In the Night

[Brian]

"Eh," Eske grunts.  "It's ... unusual for a promotion to be given away from the Collegiate.  And ... forbidden without the true Loremaster."  Eske sighs, and closes his eyes.  "But, if Solariat is corrupt ... then it is time we bypass him."

"Aside from which," Radagast points out, "both Parthipan and Devin are already masters of there lore -- recognized by the Collegiate years ago."

Eske nods grudgingly at this.

Mirallia rises from Astryd's side, and says, "I have done what I can.  She will live, but require rest; one of the followers of Liene might help her more."

Radagast bows to her.  "I am indebted to you," he says.

She shakes her head, and puts her hand on his wounded shoulder.  "My work is not yet done," she says softly.

Radagast winces, but nods, his expression relaxing as her hand begins to glow again.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn ponders grimly.  "If the head of your council is corrupt," he asks, "how many of the lorekeepers can we trust?"

[Rezantis]

Rez swears quietly.

"Why did they try to do that, and what does it have to do with 'Solariat'?"

[Brian]

"Solariat is the leader of the Loremasters," Radagast clarifies.

"Few know of the mysteries of the higher levels of the council," Eske answers, as Mirallia moves away from Radagast, and tends the Gatemaster.  "Ah ... as it is, I expect only Solariat and his most trusted advisors are corrupt ... and pawns, such as Neil and Ashton.  But we cannot assume we have no enemies left here.  For what it's worth, however, even if we are encountering a rift in our own council, everyone left should be willing to put that aside until the Dreadmarch is dealt with."

Radagast looks very doubtful of this.

[Rezantis]

"So . . . why was Solariat trying to cause trouble here - or are you saying that the chief loremaster is now an agent for the dreadmarch?"

[Brian]

"The Dreadmarch is not the only evil in this world," Radagast says.  "But we believe him to be corrupt, yes."

[Bjorn]

"Solariat," Bjorn says, slowly.  "Tell me more about him."

[Brian]

"Not as much is known as we would like," Radagast says.  Eske just rubs at his temples, nodding his thanks to Mirallia when she releases him, and smiles at him.  "He is as old as humankind -- he was the first Lorekeeper.  I suspect he may be allied with the Archonae ... all Lorekeepers are supposed to be," he adds, glancing at Eske.  "But in practice, we value our humanity over their concept of perfection."

"Usually, anyway," Devin says quietly.  "I suspect that Solariat has explored the path towards making his mind like that of the Archonae.  Cold, logical, and with a disdain for the neccessity of the physical world.  It seems natural to me that someone who tried to flee this world would hate someone from another world so much."

Radagast raises an eyebrow, and says, "If that's true, then wouldn't he have a hatred for Starmaster Journe, as well?"

Devin blinks, as though something he'd never considered before just came to light.  "Oh," he says softly.  "That's very likely truer than you know."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn scrubs at his face tiredly.  "Loremasters," he sighs, "please.  Explain?"

[Brian]

"It's a long story," Devin says.  "What is important is that Starmaster Journe didn't vanish -- at least, not when everyone thought he did.  He was part of a conspiracy to reveal the corruption in Solariat.  He did vanish a few years ago.  I suspect now he that Solariat may have ... found a way to at least sense when Journe was leaving this world.

"It's said that the Archonae strive for the ability to leave this world.  If Solariat has become like one of them, then he probably strives for the same.  But Journe knew the secret they never did.  Solariat probably found a way to detect Journe, and then tried to get the knowledge from him.  When Journe wouldn't relinquish it, I expect he was slain."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn grunts.  "Then we know how Solariat was turned," he says, distractedly.  "Now then.  We will need to question these three, I imagine.   How can they be restrained?"

[Rezantis]

Rez nods slowly.

"That's . . . they wish that to flee from the vengeance of their former masters, do they?"

[Brian]

Radagast looks thoughtful for a moment.  "As long as Mattias can make no mark, he can't use any power," he finally says.  "As for Ashton and Neil, we'll need appropriate lorekeepers to hold them in check.  They won't be able to do anything for a few hours ... but after that, we'll need to spend manpower to restrain them."

Ashton smirks at this, and Neil dazedly starts to wake up.

"Should they be healed?" Mirallia asks dubiously.

[Bjorn]

"Mattias can be healed, certainly," Bjorn says, coldly, eyeing the grinning Ashton.  "But these other two... the penalty for treason is death.  If they have nothing useful to offer us, and will only sap our already limited resources, then that sentence should be carried out quickly."

[Ginrai]

"Why do you wish for Mattias to be healed?"