Xiddik looks around. "Did he turn invisible?" she asks Asht'el, frowning. "Did he...killed? Did he get killed?" She corrects herself quickly, sounding flustered.
"If he was only invisible, he'd be making a lot of noise letting us know. Did you notice when he disappeared? I was focused on others in the room."
Randall is making short work of examining the fallen drow for interesting swag and geegaws.
Randall finds quite the collection of items on Hialin. Perelir, Malindil, and Arlindil turn their backs and show no concern for the treatment of their erstwhile companion's body.
Asht'el considers all the many magical items found on Hialin and mutters, "I don't say this often, but I wish Jametor were here, he's a lot better at this stuff than I am." He then sets to studying the items, trying to figure out what they've found.
Randall continues to look at and handle the items as Asht'el uses his magic. "From a purely economical standpoint, I would say this is more expensive than that. Oh, and this is going to bring a better return, so rate it higher."
He looks up at the elves that are carefully ignoring his efforts, "I have learned that gear doesn't help if you don't pick it up. But he was your ally - I don't think anyone is going to argue with your claiming his gear for the Winter Council's purposes."
"More importantly, we need to know what comes next. Obviously, drow are real." He gestures at the dead elf, "but your kin in Kyonin have, based on what they have been told by the Council, believe them to be a fairy tale. If they are not told the truth, many of them will die. They will not believe us - this has to come from you."
"And what becomes of the Winter Council with so many members lost? How do you elect new members? Can we help?"
"Can you help us get Jametor back?" Xiddik asks cautiously. "Is he even alive? I did not recognition the effect used on him. He just vanished."
Perelir shakes her head silently at Randall's words, then glances over at Malindil and Arlindil. Her eyes ask a question, and after a moment Arlindil speaks up. "The Winter Council... should be dissolved."
Malindil gasps, but the pained look on Perelir's face is one of reluctant agreement. The Calistrian frowns slightly at Xiddik's question. "I believe he was sent to another plane of existence," she says. "Unfortunately, I know very little of such things... Hialin was always the one most inclined to those types of studies. Still, I will help you as much as I am able."
The man turns as Jametor approaches, and raises his eyebrow. He seems surprised and possibly a bit confused.
"Very well." Xiddik's face is blank, but she sounds sincerely concerned. After a moment, she clears her throat and moves on, her face regaining its veneer of emotion. "Did you know. About the drow. How did he become a drow? Is this how all drow are..."
Arlindil frowns, and Malindil gives a little sob, but Perelir simply sighs and shakes her head. "This happened here before... a few years ago. You've heard of Allevrah. But that and... and today..." she pauses and takes a breath, clearly shaken, "Those are the only two instances where someone has... changed. Most of the dark elves are born that way. But we hadn't imagined that we could... change, like that."
"Enough!" snaps Arlindil, glaring at Perelir. The cleric shakes her head sadly. "They need to know, Arlindil. They deserve to know. Our people deserve to know."
Well, now we have some idea what it takes to get through to them. Unbelievable.
Putting an encouraging smile on his face as convincingly as he can, he nods at Perelir's words and says, "We already know a great deal, perhaps more than you, about the drow. Though if you're hiding any more useful information, I'd agree, we deserve to know, given how much we've risked our lives for your sakes. But you're right about one thing - you need to tell your people, and they need to believe you. They'll have a fight on their hands soon enough, and believing your foe doesn't exist can make for a pretty one-sided battle."
The man's blank expression is answer enough.
Perelir nods. "I think... I think the Winter Council must meet... possibly for the last time. Will you excuse us?" Her tone is tired and sad, but she addresses the group respectfully.
Those nearby Xiddik can hear the sounds of bones popping as she repeatedly clicks her jaw joint. But she flashes an easy smile. "Of course. We'll wait in the other room."
"Here, someone give me a hand. We can examine these some more while we wait." Randall gathers up the drow's gear without whoever's aid and takes into the hallway.
Perelir nods gratefully as the party departs. Outside the chamber is evidence of demonic intrusion, but the demons seem to have departed. After about half an hour, the three remaining councilors emerge from their chamber. Their expressions are haggard and grim. As the other two depart, Perelir speaks. "Thank you for waiting. We... have decided to leave Thorn's End, and go back to our people. We will dissolve the Council and present ourselves to Queen Telandia... and thence, who can say." She pauses. "And you? What will you do?"
Randall opens his mouth, thinks better of it, and shuts it again. He thinks again, and says, "I thought we would accompany you, actually. I don't know what we are going to do after that." He looks around at the others.
Perelir's eyes widen slightly at Randall's response, and she looks to the others as if for confirmation.