Search Posts
"We have to destroy the body. I would suggest acid. I can prepare several spells in the morning that will allow me to create a small amount of acid. I will begin to prepare new spells now and in eight hours or so I should be able to cast the requisite spells to destroy the body." I say and then go back to a chair and attempt to fall to sleep.
"Perhaps we could heal Boeler and then one of the taller ones here could stand on something and poke Boeler's head through the ceiling and then quickly withdraw it so as to allow us to see whats up there. Then, depending on what he sees we could go back up there. Regardless of how we get up there we should be careful to incapacitate, not kill any who are up there, allowing us a possible source for information." I say quitrely as I look up at the ceiling in an appraising manner.
I take the armband and ring from Boeler and examine them as well for anything that my arcane studies can tell me or for some trace of magic while saying "Unfortuneately I was unable to identify this potion. Tonight when I prepare my spells I shall prepare one that can identify the magical properties of an item."
I lean forward and ask "Who are these 'Evening Stars'?" as I search my memory for any mention of this group. "Have any of you heard of them prior to this? We could have found our way into something much larger than we first suspected. If they are some kind of massive covert society than we could be in grave danger. I beleive that we should determine who is watching us from above. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how this might be accomplished?" I ask in a whisper. I take the potion from Xanros and begin to examine it.
"Boeler, how badly are you injured?" I ask with the first note of real concern in my voice that has yet to be heard but I stay back so as to be out of Guudwyn's way.
"Yes, I wonder how they are doing. Hopefully they haven't found any danger, as they have no way to summon us should they need back-up. I'm afraid I have more skills in planning such surveillance than in actually performing such acts. That task will have to wait for the return of Xanros and Boeler." I say, now staring pensively out the window into the storm.
"No thank you. I do have a thought on how to question the guards. I beleive that one of us should watch them for a day or so and then question them once we have more information."
"Thank you" I say and carefully put the coins into a small pouch in my backpack.
"My words are not foolish. Long experience has taught me that it is always best to keep as much information as possible hidden. I really have no issue with your past but I would prefer if you told it more quitely."
Looking up from my reading when Guudwyn holds his holy symbol up I hiss "Put that away you idiot! Knowledge is power and the less that is shown of us the better." in an irritated voice, letting my eyes flicker towards the ceiling for a brief moment to illustrate my point.
Uninterested in the converstaion between Guudwyn and Rasmus, I walk over to a corner of the room that grants me as much cover as possible and take out a book bound in black leather and silver and begin to study it. After a short while I put the book away and stare contemplativley up at the false ceiling.
"All you ahve to do is watch for any suspicious activity. Someone who starts going to all of the places we're visiting. If you see someone who is behaving oddly, watch them carefully. I'd also like to gather more information on the strange child we saw earlier."
"Very well handled master Guudwyn. It is clear that you are this group's diplomat not I."
"Perhaps one of us could pretend to be mute and deaf, allowing us to ask him to write things down without seeming overly odd."
"I would suggest that we ask for at least 20 gold peices each and no more than 50 gold peices each."
Doing a favor for the Baron, it has possibilities I think and then say in a cheerful voice "Of course I'd be happy to look into this for the Baron. Anything I can do to help" And then stab him in the back I mentally add while keeping a cheerful and helpful smile on my face. "Please escort us to speak to the merchant and I would also like to speak to the Baron if it is at all possible, for I need to discuss the terms of my payment. I cannot work for free I'm afraid."
"No you idiot!" I whisper with a flash of annoyance. "Covert survellance is the best idea. If we can quietly watch the boy we can probably gain the same amount of information, possibly more, without nearly as much danger. Should things go bad I have only a few very weak spells left." After I've said my piece I attempt to melt into the crowd.
"I agree. I also think that we should attempt to track the boy down and see if he detects as either evil or having magic about him."
"The Ruby Sorceress. She is the one diety who has view points with whom I can agree. I am honored to meet one of the Ruby Sorceress' students, even if you no longer follow her. While not a true worshipper I understand her."
"I am, as you have probably deduced, a wizard specializing in Illusions. I grew up in a small Gnome village a long way from here. I journey in search of information to combat an enemy that is best not spoken of and the freedom from my personal demons. I would prefer not to go into further detail."
"I shall have no issues taking help from wherever we may find it. While I may no like them, I won't refuse theri help. Its like my gradfather used to say "Even if you don't like someone you can still take their money." He was a wise man." I begin eating , already considering the next step.
"While it is true that I have no love for the gods, any of them I will not betray a companion. Reliable allies are too few for them to be discarded. However, if you wish I will remain here and pursue other goals while you and Rasmus seek out these religious fools. I also agree that we should look for any residule magic where Rasmus appeared. I too can look for the ethereal tendrils such a spell would leave behind."
"Thank you. Like I said I'm new to the area and don't know much of the powerful locals."
I step forward and say "While I don't know the specifics of what happened I saw several Illusions, one of which was of a rather terrifiying creature. I gather that they caused some confusion. I'm new to this area, who is this Kordrin Braxtor?" in as friendly a voice as possible.
Following Xanros I try to blend into the crowd, attempting to act like just another citizen.
"Yes, I beleive that that is the best course of action. And that farmer looks like he has a problem pushing that cart anywhere."
"We must endeavor to get out of here before someone we don't want to meet finds us. Lets go."
"Don't encourage him Boeler, just let him be on his way and we can be on our way."
I look at you in a calculating manner for a moment before saying "I will assist you in your quest. But first we should lie low for a while. Where are we going Xanros?"
"I have stopped here on a journey seeking secrets that are best left untold." I say quitley and continue walking with an air that implies that I would rather that no more questions be asked of me regarding my past.
I let the Illusion of Rasmus in the alley fade and the illusion of the tentacled horror fade but maintain the Illusion of Rasmus near the small child.
"Fine. let us be on our way, the guards will be here ant moment and I don't relish getting into a fight with them while they have an advantage." I begin to follow Xanros and Isnor, still not looking as though I'm entirely focused on the conversation at hand.
"That would be a splendid plan had I not used all of my Illusions. As it is I have no spells that can help us in hiding from the guards. I suggest that we run, find some dark corner to hide in and let my Illusions distract them for a while. I cannot continue concentrating on these two Illusions indefinitely so we must hurry!" as I'm saying this I don't seem to be entirely focused on the conversation. I'm starting to look tired and drained, the effort of maintainig my Illusions is begining to drain me.
I cast another spell and a duplicate image of Rasmus appears right besides the real one. I step out of the shadows I say "Where are we going? Do you know of a safe place where we can hide? If you do take us there quickly as I don't fancy the idea of facing the town guard or garrison, particularly since I am out of spells that would be useful in combat.".
"Idiot!" I hiss under my breath as Rasmus puts himself in the path of danger. "There is something off about that child, something not quite right. Boeler, are you prepared for battle? I fear that we may be forced into battle sooner that I had anticipated. Where do you think we should fall back to? We need somewhere that we can hide and heal his wounds. If his idiocy doesn't get him killed of course." I fall back into that shadows a little more, mentally reviewing the spells that I have prepared for the day.
I smile thinly and say "I'm afraid I'm unable to assist you in healing your wounds but I can attempt to insure that you aren't found. Who is chasing you? Why are they chasing you? Boeler; how trustworthy do you think that the master of that inn at which we stayed? Did you get the impression that he would assist us in hiding... What is you're name? Do you know of anywhere where this man could be hidden" As I say this my eyes dart around, constantly looking behind us, checking to see if anyone is following or watching. |