In the dead of night, a portal opens in the middle of the Shady Corners. The edges of the gateway shimmer, casting watery ripples of light through the darkened building. Thalenir's voice comes out of it. "I'm not one for private meetings. Let's make this a little more public!" he says, grunting with effort.
An uordeq in black and green robes tumbles unceremoniously through the portal as if pushed. A moment later, Thalenir himself vaults through carrying a small hand mirror, its border traced in fine veins of woven fealsworn gold, elder platinum, and dream silver. In his other hand, he carries his spellsteel sword, Aetherix. The portal closes the moment he steps through.
"Now," he says, standing over the uordeq, "let's see who else would like to join the conversation."
"MINION OF SCORCH IN THE TAVERN! COME QUICK!" he yells at the top of his lungs.
Glimmer warily flits in from her postal station in the back, having just given word to Akon and Jael. As she hears "Minion of Scorch," her eye light up and she turns three shades of pink. "OH THALENIR! Can I keep him? PLEAAAAAASE can I keep him? If he's just a minion then he's not -totally- a dragon. But that's okay. I can work with that. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE CAN I keep him? I'll feed him and water him and walk him three times a day!" Glimmer pours the said minion a cup of hot tea and places a large sack of cookies on the floor in front of him. She waits, clapping every now and then at the prospect of a new pet.
Thalenir regards the uordeq with a cool stare. "I didn't believe anything you had to say in that dream you tried to trap me in. I'm not about to believe it now. Yours is the power and the will to subvert, and, I suspect, the guile to do it well. You can do far more harm than mere wounds, which makes you dangerous."
Thalenir's expression turns trying as he glances at Glimmer. "He's not a dragon, Glimmer. At least, I don't think so. Just someone working for Scorch. And I wouldn't get too close to him if I were you."
Rasiri is standing outside the tavern with his hood up leaning against the tavern When he hears the call. He just ran up the front steps and kicked the door of the tavern sending it flying open and then dissapears into a puff of smoke appearing right next to the new Uordeq. "Thelnir? What's going on here?" Rasiri cast's a sidelong glare at Glimmer then drews his sword. "Who are you?"
"Oh he's a pesky one I see. One of THOSE! Challenge accepted, pet. We use what we call Shiney Manners here. I'll have none of your insolence. I'm not insane, nor am I ridiculing you. I simply offered you warm drink, protection, and cookies. You sir, are mean." Glimmer crosses her arms and pouts before turning to Thalenir. "I won't get too close. He obviously doesn't like me, which I will never understand. That can be beat into him however. Ripper's dungeon is still in place. Shall I keep him there?"
"He's a seer, Rasiri. I just caught him invading my dreams looking for information. Sensitive," he emphasizes the word and gives Rasisi a meaningful look, "information. And I found this next to my bed." He gestures with the mirror. "You have the Sight. Come have a look and tell me what it's for."
Thalenir shakes his head at Glimmer. "No, I doubt we'd be able to hold him, Glimmer. He seems confident enough. It may be a bluff, but I suspect he's planned for this contingency. Keep your eyes sharp and your weapons close at hand."
"I'll have a look, i hope he didn't get the information he was looking for." Rasiri walks over and gives Thalenir a hard look, "Thalenir i am glad you had the willpower to keep him out of your mind, most people not versed in esprice can't keep things from a good seer." Rasiri then walks over and takes the mirror from Thalenir.
"Put down your sword," the man says raising his hand softly and catching Rasiri's attention. "I only wish to be friends." (gaze charm). "Who I am is not important, besides I have no name, I have no face, I have no race, I only have a purpose. That purpose is simple, information."
Noticing Glimmer drawing her bow, he turns to her next. "I only wish to be friends." (gaze charm) "Please lower the bow, flower of the wild, I mean you no more disrespect than you mean me. I'd be more than happy to partake in your cookies and tea should you merely serve them to me at the table like a civilized person. Shiney Manners, and all that." He offers a coy smile to the fae and invites her to sit with him, joining him in a cup of tea.
(COUNTER CHARM) "Nice try, my friend. I see no reason we can't discuss things with civility. As you can see, however, the sack of cookies is too large for a table. They were payment for my services. If you'd care to join me at the table to your right, we can begin said discussions. I'll transport your tea for you." Glimmer flits to the table, and lays out sets of cups for her friends, and the Uordeq. "You too, Ras."
[Counters the Charm] Rasiri glances downward at the mirror in his hand and he catches his reflection and his eyes widen. "Thalenir! It's a dimensional anchor... To the astral. I can't seem to make out why they used the metals... but It's working in some wierd way, i can't put my finger on it." Rasiri Looks at the mirror and turns it to Thalenir. "This man is dangerous I would like to, After we secure him, To......... talk privatley." Rasiri gets a dangerous look in his eye. "I can get it out of him. One way or another."
Thalenir's call had drawn yet another Uordeq from the woods near the tavern. Binx pushed the side door of the tavern open with the same hand that held two dead squirrels, smearing a bit of blood on the door inintentionally. Their furry heads were a mess, having been just bigger than the tip of her arrows. They dangled from her small fist by their tails as she eyed the gathering from the slit in her mask. She stood a few feet away from the group in silence, observing.
Richter walks in on the event already happening. "I heard your call, brother Thalenir, and came to help with whatever I could. If it truly is a minion of scorch, you may need all the help you can get. Just tell me where you need me." Richter raises his shield and places a readied hand on his sword, still in its frog.
Solas bursts through the doors, with a frantic, but excited look on his face. His blue eyes shine brightly into the tavern. His hair appears tussled and unkept, a trig sticks out from his hair. He wears only one boot, and is clearly missing his coat.
"Minion... of scorch?" He asks out of breath. "Came quick... WHEEEEW!" He sighs rather loudly and unprofessionally, before sitting down in a chair and tapping himself in the chest.
A head quietly lifts from it's seeming focus on a dark red drink in one of the tavern's far corners. Her sharp dark eyes watched the scene unfold. Softly Katerina chuckles at Glimmer, wondering if the fae even believed in such a thing as collecting too many pets. Minion of Scorch. What a fascinating subject. Though, when she heard the word "astral" leave Rasiri's lips, her eyes narrowed on the object in question.
Tiredly, Akon wandered into the tavern, eyeing over the Uordeq that Thalenir drug in. She glanced at the others already in the tavern, sensing the tension in the air, seeing her sack of cookies on the table. Her red eyes flicker over the Son, watching his hands in particular, saying nothing as she skirts around the crowd, merely observing the one in robes.
Katri's attention drifts back to the captive. Taking in, once more, his appearance and manner and thouse acting around him. A mild look of surprise drifts across her face when her former brother demanded audience in private and to have the captive bound. Surely, he couldn't be up to what she thought he was. A slow smile reached her lips. She could only hope. Her eyes lighted on Finian, "I think he should, quite honestly, if he's of a mind to. Maybe he'll prove he's more than a useless lump without a spine or the stomach for violence."
A smirk settled on her features, just visible beneath her hood, as she turned to look at Rasiri on her final statement. She took a small sip of her drink and sat back quietly, eyeing the trio and not looking paritcularly interested in involving herself anymore
The man stands and walks behind Finian, pulling a small cloth from a pouch and placing it on his shoudlers. "Thank you fine sir for defending me in the name of honor and trust. That man sees nothing more than my eyes and seems to wish me nothing but harm. There's not much magic left in this old cloak, but use it to protect yourself in my name."
((Finian acquires a tatterd cloak: guard 20 - expires 9/27))
Utilizing thin shoulders and sharp elbows to navigate through the gathering, Binx makes her way closer to the man in question. Her owlish gaze narrows, but the rest of her expression remains behind her mask. As he speaks of his eyes, the small woman clears her throat noticably and crosses her arms, squirrels still in hand but says nothing.
Glimmer approaches Binx after hearing her quiet throat clearing, and says 'Welcome dear girl!" She leans in closely to encircle Binx, her fellow scout and friend in a hug, whispering "Ready yourself for a snare on my count."
(After she readies and speaks back...we'll both be firing a snare.)
A slender eyebrow arches as the fae leans in to her. Her reply was a soft, heavily accented murmer too soft for anyone but the winged woman in front of her. She dropped her hunting spoils on the nearest table, pulling the bow from her back and an arrow from her quiver. Two carefully aimed shots fire simultaniously, one from Binx and one from Glimmer. (Ranged attack, Snare)
The force of the arrows knock the man down to the ground pinning him at the collar and the waist making it incredibly difficult to move from his position on the ground. He struggles briefly and the fabric of his robe tears allowing him to return to his feet once again. "Such shiny manners," the man mocks as several pieces of metal splinters crumple out of his right hand and from his left sleeve. The remnants of two charms of freedom fall to the floor as he bruses himself off.
"What have I done to deserve such treatment?" he asks those gathered. "Among you all, who has been hurt? Your pride, perhaps? but that heals quick enough on its own, even wtihout magical assistance." He looks over his robe, and sighs at the two gaping holes. "Tell me, do you at least have a compitent tailor among you that can fix this?"
When asked about tailors, Solas looks to the captive. "I'm a tailor, fairly competent. Steady enough hand, I suppose." He mutters, staring into his drink. He makes a swift glance toward Thalenir just as he shoves something shining into his pack. "Oi, Thalenir," he starts. "what's that then?"
The stranger walks over to Solas on the way to sit down with Victor. He tugs on the hole a little at his waist frowning, knowing that there's probably little that can be done without creating a nasty seam. "Take a look then, what do you think? Is it worth fixing? or should I just get a new one?"
Solas stares at the hole. "hm, it can be repaired. But it'll leave a visible stitch." He touches the robe, running his fingers around the hole, noting the colors of the robe. "I can give you a temporary stitch, but I you may want to look at picking up a new cloak if you happen to make it out of here." he gives a sideways glance to Rasiri.
"Rasiri."
Blisdon's voice was an eerie tone of bland and matter-of-factly as he entered the tavern, and stared down the disappointment of a royal heir.
"You touch a single hair on a brother of the Wild Hunt's body, and I'll take personal pleasure in dragging you back into our cabin and creating new and interesting holes out of your flesh to violate."
Blisdon cocked a wild and untamed eyebrow at the uordeq as he hung his mouth open rabidly.
"It'll be orgasmic."
Blisdon quickly enough forgets the uordeq seers existence as he focuses his attention to his Brothers of the Wild hunt and the preciously positioned accussed spy, Nodding at his friends before turning his attention back towards the growing crowd.
"You know, I've only heard one person claim this man to be a spy and little evidence to back it up. And if this is so, then so what? We've had far worse entities visit our town, and we've beaten them back easily enough."
"Truly, It is common enough for us to see an enemy directly, The stinking ogres and chittering skeletons, and sometimes even the occasional Drake and brainwashed soldier...but one so unwilling to see us robbed, murdered, or conquered? It's a treat to savor I would say- To which I would also add that there are few moments to prove that we are NOT WHAT WE FIGHT." The shaman's voice boomed at the end of his rant.
"Let us show the infinite shards precisely the quality of us Jastreyans that we wish to be known by." Blisdon's rant trailed off as he spun away from the crowd and focused his attention on the accused spy before him.
"My name is Blisdon, Shaman of the Wild Hunt and Co-Keeper of the grove and follower of the four. I won't go so far as to ask for your true name- but perhaps you've got a moniker you would like to be known and identified as?"
The man removes the robe, neatly folds it, and hands it to Solas. The man's body from head to toe is an abberation. Shifting the hood back he reveals not only dark ringed Uordeq eyes but ixifar like feathers in his eyebrows. Without the shade of the hood, his cheeks begin to show the bright blush that one would expect to see on a gnome and the sharply pointed ears of an elf. His back and shoulders are covered with countless scars and small vestigial fairy wings sprout and seem to flutter on their own when released from the confines of the robe. "Thank you, sir, I most appreciate it. It's impossible to concentrate with such distastefully ragged attire. I shall see to collecting a new one when I return to the order but for now this will do, I suppose."
He nods thanks to Solas and continues on to sit across from Victor. "May I?" he asks politely. When Blisdon asks about his name, he replies, "Secrets are the keys to power. Seek them out and covet them as your own. I have no name as to hold no secrets. There is nothing to refer to me as, so if you will, you may call me, nothing."
Glimmer takes aim quickly and quietly from behind the new guest, firing one steady shot (Ranged attack, Snare) and pinning one of the man's wings to the bar. She quickly flits to him, saying "If it was just the wings, we could have been besties for forevers. I'm trying to be civil here, darling." She pats the man down, searching for anything relevant, taking care to search every pocket and crease, while placing some more cookies in front of him. "Fae delicacy," she says with a wink.
"Enlightenment and secrets are both the children of knowledge, From there it is the matter of application." Blisdon smirks and pours himself a stiff drink, the first he's allowed himself in almost an entire year.
"The blazing legions of the illuminated, under the banner of a common belief- Or the Shadowy hand in the dark, poisoning it's victims or leveraging them against their will. Both valid philosophies, and both in tandem are capable of achieving true balance. With the help of the Oarsman and the faceless one of course."
Blisdon cast his eyes towards his seer friend for a moment, grinning wickedly before darting them back to the nothing closeby.
"Tell me if you can, Was it appreciated? I will say no more than that."
Having staggered out of the tavern semi recently he could hear Thalenir's shout. He turned unenthusiastically and started to walk back towards the tavern, remembering he had forgotten something anyways. Opening the door he saw part of the scene in the tavern unfold infront of him. After grabbing his leather backpack he went straight to the kitchen first to grab a few things before emerging some minutes later.
Jael looked like a shell of his former self, his face pale with dark circles under his eyes. Setting the backpack down on a bench he watched everything unfold from far away, interested but not about to interfere.
Binx had been readying a second arrow, but hesitated as the stranger removed his robe. Her eyes widened briefly at the sight of this...thing. Seeing no need to continue after Rasiri and Glimmer's succesful tactics, she returned the arrow to it's quiver and draped her bow over her back again. Her eyes briefly flicked over to the warlock as she spoke. Her response was murmered before she moved towards the now sleeping man to inspect him. "By Hexodus..." She breathed.
Jael laid his head on the table, watching everything unfold. He would stay here incase there would be need of his sword. Altogether he looked uninterested as if his mind was somewhere else entirely. Though if one were to follow his eyes they remained on the strange mix of a creature that was brought through the portal.
The small Uordeq simply continues to sit quietly at her table, back to the wall. Occasionally taking a sip of her drink, Katri watched as the scene unfolded. The creature went to sleep all too willingly, she thought. A seer being put down so simply after invading the dreams of Thalenir? It just didn't seem likely. She was quite inclined to agree with Solas, that the situation wouldn't end well. She didn't say anything as the trio entered in to the Son's dream. His appearance made her wonder exactly what kind of magic he must wield and made her relatively confident that he was not weak. No, instead, she quietly rose, approaching just enough to try and detect just what magic the mismatched stranger might wield and whether or not it was time to take note of her best interests and make her exit. Something violet and black seemed to sparkle in the little woman's eyes for a moment (Inspect Magic on the Son).
Solas snaps back into reality. He takes a deep breath as if inhaling his soul back into his mortal shell of a body. He appears angry, and disgruntled. A cat like smile moves across his face.
"Who are you to bark orders at these people secret keeper?" Solas spits with a hiss. "You who would risk the safety of all of us, not just Glimmer and I, not just Jastery, but the safety of all of Orn, for an oath you made." Solas shakes his head. "No. You get out. Get out of my sight. I never want to see you again." Solas turns to Glimmer. "If you don't mind I'd like to be included in this conversation you are about to have with Master Lestral."
Solas doesnt look at Rasiri, instead facing Glimmer, "I believe that is up to the dawn to decide. If Masters Thalenir and Taklinn don't want me present I will respect their wishes. But it sounds to me as though Madam Glimmer has made her choice regarding you, secret keeper."
Binx backed away from the stranger as the citizens of Jastrey began to awaken. She was skeptical about Rasiri's demands for everyone to evacuate, and Solas's words cemented it. Glimmer's outburst was what got the female Uordeq moving to take her squirrels that were leaking small, bloody puddles on the table where she had left them. She wasn't fully intending to leave just yet, she was very curious about this man. Her eyes went back to him as she moved.
"According to you on several occasions i have no decency or Honor. I'm finally living up to that Mrs. Fae. and i am going to stay here and talk to Thalenir, i have more right to than either than you, and I wanted to go alone, but you two had to come home, and don't forget you two have secrets too." Rasiri smiles grimly
"According to you on several occasions i have no decency or Honor. I'm finally living up to that Mrs. Fae. and i am going to stay here and talk to Thalenir, i have more right to than either than you, and I wanted to go alone, but you two had to come home, and don't forget you two have secrets too." Rasiri smiles grimly
"Share my secret Rasiri. Go ahead. The whole town knows I killed the cook, and that I worked with Alyial to do it. It worked, too. Most know I went of to search for Alyial, and to warn Uncle Wreynn. And now I can make milk with my mind. You have no right to call me out in a threat such as that. DAMN YOU TO THE PIT AND BACK. I wish Akon would have left you to Ravina."
Akon glances at the Fae, then to Rasiri, but nothing can be seen or read from her gaze. The woman is utterly bland and unreadable as she makes her way closer to the stranger and Glimmer. "What needs to be done. Solas, you said the town was in danger. Who is this stranger, what did you learn? Obviously you need to speak with Thalenir. What threats have you discovere-...." Akon stops short at the Fae's outbreak, her eyes finally hardening as she stares Rasiri down hard. "You what...."
"You piece of lying shit. LET THALENIR EXPLAIN IT? Thalenir didn't lead us blindly into a discussion with Secronus. He didn't say what you did, which was apaprently an Oath you swore not to break. You've endangered him, my love, and the entire rest of the town. APOLOGIZE TO YOU? YOU WANT TO BECOME AN IMMORTAL! You threatened Secronus while Solas and I stood there trying to help. I did what was asked of me and no harm came. AND YOU WANT AN APOLOGY? You self-righteous bastard."
Blisdons eyes coldly moved towards the uordeq seer and hisface adopted a judgmental grimace.
"An uordeq jumping at weak straws to be kept in the loop that he has every intention of destroying for his own gain...what else is new?"
with an exhausted sigh, the shaman moved to lean against the bar and took a deep swig of his stiff drink. "just leave. go back and teach your son how to be a slime like yourself...I think we've got this.Take the warlock with you too."The groveskeeper said as he rose his fierce eyes to focus on Akons snooping red eyes.
The shaman couldn't help but chuckle at the situation. " funny joke though. the uordeq who csn't keep a secret expecting to live up the responsibility of holding ip the balance of the forsynteril..."
Katri stood quietly as ever. She eyed the two seers and Glimmer listening quite intently. Folding her arms gently across her chest she moved to stand in front of Rasiri. "The last time I checked, filth, this was a public tavern. Now why don't you hold your damnable tongue and find a private corner or take your conversation elsewhere, like the rest of us? Then again, it seems as if no on wants you around for the little chat they mean to have. Tsk tsk, it seems you'll never fit anywhere. You are a hopeless flip-flop Rasiri. You don't have what it takes to acheive the kind of power you want. Even with a means to destroy him, Secronus would chew you up and spit you out. I knew that, which is why I never breathed a word when you told me you meant to destroy him, but to take his place? Utterly laughable and entirely disgusting. I'm not sure I even care enough to ask what exactly is going on. What I do have to say is, please keep in mind everyone, he was family and I would love to call first dibs on tearing out his throat when the time comes."
Her eyes quickly glanced back to the strange man. Secronus, eh? Were it fact, life in Jastrey would be quite interesting after this, she was sure.
"Only once your blood stains the ground at my feet, pooling together with our Father's big brother," She sneered mockingly. "Then again, Secronus may well beat me to it. While tragic, I'm sure a good chunk of the rest of town will happily dance on your grave with me."
Taklinn walks into the tavern after working on his and Morzoth's project. His eyes scan the scene around him; threats of killing one another from the uordeq, Glimmer with a rage induced visage on her face, Thalenir meditating on a table, Victor drinking himself into oblivion, Akon standing in the back with shifty red eyes, and several others with their hands close by their weapon hilts. "Did I miss somethin'?" he asks cautiously, walking nearer to the Dawn members in the gathering. "Wait I know, yer all comin' to yer senses an' we are finally go on a reapin' of the urdek scum that infests our fair city!" he says with a gleam in his eye as he views the crowd, trying to sum up what they are all about.
"Leave? This is getting to damn interesting to leave. Besides, both you and I know you sure as hell can't make me." Victor smiles wryly
"Besides since no other Brotherhood members are here, I must certainly stay to inform them of any danger that your idiocy has gotten us in to." Victor glances over to Glimmer and Solas.
"Don't mind me you two, I'll just be listening in to your conversation is all. I assure you I am here only to help and not to cause any issues. And master Taklin, you know I can take my mead very well. I have only had five so far today, I got atleast 2 more before I am drunk."
Taklinn walks toward Glimmer to see what he has done this time. As he draws near to her, a puddle of curdled milk appears at his feet and he slips and falls over onto his back in it. Cursing loudly, he attempts several times to regain his feet unsuccesfully before rolling onto his stomach and pushing himself up into a kneeling position at the outskirts of the putrid puddle. "By Githal's Arse what in the wide world of sports is goin' on around here?"
Coming into the tavern with a long and swift stride, Cail is seen with a bright white light emitting from between his fingers and seeing that there was in fact no immediate danger, lets the energy dissipate.
Being slightly annoyed at the lack of fighting, a slight frown comes crosses his face as he walks around the crowd to get a better look at the sleeping... whatever it was. Well that and the name Secronus did pique his interest.
"What in the Pit are ye blubberin' idiots talkin' about? What captive? Ye durned people are as crazy as a craphouse cat! What about Orn's secrets?" the dwarf gets up and looks about the gathering, hoping to catch up in the conversation on why they are all going to cause the world to end.
Binx hadn't moved from the table that her squirrels lie on, listening to the bickering of the townfolk. She had actually leaned to rest her hip against it, crossing one ankle over the other as she stood. It was somewhat obvious that the Uordeq had no intention of leaving just yet. One of her thin, black nailed fingers stroked the fur of one of the squirrel tails absently as she remained out of curiosity.
Delvin had been sitting near the entrance of the Shady Corner, listening with keen ear to the goings on and planning his trek through the shadows if his daggers were needed. He cringed slightly at the thought of 'mind milk' and silently hoped that the mysterious fluid wouldn't become the secret ingredient in Glimmer's cookies from this point on.
He glanced towards Jael as he made his way from the tavern and offered a slight quirk of the brow. "Hail friend. What weighs so heavily on your soul tonight?" he asked while still keeping a pointed ear towards the tavern in case his friends in the Dawn had need of him.
Thalenir sits quietly throughout the furor, apparently oblivious to all the shouting and confusion. He opens his eyes slowly and rises, calm and composed. "Glimmer, Solas, Taklinn, I'll speak with you first," he gestures toward them. As each arrives, he teleports them to a remote location, and lastly follows along himself, taking a few moments to rest as necessary. Several minutes later, the four of them reappear one at a time.
Thalenir's expression is sober. He steps up to Rasiri. "You have forsaken a sacred trust, Rasiri. You have revealed information that you were sworn to safeguard, and in doing so, may have set in motion the very thing we were meant to prevent."
Thalenir lets out a slow breath. "I do not stand in judgment over you, Rasiri. Your fate is for the Forsynteril to decide. But do you have anything to say in your defense? Anything other than the misguided notion that you can slay an immortal singlehandedly, take his place, and save the world? Help me understand what you mean to accomplish, because I'm at a loss."
"Thalenir I know what i have done and i am sorry, but i revealed nothing of worth to him. That i promise. Noting i said put any of us in danger. As far as i know noone knows but the two that went with me. And i am doing what i want to do for the common good. I have nothing that i need to be ashamed of and i refuse to be put on trial for trying. I could have done it Thalenir. I could have. But because i love Glimmer and Solas I didn't. I do what i have to for town as i always have and for love of Orn. Put me on trial if you must, make me a pariah if it makes you feel better but i'll never give up. I have a vision of a better future. Because of that i am going to walk away with my head held high." Rasiri stand up and puts his hood up and walks away toward the door. "Find me if you must I am going for a walk. I got closer than i ever have today. and now i have an even more strong desire to do it." He then vanishes into a cloud of deep black smoke.
"No, Rasiri," Thalenir says quietly, long after the uordeq has gone, "you've played right into his hands. Your anger tipped your hand, and your words have put Glimmer and Solas at risk. A momentary lapse, however well-meaning, but it gave him exactly what he wanted."
Thalenir turns his attention to the son of Secronus, and his eyes are icy cold. "But he will not prevail."
The stranger wakes up with a start as Akon plucks a fether off of him and sits back in his chair, a wide smile begins to spread from ear to ear. "A staff?" he turns looking directly at Thalenir. "All this time, we've been searching for a stick? A post? A way for an old and feeble man to get from place to place?" He begins to laugh uncontrollably.
"And the sacred keepers think that they can keep us out. Oh if it were so easy. Tell your seer to have his wound treated properly, or else it will never heal. He touched something that no mortal should ever touch, and in his malice and greed showed us everything. I know your secrets, Thalenir, son of Kessek, and the lost son will sit again at the table of the four. He will set right that which was broken in the time of the shattering and make the world pure once more."
The man stands from the table, reclaims his robes from Solas saying, "I'll just get new ones later, I feel I may not be welcome here much longer." Hiding his disfigured body in the robes, he begins to walk to the tavern door.
Thalenir gives Richter a placating gesture. "It's alright. He would simply evade capture anyway. There's nothing we can do to stop him, and he knows it. It's why he's been so smug this whole time."
Thalenir smirks. "It doesn't matter. His master may simply kill him for delivering bad news. You trade in secrets, yes? Truths? Well, here is a truth for you."
"Not even I know where the staff is." His voice betrays no hint of deception.
"You should watch your temper Rasiri, it shall get the best of you if not kept under wraps." Leofrick appeared beside Rasiri and sat down next to him. "You think that way and others will never respect or trust you again. Care not what the fae say, dear friend." Leofrick leans back and whispers into Rasiris ear. "Father, you should wait to kill, think predator, not prey."
Katri's eyes follow the stranger, still rather intrigued and seeming not to care that she didn't particularly know what exactly was going on. Jastrey was apparently in danger. Orn was possibly in danger. Neither of these statements were new to the young woman's ears. It was little more than a fact of life. Nothing was safe. No one was safe. It's why she was brought up as she was: to survive in this place. No, to more than survive. To thrive.
Tapping her fingers lightly on the tabletop before her, in rythm with some mid-paced melody only she could hear, the Cassitran silently seemed to muse the situation. As always, things would clear up when they should- with a bit of help of course. There were always ways. Then again, it was likely this venture, whatever it may be, would far from suit her tastes, too. In such a case, she would simply sit back with her wine and enjoy the show, so to speak.
Richter nods to Thalenir and steps out of the way. "If that is that then I shall be off. I don't really know what this all means but its taking some time away from my studies. I hope to see you all soon." Richter exits the tavern, casually saluting to his fellow dawn as he walks out.
"Don't care what the FAE say? What is it he calls you? Little Fish Out of Water? This is a big pond, little Uordeq. You should learn some RESPECT for those who came before you. I went into that dream to HELP your dear ol' daddy. You're weak, little one. You and your Daddy both. By the way? Where's mommy dearest? Did he risk her life too, or just stabher in the back? You should watch yours, little bit. I can be a great friend and aid to anyone who is decent. I'd help him again if he needed it, and he knows it. But you? You're dead to me. You know NOTHINGa bout what this means for this town. Sleep long and well, little bit." Glimmer spits her cookie to the floor, as if a bad taste has overcome her.
Binx listened carefully to the exchange of words. Something flickered through her eyes as the stranger and Thalenir spoke of a staff. She thought back to one of the books she had read that mentioned such a thing, but was quickly distracted by the ignorant words of the little Uordeq. A small "Tch" sounded from behind her mask at his words, just before Glimmer's outburst.
cherri busts through the tavern doors* " COOKIE DISGRACE!!!!" *cherri runs over and picks up the saliva ruined cookie pieces and runs outside with eyes full of tears* "it wasn't your fault cookie *sniffle* you will be remembered and missed, i will eat your children in rememberence and with a smile on my crumb filled face" *cherri then burries the cookie next to a large rock*
At Glimmer's out burst, Katerina can barely stop a bubble of laughter from escaping her. Her dark-ringed gaze flicks to her self-proclaimed "nephew" and then to the spat out cookie crumbs that Cheri seemed to be mourning as she carried them from the tavern. Giving a light shake of her head she turned back to the boy, her thick accent drifting over to him, "My my my, looks as if you've really done it this time. You've even made Miss Glimmer spit out her cookie. I never thought I'd see the day really. You might be every idiotic bit your father's son"
Taklinn watches the discussion as it develops, closing his eyes and shaking his head as if thinking intently to himself. Finally he opens his eyes, his steely gaze upon the impertinent Uordeq who has cast aside his mate's opinion, and it would seem, his good sense. "Yer more foolish than yer sire lad, and perhaps yer needin' some lessons taught to ye that yer dead-beat father never was around to teach. Twice ye've insulted me, my kin, or me friends. There won't be a third. Don't come callin' tryin' to smooth things over this time, and don't open yer stinkin' mouth around me again, unless yer wantin' yer smile widened by me axe." he says calmly and quietly. "Ye've offended me honor fer the last time, and if ye've the backbone fer it, we'll see this matter settled." he says with a wild smile on his lips and while adjusting his armor and picking up his shield and tapping on his axe head.
The stranger continues to walk out of the tavern, dissapearing into the darkness after taking several steps leaving a trail of jet black roses growing in the dirt behind him.
Moments later a portal snaps open in front of the fireplace and the booming voice of Scorch echoes through the tavern. He stands pround in his human form, a decaying lich, atop a throne of skulls, Freewater laying unconscious at his feet. "Town of Jastrey, Defenders of the Nexus, slayers of my brood, and general goodie goodies. I have something that belongs to you." He kicks Freewater in the ribs, causing the watcher to twitch before walking back behind his throne. "I found him carrying the staff of the mage, Thalenir, I think I'll add it to my collection." He pauses briefly, pondering something, "Or maybe I'll just eat it as a light snack, the power running through it it immense."
"Feel free to come and get it... if you dare."
The portal shimmers, showing the entrance to a cave at the edge of the wraithwood. The entrance is a narrow and steep chasm that quickly decends underground to a set of old carved stone doors. ((The portal will remain open through lay on at the event, there is no need to venture through it in the forums.))
Binx moved quickly to pluck two of the black roses, her curiousity peaked at the strange plants. She whirled around to watch Scorch's little display with the flowers in hand, forgetting about the squirrels she had earlier. She stared at the portal for a moment before turning without a word and leaving the tavern.
Katri rises and plucks one of the roses close to the top of it's stem. As she slides back her hood and places it in her hair, a far off look- as if she is remembering- passes across her face. She turns to hear the lich's speech and does not bat an eye. Chasing down that bit of over-powered dragon filth for a stick did not remotely appeal to her. Taking another rose, this one with most of it's stem, she sits back down to gague other reactions as she toys with the velvety petals.
Richter rushes back into the tavern. "What the ^&*% was that?" He looks around until his eye catches the portal. "Oh great another one. Where does this one lead? Nevermind, I'm sure someone will convince me its a great idea to go through it eventually." Richter leaves the tavern again, this time with an angry gait.
A voice thundered from inside the tavern and Jael twitched out of suprise and annoyance. Once again Jael turned to head back to the tavern, grinding his teeth as he did so. He obtained a bottle of fine white wine from his pack, and took the time to open it. The backpack once returned onto his back clinked like it had before. Taking a swig from the bottle he looked to Delvin before looking to the door and back to Delvin. Finally he sat next to Delvin with a heavy sigh. A sour frown on his face as he took another swig, cringing at the taste.
As Glimmer notices the wake of roses, her face become torn with pure rage, and the she giggles quite loudly. She flys directly to the doors of the tavern, her voice booming in her wake. "ALYIAL REINHOLDT, SON OF SECRONUS, I WISH AN AUDIENCE WITH YOU! It's been to long, my dear. My apologies for shooting you, my dear. Twice at that. I should have recognized sooner. You've bested me again. Allow me an audience in private, your camp or mine." Glimmer's eyes light with glee and her wings seem to hold very still, allowing her to almost hover as she speaks. (SEEK then TRACK)
Taklinn watches as the group is addressed by the lich he is sworn to see ended, too absorbed to bother with the insignificant whelp he had been threatening. With visible anger in his eyes, he simply smiles and returns his gaze to the Uordeq as he watches Glimmer leave. "Seems ye may be in luck, unless yer wantin' to conclude this business afore we go to meet our doom to that foul beast. But mark me words, yer fer answerin' to me fer yer insults, one way or the other. Ye best be hopin' that the dracolich gets ye afore I do."
With a great belly laugh he turns to the rest of the gathering and roars "It seems that the hour is upon us ta' show our mettle. Gather yer comrades in arms and prepare in what ways ye may. Say yer wards and prayers to the Immortals of yer choosin' and prepare yerselves fer the fact that ye may not be comin' back from this adventure alive, and certainly not the same as ye were afore ye left out. TO ARMS JASTREY!! And let this dark shadow on the world be shown what happens to darkness when the Sun rises in the Mornin!" With a crazed look about the group, the crazy dwarf picks up a pitcher of ale and drains it, before walking out to collect his new "Dragon Toy" he has been working on.
An uncommon look of concern befell Delvin's features as Jael uttered his broken response. He let the man's words settle, his attention returning to the tavern at his back. Delvin gave a curious glance towards the stranger as he walked past and dissapeared into the darkness, though he offered the man no words. As the all too familiar voice echoed through the tavern Delvin would cringe, though a nod was offered to Jael as he sat beside him. "Your mood is dour, and you cringe away the taste of what appears to be a fairly fine wine" he stated simply, "You know you can speak to me of your troubles Jael. I'm not all mischevious smile and ribbing jest".
As Taklinn made his way out of the tavern Delvin would offer a nod, "Aye, the light of dawn shall surely shatter this corrupted shadow. It will be a pleasure to stand at your side in battle".
Shadra decided to head toward the tavern in hopes of earning a few silver from whichever inebriated folk might appreciate her dancing. She had felt a nervous energy growing in her over the past few days and needed to let it out. Jingling her gauntlets as she strolled, contemplating how she might incorporate the sound into her movement, she barely glimpsed Richter passing by in a heavy, deliberate stride. Not far behind was Takklin bearing a similar gait and an expression that Shadra was a little wary to inquire about. Too curious to ignore, she piped up loud enough for both to hear, "Hello Richter, Takklin, is everything alright? You both seem somewhat irritated."
Akon watched the rest of the unfolding scene without a word, looking down to the feather she plucked. She raised her eyes to see the Lich in the portal, looking down to Freewater as he was kicked. No emotion yet rose or fell on her features, as she tucked the plucked feather into her pouch. She licked her tongue over her teeth, before walking towards the door that the creature had left though, seeing the black roses in his wake. She knelt then to pick up one of the roses, treading across the rest in her wake. She walked to the edge of the tavern porche where Delvin and Jael sat. Her voice calm and dead as she spoke. "Seems we need to be going and making our preparations." She looked down to them both.
"I despise the taste of sweet wines, in fact it has carried over to some overly sweet fruits as well.", Jael informed his friend before another tip up of the bottle. He gave a nod to Delvin, "I appreciate it... Though... It may have to wait till later, perhaps when scorch lies dead before us. Maybe then I can bring myself to say it." Jael watched as Akon inspected the roses and eventually addressed them, "I am preparing." He said, drinking deep of the wine.
Delvin offered his friend a slight nod before glancing up towards Akon, a wry smirk upon his features. " A good assassin is always prepared, my pockets are brimming with charms and my toxins are at the ready. Whatever we face on the other side of that portal is going to have a damned hard time bringing this Elf down". Delvin reached down into his satchel and pulled forth a bottle of spiced rum. "if we're going to die we might as well have some fire in our bellies, eh?" he chuckled while uncorking the bottle and raising it to his lips to take a long draft. With a satisfied sigh he'd hand the bottle over to Jael, "Drink up, I think this is more to your liking and you look like you could use it"
"Sacred Keepers? I need to write this down," thought Cail to himself as he conjured a quill and pulled out a small leatherbound book. Scribbling down the words with a small question mark at the end, he snapped it shut. and placed it back in a small satchel he had, all the while, the word "staff" was ringing in his head. Could it be it? Could it possibly be what he was searcing for? There was indeed a low probability, but if Scorch wanted to eat it, and if what the lich said was true, then the chances of it being found had increased immensely.
"I need to do some more library diving before I run headlong into that portal," said the Wizard under his breath. And with that, Cail turned and walked swiftly out of the door towards the Library, saying nothing to anyone.
The Uordeq falls on the ground rather unceremoniously with a soft thud. He stands and brushes himself off before pulling out a seat at one of the tables. "Now stargazer, I've yet to lay a single hand on you. Not a hair on your head has been harmed, not a single nail chipped, and here you are just throwing me around to lord knows where pronouncing me as a minion of scorch. Tsk, Tsk, Tsk. All I'm looking for is information, and look at you so valiantly brandishing a sword and that cute little mirror."
He looks around, getting a bearing on his surroundings. Noting the bar in the back he nods in its direction and asks, "Are you civil enough to serve your captive a drink?"