Interlude 1

[Jeff]

"Yes," the Emissary then says after a moment's pause. "Let us cut to the marrow. Malov ir'Turian seems to be tied to all of your trouble, so I will first tell you all what we know of him."

"Malov is a human mortal from this world whose delvings into planar magic drew the attention of some powers within ours. To survive whatever fate the human authorities levied upon him, Malov escaped into Shavarath, the Battlefield—whether by design or by chance, we do not know, though his knowledge of the planes suggests a deliberate destination. Shavarath is a plane of violence itself, a place of endless conflict and contention. Even the noblest and most righteous of spirits who dwell there are spoiled for war at all times for causes we are not likely to understand. And it was there that Malov's spirit endured and consorted with devils in whatever domain he abided. He learned to emulate their powers of mortal possession, likely seeking revenge upon his homeworld for whatever injuries were dealt him. Real or imagined.

"Malov is mortal still, and very much alive—according to what humans would define as alive—but he has found a path to false immortality through possession of mortal bodies. A contagion, borne of Shavarath, is used to prepare a host body for possession. Given its origin, this contagion is difficult to combat, and most hosts succumb to it...allowing Malov's spirit to occupy it and eventually perish when it can no longer sustain itself. Some will last longer than others."

The grig tilts his head. "Is all of this, so far, consistant with what you've experienced and learned?"

[Darren]

Kal's brow furrows as he listens to the Emissary. "Indeed, it is. In fact, Malov's foul contagion has infected one of our own. She lies suffering as we speak." Kalarian sighs heavily. "Is this to say that Malov has no constant physical body? That he, in essence, travels from host to host, leaving the old one behind when he possess the new one? Or is he, in fact, present in multiple hosts at once? In our experience, Malov appeared to be able to speak, hear, and see through the hosts he had infected. How, then, are we to know which body is truly Malov's, so that we may strike it down?"

The human reaches into his pack and removes the heavy lead box containing Malov's book. "Inside this box is a book that Malov has sought to reclaim from us. It was delivered to us at great cost by a Changeling who came to us bearing his face," Kal says with a gesture towards Alvek. "He told us his name was Gurend, and he had stolen the book." Kal pauses, looking down at the box. He adds quietly, "He was killed for what he did." Kal looks back up at the Emissary. "I am loathe to open this box, for I know that Malov has placed scrying spells upon the book and uses them to track its whereabouts. I do not wish to bring trouble down upon the home of one who has been so kind to us." He offers a deep nod, almost a bow, to the Wood Mistress. "Still, if you can use the book to help us determine where Malov is, or what his plans might be, or how we can stop him, then I would ask that you take it and use it to help us." Kal places the box on the ground between himself and the Emissary.

Finally, he turns and paces towards Alvek. "This one," he says, "claims to be able to help us stop his uncle's plans in Fairhaven. He claims that the efforts of myself and my companions have thwarted Malov's larger plans for all of the Five Nations, and that his attentions are focused squarely on Fairhaven." He turns back to look at the fey with a meaningful glance as he adds, "For now." He again turns to look at Alvek, moving with inches of the man's face. "I do not think this man is to be trusted, but I do believe him when he says he might have knowledge that would help in stopping his uncle. I believe he needs to be brought to justice for what he has done, but I also think he may be of use in stopping even greater evil. If he could be remanded into our custody, we could return him to you after he served his purpose in stopping Malov. I do not know what plans you have for him, and I am certain he deserves whatever they are." Kalarian pauses for only a moment. "Whatever you decide, I will not oppose your judgement." He returns to the center of the circle, leather straps on his leg creaking slightly in the silence, then stands and waits.

[Ken]

Belarin's eyes widen as Kal again speaks with -- what is to Belarin -- an unfamiliar diplomatic tone! Momentarily flustered, he pauses for a second before adding, "Alvek believes that Malov's physical form was destroyed here, on this world, but that Malov found the spiritual 'back door' into Shavarath, and I agree with you, Emissary, that it was a deliberate destination.

"Truly, Alvek would say almost anything to escape punishment today, but he also could be telling the truth -- that he could help us find Malov. I don't know. Yet I do know that if Malov has his way, he will again resume experimenting on mortal and fey alike and attempt to open more doors to Shavarath.

"As Lord Kalarian implies, if there's a way to find and destroy Malov without relying upon Alvek's 'assistance,' we'll happily embrace it." He turns to the Wood Mistress, a sudden concern striking him, "I presume that my participation in finding Malov is part of the journey you've described for me, my lady?"

[Jeff]

The grig listens to both men speak, folding his hands together patiently as they do. When Belarin finishes, the Emissary looks to Kal first.

"Malov ir'Turien made a terrible mistake, along with his cousin, the lesser wizard Alvek"—the Emissary points to the nobleman, still helpless in his cocoon—"when he captured and enslaved the Lady Eftith, messenger of Her Majesty the Queen of Dusk. But for this, this council may not have occured, and perhaps you would never have crossed paths with the Wood Mistress. Before you entered this forest, they had done injury to my queen, and from that moment Alvek's fate was destined for her hands."

"Allow me to submit an imagined parallel to this situation. A woman becomes a criminal within the nation of Karrnath, and when the king's soldiers pursue her, she disappears. Presuming her to be dead, the king ceases bothering about her at all. Then, a couple of years later, the criminal's sister appears within the nation of Breland. The sister kidnaps Breland's royal prince, the king's son, but she is soon after captured and the prince is returned safely. When diplomats of Karrnath come forth to Breland and demand she face Karrnathi justice, who should have claim over her?

"A crude example, perhaps, as my grasp of the politics of the Five Nations is imperfect. But Alvek ir'Turien cannot be relinquished into your custody at this time, Lord Kalarian. That is not to say that he may be of no use to you in your pursuit of Malov, however. I will go on. But do you understand thus far? Allowing Alvek to walk out of this forest is an impossibility."

[Darren]

Kal listens impassively. "I understand your intent, even if your example does not really apply to this situation. I do not wish to bring Alvek to justice before any of the authorities of the Five Nations. Quite the contrary. I believe his justice shoud be meted out by the fey alone." Kalarian folds his arms across his chest, his Halfling weapon cradled in the crook of his arm. "If I may expand on your example? Presuming this first woman, the one sought by the Karnaathi authorities, posed an immediate threat to Karnaath, and then her sister was caught in Breland and was discovered to have been working with her missing sister and possibly have knowledge of her whereabouts, would the Karnaathi authorities not, then, be within their rights to ask for the cooperation of the Breland authorities in using this woman to capture her sister, thereby avoiding the immediate danger posed to their people?" Kal pauses for a moment, allowing everyone, perhaps even himself, time to process the example.

"That is the situation we face here. I believe Malov poses a threat to us all. I understand that you do not wish Alvek to leave these woods, and I am loathe to let him leave, as well. But if his presence would help to draw Malov out, or to capture Malov, or even to stop his plans, then I believe we must implore upon you to allow us to use every resource at our disposal." Again, Kal sighs heavily then unfolds his arms. "So I await your proposal. What do you suggest?"

[Ken]

Belarin's eyes glaze over for a moment as the discussion dives into politics.* He nods his head sagely, however, as Kalarian speaks, and he awaits the Emissary's response.

*

[Joe]

Streko barely nods. He, too, valiantly fights off the lethargy that political discussions seem to engender within him.

"If I may point out, my lady and lords, there are others here who, I suspect, have as much, if not more interest in Malov's intentions. Let us here from all sides of this conflict.

Also," he says, glancing sheepishly up at the Mistress of the Wood, "would it be possible for Alvek to be questioned regarding what he knows and what he can offer to us all? He may not be able to leave this forest, but he might be able to shed light on the darkness outside its verdant walls. I submit that a little truth-telling may even be good for his soul."

[Josh]

Grafth holds back a snarl. "Take him, leave him, kill him. I care not." The shifter looks to his friends, "Do we really need to travel with yet another person who forces us to watch our backs every hour of the day? I for one have had enough of that."

He looks around the council, "If there is any information to extract from this lowly cur, let us do it. The rest I would gladly leave to you."

[Jeff]

At Kal's words, the grig throws back his head...and a strange sound issues from his mouth, like an insect's chirp filtered through humanoid lungs. Laughter, perhaps?

"Very well, Lord of Deneith," he replies at last. "Perhaps my example is not apt. But I understand now that you have not been to court in either of these realms. Former enemies, even at times allies, seldom trust one another. If Breland had in its possession one who bore information that could threaten Karrnath, they would not lightly hand her over. But come. Not all facts have yet been relayed."

The eladrin looks to the grig and adds with a tight voice, "We do not owe them any more information, Emissary. They make demands of us and nothing more. What care we for their nations?"

The grig shrugs back at the eladrin. "We shall see."

The Wood Mistress looks at Belarin after his earlier question, but does not answer him. She has remained strangely demure during the council so far.

At Streko's question and Grafth's mild outburst, the Emissary addresses them. "Alvek ir'Turien will be questioned, and all information wrung from him, willingly and with great enthusiasm"—at this Alvek tries weakly to struggle against his bonds—"but not, I trust, before you will wish to return to your homelands. When the Lady Eftith, and Her Majesty, are satisfied....then will we tell you what we learn."

The Emissary folds his hands again. "Let us first speak of dragonmarks, and the importance they hold for Malov."

__________________________

Someday Darren will learn that Karrnath is spelled with two Rs, not two As.

[Ken]

Belarin quietly addresses Kal. "I have no doubt that the interrogators here can mine every nugget of information in Alvek's diseased head. They want to hear what he knows directly, from him -- quite understandable considering his crimes against the fey. But this will not be done in a timely enough fashion for him to be of any help in finding Malov soon...." He turns and again speaks directly to the Emissary. "Is that an accurate summation, Emissary? Will Malov's fascination with dragonmarks provide us with insights on tracking him down? I'm eager to make him pay for his atrocities. I trust the Lady Eftith is recovering, too?"

[Darren]

May 21, 2009 0:12:34 GMT -4 Jeff said:

"Very well, Lord of Deneith," he replies at last. "Perhaps my example is not apt. But I understand now that you have not been to court in either of these realms. Former enemies, even at times allies, seldom trust one another. If Breland had in its possession one who bore information that could threaten Karrnath, they would not lightly hand her over. But come. Not all facts have yet been relayed."

Kal smiles and nods his head toward the Emissary in a slight bow.

May 21, 2009 0:12:34 GMT -4 Jeff said:

The eladrin looks to the grig and adds with a tight voice, "We do not owe them any more information, Emissary. They make demands of us and nothing more. What care we for their nations?"

Kal fixes the eladrin with a stare and holds up his hands in front of him, two gestures seemingly at odds with eachother. "No demands have been made. Only requests."

The human addresses Belarin, but his words are clearly for everyone in the clearing. "I have no doubt that Alvek will be questioned thoroughly. My hope was to use the man, himself, to draw Malov out. If that was not possible, then we would wrest from him whatever information we might. Since that is not possible, then other plans will simply have to be made. That is how we worked on the battlefield, and that is how we will work in this fight, as well." Kalarian raises an eyebrow towards the Emissary. "Now, good Emissary, what of Malov's obsession with dragonmarks?"

______________
Pfff. Whatever. My spelling is more Klingonian.

I don't suppose Diplomacy checks are ever going to happen in this conversation?

[Jeff]

For a moment, the Emissary fixes his large eyes on the lead box that Kal had placed on the ground, containing the book of arcana. "Very well. We know, then, of Malov's powers of possession but not of its particulars. But to discern his current intentions on your world"—again, that emphasis—"let us begin with his past. Before he escaped into Shavarath, Malov recruited a...society of like-minded associates, and these included a handful of outcasts—excoriates, you call them?—from some of your dragonmarked houses: Deneith, Jorasco, and Orien. This society Malov named the Dark Echelon, and with himself at its head, committed great crimes for which your authorities sought to punish them. This is all in the past now, of course. The Echelon was destroyed and its leader believed dead. For a time."

The Emissary sighs. "But even in Thelanis, the name Dark Echelon has reached my ears...not because of what it once was—such things seldom concern the Faerie Court directly—but because of what it is, what it threatens to be. It is our understanding that Malov, returning now with greater power, is enacting appropirately greater plans against your nations. His alleged plans against your city of Fairhaven is merely one step, a test of his power. The larger threat is this: The Dark Echelon is being reformed, and he is no longer settling for a mere handful of excoriates. He wishes to acquire dragonmarked heirs from every house. I believe he has even gathered most of them already." The grig looks to Streko. "I believe he even has under his control a female heir of Jorasco—"

"Even still, Emissary," the eladrin, Agent of the Seventh Brother of Night, interrupts. "Why should this concern us? Do soldiers from the Five Nations march to the Twilight Demesne, to enter Thelanis, whenever one of our enemies threatens one of our baronies?"

The grig swivels his head to look at the eladrin. "Yet you are here, Agent, because Malov's actions interests your liege, correct?"

The eladrin frowns and falls silent.

Charis clears her throat and holds up her hand. "Wait a minute. From what I've seen—and studied—no one who seizes power is content with what he has for very long. When a king claims a neighboring kingdom he doesn't stop there. He moves on to the next. Malov, or Alvek, or whoever somehow used the fey in Shadowcrest Manor to do...whatever it was. Do you think they'll never do so again?"

The Wood Mistress gives Belarin a knowing look but again says nothing.

__________________________________

Correct, Darren. I considered for a time making this whole encounter a skill challenge (which would indeed require Diplomacy), but there's just so much to it. At least for the moment, it's all about words. I'll let you know if any mechanics can be pulled in at some point.

[Ken]

"My Lady ir'Vanatar raises an excellent question," says Belarin. "The taste of power is an irresistible nectar to many, whether they be mortal or not. Someone such as Malov who has transcended his body and traveled to other planes likely will not be satisfied by leveling Fairhaven and saying, 'There. I've destroyed a city. I think I'll retire to a cottage now.' Having touched other worlds, he -- and this Dark Echelon of his -- won't cease what they're doing after a childish fit of pique on Fairhaven. They'll continue to stretch their boundaries."

He looks at the eladrin as he concludes, "If a deadly fire begins in a neighbor's house, do you wait for the flames to lick your walls before you act? Or, having heard everything about Malov and his experiments so far, are you absolutely sure that Thelanis is shielded from his gaze?"

He glances back at the Emissary, shrugs, and mumbles, "I like these metaphors better than political ones, good sir."

[Josh]

"I for one would like to know if there is any way of abrogating Malov's possessions. It is likely we will encounter more souls taken over by his vile consciousness... what steps might we take to keep him at bay?"

[Darren]

"Agent," Kal says calmly, "Malov IS one of your enemies. He and his nephew have already attacked your people. And as Lady Charis and Belarin point out, it is unlikely that Malov's ambition will stop at Fairhaven or any of the Five Nations." Kalarian begins turning a slow circle as he speaks, addressing all of the fey. "Still, no one here is asking you to muster forces against ir'Turien. We only wish for you to share whatever information you have, and to not try anything to hinder our attempts to stop this threat." Kal stops beside Grafth. "As to information, my shifter friend here asks a very good question. Is there a way to reverse Malov's hold on those he possesses? And what of my other questions? Is Malov only in one host at a time? Or he is present in all those he infects? Is it possible to trap him inside of a single host, so that by destroying that one we might end Malov, as well?"

[Jeff]

"There is wisdom in what you say, Lady Charis," the Emissary says, then nods at both Belarin's and Kal's words. "We are aware of that a small threat one day can become an overwhelming threat the next. But your world has prisons full of men who would do harm to the fey if given the opportunity. We are not so special now. And there are many of your artificers and magicians who would kill us, to use our bodies and our spirits to fuel their magic. We are a magical kind, and will always be a tantalizing prize. Are we to engage all of these men and women?"

"Wiser words, still, Emissary," the Agent says with a slight bow to the grig.

Then the Agent fixes his eyes on Kal, and Kal feels a fleeting sense of vulnerability under the scrutiny. The eladrin's pupilless golden eyes glow with scathing intent. "I believe, human, that some fey have been known to attack humans. My liege, the Seventh Brother of Night, has many such...aggressive inhabitants living in his domain. Many of my lord's subjects are therefore, by your logic, your enemies for such past occurances. Therefore I formally invite you, Lord Kalarian, to take holiday there sometime...whenever you desire. " The eladrin finishes with a faint smile. The vegetation-covered giant that stands not far behind him stirs, and Kal feels certain that the black pits of its eyes are now on him, too.

"I will say this," the Emissary says, attempting to clear the tension. "I recognize the threat Malov poses, but it is not Malov himself that involves the fey at length. His capture of Lady Eftith brought us here first, to speak with you, but it is those he may be working with that concerns us most."

The Wood Mistress shakes her head, her expression troubled, and moves to sit back down on the log beside Amal.

"But that is not something we will speak about today," the grig goes on. "It is enough for you now to understand that we have an interest in seeing Malov's plans aborted. Still, that does not make it our war. By your words, I think you have already understood this." He looks to Kal pointedly.

He gestures to Grafth. "We do not know the particulars of Malov's powers of possession, but they do emulate a devil's natural skill for the same. Though, Malov's requires this contagion of his to access a new host, quite unlike a devil, which can reach out to mortal souls through various other means, given the opportunity. Under her care, the Wood Mistress may be able to assist your friend Goran in driving the spirit out, but it is a lengthy task and requires his cooperation. Such methods will not help you with Malov's possessed. What you need are those skilled in exorcism. I can, perhaps...recommend some with whom to consult."

"Is it possible to trap him inside of a single host, so that by destroying that one we might end Malov, as well?"

"No. That is unlikely. For example, if your friend Goran were to be killed, it would expel the spirit that possesses him but not destroy it. With Malov it is almost certainly the same."

[Darren]

May 24, 2009 9:01:09 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Then the Agent fixes his eyes on Kal, and Kal feels a fleeting sense of vulnerability under the scrutiny. The eladrin's pupilless golden eyes glow with scathing intent. "I believe, human, that some fey have been known to attack humans. My liege, the Seventh Brother of Night, has many such...aggressive inhabitants living in his domain. Many of my lord's subjects are therefore, by your logic, your enemies for such past occurances. Therefore I formally invite you, Lord Kalarian, to take holiday there sometime...whenever you desire. " The eladrin finishes with a faint smile. The vegetation-covered giant that stands not far behind him stirs, and Kal feels certain that the black pits of its eyes are now on him, too.

Kalarian grins at the eladrin. "Ask your liege to prepare his finest room for me, then." Kal smiles at the Emissary and gives him a wink.

"It seems that my companions and I have been tasked with stopping Malov and his associates, and even if the authorities of the Five Nations could be convinced to rally against him, there simply is not time to seek their involvement. So it will fall to us, and I think we are more than able." Kal's lips curve upwards with self-confidence. "Now, how DO we stop him? If killing one of his hosts simply frees him to move to another, how do we remove that threat? And once we do, how do we identify the remainder of this Dark Echelon, so that we may stop it?"

[Ken]

Belarin speaks up. "If I may be so bold, Lord Kalarian," he says, "perhaps the experts on exorcism that the Emissary mentioned could provide information on how to contain and destroy Malov's spirit. At the very least, they should interesting stories to tell!" He looks to the grig and continues, "Any references about these 'exorcists' would be appreciated, of course, sir ... and for our part, we'll do all we can to address your concerns as well. What of these others in the Dark Echelon? Do you know their names?"

[Joe]

Streko listens intently. He frowns, just slightly. "If the exorcism can destroy the spirit of Malov, then fine, although my understanding of such things doesn't seem to suggest that this is necessarily possible, espcecially if Malov's true body still lives. However, much like our book, Kal, which we keep in a recepticle designed to shield it's rpesence from Malov, pehaps his spirit may be trapped in a vessel of sorts...until such time as we can either find his body and eliminate it or his body, soulless, withers to dust. Either way, we must take the fight to him. We cannot wait for him to find and possess each of us in turn, as he already has on various occassions." Streko glances over at Charis and makes eye-contact with her, but says nothing else on the subject.

[Jeff]

"Ask your liege to prepare his finest room for me, then." Kal smiles at the Emissary and gives him a wink.

The eladrin merely holds Kal's gaze, a quiet menace in his lingering smile.

"What you need are those skilled in exorcism."

"We cannot wait for him to find and possess each of us in turn, as he already has on various occassions." Streko glances over at Charis and makes eye-contact with her, but says nothing else on the subject."

Charis meets Streko's gaze and frowns, clearly uncomfortable. Then she turns to take in all of her companions. "The Silver Flame," she says, "Has more exorcists in its ranks than any other religion. My brother, in Flamekeep, might be able to point us to someone. If we could get to Fairhaven, or any city, I could even send him a message."

Charis stares into space for a long moment, seeming to focus on her own words. She seems clouded with indecision. "I...I'd like that."

"...and for our part, we'll do all we can to address your concerns as well. What of these others in the Dark Echelon? Do you know their names?"

The Emissary answers Belarin, "We do not know who they are. It is only a rumor that came into my acquaintance." He cocks his head and regards Streko. "You mentioned a sister to the Wood Mistress, Lord Streko. I believe this very sister of yours may be under Malov's watch....to be used, perhaps, to goad a dragonmarked Jorasco into his service. I do not think she is helping him knowingly, knowing what he is. I do not think she is in immediate duress. But I'm afraid that's all I can tell you."

"I can, however," he goes on, looking to Kal. "Direct you to one who may know where to find members of the Dark Echelon. Whether Malov himself is among them now, I cannot say."

[Darren]

"I'd prefer to remove the head and let the body wither," Kal says with a frown, "but if we must fight our way up the ladder, instead, we will do what we must." Again, Kal's eyes linger over the captive Alvek. He opens his mouth, about to say something, then closes it, setting his mouth into a hard line. It is clear that his frustration is beginning to win out over his diplomacy. Still, he keeps his voice level and calm as he speaks. "Point us in whatever direction you can, good Emissary, and then let us be on our way. I fear we have much to do and little time left to do it."

[Ken]

Belarin looks at Charis sympathetically as she speaks, and he glances over at the Wood Mistress, who has been extremely quiet during the last few minutes. Is she staying silent in deference to the Emissary's authority, or is it something else? He is pleased, however, to hear the Emissary's belief that Streko's sister is probably still alive.

Despite his awareness of the fey's penchant for leisurely discussion, Belarin -- like Kal -- is starting to lose patience with the drips and drabs of information. He politely nods at the Emissary as Kal finishes speaking.

[Josh]

If we could get to Fairhaven, or any city, I could even send him a message.

"We have reason to believe that Fairhaven should indeed be our next destination. The message I received in Passage strongly insinuated that Malov's 'war', were it to start, would start in Fairhaven."

Looking to Charis, the shifter continues, "Messages can be easily intercepted... if we are to speak with him, let us do so face to face."

[Joe]

Streko nods in agreement.

"I believe my good friend Grafth is correct. We should go to Fairhaven as quickly as possible. Charis can contact her brother and we, in turn, can begin to discern the whereabouts of Malov." He looks over at Kal with a grin. "Jump to the top run, as it were."

[Jeff]

"I'd prefer to remove the head and let the body wither," Kal says with a frown, "but if we must fight our way up the ladder, instead, we will do what we must."

"I understand your frustration," the Emissary replies. "As I do your sense of...urgency. All of you. We shall conclude this council shortly. Do not despair that this meeting has been fruitless. You are not alone in your awareness of Malov and the threat he poses, though your knowledge is limited. I will beseech my acquaintances at the Court of Dusk and discover what assistance we may be able to offer you."

For the first time, the grig draws out the tiny blade on his belt. He points it at Alvek with emphasis. "And I will see to it whatever can be learned from him shall be imparted to you while it can still be useful."

"We have reason to believe that Fairhaven should indeed be our next destination.

"Then a dilemma lies before you," the Emissary interrupts respectively. "For the one I can refer you to will send you elsewhere, if you wish to strike against the Dark Echelon directly."

Looking to Charis, the shifter continues, "Messages can be easily intercepted... if we are to speak with him, let us do so face to face."

Charis sighs. "My brother is in Thrane, not Aundair. If I could get a message home, I know of...others who could perhaps tell us where to look within Fairhaven for help."

[Darren]

Kal's frustration bursts, though it is not directed at anyone in particular. "Always we chase after Malov without any knowledge of what we are chasing. From Fairhaven, to Passage, to Shadowcrest. Always we think we are closing in, but we know nothing!" Kal's shoulders slump for only a moment before he draws himself up, his back straightening, his face calming with a visible effort. "I am sorry, my friends. I should not allow frustration to get the better of me."

Kalarian places a hand on his chin, thinking about the options placed before the group. "Emissary, tell us of your informant. We know that Malov's plans are against Fairhaven, but that doesn't necessarily mean that he is present there, himself. Let us hear all that the fey have to say, then we will make our decision."

[Josh]

Grafth nods his agreement, arms crossed.

[Jeff]

"I am sorry, my friends. I should not allow frustration to get the better of me."

"A symptom of your race," the eladrin Agent says with a condescending tone. "You are not to be blamed. I wonder, human, if you have ever had an enemy before this Malov entered your life. Do all human enemies tell you of their plans and their whereabouts, so that you might oppose them more easily?" The eladrin pauses, then says more genuinely. "What...were you expecting?"

The Emissary's face remains alien and unreadable, and he merely stares back at Kal for a moment in silence, after the human's outburst.

[Darren]

Kalarian looks at the eladrin with his own condescending smile. He is once again relaxed. "Of course not. I meant only that we have been chasing shadows without ever truly gathering all of the information. Our impatience has allowed our enemy to stay one step ahead of us." The smile leaves Kal's face and his brows lower. He leans towards the eladrin as he speaks. "Do not question my experience with enemies. I have seen too much bloodshed to have it belittled by the likes of you."

Kal straightens again, the smile returning to his face, and turns to the Emissary and then the Wood Mistress, offering each of them a bow. "My apologies."

[Ken]

Belarin follows up Kal's comment with a placating gesture and says to the eladrin, "Yes, you certainly understand that we humans are prone to frustration. It's a flaw of our race that our emotions surge when dangerous mysteries remain out of our grasp, just as other beings evince similar flaws when useful, productive ideas remain out of their grasp." Smiling as warmly as possible, he turns away from the Agent and winks surreptiously at Kal.

To the Emissary, he says, "Sir, you say that your information would lead us to a destination other than Fairhaven. What do you know? You clearly believe that the reformation of the Dark Echelon poses a much greater threat than Malov can alone, and I understand that our pursuit of a crazed boar could blind us to the greater threat of the wolfpack behind us. At this point, all things being equal, I'd prefer to see what defenses Lady Charis' contacts in Flamekeep could provide, but we'd obviously like to hear all options.'