People I Trust

Writers: Cali, Jane
Date Posted: 10th May 2009

Characters: Mosler, Leisenn
Description: Leisenn replies to Mosler's request for information.
Location: Dolphin Hall, Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 2, day 15 of Turn 5

Mosler watched as his bronze firelizard circled slowly overhead and winked /between/. It had been two sevendays since he'd sent his request to Leisenn and time was running out. He had two paths he could go down, both with inherent danger, and he needed information to decide which to take. So he waited...

"I've been expecting you," Leisenn said when the firelizard appeared in her office. "There's a lot to tell so you'll have to make more than one trip," she explained, hoping the creature would understand. To aid in the understanding she had found some meat jerky that she hoped would be acceptable to the small chap as rewards. "Here' try a piece of this while I tie the first note on."

She often reminded herself how lucky she was not to be suffering many of the problems associated with advancing age but her fingers certainly weren't as nimble as they had been. Her mind, though, grew more determined as she got older and she worked patiently to thread the rolled paper into the cylinder strapped to the small body.

"There. Now you take that to Mosler and don't give it to _anybody_ else. Do you understand that?"

When Chase appeared back overhead, Mosler felt a great deal of relief. He hadn't really believed Leisenn was involved in anything nefarious, but it had always been a possibility and he would have never forgiven himself if Chase had been injured or killed because he had to chase down this lead that might be completely down the wrong path. He undid the sheet that was tied to Chase's leg, and before he could reward the bronze, he was in the air again winking /between/. He was puzzled at first, then realized there must be more coming when he saw that the sheet contained a list of of port locations and dates from the last several turns. It also listed the reason for travel, and it was almost exclusively given as 'cargo transport'. Mosler did notice that there were several large gaps in the dates, which would normally mean a time a ship was docked. However, some of these were for extremely long times, several had gaps of a month or more. It was odd, yes, but not criminal.

"Good boy," Leisenn said in praise when the little bronze appeared back in the office. "Here, eat this while I get the next instalment onboard."

It was easier this time to slip the rolled paper into the tube since she had been sitting rolling the sheet into shape while the firelizard had been away with Mosler. This really was a useful method of communication, though it couldn't help but remind her that Mosler had _always_ had the ability to let the Hall know where he was and that he was in good health after his disappearance. Never mind. That was covered in the third note - if the firelizard would come back one more time.

"There you go. Mosler _only_ and come back again. All right?"

Apparently it was because the firelizard disappeared.

Chase was gone for a shorter time, but Mosler hadn't even noticed so absorbed in the schedule he'd previously delivered. All of a sudden the bronze was chittering at him, admonishing him for his lack of attention. Mosler carefully took out the next sheet from where it was tied to his leg and the bronze once again leaped into the air and went /between/.

As he unrolled it, he saw that this was different. There were reports of thefts, murders, rapes, fires, assaults, you name it all along the Southern coasts with dates punctuating the small amount of information for each case. As he glanced at the other list, he could see that they didn't all match; some were on opposite sides of the southern continent just days aparts, still, some were close. He wondered what she was trying to tell him? Maybe nothing, maybe she was just sending information that _might_ be helpful in putting together the pieces. Still, he wondered what else she might think to send with Chase.

"Now, you deliver this one when you finish that bit of jerky. And that will be all for today," Leisenn advised the little bronze.

Mosler unrolled the two sheets and gave Chase half his meatroll as thanks for a job well done when he noticed the bronze wasn't attempting to leave again. Looking down he read the one on top:

"Good day, M,

I am glad to hear you're still alive. We were worried after your sudden disappearance though the dolphins seemed to think you weren't dead.

However, it occurs to me that you are off on something that a man so recently ill with heart problems should not be undertaking alone - if anybody should. Have you made any arrangements to keep yourself safe or are you going to end up like your late journeyman?

I don't want to hear one day that you've had to swim for your life, so how about seeing if the firelizard _can_ get help - perhaps dragonrider help since they can get to you quickly - if needed.

Could I send anybody from the Hall to help you with your investigations?

Let me know - and stay in touch!

L"

He smiled briefly as he finished it. She seemed to be doing her best to make him feel guilty about this whole thing, and it was very mother wherry of her. As he flipped to the second page he furrowed his brow, then raised them slightly as he understood what it was. The top of the page said simply: "People I Trust." Below it was almost a dozen names, none he recognized, followed by various locations along the coast as well as names of what he presumed to be ships. Four of the names had an additional bit of information attached as well: "Family" it said simply, and he noticed that all four appeared to be those located on ships.

As Mosler looked down at the table, now covered in confusing bits of information, he wondered what it all meant, if anything, in relation to Tippo's murder. Whatever it was, he was going to get to the bottom of it all... one way or another.

Last updated on the May 20th 2009

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People I Trust