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[20:32:11] Mholmes: As Okhfels considers the daunting task of gathering stones from the swamp to make a way out to the island, he notes one of his men looking off towards the north at the treelined ridge where the Blue Bear tribe once tried to ambush Okhfels and friends with the help of a troll.
[20:33:17] Okhfels: "Alshor, what do you see?"
[20:34:24] Mholmes: "I saw somebody looking over the ridgeline. I couldn't tell if they were goblins or not however. Could have been my imagination," says Alshor, still looking intently.
[20:34:54] Mholmes: Nurek says, "I saw goblins not far from there only three days ago. They're definitely on the warpath again."
[20:36:44] Okhfels: Okhfels gets up from inspecting the half-submerged masonry.
[20:37:30] Okhfels: "Either way, let's go have a look. If it's goblins, maybe we can steal some goats from them."
[20:37:57] Okhfels: "Quiet and quick, men. If we can see them, they could have seen us."
[20:39:32] Okhfels: Okhfels leads his men towards the ridge, using the vegetation and terrain to get as close as possible without being seen.
[20:40:58] Mholmes: After a bit of closing on the edge of the ridge. Okhfels sees a man come over it, looking around, probably to see where he and the others have gone.
[20:41:21] Mholmes: To Okhfels astonishment, the man wears the armor of a guard of Teth Hold.
[20:41:25] Okhfels: Okhfels motions for his men to stay in hiding, and steps out into the open.
[20:41:41] Okhfels: "Hail, man of Teth!" he says, loud enough to be heard over the intervening space.
[20:42:57] Mholmes: The man drops to a fighting stance, his spear leveled at Okhfels. His visage is one of a man persued.
[20:43:26] Mholmes: He frowns at Okhfels, not believing that somebody speaks their dialect here.
[20:44:19] Okhfels: "Don't worry." Okhfels speaks a traditional greeting. "May the stone yield to you, and the mountain cradle your sons."
[20:44:34] Okhfels: He holds his hands out to his sides.
[20:45:52] Mholmes: The man seems to ease, as though about to accept the greeting and relax. But then he frowns again suddenly. As two other men come to see what the problem is, the first man says, "You're Okhfels, aren't you!"
[20:46:40] Okhfels: "Yes." Okhfels watches to see whether being recognized is going to be a good thing.
[20:47:47] Mholmes: "I believe you and my brother were once aquainted," says the man his face getting sour. He notes the new arrivals, and Okhfels can see in his eyes he's trying to think fast.
[20:49:30] Okhfels: "Look, this spot is a bit too open for me. There are goblins about. There are some buildings down here that are safer, come down and we'll talk."
[20:50:26] Okhfels: Okhfels indicates the ruins down the hill. "You are probably hungry. We haven't got a lot of food, but we'll share what we've got."
[20:53:21] Mholmes: The man seems to come to some decision, and turning to his partners, he says, "This man is Okhfels an outlaw from Teth! I recognize him - and surely you do as well? Few are so bulky as this one? I've heard tell that he became a mercenary and raided Teth with men from the city of the cyclops!"
[20:54:25] Okhfels: Okhfels shrugs. "Oh, well, it was worth a try. If you think the goblins will make you a better offer, go ahead." Okhfels turns his back and starts walking down the hill.
[20:57:25] Mholmes: As he goes down, he hears the men arguing between themselves quietly. One of them shouts, "Wait! Wait! We need to know the lay of the land. Parley with us?"
[20:59:19] Okhfels: Okhfels turns. "Alright. What do you have in mind?"
[21:01:40] Mholmes: "We have trade metals. We need food and some shelter, if it's to be had," the one says. Obviously the other is still trying to convince him that it's a bad idea to be talking to Okhfels. Then it would seem that more people are coming over the ridge to investigate.
[21:02:42] Okhfels: "Shelter, I can provide. Food... will be a little tougher, but it's a possibility. Let's get down off the hilltop, though... there are goblins about."
[21:04:32] Okhfels: "Shelter, I've got. Food... will be harder. Let's get down off the hilltop, though... there are goblins around."
[21:05:01] Mholmes: The beligerent man shouts, "No, stay back, there are villains about" at those coming over the ridge.
[21:05:40] Okhfels: Okhfels motions for his men to put up their weapons and come out of hiding.
[21:08:45] Mholmes: "Shut up Marklaus," comes a familiar voice. Looking back to the top of the ridge, Okhfels sees Beliria come over the ridge, verbally accosting the guard who Okhfels first met.
[21:10:12] Okhfels: Okhfels tells Alshor to lead the group down to their campsite in one of the larger buildings of the ruins, and hangs back so that Beliria will catch up to him.
[21:12:43] Mholmes: Beliria sees him as he comes down the hill, and her face reaveals astonishment, "Okhfels? As I live and breath. We'd all assumed that you were dead. Gone off with mercenaries was the word."
[21:13:09] Mholmes: Her voice betrays some feelings of hurt, but very little.
[21:13:21] Mholmes: Apparently she, too, has had a hard trip here.
[21:13:26] Okhfels: "They were right. You know how it goes... join a mercenary band, travel the world, meet new people, and kill them."
[21:14:19] Okhfels: Okhfels doesn't seem hurt, but he's holding back because he can feel himself falling into old patterns, patterns he thought he had left behind.
[21:14:33] Okhfels: "We heard rumors that the goblins have overrun Teth."
[21:16:19] Mholmes: Then you heard incorrectly. They've only taken the north gate. But they will take the rest soon. It's only a matter of time," she relates. "We left before it was too late, taking one of the secret routs out. We have been hounded most of the way."
[21:17:22] Okhfels: Okhfels grunts. "I don't know if that's good news or bad."
[21:18:12] Okhfels: Okhfels walks beside Beliria as they go down the hill, content to walk in silence if that's the mood she's in. He keeps his eyes open for trouble.
[21:21:01] Mholmes: She looks back at the guard who first accused Okhfels, who now has a very perturbed look on his face. She considers something for a moment and then decides to tell Okhfels, "That fellow? Who you first spoke to? He's the brother of...you know who."
[21:21:34] Okhfels: "Yeah, I got that."
[21:24:59] Mholmes: "These men are desperate, as we have no place to go. I told them we should have headed north towards Sarnak, but they would have nothing to do with Amazons. So intstead they decided to take a chance on our Rhiani cousins," she tells him. "Some of these with you are Rhiani, are they not?"
[21:25:05] Mholmes: She points to some of the band.
[21:26:03] Okhfels: "Yes, they are. There's a Rhiani camp not far from here. They're allied with a Kaitaine colony that I've been working for since... well, for a while now."
[21:27:22] Mholmes: "Kaitaine? The great city to the West? I've heard tell of it. This colony, do they have...ammenities?" she asks.
[21:28:32] Okhfels: Okhfels chuckles. "Well... yes, some... but in short supply. It's - complicated."
[21:29:19] Mholmes: She frowns at the description, obviously worried about the complications.
[21:29:56] Okhfels: "I'm not going to drag you into our troubles. Not yet anyways."
[21:30:24] Okhfels: "For what it's worth, our troubles don't look to be as bad as yours."
[21:32:10] Mholmes: "Troubles?" she queries aimlessly. "It seems the whole world is nothing but troubles of late. We've heard that the goblins have extended their tunnel far beyond what any of the surrounding nations believed previously."
[21:32:23] Mholmes: Her face looks like she's worried that everything may end.
[21:32:59] Okhfels: Arriving at the Ruins, Okhfels allows Beliria to precede him into the building in which his band have taken residence. He mentally takes note of the numbers of refugees in this band.
[21:34:27] Mholmes: Counting them, it seems that they number 20 men, 10 women and 12 children.
[21:34:40] Mholmes: She looks about at the masonry.
[21:34:54] Mholmes: "This seems..." she can't find a word for it.
[21:35:11] Okhfels: "Familiar?"
[21:39:10] Mholmes: "Not precisely, but doesn't it in strange ways remind you of Teth?" she says. Some of the symbols - not quite the same, but carved as our carvers do. There...and there."
[21:39:14] Mholmes: She marvels at it.
[21:40:48] Okhfels: "It was made by our ancestors. This, and the ruins out on the island." He points out the door at the shining island on the lake. "We're going to be making our home here. Rebuilding it."
[21:41:47] Mholmes: "But it's all underwater," she says.
[21:43:32] Okhfels: "Not all of it. The island is dry, now." Okhfels tells his men to break out the supplies, and makes sure the children are fed first.
[21:43:56] Okhfels: "But I'm getting way ahead of things."
[21:44:38] Mholmes: She nods in agreement, "I think you are. Are the Rhiani near here? Do they haunt these ruins?"
[21:45:29] Okhfels: "No, they avoid it, mostly. The Riani camp is on the other side of the lake. Too far to go today; we'll have to make the trip tomorrow."
[21:45:46] Okhfels: Okhfels looks around to see if any of the refugees are paying the same kind of attention to the stonework that Beliria was.
[21:49:11] Mholmes: Only a few of the refugees have the persicacity or the presence of mind after their journey to note the nature of the place. But they do seem to find it very comforting.
[21:51:13] Okhfels: Okhfels sets some sentries. As usual, he doesn't bother with a bedroll or blanket for himself, but many of his men carry something to sleep on.
[21:54:00] Mholmes: As she settles in, Beliria seems to become more herself. After a bit she smiles at Okhfels, "So, is there something to eat? I'm afraid our group is about out of provisions."
[21:55:20] Okhfels: Okhfels passes Beliria his portion of dried meat, hard bread, and canteen of water.
[21:56:39] Mholmes: She smiles at him even more intensely, but then turns down the charm to eat her meal.
[21:57:17] Mholmes: Okhfels notes not far off that one family looks particularly starved, one of their little girls not able to stand on her own.
[21:57:22] Okhfels: Okhfels looks up at the darkening sky through the building's half-shattered roof. He has so much more to think about these days.
[21:57:45] Okhfels: Okhfels gives Alshor a look that says, "Take special care of that group."
[22:00:43] Mholmes: Beliria looks thoughtfully at Okhfels, "So, what has the world beyond dark Teth done to mighty Okhfels?"
[22:01:15] Okhfels: "Hm? Oh... it has been a long road, milady."
[22:01:18] Okhfels: "A long road."
[22:03:38] Okhfels: Okhfels looks back at Beliria and considers whether he ought to tell her. He knows what she was like, back then... but she has had a long road, as well.
[22:06:13] Okhfels: "Beliria, before we go to the colony, tomorrow... I have a favor to ask of you."
[22:07:07] Mholmes: "I'm not sure what I can do for you, Okhfels, but apparently I'm in your debt," she indicates the food.
[22:07:50] Okhfels: "In the colony, I'm looked up to. People... like me, instead of fear me. I don't want to foul that all up."
[22:08:26] Okhfels: "I've put my past behind me."
[22:09:48] Mholmes: She looks like she's lost her mental footing for a moment. "I see," she says.
[22:12:14] Okhfels: "Do you think you could have a word with Marklaus?"
[22:13:08] Mholmes: She frowns, "What sort of word? I'm not sure that I have any influence with him. Imagine my surprise when I found out that the escape party included him."
[22:13:40] Okhfels: "I see. I guess I'll have to handle it myself."
[22:14:02] Mholmes: Marklaus apparently has not decided to enter the edifice.
[22:14:35] Okhfels: Okhfels walks out to the door. He tells the sentry there to go inside and get some rest... he's relieved.
[22:14:50] Okhfels: Leaving Okhfels with Marklaus, and anyone else who's decided not to go in.
[22:16:31] Okhfels: "Marklaus, right?" Okhfels says, greeting him informally.
[22:19:10] Mholmes: The man, looking at Okhfels, nods solemnly.
[22:21:55] Okhfels: "There's been a lot of smoke up the chimney since I left Teth. Since... well." Okhfels looks out into the deepening night, and then back to Marklaus. "You folks need help. I'll help you, all of you, as well as I can - but I'll need your help."
[22:22:22] Mholmes: Marklaus looks very surprised.
[22:23:32] Okhfels: "I left that life behind, Marklaus. I'm not the same man I was."
[22:25:05] Mholmes: "So...what do you want from me?" he says.
[22:26:09] Okhfels: "I want you to forget my past in Teth."
[22:26:36] Mholmes: "But, my brother..." he can't seem to finish the thought.
[22:27:24] Okhfels: "I know. I know. If someone had done to ... if someone had done to me, what I did to you... I'd want revenge. White hot iron revenge."
[22:27:54] Mholmes: Marklaus' look says, "Well, then?"
[22:29:18] Okhfels: "I'm asking you to be a better man than me. Forgive me. Forgive me, and I swear, I'll do everything I can to help you, this group... and our people back in Teth."
[22:37:40] Mholmes: Marklaus looks at Okhfels, and realizes that he's not on home ground here. And Okhfels just might be. After a long pause he nods somewhat reluctantly. "I won't forget what you've done though."
[22:38:07] Okhfels: "I don't expect you to." S Omewhat ? lower, he says, "I can't forget either."
[22:39:13] Okhfels: "Go on inside. There may still be some food left."

[20:18:33] Mholmes: Isadora runs into Sebastian during her morning jog. He is predictably involved with getting some information on what the Rhiani are up to from one of the soldiers who has gone to ground here more than most.
[20:21:55] Isadora: "Sebastian!" she calls to him. "I need to talk to you when you're finished."
[20:23:32] Sebastian: Sebastian looks up, a bit surprised. He wonders if Isadora has noticed that he's been avoiding her for the past week or so. "I am finished now, my lady. How may I serve?" He looks a bit guarded as he approaches.
[20:25:14] Isadora: "Come and have a drink. I need to ask you something," Isadora says, catching her breath. She's either hiding her feelings or is honestly doesn't think anything is amiss.
[20:26:35] Sebastian: Sebastian nods and follows. He glances briefly at Isadora's sword.
[20:28:13] * Isadora pours a drink for Sebastian in her tent, then turns away to splash water on her face from a bowl. "What are you doing out here?" she asks, still facing away, after a silence.
[20:29:31] Sebastian: Sebastian looks taken aback for a moment, but recovers. "How broadly do you intend 'out here', my lady? 'Here' at Green Lake, or something else?"
[20:31:29] Isadora: "Green Lake," she says, turning and facing him--but leaning on the table instead of sitting like normal. "How long do you intend to stay, given that we've rather drifted from our original mission?"
[20:33:05] Sebastian: Sebastian looks uncharacteristically uncomfortable. He fails to meet Isadora's eyes and inquires quietly, "Why do you ask?"
[20:35:36] Isadora: "Because the mystical foolishness I've already indulged in is nothing compared to what I'm considering, and I want to know whether to ask you on board or put you on the next horse to safety." She looks at him straight on, watching his face.
[20:37:09] Sebastian: Sebastian sighs. "My lady, safety is the reason I am here. It is remote enough that I can hope that I can avoid detection by those who would like me... a little more dead."
[20:37:26] Sebastian: Sebastian looks quietly resigned.
[20:38:40] Isadora: "I prefer you a lot more alive. I'm not trying to destroy your safe harbor, but there are changes coming here. I need to know where your heart is." Isadora is puzzled, searching for a stronger reaction from him.
[20:39:02] Mholmes: Off in the distance, Sebastian sees Laura talking to one of the Rhiani children in the clearing. She's been spending an awful lot of time with them of late. Sebastian has noted that she's been somewhat...lost of late. Obviously in part due to her faith having been shaken.
[20:40:20] Sebastian: Sebastian glances at Isadora and returns to staring over at Laura. His voice becomes very soft. "My heart, my lady?" he gives a small nod, "It is right over there."
[20:41:59] Isadora: "Does she want to stay?" Isadora's own voice becomes quiet. "You've been a good friend, Sebastian. Ask me for anything in my power, and I'll do it for you two."
[20:44:15] Sebastian: Sebastian shakes his head slowly, "I... I don't know, my lady. She has been... distant of late." He turns back, briskly, "But until I leave, I still serve." He smiles slightly, "And I do appreciate your offer... Perhaps you could speak with Laura...?"
[20:45:55] * Isadora smiles crookedly. "You know me--I may not be much comfort to her. But I will certainly try."
[20:46:37] Sebastian: Sebastian nods, "Thank you. And now that you have put up with my meloncholy, what is it that I may do to serve you today?"
[20:47:34] Isadora: "Tell me what you know about spirits, to start with." Isadora finally sinks into her chair like normal, propping her feet up on the desk.
[20:50:18] Sebastian: Sebastian squints for a moment in thought. "It turns out that the mystic arts are an unfortunate hole in my education. Clearly such forces exist, and in varying levels of power. Some are able to interact with humans. Beyond that? I think you would be better of asking Fahd or Haikain."
[20:52:08] Isadora: "They have plenty to say on the subject, I assure you," Isadora says with a wince. "The thing is, I think the camp needs a more powerful spiritual guardian, if we're going to survive. And I think the spirits in the lake are the place to find it."
[20:52:24] * Isadora says it smoothly, but this is hard for her. She doesn't talk about religion easily.
[20:55:24] Sebastian: Sebastian looks thoughtfully at Isadora. "I see..." Then he tilts his head slightly. "Yes, I see... I appreciate that this little colony has made you face some things that you find uncomfortable." He snorts slightly, "I know it has done so for me. But, yes, I concur with your assessment. Some sort of spiritual protection is going to be necessary, and if you can convince the lake spirits to provide it... Well, it seems like an excellent solution."
[20:58:06] * Isadora looks at him a little warily. "I expected more... resistance."
[20:59:01] Sebastian: Sebastian smiles slightly, "My lady, I can't honestly say that I _approve_ of it, but I do believe that it's necessary."
[20:59:22] Sebastian: "I am not truly comfortable with these... sorts of matters."
[21:00:43] Isadora: "You and me both," she answers, hunching into her chair and taking a drink. "I'm ludicrously underqualified to be suggesting such a thing, but I trust the wizards even less than I trust myself."
[21:02:42] Sebastian: Sebastian looks at Isadora closely, "A word of caution, my lady. Okhfels carries an irrational bias against those who specialize in the mystic arts. Be careful not to let his words distort your judgement." He smiles slightly, "Not that I'm convinced that we should trust our particular band of mystics..."
[21:05:02] Isadora: "Okhfels has nothing to do with it," Isadora says, her tone a little too even. She adds more normally, "It's the way I can never get a straight answer out of the shifty bastards. The language changes, but the tactics of high-speaking sneaks stay the same."
[21:07:12] Sebastian: Sebastian looks almost hurt for a moment, he has been honest with Isadora about Laura, but she's not being honest about Okhfels? He quickly recovers, "I do believe that I am a high-speaking sneak, my lady." He smiles as he says it.
[21:08:48] Isadora: "Well, sure, but you're honest about it. And you don't try to talk your way around ME, or at least you're much better at hiding it." She looks like she's about to add something else, then stops.
[21:10:31] Sebastian: Sebastian's eyes darken slightly as Isadora fails to be completely honest, but he lets it pass. "Well, now that you have my reluctant endorsement of your plan, what else can I do for you?"
[21:11:51] Isadora: "Tell me how you think it'll fly with the others in camp."
[21:13:28] Sebastian: Sebastian ponders for a moment. "Hmm... If you give me a day or two, and if it is handled properly, you can probably handle it without too much fuss. Do you wish me to begin laying some groundwork?"
[21:15:14] Isadora: "Yes. I'll work on Dhazari and Fahd, and see if I can get Jilliams on board--he's one of the best places to touch with the Rhiani, since he started getting religion." She lets that hang in the air for a second, then adds, "One other thing..."
[21:18:23] Sebastian: Sebastian waits quietly for Isadora to continue.
[21:20:10] Isadora: "You don't like Okhfels. I respect that. But if you're going to use his name every time you doubt one of my decisions, it's going to be a long road for both of us."
[21:23:41] Sebastian: "My lady, I do not intend to question your judgement except where it seems questionable. I worry that you do not fully appreciate the impact that Okhfels' opinions may have on your own. If you are sure that you are not being influenced I am willing to leave it at that.
[21:26:36] Mholmes: A cry from the one of the children pointing to the air has everyone looking in that direction. Off in the distance, a skyship is coming down from a cloud. It would seem as though it might be angling for down lake to the south; a much smaller lake, but outside of the yellow aura.
[21:27:17] Isadora: "Believe me when I say that my views on wizards were formed entirely independent of anything Okhfels may feel about them," Isadora says, eyes glinting. She's about to say more, but stops when she sees everyone looking skyward outside the tend.
[21:30:22] Sebastian: Sebastian gives a slight bow, "In that case, I apologize for the implication, my lady." He looks at her curiously, waiting to see if she will say anything else.
[21:31:48] Isadora: "Accepted. Let's get this day started, then--I want to have time to wash up before someone comes in with the latest crisis." She rises, considering the conversation over.
[21:33:50] Sebastian: Sebastian nods, "Of course, my lady." As he turns a brief look of disappointment crosses his face, he smooths his expression and turns back for a moment, "My lady? Do let me know if you learn anything from Laura... I am a bit worried."
[21:33:55] Sebastian: Then he turns to go.

[22:02:37] Mholmes: Isadora sees that Laura has finished playing with the Rhiani children in the clearing, but still stares out at the water of the lake. She makes a strange gesture toward the lake, a distinctly Rhiani gesture.
[22:03:38] Isadora: "What does that mean?" Isadora asks, coming up behind Laura and half-repeating the gesture with raised brows.
[22:11:56] Mholmes: "Oh, it's nothing," Laura says, trying embarrased, to avoid the subject. "Um, how are you, Isadora?"
[22:13:34] Isadora: "I've been better, but not since childhood," Isadora says with a little smile. "I was only asking because you seemed to be staring at the lake, and it's been large in my thoughts lately."
[22:14:55] Mholmes: "Oh. Yes. Well it's very pretty, isn't it. Really the only pretty thing around here, no?" she says.
[22:17:50] Isadora: "I wouldn't go that far. The sunrises are astounding, or were before the yellow fog descended." Isadora gives her a sidelong look. "Would you like to get out of here?"
[22:18:35] Mholmes: Laura looks at Isadora not quite understanding, "Out of the sun? Or..."
[22:19:16] Isadora: "No, the howling wilderness." Isadora finds herself smiling again, a bit--Laura is a relief to talk to, after Sebastian.
[22:24:10] Mholmes: "Leave? And go where? Back to Sel-kai, and the crooked cults there?" she shakes her head. "No, I need something else. There's more to life than the comforts of the city."
[22:24:29] Mholmes: Isadora notes her looking fondly at one of the Rhiani children.
[22:27:16] Isadora: Sensitivity is not precisely Isadora's strong suit, so she hesitates before speaking again. "I've started to see that, myself, in the last few months. I'm trying to build something out here."
[22:28:41] Mholmes: "I know," Laura says. "I think it's the right thing you're doing, Isadora."
[22:28:59] Mholmes: She looks very directly into Isadora's eyes.
[22:30:29] Isadora: Isadora laughs a little nervously. "Did you pick up disconcerting directness from the Rhiani, or did you come with that?"
[22:33:58] Mholmes: "I've been near death out here," she says. "That does something to a person. Gives you a certain focus. And some of the social niceties go by the wayside. We don't always have time for them."
[22:36:47] Isadora: "Do you have time for Sebastian? He's worried about you, but he can't put on his boots in the morning without taking a convoluted route, let alone ask you about this."
[22:40:47] Mholmes: Laura has a pained look. "The question is does he have time for me, if I stay here?"
[22:44:00] Isadora: "He has time, and he needs you. Fortunately for him, he has a tactless friend who'll tell you."
[22:44:41] Mholmes: Laura smiles. After a moment she says, "You've been spending a lot of time with that handsome devil Fahd, haven't you?"
[22:44:50] Mholmes: Her eyes smile with her irony.
[22:45:49] * Isadora barks a laugh. "I have. He's the straightest priest I've ever met."
[22:46:15] Mholmes: Laura now looks at Isadora less directly. "Any chance..."
[22:46:22] Mholmes: She stops mid request.
[22:47:01] Isadora: "The answer is almost certainly yes," Isadora says.
[22:48:32] Mholmes: Laura smiles a very broad smile. Apparently her need for spiritual direction has not been abated by her brush with death.
[22:50:36] Isadora: "Is there anyone in camp I can connect you with, in addition to the depressing death priest? Just, you know, for variety."
[22:54:10] Mholmes: "No, he'll do, I think," says Laura with yet more irony.
[22:56:00] Isadora: "All right." Isadora nods. "I like you. Come by for a drink soon."

[20:20:22] Mholmes: Archelaus comes back to Egani's house, having stolen forth from the cave he's been hiding out in to meet Egani in the evening when he's unlikely to be detected.
[20:26:21] Egani: "Hello Archie, where have you been hiding out?"
[20:50:21] Mholmes: The head, silent now for days, speaks up before Archelaus can respond, "Great portents are in place. Do you two not see?"
[20:53:52] * Egani turns in surprise to the queen's head, "There has been a rising of essence in the land. It is a phenomenon that I have never seen or even read about. What can you tell me?"
[20:56:04] Mholmes: Ah you do see, "She says. It is Charon's effect. The Red moon draws ever nearer. Soon it will make it's next approach, closer than it will for many years. There are rituals of Kesh'ta'kai that I could tell you about that would be possible when it comes next. Powerful rituals."
[21:01:28] Egani: Egani looks at his silent friend with concern before returning his attention to the severed head. "Go on..."
[21:04:01] Mholmes: "I'm sure that you have some sort of portal of power that you know how to create," she says. "I could tell you Kesh's ritual to make such a portal a breach between worlds. To most any world you like."
[21:05:23] * Egani retrieves a mostly empty tome from his workshelf and readies a quill. "Please do. I shall record your every word."
[21:07:18] Mholmes: The head starts going on at this point about the things neccessary for the ritual, but it strikes Egani suddenly that he knows the name she spoke. Kesh'ta'kai? That's the red god of sorcery. He who teaches magic to those who might use it to fall into oblivion. Or so the elves said. A god of Charon.
[21:09:49] Egani: As the lecture draws to a close Egani speaks to the head. "How safe is this? The elves teach that Kesh'ta'kai teaches magic as a trap."
[21:10:32] Mholmes: "It is essence. It is only as good or bad as he who uses it," the head says simply.
[21:14:21] Egani: And, my queen, how would you have us use this ritual?
[21:19:42] Mholmes: "I know of a world where beings of essence exist that could be bound so as to free me for being the vessel for the soul of the Black Lady. Should it please you do to so," she relates.
[21:20:54] Egani: "So she has survived then?"
[21:21:36] Egani: "Why is that a more favored course than merely ripping her soul free from you and casting her into the Void?"
[21:23:25] Mholmes: "Yes, barely she lives. Only by the power of her father. I thnk this must have taken quite a toll on him too," she says. "As for ripping her soul from me, that's much easier said than done. The magic binding her to me has kept her alive for millenia. It will take a momentous power to sever this connection."
[21:24:09] Egani: "And how will these beings of essence take the switching of places with you?"
[21:28:32] Mholmes: "These beings will relish eating her soul, and so perform the deed of it's removal," she says.
[21:35:09] Egani: "In that case, what could be the harm. I wonder though, could the ritual be used to create a doorway that is permanent, flexible, and under my control?"
[21:36:14] Mholmes: "Yes, yes, that's it. Such a thing is key for any who would search for new magic," she says.
[21:42:58] Egani: "So how much time do we have before Charon will pass?"
[21:52:21] Mholmes: "Only eight days," says the head, it's eyes checking the skies.

[21:47:27] Mholmes: Sebastian approaches the ship, and it's the Eridani Alliance ship with his friend on it as first mate. Being this far south of the colony would make transfer of any goods from the ship really problematic. Not only several miles out of the way, but also down a severe drop between here and there over which the river fell. Narbin has decided to join Sebastian.
[21:47:49] Mholmes: "So, what news do you think we'll have from Kaitaine, Sebastian?" Narbin says.
[21:48:18] Sebastian: Sebastian glances at Narbin, "I doubt that it will be anything encouraging..."
[21:50:37] Mholmes: Narbin looks at Sebastian with mock surprise, "Now that's not an attitude to have with regards to an event such as this, is it? We should look forward to what the ship has for us."
[21:50:56] Mholmes: He smiles at Sebastian in his annoyingly good mannered way.
[21:52:41] Sebastian: Sebastian shakes his head, "I believe I will allow you to be cheerful enough for the both of us."
[21:57:58] Mholmes: Narbin tilts his head as if to say, "As you like" and goes back to watching the ship.
[21:58:52] Mholmes: As they watch, the first person off the gangway looks to be a noble, aging, but hale. Somebody important by the look of him.
[22:00:00] Mholmes: Sebastian realizes that he's never seen Lord Marvars, but from some heraldry he's seen, it looks like this might be the man in question.
[22:02:27] Sebastian: Sebastian observes the man for a few moments, attempting to ascertain who else might be travelling with him.
[22:04:22] Egani: Looking for Isadora, Egani happens upon Sebastian watching the new ship. "Hello Sebastian."
[22:05:11] Sebastian: Sebastian turns to Egani, "Ah, good morning, Egani. What brings you all the way out here?"
[22:05:59] Mholmes: Marvars is followed by a small retinue that includes three guards, and what Sebastian guesses one of the renowned holy warriors of Kaitaine.
[22:06:24] Mholmes: Behind the armed men are two manservants.
[22:07:55] Egani: "I've decided on a course of action -- I want to build a magical portal and the time is right. So I was going to talk to isadora about it. I think it would help any other extra-planar goals that anyone in the colony might have. And it's a big job -- big enough that I can't really do it myself. I saw the ship landing and figured Isadora would be around..."
[22:08:39] Sebastian: Sebastian looks at Egani, "Hold that thought for a moment, if you will." He steps forward and gives a short bow, "Lord Marvars?"
[22:10:52] Mholmes: Marvars looks about, and seeing Sebastian who had addressed him comes over to meet him. "I am Marvars. And who are you?"
[22:12:15] Sebastian: "My name is Sebastian, my lord. I am the Lady Isadora's personal secretary. She requested that I make my way to the skyship to see if anyone had arrived who might need to speak with her immediatly."
[22:17:49] Mholmes: "Sebastian, eh? You're the Ullizi overseer, eh? Then you and I have something to talk about," he says. "I'm here to see about the financial state of the colony. I don't want to default to your rather influential employers."
[22:18:47] Sebastian: Sebastian gives a smile that doesn't touch his eyes, "Yes, I don't think they'd like that very much... Shall I wait here while your men unload your luggage?"
[22:20:26] * Egani leans in and speaks quietly, "Is that Isadora's boss?"
[22:21:20] Sebastian: Sebastian glances at Egani, "That is very close to accurate, yes."
[22:21:48] Mholmes: "No, no, come with me. My people will take care of it. I understand we have a walk ahead of us?" he looks at Narbin and Egani questioningly.
[22:21:48] Mholmes: Narbin answers, "I am Narbin, M'lord, one of the scouts for the colony, and this man is another from Sel-kai, Egani."
[22:22:41] Sebastian: Sebastian turns to Marvars, "Egani is the closest thing we have to a physician here at the colony."
[22:23:13] Egani: "Harumph." Egani walks north back to camp.
[22:24:25] Sebastian: Sebastian touches Egani on the shoulder and speaks quietly, "I believe Lady Isadora was going to speak to Laura. I would appreciate it if you would avoid disturbing them for the moment... Why not walk back with us?"
[22:28:00] Egani: "Um, sure."
[22:30:22] Sebastian: Sebastian turns to Marvars, "What brings you out to the middle of nowhere, my lord? I must admit I never expected a visit from you."
[22:31:34] Mholmes: "Well, as I'm sure you know, the shipments of late have been erratic, and low quality, and, well, I've heard about things like that," he says pointing towards the aura in the sky.
[22:32:30] Sebastian: Sebastian nods, "Yes, I can see how that might concern you. I do hope that you are able to do something about it, it is terribly inconvenient."
[22:33:06] Egani: "Oh! Do you have a plan for the mist? We've been playing with it, but the cause is quite tenacious. It might be in a weakened state just now, so this is a good time for a final push."
[22:34:11] Egani: "But why would you care about the quality of the shipments?...I thought...um...well anyway, we have the Voidal cause of the mist on the run, like I say."
[22:38:45] Mholmes: Marvars looks at Egani for a moment, but then tries to hide his suspicion, "Yes, yes, let's talk to Isadora and get this straightened out, shall we?"
[22:40:33] * Egani shrugs and keeps walking.
[22:43:14] Mholmes: Sebastian notes that Narbin smiled a broad smile when Egani nearly slipped up. Not the smile of somebody just smug about something funny. But the smile of somebody glad that things are going badly. A real flash into Narbin's psyche - he's out for no good.
[22:44:09] Sebastian: Sebastian makes a mental note to make sure that Narbin can be taken care of if it comes to that...
[22:46:25] Sebastian: "Lord Marvars, I must ask: why did you feel the need to travel here yourself? The journey is long, and I know that you have a great number of things that demand your attention."
[22:46:58] Egani: "And it's dangerous out here. People keep disappearing."
[22:47:42] Mholmes: "I'm a man who takes care of things personally when they go wrong. I hope that your reports to your house will reflect this, Sebastian," he says. "I'm a man of my word."
[22:48:55] Sebastian: Sebastian smiles, "I have made sure to note your great efforts regarding the camp known to my employers."
[22:56:50] Mholmes: Unseen by Sebastian as he heads off with Marvars, a very shady looking figure with a dragon tatoo from a Sel-kai parlor comes strolling off of the ship.

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