"Then we should see if magic directed at the blade has an effect. That might be the missing variable. As for draconic cults, I think we may have accidentally joined one a few months ago." Toramin jest with a wry grin.
"I think I remember reading something about draconic gods in my childhood. After the meeting, I'l see what I can uncover."
<<I am better protected than you think. Scrying detecting is one among many spells guarding me. This person has no allies, only unknowing hirelings and manipulated pawns. You are free to do what you wish, but I stress the importance of returning with all due haste.>>
<<Few deign to ask that question. In the same way that undead means a deceased soul acting in the world of the living, I am a living soul acting in the world of the dead. I am also far closer to the line than possible without magic. My vitality is on a hair's edge; I wouldn't be even able to sustain half of the wounds of Rilka. But this allows me to see past the line into death and gleam the secrets there. I am the closest thing to a living bridge between the world of the living and the dead.>>
"So what're we gunna tell the Voices?" Bjorkus rumbles in inquiry. "If this fetchling is as dangerous as Liamsho says they'll wanna know."
"Toramin, you and I are on the same page, I think. The question is if the cult has the interests of those beyond the dragon demigod in mind."
"Regarding the council though? They should get enough information to answer their appropriate questions. Liamsho is best left outside their precise knowledge though. No offense, Toramin, but I find the existence of a hostile observe likely on both this end and back in Akropash; one makes me skeptical of the cult's security, the other of this council."
We will have to force one of their hands soon enough. The question is whose. I have a different take on this than Bjorkus or Toramin, but I will need to pick Rilka's brain later when she might be more revealing...
"I believe we should tell them the relevant information concerning the questions they asked about the meaning of the Unliving and about the sword. The question we should be asking ourselves first is whether we want to return to them after immediately. We still have not liberated Bjorkus' ship or found your father. But first we should finish with the Voices."
But first we should finish with the Voices."
"Yes, let us see what they have to say."
”Dragon’s blood!” Rilka gasps as Dalton relates what he’s discovered. She looks at the sword with a new appreciation. She nods at Dalton’s words concerning what to tell the Voices.
”Indeed there will be time to decide what to do after we speak with the Voices. I’ve never really thought about why there were five branches, but maybe it has to do with the colors of the metallics.”
"A keen hypothesis, Miss Featherfeet." Perhaps there exists a similar device attuned to the chromatics.
The Voices reconvene and the party walks back in. Vorn places the haft of his hammer on the ground. "What have you learned?"
"The weapon Bjorkus carries was subject to a forging process that included dragon's blood. This may be why necromancy proved useful while divination did not; there is truthfully some blood of likely dead dragons in the weapon."
"Hmm. Perhaps the blood used for this weapon was from the same dragon or the same family of dragons that created this gem. Is there anything else you learned of this Liamsho?"
Bjorkus scratches at his mane.
"He said his title as 'Unliving' was a nod to him bein' real sick. He explained it as havin' one foot in the grave and one foot in the world of the livin'. You got anyone like that down here? Maybe that's the part of the magic you're missin'."
There are various reactions from the voices, curiosity and disgust and shock amongst them.
Thronorm - "Why would one purposely put themselves on the line of death?"
Maerin - "Fascinating, truly...risky and masochistic, but fascinating..."
Dolgrar - "That is an abomination of the use of magic and the sanctity of life."
Vorn - "Do not condemn a man based on subjective knowledge."
Yana - "I agree, and regardless of the morality of this practice it effects only himself so there is no reason for interference."
Dolgrar - "Of course not, I speak for the possible implications."
Gilad - "Ah with such a vague term you can condemn anything you need to!"
Vorn raises a hand. "I apologize for us not answering your question Bjorkus. No, we have nothing even vaguely similar to that here. We do have necromancers, and there are some (such as the one here earlier) that are law-abiding highly respected 'white necromancers' that delve into this dark field of work for good purposes. While I fully admit our race is not the best at necromancy, neither are we ignorant of the specifics of it."
"So what's next? You got anymore magic you wanna try?" Bjorkus asks once the Voices have stopped speaking.
Vorn pulls at his beard for a moment, then glances at Maerin.
Maerin - "I believe the only magical options left available to us are too costly to be worth the possible benefit - so no, there is no more magic than we want to try. Perhaps in the future after new information is brought to light we may change our minds, but for the moment with our current knowledge of the situation we will try no more magical tampering."
Vorn - "We would like it if you stayed in touch with us and kept us updated on the situation." He looks to Toramin and Bjorkus both, then just at Bjorkus. "Any other business if of course your own, but it would be very much appreciated to keep us in the loop for any further developments."
Toramin bows low to his king and then proceeds to bow again first to his maternal grandfather, then to his paternal grandmother, and, finally, to the Voices as a whole.
"Your wisdom honors us. We know more today than we did yesterday. May we be guided to greater understanding yet."
Toramin begins to withdraw from the Voices without turning his back upon them.
When they have returned to the mansion, Toramin will retire to the library to scour it for references to draconic gods and demigods -- particularly Apsu and and Dahak -- but also to totemic faiths where the dragons themselves were worshipped. While he is search for those himself (taking 20), he will ask the librarian to look for references concerning draconic nature, especially references that discuss the relationship between biology and ethos. If all dragons are always the alignment specified by their type, are they even mortal beings or are they some kind of native outsider?
"My initial hypothesis is that he is a representative of a rival organization to the Aestherics. One so fearsome that they are demanding our immediate return. What should we do Grandmother? My impulse is that we debrief with them to gain more information."
"My thanks to all of you, not only for your wise council, but also for allowing us to visit this monument of architecture. Only the kings under the mountain would possess the skill to blend the natural, supernatural, and artificial into a masterpiece of united ingenuity." Dalton gestured the throne attached to the elevated platform in proxy to the dragonstone as he spoke. "We will keep the lines of communication open. Be well!"
********
Also seeking to bone-up on the topic at hand, Dalton noted Toramin's interest in the library. "Two pairs of eyes makes half the work. What do you say, Toramin?"
"Though I expected the rulers to be dour, I did not expect them to be so ... divisive. I suppose the readings I've encountered have told of dwarves acting as one community, not delving into the nooks and crannies of society."
"Of course, Master Dalton, though I grew up amongst these tomes, they will undoubtedly yield their secrets to you more quickly than I. I welcome both your company and your insight."
Toramin gives a friendly chuckle when Dalton offers the idea that the Voices are divisive.
"When the dwarven nation acts it acts with one purpose and one will. All decisions are made through consensus, but simply because decisions end in agreement, it does not mean that all begin that way. No matter the Voices disagreements, all operate under the norms of courtesy and consensus. You may have noted that several start from a place of wide disagreement, but they offered no insult to each other and when discourtesy was opined concerning Liamsho, the king quickly intervened. Ideas can be beaten down to form a more perfect alloy, but all people are worthy of respect. Dwarves are not all cut from the same stone. No more than any people are. Our difference is in how we deal with our differences. We may have different perspectives on the best path of our people towards greater civilization and progress, but all are committed to walking that path together."
Bjorkus departs with the others when the meeting with the Voices is adjourned. Even if it was inconclusive, he found some relief in meeting's results. The dwarves, despite their boundless magic and wealth, still couldn't answer some questions. It was a fact that made them a little more mortal in his mind and in a world where little made sense these days, mortal was good.
***
"So what's next?" Bjorkus asks while Toramin and Dalton comb the library. "Are you headin' back to the Aestherics like Liamsho wanted?"
"Personally, I am not willing to give up on our vacation just yet. But, I would also like to know more about that which threatens us. I think our best option might be letting Liamsho teleport us to their base as long as it is understood that we will quickly be teleported to that port and allowed the rest of our vacation. Your ship still needs saving and I too am curious about Dalton's lineage. Thoughts?"
"He's gunna want to be paid for his magic like always. Do you think your grandmother would be willing to cover it?"
The bull, poorly, does some math on his digits. "It's gunna cost a lot."
"He offered the teleport. If he wants to meet us sooner, than he or the Aestherics can absorb the cost. Otherwise, they can meet us at the port."
As the three friends talk over tomes, Ianna enters the reading room, in a rustle of green silks. Her dark chestnut curls are caught in a net of delicately spun gold that catches the candle light.
She looks troubled.
"Did you just say you were thinking about leaving? You have only just arrived. Is it something the Voices said? Did they have news of my captor? Bjorkus, you shouldn't let these two travel while they are still weakened."
She flashes the minotaur a conspiratorial grin.
Dalton pauses in his books. "It might sound a bit far-fetched, but hear me out."
"The organization has been nothing if not dangerous for us. Apparently, I have a greater tolerance for danger than I realized, but I am still quite crochety when it comes to being mislead." Dalton eyed each of them. "Their leader has been quite duplicitous with us, and I feel confident some in their upper echelons - perhaps Liamsho - knew of the danger this weapon could portend - never mind it being a certainty. They kept that secret from us, and now they are worried their experiment of letting Bjorkus off with the weapon is getting out of hand. The result was more than they bargained for."
The wizard shook his head. "Miss Featherfeet, you have been honest and helpful to us, and I am honored to have had your company over these past months. However, your superiors leave something to be desired in forthcoming. Not only do I feel like we would simply be manipulated again if we were to return as bidden, but I believe a slightly extended hiatus could provide some interesting leverage - in information and otherwise." In his eyes, the glimmer of a merchant returned. "If we do not place the return at top priority, they always, as Toramin mentioned, have the option of coming to us - and bringing us to them at no charge. On the other hand, if they do not come, we can assume either the danger is not truly so or is at least of a sort that would not mind occurring. Either of the latter results would be quite interesting from a motive perspective, and the latter would be quite profitable."
He looked to Bjorkus. "Of course, there is the possibility they simply choose the middle road and make contact with us again and request the return. I imagine if it means enough to them, they might be willing to yield a favor - such as something regarding your ship." Or my father...
*******
He looked up as Ianna entered. "You must be a diviner - I was just trying to convince them a bit of a longer stay might not be a bad thing!"
Ianna's smile widens at Dalton's compliment.
"The goddess sends me wherever I can do the most good, Master Dalton. But in all honesty, it was the servants who told me you were here. Since my beloved brother has been restored to me, I am loathe to let him too long from my sight. Who knows what wars he might start or tyrants he might kill without adequate supervision."
"Well, if those eyes are observant as they are beautiful, you could tag along and provide just the supervision he needs." The old man laughed before finding the passage he had been reading.
After catching Ianna's glance, Bjorkus gives a shrug of his powerful shoulders.
"I wouldn't mind a few more days here. The foods good, the drinks are great, and the girls don't tire too quickly", the bull explains with a rumbling laugh.
At Ianna's last comment Bjorkus gives the dwarf maid a glance of his own. "If you're that worried about him why don't you come with. I'm sure Coralla wouldn't mind havin' another dame along."
Toramin looks around the room. "I guess I do not get a say in the matter, but I would be happier if you were with us too sister."
He pauses briefly before continuing. "A few minutes before you arrived, Ianna, Master Dalton was urging caution and circumspection concerning our allies . . . employers . . . whatever else they might be. I cannot say I think he is wrong, though I have faith in Alia from what I've seen, I wouldn't put anything past Heff. Theirs are the opinions that matter. Alia is occupied with other matters and we have seen much evidence that our best interests are not Heff's concern."
"It is settled then. I pray you, Master Dalton, please catch me up on whatever intrigue and turmoil about which you think I should be made aware. Toramin has a good mind, but he often has odd ideas about what is important."
he often has odd ideas about what is important."
"From the short time I have known him, I can tell Toramin values honor and safety. There is nothing wrong with putting import on them, though I find it odd more people don't."
Dalton waves his hands at the books about. "Unfortunately, the afterlife did not impart omniscience upon me; looking for seeds of dragon cults remains tedious work."
"Of course, honor and safety are laudable goals. It is more that he is not the most observant person. I had hoped you might have some theory concerning the connection between recent events."
She pats her brother on the shoulder to take any sting out of her observation.
"I would be more than happy to help you look. While our collection is vast, it isn't exhaustive. Our mother is the daughter of the patriarch of the Safir, Maerin, his personal collection is rumored to be on of the finest in the city concerning occult lore. Likely you met him today You might ask if she would make a more personal introduction? Also the priests of Magrim keep detailed records of how the gods are propitiated amongst the dwarves. If these dragon cults gained a foothold in dwarven lands -- for however brief a time -- their chronicles would have it."
As much as picking through dusty books bored him the conversation got the bull thinking.
"While you're doin' research, why not look into that puppet-witch. That thing's still out there and if it's connected to this dragon business we're gunna run into it again. It'd be best we have a reliable way to fight it next time. We can't let it run loose through our ranks like last time."
"What is a puppet-witch?"
"A formless nightmare that can take over a man's body makin' him a slave in his own skin. As far as we can tell there's no resisting it and the only defenses last a handful of minutes. We ran into one in Akropash but we couldn't come up with a way to kill the bastard. The Aestherics weren't much help but maybe your grandmother can come up with something."
Ianna taps her fingers thoughtfully against the spine of a book she was about to pull off the shelf.
"That sounds awful, Bjorkus. A nightmare in truth. I will definitely ask our grandmother. I have some small skill in crafting magical charms. I will see if I can device a longer lasting protection. If I am successful, would you pay for the reagents necessary?"
"I plan on having an acquaintance ask Alia a number of things. She is one of our employers, Ianna. Wise - and in this case, importantly ancient - she will likely have some perspectives lost to time for many."
Ianna leaves the library, but returns in short order with book that while not worn clearly sees some amount of use.
Placing the book on the reading table in front of the bull, Ianna opens it to a blank page and begins to sketch something as she speaks.
"This is tome is part prayer book and part journal. It's where I record all my notes on the enchanting of magical items. You said this puppet witch possesses people, Bjorkus? There are common prayers that provide sure protection from such violations, but incantations that drive them forth are less common."
Bjorkus can see that she has sketched a circlet and is beginning to annotate her sketch with invocations to the goddess of beauty and healing.
"Here, I think the worshippers of Torag are correct that preparation is the best defense. Defensive magical items have resonances with different parts of the body. It would be possible to create a charm that would shield you from the puppet witch, but if I create something that would rest on your head the resonance would make it much easier, and cheaper to create. The materials are also important. Silver is best, I think for this talisman. Silver is pure. Silver is protective. Silver, along with mithril, is the best focus for spiritual magic.
The prayers to Bolka will draw the goddess' attention, and her regard will be proof against this witch and all others who would assail your mind. I think these prayers should be carved with a jade chisel banded in gold. Green and gold are sacred to the goddess. Notice that the prayers are carved on both the inside and the outside of the circlet. This evokes the symbol of Bolka -- the intertwined rings. I have been taught that enchantments are more strongly and more easily invested in talismans the greater the sympathetic connection between the prayers and the substance of the talisman."
The beautiful young priestess seems both knowledgable and happy to share that knowledge. It is obvious to all listeners that she finds joy in both the craftsmanship and challenge of creating some new thing of beauty.
Later that evening when reasonably alone, Dalton cleared his mind.
Alia, I pray you are clearer than your peers.
"Ninnec, this is Dalton Barrowwheel. My apologies for bothering you, but I have a rather urgent tiding. Could you achieve privacy to discuss it?"
"It seems our Aestheric patrons have a deep stake in places beyond Akropash; I contacted one of them earlier about some happenings we're having out West. His reaction was one of emergency. So much so he would have us return - likely on their coin. I don't know what your scope of spell-kenning is, but teleportation is no easy feat."
"Given the effort required and his demeanor, it is clear the potential emergency - impending doom from some dragon cult or whatnot - may cause panic for them. Panic is bad, and it's doubly bad for business if even a handful of their rank and file breath rumors of catastrophe among the city."
"Now, I'm unsure how correct he is, but Alia would be able to know for certain one way or another. Would you mind dropping off a letter to her? It should read as follows:"
Alia,
This sealed letter comes to you with ill portents. Some occurrences out West have led Miss Featherfeet's team into peril, quite potentially linked to this symbol.
Combined with the talk of dragon cults and the like, Liamsho's reaction leaves much information concealed. In the wake of recent events, if you could find the time to contact us - or have a trustee do so - to clarify the situation, you may put much anxiety and misunderstanding to rest.
Dalton
"That said, how's business?"
Miss Featherfeet, you have been honest and helpful to us, and I am honored to have had your company over these past months. However, your superiors leave something to be desired in forthcoming....
”All of well, You-know-whose lies, prevarications, half-truths, and misdirections make me think he suffered a terrible tragedy. It’s just a guess, perhaps only a partial explanation for his demeanor and general personality. He could also be someone who really likes to create falsehoods for the sheer fun of it. That's probably more to the truth. Anyway, I agree with Toramin. If there’s a pressing need, they can use magic to contact and recall us. We were forthright about helping Bjorkus recover his ship.”
As the conversation delves into Ianna accompanying them, Rilka begins mixing reagents, stirring and shaking them into a vial. After one minute she drinks the contents and grins. ”Now I can read Dwarven. Time to learn about dragons.” She sweeps her hands at the books. ”If someone can tell me where they are.”
Rilka shakes Ianna’s hand. ”I’m pleased you’re coming with us. Diviner? Hmmm. Do you study information? LIke how to hide it, how to ascertain whether it’s been tampered with or intercepted? I’ve been thinking of magical inks, but perhaps other avenues — No, no, it’s dragon time.” Rilka taps the cover of the book she found then opens it to the title page.
Ianna returns Rilka's heartfelt squeeze.
"Thank you all for having me. I feel like I owe each of you a grave debt for what you did to rescue me. But, I'm moved by more than just obligation. I truly hope we become fast friends.
My greatest gifts lie in the healing arts. However, I think you will discover that no one in my family can resist an intellectual challenge. Perhaps it is possible to modify a Detect Scrying spell that instead of being centered on the caster precedes the casting of Sending and Scrying. It could be that the incantation could already do that. To test this we would need to develop a spell that could intercept or tamper with information, and then develop counter measures.
A simpler solution maybe be creating a pair of linked books that what is written in one appears in the other, while also specifically warding it from tampering."
Toramin's ears perk up as his sister speculates on the transmission of protected knowledge.
That's perfect! With such a book, I could report to Grandmother freely. Perhaps in addition to protecting the information from hostile divinations the book could have illusion woven into it that would protect it from prying eyes. I must ask Grandmother if she can have our craftspeople to create such a thing.
The technical aspects of what Ianna was brainstorming are lost on the bull but the general idea isn't. "Sounds clever alright", he rumbles. "You can make something like that?"
"The basic idea, I could definitely manage. There is a minor bit of magic -- a cantrip or an orison -- called Scrivener's Chant. Normally, it is used to copy information from one page to another. It copies one page per minute. I suppose it would be possible to enchant a pair of books made from the same materials at the same time so that when a page is written in one it also appears in the other about a minute later.
That I could do.
Building in defenses would be more difficult and increasingly more expensive. Bolka's gifts do not include illusions, but someone skilled in such arts could make it seem like the book was not magical and even make the script invisible to anyone not attuned to the book.
But since Master Dalton can scry upon your allies and then communicate telepathically, I'm not sure what use such books would be to you."
Rilka grins, pleased with what she’s hearing. ”I’ve had a similar idea about linked books, but I’m interested in achieving a similar effect with ink. Easier to carry and make. At least for one way messaging.”
The halfling puts a finger on a line of text then looks at Ianna. ”It's not just for us. Imagine you’re a sentry at a border outpost. You could send a warning to the capital that an army is coming. You could communicate with distant friends and family. Communicate with the greatest teachers of our time faster. Maybe request a specific trade good from a place rather than hope a trader will bring the item you want. Perhaps even send the design to the crafter first. Not to end on a sad note, but a town could request aid with a plague easier, with less risk of spreading the disease. I think life for everybody gets better with more knowledge and faster communication. ”
Rilka nods her head at the exciting possibilities. Finding her place in the text again, she continues to read.
"Rilka is correct, sister. I definitely see the strategic benefit of such devices. But, the greatest hurtle is still cost. Even the rudimentary of these devices would cost thousands of gold. Governments, noble houses, trading concerns -- these could afford it. Most people, unfortunately, will never see such wealth all at once.
Furthermore, I do not think that paired books or ink are the best applications of such magic. Books eventually fill up. Requiring more books to be enchanted. It would be better to have a one time cost. I propose paired pens to be the more efficient method. That way the enchanting would only need be done once. Paper is a much cheaper cost to bear."
"Pens are clever, but how would you know when the pen should be put to paper? For paired pens I would put in some kind of signaling mechanism. One could use the Alarm spell to cause it to chime when a message was incoming."