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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Rel" data-source="post: 1820036" data-attributes="member: 99">Just a quick note about the last update:I thought that Speaks idea to attack the Empire themselves was hilarious and inspired.  I think the points brought up by other as to why they shouldn't do it were valid but I gotta give Speaks some credit for thinking outside the box.  I'll also mention that, while I didn't go into specifics in the Story Hour, he also considered doing what he could to manipulate the weather in order to hasten the fleet toward its destination.Just goes to remind you that Speaks' loyalties lie not in the Empire.And I decided to post another update while I have time.  This week is (thankfully) going to be busier for me work-wise so I probably won't get another chance to update until next weekend or so.  So here you go...In the morning they parted again, Lazarius, Marius and Marcus teleporting back to Emor, leaving Speaks and Cathal atop Hrongar’s Hill.  Speaks made certain that Cathal was ready for his journey and then used his Feathers magic to transform the Brigante into bird-form to speed him on the first day of his journey.  After that he would have to rely upon his natural speed and endurance as well as that granted to him by his magical boots.As the sparrow winged north toward the Stone Tooth, Speaks called Scipio to him and scratched the huge cat behind the ears.  “Come my friend.  We have a journey to make…and much to talk about.”  They fell in next to Urdrax, Hrothan, their bodyguards and shamans and began their trip south to the Suevi lands.Lazarius arrived back at the Imperial War College to find things far more frantic than they had been last time.  Pages and young students scurried through the hallways with a distinct sense of urgency about them.  The three Imperials sought out Chancellor Felix to find out what was going on.“The Orcs will be far enough south to attack in less than a week.  Maybe only three or four days,” she told them.“WHAT?!” they cried in unison.“We were looking at their approach only in terms of distance and what is the typical speed of warships along the southern coast.  But there are currents and winds that run down the western coast that brought them here much more quickly than we had thought possible.  And it looks like they were able to sail almost the entire distance so they won’t be tired from rowing.”“Any idea of where they are headed?” asked Marius.“Not yet.  But if they are intending on landing near Sutrium, it won’t be long.  Hopefully it will be closer to Carcioli but if their generals are as good as you say then that isn’t likely.  If they go that far east then our navy will be able to engage them and the troops being pulled off of the Sythian border will be close by.  So, unless they have a specific objective in that part of the country then our guess it that it will be further west.”“I’d better get to the Church right now,” said Marcus.  The others nodded and he departed, jogging down the hallway with his mirrored shield clanking along his back.Felix addressed Lazarius, “We’ve recalled some of the Wizards from their units but are leaving most in place to ease communication.  We sure could use you backing the Auxiliaries in Sutrium or Hadria…”Lazarius shook his head, “I know but I can’t.  My companions and I think we may have a chance to take the battle to the enemy and disrupt some of their plans.  We’re going back to the City of Endless Summer in a few days.  And I’ve got to spend that time getting ready here in the library.”She nodded in understanding.  Marius broke in to ask a pressing question, “What of the troops in the Northlands?”“After we brought confirmation of the location of the fleet to the Senate, they ordered a partial withdrawal of troops from the Northlands.  But it is going to take several days just to get the ships in place.  After delivering those Legions to the Northlands, most of the warships headed west into the tip of the Crescent Sea to continue their battle against the Corsairs.  Emperor Flavius has issued an order that merchant ships in Oar and Opal be turned over to the Empire to use in bringing some of those Legions home.”Marius raised an eyebrow, “Emperor Flavius?”Felix nodded.  “The Senate made an emergency proclamation installing Flavius as the new Emperor.  They felt that in this time of crisis they could not continue to keep Dartalus as Emperor considering his health.  So Flavius was appointed Emperor.  I’m sure you can guess who made that motion.”“Pontius, I’m sure,” replied Marius.  “How many of the Legions were recalled from the Northlands?”“Four.  Any more would only increase the burden on the limited shipping.  And moving more than that down the roads once they’re back in the Empire would be nearly impossible.”“Damn,” said Marius.  “That still leaves five thousand men west of the Fodor.  More than enough to conquer the valley come spring.”“And what of it?” asked Felix somewhat indignantly.  “We’ll need those lands and resources to rebuild from whatever havoc is wrought by the Orcs!”Lazarius headed off a potential argument between his mentor and friend, “Marius, I need to get to the library, there was something that you said you wanted to ask me about…”The Imperial Explorer looked a bit sheepish for a moment.  He looked at Felix and decided to trust her, “I need to summon a Devil.”“WHAT?!” cried the Chancellor.Marius continued, “I’m sure that Lazarius told you about us crossing over into Hell when we were in the City.  I made a contact there.  They may be able to give us information about the assault on Bane’s prison.”Felix considered for a few moments as Lazarius waited silently.  Nervously.  “Very well,” she said, “follow me.”They went back down into the depths of the College, near the area where the Teleport chamber was.  Down a stairwell past a rune-covered and locked door they found a room with a large circle inscribed in the floor.  “Can you do the Spell, Lazarius?” asked Felix.“Um, I believe it to be within my capabilities but I’ve not yet learned it.  I would love to observe you do it though.”  He smiled at his frowning mentor.“Come here,” she replied with a sigh.  She opened a thick, leather-bound book and turned a few pages until she came to the proper incantation.  She conferred with Lazarius for nearly a half hour and Marius took his turn to wait silently.  Nervously.Finally she was ready to begin the Spell and she asked Marius, “Does this Devil have a name?”“I know her as Jalena,” said Marius, unable to keep the smile off his lips.Felix hoisted a disapproving eyebrow and left it there as she began to utter the words to the Spell.  Several seconds passed before an indistinct shape began to take place in the circle.  As she finished speaking the necessary words, Felix admonished Marius, “Do your speaking quickly.  She will not remain long in our world.”The gorgeous, naked Jalena formed in the circle and Marius approached the edge.  In the dim light of the candles that lit the room, he could see the sheen of sweat the covered her skin and knew first hand just how it would taste and feel.  He swallowed with some difficulty and spoke to her.“We haven’t much time, Jalena.  I need some things from you.”She slithered over to the edge of the circle and smiled at him.  From around her neck hung a strange looking knife in a sheath of leather.  It dangled between her perfect breasts and everything about it invited him.  “I know,” she whispered.  Her eyes cut to the other two humans in the room.  “Did you bring some friends to join us?  I can pleasure all of you…”“Nnnnoo.  That…that is not why you’re here.  I…what…um, what is the status of the attack on Bane’s prison?”  Marius scrambled to collect himself.Jalena crossed her arms over her breast in consternation.  Remarkably that helped Marius to pull his head from the fog.  “For you, Mari, I’ll give that information…since we’re such good friends now.  They are still hacking away at it and there are now hundreds of them.  But they’ve changed tactics and now seem to be hacking at the top instead of the bottom.  That’s really all I know.”“Well thank you.  Please keep watch on how they progress.  I may need to ask you more questions again sometime,” said Marius.Jalena was quick with a reply, “Well I’d love to chat again.  But I’m in the information business and next time it is going to cost you a little bit more.”  She licked her lips and made a kissing gesture at him.  As she did so, her form became somewhat less distinct as her grip on the world of men began to slip.  She swaggered deliciously back to the center of the circle and slipped the knife from around her neck.  She bent to place it on the floor and it fell the last few inches as she vanished entirely.  It hit the floor with a not-quite-metallic click.  The Spell ended and everybody took in a deep breath.“What,” asked Felix, “is that?” her voice piercing the silence that had flooded in to fill Jalena’s departure.  Marius turned to see the Chancellor pointing at the Black Dagger that lay on the floor in the circle.“Something for me,” said Marius.  He strode over and retrieved it from where it lay.“Since it was my Spell that brought it here, I should like to know what it is,” said Felix.  Marius said nothing in response but held the blade protectively near his side.The Chancellor raised that eyebrow of hers once more, “Do you know what it does?  It’s clearly not a normal blade.”Marius looked for some purchase on the monolithic truth of her question and statement.  Finding none, he replied, “No.”“Then let me find out for you.  And I assure you that I’ve got more important matters to contend with right now than getting you in some sort of trouble over this.  Unless, of course, you wish to try and tell me what I am not entitled to examine that was brought to MY laboratory using MY magic?”Marius sighed and knew what must happen.  He strode forward and handed her the dagger trying, not entirely successfully, to avoid looking like a petulant child.  She took it and began her examination.Lazarius cleared his throat.  “I’ll leave you two to sort this out.  I really must be off to the library.”  He made his way through the cords of tension that filled the room and out the door.</blockquote>

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