"Sillas I hope you know how much this evening has meant to me."
"To me as well. I'm glad that you came."
Sillas enthusiastically joins in applauding his friend, grinning at him when he comes over.
"Sillas, friend, this has been a marvelous party. Thank you so much for inviting me", he says with a chuckle. "I really am sorry about your other two friends. If you can somehow convey that the next time you see them, it would be much appreciated. I do have to head home now, and take all these other Phiarlan folks with me. Be safe, and I'll see you tomorrow, maybe."
"Don't worry about it; you weren't the cause, merely the catalyst. I'll convey your apologies to them. And it was an excellent show Maeder. I doubt anyone will forget it any time soon."
"Well, chap," Merreck says with a slap on Sillas' back, "it was a good show. Really good. People will remember it for a long time, and I'm sure it did nothing but garner more praise and respect for Maeder himself. He's giving, but he's not that giving. There had to be something in it for himself. You know."
Merreck yawns. "Anyway, I have a date with my pillow tonight. Don't want to miss it! Let's meet up tomorrow, if you want. Let me know, I'm off."
"Its certainly going to get him a bit of attention. He deserves it though, he's got real talent that one."
Sillas nods "Yes, I don't imagine I'll have anything but time tomorrow."Thervi is next as she walks up to Sillas with a grin on her face. She throws her arms around Sillas, defiantly in front of Iri. "Didn't we do such a good job! I mean, those roasted birds, flying all around, getting caught in people's hair...fantastic! I do have to run now, but, why don't you and I get together tomorrow? Just the two of us maybe. Let me know!"
Sillas briefly returns the embrace "Indeed you did. It was a brilliant show; perfectly devised and beautifully executed. We'll see what tomorrow brings. I might have a little business to attend to."
Tara is more brief with her exit, hugging Sillas, and then waving goodbye. She is either red in the face from the drink, or from extreme blushing. Regardless, this is the first time Sillas has ever been hugged by her.
Sillas smiles at Tara and says "Good night." as she walks towards the door.
"Sillas, thank you again for a wonderful party! The dancing! It was fantastic. I have to retire now, but I appreciate the invitation. I know we haven't been the best of friends, lately, but I'd like to change that. Anyway, I have a date with a Glidewing. I have to go."
"Thank you, although none of it was my doing. Yes, I'd like that too."
Sillas smiles slightly as Maida walks away "Have fun."
She crosses briefly to Sillas. She doesn't attempt to hug him, but the smile says enough. "We're going to all those blank places on the map. You'll see."
Sillas returns the smile "I look forward to it, Irirangi."
As the hall empties out Sillas makes his way over to his mother and father "Thank you. The party tonight was really quite fantastic." he smiles at them both "I'm glad I wasn't ill again this year. I am tired though, goodnight mother. Father."
Sillas returns to his chambers, sitting in the chair in front of his window, taking the golden skull that Tam gave him and idly turning it over in his hands, thinking.
"I do, don't I?"
Blushing a little, I reply with a smile:
"Well, if I'm to keep up with your moves on the dancefloor... I suppose I'll have to share a few more of my own...""But first, I must thank our friend here, Sillas, for being such an amazing friend in the face of chaos and the unknown. I think for all of us, the past day or so has been a challenge to our expectations and identities... But I can defintely say, I'm glad YOU'RE in the same boat!!!"
Get a good rest. I'm sure it'll help when we decide tomorrow what to do about Iri's plan for us all.
As the birthday boy strolls away, fending off well-wishers on the way to his quarters, my attention turns back to the bundle of yum at my side.
"So... You're not afraid of heights, are you?"
Yes, I'm sure I will' Sillas replies, his thought sounding almost brooding. 'Though I doubt I'll find any rest tonight.' he adds outloud to himself.
Irirangi makes her way home in the capable hands of Shake and Shift and quietly lets herself into the house.
If I'm careful, mama might not want to know how it went until tomorrow.
She heads cautiously to her room.
The night seems to float by with great speed. Exhaustion pulls at each and every one of you. Even though you all retire to your separate lives, you can't help but feel the presence of the others.
As night rolls on, and you head to sleep, the ring's mark pulses gently; it's ready to be used again.
---
Starlan
You and Maida fly around and above Sharn for some time. She's truly moved by the majesty of the flight, and your skill as a pilot and rider. After some time, she asks you to take her home; she gives you a kiss on the forehead and bounces off to bed.
You need rest as well. There's no denying that. Having been awake more or less since the fiasco with Wing in the woods the previous night, it's not a difficult choice for you to get some sleep.
Dawn comes earlier than you expect, and you groggily open your eyes.
Irirangi
Sneaking up to your room is no difficulty, as your mother could not hear a thing through her drink-induced slumber. Crashing down on your oversized bed, your calves begin to throb in sync to the mark; a reminder of the day's danger, and the night's dancing.
You begin to process everything that had happened that day, except your mind shuts off somewhere around Isan's. Sleep is demanded by your body.
When you open your eyes again, your room is filled with light. Too much light. It's late. Later than you intended to wake up, anyway. Prayer at Church will start soon.
Sim
Though the sounds of guests and servants milling about dies down pretty shortly after you retire to your chamber, Tam's solid footsteps can be heard all through the night. His midnight trodding is a decent tradeoff for a servant who will work without pause. And boy was there a lot to clean up. Maeder and his crew were eager enough to make the mess, but seemed to vanish when cleanup time came.
Collapsing onto your bed, the day rolls through your mind. So many faces. So many people. All conjoined, for you.
The night seems to dissipate, and you briefly nod off. Though your body is tired, your mind is racing. It's difficult to close your eyes without bringing back the events of the day full-force.
A couple long blinks later, and it's morning. The sun is up. Way up, actually. It must be later than you first guessed.
A knock on the door snaps you awake; fully conscious, the mark on your face throbs gently.
Lyrandar Twins
The Hideaway is bustling. Thankfully, the server from earlier in the day is not present. The two of you are able to glide in and sit at a table, undisturbed. There's much to discuss, of course, and topics jump quickly, from Flash and your parents, to the strange mark, and to the performance that evening. One topic remains constant, however. Magic. Magic permeated every event of that day. It shaped every encounter, and it's misuse certainly led to the murder of innocent people.
The magic flowing through both of you can not be ignored, of that you both agree. How you use it, rather, will shape it's effects.
Head-heavy and exhausted, you both head to the Ten Tier. Flash's stuff is still in his room, although it's pretty obvious to you that he's not coming back for it. You crawl into the large bed, and fall deep asleep.
Until an unfortunately familiar voice sounds in your head.
"No. Too bright. It's too bright. Where am I?"
"Hrumph. Just when I thought we were rid of you."
Awaking from an unexpected yet very welcome pleasant dream Ellirayne gives a low irritated moan before throwing the blanket over her head. 'Why could it not have all been a nightmare? Could they not have given me a little longer before speaking in my mind again' she internally complains before crawling out of bed with a sigh.
"Good Morning to you too..."
After stretching lazily she quickly dresses and gets ready for a light breakfast, hoping a little food will help cheer her up.
"Dahn, what are you talking about. It's just daylight. Guys, can we not shout? People aren't really used to us yet. Just roll with the good manners...
OH MY! THE TIME!"
Leaping out of bed and grabbing the nearest garments without thinking, Iri heads for the door.
"Silver Flame service. Running now. Sorry to yell. It finishes in around an hour. Hideaways after that?"
Iri hurtles to the temple as fast as she can, just making it inside before the doors close. Luckily, the sight of Irirangi Biasharan arriving late and looking rumpled is not unusual and nobody seems to give her a second thought.
She lets the familiar words and rituals wash over her as she starts to piece together the events of the day before.
On waking Deerian just lies in bed eyes closed as he hears his sister get ready for the day. Hopefully today they would be able to look at repairing the disaster that their life had turned into. In reasonably short order the young man slipped from his bed and quickly got changed into a simple outfit with only the quality of the cloth denoting his families position. Slipping into a seat opposite his sister Deerian looks at his twin for a moment in silence.
"Are we ready for breakfast before we face the day?" He seems determined for at least a while to ignore the voices in his head.
I wake groggily, the morning sun bringing the colors and shapes of my garden 'loft' into vivid focus. Rolling off my mattress filled with cloth scraps straight onto the deck outside, I bump into the warm body of Dragonheart:
"Too much excitement for a Dragon, has it been?", I playfully ask as I pet it's huge form.
Following my usual routine, I wash up in the outdoor shower shared amongst everyone living in the compound, and grab a snack from the Stewpot's kitchen. Leaving enough some silver pieces with one of the staff who's already wide awake, I pull a raw slab of meat from the cold storage, just delivered from the butcher by the looks of it, and whistle to Dragonheart, to let her know breakfast is ready.
Yawning once more, I sort thru the various knick-knacks floating around my loft, before deciding to take Dragonheart up towards Glenendale Park. Shoving my clothes under a strap on the riding harness as Dragonheart glides effortlessley above the lake, I stretch out and non-chalantly leap from her back, diving into the lake's waters. Dragonheart swoops above me as I emerge from the water, following me as I paddle to the shore.
Iri
As you travel through town toward the cathedral, the sun's light shines on your, and you can feel the warmth in your body as if it was a noonday sun. However;
When you reach the cathedral, the throngs of people you expect to be kneeling in worship are absent. A single paige is busy scurrying around the temple, lighting the morning candles.
Starlan
The warmth of the sun helps push your otherwise groggy and reluctant body into an alert state. As you head to the Stewpot you notice;
The cook seems a little groggy, but fixes you your meal nonetheless.
Lyrandar Twins
The Ten Tier Inn is pretty quiet. Most of the guests seem to be asleep, but breakfast is still able to be procured.
After you've had something to eat, you're probably focused enough to tackled the days requirements, which include deciding on what to do with Flash's luggage.
Sim closes his eyes and takes a deep breathe; willing his face to take on it's normal appearance. Just in case the mark had revealed itself somehow. He quashes the faint feeling of revulsion as his skin crawls ever so slightly for a second. 'I have nothing to hide.' he repeats almost bitterly to himself.
He takes another deep breathe, easily centering himself into the persona that has become so natural, that fits like a glove now. The persona he barely need make an effort to maintain. Opening his eyes, he stands before his window, admiring the cityscape gleaming in the sun. "Come in."
"Silver Flame service. Running now. Sorry to yell. It finishes in around an hour. Hideaways after that?"
'Good morning, and yes. I'll try to be there in an hour or so. Merreck might come along, provided he's concious by then.'
"Oh my. Has anyone else noticed the sky? That's remarkable. And maybe worrying. Two suns. I apologise Dahl, you were right, it is too bright."
The absence of people is troubling. Irirangi stops the nearest candle-lighting page and asks in a polite whisper
"Where is everyone? Did the service time change?"
Know (planes) and Know (rel): (1d20 8=14, 1d20 7=27)
Seriously freaked by the appearance of the other sun, she scours her memory for anything similar she's ever heard of before. Barely waiting for an answer from the page, she heads to the library to see what she can find.
Stretching out under the mostly-clear skies, surrounded by Sharn's largest patch of greenery, I relax in a feeling of freedom... Until my mind strays to the many loose ends left over from yesterday's adventures.
...Sillas, are you up? I thought I'd wing over there to chat, if you're up to it..?
Sillas looks out from his window, staring up at the sky for a moment.
'What in Khyber? I can ask around, Merreck might no someone who knows something at the University.'
...Sillas, are you up? I thought I'd wing over there to chat, if you're up to it..?
'No, I don't mind, although someone's knocking on my door at the moment so I might have some company. I'll tell Tam to expect you. I suppose you could try coming in through the window, if you prefer; it's quite large and there are some places your mount could perch. Shall I ask Tam to send some breakfast up?'
...Sure, a spot of breakfast sounds great.
If you hang a flag out your window, or something handy, I can spot the exact one...?
Does anybody know if this extra Sun... is NORMAL?!?
...Sure, a spot of breakfast sounds great.
If you hang a flag out your window, or something handy, I can spot the exact one...?Does anybody know if this extra Sun... is NORMAL?!?
'Alright, I'll have Tam send something up. Look for a balcony with a white flag on it. Give me a minute to put it up, I have a visitor.
And no, I've spen all of my life in Sharn, and never have I seen a second sun.'
I'm going to the Temple library first, but may I join you in a little while?"
Iri's thought is unmistakably worried.
"Dahl - is this your doing? Just checking."
Aphra too sounds uneasy, not quite her usual snippy self.
"Is it a vision, or a waking dream?
Fled is that music: - do I wake or sleep?"
Truly I drank deep at inspiration's well last night, but not so deep I'd see two suns. Is this a new kind of hangover? Green-eyes, seek knowledge. Use your skills."
"Guys - I'm doing my best. Aphra has a point, Dahl. Do you know anything about this? And just for once it would be nice if you actually answered me."
I'm going to the Temple library first, but may I join you in a little while?"
Iri's thought is unmistakably worried.
'Of course you're welcome. I'll ask around too; I might know someone who knows something.'
"Two suns or not, I fail to see how we can do anything to effect the skies." Elli tells her brother with a sigh as she finishes her breakfast, hating the drama so early in the day, she had hoped for a calmer day today. "So, shall we look through Fleskar's effects for any clue as to where he may have gone?"
Irirangi
You study the second sun for some time, and it seems to pull at something in the back of your mind. You know you've seen it before. It's different than the normal sun, somehow. It has a discernible texture, as if there were tiny movements all along its surface; it also has a corsucating red and orange corona that dances gently around it.
Perhaps the library, Iri thinks, as she dashes away from the page. She can barely make out his cry of "because you're too early!" before she's in the next room.
Madly flipping through books, it all begins to rush back to her.
Her secret training with Joseph ir'Fraunhofer in the movements of the planes means that she's seen this sun before actually. Her fingers stop flying when they find the mark they seek. An illustration of the second sun, now high above Sharn. Except that it's not a sun.
It's another plane. Irian, to be exact. She continues reading.
It's highly documented and researched regarding how the different planes of existence swirl around the main Material Plane. Irian, every three years, makes an orbit around the Material Plane, and for a period of 10 days Irian is in close contact with the Material. They are co-terminus, in fact. This has happened before in Iri's lifetime, but never has it manifested in such a tangible manner.
Starlan
You can feel the warmth of the second sun splaying across your whole body. As you wiggle your toes into the earth, you can feel them tingling from the sun's rays even though they are not exposed directly to the light.
You head off to Vraxeris Manor on Dragonheart. The place looks a lot less imposing during the day, combined with the relative lack of traffic on the ground. But not in the sky.
Zooming past you with little regard for their proximity to you, is an entire squadron of griffon-mounted soldiers. Their blue uniforms and decorative regalia too ostentatious for Starlan's taste. They pay him little attention, save for one fellow who's icy gaze locks with Starlan's for a brief moment as they fly by.
Sim
The familiar yet gentle rapping on the door stops, and Tam walks in with a tray of food.
Lyrandar Twins
As you finish your early breakfast, you trod easily up to Flash's room again. No body stirs, and you are more or less alone.
As soon as you touch the luggage, a magical mouth forms out of the leather handle. It speaks a short poem, very slowly, and then the mouth disappears;
Where passion's quenched
and the sea can't sleep
with gilded bough
and all my fleet
o'erturn the earth
to find the storm
we call our home
"I didn't want to wake you so early, but I thought you might be up anyway. I also didn't want to knock too hard. Sometimes it hurts humans the next day after they drink too much. Is that correct?"
Tam pauses for a moment, forgetting the tray in his hand, the smells tantalizing Sim from across the room.
"I just wanted to ask you something. About the sun. It's different. Well, one of them is different. There was no one else who I dare wake. I'm not sure what to do. Which one is the right one?"
In a flare of annoyance at yet more magic Ellirayne kicks at the luggage in frustration. "Why can't it just be simple? Just for a little while" She exhales with a shake of her head.
When Ellirayne kicks the bag, it flies into the other one. Clearly they were both rigged to speak when disturbed, and so now the other one begins the same little rhyme, only this time muffled by the rest of the luggage.
Inspecting the bags shows that they are filled with sawdust. Another decoy meant simply to deliver a message.
Delighted though she is that her memory has not betrayed her, Irirangi takes a little time to make sure all the details she may need are present and correct before making any communal comments.
I need to get this right...
"I didn't want to wake you so early, but I thought you might be up anyway. I also didn't want to knock too hard. Sometimes it hurts humans the next day after they drink too much. Is that correct?"
Sillas smiles "Yes, and it's called a hangover. Fortunately I didn't overindulge too much last night, so no worries."
Walking over to the window, Sillas throws it open. 'Starlan, I'm standing at my window on the third floor. It's open.'
"Tam, would you please bring up a bit more breakfast? Some of my guests from the party last night will be here soon."
"Sillas, we're on our way. I have some information - it's not much, but it's a start
Irian is a force for the positive, but the patten is wrong in some very fundamental way. I can't find records of this happening exactly like this before. Starlan, see you there. Twins - I hope you feel better this morning."
Iri jots some rapid notes and heads to Vraxeris Manor. Bits of information flicker around her brain as she tries to reconcile what she knows about the plane with the unexpected appearance.
'Good. I'll have Tam let you in.'
At all the magic games that Flash had played on them Deerian felt his temper rise. However as his twin vented her own anger he realised that it would be best to wait. Ellie would need him in control of himself. Besides his weapon tutors had always told him that anger was something to be used not something to control you. A lesson he had difficulty with at times.
Wrapping his sister in a hug he says softly, "He'll pay for what he's done. No matter who he really is.. and we'll get mother back. Then when we do we'll claim his ship as our own and go explore for a time."
With a sigh he stands back and contemplates everything else that was going on. "I think we'll have to talk to the others and see what help they can be. We'll need some help i think in the tracking down of Flash.. and possibly some help with this clue."
Elli gladly sinks into the hug, taking comfort and trying to compose herself. She knows that her current emotions aren't polite and ladylike but she can't help but feel a little frayed around the edges at it all. "Our Home.." She repeats thoughtfully, thinking instinctively of Stormhome but unsure if that was just her heart wishing to visit there, to see more of the house in this stressful time, or an actual response to the message.
"Do we want to get the others involved in all of this though? Isn't it best to keep things with Flash as quiet as we can, all things considered.."
"Possibly.. But the reason we are all linked is due to something Flash had.. and well with the games he's been playing I don't trust that he didn't know what the rings were. We're linked and if it was his doing then they're involved anyway." He shrugs a little. "I think their help may prove useful and besides think of the distraction they would cause with mind talk whilst we tried to follow a seperate path to them."
Sighing softly Ellirayne gives a nod of agreement "That is indeed true"
"I know you're all planning a bank job of some description but Deerian and I were wondering if you would like to join us in investigating the man responsible for the rings that bind us coming into our posession."
"Yes. The man possesses a great deal of power. Take us to him..........Please."
"Yes, sir. Of course. Forget my ramblings."
Tam finishes his duties in the room, then leaves to prepare more food.
"I'm happy to do both personally. But of course I can't speak for everyone."
Iri has by now arrived at Vraxeris Manor.
"Good morning Tam, how nice to see you again. Goodness," she looks around in awe at the newly pristine Manor, "you'd never know there'd been a party here."
Tam nods dutifully at Iri. "I spent all night cleaning it. Warforged don't sleep."
"I'm sorry that I wasn't more prompt in letting you in. I didn't see you arrive. You've set a precedent, you know. Will you be making a mess again today?"
Iri grins at him.
"In a radical break with tradition, I shall try not to. I do apologise, it was very rude of me. I hope I won't disturb you too much on this visit."
"Dahl - I'm a little worried about you. You sound odd. I mean, odder. I mean, differently odd. Oh, Khyber's toenails. You know what I mean."
'It's your call really. The bank job is your project.'
"The bank job is essential, but so is trust. If the twins are right, isn't it possible that their uncle has a ring and is listening to us already? Forgive me if I say I don't like that thought much. It may be necessary to find him first. And even more necessary for us to meet and talk."
Vraxeris Manor:
"Greetings, both of you... I hope you're not feeling too bad after last night's festivities, Sil"
Looking around and taking a seat if offered, I'll also add:
"So... With Iri here, I guess you must know some details of her proposition connected with the Silver Flame...?"
"You didn't know anything about this extra Sun in the sky, do you Iri?"
What was that? Hmm... They mentioned another voice earlier, and you're saying they think it's their UNCLE? I guess they did say the rings came from his ship... When did you find this out? Maybe I was sleeping, huh?
Vraxeris Manor:
Vraxeris Manor
Iri looks at Sillas and Wingy and shrugs.
"I'm guessing really. The perils of too many hours in the library trying to put bits of information together. It works like this. The twins said their uncle had the rings in his luggage. Isan Chashy thought there might be more rings. If the twins' uncle found the rings, maybe he put one on himself. We all know what happens when the rings go on. They disappear and we're linked.
It was just a a thought. Not a nice one, but a thought. That and they said they were having family troubles - and I know all about that. They were certainly tense enough yesterday - far more than could be justified by the entertainment."
Briefly she helps Wingy explain the details of the Silver Flame's problem with the amulet and the bank vault.
"So you see, I'd rather not broadcast all of that on our public line. Just in case."
Finally she turns to Sillas. As she speaks to him, her voice unconsciously takes on a different, more personal tone.
"Sillas, this is your home and you might not want to invite them back here after last night, but I'm sure we need to meet face to face and talk."
"Wingy you do remember we can hear those thoughts don't you? Could you please not refer to my sister and myself in our minds as if we are not there."
Rolling his eyes at his sister Deerian continues to poke through some of Flash's things in the vauge but misplaced hope of finding something anything really that would give him a good clue of where to start.
Vraxeris Manor
Not a nice one, but a thought.
Sillas listens to Irirangi, nodding at this point. "No, it's not. I can't say I much like the thought of yet another complete stranger hearing my thoughts. Especially not one who might not necassarily have our best interests in mind. I wonder if there's a way to discover who's in the mental conversation?"
"Sillas, this is your home and you might not want to invite them back here after last night, but I'm sure we need to meet face to face and talk."
Sillas shakes his head. "No, I bear them no ill will. What they did angered me yes, but it there were other forces at work. Maeder's music was merely the catalyst."