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Post by Altor "Al" Cloudscraper on Aug 5, 2008 8:21:37 GMT
Alba nods in agreement with Zohar. "Aye, I tried to talk to some of the servants this morning, but with little luck" he steals a quick glance at Jynx. "I suspect Lady Jynx would have more luck than I"
"I agree that the disappearance of Lord Keovan and the explosion is a strange coincidence, but can we be sure it is something more than that? I have little experience with his type, but he seems to me to be the type that can come and go as he pleases. Either way, though, I think all roads lead to the library, and I think if we can be of service to Her Majesty right now, it is trying to figure out what was in the library that could have been the target. Are there mages or sages here in the Royal compound that would have knowledge on that?"
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Post by Karstan on Aug 5, 2008 15:41:38 GMT
"Do we know that Lord Keovan is not in the hall of state as we speak. I noticed that the room has been locked off and it would differcult to check to see if he is there." Karstan replied while putting together a number of fruits to be had for his breakfast. "Perhaps we should not just concentrate on finding out what happened in the tower but also ask around to see if anyone has seen Lord Keovan around this morning, the soldiers at the doors of the hall of state might be the best people to ask to save us a task if he is inside the hall."
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Ageal
Gamer
Vakeros Trainee
Posts: 268
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Post by Ageal on Aug 6, 2008 2:00:21 GMT
Ageal listened to sir Ector’s recounting carefully then when Sir Ector finished Ageal nodded and proceeded to listen to Jynx’s questions. Ageals continued listening to the rest of his companions, while mulling over the theories about the servants and Lord Kevoan. Coming to the conclusion that he could be of no use interviewing anyone or finding out any facts Ageal decided he would be useful elsewhere. Finishing his last bite of apple Ageal looked to his companions. “I feel we will be called upon soon enough, thus I feel in no rush to ask questions”. Pausing to get out of his chair Ageal took a glance at everyone and started up again, "one moment, i have a quick bit of business to attend to, sent word to the Citadel gate if you hear from the queen or lord Kevoan". With that Ageal went to the boundary of the Citadel and the city streets and let fly with a might bellow of "KALOS" and gave an extremely sharp and loud whistle. Ageal took a while to wait and see if Kalos heard his summon.
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Post by Maerin on Aug 6, 2008 3:11:06 GMT
"The main library is not in the south part of the Citadel," Karsten observed during the conversation. "I was never there, but I imagine the library in the south may have been one of the smaller ones. More a quiet sitting room to read with a few books for those inclined, than anything that might contain dangerous or unusual knowledge. I did not ever find myself there, but I was in a similar such room in the east quarter of the citadel the day before yesterday."
After Ageal departed on his errand, the companions finished breakfast mulling over what each had said. As they finished, and began contemplating what they might do in the morning, Lord Nathor entered the hall and strode up to them.
"Her Majesty would like a word with you, and for each of you to be present at this point in her meeting with her advisors. Please, come with me." The Talestrian noble waited patiently for the companions to rise and join him in his return to the Hall of State.
"Is Lord Kevoan already in the Hall of State this morning, Lord Nathor?" Zohar asked as they walked towards the doorway to the hall.
Nathor hesitated a moment as he glanced at the Vassagonian, and then responded in a neutral voice. "No, he is not present right now. But the less I say about that until we are within the Hall of State, the better off we are."
***
At the West gate in the Citadel wall, Ageal's yell echoed into the dusty streets. A dozen or so guards, as well as about ten servants now working in the courtyard apparently to clean up the debris of what looked like some sort of wooden enclosure, all stopped briefly to stare at the Vakeros. The two guards standing near Ageal at the gate glanced at each other and shrugged, but did not say anything. The Vakeros waited, but no other response was heard. He listened, but only heard the occasional shout and signal horn winded from somewhere in the city, as Garthen began to recover from the previous evening's calamity.
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Zohar
Hardened Gamer
Is Mr. Handy
Posts: 453
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Post by Zohar on Aug 6, 2008 3:44:01 GMT
Zohar nods. Lord Nathor is wise, he thinks. Servants and guards have ears, and mouths, and not all of them are to be trusted. This is true here in the Citadel just as it is true in the Grand Palace in Barrakeesh. It is not outside the realm of possibility that one or more of them played a role in last night's attack. "Then let us make haste to the Hall of State," is all he says, glad to be doing something useful. He follows Lord Nathor.
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Post by Ector Symir on Aug 6, 2008 7:24:19 GMT
As Ector rose and followed Nathor, he felt his nagging doubt regarding Kevoan's disappearance was about to be confirmed. Whatever truth was about to be revealed, he suspected, would be far from pleasant.
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Post by Altor "Al" Cloudscraper on Aug 6, 2008 8:53:14 GMT
Looking around the room at his remaining companions, he listens intently to what Karstan has to say. He seems to know a thing or two for a river trader, thinks Alba, but I guess one would pick up a lot of information in that kind of trade. If Karstan is correct, then Alba surmises that the disappearance of Lord Kevoan should be their top priority.
As Ageal departs, Alba watches him leave, pondering his frequent departures. Lord Kevoan hand picked him, Alba thinks, but this behaviour is fairly strange, but before he can voice his concerns to the rest of his companions, Lord Nathor appears and summons them to meet with the Queen. Listening to the exchange between Zohar and Lord Nathor, Alba is struck by the peculiar answer, and becomes even more eager to find out what is going on.
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Post by Karstan on Aug 6, 2008 19:08:22 GMT
Karstan glanced over himself as they walked towards the hall of state he was not dressed up for any kind of formal meeting unlike the night before, he was dressed in his normal travelling wear. He pulled at the light blue cloth of his shirt in attempt to tidy himself up some what. From what was said it seemed Keovan was not around and yet the words and tone from Lord Nathor indicated that they may find out more when they entered the halls, with that though in mind Karstan took to finally adjusting is belt so the shirt hung correctly on him and stepped on towards the hall of state.
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Ageal
Gamer
Vakeros Trainee
Posts: 268
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Post by Ageal on Aug 7, 2008 2:06:28 GMT
Sighing Ageal knew he would have to search the town for Kalos but at a later date and time. Heading back to the Citadel Ageal searches out his companions to socialize and wait for words from the Queen.
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Post by Maerin on Aug 7, 2008 3:29:54 GMT
The companions entered the Hall of State, the doors of which were immediately slammed shut again by the four Royal Household guards who stood guard outside. The room was now dominated by a large table in the center. Spread out over the table was a large and finally detailed map of Talestria.
Queen Evaine and Lord Clavorn of Palmyrion looked up from where they stood at the other end of the table as Lord Nathor and the companions arrived. The Queen's expression mixed exhaustion with a smouldering range. Lord Clavorn's face was apparently expressionless.
As the arrivals approached the table, the Queen started to speak...and then glanced sharply at the companions. Her glance finally rested on Lord Nathor, and her voice was coldly angry.
"We believe our order was to bring all of Lord Kevoan's companions, was it not, my Lord Nathor? We do not see the Vakeros Ageal here, and we believe we said the first matter touched on him most directly, did we not?"
Lord Nathor came to a very rigid attention and he paled visibly. "I apologize Your Majesty. They, " and he gestures to the companions, "were all present together and you had said to make all haste..."
"Enough Lord Nathor," the Queen interrupted and the Talestrian's mouth closed with an audible click of teeth. "Clearly we must now wait until your errand is completed. Be swift."
Lord Nathor bowed, and strode swiftly out of the Hall.
Though the anger did not leave her voice, it was significantly toned down as Queen Evaine addressed the companions. "We apologize for there not being chairs to make your wait more comfortable. We hope it will prove short. If you will excuse us a moment."
The Queen walked away from the table and strode over to a window. She stood there, silently staring out the window and facing away from everyone in the room.
***
Ageal returned to the banquet hall to find his companions gone. As he turned to depart in search of them, a servant hurried into the hall and, apparently seeing the man he sought, ran up to the Vakeros.
"Please, sir," the man was clearly out of breath after a hard run. "Her Majesty commands your immediate presence in the Hall of State. Please follow me." Turning, the servant glanced over his shoulder to ascertain that Ageal is following him and begins striding quickly out of the hall.
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Zohar
Hardened Gamer
Is Mr. Handy
Posts: 453
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Post by Zohar on Aug 7, 2008 3:55:25 GMT
Zohar stands, waiting patiently. The first matter touches on Ageal most directly? he thinks. That must concern his countryman Lord Kevoan. And this map...since war was declared last night, it probably details the current military situation. He looks at the map while he waits, curious as to who the enemy is and whence it comes. His experience with battle strategy helps him develop some decent insights.
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Ageal
Gamer
Vakeros Trainee
Posts: 268
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Post by Ageal on Aug 7, 2008 6:25:34 GMT
Ageal followed the servant down the halls and through the passageways, but his stride slowed with every step towards the queen’s chambers. Looking around the hall he was reminded of the feeling of marching through Elzian and up to the Magi Regnanti. ”Why am I thinking about Elzian when I have a duty to perform!” Ageal tried to keep up with the servant as much as he could while his anxiety flamed.
Doing his best to keep composure Ageal asked the servant if he could take a moment to gather his thoughts before he entered presence with the queen. Pulling an apple from his backpack Ageal held a familiar red apple in his hand and ate bites out of it until he was able to grip on his thoughts. After finishing the apple Ageal looked up at the servant and smiled “I am ready to see the queen now”.
Walking into the door where the queen stood Ageal bowed deeply towards the queen and announced “I humbly apologize to Her Majesty for my tardiness”. At the Queen’s response Ageal walked over to his companions, “What services may I provide for her majesty?”.
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Post by Ector Symir on Aug 7, 2008 7:46:29 GMT
If Ector shared the queen's irritation at Ageal's behaviour, he did not show it. He merely stood at attention, awaiting orders. He also cast an eye over the map to see what he could learn about the war.
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Post by Altor "Al" Cloudscraper on Aug 7, 2008 12:17:14 GMT
Alba was stunned by the anger in the Queen's voice. His eyes opening wide in shock, he paled as the Queen dressed down Lord Nathor. Once again, he could not help but wonder why the Vakeros seemed to constantly wander off.
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Post by Karstan on Aug 7, 2008 13:52:52 GMT
Karstan stood looking at the map as Lord Nathor left again on his errand, his telling off had remind Karstan of the times when he had been forced to stand before the council of sages and explain the reasons for a bar fight with one of the other trainee sages. He remembered how the look of the old sages off the council made him wither inside and he could feel a little bit of pity for Lord Nathor for he had seemingly done nothing as bad as Karstan had done to bring on this anger.
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