Stay

[Brian]

"The window?" Mirallia asks, as though the idea of using a window for any purpose other than letting light in were an entirely new concept.  "How would someone....  I suppose you know best."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn half-smiles.  "I don't know best -- I don't even know much.  But it's best to try to cover all the bases."

Still scrubbing at his armour, he continues, thoughtfully, "Perhaps the next thing we should do is report to the Lord?  It seems appropriate, and I would appreciate a better sense of the situation."

[Brian]

She shakes her head.  "Because we're here early, we don't need to worry.  The ceremony isn't for a few days yet.  Lord Kevin has enough to worry about with marshalling the troops."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn looks up, sharply, pausing in his work. "Ceremony?" he repeats.  "What ceremony?"

[Brian]

"Of presentation, when we hand the draughts of life over to Lord Kevin, and are accepted into his service for the duration of the Dreadmarch."  She frowns.  "It should be in three days ... one of the Archonae had always arrived to preside over it, and leave the icon of hope behind for the battle.

"It's a gift from their oracle, which is said to speak directly to Hamar.  I've never seen it myself ... but it is sealed in a grotto beneath the keep.  It's said that the presence of this icon will keep despair from entering the keep and affecting those within, no matter how fierce the odds."

[Brian]

Further rumination is cut off by a knock at the door.

[Ginrai]

While waiting for someone to answer the door, Ginrai says, "One request, Paul.  While talking with Mirella, can you play some music, preferably some soft melody?"

[Bjorn]

Bjorn, about to say something sharp, cuts off and stares at the door.  "Get out of sight," he says, softly, to Mirallia, motioning her to the side of the antechamber that will be hidden behind the door when it opens.  Then he himself moves to the door, right hand on his sword, and opens the door, stepping back with it so that it provides cover for himself.

"May I help you?" he asks.

[Brian]

Mirallia obediently ducks into her bedroom while you open the door.  You're greeted with the sight of a scruffy looking bard, and a bizarre looking mystic or magician.  Unfortunately, you recognize both of them right off the bat.

[Ginrai]

"Hey, Bjorn.  We're here to kidnap the Princess.  Or, if that's not possible, talk with you."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn eyes Paul and Parthipan.  "What do you want with Mirallia?"

[Ginrai]

"Eh?  Actually we wanted to first talk with you in private."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn rolls his eyes.  "Then say that, don't try to be funny.  Mirallia's in another room.  What's up?"

[Huitzil]

Paul nods at Ginrai. "Well, go ahead."

[Ginrai]

"No problem.  Anyway, I was wondering what, if anything, you knew of your other-self?"