A book and many things to do

[Iron Dragoon]

If it's been an hour I can Gate again.

[Anastasia]

Sure. Okay . Plan once you get back?

[Iron Dragoon]

Consult with the other for ideas.

[Anastasia]

"Well," Emily places down her teacup as you all sit in your towertop, "That means we need someone who knows Ash, don't we?"

"Or the right spell," Dolmaya seconds.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Or both. A local can help give guidance to any troops we send out, but magic will help minimize our exposure beforehand."

[Anastasia]

"Anything like that," Dolmaya agrees, "Can we divine more about it or is that not possible?"

"Sharrans," Jarem says in a word, "They'll be warded from here to Fire."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods, "My Order's best diviner was blinded when he tried. Cursed. Best way to do this is probably the old fashioned way. Bodies on the ground. That's why I wanted a spy master."

[Anastasia]

This gets Dolmaya to scowl, "Too bad. Sharrans," she says it like a curse.

"Then we all go?" Ianvasah speaks up, "We all search?"

"It's not the worst idea," Jarem says, "But it's not great. We're still hoping to get lucky."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Locals, I think. Cruchy might have contacts?"

[Anastasia]

"Speaking of him," Bastian says, "We going to do anything with him?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"Can we? You know him better than I do. Is he reliable? What can he offer? Is there a chance he'll slip back into a bottle?"

[Anastasia]

Bastian grunts, "Give him something to do and friends here and he should pull himself together. I'll find something useful for him to do."

[Iron Dragoon]

"If you vouch for him, then he's invited."

[Anastasia]

"I'll take care of it," Bastian agrees.

"Back on task," Jarem cuts in there, "Even if Alyssa likes her dwarves. See about any contacts if they help while the rest of us do the legwork and see if we get lucky."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods. "Let's see if that feast built us any good will. We'll need to plan for that Ash worm, too. I don't doubt it's presence is part of why they chose that area. We can see if we can get any elementals to map it out?"