In Too Deep

[Rezantis]

"How'd Lindsey know who he was, anyway?" Rez queries, changing the subject.

[Bjorn]

"She didn't," Bjorn replies.  "But if I want to, I can share the senses of somebody who's attached to the mindboard.  And I saw a storm-rider, dressed in fancy armour, protesting that he had once been king."  Bjorn snorts faintly.  "That made the conclusion obvious to me.  Lindsey might well be able to draw the same conclusion, but I suspect she knows and cares less about storm-rider politics."

[Rezantis]

"That sounds about right, yup. Is there anything else we need to worry about?"

[Brian]

Before anything else can be said, a trio of guards scurry into the room, spot the four as they discuss plans, and then troop over immediately.

"Lord Bloom, Sirs Shuker and Bjorn, Loremaster Parthipan," the guard says, bowing his head to each in turn.  "Lord Kevin requests your presence in his office."

[Dracos]

"Certainly.  Let's be off, gentlemen."

Dracos rose, leading the way to Kevin's office.

Dracos

[Rezantis]

Rez stuff some breakfast into some bread, makes a quick sandwich, and follows after Drac - bolting down the remnants of breakfast as he goes, of course.

[Ginrai]

Ginrai finishes his drink, gets up and follows the others.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn rises, re-settles his armour on his shoulders, and follows the guard.

[Brian]

After following the guard through what is swiftly becoming familiar territory, the group is led into the office of Lord Kevin, which looks about the same as it did the last time a meeting was held here.

Currently in attendance are Jeff, Donovan, Radagast, Kevin, Lammermore (who's walking, again, and dressed in his battle armor), Ekim, Eske, Devin, Mirallia, and Astryd.  The others are arrayed at the table in a semi-random fashion, Lammermore now pacing anxiously back and forth behind Kevin's chair.

The Sword of Seven Shadows and (one supposes) Verrick's dagger are set carefully on the table before Ekim, his anvil/shield sitting nearby.  The dwarf shifts his position slightly, brushing at a dull spot on his armor.  "Welcome," Kevin says, nodding as the group enters.  "Please.  Be seated."

[Dracos]

Dracos nods, taking a seat.

Dracos

[Bjorn]

Bjorn takes his seat beside Mirallia, and waits patiently.

[Rezantis]

Nathan steps inside and sits next to Drac, looking around the room curiously.

[Brian]

Parthipan takes the seat between Astryd and Devin.

Once everyone is seated, Kevin nods.  "Okay," he says, drumming a fingertip on the table.  "The rest of the Storm-rider command staff should arrive soon."

Just as he says that, the doors open, and the Storm-rider command staff pours into the room, quickly sitting as close to Nathan and Phil as possible.

"Very good," Kevin says, smiling softly.  "Now.  To discuss a few important events?"

The Storm-rider lords, lorekeepers, and Lammermore nod.

"The first order of business," Kevin says, as Lammermore takes a seat next to him, placing his palms flat against the table.  "We have captured someone we suspect to be Verrick the Unseen -- assasin king of Soth.  Radagast has been studying the blade of this villain.  Loremaster?"  He looks at Radagast inquisitively.

Radagast nods, and coughs quietly, clearing his throat.  "Ah.  I have studied the weapon for a time, and come to the conclusion that this blade does exactly fit the description of Verrick the Unseen's weapon."

Kevin looks uncomfortable.  "Durant is Verrick, then?" he asks.

"No," Radagast says, shaking his head.  "Or, at least ... I don't think so.  It's a magical weapon, yes ... and it fits the description, yes ... but we don't really know if it was made just to cast a guilty light on Master Durant or if it is truely legitimate."

Kevin grunts, and glances at Lammermore, who looks skeptical.

[Bjorn]

"Or if the blade is truly legitimate," Bjorn adds quietly, "and planted as a distraction to free the true Verrik to go about his business.  For a weapon of such danger and significance, it was not very well hidden.

"I think it might be best to increase the guards watching over Master Durant," Bjorn says, with a glance at Nathan, "and to make sure that he is actually being watched at all times.  If he is Verrik, then all precautions must be taken.  If he is not Verrik, then he may very well be killed to prevent him from unveiling the deception.  In the meantime, though, I think we must proceed with the assumption that there is an assassin with free rein in the Keep."

[Brian]

"Lovely," Lammermore says, rubbing his chin.  "We've room in the keep ... if it's not offensive, we could offer to move the officers of the storm-riders into the keep.  If, of course, you're agreeable to the idea, Lord Bloom."  Lammermore gives Phil a look that's not exactly frosty, but is a bit wary.  "We could increase the guard that way by allowing some of the Storm-rider swordsmen -- we could easily let word get out that while you accept our hospitality, you couldn't accept the dishonor of taking comfortable quarters without sharing that kindness with at least a fraction of your own men," he poses.  "Adding more guards to watch over Durant ... or Verrik, as he may be ... is a much more simple matter."