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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Carlo-One" data-source="post: 8053325" data-attributes="member: 7015827">In comparison with the previous night, the audience hall was much less crowded. Prince Dalgan and his advisers were present as before, along with the guards and several dwarven nobles. As the company made their way toward the throne, Darrow smiled toothily at Toran Goldfinder, before bowing to the Prince along with Rahnee. After brief greetings were exchanged, Dalgan – choosing his words carefully – informed the group that something had occurred that they might be involved with, thereby warranting their summons. He asked Darrow if he was aware of the implications of his bond for both himself and his guests. Darrow immediately replied that he was and that he stood by it, smiling again at Toran. Dalgan praised Darrow as a dwarf of his word, as shown by his deeds for clan, which is why his guests had been allowed in the citadel.Toran Goldfinder then was allowed to speak. He recounted, using flowery language, how the previous night he had gone to the clan treasury to inventory it and had discovered that one gem was missing; the guard who was with him could attest to that. Toran described it as a valuable black opal, one that could not be mistaken for a lesser gem. His eyes resting on Shanni, he rhetorically asked what could have happened to it. Darrow interjected that he had knowledge of this matter and began speaking, but was cut off by the Prince, who told him that he would be able to have his say after Toran was finished. Darrow acknowledged that etiquette had never been a strong point and graciously bowed to the Prince, ceding the floor once more to Toran.Toran continued, snidely commenting that perhaps both Darrow and his companions lacked an understanding of clan rules. In any case, the clan treasurer had ordered the closing of the citadel until the matter of the missing gem was resolved, which Dalgan agreed was a prudent measure. The Prince then asked how he proposed to find the gem, if not by attempting to search the entire citadel. Toran stated that he believed things would progress most rapidly if the two strangers – meaning Shanni and Dermot – were searched first. Dalgan asked Darrow if he and his companions would agree to submit to this. Darrow immediately said that he would, looking over at Dermot and Shanni, who apparently were less enthusiastic about the prospect. Rahnee also stated that she would be willing and dropped her cloak in preparation, starting to unbuckle her armor.In a patronizing tone, Toran said that he would not ask such a renowned dwarf as Darrow to submit to a search, nor the two dwarf-friends – leaving by implication only Shanni and Dermot. Dermot sighed and said he was ready to get it over with, but Shanni immediately started protesting. Rahnee intervened, describing how Shanni had been recently rescued from mistreatment in captivity; she requested that a female warrior do the searching. Dalgan declared that, in the interest of putting the matter to rest, the two “honored guests” would be searched, with a female noble performing this task for Shanni, under the eyes of the guards. Following further protests from Shanni, Dalgan allowed the searches to be done in a private antechamber.As Boirin and two guards walked Dermot to the antechamber, Toran protested what he called Shanni’s insulting words to the Prince. He soon had cause to further protest Shanni’s insults to him personally, as the diminutive rogue pointed at him and said some additional choice words. Dalgan chose not to respond, instead looking uncomfortable and gesturing to Boirin to get on with Dermot’s serach. The ranger emptied his pockets and removed his armor, cloak, and boots, the guards taking a thorough look through his gear. Meanwhile, despite further audible insulting comments about the “honored guests” made by Toran to High Priest Iskar, who gritted his teeth and remained silent, Rahnee and Darrow managed to keep Shanni from any further explosions.The guards having declared Dermot clean, Boirin summoned a female noble to conduct Shanni’s search. Rahnee asked leave to accompany Shanni to the antechamber, which Prince Dalgan granted. Shanni demanded that the male guards depart; the female noble asked them to wait at the door, saying that she was in no danger. After a thorough search of Shanni’s clothes and person, the noble declared her clean. Walking back to the others, Shanni could not resist indulging in some more rude language and asked for an apology. Although Toran complained further about the insults, Prince Dalgan diplomatically stated that the Dermot and Shanni could remain as guests of the clan or go, and that the audience was now over. Shanni had more to say, but was dragged away by Darrow, Dermot and Rahnee as they took their leave of the Prince.As they returned to the guest quarters, Shanni slammed the door behind them and started pummeling pillows in anger and frustration. As the group discussed the outcome of the morning’s audience, which they generally felt had gone about as well as it could have despite Shanni’s outbursts, a loud pounding was heard at the door. Darrow opened it and saw his father Boirin, who stepped inside. The sergeant of the guard explained that he did not have much time, as he had made an excuse to leave the audience hall while an argument was still going on; Toran was insisting to the council that his personal honor had been sullied by the visitors. Darrow explained briefly what had actually happened with the gem. Although Boirin supported the company and thought that Toran was a brat, he was an important one, and Boirin said that now might be a good time to leave the citadel. He then took off to head back to the audience chamber, giving Darrow a fatherly hug as he departed.Shanni, instead of desperately wanting to get out of the citadel as before, now was all for staying and getting revenge on the dwarf Yarran, who had planted the gem on her in the first place. Rahnee, pointing out that both Iskar and Boirin now knew about Yarran’s role in the matter, instead counseled a tactical retreat. Dermot indicated his heart wished to stay and clear things up, but his head said to get out. Rahnee asked Aerikoth for his thoughts, but the wizard was indifferent to staying or going. Dermot brought up the fact that they still had an appointment with the dwarf scout and Rahnee seconded the idea of going to meet with the “crazy dwarf” who lived outside in the fresh air. Darrow eventually came down in favor of trusting Iskar to handle things in the meantime. The group therefore headed to the citadel’s entry hall, Darrow taking a brief detour to say goodbye to his ma first. Clan Greeter Rumnaher said he had received word to let them pass and wished them well on their journey.</blockquote>

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