Survivors

[Nephrite]

Moore frowns.

"I've never heard of them before." Moore says, not going into the myriad of possibilities that this could be a ruse right now. "Where did they ask you to go to meet up with them?"

[Anastasia]

"At a village named Heirel in Mercuria," Kaja says, looking up. "I'll have an escort find me shortly after I reach Mercuria."

[Nephrite]

"One moment." Moore says. He casts a quick spell!

Hopefully he won't be offended by hearing this...

Limited Wish to mimic Sending.

'Lord Domiel, this is Duke Moore. I apologize for the sudden message. One of my comrades received a letter of request from a 'Madeliel,' who I've never heard of. Are you able to verify their identity and their request?'

[Anastasia]

In a few moments a gentle, restful voice sounds in your mind. 'I am Rest. All in proper order, Duke Moore. Consider this the verification you requested, as Lord Domiel is occupied.'

[Nephrite]

So either this is some horribly elaborate ruse that involves subverting magic in Celestia, or it's the real deal.

'Thank you, Rest.' Moore responds.

"All right." Moore says. "I have the information we need, or at least the verification that this isn't just some bizzare trap." A smile afterwards. "Let me go tell Cresiel he's in charge while I'm gone and we'll get this going."

[Anastasia]

Okay, any prep besides telling Cresiel to hold the fort?

Obligatory chance to do anything or declare anything.

[Nephrite]

Nope, Melia stays grounded for now once she gets back with the mercs.

Moore will use his mind blank item just in case but that's all his prep for now.

[Anastasia]

The rise to Mercuria is without incident. In minutes of flying along, a figure approaches. A trumpet archon, raising his hand in greeting as he soars towards you. A relatively short one, almost dwarven with how compact his body is. "Sir Kaja!" he calls. "Ah....Duke Moore?" he adds as he comes closer, into conversational range.

[Nephrite]

"Hello." Moore greets him with a smile. "I know Kaja was the one that was requested, but I thought it made sense for me to accompany him and this mission. You'll all have a better chance of success with me supporting you than you would without me here." He explains.

[Anastasia]

The archon stops here, "That's most irregular," he says, "I'm supposed to only take Kaja ahead."

[Nephrite]

"I'm curious as to why that is." Moore says. "Am I not allowed to oversee the actions of my own?"

Take 10 on Sense Motive for 66. Something about this is really weird!! Is this guy trying to BS me?

[Anastasia]

You can tell he's telling the truth - just genuinely uncertain and confused.

"No, the mission requires a certain degree of stealth and discretion. We do not normally spread word of what we do beyond ourselves and any brought in for a mission," The archon explains, frowning slightly, "I trust you understand the reasons for that, Duke, but I would be happy to explain if you desire clarification."

[Nephrite]

"No, it makes sense." Moore says with a smile. "Please don't take my being here as an offense, I just thought that if I could offer my own aid it would be beneficial to you all. I don't mind offering my services to you before you actually go, so that you can all have the benefits without my actually being there for secrecy reasons."

A smile after that. "I won't be offended if the answer is still no, I promise."

[Anastasia]

You said something that was the magic word, so give me quick Diplo.

[Nephrite]

Why, that's a take 10 for 112.