Moments in the Sun

[Bjorn]

"It means," Bjorn says sourly, "that Sir Shuker is being a pain in the ass, and I'm going to punch his teeth in the next time I see him."  Eyeing the text, he sighs.  "All right.  I'm pretty sure I know how to decipher this.  It'll be tedious work, though."  Looking up at the others, he continues, "It'd probably be easier to do this without distractions.  Unless any of you have questions you want to ask, I think perhaps I'll take it back to my quarters to work on.  Is that all right?"

[Brian]

Astryd shakes her head.  "We can question Lorekeeper Parthipan as easily," she says.  "Though, I would like to know what method you use to turn that gibberish into words."

"The fewer people who know it," Radagast says, "the harder it will be for the enemy to understand."  This is remarkably profound, especially considering Radagast can't read it himself.

Bjorn and Mirallia leave, and return to Successful Mission.

[Ginrai]

"Did Nathan say anything else?"

[Brian]

Radagast nods.  "That was the message he asked me to give to Bjorn -- he also told us the number of the Dreadmarch encountered, and some information I have to give to Lord Kevin.  Hmm.  I'll need to speak with him later."

[Ginrai]

Thinking over what to do next, Ginrai asks, "Does anyone here know much about Serril Dewer other than that he's a lorekeeper of the way of fire?"

[Brian]

Astryd and Devin shake their heads.  Radagast merely looks thoughtful.  "I knew his teacher, but that wouldn't help us much here," he muses.

[Ginrai]

"Hmm...  I'm considering asking him a few questions, though I'm not sure if it'll do any good."  He asks Radagast, "How did the meeting with Priestess Lindsey go?  Were you able to find out anything from it?"

[Brian]

"Nothing," he says, sighing, and rubbing at his temples.  "Nothing I could discern, anyway.  She reveals nothing ... I'd hazard, no offense, that she's better at it than you and your friends are.  Alan told me that there were degrees of affinity for it, and some people would be trained to blend in better beforehand."

[Ginrai]

Ginrai nods.  "I understand.  Still, I believe I have a way to possibly get some information out of Serril, or at least to frighten him into making a mistake.  Radagast, do you have any small container that I can use for this?"

[Brian]

"Yes, certainly," Radagast says, offering you a small glass jar.  "What are you planning on doing?"

[Ginrai]

Taking the jar from Radagast, Ginrai smiles.  "Thank you.  I intend to perform an 'oath of blood' with him in hopes of him slipping up and telling the truth.  That being said, nothing will happen since I'm using an ordinary jar, right?"

[Brian]

Devin and Astryd blink at this, and exchange a glance.  "Anything is worth a try," Devin says slowly.  "We might be able to convince him.  Just remember that you will bleed for each lie you say.  That is something you must be careful of."

[Ginrai]

Ginrai nods.  "I am hoping that he will not know about the concept behind it.  Are the both of you going to come with me?"

[Brian]

"Well, given what we know, I hardly imagine we can leave you alone," Astryd says, wincing.  You know her words for a lie, and she grimaces.  "Curiosity compells me," she admits, "more than anything else."

Devin nods.  "I'm curious as well," he says.  "Shall we go to meet Serril, then?"

[Ginrai]

"I'm ready."  And with that Ginrai heads out.

While walking, he asks Devin, "Just how much pain would you two feel if I told a lie and will you be able to hide any reaction from Serril?"