Tal looks at Stryx with a worried expression on his face. What do you mean nay to putting an end to the shadow beasts do mutually beneficial? The end of the shadow beasts is the main reason we are here. If you do not mean to help with the shadow beast problem then what exactly are your goals and reasons for being here? Yes Areal may say that you are highly qualified but that still doesn’t answer the question posed to you from Lorelei. And what does mutually beneficial mean exactly? What other benefit are you looking for?
While Tal is usually more accepting of those Areal brings forth the evasive answers Tal was getting was wearing thin on him.
Mera watches the exchange with a curious glance, taking measure of the newcomer.
Mera turns her back on Stryx and faces Tal, holding both of her arms out towards him pleading. "Tal" she says, drawing out his name by exaggerating it. "My dear, lets save the throttling for what lay outside of these walls. If Arael has brought him into the fold then we should at least lend a measure of good will, hmm?
Though her words plead for sympathy, her face tells a different story and do not match the warm pleading tone of her voice. Facing Tal where the newcomer and his owl cannot see her, Mera mouths to Tal Not. Now.
With a flourish, she turns to place her arm around Stryx. "I'm sure he has perfectly reasonable answers to all of our questions, don't you?""
Leading him to the table with her favorite bottle of wine, she offers. "Why don't we all take a load off and have a glass of wine and discuss it?"
Lorelei smirks at Mera. "Wonderful. We have much to discuss." Clearly, Lorelei is not about to let Mera's violent 'possession' go without explanation.
So many secrets to ferret out... Richard sighs. He shrugs as Mera takes control of Stryx and invites him to drink wine.
"With my strength back to normal, I should sleep well tonight. Welcome aboard, Stryx."
Tal just raises one eyebrow at Mera as she indicates her desire to postpone the 'throttling' till later. Whatever...some days I prefer the simplicity of goblins and rats. You see them...you kill them. Straight forward without trying to figure out if they are on your side or not.
Tal heads to the table to quell his hunger but only drinks water around the stranger.
Stryx strokes the chest of the owl and whispers a few short phrases into its ear that sound more avian than common. "Off with you now … and stay out of trouble.", he says and turns to walk with Mera as the owl takes off from his arm.
Taking the seat offered him at the table, "Thank you, dear lady. A glass of wine sounds quite delightful." Turning to Tal and meeting the eyes of each sitting at the table he continues, "Even if one illuminates the darkened room with many candles and torches, there is still shadow. What we must learn is why they are here, for what purpose, and how they are crossing over. We may turn them back … even halt them for some time … but, like the night, they will return."
As for benefit? Perhaps a story will help illuminate my purpose. You see, my family has had some experience with shadow. My grandmother, may she find peace in the light, lost control of an experiment. Something, or things, crossed over that she did not expect. Needless to say, when magic like that goes wrong terrible things can happen. She was killed, the family home here in Westcrown destroyed, and my grandsire, though he too weilds great power, was unable to stop the onslaught. He and my mother were gravely injured in the battle. They left town after burying my grandmother.
He pauses for some time, takes along drink from his glass, and finishes looking back at Tal, "Let us say, friend, that I have a score to settle with the shadow."
Turning towards Mera, "Perhaps, Lady Wist-Thrune, I could bother you for another glass of wine?"
Either Mera doesn't understand Lorelei's intentions or she doesn't want to let on that she does. In either case, she walks Stryx to the table and takes pours wine for all except Tal before he tells his tale.
"Why, Of course." she offers when his story is done. She stands and refills the glasses of those who would like it.
Once she is seated again she asks, "That is a sad story Stryx. So your motivations are based upon revenge then it would seem. Tell me, how did you come to be seated at this table?
"I believe you invited me to the table, Lady Wist-Thrune." , Stryx says with a wink and a sly grin.
"As I mentioned earlier, I bumped into Arael and he offered me a meal and refuge from the crowd. When he mentioned what you goal was, how could I turn him down?"
Enough about me ... perhaps you could tell me how you all arrived at this table? It isn't often that anyone seeks to challenge the shadow without good reason.
"My sister's a member." Lorelei says with a smile, "And how could I let her do this alone?" Without adding anything else she changes the topic a bit. "Her name's Yakopulio. You might have seen her. She's a gnome that owns a dingy bar. I live and work there."
Despite speaking the truth, Lorelei leaves out a lot.
Richard hears Lorelei's story and pauses. She left a lot of information out, didn't she? She guards herself too closely.
"The Holysmith family deals with evil creatures who prey upon innocent during the night. Sadly my uncle got a little too close with the very things he sought to destroy. Arael was key to helping us root out the corruption- and bring my uncle to justice." Richard's voice remains flat.
"Not only does the family owe Areal a favor, but we're keen on getting a lead on destroying whatever is aiding these shadows." He considers drinking the wine, but instead chooses to keep his wits about.
Mera smirks at Stryx's comical response. "Indeed, I did."
When the group looks to Mera for her turns she shrugs and takes a long pull of wine. "Oh,come now. Surely it is obvious? No? Back when the group was in its infancy Tal and I were recruited by leadership for our various talents. It didn't take long for us to rally behind the cause of taking back the night and rid ourselves of the shadows." After a moments pause she adds, "And eventually the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune."
When the female halfling servant Fiosa enters the room with another bottle of wine, Mera brightens. "Excellent timing my dear, you've read my mind!"
Fiosa smirks. Yes, Ma'am There was no mind-reading about it. I just bring a new bottle every 10 minutes! She thinks to herself as she places the bottle on the table and leaves.
Tal pauses before answering Stryx as his motives were very personal in nature. It wasn’t like the others with some long lost relative or any shady dealings with devils or demons or contracts that went bad. No his was simply Lily and a wish for a better life for her. Yet should he share that with Stryx now. Areal already included him in the group but that did not mean he had to know all of their secrets. While I am in agreement about taking back the night and making Westcrown better for all of us I think Mera is getting ahead of herself a bit. We need to focus on the tasks at hand and not House Thrune.
"Thank you Fiosa." Mera watches the servant go with a smile before turning back to Tal and sticking out her tongue. She flutters her hand towards him and remarks "Stop crushing the dreams Tal. Always so focused on the immediate tasks, aren't we?"
Tal tries not to rise to the bait but can’t help himself. Sorry Mera but focusing on the present and immediate tasks at hand has kept me alive this long. Speaking of the tasks at hand... Tal turns to Stryx, What do you know of vampires, their abilities and how to defeat them?
"I see the welcome is over … down to business!
I've never had the opportunity of meeting a vampire. There was one fair maid I recall … perhaps that story should wait until we know each other better." he chuckles and finishes he wine.
"Other than the old wives tales, I am afraid I cannot offer much more."
Lorelei downs her glass of wine then leans across the table and pours herself a new one.
"We'll need stakes, holy water, holy symbols..." she curls her lips into a frown before continuing, "...anything else?"
"Speaking of the unnatural," Lorelei looks at Mera. "Are you possessed or ensorcelled? Details. Now."
Richard has taken small sips of his wine, waiting patiently for Lorelei to butt in. She's nosy, like his aunt. She's head of the household for a reason. Sherix still imparts a feeling of suspicion when she stares at Stryx, but now she's also intrigued about Mera.
"No worries, Stryx. It seems like we're all newcomers to hunting vampires. Maybe we won't actually fight one. My cousin Emmanuel would be shocked, he's always on the lookout for them. I don't have the stomach for that kind of long-term hunting."
Tal spits out his water as Lorelei drops the bomb about a Mera. What...? How...? When...?
"Patience, Tal." Lorelei's nosiness exposes another Mera's secrets. What else is new?
"Well … the topics of conversation are never dull around here. More wine anyone?"
Lorelei holds out her glass for a refill.
Mera’s stomach drops as a bolt of pain fires across her nervous system. What does she know? Why does she ask such pointed questions? And the nerve to do it so openly and not in private is completely uncivilized!
Mera blinks twice as she buys time to respond. Divert attention for now, deal with the nosy one later.. Playing off of Tal’s outburst and Stryx’s question, Mera emits a soft chuckle as she relaxes her posture to help sell the lie.
”Darling, the only time I’ve been ensorcelled was with Sir Brextane took off his finer garments and escorted me to a private show. If you want me to delve into those details I will be more than happy to oblige, but-“ she shoots Tal a sideways glance before continuing, ”I think some among us may be too squeamish for the juicy bits.”.
She turns from Tal to stare at Lorelei, her dark eyes locking with Lorelei’s own for a full second with unspoken meaning before continuing on to Stryx. Her hardened expression melts away in a warm smile. ”I love a good red. Please, top me off if you would.”
"Pretty words," Lorelei replies, holding Mera's gaze. "But I've seen it." Despite her words she presses the issue no further, perhaps held at bay by Mera's convincing performance.
"No truth stays hidden forever."
"Indeed, it does not. We will cleanse the filthy evil from the land. No truth shall escape our sight!" Richard raises his glass. It's not clear if he's just being a blowhard, or if there's some kind of double meaning behind his words.
Lorelei did raise a good point, but she's too direct.
"To glory! To victory! And to the truth!" Richard raises his glass for a toast.
"I'll drink to that," Lorelei replies with a smirk. She touches her glass to his. "Then again, I'll drink to most things."
"To glory! To victory! And to the truth!" Richard raises his glass for a toast.
Mera doesn’t acknowledge Lorelei’s comment about having seen the manifestation from Edge, but her words sting nonetheless. She doesn’t dare face her down for fear of showing something telling. She also ignores the fact that the mighty weapon would be begging to skewer this Truth-Seeker right here at the table if she would be holding it in her arms at this moment. I’m the one that’s in control she convinces herself.
She glances at Richard, but her thoughts are now completely consumed with Lorelei and she misses any subtly in his words. Raising her glass she looks to Stryx and adds, ”And to new friends!”
"You've both seen Sir Brextane's ... juicy bit? Oh do tell! Nothing like comparing sotries. I say, this will be a fun time!" say Stryx as he fills the glasses and tries to break the tension.
Stryx raises his glass "To glory, victory, and truth? For certain. To all those "juicy bit" we harbor within? Come to clarity they most certainly will. But we must see them for what they are and not judge them for how they appear.
Truth is a tricky thing. Believe to much and we are blinded by its glamor. Overlook or deny certain aspects conceals it in darkness. Only inbetween can the truth be understood ... that fine line that separates the dark and the light ... in the grey.
Looking towrds Mera, he finishes "And to new friends ... lest we forget why Arael has brought us here together."
After 10 minutes from the last time she was in the room, Fiosa reenters with another bottle. She leaves the new bottle and removes the empty one. Gods! These people can drink! For what Arael spends in wine for these people, he can hire a mercenary army and overthrow the Thrunes! she thinks as she curtsies before leaving the room.
Tal is thinking in the same lines as Stryx when he mentions that both Lorelei and Mera have seen the Sir Brextane. That was definitely a conversation that he did not need to hear at the moment. Such lurid tales served no pint other than simple bragging. Hoping for better conversation Tal turns to Richard only to see him appear stumbling drunk and making 1 toast after another. What truth was he talking about anyways? Sir Brextane's truth that Lorelei and Mera are talking about or something else altogether? Not wanting to feel left out though Tal raises his glass of water but remains silent.
As Fiosa comes in with more wine Tal tries to shake his head 'no' at her without the others noticing. Too bad he was out of his element here as it came out more like a bobble head doll than anything. Not able to stand it any longer Tal finally asks out loud. What truth are we talking and toasting about anyways? IF it is Sir Brextane then I don't want to hear about it.
Lorelei scoffs at the men in the room and rolls her eyes. "Whatever is messing with her head you damned fools. Not Sir Brextane."
When Fiosa shows up again Lorelei cocks her head. She looks at Mera and Tal. "What are we? Thrunes? Do you regularly have other rebels wait on you?" she scoffs again. Looking at Fiosa Lorelei says, "You don't need to serve us, Fiosa. We've got hands and I'm more than capable of working a bar."
Sherix flies over to Lorelei again, signaling her approval.
Richard sighs. "Mera, you have been acting a bit different. At least Lorelei thinks so, and you know how she gets when she's onto something. Is there something that upset you? I know you took a break recently." He pauses, unsure if he should continue down that path. "But the first step to teamwork is trust. And trust requires the truth."
"So, I'll start off with one. Sherix believes herself to be a celestial agent, sent to watch over me. She speaks and understands the Common tongue." He turns to his companion. "Say hello to Stryx, Sherix. We're having a trust building exercise."
Pause.
Glare at Richard.
Glare at Stryx.
The thrush finally chirps. "Hi, I'm Sherix. Richard is gullible yet kindhearted. If you betray him, I'll never forgive you."
With all of this wine around, it reeks like a Cayden Cailean temple. Sherix flies up to get away from the scent (and she's still observing this whole mess.)
"You don't need to serve us, Fiosa. We've got hands and I'm more than capable of working a bar."
Yes Ma'am. Fiosa says as she exits the room. Arael had told her to keep the wine coming. Weather it was as a reward for the arena or a bribe for their jaunt into Delvehaven, Fiosa did not know.
"Well you said you "saw it". What did you expect us to think?", Stryx chuckles to Lorelei as he knew full well that she was referring to something else by her tone.
Turning to the bird he continues, "Greetings Sherix. Straight to the point, I see. I suppose knowing where one stands ... or flits ... is a good start.", says Stryx as he watches the bird fly away.
To the group at the table he continues, "Betrayal - an interesting word for Sherix to choose considering the topics of conversation. Duplicity, double-dealings, deception, disloyalty, sellout - all things that come to mind that could be applied to any, or all of us, as we dance around the various conversations this evening. As an fresh set of eyes, I will say this is going to be a grand adventure indeed."
Stryx rises and steps back from the table to where Wraith has been perched. Stroking the birds head he says "Watch over them as you do me. And be mindful of Sherix. He may not be accustomed to a silent hunter." The owl nibbles at his hand.
"As for Lady Wist-Thrune's recent behavior, I really have naught to contribute. Other than her taste in fine reds is impeccable.". He smiles and raises his cup to Mera.
Tal is still left completely in the dark as it seems everyone is talking in riddles and double entendres, not to mention coy words and meanings that are beyond him. Pointing at each in turn Now stop a minute and speak clearly. Lorelei, what do you mean by ‘messing with her head’? Sherix...what do you mean betrayal and by whom? Stryx, what conversations of Duplicity, double-dealings, deception, disloyalty, sellout - all things that come to mind that could be applied to us? And Mera what does Sir Brextane have to do with this? Will some one please explain themselves!?!
Sherix lands on Tal's shoulder, knowing she owes him that much. "I don't trust new people. At least at first. You have to pay attention to what they say and do. Ultimately you have to earn my trust before I start talking to you."
"And yet, Sherix, you and I were newcomers to this group. Tal trusted us when we joined him, and I do believe we are allies now, yes?" He grins at the smith with the incredible sword arm.
"Do we not owe Stryx a chance? How can we ever find our true allies without giving them a chance to demonstrate themselves?" He ponders. "I think he will be willing to help us, if we are willing to help him."
Mera always is one for more wine. She takes another glass and settles comfortably into her seat. While she never is the type to shy away from attention, she is uncomfortable with the repeatable inquiries from this damnable woman. Can she not take a hint?
Mera sighs loudly at Tal's complete obliviousness to the hidden undertones. Going on her fourth glass, the wine is starting to have an obvious effect on Mera as she is unable to properly draw the boundaries of what she is thinking and what she shouldn't be saying. It's a damn good thing he's good with that shield, his brain is completely empty. "We should slow down the conversation for Tal like Lily usually does, I think we're moving a bit too quickly for him."
Turning to wink at Tal she offers a wry smile, "Speaking of your wife, how is she these days? Is that where Monday has been hiding out? I wonder what's she's up to these days?
Turning to Richard she adds, "Of COURSE we owe him a chance? We've extended the same courtesies to both you and Lorelei after all, haven't we? We're all on the same side I believe."
Turning to Lorelei, but passing the whole room she slips into a deep baritone and rises as she rises to her feet. Puffing her chest out she raises her chin and remarks with a sweeping of her hand across the table. "Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar;"
Lorelei scoffs. "Put your diversions aside for a moment. You know who I am. What I do. I ferret out lies and secrets. You can't honestly expect I wouldn't do the same for you." she shakes her head in disbelief at Mera. "So no. When I see you fighting something in your own head, I will not let it lay. I will not leave it alone. Speak of it now. Or we'll be in for a long night."
Looking at Tal she remarks, "I'm no mage. I don't know if it's possession, or mind control, or what," she tips her glass at Mera. "But if she won't tell me I will find out in time."
Mera silently considers Lorelei's assertion in her head, weighing the benefits of speaking to her. Mera had tried to bury the issues that had arisen earlier, telling herself that it was just the heat of the moment and she can control it in the future. It was just a one time slip up, that's all. I'm the one that is in control. I'm in control.
Everything is fine.
While she's a trusted member of the group, she's still new enough to Mera that she doesn't trust her implicitly yet. Monday, Tal and Nabe had been through a lot with her. Letting the wine influence her opinion, she convinces herself now is not the time for this conversation. Lorelei is just a young pup yet, she needs to earn a spot at the table!
"I don't trust new people. At least at first. You have to pay attention to what they say and do. Ultimately you have to earn my trust before I start talking to you."
Mera eyes Sherix and nods, recalling her words to Tal moments ago. "Exactly."
Sliding her chair back noisily, she makes an exaggerated motion of stretching and yawning. "I'm afraid you've taken all the fun out of the mood for me. Let your imagination run wild with these crazy notions, I'm off to bed."
She drains the rest of her wine and as she steps away she places a hand on Stryx's shoulder. Turning to face him she rolls her eyes and remarks "Welcome aboard." before continuing to leave the room. Without turning around she offers a wave with the back of her hand at the doorway and offers flat, "Good evening. Don't let the shadows take you this night."
Richard yawns. Somewhat from the sleep, but also from Mera's non answers. "I'm not made for the court. Evasion isn't my style." He turns towards his room. "I need to rest. We all need some sleep. Sleep well, everyone." He gets to his door before turning. "Coming, Sherix? You still need to sleep."
Sherix glares at Mera as she leaves. She is on the road to ruin, and I won't let her drag Richard down with her. Still, Mera had a good point: You can't just force a confession out of someone unwilling.
Otherwise you're no better than them.
Richard reminds Sherix of her mortal needs. This need to sleep was still unsettling, she liked it better when it was optional and she could work on her music as the mortals slept. Oh, how she longed for those days.
"Coming!" She turned and flew towards Richard, landing on his shoulder.
Lorelei watches Mera go with narrowed eyes. "Until next time..." she calls after the woman.
Once she's gone Lorelei looks at Tal. "Your friend's in trouble. Can you think of anything that might have made her suffer enchantments or possessions? A spellcaster with a fondness for mind control, demons, ghosts...? That sort of thing?" she wracks her mind for any other possibilities but, not being knowledgable in the ways of magic, she comes up empty. Almost. "Maybe a powerful artifact like the one that messed up Ilnerik?"
After a while she looks at Stryx. "So you're a spellcaster? What can you tell me about mental manipulation?"
Mera returns to her room and closes the door quickly. Leaning back against the door she closes her eyes and tries to focus her mind, but the wine is making the room spin and adding several levels of complexity. Panicked breaths come quickly as she searches the room for something to calm her down. When her eyes glance the smoky red glaive glimmering in the candlelight, she tries her best to ignore it and look away.
But it calls to her.
Mera's right hand begins to shake and tremor as she tries to pull away, fighting the urge.
But she can't ignore its majesty and quickly crosses the room and crosses the room in three quick steps as she seizes it up in her hands, pulling it close to her chest and holding it tight. There we are. I will keep you safe for as long as you sing his praises! Say it girl, say it aloud.
Mera mumbles something to herself, incoherent at best.
Louder! Call out his name!
Squeezing her eyes shut, two tears are shed as she gives in and utters "All hail the Prince of Darkness Asmodeus, may he show me the way."
Her tremors subside as she slowly drifts off to sleep, letting Anvengen's Edge fill her mind with all matter of dark thoughts.
"Don't let the shadows take you this night."
"Rest well, Lady Wist-Thrune, Richard, Sherix" ... They will all know soon enough, I suppose. And then it will most likely be as it always has … moving on. This "blessing" is nothing more than a curse … , Stryx sinks into his thoughts.
He's brought back by Lorelei's question:
"So you're a spellcaster? What can you tell me about mental manipulation?"
Hard to say as I have not witnessed anything other than her behavior here this evening. Perhaps if I knew a bit more about the situation in question - not the juicy bits, mind you - that may help to better understand what influence she may be under."
Stryx returns to the table and asks Lorelei and Tal, "Lets start at the beginning. What makes you think something is wrong?"
Lorelei considers this. "It's hard to say... Tonight while we were battling the shadow beasts it... She was... She was fighting something inside her head. As if she were fighting against commands or urges. I saw it there, on her face, as plain as day. And she yelled at someone to shut up, quite fiercely, when Tal had answered her question. Her response was not meant for him, but something else she heard. My questions on the issue were met with deflections. Unsurprising with Miss Wist-Thrune, of course." She leans back and takes another sip of her wine. "I know its not much, but I know what I saw, and I felt it in my gut. I assure you, my gut is never wrong."
She smirks, "Of course, I don't expect you two to trust my gut. We're new acquaintances, after all. But, indulge me. What could it be?"
Mera opens her eyes, from holding them closed so that she could focus and concentrate on her conversation with the weapon. She face Naberius again and repeats what she was just told. "It is called Anvengen’s Edge and it was created by the first mayor of Westcrown. It serves the King of Hell and is blessed with a magical enhancement to its sharpness as well as causing additional bleeding upon wounds struck. It calls to me repeatedly to wield it to destroy my enemies and pledge fealty to Asmodeus."
Looking at Anvengen's Edge she comments, "It is a miraculous weapon that is clearly more powerful than we had imagined."
Tal sits at the table in contemplation as Mera walks out. She had never exhibited such behavior before. Yes she was demanding, insecure, and selfish, but never had the hostility that she showed in the fight against the shadow beasts. It wasn’t till she walked out and he was watching her go that he realized what it might be.mon her back was Anvengen’s Edge: the intelligent glaive that they found under the mansion of the governor. Looking at Lorelei Tal lowers his voice and whispers, We might have a serious problem here. I think her weapon, her glaive, was created with a devil’s essence as part of it. It is intelligent and Mera claimed to be able to speak to it when she held it.
Not only that but she was able to control a mummy with it. She claimed that all it did was talk to her but perhaps it is slowly eating away at her resolve and she can not control it like she thought.
"Well, doesn't look like we need any spellcasting expertise on this one", Stryx chuckles. "You gut is as true as your word, Lorelei.
Stryx ponders for a moment.
"How long has Lady Wist-Thrue been in posession of the weapon, Tal? We'll need to separate them - destroy it if we can. Intelligent weapons, especially one with that essence, will be a danger to us all. The longer she is in posession of it, the stronger its influence will become.
Lorelei raises an eyebrow and gives Tal a look that clearly shows she thinks they were fools to try claiming a glaive with the spirit of a devil in the first place.
Lorelei leans back in her seat and crosses her arms. "Interesting..." At Stryx's compliment she smirks. "I know."