Academy of Drell, Part 7

[GnomeWorks]

Rallyn
"What do you have against the Empire Charlotte? There may be some good people in it. Some people may join it to do good for people. For others it might just be a job."

"There may be those who would use this thing for... evil intent." Charlotte says. "And what do I have against the Empire? The entire system is broken, Rallyn. It doesn't work. An aristocracy... the current social order isn't working."

Rallyn
"Why has there got to be some evil plan in motion? We got it away from the bad guys, maybe the guard will decide destroying it is for the best. We did good, but who are we to say what the Empire should and shouldn't do? Let's just celebrate that we are alive to wonder about it!"

Charlotte's eyes flash. "And what if there is an 'evil plan', as you call it? What will happen then? Will we just hand this thing over, and let it continue? Who will stop it, Rallyn? Who? Who has any knowledge whatsoever of what has happened? Only we do. Only we can stop this thing."

She pauses and takes a deep breath. "But fine. If you want to just ignore it, be happy that you're alive, and let the evil live... you go ahead and do that."

 

[Jeremy]

Rallyn again sags and walks out of the library sadly. What happened to her in her past? I'm one of the Guard, if I take a position with the Empire will she hate me too?

Resigned to wait for the next doom-speaking, world-threatening crisis the little gnome can't help but wonder.

Just what does she want me to do?

Rallyn heads off in search of a drink and someone with lighter thoughts.

 

[Velenne]

Travellios pipes up, "Oh don't get her started on that again. We could argue here for days! Not that I'm opposed to an intellectual discussion... after all, holed up as we were in that giant's larder what else were we to do. But the woman's skull is twice as thick as the rock that held us! No offense, of course. I ramble sometimes and can't stop myself. Like now..."

Travellios makes a started noise and goes back to reading...

 

[Argent Silvermage]

Lyrique grabs up the book and heads for the door. "I've had enough of all of this. I'm taking the book to Palasant. I trust him to know what to do. It isn't up to us to make these decisions for the empire. We have done a fantastic feat in the past few days. I say we can rest assured that the book is in better hands then ours." The copper haired elf holds his wand of fireballs in one hand and the book in the other. "Carnan my good man let's go to Palasant."

 

[Dalamar]

Sildarin isn't really concerned over the book's fate. For him, this seems like the moment to go to his room and change into clean, non-sweaty clothes and get out of armor. And that's exactly what he is going to do.

 

[GnomeWorks]

Charlotte watches as Rallyn leaves, and her demeanor softens slightly.

Do I have to be so difficult? Well, yes... doing the right thing is sometimes difficult. I can't let my feelings get in the way of doing what is right. And letting this thing fall into the wrong hands would not be good. For anyone.

Travellios
"Oh don't get her started on that again. We could argue here for days! Not that I'm opposed to an intellectual discussion... after all, holed up as we were in that giant's larder what else were we to do. But the woman's skull is twice as thick as the rock that held us! No offense, of course. I ramble sometimes and can't stop myself. Like now..."[/i]

Charlotte turns on Travellios, her eyes narrowing. "Twice as thick as a rock! Is that really what you think? You are a damn fool, you support a system that does nothing but cause problems for those under it. I do take offense - what, did you really expect that I wouldn't?"

Lyrique
"I've had enough of all of this. I'm taking the book to Palasant. I trust him to know what to do. It isn't up to us to make these decisions for the empire. We have done a fantastic feat in the past few days. I say we can rest assured that the book is in better hands then ours."

"If you take it anywhere. I will destroy it." Charlotte says slowly. "Tell me, Lyrique... who is supposed to make these decisions? Some far-off ruler who probably doesn't care if you live or die? Did you ever consider that? Just what does the Empire stand for, anyway? I don't deny that we have done fantastic things in the last few things... but I don't want to end those poorly by letting this thing get into the wrong hands."

Lyrique
"Carnan my good man let's go to Palasant."

"Unless you can give me one good reason to let that book be given to someone else," Charlotte says, her eyes flashing once again, their color - for an instant - like that of flame, "I will destroy it if you walk away from me right now."

 

[Argent Silvermage]

Lyrique starts at Charlotte's words. "Charlotte, I don't mean for this to sound as racist as it will sound to you but do you have any idea how old I am? Has it not occured to you that just maybe I have lived longer and experianced more than you have and from that position I might be slightly better at making this decision than you? I'm no fool. I was taught to take important matters to my elders. That is what my intentions are. I do not wish for us to have angry words about this or anything else. I consider you a friend of the first order and value your opinion but this is far beyond our ability to deal with."
Lyrique waits for Charlotte to say something. "Besides I'm not sure any of us have the power to harm this book."

 

[GnomeWorks]

Lyrique
"Charlotte, I don't mean for this to sound as racist as it will sound to you but do you have any idea how old I am? Has it not occured to you that just maybe I have lived longer and experianced more than you have and from that position I might be slightly better at making this decision than you? I'm no fool. I was taught to take important matters to my elders. That is what my intentions are. I do not wish for us to have angry words about this or anything else. I consider you a friend of the first order and value your opinion but this is far beyond our ability to deal with."

Charlotte closes her eyes for a long moment.

Lyrique
"Besides I'm not sure any of us have the power to harm this book."

He has a point... he has a lot more experience than I do... and after all we've been through, surely I can trust him?
And what if trusting him leads to the downfall of everything?
Shut up! I need to think. ... I don't think I really have a choice here. He may be right, I might not be able to destroy it... I suppose all we can do is turn it over, and if anything starts to go wrong, that's when we can take action...

Charlotte opens her eyes, and draws herself up. "Very well, Lyrique. I'll... trust your judgement on this. But if anything goes wrong, if anything happens..."

 

[Argent Silvermage]

"Very well, Lyrique. I'll... trust your judgement on this. But if anything goes wrong, if anything happens..."

Lyrique walks up to Charlotte and places his hand on her shoulder. "Than let it be on my head not yours. No one person can be the savior of all the realm. We are not here to save the Emporer from the empire."
With that said he follows the guards down to Palasant.

 

[Zhure]

Rallyn takes off for Dorac'z, the only tavern in Drell. As he walks past Carnan at the library entrance, the human watches Rallyn attentively for a few moments then gives him a wink.

The trip down the hill is easy and no one is really wandering around. Even the Crimson Guard aren't evident; most likely they're camping for the night.

Once at Dorac'z it's obvious the place has been rebuilt some. Bright lights from candles inside give the glass windows a warm glow and there's a fire roaring inside the pot-bellied stove.

Nobody's manning the bar, but there's a gigantic tankard brimming with coin. Patrons are throwing coin into the mug and helping themselves to beer, ale and wine as their individual preferences dictate.

* * * *

Anyone else going with Rallyn? Staying in the library? Going with Lyrique to see Palasant?