session 8

[Bynw]

20:18 <~bynw> *** having spent some time in discussion the group has decided to leave the ruins of SouthWind and head for a Spectral Magician safehouse in Adan and then decide from there what the best course of action is to take ***
20:23 <~bynw> ** within the tavern's cellar are Luc, Mirina, Johannes and Adrian, a survivor of the carnage that has affected this city. Ri'am has gone out to look around and has not yet returned*
20:26 < Mirina> "We need to get the hell out of here.  This place is not safe and there's nothing we can do."
20:28 <~bynw> *Johannes* "It will be safer to move when its dark. Shouldn't be too long. As long as Ri'am doesn't get himself caught."
20:28 < Luc> *looking at the others, I turn to Adrian and catch his attention* "My young lord, let me tell you a few things. First, I would like to take you with us, away from this place when we leave soon. Second, I'm guessing that you're wondering why you should trust me, or my companions, beyond that we saved your life. Am I correct on the second point at least?"
20:28 <~bynw> *he nods his head*
20:33 < Riam> ::A young girl steps down into the cellar::
20:33 < Luc> "Rather than regale you with words and long speeches, I will tell you simply. I am a member of the Spectral Magicians. You know of us, you may have even seen more memebers than just myself, especially recently."
20:33 < Riam> ::a girl in her younger teens. Big, blue, and perceptive eyes peer out from under her straight, coal black hair. It is styled short and at an angle from the middle of the back of her head to just below her jaw. Her heart shaped face and high cheek bones promise to one day bloom into a stunningly beautiful woman. Her build is gangly.::
20:34  * Mirina turns, startled, to see the newcomer.  "What the everloving hell?"
20:34 < Luc> *looks over at the young girl* "Exuse me?"
20:35 < Riam> ::A sweet voice of a young teen:: "No excuse for you mage."
20:35 <~bynw> :: Johannes looks at the young girl coming down the trapdoor's ladder, reaching for his weapons but stops short in doing so ::
20:36 < Luc> "Father Montoya?"
20:36 <~bynw> :: the boy adrian looks back and forth between the girl and the rest of the group ::
20:37 < Riam> ::She smiles slyly:: "Father Montoya is gone. I am Matilda."
20:38 < Riam> ::Her big eyes stare innocently from under her hair, wide and cute::
20:38 < Luc> "Mhm. You changed again, didn't you, father? What did you find, and would you please change back so the boy stops staring lasciviously at you?"
20:39 < Luc> *winks at the boy, hoping to make him smile a little*
20:40 <~bynw> :: the boy looks at Ri'am's disguise and just turns away from him ::
20:41 <~bynw> :: Johannes :: "Well then 'Matilda' did you encounter any patrols?"
20:43 < Riam> "I've seen nothing but corpses. Many of those. The soldiers don't discriminate by age and are certainly thorough."
20:45 < Riam> "I think if we move by night and are quiet enough we might just make it to this safehouse."
20:47 < Riam> "Are you from this city?" ::She indicates Adrian::
20:47 <~bynw> "we shall indeed 'Matilda'. Once darkness hits we will leave this cellar and then head for the safehouse" ::Johannes says::
20:48 <~bynw> :: the boy looks over at Ri'am ::
20:48 <~bynw> "of course"
20:51  * Mirina looks at Johannes.  "Can Palamon take us?"
20:51 < Riam> "Then perhaps the you are the one to lead us. You know this city. We are all travelers from elsewhere."
20:53 <~bynw> :: Johannes :: "A couple at a time. But yes. That is the plan anyway. And no cramping this time in the cellar"
20:53 < Luc> "We should be able to at least move out into the main part of what's left of the inn, my lord."
20:54 < Luc> "At least for the travel itself. Each pair should go up when he arrives, and the rest stay down here until he's back. Caution is wise, despite the lack of current patrols in this area."
20:55 <~bynw> "I agree with that idea. Dusk should hit soon and we can begin to move out. Luc you should be in the first group that goes. Since we don't want any trouble with your order on arrival." :: Johannes suggests::
20:56 < Riam> "are you sure there will be any others there?"
20:56 < Luc> "Do I need to communicate with him, or you, the exact location of the hideout?"
20:56 -!- Riam is now known as Kag_Knee_Toe
20:56 -!- Kag_Knee_Toe is now known as Riam
20:57 -!- Riam is now known as Kag_Knee_Toe
20:57 -!- Kag_Knee_Toe is now known as Riam
20:57 <~bynw> :: Johannes :: "I will have to know its exact location just as I had to know this places"
20:58 < Luc> "At least it will be easier than a first time communication this time, my lord," chuckling a little. "Your hand, please, my lord."
21:00 <~bynw> :: Johannes extends his hand to Luc ::
21:01 < Luc> *closes his eyes, concentrating, giving Johannes the detail he needs to get the group to the safehouse*
21:03 <~bynw> :: Johannes releases Luc's hand :: "That will do thank you"
21:06 <~bynw> *dusk falls outside over the city of SouthWind and for the first time in several days there is no sound of cannon fire into the city ... the city can finally sleep in it's shroud of dust and debris *
21:07 < Riam> "It's too quiet. Something is wrong. The fighting has stopped."
21:07 < Luc> *pokes his head out, to look outside* "It's dark enough, my friends. Let's be gone from this place."
21:08 < Riam> "Anadari, what do you know of these invaders?"
21:08 <~bynw> :: Johannes :: "First to go will be Luc and the boy. Follow me up"
21:08 < Luc> *takes the boy by the shoulder and ushers him up the ladder* "You first, young man."
21:09 < Luc> ****is the inn still standing, IE, the rooms upstairs still intact?****
21:10 <~bynw> !! just a tavern, no rooms
21:12 <~bynw> :: Johannes comes back to the top of the ladder :: "So my dear lady you and 'Matilda' will go next. Then I will come afterwards. It will be a few minutes though while we wait for Palamon to return here"
21:13  * Mirina nods at Johannes.  "Very well."
21:13 < Luc> *climbs up behind the boy, his pack on his shoulder* "Shall we, my lord? The sooner we are gone, the better."
21:13  * Mirina returns to the tavern cellar to wait for Johannes to signal that Palamon is ready to take her and Ri'am/Matilda/Father Montoya/whoever the hell he is.
21:15 <~bynw> :: Johannes :: "Alright you two ... lets go"
21:17  * Mirina grabs her Healer's satchel and her tunic and prepares to mount Palamon.
21:17 <~bynw> *above in the remains of the tavern, Palamon is standing waiting for Mirina and Ri'am. Johannes standing next to the great beast
21:19 < Riam> ::Goes upstairs quietly, looking about and staying close to the shadows::
21:19  * Mirina pats Palamon with a sort of hesitant affection as Johannes helps her up.
21:19 < Riam> ::Reaches up to Mirina for help up as she is too short to pull herself up::
21:21  * Mirina helps "Matilda" up behind her, having put on the now-ragged tunic and strapped the Healer's satchel across her chest.
21:22 <~bynw> :: Johannes pats Palamon :: "Hurry back and get me as soon as you can my friend. We have duties to preform since the call went out" ::he speaks softly to Palamon just before the great beast winks out of existance and reapears next to Luc and the boy. A quiet forest and a small lighted cottage and stable is near::
21:24 < Luc> ::The cottage is made of what appears to be standard good quality hardwood logs. The area is surrounded by trees, densely packed, and a small well trodden trail leads into them away from the cottage::
21:24  * Luc sighs with relief.
21:25  * Mirina regards the cottage.  "Are we safe for the time being, my lord Spectral?"
21:25 < Luc> "Good, you are here. We will go in once our party is complete. To warn all of you, it will surprise you a little when we go in."
21:26 < Mirina> "Surprise?  How so?"
21:27 <~bynw> *once the two riders are off of Palamon's back, he vanishes into the astral once more*
21:27 < Luc> "Yes, since the moment we arrived. Nothing short of an army of sorcerers could breach this place. Maybe not even that. It is more secure than even the city was."
21:28 < Luc> "It would be better to show you than tell you. It is difficult to describe."
21:28  * Mirina nods.
21:29 < Luc> *looks up after a few moment, looking for Johannes to show with Palamon*
21:29 < Mirina> ::Upon reflection, Mirina realizes she can feel strong protective wards around the cottage.::
21:30 < Luc> *glances at Mirina, chuckling again* "I see you've noticed the wards. They're gentle, to animals and those that would casually wander nearby. To magical and other harmful attempts to enter, they would be far more than dangerous."
21:31 < Luc> *after a moment, he nods, deciding something to himself* "We might as well go in. They need to know."
21:31 < Mirina> "Well, I am Deryni.  Did you think I wouldn't notice something like that."  She laughs lightly.
21:31 < Mirina> (?)
21:32 < Luc> *waving a hand over the hand-crafted door, he speaks several words, knocking on the door twice before opening it and entering, motioning the others in behind him*
21:35 < Luc> *inside, there are several hallways leading in 3 directions from a large room with a fireplace and several chairs and tables, with bookcases lining the sides until a few feet short of each hallway entrance. The room is much larger than the cottage appeared from the outside.*
21:36 < Riam> "Nice trick. Can you do it with a pack?"
21:36 < Luc> "This is what I meant. It's a good bit larger than it appears. There are quarter to the right, libraries and privies straight ahead, and a kitchen to the left."
21:36 < Riam> ::Enters the cottage::
21:37  * Mirina walks into the cottage and looks around.  "I see."
21:37 <~bynw> :: Johannes walks in as well. Just behind the others ::
21:38 < Luc> "You'd be surprised what we can do this with, my friend. Including people. The human testing didn't go so well for the subjects, if you get my meaning."
21:38 < Mirina> "Is there anybody else here?"
21:39 < Riam> "No labratories for brewing your potions? Eye of knute, bat tongue, that sort of thing?"
21:40 < Luc> "It doesn't appear to be so, my friends. But we will know if anyone else arrives. Long, long before they do, if they arrive on foot. A moment." *motions over the door after closing it, speaking the words again in reverse order*
21:42 < Luc> "I can call out from here, in a much, much, much larger range, and concentrated as well. There are also a few private magical items that I can use to contact the members of my order should that fail."
21:43 < Riam> ::Walks down the middle hall investigating the cottage::
21:43 < Luc> "The wards over the door have been reset as well. Make yourselves comfortable. And please, by all means, go and get clean. PLEASE go get clean," he says, laughing.
21:44 < Mirina> "I thought you'd never ask," she laughs again.
21:45 < Mirina> "Is there some way to wash our clothes?  I had a couple of changes of clothes in my saddlebags, but they went the way of my horse."
21:45 < Mirina> "And something to wear in the interim?"
21:46 < Luc> "There is all of the above, my lady Healer."
21:47 < Luc> "Clothing and facilities straight ahead."
21:47 < Luc> "Also, I will be in the library trying to contact my Order."
21:47 < Luc> "Come find me if you need me."
21:47 < Mirina> "Splendid.  If you will excuse me, I'm going to take a long delayed bath."
21:48 < Luc> *walks down the hallway to the left, dropping his pack on a chair inside the doorway of the library as he enters"
21:49  * Mirina goes straight ahead to find a rather nicely appointed bathing room, and after preparing herself a bath, sinks gratefully into warm soapy water, there to soak a while.
21:49 <~bynw> *the Library is good sized. not the anywhere near the size of the library at a larger Spectral enclave. And Ri'am is already here looking at various books. some he has discovered wont pull off the shelve
21:49 < Luc> *walking inside, he looks for the pedastel with quills and a large silver lined book*
21:50 < Luc> "I wouldn't recommend trying to pull them off more than twice, my friend. You'll end up unconsciouss on the third try."
21:51 < Luc> "And don't try to open this one," motioning towards the pedastel. "It is less forgiving than the shelves."
21:52  * Mirina soaks blissfully, finally unplaiting her thick blond hair and washing it, as well as giving her entire body a good thorough scrubbing.
21:52 < Luc> *opens the book, looking for the last messages sent*
21:52 < Riam> "Why wont they come out?"
21:53 < Luc> *without looking up* "Because they are private to my brethren. If you're a good boy, I may let you read a few of the non-secret ones some time soon."
21:54 < Riam> ::Spies a book and smiles. She pulls it down and begins leafing through it:: "Boy?"
21:56 < Riam> ::The book is comically large in her rather demure hands:: "Don't see any boys here mage."
21:58 < Riam> ::Looks up from the book at Luc for a moment:: "But then most people only see what they want to see. My master told me that long ago." ::goes back to leafing through the large book::
21:59 < Luc> *chuckles* "You know what I meant, my friend. Behave and you may receive a reward for your efforts." *goes back to the silver book*
21:59 < Luc> *****Details on the messages inside the book? Recent only please.*****
22:01 < Riam> ::Now looking about at some of the vials and tins of herbs lining the shelves, but still holding the book:: "What would I want with a book of moldy ol' spells precious only to magi?"
22:02 < Luc> "Oh, they're not just spellbooks, my friend. There are also books of history, law, medicine, herbal studies, and more. Some of the herbal studies books may interest you."
22:04 < Riam> "These herbs are window dressing. Better for cooking then anything of real value. Where do you wizards brew your potions?"
22:06 < Luc> "Mainly in a labratory, or outside for extremely dangerous ones. The herbs you're looking for are down the hall on the right, in the garden. There's a storeroom not far from it with dried forms of what we grow. And other combinations. Take only enough to refill your supplies and what you may need besides. I know what's in there. There's records of supplies."
22:06 < Luc> *whistles heavily*
22:06 < Luc> "Southwind wasn't the only city destroyed."
22:07 -!- Drakkar [~Crozier@OWIRCN-7622a409.ph.cox.net] has quit [Ping timeout: 121 seconds]
22:07 < Riam> "I suppose these books can't be removed from here either?"
22:08 -!- Drakkar [~Crozier@OWIRCN-7622a409.ph.cox.net] has joined #teara-adan
22:08 < Luc> "No, my friend, they can't. But if you need something from one, I will pull it down for you to leaf through."
22:09 < Luc> *sighs heavily* "You can get your supplies later. Let us go back to the main room. We need to update the others."
22:11  * Mirina emerges from the bathing room, dressed in a tidy blue gown, her heavy hair in a damp plait down her back.
22:11 < Riam> "Mmm." ::Drops the large book on the libraries writing desk and puts quill to parchment, copying from the book::
22:11 < Luc> *walks out to the main room, with Riam behind him, standing in front of the others sitting in chairs and the fire going in one corner*
22:13 < Luc> *turns around, seeing a lack of Riam. He sighs heavily, and goes and gets Riam from the library* "Later, my friend. You need to be with me for these updates. That book I read from can't even be read by anyone but a spectral."
22:13 < Luc> *motions Riam out the door once he's done copying quickly*
22:14 < Riam> ::Closes the book with an annoyed thump and slowly follows Luc into the main room, book under her arm::
22:15 < Luc> "Ok, my friends, here is the situation."
22:17 < Luc> "There are a few things I've found out, and I may find more out once we get where we are going. More on that later."
22:17 < Riam> ::Stops at the doorway of the library as the book will not leave. Carefully sets it on the writing desk and again joins the others in the main room. Annoyance clear on her face::
22:18 < Luc> *whispers* "I'll pull it out later for you."
22:19 < Luc> "Three other cities along the Adanian side of the empire were attacked. They are in ruins, just as Southwind."
22:21 < Luc> "We have a new capital. Montair is the temporary capital of the Empire. We also have a new emperor, who has been given emergency powers by the senate. Emperor Andrew de Chanore has lead the fight alongside the Anadari, who he has called to protect the Empire."
22:21  * Mirina 's eyes widen at Luc's recital.
22:21 < Luc> "We also know what the invaders call themselves. They are named the 'Mohadine'."
22:22 < Luc> "They have not taken any prisoners that we know of, except for children. All adults they find have been killed."
22:22 < Luc> "We also know, from personal experience and other accounts, that they are skilled in magic, and the prevention of magic being used."
22:23 <~bynw> :: Johannes :: " I will be leaving in the morning to join my brothers. Our orders are simple, we are to take out the Mohadine flagship."
22:23 < Luc> "From accounts, their total ship number in the hundreds."
22:24 < Luc> "My lady Healer, please escort Adrian to the quarters. I need to speak to the lord here."
22:24  * Mirina quirks a brow at Luc, but does as bid.
22:26 < Luc> *after Adrian is gone, he turns to Johannes* "My Lord, I need a favor, since you seem set on this course. Will you write something to the new emperor, explaining the situation, who you are, and what your intentions are. And, if you believe it with all your being, an offer of alliance, as well as how many of your brethren there are. I personally would appreciate a way to contact you as well."
22:26 < Luc> "I would appreciate a second copy, seperate but similar, to the head of my Order as well. He will want to see it."
22:26 <~bynw> :: Johannes :: "
22:27 <~bynw> "I do not need to tell the Emperor anything Luc. He was the one that gave the order to the Anadari when he called us up."
22:28 < Riam> ::Chuckles and speaks to himself:: "Yes, battle and glory. Sounds the trumpets. Raise the banners. Have fun storming the castle boys."
22:29 < Riam> ::Turns to leave for the library slowly, amusement on her youthful face::
22:29 < Luc> *harumphs* "Fine by me. Contacting you would still appease my own mind, my friend. And before you begin to doubt my calling you a friend, know that I consider all here friends, personally and friends of my Order. Going through what we did together makes us friends."