Miaka's thread

[kpjam]

While Miaka detected neutral magic within Lafiel, she detected none in the soldier.

[kpjam]

Miaka tried to shift her focus on Camelot itself. She especially tried to sense for the feel of the place, and where the strongest concentrations of magic lay.

[kpjam]

Miaka detected magic all around her, but distant, the strongest concentration coming from the norhtwest.

[Corwin]

Gotta check that out later, Miaka decided. She reached into her backpack, and searched it for the two bracers and wards she had on her person before, putting them to their rightful place. "Do you have a spell that would inhance someone's image to make them appear really big and imposing?" she asked Zaphiel after her preparations.

[kpjam]

Zaphiel responded, "There are spells that will create illusions, though the caster must craft what the desired effect is."

[Corwin]

"Then here's the effect," Miaka continued. "Create a large, fifty meters tall Marshmallow Man!" She gestured with her hands, her eyes glittering. "Ask Mr. Marshmallow to defend Camelot, and he will smite anyone trying to get inside!"

[kpjam]

"Marshmallow?" he whispered incredulously.

"Besides the fact that I don't think the plan will work as is -- submitting people is never a good way to gain allies, especially in the short term -- what you ask isn't an illusion, it's actually creating something.  Something very large, and sufficiently stable to win a fight if it comes to that."

[Corwin]

"But--" Miaka's lower lip trembled. "It's Mr. Marshmallow! He's strong!" She shrugged. "And he doesn't need to win anything, just be there as a show of power and post-negotiations snack. Something to distract everyone long enough for you to offer them to join you."

[kpjam]

Zaphiel sighed, "Strong?  Marshmallow?  I find it hard to believe that your comrades would capitulate in that scenario.  No... We shall see how they do in coming here.  If they are two weak to make it to me, they are of no help.  And if they would submit so easily to a marshmallow, how easily will they submit to my enemies."

[kpjam]

As Zaphiel finished speaking, a page came into the room.  He stopped behind Lafiel, and whispered something into her ear.  

Nodding slighlty, she stood.  "Our guest is awake.  I'm going to speak with her."

Zaphiel spoke as she turned to leave.  "Remember, she only did what she thought was right.  No harm came to Hitomi, and from your story, none was promised."

Lafiel left without a word.

[Corwin]

Miaka became downcast at Zaphiel's words. He underestimates the power of marshmallow, she thought sadly, shaking her head.

"Mr. Marshmallow doesn't have to be made from actual marshmallow," Miaka lectured. "It's enough that he looks real. And it can even be a scary-looking picture of a wizard instead, if you have a weird allergy to gelatin and suger. That way," she continued eagerly, "you can both demonstrate how strong you are and start negotiations without actually harming anyone. Haven't you seen The Wizard of Oz? That trick always works!"

[kpjam]

"The Wizard of Oz??  I've never heard of such a production."  He sat back and considered for a moment.

"Even if the plan had magic, we would need to find them.   I'm sure they've left Arkanel's now, I can't imagine he'd want to entertain them that long.  If we did find them, getting them to listen is the key.  Which means either a parley flag they would honor, or trap them into listening.  Their's also the problem of what would entice them.  How well do you know them?"

[Corwin]

"Enough from their reactions to believe that should this illusion offer them power and money, few wouldn't at least listen." Miaka shrugged. "Some of them rely on magic. Why would they risk their lives by fighting on the wrong side, when they could just join you and be able to use their abilities to their utmost, again?"

Miaka shook her head. "I believe that all you need is to get them to stop and listen. And while we don't know where they are now, we know where they are going. I could also try to find them, but I'd need Arkanel's teleporter rod and some means of communicating with you over distances for that."

[kpjam]

Zaphiel considered for a moment.

"I don't have any means of communicating over large distances.  And the rod is only good if you have a reason to go to the base.  If they left Arkanel's, are you intending to follow them here?  Wouldn't it be easier to simply walk out the fron and head to town to try and meet them?"

[kpjam]

"Those, what are those?" Zaphiel asked.