[Everybody point and laugh at Ti! She had to talk to herself through the entire first half of this log! (And she enjoyed it, too!)]

<TIAMAT> *It's been about two weeks, we'll say, since the duel, and Teal's recovered rather nicely, though the infirmary staff was still a little hesitant to let him out so early. Still, with his status, he didn't have too much trouble convincing them.

<TIAMAT> *It's midafternoon as he makes his way down to his office, and people stop off to stare and whisper a bit as he passes -- a lot of wild rumors have been running around ever since his and Genoa's sudden disappearance and even more sudden return.

<TIAMAT> *He's limping a bit, too, and still sore in some spots, but all in all, everyone in the infirmary is impressed at how well he got by, though Jajara did leave him a parting gift -- a long scar runs the length of his chest, from shoulder to hip.

<TIAMAT> *The guards all salute smartly, looking a little surprised to see him, as he enters the soldier quarters and offices. He nods to them, occasionally stopping for a moment to speak with one of his lientenants, but he seems eager to find Clyde -- he has things to discuss with him, indeed.

<TIAMAT> *Teal pauses outside his office; it's been a while since he's been in there, and he seems almost hesitant of what happened in his absence. After a few moments, he takes a deep breath and pushes the door open slowly.

<TIAMAT> *Clyde is bent over the desk, scribbling something a little frantically. He doesn't look up right away when he hears the door open. "How many times have I told you guys to knock-- *he glances up and nearly spills his jar of ink when he sees Teal. "B...Baron Teal!"

<TIAMAT> *Clyde scrambles to his feet, shuffling papers hurriedly and trying to arrange the desk -- which is a horrendous mess. What was once neat stacks of papers is now a jumble of parchment spread haphazardly everywhere, including on the floor. Teal views his office in a mixture of distaste and horror as Clyde stutters to explain. "I...I didn't realize you were coming back so soon, sir...I... *he glances around the room and cringes* I apologize for--

<TIAMAT> *Teal sighs and waves a hand dismissively. "Never mind, Clyde, I realize it's been a rather ... hectic past few weeks. *he pauses, still looking around* Clyde, what did you do with Genoa?

<TIAMAT> *Clyde, who was still trying to mumble apologies, goes suddenly silent, looking nervous. "G...Genoa, sir?"

<TIAMAT> *Teal gives him a sharp look. "Yes, Genoa. Genoa Rivermarch. Where is she?"

<TIAMAT> *Clyde looks a little surprised that Teal would ask. "Well, she...she's been placed back in solitary, of course, sir..."

<TIAMAT> *Teal looks a little relieved, though he tries not to show it. "And that's all you did to her?

<TIAMAT> *Clyde, a little nervously: Well, no, sir -- she got the standard punishment for escaped prisoners --

<TIAMAT> *Teal, sharply: You LASHED her!?

<TIAMAT> *Clyde cringes a little, then nods. "Yes, sir! And...er...

<TIAMAT> *Teal gives Clyde a dark look. "And what?"

<TIAMAT> *Clyde clears his throat. "Well, sir, we...we doubled the sentence, for kidnapping and attacking you, sir! *nervous look.

<TIAMAT> *Teal hisses, "Fool!" and turns on heel, making quickly for the door.

<TIAMAT> *Clyde looks startled. "Wh-where are you going, sir!?

<TIAMAT> *Teal, without turning around: To release her!

<TIAMAT> *Clyde nearly falls over. "W...what!?

<TIAMAT> *Teal doesn't appear to be slowing down, to Clyde stumbles after him, shrieking a little about being against all regulations. Teal suddenly rounds on him, looking positively murderous. "Listen closely, Clyde. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't even be here right now, and those undead would be running amok around the Arena."

<TIAMAT> *He looks like he wants to say more, but after a moment he makes a frustrated sound and marches off, leaving an extremely dumbfounded Clyde staring in his wake.

<TIAMAT> *Teal is given a wide berth as he marches toward solitary -- the soldiers have seen that look before, after Genoa escaped through the secret passage, and quickly learned that their commander is not one to be trifled with when in such a mood. He barks at the guard in solitary to leave, and he does so quickly, looking confused and frightened.

<TIAMAT> *When the guard is gone, Teal stands at the base of the stairs for a moment, collecting himself a little. He catches his breath and calms down, then starts slowly toward Genoa's cell.

<TIAMAT> *He pauses outside the door, peering in through the barred window.

<JETMODE> *Genoa is slumped on her cot, eyes open and staring vacantly at the far wall. They evidently didn't give her the chance to wash since her re-incarceration. She has her head pillowed on her right arm, while her left holds the hilt of a sword -- which may or may not be familiar to Teal.

<JETMODE> *The guards clearly haven't been paying a lot of attention to her, though, if she still has it.

<TIAMAT> *Teal watches her sadly for a moment, then goes through a ring of keys, which jangle lightly as he picks out the one for her cell, fitting it in the lock and opening the door silently.

<JETMODE> *She stirs very slightly at the sound of the keys, but she doesn't make any other move.

<TIAMAT> *Teal hesitates for a moment, then enters the cell, kneeling by her. "Genoa?"

<JETMODE> *Her eyes snap into focus, and she lurches upright and back, dropping the sword with a clang. Her gaze is a little wild.

<TIAMAT> *Teal cringes a little as the sword clatters to the floor, then he takes her by the shoulders and shakes her once, gently. "Genoa, it's ... it's me."

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *hoarsely* Teal. *her gaze finally focuses on him, and her breathing slows*

<TIAMAT> *Teal nods slowly, giving her a concerned look. ".. Are you all right?"

<JETMODE> *She gives a rasping laugh. "I'm alive, for what it's worth."

<TIAMAT> *He frowns and seems to notice her condition for the first time -- blood spattered all over her clothes, and with a slight start, realizes at least some of it must be his blood. Memories of what happened after Jajara departed come back to him then, suddenly, and he gives a sad sigh, looking down at the floor. "I'm sorry."

<JETMODE> *She shakes her head with an ironic smile. "What for? I.." Her voice trails off and she shakes her head again.

<TIAMAT> *Teal, quietly: For everything. *he sighs again and stands up, offering his hand to her. "Come on."

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *stares up at him* What?

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Come on. Let's go. *he nods his head toward the open door.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *arches an eyebrow* Out. I'm still good for another several months down here, remember? Possibly more, if you add in the latest fiasco.

<TIAMAT> *Teal shakes his head, a sad sort of smile twitching at his lips. "If you add in the latest fiasco, as you call it, I'd say you're good for early parole.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> ... *drily* You'd be the only one. *but she takes his hand, fumbling to pick up the sword*

<TIAMAT> *Teal helps her up, giving her a knowing look. "And I'm the only one who counts. *he starts for the door, then pauses and glances back at her. "In this kind of situation, anyway.

<JETMODE> *She blinks at him, then gives a startled laugh. "I.. I suppose that's true."

<TIAMAT> *Teal leads her up to the ground floor, keeping hold of her hand until they reach the top of the steps. There he pauses, looking around. "...Well. You're free to go."

<JETMODE> *Genoa hesitates, then nods. ".. Thank you."

<TIAMAT> *Teal gives her a sideways look, then glances away. "I owe you my life. The least I can do is let you live yours."

<JETMODE> *She looks up at him, then down at the floor. She takes a couple of steps, slowly, then she flees into the hall, practically at a run.

<TIAMAT> *Teal watches her a little sadly until she disappears around a corner, then starts slowly for his own quarters.