Korin ruefully shakes his head as he finds himself in the watch's headquarters standing more or less at attention with the others. 'What an evening. Ought to keep things formal and to the point here. Tylu doesn't like a lot of idle babble and isn't going to have patience right now, especially if they drug him out of bed for this'
"Captain." Korin nods in brief greeting before continuing. "I went to Marlene's tonight for a drink and maybe a game or two if the mood struck me. It was there that I overheard this Marik trying to recruit for his upcoming... expedition. Frankly, after a bit of this, I was considering jumping in and trying to talk him out of it. The tale of his seemed rather improbable and the blight, as we all know, is no place to cut your teeth."
"But then it turns out there was an Aes Sedai at the inn and she seemed to confirm his tale, or at least the authenticity of the letter. Soon we were all seated at the table for a discussion. I can confirm that the rest is pretty much as has been told. Gjurn approached for what, to my knowledge, was the second time this evening to offer his services in exchange for a cut in any profits. He grew rather agitated when Tenora Sedai declined and said some things to her that were ill-suited for polite company, but otherwise he didn't seem violent or anything of that sort. That is when the attempted murderer struck, taking us all, I believe, by surprise. I'm sorry captain. I had only just met this Bataar person and can only speculate as to what his motivations might have been."
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"Captain I do not know this Bataar either. I met this man Marik only today. He had a letter from the White Tower beginning assistance with this matter of items from Malkier. My cousin and I were attempting to ascertain what would this entail. When this Bataar person stabbed Gjurn unprovoked. I do not know why? I would kindly suggest questioning Gjurn. If you have any doubts about our intentions sir, we would freely submit to questioning by Lord Agelmar. I had suggested that we speak with him anyways to let him know of our trip lest he think we are up to no good or are bandits of some sort going about armed in his lands."
Tenora nods at him. She moves her hand in Renlo's direction.
"And this man Renlo," She nods at Renlo "Was kind enough to offer his services as well. I met him today and it seems he is a kind and generous man from Shienar. As most people from the Borderlands are. I myself and my cousin being from Kandor. So if it isn't too much trouble perhaps we can talk with Lord Agelmar? At your convenience of course."
She smiles.
This man Korin seems intent on joining us. I MUST have words with him
The captain was obviously familiar with Korin, so Renlo remained quiet to let Korin and Tenora Sedai handle matters with the captain.
... Aes sedai all in a tizzy. Why there was a trio that left up out of here naught three days past. Heading north. Something about an ancient relic being recovered. Dismissed any attempts to help them they did. we need no man to slow us down strange women. Always wearing red. And a scowl on her face. Light she could make the Dark One pretty...
'It makes sense that Korin would know the captain of the guard, he is from here.' Standing with his hands behind his back Elek attempts to look at ease.
Glancing from Korin to Tenora when she begins to speak. 'Good, put some of this back on Gjurn and change the topic. I still wonder why he stabbed him.'
Elek returns his gaze to the captain. 'Oddly, Bataar did say he was, how did he put it, , "a no account Kandori" maybe he was telling us more about himself than we realized.'
Captain Tylu drums his fingers on his desk, his gaze flickering amongst all of you, until finally settling on Tenora. He purses his lips and shifts his lips back and forth in an unconscious movement.
Fine. Fine. Here's whats going to happen. I'll have words with Gjurn to see what if he did anything to precipitate this attack before his... unseemly...interaction with you Aes Sedai. Perhaps Gjurn will finally have learned his lesson in being polite. All of you, are going to get out of here. And i'll send a Sniffer to track down the Bataar individual and bring him back for justice.
the captain stands up and walks around to the front of his desk, and then leans upon it and crosses his heavily scarred forearms across his chest.
Look. If you guys are set upon looking for the fabled treasures of Malkier, Im not going to stop you. Oh yes, i have heard of this tale before. Several times in the past, groups, those Hunters of the Horn, have come through here seeking the fabled treasure. It's rumored that the Horn of Valare is within one of the vaults hidden within the main keep of the Seven Towers. I dont buy into that idea one bit, but thats just my opinion. But, to help all of you out, I can ask that the Keep's library be made available to you. It should have some information concerning Malkier, the Seven Towers, and might even have something about the Keep itself.
He steps forward, and begins to shake everyone's hand as a means of well wishing, and indicating the meeting is over.
Korin, hang back a moment. I wish to discuss something with you, privately
HO THERE! STOP! they shout.
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But, to help all of you out, I can ask that the Keep's library be made available to you. It should have some information concerning Malkier, the Seven Towers, and might even have something about the Keep itself.[/b]
"Thank you good sir." She smiles and glances at the party. "Does that work for everyone?"
"Thank you, Captain. We are sorry to have disturbed your rest, and we appreciate your offer to ask we be allowed to use the Keep's library. Peace favor your sword." Renlo politely accepts the dismissal, thanks the Captain for his time, and bades him farewell.
He steps forward, and begins to shake everyone's hand as a means of well wishing, and indicating the meeting is over.
Korin, hang back a moment. I wish to discuss something with you, privately** spoiler omitted **...
"Yes, of course." Korin nods at Tylu and steps to the side to let the others depart.
He was about to once more rehash everything, and to explain his mission from the tower and about the letter and all of that when Tenora Sedai took control of things. Part of him was glad he didnt have to try and talk his way out of this mess, the other part of him, a small part of him wasn't thrilled by it at all. Perhaps it was just the way she spoke. His family had served the Tower for years though, why should that change now.
Instead of adding anything to the obvious dismissal, he murmered a 'peace favor your sword' after Renlo following the others out.
'Does that work? Looking toward Tenora but not quite making eye contact he nods, turning towards the captain, shaking his hand. "Thank you Captain, peace favor your sword." He then nods toward Korin as he passes him following Renlo out of the headquarters.
Korin returns Elek's nod with a faint smile and a nod of his own, then turns towards the captain.
"The Shadow is restless, Tylu. It is always thus, but this time is different. I can feel it deep in my bones. Whether Malkier's treasure is real or not, that group there is heading into danger and they need to have someone with.. seasoning with them. Some of them seem like they probably know what they're about, but others are obviously very green. Light, the Aes Sedai, she could be older and have more experience than both of us put together for all I know, but out there even she could likely use another set of eyes on her."
"And ultimately... Fal Dara needs to know what is really going on out there. So that is why I am willing to go, to do my part once more for Shienar and for the Light."
Blood and ashes! They can't leave well enough alone. Since these men weren't about to strike down an innocent person with the Power, Bataar had no intention of attempting to kill them.
He complied and waited for them to approach him. "Good evening gentlemen, how can I help you? he asked doing his best to appear nonchalant.
following along to the library, 'Hhhmmm, I wonder if there are any maps?" Elek would also look for maps.
Renlo also looks around for any maps. If he finds the map section, he will search for the correct map.
The group searches the racks, and manages to find a large collection of maps of the Mountains of Dhoom, Navigable passes through said mountains into Malkier, a small group of maps reporting Trolloc and Myrddrall patrol locations, and some maps of Malkier. The maps of Malkier include small Keeps and defensive towers, towns and villages, river courses, and a large Layout of the Seven Towers itself. And there, is one, old, ancient map of the Royal Keep for the Seven Towers, detailing rooms found within the keep and it's grounds.
'Well, at least we found map's After sorting through several of the Maps, Elek asks, "Do you think it would be ok for us to take some of these with us?"
Turning to Tenora, "Tenora Sedai, do you think Marik's letter carries enough weight to allow us to borrow these maps?"
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'Well, at least we found map's After sorting through several of the Maps, Elek asks, "Do you think it would be ok for us to take some of these with us?"
Turning to Tenora, "Tenora Sedai, do you think Marik's letter carries enough weight to allow us to borrow these maps?"
"I'm not sure. Perhaps it's best if we set to making some copies?"
"Aha! Here this map here is almost exactly the same as the one I ...inspected. This one has a few more details though to be honest."
He began drawing the attention of the others to the map.
'Best to make copies.' Nodding as Tenora answers 'That's a good idea, but how? I don't even have any paper... Trying not to look stupid, Elek is relieved when Marik identifies a map. 'Thank the light, maybe Marik's map has something.' gesturing toward the Tar Valonian. "Come cousin lets go see what has Marik so excited."
Moving that way, 'At least I can stall from looking like an idiot for a little bit longer.' he carefully looks at the map, hoping for more instructions that don't include trying to draw a map.
Renlo looks over the maps, then says, "This should be quite helpful. I have no skill at map-making, however, and am not sure if I could faithfully replicate the map. Perhaps we should try committing it to memory?"
Looking from Renly to Tenora, Elek shrugs, running his fingers through his shoulder length hair, looks down and shakes his head no. "Sorry, I can't trace worth a darn, let alone draw."
"Im no cartographer but i have a steady hand, I can give it a try. I do not have any ink or parchment with me at the moment however."
He offered.
'Ink and parchment, must be some around here somewhere. I may not be able to draw, but I can help look around." Moving around the table, Elek moves towards what looks like a desk. "The room is full of paper, there must be some we can use somewhere." He then begins looking for paper and pen.
as you all go through the library, "ransacking" the contents looking for some ink, quills, and paper to recreate the maps you found, the door to the library opens. The only reason you know that the door opens is that a voice from out in the hall comes in from the opening.
-And i bet they destroyed my precious library looking for Creator knows whatever they're looking for a miffed voice says sternly, sounding unusually loud inside the otherwise quiet library.
A woman comes walking in...And she is gorgeous! No other words can describe this woman's beauty and grace. Her hair, raven black, flows like an unnatural river down from her head, over her shoulders, and curling slightly just above mid-waist height. Her skin is the color of alabaster, creamier and whiter than creamed milk. Her lips shine a deep red with a hint of pink at the corners of her mouth. her dress, a deep rich brown similar to a freshly stained piece of wood, hugs her so tight that it, for a moment, looks like she is wearing her dress as a second skin. The cut shows great lines, accenting her pert breasts, tight and toned figure, and with a plunging neckline that advertises the Light and the Dark can be found within its enticing cleavage. Her eyes capture your attention, as they have a strange quality to them. Highly angular, almond shape, they affix you where you stand as the deep amber hue highlights her majestic face.
Her gaze flashes around the mid-sized library, noting books and large plac-sheets, those that are where they are supposed to be, and others that have been recently moved. Her eyes alight upon the table, and sees the small stack of maps. Her lips purse together in annoyance, and a slight red colors her cheeks as you can obviously see that she is angered. Youre not sure if she is angry at you being here, or angry that you went through her library.
She looks at all of you again and then does a slight curtsy to all of you. Aes Sedai. Gentlemen. I am Annara Syulinh, Mistress of the Histories. What you see in here is the center of my domain. I, as Mistress, know the books, the maps, the ledgers, the essays, the prophecies, and anything else of importance towards Fal Dara that is kept here. Please. How may I help you?
There was a moment of annoyance as he glanced up torwards the door. That sounded like an angry woman. Flattery, he was not an unattractive man he could smooth things over easily enough flirting with the old biddy for sure.
Blood and ashes...f@%! me she's gorgeous!
His mind went from being annoyed and already planning his soothing when he saw the mistress of the library. Annoyance went to panic.
"My pardon mistress, we were told we could peruse the library for our search, In my haste I may have ..."
He paused licking his lips at the slight mess they had made.
"Not used as much care here as was warrented. I am sorry. I am Marik Carter, how may I serve to reconpense for this intrusion?"
He began much smoother than he realized. Clearly being around powerful woman and placating them was something he was used to doing and good at.
Hearing the voice outside the door, Elek stops rummaging through the desk, as the woman moves into the room, 'I wonder if all the librarians in Fal Dara look like that, If they had in Caniuum I would have read more. Blast she's coming the flaming direction.'
Realizing 'the Librarian' was headed that direction, he steps from behind the desk nodding politely but keeping his eyes down. "Mistress."
'Good we will let Marik smooth her nerves, maybe he or Tenora can talk her into letting us take a map.'
He nodded and smiled, dismounting Naan. "Sure thing sir, what can I help you with."
Now...Im inclined to think that you were just drinking, and not tossing dice. Fair story, everyone does that, especially when they are lite of coin. But the oddity of the story is your horse here. Now its normal to water a horse. Its normal to feed a horse. Blight, its even normal to rub down a horse...and yet... Since when does a man unsaddle his horse when he's just visiting a tavern for a few hours? The guardsman asks in a "gotcha" tone as he draws his sword from it's sheath. Now, please, surrender your weapon, and let's take a walk down to the watchman's room? hmm?
The Mistress, who was cool and distant towards everyone, suddenly looks harder upon Marik. a flush creeps up her cheeks and then smiles a bright, gorgeous smile that lights up the room. She gazes intently upon Marik, to the point that everyone else in the room seems to be forgotten Mr. Carter, It's ok. it's obvious that you didnt make too big of a mess, not one that I cannot clean up in a short fashion. I may have been a bit to "reactive" towards you and your companions here. It's ok. Im here to help. What are you looking for? What do you need? she asks, her chest heaving slightly for emphasis.
He smiled his best winning smile and met her eyes then gave a slight wink.
"You are exactly whom i needed. We are looking into old reports found at the tower about a trove of weapons armor and things left of the Seven Towers. I'm an Aquisition's agent sent to delve into the ruins and see if there is indeed a trove of useful things there that can be used to battle the darkspawn."
He began moving closer to her with the carfully rolled up map.
" We were looking for some parchment to copy parts of this map here, since it seems to show an outline of exactly where we want to search."
He began sidling right up beside her. He may have 'accidently' brushed the top of her hand with his as he rolled the map out in front of her. Running a hand through his hair he kept close.
"What do you know about Malkier's last days? I would imagine this place is the best location for information about that. I have other questions too miss Annara, but i dont believe they are as mission imperative."
He added not lightly hinting at all that well he was very curious about the gorgeous Librarian.
'Safe to say the librarian is as infatuated with Marik as he is with her.' Moving the opposite direction as Marik, Elek attempts to place himself so he can be heard easily by Renlo, Korin and Tenora.
Speaking Just loud enough to be heard, but not to interfere with Marik's conversation with the Librarian. "It looks like Marik has acquiring the maps well in hand. What else will we need to track down to survive this trip."