Lin waited for Min outside the library as he gathered up his things. He was thinking about what the Bishop had said, he kept turning it over and over again and found himself lacking for words as he thought of a decent prayer to give to Izmir's patron, to Iomedae The Inheritor. He had spoke in haste many times before this day, thinking them immune to the perils of the world and it had nearly costed him what he cared for most.
Despite being distracted by his thoughts, he took note of Aylaeth's disappearance before realizing how long they had been gone for. Hastily he wraps up the maps, while completely avoiding looking at the foul image that marred his once beautiful work. As he left the library he fell in beside Lin as they began heading back towards their room. She was still a bit shaky over what she had witnessed during the ritual and even the bond could not convey what she felt properly. For now he ignored it, as he spoke quietly with his companion.
"Aylaeth is gone, as is the page." He sighed for a moment before adding. "Looks like we have a lot of explaining to do once we join the others again, hopefully we haven't kept them waiting long."
Lin chuckled, half-heartedly, at her rider. "It is quite rude to ask for a meeting and then be late, but i'm sure they will understand~"
Min smiled then, thinking back on the most probably place they would hold a meeting. "I'm sure they'll let me have it. Now... I know of only one place that would be fitting for our meeting." He paused for a moment as he looked at the Great Cathedral on the western side of the square, he inhaled deeply as he mustered his courage. "Lin, you go on ahead. I'll catch up." Lin tried to hide her shock as Min moved away from her and crossed the square towards the Fount. She didn't leave though, just watched silently from a distance as Min fulfilled his duty.
As Min approached the Fount he still didn't quite know what to say, after everything that had happened today, he was amazed to have survived at all. He unlatched his weapons and set them aside, they were far to bulky to kneel with them on. With Avenaada set to his left, he set his mothers blade, unsheated, with the flat of the blade against his armored shoulder as he kneeled before the Fount. He bowed his head as he offered up his heartfelt thanks to the Inheritor...
"Min, Lin you look well. Something is different, perhaps later."
Belsarious's announcement draws everyone's eyes to the north corridor, where indeed Min and Lin have now joined the company. All are present.
"And you know his how?" Maiathreen asks Hurin when he comes in Servais' hilt clenched in his fist still in his sheath.
Min nodded to his fellow Skyknights as he entered the Hall with Lin following behind him. He tried to ignore any looks that he got for looking like he had walked through flames, Lin's scales however were resplendent and luminous after she had been healed by the Battle Clerics. Min ran a hand over his bald head as he realized they had walked in at a tense moment. They waited quietly as they tried to ascertain what was going on between the aged looking monk and Mai.
"Truths be told we are all different an have grown in many ways towards maturity. Some gradual increments an others in leaps or bounds...."
"Tis great truth in speakin generalities."
"Maiathreen! This man is not our enemy, other would not be walking freely in Izmir." Damian does not mean to harshly rebuke his fellow Skyknight, but the breach of protocol catches him off guard. "Brother Hiring, I offer my apologies. They mean no insult or threat. Please, sit with us."
He begins the meeting as it should have begun before Mai's reaction. "Skyknights, allow is to begin this meeting by offering thanks to the Inheritor, who has blessed our endeavors with her grace and valor. We have much to discuss. Six of the twelve Abominations of Marianasu are secure, but the others remain free in the world. It is our quest, our duty to find the others and secure them. Failure, I fear, means that the whole of the Land is under threat. Captain Harrix has offered to assist us with weaponry and armor, as each of us needs and as best they can spare. Let us come together to decide a course of action to discover the known locations of the remaining Abominations and to secure them. Aylaeth, have you gad any success at discovering their locations?"
Maiathreen realizes what Sir Damian says is most likely true and since his moral compass isn't destroyed from childhood he trusts in his advise. He takes a deep breath and takes hold of Livain's hand and gets a reassuring squeeze from her.
Brother Hurin's eyes flash and he looks about to respond to Mai, but then Sir Damian begins to speak and the frail old monk instead looks about for the nearest chair and sits, content to speak with Mai when an opportunity presents itself later.
"Seems half tha abominations havin been secured leaves us six more an those surenly will be more difficult to obtain, tha toughest being taken or re-taken from tha dragonflights."
"You spoke of known locations, ken these places be scryed an intelligence gathered tah help us plot a course o actions?"
raises an eyebrow at Sir Damion.... ;)
At Brother Hurin's reaction to the Aellar Aylaeth frowns slightly looking back and forth between the two tattooed men but then continues the introductions giving everyone's names and finishing with "Indeed Brother Hurin, these are the two I wanted you to meet, this is Maiathreen Gyssearnith, and his wife, and my friend, Livian. From the tales I have heard and my own observations, they have quickly become invaluable and deadly members of the SkyKnights and are stalwart defenders of the Light against the forces of darkness. Mai, Brother Hurin has survived trials and tribulations few can even imagine let alone bear, and yet still remains true to the Light. The information he has given me has helped our effort tremendously. I am sure all three of you will have much to discuss as allies with a common background and foe." feeling her duty complete in that regard, she gives each a significant look, hoping her point made, and then moves over to Damian.
Knowing by now that he prefers an informal style when the group is amongst themselves, she sits along with the others and says "Please forgive my tardiness commander, Brother Hurin and I were discussing matters of utmost importance that are directly related to our primary mission. I shall of course give you a full report whenever you wish. The two most interesting and important matters discovered though are that I have now positively identified another of the abominations and know that it is, or at least recently was, possessed by the Black Dragonflight. It is a most insidious artifact and is directly related to the tattoos Brother Hurin and our Aellar companions bear. The second matter, while less vital, is still intriguing. You recall those heroes you met and aided in Manaus? It turns out that they are in fact the The Three, the very heroes spoken of in Legend and Prophecy. I would very much have liked to meet them myself. As for our next direction, despite my desire and the need for at least some of us to venture to Lesotho, I believe our next destination needs must be Stormfare, if we can receive some aid from our good Captain here." And with that in mind she turns to the Captain Harrix.
Turning to the other superior officer in the room, she salutes before saying "Greetings once again Captain. How good it is to see you in better health. I would like to ask you about a matter of some import. My paige Alain here -whom I highly recommend by the way, as he has performed his duties without fault and his assistance has been invaluable- has informed me that you have runners with special travel capabilities. I have need to get an urgent message to an individual in Manaus in connection with pursuing the trail of the Abominations."
As he waits politely to speak he finds himself being asked what gear they might need as they venture off again."Light armor for Lin, a quiver of arrows and a minor combat enchantment for my blade if there is time. Also... a set of scripture books for The Inheritor and Saranrae if its available." Upon hearing him ask for books of scripture Lin looks shocked, despite their close bond she hadnt seen that coming at all.
Captain Harrix takes note of Min's request, then nods somberly at Alain when Aylaeth singles him out for praise. "Excellent to hear, my lady. Discharge your duty with honor and care, right Alain?"
The boy salutes smartly. "Yes sir!"
"Good lad. You'll receive a commendation for that." The captain then turns back to face Aylaeth. "We do indeed have runners and a certain amount of magics to help in this matter. I believe we can accommodate you in this regard. Will you be expecting an immediate reply, or do you intend to bring this individual back here? For either is possible."
Aylaeth smiles as Alain swells with pride and honor at receiving praise from Captain Harrix himself.
When the battle scarred vetran turns to her, the sylph nods at his question and answers "I'll explain further sir. Despite the excellent library facilities her in Izmir, I am quite sure that our best, and perhaps our only chance of locating the rest of the abominations is to consult Fen's Omnibus. The only copy of this tremendously rare and valuable tome that I know of resides in the Great Tower at the Hec in Stormfare University. Access to it is incredibly limited. Despite my own not insignificant credentials I am not all sure I would be granted access, regardless of the gravity of our mission. For you see, there is as well in the world of Acedamia a certain... politics involved, which can take the kind of frustrating time to wade through that we simply do not have. This is where the individual in Manaus comes in. It so happens that one the fellow Liberators of Manaus that the Skyknights aided, one Pike DePhaz, is the son of one of Stormfare's top acadamians, who is in a position to grant, or at least secure, access to the Omibus. Having Pike accompany us to aid us in making our case to his father would be ideal. Yet if he cannot or will not accompany us, any help he can provide us will be better than none."
"Oh and I also need a rod of extend. And a tabard of resistance for both me and my wife."
The captain nods to his scribes as Mai adds on to his request and makes an "ah-ha!" sound as Aylaeth describes the situation. "I understand what you're saying, my lady, of course. While we strive to maintain high quality facilities and a deep collection, we certainly understand that we cannot have all resources at our disposal, and the Omnibus is a singular Major Arcana that is unequalled in all the Land and much, much safer in the timeless walls of the Tower in the Hec than perhaps anywhere else."
Harrix points at a nearby page who is standing down. The boy snaps to. "Justin. You heard our conversation, you know what the lady Aylaeth needs. Return with Mr. DePhaz, or an acceptable substitute, by midday. Go."
"Yes, sir!" The boy barks out, then bolts from the room.
Harrix then gestures to the scribe that has been taking notes. He compares the scribe's writings to his own, nods, makes a couple tics, then gestures for another page to come over. "Get this to the quartermaster, immediately. We need to have the Skyknights re-equipped and flying by sunrise tomorrow at the latest."
He then steeples his fingers and exhales softly. "You should be ready to go by dark, depending on what supplies we have and what we need to pull up from the reserves. You could fly out at dusk, of course, but are welcome to stay until morning so you can instead leave with the sun at your back. The good news is that if you are indeed going to Stormfare, you should have little difficulty getting out of the city; the Black Dragonflight have been utterly incapable of keeping any kind of regular force active either on the Deepest Lake or even too near its shores, so you should be able to pass without fear of harrassment. I'd recommend a northerly trajectory halfway to Varna, then a sharp turn west to take you to Stormfare."
As the Captain sends the paige Justin on the way to bringing back Pike the Magus nods and adds "Thank you Captain, this bodes well indeed for the successful completion of our mission. As well, if it will not tax your stores to heavily, there are perhaps one or two items which may be helpful for me as well."
"Excuse me Captain Harrix, but if you can find a set of elven chain mail it need not be magical. It's just that my current armor has seen better days…" She says as she shows the missing links from both arrows and blades. ""Also there are Bracers that can increase the potency of an arrow shot. Also before we were interrupted you mentioned some new enthaladi arrows. I'd like to hear about those if you don't mind."[/b] She asks politely.
Lin watched her rider quietly as she thought about what he had asked for and grimaced at the thought of wearing armor. As she spoke to him through the bond Min turned to look at his companion and raised an eyebrow questioningly. After about a minute, Lin sits back looking downtrodden. In response, Min chuckled at his companion and wheezed as he received a slap in the side from her tail as she glared back at him.
{Why must I wear armor? It is degrading for a dragon to not rely on its scales.}
Min turned to look at his companion and raised an eyebrow questioningly. {Much more degrading to be killed in battle and left to rot by our enemies, you don't see me trying to take on orcs in my bare skin.}
Lin sat back looking downtrodden. {You still haven't answered why though? Will it be hard to learn quickly?}
Min chuckled at his companion and wheezed when she struck him in the side, she disliked the humor in his thoughts. {When the bond changed so did my spells, apparently I can't cast the same protections as before... Which is a shame. But for you too learn armor will only be as hard as you make it. That is if they even have the items to give us. I would prefer your armor over an enchantment for my blade. We will see though. Don't expect much from a city under siege.}
{Perhaps we can give them some reprieve~}
Min stepped aside as Lin moved forward some, she nodded to her rider before she started to speak. "If the black dragonflight are having a hard time maintaining their presence, perhaps it is an opportune time to perform a series of Hit-and-Runs while they are still weakened. We could target known supply lines or research bases and crush them before they were the wiser. Besides we are not part of your normal troops so it won't cost you anything more then pointing the way. We could even do this on our way to Stormfare as a fair well gift to our foes~" She pauses momentarily as she lets the Commander think it over before adding. "I would very much like to find the one who made 'The Tatters' and destroy their ability to use such a foul weapon." Lins eyes narrowed as she spoke, her claws sparked as they surged with arcane energy before she snapped them together in a crushing motion to emphasize her point.
Min coughed loudly at Lin and suddenly she realized her error and looked to their Captain as she set her claws back on the floor. "My apologies I hope I didn't overstep myself, Sir Damian."
As the others are speaking Aylaeth moves over to the paige and has him add her requests to the list.
Damian listens to the dragon's suggestion. He has not dealt much with the silver dragon, preferring to deal with her half-elven rider out of familiarity. In truth, dragons are creatures that Damian has a healthy respect for, and admiration in the case of the metallic dragons that protect much of the Land, but he finds them to be alien and distant even when friendly and gregarious. "You are every bit as much a member of this band, and have every right to suggest a course of action. I had not considered it, though it does have some merit. If there is some central location that these vile weapons are being created, it is likely closer to the far side of the enemy line. Attacking and returning might be too difficult, but attacking while on our way out may be possible. We would have to use a different route than straight over the Lake, but it would be worth it to strike a heavy blow to our enemies as we leave Izmir. Captain, can you gather any intelligence regarding this possible course of action?"
Lin nods her head respectfully to Damian, her confidence was bolstered by the small bit of praise she gleaned from his words. Min smiled as he felt the bond thrum with the happiness she was feeling, she had been about ready to burst before he pushed her to speak her mind. Now she was proud she had suggested a course of action that could aid their allies further.
{Thank you Min for encouragment.}
[b{Your idea made sense to me and its like a trade off. Not only do we gather more of the Abominations but we aid the city in exchange for the items they give us. A win, win. Besides I'd like to remove the Tatters as well, but I doubt it will be that easy...}[/b]
{Any chance to remove that as a weapon in this war would be worth it. I was hoping we could help the Copper get justice for his rider. But that will have to wait.}
{Justice, Lin? He will have Justice when the siege is broken and the black dragonflight is on the run with our bows and lances striking them in the back.}
{That won't be anytime soon will it?}
"A wand tah ward gainst evil might also aid us greatly."
Captain Harrix frowns. "I'm...fairly certain General Merit would not want to risk the lot of you on a single sortie against a weapons creation area. The only intelligence we have on Veriala's forges places them well behind her lines, in the Frost Kingdom. You'd be lucky just to arrive, much less get into the place. Brother Hurin" -- he indicates the emaciated monk -- "gave us what little he could remember of the place, and if he's even half-right, it's fortified beyond our imagining."
He sighs. "And as for The Tatters, I'm afraid we know nothing about them; they've only just appeared in the last two days, and they wither to dust under our scrutiny. Bishop Janssen and others think the presence of divine magic causes this, so we have sent to Varna for arcanists to aid us; diviners and summoners. They will arrive today."
"In short, my friends, while I applaud your bravery, this is our fight, here in Izmir. You are needed elsewhere. Indeed, you were hand-picked for your mission. I would remain focused on that, as no-one else is. you are already half-done, and we already know, now, that the Black Dragonflight has one of the Abominations. Any deviation from your mission may let who-knows-how-many more come into their possession, and that is a fate far worse than dealing with the Tatters. Veriala will have to come up with much worse than that if she seeks to break our lines."
Min and Lin both nod after listening to the Commanders words, they had hoped they could be of use in weakening the siege but at least they had offered. Min thought for a moment as he went over what he had heard so far. Retrieve or have Pike assist us in convincing his Father of our need to see the Tome. Set out for Stormfare and unleash Aylaeth on the tome to discover what abominations we are looking for. Crush any that oppose are mission. A lot of flying and a lot of fighting ahead.
{Your not going to like wearing armor Lin, especially since we have no time to break it in before we leave here.}
{When have we ever had the time to learn something? It's always been in the field since we were forced to leave Heartland...}
{I can't deny you there Veara, at least we will be able to smash some more of these Dragonflight bastards. It doesn't matter whether they are Red, Green, or purple because they'll be Black and blue before the Skyknights are through with them. This time though it looks like we need to do more scouring for useful items, we can't always rely on Izmir to give us gear.}
{True... Hopefully we find something worth picking up this time and not blood covered jewels and dead man's coins...}
Min looked to Mai and Livain his brows creased in thought. "So the one abomination they have is the one you two spoke of correct? Is that where the rest of your kind are kept as well? Or is that the fortress that the Commander speaks of?"
"I wish I could tell you… it would make sense for the others to be kept as close to the abomination as possible. Though remember the two we fought for te globe they were at related to us a little so they could be anywhere…"
Brother Hurin is watching Mai closely. Sensing that Captain Harrix is also interested in this, as is Aylaeth, the "old" man speaks. "You're right, aellar. I remember...others like you. You were kept in lots or something. I don't remember dimensions or sizes or capabilities. I remember dragon-wings. I remember watching you all fly around the damn room like lunatics, insane from agony. I remember them trying to separate those of you who were already lifemates. I remember the screams. Worse, I remember how some of you didn't scream, because the pain was too great for sound. I remember your skinny bodies wrenched into weird shapes, trying to push that...damn...shadow...thing out of your head. To have your thoughts be your own again. I never got to talk to any of you. I just knew you were around, and were like me, but different. Different in that they had a different use in mind for you, though I don't know what."
Min continues standing as he rubs his chin thoughtfully, he remembered the twins all too well. Indeed those were the ones who had burned his hair off but, by how insane they acted, it was obvious that they were broken or bent to far to return to the light. He looked back to Mai, Livain and Brother Hurin as well. "I'm sure they were related but those 'twins,' unlike you two, were broken and I have a feeling from what you and Brother Hurin are saying. Is that they must keep it and their... victims in a single secure place. I doubt they would move such a potent artifact, especially if they were well within their lines or inside a fortress. What I'm trying to say is that there is hope yet for others of your kind if we can locate the fortress and find a way to smash it. I don't mean hold it, merely bust our way in. Release who we can and grab that damn thing before they bring the whole dragonflight down on us... I'd hate to see more innocent people aellar or otherwise twisted by darkness. So please search your memories for anything you may have missed no matter how unimportant, because with what little we have. Everything will be important."
He turned to the Commander Harrix and Brother Hurin once more. "If it is allowed id like to know whatever information their is about that fortress on a scroll or in a journal form please. Because if that artifact is anywhere its going to be there and I don't care what defenses it has I want to try and scrutinizee what weaknesses it may have. Every fortress has one whether physical, magical or its troops are lazy because nothing ever attacks them. If we can find an opening and exploit it then we can bring the roof down with a single well placed strike." Min smiled then as he smashed his gauntlet fist into his open palm with the loud sound of metal on metal.
"This will be something we will have to plan for, long and hard. Perhaps we will find out more once we've collected the other free abominations but I would like to have an idea of what we are up against in the future."
@Mai:
There is some kind of racket going on outside. Captain Harrix frowns distractedly and nods at a pair of guards, who jog outside to investigate.
"Min, I agree completely with you that that is the only way to do it; to zoom in and grab the artifact right out from under their noses. Unfortunately, the only knowledge we have is equal to what our Gorumite friend here recalls..." -- he indicates brother Hurin with a nod -- "...and he remembers more than other person we've freed from their hold."
"Right. And I don't remember squat. Why don't you just say it, Harrix? I don't remember squat that can be useful. None of us do. There's no way in that doesn't involve risky magic. Veriala has that place utterly swarmed with wards, you know she does!" The bitter monk speaks with a perpetual scowl on his face.
As you are speaking, a light meal of dried meat, purified water, and fruit is brought to the table. The Captain bows his head and utters a prayer, all the Paladine and Clerics and Warriors of the Shining City doing the same in unison. Morning sun gleams off the silver and glass and marble of the Great Hall of the Cathedral of the West, and while all these holy men are praying, it feels like the very spirit of Iomedae herself could just as well be in the hall, so full and comforting and...bracing is the stillness in the air.
The captain sees that all of you receive some food, then takes an apple for himself. He twists the stem off in what is obviously a very old habit, and as he does so he nods toward Min again. "So, Master Ramaloce. What would you propose? We have no scouting reports about Veriala's home territory with sufficient detail to be of tactical use. I know you Skyknights are bound to follow up on Lady Aylaeth's research, as well, and Stormfare beckons. Do you know of any who could possibly get information on that fort -- if it even is a fort, for that we're not sure of -- while you lot get what you can out of Fen's Omnibus in the City of Storms?"
Aylaeth is attentive throughout the discussion involving the abominations and the possible obtaining of the one she had just positively identified. Her years of battle training and tactics tell her clearly that Min has the right of it. She also knew that, no matter what, much more information, followed by much planning, would be needed before an attempt of that magnitude could even be contemplated let alone initiated. Whatever the circumstance, she would follow the orders of her commanding officers and do her very best to see them carried out. They would regain and destroy that foul abomination some day!
As the understandably sensitive brother Hurin is set another time she places a comforting hand on his shoulder, saying gently "Once again I tell you my friend that you have already helped us immensely. Knowing, as they say, is half the battle, and we now know where this abomination is, and what it does, in large part due to you. Perhaps most importantly, we also know that , despite the artefact's awesome power, it can be beaten. You yourself are the living example of that. Please never forget how inspiring your very survival is to all those of us who oppose the darkness."
As she says these words, a part of her attention is taken by the commotion outside and by unconscious reaction her hand grips her quarterstaff more firmly.
Perception:
Min prayed along with the men of Izmir, which comes as another staggering shock to Lin, he felt it only right so long as he shared their halls and owed a staggering debt to The Inheritor. He bows his head to Brother Hurin as he says. "I only wished to know what you had already had down in writing Brother, nothing more." Turnign back to the Commander. "As for what I propose Commander is that no one try and find this fort, or whatever this place is. If it is so well defended then we have no choice but to leave it until we can bring our full focus on it. Besides we don't want them to discover our infiltrators and tighten their hold even more because of our sudden interest, then whatever paltry information we get will be utterly useless."
He steps forward and picks some choice bits for his companion as he takes nothing more then a warm drink for himself. "My apologies, I didn't mean to divert the conversation from our current plans." With that Min steps back and allows others to take the floor content with the questions he had asked and trying not to distract the conversation further.
Captain Harrix shakes his head. "Min, if one of the Abominations is there, then we're going to have to deal with it sooner or later. Someone is going to have to go there. I just don't know who. If only..." He trails off.
Damian looks back and forth between Min and Captain Harrix. "We must be at our strongest to even attempt such a feat. Assaulting a stronghold, even in a raid, is not something we can simply attempt without preparation. We must know the defenses, where it is weakest, where we stand the strongest chance of success. To go blindly into combat is to invite calamity. No, we must discover all that we can about the stronghold of our enemy, even risking discovery of our plans. Whoever goes to scout must be swift as shadows, brave as the paladine, and incorruptible. I don't know who it will be, but surely Izmir has other dedicated servants."
"It is likely going to be the most difficult of the Abominations to recover. It will likely be the final one, but we must start our preparations soon. In the meantime, we have our first goal: go to Stormfare and discover as much as we can about the other five Abominations. Where they are, what they are. We must develop a plan of how to get them, and information is our weapon here."
Min nurses his warm drink as he turns back to Captain Harrix and Sir Damian. "Understood sir, I merely don't want them anticipating anything before we are ready to commit to an action against them. If the place is protected by wards, then they can be changed and quickly at that. So if we tip our hand too early then we invite disaster because of false information. But if there is someone who can penetrate such staggering defenses undetected, then I will stand corrected. I just don't want them to move the Abomination once they discover we know where it is." Min eyes the Captain after realizing he had trailed off...
Between bites Lin stops eating and nudges Min's shoulder to get his attention. "Sir Damian is right Min, perhaps its better we move against them early and if the discover us we will just have to adapt to what they do."
Chuckles softly....
"Sir Damion, I know that assault is on your mind when a stronghold tis mentioned. This though mighten require more stealth subterfuge, deception, an guile. Seems all we want is tha abomination either removed from tha impregnable fortress or some manner tah destroy it where it now lies."
"Might require as much or more planning to destroy tha thing in place! I suspect might be possible an might cost mah life tah do so. Thus relegating tha abomination tah the final one, as I ken not fathom dyin tah rid tha world o one of many, but tah rid tha world of all tha does make sense tah mah thinkin."
Captain Harrix swallows his bite of apple. "gmg. Excuse me. Belsarious makes a decent point, actually. Though currently the only way to fully bind and neutralize the Abominations is through the Ritual, we have recently come tantalizingly close to learning other...disposal methods. If we were to come across one that would allow us to neutralize more quickly, and in the field, then a single one-shot quickstrike raid could be an option. It's a backup, but it's something to leave on the table."
He takes a drink of water. "In the meantime, I agree that the current best plan is for you to go to Stormfare so the scholars among you can avail yourselves of the resources there while we do what scouting we can. If we can p-"
The captain is cut off by the opening of the doors accompanied by a clanking of chains and a sudden strange increase in the brightness of the silvery light in the hall, illuminating everything with astonishing clarity and warmth. A gravelly female voice speaks from the just-open door. "Errrgh. Can you turn the lights down, Ian? Or does She control that, too?"
Harrix turns to the door, his eyes wide with surprise. "The Inheritor is making it known you are not welcome here, Brody. And what by her shield are you doing here, anyway?"
Standing in the door, clearly uncomfortable in the light, is a woman. She is flanked by four guards, two of whom are the ones Harrix sent to see what the racket was. While they do not have their weapons drawn, they are keeping a very close eye on her. In front of her, walking towards the table, is the runner that was sent to deliver a message to Manaus. He looks very uncomfortable. "Captain Harrix, she was sent by the council to deliver news and answer what questions she is able. They...would not consider sending another, despite my entreaties."
The woman whom Harrix called Brody is about 5'8" tall and of a slim build. Her skin is ashen, not from any sort of racial trait but simply from neglect and drug use. This makes her age difficult to guess. Her ears, mouth, nose, cheeks, septum, collarbone, jaw, and eyebrows all sport many piercings. She is covered in tattoos, scars, burns, and lacerations. Some of the latter are fresh; she is dripping blood on the marble floor. She is clad in a black leather skirt that swoops to the floor in a dramatically arcing fall and black leather vest that is buttoned tight. She has no shirt on underneath. Peeking out from under her skirt are boots covered in an array of spikes. Her hair is a shocking blonde and is cut very short. Her eyes are a verdant dark green and are sleepy; heavy-lidded. Her mouth is full and sensual and her voice is a gravelly purr. She has the undivided attention of several of the younger men in the Hall.
Perhaps the most attention-getting thing about her, though, are the numerous silver and black chains she wears; they hang from some of her piercings, are sewn into her dress, wrap around her waist and pinch the bare skin of her tummy and arms. Some of them appear to be sharp.
Captain Harrix has fire in his eyes. He snorts in disgust and turns to Sir Damian, but it is clear he is addressing all of you, by proxy. "Lamorak. Look. You don't have to speak with this...creature...if you don't want. I will go to Manaus myself and get you answers if need be. This is a mockery." His voice is a flat hiss. It is unclear whether or not Brody can hear him, but he doesn't really seem to care one way or the other.
For her part, Brody raises her head defiantly, the silvery light of Iomedae that floods the hall making her skin look even more sickly than it is, and highlighting minor infections around some of her piercings and cuts. "I am here to bring information to the Skyknights of Izmir, if they will hear it. I come on behalf of the Council of Twelve, of Manaus, and bring tidings from them."
At first Min raises an eyebrow questioningly at the womans appearance, unlike the younger men in the room he found nothing appealing about this creature. In fact he pitied her for her sorry state. But the moment Lin realizes who the woman serves Min starts to tense up, a flash of anger twisting his mouth. Lin moves quickly enough though to nudge him and get his attention, this wasn't Donaria. As she shakes her head at him she looks at the strange woman with her large eyes. "Its not her, let Damian handle this Bein."
Min turns back to Brody and merely crosses his arms as he looks at her with his steely gaze, he had some unsettled business with a Zon-Kuthon cleric. Just not this one. As he took in the full picture of what they did to themselves in the name of their religion, god or whatever, he barely stopped himself from spitting in disgust. Min mumbled under his breath to Lin. "He can have at."
Belsarious notes the arrival of the woman.
"Well hello indeed. I am Belsarious one among a company o many, known as tha skyknights. I am willing to spend time with you and take in your company and words. Seems it best we depart this chamber to do so, as it seems Captian Harrix finds your company less tempting than I."
Goes to meet the woman at the door...
Looks back over his shoulder...
"Any are welcome to listen and attend, or to not. Each of us shall be informed of tha report received, come or go as you please."
At last a girl-friend!
Being neutral has advantages! ;)
"I will not refuse an offer of aid freely given, tis against mah beliefs."
Captain Harrix, perhaps tactfully, elects to say nothing as Belsarious approaches Brody. Brody smiles wanly, but is clearly too thoroughly discomfited by The Light to really put anything behind it. She addresses the wood elf as he walks up to her. "Well. You're forward enough. I like that alright, but I do have a duty to discharge." She looks pointedly at Harrix. "The men of Izmir are not the only ones who understand the value and weight of duty. If the Skyknights won't hear what I have to say, then I'll leave with Belsarious here and tell him. Maybe he can pass it on. But I'll let them speak their peace first, as I believe they are independent of Izmir, no?" Her gaze moves to take each of you in.
Min grimaced as Belsarious stepped forward to greet Brody. He made eye contact with Sir Damian and nodded to their Captain in a I will watch out for him way, before he came to stand beside Belsarious. His face looked like it could have been chiseled from marble as he nodded to Brody in a repesctful way. "My name is Min and where ever Belsarious goes, I do as well. Forgive my rudeness but I thought you were... someone else, I won't turn down information. I just didn't think it was my place to speak over our Captain." The last part wasn't to be spoken of harshly but Damian hadn't even got to speak yet...
He turns to Commander Harrix then. "Is there a place where she can speak more comfortably sir?"