Home again

[Anastasia]

Smiling now, "Speaking of helping, I have something you can help me with. Privately." Syala says, as...

Got an immediate next move?

[Ebiris]

Lets have Marie visit the Crimson Guard and see if they got any good info from that Sharran base we hit the other day?

[Anastasia]

Sure. Any particular contact there you want her to hit up? She has the pull if you have someone in mind.

[Ebiris]

Lets go with Eudard?

[Anastasia]

Marie finds Eudard in a quiet office in the garrison. It is decorated with a sword on each wall, over which the holy symbol of Helm is displayed on a cloth banner pinned to the wall. He is sans his armor, resting back. Age slowly gnaws at him, the hints of wrinkles on his face and the graying of his hair. He drinks a mug of something warm and pleasant smelling - honeyed tea, perhaps.

A pair of comfortable chairs are before the desk - stuffed and cushioned, made of good, well polished wood and with cushions colored steel gray. With a gesture Marie's way, "Ah, Marie. Come in."

[Ebiris]

They've come a long way from back when she was sneakily scoping out the temple of Torm before it was unfortunately confirmed that he was evil. "Hi Eudard, good to see you again," the eternally youthful purple-haired woman says as she walks in and lowers herself into one of the seats. "Alicia wanted to check up on how things went since we hit that dungeon in the desert. Find any new leads from it?"

[Anastasia]

Eudard rests back, "Helm's vigilance has taken us far," he declares, "We have healed those that were injured, and those beyond us I have personally ferried to the House of the Triad, to be restored. Perhaps in time they will come to serve the Crying God, for many of his faithful come to him through his eternal mercy." He reaches up and slowly rubs his silvery bearded chin, shaved down and well groomed. "We have studied what we found there and divined, showing us unholy secrets that they pursued. Means to chase madness and meaning together, to listen to shadows that sing of secrets and destruction. In them we've found a few leads to spies and sleeper agents, which we are dealing with."

A pause for a drink before he goes on, "As for the instigator of all of this? Nothing but wisps of shadow. He moves like an afterimage, glimpsed while what he has wrought festers. Yet what we have gathered suggests he heads east again, east towards Pallanth."

[Ebiris]

"Skipping over the Baronies?" Marie asks at that last part. "What specifics did you find?"

[Anastasia]

"A book of Pallanth's recent turmoil, a famous analysis of it written by Lord Chillander," Eudard explains, "Things that divinations show are tied to him as well, such as bits of elven craft and studying. We realize it may be a feint, but Pallanth is a rich target. We also fear that if it is a feint and he's not coming for the Baronies, he may be heading towards Kelara."

[Ebiris]

"Could even be staying in the desert," Marie says reasonably. "I'll pass it on to Alicia and she can decide where to focus. Anything else you found that stood out?"

[Anastasia]

"Nothing important," Eudard says after a few moments of consideration. "Nothing that wasn't heresy destroyed and crushed."

As you talk, there is a knock on the door. After a beat, "Enter," Eudard calls.

The one who comes is tall, with gray hair and weathered features. He has a warrior's body, toned and well kept even as age encroaches. He wears steel armor, breastplate underlaid with chain. A sword is at his waist, a mace on the other side to complement it.  In that instant Marie is aware, the barest flare of his power like a greeting. The avatar of Helm stands before you, Eudard getting up and then sinking to a knee.

"My Lord," he breathes, "You honor us."

[Ebiris]

Marie stands from her chair and steps aside from the desk, a hand going over her chest as her head dips in a bow of deferential greeting. She might not be blown away, but always being polite to Gods and Avatars is just good sense!

"Vigilant One, are you here for us both or should I leave? We were just finishing," she offers.

[Anastasia]

"Stay," Helm commands, "You are aware of Zariel's escape."

Helm comes and stays standing, "Understand." In a moment Eudard's eyes widen, "Zariel..." he breathes out. "I understand, master."

"Even now, Zariel works to save herself and cleanse her spirit. Her current task is one of the utmost importance to the Triad. You are to lend aid to her." Helm declares, "Know that this task may well consume the balance of your mortal life, and should you complete it before then, you shall have no need to serve the remainder."

"Am I to resign here, Vigilant One?" Eudard asks, gaze kept low.

"No, but you will have new responsibilities added to your current ones, and must balance and adjust as needs must," Helm declares.

[Ebiris]

Marie hasn't actually heard much of what Zariel's been doing since she left Sylica, but it's good to know she's working hard and being supported!

[Anastasia]

"I understand, my Lord," Eudard says, "Shall I got to them."

"Yes," Helm commands, "They  have been granted a private keep in the House of the Triad. They will have others as well - I next to go your master, Marielle. Come with me."