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Dejected papers fluttered to the ground as Aloth sifted through the collection now scattered across his typically ordered desk. “No, no, no. Where is it?” His motions became increasingly frantic with each rejected piece of parchment. It couldn’t be lost . If it was lost that meant someone-
“Aloth?” Athira, arms crossed, stood just outside of his doorway with that peasant woman. Both studied him with utmost concern. He straightened up and took a calming breath. Excuses for why he was in such a state swam to his mind, but none seemed like they would satisfy the Watcher. He dismissed the idea of an outright lie and instead gave a strained smile.
“I’ll nere know how ye manage to keep so many secrets, ladie,” Iselmyr sighed.
“Is everything alright?” Athira tested.
“Perfectly fine. Thank you for checking.”
Athira looked from his face, to the papers dispersed across the floor, and then to the woman at her side. The peasant caught the Watcher’s look and her eyes seemed to hold some hidden meaning as she nodded towards Aloth. Athira giggled and shook her head.
Remembering that Athira was a cipher, Aloth came to a sudden realization. “Wait a minute! Are you having a conversation about me? I’m right here!”
Athira gave that infuriating smile of hers as she began to pull his door shut, “No one said anything, Aloth.”
“What is it?” Edér asked, squinting.
“Hel if I know, had to grab it though, didn’t I?” Hiravias grinned, holding up the sheet of paper. “Haven’t seen something so gorgeous since I last laid eye on a delemgan.”
“Oh, Hiravias, go put it back,” Sagani reprimanded. “I’m sure he didn’t want everyone seeing it.”
Kana was studying the image on the paper. It appeared to be a crude drawing of an elven woman with large teeth, wild hair, freckles, and armor. Or maybe it was an ogre. “Some color would have helped this tremendously.”
“Who knew our little Aedyran was such an artist?” Pallegina cocked her head to the side, feathers bristling as if the image were threatening.
“It must be one of Magran’s own trials, forcing me to gaze upon this horror,” Durance grumbled.
It was then that Aloth rounded the corner, jaw going slack as he noted his lost illustration in the hands of the Orlan. Before anyone could stop her, Iselmyr marched over to the druid and snatched the parchment out of his hands.
“Have ye nae respect! He was tryin tae draw me auld self!” She pushed a dumbfounded Hiravias down with impressive strength. “Stay outta our room!” Iselmyr marched up the stairs and the slam of a door fell upon the stunned companions.
The two women who were watching from the upper balcony scurried into Athira’s room as Iselmyr made her way towards the steps. As soon as they heard Aloth’s door close, they exchanged a glance and fell into stitches of laughter.
The Grieving Mother projected a thought into her friend’s mind, broken as it was by the laughter that pulled at her attention. “It… was supposed to be - Iselmyr… all this time!”
The Watcher replied in kind, wiping a tear from her eye, “I never would have guessed.”
“You were right about Hiravias taking it,” The Grieving Mother mused as she calmed herself.
The Watcher’s face melted into a delinquent smile, “This will certainly not be the last time I tell him there’s something interesting in Aloth’s room.”