[Game Thread] Chapter Four: Complications

[SpatulaOdoom]

Originally Posted by Anorde

"Chances are they're already underground"

"They made good time to Kaira then."

Originally Posted by Anorde

"do we know he has actual control of the two Paragons he supposedly has?

Morgan frowns. Why was it people kept reading more into his words than he'd said.
"As I said originally. The information I have gained says Zera has captured and bound Malvain and Airis. Since that time Zera has gained a form of immortality as described, and has also shown up as an active participant in the visions of a seer. One ability hearkens to Malvain, the other to Airis but it is not clear that that is the source. That Zera has control over them in a form similar to a Domination effect would be purely supposition."

"If I'm going to make suppositions based on the evidence I've collected I'll make it clear that I am doing so.
Suppositions however will be necessary. Absolute certainty, like all absolutes, only exist in the realm of theoreticals. The real world holds considerably less certainty."
At least not if they were going to actually act on the information in anything like a realistic time frame.

[Blue]

Her thoughts were already somewhere else when Alyyryk inquired her meaning without clearly asking for it so she did not bother return on the matter. She wasn't feeling particularly cruel, though. Nevh tilted her head to spare a glance at him and move her lips to form the word 'later'.

The later waves of clarifications, overclarifications, corrections and justifications gave her a mild headache. She made a face.
Basically, the whole report was a bunch of uncertainties.

Originally Posted by Morgan W

[...] went to Lalian Shedeth's realm and spoke with High Inquisitor Herne [...]
I'm not sure if they went to speak with Herne or use Jalm'aen.
Just want to claify something for you. Deimos isn't the top player in Sarak. Cinn and her church have the greater balance of influence. Valax and Verrine are her servants for example.

...hum. Okay...
"Sure. But Ciin and her buddies didn't give information to a bunch of investigators working for Kerberos yet, from what I hear. Deimos did and is indeed driving Sharak against Shali. I do not believe yet that Zera considers the fiends to be competition. I recall a Blue Lady with elder demon powers of cold wandering the site of Seer kidnappings."

Originally Posted by Anorde

From what I heard from Cirrocco, original group had connections with Lalian Shedeth [...] just correcting the assumptions.

Nevh rose her hand to shoulder level, indicating her desire to speak when Anorne mentioned that someone in the original group had connections with Lalian Shedeth.
"Sorry... the original group? Defections, casualties or disappearances?"
Later, after the whole of that passage, Nevh spoke again in reply to the correction of the so called assumptions.
"Sounds now even more like he did point them to Herne and Deimos by saying they should investigate the drow touched's activities underground, in a way. He sent them to find the hiding drows. They already had the connections to find the way, so he gave them the only direction they really needed. He is a gifted manipulator. He most likely knew. I believe Zera already knows who is responsible, he certainly has the means to find out if he didn't do it himself. Deimos wouldn't normally tell them anything if it could put his continued presence in Aheka in jeopardy. It doesn't change that at least two of the most of important guides of that route of investigation have some very questionable motives for supporting them."

Originally Posted by Anorde

I find it hard to believe that he's under Zera's sway though.
Oh, and just to clarify something: do we know he has actual control of the two Paragons he supposedly has?

Morgan's small rant amplified her headache and short sparks jumped between her head and her left hand but decided not to voice her discomfort. The seer would likely get a lecture from his cat anyway if he kept rambling about absolutes and suppositions.
"If it is enough control to prevent them from walking around Aheka freely and doing whatever they do when a psion isn't bending them to his will, as it certainly seems to be the case, I'd say it is already a lot of control. Kerberos is a strong Archgate but he is no god. Fisali doesn't seem to be doing anything to free the Paragons, so she either doesn't want to get involved in the mess, doesn't have the power to do it or is too busy with more pressing matters to spare the efforts. If she cannot help the Paragons, she wouldn't be able to help her Archgate.
"Plus, from what I heard from Jester, the man somewhat specializes in subtle mind control. He can make people act toward his will without them even realizing they are doing so, and without any literal domination whatsoever. Hard to believe, perhaps, but I wouldn't take it for granted."

She shook her head, weary of topic.
"Anyroad. I can't speak for the new people but we already have a lot to do, it seems. In regard to this matter, I believe we should try to get in touch with Kerberos and some other Watchers of Fisali - knowing the will of the Eight about Zera and the third-to-be Shalian war is something I'd like to hear. If a Watcher would be allowed to act against Zera if the occasion showed itself, considering the situation, it might give insights as to why Kerberos could just call Zera to provide information and let him leave without a good spanking. Finding people they met could be dangerous if others are watching these investigators' progress. They would know we are on their trail."
She licked her lips and frowned. Chuckling softly.
"Vulcar, there are many mysteries. Use them to solve eachother, I say. The meeting took hold at the Dragonblaze estate and Aiden was present.
There is also this Phyre Dragonblaze among these investigators; use them. Aiden is one of your High Councilmen and your subject... he has links to Deimos and he probably keeps tabs on his kin going underground to find Drows. Perhaps no one else under your rule is better placed to investigate the issue - command him to do so and send someone on their trail as well to make sure he reveals at least the things we'd find. Working more tightly with Aiden may also give opportunity to discover what Schakri was looking for, and what is happening to his family that seems to be scaring them all. He may have secrets but you are his king. Whatever answer he gives you will be something that might be, at least, of some use"

[Makenshi]

Anorde gives a significant look to Celi, who simply shrugs, before sighing and turning back to focus on Nevh. "I had hoped I wouldn't have to do this, especially with all the people here, but considering the potential involvement of an Old One I think I'll have to put aside my usual practices and break a few rules so that we don't waste any more valuable time. I'm sure Fisali will understand." He reaches down the front of his top, immediately prompting the two masked guardians to step forward in front of the king and for Micaiah to draw her sword. Holding up his other hand in a sign of innocent intentions Anorde slowly and carefully pulls up a bracelet that had been hanging around his neck underneath his shirt. It was an intricate carving of a pair of wings, one angelic and the other demonic - the holy symbol of Fisali.

Vulcar's eyes widen slightly. "You're a Watcher?"

"Yes, and though I don't expect you to immediately believe me on that count I do hope you'll look into it yourselves. I expect there's a few people who won't be entirely surprised. I pretty much just trade information afterall, which is rather odd for a mercenary, and I've always had a policy of neutrality. It's quite a good cover actually. For some reason people tend to be uncomfortable around Watchers."

"Care to enlighten us then although not officially considered a title by any nation, most people tend to use it as such when talking with a Watcher of FisaliWatcher Anorde?"

He looks back to Nevh. "To begin with, you greatly misunderstand Fisali. It's true, she is having problems keeping the Fiends out, but that is more about loopholes in the magic she used rather than about power. From everything I have seen and been told she could squash Zera like a bug if she so chose, however she believes that in doing so she will weaken humanity rather than strengthen it. Now, I don't know how Zera is controlling Nykal and therefore keeping Kirin from directly interfering in Aheka but if he had done something similar to Kerberos then Fisali would have told us and we would be trying to kill him so that she could take another Archgate who was free of Zera's control."

"I've tried speaking to her about pretty much everything to do with what has been happening here, but she hasn't exactly divulged all to me, and what she has said is just confirmation of what we already suspect, in which case it is pretty much useless to you unless you trust my word that it is her word." The Nameless shrugs. "As for the will of the Eighth where it comes to Sharak, that falls under the same heading of her stance with Zera. She keeps out the big guns and big demonic invasion forces to prevent us from being enslaved, but she wants us to sort out our own problems rather than rely on handouts from her to solve everything."

"As for the original party, it's a bit complicated but I'll try to keep it as simple as I can. For reasons that Fisali and possibly Kerberos are keeping to themselves Fisali marked various people all over the world by appearing to them during the demonic invasion 5 years agoThe Troubles, all of whom Kerberos invited to the Dragonblaze estate party at the end of the last Demon's Moon. Everyone except for the Drow who has joined this group (whether or not they're still there now) were at that party and saw Zera. Many of them decided they needed to think on it, or report to their Kinship before acting, or declined for one reason or another, while Jin and Lyandé going off by themselves right from the start. Sei'Lunas Quen, Sei'Tsatal Faeresril, Dea, Rygtha, Phyre, Hran, a Tark by the name of Sanell (no real relation to Jahran Tark that I can find), an Emerald Dragon by the name of Suaco Zhin and an Ikran Kensai of Lalian Shedeth called Cecil Svenco banded together just after the party and decided to work together. They were the original party. To cut a long story shorter, they went to Herne because Cecil mentioned the Jalm'aen and on the way there she and a guide they acquired on the way called Jaan Feykin were killed. Waiting for them were the Emissary of Kirin Steven Michael, his Tiefling friend Lym, a woman called Illucia Ailen, a man called Morak Chathema (who was an undercover Sei keeping an eye on his own kin and Deimos for them) and our favourite spy, Schakri, who was waiting to inform Tsatal about the attempt on your life at your behest I believe." Vulcar nods.

"Lunas and Tsatal felt that the concrete threat in Halva meant they needed to abbandon Kerberos' mission, Hran felt responsible for the deaths of Cecil and Jaan and so went with Phyre to try and 'sort it out', while Sanell and the Dragon simply left after their friend's death (those three having been working together for a while before this all). The group that set out to speak with Deimos was therefore made up of Dea, Rygtha, Steven, Lym, Morak and Illucia. They gain the Drow guide in Trusharlan, gain the Quen bard and loose Morak at sea and that's when they go from Tyyryk to Kaira to underground, otherwise unchanged as far as I know at the moment."

"Other than the little confusions though, I'd definately second Nevh's suggestion Your Highness. Granted, overtly ordering him probably isn't the way to go about it, but 'entrusting him with the important duty of uncovering the ones responsible for this great threat to Halva' sounds more like a prestigious task with potential reward and praise involved. Not that he's stupid enough to think you don't suspect him regardless of whether he's involved or not, but appearance means a lot. Make a show of ordering him and he may feel he has to make a show of resisting while still technically complying just to save face."

~MTWC

[Blue]

The revelation had not really surprised her; not much managed to accomplish that of late. There was no shock but she did feel a little excited in knowing it.
She hadn't consciously met many Watchers in all her years and had nurtured suspicions on a small number of people in every continents - but Anorde wasn't one of them and for that she could only praise him. Being a devoted servant of Fisali made him a bit sexier, she mused.

Originally Posted by Anorde

To begin with, you greatly misunderstand Fisali

It felt like a slap to her face, at first. She listened to his explanation and was only confused in the end, unsure of exactly why that made her greatly misunderstand the Eight. It was at times like these she wondered if she still had trouble expressing herself in the Halvan tongue. She said nothing.
Weaken humanity? Considering humanity is controlling at least two Paragons I'd suppose the death of Zera would weaken it no matter who slays him. War does not breed heroes... it just kills them. A least now we know she doesn't have the power or desire to break the link between a deity and his Archgate, as suspected.

Originally Posted by Anorde

As for the will of the Eighth where it comes to Sharak, that falls under the same heading of her stance with Zera. She keeps out the big guns and big demonic invasion forces to prevent us from being enslaved, but she wants us to sort out our own problems rather than rely on handouts from her to solve everything.

"I know Fisali wouldn't deal with the situation herself; she already made that clear. You've already helped us with more than information and, although you are implying that you wouldn't, I would like it to be clear and am sorry for asking: If either of you had the power to do it, would you or Kerberos kill Zera, even if he did not specifically threatened your lives?"

Originally Posted by Anorde

Other than the little confusions though, [...] he may feel he has to make a show of resisting while still technically complying just to save face.

Nevh nodded approvingly. She rose a leg unto the other one, getting a little more comfortable on the chair.
"Aye. Though you'd still want to be careful, staying on eachother's good side should be rewarding. We've found many signs that should give us the impression that Aiden is not to be trusted and might be on the wrong side, yet I've a gut feeling that, in the end, he is your ally."

[Makenshi]

Anorde looks incredibly surprised to be asked his own opinion. "Well...uh..." In fact, it was the first time any of them had seen him falter. "I can't exactly speak for Kerberos on the matter however I'd certainly be tempted to strike down Zera, a Watcher who disobeys Fisali is stripped of their class features and subject to a Baleful Polymorph effect as if they'd cast it on themselveseven if I ended up as a cat or dog for my efforts. Would I do it or not? I'm honestly not sure. Something you should understand about us Watchers is that we are the enforcers of Fisali's will, not our own. It becomes a difficult habit to break after a time."

~MTWC

[SpatulaOdoom]

Originally Posted by Nevh

”"Sure. But Ciin and her buddies didn't give information to a bunch of investigators working for Kerberos, yet from what I hear Deimos did, and is indeed driving Sharak against Shali. I do not believe yet that Zera considers the fiends to be competition.”

”Ciin's church is involved in the war. Ciin is not personally entering the field of battle, but she is bound by the Caveat of Fisali while Demios is not. Which is interesting that Deimos would support the status quo on one side, helping the investigators, while pushing for change on the other, assaulting Shali.

The fiends wish to take control of Ahkea as in the days of old.
Zera wishes Ahkea, or at the very least Halva, for himself.
How does that not make them competition?”

Originally Posted by Nevh

”I recall a Blue Lady with elder demon powers of cold wandering the site of Seer kidnappings."

”I recall circumstantial evidence that the Blue Lady might have been there. And even if she was what does that mean? Who does she work for? The attack didn't fit Zera's MO and included trolls, creatures that work for fiends as easily as someone with mind control abilities. Could they not be in competition, each chasing the same prize? Until we know more we can't really draw much in the way of conclusion from that.”

[the whole bit about Anorde]

Morgan snaps his fingers. That's what it was about Anorde that had been bothering him. As he had said to Zilira, the mercenary had his fingers in many pies. Many pies that it made little sense for him to be close to. He shouldn't have allowed himself to be brushed off, but he'd been so busy it had been lost in the shuffle. One less thing to worry about then.

”Do you have any idea why Tsatal didn't inform Vulcar of those events?

In regards to Aiden there's one thing we could try.
Simply ask him.
It works more often than one might think.

We approach him and ask him to explain his silence in the matter of Zera's presence and Schakerai's interest in Lyrason. He'll need to come up with some explanation for the first at least, or risk jumping to the top of the “suspected assassins” list in the eyes of just about everyone. Say for example the senior council's own investigation. If that becomes known to them there will be a lot more people looking into Dragonblaze business and who knows what sort of stuff will be shaken loose.”

In Morgan's opinion blithely ordering the head of the Dragonblaze family about would be politically a bad move, and publicly alienate the powerful family in a time where they needed unity.”[/b]

[Blue]

Nevh couldn't grasp why he insisted on keeping Ciin in the discussion. The point was that she wasn't an informant for Kerberos' group while Deimos was, and having a hand or not in the war made no difference on the matter. He was trying her patience now by seemingly going in circles, stretching the issue pointlessly. In her point of view, at least.

"That is precisely my point... we don't know. Again I am not disagreeing: I'm saying that the possibility shouldn't be ignored that what seems obvious could be erroneous. There could be an agreement - an alliance of sorts between them. Common enemy, and all."
Why is that so hard to understand... I swear...

As to Anorde's answer, she nodded once more. Grateful.
She knew how it went but Fisali's Watchers were still human and rules were meant to be broken. Fisali was powerful enough to enforce Her will on Her own without resorting to weakening humanity by putting some of its better elements into faithful inactivity.
The Watchers must have their secrets.

[Makenshi]

Vulcar nods. "Very well. I will take your suggestions in this matter into consideration. Does anyone have anything else to add on this matter?" Assuming no one spoke up, he would continue. "Very well then. Morgan, I believe you have some other information to share as well?"

~MTWC

[SpatulaOdoom]

”Indeed, I have a few more things to go over.
I’ve made contact with...” Morgan pauses, realizing he isn’t sure whether Crescent or Alyyryk would be up to speed on . ”Hmm I guess a quick recap is in order.”

“Alyyryk, since we last spoke we’ve discovered the identity of this “bad crowd” your siblings were involved in. The name given them by others is The Hands of Sammeal. Sammeal was a fiendish Oracle during the time of the Demongate Wars. He had a change of heart part way through and secretly aided the rebels as he could. At the end he was one of the three beings that “survived” Fisali’s war ending spell. Shade, Alistar Teel, Ghost, Sammeal, and Revenant, a person we currently know little about. According to Shade Sammeal is as close to omniscient as you’re likely to find.
Sammeal, or Ghost if you prefer, is still around and apparently he has been working secretly against Zera. Alyyryk’s twin sister and brother worked for Sammeal before being mind-warped, supposedly by Zera.”
That over with Morgan continues
”I’ve made contact with another member of the Hands. Blink, real name Caelan, is a Trueforged, currently in town to see Alnei’s final days. He’s agreed to arrange a meeting with the groups leadership so we can discuss our mutual difficulties. That was a few days ago and no word as of yet, but I will be seeing him again briefly tonight. Alnei does not have much time left.”

Morgan addresses Anorde and Crescent.
”You two were going to speak to Cirrocco and his people at length. Do you want to cover the Troll situation or should I?”

[Makenshi]

Alyyryk's expression is mixed, as if he's not entirely sure himself how to take the news. "Wasn't this Blink able to tell you anything then?"

"He is supposedly incapable of revealing it." Vulcar explains. "The way he explained it it seems to be a way to ensure they can not be forced to reveal certain information and it would certainly be useful going against someone like Zera. In short, it's looking like they are at least not on Zera's side, though we can't be sure yet and I wouldn't go so far as to call them allies."

[on the Trolls]

Anorde puts away his amulet before starting. "Trolls have been gathering in western Halva for several months now. It started off as a small gathering but over time more and more Trolls have come from further and further away. Until recently, this was put down to an unusually intelligent and charismatic Troll or Half-Troll that has been sighted commanding them in several instances by different groups of people, however along with the revelation of the Drow, Cirrocco also ended up bringing another one with him."

"As I'm sure you all know, Trolls are weak-willed when it comes to Fiends and this influence has pretty much guarateed that every Troll you meet will be unpleasant at the very least. There are occasional exceptions that I've heard of, but I suspect any Troll that doesn't conform gets killed so it'd be more accurate to say that its incredibly rare for such a Troll to survive. One such Troll arrived with Cirrocco's group, by the name of Grunk. It so happens that I've been keeping an eye on him since I heard of him, so I can tell you that the likely reason he was found as a very young Troll by Aislin, a Kastish aquatic Elf-touched druid who has worked for a few Captains over the years, although she and Grunk have worked with Cirrocco for the past four years. Anyway, the important thing isn't Grunk's almost gentle nature, but that he has described being 'pulled' in the direction of western Halva. He even used the words 'the blood calls to Grunk' more than once. This could be a reference to Yostrah, the Blood in the Void, who is the Elder Demon/Old One that was associated with Cold and also responsible for creating the first vampire. Or it could simply be a reference to a powerful Fiend somehow calling them or even this charismatic leader of theirs. Watcher I may be, but I don't pretend to know what magic is still waiting to be discovered and to be quite frank, I'd much rather deal with a powerful spellcasting Troll than one of the Elder Demons. There's a reason that they're absent from pretty much all written records on Aheka except a brief mention in the Treatise." Anorde visibly shudders.

~MTWC

[SpatulaOdoom]

The idea of an Elder Demon, didn't inspire the same fear it might have once done in Morgan. Caution yes, and yes a little fear, but compared to all the other troubles it seemed the loosing of the Elders might cause as much trouble for their enemies as they themselves. It wasn't much comfort but it was what Morgan had.
”So next step, rustle up a few more trolls and find out if they suffer the same or similar effect. That really shouldn't be too difficult.”
Physically subduing trolls might be difficult but entrapping their minds temporarily certainly would not be so.

”I finished the Treatise on the Demongate Wars and went through the notes Nevh made on the last two books.”
He draws a half dozen slim black bound books from his haversack.
”My notes are on things that seem relevant to us and our situation or seemed like they might come to be. They are not however a condensed version of the Treatise.”
He hands out copies of his notes to anyone who wants them.
”It turns out that Sinneh was Alistair Teel's elder half-sister and his mother figure growing up. That is why he was so thoroughly disillusioned when they allowed her to be tortured and killed.

Shade also never became a god himself because he cannot.

The Godforge fuels it's creation of artifacts with the divine energies that makes gods gods as well as the “potential” mentioned earlier. It does not kill them but strips them of their divine power. It is possible for those stripped to gain new divine abilities via deicide. They fed it on their enemies as often as possible and their own when necessary. The Zodiac gods apparently sired a lot of children with mortals so that the forge could be used when they had no choice.
Alistair himself had a divine bloodline but the creation of the Godforge not only ate his divine potential but actually somehow made him the antithesis of that divine spark. He is immune to standard divine magic and highly resistant even to the direct power of gods.”

[SpatulaOdoom]

Eloise speaks next.
”I've only been with the investigation for a few days but I've done a sweep of Halvana for any underworld activity out of the ordinary. Nothing that I'd consider out of the ordinary popped up. After that I started looking into the Church of Airis. The visions that Kala has she paints and sends here to the head Church of Airis, however the visions she had of Zera have gone missing, in fact the church has no record of them even existing. It looks like they never made it to Halvana and we'll have to look into the couriers but I haven't gotten that far as of yet.”
She puts a finger to her thin lips for a moment.
”But that might be a lot less productive than another option. I think we should confront the church of Airis. Call the leadership to a meeting and ask if they know about Zera's capture of Airis, the attacks on the seers, and what they're doing about it. Were it a normal investigation that is one of the first things I'd have done.”
Eloise had always been more aggressive when it came to this sort of thing but Morgan thinks the idea has merit.

[Makenshi]

Didina looks over the notes briefly before rolling them up and tucking them away inside her dress. "Well, it's certainly nice to unravel some of the mystery of Shade but I'm not entirely sure why you mentioned it to be honest. As far as I'm aware he's not involved in any way."

"Your awarenes being key." Anorde adds with a grin. "Shade's protection makes it impossible for most to have a clue what he's up to and even the likes of the Eighth herself can only find out he's nearby by working through others, since he can hide himself from Gods."

Didina smirks. "Well, after he told our dear Ambassador here about how his protections just need a single hole in them to fool someone I tried shutting my eyes and reaching out with just my mind. Whereas before I couldn't get any kind of proper sense from him, when I could only sense him with my mind it was like everything suddenly came into focus." Somehow her smirk appears to widen. "In short, if I close my eyes and reach out with my mind then if he's within 100ft I'll recognise him. I've been making a habit of checking every now and then, just to be sure."

On the subject of the Church Vulcar looks contemplative for a moment. "If we do that then we may tip our hand somewhat, and the good Archmage is already closely linked with me."

"Then Morgan should go. He has links with the Church in the first place-" She raises a finger. "-his friend was the one who was attacked-" She raises another finger. "-and having one person, already linked with you, double checking things and 'aiding the ivnestigation' should be easy." Judging by the sudden grin that appears, she has just thougth of something else. "Especially if you involve him officially. Right now pretty much every noble with a daughter or female relative of marrying age is eying him up - including the Dragonblazes who we happen to need new eyes on - which means that the council is unlikely to be annoyed at having a chance to try and butter him up to this daughter or that sister. If that doesn't satisfy them then remind them he's the Halvan Oracle. I've seen him have two visions already from just touching something and that strikes me as something they should consider quite useful."

Vulcar listens carefully while she speaks before looking around at the others, as if wanting to know what they think of the idea. His gaze lingers around the Archmage in question in particular.

~MTWC

[SpatulaOdoom]

Morgan sighs theatrically at Didina.
”Is that all I am to you? A piece of meat to be paraded around? A sexy sexy worm to bait a hook?”

Eloise rolls her eyes.
”Yes that's what we need, more ego.”

”While Didina's distracted working up double entendre's about sexy worms or baiting skills: I would be fine with being an official investigator. I actually set a little bit of ground work back during the winter gala regarding the assassination. Gods has it only been a month? It feels like ages. I've even got a simple believable story laid out as to how I got involved.

I receive a vision of the assassination attempt and fire off a sending. The warning arrives moments before the assassin does. Vulcar decides to keep it quiet and put me up as an Archmage to have an ace in the hole around. After rescuing Celes and the bit with Aldamil my cover is wearing thin so he decides it's better for me to become official. Except for the last bit it's more or less the truth and jives completely with what I hinted during the Winter Gala's poker game and matches what I led Princess Zephyra to believe when I questioned her.”

Despite his joking the sisters and daughters bit leaves him significantly less enthused than he might have once been. A bit of paying court wasn't so bad but even before he'd become involved with someone he was no Schakerai to use women in that manner. At least not unless they did the same to others.

[Blue]

She didn't really felt a need to partake in the discussion of Blink, the whole business with Airis or the Trolls though she had a bad vibe on the talk of Elder Demon. The Blue Lady might not be one, but her power was certainly associated with them. The Oracle had warned that they would meet, so that they may flee. If they were to meet indeed, that business with the trolls felt like the likeliest avenue for it to happen. If run away she must, might as well take it to the next level and not get herself involved into the matter at all.

To Didina's remark, she sighed sadly.
"You may ease your search. Shade knows about your mind's senses and will render them inefficient next time we meet. Though it is possible that others may be using similar glamours."

When Vulcar seemed open to suggestions regarding Eloise's idea, Nevh fought an urge to scratch the back of her hair. She had a question on her lips that remained there after Morgan's witty retort.
She had a few herself on wizards and seers in general, but they were too obvious to be mention. Most probably heard similar japes at some point and she wasn't really in a mood to joke around anyway.
"The scenario should work but I'd recommend using some other prior good-service to the king than involving the assassination directly. Letting everyone know that you've been the king's creature from the start and that he hadn't mentioned you to them, his own allies, will likely make them even more suspicious of you. They will surely play the game and make a good show of appreciating your company but it might well work against you. It could always be of use as a backup story if needs be. As to Eloise's idea..."

She cleared her throat, wishing she had some water at hand.
"...I say why not? Let's tip our hand. Why should we even care whether or not the entire world knows that Airis has been seized? The Paragon is well loved. It would only give more weight to the rallying cry against Zera. Most everyone prays for health. The public eye would disfavor him."