Breath Born of Mud

[Brian]

After leaving the sealed chamber beneath the keep, Parthipan eventually starts to wend his way through the halls to the courtyard, only to be intercepted by Devin.

"Parthipan," Devin says, glancing over his shoulder, to see that no one is around ... a futile effort, as Storm-riders and keep guards appear to be wandering all over the place.  "Have you a moment?"

[Ginrai]

"I need to talk with Lord Ekim but I have a few minutes to spare."

[Brian]

Devin nods at you.  "I wanted to talk to you about tomorrow," he says in a low voice.  "I think we should try what Radagast and Eske ... and Mattias ... originally brought up as an excuse.  We should see what we can do in the way of combining the powers of two or more Lorekeepers.  It may be risky ... but it could also buy us a surprise victory.  And any victory we can take is one we should reach for.  The longer we take to war, the sooner Solariat and his entourage will reach us."

[Ginrai]

Ginrai considers Devin's plan.  "So you believe that if we were to combine our powers we might be able to achieve a simple victory over the Dreadmarch, thereby making it easier on our troops?  A few questions on that; how dangerous is it to do this and how would we be able to attack the Dreadmarch general specifically?"

[Brian]

"Not the war, but a single day," Devin explains.  "It'd be a very useful edge, I think.  The danger is greater the more lorekeepers are involved, especially if they are of opposed paths -- like you and I.  But you should be able to combine your power with both that of the path of water, and of fire.  If you lead it, it would be safe.  I can do the same.  The pair of links should be powerful enough to sweep the field with stone and wind -- surely even one of their Generals couldn't stand up to a sandstorm that flayed flesh from bone."

[Ginrai]

"This could work rather well.  We should discuss this with both Radagast and Lord Kevin later on tonight."

[Brian]

"Agreed," Devin says, nodding.  "Now, I must inspect the wall again.  Fare well in your travails, Windmaster."  With that, he turns away, and heads down the corridor across the keep.

[Ginrai]

Ginrai heads off to look for Ekim.

[Brian]

It doesn't take long for Parthipan to find Ekim, who is sitting in front of the forge on a large bench, and meditavely puffing on a large stone pipe, apparently oblivious to his surroundings.

[Ginrai]

"Lord Ekim?"

[Brian]

Ekim nods at you warily, pulling the pipe from his mouth.  "Lorekeeper," he says neutrally.

[Ginrai]

"Loremaster Radagast and Lord Bloom were wondering if you could help them open the seal to the room holding the crystal."

[Brian]

Ekim looks at Parthipan oddly, and heaves a sigh.  "Very well," he says lumbering to his feet.  "A moment."  With that, he vanishes into the forge, returning a moment later with a huge iron key.  "Let us see what this is about," he says humorlessly, tromping his way around the keep, towards the front door.

[Ginrai]

"Thank you," Ginrai replies with a nod and heads off with Ekim.

[Brian]

Parthipan and Ekim walk into the depths of the keep.

Parthipan now returns to In the Hall of the Mountain King.