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"Now that's how an ending should be!" Alainn-in-the-card says triumphantly. "Hold on tight!" The world dissolves into streaks of color around the embracing couple until it reforms into the tent of 'All-Seeing Hajek'. Meloigne Garracy is a few feet away, gaping at the sudden change in scene. Alainn waves once more from the card until the decks folds itself backwards into space and disappears.
"Hey, don't be so glum! Ooo! Kissing!" Alainn's voice sounds from Lydia's arms. Looking down the Survivor is perched on top of the Harrow Deck and Alainn is sprawled cheerfully across the throne, surrounded by the conspirators who all look distinctly miffed. "It's perfect. No story can end without a heroic sacrifice, and I'm the sidekick, it's my role to inspire you guys to victory." The gathlain looks to one side as Zassiron appears at the back of the crowd. "See? I know you won. So it was worth it, and besides this realm needs a Storyteller." Alainn gestures expansively, "Without Sonnorae or Zassiron, there has to be someone to tell the stories and keep everything going. There are so many tales I can tell, it's going to be great!" Alainn-in-the-card hops off their throne and walks towards the face of the card. "Lydia, I need to talk to Sercha for a second." When the inquisitor turns the card Alainn smiles at Sercha. "Do you know the most important part of a story Sercha? The ending. It has to be a happy one. You understand? What you need is in my belt pouch." The gathlain grins widely and looks expectantly at the fighter.
Alainn ducks and whirls in an attempt to avoid Zassiron's jaws. The moment they're out of range they disappear into invisibility.
Alainn dodges as best it can before casting another spell at Zassiron.
Without another card to play Alainn resorts to trickery and insults. "Hey Zarrison! I know fifty year old stuffed animals that look in better shape than you!"
Alainn zips upwards once more, now forty feet directly over the dragons back and unleashes more necromantic energy!
Alainn riffles through the Harrow Deck and produces The Tyrant. "Your reign ends here!" The gathlain declares, swooping behind the dragon, but taking care to stay out of tail range!
Alainn soars up into the air, gaining height at speed until, still invisible, it hovers directly over the dragon. Then the spells begin!
Alainn retreats down the staircase. "Zassiron is in there." It reports. "If you've got any more preparations make them quickly. The potions won't last much longer!"
Alainn, still invisible, ignores the 'damsels' and flies straight towards the spiral stairs.
Alainn makes sure Lydia is invisible before she strides out of the doors...
"Huh." Alainn says, completely devoid of its usual sang-froid. "Was that Sonnorae? Guess she wasn't too happy about being cut up and eaten..." The gathlain shrugs and looks around. "So? Sneaky back through the courtyard and find Zassiron? We should probably drink all the potions now."
"Get off!" The gathlain demands, annoyed. It retaliates with appropriate care and attention before getting as far from Lydia and Sercha as possible. "Boom incoming!"
"Biyo? You look so different!" Alainn quips as the Heroes begin to move with greater speed!
Alainn shakes its head at Sercha and Lydia. "Actually, I'm afraid I'm injured. There was a fight with some ogres outside. I could really use your help..."
When that illicits no response Alainn covers the rear of the room in glitterdust!
"Biyo? You came back?" Alainn asks, immediately suspicious.
Alainn nods and heads upwards.
Alainn pouts. "You're ruining the drama Lydia. How are we supposed to slay the villain against overwhelming odds if you get rid of the overwhelming odds first?" The gathlain goes along with the plan, affronted sense of story regardless.
"That'll be the same as this side." Alainn points out. "Zassiron will be to the north. Why not go there?"
"Time to keep being sneaky?" Alainn asks. "If I put mini spells on can you both run fast?"
Alainn notices Sercha's eyes following the rings and smiles. As Lydia speaks to the man in the cell the gathlain sidles over to the fetchling. "Just give me the nod and they'll be right there for you to ask the big question."
"Hello? Excuse me? Are you a prisoner here?" Alainn asks. "Because if you are then we're here to rescue you. If not and you're a minion of Zassiron being punished then I'm afraid you have to serve out your sentence while we deal with your boss."
A single tap of Lydia's wand and Alainn is much happier. "Ready!" The gathlain declares, pocketing the wedding rings with nefarious plans in mind...
Alainn lets out a strange, high-pitched shriek that makes the efreeti reel.
"You both need a time-out!" Alainn decides firmly, aiming a black ray at Agrasug!
"That's disappointing." Alainn says. "Why do marriages always end in violence? You should try seeing a councilor."
With no idea what's going on Alainn starts looking through the Harrow deck. When the woman's eyes focus on them the gathlain waves. "Hey, congratulations. Have you been married long? I'm not sure this is the kind of place I'd go for as a honeymoon but to each their own. Are you guys friends with Zassiron? Is there a baby on the way? What element would a baby between you two be? Can you have a steam baby? I bet that would be awful to try and keep in a crib!"
Alainn realises that there is a slight problem in that it cannot see its allies... but luckily all the doors are closed, so just wait until they pick one and then it can follow them in! Perfect!
Alainn provides spells for the not-sneaky people. (AKA everyone).
"I thought of that." Alainn replies with a grin. "Sercha already has hers but this is for you." The gathlain hands over a potion of Fly to Lydia, before leaping into the sky.
"I'm not sure its my color." Alainn says, descending with a grin. "I like the pretty flower swords though!" With a stage whisper the gathlain leans in to Sercha. "Hold onto it and get Lydia to model it for you later" If the final word held any more meaning it would collapse under the weight. "So that's all the tokens right?" Alainn concludes, switching topics with dizzying speed. "So what now? Does the wandering keep just appear in front of us?"
Alainn swoops across the auditorium to target Eliara with beams of fire!
Alainn, unable to use any of its most offensive magic with its allies surrounded, starts pulling cards out of the deck as fast as possible. First The Liar and then the Betrayal.
"Crickey!" Alainn quips from above. "So many choices!" A spell of haste impels Lydia and Sercha to faster action while Alainn riffles through the Harrow deck with enhanced speed before producing the Peacock card!
Since Alainn can't pick out exactly which of the numerous conspirators it wants, they resort to the simple solution - cook them all!
Alainn produces the Twins from the harrow deck before leaping into the air and beating hard to gain height.
"Hello!" Alainn calls. "You must be Balio and Balimar! Can we help you? We're very good at helping out, formed a conspiracy or two in our time and never even got found out." The gathlain watches closely for any sign of reaction to the word 'conspiracy'.
Alainn leads the way, humming the tune that the violin was playing. After a moment the gathlain breaks out into (quiet) song. "And we're going to be alright,
At the last words a light springs up behind Lydia's head, leaving her actually shining as they proceed further into the theatre.
Alainn resists, more or less, the urge to cackle madly with glee at Mr Soft-shoe's explanation. "Oh, well maybe we can help?" The gathlain says with a gleam in its viridian eyes.
"Nice tune." Alainn says with a smile. "So what happened? Why can't you do shows any more? I'm a fan of your work though. Could you sign this for me?" The gathlain offers The Cricket card towards him.
"Oh yeah." Alainn says, producing the card and holding it out like a ticket. "Can we come in please?"
"Looks like they're missing their star performer." Alainn says. "Maybe Sercha could fill in?" The gathlain strides forward and calls out. "Hello? Is the show on? We'd love to see it!"
High above the combat another comet blazes through the sky.
Alain sends another comet arching into the lunar mass.
"Sure." Alainn replies, rising another thirty foot or so. A rather beautiful streak leaves the gathlain's hand, arching across the sky like a pink-purple comet before it slams into the moon.
Alainn kicks off into the sky to examine the moon more closely.
"Well that's weird." The gathlain reports, unhelpfully, as it fishes into the Harrow Deck and produces The Eclipse.
Alainn bows theatrically, leaps into the air and draws a large ring, about twenty-five feet in diameter across the clearing in a thin line of fire. "Ready? Then go!" The gathlain declares.
"She accepts!" Alainn replies promptly, pointing to Sercha.
"Well, you see." Alainn begins, fanning out the Harrow Deck. "We began in the Midnight Circus," producing the card "and have traveled hither and thither across the realm drawn by a powerful yearning, a quest for truth, justice and the Andoran Way! We have fought mighty monsters, powerful witches and denizens from realms yet unknown. For we seek the tokens required to confront Dread Zassiron, the Patchwork Lord. I am Alainn the Ever-Cheerful, so named by a mighty warrior as he left on a quest for redemption. The Heroes with me are Lydia and Sercha, united by bonds of the Truest Love. All that tries to divide them shall fail!" A card flashes briefly, was it The Marriage? "And you, no doubt are the Rabbit Prince." Another card appears. "Yet you flee the Tangled Briar." Yet another card, somehow Alainn appears to be holding at least five cards at this point - a couple are even floating. "Will you aid us good sir? To overthrow the Tyrant? Then your name shall resound with glory in this greatest of stories!"
"Huh." Alainn says, watching as Algon walks away. "That's a new twist in the tale." Then the gathlain brightens up. "Alainn the Ever-Cheerful. I like that!"
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