• Holmes: Okhfels notes Isadora approaching Sebastian near his tent.
• Holmes: Perhaps she knows where Haikain is.
• Isadora says to Sebastian, "Do you have a moment? We appear to have the latest minor crisis all lined up."
• Sebastian: Sebastian starts slightly, as if he didn't notice Isadora's approach. "Ah. What was that, my lady?"
• Isadora: "Marvars and I exchanged some unkind words, and Egani happened to be nearby. Marvars is indisposed at the moment, and I anticipate rendering him into the care of his debtors. I seek your advice on the subject." Isadora's tone is light, with just a hint of a tremor.
• Okhfels: Okhfels was going somewhere else, having just finished speaking to Isadora.
• Sebastian: Sebastian seems to ponder for a second. "That seems like an excellent solution to many problems, my lady. Ah... how 'indisposed' is he?"
• Isadora: "Conscious, but... not really himself at the moment. You'd have to ask Egani for the details."
• Egani approaches Isadora and waits while the two are talking.
• Sebastian: Sebastian mutters, "Speak of the devil..."
• Egani: Deciding that their silence is an invitation to talk, "Lord Marvars is quite shaken by our encounter. Are you sure it's wise to keep him like this?"
• Sebastian: Sebastian raises an eyebrow with a, "like what?" look.
• Isadora: "Elaborate, please. I was just mentioning the incident to Sebastian."
• Egani: "You know, back there...confined...angry. He won't stand for this unless we find a way to alter his attitude."
• Sebastian: Sebastian looks a bit surprised, "Confined? If you have physically detained Lord Marvars then I must suggest that any action other than sending him to Sel-kai would be foolish."
• Egani: "There are things that could be done to his mind..."
• Isadora: "Do nothing to him," Isadora says firmly to Egani. "He's going to Sel-kai in his present state."
• Sebastian: Sebastian nods, "Doing things to his mind is unnecessary, and probably reckless besides."
• Egani: "OK, good. As long as you have plans for him. I expect that he's likely to hold a grudge against me."
• Egani: "Oh, and I do apologize if I misread the situation and acted imprudently. It seemed delicate."
• Isadora frowns at Egani. "In the future, if I'm about to come to blows with someone, don't intervene. But you were attacked, so..." she shrugs.
• Sebastian: Sebastian gives Egani a long look, "Egani, I do not mean to be insulting, but do you mean to say that you actually considered not acting as impulse struck you?"
• Egani: "My attack was not impulsive."
• Sebastian: Sebastian shrugs, "As you say."
• Isadora: "What's done is done," says Isadora, "and if he stays in the camp for long I'll kill him myself. So, Sebastian... to whom should we send him, and with what courtesies?"
• Sebastian: Sebastian thinks for a moment, "I recommend sending him under guard to the Ullizi guild house in Sel-kai. I will send copies of the financial records and a brief account of what we discovered about Marvars' activities along."
• Egani: "I know this isn't my business, but who will own the corporation of the colony at that point?"
• Isadora: "How much guard? We have little to spare right now." Isadora gives Egani a speculative look.
• Sebastian: Sebasian looks back and forth, turning to Isadora first, "As much a guard as it will take to keep Marvars under control."
• Sebastian: Turning to Egani, "The Ullizi will still hold it by law, but they are unlikely to do anything: the land is basically useless.
• Sebastian: "
• Isadora: "The land won't stay useless, I hope. What would I have to offer to buy it off from them?"
• Egani: "I understand that they will want to clear this 'asset' from their books. I'd suggest that the 'guard' you send also be empowered to negotiate for purchase of the colony. They'll get *something* and be able to move it off their books."
• Sebastian: Sebastian shakes his head, "The firm put up a significant investment here. I doubt that you could produce the resources necessary to buy them off unless you can convince them that they will never be able to recover their investment in full."
• Egani: "Also, can we keep Marvars' ship?"
• Sebastian: Sebastian shakes his head again, "Egani, that ship is chartered, I do not believe that holding Marvars will incline the captain toward giving you ownership."
• Egani: "Nuts...'twould be a useful tool for the colony."
• Isadora: "I'd rather deal with the bankers than with Marvars--nothing personal in it for them. Are they aware that the flowers are not as valuable as Marvars claimed?"
• Sebastian: Sebastian shakes his head slowly, "Not yet they do not. I will include that information in my letter."
• Egani: "And between the departure of the natives and the prarie fire, the capacity to produce the flowers is way down anyway..."
• Isadora frowns. "Damn. It'd be best to be done with the whole thing now, but my finances aren't what they used to be. Ah, well." She shrugs. "We'll just have to be expensive if anyone comes to visit."
• Sebastian: Sebastian looks around uncomfortably. "Ah, my lady, do you have a moment that I might speak with you... privately?"
• Isadora: "Of course." Isadora nods to Egani. "Your assistance has been appreciated, if not precisely solicited."
• Egani: "I can go. But, Isadora, have you thought any more about the value of a portal for the colony? The celestial events that will aid the mission are approaching and an assigned staff for the rituals, as well as help on the otherside would increase our chances. Please let me know where you stand on this as soon as your schedule permits."
• Egani heads off.
• Sebastian: Sebastian looks around and steps into his tent, gesturing for Isadora to join him.
• Isadora steps in, still deep in thought--a somewhat uncomfortable activity for her.
• Sebastian: Sebastian pours her a drink as he waits for her thoughts to settle.
• Isadora: Downing the drink, Isadora says, "Go on. I can tell this is going to be delightful."
• Sebastian: Sebastian looks uncharacteristically reluctant to speak. Not that he is not often reluctant to speak, he just never shows it.
• Isadora: "If this is about Okhfels, I can assure you that now is not the time," Isadora adds helpfully.
• Sebastian: Sebastian smiles a bit more like himself, "No, it is not that." He sighs, "this is difficult... More difficult than it should be."
• Isadora: "Or perhaps you're going to suggest that you go with Marvars, by way of an easy goodbye."
• Sebastian: Sebastian frowns slightly, "What do you mean by that, my lady?
• Sebastian: "
• Isadora: "Just making wild speculation," she says, quirking a brow at him. "But it strikes me that this would be the perfect opportunity, if you were thinking of leaving anyway."
• Sebastian: Sebastian sits down heavily. "I must admit that I was considering it. Only two things were keeping me from going... Laura, and my commitment to you, my lady..."
• Isadora: "Yes, tell me about Laura," Isadora says quietly.
• Sebastian: Sebastian sighs. "I am sure you have noticed that I am not exactly good at discussing Laura, my lady."
• Isadora: "If by 'discussing' you mean frankly exchanging information, then your modesty at stopping with Laura is staggering."
• Sebastian: Sebastian gives a small self-depreciating laugh, "True enough, my lady. True enough." He takes a deep breath, "I love her, my lady. More than I should..."
• Isadora: "She's worried that you'll leave her."
• Sebastian: Sebastian looks down, unable to meet Isadora's eyes. His voice drops to a whisper, "And I must do so, my lady."
• Isadora sighs. "I have this peculiar feeling that when you say 'must' you mean it in the same way that I must let Marvars' guard challenge me when he recovers his strength."
• Sebastian: Sebastian looks up. "My lady, I do not discuss my past because it is best left where it is. Sometimes, though, my past drags itself into my present. And my past is too dangerous to let someone I care about face. To let Laura face."
• Isadora: "Have you considered offering her the dignity of making that decision? She's borne a number of other people's choices since arriving here."
• Sebastian: Sebastian looks up, his eyes haunted. "Perhaps I should be more precise, my lady..."
• Sebastian: "I can not remain here. The dangers that come are more than I, or anyone in the colony, are prepared to bear. And I can not ask her to leave, my lady. Surely you have seen how happy she is here. How could I take her from that?"
• Isadora: "Goodness, and I thought dramatics were my specialty. You're saying you have enemies worse than a goblin army, the White Wood, Egani, and our creditors? I'm becoming intrigued."
• Sebastian: Sebastian shakes his head, "No, my lady. For the same reasons that I can not stay here, no one here can know why I leave. The information is too valuable."
• Isadora: "Too valuable to ask for my help?" Isadora says cooly.
• Sebastian: Sebastian's eyes flare, "Damn it, my lady! I will not ruin anyone's life as I have ruined my own! I. Will. Not!"
• Okhfels: <<knock, knock>>
• Isadora: "What the hell do you think friends are for, Sebastian?" Isadora shouts back.
• Sebastian: At the sound of company Sebastian's face immediately lapses into his accustomed small smile.
• Isadora: She starts to bark at the intruder to leave, then stops awkwardly as she recalls that it's not her tent, for once.
• Okhfels: From outside, Okhfels says, "When you have a minute, Isadora..."
• Sebastian: "Perhaps we should pick this up a bit later, my lady? The only one who knew we were both here is... Yes, Okhfels."
• Sebastian: Sebastian walks to the tent flap and opens it. "Enter, Okhfels. I was just leaving for an evening walk. Feel free to use my tent while I am out."
• Isadora: Isadora, still too angry to speak steadily for a moment, just waves her hand in a choppy gesture of agreement.
• Okhfels: Okhfels pokes his head in and has a look around. He's seeing if Isadora needs a minute to gather her wits.
• Isadora waves him in, clenches her fist, smooths her hair, and finally regains her normal expression.
• Okhfels: Okhfels motions for the others to enter the tent. He moves to one side to make room for them.
• Rahkleth: Rahkleth heard the commotion from outside and seriously considers quietly disappearing.
• Rahkleth: Instead, he sighs and enters the tent, keeping an eye on Narbin and Agok (if he comes with us).
• Holmes: Narbin reluctantly follows them in. "Your ladyship," he replies with his native politeness.
• Isadora: "Gentlemen. What's on fire this time?"
• Okhfels: "A small matter. This will be quick."
• Rahkleth: "Him... nearly." Rahkleth mutters.
• Rahkleth: pointing towards Agok.
• Okhfels: "Narbin says that Agok was spying for the goblins. Narbin almost had the Tethite camp ready to roast him alive."
• Isadora: "Two things follow naturally: Narbin had good reason for saying it, and you had good reason for stopping him."
• Okhfels: "I brought him here, because this is where he should have come first."
• Holmes: Narbin rolls his eyes once again, "Ladyship, the crowd was about to tear this little traitor apart, and I was simply trying to point out that they had the right idea."
• Holmes: "It's...a...goblin."
• Holmes: He looks at Okhfels with disdain.
• Isadora: "Ah. Generous soul that I am, I assume you merely happened upon the mess while on your way to mention the spying to me?" Isadora says to Narbin.
• Holmes: "I would have made my usual report, of course," Narbin says. "I was delayed, you see."
• Holmes: He points to a slash in his normally pristine jerkin.
• Holmes: "I had to deal with some of the stragglers."
• Holmes: The word "deal" has emphasis meant to imply that Narbin had to be deadly.
• Okhfels: "The mob was started before Narbin got there. I was getting a handle on things when he showed up."
• Isadora: "So tell me about it now," she says to Narbin. "The little goblin has been with the camp for some time, I understand." She flicks a quick look at Okhfels--she's listening to him, just waiting to hear what Narbin says.
• Rahkleth: Rahkleth just listens at this point. He doesn't have anything salient to add to the conversation but he does keep a wary eye on the goblin.
• Holmes: "What's to tell?" says Narbin. "Out scouting about, I noted our little Agok here heading back into the colony, tired, coming from the East. From the direction of the attack. I would have reported it at that time, but that's when I got into the cat and mouse with the enemy elements that I encountered."
• Rahkleth: "They still had elements that close to us?" Rahkleth asked looking interested.
• Isadora: "Well?" Isadora addresses the goblin, obviously inviting reply.
• Holmes: Agok looks surprised to be addressed. "He lies, mistress, Agok was not gone today, Agok helped with water in the fire, and hid when the other murlogi attacked."
• Isadora shoots a glance at Okhfels and Rahkleth when Agok calls Narbin a liar, wondering if they see the trouble gaping ahead.
• Okhfels: Okhfels takes a deep breath through his nose.
• Rahkleth: Rahkleth's hand strays a little closer to his sword.
• Holmes: Narbin sighs apparently unconcerned, "What do you expect a traitor to say?"
• Isadora: "Narbin, is your clarity on this point absolute?" Isadora sounds unamused. "His presence or absence in the camp can be confirmed."
• Holmes: "You'd question my word over his? Madam, I would take offense, if not that I trust your wits implicitly," he replies. "I give my word, but check if you must."
• Holmes: Narbin seems pleased with himself now.
• Isadora steps close to Narbin and speaks low. "If he's lying, you're golden--or you would be, if you hadn't used the news to stir up trouble before bringing it to me. Do your job straight, and I'll back you all the way--but don't ever make the mistake of thinking you're valuable enough to play games with me, Narbin."
• Holmes: "M'lady..." Narbin starts to protest.
• Holmes: Isadora's impressive presence, something she couldn't claim to have had a year ago, makes some small impression on Narbin's cool exterior. But not enough for him to break. He maintains his composure and, apparently, his claim.
• Isadora: "Just so we're clear on that," Isadora says and steps back, satisfied.
• Okhfels: "Agok. Who saw you fighting the fires?"
• Holmes: "Uh..." thinks the goblin, and then, "The man in the funny house did!"
• Okhfels: "Egani," Okhfels says, in unison with Isadora.
• Isadora: "All right," says Isadora. "We're running out of room in the stockade, so Narbin will keep an eye on Agok until we track down Egani. I trust we'll have no trouble finding him when the evidence is laid out," she says with a hard look at Narbin.
• Holmes: "We shall remain precisely where you leave us, madam," Narbin replies with curtness.
• Isadora waves for the others to go, and nods slightly at Okhfels to indicate he should wait a moment.
• Okhfels: Okhfels waits for Narbin to leave, and then says, "You know I never trusted Narbin."
• Isadora: "He's been low profile until now. You think this will get worse?"
• Okhfels: "I'd rather not give him the chance."
• Isadora: "Meaning?"
• Okhfels: "He defied me in front of the crowd."
• Okhfels: "I could care less about Agok."
• Okhfels: "But I can't let people call me out like that and not do something."
• Isadora: "I care about a goblin spy, but this is important too. Okhfels, there won't be any reinforcements coming from Kaitaine. What, exactly, do you have in mind for Narbin?"
• Okhfels: "Well... I think you need to make some kind of announcement... give me a formal authority."
• Isadora blinks. "That's, ah..."
• Isadora: "That's a stunningly simple suggestion I should have decided myself long ago."
• Okhfels: "It would help take some of the load off your shoulders, too."
• Isadora: "Just in time, too--I'm about to approach the Rhiani about a formal alliance."
• Okhfels: "Good. Too much is going on to leave stuff up in the air."
• Okhfels: "So... Egani?"

• Okhfels: Okhfels arrives in the little makeshift sub-camp that the Tethite refugees have made, somwhere near the forge, out of whatever scraps they were able to scrounge.
• Okhfels: Okhfels smiles and greets each of the other Tethites, by name. After poking his nose in Beliria's tent momentarily, he finds Rahkleth.
• Okhfels: "Rahkleth! There you are. I wanted to thank you for your help with that rock thing."
• Rahkleth: Rahkleth is cleaning his armor and performing maintenance on his spear and sword. Routine stuff to a warrior but rather comforting to someone who is misplaced.
• Rahkleth: "I did very little." Rahkleth stands. "You did all the work, as I recall."
• Okhfels: Okhfels squats down and has a look at Rahkleth's gear. "I couldn't have done it without your help. How are you getting along? Starting to find a place?"
• Rahkleth: Rahkleth shrugs. "My place is many leagues in that direction." He points in the direction of Teth. "I am... being useful... if that is what you are asking."
• Okhfels: Okhfels looks out towards the mountains and a wistful look comes over his features... but just for a moment.
• Okhfels: "I wish I could tell you, you were going back soon."
• Okhfels: "Tell me, Rahkleth... how are you at working stone?"
• Rahkleth: His eyes downcast, Rahkleth picks up his spear. "I can never go back." He looks up at Okhfels's question. "I am adequate. I would not call myself a fine craftsman by any measurement I know."
• Okhfels: "I don't need a sculpture of the nun-smiths. We're going to build a causeway."
• Rahkleth: "That I can help with. Repairing roadways where needed is not uncommon work."
• Okhfels: "I figure between the ruins and the rock creature, there'll be enough stone to build it, but I'm no expert. You were there, what do you think?"
• Rahkleth: Rahkleth considers this for a second. "It'll be close but it should be doable... provided we don't run into any major unforseen problems."
• Holmes: The conversation of the pair is interrupted by a group of Tethites who seem to have gotten hold of a goblin."Kill it, kill it!" come the cries from the crowd. Okhfels sees the goblin in question as it's hoisted over the crowd for spectacle, and notes that it's Agok.
• Okhfels: "Hold!" Okhfels shouts in his most commanding voice.
• Rahkleth: "Why are we building the causeway?"
• Okhfels: Okhfels stands and gives Rakhleth the "One minute, I'm shouting" gesture.
• Rahkleth: Rahkleth freezes and looks around for whoever Ohkfels is shouting at.
• Rahkleth: "Why stop them?" Rahkleth mutters under his breath. "The little bastard'd be better off dead."
• Holmes: Somebody in the crowd shouts, "Wait, let's burn it!"
• Holmes: A cry goes up, and severl people start to scramble to get firewood.
• Holmes: Agok struggles in vain to escape.
• Okhfels: Okhfels wades into the crowd, shoving people aside, to grab Agok away from his captors.
• Rahkleth: "Hey!" Rahkleth yells at the crowd. "No fire! We just finished putting one out you idiots! Kill the little bastard if you must but NO FIRE!"
• Rahkleth: Rahkleth steps towards anyone brandishing a flame.
• Holmes: The crowd is not ready to simply give up it's captive. Okhfels takes some time to get there, and some resist him. But his strength can't be denied for long, and soon he has the goblin in his huge mitts.
• Holmes: It helps that Rahkleth is distracting some of the crowd who are reconsidering the fire idea based on what he's reminded them of.
• Okhfels: "Alright!" Okhfels holds the creature under his arm like a sack of potatoes.
• Okhfels: "I am Okhfels!"
• Okhfels: "You WILL listen to me!"
• Okhfels: "Next time, it might be YOUR life on the line!"
• Okhfels: "You folks are new here, so I'm going to be nice."
• Rahkleth: Rahkleth crosses his arms over his chest and looks displeased but not likely to start trying to kill anyone.
• Holmes: One of them steps forward, but instead of challenging Okhfels says, "Rahkleth, you're not going to let Okhfels deny us a chance at some revenge, are you?"
• Okhfels: Okhfels recognizes Marklaus but doesn't spend more than a moment on it.
• Okhfels: "I don't give orders to civilians very often. When I do, listen up!"
• Rahkleth: Rahkleth takes a deep breath. "Quiet Marklaus! We are guests here and Okhfels and his people has offered us hospitality. We will not dishonor ourselves in this way."
• Okhfels: "This pathetic hunk of meat has been a useful spy." Okhfels shakes Agok a little to illustrate his point.
• Okhfels: "I'm not asking you to kiss him, but leave him alone to skulk in the corner. He hasn't done anything to you."
• Okhfels: Okhfels sets Agok down.
• Holmes: "Actually..." the voice speaking is Narbin's and heads turn to hear him speak.
• Holmes: "I noted our little ragamuffin coming into camp just a bit before the attack. Coincidence? He'd obviously come in from the East, and was worn out as if he'd been traveling," Narbin continues with a pointed glance at Okhfels.

Missing post(s)?

• Okhfels: Okhfels steps down off the box and confronts Narbin close up.
• Rahkleth: "Are you sure you know which side he's spying for?" Rahkleth steps close and whispers with a frown.
• Okhfels: In a somewhat softer tone, he says, "And you wait until now to say something?"
• Holmes: Narbin looks at Okhfels trying to be dismissive, but not able to hide some amount of fear, and addresses Rahkleth, "Well, I was not made aware that he was scouting for us, at least. Does anyone know that he was?"
• Holmes: "And anyhow, I was out scouting the attack, of course. Only just got back."
• Okhfels: "I'm saying," Okhfels spits through gritted teeth, "That it's a little early for a roast. If you've got something to say, then let's take him to Isadora."
• Rahkleth: "Personally, I'm for sticking 2 feet of steel into him... but you're in charge here and I won't be the cause of any disturbance in your home."
• Holmes: Narbin tilts his head sideways at Okhfels as if to say, "fine by me."
• Okhfels: "Rahkleth, why don't you come along." Okhfels decides that having a good representative from the refugees is a good idea.
• Okhfels: Okhfels keeps hold of the little runt as they make their way towards where Okhfels had left Isadora.
• Holmes: Narbin slowly straightens up looking like he's going to follow resignedly. Behind them, the crowd seems to be pondering whether or not to make some move.
• Rahkleth: Rahkleth shrugs. "If you like. Let me put on a shirt. Isadora sounds like an important person. I don't want to *look* like a refugee, even if I am one."
• Okhfels: While Rakhleth gets dressed, Okhfels has a word with Narbin. "If the goblins HAD had word from Agok, do you think their attack would have been so inept?"
• Rahkleth: As he turns to go to his tent, Rahkleth addresses the crowd. "The first one who reaches for the little rat or breaks the peace will be missing whatever appendage offends me."
• Holmes: "They're goblins," Narbin replies nonchalantly. "Who can say, Okhfels, who can say?"
• Rahkleth: Rahkleth gets dressed and straps his sword on his hip. The crowd didn't instill him with confidence that he might not have to make good on his threat.
• Okhfels: Okhfels leads Narbin and Rahkleth towards Sebastian's tent. Along the way, he nods politely to the folks he passes along the way.
• Okhfels: "Narbin... if you ever do that again, I'm going to rip you in half."
• Holmes: Narbin gets a look of complete surprise that says, "Me? What did I do?"
• Okhfels: "You called me a liar in front of dozens of people. You're just lucky there weren't any Riani around."
• Rahkleth: "Let's see... you announce to an angry crowd that the little rat Ohkfels is trying to save is possibly a spy. Inciting a riot is generally considered a *bad* thing."
• Holmes: "I didn't call anyone a liar, I'm just trying to endict what thing I think is a stinking traitor," Narbin retorts a bit indignantly.
• Okhfels: "It's not _that_" Okhfels says, with a tone of voice that adds, "...you idiot."
• Okhfels: "It's that you did it in PUBLIC."
• Rahkleth: Rahkleth moves away from Narbin noticably. "Blood is really hard to get out of this tunic." He explains with a wry grin.
• Holmes: "Well, I was hoping that they'd take care of the beastie, and we'd be done with it," he says. "Now we have to take him before Isadora, and there might be a hearing or something, and yadda, yadda, we might be there all day waiting for it to get executed."
• Holmes: "He lies," shouts Agok. "Agok no leave camp!"
• Okhfels: Okhfels cuffs Agok with the back of his hand. "Quiet, you."
• Holmes: "Aaaagh!"
• Okhfels: "I'm not taking HIM before Isadora, I'm taking YOU."
• Rahkleth: "That's not very quiet. Perhaps we should discuss the definition?"
• Rahkleth: Rahkleth says to the goblin.
• Holmes: Narbin rolls his eyes at Okhfels.
• Holmes: Agok, meanwhile, tries to keep out of Rakhleth's reach.
• Okhfels: Okhfels asks a trooper standing watch near Sebastian's tent whether Isadora has come out yet.
• Okhfels: Okhfels hears shouting from inside Sebastian's tent.
• Okhfels: "I guess not."
• Okhfels: Okhfels knocks on Sebastian's tent-post.

• Holmes: Artanis whirls about in a world that will not remain rationally still in it's elements. Trees come out of the air for a moment only to twist away moments later into the black nothingness beyond. The fire thing is long gone. Haunted by strange things, and having moved inadvertently to points beyond, Artanis is lost in time and space.
• Artanis: Out of the carved runes of the sword, a number of ghostly lights flash into the void, then rapidly come back towards Artanis. Startled, he tries to back off, but only fumbles in the empty space, to no avail. The lights hover around him in spirales, and one approaches him at eyelevel.
• Artanis: It is a skull, and it leaves a faint trail in its wake as it moves about.
• Holmes: Artanis Aeldarundė, I am Entisyys. I know you.
• Artanis frightened, "Who are you? What do you want of me?"
• Artanis brings up the sword's blade between the skull and his face.
• Holmes: It seems like many voices come from the skull, "I/We are/were those who came before you."
• Artanis shouting : "You speak nonsense! Begone foul spirit of this place!"
• Holmes: The skull hovers for a moment bobing about madly, and then it seems to start to transform. Slowly it starts to gain the look of a living person, one that Artanis finds familiar. But not someone he's met, but somebody from a painting. A painting in his mother's house.
• Holmes: "We are your past, Artanis! The past of the bloodline!"
• Artanis "I've seen you before... a painting at my mother's house. Maybe you are speaking the truth..."
• Artanis straightens up and lowers his sword again. Looks the apparition in the eye and wonders if this really is the spirit of his father.
• Artanis: "So, what is it that you want of me? Why did you choose this time to appear? Are you perhaps guardians of the world of the dead, greeting me in my new abode?"
• Holmes: "No, you have yet to live, young one," it becomes a skull again as it replies. "And well you do, there are things to be done. Important things."
• Artanis: "You speak in riddles. What are these things that I must do?", says Artanis, lifting his chin ever so slightly.
• Holmes: "There is one you must slay, Artanis, one who has a destiny to destroy many elven bloodlines. This must not happen," the thing intones.
• Artanis concentrates, and with a gestur of his hand invites the spirit to continue.
• Holmes: "We shall return you to the living world, and show you the one who must be stopped. Do you accept the challenge that your forebears place upon you? Do you swear to protect the bloodline?" the skull jabbers at Artanis.
• Artanis: "I will swear, but first you must give me proof of your identity. This place is full of spirits of the most malicious kind and I do not want to soil my family's name by being fooled into a trap."
• Holmes: "You would test US!" the skull flashes with flames suddenly. "Impudent whelp!"
• Holmes: Scenes of a bewildering nature pummel Artanis's senses. Given the odd nature of the spirit world he is in, Artanis is in danger of losing his orientation, which would seem to make him likely to fall into any nearby chasm of internal pain. But Artanis is no stranger to distractions, pain being a rather constant freind, and merely lets his mind wander away from this for a moment. The skull's images flail by without causing any
• Holmes: problems.
• Holmes: "Do not trifle with us!" it finishes at last.
• Holmes: Artanis knows that he's weathered the worst they can send at him, and that he has little to fear from now on.
• Artanis: "If you truly are my ancestor, then why do you not trust me? Why these violent means to have me obey?"
• Holmes: The skull bobs, and then seems to move more slowly, "We...are sorry. Existence here is so much different than when we were alive. Emotions tend to run strongly. But you have to do something, Artanis. Otherwise this world will be crowded with those who have passed on to be with us. And then more of this..."
• Artanis calmly answers: "I listen."
• Holmes: As he does so, the world seems to start righting itself, becoming more solid, more real with each passing moment. In a few heartbeats, he is back in the mundane world of existence.
• Artanis looks around, slightly startled, wondering how he is supposed to find his target now that the spirits are gone.
• Holmes: Inside his head, he hears voices singing to him, "Over there, over there."
• Holmes: Looking at where they seem to indicate, he sees a man speaking to a woman, aged, and very ugly. A moment later, a much younger and more beautiful woman comes along to the pair. "Egani, there you are." She says.
• Egani: "Hi hon, thanks." Taking a plate of cookies from Marcia, he smiles lovingly at her. "Rhosiar is explaining the interaction of the Rhiani religious sects to me."
• Egani rubs his wife's enlarged belly with a goofy smile on his lips.
• Artanis: At a loss regarding what to do, Artanis closes his eyes, trying to concentrate on what just happened in the spirit world, trying to remember some information he might have forgotten. Unconscioulsy, he starts to sing an song in an ancient elven dialect.
• Egani and his companions turn at the elf's song.
• Holmes: Artanis finds that the spirit he's talking to, the skull spirit, seems to respond with a voice emanating from his sword! "There, Artanis, that one."
• Artanis opens his eyes suddenly, stops singing mid-note and stares at the couple.
• Artanis: The elf approaches the woman and Egani, tense with unease.
• Egani: Egani, looking at Artanis -- eyebrows raised in a question, attempts to sing the song that the elf just dropped. The tune is one that the elfs at the academy sang with other words.
• Holmes: "No, not that one," say the voices in Artanis's head, "That one!"
• Egani: Marcia, even in her current condition -- full of grace, sways a bit and then picks up the steps to the proper Loari dance that accompanies the tune.
• Egani: Pausing quickly between beats, "Do I have it right, stranger?" Egani says, looking to Artanis.
• Artanis dismissingly answers: "Yes, yes..." and looks at the woman's belly, trembling.
• Artanis: The elven warrior mechanically grips his sword's hilt and starts pulling it out sheath.
• Egani: As Marcia turns round and round with the rhythm of the elfish song, her belly seems to taunt Artanis, but he has to admit that her ability to dance the elfish steps is uncanny.
• Artanis ragingly thrusts the sword back into its sheath and turns away.
• Egani: Egani's singing stops and Marcia rounds to a halt, flushed with the effort and wearing a smile. Looking to Artanis, Egani asks "what is it?"
• Holmes: Archelaus comes out from the house, heading for the group.
• Artanis: "I..." but Artanis's voice just fades off as he walks away.
• Holmes: "Come back," Archelaus calls for Artanis. "I know you."
• Egani goggles.
• Artanis: "And who are you, may I ask?" Artanis shouts with a shaky voice.
• Egani: "This is my friend, Archelaus. Please come back. Have a cookie. This shouting is uncivil." Egani gestures back to their circle.
• Holmes: "I am Archelaus, yes," says the aging scholar. "But I am also Altyrunak."
• Artanis turns around and seems to pin Egani to the ground with the look he gives him.
• Egani looks back and forth. "Ohhh..."
• Artanis sizes Archelaus up. "What do you mean? Am I supposed to know you?"
• Artanis: "Wait. Yes, I do remember your name. We must talk."
• Artanis: "But... you are _human_!"
• Okhfels: Okhfels can be seen striding towards the house, away from the camp.
• Egani is now known as _Egani
• Holmes: "I am human, yes, but part of me is elven, that part that was Altynaruk," Archelaus admits.
• Artanis gives a surprised look. "May we talk about this in private?"
• Okhfels: Okhfels shouts, "Egani!"
• Egani stands and waves, gesturing Okhfels to come closer.
• Okhfels: "We need you in the camp, Egani."
• Holmes: "There are already too many secrets," Archelaus replies. "Altynaruk is dead, but I sense that you seek a secret of his. Perhaps we can reach some agreement about that information? And I sense another destiny here. You think you came for one reason, but forces conspire to bring you for another. The moons tell it."
• Holmes: Archelaus looks up at the moons rising.
• Holmes: Archelaus and Artanis wander off to discuss.
• Egani prepares to go with Okhfels, but asks Marcia to come along. "Just a second Okhfels." Egani hitches Hilda to the wagon and helps Marcia up.
• Okhfels: Okhfels gives Egani an impatient look.
• Egani: "OK, let's go. What's up, anyway?"
• Okhfels: "Isadora wants to know if that goblin, Agok, was helping fighting the fires."
• Egani: "Yeah, he was. He worked hard with the bucket brigade. Why?"
• Egani: "I mean, he's the only goblin in camp, right?"
• Okhfels: "Just wanted to know."
• Okhfels: Okhfels looks quite satisfied with the answer.

• Holmes: Sebastian, trying to cool his head, sees Laura headed directly for him.
• Sebastian: Sebastian stops where he stands, not sure whether he actually wants to speak with her or not.
• Holmes: "Long time, no see, stranger," Laura says with her typically boyant charm.
• Sebastian: Sebastian smiles slightly in spite of himself, "Good evening, beautiful. I trust things are going well with you?"
• Holmes: "I had a breakthrough with Fahd after the episode with Belnif, I realized something about these spirits and that, if you..." she trails off.
• Holmes: "But, let's talk about something else."
• Sebastian: Sebastian tilts his head. "Why? I enjoy hearing about the things that make you happy..."
• Holmes: "But they're not our things. I like talking about things we have in common. Eating pheasant at Arlonds in dockside, or strolling on the Grand Canal," she reminisces.
• Sebastian: Sebastian smiles at the memories. "And those nights crashing trading house galas... Those were the days." Sebastian's eyes cloud with sadness, "Laura... I, I fear that I must leave the colony."
• Holmes: Laura turns away, "I know."
• Holmes: Her attempt to turn away is designed to hide her tears. The attempt is ineffectual, however.
• Sebastian: Sebastian steps forward, reaching out to comfort her, but stops himself with his arms just outstretched. He whispers, "They found me, Laura. I can't stay here and put everyone in danger."
• Holmes: "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard," she turns back to Sebastian. "We're a team out here, we work together. We all face the dangers together. Today, we all went to the spirit world. It didn't work. But nobody ran off trying to lead the spirit away. .."
• Holmes: "If we did that every time, eventually there'd be nothing."
• Holmes: Her face is transformed by anger.
• Sebastian: Sebastian looks away from Laura, "I never told you why I left Sel-kai, Laura. This is trouble beyond anything we have faced here. Staying serves no purpose, Laura... no one would survive if I stayed."
• Holmes: "Hey, boss?" the voice is Alexanders coming from a distance. "Oh."
• Holmes: He notes the situation as he approaches. "Uh, later?"
• Sebastian: Sebastian nods jerkily. "Tomorrow, Alexander, tomorrow."
• Holmes: "Right, boss," Alexander says, making a note, and heading back into the darkness.
• Holmes: "Tell me, Sebastian!" Laura shouts. "What could be so damn dangerous? How will anyone know if you tell me? Look around. The only person for a mile is Alexander. Tell me what's so dangerous that you have to tear our love apart?"
• Sebastian: Sebastian's voice cracks, "I, I know something that I should not, Laura... Knowing is a death sentence. If I told you, they would know, and I'm not willing to risk that... You mean too much to me."
• Holmes: "I don't believe you!" she shouts back. "I think you're using this to run away. I think you can't face caring about something, Sebastian. That's your fear, caring."
• Egani is now known as _Egani
• Sebastian: Sebastian draws himself up, "Or maybe I just do not care! Did you ever think of that?!"
• Holmes: "Shut up," Laura says, nearly tackling him, and kissing Sebastian deeply. She ceases after a moment, "Liar. You know that can get you killed around here."
• Sebastian: A tear tracks its way down Sebastian's face, "Why do you have to make this so hard on me? I know the danger I would bring if I stayed, even if you do not believe me..."
• Holmes: "And I don't care," Laura says.
• Holmes: "I would brave the pits of Charon's deepest hell for you, Sebastian."
• Sebastian: Sebastian whispers almost brokenly, "But I _do_ care, my love. I must leave, and I can not, will not, ask you to leave. You are happy here, home here. I can not take that from you..."
• Holmes: Sebastian notes that in the middle of his speech this time she's started chanting, and holding on to a strange little contraption that looks like a miniature of a Rhiani trap. Suddenly it seems to spring to full life size and act with a will of it's own wrapping about him securely. Sebastian finds himself stuck fast.
• Holmes: "You're talking nonsense, Sebastian and I won't have it," she says, as she starts to drag him back towards her tent.
• Sebastian: Sebastian freezes in shock, "Laura, what are you doing?"