In the Night

[Bjorn]

Bjorn stares at Ashton for a long second, and then nods, once.  "This is acceptable," he says.  "Speak now."

[Dracos]

Dracos comes in, and in the manner of confused people everywhere, especially with everyone up, looks around and asks, "What...is going on here?"

Dracos

[Brian]

Ashton bows his head, and Mirallia speaks a quiet prayer; you're not sure what it did, but her pendant of Hammar is glowing brightly once again, and she seems to bear a soft glow herself.  "Speak, and confess your sins to Hammar, that he may forgive you where this world has not," she says softly.

Ashton speaks, his eyes still closed, and says, "I have been loyal, and battled, and it was good, and never did I question my orders, only my ability to carry them out.  I have accepted a gift from Solariat, as has Neil; that of a periapt.  It's around my neck, and allows a lorekeeper who is not a master to use a lore that is not their own.  I do ... not know if this is a safe device, but it is a powerful tool.

"Solariat says that it was made of bone, and would teach us much.  He said ... that four were made.  If Neil and I bear one each, then there are two more periapts, and therefore ... two more lorekeepers who follow Solariat.

"And ... I confess that I followed orders blindly.  My path is not the path that it should have been."

Mirallia nods.  "Is there aught else?" she asks gently.

Ashton's body stills, relaxing.  "No," he says after a moment.  "My soul is laid bare; I am at peace.  I accept my fate."

Neil stares at Ashton with a combination of revulsion and anger, but says nothing.

Mirallia nods again.  "Hammar hears you," she says.  "Your judgement in what lies beyond awaits."  The glow around Mirallia fades, and her pendant dims ... but still glows.

[Bjorn]

"Confiscate their periapts," Bjorn commands.   He looks at them, with no softness in his eyes.  "May they find the peace due to them."

Turning to Lord Kevin, he says, "My Lord, given that we still have others to hunt down, it would suit us not to make this a public spectacle.  Is there a dungeon or the like, where it might be done?"

[Brian]

"Yes," Kevin says, grimacing.  "We've got a place for this.  Follow me.  Guards?"  The guards hoist Ashton, Neil, and Mattias up from the floor.  "Mattias is to be locked away," Kevin clarifies, pointing at the still unconscious man.

"And we need to see that he's bound so that he cannot mark anything," Radagast adds.

"Of course," Kevin sighs.  "This way."  He heads out of the room, and the tower, some of his guards preceeding him, the majority escorting the prisoners.

[Bjorn]

Silently, Bjorn follows the prisoners.

[Rezantis]

Swallowing uncertainly, Rez turns and follows Kevin and the group out.

[Dracos]

Dracos, not particularly wanting to see an execution, glances around the room quickly to ascertain where everyone is headed.

Dracos

[Brian]

Devin looks like he's planning on following to witness the execution.  Astryd's still unconscious.  Radagast and Eske are following Kevin.  Parthipan looks like he'd rather stay behind.  Mirallia is following Bjorn.  Alec is following Nathan, and Nathan is sticking with Bjorn.  The prisoners look like they'd rather not witness it, but aren't being given much of a choice in the matter, except for Mattias, who is also still unconscious.

After a moment of consultation, all those who want to witness the execution leave.

Nathan and Bjorn now move to Zero Hour.

[Dracos]

Dracos waves over Parthipan.  "Parthipan, mind taking a moment and...filling me in on what in tarnations is going on here?"

Dracos

[Brian]

"Some of the lorekeepers turned traitor," he explains, frowning.  "Ashton and Neil, the two being executed tried to kill Radagast, with Mattias's help.  Me and Devin managed to stop them, and Radagast took care of Mattias.  The leader of the lorekeepers -- some guy called Solariat -- had started some kind of witch-hunt to get Radagast killed.  We had to convince Eske that he wanted to help us, instead of them.  You missed the worst of it."

[Dracos]

"It appears luck was with us...  Mmm...I have some stuff to share but more privately.  Good to see you're alright though."

Dracos

[Brian]

"Yeah," he says, somewhat distractedly.  "I ... we've got a big day tomorrow, and I need to get some sleep, though.  My head kind of hurts.  We should all arrange to meet up and trade notes before the next siege starts, don't you think?" he asks.

[Dracos]

"Yeah...  you have a bit more flexibility to move than I.  See if you can drop a line by bjorn and durant privately."  Dracos quietly adds.

"But do get to sleep then.  It must've been a rough night."

Dracos

[Brian]

"I'll ... I'm sure we can find a way to get together and trade notes," he says.  "I'll come by in the morning and pick up you and Re... Nathan.  Until then, I need some sleep."  Parthipan waves tiredly, and then helps Serril pick up Astryd, and carries her out of the room.

Phil now returns to A Walk in the Neighborhood.

After seeing that Astryd is put in her bed, where she can rest, Parthipan returns to his room, and think over what he's learned before drifiting to sleep.