Interlude 1

[Jeff]

"You may chase shadows all your life," the eladrin says when Kal finishes, though so softly he can barely make it out.

After Belarin speaks, the Emissary looks back at him. Still there is a long pause before he speaks. "Perhaps you must consider this a war, Belarin Malizia—one that few know about. You lack armies at this time, and thus with small numbers you must decide where to concentrate your efforts. You cannot be in all places, correct?"

The grig hops down from the branch and lands without a sound on the grassy turf. He seems much smaller now, now that you must look down at him.

But he looks up at each of your faces. "Fairhaven is, no doubt, a target of Malov's wrath. But destroying one city is not his ultimate goal. Without knowin him I know this much. Even if revenge against Aundair was his only task, those he consorts with have loftier aims for your nations. This is one of your choices. Return to Fairhaven and do what you can."

"Or you seek out Malov's chief agents. There is another forest, and a name, that I can name for you. There is...one who can help you, who knows what others do not know. She would know where to find the members of the Dark Echelon. And if you find them, perhaps you can discover the greater threat."

The Emissary looks to the east (to your right) and seems to stare into space. "In your world, this forest lies in the kingdom of Karrnath. But I will not give you her name unless you are determined to seek her out. For your own well-being. Once known, her name will haunt you until she herself lifts its memory from your minds. Do you understand this?"

[Joe]

"One thing I would like to add, if I may?" Streko fidgets just a moment before looking over to the Queen. "My sister, when last I knew her, was not dragonmarked and, as far as I know, she still is not. Why else would Malov have attempted to bribe me into joining his ranks? Why else would he continue using my sister to bait me into going to him? I do not believe he has an heir to the Mark of Healing...at least not yet. I do believe that he would like me to be that heir, unless something...or someone...else has come along in the meantime."

"I shall go where Kalarian goes. I gave him my oath to follow and assist him in his journey, just as he gave me his oath to assist in finding my sister. That promise holds sway above all others, for me."

Streko fidgets some more.

"Umm...thank you." He smiles, uncharacteristically nervous.

[Jeff]

I do not believe he has an heir to the Mark of Healing...at least not yet. I do believe that he would like me to be that heir...

"That is precisely what I believe as well, Lord Streko," the Emissary says. "It may be enough for Malov to...purchase his dragonmarked allies, but perhaps he requires greater loyalty than gold can buy. I wonder if any of his other dragonmarked heirs have a similar story."

[Josh]

"There is another forest, and a name, that I can name for you. There is...one who can help you, who knows what others do not know. She would know where to find the members of the Dark Echelon. And if you find them, perhaps you can discover the greater threat."

"Then, if you please, I believe we would all like to hear of this place and of this name. Then we may make our decision."

[Ken]

Belarin nods. "Yes, I think I'd like to hear this name, as well," he says. "Besides, I've clearly shown an affinity for dangerous-sounding women. Considering everything else that lies before us, why not?"

[Darren]

Kal muses for a second. "We cannot guarantee that we will seek out this informant first. While she may have credible information leading to the rest of the Echelon, we KNOW that Malov's first target is Fairhaven. We have heard as much from Malov, himself, and it has been backed up by Alvek. Whether Malov is present there or not, we cannot simply let Fairhaven fall to his plans." Kalarian points to the lead box on the ground. "Alvek said that by removing that book from Malov's posession, we have slowed down his plans, allowing him to currently attack ONLY Fairhaven instead of attacking multiple locations at once. We cannot allow our only advantage to slip away."

Kalarian stares at the box as he continues speaking. "If our choice is to know the name and be bound to seek her before doing anything else or to not know the name and be free to act, then I say we do not currently have enough information to make that decision. So, let me ask another question. The mirrors in Shadowcrest....my understanding is that they were intended to be used to bring Malov's associates from Shavarath onto this plane, placed into host bodies chosen my Malov. With Shadowcrest's defenders removed, is it within your power to destroy or otherwise disable the mirrors? We also do not yet know if Malov's associates have already been summoned, or if removing Malov's access to the mirrors will stop that summoning from happening. I think, perhaps, that Malov's reformed Dark Echelon is likely to be made up of those he summons from the other plane. If he cannot summon them, the Echelon is stopped before it can re-form. If we know, or can be fairly sure that this is the case, it frees us to stop Malov in Fairhaven before going after any members of the Echelon who may already have....arrived."

[Jeff]

The Emissary seems hesitant to say the name in question so readily. But after Kal speaks, he nods. "I understand your position. I will tell you that the one you may wish to seek dwells in the Nightwood, a forest in Karrnath. As for her name, I shall...write it down for you, so that may discover the name only when you are ready. But even that must be carefully guarded, and you will still have only a limited time. But it may be enough for you to go to Fairhaven first, if that is your will."

"As for the Mirrors...that I will have to look into. When you have departed, I will call upon what influence I have within Her Majesty's Court and investigate Shadowcrest myself, and see if the mirrors cannot be removed, or suppressed."

[Ken]

Belarin listens, then he turns to his companions and says, "Hmmm, what do you think? It sounds like an ideal solution to me. We could foil Malov's plans for Fairhaven, and then deal with the larger situation. Stopping him in Fairhaven may even surprise him and make him desperate. And desperate men make mistakes .. or so the story goes. I've never been a desperate man, myself."

He faces the Emissary again and says, "Thank you for your understanding, sir, and for that option. Please excuse us for another moment as we weigh our choices."

[Darren]

Kal nods deeply in respect to the Emissary. "My thanks for your understanding." His gaze passes over Alvek. "How long, do you think, before you can extract information from him? And about Shadowcrest?" His mouth twists as though tasting something bitter. "I don't want to tarry too much longer. Do you have a way to get information to us as soon as it is gained?"

[Josh]

At Belarin's comment, Grafth nods, "The idea of turning the tables on our enemy is an agreeable one. I quite like the thought of being a step ahead rather than a step behind...

"However, if we simply go to Fairhaven, what will we do? Do we actually know what Malov intends to do there? Will be equipped to stop it?"

The shifter crosses his arms in frustration. "Inside the manor, did Alvek give you all any inkling as to what Malov would specifically be doing in Fairhaven? I think it's safe to assume that he intends to continue his interplanar assault, but in what capacity?

"Quite a quandary. The more we know about the Dark Echelon, the better. Yet traveling to the Nightwood takes us further from Fairhaven than we are now. I know little of the place other than of its general location and, of course, its ale."

[Darren]

Kalarian also folds his arms in frustration. "Agreed, Grafth. Alvek said nothing except that his uncle intends to attack Fairhaven, and that if we took him with us, he could be instrumental is stopping him. He would say nothing else. This is why it is my hope that perhaps the fey can extract information from him while we are en route to Fairhaven, and deliver that information by the time we arrive there, allowing us to waste as little time as possible."


________________
Jeff, would Kal know the approximate travel time from where they are now to Fairhaven? I don't remember how long it took us to get here, and I think we left from Passage, anyway....

[Jeff]

Charis seems to come out of a reverie at Grafth's words.

"We wouldn't go blind into Fairhaven, Grafth. While I was in the city probably no longer than any of you, I did hear a few things from my captors before I was...well, captured." She reddens slightly, but more out of anger than embarrassment.

"I was trying to find someone, a priest of the Silver Flame, as a favor to my grandmother. The only one who knew where this cleric would be was magewright, and a chandler. So I went to his shop, which was also his house, and found it closed. So I returned that night and noticed a light on the second floor, just a little candlelight. So I climbed, and I looked, and listened. Through a window I saw the chandler...he was tied up, and...dead, I think. But I heard two men speaking in the shadows.

"If I remember correctly...."

"You will remember," the Wood Mistress says suddenly, standing up and walking over to Charis. "While you are in my domain, I will see to it." The Mistress reaches out with one graceful limb and touches the back of two fingers to Charis's cheek, then she closes her eyes and withdraws her hand.

Charis pauses, uncertain, at the nymph's actions. Then she nods, and closes her own eyes.

"....he is considering the offer," Charis whispers, as if repeating someone else's words.

"...impossible. He would never give it up."

"...who is this Malov?"

"...that wizard, remember? At the end of the war, the Queen's warriors went after him? You don't know the story?"

"No."

"You're an idiot." Charis smiles at this.

"No, I do my job, and it's not knowin' things, is it? It's not listening to tavern prattle. If it wasn't in the chronicles, then I don't know it, see?"

"Well, you hadn't joined up yet back then, so I guess no one would expect you to know. This Malov, he was a mage of the Arcane Congress but he went really bad. Went underground, started up something bigger than the Dark Daggers ever did. He dreamed big, pulled jobs that Kreelo* would never dare.....and eventually earned the wrath of the Queen and even the dragonmarked houses."

"What'd he do, then?"

"Doesn't matter. Listen. So the Queen's men, and some dragonmarked, and even some Flamer-knights went after him. They brought his whole crew down. Some excoriates, too. Deep stuff. They say that they chased him into his old manor—you know the one, that big one by the east gate—and fought him there. Then he disappeared. Some say he was killed, others that he was vaporized by a spell."

"Why wasn't this in the chronicles?"

"Don't know. The Queen didn't want it well known? So it's just been hearsay."

"Which means it isn't necessarily true. So you're saying this Malov is the same one? Back for mischief?"

"Who's to say he's not?"

"And now he's talking to Kreelo?"

"Sure is. Saw him myself yesterday. He's trying to convince Kreelo to give up the fort. Says he'll make it worth his while. Says Kreelo would have greater control over this city....and every ring in it....once the bloodshed stops. This Malov wants to start something here."

"And...?"

"Kreelo doesn't buy it. Wants to get rid of this wizard, I can tell. Doesn't trust him, and knows he's a man of illusions."

"Do you believe it?"

"Believe what?"

"Talk of bloodshed?"

"Don't know. What can one wizard do—?"

Charis opens her eyes, as if startled by the flood of all-too-clear memories. She looks to Kal, Belarin, Streko, and Grafth. "I heard a door open inside the room. And then there was a new speaker, a woman. She said, 'Say another word about Kreelo or the other and I'll cut out both your tongues myself.'"

"Then one of the rogues: 'Apologies, Mistress. We're speaking only quietly. No one can hear us.'"

Charis hesitates, and swallows. "Their mistress answered, "Indeed, only the young woman listening in outside the window."

"Please," Charis says suddenly, and holds her hands out to the nymph, palms out. "No more of that."

She looks to the rest of you, and she looks deeply disturbed. "Well, I ran. Eventually they caught me. The rogues were...nothing to me. But that woman...was something else. Not human. I think...that's the...sister...of the spirit, devil, whatever it is...that I saw in the Mirror at Shadowcrest. That's one of Malov's allies. And for some reason, she's wanted me. Wanted to take possession of me. 'Chose' me." Charis looks pale.


* Only Kal and Streko, having heard snippets of conversation from their time in and around the Five Nations, have heard of the name Kreelo. He's said to be the most wanted criminal in Fairhaven, a changeling crime lord and leader of a gang known as the Dark Daggers. The Fairhaven authorities have never been able to apprehend him, chiefly because they don't know from where he operates.

______________________________

Streetwise checks = Belarin (12), Grafth (13), Kal (23), Streko (18).

[Darren]

Kal slaps Grafth on the shoulder and smiles, his voice holding a certain forced cheeriness. "Well, there, you see? That gives us a couple of leads. There's Malov's manor, somewhere near the east gate, and there's Kreelo, though finding him may be impossible. At least, it has been for the Queen's guards."

[Ken]

Belarin looks with concern at Charis. He reaches out to her and says, "My apologies, my lady. I had no idea that you had been through so much."

He looks to Kal, Grafth, and Streko and continues, "As you say, my lord, this Kreelo character has proven difficult to find. So why not make him come to us? Based on what Charis heard, he's concerned only with increasing his own power, not in establishing a long-term partnership with Malov. If we were to spread word in the right areas that we have information -- say, on how to contain Malov -- he might seek an arrangement. He'd probably try to kill us first, but that would at least start a conversation!"

[Joe]

Streko clasps his arms together and shakes his head. "This Kreelo is said to be a Changeling. Unless we have some way of picking out Changelings in a crowded alehouse, we may never know whether we are dealing with Kreelo or one of his henchmen. We would never be able to trust the information we receive.'

He looks at his friends. "I am more than willing to try anything that might work, but we need to do something other than attempt to corral a Changeling through subterfuge to extract the information. Subterfuge is what they excel in...and Malov's own possession antics don't help.

He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "However, we still have two cards to play. One, the woman wants Charis and two...well...two, Malov wants me. I think that this might be our best chance at finding out, directly, what we must do. Six-be-damned if I know HOW to make this work though. I am not a strategist, by any stretch of Olladra's imagination."

[Darren]

"We have three, Streko," Kal says, waving his hand towards the lead box. "No matter what Malov might say now, he went to a lot of trouble to try to get that book back from us."

[Ken]

"You raise excellent points, good Streko," says Belarin. "If this changeling crimelord is so effective, though, then he'll likely learn of our arrival in Fairhaven within moments of it happening ... especially if we're less than subtle about it. With your presence and Charis' and the book, we'll make sure he comes to us, even if he thinks it's HIS idea. As a friend of mine once said, 'You'll catch more flies with manure than with honey.' We'll just have to be ready."

[Jeff]

The Emissary has remained silent as you speak amongst yourselves. After Belarin's last words, he speaks again. "You asked, Lord Kalarian, about Alvek, and time. While I can give you no solid answers—for much depends upon my queen's court—I will promise you this, so long as I am able: If you go to Fairhaven first, and you tell me where to look, there are agents I can call upon who might be able to deliver news to you. Most of my...associates dwell in Thelanis, you must understand, and therefore my ability to contact someone in a human city of your world is limited."

One of the centaurs—both of whom have been standing quietly like forest sentinels all this time—clears his throat. He folds his arms as he regards your party. "When you have determined to leave this forest, we will show you the safest path to do so."

The female centaur centaur beside him stamps at the ground like an impatient horse. "Two days ago there was a conflict above the Wood between two flying vessels. We can lead you to the one that fell."

[Josh]

"During your time in the manor," Grafth reminds his friends, "I remember seeing Ralsor's ship heading to ground. Let us decide where our next destination is, and then let us go and see if he needs assistance.

"Hopefully our other allies aboard the ship are well."

[Darren]

"Then unless there is anything else you wish to discuss with us," Kal says, addressing the Emissary, "I think we should be off to Fairhaven." The man's eyes linger for a second on the box in front of the Wood Mistress which Torhak carried from Shadowcrest. He clears his throat nervously, then continues awkwardly. "My lady," he says, gesturing towards the box, "It's simply that...well....we have expenses, you understand? And I was just wondering if, well...." Kal smiles, not self-assuredly, but self-consciously.

[Jeff]

"My lady," he says, gesturing towards the box, "It's simply that...well....we have expenses, you understand?"

The eladrin chuckles darkly. "Vintage," he says softly.

The Wood Mistress inclines her head to Kal. "It is yours," she says. "We have no interest in this. Your dwarven friend left it with me, to give to you."

[Ken]

Belarin smiles. After the tension of earlier, it's refreshing to see Kal get a little tongue-tied. He says to the Emissary, "Thank you for your time and your wisdom, Emissary. As for where to look for us in Fairhaven...." He glances back at his companions, then shrugs. "Why not behind the University of Wynarn? I've been there on one or two occasions, and it attracts scholars from all regions and races. An agent of Thelanis, with the proper glamor, might be able to come and go unnoticed."

He then turns to the Wood Mistress, pausing a moment to let his eyes linger over her face. "And you, my lady...! I'm reluctant to leave your sight again. Thank you for everything you've done on my -- and our -- behalf." He hands touches the hilt of the pact blade. "And know that I will do what's necessary to avenge your honor and that of the Court. I look forward to seeing you again." He bows deeply.

[Darren]

Again, Kal clears his throat. "Ah, yes. Thank you, my lady," he says as he moves forward towards the box. He flips the top open and begins pushing the coins back and forth, searching. "I was told, you see....well, it was a request. To find a coin? I thought perhaps it might be here...." Kal keeps pushing through the coins, not really sure what he's looking for, but hoping one will stick out from an image in his mind.

_______________
You know what I'm looking for, Jeff....

[Jeff]

When Kal lifts the coffer's lid and begins to sort through the treasure, he feels all eyes on him, mortal and fey alike. The coins are remarkably shiny, as if newly minted, and are a mixture of gold galifars and platinum dragons. Quite a valuable collection.

There are only these two. If Kal is looking for a particular coin, he finds none that stand out.

[Darren]

Kal slows down in his searching, feeling all the eyes upon him. Slowly, he closes the lid and steps back, looking around and smiling. "It was a vision I had while here, you see? A request was made to find a coin that matched the color of a dragon. It seems...." Kalarian hesitates, searching for the right words. "It seems almost crazy, I suppose." He draws himself up, regaining his composure. "Right, enough of that, then." Kal's mind is still drawn back to the coin, and then another though occurs to him. "What of the pseudodragon? Matheu? Have you seen him?"

[Marcy]

"No crazier than the dreams any of the rest of us had, I'll wager," Charis remarks. At Kal's query regarding Matheu's whereabouts, she too looks about. "Yes, what of him? Is he well?" she asks with obvious concern.

---

OOC: Hi, everyone!

[Jeff]

The Wood Mistress smiles. "I spied your dragon friend from afar, and beckoned him, but he would not come. He is very shy, it seems. I would have liked to speak with him. It has a long time since I have spoken to dragons."

[Joe]

"I too, wish to offer my deepest gratitude to all who have come to this conclave of sorts. It has been an honor and it is my most fervant hope that our common goal is achieved quickly and with as little pain as possible. Olladra's servant will not rest until the threat is eliminated, once and for all time. Thank you."

He steps close to Charis. "I was worried about you for a while, but it seems your color has returned. Should any other presence make itself known to you, speak with me and we shall vanquish it together." He smiles at her, then places his attention back upon Kal.
____________________________________________________
OOC: Welcome back, Marcy!! Missed you and hope all is well with you and your family. Always thinking of my neighbors one state over...

[Darren]

"It seems I speak to dragons all too often these days," Kal mutters.

Kalarian swivels his head, the high collar of his shirt brushing his cheeks as he looks right, then left, walking slowly towards the center of the circle, drawing everyone's eyes to him. Reaching the center, he turns as he speaks, regarding everyone. "On behalf of my companions, I thank you all. It appears the burden that falls to me and my friends is great, but we will shoulder it because it is what must be done. We appreciate the help you have given, and the help you have promised. If there is nothing else, we will depart now to attempt to find the airship that brought us here. Whether we find it or not, we will return to Fairhaven, and expect to be there within the next day or two. In two days time, at 12 bells, we will be behind the University, as Belarin suggested, awaiting word from your messenger. Please, send word regardless of what new developments occur, so that we may maintain contact with you." Kalarian again offers a deep bow to the Wood Mistress. "My lady," he says. Rising, he gestures to Amal to retrieve the chest and join the party. Then he turns to the other fey and bows again, though not as deeply. "My lords and ladies," he says. Then he gestures to the centaurs to lead the way.

____________
Good to have you back, Marcy.

Jeff, I didn't know if Eberron goes by 12 or 24 hour time, so when I say 12 bells, I mean noon.

[Josh]

"You all have my thanks," Grafth says to the council, nodding somewhat stiffly. "I will do all I can to live up to the gifts I have been given, and to fulfill the tasks that lie ahead.

Grafth looks to his companions, signaling that he is ready to move on.