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Holmes: Isadora tracks Laura down as she's heading away from the celebration.
Isadora: "Laura?" Isadora calls quietly as she follows her to the two tree shrine. "What's happened?"
Holmes: Laura slows to let Isadora catch up. She seems reticent to talk, however.
Isadora: "Come now, you're obviously upset. And I'm having a good day, so I want everyone to be happy." Isadora isn't precisely sensitive, but she is trying.
Holmes: Laura sqeezes out a wan smile on her pale face. Turning to Isadora as they walk, "That's very nice of you. But I shouldn't burden you. Perhaps we can do part of the practice quest when we get to the shrine?"
Holmes: Her attempt to change the subject is not particularly convincing.
Isadora: "If you don't want to tell me because I'm impulsive and often unkind, that's perfectly fine. But I don't make insincere offers, so stop talking about burdening me." Isadora seems faintly offended at the idea.
Holmes: "No, it's nothing like that, Isadora," Laura replies. "It's just...well it's a personal thing, and I don't know that it deserves your time to try and fix. You already have so much to worry about."
Holmes: She looks genuinely concerned.
Isadora: "Please, Laura. I hate repeating myself--just ask Sebastian." She smiles a bit, trying to put Laura at ease.
Holmes: "Alright, alright," she assents with some relief. "It's that Sebastian hasn't...."
Holmes: She can't seem to find the word, and gesticulates as if that helps to replace the missing verb.
Isadora: "Hasn't what? Have I been keeping him too busy with colony affairs?"
Holmes: "No, it's just that, well, he's not with us, is he?" she says. "I mean, ironically, the Rhiani take to him better than any of the rest of us. But he's not really having any of it. I mean..."
Holmes: "...he's going to go back to Sel-kai or Kaitiane or Danarchis or someplace sometime."
Isadora: "To be honest, I don't really know his plans. After all this time, Sebastian is a bit of an enigma to me." Isadora looks sideways at Laura. "I have trouble imagining him going anywhere without you, though."
Holmes: "Well, see," she looks for the words. "Sebastian is a man built by civilization, and needful of politics. Once that all resolves here, he'll want to move on. I'm afraid it's more to him than I am. He..."
Holmes: "Well he's certainly not going to join any 'bumpkin tradition' like we have."
Isadora: Isadora turns toward Laura swiftly, her eyes hardening. "Did he say that?"
Holmes: "No, but I know him," she says. "It's how he thinks. Well..."
Holmes: "That's not quite accurate. But you get the idea."
Holmes: She looks at Isadora hopefully.
Isadora: "I'd offer to beat some sense into him, but I'm not sure it would work. Is he... ignoring you?"
Holmes: "No...which is almost more painful."
Isadora: "Eh?" Isadora looks confused.
Holmes: "It would be easier later if he'd just break it off now. Instead we're at this impasse, knowing that things can't last. I'm staying here. I don't think he will," she explains.
Isadora: "I think I understand. And getting a straight answer out of him is like asking the Rhiani to spin a pretty lie." Isadora frowns. "If you think it might help at all, I'll talk to him. We, ah, sometimes argue in these conversations, but it might force a decision."
Holmes: Laura frowns a bit, "That's kind of you. But...again, I didn't want to get you involved in this. Besides....what would you say to him?"
Isadora: "Well," says Isadora, rocking back on her heels and getting a thoughtful look on her face, "I'd probably start by saying, 'Laura's afraid you're going to leave here before she's ready,' and he'd say 'Don't worry yourself about such affairs, my lady,' then I'd say, 'No, really, I need to know: are you staying or going?' and he'd say, 'I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "go," my lady,' and then I might throw something at him."
Isadora: She looks back at Laura. "There's room for variation, of course."
Holmes: Laura looks at her trying not to let her doubt of Isadora's ability to be able to corner Sebastian so directly. "Well, if you think so..."
Isadora: "I assure you, tactless conversations are my specialty."
Holmes: Laura smiles at Isadora, "Ah, skills."
Holmes: They approach the two tree shrine ahead.

Holmes: Okhfels, driking with his fellows notes some of them participating in a game where the skin is passed about between them. He gets a strange vibe when one of them looks at him wondering for a moment if he should pass the skin to Okhfels. He tries to make like the eye contact didn't happen, however.
Holmes: He passes the skin to the left. Then turns to Okhfels and smiles at him.
Holmes: That odd vibe again.
Okhfels: Okhfels smiles back.
Okhfels: "What's on your mind, Koshal?"
Holmes: Koshal's expression changes somewhat unfathomably for a moment, but he recovers and says, "I'm just joyous about our successful raid. The goblins never knew what we were up to!"
Holmes: He nods to Okhfels, another odd gesture.
Okhfels: Okhfels gives him an appraising look, then shrugs and laughs as someone thumps him on the back and exchanges congratulations with him.
Holmes: Dhazari watches all this going on, and heads on over to Okhfels with a sympathetic, yet slightly patronizing look on his face. He smiles at Okhfels as he approaches. "Congratulations indeed, Okhfels."
Okhfels: Okhfels is celebrating within a stone's throw of the goat-pens. He's keeping an eye out, making sure that noone's taking any more than is necessary for the feast. "Thank you, Dhazari... same to you. Can we talk?" Okhfels gets up from the fire.
Holmes: "Of course," says Dhazari with a look in his eye that Okhfels knows means that this is a funny question to ask of a Rhiani. One talks to a Rhiani, or one does not. One doesn't need permission, just the will.
Sebastian has quit (Ping timeout)
Okhfels: Okhfels leads Dhazari over to a fairly vacant side of the goat pens.
Okhfels: He gestures out over them, and says, "These goats are more than just meat, and skin, and horn... they could help hold this... well, all of us together."
Holmes: Dhazari nods in agreement. "That's true. Yet there's a problem. The problem that's existed from the start."
Okhfels: "Which one are you talking about? We still have lots of problems."
Holmes: "You're speaking of external problems," Dhazari replies. "What I mean is the problem between out peoples."
Holmes: "We aren't one."
Okhfels: "The goats will help that. That's what I wanted to talk to you about."
Holmes: Dhazari's brow furls, "Go on."
Okhfels: "Here's my thought. If we keep this herd as ONE herd, owned by all of us, then it will hold us together. The meat, the skins, the milk, everything that the goats give us, we split evenly, family for family, without worrying about Rhiani or Laan or Kitani."
Okhfels: "My people, back in Teth... we have Laan, and Shay, and Riani. All live together."
Holmes: Dhazari frowns, "It's not the same. You aren't part of the faithful."
Okhfels: Okhfels wonders whether that "You" was singular or plural. Okhfels shrugs. "Teth has three different faiths, and we get along just fine."
Holmes: Dhazari shrugs, "It's different with the people of the desert. We don't take to outsiders. For us to join, either we'd have to change somehow...or you would."
Okhfels: "Both will change, Dhazari. You're already changing. If you didn't, you would have left."
Holmes: "Well, I agree," he says. "The thing is that you haven't changed. To meet us. You don't know our ways."
Holmes: The last word is heavily laden with meaning.
Okhfels: Okhfels nods, admitting Dhazari's point. "Do you think we need to *do* something?"
Holmes: "Well, you seem to be a fast learner about practical things," he replies. "You should just learn..."
Okhfels: "Okay, but what good would it do? I'm not Kitani..."
Holmes: Dhazari shakes his head, "I mean become one of us. Learn what all Rhiani know. How to throw the chegain, to ride properly, the ways of the desert..."
Okhfels: Okhfels scratches his head. "I must be getting something wrong. You want to bring all of us together, and that's fine... but it's just me, and my men. Wouldn't it do more good to get Isadora?"
Okhfels: "And besides... this isn't a desert."
Holmes: Dhazari tries to make himself clear, "The tribe is the tribe. None can stay unless all stay. And...the desert is all. If one doesn't understand the desert, one doesn't understand the world, life..."
Holmes: He gestures at the sky and all around.
Okhfels: Okhfels looks around shaking his head in confusion... then gets a glint in his eye. "So when you say the Desert," he adds a bit of reverence to his tone there, "You're not talking about a big dry place out there... it's..."
Okhfels: "More than that..."
Holmes: Dhazari smiles now, "Yes, now you see."
Holmes: "Okhfels, this is something tha all of the tribe learn before becoming men and women of the tribe. This is why the men treat you as if you are grown..."
Holmes: He gestures to Okhfels size...
Holmes: "Yet not grown."
Okhfels: "Well, why didn't you say so?"
Holmes: "They've accepted you as one of their own, really, but they can't treat you as one of us until, well, you are," he continues.
Okhfels: "If there's something I need to do to win your folks' respect, I'll do it. Back home, a man isn't a man, until he's either made a sword or learned to use one."
Holmes: "Ah, see, yes, that's it. There is the Horserun. The initiation that all must pass before becoming part of the tribe," he says. "That would make you a full member of the tribe in everyone's eyes."
Okhfels: Okhfels shrugs. "So what does it take?"
Holmes: "It's not a light matter," he says. "Not that you couldn't easily do it, I think. But it means really, truely giving oneself over to the tribe."
Okhfels: Okhfels pulls back from that idea. "Wait a minute. Dhazari, you know where my duty lies. I won't betray that."
Okhfels: "I don't care if the whole camp treats me like a child."
Holmes: "Well, hopefully you wouldn't have to have a conflict. That is, as a member of the tribe, perhaps we can get everyone to stay," he says.
Okhfels: "Hopefully?"
Okhfels: Okhfels takes a deep breath.
Holmes: "Every man must choose his own path. We can but persuade. I can't promise anything," Dhazari says with dead earnestness.
Okhfels: "Ash and smoke," he says, quietly. Then, "I'm going to have to talk to Isadora about this."
Holmes: "A quick decision would be rash," Dhazari agrees. "Do talk to her. She should consider it as well."
Okhfels: "Do you at least agree with me about the goats?"
Holmes: "Okhfels, my friend, the goats are a great start," Dhazari says with a smile, and lifts his wineskin again to him."

Holmes: Isadora, returning late from practicing at the shrine, finds Okhfels returning to the colony from the Rhiani tents.
Okhfels: "Isadora!" he says, loud but not shouting. "I've been talking to Dhazari."
Isadora: "Oh?" Isadora says. "Am I in trouble for missing the celebration?"
Okhfels: "No. Well, yes, because I wanted you to be there, but not with Dhazari." Okhfels walks towards Isadora's tent. "He wants me to join his tribe. Oh, yeah, and you too."
Okhfels: Okhfels looks less than enthusiastic about the idea.
Holmes: Isadora harkens back to the chilling practice quest they'd run tonight. Belnif, shaman of the Little Scorpion, had been there tonight. Despite his occasionally comical demeanor, Belnif, when waxing philosophical about the spirit world can be downright eerie.
Isadora: "The thought has passed through my mind," Isadora says, sounding a little wary herself. "I'm going to have to go to the Rhiani elders soon, to ask for their support, and some formal connection will probably be part of the price."
Okhfels: "Are you sure? Look at the elders there... they're all men. Will you still be in charge of the colony if you join the tribe?"
Isadora: "That's the thought that passes through my mind right afterwards," Isadora says with a wry smile. "To be honest, I've been putting off asking Dhazari about it."
Okhfels: "And what about your people? And mine? Who do they look to, if we join?"
Okhfels: Okhfels shakes his head, as he holds the tent flap open for Isadora.
Isadora: "For the Kaitaine camp, that question is coming anyway," Isadora says as she enters the tent. "Not everyone will welcome the idea of settling permanently out here. Hell, I don't know if I'm prepared for it."
Okhfels: Okhfels enters behind Isadora and puts his arm around her. "I think it's time to either pump the forge or quench the blade."
Okhfels: Okhfels is completely unaware of the double-entendre he just uttered.
Isadora smiles, turning toward him. "Oh, I love your smith talk. It's so burly. And prettier than the equivalent Kaitaine saying, come to think of it."
Okhfels: Okhfels smiles, and pulls her close.
Isadora: "I don't know if I could do this without you," she whispers, barely audible despite their closeness.
Holmes: In the darkness, somebody approaches. Isadora sees, despite the usual black leathers, that it is Narbin. "A thousand pardons, I didn't note you two there."
Okhfels: Okhfels gives Narbin a hard look.
Isadora: "Pardoned, unless you have a new disaster to tell me about," Isadora says, turning towards Narbin but not completely breaking away from Okhfels.
Okhfels: Okhfels silently wonders what right Narbin thinks he has to lurk in Isadora's tent when she's not there.
Isadora: "It's customary for me to be here, what with it being my tent and all," Isadora says frostily, stepping away from Okhfels and turning on Narbin. "What's your pressing reason?"
Holmes: "No, nothing so grim. I wanted to tell Isadora that Pallos has left for the night to follow up on something he found north of the lake. I'm sure it'll be a profitable venture. Just didn't want anyone worrying about him being missing for the nonce," Narbin follows up.
Okhfels: Okhfels crosses his arms over his chest, a gesture that by now everyone in camp knows is not a good one.
Isadora: "Consider me soothed--and relieve yourself of the notion that it's acceptable to lurk in my tent. Leaving a message is more than sufficient."
Okhfels: Okhfels moves forward, ready to provide assistance, should Narbin prove less than alacritous in his egress.
Holmes: Narbin heads to the exit, "Another thousand pardons. I did not mean to be so presumptuous. Next time I'll know better. In any case, have a good evening."
Holmes: He moves through the tent flap with his usual air of coolness somewhat shaken.
Okhfels: Okhfels lets out a deep breath, exorcising the tension that had gripped him.
Okhfels: He turns back towards Isadora.
Isadora pokes his arm lightly. "You're jumpy." She smiles a bit, not sure whether to try to reopen the previous mood.
Okhfels: He smiles, and accepts her back into his embrace. "Come here and I'll calm down."
Okhfels: "Isadora, I don't think we should take Dhazari's offer."
Isadora wraps her arms around him. Head against his chest, she says, "Why not? It's a hard offer--I want to hear your instincts."
Okhfels: "I am worried that Dhazari, or the Elders, want to take the colony away from you."
Okhfels: "Dhazari says that he wants us to do this, to make the colony one."
Isadora: "And six dervishes can sleep on one mat, but an entire kingdom cannot accommodate two kings," Isadora quotes, nodding.
Okhfels: "I don't like it. Dhazari says that the Riani will treat me like a grown-up child until I do this thing. You know what? I don't care. Let them."
Okhfels: "I will earn their respect my way."
Okhfels: "Unless..." He looks down into Isadora's eyes.
Isadora: "I won't ask you to do it, but I'll talk to Dhazari to learn more for myself. I don't expect him to think of my people first, but he'll be straight from his point of view, at least."
Okhfels: Okhfels nods. "That's fair."
Isadora smiles and squeezes his arm lightly. "Relax. I wouldn't make that choice for you--you've got your own people to look after, here."
Okhfels: "I talked to him about the goats," he says, changing the subject. "He agrees that we should keep them in one herd." Okhfels winces a little.
Isadora: Isadora, on the verge of mentioning Beliria, is distracted by the subject change. "Now you're wondering if that's a good idea?"
Okhfels: "What? Oh, no, it's just a little cramp. It's nothing."
Holmes: There's a knock at the post of the tent, and a voice, female, says, "I was told to knock? Is anyone inside?"
Isadora: "Knocking is an excellent skill," Isadora calls out, stepping away from Okhfels to light a lamp. "What is it?"
Okhfels: Okhfels sits down on an empty crate and starts massaging his thigh. He was running rather a lot today.
Holmes: Beliria's head pokes into the tent. She sees Okhfels there and says, "Oh, I didn't know you had company. I just wanted to talk about some things. Didn't mean to intrude. I can come back later..."
Isadora: "If it's important, come in and spill. If you can't discuss it in front of him, it had better be really important." Isadora's a little abrupt, but just in her normal way, and she waves at a chair for Beliria.
Okhfels: Okhfels grabs a piece of cloth, a rag, and starts wiping off his arms and legs.
Holmes: Beliria, shaken a bit, says, "I just thought that...well...it's no matter."
Holmes: She disappears rather suddenly.
Isadora blinks. "You know, I'm not sure if she likes me."
Okhfels: "You're in charge. Don't worry, she likes you."
Okhfels: Okhfels puts the rag away and goes back to massaging his leg.
Isadora: "I suppose it's as good a time as any to mention... she talked to me a bit about you, and your past at Teth Hold."
Okhfels: Okhfels looks up, into Isadora's face. "I'm not the man I used to be."
Isadora: "I believe you. Anyway," Isadora smiles crookedly, "I don't think I was as shocked as she expected me to be. I just wanted you to know that I'm not worried."
Okhfels: Okhfels smiles, relieved. "Thank you. I was... Well. I shouldn't have worried."
Okhfels: "How much... did she tell you?"
Isadora: "Not much--she was playing the hint game. Something about killing a man." Isadora shrugs. "I'd have asked you more, but I didn't want to pry."
Okhfels: Okhfels looks up, "I'll... I'll tell you. You're probably wondering why I've never..."
Okhfels: "Well... never gone very far... with you..."
Isadora: "Especially given our early meeting, I've wondered," Isadora admits.
Okhfels: He leans back, arms slack, shoulders slumped a little.
Okhfels: He takes a deep breath, and launches into it.
Okhfels: "When I was... younger... it seems a long time ago, even though it's not, really... I was Beliria's man. I beat people up for her, and she gave me... her..."
Okhfels: "Well... she taught me how to please her."
Okhfels: "I didn't want us to be like that."
Isadora: "Do you think I'm using you?" Isadora's voice is quiet.
Okhfels: "No! No... no, I know it's not like that. But it felt..." He looks down, and to the side. "It felt wrong."
Isadora: "It could have been like that. I'm not a very nice person, Okhfels." Her voice is still low, empty of the usual flippancy. "But... I don't think so, now. I just don't--well, just don't make the mistake of assigning me all virtues to match her flaws, please? That would be a disaster for us both."
Okhfels: Okhfels looks up. "What do you mean?"
Isadora: "I don't know. Maybe I'm being too complicated. I've been accused of that, once or twice. It's just that you're so... fair, so trusting of me, that sometimes it makes me nervous." She laughs a little and looks away, unsettled.
Okhfels: "You're who you are. I love you for who you are. If you'll love me for who I am, then I'm happy."
Okhfels: Okhfels reaches out for Isadora's hand.
Okhfels: "And everything's going to work out."
Isadora reaches for his hand and grips it, a more steady smile slowly forming on her face. "I can do that."
Okhfels: Okhfels pulls her into his lap.
Isadora rests her head on his shoulder and tells herself that all the problems outside can wait for a few more hours. "Spend the night? I'm lonely."
Okhfels: (Okhfels always sleeps on Isadora's floor.) "I always sleep... oh..."
Okhfels: Okhfels gently puts his hand on Isadora's knee. "Yes. As you wish."
Isadora: "You don't have to do anything but sleep. I can wait." Somewhere, the old Isadora is standing and watching aghast.
Okhfels: "I can wait too... but I don't want to."
Isadora: "Stop, then," Isadora says and kisses him.

Holmes: Sebastian is getting the lowdown on the current wherabouts of Lord Marvars from Alexander (who's been doing his best to run interference for a week now), when he notes an incoming skyship headed for the south lake.
Sebastian: Sebastian winces slightly. Silently hoping that some of his trouble will leave on this skyship, but not really thinking it will.
Holmes: Not far off, Speckler smiles seeing the incoming ship as well. Turning to Sebastian, "Shall we get a party to go collect our supplies?"
Holmes: Speckler's replacement, a soldier named Garanz, is a poor substitute. Honest, of course, but the camp's morale has dropped somewhat precipitously around meal times since the loss of Speckler.
Sebastian: Sebastian steels himself for the inevitable disaster that this skyship brings and waves his hand, "Lead on, Garanz, lead on."
Holmes: *
Holmes: Traveling with some soldiers, Sebastian and Garanz pass Egani's house. Egani, too, has noted the skyship's arrival.
Egani trots out and matches Sebastian's pace. "What's going on now? Two ships in port at once?"
Sebastian: Sebastian shakes his head, "I have no idea, but I doubt it's good..."
Holmes: The soldiers, at Garanz's order, are getting a drink from the stream and taking a rest from the particularly hot sun today.
Egani: "Was it you or Isadora who strongly implied that the one that overcame the yellow mist to depart was likely to be the last we'd see?"
Holmes: The sun's ire seems exacerbated by the yellow aura as the pair discuss matters.
Sebastian: "I wish it had been. The most recent one brought Marvars, who knows what this next one will have on board..."
Egani: "Marvars doesn't seem so bad."
Sebastian: Sebastian smiles slightly, "That is because he did not bring any of his enforcers with him."
Holmes: Egani remembers the champion who's been following Marvars around. Perhaps not an enforcer, but...
Sebastian: Sebastian glances around quickly, "Egani, the reason Marvars put this whole thing together is that he is fundamentally a thug and he wants more power. His methods are those of a thug: no finesse."
Egani: "That's good. He's easier to keep track of."
Sebastian: Sebastian nods minutely, "Yes, and bad because he has the resources to be a terribly effective thug."
Egani: "But if that weren't the case then y'all would be unemployed, right? I mean, you knew what this place was about."
Sebastian: Sebastian shakes his head, "Not when we first arrived. Marvars lied to his investors about his purpose here."
Egani: "I know you'll think this is quaint, but I just don't understand why people lie to one another for a little money. It seems so...small."
Sebastian: Sebastian looks at Egani closely, "Two things, Egani: First, money is what funds your research. Second, in this case it turns out to be a _lot_ of money, not pocket change."
Egani: "I know that I sucked down funds back in the city. I'm not opposed to money. But do you have to screw someone to get it? A _lot_ of money to someone who already has a lot still seems petty. We're just, somehow, from different worlds."
Sebastian: Sebastian smiles again, "Not really, Egani. I don't care about the money. Especially not out here in the wilderness. It just is not a powerful tool here. In a city though, money matters in a city."
Holmes: "Yes it does, Sebastian," says a voice from behind as a knife appears at Sebastian's throat. "Don't move. And you, don't you move either, or he gets it."
Egani turns and blinks a few times.
Holmes: The man is athletically built, and seemed to appear out of nowhere from the reeds nearby.
Sebastian: Sebastian taps the knife lightly with his finger, "Do I know you?"
Holmes: "We'll be leaving now," this is not a request as the knife puts a bit of pressure on Sebastian's throat in an attempt to force him to come along."
Sebastian: Sebastian moves with the unseen man, "Of course, but really, I do not think I know you. Why all this hostility?"
Egani: "I say, Sebastian, should I kill him and risk your life or leave him be?"
Egani fingers his essence collector.
Sebastian: Sebastian smiles a bit at Egani, "I can risk my own life quite well, but thanks, Egani. I really do not want him dead until I discover why h might want me dead. I have often been told that my curiousity will be the death of me..."
Holmes: "That's quite enough from the both of you," the man says. Sel-kai, that accent. No question.
Sebastian: Sebastian doesn't struggle with the man, "Really, sir, I do not mind coming along, but I really am curious: who are you and what do you want?"
Egani follows Sebastian and the villain -- rubbing the worn brass of his small device with his thumb and muttering darkly.
Holmes: "Oh, does the name Gugalon ring a bell, Mr. Sebastian?" the man says as they head into the reeds.
Holmes: This all has happened so quickly that Garanz and the soldiers off in the distance haven't noticed anything at all.
Sebastian: Sebastian nods very slightly against the blade, "Ah. I was wondering what was taking you fellows so long. I've been here for months. Please, at least tell me that it was simply the long delay between Green Lake and Sel-kai. I mean, unless you were waiting in the city for word of my whereabouts I can not imagine how you could be so slow..."
Holmes: "I would not consider my plight so lightly if I were you," says the man, his black outerwear blending in with the shadows of the reeds.
Holmes: "You were not easy to find."
Sebastian: Sebastian chuckles, "What plight is that?"
Egani: The sun's extra rays have dried things out. The reeds are thick, but brittle and dry. Egani fumbles in one of his apron-belt pouches as he walks. Retrieving just the lens he was looking for, he stops and uses the powerful sun to ignite what may work up to a terrible inferno.
Holmes: The reeds begin to smolder, and, as fires sometimes do burning right during a bright day, it burns without much appearance of flame. The heat does, however, get to them after a moment. The man cries out distracted.
Holmes: The moment the man turns, Sebastian's hand is on the knife, and the man's momentum throws him into the reeds. Moments later Sebastian is on top of him with the knife in hand, and he can't push up because the reeds holding him up afford him no purchase.
Holmes: He looks at Sebastian, carefully coralling his fear.
Sebastian: Sebastian calls out without turning, "Egani, could you put the fire out now? I think it is about to become terribly inconvenient to my interrogation."
Egani approaches from up-wind.
Sebastian: Sebastian's tone of voice pretty clearly indicates that "interrogation" is a euphanism.
Egani: "Um, actually..." Egani does this sort of wince/shrug that Sebastian reads all too well.
Sebastian: Sebastian nods, "Ah, I suppose I will simply have to make this quick."
Egani: "We're safe for now...wind's blowing that way" Egani gestures.
Sebastian: Sebastian looks down at the Sel-kai man. "I am afraid you are going to have to answer a few questions for me."
Holmes: Some of the soldiers come rushing over with Garanz.
Egani intercepts them.
Egani: "Start cutting the reeds in a wide swath, there and there. We have to stop this fire."
Egani: Trying to give Sebastian a bit of privacy, but staying close, Egani begins cutting reeds with his sword.
Holmes: The man will probably blame his spilling his guts so completely on the complete chaos of the scene later, if he lives, but in reality, there's something in Sebastian's countenance that does the trick. This assasin knows that Sebastain can accomplish a "fate worse than death" if he does not comply.
Holmes: Just as he's about to start babbling, Sebastian looks up to see an elf looking down at the pair of them, and at the spreading conflagration in general.
Artanis looks as if he wants to speak, but the situation is a bit too weird for him
Sebastian: Sebastian glances at the elf briefly, "I will be with you in a moment, good fellow. Let me finish up here..." He turns back to the assassin, "I believe you were about to enlighten me?"
Artanis looks away, mildy annoyed. He remains silent.
Holmes: Egani, trying to lead the fire brigade hopelessly against the ever larger patch of burning reeds, manages to note the elf back by Sebastian.
Egani eyes the elf, but remains in the background.
Egani looks around for navigators.
Artanis wears the white military outfit of Sel-kai. He seems to be lost in his thoughts, but nervous at the same time.
Artanis looks down at the ground, turns and eyes Sebastian sharply, visibly in a hurry to get his chance to talk to him.
Holmes: "The name," says the man. "I was sent to get the name you know, and who you'd told. The Gugalons...the man is...well he knows the Gugalon's secret. That they're involved in some cult. I don't know the precise details, just what I was told. If people find this man, he could throw down the entire of House Gugalon."
Holmes: Sebastian thinking this over catches a glimpse of the house. Archlaus is there, trying to hide himself, and yet too curious to remain low. Marcia looks out after her husband, worried. Even Egani's cat looks on, interested.
Sebastian: Sebastian sighs quietly, "The Organization knows that I'm here, I assume? They will send another man if you do not return?"
Holmes: He nods. "Undoubtedly. Though it may take some time, of course, to get to this godforsaken land."
Sebastian: Sebastian gives the would-be assassin a long look. "This is unfortunate. I do hope you do not have a family I am going to orphan." Sebastian draws the knife back for a fatal stroke.
Sebastian: Sebastian's strike is instantly fatal. He drops the blade on the body and mutters to himself, "It is a good thing there is a skyship in port I suppose."
Artanis gives an "at last" kind of look and unfolds his arms.
Artanis takes a step toward Sebastian, then waits to see his reaction.
Holmes: At this point it's becoming clear that the fire isn't going out. Worse, the wet wind from the south, rather than dampening the fire, is actually pushing it north. Towards the colony.
Artanis smells the smoke and looks at the fire scene. He sees the men frantically trying to put out the flames.
Artanis, slightly annoyed, closes his eyes and concentrates. His face immediately becomes calm and smooth.
Artanis begins a soft, airy song, going crescendo as he slowly raises head and arms to the sky
Holmes: A wind seems to blow from Artanis's direction, and the flames begin to dance about. As Artanis tries to get the wind to do his bidding, it jumps about wildly. At first this causes a bit of a cesation of the northward progression. But by the time the wind is done, the area aflame is much larger, and still heading northward.
Holmes: Artanis seems to have a shadow come over his face.
Sebastian: Sebastian looks briefly at the corpse he still stands over. He sighs as he realizes just how easy it was to kill a man in cold blood. Sebastian looks up at the elf, "And you, sir, what can I do for you?"
Artanis does not respond, he seems to fight a sudden fit.
Egani steps quietly in behind Sebastian, as he's talking to the newcomer and drags the rascal's body away.
Artanis falls to his knees, trembling, only the white of his eyes showing. He is sweating heavily. He manages to steady himself with his left arm though.
Sebastian: Sebastian looks on patiently.
Artanis pants in an unelegant manner as he recovers his spirits.
Sebastian: Sebastian reaches into a pocket and removes a small flask, he unscrews the cap and offers it to the newest arrival.
Artanis looks at Sebastian, a suspicious look in his eye.
Sebastian: Sebastian simply waits.
Artanis stands up, looking fine again. Combs back his shoulder long white hair.
Artanis: "No thanks, dear sir. I have my own remedy for these... slight bouts of unease."
Artanis grabs himself a pipe, stuffs it with some green herb and lights it.
Egani: Once away from others, Egani traps the departing soul of the assassin in his body for later use.
Sebastian: Sebastian gives the elf a long look, takes a short swig from the flask and puts it back up.
Artanis: "I am Artanis Aeldarund�. Son of Yanaa�ra and Corumw�. Officer to the Centarus estate watch in Sel-Kai." He says after blowing a puff of smoke to the side.
Artanis: "I wish to talk in privacy with the master of this place. I was directed to you by the skyship's captain."
Sebastian: Sebastian gives a small bow, "I am Sebastian, what may I do for you?"
Egani: Feeling hurried, Egani performs the most perfunctory ritual possible. He can tell half-through that he waited too long, but has to continue through it to avoid unwanted complications. As he wraps up, he considers the value of the body and with a shrug takes it back to the workshop anyway.
Artanis: "Sir, I have been informed that an individual going by the name of Altynaruk can be found here." He pauses, chin slightly raised. He stares at Sebastian.
Sebastian: Sebastian tilts his head slightly, "Why are you seeking this individual?"
Artanis: "I must discuss private matters of the utmost importance with him."
Artanis looks dead serious
Sebastian: Sebastian looks back blankly, "What sort of matters? I do not wish to seem intrusive, but I have recently found that answering questions without understanding why they are asked leads to trouble."
Artanis sighs. "He might know where I can find a long-lost friend."
Holmes: Egani notes Archelaus still spying on Sebastian intently. Then at one point he gets one of his typically etherial looks and says, "There's something about that elf, Egani."
Sebastian: Sebastian nods, acknowledging the evasion, "Could you describe this man? How long do you believe he has been here?"
Egani: "What? Did you see him set that fire?"
Artanis gives an "get on with it already" look. "I only know that he was a member of the A'kesh Academy."
Holmes: Archelaus, ignoring the blaze as only he can, says, "It's like we know each other."
Sebastian: Sebastian, "I can ask around if you wish."
Artanis: "That would be most kind, dear sir." A slight bow of the head, and a little satisfied smile.
Sebastian: Sebastian smiles minutely, "Do you know where you are staying? That is, where should I ask for you if I find anything?"
Artanis: "I have not planned any arrangements, as I had to leave in a hurry. Is there an accomodation of sorts? I will gladly pay. Also for the extra... damage..." Pointing to the reeds.
Sebastian: Sebastian waves toward camp, "You are welcome to head to the colony yourself, or if you wish to acompany me I will be heading that direction after I check in with the skyship."
Artanis: "I will head to the colony and ask my way around. I do not want to waste your precious time. Thank you, sir Sebastian." And he turns away.

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