Preparations for round two

[Anastasia]

"I'd love to," Amaryl smiles and rises, offering you her hand.

"Oh," Ranbar murmurs, "That still surprises me!"

[Corwin]

"Play nice, kids~"

Taking Amaryl's hand, Seira transports the two of them to just outside Sylica where she proceeds to knock politely.

[Anastasia]

Yes, Seira?

[Corwin]

It's nothing bad, but there is an issue of utmost importance we need to discuss with you.

[Anastasia]

Alicia's away, but Antenora and I are here. Is this serious or something fun?

[Corwin]

The former, I'm afraid. Amaryl and I will make our way to the palace to meet the two of you.

Seira teleports herself and Amaryl afterwards, since she'd asked for permission!

[Anastasia]

It's not hard to get a private audience room with the four of you. Antenora is there as well, in armor and ready to go on a moment's notice. Syala stands by a window instead, as she always is. "Well, good news doesn't usually travel this fast," Syala remarks. "What is it?"

[Corwin]

"I think it's important to share good news as soon as possible," Seira counters with a slight grin, after a cursory check that they aren't being spied on. "I brought Alicia in a while back about the notes Sylvie's son had regarding a ritual. I kept on working on it alongside Duke Moore's group in Celestia, finding that the ritual had to do with dimensional travel. We later became convinced it was to form a portal outside Creation. And today, we finally cracked the code! The portal I opened took us to the barrier keeping the Beyond separate from Creation and filtering out any invasions from the Beyond. Sylvie and 21 are there."

[Anastasia]

"Finally," Antenora says right away, "What's the situation there? What about barrier?"

Syala merely turns and nods, "Good," she says, "Tell us more."

"There is more," Amaryl agrees, "But it won't be as easy as to go in there and ask Sylvie to return."

[Corwin]

"The barrier is quite interesting to see. As for the situation there, it appears that our sponsors have fashioned this as both an aide towards becoming One and a test, somewhat similar to the seals the God-King's ruins in Balmuria used to have. I've opened up my seal, and tomorrow I'll be going back with Moore to open his. There's one for Alicia, one for Io's choice and the last for that squid from Aurora. Moore and I are handling the contacts, naturally. Once we've opened all five, however, we should be able to retrieve both Sylvie and 21."

[Anastasia]

Antenora nods briskly, "Then we have a task once Alicia returns." The answer is to the point as she goes on, "The others will come and solve their tasks as well. 21 will be unfathomably useful, if..." Antenora takes a breath, "Even if we must tolerate it."

"We have no choice if we have a chance to take it," Amaryl agrees, "Even the hardiest, most fruitful grain must endure dung to grow strong."

To that Syala cracks a smile, "Lovely analogy," she notes, "We should take Oberuth as well, this is related to what he's been stuck with."

[Corwin]

"I've considered it, but I'm already bringing a lot of people along. Maybe next time," Seira muses. "As for 21, I can't say just yet, but that place helps you understand how to use your power to contain and battle creatures from Beyond, so it might be possible to reduce the damage from 21 as well. I can't say if it's a thematic choice or not, but the Beyond is represented by the same color 21 is over there."

She shrugs. In the end, it could be a useful tidbit, but hardly the point of the visit. "What else.... Sylvie is being cryptic and depressing, but we've faced terrible odds before and came out on top."

[Anastasia]

"Alicia's occupied, but we'll go as soon as she's available," Antenora says, "Is there anything else to be said about this place?"

[Corwin]

"Don't go towards the waves? You'll get it when you go there. Also, I'd welcome the chance to be there with you!"

[Anastasia]

"You'll have it," Syala says, "Also, I really must know: Did she explain what she was thinking with Calley?"