Shrouded Mystery

[Dracos]

"Hmm...  I have a thought, and it's an odd one but hear me out.  The crystals are wrapped in magical wards, correct?  As an alternate solution...  we do have a wardsmaster under lock and key.  He is, as far as I understand, the most skilled person around in wards.  We could convince him to attempt to break the wards with the obvious incentive that the gods would be able to end his cursed life.  Yes, it has the downside of using a known traitor, but at the same time in case the act of opening the crystals kills the one who does it from the release of all that magic power, I'd much rather be having someone like that doing it than then yourself, Radagast."

Dracos

[Brian]

Radagast and Eske arch eyebrows in unison, and Radagast looks about to say something when Eske cuts him off, opining, "That idea has some serious merit to it."

Radagast scowls, but says nothing, looking at Eske consideringly.

"I doubt we have the capacity to actually resolve Mattias's curse," Eske continues, "but he wants a cure.  If we can trust him with something that powerful, I think he would be more knowledgable about it."

"I think I might ask him for his consultation," Radagast grudgingly agrees.  "With his input I would probably unravel the riddle more quickly."

[Dracos]

"I mean no insult to you or your abilities, Radagast.  It's simply I realized the possibility that opening such things could be fatal and started pondering ways around having one of our best play martyr for the world.  I admit, It doesn't matter if we can resolve Mattias cure but if he believes we can, we might be able to use his efforts to help.  Either way, if we do, we have to be careful."

Dracos attempted in his own way to placate Radagast.

Dracos

[Brian]

Radagast grunts.  "Either way," he says, changing the subject, "we have to retrieve the crystals before it becomes an issue."

[Rezantis]

"Which brings me to my main question," Nathan queries, "if I'm going to pass as a Lorekeeper for more than two minutes . . . what am I going to need to know?"

[Brian]

Radagast winces, as does Eske.  "There's a lifetime of questions that lead up to that," Radagast finally says.  "For what it's worth, however, the elder Archonae, which are those we must worry about the most, view all humans in the same light regardless."

Eske frowns at this.

"As long as you're polite, and address the Archonae as superiors, there should be no problems," Radagast concludes.

[Rezantis]

A nod.  "So basically, be polite, follow your lead, and if I value my life don't get into conversations without one of you around.  Gotcha."

Nathan frowns thoughtfully, lapsing into silence, glancing at Dracos and tapping a finger to his temple in a thoughtful gesture.

[Dracos]

~Ye have an audience, what can I do ye for that these two can't hear?  Or did I misread your gesture?~

Dracos

[Rezantis]

Tell Radagast I need to speak to him alone about the second person I'm taking.

"Anything much you can tell me about layout and the like, or is this pretty firmly a 'work it out when we get there' plan?"

[Dracos]

Dracos brushed his beard and switched mental gears to Radagast, listening to the planning.

~Radagast, Nathan would like a word with you privately at your nearest convienence.  It's in regards to the other person he's going to be bringing along.~

Dracos

[Brian]

"That will work," Radagast says, breaking the extended silence.  Turning to Eske, he asks, "Gatemaster ... I suspect it would be best if you were to speak with Mattias ... at least initially.  To find out if he's even willing to cooperate with us."

Eske nods.  "I may as well do that now," he says after a moment.  Rising to his feet, he rubs his chin.  "We should really hurry, if we intend to accomplish this."  Nodding at Radagast and the Storm-riders, Eske walks out of the room.

Radagast frowns, and smooths his beard somewhat.  "Now," he says peevishly, peering at Phil and Nathan.  "What's this about?"

[Rezantis]

"The fifth member of our merry little band," Nathan says quietly, "just got in touch with me.  He'd be exceptionally helpful if we could bring him down south, and nobody could tell the difference between one person and another if you're cloaking them in an illusion."

[Brian]

Radagast raises an eyebrow.  "Very well," he says after a moment, shrugging.  "Who is it?"

[Rezantis]

"Paul."

[Brian]

Radagast stares at Rez for a long minute, his jaw slowly dropping open.  "But-" he sputters, before stopping himself, shaking his head, and staring in silence again.  "Well..." he trails off.

Catching himself, Radagast shakes his head and takes a deep breath.  "I see," he says quietly.  "Before this can even be considered, I must ask you.  Do you believe, in all confidence, that he can be trusted?  I suspect your answer, but I also suspect it hinges on facts which I do not yet know...."  He looks expectantly between Nathan and Phil after he trails off.