Michelle
Thaddeus reached the edges of Silnaria. Initially, when he began the trip, he imagined he would circle back around via Prasia. Now, it seemed unlikely he would find Lucien in any random tavern. With a return route now useless, he considered taking Bottle of Rivers' advice literally, and setting sail to the League. The Macen quickly disregarded the idea, even if he Steppe Elf was headed to - or already in - the Isles. He could not afford the trip there, nor the risk, if he planned to travel to Elsewhere. Alternatively, he could head back the way he'd come, and mark this delivery as the first time he's missed a parcel. With the deadline almost up, Thaddeus thought he could make it back to his Courier's Guild in time to give the delivery to some other poor man, though half of his deliveries for the week would be considered forfeit.

He considered these options for some time as he sat in his camp. Thaddeus kept his hands busy by maintaining his chisel and runewright equipment. To his left was a shelter, fashioned out of the large fallen debris of the tree cover above. The log which he'd rested his head on made a difficult pillow. After a few more minutes of contemplation, the colonist settled on his answer. He packed camp, and began the trek to the nearest Elven settlement to the west, with Ulnoor en route.

The environment was rather wet, but not humid. The runoff of silt from nearby farmland meant the flat lands were jade-colored in the fertile seasons. It's a miracle the area wasn't already being used for farmland. Perhaps the land deed hadn't been used, or the people here were just too poor to purchase it. On Thaddeus' shoulder was slung a leather bag, only the heavy parcel placed in it. On his back was his pack, filled with provisions half-spent. After adjusting the strapping of everything to his comfort, Thaddeus walked out of the wood and into the large clearing, only a few yards from the weathered road.
John
As Thaddeus left the forest, a man trod steadily forth on his mount. The dark cloak, the black horse. The curved blade hanging by the side, as well as the general visage of them - perhaps he had finally found **Him**. Maybe luck had been on his side, or was it fate that had them meet? The animal halted with a courageous neigh, being ordered so by its reins. On top of it, a man - no, an elf, inspected the courier with a thorough up and down. His irises merged perfectly with the nightly shadows. From that distance, Thaddeus could only discern a sharp jawline and messy hair. A nerve-racking stare, akin to a hawk's, reached from the passerby's position. Moments later the faint breeze carried a sweet scent to the other's nose, lavender its flavor.

The stranger pulled the lead to his side. A second later the horse turned, giving him better view of the macen across. His hand already gripped the sheathed weapon, which's unnatural scabbard perhaps raised some questions. It connected to the guard of what seemed to be an odachi with surprisingly smoothly, as if two living beings clasped their hands together. His stance was a clear warning of his alert being. When he didn't move, he blended with the scenery. The cobblestone underneath them felt like an extension of his roots, the trees around them like his homeland. Whoever this person was, they seemed adept in fading in. Finally, the elf spoke. His tone was soft albeit stern.

*"Is there anything I can help you with? You seem to have an interest in me, judging by the stare."*
Michelle
As the Steppe elf approached on horseback, Thaddeus stood towered over by the horse and rider. The courier examined the man, and let out an audible sigh of relief from his chest. Thaddeus reached to untie his pouch which hung at his hip, but didn't reach in. Instead, he stayed with an upright, calm posture.

"Lucien D'arcy, is that your name?" Being from a colony, his voice was completely foreign and almost unidentifiable of origin, though the Continental language and accent forced certain familiar intonations and inflections on his communication. Thaddeus asked for his identity, but it seems he thought he knew the elf's answer already. Approaching the rider, the satchel's top was opened and the heavy parcel was retrieved. 

"A package for you, sir. *A Bottle of Rivers sends its regards,*" He stated from memory. He reached upwards and raised the a hand with the package.
John
As soon as his name was pronounced, Lucien arched a brow. A jerk of his hand slid a part of his weapon outside of its cover, the blade shrieking with the motion. Judging by the spike in his reaction upon the name being mentioned, Thaddeus could only assume he wasn't the only to have sought the elf out. Yet as he revealed the code and provided an explanation to his actions, the swordsman relaxed.

He inspected the other properly, remaining paused for a few seconds. He reached down after and accepted the delivery. Throughout the whole time his eyes were set on the other, in silence, like a predator watching its prey. Without checking it he slid it in the large pack hanging by his mount's side.

From up close, his flawless skin was clearer to see. Most of his apparel still hid behind the cloak, although lengthy boots and parts of gambeson pushed against the stirrups.

*"How did you know?"* He asked without clarification.
Michelle
Thaddeus glared back at the fair-skinned Elf. It may have been a certain arch of his eyebrow or a tilt of his head, or just obvious given the context - but it seemed a wordless challenge to the predatory gaze the man gave. "I was given directions and a physical description." It was a question he'd been asked once already, as he'd come across another previously recipient purely by chance. The colonist's black-eyed stare never broke eye contact, keeping up the straight and proud stature the Macen had kept during the entire conversation. 

From his apparel, it seemed the Outsider was not a man of riches, nor a sword. His garments were stained with dirt, and were of muted greens and earthen browns. There was no sheath for a blade, and instead a knife was carried around his chest, with leather weaved around his shoulders and midsection to keep it's scabbard secure. The sack which he carried on his back was stained in similar fashion to the rest of his garments, and the way it barely swung as he walked suggested it was of great weight.

"If you could sign this, sir," He stated with a parchment table outstretched with quill. He seemed to completely disregard the Elf's surprise; he knew not the weight which the phrase carried.
John
The elf maintained his glare. Although its presence was imposing, no direct hostility was implied by his demeanor. He remained as blank once the other replied, despite having avoided or misunderstood his question. Lucien's jaw tightened as the other offered the papers for him to sign. Empowered by the full moon, the intense competition between the two was only broken by the buzzing of locusts. The swordsman did not react to his request, instead pausing for another few moments. Once he made sure Thaddeus did not intend to answer with anything additionally, he acted.

**Swoosh!**
With monumental speed, the client had swung his odachi out of its sheath and held it near the courier's neck. Its side reflected the moonlight majestically, ringing quietly as it cut the breeze passing through it. The macen, gifted some in magic and more with weaponry, could sense an unusual aura fleeing the weapon. Despite appearing like a thin sword, perhaps there was more to it than the eye could see. His eyes glared in a violet glow, one that revealed his resolve.

*"I'm in no mood for witty jests."* He retorted in a grim tone. *"I asked - how did you know? Do you even realize what you just told me? Why did you utter those words, only to act confused when I question you about them?"* Lucien fired question after question, doing so with great precaution.