Iyers holds his rifle high, "I've no need for it. Where to next? Onward?"
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As Chase follows up, he gets a hold of the journal and after reading it, says, "Hey, did you guys read this? It says there's no one here. That they've left to kidnap more magical people. Like me..." after a break for thought, Chase's face went cold and still, "Tena!"
At that, Chase lights one of his own torches and takes off running down the hall back toward the entrance to the temple.
I don't think anyone else can use it as well as you can Maelius begins before Chase takes off. Hey Chase. Wait for us Maelius runs after him.
Iyers' look of hope and excitement falls to a stern dutiful one, "Of course, we must follow our charge."
As you reach the entrance, night has fallen, and the moon casts a dim light over the forest floor. "Chase!" A wispy voice shouts from your left. Tena, healthy and unharmed, flew out of the tree line and hugged her brother without restraint.
Chase embraces her, but quickly pushes her back, "Our family is in danger, we must return to them."
She quickly nods, and turning to the others, says, "Our family will ever be in your debt. We have naught in the way of riches, but if you ever need our help, just come to the front gate. We'll be there for you." With that they take off in that direction through the trees and are gone.
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Maelius just manages to get the journal back from Chase before he disappears with Tena.
I think.. with that journal.. we have more than enough proof for the Forum of Nethys to come down on this place and wipe it clear Maelius says. Torturing magic creatures to summon things... is... just Maelius shudders.
On their way back to town, the Captain says jovially, "I can honestly say I've not felt this alive in a decade. If you all ever need any more help around here, just come find me, I'm almost always at the station."
At Mael's comment, he says, "The Forum? Oh yeah, they'll 'wipe it clear' after they're done studying it for six months. By then, whoever's responsible for this will have set up shop someplace else. These old temples are all over Attica. I wouldn't be surprised if this 'project' were just one of many."
At Taldo's question, the Captain grins and slaps him on the shoulder, "You m'boy have more in your future than tanning, not that it isn't a noble profession, mind you. Tell you what, I'll personally endorse your application for citizenship if you'd like to become a member of the guard. We could use a man of your skill. And your loquaciousness!" This last comment made him chuckle.
As they reach the city, Iyers looks around as if looking for a reason to continue on in their company, and looking up he sees one, "Wow, it's gotten late. Have you all got a place to stay for the night? Or have you got more to do?"
Setaphina, will look at the various tools and gear found. Who would let these creatures be loose in such a place? Why? Are they gonna come after me...even though I am only half blooded? Is my... her though ends before she can finish it, the words slips from her mouth, mother
She races towards the entrance with the others, she is on edge when Tena rushed forward, but relaxes when she makes out who it is.
My mother, she may be in danger by whoever is taking these magical being hostage. I MUST go back and see her!?, she waits to see who is coming, but will go alone if no one stops her.
"Back in your home town? Unfortunately, I can't accompany you beyond my jurisdiction, I could lose my station. But it seems you've got some very able friends."
We should go to Origen first and explain what's happening. Seraphina. Maybe we'll get some help and find out some safe place where we can take your ma Maelius says when he catches up to her.
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But...but...what if... her mouth and mind unable to work together as she tries to spit out her words. She takes a few deep breathes, trying to compose herself. After 16 very tense seconds, she looks to Maelius,
Okay, I guess if we have no where to go, seeing if she is safe wouldn't mean much. We need to hurry though...I can't lose both my parents.
She make a b-line for Origen, pushing her to her most extreme limits.
She gets, maybe 1/4 of the way to Origen, and she collapses. He body clearly in no shape to be pushed after she pushed herself while exploring the cave.
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It takes about an hour for Taldo and Sera to make their way to the Gisli Forum of Nethys. The sound of Taldo banging on the door causes the guard to his right to wake with a start.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?" He asks. Seeing the exhausted Seraphina, he adds, "What's wrong with her?"
After a few unsure seconds, the guard fumbles with his keys, and unlocks the front door. Taldo is too concerned with his new friend to notice the beautiful and intricate glowing runes all over the inside of the Forum. He just runs in, and begins searching the faces of the people he's awoken for any sign that they've met the woman in his arms. The man she knows to be Origen, in his night gown and cap, approached with an air of mixed concern and annoyance. "What's going on? Why have you woken us?"
Seeing the girl in his arms, he looks her over and says, "Put her down here," he indicates a nearby couch, "carefully. Now explain yourself."
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"Fainted, eh?" He said with a sigh. "Well, she'll be okay there for a while. There's no magic that can match a few hours of rest for that. Why was she running so fast?"
"Yes young man, I understand that she was running to get here. What I meant was, why was she trying to get here in such a hurry?"
Maelius and Captain Iyers enter through the front door just in time to hear Origen ask, rather impatiently now, "About what?"
Hearing the tone, the Captain chimes in, "No need to get impatient now...Origen, isn't it? What seems to be the problem?"
"That's exactly what I'm trying to deduce from this stammering young man. Why exactly was the adept here in such a hurry to converse with me?"
The Captain answers, "I think I remember her saying something about her losing both her parents before she took off. I had noticed the ears, but I wasn't going to say anything. We found a journal talking about how some cult was going to start rounding up anyone they could find with magic in their blood. That includes elves I suppose."
Maelius pauses to catch his breath before saying We managed to help the Sylph family. Turns out Tena's brother had been captured by some... magicians or something like that that were.. torturing.. magical people to power summoning spells or something. Sera's worried about her ma.
"Unsanctioned magic? Kidnapping magical creatures? Torture? This is very big," he turns to a nearby acolyte, "Wake the chancellor, he'll want to hear this." The milky young man looks down his nose at being ordered around, but walks off with purpose all the same. "Sera's mother is an elf? Back in your home town? Well there are several elves--and gnomes--here in Gisli and none of them have gone missing. Not yet anyway. I think Sera's mother should be safe for the time being. Not to mention, you lot have more important things to be getting to haven't you?" This last bit was directed toward Maelius. Worried that might have come off as insensitive, he adds, "Not to worry, the Forum of Nethys will root out this cult and see to it that they are brought to justice, that is our major function after all."
"Indeed," an aged, but musical voice comes down from the top of the stair, "Origen, I'll be seeing to this matter myself."
The wizard bows, saying "Of course Chancellor Eichel, I'll arrange for an escort first thing."
The graceful half-elven woman descends the stairs like water along a brooke, inevitable yet unimposing. She steps over to Sera, and says a few words in elvish, causing her hands and eyes to glow a bright white. This energy engulfs Seraphina, energizing her and bringing her around. "Do not worry," she says, her white hair falling off her shoulder as she bends over, "Your mother will be safe, I'll see to it."
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Sera, stirs as she rests, obvious that the recent events have taken there toll on her body and mind. After some rest, her eyes flutter open. In a panic, she sits up and looks around, head reeling slightly at the sudden movement. Once she realizes where she is, she looks to Origen,
Sir, my mother may be in danger. I know she is a human, but I fear whoever is stealing these magical creatures may target her since she was wed to my father, an Elf. I know I am probably just being paranoid, but you know she is all I have left. You must stop whoever is doing this, and help keep my mother safe!
She scrambles to her feet, eyes full of worry.
The elf lady said she would take care of it personally Sera Maelius says reassuringly as he pats the Adept on the shoulder.
Origen sighed heavily, mostly relieved, but partially annoyed. "It really sounds to me like they're siphoning magical energy from magical creatures. I really seriously doubt your mother would be in danger just for marrying one. You, on the other hand, and that gnome friend of yours, the innkeeper's daughter? You two are more than likely on someone's list. But your friend is right, the chancellor is a very powerful wizard and she and her best agents are on it. The big question here is whether this is related to that other matter." He turns to Chancellor Eichel, "What do you think chancellor?"
A graceful but tenuous nod answers his question, "Of this I am quite certain. Both actions lead to the acquisition of highly powerful magical items, which they'll need to accomplish their goals." It's clear that the chancellor's ability to speak simultaneously plainly and discretely has been honed over her very long life.
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Sera, breathes a sigh of relief, then her face turns serious, Me...I never really thought about that as she feels the ever slight tip of her ears.
What could lowly people like us do though? These people seem to be very strong compared to our simple upbringings
Origen shrugs at Sera's question, "When it comes to powerful magic, every little spark of energy adds up. Even someone who is by all accounts human, but who's great great grandparent was an elf, may be of use to them if it comes down to that. If I were to pull something like this--I'd be absolutely mad mind you--I'd use an enhanced detect magic spell. Then the strongest points of magic in the area--in this case, that Sylph friend of yours--would be made plain." He turns to the chancellor, "I assume the next step is to start locating and warning those magical beings which aren't part of the Forum?" She nods to him, and he nods to a nearby student, who leaves post haste. Origen turns back to Sera and Maelius, "and you two better get back to your task. Where are the others? And who was that... er... Shy fellow?"
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Oh that was Taldo.. I think he wants to be a Guard. He's really strong. Killed a few beasts that were in that torture madhouse. Maelius responds. I guess we could... buy some things early tomorrow and then set out for our original mission? It would be good if Taldo could come along I think. Is that okay?
"I trust your judgment at this point, more out of necessity now that we have another burden to bear. Get some rest. If you like, you can use a dormitory here in the Forum. Just go upstairs and walk until you see an open door, that'll be for you all." As he finishes his speech, it was plain on his face that rest was next on his agenda as well. He bows his head into his hands and calmly says, "Teleport." A bright white light nearly blinds anyone who's eyes were open to see. Then, as expected, Origen was no longer with them.
Glad that Sera is relieved at the actions the Forum is taking to ensure the safety of magical beings, Maelius heads out to ask Taldo what his plans are.
I don't know what you want to to do Taldo but Sera and I have gotten mixed up in some Forum business. The wizard in there wants us to do some things for him and we're being paid pretty well to do it. Could you help us out? Neither of us are the fighter type.
Later Maelius will find his bunk and fall into a deep sleep pretty much as soon as he hits the mattress. It had been the longest day of his young life.
Sera, hearing that things are being taken care of, she passes back out. She has a rough night sleep, but wakes in the morn. She gets ready, then heads down to meet the others.
Shall we find this Lore Dunne. Perhaps they can lead us in the right direction. But where do we start?
Well Maelius scratches his head. This Lore guy seems to be famous. Maybe the Captain knows where he is. He seemed to enjoy going out with us yesterday. We might be able to get some equipment off him too? Oh dammit. Origen had the 300 gold that we were supposed to use Maelius roots about the barracks a bit seeing if there is a note or something on how to get the remainder of the money Origen had placed in a safe for them.
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