Dragon quickstep

[Corwin]

"It does seem pretty farfetched," Seira agrees, nodding in Akil's direction. "I thought it might be the Crimson Firebrand, too, but if he returned he could've just told your boss here to step aside and he would have."

[Anastasia]

"I know what I know," The old efreet says, "Now leave or stay and die. Which is up to you."

[Corwin]

"Wait, I remember this! This is a way to ask 'please beat me up for not doing my job' without outright saying it, right?"

[Anastasia]

"You know this is a suicide mission," Donald says, "I can tell, you're really good with that mace. Don't throw it away over this."

The old efreet doesn't stand down. Instead he declares, "This also isn't your battle, Mistress of the Cauldron. Leave this to Akil and I. None of this is your battle, and not even you can stop the Crimson Firebrand's will."

[Corwin]

"Just as Akil, I don't see a problem stepping aside if it were the Crimson Firebrand," Seira responds, growing more serious. "I tried reaching out, but nothing came of it. So my conclusion is that someone is trying to besmirch his memory rather than his triumphant return. In that case, I'm choosing to make it my battle, since so many of the efreet were hoodwinked."

[Anastasia]

"Then wait," The old efreet says, "It won't be long now, less than a day. Wait. See him with your own eyes."

[Corwin]

Seira pauses in thought, inviting her friends to share their opinions.

[Anastasia]

"The question, dear Akil," Sanzha's voice is liquid poison, yet sweet as can be. He has his blade drawn, ready to strike in a moment. Yet he hesitates. "If that if he's right, whatever have you done to lose the Crimson Firebrand's favor? Why, that's simple. It's Razalim, isn't it? You hold it, caresses it as sweetly as a lover's breast. Perhaps all he wants is a demonstration of loyalty to him and not yourself. Perhaps...you should offer that to it first. You yourself have to know you aren't the destined hand for it."

Donald hums, "In other words, we'd take that as part of our payment," he offers, "If I were the Crimson Firebrand, I'd be angry that you value a stupid sword more than me. Not very loyal, is it?"

"And that obsession would make you worthless to him," Ranbar concludes.

[Corwin]

"Worth a try," Seira agrees. "The attempt at manipulation might be a tad on the clumsy side, but given the description fits, it does make one wonder whether your mental faculties have been compromised by prolongued exposure to the sword. Kassim himself thinks it's cursed, you know? Wants it destroyed."

[Anastasia]

Diplo there, Dragongirl.

[Corwin]

18:44 <Corwin> roll 1d20+97
18:44 <Rei-chan> Corwin rolled : 1d20+97 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{109}

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d20+8 (-10 ???)
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+8 (-10 ???) --> [ 1d20=11 ]{19}

Akil looks at his hand on the hilt of Razalim. He is silent, still in this one moment.

[Corwin]

"Noticing it for yourself for the first time?" Seira asks, not unkindly.

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d20+13 (-5 ???)
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+13 (-5 ???) --> [ 1d20=9 ]{22}

Akil's hand begins to shake, visibly so. His eyes are wide and glassy as he stares at his hand, still silent.

"Then the question is simple - can you let go of it, toss it aside?" Lady Sanzha asks, "If it is him, he's watching right this moment. Perhaps your one chance to prove your loyalty."

[Corwin]

"That's important, though your well-being is the main reason to do it," Seira voices. "Your mind is what makes you, you. Ceding control to something else doesn't seem like a winning strategy to me."