In the Night

[Brian]

Parthipan barely steps out of the library before he finds Astryd and Devin (and Serril) rushing down the corridor towards him.

"Okay," Astryd says, short on breath.  "This is the perfect time; Devin and I will make sure no one else can get to his room while you two ... do what you must."  She hesitates, and turns to Parthipan.  "I can trust you, right?"

[Ginrai]

"Yes."  After taking a deep breath, he says, "I'm hoping this will be easy."

[Brian]

"Tell me about it," Serril grumbles.  "I spent all last night learning defensive spells, so I hope you have something subtle left over for offense.  Ready?"

[Ginrai]

"Thank you and I'm ready."

[Brian]

Astryd and Devin lead you to the door to Ashton's room -- it's about five doors up from Ginrai's, and three up from Serril's.  Astryd steels herself, and turns to Devin.  Devin nods, and watches the stairs leading upwards.  Serril turns to look at you expectantly.

[Ginrai]

Ginrai knocks on the door.  "Ashton Newleaf?"

[Brian]

"What?" someone asks from inside, agreeably.  Devin and Astryd both move to stand next to the wall; should Ashton open the door, he most likely wouldn't see them.  "One moment, one moment," the voice from inside calls.  Serril fidgets nervously, but waits for your signal to act.

[Ginrai]

Ginrai waits for the door to open.  "Is everything okay in there?"

[Brian]

"Certainly," the voice replies, just before the door opens, revealing a completely unassuming looking man in his mid-to-late twenties.  He's dressed like all lorekeepers.  "Is there something I can help you with, lorekeeper....?"  He looks at you askance and raises an eyebrow, curiously.

[Ginrai]

"I am Lorekeeper Parthipan of the Path of Wind and this is Lorekeeper Serril of the Path of Fire.  We are both here because of comments we've received from certain people with regards to you."  Ginrai pauses to see if that gets any sort of reaction out of him.

[Brian]

Since you're looking, Ashton's eye tics at the mention of Serril's path.  "Comments?" he asks, looking the slightest bit hurt.  "What are you talking about?"

[Ginrai]

"Mostly from people who are worried that the pressure of the situation has gotten to you.  They've been saying that they noticed you talking to yourself when you believe no one was around."

[Brian]

Ashton blinks very slowly.  "Well," he says defensively.  "We all get a bit nervous from time to time."

[Ginrai]

Ginrai nods.  "I understand fully.  Unfortunately in these type of situtations some people start jumping to conclusions, which in this case was that what at first seemed like random nonsense was actually serving some purpose."

[Brian]

"Purpose?" he asks, confused.  "What are you talking about?"