Rising higher

[Nephrite]

COME ON, MAN!!!

[Anastasia]

Refugees take time. An entire day of working with them leaves you drained, tired. You yawn and flutter back towards your fortress. Outside of the twin golems you find Wood waiting, barking at you as you approach. On his back is a saddle.

[Nephrite]

"This isn't a very subtle invitation, but things here never are." Moore says. He pats his mouth to stifle a yawn. He moves over to sit down on the saddle!

[Anastasia]

It's comfy enough and Wood trots on in, taking you to your room. Grias is there, a plate of food on the table. Today it looks like a salad and honey, along with a tall glass of milk. "What a good day, but a hard day," Grias bobs in the air, "Now rest up, there's more Moore tomorrow."

[Nephrite]

"Is this your way of preventing me from getting overworked?" Moore asks. He flutters over to enjoy the food anyway. "Thank you, Grias. Have you had any correspondence from anyone?"

[Anastasia]

"Several, but they can wait until the morning," Grias declares, "You need your rest to be effective. I'm going to go make Cresiel rest after this as well, though at least Kaja doesn't need prompting."

[Nephrite]

Moore laughs a little bit as he digs into his meal. "You're the boss, Grias."

[Anastasia]

"Good, you're seeing common sense," Grias says, "No getting up to save people in the middle of the night or heal the sick. Others can handle it until you're rejuvenated. Got it?"

Wood curls up at your feet, watching your plate most attentively.

[Nephrite]

"Yes sir." Moore says. "One of these days, you'll have to tell me your story, Grias. Maybe tomorrow."

Moore will finish the salad and the milk as well as most of the honey and will offer the remaining honey down to his favorite dog.

[Anastasia]

Down the food goes, Wood gobbling it up. "Well then, I'll just-" Grias bobs in the air as your door opens.

Cresiel enters, "Moore," he says without preamble.

[Nephrite]

"Oh dear." Moore says as he turns to him. "What's going on? What is it?"

[Anastasia]

"No, no, no!" Grias flutters up, "You're supposed to be relaxing and resting!" The lantern archon flies back and forth around Cresiel's face. The solar does not even blink at this. "Go to your room and rest, right now! Go read a book, take a nap or pray! As long as it is restful! Do you understand me?!"

Throughout all of that Cresiel is utterly calm, saying in a level voice once he's done, "I came to talk to Moore and relax by having a conversation with a good friend."

"...oh." Grias stops midair and goes quiet, "Well. I'll just be over here, then," he says, flying over to the far side of the room.

[Nephrite]

"I admit, Grias, I thought something was wrong, too." Moore says with a chuckle.

"By all means, do you have a topic in mind, Cresiel?" He asks, as he stretches once and moves to sit on his bed.

[Anastasia]

"About how far we intend to advance forward," Cresiel says, "We took a good step today, but there's always more to do."

[Nephrite]

"There is." Moore says with a nod. "I need to send a message to Lady Seira to inform her of the steps Hell is taking to reinforce the Grand Sultan, if she does not already know. Tomorrow." A glance at Grias at that, then a smile.

"I think we can use this to our advantage against Shar. I'm sure not all the people who are doing her bidding do it willingly. It would not surprise me to learn of some connection between the slave trade and either sacrifices or just more labor for Sharran filth." Moore takes a breath, as if to cleanse his lungs of thinking further on the subject.

"I do wonder what would happen if we returned to that same place. Do you think they'd even expect it at this point?" A grin at that. "To answer your question... until the deed is done. I can't face the Grand Sultan, but Lady Seira certainly can, and we can make sure none of his adjutants ever make it to the fight in the grand scheme of things."