Night's Embrace: Part 1--A Touch of Darkness

[Shayuri]

Sulannus unpacks the few of those books she'd been carrying and makes a little stack out of them.

"Hmm... You know, I have an idea. It's very risky if it works, but it might give us everything we need in one swoop."

She regards the others for a moment, then goes on, tapping a book as she goes. "Night's Embrace will be relying heavily on secrecy during these times of preparation and vulnerability. Recall that letter instructing the other mage to keep a low profile. It was only his refusal to obey those orders that led us this far. Here, the danger is much greater, and I...well, it's possible that the cult may be taking a more pro-active approach."

"For example, if someone were to enter a library or similar place where records and histories were kept, and asked to learn about the Night's Embrace cult...mightn't that find the ear of a cultist, hidden and disguised in their midst? And then the cult would naturally see whoever asked that as a threat...and take steps to remove him or her, while making it seem accidental."

Now the elf smiles brightly. "But if we were -ready- for such an attack. If we were expecting it and braced for it...we might turn the tables, and expose the cult once and for all."

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Uhm...do you guys think that there are actually a goodly number of cultists around, though? I heard the whole cult was annihilated--isn't it more likely that this is just the two people, our summoner and his correspondant? If that is the case, there probably wouldn't even be a single cultist in this city to find."

 

[Boddynock]

*Titus reads the letters, which are in Abyssal. One is unfinished and was thus probably being penned by the Wizard they encountered, but it has nothing of interest so far except 'Everything is ready'. The other, in a different hand, is far more foreboding:*

Elicio, you idiot! You seem to be making too much of a stir in the area--we don't want to be uncovered before we get what we came for, so stop with all the sacrifices already before they compromise the mission. Once everything is prepared and obtained from here, there is still more to do. You'll need to return and prepare for the next phase. Don't use the charm to return unless you absolutely have to, as usual. They aren't cheap, and eventually we'll decide that saving your worthless hide isn't worth the cost. Sweet revenge is near...all too soon. How fitting that it will be the coronation when we strike and spell their doom!'

Kel frowns and says, "I'm sure the boss who wrote the letter to our summoning friend spoke in the plural - 'eventually we'll decide that saving your worthless hide isn't worth the cost.' So I'd say that there are more than just a couple involved."

"Still, I wouldn't mind waiting another couple of days - just to see if I hear from the Princess in the meantime, and she can bring her contacts to bear. Although ... there was something she said ... When was it? When she was talking to the guards. Something about ... ahh, it'll come to me!"

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Hmmm...maybe it is just three or four then," Nhalia glances at the remaining sapphire and the gold, "At least we have funds now to finance a proper search. Still, though, do you really think they would feel safe to operate so openly in the capital city? Even during the cult's height of power, I thought they worked elsewhere, and now that there is peace and they are destroyed, seems like they would not be safe working openly."

*At some point, Titus notices that the sapphire has started glowing faintly as Nhalia speaks. Then the glow fades briefly, and then the sapphire glows again, and Elenia's voice speaks gently from the gem:*

"I don't understand. That just seemed like random text--Kel who is that girl?"

 

[Boddynock]

Kel spins around at the sound of Aileen's voice.

"Aileen ... Elenia ... Aileen? Is that you? How are you doing this?"

"Uh, Aileen, this is Nhalia, Priestess of Sehanine Moonbow. What do you mean, random text?"

 

[Rystil Arden]

*The gem is quiescent and does not respond.*

 

[Shayuri]

"Give it to Kel," Sulannus suggests.

 

[jkason]

Titus Farrab, human ranger

"Give it to Kel," Sulannus suggests.

Titus nods his agreement. "It started glowing when Nhalia was talking, but that could just be a coincidence. Maybe you have to touch it to be heard."

 

[Rystil Arden]

"But I wasn't touching it..."

 

[Boddynock]

Kel picks up the gem and holds it up before his face.

"Aileen, can you hear me?"