn't be entirely true, she was honest in that expressing their limited capacity to assist. “We're both new arrivals to this place, in several important senses, and I don't believe there's much we could do to assist. My magic, for example, has yet to recover to even fraction of what it once was.” And in addition, without knowing the area or the problem, anything they did was as likely to make the situation worse as it was to improve it. She paused for a moment, before adding, “although if you could point us toward a garrison or similar, I'm sure we could travel there and bring back capable help.”
Celestia wasn't expecting a straight answer. In fact, she was assuming the driver would be evasive. But how he went about that could be very revealing. Would he accept the proposal, seeing no other option? Would he argue the authorities shouldn't or couldn't become involved? Would he offer further explanation, in the hopes of enticing them to follow his initial suggestion? She listened for his response.
Or at least it was until they met the carriage's driver. At a glance, he seemed to be reasonable enough, if a little oddly concealed in his manner of dress. A glance at Revan, as the conversation began, made it evident that the swordsman was not entirely comfortable with the stranger. It wasn't blatant, but it was clear in the way he tensed up at points, and the caution he put into his replies. And in fact, Celestia was a little hesitant herself. The carriage driver stressed the fact that their home was in danger, yet they didn't reflect any typical signs of concern, and further the driver refused to give any details on what it was that was plaguing the village.
Despite the reasonable concerns though, Celestia couldn't ignore the possibility that there was really a town in danger, even if the source of it was the person in front of them. And even if their wasn't, it would be much safer to be diplomatic and cautious in refusal, and make it more easy to coax out or pick up information.
“I'm afraid there's not much we could do to help,” Celestia replied. She suspected that wouldn't be entirely true, she was honest in that expressing their limited capacity to assist. “We're both new arrivals to this place, in several important senses, and I don't believe there's much we could do to assist. My magic, for example, has yet to recover to even fraction of what it once was.” And in addition, without knowing the area or the problem, anything they did was as likely to make the situation worse as it was to improve it. She paused for a moment, before adding, “although if you could point us toward a garrison or similar, I'm sure we could travel there and bring back capable help.”
Celestia wasn't expecting a straight answer. In fact, she was assuming the driver would be evasive. But how he went about that could be very revealing. Would he accept the proposal, seeing no other option? Would he argue the authorities shouldn't or couldn't become involved? Would he offer further explanation, in the hopes of enticing them to follow his initial suggestion? She listened for his response.