Successful Mission

[Brian]

Radagast squares his shoulders and nods uncomfortably.  Rising, he tucks his pipe back into his robes, pulling something from one of the drawers in his study and pocketing it.  You don't see it, but hear the clink of metal on metal.

Turning around, he says, "We should go, then."  He pauses, and frowns.  "Madame Mirallia, you may wish to stay here."

She nods.  "I'm already under enough suspicion," she says.  "If something were to go wrong, I'd just be in more trouble.  And I doubt, for what it's worth, that she'd do anything openly, not with all of the extra guards around."

"Very well," Radagast says, turning to you.  "Do you know the way?"

[Bjorn]

"No," Bjorn says, rising to his feet, "I don't think I do.

"We will probably be back soon, Madame," he says, pausing on his way to the door.  "I think this is likely to be more of a test of bluffing skills, rather than anything else."  He half-smiles.  "Or at least, I hope so."

Nodding his good-byes, he steps outside the door to reclaim his sword, and allows Radagast to lead the way.

[Brian]

You arrive before the door to her room shortly, and apparently she's in.  One of the vassals and two keep guards stand watch at the door, all eyes turning to you and Radagast as you approach.  You think this one is Charles.

"Can I help you?" he asks, as you and Radagast reach the door and stop.  You realize with a start that this is only a handful of doors down from Mirallia's room.

[Bjorn]

"If it is possible," Bjorn says, politely and gravely, "I would like to speak to the priestess.  I find myself troubled, and seek Aestock's counsel for my peace of mind."

[Brian]

He blinks at that, and frowns eyeing your armor, but shrugs.  "No weapons," he says, indicating the shortsword you retrieved after leaving Radagast's study.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn removes the shortsword, handing it to the guard for safe-keeping, and waits for him to open the door.

[Brian]

Radagast just shows his hands, and the guard reluctantly lets you both through.

The ante-chamber -- your room, in Mirallia's chambers -- has two of the vassals sacked out on the cot/bench setups, and they don't move when you enter.  The room is unlit, but the doorway to the main chamber is open, and you can see Lindsey there, sitting at the writing table, while her remaining vassal flips through a book at the main table, eyeing you briefly before turning back to his writing.

[Bjorn]

Without hesitation, Bjorn strides forward to the main chamber, where he stops and bows.  "Mistress Lindsey?"

[Brian]

She looks up, and blinks at you.  "Uh ... Bjorn?" she hazards.  She then turns to Radagast.  "Loremaster Radagast?  How can I help you two?"

[Bjorn]

Bjorn bows again.  "If you have time, Mistress, I would like to hear your input regarding the defense of the Keep."

[Brian]

She blinks again, and frowns, cocking her head to one side in consideration.  "Why are you asking me?" she asks, curious.  "I'm afraid my tactical input is of less value than your own ... but if you wish, I can share my thoughts with you anyway."

[Bjorn]

"If you had thoughts, I would appreciate them," Bjorn says, gravely, "but in fact, we seek your advice regarding the possibility of traitors in the Keep.  That is, after all, the domain of Aestock, is it not?"

Bluff the first.

[Brian]

"Er, not entirely," she says while her vassal settles himself back at the table, and turns his attention to his book again.  "Inner balance is the way of Aestock.  Peace of mind.  I suppose finding and removing the traitors would provide peace of mind, but at the same time, I'm uncertain how to expose them."

[Bjorn]

"I was once told," Bjorn says, politely, "that negotiation is war without weapons.  This matter of spies and of treachery is war, and there are no arms that I can see.  Your thoughts, I think, will be as insightful as any for trying to expose the," he purses his lips and gestures faintly with his hand, as if groping for a word, "cabal we are faced with."

As he says that word, he covertly studies Lindsey's reactions, his intention as much to try and discern if she knows who he is as it is to determine her own allegiance.

[Brian]

Lindsey gives you a funny look, like she's not sure what exactly you're talking about.  "I suppose that's true ... but you've been at the keep longer.  Your own insight is undoubtedly of greater value."

Radagast rubs his chin thoughtfully, but says nothing.