"Unless there are any objections, I suggest we agree to his proposal."
He adds, "Raxus, maybe you should see what the man might be willing to teach you about tactics and strategies if you wish? I mean it as no offense, but he could be helpful in more ways than one."
Raxus nodded. He'd had similar thoughts. "Good idea."
Raxus nodded. He'd had similar thoughts. "Good idea."
The Captain is called back in, and informed that his terms are acceptable. "Your men have followed our laws and been completely professional in their time here. We see no reason that will change, and agree with your terms. Individual council members may coordinate with you later as befits their bailiwick for mutual training and drills and the like "
"Belka, I believe you had a proposal?"
"So I do," Belka says as she uncrosses her legs and rises from her chair. The Kellid girl tugs her jerkin straight and nods at Hoi Polloi. "Give 'er a shove, do."
The hooded guardian pushes the blackboard to where the assembled Councillors can see and pulls off the sheet, revealing a chalked octagon, a drawing of a big key, a drawing of a much smaller key, and a series of complex-looking equations and Draconic sentences.
"Presenting Belka's Door of Warding and Warning," Belka says as she points out the octagon and several of the equations. "As you can all see, the thing can be forged big enough to cover up the hole leading to the tunnel room. The lock goes in the centre, here" - a finger taps the octagon - "and it needs to be so big that the key would be the size of... well..."
Belka looks about a bit, then shrugs and just gestures, indicating an object roughly the size of a club.
"I'd be after recommending that Chancellor Raxus be named 'Master of Keys' fer this one," she says, "seein' as it'll take a big'un to carry the thing, let alone turn it. A key - heh - component o'the big key is the small key, seen here. With the little key removed, the big key can't be turned, meanin' the little key goes ta someone else. Like yerself, Baron.
Once the lock is turned, tha warding spells goes inta effect. There´s an Arcane Lock ta help make it harder ta open the thing, there´s this here Circle Against Evil, fer ta stop critters just teleportin´ past, an´ there´s two other spells. First an´ most important is a spell of Alarm. If some blackguard starts messin´ with tha lock, whoe´er holds tha little key gets a warnin´, s´long as they´re on the same plane of reality as the door. Second is this´ere Magic Mouth spell, which´ll warn off folks from messin´ with tha door, an´ how it leads ta mortal peril.¨
Belka taps each of the equations as she speaks, and does go into a fair bit of detail. Anyone who lacks at least a solid grounding in arcane theory will find the details tricky to follow, but the Kellid girl does make an honest effort to explain such concepts as ´matrix formation´ and ´induction and fixation of arcane resonances´.
¨All´a that bein´ as is,¨ Belka finishes, ´I ´spect it´ll take about a month ta make the thing. I´m gonna need me a skilled blacksmith an´ a locksmith, mind, an´ we´ll need ta send out fer some scrolls fer what we can´t have cast by folks from the city. If´n y´all want somethin´ really fancy, we can include metals what burns specific outsiders ta make the door extra unpleasant for them ta cross. Cold iron fer Fey, silver fer devils, stuff like that. It´ll cost, mind. It´ll cost plenty! But if´n y´all will agree ta pay, I´ll do ye the work.¨
"Interesting, and possibly very useful. I don't know if we can make it a top priority, there's so much already on our plate. But I see no problem with use of it in the future," he looks to the others to see what their take is on it
Since no one objects, "We'll try it, but later I fear. Other programs take immediate priority."
"Fair 'nuff," Belka says, shrugging. "Other business, then. I been setting up these diagrams, so I din't have time ta check. The Elves we brought back - if they're put up proper, I'm still volunteerin' to help figure out their language. Spells ta understand them is fine and dandy, but they'll need someone ta speak their lingo and for ta teach 'em Common. Without that, they'll not be able to communicate proper-like with the locals, and we won't know their will. Right?"
"Yes, it would help them immensely I'm sure. Are you volunteering to teach them?"
"Teach and learn," Belka says, firmly. "Such things works best both ways, or so said me Mum when she taught me my languages."
"Then, you hardly need the council's permission for such a kind deed. Thank you very much for it." He says, and smiles.
Raxus was impressed with Belka. He nodded his support for both her ideas.
Bridgette gives a nod as well