Finding Calley

[Anastasia]

Bibliotheca Arcana is the most misspelled spell in Balmuria, FYI.

You begin to research.

The first say is simply laying groundwork. You gather books, cross-reference things and altogether spend a lot of time on the fundamentals.

The second day begins swiftly. After perhaps a few hours, you pause to rise and get a snack. Sitting opposite you is Erathaol, reading one of your books, his staff resting besides him. "Good morning, Moore," he greets, voice soft and clear.

[Nephrite]

It's hard to search for, too!

"Lord Erathaol, good morning." Moore says, offering a bow before he sits back down. There's no reason to ask why he's here -- he'll either explain that or he won't.

[Anastasia]

A slight nod to that, a slow turn of the page.

"You are one of my elite agents," Erathaol says, closing the book and putting it aside. "Seeing to you is one of my many duties. So, how is your group doing?"

[Nephrite]

"I appreciate the fact that even though you know, you'll ask." Moore says with a bit of a grin. "We're doing well. The different personalities are actually working very well in our favor, as I think it gives us a unique way of looking at things. Perspective is important, as you know." Another smile before he relaxes.

"I'm still waiting on someone to help us with information before we really get involved. I don't want to get so mired in trying to find leads that we end up missing opportunities. There's also the matter of Seira's plans for slavery, which I realize will take a great deal of time for us as well, so I am trying to leave things open."

A pause for a moment.

"I have an odd question for you, but one that... may become relevant sooner rather than later." He smiles, but his voice is serious. "If you're not a Seraph... do you have to have some form of divinity to pass to and from Cantasa Alexandria's gate?"

[Anastasia]

Erathaol smiles at that. He merely looks upward and asks, "What happens when the unworthy approach true righteousness? Have you ever heard the stories of what happens when someone unworthy approaches Chronias?"

[Nephrite]

"I've heard rumors, but..." He relaxes a bit. "I never really gave it much thought, because the very idea seems preposterous to me. Yet... I can't deny that there's the possibility."

[Anastasia]

With a more solemn expression now, "They don't survive. If one is worthy to pass beyond to Chronias or her Gate, they will not return. What lies beyond is not something any return from, save perhaps on the Last Day, when the Light of Chronias spreads to all of Creation."

[Nephrite]

"Hm." A deep breath at that. "So, then, what I'm looking for isn't on the other side of her Gate. Yet, I can't shake the feeling she's still... somehow connected to her."

To be clearer, 'she' refers to Sylvie and 'her' refers to Cantasa Alexandria.

Another breath as he sits up. "I refuse to believe Sylvie's somewhere she can't come back from. I just think... no one's found a way to make it possible, yet."

[Anastasia]

"Then I will pray you are the one who finds a way," Erathaol says, a moment of peace flowing over you, like the gentle movements of a mountain stream. "Have you reflected on the events that passed with Makim?"

[Nephrite]

"I have." Moore says with a nod. "I still have amends to make with people who were affected... but I've also decided I owe him an apology, too. I went into someone else's home and... well, I didn't follow their rules. Just because what I believe in is something good doesn't mean other people have to agree with me."

He takes a breath and shakes his head. "I have to remember that I fight not for myself, but for the sake of multiple."

[Anastasia]

A nod from this, Erathaol merely saying, "We fight for many. There are times, many times in actuality, that I consider going to challenge some fiend in his home, hoping to destroy him.  But the path is not right, the futures are ones of sorrow, where what is lost by my demise in victory more than offsets any gain. You do not fight only for yourself, Moore, never forget that."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "That's why this is so important." He offers a smile. "Because I know Sylvie never fought for herself, either, even before 21."

[Anastasia]

At this Erathaol rises, "On that, there are others I must attend to now. Continue your research," he says, "May the light of Chronias guide you ahead."

[Nephrite]

"Thank you." Moore says with another bow. "I wouldn't have managed to get this far without your spell, so thank you."

[Anastasia]

"You're welcome. We all depend on each other, Moore. We become stronger together than apart," With that Erathaol inclines his head to you and is gone.