Lies and Indiscretions

"She lied to me!"  ranted Jon Chess, pacing across the chamber, careful not to disturb any of the alchemical arrangements. 

"Jonny... you are hardly one to talk.  Have you given her the keys to your kingdom?" asked Phred, his gnome alchemist and forensics mage.  "And really... was she lying to you, or just continuing her lie?  is it any different for when you go out with a cover story?"

"I... don't know, actually.  That's a good point, Phreddy"

"Oh Jonny... of course she's going to break your heart.  She's a human, and a mage, and belongs to the Kirin Tor" continued the mage.  Jon let those assumptions hang in he air, uncorrected.  Lynesia was not human, but a Quel'dorei, using illusion to pass for human, but it was not his secret to share with his friend.  "She belongs to a different world. "

"Yeah, she belongs in Dalaran, where I belong in the alleyways and sewers of Stormwind..." Jon answered, a bitter tone making Phred wince.

"Well, I should go... lots of work to do," Jon said with a sigh. "I'll be at my 'office' if you need me for aught"

"Alright... and Jonny"

"Yeah?"

"Leave the Hearthglen Ambrosia on the shelf."

Chess grined as his gnomish confederate.  "I promise"

================== later that evening ==================

Jon watched Lynesia walk back in the doors of the Pig & Whistle, and head for his table.  He left the charming little Corgie named Duncan had had given permission to feed a treat, and settled back to his table,

She had returned.  After Jonathan had told her what he had found in her SI:7 file, she had walked out, saying "I need some air", he was unsure if he would ever see her again.

Lynesia sat back at Jonathan's 'office' table in the Pig & Whistle, and said one word, her voice betraying her internal tensions.

"Why?"

Jonathan lowered his voice so as t not be overheard.  "You'll have to be specific, milady.  Why what?"

"Why did you find those files? What benefit? What ..What did they say?" the mage asked, her voice demanding answer.

"They said you were not human, but Quel'dorei.  They said you were developing a harmful fascination with Dark and Void magics.  They said you made frequent trips to the Void fields.  They said that you might be subject to sanctions from the Kirin Tor."  Chess proclaimed, his voice quiet, almost too quiet.  "The files said nothing you had told me about yourself was the truth, milady."

Lynesia found herself gazing at the wooden tavern table top.

"And why?  Why did I look?"  Jon continued.  "Because I am a spy, milady.  An assassin.  Finding things out and killing designated targets for the Alliance is what I do, aside from my civilian job,"  Chess paused, and Lynesia could hear a little pain creep into his voice before he continued.  "And I told you.  I told you what I am, what I do, and apparently you didn't believe me."

Lynesia looked  at her feet. "I'm sorry... but.. wait..." She cast him a worried look. "Is someone trying to kill me?" she asked in a soft, hushed voice.

"If there were any kill orders, they would have been replaced with different orders.  Did I mention, besides my other sins, I am an accomplished forgerer? And any assigned operative would be a pile of ash in the fires of Blackrock Mountain; I know the limits of forensic magic, milady."  Jon's voice sounded bitter as he recounted any theoretical things he would not admit to, except as speculation.  "But you must learn to be more....circumspect."

Lynesia looked back at her feet and finally looks back to Jon, her expression betraying her vulnerability, tears welling up in her eyes.

Jon leaned in closer.  "I am not your enemy, milady.  You are safe," he said softly.  "Your choices are wide open, and solely up to you."

Lynesia sighed softly, and spoke, her voice hardly above a whisper.  "I'm sorry... that I lied to you."

Chess's expression manifested a tiny smile.emembering what Phred had said.  "Those lies predate me, milady - what else should you have done, really?  Trusted a self-confessed buttinsky and snoop?"

"You have a good heart, Lynesia Ashcroft.  That is more than many can say."

Ly,esia sighed softly and bit her bottom lip. "You have a point," she mumbled and looks at him. "So.. what happens to us?"

"What do you want to happen with us?  If you like, I will vanish from your life like a Shadow demon in the Cathedral courtyard,   If you want more, we move on,  Maybe you trust me, maybe you don't - That is nothing I can help.   If you need assistance, I will help - if I can,"  Chess paused bwefore continuing "My silence you shall have, in any event. "

Lynesia stared at hime a moment, then nodded. "I don't want you to go... I need to think about what happens now.   May I have a few days?"

Chess' voice was soft with compassion.  "Of course you may.  Take as much time as you like, really... you know how to find me."

Lynesia nodded. "Thank you, Jonny."

Chess bowed before Lynesia.  "Ande'thoras-ethil."  Jonathan had hoped he had said the farewell correctly in Darnassian.

Lynesia eyed him warily.  Taking a few steps backward, she cast her spell and teleported away.