The blackguard charges the knight with a savage swing of his sword. The blade connects on the torso near the neck sparkling as it digs into the inquisitor's armor.
with a smile on his face.
Black Jack's blade just barely finds a way through Sir Balin's armor and draws blood. Grunting in pain the witch hunter grimaces and returns the attack with his well made blade...
Longsword: for
...measuring his foe easily and driving the blade into Black Jack's gut. Sir Balin quickly removes his blade and readies it for the next attack... and you get a sense that he was initially holding back from attacking with full force.
Shendalyn's summoned beings surge forward to strike, but their beak and maw do not mark the noble knight's hide. The devil dog then fades from existence and returns to whence it was called.
Action Tracker (Round 1): Black Jack, Albina, Sir Balin, Mi'Dre, Shendalyn and Pals
Damage Tracker:
Sir Balin - 12
After his more... motivated companions charge into the fray, sufficient to distract Sir Balin's attention anyway, Mi'Dre slips forward, circling as far around to Sir Balin's side before moving in and releasing a foul belch to disorient the knight, and dirty his shiny armor...
Shifting his sword to his injured arm shendalyn pulls free a leather bag of sorts before calling forth another eagle into the fray.
Fiendish eagle will smite good!
Claws:
Add 2 if flanking
Add 2 if flanking
Bite:
Fort Save:
Sir Balin resists Mi'Dre's foul expulsion with stoic fortitude before the claws of Shendalyn's second eagle scrabble ineffectually over his armor at first... but one claw penetrates slightly to mar the knight's skin.
Action Tracker (Round 2): Black Jack, Albina, Sir Balin, Mi'Dre, Shendalyn and Pals
Damage Tracker:
Sir Balin - 17
Black Jack feels the power of the abyss boiling in his blood as he channel its fury to increase his fighing prowess. But this time the heavy plate saves the paladin from his wrath.
Mi'Dre grimaces as the well armored knight shrugs off most of the attacks leveled against him, though as he feels the infernal energies swirl around Black Jack he smiles slightly. Seeing his belch easily shaken off likewise the Devils keeps light on his feet, waiting until Sir Barin is distracted by Shendalyn's minion, before he leaps onto the man's back, claws scratching for purchase, tearing rents in his tabbard as he does.
The shining knight laughs derisively at Black Jack's attempt to strike him. "Iomedae guides my hand whelp... and it will be your ending... but first I cannot suffer the devil to live." He then launches a forceful strike at Mi'Dre...
Cleaving Power Attack Longsword: for
...though to the devil's relief the flashing sword does not meet flesh.
Action Tracker (Round 2): Black Jack, Albina, Sir Balin, Mi'Dre, Shendalyn and Pals
Damage Tracker:
Sir Balin - 17
1d20+9
Beyond all reasonable action, Mi'Dre lunges towards the embattled knight...
Power Attack AoO: for
....a very very lucky devil managing to get a grip upon Sir Balin and beginning to restrict his movement.
Action Tracker (Round 2): Black Jack, Albina, Sir Balin, Mi'Dre, Shendalyn and Pals
As the Devil successfully finds his grip on his larger, human foe he simply clings for dear life, looking slightly surprised, but victorious having successfully slipped past not one, but two blows from the skilled knight.
Shendalyn's twin eagles go to town on the paladin now both of them bringing forth their infernal power to rip him to pieces.
Eagle 1 (2 Rounds left)
Claw
Claw Crit Confirm
Claw 2
Bite
Claw
Claw Claw Crit damage
Claw 2 damage
Bite
Eagle 2 (fresh)
Claw
Claw
Claw 2 Crit Confirm
Bite
Claw
Claw
Claw 2 Crit Damage
Bite
Shendalyn decides to apply some of his magical skill to the armored paladin to give the dogpile currently trying to rip him to pieces a better chance. Placing his sword away and whistling a jaunty tavern tune it grates into the paladins mind and distracts him from the coming assault.
Making use of the opening created by the devil Jack attacks the inquisitor again sinking his blade deep in the man's torso.
Where is your goddess now, fool?
Shendalyn's summoned birds manage to penetrate Sir Balin's defenses twice and the energy expended fending them off leaves him ill prepared for Black Jack's strike - which skips slightly off the man's armor before sliding deep into his gut. A look of defiance crosses Sir Balin's face, but his wounds have robbed his limbs of strength... and his sword and shield fall from his grasp.
Collapsing on his knees Sir Balin coughs and blood mars his chin. A single tear mars his cheek as his voice grows weak "No... Iomedae would not... abandon.. me" and he falls upon his side, face ashen and stripped of color as his lifeblood continues to seep unto the floor of the chamber. His last act is to clutch for the silver and sapphire pendant at his neck... fingers closing around it protectively before he breathes his last.
- Masterwork full plate
- Longsword
- Dagger
- Cloak of Resistance +1
- Heavy steel shield
- silver and sapphire pendant (holy symbol of Iomedae)
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Mi'Dre continues to cling to Sir Balin, claws digging into his armor even as he wavers beneath the blows Shendalyn's fiendish critters before Jack's blade scores true. The Devil grins then, simply riding him down with a clatter.
He wastes not time then, straightening up from the prone figure, his claws deftly seeking out buckles and clasps, pausing momentarily to try on the man's cloak for size, before setting it aside and continuing to peel the man free of his armor until he'd got his breastplate off. Grabbing the man's shield and rolling him over he brings the heavy weight down on Balin's chest until he feels the ribs break, and he can plunge his clawed hand into Balin's broken chest, his claws closing around his warm, possibly still beating heart...
Shendalyn not caring for the mess that the devils and eagles were making of the body quietly collects the mans blood in his water skin not precisely knowing exactly why. Then reaching through the feathers and madness he wrenches the holy symbol from the mans ruined corpse before proceeding forward.
Mi'Dre is about to bite into his warm snack when he hesitates, looking towards Albina and after a moment carrying it over to her, offering it up. If she's not interested in it then he digs in, blood running down his chin as he enjoys his tasty snack.
He then turns back to Balin's corpse, beginning to concentrate as he casts his gaze over the man, trying to tease any strands of magic clinging to him and finding that his cloak is in fact magic. He slowly licks his fingers clean as he picks it up, carrying it over to Albina. "Any idea what this is?"
After having Albina check the cloak he either leaves it with her or bundles it under one arm and looks around at the others. "Anyone want his stuff or shall we leave?" he asks, sounding bored now. Assuming Blackjack does want the armor he will help to strip the rest off of the dead man, reluctantly helping carry some of Sir Balin's equipment if necessary, but otherwise just happy to get this over with and be done with this stupid test.
I want his plate, give me a minute. the blackguard says while striping the body. After Jack is done he follows the others out of the dungeon. I wonder if that was really Sir Balin... Valeria would be pleased. A late farwell present for you, my darling.
You move out of the dungeon below the manor and find no real sign of the squire Timeon's passage evident... and no sign of his corpse either. Making your way through the manor house you find Adrastus sits in his study seeming almost as he has moved not an inch from where he gave you your orders earlier. He states simply “You’ve returned... have you something for me?”
"Of Course M'lady" Shendalyn passes over the holy symbol refraining from making numerous comments.
Cardinal Thorn takes the trinket and holds it before his face pausing as if in deep contemplation. As the symbol glitters in the light he muses “A pretty enough thing, eh? This is a holy symbol of Iomedae, in particular the sort favored by the Knights of the Alerion. Perhaps you already knew that." smirking knowingly “Remember this symbol. This is the mark of those who destroyed our faith and sought to banish all trace of the worship of our Father from these shores. These, my friends,
are your enemies.”
Tossing the pendant back to Shendalyn Thorn adds “Keep it. It may aid you in disguising yourself.” pausing before adding with an inclination of his head “You have done well. Escaping from Branderscar, slaughtering Sir Balin … yes, you are worthy. Now, let us complete your training…”
Mi'Dre happily eats Balin's heart when Albina ignores his offer, sighing and helping with the armor when Jack voices his request. He stretches as they return through the previous path back to the stairs up to the main house, feeling his crippled wing spread slightly, all of Albina's dark magics must be working, he thought perhaps he'd be able to use them again soon...
As such the devil was still smiling faintly as they appeared before the Cardinal, like Albina the devil just looking towards Shendalyn, watching as he hand Adrastus the holy symbol, and has it returned, the Admiral’s words reminding him of the one he had found in the prison and had ground up.
The devil does his best to hide his disdain at the Admiral’s manner as he tells them to remember the symbol, just remaining silent until a chance was given for them to speak. ”It seems you have invested much in freeing us from our fate and preparing the tests below… have we proved ourselves sufficiently to learn more of what is in our futures in your service?”
Once the meeting with the Admiral is done he retires to his chambers to sleep off the lingering, deep pain caused by the vampiric mist’s attacks. Over the coming weeks he spends his time exercising his wings as best he can in the conditions available to him, pleased that they are working again, though he seems to lack the former grace and speed he once enjoyed, the malicious devil banking such dark thoughts and feelings for revenge against the humans of this land. He also spends a good deal of time with Grumblejack, testing his strength, and commiserating with his fellow outcast amongst outcasts. If possible he gathers some of the slaves to fight, wrestling them into submission and tormenting them for his own amusement, though he still refrains from causing serious injuries for wariness of drawing his Master’s and the Admiral’s handmaiden’s attention. Whenever Tiadora is near he does his best to fade into the background, though woe betide anyone who comments on the behaviour, or compares him to a slinking dog, despite how accurate it might be…
Spellcraft to Identify:
Cardinal Thorn merely continues to smile at Mi'Dre's question "Some things have been proven, yes... though others remain untested. You will learn in time is all I offer to you now."
Attempts to sell gear / buy new stuff can also be stated.
Shendalyn shrugs off the idea of summoning devils and gives her some rather simplistic advice. Lounging on a velvet seat his lean and muscular shirtless body slightly glistening from the efforts of a vigorous fencing session. He worked the days improving his sword play knowing full well that his skill in the blade would be sorely needed in the days ahead.
"You already have everything you require. Something they want and the necessary foundation for the rites necessary to call them. What you lack is raw power. They're simplistic beings dedicated to cruelty as ordained by the twisted and byzantine laws that rule their realm. But, they still have hungers, needs, and desires as much as any creature with a shred of personality. And believe me M'lady, you have qualities that many find...desirable."
Thoughtfully Shendalyn quietly pours himself a goblet of wine and takes a long refreshing draught eyeing the pale skinned cleric meaningfully then puts the goblet down and continues casually. "Consider our little friend Mi'Dre. His kind desires simple carnage and bloodshed. They are bred for the purpose. Have you ever seen him happier than when he ripped open the chest of that paladin and chewed up that heart? He has no real hunger for fine wine, music, art, the company of a warm bed mate. All he truly desires in his little black twisted hear is the carnage of his home and the assurance that heavy handed authority gives him. Of course the higher you go, or lower depending on your viewpoint, the more complex those desires become. Yet for all their alien thought and terror they are not difficult to appeal to if you know what they want and you always have something they want. The only question is whether or not you are willing to pay its price."
Over the next couple of months you are trained intensively... sometimes alone, sometimes with enthralled servants and occasionally with Thorn himself playing an active role. He is intense and driven when he spends time with you, proving somewhat of an every-man with knowledge from fencing to devil binding to subjects arcane and divine. Tiadora is present also, though her lessons tend to the painful and biting - taking pleasure in exploiting your shortcomings and the fact that you are unable to match her.
As time passes you are also brought into a group to work together, learning more of your companions' strengths and weaknesses and how best you might work with them. You also note that the White Ravens are being trained as well, though kept predominately segregated.
focusing on working with your summoned creatures and how to combine their focus with your own. "Focus strengthens your will."
Black Jack spend the next few weeks improving his martial prowess, something tells him that it will be much needed in his immediate future.
He hangs around the training room and dual the members of the other squad when they are avaible and willing. It is also a chance to learn some of their weakness. He spend most of the nights with the female slaves of the state.
Mi'Dre is surprised when he is encouraged to fight the servants, viewing it as permission enough to let himself loose, for which he is greatly pleased. Though Mi'Dre would not have been pleased to hear how Shendalyn spoke of him the summoner was fairly accurate, Mi'Dre is a vicious, petty little bugger.
Of course, his enthusiasm at being allowed to maul some of the servants is dampened when he must do so under the eye of the Cardinal, and when Thorn's b&%&@ is present and active in his training he tries his best not to show his fear and frustration. As much as he dislikes--and for Tiadora, despises--their presence he does reluctantly learn from their guidance, with Thorn's advice proving surprisingly apt and helpful, though surprising only from Mi'Dre's perspective. When Admiral thorn declares him his Angel Slayer he bares his sharp little teeth for a few moments, before bowing his head in as humble a thanks as he's likely to give.
Mi'Dre's whispered urgings seem to take some effect, as he overhears that a servant was killed in the White Ravens chambers and some reprimands handed down. Nothing of true consequence, but a clear sign that Trik was able to be pushed.
Your training completed, you are called before Thorn once more. Both the Cardinal and Tiadora are present in formal garb and a pentagram is etched unto the floor in silver. You are bid to kneel around the pentagram in a semi-circle as Adrastus conducts an infernal summoning - calling a barbed devil from Hell into the pentagram. After a short bargaining in Infernal the price of a slave is agreed and Thorn gives the hamatula a naked male slave.
The devil gleefully rips the slave apart and feasts on the blood and entrails. Adrastus then draws forth some of the devil’s blood with a silver athame. Adrastus traces the unholy symbol of Asmodeus on the forehead of each of you in turn with an ink of mixed devil and mortal blood. Once the pentagrams are drawn, he intones formally “The Nessian Knot is forged. You are the ninth of my children and will act as my arms into the nation of Talingarde. Together we will crush the Iomedeans and return our rightful lord below to the throne.” With that you are dismissed and the hamatula returns to the infernal realm.
The next day you notice that the White Ravens are called to Thorn and soon after depart the manor house with all of their trappings. Also you note on the river dock behind the manor, a square-sailed longship sits heavily in the water, laden with a substantial cargo. Servants deliver a message, bidding you to attend to Thorn that night... and receive his directions for the Knot of Nessian to forge forth... begin the road of foul redemption.
Mi'Dre lets out an evil chuckle when he hears about the success of his efforts. He doesn't stop, though he does proceed a bit more cautiously in case he's caught anyone's attention however, and also a bit more subtly, starting to work on both twins now, trying to focus them both on Elise, though for very different reasons. Trak receives admiring whispers, how full her lips are, how pert her breast, while Trik receives a slightly more obsessive sort, how pale her skin, how bright her blood, how pleasing it would look, splattered over her delicate features...
It seems he eventually runs out of time however, as the other group pack up, and they are called in to Thorn. He poorly hides a scowl at renewed site of Tiadora, shuffling obediently into position under the gaze of the two powerful beings. When the being is called into the circle to serve Mi'Dre just smiles slightly, enjoying seeing his betters controlled, though said smile turns to a sneer as he is granted his bargain. He licks some of the slave's blood from his lips as they are splattered, but just continues to kneel as Thorn creates his mixture, and marks them all with the familiar symbol. As Thorn gives his speech Mi'Dre closes his eyes, and then sighs as they are dismissed.
After retiring and receiving the message the next day Mi'Dre ensures he still has his meager possessions, and then pays a visit to Albina, knocking lightly on her door.
Shendalyn sees to the cobras selling off the raw materials after idly picking them apart out of curiosity.
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Albina watches the summoning ritual with hungry eyes, and regards the Infernal haggling session with special interest, almost afraid to breath and disturb her focus.
Seeing the White Ravens called away, her eyes narrow. Eight other groups, each with a head start on currying the Cardinal's favor and enacting this bold plan to restore the worship of Asmodeus to its proper place in Talingarde. A part of her wants to sabotage their efforts, and yet, she suspects that it would be better to restrain that unworthy impulse, and focus instead on the success of the overall mission, first, before concentrating on their 'allies.'
But what if one or more of them has a similar thought, and has already begun working towards the ends of improving their own standing at the expense of others? She frowns as the possibility that others are already plotting ways to sabotage *her* efforts to prove herself in Asmodeus' eyes occurs to her...
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Mi'Dre's attempts to act against both of the White Ravens is less effective than he desired. Trak is not so easily swayed and quickly reasons that something must be afoot - it takes the devil quick action and stealthy moves to escape his detection.
The night of your summons comes quickly and Thorn receives you in the dining room. The table is bereft of decoration bar a carafe of wine and five goblets and he sits alone at the table's head - Tiadora nowhere to be seen. However there are five unoccupied seats sitting around the table. Thorn waits until all are present and seats have been taken before he begins.
“Welcome, my children,” Thorn begins in a deep resonant voice that has an almost inhuman quality to it. “Training is at an end and you have proven yourselves worthy of being named as my ninth. Now, it is time for you to use that training and take on your first mission in the outside world."
His eyes twinkle dangerously as he continues “Your mission is war, my children. You will bring war to Talingarde... You will have two objectives as you depart. First, you will see a shipment of munitions delivered to a bugbear chieftain named Sakkarot Fire-Axe. He makes his camp on the northern coast of Lake Tarik beyond the Watch Wall. With this shipment, the Fire-Axe will have resources enough to unite the barbarous humanoid tribes of the north and seek to act in ruinous anger against the opressors."
“Sitting on the dock as we speak is the longship Frosthamar captained by Kargeld Odenkirk. Tomorrow when the ship is resupplied it will be your transport. The captain is a ruthless mercenary and not to be trusted. He knows nothing of the specifics of our mission and you should keep it that way. He knows he is smuggling cargo to the north beyond the Watch Wall. That is all he needs to know."
“Once the cargo is safely delivered, he will take you just south across the lake under cover of darkness and land you near the town of Aldencross. There our contract with Captain Odenkirk will be concluded." sighing slightly as he finishes the sentence.
“It is a shame how greedy he has proven and I had hoped to let the captain serve me again; but it seems he is too much of a liability." continuing in a clipped manner "Kill him then. Kill his crew. Burn his ship and leave no survivors. It is crucial that no one suspects our involvement and that loose ends are taken care of. Be sure to reclaim the coin I gave him. After all it is best not to be wasteful."
“That done, you will begin your second task. We will do more still to aid our ally the Fire-axe. The bugbears are mighty warriors but poor when faced with great walls of stone and iron. You will infiltrate the tower Balentyne, keystone of the Watch Wall, kill its commander and open the gate for Sakkarot’s horde."
“Once the shaggy monstrosities pierce the Watch Wall, the bugbears will pillage and lay waste to the townships of the north and the local garrisons will have no choice but to meet the Fire-Axe in the open field. Sakkarot is the most brilliant, gifted and murderous bugbear of his generation. Therefore I expect these battles will go poorly for the knights and yeoman of fair Talingarde." smirk settling upon his face as he dismisses the competence of the knights of the realm.
“Do all of this and then when your task is done, break this clay seal.” laying a delicately carved clay seal adorned with a tangled knot of thorns surrounding the holy symbol of Asmodeus upon the table. “At that time I will have more instructions for you. Succeed and I will see you rewarded handsomely." allowing a pregnant pause before continuing "Fail or betray me and you will pray for the comfort of Hell before I am done with you."
“The mission you start upon today is a holy mission. The people of Talingarde think they have seen the last of the mighty Asmodeus. Soon enough we will remind them that there is no escaping the grasp of Hell. Let us toast our success.”
Standing from his seat he moves around the table, pouring one glass of deep red wine for each of you in turn before pouring one for himself. He raises the glass and offers a toast.
“To war.”
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Wheels turn within Albina's mind at the opportunities that may unfold.
"Does Fire-Axe know anything of us and our true natures, beyond that we have promised him weapons and aid, that he might pillage at liberty?" Albina asks respectfully. "If it were possible to allow him to see one of us in the guise of Sir Balin, through disguise or magical trickery, or as some other noteworthy Iomedan, given Sir Balin's holy symbol as a token of their pact, and be led to believe that he is being contracted by a rogue faction within the church, or even by the ruling body itself, seeking to bring hardship on uncooperative outlying villages and communities, it would make the eventual capture and interrogation of the humanoid leaders, or, at the very least, the looting of their bodies and the presence of evidence we have planted, forged documents, coin freshly stamped with the Iomedan crest, and so forth, create suspicion and uncertainty within the ranks of the Iomedans, as they seek out traitors amongst their own."
"We could also sow such rumors among the outlying communities, during the attacks, particularly any that have strong-minded leaders who have not always completely toed the Iomedan line, making it seem plausible that the Church is allowing them to suffer, even if they might not believe that the Church went so far as to hire a bugbear army to punish them for their 'ungrateful behavior.'"
"Sakkarot knows that I send him aid, and that those that bring it shall be my agents. The Frosthamar shall make haste to the horde of Fire-Axe. Once he has the cargo, then I trust to your judgement in securing the fall of the tower Balentyne." smiling with approval at Albina's thoughts "Use what methods you believe will be most able to achieve that goal."
Mi'Dre listened as Thorn finally outlined the plan, a slow grin spreading over his disguised features, baring his still pointed teeth. This was more like it, War, Murder, Betrayal and Arson! He looked to Albina as she suggested sowing discord amongst the church, and while he agreed with her, he doubted giving Fire-Axe the impression they were from the church would do much if his task were simply to pillage and burn.
"If we were able to disguise some of the savages as poorly hidden warriors of the church then that might do much to cause strife and a loss of morale. Perhaps when we sabotage the defenses of Balentyne we should disguise ourselves as such..." Mi'Dre offered his own opinion.
Jack endures the initiation ritual. He have been in more violent and even more intense ones with Valeria but never cared much for them. His distrust comes mostly from the fact that he does not fully comprehend the magical procedures thus making him feel vulnerable, a feeling he despises.
He watches the departure of the white ravens with indiference.
At the night of their meeting with the cardinal he goes full clad in his new armor and listen to his worlds with attention pondering on their implications.
he toasts with the others with a crocked smile on his lips.
After thinking a little and listening to the others he asks the Cardinal:
Your Highness could you provide us with a map of the region, it may pay off to make sure our good captain will stay in the designated course. Also I imagine we will coordenate our strike with Fire-Axe's attack on the wall but can the beast be trusted? We can hold the tower for a couple of hours but if the bugbear gets late it will be the death of us.
Turning to the devil Yes, since we all have these the blackguard says turning his circlet of disguise in his big hands playfully we could enter the town as a travelling priest of Iomedae he looks at Albina and her retinue. It would give Albina an excuse to use magic freely and for us to be armed. We may push this disguise to even infiltrate Balentyne. Do we still have that Iomedian holy symbol?
You do not know the name of Sakkarot, nor the fire axe; and similarly the Frosthamar is not known to you.
Balentyne is a watchtower of dwarven make and stands as a sentinel on the watch wall - a barrier that separates the savage North from the Southern lands. The tower Balentyne is rumored to be held by a hundred men and more
Aldencross is a small town that sits to the South of the Watch-wall and supplies Balentyne.
"I would sooner trust the Fire-axe than I would you... he will not fail us. As to ensuring that the Captain stays the course... I have acquired another that might fulfill that purpose and more besides. He is an... interesting person, but should prove worthwhile." clapping his hands with a loud crack.
At the signal, servants open a door to an adjoining antechamber and Thorn speaks "Cruxcarr, you shall accompany my ninth... They have an errand to run first, but after that you will be returning home." a wicked smirk upon his face as Cruxcarr emerges...
And with that introduction Thorn takes his leave of the room - leaving you alone with Cruxcarr and your thoughts on the road ahead...
Before you stands a porcine behemoth of a man; his large frame and blunt features loaded with heavy flesh. His dark eyes glitter, narrowed with scrutiny and as he smiles forebodingly, his full lips part revealing sharpened points of yellowed teeth.
Dressed in functional artisan’s garb of a dull russet colour, the brute wears a scoured and cracked leather apron, akin to those sported by tradesman or perhaps a butcher. His equipment belies his true vocation, as scroll cases and component pouches are offset with a roughshod club and numerous daggers at his waist.
Perhaps most unsettling of all are the veritable necklace of leeches, carefully placed along his corpulent neck…
With a slow, oleaginous voice addresses you all, wearing a leering smile as he does;
"Greetings, greetings most blackhearted Ninth. I am Cruxcarr... a Felmongere of some proficiency..."
Cruxcarr bows his head slightly to you all before continuing;
"As Cardinal Thorn most eloquently advocates, my somewhat... visceral... yes visceral talents... are at your desposal and will, I have no doubt, augment your already most formidable quartet..."
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In the fashion of polite ladies, Albina's hand moves to cover her mouth, as if stifling a yawn, to conceal her look of distaste.
She recovers her poise after a moment, and smiles a practiced smile. "Welcome, Cruxcarr."
Raising her hand again, this time to her throat, she touches it lightly and says softly, as if in confidence, "You have a little something, right here..." Her smile finally reaches her eyes, as she amuses herself with her wit.