Beyond the Sky - Session 17

The party head over to Adrian's quarters, bringing along a slightly sobered up and awake Twilalux, his phantom apparently having gone inside him again, to speak with Kincaid.
Arkune finds a comfortable place to sit.
Twilalux: "So this guy took Mister Adrian's kid? ...What does she look like, Mister Adrian; is she a smaller you?"
Adrian: "I don't usually have this many visitors at once... still, make yourselves at home."
"...I wouldn't say she looks quite like that, Twilalux."
Arkune: "She's cuter~"
Kincaid takes a seat, not commenting on the current matters.
Twilalux: "Did you buy her, Mister Adrian? I'm not sure how these things work where you're from."
Night Eyes scrutinizes the imp.
Adrian: "Civilized people do not buy children."
Arkune: "That's... not how it works, Twila."
Twilalux: "The wayangs in my clans used to do strange body movements with each other... is that how you did it too?"
Night Eyes nearly raises a hand at Adrian's statement, but opts not to.
Arkune: "I suppose that's a way to put it," answers Arkune with a light blush.
Twilalux sniggers, swinging his legs from the relatively tall chair as he turns his gaze to the unfamiliar man.
Kincaid: "When you are finished, I am here for speaking."
Adrian: "Let's hear your story. That is why we're here, after all."
Kincaid: "You wish to know my story? From where?"
Twilalux: "From the beginning, obviously!"
Kincaid: "Beginning is no so interesting."
Twilalux: "The beginning of where it gets interesting, then?"
Kincaid: "I believe the part Owl was interested in hearing was my years in Eriban Resistance movement."
Adrian: "Yes, I think that would be the best place to start."
Night Eyes looks at the group.
Kincaid: "You may know, but Silske came to power... err, little over five years ago."
"He killed previous Emperor, Polonius Mede V, and took the seat of power."
Arkune: "I've heard... I doubt my father was happy to hear... Eribe always had some problems, but Silske sounds to have just made them worse."
Twilalux leans in closer to Night Eyes, pulling lightly at her robe.
Night Eyes stares back at the Wayang.
Twilalux: "(Why does he talk like that, Night Eyes?)"
Kincaid: "Silske is a dictator, took power by force. I was working at the palace as... a man of espionage."
Night Eyes: "(Regional accent.)"
"As part of the resistance, or before then?"
Twilalux nods his head, tilting it at the man.
Kincaid: "There was little resistance before Silske."
"We had... problems, but things were okay."
Night Eyes: "I can attest to those."
Arkune: "That fits my understanding as well."
Adrian: "I can't say I know much about Eribe, then or now."
Kincaid: "I worked for the Emperor, gathered information on court members."
Night Eyes leans into the table.
Kincaid: "After Silske came, was not the case."
"I would not work for such a... what was maybe a man."
"All who would not bend their knee faced the sword."
Arkune: "How did you survive?"
Twilalux gasps, looking wide-eyed.
Twilalux: "That's really naughty."
Kincaid: "I was one of the greatest spies in country."
"I can change how I look to avoid other men. I used this to escape capital."
Night Eyes: "Certainly a useful talent."
Adrian smiles, listening quietly with a thoughtful expression.
Kincaid: "After I escaped, I joined up with forces who opposed him, were not hard to find."
"After I found the most prominent group, I start to use my skill of, er, espionage, to work my way up ranks, and gather knowledge."
Night Eyes: "Brave of you to keep doing that, even then."
Adrian: "Indeed."
Kincaid: "Someone had to."
Adrian: "But that someone did not have to be you. That is how many men would see it."
Kincaid: "Cannot just sit by and watch country I love go to shit."
Twilalux restrains a giggle at the use of bad language, before adopting a more serious expression.
Night Eyes: "These are dark times for Eribe."
Kincaid sighs.
Kincaid: "Unfortunately, seem as if everything I do did not turn a table."
Twilalux: "Maybe if you find more people you can change things?"
Night Eyes: "He is right. The problem is scale."
Kincaid: "Silske grows in power, and people bowed heads as he took their towns, cities."
"Too many say they have no chance, leave the fighting."
Arkune: "What does Silske seek? Power for the sake of greed? Or some grander motive?"
Kincaid: "Most people think he seeks to follow Great Empty Lord."
Twilalux: "How did he get people to obey him in the first place, Mister?"
Night Eyes: "Some believe he intends to resurrect the dead god."
"I have my doubts."
Kincaid: "Many people love Empty Lord in Eribe."
"He promise to build great Empire."
"Things have not... gone to dogs yet, but no one can speak against or worship differently. Many more are poor, many more rich are more so."
Adrian: "I know a little of the Empty Lord's philosophy. It hardly sounds like a basis for tyranny, from what I've read."
Kincaid taps his temple.
Kincaid: "When people have no other choice, they delude selves."
"Allow themselves to roll over and get on with lives."
Adrian: "That much, I certainly am familiar with."
Night Eyes: "If all else fails, our primary desire is to survive."
Twilalux: "Does Mister Silske talk with Zeltria?"
Adrian: "If he does, I haven't heard of it in all this time."
Night Eyes: "Which would be working as intended."
"I'm sure he has eyes here, even if he doesn't come here himself."
Kincaid: "Traders still go through."
Adrian: "I'm very sure he does. Unfortunately, plucking those eyes out is harder."
Kincaid: "Some pass by our camps."
"...when we had camps."
Arkune: "I'm guessing Silske found where they were?"
Night Eyes: "I'm sorry for your loss."
Kincaid: "Silske was always slowly but surely crushing resistance. Now there is essential no military force to oppose him."
"Those who would not bow either fled or died."
Adrian: "Including you."
Kincaid: "Yes."
Night Eyes: "How one would unseat the Trickster King is an interesting question."
Kincaid: "I would not bow, so I needed to escape."
Adrian: "Kincaid, Night Eyes. What do you know of recent relations between Eribe and Ashdale?"
Kincaid: "I know they do much trade. Safer than going through Ogre country."
Twilalux: "What are ogres, mister?"
Night Eyes: "That makes up the majority of my own knowledge, too."
Kincaid: "Many traders do not have money for boats to transport around to Zeltria."
Night Eyes: "Ogres are large, brutal tribes. Many, many Wayangs tall."
Adrian: "Hm, I see. Thank you."
Arkune: "Ogres also make for fierce undead, it turns out."
Twilalux: "Oh, like the thing in the mines, right?"
Arkune: "Exactly."
Adrian: "They're not much more pleasant while alive."
Night Eyes: "That is not something I had considered at the time."
"How common ARE ogres in the north?"
Adrian: "Common enough for the presence of their skeletons to not necessarily warrant suspicion, as I understand it."
Kincaid: "I have heard there are many ogre tribes in mountains in north."
"Now, back to topic I remember Owl wanting to hear."
"Emperor's motive."
Night Eyes: "Mhm. I have only witnessed speculation."
"And speculation is all I have, too."
Adrian: "This, I'd like to hear."
Kincaid: "I guess I do not have proof this is true, but I heard him talk of it with his devout generals."
Twilalux: "Who's Owl, though?"
Kincaid points to Night Eyes.
Kincaid: "She is Owl."
Night Eyes looks to the side.
Twilalux tilts his head, looking up at Night Eyes.
Twilalux: "No, she's Night Eyes."
Night Eyes: "Trying to figure out a more concise title than 'Night Eyes'."
Kincaid: "Owls have night eyes."
Adrian: "Do your people have both surnames and given names, Twilalux?"
Twilalux: "We usually take the name of our clan, Mister Adrian, as well as our own names."
Adrian: "Exactly. Or the way Arkune has both the names Arkune and Mulvery. Think of it that way."
Twilalux: "So Night Eyes' more important name is Owl?"
Night Eyes: "Twilalux, I don't actually have a name."
"They are both nicknames."
Kincaid: "I had to take new name after I left my homeland."
Twilalux glances between Night Eyes and Kincaid.
Kincaid: "I have mask like hers, but mine is made to look like face."
Twilalux: "Is that common; the mask thing?"
Night Eyes looks at the man, thinking.
Night Eyes: "No, it is not."
"I think we wear masks for different reasons."
Arkune: "I don't wear one... but I also doubt anyone who knows who I am would come this far South."
Kincaid: "Her mask is not part of her."
Twilalux frowns at Arkune, contemplating inwards.
Night Eyes: "So, Markus. The Trickster's motives."
Twilalux: "I hope the clan doesn't come after me..."
Night Eyes pats the imp reassuringly.
Adrian: "I don't think you need to worry about it, not here."
Twilalux shakes his head, retreating further beneath his scarf.
Kincaid: "Ah, yes. After overhearing him, I found out crucial information. Unfortunately, when I came back to relay, my resistance was already scattered."
"Silske is trying to do two things."
Arkune: "(You have us to help, even if they did,)" says Arkune quietly to Twilalux.
Twilalux nods at Arkune, wide-eyed, suddenly hugging her leg.
Arkune seems confused for a moment, but doesn't seem to mind his reaction.
Kincaid: "One, to create Empire like Zulio."
"Two, he is looking for something."
Arkune: "Some artifact, to enhance his power?"
Night Eyes: "That is one possibility. He already gained great power from his staff."
Kincaid: "He is looking for Earth Mother."
Twilalux: "...Zulio? Earth Mother?"
"As in... Nahjra?"
Kincaid: "Yes, imp."
Twilalux screws up his face, crossing his arms.
Night Eyes: "Maybe he wishes to leave this world and ascend?"
"Or are there more nefarious schemes afoot?"
Arkune: "Who is Nahjra?"
Twilalux replies to Night Eyes in a surprisingly scalding tone.
Twilalux: "But... Nahjra is dangerous, right?"
Night Eyes: "She is not. She keeps the gods separate from man. Though, thinking about it..."
Kincaid: "Ancient legends say that Nahjra cast out all gods, and entered slumber on material plane."
Night Eyes: "Perhaps Silske intends to attack her for it."
Kincaid: "Silske wants to kill the Earth Mother."
"But he must find her."
Adrian: "I can't begin to imagine the repercussions of such a thing, but it cannot be good."
Night Eyes nods at Adrian.
Twilalux: "The clan seers say she's the reason we can't return to the shadow plane, though!"
Kincaid: "He believes if he were to kill Her, he would be able to truly ascend to his full potential."
Night Eyes: "We should share this with Valaire. This is one more reason why a war between Ashdale and Zeltria cannot happen."
Adrian: "What I begin to wonder is whether war with Eribe is necessary instead. Yes, I agree."
Twilalux: "But..."
Twilalux stares down at the table, looking conflicted.
Night Eyes: "We'll hear your thoughts."
Twilalux: "The wayangs have been trapped here for a long time. Because of her. ...Is it true?"
"I was told our ancestors couldn't return home after she banished the other gods."
Adrian: "I don't think any of us would know the truth of that, Twilalux, but regardless, Silske gaining more power cannot be risked."
Night Eyes: "That is the simplest truth of it."
"As for the Wayangs, I know little of your kind. They are not well documented."
Arkune: "Even if the Earth Mother is a dark force, it would be better for anyone other than Silske to get her power"
Twilalux: "I guess, hrm."
"Sorry for interrupting, Mister Adrian."
Night Eyes: "Where you stand on this is important to us."
Kincaid: "Nevertheless, this is important information. It is likely why many of us suspect he had hand to play in assassination of Argentis."
"I have no proof of this, though."
Night Eyes: "Yes, I have been suspecting that Eribe has wanted the two lands to war."
Adrian: "I had been considering asking about that."
Kincaid: "But he came to power just after your King, assassinated."
Twilalux: "Do we have to stop the other two from fighting, then?"
Night Eyes: "We already did. Now, doubly so."
Arkune: "I have even less doubt now that a war between the two would be Silske's goal."
Twilalux: "What do you plan on doing now then, Night Eyes?"
Night Eyes: "Regroup with Valaire. We will need her help convincing the prince and nobility."
Adrian: "Kincaid. What if Zeltria and Eribe were to go to war? Would it disrupt Silske's goals at all, do you think, or would he simply leave his people to die? From your view, could it be worth it?"
Kincaid: "...I am not sure."
"Silske is very strong."
"Even when half the country was against him, he killed many."
Night Eyes: "I think it would depend on how successful Zeltria was."
Kincaid: "His generals too, agh."
"Silske favours them greatly, gives them much power. One of them is as strong as several hundred men."
Night Eyes: "Roland."
Arkune: "Then we just need to become stronger."
Kincaid: "Yes, him."
Night Eyes: "The point is, it won't even be a question unless we can push them back."
Kincaid: "Sword of Madness."
Adrian: "This is of a much greater scale, Arkune. We'll need to convince others, but carefully. Word cannot get out."
"I think I understand, Kincaid. Thank you."
Kincaid: "Very well. I will be in pub if you have any more questions another time."
Arkune: "Why must the word of this stay secret?"
"His spies?"
Night Eyes: "Yes, though I doubt we will have much luck keeping it from their eyes."
Adrian: "Still, we have to try."
Night Eyes: "The less time he has to prepare, the better."
Twilalux: "I'm good at hiding things!"
Arkune: "I suppose you have a point there. I learned the power of an ambush well in the past..."
Adrian: "We do not want to be the targets of a preemptive strike. Particularly not before we have time to prepare."
Arkune: "Makes sense."
Adrian: "For now, speak of this to no one but the five of us, Valaire, Mikolotov, and Her Majesty."
The party leave Kincaid, and travel back down to the main street to find Valaire, and to speak with her on the upper floor.
Arkune waves to Valaire as they enter.
Valaire: "Oh? You return."
Arkune: "So we've learned a bit... Want to fill her in, Adrian?"
Adrian: "I'd like to ask something first."
"Valaire. There are worse matters afoot than I had expected, it seems."
Valaire: "Worse than the peacock Goring and the two-faced Eribian?"
Night Eyes looks at Valaire.
Night Eyes: "Much more severe."
Adrian: "Worse things that than. I'd value your help in dealing with them, if possible. You've shown yourself to be quite capable, and most importantly, skilled at recognizing which information is valuable."
Valaire: "Dear, Lord Adrian. Are you recruiting me into your little menagerie of followers?"
Twilalux looks up between Adrian and Valaire, suspiciously.
Adrian: "Yes, I am. Officially as my retainer, unofficially... well, I may need you to be unaffiliated with me for a few things. What do you say?"
Valaire: "Knowing when to be unaffiliated with people is often one of my best talents, love."
"Why, you would have no idea what it was I've been up to while you were having a cozy tea time if I didn't tell you."
Adrian: "Precisely."
Valaire: "If I am your retainer, I wish to be paid. Same as the bird, or at least comparable. May I request that, love?"
Twilalux: "Wait, wait. Bird as in Night Eyes? Night Eyes is getting paid?!"
Night Eyes raises a hand against her mask.
Arkune: "Paid? As in..?"
Twilalux: "Are you going to pay me too, Mister Adrian?"
Adrian: "Of course. In exchange, I'll expect your absolute loyalty while you work with me. What you do on your own time, as long as it isn't traced back to me and doesn't compromise any of my activities, is up to you."
Arkune: "I suppose she is rather attractive..."
Valaire: "...You all are doing this out of charity? That sounds like quite the tale."
Adrian: "Arkune..."
Valaire: "I suppose if you believe in the cause strongly enough..."
Arkune: "Sorry, couldn't resist," chuckles Arkune.
"As for myself... I want to be a hero. To do something grand, and noble."
Night Eyes ignores Arkune's comment.
Arkune: "And I want Eribe to be free again."
Night Eyes: "Truthfully, pay had not come to mind."
Twilalux: "The lady here said you were being paid though, didn't she?"
Valaire: "My lord Adrian, this sounds quire fascinating indeed. I can't begin to imagine what could be more exciting than taking revenge for Jilly."
"Consider it done. Valaire Kirinal, temptress, courtesan, and sorceress extraordinaire, at your service, Lord Adrian."
Adrian: "I'll see to it. Although 'exciting' is not quite the description I would have used..."
Valaire bows politely, offering a clawed hand to Adrian.
Night Eyes: "It excites me, at least."
Adrian: "Thank you, Valaire."
Adrian returns the handshake with a wry smile.
Valaire: "Now, in the interest of being open with my Lord, shall I share with you some of my clandestine affairs?"
Arkune: "Oh? If it might prove helpful to be aware, then I assume Adrian would want to know."
Valaire: "Done exclusively in a manner to not trace back to you, of course, my lord."
Twilalux giggles, watching Valaire with fascination.
Adrian: "If you're bringing this up, it's because it's important. Go on."
Valaire: "I tend to spend my spare time adopting anonymous disguises and tracking down and killing people. It's a hobby of mine."
Adrian: "I see. Which people, and for what cause?"
Valaire: "Rapists, mostly., and the cause should be self-evident."
"It used to be in revenge when one of them got into one of my girls, but after I took the flame to him, I have to admit I relished the experience."
Twilalux tilts his head.
Valaire: "So I've taken to hunting down that kind of scum even if they didn't harm anyone I personally know."
Arkune: "I... I suppose they deserve it at least... what about reporting them, or bringing them, to the guard?"
Valaire: "Ah, there's the thing, love. You need proof for reports or guards."
Night Eyes tilts her head, looking at Valaire.
Valaire: "If you could send someone away just by saying they raped a person, my, there'd be a lot of false reports, wouldn't you say?"
Arkune: "T-true..."
Adrian: "Unfortunately, the law cannot be infallible. And sometimes harsher methods are necessary."
Night Eyes: "I am familiar with that approach."
Twilalux: "I... don't know what rape is."
Night Eyes: "Better we keep it that way."
Valaire: "It's a cruel thing you may be best in innocence of, little ragamuffin."
Twilalux: "Cruel? In what sense? I guess if it's that, it's good to stop it, at least!"
Arkune: "Yes. It's a bad grim cruel thing, Twila." Arkune seems a bit more stern than normal as she says this.
Valaire: "Now, then, Lord Adrian, you said you had something to inform me of?"
Arkune: "Ah, yes, that's right."
Adrian: "Night Eyes may be able to fill you in best on what we heard, but our goal is now to stop a demigod, as well as preventing war with Ashdale."
Valaire: "...A demigod? Is not that out of a mortal's league, my lord?"
Night Eyes: "Which is why we need to stop the war, more now than ever."
"Silske, the Usurper that stole Eribe's throne, seeks to find one of the oldest gods and slay her."
Adrian: "He's not getting any less powerful, and I don't think he'll get more merciful, either. Better to take action sooner than later."
Night Eyes nods.
Valaire pauses, looking alternatively between Adrian and Night Eyes.
Valaire: "This isn't a choreographed joke, is it?"
Twilalux: "It sounds crazy, doesn't it lady!"
Night Eyes: "I do not really do jokes."
Adrian: "I wish it were."
Night Eyes: "Realistically, we will need an army, and probably to seek out artifacts of sufficient power."
Valaire: "My first day as a retainer, and I'm being ordered to aid in the destruction of a demigod. My, if I were sane, I would resign on the spot."
Adrian: "Then I suppose I'm fortunate that you aren't. That explains the 'menagerie', as you put it, does it not?"
Valaire: "I do expect to be introduced properly to my coworkers over these coming days, of course."
Arkune: "As a plus, knowing the kind of special bastard Silske is, he's probably in line with the kind of people you go after in your free time."
"Just think of him as a harder target."
Valaire: "But, yes. I'm in, Love Adrian."
Adrian: "Ah, I suppose proper introductions have been skipped over."
Twilalux: "I'm Twilalux, Lady!"
Arkune: "I am Arkune Mulvery. Aspiring hero."
Valaire nods to the two of them, then looks at Night Eyes expectantly.
Night Eyes: "I am... nameless. In the past, I have used 'Night Eyes' in place of one. My ethnicity should be evident."
Valaire: "...nameless? This isn't an excuse to get away with not telling me again, is it?"
Night Eyes: "It is old magic. The mask keeps me hidden from magic, but at the cost of my identity."
Valaire: "You used a spell to erase your name?"
Night Eyes nods.
Night Eyes: "I sought safety."
Valaire: "At the cost of making yourself rather awkward during introductions."
Night Eyes chuckles.
Night Eyes: "Not that conversation has been my strong suit."
Adrian: "Heh. A small cost for safety, I think."
Twilalux: "(Do you think she's running from something too?)"
Valaire: "But I don't get the feeling you're lying. If you have no true name, then I might as well use 'Night Eyes'."
Twilalux ponders to himself, losing focus on the others.
Valaire: "I do suggest you think of an alias that at least sounds like a believable name at some point, though, bird."
Arkune: "(A lot of us are, Twila.)"
Night Eyes: "I do not want to risk breaking the magic."
"Not until I find a better solution."
Valaire: "Even fake names break it?"
Night Eyes: "Correct. A real name would make for another identity."
"Amusing, isn't it? To conceal my past, I cannot hide that I am concealing it."
Adrian: "I have a question about that. What if it was not a name you used? Could one of us introduce you by a false name, for instance, and you answer to it, but not speak it yourself?"
Night Eyes slumps against the wall, thinking.
Arkune: "To be fair, I've heard people use less normal names than Night Eyes. I once knew a guy who went by Shank."
Valaire: "How about using the name 'Night Eyes' in some language where it sounds like a name?"
Night Eyes: "Adrian's theory could work, as long as we continued to use this alias in private. Valaire's sounds safer."
Valaire: "But not a sure thing either way?"
Twilalux: "Oh! Hmm, let me think."
Adrian: "Interesting."
Night Eyes: "No, I think it would work."
Twilalux: "We could pick something in Wayang, right? Not many people here speak it, I don't think."
Valaire: "I don't think I've even heard of a wayang, and I'd like to think I'm quite knowledgeable around these parts."
Adrian: "That... seems like a safe chance, yes."
Twilalux: "There's a lot of ways of saying something like that, though. Hmm, let me think..."
Night Eyes: "In Eriban, it would be Dhaltra Ulanko."
Valaire: "Dhaltra does sounds quite nice as a name, and foreign enough too."
"Which can easily be excused by your ethnicity."
Twilalux: "That sounds pretty!"
Night Eyes: "Dhaltra is the sort of name a teenager might use in a fit of rebelliousness, but if it sounds good to folks here, I shall use it."
Adrian: "I like it. It should suffice as a solution for now."
Valaire: "And just in case your mask magic has more complicated words than a legal document, you can always leave plausible deniability in your introductions."
"'You may call me Dhaltra' is a lot more directly accurate than 'My name is Dhaltra', no?"
Night Eyes nods.
Night Eyes: "I tend to try that, even with Night Eyes."
Twilalux: "So... what do you want us to call you normally?"
Valaire: "Certainly not your fault if they assume that's your name."
"I think Night in private still works with her preferences?"
Night Eyes: "It would be most comfortable, I think."
Valaire puts a clawed finger to her lips, smiling.
Adrian: "I admit, I've never had much patience for learning the precision of arcane magic. A caveat like that sounds all too possible."
Valaire: "My, so many new friends already."
Night Eyes: "I look forward to further co-operation."
Twilalux: "We should go drinking sometime, Valaire!"
Adrian: "If there's nothing more we need to discuss now, we should get back to the palace. I don't know precisely when Kallian will summon me."
Valaire: "Kallian? The prince?"
Arkune: "Indeed."
Valaire: "My, you hobnob with royalty too. Though I suppose you are the queen's personal pick."
Night Eyes: "Stopping the war with Ashdale was our original goal. Adrian was going to need to speak with him anyway."
Valaire: "Lead the way, darlings."

The party arrive at the entrance hall of the palace. The place seems a little stirred up with the news of Lord Goring, but few are in the entrance hall, and have gone to the gathering halls for discussion.
Clerk: "Ah, Lord Adrian, you have a message."
Adrian: "Ah? What is it?"
Clerk: "His Highness wishes to see you."
Adrian: "Now? Very well."
Clerk: "This message was given a while ago, but I imagine he will still wish to see you."
Valaire: "I do apologize if our talk ran a little long, Lord Adrian. I certainly hope His Highness the Prince will still be available to see you."
Clerk: "He said he will be waiting in the Grand Library."
Adrian: "I see. Thank you."
Arkune pets Twilalux's head. "(Make sure to keep good manners around the prince, Twila.)"
Clerk: "He wishes to see all of you, not just Milord. So I imagine meeting him as a group is ideal for him."
Arkune: "Convenient. I had hoped for such a case."
Valaire gives a momentary glance towards Twilalux, looking somewhat confused.
Twilalux: "Is the prince important, Mister Adrian?"
Adrian: "Ah. Convenient, indeed."
"...Yes, Twilalux. More important than any of us, myself included, so act accordingly."
Night Eyes: "Yes, we can ill afford to upset him."
Twilalux: "Understood!"
"(Yes, yes, you can tell me what to do...)"
Valaire: "(Though if he asked for even the country mouse and the ragamuffin, one wonders if he is expecting a certain level of eccentricity...)"
Adrian heads for the library, motioning for the others to follow.
Arkune follows, gently holding Twilalux's hand if he lets her.
Valaire follows Adrian, moving in elegant steps to complement the formal dress her clothing seems to have taken for the occasion.
Night Eyes follows Adrian closely, eager to see the library.
Twilalux scampers along beside Arkune, looking around the hallway in awe.
The party head towards the Grand Library, using the black card to get through, entering into the hall.
Huge bookcases, reaching almost twenty feet up, with ladders affixed to the rows are before them, and an untold number of books in the library for anyone to read.
Arkune looks around, her eyes widening at the size.
Arkune: "(This place is huge... so many books.)"
Twilalux looks up at the bookcase, tilting his head.
After going through many wings, and hearing from librarians where the Prince is, the party make it to the easternmost wing.
Twilalux: "Are these ladders or something, Mister Adrian?"
Valaire: "...Do wayangs not read?"
Adrian: "They're for learning from. The place is not made to be wayang-sized."
Valaire: "Or wayang-culture-designed, for that matter."
Twilalux: "Of course I read, what kind of question is that, Valaire!"
Adrian: "What do you read from, if not books?"
Arkune: "These must seem massive to someone your size, huh?"
Twilalux: "I read from books too, obviously."
"I've just never seen them stacked up like this in containers before."
"So they aren't for climbing up to reach the higher ones?"
Valaire: "This is the natural habitat of books. It's breathtaking, isn't it?"
Night Eyes: "That makes more sense."
Adrian: "They aren't stacked for that, no."
Valaire: "To imagine the amount of arcane lore hidden within these walls..."
Night Eyes turns her head in many directions, reading the titles as she passes.
Twilalux grins mischievously, making it unclear whether he was joking or not.
Arkune: "Do you think they have anything on the history of the kingdom? Or Silske, for that matter."
The entire floor is quite deserted, aside from the Librarian, and a white haired young man in the corner, reading a large tome.
Adrian: "History, certainly. Silske, I'm less sure."
Valaire: "Tact, country mouse, tact."
Twilalux waves at the Librarian innocently.
Night Eyes silently follows, still gazing at the halls of books.
Twilalux: "Hello, I have good manners!"
Adrian: "Saying so is not good manners."
Valaire: "It is customary not to shout in a library, either."
Arkune: "It just comes off as odd, Twila."
"And that."
Twilalux: "(O-Oh, okay.)"
Arkune: "(You're still learning about this culture, it's okay.)"
Valaire shifts her wardrobe again with her magical garments, now appearing in a scholarly gown complete with matching spectacles.
Adrian pauses at the edge of the seating area, bowing deeply.
Adrian: "My apologies for the delay, Highness."
Night Eyes glides to Adrian's side, and bows to the prince.
Valaire takes note of the person Adrian is addressing, deciding to file behind him silently.
Arkune bows as well, though somewhat more shallowly than Adrian.
Twilalux hurries up behind Valaire's robes, peering round at the prince.
Arkune: "Greeting, m'liege."
Prince Kallian of Zeltria looks up from his tome at the party, examining them with keen eyes.
Prince Kallian of Zeltria: "Ah, Adrian, and your companions."
"Come, sit down, I was just waiting for you."
Arkune waits for Adrian to choose a seat, before finding her own.
Prince Kallian of Zeltria shifts over in his couch to make room for company.
Night Eyes takes a seat beside Adrian.
Valaire sits on the other side of Adrian, adopting a modest sitting posture.
Twilalux scampers up to the prince, climbing up onto the sofa beside him.
Adrian tries to glare at Twilalux discreetly.
Arkune: "(That's rude, Twila. Not so close)"
Arkune tries to lure Twilalux over to her sofa.
Adrian: "I am told you wished to see all of us, Your Highness."
Prince Kallian looks down at Twilalux, scrunching up his nose a little.
Prince Kallian: "...you smell of alcohol, little creature."
Arkune: "I hear it is common for his kind."
Prince Kallian: "...to smell of alcohol?"
Valaire: "It is hard to say, Your Highness; we sadly only have the one for an example."
Arkune: "It's a strange but common trait, I believe."
Prince Kallian: "Would you mind sitting over... there?"
Prince Kallian gestures to the space besides Valaire.
Valaire: "Come over here, little one."
Twilalux: "A-Apologies, my Mister!"
Twilalux swivels off the sofa, quietly climbing up beside Valaire.
Adrian: "My apologies, Highness. He's traveled quite a ways to get here, and is still learning about Zeltrian culture, I'm afraid."
Arkune: "And our language, as well."
Night Eyes nods, resting her head on her hand.
Twilalux glances at Valaire's seating posture, attempting to mimic it.
Prince Kallian: "No harm done."
Adrian glances over the tome Kallian set down, smiling.
Adrian: "I like your choice of reading, my prince. It's a good book. Any connection to your current projects?"
Prince Kallian: "It's quite an interesting book! It covers a lot of the school of enchantment and how to put charms that interact with each other on various items."
Arkune moves over slightly, sitting closer to the prince, since he offered space... though she keeps further away than Twilalux did.
Prince Kallian: "I'm seeing if I can find ways to make three or five more spells interact with each other in this way, rather than just a simple alarm spell."
Night Eyes: "Curious. Augments, or a set of contingencies, perhaps something that could create a chain reaction?"
Night Eyes looks at Arkune, confused.
Adrian: "That sounds quite complicated, but it would be an impressive achievement. What would it be used for?"
Valaire puts a claw to her chin, thinking about the prince's musings on enchantment theory.
Prince Kallian: "Well, you know the black library passes? They have a simple charm set on them so if anyone doesn't have one of those, it'll set up a small alarm if they walk through the library doors."
Night Eyes: "I can see how further studying such magic would have use, yes."
Prince Kallian: "I designed those, and I'm wondering if I can use it for any sort of other applications."
"Well, it's more that I enchanted the doorway with a selective alarm made permanent."
Adrian: "Ah, so that's how it was done?"
Night Eyes: "Hm, with properly distributed insignia, you could use such magic to count how many people of different groups enter and leave a building."
Prince Kallian: "Well, you cast the spell at the doorways, and specify these black cards, and then you have to invest quite a few costly materials in casting another spell to make it permanent."
"Then I had to work for a few days on inscribing arcane marks on all these cards so they'd all work on triggering the alarm."
Prince Kallian: "Took... quite a while to get everything set up."
Night Eyes: "I can believe it. Making spells linger sounds like it would take concentrated effort."
Arkune: "Sounds... time consuming. Though I suppose for a collection this size, it's worth it."
Adrian: "Was magical research what you had asked to speak with us for?"
Prince Kallian: "Ah! No. I just have a habit of getting caught up in these things. The study of magic is so enthralling, don't you think?"
Night Eyes: "It truly is."
Prince Kallian: "But yes, I've been hearing about a lot of the things you and your companions have been up to."
"Some great, some rather confusing. I even hear you and your companions went and locked Uncle up for... kidnapping someone, I heard?"
"So I want to hear what's actually happened from you and your party yourselves."
Adrian: "Unfortunate business, it was... You may recall I had to leave word that I could not meet with you yesterday?"
Prince Kallian: "I remember that happening, yeah. Pretty disappointing."
"I had reserved a wing for our conversation and then you didn't even turn up."
Adrian: "My deepest apologies, Your Highness."
Prince Kallian: "No need to be so humble."
Adrian: "Shortly after arriving in the city, I was informed that my... illegitimate daughter, and her mother, had gone missing, and found their house torn apart."
"After spending some time searching, we found the man responsible. ...He revealed that it was Lord Goring who hired him. I can find no reason to mistrust his statements. Hence the arrest."
Prince Kallian: "Huh, why would Uncle do something like that? He's been so good to me."
"Are you sure this person wasn't just lying to make him seem bad?"
Adrian: "We found a letter to examine the handwriting of, as well. There's still a lot more to investigate."
Prince Kallian: "Do you mind if I take a look?"
Valaire turns to look at Adrian, before realizing that the small wayang has apparently fallen asleep clutching to her, impairing her movements.
Adrian: "Of course I don't mind."
Adrian retrieves the letter, offering it to the prince.
Prince Kallian takes the letter, studying it carefully.
Prince Kallian: "Hmm, no doubt about this, this is Uncle's handwriting..."
"Unless there's someone who's a very good forger, this is him."
Night Eyes slumps back in relief.
Prince Kallian: "...but why would he want to do something like kidnap your daughter?"
Night Eyes: "I believe he was meant to be leaving, today. Perhaps he wanted Adrian out of his plans until then?"
Adrian: "I don't know why, my prince."
Arkune: "Perhaps he also wanted to delay us meeting with you, sir?"
Prince Kallian: "It just doesn't make any sense, he's always seemed like such a good man."
Prince Kallian rubs his head.
Night Eyes: "Is there something special about Dragonstooth?"
Prince Kallian: "Aside from you can't really be touched there without provoking some nation, not that much. It's just some fishing colonies and mountain clans."
Night Eyes: "Curious that Goring was planning on going there today, then."
"It makes more sense that he may have wanted to delay Adrian if he was seeking somewhere with diplomatic immunity."
Arkune: "Of course, the question is... why?"
Prince Kallian: "He was going to Dragonstooth?"
Adrian: "Yes, he was. Today, in fact."
Arkune: "Has the Chancellor been urging meetings with anyone unusual, Prince?"
Prince Kallian: "I don't know about any meetings, I didn't inquire much into his personal matters."
"That really does cast suspicion on him..."
Adrian: "You are his kin, Your Highness. It stands to reason that he would treat you kindly. But while I don't want to make any assumptions about his motives, I think it would be safest if you're careful with how much you trust anyone. Even kin can see you as a pawn, and kindness is a powerful weapon for that." [Diplomacy: 28]
Prince Kallian: "Does that mean he's been hiding his dubious nature to me all this time?"
Adrian: "It's very possible."
Arkune: "If not forever, then for a while at least."
Prince Kallian: "I don't want to believe it, but there's mounting proof on this..."
Prince Kallian sighs.
Prince Kallian: "Godsdamn it."
"If this is true, then I question what else he was hiding from me."
Adrian: "I'm sorry to have to deliver such news. He was one of the people you felt you could talk most openly with after your father's death, wasn't he?"
Prince Kallian: "Ah! I just realised!"
Arkune: "If nothing else, we know he was hiding something dire enough to seek sanctuar- Ah?"
Prince Kallian: "I don't think we've had introductions, yet."
"Sorry, I got sidetracked and forgot all about it."
Night Eyes: "Ah, I suppose you did invite all of us."
Prince Kallian: "I only know the names of Adrian, but I only know the rest of you from your actions."
Adrian: "I'm sorry, I suppose I overlooked it as well. It was a surprise and an honor that you had wished to meet with my entire entourage at all."
Prince Kallian: "I wanted to see exactly who put Uncle behind bars."
Night Eyes raises a hand.
Night Eyes: "Please call me Dhaltra. I am following Adrian as a scholar, and acting as his bodyguard. ...I beg that you forgive the mask, it is a curse I must bear."
Prince Kallian: "That's fine, I've met people with weirder traits."
Valaire bows as best she can from her stationary position, lightly clearing her throat.
Valaire: "My name is Valaire. I am employed by Lord Adrian as a researcher of arcane lore. It is a pleasure to meet you, your highness."
"The creature that smells of inebriation is a wayang named Twilalux. I apologize that you had to endure his more personal form of introduction earlier."
Prince Kallian: "Aha, how interesting. I love to meet fellow arcane researchers!"
Valaire: "I am flattered, your highness, though I regret to say I am not yet at your mastery of the great arts."
Night Eyes: "Yours still outstrips mine, Mistress Valaire."
Arkune: "As for myself... I am Arkune Mulvery. Wanderer turned retainer of Lord Adrian, with aspirations of knighthood."
Prince Kallian: "Even still, anyone who can understand what I'm talking about who isn't older than Uncle is very much appreciated."
"Oh, the knighthood, eh?"
"Too few people in the city care about the arcane, too invested in divine magics."
"You can't do what I do with divine magic."
Valaire nods in quiet agreement with the prince.
Adrian: "Your talent is rather exceptional, my prince. It's hardly surprising you can find few peers of your own age."
Prince Kallian: "This is why when I'm King, I'm going to make sure people have a place they can learn how to perform arcane magic."
Valaire: "It is quite the nuanced art form, isn't it, your highness? A regulated form of tutoring may be just what aspiring apprentices need."
Prince Kallian: "Exactly! I like your style, Valaire."
Adrian: "I look forward to seeing it."
Night Eyes chuckles.
Night Eyes: "I think that would be a welcome direction in culture."
Arkune: "Perhaps the mages of Cliffside could help with staffing and supplies?"
Prince Kallian: "Maybe some time you'd like to come and look at each other's spellbooks, Valaire? I'm sure you'd be able to learn something from it."
Valaire: "I would be honored, your highness, to receive such a boon."
Prince Kallian: "Ah, right, back to the subject at hand."
Night Eyes: "Do let me know if you encounter any interesting transmutation or illusion magic."
Prince Kallian: "Now, if Uncle has been lying to me about these things, what else has he been hiding from me?"
"Is he really that despicable of a man to order kidnapping a child?"
Adrian: "It's a good question. I suspect, at the least, that much of his advice to you was chosen to sway you toward decisions that benefitted him, more than you or the kingdom." [Diplomacy: 27]
Prince Kallian: "You mean war, don't you?"
Arkune tenses slightly, in anticipation of what the prince will say next.
Prince Kallian: "He made it sound so simple. Attack Ashdale and defeat them for killing Dad."
Valaire: "Ah, but is that ever a fair exchange? Blood for blood?"
Adrian: "But it's not so simple as that. Many of your people would suffer and die, and your rule would be weakened. It's not what His Majesty would have wanted."
Valaire: "I must concur with Lord Adrian; the best way your highness has to bring peace to his majesty the king is to become a ruler that would honor his legacy."
Prince Kallian: "It seemed like it... but now I'm so unsure after the news."
"Tell you what."
"Give me some time to think about it, this afternoon, and we can talk about it in a couple days time, here... about noonish?"
Adrian: "A wise response, my prince. I will be there."
Arkune: "As will I, sir."
Prince Kallian: "Thanks. It's nice to have some nice people who don't toady up to you, to talk to for a change."
Adrian: "Heh. I imagine it would be, yes."
Night Eyes: "I would welcome future discussion, also."
"Hm, your majesty, would I be permitted to visit this library in the meantime? I am interested in the magical study here, and it may be a good time to brush up on the Ashdale Independance war."
Arkune: "I would not mind being able to learn of your kingdom's history as well, Prince."
Prince Kallian: "Of course, ask the Librarian for a black card before you leave, tell them I sent you."
Valaire: "I would be greatly privileged for an opportunity to discuss the arcane arts with you whenever you wish it, your highness."
Night Eyes: "Thank you."
Prince Kallian: "Shall we say, tomorrow at seven, Valaire?"
"In the evening, of course."
Valaire turns to Adrian, as if seeking confirmation for leave.
Adrian nods to Valaire.
Valaire nods back, turning back to the Prince.
Valaire: "It would be my honor, your highness. Tomorrow evening at seven."
Adrian: "I expect I'll be occupied with research of my own in the meantime, if I finally have a few days of peace back in the city."
Night Eyes: "I have a few relevant topics at mind, Master Adrian."
Prince Kallian: "Brilliant, with that all set, I'll be taking my leave. I'd like to do some research on Uncle before we meet again, ask around a lot."
Arkune: "It makes sense. I would be curious to discover his true motives as well."
Valaire: "May the day fare you well, your highness, and best of luck in your research."
Adrian: "Until our next meeting, then."
Night Eyes: "Best of luck, Your Majesty."
Prince Kallian gets up, stretching, before making his way out, book in hand.
Adrian: "That went much better than I expected."
Valaire: "He did seem to take a shine to us, did he not?"
Night Eyes: "Indeed. It looks like the two of you did very well."
"I'm glad we have you with us, Valaire."
Valaire: "I doubt I did anything you wouldn't have done. I just stoked his interest in the arcane arts."
Arkune: "It is a relief to see he's so... human."
"In my head, I'd pictured someone more like Goring."
Valaire: "I didn't lie, you know. I do love magic, and I am honored to get to review the spellbook of a mage as esteemed as the Prince."
Adrian: "He's a good-natured boy, he always has been. I shouldn't have left him to find his way on his own for so long, but his poor choice of advisors was never the most pressing problem..."
Night Eyes: "It is an exciting opportunity, Valaire."
Valaire: "I may not find much that strikes me of immediate value, but with your permission, Love Adrian, I would certainly like to see if I can convert some of your resources into arcane scrolls."
Arkune: "I do hope to become a bit more enlightened about this land myself... I've read a little on Zeltria, but not much."
Adrian: "Permission granted. If we can stop by my residence again, I'll make sure you're well-supplied."
Arkune: "I can seek out information on Silske as well."
Valaire: "Until then, I will see what I can do with what I have on hand."
Night Eyes: "That is a dangerous name to be asking about in public, Arkune."
"Please be careful."
Arkune: "Sorry."
"(Still, there must be some record of his rise, and perhaps clues to weaknesses he might possess in such.)"
Night Eyes: "That is something I intend to investigate myself."
"His rise will not be documented here, but other things may."
Adrian: "...Arkune, can you take the wayang back to his room?"
Valaire: "Please do. I fear I cannot actually stand with him pinning my clothing as he is."
Arkune: "Not a problem. I'll get him back safely... assuming he doesn't wake up and try to run off to a bar again."
"Might wander around after, and see if I can hear any news from Eribe?"
"Even if the past is shrouded, there might be travelers or traders who have heard more recent news."
Night Eyes: "That sounds more fruitful."
"Maybe you can hear about nobility making suspicious deals, too."
Adrian: "Talk about looking for news of your father's family. It's a good excuse."
Arkune: "I suspect there are plenty of rumors of that... But I can see if any stick out."
"Good idea, Adrian."
The party discuss things, before splitting up to accomplish their various tasks.