(Read the previous chapter here.)
System: Tunnels & Trolls
Tools: d30 Sandbox Companion; UNE; LitRPG Reads encounter tables; Fantasy Name Generators ; RPGSolo.com(The above contains Affiliate Links.)
[Scene 1]
Roshia floated lazily on the calm water. The elf lay on her back, arms out, and long, blonde hair spreading out in all directions. While the tree cover above blocked much of the sun’s rays, she could still feel some of its warmth, even in this fall season. Roshia’s life in Alaserin may have been full of school, business, trade, politics, and all manner of things she believed existed primarily to sap joy from a young elf’s life, but these monthly trips to the pond allowed her to forget everything and just relax. Peace.
“Wyvern Attack!”
Roshia opened her eyes just in time to see a small figure leap from a thick branch overhead and tuck their body into a ball. The attacker hit the water a mere foot away, spraying her with water and forcing her to flail frantically to stay above the surface.
“Tailha! You cur!” Roshia screamed, water spewing from her mouth. “Are you trying to drown me?!”
“Take it easy, sis,” Taiha laughed. “I wasn’t even close.”
“Not even close! I felt you brush past my arm!”
“Lighten up. Have fun. All you ever want to do is float and listen to the birds.”
“That’s why I come here. To relax and not think about life.”
“Maybe I should start coming with Kendel instead. I sure he’ll be a lot more exciting.”
“Oh no, you don’t,” the older sister warned. “You only come to the pond when I’m with you.”
“You’re such a stick in the mud, Roshia. What could happen that I couldn’t handle?”
“I don’t know. Maybe this.”
Tailha spun in water, following Roshia’s gaze. Near the edge of the pond, having just emerged from the woods, were four diverse and dirty riders on horseback.
[Scene 1]
Roshia floated lazily on the calm water. The elf lay on her back, arms out, and long, blonde hair spreading out in all directions. While the tree cover above blocked much of the sun’s rays, she could still feel some of its warmth, even in this fall season. Roshia’s life in Alaserin may have been full of school, business, trade, politics, and all manner of things she believed existed primarily to sap joy from a young elf’s life, but these monthly trips to the pond allowed her to forget everything and just relax. Peace.
“Wyvern Attack!”
Roshia opened her eyes just in time to see a small figure leap from a thick branch overhead and tuck their body into a ball. The attacker hit the water a mere foot away, spraying her with water and forcing her to flail frantically to stay above the surface.
“Tailha! You cur!” Roshia screamed, water spewing from her mouth. “Are you trying to drown me?!”
“Take it easy, sis,” Taiha laughed. “I wasn’t even close.”
“Not even close! I felt you brush past my arm!”
“Lighten up. Have fun. All you ever want to do is float and listen to the birds.”
“That’s why I come here. To relax and not think about life.”
“Maybe I should start coming with Kendel instead. I sure he’ll be a lot more exciting.”
“Oh no, you don’t,” the older sister warned. “You only come to the pond when I’m with you.”
“You’re such a stick in the mud, Roshia. What could happen that I couldn’t handle?”
“I don’t know. Maybe this.”
Tailha spun in water, following Roshia’s gaze. Near the edge of the pond, having just emerged from the woods, were four diverse and dirty riders on horseback.
Tailha Follows Roshia's Gaze
[Scene 2]<This Chapter starts with move 9 of the party’s travels. Using my travel procedure with d30 Sandbox Companion, I did not come across a settlement, but I did roll a unique feature (Pond) and an encounter.
RGP Solo: Is there anything significant about the Pond? (Unlikely) Yes, and . . . What’s significant about the pond? Helpfully/Lavish. I had an idea for the “and” which might also qualify as an encounter, but I rolled on the LitRPG tables just to see what they said. I rolled an encounter that involved elves, which aligned with what I was already contemplating for the pond, so I considered that a sign, ignored everything about the encounter other than the fact it involved elves, and used my original idea.
What kind of elves do the party encounter? d4= 1: Young Couple 2: Siblings 3: Friends 4: Lone elf Roll: Siblings (Further rolls resulted in two sisters)>
It was nearing time for another rest when the party heard the sound of splashing nearby. Splashing implied water, so they decided to follow the sound into the trees and hope that whoever or whatever they came upon was friendly. After a short distance, the trees opened up to a medium-sized pond, and the group easily spotted the source of the noise they heard.
Near the far shore of the pond, two female elves bobbed in the water. One had long, blond hair that reached to the water’s surface and spread out around her. The other’s red hair was cropped and short, revealing her pointed ears. A moment ago, the two seemed to be arguing, but stopped once they were spotted.
“Hello.” Dalen called out, waving his hand. “We’re traveling on the road. Do you mind if we let our horses drink from your pond?”
Tailha, excited for the newcomers, started to swim toward them, but Roshia reached out and grabbed her ankle.
“Where are you going?” the older sister asked. “You don’t know who they are.”
“That’s what I want to find out,” Tailha said. “They’re just travelers. They're not dangerous.” With that, she pulled her foot away, splashed water in her sister’s face, and continued swimming toward the group on horseback.
“Tailha!” Roshia called in frustration and followed after.
“Greetings,” Tailha called out as she got close to the party. “Help yourselves. It’s not our pond.”
“Thank you,” Dalen replied and climbed off his horse.
“I’m Tailha. And this is my sister, Roshia.” She gestured back at Roshia who was just catching up.
“I’m Dalen. And these are Sylralei, Kristopher, and Nen.”
The rest had dismounted by now and were leading their animals to the water’s edge. Kris looked around and saw nothing other than a pile of belongings on the far shore, which he assumed were the sisters’. They had swum close enough, however, that he could see that under the water they were wearing some kind of basic undergarments.
“Do you live around here?” he asked. “We haven’t seen any settlements.”
“We’re from Alaserin, about a half day’s walk from here,” Tailha answered, inviting a warning shove in the shoulder from her sister. “Stop it!” Tailha said, splashing again, hoping to drive Roshia back.
“You should probably mind your sister a bit more,” Syl said, seeing the tension between the two. “But then again, I'm assuming she's okay with the two of you being here all alone. That can’t be safe.”
<Why aren’t the girls scared to be alone? Refuse/fears>
“What? You don’t think we can take care of ourselves?” Roshia said defiantly. “All the men of our village talk about how it’s their duty to keep everyone safe. The women don't need to fear while they’re around. Even our mother worries endlessly about us. But I refuse to be afraid! We’re just as capable as the boys.”
“Our dad commends us for being determined and brave,” Tailha adds. “Besides, we’ve been coming here for years and nothing's happened so far.”
Nen looked up from drinking from the pond himself. “Maybe, but surely there’s a place to swim closer to home. Your village must have a river or watering hole nearby.”
“Yes,” Tailha admitted, “But this place is special!” Roshia hit her in the shoulder again and Tailha again brushed her off.
“Special?” Dalen asked.
Roshia sighed and jumped ahead of the story before her sister blurted any more than she should. “Legend has it this pond is magical. Anyone who bathes in it will retain their youth and appearance. <Helpfully/Lavish roll above> Ancient queens would bathe here to preserve their beauty. Heroic knights would swim to stay young and handsome. But that's just what they say. Who knows if that’s true?”
“Of course it’s true!” Tailha interrupted. “Look at me!” She throws her head back and runs her hand over her short red hair like a princess displaying herself for all to see. Roshia responds by giving her another shove.
“Who knows if it’s true,” she continued. “But it couldn’t hurt.”
Roshia was beginning to feel more comfortable with the party, as they had been nothing but friendly up to this point. Seeing their state of dishevelment, she decided to extend a rare show of compassion.
“You guys are dirty and look like you haven’t bathed in days. Why don’t you come in and clean off? And if the water keeps you beautiful . . . “ She lets her offer trail off as she smiles at Syl, who struck her as another brave, female elf.
Tailha brimmed with excitement at the thought of more playmates. “Oh yes! Come join us!”
Kris cast a glance at Dalen. “We are a bit dirty.”
“Smelly, too,” Nen chimes in.
“Whaddya say, Syl,” Kris asked, already removing his leather breastplate.
<Does Syl agree to bathe? (Unlikely) No, and . . . she leaves>
“No, we don’t have time,” Syl commanded. However, seeing the others ignore her and continue to remove their armor and clothes, she realized arguing would be pointless. Mounting her steed, she prepared to leave without them.
“I don’t know what surprises me more: that you’re so easily lured by a pretty face, you believe in a baseless myth, or you’re too delicate to endure a little dirt. But whatever it is, make it quick. I’m moving on. You can catch up when you’re done.”
<Each character who bathes gets a chance to see if the legend of the pond has any effect on them. They will need a Level 4 Saving LCK roll to add +1 to their CHArisma. (Target 35) All fail.
Does Syl encounter anything before they catch up? (Unlikely) No.>
[Scene 3]
<Just to get it out of the way, Nen has one more check to learn his spell at Level 3. He misses, so his saving roll level will drop to 2 starting the next day.
However, the party has one last move for the day, Move 10. The only thing substantial that comes up in an encounter. Per d30, it is supposed to be a hostile encounter and while I was fine with that, I wanted to roll on LitRPG for details. As soon as I opened the webpage, I noticed an entry that looked interesting, but I rolled anyway to see what came up randomly. Wouldn’t you know it, the roll was for the exact entry I was contemplating. Devine!>
“Is there any way to get by?”
Sly watched from her mount as the others examined a large pile blocking the road. As the foothills to the north closed in and the terrain turned more mountainous, small cliffs, up to ten or twenty feet high, flanked the road where the earth had been excavated to allow passage between the hills and the forest. At a particularly narrow passage, a large tree had fallen from the top of one of the cliffs, bringing down with it a few boulders and a lot of dirt. The rubble appeared to have occurred recently and Dalen assumed it was brought down by the previous day’s storm.
“We can probably crawl through,” the dwarf said, “But the horses won't make it. And I wouldn’t suggest trying to lead them through the forest.”
The landslide had pushed a few trees over on the forest side of the road, as well. Besides, the underbrush was extremely thick in this area, making it hard for anyone to pass, especially large domesticated animals.
“I think our best bet is to try that path,” Kris suggested, indicating a path, little more than a foot trail, heading off the main road and up the steep hill. “Maybe we can find a way around and meet back up with the road.”
They headed up the trail which was steep for the first hundred feet or so, but began to level off. While there weren’t a lot of trees, the shrubs and boulders on either side of the trail were rather numerous and they had to travel single file with Dalen in the front. Suddenly he stopped the group and motioned them back.. <Successful L2 LCK SR.>
“There is a cave up ahead,” the dwarf whispered.
Kris looked at the sky. “It’s getting late. Perhaps we should hole up there for the night?”
“Unfortunately, that won't be a good idea, lad,” Dalen said. “There is a giant meandering just outside of it. There’s only one, but I wouldn’t count on them being alone.”
“We can’t get past the road back there,” Syl said. “We have a giant in front of us and no other paths that I can see. What do you suggest we do?”
Dalen thought for a moment before answering. “We could try to sneak by.”
“With horses?” Nen questioned.
“The cave isn’t right on the trail, and the giant seems distracted,” Dalen explained. “If we’re slow and quiet, perhaps we won’t be noticed.”
Syl glanced around at the sparse vegetation. There wasn’t much cover to hide behind.
“I don’t think we have a choice,” she said with resigned acceptance. “Just be ready to mount and ride.”
Everyone dismounted and led their animals along the path. As they approached the cave they could tell that the giant was female. She foraged through the bushes, picking berries, and placing them in a sack. Luckily for the group, the giantess had her back to them, as the low shrubs were barely enough to conceal their movements. Even so the group was able to move without notice.
<Sneaking by with minimal cover and horses will be difficult, so characters will need to attempt a L3 LCK SR (Target 30). Each character must succeed, for if just one fails, the entire party will be noticed.
Kris: 3,3,5,1+17=29 missed by one
Syl: 4,2+16=22 missed
Dal: 6,5+18=29 missed by one
Nen: 3,5+18=26 missed>
Having traveled past the fork in the path that led to the cave, Syl was beginning to think the group might make it, when the giantess, who had been bent over the shrubs this entire time, straightened up and stretched, rubbing her lower back with her hand. The party stopped and stood still, doing their best not to draw the large woman’s attention. It didn’t matter. Apparently she had picked the first bush clean and started looking around for another. That’s when she saw the horses.
“Garhug! Dir intudar!”
At the giantess’ cry, a second hairy and bearded giant emerged from the cave. He saw the party and addressed them with a growl.
“Ride!” Syl yelled and climbed on her horse. The others were already mounted before she gave the order and were on the move. Garhug lifted a boulder this size of a chest and hurled it at the fleeing adventurers.
Garhug Lifted A Boulder
<The Giant needs an L2 DEX SR to hit. Using T&T modifiers for a giant’s DEX, I roll up a 4. Not a very agile creature. His first target is (d4) Dalen. Roll: 1,2 = Automatic fail>
The first throw was well over the party’s heads. Dalen, who was well in range of the toss, had to wonder if the aggressor wasn't even aiming.
<To determine how far each character rides before the giant’s next throw, I made a SPD SR. If the SR is between 20-24, they travel another 30’ but are still in range. Any roll higher than that and the character is too far to be hit. It rolled up the horses’ base SPD to be 19.
Kris: 4,3+19=26 Out of range;
Syl: 2,3 + 19=24 Still in range;
Dalen: 4, 3 +19 = 26 out of range;
Nen: 4,2+19 = 25 Out of range>
The giant picked up a second boulder and chucked it at the rapidly retreating team. Hearing the boulder hit the ground right behind her, Sylralei kicked her horse harder, urging it forward <L3 DEX SR against Syl who was still in range. 5,3+4=12 Easy miss.>
Once he was sure the intruders were gone, Garhug turned back to his mate and addressed her with concern.
“Helga. Sadgat dag?”
Helga scowled. “Na!” She looked toward the trail down which Syl, Kris, and the other fled and cursed. “Mort!” She stomped the ground with her foot and ground it into the dirt, as though she was crushing a bug.
Garhug let out a deep, hearty laugh and gave Helga a big, affectionate (at least for a giant) bear hug.
[Scene 3]
The party rode hard for several minutes until they were sure they were not being pursued. They continued at a slower pace down the trail unil it eventually met up again with the main road, presumably a couple of miles beyond the blockage they had run into earlier. Deciding it was a good time to rest, they searched for a clearing on the forest side of the road and made camp.
While Dalen, Nen, and Syl saw to the final preparations, Kris rode back to where the hill path exited onto the road. Rummaging around, he found a thick branch that had fallen from a tree. He dragged it across the road and positioned it to block the path. Before he left to return to camp, Kris pulled out one of his dirks and carved a message into the bark:
Warning! Giants!
Back at camp, Nen was finishing his meal and Dalen was stirring the contents of a small pot. Sylralei sat several feet away by herself. Kris studied the elf. Back in Baybrook, she could capture anyone’s attention whenever she walked into a tavern. While Kris may have disapproved of her unrestricted flirtations, he knew very well that she could find a man any night she wanted. Right now, however, a desperate brute would find a scullery maid from the worst part of the Barrens more desirable than the image Kris saw before him.
Having passed up the earlier opportunity to bathe -- the main reason for the men joining Roshia and Tailha; they had little faith in any fountain of youth -- Syl’s blonde hair was dark, dirty, and hung like twine. Dust from the road caked her face, broken only by dried rivulets of sweat that must have formed when they fled the giants. The deep blue and silver leather she wore was covered with patches of mud and filth. All in all, it saddened him to see the once commanding wizardess, who battled Frogbeard’s crew to rescue him from a sure life as a pirate slave, reduced to a broken, sullied woman whose only will was to return home.
“I thought you might like some tea.”
Syl looked up from the log she sat on to see Kris holding out a tin cup.
“Dalen was eager to brew some,” Kris explained. “He said it was an ancient Trisean concoction he picked up in his travels. Made with Ebaco root and spices? Something like that.”
<I’ll use UNE to determine Syl’s mood, based on a “Friendly” relationship. However, because she is grumpy, I’ll roll twice and take the worst. Roll: 71 and 99. Okay, maybe she’s not that grumpy. 71 = Sociable>
Sylralei’s face brightens up a bit. This wasn’t the first time Dalen tested out new and unusual recipes on the members of the group. She considered the cup suspiciously. “Ebaco root?”
“That’s what he said.”
She took the cup and pulled it to her nose. <SoloRPG C.D.: It smells Cheefully/Amusing.> Her eyes widen at the smell. “This is unexpected! I can’t place the scent, but it reminds me of the kitchen back in Cyenannore when I was barely a teen. The cooks were magicians! Oh, not like conjurers, but their cooking was far above anything that could be found in a royal palace. Or at least that’s what I wanted to believe.”
She took a sip of the brew and closed her eyes, lost in a pleasant memory. “When Dalen experiments, it’s hit or miss. Truthfully, it’s usually ‘miss’. But he got it right this time. I might send you back for another cup.”
Kris laughed before sitting down on the log next to her. He sat while she enjoyed her tea before asking the question that had been on his mind for most of this trip.
“What are you doing?”
“Drinking?” she said confused, taking another sip.
“No. This journey. I know you’re going home, but why?”
“I told everyone back at the Dragon’s Hoard. I’m going back to Cyenannore to teach. I’ve learned a bit about the world, and now it’s time I share that with the younger wizards.”
“I don’t believe that for a minute,” Kris argued. “I mean, I believe you can teach, but I don’t believe that’s the reason.” <Did he speak with Kelseen before they left? (Likely) Yes> “I spoke with Kelseen before we left.”
Syl flashed him a look of betrayal.
“Of course, I did, Syl. You were suddenly leaving the team with little good reason. I knew Kel wasn’t going to let you just walk away, so I asked. She said you told her you felt like you were putting everyone in danger. That it was your fault Shemar was killed, and I was almost killed. That’s not you. That’s the danger of what we do. If I wanted to be safe and sound, I would have refused your offer to join the team. Besides, I’ve seen you plan and fight. I’ve heard the others talk about your skills and how they admire you. They may not make great confessions about owing you their lives, but they never felt you’ve failed to do your part on any mission.”
“Enough!” Syl stopped him. “I made my decision. If I’m as good as you say, then why stop me from helping others, just in a different way.”
Kris took a long, slow breath. “Okay,” he gave in. “You’re ready for a change. You’re right. There’s no reason for me to stop you. But I’m still having a hard time understanding. You left Cyenannore for a reason. Despite how you might feel now, you used to tell me teaching at the University was too confining. You wanted to do more with your life than live in a grand building and train others to live amazing and fulfilling lives. But I think there is something more. Something you are keeping inside. Perhaps something you are now ready to face?”
<BOLD Waylay for Syl’s story: Fantastic Weather (natural) overcome by weak attribute.>
Syl didn’t answer but instead drank the last of her tea. She turned to Kris with a friendly smile and held up the cup. “More?”
Kris made no move for the cup, but just looked at her, awaiting an answer. Once she realized he wasn’t going to move, Syl let down the cup and gazed at her mud encrusted boots.
“Competition is strong at the University. You might think that being students and learning together would form bonds of friendship and camaraderie. And it does, but rivalry is a close second. Everyone wanted to be at the top of the class, be the best, be with the best. If your skill didn’t live up to other’s expectation, you may very well be treated as an outcast.
“Not being a student, you would think I was immune from that, but that wasn’t the case. In fact, it was worse. I was the daughter of the Headmaster. A tutor. Quite possibly a professor in a few years. The older students were constantly testing me, trying to get me to fail. In reality, I wasn’t much further along in my studies than them, so they didn’t need to try very hard. If they felt they knew more than me, they would lord it over me and call me names, like Swill-Ralie, or taunt me, saying ‘Syl rarely casts anything good’. One day it got to me, and I was ready to shut them up. I was going to prove I was a great wizard. I may not have had the skill, but I had the means.
“It was common knowledge that the clock tower housed an Orb of Ultra-Amplification that was attuned to several towers around the campus. Any student in the towers’ upper rooms would have their spell ability increased so they could cast the spell Invisible Walls. Additionally, the Orb could amplify the spell’s strength. As part of each student’s curriculum, they were required to take a shift in a tower and help keep the Invisible Wall that surrounded the University active for our protection.
“What many people didn’t know about was the ground keeper’s staff. The Master Groundskeeper had no magical skill. He was magnificent at his skill, only he wasn’t a wizard. He was a mere groundskeeper. To aid him, however, he was in charge of staff that could control the weather. Not much -- just change the temperature a few degrees or form a single rain cloud -- but it was enough to keep the gardens healthy and the lawns green.
“One day, after the Groundskeeper was done with his shift, I snuck into the maintenance cottage and borrowed the staff. I took it to one of the attuned towers that hadn’t been used for several weeks and concealed it behind a cabinet. Then later, after dark, I gathered some of the older students, and told them I had a new spell I wanted to show them. It wasn’t hard to get them to follow me up to the tower. A few were generally interested. The rest were just boys who, though they teased me, thought they may have had a chance with me if they showed me any attention.
“Once in the room, I pointed out the window at the sky and claimed I could bend the heavens to my will. I began to gesture with my hands and chant softly. Gradually, my voice rose until, at my crescendo, I grabbed the staff and shouted the words that brought it to life. Boosted by the power of the Orb of Ultra-Amplification, dark clouds began to roll across the sky, thicker and angrier than the staff could produce on its own. Lightning jumped from one to another before striking the ground with a deafening crash. Wind blew and rain began to flood down. And it didn’t stop, but kept growing stronger. This wasn’t some summer storm. It was more like the monsoons at sea you hear the sailors talk about, at least the sailors who are lucky enough to find land after their ships are torn apart.
This Wasn't Some Summer Storm
“The students were scared and wanted me to stop, but I couldn’t. I tried to end the spell, but nothing in my training seemed to work. I just dropped the staff, and we all ran from the building.
“The storm raged all night and most of the next day before the winds began to die down and the rains subsided. The sun didn’t break through until the morning after that. The lower rooms were flooded. The gardens were ruined, including all the plants that were used for making potions and elixirs. It could be a year or more before they returned to full strength.
“Needless to say, my father was furious. He wanted someone to blame, anyone, but as far as he knew, it was a freak of nature. There was nothing he thought he could do. That was until he spoke with the Master Groundskeeper, who told him the staff was missing. It didn’t take the University Guard long to find the staff the in the tower. And as I’ve already mentioned, I had no friends among the students. The ones that were with me were quick to point the finger. What better way to take down the Headmaster’s precious daughter a few notches.”
Kristopher wanted to put his arm around Syl, but kept his distance. “What did your father do?”
“He had my arms bound with dampening bracelets. They strip a wizard of their power. They could not be removed for a month. Essentially, it’s prison for a wizard. Next, he stripped me of tutoring responsibilities. Who would trust me? How could I teach if I couldn’t cast? Finally, he implied I had no future as a professor. ‘Professors must maintain the upmost integrity. It would be preposterous to think that someone with no respect for the power of magic would be allowed to teach others.’”
“I’m sorry, Syl.” It was all Kris knew to say.
“That’s bad, but it wasn’t the worst. The storm also destroyed my mother’s rose garden. I remember being four or five, and she would take me to the garden and sit and watch me while I played. Years later, after a long day of teaching, she would relax in the rose garden to get away from the day’s worries. It was her sanctuary. After the storm, mother rightened the stone bench that had been blown over. Then, despite the garden being destroyed, she would sit there. Everyday, she continued to visit what used to be her garden. I could see her from my room, just sitting. Sometimes crying.
“I would tell myself, I did that. I destroyed my mother’s joy. How could she love me, Kris? Could I ever be her daughter after that?”
In the firelight, Kris saw the glistening rivulets run down Syl’s face. He felt her flinch as he put his arm around her for comfort, but soon relax.
“After a month the bracelets came off, but nothing went back to the way it was. My father would barely talk to me. I didn’t get any of my responsibilities back. And the students were worse than ever. At best, they teased me even more. At worst, they ostracized me. Or perhaps that was the better of the two. Regardless, that was when I decided to leave.”
<Did either of Syl’s parents try to keep her from leaving? (Somewhat likely) No.>
“Yes, I truly wanted to experience the world beyond Cyenannore’s walls. But this made it easier. My home was no longer home. There was nothing there for me. No one there wanted me. At least, that’s what I believe. No one stopped me. Not my father. Not even my mother. As far as I know, they don't want me to come back and this trip is for nothing.”
“Then why go back?” Kris asked.
Syl turned to face him, causing her to slip free of his arm. “I have to try, Kris. It’s my home.”
“You have a home with us.”
“And I'm destroying that one, too.”
Sylralei and Kristopher sat on the bench in silence. On the other side of the campfire, Dalen was laughing at something Nen had just told him. Both were oblivious to the tale being told less than twenty feet away from them.
<Has Syl told anyone else this story? (50/50) No>
“Does Dalen know this?” Kris asked. “Galen?”
“No one. Not even Shemar.”
Kris wanted to tell Sylralei that she was wrong. She wasn't destroying her home. But isn't that how this conversation started? She wouldn't listen then. She probably wouldn't listen now.
Eventually, he broke the silence. “You said you wanted more tea?”
Syl looked down at her cup. “I think I changed my mind. I’ve lost the taste for home.”
She breathed in. “Kris, stay with me tonight . . . as a friend.”
“Of course,” he said, gently putting his hand on hers. “As a friend.”
_________________
1 Chronicles 20: 4-8
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