The First Loss

A'lar would stare off into the distance somberly, his thoughts dancing on matters outside of the room.
 
"It wasn't your fault, you know."
 
He'd shake off his thoughts and glance to the elven man. "Is it not? A dozen ways it could have gone differently. A number of choices I could have made."
 
"Perhaps," Ka'varr would answer, the priest's voice calm and understanding. "But, the past is unmalleable, only-"
 
"Only the future can be shaped by our choices." A'lar would finish, sighing and offering a grin. "I see the Temple teaches the same lessons, still."
 
Ka'varr would just nod his head in agreement but not speak farther.
 
"Right, ever onwards." A'lar would say, clapping his hands together and looking to the other members of the meeting. "Updates, thoughts, criticism?"
 
Oakley would shake his head some. "We just need to get reopened and business back into swing so some of the softer staff don't dwell too much. You agreed to hire some more servers to offset the burden some. The First Steps is a large tavern last year we finally starting filling it properly."
 
"The more the merrier," he'd smile. "Go ahead and hire some on, Elinari?"
 
The half dragon woman would swirl the wine in her cup. "We're still looking into the disturbances in the east that the Starlight lady asked about. I've got Rookwood and Gaelyn on it. Carson and Mummer are open for assignment since you took us off tailing detail for the others."
 
"Let's set them on starting to try and find leads on the other cells for now. I suspect we need more to go on to bare fruit, but they may turn something up."
 
She'd nod to that. "I'll start making some subtle inquiries at the Academy, see if that lead about the scholar being recruited by the Cockatrice is enough to turn up anything."
 
"Excellent, Bliss?" he'd ask turning to the person in the room who had been with him the longest. His raised eyebrow conveying more than his words would to her.
 
She'd hold up her hand flat towards him. Keeping it still and steady as she looked him in the eye. He'd grin and wink. "I never doubted."
 
The elven woman would roll her eyes and drop her hand. "The Claws are angry, but ready. I will need to fill Osric's place, but we will do better next time."
 
"Not your fault we got made. But, the people look out for the Basilisk in that neighborhood. If not, it'd have gone very differently." Elinari would respond. "What was that necklace you smashed by the way?"
 
Bliss would shrug. "Something that was no longer needed."
 
Seeing that answer just made Elinari more interested, A'lar would interject. "Was gaudy jewelry anyways, really. But, I think that's enough for tonight. We're all tired, and perhaps a bit tipsy. Remember, if any of your people seem like they need it....point them to Ka'varr or Lyrien. For now though, I need a real night's rest after being tied to a chair all night."
 
Elinari would snort as the others rose to leave. "As if you haven't been there before."
 
"Yes, but the ropes were made of silk and my captors then were much, much prettier. Now, shoo!"