==Verrucht shows up at the ruins. He had a few months earlier called Twilight "Lord Twinkles to Vayne's face==

You ask in a warm, confident voice, "Salutations Imperiate, what brings you to the Crown?"

Verrucht says in an urbane voice, "Currently, this does."

You say to Verrucht in a warm, confident voice, "Quit a mess it is."

A ruined temple.
The bright sun shines down, blanketing you with its life-giving warmth. The Parade of the Founders is interrupted here, the street going along both sides of the small lake that has formed in this area. Charred grass lies limp and dead along the spring, though small bubbles of fresh, cold water emerge from the gravelly bottom. The water of the spring collects in a small pool. The earth around the spring has been blackened and burned. A finger of land juts into the waters of the spring, and a pile of collapsed marble rests in a heap. The marble may once have been white, but has been burned and charred beyond recognition. A runic totem is planted solidly in the ground. The remains of a statue crumble here. A sigil in the shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the ground. Humming softly to herself, Ta'ya, a Tsol'aa youth, scans the ground here.  Verily Ravensong is here. The Black Dragon Qwindor's imposing form looms. The Silver Dragon Verrucht's imposing form looms.
You see exits leading north, east, south, and west.

Verrucht says in an urbane voice, "What caused this?"

Qwindor nods his head emphatically.

Verily rises, that moistened hand idly brushing at her blouse in a half-hearted attempt to clean it.

Vayne adjusts his spectacles.

Melodie arrives from the south.

You say in a warm, confident voice, "A fiery conflagration, did you see it from the west?"

Thousands of points of light illuminate the heavens as the pale moon awakens, darkness smoothly descending over the land.

Verily inclines her head politely at Melodie.

Verrucht says in an urbane voice, "I did not."

Verrucht says in an urbane voice, "Did the Caspiites have something to do with this?"

You say in a warm, confident voice, "They are certainly suspect, I would think."

In the crystal-clear night sky, the stars twinkle and glow brightly.

Verrucht says in an urbane voice, "What did the one you spoke with have to say?"

You look sceptical and say in a warm, confident voice, "Spoke with?"

Verrucht says in an urbane voice, "The Caspiite. That you spoke with."

Verrucht says in an urbane voice, "At the wilderness outside the harbour of Tasur'ke."

Verrucht says in an urbane voice, "While their citadel sat to the east of you."

You say in a warm, confident voice, "Odd you would ask questions you already know the answer to, Imperiate."

Verrucht says in an urbane voice, "I asked what he had to say."

Verrucht says in an urbane voice, "Not if you spoke with him."

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "Duanathar."
Melodie is swiftly carried into the skies and out of sight by a lustrous pair of miniature mithril wings.

You say to Verrucht in a warm, confident voice, "You know Lord Twinkl...I mean Lord Twilight's obelisk once stood here."

Verrucht nods at you.

Verrucht says in an urbane voice, "I remember when it moved."

You say in a warm, confident voice, "Indeed? I do not, before my time unfortunately."

Vayne kicks a stray piece of rubble into the pool.

Verrucht says to you in an urbane voice, "So, should I assume you just have no interest in sharing the nature of the conversation?"

You say in a warm, confident voice, "Not particularly, not with one who insults our city and Founder."

Verrucht's eyes sparkle with amusement.

Vayne smiles charmingly at Verrucht.

Verrucht reaches over to you and ruffles your hair. <--I thought that was classy

Verrucht says in an urbane voice, "So be it."

Verrucht says something unintelligible.
Verrucht is swiftly carried into the skies and out of sight by a pair of breathtaking iridescent wings.

You say in a warm, confident voice, "I did mention I would remember your stray comment on Krenindala."

You snap your fingers.

Verily shakes her head.

Planeswalker Qwindor Rousseau says in Hashani, "Touched a nerve I think."

"Heh heh heh," you chuckle.

Verily says in Hashani in a warm, downy voice, "Didn't care to stay around long, did he?"

You say in Hashani in a warm, confident voice, "Thank the Gods."

Verily struggles to restrain a faint grin.

A chunk of marble clatters to the ground, rolling slightly before it comes to a stop.

Flakes of ash drift upon the lazy afternoon breeze.

==Melodie comes back==

Melodie arrives from the south.

With a wistful look on her face, Melodie touches a crumbling statue.

A shadow falls over Melodie's countenance as she furrows her brow.

You incline your head politely to Melodie.

Melodie inclines her head politely.

Melodie frowns and says with a flowing, cultured accent, "This place was always a place of reverence for the Nerai. To see it destroyed wretches my heart."

You say to Melodie in a warm, confident voice, "It seems all did not share that sentiment."

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "You must mean Verrucht."

You say in a warm, confident voice, "No, not at all. He is another matter."

You say in a warm, confident voice, "I mean its destroyer."

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "Ah."

Melodie nods slightly.

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "Troubling in the extreme. I don't suppose you know of what happened?"

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "I passed through here barely a few months ago, and all seemed well."

You say in a warm, confident voice, "A series of fiery explosions shook the city."

Melodie walks among the dead grass towards the statue's pedestal. She hunkers down, running her fingertips along the chaired remnents as she contemplates.

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "When your citizens arrived at the scene, was there anything telling? Anything at all?"

You say in a warm, confident voice, "I think the scene speaks for itself."

Melodie stands up quietly, returning her attention to you.

Vayne adjusts his glasses before lacing his arms behind his back, surveying the site.

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "The only thing I can tell is someone destroyed the area with a burning vengeance. Who it could be, truly, is something I could not guess."

Melodie nudges a bit of charred marble with a slippered foot.

You say in a warm, confident voice, "I would deem the situation as something that requires a bit more than a guess."

Melodie gives a slight nod.

Silver sparks dance across the heavens as the afternoon sun brushes a graceful hand over Achaea's three rings, the second brilliantly coruscating under her touch.

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "I agree. There was nothing strange noticed, before or after the incident?"

You say in a warm, confident voice, "You are at least less overt than your counterpart."

Melodie chuckles quietly.

You say in a warm, confident voice, "Though no more subtle."

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "You know who I am, Vayne. I severely doubt any subtly with a serpent is going to get me terribly far."

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "I am here of my own volition, because this is my faith we are speaking of. I have no ulterior motive other than to discover whom has done this."

You say in a warm, confident voice, "Indeed, but I fear your Imperiate's loose lips have cost you already."

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "I would figure, this being your city, you would have the same interest."

A flicker of a frown crosses Melodie's expression.

Dusk steals silently over the horizon and crimson and ochre engulf the firmament, their seductive tones beckoning the sun to her nightly repose.

Melodie asks with a flowing, cultured accent, "So. Are you saying you do not wish to speak with me on this matter, merely because of mortal faults?"

You smile and say in a warm, confident voice, "Such a thing would make me appear petty."

The primal ember in Melodie's hands suddenly releases a wave of coruscating flames, burning everything nearby.

Melodie clasps her hands together, letting out a slow breath.

Vayne begins to walk the circumference of the ruin, stepping carefully around the wreckage strewn about.

You say in a warm, confident voice, "And I assure you, I am quite concerned as far as the Crown is concerned."

You smile and say in a warm, confident voice, "But as the good Caliph has been attempting to teach me, as if I did not already know, leaders represent their constituents at all times."

Melodie seems to consider a moment.

Splashed with the reflected radiance of the stars, Achaea's outermost ring glitters ghostly pale against the night sky.

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "Verrucht, much as I adore him, can be a little heavy-handed at times. It's his Tempest nature. He senses a threat, or something amiss, and wishes to take care of the problem no matter what that involves, or whom."

Vayne looks over his shoulder at Melodie as he continues his circuit.

You say in a warm, confident voice, "He was perfectly respectable when he was here a moment ago."

Melodie turns her head to frown over at you.

Melodie says to you with a flowing, cultured accent, "Then I'm afraid I do not understand the nature of your issue."

You say in a warm, confident voice, "I refer to several past instances, some quite recent, where the Imperiate has slighted the Crown and its Founder to my very face."

Melodie turns her small frame to face you fully.

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "Its well know Lord Twilight and our Lord have never gotten on well."

Vayne stops before Melodie a sour expression pulling at his lips.

You say to Melodie in a warm, confident voice, "Does that mean we cannot be courteous? You can see my reservations when he then comes to my home demanding answers, I hope."

Deepest Stygian night steals over the land as the symbolic hourglass empties and turns, ready to begin a new day.
It is now the 22nd of Lupar, 609 years after the fall of the Seleucarian Empire.

Melodie studies you carefully a moment, tucking a red curl back into her veil.

Melodie says patiently to you with a flowing, cultured accent, "I can understand the hesitation. It was, perhaps, done in a way that could of been handled better. But certainly you can understand stumbling upon the Seneschal and others surrounding a ruined temple to our Lord, and passion overwhealming reason."

You flash Melodie a joyous smile.

You say in a warm, confident voice, "Again, you and yours have been civil as of now concerning this matter."

Melodie looks thoughtful and says with a flowing, cultured accent, "Well. I'm fairly sure I'm always civil with you, Seneschal."

You say to Melodie in a warm, confident voice, "Indeed, and it is both noticed and appreciated."

Melodie says to you with a flowing, cultured accent, "I've also been open and candid about you revolving around Lady Ourania and Cyrene, at least to the best of my extent. So while I understand your sourness towards the Hand, the Nerai, and more than likely the Lord, would appriciate your information regarding this."

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "With you, not about you."

Melodie clears her throat.

You smirk.

You say in a warm, confident voice, "It seems you already know all that I do."

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "If that is so, then if you discover anything, if you would be able to pass it onwards to myself or the Nerai, I would consider it a great favour."

Melodie frowns severely as she examines the area again.

You hear the sound of running feet behind you.

You smile and say in a warm, confident voice, "If I find anything pertinent, I will do so."

Melodie says worriedly with a flowing, cultured accent, "It makes me wonder if any of our holy sites are safe, or if there is another target..."

You say in a warm, confident voice, "The power called down was certainly significant."

Melodie returns her focus to you, favouring you with a warm smile, before nodding once.

Artanis says with a serpentine accent, "Ruined temple eh?"

Artanis says with a serpentine accent, "Take it the Shallamites did this."

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "Certainly so. Nothing I really rezongize, either."

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "No."

Artanis ponders the situation.

Timorous rays of early morning light creep across the heavens, painting the freckled sky in soft pastel hues.

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "I've already spoken with the Shallamese."

Artanis says with a serpentine accent, "Course they would lie."

Artanis shrugs helplessly.

Artanis says with a serpentine accent, "Not quite liked here."

Melodie says to you with a flowing, cultured accent, "In fact, Father Halos wishes to pass on his condolances for the loss of the Temple."

You smirk.

You say in a warm, confident voice, "I am sure he does."

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "Shallam and Hashan may be at odds with each other, but the Father understood the meaning of this site."

You say to Melodie in a warm, confident voice, "I am sure the Father cares nothing beyond what he is told to."

Melodie clasps her hands together.

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "Considering he came to me, and not I to him, I would not be so certain."

You smirk.

You say in a warm, confident voice, "He was here earlier personally destroying another shrine, he does so pick and choose who to reverence."

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "I do not doubt it. But as far as I am aware, his respect towards the God of the Sea remains, and so I do not believe the Shallamese are behind this."

You smile and say in a warm, confident voice, "Quite, though I understand how Artanis might have mistaken it as such, given current events."

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "An understandable conclusion. I would say Caspiites, myself."

Melodie glances to you.

You say to Melodie in a warm, confident voice, "I would imagine the Father suggested the same upon his condolences."

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "He had no offerings at to whom it may of been, but it is a very obvious culprit. But without evidence, not one I can settle for."

You say to Melodie in a warm, confident voice, "Well, let me add my own condolences. This Temple had stood within the Crown as long as I can remember."

Shaking off the final vestiges of her slumber, Lady Sol passes briefly behind the triune rings of Achaea, speckling the sky first in obsidian, then silver, then purest crystal.

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "Thank you, Seneschal. I can only hope, between your help and our own investigations, that the culprit may be discovered and punished."

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "Thank you for your time, Seneschal, and I apologise if I seem a bit out of sorts. I'm gravely concerned for what this is, and what it could lead to."

You say in a warm, confident voice, "The destruction of the Obelisk that once stood here was quite the blow as well."

Melodie arches an eyebrow, but remains silent.

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "I won't take any more of you time. Good morn to you."

You incline your head politely.

Melodie lowers her head respectfully.

Melodie says with a flowing, cultured accent, "Duanathar."
Melodie is swiftly carried into the skies and out of sight by a lustrous pair of miniature mithril wings.