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Message: <blockquote data-quote="gideonpepys" data-source="post: 7872151" data-attributes="member: 79141">Session 248, Part FiveAnother Unexpected Ally“Too much to tell,” replied Uru.  “A long, long time has passed. You should know, though, that the valley is safe.”  The valley of the gith, where Conquo had spent many, happy years.  Why he chose to say that, Uru wasn’t sure – after all, he had seen it destroyed with his own eyes.  So he added, “Or at least, its people are.  Safe and well, in their flying citadel.”Conquo nodded, a trifle bemused; Lauryn Cyneburg gave a cough of chagrin. “Well…” she managed.  They waited for her to find words.  “I seem to remember a report from Axis Island – that the maustin caji were sailing on the sea fortress.”  They waited.  “That was some time ago.” They waited.  “The outcome can’t have been good.”Another ally lost?  There was so much bad news it was like digging yourself out of an avalanche.Uru tried to focus them on action: “So when do we move on Flint? That’s what we’re doing, right?  I have an idea!  Why don’t we make a mechanical, female dragon to lure Harkover out of hiding?”  They laughed, then realised he might be serious.Lauryn Cyneburg rolled her eyes.  “Will it have boobs?” she asked.“About Harkover,” said Korrigan. “Is he dominated?”Cyneburg said she didn’t know, but that he was a key component of the Ob’s plan – the lynchpin of their defence of Flint, and by extension, Risur.  “You can bet he’s got more than just one or two ghost councillors defending him, unwilling or otherwise.”More bad news.Suddenly Quratulain – who had been thinking about things, calculating away quietly and figuring out their best course of action, and oddly  – announced that she knew how they could withstand the intense energies pouring out of the Axis Seal:“The Sacrament of Apotheosis!”It took a moment to absorb this revelation. Did they…?  How would they…?“We all witnessed the sacrament performed – two or three times, in fact.  Uriel isn’t the only one who can remember what he hears,” she said.  “The sacrament will protect us from energies of that kind, and grant us other powers besides.”“We will need worshippers,” said Korrigan.  “Rumdoom is the only one with those.”“I think you’re underestimating yourselves,” said Lauryn Cyneburg.  “The people of Risur believe in you, King Baldrey.   In all of you.”“Belief in an idea will suffice,” Gupta agreed, “it doesn’t have to be a god. But even for that, we still need to free people.”“There might be a way in there,” said Cyneburg.  “Not everyone is controlled.  There are still a few hold-outs who might be able to help if we can find a way to...” She stopped short and glanced about in irritation. “What’s that buzzing noise?  It’s coming from your backpack!”  She pointed an accusatory finger at Uru.It was indeed.  Perhaps one of his spy-crabs, had gotten out of the tin?  But no – it was the musical box the Clockwork King had sent them, a very long time ago in Ber.  As soon as he took it out, it activated, unfurled and took on the form of a miniaturised, mechanical Tinker Oddcog.  (A little in-joke from way back when.)He gave a little bow and said, “Alden Wondermaker, at your service!”“I knew you were too clever to get yourself killed by the Ob!” said Uru.“I hope you’ve got a plan,” said Leon. “Because we don’t.”“I do indeed,” said Wondermaker.  “But it is, in many ways, your plan, your majesty.” And he bowed again to Korrigan.End of Session</blockquote>

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