IC Ljonarian Enigma: Tournament Chaos

[CWater]

Eglantine dropped her axe, bracing on her knees as she panted. The adrenaline was leaving her body now. Looking in pity at the creature she went back to the stand for some cloth and wrapped the creature in it, careful not to touch it. As she did this she spoke to the smith, "Can you find someone to run to Illyria's temple? Tell them we have people who got turned to stone and if they think this is a joke say Rowan's sister has the creature responsible. I need to watch the store until Vindal shows up. I would ask someone else but I don't think I trust that coward to do a simple errand." With that she glared at the rival magic item stand across the way.

"I can't leave my merchandise either", the smith replies, "Too many opportunistic looters around at this time of year. But if any bystander dares to come back now the screaming has stopped, I'll send someone. And the guard should come too, hopefully sooner than later."

Taking the corpse back to the stand and retrieving her axe, she sat down to clean it and wait for Vindal's return.

As Eglantine waits by the stand, people start slowly returning to the street. They do no shopping though, but rather gawk at the blood or try to sneak a peek at the creature and speak in hushed voices, already sending the rumours flying.

Vindal arrives before any sign of guards, with Ynna trailing after him. "I heard you killed the monster all by yourself!", she blurts, not noticing the corpse at first, "I thought you carried that battle axe just for show!"

[Athedia]

"I can't leave my merchandise either", the smith replies, "Too many opportunistic looters around at this time of year. But if any bystander dares to come back now the screaming has stopped, I'll send someone. And the guard should come too, hopefully sooner than later."



As Eglantine waits by the stand, people start slowly returning to the street. They do no shopping though, but rather gawk at the blood or try to sneak a peek at the creature and speak in hushed voices, already sending the rumours flying.

Vindal arrives before any sign of guards, with Ynna trailing after him. "I heard you killed the monster all by yourself!", she blurts, not noticing the corpse at first, "I thought you carried that battle axe just for show!"

Eglantine stood up, slipping the battleaxe into the hostler on her back as Vindal approached. She gestured to the items she had used to aid in the fight."I apologize for using your merchandise. I will pay back any debts I owe due to that." She looked at the bloodstained cloth behind her and shrugged. "And I didn't know if you might have a use for the corpse. At the very least it might be worth charging something to see."

She smiled at Ynna. "Ask the smith over there. A good craftsman can protect their wares and customers. It took me two years to save up for this beauty. But she is useful."

Turning back to Vindal she felt the exhaustion of the day overtake her. "I hate to ask. But may I go home? Today has been rough."

[Kish]

Aerin considers this dubiously. "Got any ideas, then?" she asks the Marchioness, wondering why she (Aerin) is still involved in Darian's fate.

[aReallyGreatAxe]

Rowan is led to the lowest levels of the castle, because that is where the dungeons always are. His magical items are confiscated and put away with his crossbow. Then he is unceremoniously led to a cell, pushed in and the door is slammed shut.

There is a small wooden bench and a bucket in the corner, otherwise the small room is empty. Moss grows on the bare stone walls and the place smells of mold and earth.
[/SPOILER]

Rowan sits down on the bench, not quite able to believe they actually put him in a dungeon. A real dungeon, mind you, with moss and cobwebs and everything!

Unfortunately, dungeons quickly prove to be very, very boring. And smelly. And rather cold, since they took his cloak.

After what seems like a few hours, Rowan slumps back against the mossy wall in boredom. "Hello? Am I the only one in here?" He asks loudly.

[CWater]

Eglantine stood up, slipping the battleaxe into the hostler on her back as Vindal approached. She gestured to the items she had used to aid in the fight."I apologize for using your merchandise. I will pay back any debts I owe due to that." She looked at the bloodstained cloth behind her and shrugged. "And I didn't know if you might have a use for the corpse. At the very least it might be worth charging something to see."

She smiled at Ynna. "Ask the smith over there. A good craftsman can protect their wares and customers. It took me two years to save up for this beauty. But she is useful."

Turning back to Vindal she felt the exhaustion of the day overtake her. "I hate to ask. But may I go home? Today has been rough."

"It is quite alright, Eglantine. We'll sort it out later", Vindal replies, eyeing the scene on the street, "This could have turned much worse.." His voice grows distant and his expression absent-minded. "Oh yes, you may go. Ynna, start gathering up the merchandise, we are done for the day."

While the noise and excitement of the day has in no way quieted down, Eglantine notes that word of the disturbances has gotten around. As she makes her way back towards Mistmoor, she hears the matter debated both loudly and quietly amongst the revelry, and the stories growing in the telling as they tend to. An insane mage, a god's disapproval, a devious conspiracy, simply bad luck... everyone has their opinion of what's the cause.

The Witches Track is calmer, though for some reason people are giving strange long looks to Mrs Mellow's house, which, unusually, has the front door hanging wide open. "Somethin goin on, Eggy?", asks Boris, the next door neighbour, who is sitting outside in his rocking chair as usual, "Saw the guard go in just now."

The frog mage's door is closed, but something is clearly going on in the first floor, where most of the tenants live. Cupboards are being opened and things are being moved around, with little thought for care by the sounds of it. Mrs Mellows voice bemoans in the background. "Oh I'm not at all surprised, officer. There's always been something shifty about these two. Orphans who raised themselves, you know how it never works out. But I do pity the younger, see the boy is not quite right in the head to be honest. If he's done anything I bet she put him up to it. You know I have several times seen her here, lockpicking their own door! What is that for I ask, if not for practise..."

Aerin considers this dubiously. "Got any ideas, then?" she asks the Marchioness, wondering why she (Aerin) is still involved in Darian's fate.

Delaqua frowns at such a direct question directed at her, but considers it anyway. "I suppose a temple would be best, perhaps Illyrie's as they are already involved and would certainly be against any plots that would lead to war. Best not to mention the Duchess though, as that could put them in a difficult position. Clerics are terrible at keeping their mouths shut and heads down until the right moment."

Spoiler

Show

Do you want to do another trip to the temple, or leave the matter here? One can assume the Marchioness should have at least a few guards to spare for an escort.

Rowan sits down on the bench, not quite able to believe they actually put him in a dungeon. A real dungeon, mind you, with moss and cobwebs and everything!

Unfortunately, dungeons quickly prove to be very, very boring. And smelly. And rather cold, since they took his cloak.

After what seems like a few hours, Rowan slumps back against the mossy wall in boredom. "Hello? Am I the only one in here?" He asks loudly.

"Alone? Who of us are ever alone?", asks the wall to his right. Or someone behind the wall, is perhaps the more sensible assumption. "Hmm, who are you, young man?" Examination reveals that the voice is coming from a small hole at about knee height. What is on the other side is hard to say, as a squinting green eye takes up all the space.

[Kish]

Unless Darian protests, Aerin makes no efforts to accompany him to the temple. "I'll go back to my inn room for now, then."

[Athedia]

"It is quite alright, Eglantine. We'll sort it out later", Vindal replies, eyeing the scene on the street, "This could have turned much worse.." His voice grows distant and his expression absent-minded. "Oh yes, you may go. Ynna, start gathering up the merchandise, we are done for the day."

While the noise and excitement of the day has in no way quieted down, Eglantine notes that word of the disturbances has gotten around. As she makes her way back towards Mistmoor, she hears the matter debated both loudly and quietly amongst the revelry, and the stories growing in the telling as they tend to. An insane mage, a god's disapproval, a devious conspiracy, simply bad luck... everyone has their opinion of what's the cause.

The Witches Track is calmer, though for some reason people are giving strange long looks to Mrs Mellow's house, which, unusually, has the front door hanging wide open. "Somethin goin on, Eggy?", asks Boris, the next door neighbour, who is sitting outside in his rocking chair as usual, "Saw the guard go in just now."

The frog mage's door is closed, but something is clearly going on in the first floor, where most of the tenants live. Cupboards are being opened and things are being moved around, with little thought for care by the sounds of it. Mrs Mellows voice bemoans in the background. "Oh I'm not at all surprised, officer. There's always been something shifty about these two. Orphans who raised themselves, you know how it never works out. But I do pity the younger, see the boy is not quite right in the head to be honest. If he's done anything I bet she put him up to it. You know I have several times seen her here, lockpicking their own door! What is that for I ask, if not for practise..."

Eglantine stopped short at Boris's words. "Guards?" She ran into the boarding house and to the room she shared with Rowan, bursting in. She glared at Mrs. Mellows before speaking. "Is Rowan alright? He was taking care of a wounded man from the tournament when I left him? Did more summons attack? Andwhat have you done to my books?!" Eglantine raced to rescue the books that were lying with pages open and bent spines, cradling them in her arms. "We don't have anything here, and we were at work all day." She looked exhausted and near tears, one hand reaching out toward the unicorn,Mr. Stabby, one of the guards was holding. "Please just tell me Rowan is alright. Please."

[CWater]

Unless Darian protests, Aerin makes no efforts to accompany him to the temple. "I'll go back to my inn room for now, then."

The Marchioness nods. Darian looks unsure of what to say. "I- I must thank you again, for saving my life, my family is in your debt", he shakes his head, "This day has been insane. I still can't believe any of this can be true."

"The world can change in a heartbeat", the Marchioness says, "it is more fragile than we would ever want to believe."

Aerin takes her leave and heads back to the boarding house. She also hears some of the gossip on the street as she goes, the stories get mixed up, but it sounds like there was a monster attack at the market as well. All the shopkeepers were turned to stone by a basilisk apparently.

At Mrs Mellow's place there seems to be some kind of commotion going on. The neighbour sitting outside gives her a long questioning look when she passes.

Eglantine stopped short at Boris's words. "Guards?" She ran into the boarding house and to the room she shared with Rowan, bursting in. She glared at Mrs. Mellows before speaking. "Is Rowan alright? He was taking care of a wounded man from the tournament when I left him? Did more summons attack? Andwhat have you done to my books?!" Eglantine raced to rescue the books that were lying with pages open and bent spines, cradling them in her arms. "We don't have anything here, and we were at work all day." She looked exhausted and near tears, one hand reaching out toward the unicorn,Mr. Stabby, one of the guards was holding. "Please just tell me Rowan is alright. Please."

The guard, a human, lets her take the unicorn, looking a bit amused. He then goes back to rummaging through a storage chest.

The commanding officer, a half-elf, who is standing by the door addresses Eggy, "I assume you are Eglantine Mata, the other tenant of this room? Your brother has been accused of having stolen from a nobleman. He is in the castle dungeons. We are here looking for evidence."

"Nothing found, sir", says the third guard, an elf, and throws a piece of clothing on Eggy's bed. Her eyes are glowing faintly blue, indicating that she is using a magic detection spell. "Well, there's some money, but only small coins. No platinum."

"Hmm, keep looking. The signet and purse are small, easy to hide." The officer turns back to Eggy, "What do you have to say of these charges?"

[Athedia]

The guard, a human, lets her take the unicorn, looking a bit amused. He then goes back to rummaging through a storage chest.

The commanding officer, a half-elf, who is standing by the door addresses Eggy, "I assume you are Eglantine Mata, the other tenant of this room? Your brother has been accused of having stolen from a nobleman. He is in the castle dungeons. We are here looking for evidence."

"Nothing found, sir", says the third guard, an elf, and throws a piece of clothing on Eggy's bed. Her eyes are glowing faintly blue, indicating that she is using a magic detection spell. "Well, there's some money, but only small coins. No platinum."

"Hmm, keep looking. The signet and purse are small, easy to hide." The officer turns back to Eggy, "What do you have to say of these charges?"

Eglantine hugged Mr. Stabby to her chest, looking at the mess they had made of Rowans side of the room. "We aren't thieves. My brother and I would rather starve and have before. I'm Vindal's head apprentice down at the market. Almost a journeyman. And Rowan wouldn't ever steal, he just wants to help people. And the lockpicking thing Mrs. Mallow mentioned is just because she only lets us have one key and Rowan gets let out of the temple earlier than I get home from Vindal's shop and he forgets the key at home half the time. He doesn't mean poorly and he is a sweet kid but please don't leave him in the dungeon he really isn't a criminal I swear and my father made me promise to watch after him and please please please don't leave him in there." Eglantine started speaking faster and faster until her last words were almost a blur. She had begun to hyperventilate.

[Kish]

"What's going on here?" she asks the neighbor.

[aReallyGreatAxe]

[COLOR="#66C3FF"]


"Alone? Who of us are ever alone?", asks the wall to his right. Or someone behind the wall, is perhaps the more sensible assumption. "Hmm, who are you, young man?" Examination reveals that the voice is coming from a small hole at about knee height. What is on the other side is hard to say, as a squinting green eye takes up all the space.

Rowan jumps in surprise, then kneels down to peer at the hole. "Oh, hello! I'm Rowan, it's nice to meet you. I was starting to think there was nobody here but me and moss."
He sits on the floor in a more comfortable position, wiping the grime off of his hand and onto his clothing.
"I mean, a dungeon's a lot more boring than I expected, and it really shouldn't take this long to figure out I didn't steal anything. Who are you?"

[CWater]

Eglantine hugged Mr. Stabby to her chest, looking at the mess they had made of Rowans side of the room. "We aren't thieves. My brother and I would rather starve and have before. I'm Vindal's head apprentice down at the market. Almost a journeyman. And Rowan wouldn't ever steal, he just wants to help people. And the lockpicking thing Mrs. Mallow mentioned is just because she only lets us have one key and Rowan gets let out of the temple earlier than I get home from Vindal's shop and he forgets the key at home half the time. He doesn't mean poorly and he is a sweet kid but please don't leave him in the dungeon he really isn't a criminal I swear and my father made me promise to watch after him and please please please don't leave him in there." Eglantine started speaking faster and faster until her last words were almost a blur. She had begun to hyperventilate.

"Well... Afraid your brother will remain in the dungeon until the nobleman drops his charge, or someone can prove his innocence", the officer says, though in a less confrontational tone than before, "I know of Vindal, if you are his apprentice, that might have some weight." The guards continue their search of the room for a moment longer, coming up empty handed. "Fine, seems there's nothing here. We'll be going", the leader nods to Eglantine and Mrs Mellow and turns to leave with the others following his lead.

"What's going on here?" she asks the neighbor.

Boris shakes his head. "Oh, wish I knew. The guard went in some time ago, and they've been making a mess from what I've heard. Say, do you live here now? Think I remember one of your type getting a room..."

Rowan jumps in surprise, then kneels down to peer at the hole. "Oh, hello! I'm Rowan, it's nice to meet you. I was starting to think there was nobody here but me and moss."
He sits on the floor in a more comfortable position, wiping the grime off of his hand and onto his clothing.
"I mean, a dungeon's a lot more boring than I expected, and it really shouldn't take this long to figure out I didn't steal anything. Who are you?"

"Hah! If they want you guilty, then guilty you shall be!", replies the voice. Sounds like it belongs to a man, though it's on the high-pitched side. "A day ago I never thought I could be thrown down here- or has it been five or maybe ten already? Can't tell here. Left here to go mad, that they've seen to. Oh, I can feel it working on my insides. Once the walls start to speak to you, it's hard to tell what's real anymore..." He stops. "Ah, guess you're one of the false images too. Such a shame. I was getting tired of talking with myself."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Again, sorry for not updating earlier. I was swimming in a sea of creative exhaustion for a few days, then some recent events got me to hurry back on the train to fantasyland. Funny how that goes.

[Kish]

"Yes. It was a guard?" she asks.

[CWater]

"Yes. It was a guard?" she asks.

"Guards, sorry. Three of them, if my old eyes didn't lie. I wonder what for, the only trouble I've ever had here is Oak's frogs and they ain't so bad..."

[Kish]

"They didn't say anything about what they were looking for?"

[aReallyGreatAxe]

"Hah! If they want you guilty, then guilty you shall be!", replies the voice. Sounds like it belongs to a man, though it's on the high-pitched side. "A day ago I never thought I could be thrown down here- or has it been five or maybe ten already? Can't tell here. Left here to go mad, that they've seen to. Oh, I can feel it working on my insides. Once the walls start to speak to you, it's hard to tell what's real anymore..." He stops. "Ah, guess you're one of the false images too. Such a shame. I was getting tired of talking with myself."

"I'm starting to get that idea, especially from Count Delawney. Much longer, and they'll even convince me I'm guilty!"
Rowan sighs. "I'd tell you I'm real, but you probably wouldn't believe me. Does it make a difference? Still more interesting to talk to someone than to stare at the wall, even if they're imaginary."

[CWater]

"They didn't say anything about what they were looking for?"

"No, didn't bother. But the guards usually don't, they just carry out the whims of the nobles." Boris scoffs. "Mrs Mellow was all too happy to help, oh she always is.."

"I'm starting to get that idea, especially from Count Delawney. Much longer, and they'll even convince me I'm guilty!"
Rowan sighs. "I'd tell you I'm real, but you probably wouldn't believe me. Does it make a difference? Still more interesting to talk to someone than to stare at the wall, even if they're imaginary."

"I suppose you are right", the voice replies, "And it is not like there is much else to do down here. You know, they could starve us and no one would know. Never imagined it would be like that, but I never gave much thought to dungeons in the first place. So you are in for thievery then? You sure, did not just anger anyone you should not have?"

[Kish]

"Thanks." Aerin turns and walks away--whether the guards are there because of her or not, she has no interest in meeting them. Pausing to consider, she goes back to the temple where she met Rowan.

Spoiler

Show

I'd keep going, but what she says or does there will depend on what she sees and what reception she gets.

[Athedia]

"Well... Afraid your brother will remain in the dungeon until the nobleman drops his charge, or someone can prove his innocence", the officer says, though in a less confrontational tone than before, "I know of Vindal, if you are his apprentice, that might have some weight." The guards continue their search of the room for a moment longer, coming up empty handed. "Fine, seems there's nothing here. We'll be going", the leader nods to Eglantine and Mrs Mellow and turns to leave with the others following his lead.

Eglantine stayed frozen against the wall, hugging Mr. Stabby. As the guard left, she let her accusing gaze fall on Mrs. Mellow. "Why? Why did you say those things? You know Rowan wouldn't hurt a fly.... And to accuse me, of making him?" Her voice sounded sad beyond anything else. "I'm going to go get my brother back now. And yes, I will pick the lock on my way in, if I can't get him tonight. He has the key." With that she left the room and Mrs. Mellow and went out onto the street, hoping to catch Vindal before he left the store.

[CWater]

"Thanks." Aerin turns and walks away--whether the guards are there because of her or not, she has no interest in meeting them. Pausing to consider, she goes back to the temple where she met Rowan.

Spoiler

Show

I'd keep going, but what she says or does there will depend on what she sees and what reception she gets.

It is calm and quiet around Illyrie's temple as normal, no sign of lions or assassins around. Brother Gregor still sits scribbling by the door as Aerin enters. "Yes?", he asks and lifts his gaze, "Oh, I remember, you were here earlier. Thorn, was it? What brings you back to our humble temple? Warriors rarely worship the Lady of Peace." His tone is polite, though not overly friendly.

Eglantine stayed frozen against the wall, hugging Mr. Stabby. As the guard left, she let her accusing gaze fall on Mrs. Mellow. "Why? Why did you say those things? You know Rowan wouldn't hurt a fly.... And to accuse me, of making him?" Her voice sounded sad beyond anything else. "I'm going to go get my brother back now. And yes, I will pick the lock on my way in, if I can't get him tonight. He has the key." With that she left the room and Mrs. Mellow and went out onto the street, hoping to catch Vindal before he left the store.

Mrs Mellow scoffs. "No need to damage my locks further, the guard brought back the key." She places it on the table, ignoring the rest of Eggy's accusations and returns to the ground floor. The shadow witch soon joins her fir tea and gossip.

Eglantine heads back out and towards Traders Track where Vindal's store is, anyng many others. Like most craftsmen of the city, he slept and lived on the floor over his workshop so unless he had wandered off (which he was known to occasionally do after a day's work) it was a good place to find him.

Olyvar was just coming out of the front door when Eglantine arrived. "Eggy? Hi! We're just closing, didn't expect to see you before tomorrow, heard you had an exciting day at the market."

[Athedia]

Mrs Mellow scoffs. "No need to damage my locks further, the guard brought back the key." She places it on the table, ignoring the rest of Eggy's accusations and returns to the ground floor. The shadow witch soon joins her fir tea and gossip.

Eglantine heads back out and towards Traders Track where Vindal's store is, anyng many others. Like most craftsmen of the city, he slept and lived on the floor over his workshop so unless he had wandered off (which he was known to occasionally do after a day's work) it was a good place to find him.

Olyvar was just coming out of the front door when Eglantine arrived. "Eggy? Hi! We're just closing, didn't expect to see you before tomorrow, heard you had an exciting day at the market."

Eglantine swept past him, heading straight for the back room. "Vindal! They arrested Rowan! The guard said a noble accused him of stealing, and you know Rowan wouldn't steal! He just wouldn't. And Mrs Mellow said that I made him steal, and I wouldn't you know that. And he is in the castle dungeon now and there are criminals down there and I don't know what to do!"

[Kish]

"I'm not here to worship, no. The young priest who left with me, Rowan, has been arrested. Apparently he trusted someone he shouldn't have, who manipulated him into creating an opportunity for him to steal something from a noble." Aerin debates whether to mention the coup, but decides in the negative, for now. "Do you know where to find his sister?"

[CWater]

Eglantine swept past him, heading straight for the back room. "Vindal! They arrested Rowan! The guard said a noble accused him of stealing, and you know Rowan wouldn't steal! He just wouldn't. And Mrs Mellow said that I made him steal, and I wouldn't you know that. And he is in the castle dungeon now and there are criminals down there and I don't know what to do!"

Vindal is sitting by his workbench, studying a notebook with a deep frown on his face. He looks up slowly when Eggy barges in though it takes a moment for his mind to follow. He blinks twice. "What did you say?" After Eggy has repeated her story, he shakes his head angrily. "I know your brother, he's no criminal. But a noble's accusation is bad, the guard cares more about pleasing them than about justice. Still..." His eyes drift to the notebook. For a minute the craftsman is lost in thought, then suddenly he slams the book shut and puts it in a drawer. "No, let's get him out. I'll come with you to the castle. I know some people too."

"I'm not here to worship, no. The young priest who left with me, Rowan, has been arrested. Apparently he trusted someone he shouldn't have, who manipulated him into creating an opportunity for him to steal something from a noble." Aerin debates whether to mention the coup, but decides in the negative, for now. "Do you know where to find his sister?"

Brother Gregor raises an eyebrow. "Rowan arrested? By our merciful lady, although that does sound like something that could happen to him. His sister... Well, she works at Vindal's, could still be in there. It's in Traders Track, between Mistmoor and Dusthill. Or she could be home, they live in Witches Track I believe, in a house owned by a most disagreeable woman", he shakes his head, "Not that Rowan ever talks ill of anyone. I hope they let him go soon, I'll make sure the High Cleric is told on the morrow." He stops. "No. I think I better go tell her now."

[Kish]

"Good idea. Particularly if she might know more about where his sister is." Aerin will treat it as understood that she'll accompany him to the high cleric, unless he protests.

[Athedia]

Vindal is sitting by his workbench, studying a notebook with a deep frown on his face. He looks up slowly when Eggy barges in though it takes a moment for his mind to follow. He blinks twice. "What did you say?" After Eggy has repeated her story, he shakes his head angrily. "I know your brother, he's no criminal. But a noble's accusation is bad, the guard cares more about pleasing them than about justice. Still..." His eyes drift to the notebook. For a minute the craftsman is lost in thought, then suddenly he slams the book shut and puts it in a drawer. "No, let's get him out. I'll come with you to the castle. I know some people too."

"Thank you, I owe you. Thank you, thank you, thank you." Eglantine followed after him.

[aReallyGreatAxe]

"I suppose you are right", the voice replies, "And it is not like there is much else to do down here. You know, they could starve us and no one would know. Never imagined it would be like that, but I never gave much thought to dungeons in the first place. So you are in for thievery then? You sure, did not just anger anyone you should not have?"

"You could say I angered someone. Count Delawney- he wouldn't listen when I said I wasn't a thief. Why are you here? Did you anger someone too?"

[CWater]

"Good idea. Particularly if she might know more about where his sister is." Aerin will treat it as understood that she'll accompany him to the high cleric, unless he protests.

Gregor looks surprised when Aerin follows him, but doesn't raise any objections. They take the door to the left which leads to a large hall with long tables and benches on either side. No one else is there and it is quiet, only a faint sound of a choir singing can be heard, coming from somewhere deeper in the temple. Gregor walks across the room and on the other side puts his palm against a wall and draws a symbol. It glows light blue for a few seconds, then a door sized section of the wall disappears, revealing a rising staircase.

They climb two or three floors up until they reach wooden door covered in delicate engravings. It has no handle. The priest touches the wood gently and speaks a command word "Aavakea!", then pushes the door open.

High Cleric Ethanna's study is a circular room with a single window on the opposite side. Its owner sits writing by a desk, which is located so that it gets the maximum amount of daylight that is coming in. Another cleric, the one that Aerin remembers following Rowan earlier today, stands by her, trying to be still but badly fails to hide his impatience. Gregor and Aerin's arrival steals the high cleric's attention. She frowns, clearly knowing not to expect good news. "Brother Gregor, what is it?" The cleric repeats what Aerin told him.

"You were right to come straight away", Ethanna replies in a serious tone, "It will not do that one of ours is locked up, just like that. And I've had a bad feeling since morning, I can't quite explain it..."

"Thank you, I owe you. Thank you, thank you, thank you." Eglantine followed after him.

The sun has moved to the western sky as the master and the apprentice make their way towards the castle. It's not quite as crowded on the streets as it was during the afternoon, though walking in a straight line is still a challenge. "So much joy and happiness", Vindal notes as they walk, "I fear how long it will last, Eggy. Maybe at least until the tournament is over, if we're lucky.."

"You could say I angered someone. Count Delawney- he wouldn't listen when I said I wasn't a thief. Why are you here? Did you anger someone too?"

"Ah, Delawney! Yes, he's the quick-tempered sort. And proud, very proud. But he's not that bad, not really. Not treacherous, like so many others. And me- Quiet! Did you hear that!", he is silent, listening probably, "Nah, it was nothing. Only the silence, singing songs... Ah, yes. And no, angered is not the word I would use. No, I simply put my trust in the unworthy. You see", he lowers his voice to a whisper, "there is a conspiracy at work."

[Kish]

"Has Darian come back here?" Aerin asks. "He was headed this way when I last saw him. Apparently someone's attempting a coup."

[CWater]

"Has Darian come back here?" Aerin asks. "He was headed this way when I last saw him. Apparently someone's attempting a coup."

Ethanna looks surprised, but nods. "Yes, he came back here looking for a safe place to stay. Seems like it is not only him that is in danger, but his family as well. But what do you mean by a coup?" She looks alarmed.

[Kish]

"I mean a faction within the government is attempting to assassinate the Emperor, and anyone they expect to support him rather than them, including Darian's family."