[Game Thread] Chapter Four: Complications

[Makenshi]

Both Aiden and Jarlan didn't look entirely convinced, while Schakri and Esiard looked worried. Like most Warforged, Blaze was difficult to read due to his limited ability to make facial expressions however they had noticed he had a habit of stroking his chin when thinking carefully on something - most likely picked up from a bearded human at some point in his life. "And this other one you know of? How are we to be sure they're not a danger?"

Before she gets a chance to respond Aiden cuts in. "And what in the name of the Saviours are you talking about? They're called Elder Demons for a reason. Not to mention they're the ones who created Aheka and enslaved humanity in the first place."

"Oh?" Jarlan gives Aiden a severe look. "You seem remarkably-"

Aiden interupts the other Lord with a glare. "I've no patience for politics at the moment Inaha so don't insult my intelligence by feigning ignorance. Suffice to say I learnt about a lot of things during my 'youthful travels'." He glances back towards Nevh, and then to Wainraith. "I don't know where you've gotten your information from, but the Elder Demons were not 'protectors of the universe', they were the progenitors of the Fiends - if not their outright creators - enslavers of humanity and were responsible for vampirism and Trolls among other abominations."

Esiard seems to ignore the more heated words, focussing on something else Nevh and Morgan had said, which was rather typical of him. Why point out something someone else had already after all. "What was that about daggers?"

~MTWC

[Blue]

Nevh sighs, unmoved.
Answering Drake first.
"There are no certainties. I trust him or consider him no more potentially dangerous than I do... well..."
Taking a very brief look around, just for show. "...most of the people in this room. Still, as the core of his nature has changed, and so does the fiends'. Devils in his proximity for too long are altered as well. I have felt no malice in those I have met in his domain, and the focus of his energy is centered on Ashtarte Herself."

Turning toward Aiden.
"I'm not sure they have been called something yet. They are something else, and new. The Elder Demons that were used to create them are no more. They may not see themselves as protectors of humanity, but being Aheka, what happens to this world highly concerns them and I do believe they would defend themselves, and thus our world."

There were some points she'd like to confirm with Shade and perhaps also Zera but she wasn't in a hurry. It mattered little for now.
Then, looking Esiard's way.
"Ah. The daggers are what Ashtarte sealed them into a big while back. Five of them in all, one for each."

[SpatulaOdoom]

While Nevh is talking to the others Morgan catches Esiard's eye and makes a subtle cutting motion with his hand.
If you know something or think you know something keep your mouth shut old man.
It was bad enough that Nevh had just blown and deniability she had by being way too well informed in front of a bunch of witnesses. Point of fact they needed to get off this line of conversation fast.

Morgan snorts.
”No, I'm with Aiden on that one. You're talking nonsense ambassador. There's a massive difference between not wanting to destroy the world, and having our best interests at heart. After all it's hard to rule something that's been destroyed.”
Yea that old saying about Enemy of my Enemy is my Friend? Garbage. The Enemy of my Enemy is my Enemy's Enemy, nothing more and nothing less.

”Either way this might not be the best time for this conversation. Aiden, you may not be able to speak to her shortly so if you have any instructions or things you wish to say to Phyre I suggest you do it quickly.”

[Watcher]

Syltar listened, taking in the information being shared. When he was prompted by Wainraith as to the possible identity of the blue woman, the young mage looking at the image presented, he narrowed his eyes. He immediately recognized her, especially the hair and build she possessed, and he looked to Morgan and gave a nod.

"Yes. That's her."

The mage glanced to Aiden, his eyes changing from hard glare to concerned care. He didn't like what he heard, and especially didn't like the possibility of his cousin becoming mad with the sickness in the blood. There was nothing left to say, and it all came down to what Aiden wished to say to Phyre before fate dealt his hand...

"They'll pay... all of them."

Syltar muttered under his breath, now having a positive face and - hopefully - a name to go with the mysterious woman. He also knew the individuals she worked with, as well as the involvement of another Dragonblaze, and now had targets well-enough to suit him for the time to come...

[Makenshi]

Esiard nods sagely. "So there's three more daggers out there then." He gives a weary sigh. "Great. As if there weren't enough problems at the moment." Although he drops the subject after that, he gives Wainraith one of is 'you and I need to talk' looks. At least this time he was reasonably sure the man wasn't going to clip him around the ear for doing something stupid. Then again, he didn't exactly look very happy...

Aiden opens his mouth - to disagree by the look of it - but he thinks better of it, glancing towards Phyre and sighing. "There aren't any magic words I can say that will help you Phyre. Only that I trust you to look after the best interest of the Dragonblaze Kin. Hopefully I'll be in a condition to speak to you occasonally, but if not then Syltar and Schakri should be able to help you with most matters. The first thing you need to do is get a handle on the sickness - find out who's ill and who isn't and re-organise the Kin based on that. We need to maintain as much of our previous positions and actions as before. The Academy and other schools under our control must be re-opened - I expect they will be key in our survival - but don't fear change. All things must change to survive. Don't hesitate to bring in outside help to fill in teaching positions, just make sure they're up to our standards and not our outright enemies." He thinks for a moment. "If you can, try to convince Valen and others like him to take a more active role in teaching - he shouldn't have been affected by the sickness like the others."

"Valen died during the fighting Aiden." Schakri cuts in, looking surprisingly sad. Not just the 'a bad thing happened' sad, but a more personal kind of sad.

Aiden seems surprised by this, and dissapointed, but it is obvious he doesn't have the same feelings for Valen as Schakri. "Then find the others like him."

Phyre doesn't seem to understand that. "Others like him?"

"He means Dragonblaze bastards." Jarlan cuts in dryly, his tone more than a little combative and angry while he glared at Aiden. Wainraith got the distinct impression that it was the mention of Valen that had angered the lord.

~MTWC

[Blue]

When Syltar confirmed, she felt... relief. It was very sad for the Kashyyn, of course, but they had been very fortunate that Zera had used someone his enemies could recognize instead of some random peddler in the boonies.

Catching the glances flying around, it was Morgan's following remark that set the tone. While the nuance in the idea he implied could easily be explained, there was also something in the rudeness of it that hinted at more than one thing. Like he was hiding something.

Sending a thought to Wainraith.
I think you are hiding something. We'll have to talk.

[SpatulaOdoom]

When Syltar confirms the Blue Lady's identity Morgan sighs tiredly.
"Figures."
Morgan rolls up the sketch and stuffs it back in his bag.

He'd only been involved in this for a short time and Morgan was already heartily sick of demons, elder or otherwise. And gods, and Shade's toys, and all the other bits and bobs that were floating around ready to #@^* with the natural order of the world the moment some fool with more greed than sense decided to go poking at them.

There were at least a couple of up-sides to the situation though. If they could shake The Blue Lady hard enough to recover her memories of who she'd once been and break Zera's control, they'd likely have a new ally. More they had any number of reminders of her past on hand, Lekan, Lytass, Syoban, even Jar if necessary.
Better yet the Oracle had said it was possible to recover Kelta, albeit very difficult. Which meant... Well there were possibilities.

When the conversation turns to Valin Morgan is forced to swallow bitter words.
Wouldn't have mattered if he'd survived anyway. He'd have laughed in your face and walked out the door Aiden. And I wouldn't have blamed him one little bit. That's how it works when you treat those that should be family that way.
Morgan isn't foolish enough to give voice to those words however.
"If there's nothing else, Lady Phyre and Archmage Syltar, you really need to be elsewhere. Every moment you wait here is another chance to become infected. I think that would be somewhat detrimental to your ability to help your family. Please."

Nevh's reaction was a little odd.
Then talk. What's bothering you Nevh?
If it's about Esiard, then he knows something, or thinks he does. I've been around the old man long enough to tell. I don't know what it is but I do know this is not the time and place to let that sort of information slip out.

[Blue]

I'm not really sure what is bothering me, which is annoying in itself. Perhaps it is this source on Elder Demons that told you about the Elders returning if they are not reborn with a host, something about this entire Dragonblaze disease business, Syltar's miraculous survival, the chat you both seemed to have when I just arrived or perhaps it is indeed this thing left untold between you and Esiard... its just... intuition, I guess. Like something bad is going on and I'm missing a detail to nail the problem flat.

[Watcher]

Syltar looked to Wainraith. He understood the need to be away from sources for possible infection, and the young mage agreed. The Dragonblaze remaining - those not afflicted - were pushing their luck with every passing moment, and it wouldn't do anyone any good to become sick like the rest of them.

Assuming they weren't already.

"Archmage Wainraith is right," Syltar said, glancing from Phyre to Aiden. "We should go. Getting sick won't serve any purpose other than to further strengthen the enemy."

What with most of the Dragonblaze powerhouses in magic being removed from the board, it remained that unless the next tier of kin mages remained active and able, the blue woman and her cohorts would have no real challenge from the bloodline. At that meant they would have won, their disease having completed the task, in more ways than one.

"Goodbye, Aiden. I hope we meet again, cousin."

Syltar prepared to leave with whomever was also leaving...

[Blue]

It was pretty random considering what Syltar had said really had little to do with it. Something about strengthening the enemy reminded her of all the other ways Zera had been strengthening his position. And then, a flash of insight.

Considering she had been sending thoughts to Morgan just then, he was the one with whom she almost absentmindedly shared this with.
...I wonder what would happen if you tried to use the Godforge to snuff the powers off one of those reborn Elder Demons... might want to ask Shade.

Seeing Syltar leaving with some others, Nevh also saw her cue for an exit. "I'll be off too, then. Endless work and everything."
Looking at Aiden, she made a short curtsy. "Best wishes of health and a swift recovery. This world is full of surprises."
Things looked pretty bad for them, but it was not the end. As long as they lasted, they could rise again.

Before turning around, she made a gesture to Drake, then another one for Morgan Redgrove to tag along.

To Wainraith, a final thought.
Don't forget about Schakri. He's probably clean but, don't know about you, but I hate loose ends.

[Makenshi]

Phyre listens attentively to Aiden's words, still looking worried and not entirely confident, while Hran stood beside her. Noticing her discomfort the half-dragon took her hand and squeezed it in encouragement - an action that neither Aiden nor Schakri missed.

When he was finished and Syltar had spoken Phyre gave her own parting words. "I will do everything I can Aiden." There is a slight pause before she continues, looking more concerned than before. "For the Dragonblaze and for you. Be strong brother." As she turns away to leave with Aiden, Hran, Versovesh, Syltar and Nevh Aiden looks as if he's about to reach out towards her before drawing back.

"And you, my sister." Once Phyre is gone he turns to Schakri. "Do everything you can to help her Schakri. Everything you can to keep her safe."

The foppish Lord gives him an affronted look. "Of course. Who-"

Aiden doesn't give him a chance to continue. "Can Hran be trusted? His feelings are genuine?" Schakri frowns, looking confused. "Well?"

There is a slight pause before he replies sounding a little unsure. "He practically worships the ground she walks on. He'd die for her. But I've already-"

Aiden talks over him again, beginning to act and sound increasingly frantic. "I should have known this was Zera. I should have trusted the King." His erratic behaviour makes the soldiers, including, Esiard, wary while a look of sadness crosses Schakri's face as the illness appear to finally be taking a hold of the other Dragonblaze. Aiden begins to pace while he rants, this time not giving Schakri any chance to respond or interrupt, and he seems to become increasingly unaware of or uncaring about the presence of the others. "Secrets and lies." He snarls in contempt. "We're all so arrogant and prideful that we can't appear weak - can't appear soft - and so we wear our masks, concoct our plots and keep our secrets, even when it weakens us." His head snaps towards Schakri. "You need to keep an eye on Lyrason. Help the Sols if necessary. The bastard deserves it. No respect. No humanity." Seemingly just in time the soldiers return with a plain black metal collar, unadorned except for a single key-hole. Schakri moves to take the collar from them while Aiden continues, his speech becoming quicker, as if he's aware that he doesn't have much time. "Look into the others as well. The high council. Not the King. He's a better head on his shoulders than the lot of them put together. Should have trusted him. Don't forget to keep an eye on the Rudaa woman. You're right, something's not right there. And the Dragonblaze. Be careful who to trust. Verse won't be the only one." Schakri walks forward with the collar as Aiden continues, seemingly looking for an opportunity to interrupt. Aiden continues on for a minute or so, rambling about internal matters in the Dragonblaze from him having agreed to give one of his servants some time off to care for her sick son to telling Schakri about important deals he had been negotiating, before he starts to stumble, repeat himself and forget what he was talking about, only to start talking about something else entirely mid-sentence. After loosing his train of thought for the fourth time he finally seems to become aware of it. "...Schakri...Schakri something's wrong...I..." He frowns, looking around with confused eyes. "...what...where..." He begins to notice the people around him again.

Schakri moves forward, speaking softly. "You're sick Aiden, remember? The sickness?"

Aiden frowns. "Sickness? I...yes...I think...Phyre was here? Is she safe? When did she get back? Did she found out what caused the Troubles?"

"She's fine, but you aren't. You're sick. Your magic is dangerous. I need to put this on you so you won't hurt anyone or yourself, ok?"

Aiden frowns. "Collar...but...I...yes...I asked for you to get it...I think..."

Moving slowly and carefully, Schakri fastens the collar around Aiden's neck before placing a hand on his shoulder. "You're very sick cousin. You need to rest."

Aiden frowns slightly in confusion again. "I...yes...yes...it doesn't feel right...I don't feel...it's gone..." His words devolve into mumblings as he stares at nothing. The look on Schakri's face looks more at home on someone mourning for the dead as he asks the soldiers to take Aiden to his quarters. They glance at Esiard who nods in agreement, a look of sympathy on his own face.

~MTWC

[SpatulaOdoom]

Morgan sighs and rests his hand briefly on Schakri's shoulder.
"While there is life there is yet hope that what is done can be undone."
He gives a brief squeeze then steps back.
Whether or not he were a spy, untrustworthy, or rogue, that sort of helpless personal pain is a hard ugly little thing. Morgan wouldn't wish it on anyone.

With the group cut down to Morgan, Schakri, Esiard, Eloise and Jarlan it seemed there wouldn't be much point to sitting around commiserating.
"Lord Inaha I'd suggest you head home and get some rest, tomorrow's going to be a busy day and I'm sure your family is worried for your safety.
Esiard. Let's find a place to talk. There are some things I need to fill you in on. Do you know where the Princess-General is?"
And to find out why the commentary on daggers brought about such interest.
"Do you need anything else from me?"
Morgan shakes his head.
"No. Thank you for your help Eloise."
The woman nods an strides purposefully away, no doubt to start checking to see if a certain rogue Dragonblaze had been spotted in town recently.

[Blue]

Going back, thinking on it, she cursed inside as she realized that they could had seen all of this coming and probably had enough time to alert the Dragonblazes on a possible attack, subtle or not. That they had probably ignored the possibility simply because Aiden was powerful and resourceful enough to care for himself was mortifying. Sometimes, even having just about everything wasn't enough. A single breach to topple an empire. At the rate things were going, she'd guess the next day's birthday would be quite a memorable one, unfortunately.

Turning to Syltar as they were leaving, then Phyre, she took a guess at the kind of emotions that were probably welling up in their young hearts.
"If you believe you might know anything that can help, need support or anything, perhaps one or two Quallish instructors for your academies, you can Send to me. I'll be around, see what I can do."

Before her path would lead her away from them, she would pause, and turn around.
"It is grim, but dominate your fear. One disease running amongst your people is already too much. Fear is one thing, but keeping a lid on your rage is also necessary to remain calm and rational - and make the right decisions."
She made a gesture that was halfway between a 'goodbye' and a Quallish prayer. "Strength to you."
On that, she left for the embassy. There a fear to kill in a few students before sending them back to Quall.
Fear was too powerful a thing to use with your own people.