| Motifs and Maesters |
| Players: |
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Leandro's still paying Camillo for herbs, quite generously too, if the man's
still willing to deliver them. Word has it that he's searching for something
even rarer as of late.
Camillo appears, as luck would have it, with a large plant in an earthenware
pot. The specimen is small, but it is a relatively uncommon plant for these
parts, and useful for both medicinal and poisonous applications. He is shown
to Leandro's workspace by an acolyte, and enters quietly. "Maester Leandro."
"A gift, for me, how kind," Leandro flashes a smile, but he's already
counting out the money to offer over for it. He's generous as always.
"Where'd you find that, I thought they only grew in the hot dry soils of
Dorne." And then. "Have you heard of a plant named dragonroot?"
"I was lucky enough to come upon it," Camillo says, which means nothing.
"Dragonroot," he repeats. "Perhaps. But then names can vary so much by
region. What does it look like?"
Leandro has pictures of this one, which he goes to fetch. It has tiny red
flowers similar to a lily save for their miniature size. "They grow in
Essos."
Camillo frowns at the picture he is shown. "I have never been to Essos," he
says, "But not long ago I saw a woman poring over the image of an Essosi
plant at the Quill." He glances at the money Leandro has counted out. "I
thought today I might hand over the plant without charging, if you might
answer some questions for me."
"Ask your questions then," Leandro says. "And we'll see what they're worth.
Was the woman the bathhouse lady, or someone else?"
"It was the bathhouse woman, named Peri," Camillo confirms for Leandro
without hesitation. "The first thing I would like to know is the name of the
Maester who keeps his rooms in the second building, first window on the left
on the second level."
"Hmm, why do you wish to know?" Leandro asks.
"Not for any dangerous purpose," Camillo says. "But perhaps it relates to my
second question. Why are there, of late, so many Maesters at the Sept?"
"There are?" Leandro asks. "I'd heard they'd taken a fancy to the statues but
I can't say I've ever had occassion to visit the sept and find out. I suppose
they're investigating something other. I'll get to the bottom of it though,
if there's something up then they've been rude enough to not bother inviting
me to join them and we can't have that. I'll ask around and get back to you."
Camillo nods faintly. "I would appreciate that. The Maester I mentioned is
certainly among those most interested in the Sept decor." He says this with a
faint note of irony. "I worry that their intense interest is rather
disconcerting the Septons."
"Quite likely," Leandro says. "But then lots of things disconcert the
septons. I can't say I generally pay it much heed."
"That may be so," Camillo acknowledges with a single nod. "But I find it more
difficult to reflect and worship there peacefully while this matter seems to
remain unresolved. I would see things return to normal."
"I'll see what I can do," Leandro says. He seems more annoyed that they
didn't invite him to participate in whatever's going on though. "Is there
anything else?"
"No, that is all," Camillo says. "But…may I ask why you asked about the
Dragonroot?"
"Bryn had a dream about some," Leandro says. "Young acolyte, looks like a
dragon, having dreams. I'd wondered if there was a reason for it."
Camillo makes a faint sound. "I wonder," he says. "If I hear of it, I'll let
you know."
"Do you know if the maesters were looking at anything in particular? Was
there anything in the sept decor?"
Camillo is quiet for a moment, but finally he says, "I believe there is a
pattern at the base of the Crone statue. I believe it may be a code, but I do
not understand it. If you can tell me what the matter is about, I may be able
to help interpret it."
"Marvellous," Leandro says with a flash of smile. "They'll have already
decoded it, mind you, unless they're even more stupid than I think. I'll need
to gather some things together. I've found a few more patterns about in need
of decoding. One on the sept itself, but nothing inside. I wonder if they're
connected somehow."
"I believe…there may be some in the Hightower residence," Camillo mentions
after another hesitation. "I can copy them and bring them to you if you will
share your findings with me."
"Hmm, thanks," Leandro says. "I'd be interested to see if they're the same
motifs I've already noticed, or if it's something different. They may have
found something I didn't and vice versa. I will of course share my findings
with you. I've been busy trying to crack the code however it's rather old and
complex."
Camillo bobs his head. "I have only small knowledge on these matters. But
whatever the code holds, I hope it does not result in the Sept being
disturbed."
"Hmm, I wonder if we could send them on a wild goose chase," Leandro muses.
"That would keep the sept clear of trouble." He suddenly grins. "I wonder if
the bathhouse would like some more visitors. I think I could easily make
another of these motifs. Ageing it might be a little more difficult. Or we
could find some filthy corner of the city instead."
Camillo gives a rare smile as Leandro hatches this plan. "That is very
clever, Maester Leandro," he says. "Perhaps that could work."