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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ltclnlbrain" data-source="post: 2451068" data-attributes="member: 12882">Chapter 40"Yarrick Zan's existence is intolerable to our future endeavors," said Terenon. "The dragon is no longer my main concern." Terenon and the others were gathered in the mage's quarters at the guild in Silverymoon, in a room that was proof against scrying. The others fidgeted about, still shaken by their recent experiences. Grundar especially seemed paranoid."What about that guy scrying on us? Any way to return the favor?" the elf asked."Who would I scry on?" the mage responded irritably. "I need a subject to attempt for, and I have no idea the mage that is behind it. I'm sure he is the one that hired Zan.""Perhaps it was the dragon itself," mused Rhys. "He'd be able to know if the golems went looking for Taigiel and would be interesred in his location. Or it might have been the githyanki mage who left with that rod, back in the Selskar Vale. She'd have a chance to know about Yarrick as the beholder knew about him. We know what the rod can do and that might not be information she'd want out.""Right now I am more concerned about finances," Terenon continued. "In order to go after Zan I will need to buy some spells, possibly create some magic items. I could create and sell some magic items to gain the money I need, but that will take time." "You seem fairly bent on tracking him down all by yourself," said Jelani. "You’re an intelligent, powerful man Terenon. Why not just do what everyone else does and hire yourself a professional? If you want him to die by your hands, then have him held until you get a chance to wring every last bit of life from his body…as slowly, or quickly as you like. But there’s no need to be stupid about this. After all, hiring a professional worked on you.”Terenon broke into a smile. He laughed heartily at Jelani's suggestion. "What symmetry. What irony. Such a simple solution, and yet my anger masked it from me. Maybe I should hire Zan to assassinate himself..." He laughed again. "Yes a hireling, a very special hireling. A githyanki illithiad slayer, perhaps. He could capture Zan and hold him for... something special."Rumar watched and listened silently as Terenon openly declared his plans of slaying Zan--amongst other things. Sadly, the paladin shook his head and closed his eyes, speaking without looking at the mage. "A dragon endangers countless lives, yet you are so blinded by your thirst for revenge that you would let the beast continue it's plans solely so you may inflict no doubt monstrous amounts of pain upon one who has wronged you. You wish to kill Zan not because he is a danger, but simply because he has harmed you. I ask you again, Terenon," Rumar said quietly, opening his eyes to stare at the other, "What would my sister think?" Terenon arched an eyebrow at Rumar. He rose from the plush chair and walked over to the paladin. He couldn't remember the last time he saw the paladin sit. He was an odd one. Standing in front of his love's brother, Terenon folded his arms and cocked his head quizzically at him. "Serilla understands that she is my heart. She understands you do not approve of me. She understands that you will ascribe sinister motives to whatever plan or action I might take."The dragon is a great threat to the realm, this is true. It is my duty by the power I wield to ensure balance and stop him. I could just as easily leave the world of man to its own devices, but I choose to champion it. Zan is a danger that cannot be ignored. His mere existance threatens all of our plans. The prudent choice is to eliminate Yarrick before he decimates us once and for all. I know you will never agree with me on any issue, but I care little. I do what must be done." "I do not care if you kill Zan," Rumar replied steadily. "I do not care if you wait to slay the dragon. Why would I? I won't try to dismiss the risk the illithid poses. All I care about, mage, is whether or not you decide to capture and torture him first." Terenon laughed and smiled at Rumar. "Who said anything about torture? I am far more imaginative than you give me credit for. He will be punished, but let me assure you the punishment will be just." "That is precisely what I am worried about, mage. Call it punishment if you will, justify it how you like - torture is your intent all the same, be it with searing brand or magical prison. Know that I will actively work to impede or undo what you plan if I disagree with it. Somehow," Rumar snorted, "I find it hard to believe I won't disagree with it." Terenon gave the paladin a dismissive wave. "You act as if I care. Yes, I'm the dangerous one you need to keep a sharp eye out for...somehow I think you would care very little about what I do with Zan, had I not been dating your sister. Do what you must Rumar, and I will do the same.""My friends," Rhys said. "Your words aren't fitting of either of you. This type of divisive talk is just what our enemies are hoping for.""There is no such thing as acceptable torture," Rumar replied flatly, glaring at Rhys, angry that he's intervened. "If the mage does more than simply kill Zan, as he has implied, I will intervene. To do otherwise would go against my very moral code."And mage - I have long since given up on trying to stop you and my sister. I think you are dangerous and impulsive. I think that we will likely end up having to fight over our different views. I think that if your end goal wasn't so important, it'd be much better if I left right now. Nonetheless, I am staying, and if you wish to be with my sister, do so. That is your and her business, not mine."Furthermore, were what you say true, mage," Rumar continued, folding his arms across his chest, "if I did so desperately want you not to be with her that I would do anything to stop you, I would have simply let the rest sell whatever they could have scraped together to ressurrect your battered corpse. Instead, I dipped into the coins I had set aside for Pergium's spiritual growth. Because that is what my sister would have wanted."“Enough!” Jelani shouted, his voice cracking the air like thunder. “You both act like fools. Terenon, you seek to eliminate Zan as if he were your enemy. Take a moment to think! The assassin cares nothing for you, he is simply a tool, wielded by another. Would you count a sword, an arrow, or a spell used by your foes as an enemy?"And you Rumar; all know of your position on this issue. Tell me, how did you expect to find out that Terenon had tortured his prisoner; do you think he would send you an invitation?” The theurge snorted; his expression a cross between anger and contempt. “I tire of your constant bickering. There are more important things to think about here. And I do not care to give our enemies more time to plan another attack. Every minute we spend arguing is another that furthers their cause. So you two will either find a way to settle this thing now, or I shall deal with Zan myself. And I promise; neither of you will be happy with how I would go about it.” "Somehow, Jelani," Rumar replied dryly, clearly less than rebuked by the other man's words, "I find it hard to believe I would find your way of handling Zan worse than whatever that one hopes to inflict. As for your demand...as I see it, there is no need for things to be "resolved" just yet. I will only take action once the mage goes through with one of our many points of disagreement."All this time, Taigiel had listened with slowly mounting frustration. But he had heard enough, and the half-dragon abruptly stood from his seat, baring his fangs. "We have suffered too many delays already. Tomorrow I head for Coldheart, even if I have to walk all the way back there from Silverymoon. Even if I have to go alone. My father must die." For all his continued aggression, Rumar did look suitably ashamed once Taigiel's snapped; after all, there was a very strong reason for why things hadn't come to blows thus far. "You are right. I should not have even bothered to voice my thoughts on the matter, especially now of all times. To think that the mage would have changed his plans merely because I told him to was foolish of me. To do so when it jepordized our mission at its core all the worse."I will go with Taigiel come the morning. The dragon is the greater threat; his son an important ally. Much as I would stop the mage from whatever he plans, I cannot let turn my back on what we came here to do. If you are still so intent on your plans, mage," the aasimar finished quietly, "Then it is clear I will not be about to stop you." Terenon sniffed disdainfully as he turned away. ""Don't you have to go and self-flagellate for some minor ethical infractions or something? Your company has become so tiresome." "I have set aside my personal concerns, mage, in respect of Taigiel and the threat his father holds," Rumar responded. There was no insult or mockery hidden beneath his words--though there was now a weariness. A great weariness. "Will you not do the same? If merely for the moment? When it comes down to it, I tire of this circular fighting," he muttered, touching three fingers to the front of his helmet, where his forehead must have been. "I must meditate and converse alone with Pergium on what has happened today; the golems, the mage, and the assassin all bear much consideration. Consideration that I doubt I can clearly undergo here. Regardless of what I decide, tomorrow I will go to seek out the dragon alongside our ally. I will not stop any of you who wish to seek out Zan, though I beg any of you who are still focused on that task to reconsider. If merely for the moment." Taigiel nodded with a sense of finality. "Tomorrow we will teleport north of Latona and head straight for the Mect Cliffs. They are roughly fifty miles north of the city; it will take us two days to get there. We cannot keep retreating like we have been. It is evident that we are being watched, and it will likely be safer out in the open tundra. With no easy landmarks, they will have difficulty finding us even with scrying. Do what you must tonight. Come the morrow, there is no turning back."</blockquote>

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