Chapter 5: Blood and Fire

[Jeff]

Lamara looks at each speaker, in turn, in quick succession. "I understand there is urgency in whatever tasks you have," she replies. "I will be mindful."

"Master Inquisitive, the sooner we can assist the Five Nations in defeating the ir'Turian threat."

She quickly holds her hand out. "Please, say nothing of this yet! The less I know right now the better. I must begin objectively. I will begin with your papers and your equipment, so you can take them back sooner than later. Once I give permission." She glances at Lord Dassek and the wizards...then back to your party. "What you can do is talk amongst yourselves."

She looks to Streko specifically with an unreadable expression. "And decide just what it is you intend to do to 'assist the Five Nations.'"

With that, Lamara speaks quietly with the wizards for a moment, then takes the indentification papers from them and begins to flick through them, studying each with a critical eye.

Lord Dassek and the wizards move further away, giving the rest of you a little space and a little privacy. The Medani inquisitive continues her examination of papers and equipment quietly.

[Darren]

Kal says nothing, just watches the woman intently with his arms folded. He glances towards Streko, Belarin and Grafth and shakes his head ever so slightly, then returns to his examination of the inquisitive.

[Josh]

"Talk amongst yourselves, indeed." mumbles the shifter, looking toward his companions.

[Jeff's backup]

"When we are finished here," Lord Dassek replies, "I can take you to the Deneith enclave. But what you have to say may be relevant to the Queen's court as well. I would ask that you speak with her representatives first, along with them." He indicates Kal and his party. "Perhaps they correlate, perhaps not. It would be a favor to me, as I prefer to remain with them to expedite their interrogation. As always, you will remain with me. You are not a suspect in their case."

"Very well," Condign says to the Aundairian with a quick nod and turns his attention to the others. As he sees the Inquisitive turn away to inspect their belongings, he steps forward to stand among them. "With your permission, I would remain with you for a while longer. Lord Dassek believes that I also need to speak with the Queen's representatives before proceeding to House Deneith." The tiefling glances at each person with his unsettling gold gaze. "I would also like to, if asked, speak to your character. I have known you only briefly, but I believe your actions do not portend evil."

[Jeff]

When Lamara d'Medani finishes rifling through the identification papers, she sets them aside, draws on a pair of skin-tight gloves, and begins sifting through the rest of your gear with mechanical precision. She sets to one side the lead case and the scroll the Emissary gave to you—clearly she intends to learn more about those later, or possibly ask you about them.

But for now she works quietly.

Charis speaks, keeping her voice low. "The first thing I'd like to do when we're free is to get to the Sivis message station. The sooner I can send word to my grandmother in Flamekeep, the sooner she might get word to Aldronivus. He's the only one we know for sure who has to know something, right?" She pauses. "Well, he always knows something."

Ralsor nods. "I'm for that. Where else, other than House Deneith and maybe Jorasco did you want to go? If Malov is cooking something up in this city...how do we find it?"

Charis looks at Condign, uncertainty in her expression, as if she's not sure she wants to say this or not. "Condign...what is this warning you bring? Will you tell us?"

[Ken]

Aug 19, 2009 5:32:42 GMT -4 Jeff's backup said:

The tiefling glances at each person with his unsettling gold gaze. "I would also like to, if asked, speak to your character. I have known you only briefly, but I believe your actions do not portend evil."

Belarin smiles and says softly, "That's very gracious of you. Normally, I wouldn't be sure that they would listen to the words of a stranger, particularly a tiefling -- no offense, I simply mean that the more ignorant folks of the world are unfairly suspicious of your people. Yet you certainly have a commanding presence."

After Ralsor speaks, he opens his mouth to answer, but then he glances at Kalarian, looks back toward Lamara, and says simply, "One thing at a time, Captain."

He continues to watch Lamara appraisingly as she examines their belongings. "I like the gloves."

[Josh]

Charis:

"The first thing I'd like to do when we're free is to get to the Sivis message station. The sooner I can send word to my grandmother in Flamekeep, the sooner she might get word to Aldronivus. He's the only one we know for sure who has to know something, right?" She pauses. "Well, he always knows something."

Grafth nods, "This makes sense. My first order of business, however, will be some shopping. And some real food."

[Joe]

Streko nods at Grafth's words.

"We could all do with some good food. Not to say the food aboard your ship, Captain, was anything less than satisfying, however...I think Charis should indeed go to House Sivis, but not alone. She would be too easy and tempting a target. Again, dear Charis, I do not mean to sound disrespectful, but too many companions have died and disappeared on this journey and we have been ambushed and attacked one too many times to hope that it might not happen here. Especially as Malov knows our intent. He will attempt to kill us, I have no doubt, or worse, turn us unwillingly to his cause. None of us should go anywhere in Fairhaven without escort."

[Darren]

"I will stay with you all," Kal chimes in, "but I intend to go to the Deneith enclave as soon as possible and see Lady Korvine d'Deneith." Kal eyes Grafth. "Given how she was treated the last time we met with her, I would not be offended or surprised if you all chose not to come with me."

[Joe]

"Kal, in an odd way, I am in her debt for bringing us together for this adventure. Or perhaps she owes me. In any event, it would be an honor to join you for your meeting. We must remember, however, that Malov might have already infiltrated not just House Deneith, but Jorasco and, dare I say it, perhaps even..."

He nods his head toward the Inquisitive.

"Who knows who we can trust any longer? Any dragonmarked individual may be a target. Any individual period, in fact. We are but fodder for his use and disposal.

Forgive me my morbidity. I simply offer up the thought. We must be careful and we must stay together if we are to survive this. Malov fears that we can stop him. We must discover a way to use that fear to our advantage."

[Josh]

Kal eyes Grafth. "Given how she was treated the last time we met with her, I would not be offended or surprised if you all chose not to come with me."

"I hope you are not insisting that I treated your Lady disrespectfully!" Grafth says dismissively. "As I recall, I was the only one who didn't think our food had been poisoned."

Forgive me my morbidity. I simply offer up the thought. We must be careful and we must stay together if we are to survive this. Malov fears that we can stop him. We must discover a way to use that fear to our advantage."

"A dangerous seed to plant, my friend. We have been dealt nothing but hardship when we were too distrustful. Before we met you, fear and doubt ran rampant in our party, so much so that many opportunities to make allies were lost."

The shifter looks around the group with intent. "Let us be careful, but let us refrain from giving in to cynicism."

[Jeff's backup]

Charis looks at Condign, uncertainty in her expression, as if she's not sure she wants to say this or not. "Condign...what is this warning you bring? Will you tell us?"

Condign looks at Charis as she poses her question. He holds her gaze for several moments, but, despite the uncertainty in her voice, the human never breaks eye contact. Unexpectedly, Condign turns his head away and looks down at the wooden planks of the airship's deck. His expression is a knot of conflict as he ponders her question. The tiefilng does not move, but you can tell the creature is at a crossroads, and the deliberations within itself are momentous. A few minutes pass before Condign's expression relaxes and he looks back at Charis.

"My lady, one of my charges is to bring a message to the leaders of the Five Nations. I do not lightly set aside my obligations, nor fail to discharge them exactly as instructed. Honor demands fealty to duty." Then Condign does something you have not seen before: he smiles. "However, I was not told that the message was meant exclusively for these leaders, nor that they should hear it first. I have decided that I can impart some of the warning without breaking honor."

Looking at everyone gathered around him, he continues: "Unusual events transpire in my land. Disparate bands of barbarians wander throughout Fah'lrrg. These tribes of men have always, in the past, mistrusted one another, making it easier for my clan, charged with keeping the evil from escaping Fah'lrrg, to maintain the border between my land and yours. Recently, our scouts have reported that the tribes have been uniting under one banner. This is very unusual. And very serious. Should their intent be to invade the Five Nations, my clan may not be able to stop the onslaught. That is the basics of my message." He pauses for a moment. "I wonder if this Malov could be involved?"

[Darren]

Kal nods his head deeply towards Grafth, almost a small bow. When he looks up, he grins at the shifter.

Listening to Condign speak, he moves to the side of the ship and sits on the ground, his legs extended in front of him. Kalarian begins stroking Tangat's head as the wolfdog comes to lie down next to Kal with his head in the man's lap. He sighs. "One problem at a time, Condign," he says with a sad smile and a glance towards the inquisitive.

[Ken]

Belarin reacts with feigned shock. "Well, that's what I said! And now that we're talking openly - despite Kal's nudge-nudge-wink-wink suggestion earlier," he says, now turning to Condign, "yes, I'd be surprised if the events are not connected. And Streko, I look to you as a source of positive reinforcement and strength, my friend. Let me carry the burden of paranoia. I'm good at it." He smiles supportively at the halfling.

[Jeff]

Condign:

Should their intent be to invade the Five Nations, my clan may not be able to stop the onslaught. That is the basics of my message.

Ralsor shakes his head. "That sounds...big. I'd really like to pass this along to Aldronivus, too. No telling what House Deneith or the Queen's men will think of this. No doubt they hear all kinds of reports, some real, most empty. But Aldronivus...he'll take it seriously, if it is real. Somehow I just think he'd know."

Charis nods. "Agreed. He's always known what to do. And between everyone I've met—the fey, Dassek, this inquistivie—Aldronivus is the one I trust the most."

Ralsor looks to Condign to explain. "Aldronivus is a human, an old friend. And, as it turns out"—he looks to Charis—"a sort of uncle figure to both Charis and I. He's a mage or priest of some kind, very smart, very good. And he's the one who gave Grafth here a dragonshard which just saved all of us from that damnable Dissolution. It gave greater power to the elemental that propels this ship."

Meanwhile, Lamara d'Medani continues her work. When she finishes with your equipment, she keeps the lead case (with book inside) and the Emissary's scrollcase aside, then speaks quietly with the wizards.

The staff wizard gestures, and the floating disk with your equipment (and identification papers) drifts over to you where you stand speaking privately. The wizard nods, indicating you're free to take back your gear. The weapons disk remains where it is.

The half-elf inquisitive then begins to stroll about the deck. She withdraws from her coat a wand, makes a sweeping gesture with it, and its tip glows pure white light. First she walks a circuit around the upper deck, observing the scars of battle, the broken railing and scuffed gunwale. She crouches over the fallen warforged and dabs at the alchemical fluid that leaked like blood from their artificial bodies.

Next she kneels and examines the wide, circular scorch mark in the wood. She holds her light-wand low to the deck, removes the glove from one hand, and rubs at the wood with her bare fingers, studying it.

Beside you, Ralsor sighs as he watches. "Soarwood is extremely expensive," he mourns. "Fixing that's going to be a bloody pain in the...uhh, asperities of dealing with my house."

When she's finished, Lamara stands again and addresses everyone. "I understand an Emerald Claw agent is incarcerated below as well? I would speak with him first, then you may take him wherever he needs to go."

She turns and looks at your party. "I will approve your removal from here, for the time being...while I search the rest of the ship."

Lord Dassek steps forward. "Do you need to question them yourself, Lady d'Medani, or can I escort them to Fairhold now?"

The inquisitive ponders this. "Tell you what. Take them to the Blue Unicorn. Keep a watch on them, if those are your orders. Let them get something to eat, and I'll meet you there. Together we'll go to Fairhold."

Lord Dassek shrugs, then walks closer, speaking quieter. "The Unicorn is a restaurant attached to House Orien's enclave, very close to here. Is this all right? Things are moving faster than I expected. But it will be at Fairhold that you will be questioned the most. This inquisitive holds sway over much of your judgment, but it will be the court that decides your freedom."

[Darren]

Without rising, Kal answers the inquisitive. "He is yours to do with as you please," he says, speaking of Captain Relith. "Or the authorities of Fairhaven, as you please. Just know that he was, as we are, cooperative. If possible, I would like to bring him to House Deneith. However," Kal grunts slightly as he rises to his feet, favoring his left leg as he does so, "we are your prisoners, so we are in no position to make demands."

He smiles as he reaches out and taps the lead box with a finger. "Do be careful with that, my dear. It is of particular interest to Malov. If I were you, I wouldn't open it unless you want him to know exactly where to find you."

[Ken]

Belarin smiles warmly at Lamara. "And the scroll case is part of my property, just so you know. If you have questions, simply ask me, madam."

[Josh]

The mention of food has the obvious effect on the hungry shifter, who has re-equipped himself and is in the process of checking over his pack. "I could use a drink as well. Lead on."

[Joe]

Streko quietly grabs his haversack and carries it over to his weeapons. "Now I will have to reorganize EVERYTHING!" He picks up the darts, sickle and other items and tosses them into the bag. "Later," he says to no one in particular.

[Jeff's backup]

Kal:

"One problem at a time, Condign," he says with a sad smile and a glance towards the inquisitive.

The tiefling opens his mouth and starts to say something, but quickly thinks better of it. He looks around and sees the others are collecting their personal effects. He takes a moment to make sure that his weapon is secure and hefts his backpack higher up on his shoulder. He turns back to Kal and says: "Well, it looks like I have all of my belongings. You may wish to gather your items together, my lord. I am sure you would not want to miss a meal." With that he turns and begins to cross the deck with the others. He pauses and looks back. "Oh, as you are bereft of your weapon, please let me know if you need any protection."

[Jeff]

The orb wizard's eyebrows are raised. "A fine pack," he concludes, leaving Streko's equipment—like everyone else's—in an orderly pile for easy examination. Streko's weapons he carries over to the weapons disk.

Streko quietly grabs his haversack and carries it over to his weeapons. "Now I will have to reorganize EVERYTHING!" He picks up th darts, sickle and other items and tosses them into the bag. "Later," he says to no one in particular.

As Streko approaches the weapons disk with his haversack in hand, the wand-holding wizard's eyes widen. He points his wand at Streko. Its tip sparks with red electricity. "Back away!"

"Did you not hear, my lord Streko?" the orb wizard snaps, moving to stand between them. "Your weapons you leave with us."

Lord Dassek sighs and joins the scene. "Please, my lord," he says to Streko. "I have already asked you to cooperate. Your pack you may reclaim. For the rest...be patient."

The inquisitive turns from her examination of the railing to watch the moment. She says nothing, just...observes.

[Darren]

Kal looks at Condign's back, not sure what to make of the tiefling. Then he smiles.

That smile fades as he sees Streko trying to gather his weapons. He moves quickly to intervene, holding up his hands and stepping between the halfing and the wizard with the wand. "No need for violence," he says reassuringly. He begins to force Streko back a few steps by taking a few steps backwards into the halfling. "The halfling is just a little pre-occupied, and frankly, a little addle-brained sometimes." He winks at the wizards. "I assure you, he means to cooperate," he continues in a more serious tone. "He simply misunderstood your instructions." Having backed Streko sufficiently away from the disk, he turns and glares at the halfling, then turns back to the wizards. "Okay?"

[Joe]

Streko looks around him at the commotion. "Oh dear..."

He removes the weapons and replaces them on the disk. "My apologies, good wizard. My mind is elsewhere. You see, aside from all the death we have faced...and this situation here, the ir'Turien bastard has my sister, who I've spent the last THIRTEEN YEARS searching for all across this region of Khorvaire. My most humble apologies...I just want to find my sister and end this madness. I meant no insult."

He takes the haversack to the wizard. "You may inspect it to ensure that no weapons are still within, sir. Again, I do apologize."

After the wizard is done thoroughly inspecting it, Streko retreats back toward the group and scuttles quietly into Kal's shadow. He speaks to his friend in the halfling tongue, obviously distressed enough to revert to his primary language..

"I am sorry, Lord Kalarian. I am unsure how much more of this I can take. I'm afraid I was not built to withstand this kind of recurring stress very well. Even the war wasn't this...ongoing...for me. And Varna, my dear sister, was never in this much danger as far as I knew. I find that anger, fear and distrust have replaced my usual genial nature. My deepest apologies to you and all my friends for making a tenuous situation moreso."

He speaks to the rest of his group and includes the inquisitive, speaking again in common tongue.

"My apologies to one and all. I..." He feels the anguish of the past several weeks envelope him like a cloud. "Khyber's breath, I am sorry, my friends." He allows the tears to cascade down his face as his body folds to the ship's deck. "I am so sorry, Varna..."
____________________________________________________

Yeah yeah yeah...Streko's a drama queen....so what of it???

[Jeff]

Lord Dassek gestures dismissively at Streko. "Don't worry about it." Streko keeps his pack, and no one insists on searching it again.

When the inquisitive takes her investigation below deck, Dassek gathers the rest of you together. Lever, Ralsor, and Amal join the group, and the colonel leads you off the ship. On the docking platform, you walk through the gauntlet of crossbowmen, who eye you with varying degrees of interest and hostility. Condign draws the most stares. He hears the word "devil-kin" kin whispered from one man to another, in question, not in insult.

Lord Dassek makes a simple gesture with his right hand, and fully half of the crossbowmen disengage from their fellows and follow your party in an orderly fashion. He leads you down the spiraling stairs of the docking tower, seeming to have no interest in using the elevation platforms.

When you reach street level, he takes a circuitous route toward the House Orien facilities. Meanwhile, the red brick plaza known as the Chalice Center sprawls across your field of vision: a park of flagstones, neatly placed trees, benches, even a couple of small man-made ponds. Colorful everbright lanterns keep the whole plaza fairly well lit. Some of you have been here before, some of you have not. Anyone who's ever purchased a lightning rail ticket has come through here before.

Although many people are out and about at this time of night, few take notice of you at this time. Lord Dassek's route seems to include skirting the edge of the buildings. And then a well-lit sign comes into view, depicting a bright blue horse with a spiraling shaft crowing its head. The Blue Unicorn is written neatly below the image. It looks like a middle-class restaurant, the sort of place most travelers, tourists, or local merchants could afford, but not the hard-working labourers who make up the greater population of Aundair.

Lord Dassek ushers you inside, requests a private dining room, and waits. Some of the Unicorn staff bustle around you, and ever single one of them looks upon your party with interest. One waitress stares at Condign for a moment then quickly hurries away. The crossbowmen all wait just outside the main entrance.

One uniformed waiter approaches and looks at Kal. "My lord," he says with a slight bow, "Your companion must be leashed if he is to join you." He holds up a leather leash.

Ralsor throws one arm around Kal. "Really? I promise you, I won't go nosing around the kitchen...although it does smelll delectable."

Lord Dassek frowns. The waiter reddens, look between Ralsor and Kal. "My lord, I was referring to your dog."

Grafth, however, was the first to take note of the heavenly aromas drifting out of the nearby kitchen door each time a waitor enters or exits.

[Ken]

Belarin lets out a deep, barking laugh. "Marvelous, Captain Ralsor! Marvelous! Oh, my, I haven't had a good laugh like that since Kalarian interrogated the crow!" He looks at Kal, his gaze more serious as a memory strikes him. "To my surprise, I miss Mattheu," he says simply.

"Sir," he continues to the waiter, "truly, take no mind of the dog. I swear to you that Tangat's manners are far superior to most of your clientele's. He'll cause no trouble. What ales do you have, good man?"

To Dassek, he says, "That intriguing woman back up there, Lord Dassek... have you met her before?"

[Darren]

Kal flops heavily into a chair, gesturing with a hand towards Tangat. "Good luck," he says to the man with the leash, giving him a smile.

[Joe]

Streko meanders up to a table and sits down on one of the chairs. His demeanor is that of a broken spirit, one who is tired and simply wants to rest. Of course, as soon as some of the more delectable aromas reach his brain, he quickly decides that self-pity will simply not do.

"Might I get a menu, please? I am suddenly quite famished."

He looks around, then leaves his seat and takes the one next to Kal. "Tangat! Over here! This is the place to come to get the most of your meal." He motions to the space between him and Lord d'Deneith.

He smiles and feels better for doing so.

[Jeff]

"Interrogated the crow?" Ralsor echoes. "I never really did hear all that took place down there..."

Belarin:

To Dassek, he says, "That intriguing woman back up there, Lord Dassek... have you met her before?"

"Intrig—?" Dassek repeats. "No. I have never met her before. I'd rather we not involve our investigation with one of the houses, but someone higher than me thought otherwise. Apparently this inquisitive comes highly recommended."

Kal:

"Good luck," he says to the man with the leash, giving him a smile.

Nervously the man approaches, leans down, and—

Tangat snaps suddenly, clamping his teeth on the man's sleeve. A growl surges from his throat and he shakes his head viciously, as if trying to snap the neck of a small mammal. The man cries out and yanks his hand back, leaving a piece of his sleeve in Tangat's mouth.

"I..." the waiter stammers.

"Host," Lord Dassek swears, looking at Kal. "Must you be defiant every damned step of the way?"

___________________________

Actually, guys. You're getting ahead of a me. A table has not yet been found:

Lord Dassek ushers you inside, requests a private dining room, and waits.

But no need to repost anything. Joe, your actions will take place when they come up.

[Darren]

Kal laughs and waves his hands at the waiter. "My apologies, my good man," he says between laughs. "Honestly, you must have caught him on a bad day!" He tosses the man a galifar. "For your coat," he says, still suppressing laughter.

[Ken]

Belarin smiles. "I don't blame Tangat," he says. "The smells coming from the kitchen are so tantalizing that if we're not seated soon, I'll start eating shirts, too. Yours looks good, Charis."