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<blockquote data-quote="Cheiromancer" data-source="post: 1164545" data-attributes="member: 141"><p><em>Originally posted by Sepulchrave II on 04-18-2004</em></p><p></p><p>**</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Dream and Demon - Part 1</strong> </p><p></p><p></p><p>It had been determined that Rhul – ever a patron of messengers and travellers – would undertake the journey. He was hardy, quick-witted, and wise in the ways of many worlds. The decision to send him had been unanimous.</p><p></p><p>His people were the Nireem, and, besides Rhul, only three of their chiefs remained: Lai, the goddess of magic; Ninit, who watched over horses; and a god of the forge called Jaliere. A tribal pantheon, they were aided by ancestral spirits and nature genii tied to significant locations. Predictably, the goddess of death, Saes, had aligned herself with Graz'zt: in a world in which the apocalypse had already come and gone, her power alone was waxing. The Nireem no longer counted her amongst their number.</p><p></p><p>Their people and worshippers – a clan known as the Werud, who had been finally eliminated by Graz'zt's armies some decades before – were the last tribe to walk upon the doomed earth. Once the inheritors of a proud legacy, they had been condemned at the end to cower in holes as the creatures – black-skinned monsters with great hooks upon their skulls – had sought them out and butchered them. </p><p></p><p>Ninit had ridden out and hunted down their enemies, and the hooves of her horse – the stallion called Drût – had kindled the grasslands to fire as she passed over them. She was an ancient goddess, who had joined the others a thousand years before: assimilated by the Werud from a conquered culture whose name Ninit no longer cared to remember. She was fickle and untamed – an atavism who bowed to neither law nor code. Before the world had turned dark, she had caused others amongst the Nireem great consternation by her actions. But now, since the death of Hodh, she was their greatest champion. And unlike the other godlings who gathered within their stone hall deep within the mountain called <em>Mulhuk</em>, Graz'zt feared her. </p><p></p><p>Lai the Implacable had foreseen the demise of her brother, and many others who had perished beneath the relentless press of demons. The end was upon them, and there seemed to be no escaping it. So Lai had dreamed a dream, and passing by roads which only she could take, she had made her way through a region of great turbulence, until she had found herself beside a still pool surrounded by many birch trees. A spirit of unfamiliar type had been waiting for her.</p><p></p><p>"Have you come to pronounce a final doom?" Lai had asked wrily.</p><p></p><p>The spirit had smiled easily. "You are not without allies."</p><p></p><p>"And are you one of them?"</p><p></p><p>"There are other worlds, Lai. Sisperi is one small corner in an infinity of infinities."</p><p></p><p>"That may be so," Lai had said through narrowed eyes. "But it is <em>my</em> corner."</p><p></p><p>"May I show you something?"</p><p></p><p>"That, I suspect, is why I am here," Lai had replied laconically.</p><p></p><p>The Spirit had gestured briefly, and a vision had appeared before the Goddess. A thick forest of strange trees which bore poisoned fruit, around which vines and creepers wrapped themselves, and through which creatures of evil demeanour stalked and slew, reveling in pain and death. A terrible haze of heat lay over the place.</p><p></p><p>"Is this a prophecy?" Lai had asked uneasily. "If so, I think I would prefer to remain ignorant of the future."</p><p></p><p>"It is the abode of one of your allies," the Spirit said mysteriously.</p><p></p><p>"I choose my friends carefully," the Goddess had smiled. "Who would live in such a place?"</p><p></p><p>"A demoness," the Spirit had replied. "But an enemy of the one who currently assails you."</p><p></p><p>"Can she be trusted?" Lai had asked.</p><p></p><p>"No," the Spirit had admitted.</p><p></p><p>"I draw little comfort from the possibility of such an alliance."</p><p></p><p>"If you wish to survive long enough to see your world free again," the Spirit had said stonily, "then you must look beyond what is comfortable and familiar. The place that you are looking at is called <em>Throile</em>. It is a battleground, and one of several keys to defeating your enemy. Do you wish to see more?"</p><p></p><p>"I concede that I am intrigued."</p><p></p><p>Another scene had appeared before Lai – again, a forest. It was an eerie place, full of deep shadows. A ruddy gloam hung over it.</p><p></p><p>"This is <em>Afqithan</em>," the Spirit had said, in answer to her unvoiced question. "It has become a fulcrum around which many interests turn."</p><p></p><p>"It is scarcely less depressing than the last vista which you showed me."</p><p></p><p>"Nonetheless, it is pivotal. Its natives are a race of evil spirits over whom Graz'zt exercises control. He has powerful vassals here. Would you like to see another?"</p><p></p><p>Lai had laughed. "No doubt it, too, is a dismal realm filled with haunted trees."</p><p></p><p>The Spirit had smiled and nodded. Another forest <em>had</em> appeared – darker and yet more sinister than those previously seen.</p><p></p><p>The Goddess had sighed. "I spoke in jest."</p><p></p><p>"This place has no name," the Spirit had said darkly. "Whatever moves there does so in silence, and in secret. Those who enter it seldom return unmarred. When its mistress acts, she does so with deadly precision and ruthless conviction. She is preparing to act now – against Graz'zt."</p><p></p><p>"And what intelligence dwells here? A demoness, or an evil shade?"</p><p></p><p>"A demoness, Lai. A very powerful demoness – a peer of the one who caused the death of your people. She is now beginning to exert her Will."</p><p></p><p>"You disturb me, Spirit. What can we do in the face of monsters such as these?"</p><p></p><p>"Let me show you one more," the Spirit had suggested.</p><p></p><p>"Your revelations are disturbing. But I suppose one cannot hide one's head in the sand." </p><p></p><p>"No, indeed," the Spirit had grinned. He gestured again, and another vision manifested: a fortress of stone with a tall tower, perched upon a sheer-sided outcrop of rock. Lai had never seen anything like it before. Atop the tower, a blue-and-silver pennant fluttered in the wind.</p><p></p><p>"Another ally?"</p><p></p><p>The Spirit had nodded.</p><p></p><p>"It looks less foreboding than the previous. Does a god dwell here, or a demon?"</p><p></p><p>"Neither," the Spirit had answered. "A mortal. Of sorts. His name is Eadric."</p><p></p><p>"And he wars with Graz'zt also?"</p><p></p><p>"Oh, yes. His obsession is rather single-minded."</p><p></p><p>"And his world is threatened?" Lai had asked.</p><p></p><p>"His world has been stolen from him."</p><p></p><p>"It seems peaceful enough," Lai had observed.</p><p></p><p>"It is a long story," the Spirit had replied. "He is embroiled in the politics of the previous realms that I have shown you. The details are complicated."</p><p></p><p>"And he can be trusted?"</p><p></p><p>"Yes."</p><p></p><p>"Then – assuming I can trust <em>you</em> – I suppose we should begin there. Rhul might undertake the journey – although his absence will weaken us considerably. He will convince…"</p><p></p><p>"Do not make the mistake of assuming that this mortal can be either coerced or persuaded against his better judgment," the Spirit had warned. "He should be treated as an equal – even your brother would have been hard pressed to match him in battle."</p><p></p><p>Lai had raised an eyebrow. "A mortal?"</p><p></p><p>"Sisperi is small, Lai."</p><p></p><p>A look of anguish had crossed her face. "Even if we prevail – what hope is there for the Nireem? Our people are dead. We are diminished. We will fade, and disappear."</p><p></p><p>"Perhaps," the Spirit had nodded. "But if you survive, then look to another mortal: not Eadric, but one of his allies. His name is Nwm. Remember it."</p><p></p><p><em>Nwm</em>, Lai had thought.</p><p></p><p></p><p>**</p><p></p><p></p><p>"I seem to recall your cautioning me against entering these woods," Mostin said to Shomei. The two Wizards walked among the looming, twisted trees on Shomei's thousand-acre estate outside of Morne. "Have you dismissed the spirits that dwell in them?"</p><p></p><p>"Certainly not," the Infernalist replied. "As far as I know, the Second Injunction is not retroactive. I still maintain a staff of spined devils as well."</p><p></p><p>"How old are you, Shomei?" Mostin asked.</p><p></p><p>"That is an odd question. Does it matter?"</p><p></p><p>"I am merely curious," Mostin replied. "Are you older than me?"</p><p></p><p>"No," Shomei answered.</p><p></p><p>"Are we of a comparable age?"</p><p></p><p>"I am twenty-five, Mostin," she sighed. "Are you about to dispense some paternal advice?"</p><p></p><p>The Alienist gaped. "<em>Twenty-five?</em> I knew that you were a prodigy, but…Amon…"</p><p></p><p>"I was eleven."</p><p></p><p>"Titivilus?"</p><p></p><p>"Fifteen. I compacted him when I was seventeen. I have three children, all cambions – none were sired by Titivilus, incidentally. Devils are notoriously fertile, so I count myself fortunate in that regard. I left the bastards outside of the Abbey just south of here, before you ask. I have no idea what happened to them subsequently."</p><p></p><p>"I am forty-two," Mostin groaned.</p><p></p><p>"I know. Evidently you have only sixty percent of my talent," Shomei said drily.</p><p></p><p>"Why do you think that you are going to die, Shomei?"</p><p></p><p>She smiled thinly. It hadn't taken him long to figure it out. "I <em>know</em> that I am going to die, Mostin. That doesn't concern me. It is the fact that, apparently, I will show no desire to return when Nwm attempts to <em>reincarnate</em> me that has me worried."</p><p></p><p>"That is paradoxical," Mostin scratched his head. "Given the fact that – presently, at least – you do not seem particularly enthused by the prospect of remaining dead."</p><p></p><p>"Tramst…" She began.</p><p></p><p>"Pah!" Mostin interjected. "He is merely a demigod, Shomei."</p><p></p><p>"He is also an intrinsic part of my paradigm, Mostin – I would prefer not to embarrass you in a philosophical debate on this point."</p><p></p><p>The Alienist was about to offer a retort, but thought better of it, and closed his mouth.</p><p></p><p>"I assume that the exact moment of your death is not known to you?" He asked instead.</p><p></p><p>"That is correct," Shomei nodded. "The <em>web of motes</em> was suitably vague as to the details."</p><p></p><p>"At least Nwm is safe," Mostin pointed out. "Or he would not be able to attempt to <em>reincarnate</em> you."</p><p></p><p>"That is some small comfort," she nodded. "I am rather fond of Nwm. The revelation has not been conducive to my good humour, however – as you can probably appreciate. Given the fact that I am inclined towards depression and nihilism in any case, news of my impending, final death has been rather a strain on my psyche."</p><p></p><p>Mostin didn't know what to say. Every argument – <em>defy fate, Shomei</em> or <em>assert your Will, choose to remain</em> or <em>do not let this become a self-fulfilling prophecy</em> or even <em>change your paradigm, Shomei</em> seemed trite and contrived. She was his intellectual peer – and a superior rhetorician. She would strike down any case that he could make in seconds.</p><p></p><p>"Ngaahh!" He threw up his hands in frustration at the logical impasse in his mind. "Listen to me, Shomei: you do not exist in a vacuum. Frankly, I don't give a f*ck whether you give into this or not. <em>I</em> will not. My ego is more important than anything else, and <em>I</em> will not let this happen. It is not <em>my</em> paradigm."</p><p></p><p>"Thus we come to the Dialectic," Shomei said wrily.</p><p></p><p>"F*ck the Dialectic," Mostin said. "<em>Saizhan</em> is a viewpoint, like any other."</p><p></p><p>She sighed.</p><p></p><p>"And f*ck Tramst and his mystical posturing. I'm tempted to blast him for his interference."</p><p></p><p>"I think the Claviger might have something to say about that."</p><p></p><p>"Mmm. Good point." Mostin suddenly grinned and his eyes bulged. He knew he was right. "Anyway. It doesn't matter. My infinity is bigger than yours." </p><p></p><p>She shook her head in amazement at his words. And wondered whether he <em>was</em> right.</p><p></p><p></p><p>**</p><p></p><p></p><p>Ortwin reclined into a leather chair within the study of Mostin's <em>comfortable retreat</em>, and swigged upon a decanter of expensive firewine, eliciting a look of mild distaste from the Alienist. Orolde, as always, doted on the Satyr.</p><p></p><p>"Well?" Eadric asked. "Are you going to share your findings, or just get drunk?"</p><p></p><p>"I had planned to do both – although the latter concerns me more at present. Has Nhura contacted you yet?"</p><p></p><p>Eadric shook his head.</p><p></p><p>"Ytryn is on board – at least as far as I can determine. Am I right, Koi?"</p><p></p><p>Koilimilou maintained her demeanour of serene malice, and gave no intimation that every time Ortwin used the diminutive, it was stored within her memory as a shallow cut she would inflict upon the Satyr when the opportunity arose.</p><p></p><p>"I think that Koilimilou would prefer if you used her full name," Eadric said wrily. "Perhaps she dislikes your over familiarity?"</p><p></p><p>Ortwin shrugged. "There are two kelvezu within Ytryn's court – their names were never revealed to me. But there is also a marilith – Sethee. She pulls the strings."</p><p></p><p>"The name is unfamiliar," Mostin grunted. "She may have been recently co-opted by Graz'zt. And the hag?"</p><p></p><p>"Chavrille is dead," Koilimilou said calmly. "She was assassinated shortly after Ainhorr annexed Afqithan. Her absence caused me no lament."</p><p></p><p>"Naturally, Sethee was intrigued by me," Ortwin said glibly, "despite her attempts to appear unmoved. It is also telling that she ceded to Ytryn's decision that the protocol of parley be enforced – the Loquai are very traditional when it comes to observing diplomatic niceties."</p><p></p><p>"With the sidhe, at least," Koilimilou said bitterly, glaring at Mostin. She would never forget that the Alienist had violated a similar truce and slain Shupthul and a dozen knights, humiliating her in the process.</p><p></p><p>"In any case," Ortwin continued quickly, "I promised to Ytryn – in front of the demons – that I would relay my satisfaction to Nhura, whom I described as 'anxious to return to Afqithan, and make amends for any past indiscretions.'"</p><p></p><p>"You <em>what</em>?" Eadric asked incredulously. "Nhura is currently less than popular, to say the least."</p><p></p><p>"We needed to get out of there, Ed. And the only way of convincing Sethee to let us go was to promise that a bigger fish was within reach if she did so. Appealing to Sethee's own ambition was the obvious course – Nhura has a high price on her head."</p><p></p><p>"That is reasonable," Mostin nodded, "although I don't doubt that if Graz'zt turned his mind to it, then he could liquidate Nhura even on Faerie."</p><p></p><p>Koilimilou sneered. "He wouldn't dare send demons there in numbers. There are far older and far more potent creatures than sidhe who would not tolerate such an intrusion. He would be squashed like a fly for his presumption!"</p><p></p><p>The Cambion's sudden passion made Ortwin smile inwardly. He had become accustomed to her moods – the way that her languor would abruptly change into aggression, or her impassive gaze could fill with venom or desire in an instant. The fusion of fey and demon made for a heady wine…</p><p></p><p>"Where is Iua, Ortwin?" Eadric interrupted his reverie.</p><p></p><p>"She has returned to Fumaril for a while," Ortwin replied. "Which is fine. She was getting boring, in any case."</p><p></p><p>Eadric raised an eyebrow, but let it pass. "We can talk about this tomorrow. I am in no mood to deal with you when you're drunk. I'm going back to the Burgh."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Cheiromancer, post: 1164545, member: 141"] [i]Originally posted by Sepulchrave II on 04-18-2004[/i] ** [B]Dream and Demon - Part 1[/B] It had been determined that Rhul – ever a patron of messengers and travellers – would undertake the journey. He was hardy, quick-witted, and wise in the ways of many worlds. The decision to send him had been unanimous. His people were the Nireem, and, besides Rhul, only three of their chiefs remained: Lai, the goddess of magic; Ninit, who watched over horses; and a god of the forge called Jaliere. A tribal pantheon, they were aided by ancestral spirits and nature genii tied to significant locations. Predictably, the goddess of death, Saes, had aligned herself with Graz'zt: in a world in which the apocalypse had already come and gone, her power alone was waxing. The Nireem no longer counted her amongst their number. Their people and worshippers – a clan known as the Werud, who had been finally eliminated by Graz'zt's armies some decades before – were the last tribe to walk upon the doomed earth. Once the inheritors of a proud legacy, they had been condemned at the end to cower in holes as the creatures – black-skinned monsters with great hooks upon their skulls – had sought them out and butchered them. Ninit had ridden out and hunted down their enemies, and the hooves of her horse – the stallion called Drût – had kindled the grasslands to fire as she passed over them. She was an ancient goddess, who had joined the others a thousand years before: assimilated by the Werud from a conquered culture whose name Ninit no longer cared to remember. She was fickle and untamed – an atavism who bowed to neither law nor code. Before the world had turned dark, she had caused others amongst the Nireem great consternation by her actions. But now, since the death of Hodh, she was their greatest champion. And unlike the other godlings who gathered within their stone hall deep within the mountain called [I]Mulhuk[/I], Graz'zt feared her. Lai the Implacable had foreseen the demise of her brother, and many others who had perished beneath the relentless press of demons. The end was upon them, and there seemed to be no escaping it. So Lai had dreamed a dream, and passing by roads which only she could take, she had made her way through a region of great turbulence, until she had found herself beside a still pool surrounded by many birch trees. A spirit of unfamiliar type had been waiting for her. "Have you come to pronounce a final doom?" Lai had asked wrily. The spirit had smiled easily. "You are not without allies." "And are you one of them?" "There are other worlds, Lai. Sisperi is one small corner in an infinity of infinities." "That may be so," Lai had said through narrowed eyes. "But it is [I]my[/I] corner." "May I show you something?" "That, I suspect, is why I am here," Lai had replied laconically. The Spirit had gestured briefly, and a vision had appeared before the Goddess. A thick forest of strange trees which bore poisoned fruit, around which vines and creepers wrapped themselves, and through which creatures of evil demeanour stalked and slew, reveling in pain and death. A terrible haze of heat lay over the place. "Is this a prophecy?" Lai had asked uneasily. "If so, I think I would prefer to remain ignorant of the future." "It is the abode of one of your allies," the Spirit said mysteriously. "I choose my friends carefully," the Goddess had smiled. "Who would live in such a place?" "A demoness," the Spirit had replied. "But an enemy of the one who currently assails you." "Can she be trusted?" Lai had asked. "No," the Spirit had admitted. "I draw little comfort from the possibility of such an alliance." "If you wish to survive long enough to see your world free again," the Spirit had said stonily, "then you must look beyond what is comfortable and familiar. The place that you are looking at is called [I]Throile[/I]. It is a battleground, and one of several keys to defeating your enemy. Do you wish to see more?" "I concede that I am intrigued." Another scene had appeared before Lai – again, a forest. It was an eerie place, full of deep shadows. A ruddy gloam hung over it. "This is [I]Afqithan[/I]," the Spirit had said, in answer to her unvoiced question. "It has become a fulcrum around which many interests turn." "It is scarcely less depressing than the last vista which you showed me." "Nonetheless, it is pivotal. Its natives are a race of evil spirits over whom Graz'zt exercises control. He has powerful vassals here. Would you like to see another?" Lai had laughed. "No doubt it, too, is a dismal realm filled with haunted trees." The Spirit had smiled and nodded. Another forest [I]had[/I] appeared – darker and yet more sinister than those previously seen. The Goddess had sighed. "I spoke in jest." "This place has no name," the Spirit had said darkly. "Whatever moves there does so in silence, and in secret. Those who enter it seldom return unmarred. When its mistress acts, she does so with deadly precision and ruthless conviction. She is preparing to act now – against Graz'zt." "And what intelligence dwells here? A demoness, or an evil shade?" "A demoness, Lai. A very powerful demoness – a peer of the one who caused the death of your people. She is now beginning to exert her Will." "You disturb me, Spirit. What can we do in the face of monsters such as these?" "Let me show you one more," the Spirit had suggested. "Your revelations are disturbing. But I suppose one cannot hide one's head in the sand." "No, indeed," the Spirit had grinned. He gestured again, and another vision manifested: a fortress of stone with a tall tower, perched upon a sheer-sided outcrop of rock. Lai had never seen anything like it before. Atop the tower, a blue-and-silver pennant fluttered in the wind. "Another ally?" The Spirit had nodded. "It looks less foreboding than the previous. Does a god dwell here, or a demon?" "Neither," the Spirit had answered. "A mortal. Of sorts. His name is Eadric." "And he wars with Graz'zt also?" "Oh, yes. His obsession is rather single-minded." "And his world is threatened?" Lai had asked. "His world has been stolen from him." "It seems peaceful enough," Lai had observed. "It is a long story," the Spirit had replied. "He is embroiled in the politics of the previous realms that I have shown you. The details are complicated." "And he can be trusted?" "Yes." "Then – assuming I can trust [I]you[/I] – I suppose we should begin there. Rhul might undertake the journey – although his absence will weaken us considerably. He will convince…" "Do not make the mistake of assuming that this mortal can be either coerced or persuaded against his better judgment," the Spirit had warned. "He should be treated as an equal – even your brother would have been hard pressed to match him in battle." Lai had raised an eyebrow. "A mortal?" "Sisperi is small, Lai." A look of anguish had crossed her face. "Even if we prevail – what hope is there for the Nireem? Our people are dead. We are diminished. We will fade, and disappear." "Perhaps," the Spirit had nodded. "But if you survive, then look to another mortal: not Eadric, but one of his allies. His name is Nwm. Remember it." [I]Nwm[/I], Lai had thought. ** "I seem to recall your cautioning me against entering these woods," Mostin said to Shomei. The two Wizards walked among the looming, twisted trees on Shomei's thousand-acre estate outside of Morne. "Have you dismissed the spirits that dwell in them?" "Certainly not," the Infernalist replied. "As far as I know, the Second Injunction is not retroactive. I still maintain a staff of spined devils as well." "How old are you, Shomei?" Mostin asked. "That is an odd question. Does it matter?" "I am merely curious," Mostin replied. "Are you older than me?" "No," Shomei answered. "Are we of a comparable age?" "I am twenty-five, Mostin," she sighed. "Are you about to dispense some paternal advice?" The Alienist gaped. "[I]Twenty-five?[/I] I knew that you were a prodigy, but…Amon…" "I was eleven." "Titivilus?" "Fifteen. I compacted him when I was seventeen. I have three children, all cambions – none were sired by Titivilus, incidentally. Devils are notoriously fertile, so I count myself fortunate in that regard. I left the bastards outside of the Abbey just south of here, before you ask. I have no idea what happened to them subsequently." "I am forty-two," Mostin groaned. "I know. Evidently you have only sixty percent of my talent," Shomei said drily. "Why do you think that you are going to die, Shomei?" She smiled thinly. It hadn't taken him long to figure it out. "I [I]know[/I] that I am going to die, Mostin. That doesn't concern me. It is the fact that, apparently, I will show no desire to return when Nwm attempts to [I]reincarnate[/I] me that has me worried." "That is paradoxical," Mostin scratched his head. "Given the fact that – presently, at least – you do not seem particularly enthused by the prospect of remaining dead." "Tramst…" She began. "Pah!" Mostin interjected. "He is merely a demigod, Shomei." "He is also an intrinsic part of my paradigm, Mostin – I would prefer not to embarrass you in a philosophical debate on this point." The Alienist was about to offer a retort, but thought better of it, and closed his mouth. "I assume that the exact moment of your death is not known to you?" He asked instead. "That is correct," Shomei nodded. "The [I]web of motes[/I] was suitably vague as to the details." "At least Nwm is safe," Mostin pointed out. "Or he would not be able to attempt to [I]reincarnate[/I] you." "That is some small comfort," she nodded. "I am rather fond of Nwm. The revelation has not been conducive to my good humour, however – as you can probably appreciate. Given the fact that I am inclined towards depression and nihilism in any case, news of my impending, final death has been rather a strain on my psyche." Mostin didn't know what to say. Every argument – [I]defy fate, Shomei[/I] or [I]assert your Will, choose to remain[/I] or [I]do not let this become a self-fulfilling prophecy[/I] or even [I]change your paradigm, Shomei[/I] seemed trite and contrived. She was his intellectual peer – and a superior rhetorician. She would strike down any case that he could make in seconds. "Ngaahh!" He threw up his hands in frustration at the logical impasse in his mind. "Listen to me, Shomei: you do not exist in a vacuum. Frankly, I don't give a f*ck whether you give into this or not. [I]I[/I] will not. My ego is more important than anything else, and [I]I[/I] will not let this happen. It is not [I]my[/I] paradigm." "Thus we come to the Dialectic," Shomei said wrily. "F*ck the Dialectic," Mostin said. "[I]Saizhan[/I] is a viewpoint, like any other." She sighed. "And f*ck Tramst and his mystical posturing. I'm tempted to blast him for his interference." "I think the Claviger might have something to say about that." "Mmm. Good point." Mostin suddenly grinned and his eyes bulged. He knew he was right. "Anyway. It doesn't matter. My infinity is bigger than yours." She shook her head in amazement at his words. And wondered whether he [I]was[/I] right. ** Ortwin reclined into a leather chair within the study of Mostin's [I]comfortable retreat[/I], and swigged upon a decanter of expensive firewine, eliciting a look of mild distaste from the Alienist. Orolde, as always, doted on the Satyr. "Well?" Eadric asked. "Are you going to share your findings, or just get drunk?" "I had planned to do both – although the latter concerns me more at present. Has Nhura contacted you yet?" Eadric shook his head. "Ytryn is on board – at least as far as I can determine. Am I right, Koi?" Koilimilou maintained her demeanour of serene malice, and gave no intimation that every time Ortwin used the diminutive, it was stored within her memory as a shallow cut she would inflict upon the Satyr when the opportunity arose. "I think that Koilimilou would prefer if you used her full name," Eadric said wrily. "Perhaps she dislikes your over familiarity?" Ortwin shrugged. "There are two kelvezu within Ytryn's court – their names were never revealed to me. But there is also a marilith – Sethee. She pulls the strings." "The name is unfamiliar," Mostin grunted. "She may have been recently co-opted by Graz'zt. And the hag?" "Chavrille is dead," Koilimilou said calmly. "She was assassinated shortly after Ainhorr annexed Afqithan. Her absence caused me no lament." "Naturally, Sethee was intrigued by me," Ortwin said glibly, "despite her attempts to appear unmoved. It is also telling that she ceded to Ytryn's decision that the protocol of parley be enforced – the Loquai are very traditional when it comes to observing diplomatic niceties." "With the sidhe, at least," Koilimilou said bitterly, glaring at Mostin. She would never forget that the Alienist had violated a similar truce and slain Shupthul and a dozen knights, humiliating her in the process. "In any case," Ortwin continued quickly, "I promised to Ytryn – in front of the demons – that I would relay my satisfaction to Nhura, whom I described as 'anxious to return to Afqithan, and make amends for any past indiscretions.'" "You [I]what[/I]?" Eadric asked incredulously. "Nhura is currently less than popular, to say the least." "We needed to get out of there, Ed. And the only way of convincing Sethee to let us go was to promise that a bigger fish was within reach if she did so. Appealing to Sethee's own ambition was the obvious course – Nhura has a high price on her head." "That is reasonable," Mostin nodded, "although I don't doubt that if Graz'zt turned his mind to it, then he could liquidate Nhura even on Faerie." Koilimilou sneered. "He wouldn't dare send demons there in numbers. There are far older and far more potent creatures than sidhe who would not tolerate such an intrusion. He would be squashed like a fly for his presumption!" The Cambion's sudden passion made Ortwin smile inwardly. He had become accustomed to her moods – the way that her languor would abruptly change into aggression, or her impassive gaze could fill with venom or desire in an instant. The fusion of fey and demon made for a heady wine… "Where is Iua, Ortwin?" Eadric interrupted his reverie. "She has returned to Fumaril for a while," Ortwin replied. "Which is fine. She was getting boring, in any case." Eadric raised an eyebrow, but let it pass. "We can talk about this tomorrow. I am in no mood to deal with you when you're drunk. I'm going back to the Burgh." [/QUOTE]
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