The Bookwyrm

Ma'tani waited. I swear, I have half a mind to go tear the information out of the innkeeper himself at this rate.

Ta'tani hesitated. Did I completely misread this? "Who?"

"I'm not going to let him hurt you," she said softly. "Not for the consequences of my own actions, at least. And not at all, if I can help it."

Ma'tani held up a hand to silence July. She didn't even glance at him. "You poor girl..." she said, softly. "What has he done to you?"

No, I just have a shelf of Stormlight books which conveniently have maps of Roshar in them.

Ma'tani turned the doorknob and slowly opened the door.

Oh, this is why you needed to sneak into my room to look at a map of Roshar.

Ma'tani raised an eyebrow. "I guess they don't teach you to respect your elders, here. 'Little'...I've been in your lands for six years, and in this town for long enough to know stuff is happening here." Her face grew concerned. Something is up... "Open the door," she said, softly. Her gentle tone contrasted with the way she'd just spoken to July. "We need to talk."

"That's good," she said. "Want to tell your friend here why working for your boss isn't a good idea?"

So, we have a reference to a prominent Skyward character, and a statement in the war of the instruments. Kimmalyn/pointless conflict

"You don't need to whisper," she said, loudly enough for Jolane to hear. "Hey," she called through the door. "You okay?" @Spark of Hope

Ma'tani frowned. "Are you talking to her through the door?"

Guys, you have to stop posting here. You can't let this thread overtake TLT. Go post in TLT.

Ma'tani walked up and knocked on the door.

"Hey, I didn't catch your name earlier," she said, nodding at Jolane.

I love the idea of a First or Canticle arena. I think, if we end up doing First, we should get as many people as possible to read the story, because it's short, and also it's worldbuilding is a little harder to grasp. We might have to make some stuff up for that, because it's a little more obscure. Canticle would also be really fun. I think I'm leaning Canticle, as it's rules are easier to explain. Hey, and then you could use the corpses of dead tributes as energy sources!

Ma'tani sat on her bed, considering her brief conversation with the girl. She considered what she'd gathered. She's young, she's vulnerable, and she's being taken advantage of. Or at least that's what it would seem. She pulled her Shenai sword from her robes. The entire thing was wrapped in simple cloth to hide it's fine make. She gently unwrapped it, studied it's intricate patterns. It was a gift, from Jianzi, just like the flute. Heh...a To'atani woman carrying the items of a Shenai traveller. What a unique character I make. Even stranger was the fact that she knew how to use both the sword and the flute. Her robes were even made after the design and fashion of a Shenai swordswoman, though the patterns and fabric reflected her To'atani heritage more. Ma'tani heard the sounds of a conversation in the hallway. She recognized the girl's voice. Curiosity getting the better of her, she re-wrapped her sword and hid it by her pack. Then she stepped out into the hallway. "Don't know if getting a job here of all places is the best idea," she said.

"What is he going to do to you if you break his rules?" What has he already done to you?

Her correct guess brought little satisfaction into her mind. There were places in the world where girls much younger than her would be pressed into similar, or worse, kinds of service, but this kingdom had been better than many about it. Until here, at least. And in a tavern like this, it was dangerous for someone like her. "You can't leave, can you?"

It took Tinker a second to realize what she meant. He stayed silent for a moment, only running. "I know," he said. "I just..." he trailed off, not finishing the thought.

"You can't be older than twenty cycles. Younger, probably. Eighteen?" Ma'tani herself wasn't very old. She was in her thirty-second cycle, but had seen enough during her travels to assume she was wiser than many. At least in this land. She wondered how the young girl thought of being suddenly interrogated by a stranger in foreign robes, light brown skin, and hair in intricate braids. Her people weren't seen commonly by those in this kingdom, and despite her skill with their language, she was still an outsider.

Tinker stared at the corpse of the man he'd just trapped. I...I didn't... He shook his head. Not now. Not while they weren't home free yet. What was he expecting? He grabbed Marewill's hand, the other still holding the rifle. "Come on," he said. "The safest place for us right now is by Mark. Whether we like it or not." @Spark of Hope

Her eyes narrowed. That's not a good sign. She put the tray of food on the desk, then turned back to her. "Says who? The innkeeper? He does realize that forcing you not to say anything about it makes him look suspicious, right?"