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Completed Chapter VI: Eye of the Storm

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Maggie replied, "Good morning, brother. I come in need of knowledge, though I suppose that much is obvious or I wouldn't be here!" She smiled and then paused, thinking of how best to clarify her need this particular trip. "Lately, my travels have taken me through dark situations, and I am hoping to learn aught that would help me bring light to them. I had thought -- lightning spear, or perhaps sunlight blade or even armor, would be most appropriate, for it was only with the help of specially-forged blade, now broken, that defeated our most recent foe, and I think it was not the last of its kind I will be facing." She waited for the Keeper's response, hoping he won't ask further questions but ready to answer them if he did.
 
Date: October 9th, year 3321


Location: Alicante, the capital city of Asgard


Weather: Partially cloudy but sunny. Faintly warm. Occasional gust of wind.







  • Around 12:00 h


    Lobby, Embassy of Eldshaw


    Digging up information on Rekt and Sen proved as unfruitful as could well be expected. There was simply too little to work with. All Auri knew was their race, first names, and that they might live in Alicante. This suggested only that they've not been involved in any major trouble before. Rekt, at least - for his name did not appear in any of the embassy's books. It was quite possible that it was not his real name, though.


    Having done all that he could from the comfort of his ofice, Auri was free to continue his work elsewhere... Such as right across Tenárus Square, at the Embassy of Eldshaw.


    The shadow elf diplomacy was housed in a very old yet well maintained building that was akin to a small mansion. Beautifully sculpted archways of white marble were built into the exterior, to which clung carefully directed fairy vines. Motives from the shadow elf culture were etched into the small pillars that lined the main path leading to the main entrance, including symbols of the goddess Ashura.


    The lobby inside was just as successful in reflecting the graceful elven pride. With the exception of two of the guards, the entire staff here was made up of shadow elves. Two young ones sat behind the reception desk, immediately stopping their chatter as Auri entered in order to greet him, following proper etiquette to the letter.


    "You honor us with your visit, Excellency." one of them said, standing upright and showing a small, polite smile. "How may we assist you?"


 
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Maggie smiled as she followed the old man into the holy library. "Thank you, brother." The Keeper's question caused the smile to fade, however; not at his curiosity but at the memory of that fearful battle, only a couple days past. Her voice lowered further for the same reason. "A greater demon, brother. We were blessed to have a trained demon-hunter with us, and it was through his skill and enchanted weapons, and a sword of Hellguard make found through chance, that alone granted us victory." She shook her head, even now growing pale at the thought of how close they had come to all dying in that fight. "But the demon-hunter has returned to his people, and his weapon was in any case shattered during the battle. The Hellguard sword we still have*, but I believe one may not be enough, next time. The most powerful weapon can only be wielded by one person at a time, after all! And equally important, it can only protect one person at a time." She fell quiet for a moment, looking at the vast, cool space around them. "I would bring the Maker's light into every darkness I face, and protect whom I may from the evil I encounter." Unless she knows of some rule or reason against it, Maggie would cast her Light miracle on the head of her staff and hold it high.


*I'd forgotten this when I wrote the earlier post.
 
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Auri the Insatiable

Ambassador of the Drakkar Nation
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Auri replies graciously and warmly, greeting them properly in their own language and manner. Keeping his tone warm and not-too-formal, he smiles. "It is an honor to be so welcome here. I am here to visit with my shadow elf diplomatic counterpart, if possible?" Auri glances in the direction of the shadow elf ambassador's office.
 
  • Around 12:00 h


    Lobby, Embassy of Eldshaw


    The elven receptionist nodded. "You may proceed to the ambassador's lounge upstairs. Her Excellency is engaged at the moment, but if you are willing to wait for a spell, she is certain to be grateful."


    The lounge on the second floor was a brilliant place full of sunlight, adorned by countless elven motifs and furnished with several comfortable pieces of furniture around two large tables. No one escorted Auri on the way, yet mere moments after he arrived there was a young elven woman entering from a side room. She bowed her head in a respectful greeting and said: "Your Excellency, could I offer you some refreshment while you wait? A mug of lemongrass tea? Perhaps a snack to go with it?"


 

Auri the Insatiable

Ambassador of the Drakkar Nation
​



"Both would be delightful!" Auri beams in gratitude. While he waits, he admires the room and discreetly keeps his ears open. One never knew when the "walls might talk."
 



Maggie nodded at the shock and fear in the Keeper's face, for it echoed what she felt at the time (and indeed still felt when she thought of it). "Strange paths, brother..." Briefly, she explains what happened to the town of Dunn, and how she came to be face-to-face with the demon, but leaves out such details as names and (covert) occupations of her new companions. It's not that she doesn't trust her fellow cleric, but recent events have made her just a little paranoid about revealing too much about her friends and their current mission. All the same, it would be well to have someone else in the church know what's been going on, and the Keeper of the Library is as good a choice as any, and better than most, to Maggie's way of thinking.
 



A broad daylight meeting, even if it was a relatively desolate place with only few people around, made Asher feel uneasy. Even if nobody particularly cared about him, only a fool would act suspicious in front of witnesses. Just standing in front of the warehouse like this was problematic enough, in his mind.


If it was night, Asher would scale the building and start scouring it from the rooftop, but refrained from such a high profile action. Instead, he decided to try using a lockpick to open the rusty door, or use force to open it if needed. It shouldn't take much if the state of the lock was the same as the state of the door itself.
 
  • Around 12:00 h


    Ambassador's Lounge, Embassy of Eldshaw


    Hardly five minutes went by when the uneventful silence of the lounge was broken - and by two things, at that. Nearly at the same time, but not quite.


    First, the serving girl returned with Auri's refreshments on a silver platter. She bowed her head, addressed him, and... And then the door by the windows opened, letting out two tall shadow elves. And Auri knew both of them. Erya Ryagundi - the Shadow Elf ambassador in Alicante - and one Meric King. It seemed that they were just wrapping up a conversation. It was the latter who spoke, visibly surprised.


    "Auri! I hadn't expected to see you quite so soon. And here, of all places." the elf gestured needlessly around him, as if a drakkar's presence in the elven sanctuary was far stranger than it really was.


 

Vittorio Valtieri


The Gentleman Necromancer

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Valtieri smiled warmly, and shook the Captain's hand with vigour, grasping his wrist like a brother before settling into the offered chair.


"Cern Greywall, as I live and breathe - I see the Watch still doesn't fully grasp your ability," he grins, "I thought you'd be running the place by now."
 

Maggie
​



 
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Maggie nodded with a small smile. "He puts us where He needs us, however little personally appealing it is!"


In response to the Keeper's question, she shook her head. "I don't believe so. If they are, they haven't told me. But then, I've known them for only a short time, really, however much has happened in that time. I like them very much, and I trust them, but have had little time for getting to know each other on a personal level." She fell quiet, staring curiously at the room around them.
 
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After closing the ruined door behind him, Asher lost himself for a moment in the silent solitude of the abandoned building. Realizing he didn't have much time, he went on to explore the warehouse and headed for the roof, inspecting all the pathways, stairs, and catwalks as he climbed up. He was looking for any signs of traps or previous activity in the area, and with his skills as a thief, he shouldn't have any problems detecting any recent disturbances or shadows moving about.
 
  • Around 10:45 h


    Warehouse C8, South Harbor


    The warehouse was old and empty - but only of people. Weathered pieces of inventory littered the ground floor; wooden containers of all kinds, only some apparently intact. In one spot there was a heap of rusted metal poles whose original purpose could only be guessed at. The taste of dust permeated the air. There was just enough light coming in through the windows near the top that about half the room was visible, and the other half lay in half-dark.


    There was a ladder leading up to the catwalks above on each side of the warehouse, but no obvious roof access, despite the building having a flat top. Once up on the catwalks, Asher could scour the ground floor completely. It was quiet. Until it wasn't.


    Somewhere below, the sound of shattering glass. Like someone dropped a wine bottle onto the concrete floor. The sound was quick to echo, but Asher's trained senses told him that it came from the darkened corner to the right. Then silence was restored.


 
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Hiding himself in the shadows Asher closed in on the spot above where he heard the sound come from. He crouched and observed, ready to meld into the shadows at a moments notice, or at least he thought so at first, but then changed his mind. He was now ready to kill at a moments notice, his crossbow already drawn and readied with a steel-tipped bolt. Asher had ten of those, but even one was more than necessary in his profession, since one of his dogma's was "If you have to kill or fight, you've already failed.", a principle followed by all his followers.


A lot of good did it did them.
 
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Maggie freezes, her expression going blank with surprise.  "I... I never thought to ask them!  I suppose I'm so used to being on my own, it just never occurred to me.  And then with the others in --"  She pauses, then looks at the Keeper and shakes her head.  "No, brother.  I have no idea.  You're right, this - the whole story - is something I should take to them.  Why did you bring me here instead?"
 
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Auri the Insatiable



 
​


Rather than chance the food getting away, Auri nodded silently in gratitude to the server and took whatever she had to offer.  All of it.  Then he turned to Meric and Erya.  "Ah!  Erya and Meric!  I do so enjoy it when good people in my life turn out to know each other!"  He waddled forward, taking a sip of the lemongrass tea.  "I love being an ambassador; one never knows what is around the corner."  


With this statement, Auri gave quick and meaningful glances to the both of them, motioning with his eyes in the direction of Erya's office (or wherever Auri and Erya spoke when it came to confidential matters).  With Erya, Auri did not do this unless something important was up.  Auri felt these were attentive people, Erya and Meric, their years of novice-hood behind them.  He was certain they would both catch his meaning for the three of them to retire in closed, safer quarters, perhaps for a long chat.  


Besides, the lemongrass tea here was terrific!
 
Auri

Around 12:00 h


Ambassador's Office, Embassy of Eldshaw


Erya's initial pleasant smile was ever so slightly lessened by the intention behind Auri's greeting. A sure sign she caught it. "Auri. A lovely surprise." she told him. "I was actually hoping to invite you over one of these days. Kept forgetting. Do forgive me."


"And I was just on my way out," Meric said, "Though I suppose I could stay for a moment longer. Not only do Erya and I know each other, but the story of how we met is a rather interesting one. And best told by us together!"


"Or so Meric insists." Erya dismissed him with a dramatic wave of her hand. "I'm sure I tell it just fine on my own."


"Or so Erya insists." Meric grinned, already turning on his heels back towards the room he and Erya had come from.


*** *** ***


A short minute later, the two shadow elves and the drakkar found themselves seated in the ambassador's office. The room itself was large, but made to seem smaller due to everything that was in it. The centerpiece was Erya's desk, a match of old and modern design with its four legs shaped like slender tree trunks yet topped with a surface of glass. The glass was thick - it had to be to support all the clutter on it, though the heaviest loads were smartly distributed near the edges. There was a chair for the ambassador and two for visitors, the latter only somewhat falling behind in terms of detail and comfort. As for the rest of the room, there was hardly enough unoccupied space along the walls to hang a painting. Several bookshelves ran their length, chock full of not just books but all sorts of trinkets ranging from practical to ornamental. In between them were paintings depicting various landscapes of the elven homeland, from the colder reaches of North Eldshaw to Lake Wyn and the shoreline of the Shallow Sea - but also a few showing the wild and exotic flora of the jungles far down to the south of the continent. In fact, many of the items lying around the room obviously originated from there. Things that would be considered odd and foreign by most Asgardians.


All in all, the room felt almost too warm and cozy to be an office. One could tell from first glance that Erya spent a great deal of time here. And on second glance, it would also become clear that while the place was full of stuff to the point of being cluttered, it wasn't a mess. Yes, if one took the time to look, one would see that everything here was in its proper place, for proper reason. Auri and Meric both knew this, of course, having visited here before.


Erya Ryagundi looked right at home when she finally settled in her seat. At home and at ease. There was just the hint of concern in her grey eyes and the corners of her mouth that told not everything was in perfect order. "I trust these walls." she said at length. "And every soul within them. You know this." She cast a glance to both Auri and Meric, but in the end settled on the drakkar. "So if you still feel the need for secrecy, I trust you've good reason. What is on your mind, Auri?"


Meric looked slightly disappointed. "So we're not telling the story?"


"Maybe later. Or another time." Erya replied. "Right now I wish to know what Auri has to say. Or is it the Ambassador of Daskárd?" she raised a brow at Auri. "In which capacity do you come?"


 
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Asher

Around 10:45 h


Warehouse C8, South Harbor


Asher's skillful and quick relocation did little to turn up results. Nothing, in fact, for there was no one in the dark corner below. He could make out some broken glass, but there was a whole crate turned sideways on an old shelf that was full of bottles. Any one of them could have happened to fall out, and judging by the amount of glass on the floor, at least several bottles were broken there before.


Suddenly, laughter. Short, amused, likely but uncertainly belonging to a man, and coming from the opposite side of the warehouse. It was gone as quickly as it had come.



Maggie

Around 09:15 h


Mirákul, Maker's Temple


The Keeper paused for a long breath before answering. "Because taking this matter to the Elders, while in accordance with protocol, would also likely be a terrible mistake." He let those words hang in the air for a good while before continuing. "Maker forgive me, but the Temple is not quite what it used to be. You are unaware of all that has transpired because you weren't here. I would remember you if were. You'd have had to come get your Miracles at some point." he smiled, but only for a second. That grim look on his face was back before long, and to stay.


"How do you think this Temple avoided the will and grasp of the Sorceress during the last three years while the rest of the city succumbed to her influence? Let me tell you: It has not. On the surface, things may appear as they always did. As before the war. But within... Within I fear even this greatest of the Maker's houses has become infected with her spirit. Someone cracked open the door at first, and before long it was wide open. Decisions were made, actions done - some justified by the need to protect ourselves, and yet others only made to appear that way. Sister, there is no other way to put this - there are betrayers in our midst; souls that have fallen within the Sorceress' favor and thus surely out of the Maker's."


"Hard to tell which or how many," the Keeper continued, "But I do not believe that the Elder Council is pure before the Maker any longer. Maker forgive us all..." he whispered, then placed one hand on Maggie's shoulder. "This is why going to the Elders could prove disastrous. It would only take one of them to be corrupt for the Sorceress to learn of your endeavors. And then there would be no help. Only demons in the night..."


The Keeper's face appeared truly frightened at the end.



Valtieri

Around 09:30 h


Captain's office, 4th City Watch Barracks


Captain Greywall returned a kind smile as he reseated himself. "I am running this place, and running it rather well at that," he gestured at nothing in particular. "That is good enough for me. Here I am as high up the chain of command as possible while still being low enough to be close to the heart of things. Here I can actually do something. My superiors hardly even catch wind of the issues that surface here, in the time it takes me to learn of, analyze, and tackle them. The situation is... Well, the situation is as it's always been. As you can imagine. That sorcerer girl, ach - I mean, Her Highness, hasn't made any improvements to my side of things." He met Valtieri's eyes as he mentioned Ilhirel with one meaningful glance.


Greywall stood up then, apologizing. "Forgive me, Vittorio. It's been just enough time since I've last entertained a guest to nearly forget how to do it. You shall have a drink." The man walked over to the cupboard by the window and glanced outside while he fiddled with the glasses. The training was still in session in the courtyard. "I've got brandy. The good stuff. Bottled by Lake Sharn. Myself, I... probably shouldn't have any. Been substituting with nirgenas*, if you can believe that. So I'll have that. You can still enjoy my brandy, though. What'll it be?"


*nirgenas is a refreshing drink based on nonalcoholic red wine, with the addition of juniper berries, allspice berries, anise seeds, coriander seeds, and grapefruit. It originates from the South but has been made easily popular in Alicante since it's the biggest trading hub of the kingdom.
 
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MaggiePriestess of the Maker


Maggie's jaw dropped.  She was literally stunned by what she heard.  In all her wanderings, she had never imagined the Temple would have been breached like this.  She stared wide-eyed at the Keeper as he spoke, unable at first to process all he was saying.  Gradually, though, it all sank in, and her expression matched his.  "I... I don't..."  She shook her head and tried to compose herself, at least enough to really understand and respond.  She blinked several times, staring unseeing at the room around her.  After a long moment, she looked back at the Keeper.  "Maker bless you, Brother, for surely you are right, and you have saved me from that worst mistake.  Sooner or later I would have thought to talk to one of them, and then all would be lost, ultimately if not immediately, for my friends do indeed seek to prevent what you and I fear from coming to pass.  I think -- I think I should not say more, unless you think it safe?"  She swallowed nervously, and her face remained pale and her eyes large, despite the calm tone she'd forced on her whispered voice.
 
Auri the Insatiable


[SIZE= 18px]Ambassador of the Drakkar Nation[/SIZE]

Wolf Rawrrr said:
"Maybe later. Or another time." Erya replied. "Right now I wish to know what Auri has to say. Or is it the Ambassador of Daskárd?" she raised a brow at Auri. "In which capacity do you come?"
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"A bit of both, truth be told.  As old as I am and for as long as I have been doing this, I am not sure one can exist without the other!  Both Auri and Ambassador just seem to take turns being the sun and moon in my life if you get my meaning.  As for my reasons for being here, to which I thank you both deeply for your audience and discretion, a peculiar little something happened recently at Randir Gates that I think should be shared with the both of you."  


With that, Auri launched into his tale, explaining every detail as if reliving the entire scene.  As he did this, he brought forth his cane and used its flame rune to warm the plate of goodies he accepted from the server outside adding, "These are so delightfully delicious when warmed, wouldn't you agree?"  Then he returned to his warmed plate and tale, pausing only in places where the time of an extra lingering moment would be of use.  By the time he was finished, his cup of lemongrass tea was as devoid of contents as his plate.  He placed both aside with a nod of gratitude toward Erya.  Laying his cane across his lap, Auri looked up at both Erya and Meric with curiosity.  


"What is each of your takes on all this?  I would have your perspectives before I act further, for it seems action of some sort is required, and the more-researched and skillfully-performed the better!"
 
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Auri

Around 12:00 h


Ambassador's Office, Embassy of Eldshaw


Erya took Auri's retelling in silence, exchanging quiet glances with Meric now and then. Her posture and expression suggested that the gravity of the situation was at least as serious as Auri believed. The elven ambassador, normally quite lively despite her refined grace, shared Meric's way of contemplating new developments; silently, with focus, and quite absorbed at that. Neither she nor Meric made any interruptions during Auri's speech.


"This is not good." Meric surmised.


"To say the least!" Erya puffed. "A covert military arrest on the streets of Alicante in broad daylight, involving a drakkar and shadow elf duo? If they had any right to take these individuals into custody, they wouldn't have bothered with this charade. Something is foul here. That is my take on this." The she-elf nodded decisively towards Auri. "And as it concerns both of us, politically speaking, it would be best if we acted together. You've had more time to consider this, Auri. What actions were you going to take?"


 
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Maggie

Around 09:15 h


Mirákul, Maker's Temple


"More, sister?" the Keeper looked expectantly at Maggie. The torchlight painted flickering shadows on both of their faces. "If there is more you wish to divulge, I will gladly hear you out. In the highest confidence, be assured. And here," he gestured at the space around them, "Is as safe a corner of the Temple as they come these days."


The old man's face was weary and concerned, but his eyes held some curiosity at what Maggie hinted at. Not want or desire - just plain wonder.
 
Auri the Insatiable


[SIZE= 18px]Ambassador of the Drakkar Nation[/SIZE]


 
​


(Really Pretty and Highly Cool Mood Music Because I Feel Like It - Endless Sky)




Auri nodded. "I agree that this affects both our nations diplomatically, and as extensions of our fabulous realms, it most certainly affects us."  He pointed a claw at Erya.  "This is precisely the reason I came to you.  Not only because of the sensitivity of the situation, but the feeling that you would have likely done the same for me if our positions were reversed.  Call it 'good faith.'"  Auri coughed.  "As for you, Meric, your timing is simply impeccable.


"As for what to do... although it rubs my scales the wrong way, I must admit, I am at a loss!  Going to the fort with this is just a waste of time, for I have neither the means for the magic to get them out or learn anything new."  The old drakkar harrumphed.  "My forte is preventing this sort of thing from happening in the first place.  You know, have people get along and come to compromise before anyone gets thrown into prison.  Now that these two are in such a prison, I find myself in a jungle of possibilities and none of them good."


"This brings me to the other reason I came here - advice!  What are our options?"  Auri looked down at Erya and Meric with curious eyes and empty claws.
 
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Vittorio Valtieri
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​


Vittorio smiles beneficently. "Brandy sounds good to me," he says, making himself comfortable. "And knowing now how much a difference you can make here, I shouldn't be surprised. Hard to keep a good watchman off the street.  A busy few years, hm? Less peaceful than one might imagine?"


He's nonchalant in his words, but suddenly he's concerned for Greywall's loyalties...
 








Asher was reminded of many of the stories he listened to from his comrades, as they had to wait for hours in hiding, in preparation for a job or a heist. The stories were usually bad horror types, meant to scare people, and with the dark atmosphere of any of the many hiding places, it was a perfect way to tease one's nerves. It was mostly a game, but also valuable training in keeping your heart calm, as well as a distraction.


Asher was calm. He could only conclude that someone was either using magic to make him nervous, or was a better skilled thief, both being equally dangerous, though only the former was the likely situation.


Was the person actually laughing at me? Provoking me? Asher could only guess so. He was alone, after all, in this warehouse.


There was only one choice left for him, though a huge gamble. If there was a magic user, Asher doubted the Shadow Realm could conceal him, but if it was just someone more skilled, he had the advantage. Either way, it was a chance to flush out whoever it was that was playing such a prank.


Asher took a breath, and melded into the shadows, the world changing around him. Hoping no spirits intervene, Asher started walking around the warehouse, observing every corner, crossbow still at the ready.
 
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MaggiePriestess of the Maker

Wolf Rawrrr said:
Maggie



  Hide contents



Around 09:15 h


Mirákul, Maker's Temple


"More, sister?" the Keeper looked expectantly at Maggie. The torchlight painted flickering shadows on both of their faces. "If there is more you wish to divulge, I will gladly hear you out. In the highest confidence, be assured. And here," he gestured at the space around them, "Is as safe a corner of the Temple as they come these days."


The old man's face was weary and concerned, but his eyes held some curiosity at what Maggie hinted at. Not want or desire - just plain wonder.
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Maggie looked at the Keeper searchingly for a moment.  In light of what he'd just said, she found her trust in her fellow priests sadly doubtful.  And yet, wasn't the fact that he'd told her proof that he could be trusted?  Wouldn't an enemy hide the fact that the Temple had been infiltrated?  After a moment she nodded, one hand coming up to grip her holy symbol as if to pray she was making the right decision.  "Please... thank you, Brother.  I would indeed.  Maker knows my friends are good people, but I've known them for so short a time.  And it would be ... well, comforting, to know at least one other of us knows what we are doing, and maybe could advise me."  She told the Keeper about Dina's kidnapping, where they thought she was being held (and by whom), and what plans they had for her rescue, nebulous though they were so far.  The words tumbled out of her, made faster by relief at knowing there was someone here she could trust, anxiety at knowing there were some in the temple she could not trust, and hope that her brother priest might be able to provide help beyond the miracles he'd already said he'd lead her to (even if that help was just reassurance that she was on the right path still).
 
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Auri

Around 12:05 h


Ambassador's Office, Embassy of Eldshaw


"What are our options, indeed?" Erya sighed once again and went into silent contemplation.


At length it was the other shadow elf who spoke. "I don't think we can mount two rescue operations on the same day. We're understaffed as it is."


"You jest?" Erya raised a brow. "At a time like this? Typical Meric." The hint of frustration on her face disappeared as abruptly as it had come, replaced by fond amusement, though it did not erase the telltale signs of concern. The shadow elf ambassador was deeply worried, and all who knew Erya Ryagundi knew that she was not one to be easily deeply worried. "A few immediate things come to mind. Obviously, we could go to Fort Artan." Erya didn't look or sound like she relished that option from the get-go.


"That would be the most direct approach." Meric noted.


"Yes... And we might even make it as far as some lieutenant before the military roadblocks us with their regulations and protocol. By Ashura, Meric! You are completely out of the loop, aren't you? This is no longer the same Royal Army we've known. Ilhirel saw to that."


There was silence for a few moments as a dark shadow flew over Meric's face. The elf hadn't spoken of what he experienced in the Great War - not to Auri, or any other Chosen for that matter. In the end, all he said was: "So go see her, then."


"See Ilhirel?" the ambassador seemed to wonder at the notion, glancing over the glass table. "Assuming she's not the one behind the arrests, that might even be a real option. What is your opinion on that, Auri?" she asked, settling her eyes on the drakkar. "It must have occurred to you."


 
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Asher

Around 10:45 h


Warehouse C8, South Harbor


With its mortal facade stripped, what many considered the true face of the world was now laid bare before Asher. The shadows were gone. Or rather, the world was now shadows. Still, yet moving. Black and white and grey in between. But no corner of the warehouse was hidden from the master thief's sight any longer. And his attention was drawn immediately to the ground floor, to what was on the far wall. More accurately, what wasn't. A big part of the wall was missing completely - in its place a surface of dancing warm colors; red and yellow and orange, semi-transparent.


An illusion. There was another room to the place, one cleverly hidden from plain sight by a one-way illusionary surface. And beyond it, a group of figures. Men? Their shapes were blurry at this distance, but there were perhaps half a dozen. They had been watching Asher since the moment he entered the warehouse. Up until now. Judging by their sudden head movements, they had lost him as soon as he slipped away into the Shadow Realm and were now frantically looking this way and that in attempts to locate him. One of the men then stepped through, dispelling the illusion. He took a few careful steps into the main room.


"That's enough. Show yourself." he said.



Maggie

Around 09:15 h


Mirákul, Maker's Temple


Shocked as he was at Maggie's earlier recounting of the events in Darkvale, the Keeper was absolutely aghast now. He absorbed her additional explanation with bated breath, unable to take his eyes off her. "An heir lives...?!" was his first response, fairly loud even as a half-whisper. "A child of the Tenárus bloodline? You are certain? Ach, of course you are certain. I do not mean to doubt you, sister. But this is great news. Shocking, but great. A descendant of Anglimar Tenárus, even illegitimate, is great news indeed. Tenárus blood is dominant, after all. Your friend Dina is a full-blooded heir to the throne of Asgard!"


It took a bit of time for the man to calm down. The news had upset him greatly, but he was obviously rejoiced to hear it. "This is great news," he repeated, with only a bit less zeal. "But alas! There is no place worse for her to be than in the grasp of the Sorceress... If you are to free her, you must act quickly. If she wanted her alive, then I cannot even guess for what dark purpose. She murdered her father in cold blood, after all. Maker preserve us... Maker preserve Dina Tenárus..."


The Keeper started muttering prayers and probably needed a nudge back to reality at that point.



Valtieri

Around 09:35 h


Captain's office, 4th City Watch Barracks


"We fought a war to get where we are, Vittorio." the old captain said, and his words sounded like the edge of a well-used blade. Like a sharp reminder. "This is peaceful, in comparison. Fought a bloody war. And look where we are..." If Valtieri was looking, he'd have seen Greywall's hand linger longingly on the brandy even after he'd poured a glass for him. In the end though, true to his words, the captain replaced the bottle in the cabinet and poured himself a glass of the non-alcoholic nirgenas.


"A bloody war." he said, bringing the glasses over to the table. "But never mind that. You're right, of course. Less peaceful than one might imagine. And far less than one might desire." Greywall propped himself back in his chair and took a healthy sip of his inviting-looking drink. "In fact, as it turns out I might have a job for you. No, scratch that. I do have a job for you. Could use a necromancer. A skilled one, if you've the time. You haven't told me what brings you to the capital."
 
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