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Message: <blockquote data-quote="drnuncheon" data-source="post: 814281" data-attributes="member: 96">Session Twenty-Five, Part One: Prelude to a DuelThe crowd shifted impatiently, jockeying for position as they waited.  Despite the press of elven bodies, the tiny courtyard in the kesir was clear, at least to the borders of the circle chalked inside it.Voices rose, and the crowd began to part before the line of cloaked and hooded shapes, spears clutched in their gloved hands, that preceded a small knot of elves.  Occasionally, a careless tail would lash from under the darkness of the cloak and vanish.  What are they? the crowd wondered.At the edge of the circle stood a tall human, the only one present.  The weathered sword slung over his shoulder and the ease with which he moved was enough to convince the rest of the crowd not to object to his presence, or the way he threaded through them to approach the newly arrived group."Everything's ready," he said.  Then, in a lower voice, "If there's magic around, try to get...near...me."  He slowed, puzzled, then went on ina more deliberate fashion.  "I'll bet with all these crowds around, you almost feel like a jongleur."Dru paced impatiently.  Kennic was sure that the people he'd contacted could be trusted...but where were they?  If she was going to take the kesir back from Amalyth, she'd need all the help she could get...The door shuddered under a pounding fist, and Kennic moved to look through the peephole.  Then he threw it open, admitting the burly form of Jalen, who crossed the room and grappled Dru with a crow of delight."You're back!" he said as he released her.  "You'll soon put her and my idiot son to rights."Dru breathed in. "Alust may be more loyal than you think," she said.  "He's the one who got me to Kennic in the first place."The other arrived: haughty, seemingly impervious to the cold stares of the people of the kesir.  Somehow, even with the elven blood in her veins, she seemed more out of place than the human that stood a head above anyone else in the crowd.  She was flanked by two elves - one in black, a rapier at his side, and the other in the traditional robes of a Magus.  Behind her, a group of mixed toughs, elven and half-human.Dru saw Alust turn away, refusing to meet his father's glare.  "Shesara," she said.The bard moved out into the center of the circle, and raised her arms for silence.  Dru let her gaze wander out over Amalyth's supporters, picking out a familiar face here and there..."This establishment is closed."There was silence in the room as elves and half-humans stared up at her, dice and cards still in their hands, regarding the naked blade in her hand, the set of her jaw, the scar on her face.She felt rather than saw the door guard move for his blade, and she spun, her rapier piercing him, nailing him to the wall.  He slumped bonelessly as she withdrew it."Amalyth no longer has permission to operate in this city."  The rapier swept to cover the other door guard, a half-human.  "You will convey that to her."  Looking out across the small knot of gamblers, her eyes narrowed.  "Go," she ordered."I present to you, Drusilia Naïlo, true daughter of Tensin Naïlo, who is here to claim what is rightfully hers from the half human pretender, Amalyth.  She comes with those that are loyal to her, and to her father's name."Dru let Shesara's voice wash over her, ignoring the words.  She looked across the circle at her half-sister.  I wish I could not see Papa's face in hers.  Papa's face, true, but twisted with scorn, bitterness, and hatred.Did she expect the bard?  Will she have someone to speak for her?  The less elven I make her seem, the more the watchers will support me.  Her eyes swept over the impassive crowd as Shesara declared the grievances against Amalyth: faces she had known since childhood.  Would they support her? Or had one of Tensin's daughters poisoned them against the other?  If only Papa were here..."These are the elven names that I found - the ones that took ship during the two-week period your father and Galanodel left in."It was strange, hearing Di'Fier's voice coming from the mouth of an elf - strange, but necessary.  It wouldn't do for a Watch-Lieutenant to be seen with one who aspired to head the Naïlo organization.  Even if they had been partners for years.Di'Fier pushed the paper across the table to Dru and Shesara, who regarded it with interest."I doubt he's disguised himself as a woman," Dru said."I wanted to be complete."Shesara's brow furrowed as she studied the paper.  "Silathenial?" she said, pointing to a name: Aust of Silathenial."Mountain-home," Di'fier said.  "Sounds more dwarven than elven.""It's a myth.  A legend...old enough that the original songs about it have been forgotten.  It's mentioned in some of the oldest tales I know.  A city underground, a city of elves and dwarves.  'Searching for Silathenial' is an old expression for a fruitless quest.""Silathenial," Dru said.  "If it does exist, it must be shielded from magic somehow...and I'll bet it's where Papa thinks I am."Shesara lowered her hands, stepping back to the side of the circle.  There was a pregnant pause, before Amalyth herself stepped forward, her grey eyes flashing."You have heard what my half-sister has to say," she began. "I reject those accusations.  I fling them in the face of the one who walked away from her father, who abandoned him and the kesir in favor of the Guard."  She stepped to her circle, her blades sliding into her hand, their edges catching the light.  "I fought for my position while she walked away from it...and I will fight for it again."Di'Fier leaned in to Dru.  "I've checked her out.  She's not using any magical items.  You should be OK."Dru nodded, unbuckled the belt of her rapier, and handed it to him. "Kennic," she said, her hand outstretched.The older elf placed another blade in her palm.Dru ran her thumb over the blunted practice blade, made sure the cap was firmly attached to its tip. With a mocking half-smile, she raised the blade in a salute, and stepped forward into the ring.</blockquote>

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