As the door of the shop closed behind them, she added softly, for Anwyn's ears only. "Just a wee moment or so, lass. Afore we're back in the thick o' town, I've a few explanations if ye care to hear 'em". This was as good a time and place as any. There weren't any other folks anywhere in sight, and the approach of any such person would be quickly noticed in this neighbourhood.
Anwyn gave Kay a -very- searching look, then nodded. "Aye," was all she said. The tone of her voice indicated that there was alot more she'd like to say. But perhaps she was being either polite (or cautious) in showing her curiousity.
"First of all", Kay began, trying to smooth out her accent again "As you likely guessed, there was more going on back there, then what appeared on the surface. As to why ... well, you remember me telling you that certain matters were not safe to discuss openly in public, right? That was one of those matters".
"Oh .. and I almost forgot", Kay added. She reached up to her neck and unhooked the silver chain from among the twisted strands round her neck. A small silver moon dangled from the middle as she held it out to Anwyn. "He's seen me wear this, and it's unique enough to serve as a memory prompt. If you ever need confidential-and-trustworthy local help, go back to Master Tomas' shop and show this charm to him, then make your request in my name. We're not sworn to each other, but we are friends and he's a good man".
"And if you ever get into BIG trouble when I'm not around", Kay continued, "I'd suggest that your best defense is to point out that you're a minor by Darkovan Law and insist that either Louis or I be fetched to deal with the matter. My oath-brother among the Guard, Gwenn MacConal would also help you if you asked it in my name".
"Holy Shmoly, Kay!" Anwyn exclaimed softly. "Ye be acting like tis life or death, ye are!"
Giving a small sigh of frustration, Kay replied with a shrug "Perhaps 'tis daft o' me to be so paranoid, lass ...". She paused and frowned. "But if the old tales are still true ... and by now you must ha' read of the Ages of Chaos before the Compact existed ... and of the two Ages of Rediscovery that began when the Terran Empire rediscovered this world ... then it may indeed be the case that a newly-discovered psi talent still has only three choices upon this world --- either swear unconditionally allegiance to the red-robed Vai Tenereisteis who rule the Towers, hide from them and their allies, or fight them for your independance".
There was alot more that Kay could have said, but perhaps this was a good beginning. It was harshly-blunt, without any of the comforting illusions one might offer to a child. Afterall, despite appearances, Anwyn wasn't an innocent child.
Anwyn listened -very- carefully to Kay's words, trying to read between the lines to catch the true meaning. The more she listened to Kay, the more she was getting that 'someone's aiming their blaster between my shoulderblades' feeling. Finally she looked up at the older woman and said softly and with complete seriousness.
"Kay, whatever it is you are planning - you be -very- careful! And... and I'll be guided by what you say. Master Tomas, um... Louis, this Gwenn MacConal - they can be trusted if I ever get into trouble." Anwyn shook her head slightly. "My Gram used to say much the same thing. Except she was referring to the Brits." Anwyn chuckled softly and then looked grim. "Even now, the Irish are no forgiving for what was done to them."
"Aye ... the memories of the Celts are long indeed ... as my Grand-da used to say 'We may choose tae forgive, but we never forget'", came Kay's soft reply, "I myself am verra much an apple o' that tree ... and 'tis most of me life I've spent bein' careful, especially in foreign territory, where a misstep can drop ye into muck n' mire ... And forgive me for remindin' ye, but be cautious in who else ye dare tae trust; many are nae as they may seem".
Anwyn gave a quick shiver. "Aye, Kay. It used tae be said 'niver trust anyone over 30'. I'm findin that ye canna trust anyone who willna be willin tae share their blanket wi' ye -- an honest sharin' and nae moore."
She shrugged. "As for trusting, I don't trust very well, Kay. Never have. Da said that the unoffical Imperial Marines Rule of Conduct is 'Heaven doesn't want us and Hell -knows- we'll take over!'. Growing up as I did, I saw a lot of stuff the average person doesn't see." Suddenly Anwyn gave out with a soft snort of amused laughter. "And you can't have a family as absent minded as mine are and not learn how to take care of yourself in ways that would be considered highly incorrect at best and downright vicious at worst," she finished with a shrug.
Then another thought occurred to her. "As for reading, aye, I've done it. Read up on some laws, too", Anwyn added, replying to Kay's earlier comment. "Da calls me his mini-lawyer. And... and I've learned a few ways to protect myself from those adults who seem to think they know better than I what is best for me simply because they're adults."
A small sigh filled the air, before Kay's words began to flow again. "You're got a good head on your shoulders, lass, and an entirely-sensible attitude as well. It takes courage to stand and fight, by whatever means neccessary --- especially when the odds are against you. And it takes wisdom to know that not all fighting is best done physically. Sometimes it is suffiecient to outmanoever a more powerful opponent. That alone, makes you better able-and-prepared to defend yourself than many other folks whose histories I've read.
Anwyn looked at Kay for a long moment, then said in accentless Standard. "I'm a Service Brat, Kay. If I couldn't handle myself, my Da, for all that he and my Mum are absentminded about my location sometimes, would have left me with the cousins. THAT you can take to the bank!"
Kay grinned in approval, and added "Yeah .. that's one of the things about being a Service Brat -- you either toughen up, or you eventually self-destruct. I'm glad you turned out the way you did, and you should always be proud of it. So here's a few more of the fruits of my research ...". She paused for a moment, then continued. "According to what information I have ... there are combinations of only four results for those who choose to fight: eventual surrender to the will of the Towers, self-exile off-world among the head-blind unGifted, the destruction of one's Talent, or death".
"Sort of like 'damned if ye do and damned if ye don't'," Anwyn snorted. "I will keep yer words close tae me heart, Kay, and act accordingly", she promised.
It was good that the younger girl so easily understood the current situation. That makes explanations so much easier. Service Brats often had to learn how to conduct themselves in hostile (or potentially-hostile) territory, and how to diplomatically-pretend not to see any of the dangers around them.
Kay thought about her next words very carefully before adding, "And of the first choice, I must say I'd have to be plenty damn daft to blindly swear unconditional loyalty to some stranger. Among them sorcery-folks, I trust my oath-sister Dolo Leynier and my oath-sister Melissa Ridenow; but not the rest of their caste". She shook her head vigourously, "I just couldna' bring meself to do it. That's one of the things I believe we've in common with our lad there -- a lack of faith that the Powers That Be would indeed always act in our best interests". Since Anwyn would surely guess that she was refrring to Master Painter, Kay decided NOT to name names.
With a small frown on her face, Kay added "Currently, we are embracing the second choice. As my gran used to say 'the mouse may look at the cat, but 'tis wise not to squeek too loudly about it'. Technically, concealing our Gifts is not ... ummm ... entirely legal -- especially we can't honestly claim to have erred out of ignorance of local laws".
She shrugged again, giving Anwyn a small grin this time. "So it's somewhat of a stalemate, my young friend. On one hand, we're Terranan, so they can't _legally_ require us to submit to psi-potential testing. But on the other hand, we can't get a teacher without admitting to having a psi-talent." For a moment, Kay wondered whether or not to continue. Then she decided that the entire story might as well come out.
"Where the greatest danger lies", she confided, further lowering her voice, "is in the fact that, if we did anything to bring ourselves to the notice of the _wrong_ Comyn sorcerer (or sorceress), it could very easily lead us into a considerable amount of trouble. We might find ourselves cast as unwilling pawns, in a game full of players who are likely to be more experienced than ourselves (and in many cases, likely more powerful as well). And though I've no proof that any such thing ever happenned, I'd be curious to know just how many of those personnel who've 'gone over the Wall', originally did so of their own free will".
They'd been standing here awhile, and it was now time to move on before they attracted notice. So Kay then continued walking down the street towards the main area of the marketplace. Soon enough, they should be able to spot something promising-looking. And she recalled from earlier purchases, that the second-hand clothing dealers often offerred the best value, if you knew how to identify the quality stuff (and bargain for it), and were willing to spend some time digging through jumbled racks and bins and shelves.
Anwyn looked at Kay while they walked, her stomach suddenly turning flip-flops as vague images seemed to overlay each other. "Ye... Ye'll be a-teaching me how t'bargain an' all, won't ye, Kay?".
"Most certainly", she grinned. Pointing with one slim arm, Kay announced, "I think I see one over there. Let's go check it out. I figure that you need a warm cloak and tunic at the very least".