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Message: <blockquote data-quote="BoldItalic" data-source="post: 6799374" data-attributes="member: 6777052">Dinner that evening was a sumptuous affair and all agreed that the new cook had surpassed herself. At the end, there was an air of expectation. King Rylnethaz rose to his feet and rapped three times on the table.[ Rap! Rap! Rap! yelled the audience ]There was a hush and he began to speak. "My friends, the time has come for me to venture into the Abyss and destroy the chaos engines at their roots. This, I have undertaken to do and it is my sworn duty, though it will be perilous and I may not return. I would be glad of your company, each and every one of you, but no one should feel compelled to join me. It is for you to decide where your destiny lies. What say you?""You won't get far without a wizard," said BoldItalic. "You won't even reach the Abyss without spells to cross the planes, let alone fight demons and destroy the machines. Don't happen to know any wizards, do you?" He had a twinkle in his eye as he said this; and, for a joke, made a huge rainbow-coloured hand appear in the air above him, that turned slowly and pointed a finger, jabbing downwards meaningfully at himself. He pretended to be mystified by what everyone else was laughing at, looked around as if puzzled, looked left, looked right, looked under the table, then finally looked up and pretended to be startled. "Why, goodness me!" he said, "What a give-away!""Tackling demons is work for the clergy," offered Clotbert. "Any expedition to the Abyss has to include a priest. It's in the rules somewhere. Especially ones involving chaos engines. I've been directed by the arch-priest himself to go with you. I have a letter somewhere." He patted his pockets vaguely, as if trying to remember where he had put a letter."But you are the arch-priest?""A mere technicality."Rylnethaz glanced at Fingers, who looked a little shifty and avoided his gaze. "Of course, we can't all go," continued the king smoothly, seeing the way the wind was blowing. "Someone has to stay here and make arrangments for our return. There's a coronation to organise; no doubt the traders in Overbridge will want to be involved. Caterers, flag-sellers, that sort of thing? Money changing hands? I'm looking at you, Fingers?"Fingers nodded, perhaps a little too eagerly. "Publicity, sponsorship deals, contracts, rewards for services rendered, that sort of thing? Leave it to me. You'll have a happy, not to say prosperous, kingdom to come back to afterwards.""I knew I could rely on you. How does 'Court Munificer' sound as a title?""Your majesty is too gracious," replied Fingers with a bow.The three met at dawn in the castle courtyard. Rylnethaz was resplendent in his red armour and bore his new sword Aryvelahr proudly. BoldItalic had trimmed his beard for a change and was carrying a long thin, wrapped bundle from which the occasional muffled protest emerged. Clotbert was armed and armoured as always and wore a pack on his back in which he carried various books and scrolls that he thought he might need."Are we ready? Then let us begin," said Rylnethaz.Just then, Tharivol came running up and saluted. "Reporting for duty, sir. Captain Heian is now in command of the garrison. I am to accompany you and assess the military situation on the ground. In the Abyss. In the event that we need to fight our way in and out. Sir!""Quiólan Berénibar!," replied the king, clapping his fellow elf on the back.The scene changed ...</blockquote>

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