Areniel listens attentively as Katja relays her business dealings and those elements of her day which were particularly frustrating or encouraging. When she finishes speaking, as dessert is brought out, and inquires about his day he replies, "More frustrating than encouraging, I fear..."
"This morning as I meditated an unusual vision came upon me..." He proceeds to share with her every detail of the dream which he is able to remember before continuing, "then this afternoon I traveled to the Cruciform Cathedral where I had seen one of these seals before. When I arrived it had already been taken, so I invoked a vision of the area in which it had been stored and discovered that the same underling charged with seeking out Visceroth had broken in and stolen it. Either he stole it previous to my initial vision, or that vision was of something which happened in the past; I cannot say which, but he could not have had time to steal it today if he was following his master's instructions."
Pausing for a moment to relish the deliciousness of the light, flaky, sweet dessert, the archon briefly considers that it could be better still with the addition of a little cinnamon and says, "I welcome any insights you have to offer, my precious vizier. I know that there are matters in Rahadoum which require attention, and have asked Tessara to do some research on it, but I need to go and speak with this Visceroth and learn whatever I can of this mysterious thief... Would you care to accompany me to Nidal tomorrow?"
"If I may, I was recently in Rahadoum. May I be of assistance with that?"
"And yes, I would very much like to accompany you to Nidal. We so rarely get to spend time around each other that even in troubling events I still enjoy your presence."
"I have no doubt that you will be of invaluable assistance in dealing with what's taking place in Rahadoum, but for now Tessara is searching for ranking custodians who keep an eye to events at the planar level and might be able to offer insight into what world or plane is conjoined there with ours... Hopefully that knowledge will equip us to assess the threat of this joining and determine a course of action for dealing with it. But, since we must wait for Tessara, and we visit Nidal tomorrow, let us enjoy this time we have together now."
Areniel sits happily with Katja, savoring the simple pleasure of the sweet mortal food and enjoying what passes as small talk among immortal beings of incredible power. When they exhaust the selection of confections which had been brought to them, and the accompanying hot beverages, he asks, "Will you be returning to the manor tonight or do you plan to stay in Cassomir? In either case, I would like nothing more than to escort you home..."
Manx raises an eyebrow to Tessara, yes? questions, you have?
Looking around, he heads for a pair of chairs before a window and flops down into one, sitting overly relaxed.
In the early hours of the next morning, Areniel repeats his daily rituals--meditation and prayers, 'hearing' reports from Aaron, and joining the patrol most likely to encounter resistance for breakfast and a blessing --before rejoining Katja and heading to the Shadow Caverns .
Two figures appeared at the top of a hill. Both dressed in flowing robes appropriate for the desert region. Ahead of them the Pashman River with the city of Katheer nestled into a series of canyons at a stratgic bend in the river. Behind them the arid land spreading out into the Plains of Paresh.
Well Orsenn, shall we see who has gone to such trouble to find me? Validk headed off towards Katheer, intent on meeting with the staff of his small trading post.
Behind him trailed Orsenn shaking his head as they headed off. You really should give your friends a more direct means of contacting you. One of these days you'll get the message too late to matter.
Manx raises an eyebrow to Tessara, yes? questions, you have?
Looking around, he heads for a pair of chairs before a window and flops down into one, sitting overly relaxed.
"Yes, as a matter of fact. First, I would like to know where, exactly, you want me to escort the chest to. I seriously doubt that you would have me simply drop it in the middle of the Precipice Quarter district, would you? Also, Lord Serimus, will your 'bodyguards' be escorting me with the chest, do will I need to carry it myself? Let's start with that, shall we?" Tessara crosses her arms while leaning in front of her desk, waiting expectantly.
Oh, I just need it dropped off with a Caldaru named Ubutori in Senghor, shouldn't be too difficult for someone of your esteemed capabilities. Manx quirks an eyebrow back at his two servants, them? No, they're with me. I expect that you should be able to handle this on your own.
Manx stands, it's been a pleasure, as always. Adieu.
Tessara watched Lord Manx leave without another word. She then turned to Aiden with an admonishing look. "I thought that I had mentioned something about 'wading into the trash will get you nothing but stink,' or something to that effect."
"Sorry, Mistress. He was waiting for me at the kaffe shop; I should have smelled him coming." Looking contrite, Aiden put on her pouty face and said, "Does this mean that I'll need to be punished?"
"Oh, without a doubt, you little harlot!" With that, Tessara pulled her aide out of the room by her hair. Soon there were screams echoing around the building.
Several hours later, Tessara goes back to her study and sits behind her desk, briefly looks at the draining sun as it sinks below the horizon. She initially chose this building for the view, but these days, it reminds her of what is out there, beyond the horizon. The demons, both personal and otherwise, that will someday likely take her whatever Hell can be devised.
She spends the next several hours working on a missive to send to Validk, wondering just how to phrase it so she sounds worried (not panicky yet)...maybe curious. Every once in awhile, she checks in on Aiden, quietly snoring in their private chamber; the welts and cuts already healing on 'her' unnatural form. Finally, soon after midnight, Tessara has her note ready to go. She finds her own bed to sleep in, and waits for dawn to arise.
Along the broad streets of the district, a somewhat young gentleman wanders slowly, looking as if he is trying to find something, or someone. He wanders into a tavern; the kind that only gentlemen are allowed to go into (for modesty's sake, of course...). He orders a whiskey, aged almost 18 years, and settles at a table. A few moments later, the bartender brings over his glass, along with a thick roast beef sandwich, compliments of the house. Aiden takes a modest bite, and tells the bartender his thanks.
Aiden had heard that Validk frequented places like this; if nothing else to gain easy information. It was amazing what one can hear part the lips of the foolish when enough spirits had entered the body. He was patient, the day was still young.
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Well boss, I think this was a wild goblin chase.
Validk sighs, Indeed. The cypher indicates it came from a guardian. It's not Kadja's style...
Validk pulls the letter out from a breast pocket and looks it over again, checking the parchment and staring intently at the ink. Those Iomedaen Crusaders generally lose their sense of humor after a few years fighting devils.
Orsenn perks up, maybe it was Radigan, he seems to like pulling the odd intricate prank.
Shoving the uninformative letter back into his pocket, Validk picks up his mug of ale and takes a swig. We've finished reviewing the outpost. May as well check in at the central office.
With the toss of a few coins on the table, Validk and Orsenn step out onto the balcony where Validk casts a teleportation spell, taking them to the home offices of the Odysseus Foundation, in the heart of the Merchants' Quarter of Absalom.
A svelte human, tall and lithe, slides into a chair across from Aiden. She settles her hadns on the table before her, fingers just touching each other as she waits for Aiden to notice her.
The one you have been asking about, he is not here. The Odysseus Foundation would be a good place to start.
A flick of her wrist and a small card appears on the table before Aiden, present this for an audience.
Tessara looks around at the ancient city as she puts her page in its tube. She had only been here once before, many decades ago as part of a naval trade caravan. To her at the time, it was like any other coastal town; full of taverns and drunks looking to get their jollies. She, at the time, was more than willing to join in. Unfortunately, it did not endear her to do much exploring, again, at the time. She rather regretted that now.
Deciding to play the part of the wealthy tourist, Tessara found a high-end establishment to settle in, paying for only a couple of days to start. She then indicated to the manager that she was inquiring about hiring a guide to take her around the city, as she had some business in the city as well. Noting with interest the dark skinned individuals who called themselves "Caldaru," Tessara smiled. This would be a rather interesting outing for her, even if it were little more than busywork and gophering. She wondered how Aiden was making out as she waited at the bar for her guide to arrive, all the while making discreet inquiries into finding her mark.
A svelte human, tall and lithe, slides into a chair across from Aiden. She settles her hadns on the table before her, fingers just touching each other as she waits for Aiden to notice her.
The one you have been asking about, he is not here. The Odysseus Foundation would be a good place to start.
A flick of her wrist and a small card appears on the table before Aiden, present this for an audience.
Aiden looks at the card briefly. He turns his head towards the stunning beauty and says, discreetly, "Thank you, my dear lady, for this. I'll be sure to make good use of it." In a slightly louder voice, he inquires, "So, my dear lady, came to parch your thirst? I would be quite delighted to help you in that endeavor."
Goodbye, my moon and stars, Areniel 'says' telepathically to Katja as she vanishes, I shall miss you dearly until we are united once more. Take care, my love, and may all the gods watch over you while I may not.
Left once more on his own, the archon turns his thoughts to his only previous visit to Nidal... it was the eve of the Fourth Crusade and the ragtag armies that were mustering would not be enough, so he had come into Nidal with Tessara and a pair of forward-thinking cardinals to meet with representatives from the drow and the dark stalkers; they had not been permitted to enter the subterranean kingdoms, but he remembered the cave they the dark-dwellers emerged from and the clearing by the stream where they met... and he remembered their unwillingness to get involved, and their arrogance in believing they would be able to turn back the demon hordes on their own if the threat ever tried to come below ground. Focusing on the image of the stream and the cave he steps between worlds and emerges in that field.
I hope Tessara is finding success... her work is vital, but without Katja by my side I believe perhaps I should have brought her along... he thinks looking around the dimly lit vale, then marches forward into the cave...
Smiling, thank you for the offer, but I am a mere messenger. Standing, she bows, good day, and may fortune seek you.
Areniel appears in the field between the fetid stream and now barricaded cave entrance. He is in the open, making no attempt at stealth or subterfuge, and his sword remains in its scabbard.
'Something is wrong, Aaron, the entrance to the Shadow Caverns has been barricaded...'
Looking to the barricade he calls out, "Hail guardians of the Darklands! I come in peace. I require an audience with Visceroth." As he awaits a response he looks and listens carefully to his surroundings...
he flies into the cave and repeats his hail...
he slowly turns to mist over the course of half a minute and drifts through the barely noticeable cracks and pores to the inside. Once past the barricade, he begins flying rapidly through the tunnels in mist form looking for a suitable figure with which to parley. Once finding one, he teleports to 3,000 feet above the cave, turns substantial, and teleports back to that person to try his hail again.
Smiling, thank you for the offer, but I am a mere messenger. Standing, she bows, good day, and may fortune seek you.
Aiden merely nods his head as the woman leaves. He then waits for several moments, pays his tab, and then leaves the bar. Aiden decided to take a roundabout way to the location mentioned; it was still early afternoon and his inquiries may have attracted a tail. As Aiden heads towards the Foundation, he takes glances around, admiring the scenery and so forth.
About halfway there, Aiden pauses to look at a shop window.
"I bare no ill-will nor ill-intent to the Umbral Court and its agents." Areniel answers with assurance but no trace of aggression. "I come to request an audience with Visceroth. I seek information regarding a matter which may have repercussions for the safety and security of Nidal and the rest of Golarion. I am willing, if I am able, to repay knowledge for knowledge in this matter, for the benefit of this world."
Aiden follows the directions provided, leading him to the world headquarters of the Odysseus Foundation. A renown organization that supports growth and development in many communities throughout Golarion. Primarily operating as a mercantile company to promote exotic goods in various markets, the organization also operates many orphanages, libraries, and supports several schools.
A human male sits behind the front desk, Welcome to the Odysseus Foundation. How may we be of service?
"Good day to you, sir. I have come seeking some assistance with some exotic items that I may come into contact with soon." With that, Aiden puts out his hand, as if to shake, with the card given to him earlier palmed in such a way as to not be that obvious to anyone else in the room.