Chapter 2: Rites of Passage

[Jeff]

Moving on, then...

Taymra having acquired some form of money from Phorem, she leads your party back out onto the ledge soon after, where the skycoach has returned. As everyone boards the vessel, the Lyrandar coachman nods to Grafth. This time Taymra takes care of the fare and the skycoach glides across the sky to a building directed by the Orien heir. Matheu remains behind at Phorem's tower.

Soon a new building comes into view, located only two blocks from House Lyrandar's docking tower. The building resembled a stately mansion with a sloping roof, white walls, and decorated burgundy gables. But it quickly becomes apparent that it's an inn—oversized but comfortable in appearance. Above the steps and double doors that serve as the main entrance is a large painted sign depicting a tawny-furred dog leaping through the air. The establishment's name, The Transient Hound, is carved beneath it. Without a doubt the inn is run by House Ghallanda, the dragonmarked House of Hospitality. Half of the inns in every city are at least licensed by the Hostelers Guild of the great house, but this one seem overtly owned by the Ghallanda halflings.

The depiction on the sign is clearly that of a blink dog, House Ghallanda's symbol—creatures with the ability flicker in and out of the material world and even possessed of short-ranged teleportation. Generally good-natured and intelligence magical animals, blink dogs are rare, believed to dwell in temperate grasslands such as certain regions of the Talenta Plains. Both Kal and Streko know that the word Ghallanda actually translates roughly from the Halfling tongue to mean something like "helpful hound who appears where needed the most." Thirty-two hundred years ago, when a halfling clan first manifested the Mark of Hospitality, they were quick to identify their extended clan with the friendly creatures and made it their symbol.

As the skycoach lowers, Taymra looks to the group. "House Orien is indisputably the dominant power of Passage, but there are representatives of all the houses here. This is Ghallanda's central thumbprint in this city, and this inn often houses guests of the Orien enclave who prefer not to stay within the enclave during their stay."

Taymra leads the party into the lobby, where halflings—and even a few humans—go this way and that. The whole place conveys cosiness without giving way to extravagance. None of the rooms seem overlarge or too ornate, but there are many of them and all of them seem comfortable—parlors, sitting rooms, dining rooms, and recreation rooms seem to comprise the first floor. The Orien heir speaks to the concierge at the desk and lays down payment. Pel notices eight platinum dragons laid down on the desk, then finally turns back to you.

"My uncle has paid for your stay here. Seven days are accounted for in advance. If you leave the city at some point, the days will carry forward. I will still be staying with him—I won't leave him alone right now, and he and I have much catching up to do."

Amal stays with Kal, but it's quickly obvious that his stay has not been provided for. Even so, Kal knows he has his own barracks or home to go back to during the night hours (unless he's needed).

Taymra stays with the group long enough to see everyone settle in. Each person gets his or her own room, and they're all lined up together on the second floor.

__________________________________

At this point, let me know what your basic actions will be over the next few hours as you rest. Please, please feel free to talk, too. There's much that hasn't been shared. If you're keeping information, is it deliberate?

At some point, I'll jump us ahead to the end of that rest period.

[Darren]

Kalarian smiles at the symbol of the dog, looking down and scratching the ears of his own "ghallanda".

"My friends," he says, addressing the group, "I think we all need to refresh ourselves and clean up. I suggest we meet up in the dining room in half a bell? We can get something to eat and discuss our next move..."

Turning to Amal, he says, "Would you go check on Enan? I am concerned for him. If he has been healed and is well, please bring him back here. I would also like for you to carry a message for me that needs to be delivered to Lady Korvine in Fairhaven. Can you take care of that for me?" Kalarian asks Amal to follow him to his room, where he composes the letter for the man to carry.

_____________
Jeff, I'll write out the letter to you in a PM.

[Joe]

STREKO WANTS HIS BATH!!!!
________________________________________

However, before he goes, he steps over and whispers to Grafth. "I need to speak with you about a personal matter and you are the closest to a friend I have in this group that might understand my fear. Would you do me that honor and meet me in my room before we both head down to Kal's group meeting in half a bell?

[Jeff]

Goran earlier stated he wanted to nap for a few hours. Let's be sure we're all on the same timeline before jumping ahead by "hours" (which I'm all for, but we need to all be okay with that. It is now approximately fifteenth bell (3pm) and everyone has settled into their rooms.
_______________________________

Fresh water is provided in abundance within the Transient Hound, an indulgence even the average inn does not offer. To those of you who've trekked through the sewers, you've managed to rid yourself of the majority of the lingering smell, but bath chambers are available and the halfling servants of the inn will even launder clothing if it's left out for them. Streko gets his bath.

Amal nods his head at Kal's request to see to his fellow Blademark, Enan. His gaze lingers just slightly when Kal mentions the letter. Then he nods, accepts the later, and says, "I will return as soon as I am able, my lord. Shall I ask the clerk to expense the message delivery under your name, or Lady Korvine's?"

Taymra has returned to Phorem, promising to check in on you again at the twenty-first bell (9pm). There has been no sign of Dhaz at all, and certainly he's not likely to know about your whereabouts here. However, he does know how to return to Phorem's Tower.

[Josh]

Grafth agrees to meet shortly, the thought of food very much at the forefront of his mind.

At Streko's words, Grafth nods. He scrutinizes his room, placing his coat, pack, and short spear in an unobtrusive corner. After pocketing a few essential items and a handful of coin, he heads to the halfling's door, hoping he has given him proper time to wash up.

[Joe]

Streko races up to his room and immediately strips off the offensive clothing.

Moments later, a servant enters and hurriedly pours a bucket of hot water into a small tub.

"Hurry! I want to be covered by hot water before blessed Olladra has the time to notice her humble servant stands unadorned before the entirety of this Inn!" He flips the servant a galifar!

Moments later, several more servants enter carrying steaming buckets of fresh water. Streko, unconcerned about his nakedness, waits for them to pour the water into the tub. He then motions the original servant over to him and flips him a second galifar.

"Thank you, good sir. I've been dreaming of a bath for months it seems like. A third galifar to you if you can get my clothes cleaned and dried within half a bell. Oh! And a tray of hot bread and fruit. For three. Thank you again! Now, run along...I have hot water awaiting me..."

Streko cracks his knuckles as he contemplates the steaming liquid. He climbs up and over the rim of the tub, gentling slithering beneath the warm embrace of heaven.

Not even five minutes pass before there is a knock at the door.

"Blessed Host! Are they clean ALREADY? COME IN!"

Grafth enters and Streko feels a momentary pang of disappointment, then remembers why his shifter friend is there. A knot twists in his stomach.

"My good friend! Thank you for coming. Please, close the door behind you. Nothing worse than a draft interrupting the pleasure of a tub of hot water!"

He waits for Grafth to close the door.

"I apologize for not being out of my bath...but this feels to me much like what a hot muffin soaked in honey butter must smell like to you.

"I wanted to thank you for coming to our assistance in the sewers. The experience, both above ground before and beneath afterwards, shook my nerves much worse than I let on...not to mention that hideous monstrosity in the sewers themselves...I have no idea what it was, aside from it being malevolent, having tentacles and smelling like a battlefield covered by decaying bodies."

He turns away from Grafth a moment, thinking, "But why didn't it attack us when it could have? We were at it's mercy as we climbed the escape ladder. I don't understand..."

He turns back to the shifter. "I am a cleric of Olladra, my friend, and it pains me to say this aloud, and even to think it, but undead creatures such as the ghoul we faced inside the brewery afflict such a deep, profound fear in me...and anger...an almost uncontrollable rage...I imagine such creatures would both laugh and shudder at my approach, were they to know my conflicting feelings in this matter. This other thing...in the sewers...the Six only know where THAT came from or what it was. In any event, I felt the need to tell someone whom I believe might not be...judgmental...concerning my emotional instability. Sometimes, it takes every ounce of energy I can muster to not simply turn my back and flee. Other times, I might give Kalarian d'Deneith a lesson in bravery...or is it bloodlust? I can never tell with him."

In any event, I also wanted to let you know what we might be up against. If you thought the smell was bad when we climbed out of the sewer, be grateful you weren't down there...it might have overwhelmed you...and I am, unfortunately again, taxing beauteous Olladra's gifts to me at an alarming rate. I might be consigned to battle with merely my sickle and my faith to support me...and us. And lastly, none of this gets me closer to finding my sister...a quest that I feel has been forgotten or dismissed by everyone else but me. One of your original members departed for his own journey and another is still vanished, perhaps a victim of this vast conspiracy...and I understand the need to follow that path...but my sister could be in grave danger still...and I have done nothing that I can see to help her. I feel as if I've left her for dead...knowing she is still alive...and it bothers my soul a great deal. Do you have any advice you can give me, Grafth? Should I follow your ex-teammate and go my own way, or stay with the group and follow through on my pledge to help? Any words of wisdom that might penetrate my thick skull and the clouds of fear and anger that threaten to engulf me...as this water engulfs my body...would be deeply appreciated."

"Speaking of which....I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of ordering us some snacks before we go down. Just a simple hot bread and fruit tray. I wanted to thank Tangat for his help as well. Now...pardon me just a moment..."

Streko climbs out and dries off. He awaits the coming of food (for himself, Grafth and, yes, Tangat, whom he has grown quite fond of) and anything Grafth has to say.

[Darren]

Nodding silently at Amal, Kalarian watches the man leave. He then slowly unbuckles the numerous straps around his leg and strips off the rest of his clothing. Kal puts his soiled clothing outside of his room to be laundered and lays out a fresh set of clothing from his pack. His steps are somewhat shaky as he moves towards the bath. He slides into the water, closing his eyes as he lets the warmth refresh his muscles. Before he lets himself tarry too long, he rises and dresses himself, his flowing purple shirt now replaced by a red one. He carefully replaces all of the straps on his leg, placing one of his daggers inside of them. Kalarian takes out his longsword and lovingly cleans the blade before he pulls on the belt and replaces the weapon in its sheath. He puts on his long black leather coat and takes a look at himself in the mirror. Happy with the results, he picks up his sharrash, smiles a wolfish smile at Tangat, and goes down to the dining room for a drink and to have a look around at what kind of beauty the young girls of this inn have to offer.

[Josh]

Grafth, unfazed by the halfling's state (but clearly glad something is being done about his friend's smell) leans against the wall near the door and listens. When Streko has finished, he speaks.

"I can understand your anxieties. I myself can see that my tasks are inconsequential to the others, even if they could ultimately unravel this mystery. And clearly my goals are not nearly as important or emotionally taxing as yours, Streko.

"While Kalarian seems to be dragging everyone from one knee-jerk instance to the next, I do know that somewhere beneath his facade, the search for your sister is important to him. Perhaps they all need to be reminded a bit more often of this element of our collective circumstance."

The shifter begins pacing the length of the room, slowly. "Kalarian has shown himself to be a man of action- and I find this commendable. However, we are dealing with an incredibly complex state of affairs, with many disparate elements, and I find that a bit more forethought is essential in these cases. It's hard to see how everything connects, don't you agree? And maybe none of it does... Your sister most surely knows something that can help us. You seek to find her to protect her- but as a group, we must seek her to gain her knowledge.

"The enemy knows we can be easily bated. He also seems to have a penchant for the undead, something I am none too comfortable with. While your fear is a weakness, I hope you can take comfort in knowing that those around you do not seem affected- and in fact, it seems that Goran has an acute love of killing such abominations."

Grafth resumes his spot on the wall, and is silent for a moment. "I'm not sure what will transpire this eve. This meeting, posing as the enemy- it does not sit well with me. Why walk once again into the hands of the enemy...

"One thing is clear," he says, looking Streko directly in the eye, "If you are to find your sister, the onus must be your own. I will certainly help you, as without you, I'm certain we would all be dead by now, and you mustn't let any opportunity slip through your fingers. If you were not reliant upon the whim of the group, what would be your next move?"

[Joe]

Streko is about to respond when he hearsa a knock at the door. "Enter," he says.

Room service appears, lead by the servant Streko paid to assist him, with fresh clothes and, more importantly, steaming bread and a bottle of Reach Wine.

Streko motions to Grafth. "Help yourself," he says, handing the servant his third promised galifar. "You've done well, young man. My thanks."

He takes the bottle of Reach Wine and looks it over. "Odd, that they would serve a bottle of wine from the farms of the Eldeen Reaches, especially here in Aundair...all things considered. We MUST save some for Goran. I am sure he'll be appreciative. The bread, however, except for one roll, is ours!"

He pours the wine into two of three glasses provided. He is about to sip it when he abruptly stops. "By the Six Below! Knowing how our luck has been, perhaps we should test to see if there is poison in this!"

He sniffs at the wine and then decides to abandon any further pretense. "If a devoted follower of Olladra can't take a risk now and again, what good are they?" He takes a long, luxurious drink.
"By the Host Above, this is TASTY!!"

He grabs a roll, slathers it in honey butter and wolfs it down, then proceeds to get dressed and allow Grafth time to enjoy his meal.

After the initial offering of food and drink has been sampled and enjoyed, he turns to Grafth.

"As to your question, how would I go about searching for Varna if I was alone? The truth is, I would probably be doing the exact thing I am doing now. Tracking down leads.

"We know that she and this Malov had some type of mission or arrangement that lead them both here separately, although we also discovered, thanks to you and the others, that Malov may very well have been on the rail when it was attacked and left with Varna. Still, I believe we are where we need to be. It's just difficult, especially considering she was finally with me...only to disappear again.

So, would I be doing anything differently? No. I'm just anxious and I am somtimes headstrong and stubborn. I'm sure you don't know any halfling who shares those traits, do you, my friend?

"It is almost time to meet with the others. Thank you for your kindness in listening to me. We shall move forward and assist one another as best as we can. It is what Verna would want from me. I can do no less."

He takes whatever is left, including the remnants of the Reach Win and one honey-buttered roll and slips them both into his haversack.

"After you, good Grafth! Or is that Graft? I can't imagine how Phorem managed to butcher our names so quickly and so often!"

He laughs gently at the pleasant reminder of the old wizard and his magnificent dragon, Matheu, before heading down.

[Jeff]

A short while later....

Right there on the second floor of the inn, in a corner room with a doorless threshold, there is a comfortable lounge where you have all gathered to talk and plan. Various customers move about the inn as you sit, some entering the lounge, some leaving. Still, it's large enough to hold a private discussion.

[Josh]

Grafth, having helped himself to the items that Streko ordered, is contented by the warmth of the bread and lightness of the wine. He sits in the lounge, thinking.

"Before we talk about the details of our next move, I think it's best to talk about the goal of our actions tonight. From what I gather, the meeting that was supposed to take place was between the Emerald Claw soldiers you dispatched and their employer, the rider we saw after the crash, possibly the very same one I saw when the warforged attacked the group...

"We know that someone wants the book, and Phorem gave us a possible explanation as to why. My question is, if we meet this "employer" tonight- what do we hope to gain?"

[Lara]

After a soak in a bath and tending to her clothes, alone in her room, Pel practices wearing the look of the dead commander. For some time, she simply meditates, reviewing in her mind's eye what she observed of the man's movements and manner of speaking. Then, after donning the helmet he had worn, she attempts those movements herself. Finally satisfied that she has prepared as much as she can at this time, she leaves her room to join the others. As she approaches, she hears Grafth's voice.

"Good question," she observes. "For my part, I am curious to know who has been working so hard to acquire the book without caring who is harmed. And I hope that by acquiring this piece of information, we are able to shed some light on some of these other puzzles, like the disappearances of our colleague and Streko's sister. And this Malov."

[Darren]

Kalarian lounges comfortably in one of the chairs, his leg thrown up over the arm, his left hand idly scratching Tangat behind the ears. "Pel's right," he says. "The goal is to find out as much about the men BEHIND the attacks on us as possible. We know that the Emerald Claw are just a pawn in this game. They're hired muscle. This meeting provides us our first opportunity to find out who is behind it. That is why I think it's important to go." Giving Pel a grim look, he adds, "That's not to say I like it. I'm frankly worried about Pel's safety. If we do this, I want to make sure we do it right, and that we minimize her risk. That's why I think we should get there early and scout it out. Which leads us to your contact, Grafth. Was there somewhere specific we were supposed to meet or a time we were supposed to do it?"

[Joe]

Streko listens at the plan being formed and nods his head in agreement. He remembers the buttered role in his backpack and reaches back into the haversack without looking. His hand re-emerges with a hot, honey-buttered roll. He glances over at Tangat and whispers in halfling, "Thank you, my friend," as he hands the roll over.

"Where is Goran?" Streko asks out loud. "Perhaps someone should awaken him!"

[Jeff]

The servants and maids who go about the place seem friendly. A halfling servant seems especially friendly to Streko—the one who has been generously tipped and, subtly, seems to be the envy of his peers.

While you are you talking, a yellow-brown-furred dog of medium size trots into the lounge. Other customers of the inn glance at the tawny animal with surprise, delight—and even a little fear—while the servants pay it no mind at all. The dog turns its head sharply, catching site of Tangat.

Tangat, who is already alert and fully aware of the newcomer with ears perked up, moves up into a sitting position. He's been sitting between Kal and Streko, favoring the halfling due to his recent baked gifts.

The golden dog pads across the carpet and stops a foot from Tangat. Tangat's ears go flat and he wags his tail. The other dog watches him carefully, expressing interest without alarm or excitement. Even as you watch, the dog's body seems to flash in and out of existence. Yet it remains, watching Tangat curiously.

Even Streko has never heard of a House Ghallanda establishment actually housing an actual blink dog—save perhaps rumors of them living in Gatherhold, Ghallanda's oldest enclave.

Finally, the blink dog sits and pants happily. It still seems slightly aloof, almost wild but not quite feral, since it is clear blink dogs are intelligent animals that have not been domesticated.

[Darren]

Kalarian laughs at the exchange between his friend and the stranger. Leaning over slightly, he speaks quietly in Halfling. "Go play, if you'd like. We won't get into trouble while you're gone. I promise."

[Jeremy]

Goran does the same: he bathes and has his clothes cleaned as well as possible, though he cannot afford to tip as richly as Streko, giving the servants a galifar between them, with the promise of another later, should their need be required.

Suspecting that he will not be able to sleep yet, he strolls downstairs and joins the others at table, ordering a bit of bread and some meat, if possible.

"Tonight's actions will be dire, my friends, and our choices critical. I trust each of us in our abilities, those I do not doubt, let us only look with care to our choices. I speak for myself and at least several others when I say that a couple hours of sleep are critical. We will need to be sharp, and quick, and alert. Not something we can guarantee when we're so spent...or at least, I know I am."

He pauses.

"I don't like this plan, I must be frank. There is far more risk than reward, in my view. But I cannot say that I can think of a better. It would seem the best, if not the most preferable, plan we have. Information is the only currency of value to us right now."

"And surely, the most expensive."

[Darren]

"A thought, my friends," Kalarian says. "Do we bring the book with us to the meeting? It may be more dangerous than leaving it with, say, Phorem, in case things go wrong. This is the man who hired the Emerald Claw specifically to catch us in order to get the book. Maybe we shouldn't give him an opportunity to take it from us. On the other hand, its physical presence may give us a bargaining chip. Still, I lean towards the former idea rather than the latter."

[Jeff]

The blink dog sits for a while longer, watching Tangat, and occassionally looking back and forth between each speaker. Goran only can tell from its subtle movements that it's a female. Pel, Streko, and Kal have heard enough about blink dogs to know that they're intelligent, and quite possibly can understand the most populous language in the region they live in (most of them Halfling), but they can only speak in their own language of barks, whines, and growls.

This one sits contentedly for a while....then teleports away.

[Lara]

"I am concerned about Phorem's safety if he has the book. Granted, it's now shielded from scrying eyes, but if whoever's been tracking our moves has figured out where we are... Well, I just wouldn't want to put Phorem in danger. If we could store it in a safe place, perhaps a vault in the inn or somewhere else in town, at least it might be protected somewhat, and anyone trying to get to it would face some difficulties in doing that."

[Joe]

Streko takes a quick moment to come over to Goran. He feels the power of his dragonmark course through him, a warm, tingling sensation focusing over his heart.

"Sit for a moment, my friend," Streko tells him gently, but firmly. As Goran sits, Streko places his hands on the half-elf's shoulders and allows the warmth of his dragon-blood infused ability to exit his hands and envirgorate Goran's body.

"This will not replace a couple of hours rest and sleep, but it will allow a feeling of having had such rest. I hope it helps."

Once the power has transferred from him to Goran, Streko returns to Tangat's side and scratches the dog behind his ears, mumbling words in halfling that only Tangat can hear and understand.

[Josh]

"Since we don't have any intention of bargaining, or of handing the book over to someone, it seems unreasonable to actually bring the book within grabbing distance of the person that actually wants it. Not only that, but if the enemy does manage to take the book from us, there is no reason for us to be kept alive. If they cannot track the book, and cannot take it from our hands, that seems like a stronger position for us.

"As for the note I received at the rail station, the man I am supposed to meet is named Ralsor, and there was no specific time. It said he comes and goes frequently, and that it would be best to wait if he is absent when I arrive.

"Keep in mind that neither he nor the person who left this dragonshard in my care know that we were involved in the rail incident- the information that Ralsor may have for us could give us a completely new perspective on our situation."

He pauses. "I agree with Kalarian that scouting out the docking tour early is important. If we all go, we should go in waves, to avoid drawing attention to a large group. Someone should accompany me to my meeting with Ralsor- someone who is comfortable with keeping our recent history a secret."

Grafth looks around the group. "Do we know where in the tower the meeting is supposed to take place?"

[Darren]

"Hm," Kalarian ponders Grafth's question. "I don't think he specifically said. But how many places can a person land a dragonhawk without being noticed?"

Kal rises and begins to pace. "I agree with you, Pel, that I do not wish to endanger Phorem, and with you Grafth, that bringing the book seems foolish. But I do not wish to leave it in the vault here. We don't know these people and do not know how much they can be trusted, nor how truly secure their vault is. At least we know that Phorem's tower is well protected and that Phorem himself is trustworthy. I could even ask Amal or Enan, or both, to stay with Phorem until we get back."

Kal makes a few more circuits of the room before spinning on his heel to look at Grafth. "If there are no objections, I would like to accompany you at your meeting. Perhaps the others can begin scouting the area while we talk with your contact. That should make us less conspicuous."

[Josh]

"Yes, spotting the dragonhawk would likely be easy. I think I'm more concerned with us being identified too soon. Wouldn't want to be caught by surprise- we need to get close enough to make the meeting worthwhile."

At Kal's offer, Grafth pauses, seeming to consider something internally. "This meeting is a venture of your design. If you feel that you can take take my instruction during my appointment, I will do what is needed for yours."

[Jeremy]

"I will carry the book, and I think we must trust to Phorem's abilities that the lead casing will work. I find this preferable to leaving it with anyone. I will defend it to the death, but if I am carrying it then I cannot be on the front line."

[Darren]

"Agreed, Grafth," Kalarian says with a smile, almost reading the shifter's thoughts. "I can play my part, my friend. Whatever part you tell me to play, that is..."

Kal puts a hand on his chin as he turns to face Goran. "I hope to not have to fight at all. But if we do, I do not wish to have you hampered and unable to help. Perhaps we can find a position where you can put your bow to best use. If we have Amal and Enan with us, we'll have more front-line fighters, anyway." Kalarian seems to be weighing the options in his head, forming a combat strategy as he might have during the war. "Yes, I think your plan makes sense. But we should also have someone watch your back. It wouldn't do to have someone sneak up behind you."

Kalarian resumes his pacing, a faint creak coming from the leather straps on his right leg. "Okay, so we know that Pel will play the part of the commander. We have one more Emerald Claw helmet. Should we have someone else join her on the platform as a common soldier? I don't know how the meeting was supposed to happen, but if we can keep someone close to Pel, we might be able to help her faster if the need occurs. Unfortunately for me, I think I must volunteer for that position, should we decide to do it. I think, Grafth, that you would stand out despite the helmet, and Streko's size would be a giveaway, too." Kalarian turns to look at each of his companions. He might be eyeing his soldiers before battle. "What say you all? I wish for us to be in agreement before we do anything."

[Joe]

"As I have since we first met, Kalarian, this humble cleric of Olladra and healer of House Jorasco will follow and do as bid for the greater good of our troupe and enterprise.

"I can stay back with Goran, provide whatever cover he may need should evil befall us, as seems our lot in this tale. If he will continue to have me by his side, that is."

[Josh]

The shifter nods. "Sounds reasonable. I agree that a disguise would likely not work for me."

[Jeremy]

"Of course, Streko, march by my side. I trust your loyalty more than the strong arms of some of the doughtiest warriors I've gone to war with."

"Yes, hopefully there need not be blows, for if there are then our negotiations, such as they are, will certainly have failed. Let's get on with it."

[Darren]

"Remember, my friends, that we are not there to negotiate, unless we are found out. We are there to pretend to be the Emerald Claw soldiers. This man will likely give orders to Pel, and probably ask for some sort of status update. It will be up to Pel to try to get as much information out of him as possible without giving us away. If that fails and we are discovered, then we'll negotiate. And if that doesn't work," Kal grins, "well, the sword is a negotiation tool, as well."