Meeting Hell (Afina, Jaela, Tryll)

[Corwin]

"We can move on to the second condition," Jaela allows, inclining her head.

[Anastasia]

"We can," Martinet agrees, "We possess the means to destroy The Father. Powerful he may be, but no chaos spawn can withstand Hell's full attention."

[Corwin]

"And where do you plan to hold the stage for his execution?" Jaela asks curiously, even as she sends a telepathic request for information to her friends.

'Assuming as part of our exchange we demand in writing a promise that the Father won't be released on any populated Prime or outer plane, would it be legally binding? And if so, would the devils care about that?'

[Anastasia]

"Oh, it'll be a private execution." Martinet says, "We have a lovely spot in Nessus picked out for it. If you ever come by, I'll be glad to show you."

"Wouldn't you like to see?" Damian adds.

'Depends on the contract,' Antenora says, 'Devils are good with loopholes.'

[Corwin]

'Can you and Morniel write one that would be too much of a pain for devils to break in a big way? And if not, can you bring a better lawyer to the table? We're still under our quota, so we could use loopholes of our own. Bottom line, if they say they're killing the Father and they're not doing it on any world where innocents will be harmed or the planar balance will be tipped in their favor, I'm fine with passing on the honors myself.'

Jaela hums. "Maybe one day," she says noncommittally. "I'm stepping up my combat training in anticipation of the day."

[Anastasia]

"We'll eagerly await your visit," Martinet smiles.

Lady Kaessa's eyes narrow as she watches Jaela, though she makes no comment.

'We could, but I'm a gifted amateur rather than anything else.' Antenora admits. 'Morniel?'

'It would be best to bring in a ringer,' Morniel agrees, 'I can have one within a few hours if needed.'

[Corwin]

Jaela smiles innocently at Kaessa, telling Martinet, "Let's proceed, then. I believe you brought a contract along, in the hopes we would be amenable? Pass your initial draft to us and we'll go over it properly. Four... no, five hours would do better, I believe."

[Anastasia]

Martinet snaps his fingers, "Very well, you can read it," he says, one of his attendants coming over and laying a contract before you. It's written on fine parchment and several dozen pages long.

[Corwin]

"Shall we reconvene in five hours, then?" Jaela proposes.

[Anastasia]

"Agreed," Martinet says, and all of you go back.

Once back again, Morniel immediately says, "Let me get to this, we have little time to waste."

[Ebiris]

"Do you need help with transport?" Afina asks, since she can cast gate.

[Corwin]

"When you go back," Jaela tells Morniel, "stop by Aurora with your friend. Tie yourselves in telepathically with Tepen and Vul'lath, and tap Sylvie if she's available. Our goals are to figure out what conditions they snuck in that we don't want to live with, reasonably tight restrictions on the Father's use and the best deal we can get for Muirfinn's recovery. Making sure he's not a security risk afterwards is probably a lost cause, so that's a lesser priority."

[Anastasia]

"No, thank you. I've taken measures ahead of time," Morniel smiles warmly to your offer, a feeling of peace and love passing over you. "One of the throne and tome has many resources to draw on."

Meanwhile Mirajane sits down in a chair, "Tryll, was it as bad as you said? His mind's just blank?"

"I'd believe it. Asmodeus claims power over the Styx, as do many other planar lords. That's well within the Styx's ability, if not Asmodeus's sorcery." Antenora goes to stand by a window, looking out at the forest. "It is seldom needed or known, but Asmodeus is a formidable spell caster. Even if his powers proved insufficient, he would  doubtless have a spell that did the same."

[Yuthirin]

'The average mind is busy, a constant low buzz of activity. Surface thoughts are quick and fleeting, and encompass a number of different things. All living creatures have surface thoughts, even when asleep. Muirfinn has none. Either his mind is fully and completely suppressed, or he is gone. I cannot tell the difference without more time and invasive procedures.'

[Anastasia]

"Troubling," Antenora murmurs, eyes closed. "If things go sour, do you believe you could retrieve Muirfinn from this state? Hypothetically."