A New Beginning

[Yuthirin]

'Oh yes. You're psionic now, by the way. Congratulations. If you're interested, Dana or I could give you instruction on how to hone the ability. That's twice in a row with you. Someone's up to something. A divine someone.'

[Anastasia]

A long exhale, "Your life is so strange that it even surprises you. Why am I not surprised, Tryll?"

[Yuthirin]

'Why make things up? Reality is hilarious all on its own.' Tryll sighs, 'If there were a divine being working in my favor, now would be an excellent time to make Miranda a proxy or give her a quest or something. Just saying.'

[Anastasia]

If your request is heard, it is not granted. No sign of anything happening.

[Yuthirin]

'Of course not. Would be too easy. Bah.' Tryll grouses, 'Well, fine. Did you have any other questions?'

[Anastasia]

"Nothing immediate," Miranda finally says, rising and going to her closet. "Good fortune in your hunt in Langersun."

[Yuthirin]

'Thanks. Send a sending or something if you need us. We'll deal with this and then come grab you after. I have a feeling we're gonna need to steal something from the gith or something.'

[Anastasia]

Okay, next move?

[Yuthirin]

Need more details from Ebony.

[Anastasia]

Ebony and Dana are enjoying a meal of bread and cheese, augmented by strong, orange-scented drink of some kind, clear as water and yet smelling strongly.

Go ahead and start by asking your question.

[Yuthirin]

Tryll ignores the fact that Calleigh is not present. 'Ebony, we're going to need additional details on where we're going and what we're doing there.'

[Anastasia]

"Of course," Ebony says, finishing off her bread, cheese and drink before saying, "What is it you need to know?"

[Yuthirin]

'Everything you've got. What our targets are. Allies. Problems. Possible solutions. Assets. Strongholds. Political climate. Will there be cake.'

From elsewhere in the lodge, there comes a clattering.

[Anastasia]

"Of course," Ebony says, "The truth is that we're going in largely blind, though we have a few allies to call on if we need to. Benyen is a Fist of Raziel who wields Hell Striker, Alicia's former intelligent sword. With an ultroloth, a succubus sorceress, hints of Imix and possibly Shar, there are threats aplenty here. Not to mention the complication and asset of Dana's father. Dana?"

"Yeah, yeah," Dana says, in between big bites of food. "It's like this. Daddy's the strongest, has his shit together and takes care of business. He rules because he can sort shit out double-quick.  He's a fighter and a wizard, one of those types. Like Jaela but with sorcery instead of praying. What Ebony wants to is for us to crash in, sort this shit out and smash Shar if she's making trouble there. Hell, smash Imix and those outsiders too while we're at it."

"Preferably without showing our hand too strongly to Benyen. It's primarily a mortal affair, but there's a possibility of Shar. She often escalates above and beyond the norm, thus we do as well. Shadale and Jintorax are Benyen's prey and Benyen has a blood feud with Shadale regardless." Ebony explains, pulling her hood up, checking her dagger at her waist.

"Yeah, and while we're there, deal with Daddy. Honestly, I don't really fucking care about Langersun that much any more. I'm not going to be Daddy's pretty princess no matter what he wants. He can go make another couple of kids, try his luck again. But...a reckoning to get him to step off would be good, now that I'm with you and not Aurora. I wouldn't put it past him to try something dumb otherwise. Plus we can get supplies from the royal treasury once we kick his ass."

[Yuthirin]

'Right. Avoid Benyen, kill Sharrans, take out Imix's forces, and deal with the king. Covert mission. Dana, what kind of ruler is your father?'