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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jon Potter" data-source="post: 3655416" data-attributes="member: 2323">[PLAIN][Realms #405] Repercussions[/PLAIN]Morier had walked maybe ten or fifteen paces before he stopped and stared at the ground for a full minute before finally spinning on his heel and looking back toward the members of the group who seemed to have dispersed in every direction. The fog of anger and rage was wearing off and it began to sink in that Lord Hofralix would need to have his say on this rather ugly matter. And if they were lucky it would only mean that he and Huzair would be escorted to the edge of town and told not to return."Not the first time," he sighed to himself, "and probably not the last." And while he suspected that, given the nature of their host, the fact of their expulsion would probably be immutable, he hoped that a proper apology to Lord Hofralix would go some distance in maintaining whatever good faith the sovereign had toward the rest of the party. He looked in the direction that Shamalin had headed off, and saw Premarch D'rach scampering up the hill after her, followed by the almost whimsical figure of Karak stomping along after both of them."Huzair," he called out as he approached. "Come with me, and for the love of Kael, please don't talk. We need to go see if I can keep our hides out of a jail cell for the rest of our stay here." He hoped he was overstating the situation, but Hofralix was a diffcult read, and jail didn't seem an entirely-out-of-the-question penace in this quirky place.Ixin, her eyes narrowed stepped protectively in front of Huzair, no doubt expecting Morier to attack the mage. The albino held up his hands in a gesture of surrender, and to show his good faith toward Huzair, he smiled a barely discernible smile and added; "I'd rather not have a repeat of the results of the weekend of the Third Moon Festival. What was her name again? Bellerica Something-or-Other?"Huzair looked at him skeptically for a moment before returning the grin. "No way," he said as they started to walk. "Bellerica was at the harvest dance. You're thinking of Theophite. And I still say her father was over-reacting."Morier nodded and elbowed Huzair in the ribs, grinning. "I love it when we make Karak foam at the mouth," he said and they both laughed.Somewhat bewildered, Ixin watched the two men walk away acting as if nothing had happened.The dwarves of Oerune were well-known for many things: metal-working, stonecraft, battle prowess and the ability to nurse a grudge for a long, long time. The enduring animosity between dwarves and elves was the result of an insult the elves had made to a dwarven ambassador eight generations earlier. A war had been fought over the sleight, and the fruits of that conflict continued to poison relations between the dwarves and elves to this day. But luckily for Morier and Huzair, Karak wasn't like many of his brethren in that regard and once his rage was vented it quickly dissipated.By the time he'd caught up to Shamalin and Premarch D'rach outside of the the public bathhouse, he actually felt much better about the Order and his place in it. Once he started training them in martial tactics, he felt sure they would all benefit."You may find towels and collect your clothing on the way out," D'rach was explaining to Shamalin, indicating a door on the right hand face of the squat building. "Be warned that the tiles between the caldarium and the tepidarium are slick and the steam within limits visibility somewhat so be careful. And do not hesitate to ask one of the other bathers for assistance should you need it.""Shamalin, before ye go minglin' with the locals I need ye to go with me to trade in our booty," Karak called as he stamped up to the pair. "I mean in a dwarven settlement, I can hold me own, but 'ere I do nae know how my charm will come across if ya know what I mean. You on the other hand have yer own charm and a magical item to boot." He indicated the silver circlet she wore in her hair."Must it be now?" the cleric asked, disgust evident on her face. "After that display from Morier and Huzair, I feel like I need a good washing." Karak nodded his agreement."I settled things between them after ye left," the dwarf told her and Premarch D'rach bowed deferentially."Be that as it may, the sovereign will wish to pass judgment on the pair," the Premarch explained. "They have violated the laws of New Mellorell and that cannot go unpunished. If you will excuse me." He hurried off while Karak and Shamalin regarded each other ruefully."Perhaps we should hurry," Shamalin suggested. "Things may not be friendly around here for us for too much longer.""There is no possible vindication for our behavior, Lord Hofralix," Morier said to the sovereign under the baleful gaze of the beholder's anti-magic eye. "We are all very much on edge, the weight of our task is great, and we grow weary of the endless evil we confront at every turn, but I do not excuse these as compelling reasons to subject you and your people to the barbaric behavior my brother in arms and I have displayed. It is my hope that you will accept our apology and allow Huzair and I to depart New Mellorell of our own accord immediately, while the others in our party remain behind to outfit themselves for our journey."Lord Hofralix rumbled contemplatively, his central eye narrowing as he considered. "The penalty for such an outburst by a citizen is hard labor for a first offense," the beholder said and Ixin saw Huzair stiffen although she did not, of course, understand Hofralix's words. "However, it is my hope that we can work together to defeat our common enemy, so, in the interest of diplomacy I will agree to your terms with one addendum: you two will be watched so long as your companions remain in New Mellorell. If you violate this sentence in any way, whether by attempting to reenter New Mellorell or by attempting to circumvent your monitors, you will be subject to the full extent of our laws and your companions will be exiled from the eyehold."Morier nodded and Hofralix asked, "Do you have anything further to say before this sentence is executed?""No, sir," the albino told him, bowing his head.Huzair started to speak then wisely reconsidered. "I have nothing to say in my defense," he said."Then so it shall be," the eye tyrant said with finality as armed guards came forward, laying hands on the compliant Morier and Huzair. "Morier Tulien and Huzair Blacksmoke you have been found guilty of creating a public disturbance. The sentence for said crime shall be banishment from New Mellorell for a period not less than one year and not to exceed ten years. You may petition for admittance to New Mellorell upon the anniversary of your conviction. Take them away."The guards started to usher the two men out of Lord Hofralix's audience chamber and Ixin began to piece together at least a bit of what was going on. "Huzair, what is happening?" she asked in Draconic, clutching at his arm. He looked at her glumly."Looks like I am not going to be visiting any local wizard to get some new spells, that is what is happening," he groused. "Morier and I are being exiled.""What!?" she shouted, stricken by the implication. "That was a selfish thing you did fighting Morier like that! How in the hells am I supposed to communicate with anyone now?"Huzair shrugged, looking back over his shoulder. "I will have to make it up to you.""Can you at least tell Shamalin and Karak that I need a communication device as quickly as possible?" Ixin shouted after him, but she could see it was futile. As he and Morier were shuffled away, the full weight of her isolation began to settle onto her heart."Perhaps you and I could speak for a time," Lord Hofralix said behind her in Draconic. She turned to see the beholder smiling genteelly at her. "If there is something that you need, I am sure we could come to an arrangement that does not hinge on the presence of your chaotic friend."</blockquote>

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