Mercane meeting (Jaela; 84 days left)

[Anastasia]

As you walk along, out of the dungeons, Elena joins you. "Do you want 27's prophecy as well? It mentions you."

[Corwin]

"Of course it does," Jaela mutters. "Alright, hit me."

[Anastasia]

"Aaaah," Elena giggles, "He likes you as well as Hanna. Isn't that adorable?"

[Corwin]

"Eh, let's go with that. What is it?"

[Anastasia]

"Ahem," Elena clears her throat, wearing robes and carrying a staff. "To quote: She won't be here forever, but long enough, because of the choices she made. You have less time than you think once half a score of days have passed. Nine watch you, but they are not the dreaded nine, but instead the nine of the ninth. Beware the Grim Fiend, for he leads them on an unholy mission. Afina will face him in Lifasa's bowels as the final battle comes closer - alone. You have to survive, because you'll meet her again when it's all done, but before the end. Jaela's destiny has finally cleared, rejoice. Save Lifasa. You can't help her now, no one can. She knows what's coming."

[Corwin]

"Is there a translation, too?" Jaela inquires, switching to robes of her own to compliment Elena's outfit.

[Anastasia]

"I know the Grim Fiend is Aesmadeva, the bodyguard of Asmodeus and leader of the Ashmaida. Are you familiar with them?" Elena asks.

[Corwin]

"And the She part? What's the context here? If it's said about me, that's kinda sad."

[Anastasia]

"I don't think it's about you, but let me add the clarifications Moore got out of 27. Ahem: Beware the Grim Fiend, but he only connects to one other sentence. You must understand that." A pause, "Then he said: You are wrong. Afina will not fight the Grim Fiend, for if she does, she will die." Another pause, "Oh, and then he added this: "The one her destiny is tangled with now: Gathgorian. Even if Lifasa is saved but Afina falls to Gathgorian and he survives, a threat as grave as Taelfagn will rise. Gathgorian may become the one to sunder all chaos beneath his blade. He has seen his path and the way to triumph, but he must overcome Afina. He may be the one to understand the meaning of the banished Archdukes and forge meaning from the meaningless."

[Corwin]

"If it was to Moore then wouldn't the She be Ilsenine?" Jaela suggests. "Strange. She seemed fine when I just saw her. Do you know anything I don't about her, Elena?"

[Anastasia]

"Nothing like that. I don't think Moore's sure of who it is, either," Elena admits. "It's 27. Unless you want to try and shake answers out of him?"

[Corwin]

"Maybe later. Have Mom ask him while we go have a chat with the visiting mercane."

[Anastasia]

"I will," Elena says, and from there you're taken to the mercane.

The mercane wears scarlet and blue robes, sitting down and slowly eating an apple slice. He places it down with great care as you enter. "Ah." His voice is slow, ponderous. "General Jaela of Aurora, I presume?"

The mercane rises and bows to you, "Have introductions been made yet?"

[Corwin]

"I am indeed Jaela of Aurora," she allows, approaching him. "You have me at a disadvantage, however."

[Anastasia]

"Enthuzal," The mercane says slowly, enunciating the strange name. "Diplomat and trader at large, serving those who need my valued services." He slowly sits down after that, wincing as he does. He slowly picks up his bit of apple and finishes it off. "I come with diplomatic entreaties and messages for you."