”And for all its size, you still can’t manage to avoid your problems there,” Cai’nan mumbles as the ship drops anchor. A group of Ulfen begin setting to tieing the vessel off at the dock as the group disembark.
”Let’s get this over with,” he adds before willing his armor to alter its illusion to a more regal appearing form.
"Lady Galatea, are you certain that this is necessary?" Yulia asks. Once again, it appears that she is being asked to take Silvie somewhere else. The infant herself is peacefully napping in the Ulfen woman's arms.
"I'm afraid so, Sentinel Rockne," Galatea replies. "Once again, I don't want all of Mom's heirs to be in one basket. Kallie can protect herself. I still have Cheshire watching my back. Even Ariel will have Ivan protecting her this time. Silvie... Too much could happen to her in a place like this."
Yulia nods at Galatea's completely sound and absolutely honest logic. Not much later, she chants a few more words and vanishes. Gali sighs and moves to join the rest of you.
The crate containing Baraket is placed in the middle cart of your precession. It is carefully hidden under several other boxes. Similar to Cai'nan, the Silver Sentinels disguise their telltale armor. Ivan of Irrisen works some magic to make Ariel look very inconspicuous. Finally, Cheshire hides under a blanket in one of the wagons.
"Is everyone ready?" Galatea asks. She too has changed her outfit into something more mundane.
Jaya makes certain to shroud herself in abjurations before leaving the ship, not trusting that a processional highlighting the most well known member of their party does anything to obscure their presence.
Aurealia follows Jaya's example, casting an extended boosted bull's strength and cat's grace on herself.
Kallie notices the others casting spells, so she shrugs and brings up her mage armor.
In the end, it seems that all your preparations and earlier caution pay off; you get to Verde Heights without almost no incident. About halfway, you do hear some break ruckus nearby, but it quickly dies down when some of the Acting Primarch's agents swiftly move to stop it. It would appear that causing trouble in Argor Constantine's seat of power is more difficult than causing trouble in the comparatively sleepier Sandpoint!
As you arrive at Verde Heights, you see a group of Iomedaean Knights being escorted out. Upon seeing the tall man in fancy armor with a big delivery of "food" approaching, the Argorian agent's eyes go wide, and he quickly ushers everyone inside... except Galatea, who lingers outside.
"...Am I even allowed to be here?" Gali asks.
"Of course, Lady Galatea," is the reply. "Why wouldn't Lady Jeevika's heir be allowed inside?"
"...No reason," Galatea replies honestly, a sincere smile appearing on her face.
Without further ado, she follows everyone inside.
Jaya tries to remain unobtrusive while people who couldn't reasonably be called a blood enemy of the Blakros-Constantines dealt with the staff.
Odd. Either resources were directed elsewhere, or there truly was a knot of Treerazer cultists located halfway across the world from the center of their religion that was coincidentally already tied to Thassilonian cultists, and was so on alert for us that they had an attack readied for our arrival even though we were days ahead of schedule...
No. Brigh's Lathe. We didn't do anything sufficient to prevent an attack, so they lacked the assets on-hand. Argor's reputation is that of a fairly indifferent diviner, so there's no particular reason for them not to have agents on site in a nexus like Absalom... They're busy, or a single sending was all they thought the Sword was worth.
As most of the others seemed to be relaxing, Cai’nan seemed at his most guarded and tense as they entered the estate grounds. As he slipped down out of Krodha’s saddle, he was greeted with a familiar voice calling out ”Lord Blakros!”
Cai’nan turned and smiled as he replied ”Captain Atraxis!” before offering the guard captain a friendly embrace.
”Welcome home! The place...it’s not the same without you, lad!” Atraxis adds before turning to the others.
Cai’nan introduces everyone one by one, before stating ”We need to see father right away...”
Atraxis nods and says ”Of course, right this way, My Lord,” with a knowing smile.
Cai’nan rolls his eyes at the title, sighing as he follows along. Before they reach the doorway, however, the sound of massive wings flapping precedes a flash of metal before Cai’nan is nearly tackled from something from the air!
”Cai’nan!” a melodious feminine voice calls out a moment later as the druid warrior is now engulfed in a hug from what can only be described as a beautiful angel.
”Adrenia! How are you!” he replies almost as excitedly.
”How am I? I’m the same as always! How are you!?!? You’re the one who has been out and about seeing the world! At least this time you didn’t get lost!” she replies with a tussle of his dark hair.
He leans away and chuckles as he reaches up to straighten his hair back into a semblance of order. ”That’s partly why we are here,” he says gesturing back to the others. ”We have something that we need father to keep safe.”
Adrenia nods and says ”I see! Hello there, I’m Adrenia.”
"Yes, we have a highly important delivery for Lord Constantine!" Ariel says when Captain Atraxis arrives. The princess puts on the runewarded gauntlets and attempts to pick up the sealed crate housing the Sword of Pride. Ariel puts up a valiant effort, but alas, try as she might, she cannot make the box even budge.
"...May I have a little assistance please?" Ariel asks, a blush appearing on her face.
Galatea, who has at least ten pounds of muscle on her sibling, stoically takes the gauntlets and lifts up the crate with much less effort.
"Hello, Lady Adrenia! I am Princess Elthariel Edasseril-Kailani. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Ariel greets upon seeing the angel. "Cai'nan and his friends have escorted Sister Galatea and myself here to deliver this item to Lord Constantine. Additionally, the two of us-"
Despite Galatea being entirely behind her, Ariel can clearly feel the look her older sister is giving her.
"Additionally, I am here to represent my mother Lady Jeevika at the coronation!" Ariel finishes.
Kallie, in a fit of protectiveness, lingers near Jaya as they enter the estate. Under her breath, she whispers, "They'll be more likely to stare at me than you, right?"
"Wow," she says, awe-struck when she sees the angelic being. She waves at it.
Croq has thoroughly enjoyed herself the last few days: flying across the world in a flying boat, she hung out above decks jamming while relishing in the views and the wind.
On the walk through Absolom, she catches sight (and scent) of a vendor selling falafel, shawarma, and baklavah on the street. "Ohh, do you suppose we could..." Oh, yeah, I guess we better get the crazy sword to Cai'nan's dad first. But then, oh man...
When they arrive at Verde Heights, Croq nods approvingly. "Dem's some serious digs, Cai'nan! This how you grew up?"
"Unfortunately," Cai'nan grumbles beneath his breath.
Adrenia's eyes light up at the mention of Jeevika. "How is Jeevs? Haven't talked to her in years. And I see you hiding back there, Galy! Come give me a hug!"
Once all the pleasantries are addressed, the group is ushered inside and to an interior office that is lavishly decorated. The room makes Cai'nan very uncomfortable, and he fidgets constantly as the group waits there.
Then, a flash of light, and a man who looks to be in his late thirties appears in the room. He has long black hair tied into a ponytail behind his head, and his brow is adorned with a lavish looking headband with a large gem in the center that looks like an eye. In his hand is a dark metal staff with a large garnet resting within some sharp flanges. His manner of dress is very formal and elegant. And spread around on his skin are strange runes of indecipherable origin that glow with a faint blue radiance. His eyes, however, are pools of bright blue energy that spills out from them to either side in short tendrils.
He turns his gaze to each of you in turn, they linger slightly longer on Cai'nan before he turns his attention to the box and the accompanying gauntlets.
He studies them a moment in silence before he turns back to you and says "Greetings, and welcome to Absalom. I am Lord Argor Constantine, Vice Primarch and Fourth Spell Lord. Master Lightstaff informed me of your conundrum, and I am prepared to tend to this artifact if you are ready to relieve yourselves of its burden."
Aurealia gulps, maintaining her uncharacteristic silence. It seems she may be a bit star-struck and overwhelmed by their trip to the big city.
Croc leans over to her sister.
She whispers "Wow. All business, even with his friggin' SON? I guess Cai'nan's dad really IS a prick! Mom can be stern, but she'd at least have greeted us and thanked us for what we accomplished...even if she also reamed us out for our mistakes."
Aurealia nods absently. "Yeah. He seems pretty hard. Probably why Cai'nan is always, like, in sad puppy mode."
"Salutations, Vice Primarch! I am Princess Elthariel Edasseril-Kailani. It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance," Ariel replies, giving Argor a polite bow of her head. She turns to Galatea, who carefully places the crate near the Acting Primarch of Absalom. "Thank you very much for your assistance, Lord Constantine. The Sword of Pride is inside a sealed box... inside that sealed box. From what Master Lightstaff said, the blade should be safe to handle while inside its containers; we are just using the gauntlets for maximum security."
You all know that the gauntlets will be staying with your group; according to William Lightstaff, Argor Constantine already has his own means of protecting himself from the influence of intelligent magical items. Meanwhile, with all the signs of Thassilonian activity back in Varisia, the gauntlets would likely be put to better use there.
Kallie leans over to Gali and whispers, "We did check the box one last time before we left, right? 'Cause that would >heh< be embarrassing if... >heh< it, you know, wasn't there?"
Kallie leans over to Gali and whispers, "We did check the box one last time before we left, right? 'Cause that would >heh< be embarrassing if... >heh< it, you know, wasn't there?"
"I triple checked just before we left the boat," Galatea whispers back reassuringly. She appears to want to say more. However, something seems to make Gali hold her tongue at the last second.
"I would hope that you wouldn't have made the trip for nothing," Argor says in response to Galatea's and Kallie's whispers. He then turns to the shapeshifting siblings and adds "And my apologies for only using the most basic of social niceties when a highly sought after and dangerous artifact is supposedly being entrusted to my care."
He gives Cai'nan a glance before turning his eyes once more to the box. He works some magic and it floats up about a foot as the mage says "Pardon me for a moment as I secure this item," before heading out of the room, the box following him.
Adrenia steps to the doorway after he leaves. "He insists on privacy in these matters, to insure that things in his care are stored away safely and so that none of you are made targets in an effort to determine the location of his storage facilities. He will be just a moment, so please have some seats."
True to her word, Argor is gone for but a minute or so before he returns, the box now gone. "There. The item is now quite secure I assure you. So...in regards to the aforementioned pleasantries," he comments giving the siblings another glance, "Welcome to Absalom, and my home. Perhaps now would be a good time to get your names and how you came into my son's company?"
"As if you don't already know..." Aurealia replies. "Aurealia. He showed up in our town, and has been helping us prevent the plans of the Runelords' cultists in our area. It seems they are stirring again."
Croq gulps! audibly and her eyes widen. Crap! What did he--HOW did he hear that? Easy Croq, just act natural...
A split second later, she eases into a natural, warm (crocodilian) smile.
"Pleased to meet you, Spell Lord Blakros. I am Croqelle Andosana. Aurelia and I are the daughters of Shalelu Andosana and members of the Black Arrows, protectors of Roderic's Cove...and now on good terms with Roderic's ghost himself. (He and his ghostly family jam out with us when I sing.)
"We met Cai'nan when we encountered some trouble in town. Trouble that, it turned out, was stirred up by Baraket...and perhaps by the Runelords themselves."
”Yes. That sounds like him. He always had a knack for finding his way into trouble,” Argor said with what, eerily, is a playful smile.
”Would any of you like some wine?” Argor asked as he held up a hand and signaled at the door, where a waiting butler entered carrying a chilled bottle of wine. The man began pouring glasses, handing one out to each of you before bringing one to Argor.
Kallie's rather neutral expression brightens a bit with the offer of wine. She clears her throat when she accepts the glass. "And I am Kallie Silversun-Kailani. Wizard." Her eyes glance over to Cai'nan and her cheeks start to rise in color. "And, well, Master Lightstaff recommended I travel with Cai'nan. He's been a very... fine companion."
"Thank you for the hospitality, Lord Constantine," Galatea says. She takes the offered glass of wine. Upon catching a glance from Ariel, Gali nods, which spurs her royal sister to do the same. "Cai'nan and I reunited in Roderic's Cove by chance. Ariel and I were accompanying our mother at the time; she was seeking the assistance of Commander Andosana regarding some Thassilonian activity."
It appears that Galatea and the Vice Primarch are already familiar with one another.
Well, there's a smile finally...maybe he cares more about Cai'nan than the big lug thinks?
Anyway, some wine couldn't hurt. You gotta bet the Vice Primarch's got the good stuff!
She accepts a glass, and raises it up. "To safely getting rid of Baraket!" she says, "And may the rest of any old Thassilonian nutjobs be mopped up soon as well."
Cai’nan takes the chalice handed to him and throws the wine back in one gulp, not savoring it’s flavor at all.
The wine is of a caliber none of you have ever experienced. It is likely well beyond the reach of any of your wallets, unless you were willing to spend nearly all of your liquid assets to simply acquire it.
Argor raises his glass at the rudimentary toast offered by his guest.
When Kallie mentions she is a wizard, the Spell Lord turns his head a bit inquisitively towards her. ”Truly? I must say I have not encountered many centaurian wizards before. What school of arcana do you consider your speciality?” he asks rhetorically. ”Judging by the aura’s and capabilities of that lash,” he says with a point of his glass at your whip on your belt, ”I would venture a theory that you consider yourself an enchanter?”
At Galatea’s mention of the Thassilonian’s, Argor waves the comment off with a dismissive gesture. ”The old Runelords fret me little. Two have already fallen, and a third is in hiding. If they were as skilled in the Arts as their legend would lead everyone to believe, then they’d have not every one been such failures at returning to the world in a timely fashion after Earthfall. The ones that have recently just begun to return...” Argor shrugs and says with a smirk ”have found their skill in the Arts quiet wanting in comparison to their modern counterparts.”
A middle aged man enters the room and bows. ”My Lord, pardon my intrusion. The High Priest of the Vault is here to see you regarding the wording of a contract.”
”Tell him I am occupied with guests, and that I will summon him at my earliest convenience,” the mage replied.
”Certainly, My Lord,” the footman answers before turning and stepping out once more.
Argor turns his head to his son. ”So. Cai’nan. I trust your presence here means you and your associates will remain in town long enough for the ceremony?”
Cai’nan shrugs and says ”I dunno. Maybe.”
Argor’s eyes narrow at the callous answer. ”I see,” he says before turning to the rest of you. ”Do you have other pressing matters requiring your attention?”
Heady with the taste of such fine wine, Croq eagerly says, "Of course we can stay for the ceremony! We'd love to, right guys?"
Argor may be a bit of a sourpuss...but a celebration like this can't HELP but be one helluva party, right?!?
Jaya had remained silent as long as she could. She had every reason that she needed to hate him, but her hate wasn't of any use by itself. But when he started to preen over his victory as though it promised anything but that his future enemies would know of it...
"Pardon me, Lord Constantine, but it seems your ego outstrips even your vast learning. Krune was accounted one of the weakest runelords ever to attain the title, and Karzoug was far from the heights of Xanderghul or Sorshen, or even Alaznist!
"A properly prepared wizard need not fear anything shy of the gods themselves, but brute force and hubris make for a flimsy shield at best."
Argor turns his gaze to the silent woman of the group, studying her features a moment before replying ”I would be inclined to agree with your assessment, if either of those were facets I intended to use should I ever need to defend myself against or act out aggressively towards another of their ilk. Brute force is such a predictable tact that it is often easily thwarted. Also, I am the first to confess I have pride in my accomplishments, but they are backed by years of study, practice, planning, and layers of defenses so thick that even those closest to me can not comprehend their scope,” he concludes. ”My apologies, but I do not believe you have introduced yourself, Miss...?”
Cai’nan turned to Jaya to see if she would confess her parentage or not. He had planned to confront his father about his harassment of Auronee, but he did not intend to out Jaya and expose her to his wrath.
Aurealia doesn't seem to know what to make of Argor. At first she was blown away by his fame and trappings, but she seems much less sure of him after seeing him interact with people. Aurealia chuckles at Jaya, and then nods. Damn, she's got some balls. Hawt.
"I'll do whatever Cai'nan wants. We didn't come here to party, remember? Even if Argor doesn't consider the Runelords a threat, the Cove and Varisia still need us with the Sidhedron Heroes occupied...Apologies, us normal folks don't have thick defenses and tact (or tacts), just thick heads."
When Kallie mentions she is a wizard, the Spell Lord turns his head a bit inquisitively towards her. ”Truly? I must say I have not encountered many centaurian wizards before. What school of arcana do you consider your speciality?” he asks rhetorically. ”Judging by the aura’s and capabilities of that lash,” he says with a point of his glass at your whip on your belt, ”I would venture a theory that you consider yourself an enchanter?”
At the attention, Kallie pushes her hair out of her face where her shaggy bob colored a deep forest green had been hanging over one eye. "Yeah, I haven't met any other centaur wizards either. I studied under Master Silva."
She glances down at her whip, trying to play it cool and not look impressed that he sussed out her specialty. "Enchantment is where my talents lie, but I haven't neglected the other schools like some specialists."
When Mr. Constantine began talking about the Runelords and how they pale next to modern wizards, she almost coughs. Has he not seen the things they built?! The Cyphergate? The Lady's Light? The Irespan? She holds her tongue, but smirks when Jaya speaks.
"Jaya Farwynd, also a journeywoman to Master Silva," she adds blandly.
Argor hardly seem to register Kallie’s comment, at least outwardly. His eyes remained focused on Jaya for the moment. After a brief uncomfortable silence, Argor stands and walks over to Jaya. Cai’nan reflexively takes a few steps closer to the woman in a protective manner.
Once before her, he reaches down and takes Jaya’s hand and gives it a gentle kiss on the back of it. ”Miss Farwynd, a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Cai’nan’s jaw literally hangs a bit slack open as he watches the exchange.
Kallie's mouth twists as she watches the exchange. Her tail tosses back and forth but the rest of her is otherwise still.
She decides to break the tension. "... so yeah, cool! You mentioned your big coronation party? I know Cai'nan is on two hooves about it, but I think it would be an honor to celebrate your big accomplishment with you. Or, you know, wherever you want us."
Argor turns back to Kallie with a smile. ”I will make arrangements for you to all be in an adequate location for the ceremonies, as valued guests of my family.”
He then turns to Cai’nan and says ”Perhaps you should show your companions around. Let them feel comfortable, and find them suitable guest lodgings here in the manor. For your stay, Verde Heights is your home. Please make yourselves comfortable. I’m certain Bethania will be thrilled to have house guests, and Arturro will likely love to speak with you on what you’ve done and found. He is quite fond of hearing of adventure and the relics found while on them.”
Cai’nan simply nods and says ”As you wish, Father,” before he puts a protective arm behind both Jaya and Kallie and begins ushering the group out...
Jaya tightly nods in response to Constantine's pleasantries, managing not to actually recoil when he touches her, but completely unable to reciprocate.
Aurealia shrugs and follows after Cai'nan. "Thank you, Vice Primarch. You are most generous."
Before you all depart, Galatea stops to ask Adrenia a question.
"Adrenia, if you don't mind me asking, why were those Iomedaean knights here? Were they visiting Argor?" Gali asks.
"Yes, they were," the angel replies. A look of concern appears on her face. "They wanted his help dealing with some violent new cult. Specifically, the Iomedaeans asked him to outlaw it here in Absalom."
"...Which cult?" Galatea asks.
"The Cult of Queen Gilda. She's supposedly the newest of the Fey Eldests," Adrenia says, "but the Iomedaens seem to think she's a fiend in disguise. I only caught the end of their conversation, so I can't tell you much more."
Galatea merely nods and quickly leaves with the rest of you.
Given your long journey, you all head to bed soon afterward. Luckily, the night proves to be peaceful. Everyone sleeps well.
The next morning, you all learn that the coronation will be in approximately a week. In the meantime, you decide to take the morning off to relax in the peaceful gardens of Verde Heights. The Andosana Sisters spare with Captain Atraxis. Kallie and Jaya continue their studies. Cheshire is curled up next to the two mages. Cai'nan meditates under the shade of a nearby tree. Nearby, Audrahni and a fascinated Ariel watch as Krodha wrestles with Ivan of Irrisen (the two seem evenly matched).
And then Galatea swoops in on a flying broom.
"Hello there!" she calls out as she (somehow) gracefully lands her new transportation. "I come bearing gifts!"
Galatea sets the group's Bag of Holding (the one... procured from Doland back in Roderic's Cove) on the ground. First, she pulls out several sacks of coin. You all each get one.
"That's from the cultist's gear. Anyway, it turns out that Mom, Master Lightstaff, and Eugeni all sit on this group called the Sihedron Council. They're based in Magnimar, and they guard the Sihedron. You know, that artifact that nearly destroyed Varisia all of like... was it a year after Karzoug's death? Regardless, for helping them get Baraket to a secure location, the Sihedron Council has provided us each with rewards!" Galatea says.
She first pulls out a fancy cloak.
"This is for Aurealia. It's a gift from Archmage Silva," Gali says. "Speaking of him..."
Gali reaches into the side pocket of her Haversack and produces a ring.
"Also from the good Archmage, this one is for Jaya," the Kailani heiress says.
Galatea next lugs out two rolled up carpets from the Bag of Holding.
"From Mom, she gifts two Carpets of Flying to Croq and Kallie," Galatea says after catching her breath.
Finally, she produces a powerful-looking belt.
"And finally, to Cai'nan, from Master Lightstaff... and Captain Atraxis," Galatea concludes.
Gali hands the belt over to the old soldier, and he promptly presents it to Cai'nan.
"This belonged to a good friend of mine," Captain Atraxis says. Going by the tone of his voice, this friend is most likely no longer among the living. "Given your recent adventures, I figured that you should have it, Lord Blakros."
"Wow, how lovely!" Aurelia says, putting the deep purple half-cloak on and doing a little whirl. He knows my style. The old bastard isn't half as self absorbed as he puts on! She grins happily. "Thanks for bringing them and selling all the stuff, this is great!"
Croq's eyes go wide as she realizes what gift she just recieved. "This is from your mother? Oh MAN I gotta thank her when I see her. I mean, she barely knows me!!
"Though I guess we all are kind of a Big Deal now, aren't we?"
She hops on, and starts experimenting with it, figuring out how to direct it up, down, left and right. Eventually she gets confident enough on it that she starts to jam on her drums while she does loops in the sky.
