"No, I haven't met them all yet, but I am sure they have been vetted for us by Hieronomus and Sadina, and the Empresses secret service. And since magic isn't all that prevalent, I doubt it is magically created. Magic, for those very few who can use it, is almost as much effort and physical labor. Indeed, since many who do have magical abilities are weak in it, it might even be harder than a days labors to work it."

 "Only those with sylvan blood have even a touch of magic, and the elves left a very long time ago. Only Afrael guarding the Heart keeps even the smallest magic alive to tap into. If she ever goes on to join her kin, even that will slowly fade away and the magic will die out most likely."

 She took a bit out of her sandwich and chewed slowly, thoughtfully. She did wonder how long the magic would linger once the Elven Princess left her lonely vigil. How many centuries, ye, even millenia could one survive alone?

"Gooood morning, everybody!" Crow stretched his arms out and greeted the others happily as soon as he walked into the room.  Upon seeing the impressive spread of food on the table, he hurried over to grab a seat and dig in.  With a light chuckle, he said, "Do we get to eat food this good every single day?  I could get used to this."

Chittering happily, Cooper the racoon jumped down from his master's shoulder and started nibbling away at some corn.

"So, what's everybody's plans for today?  I'm heading over to see Hieronymous today, then investigate the wizard murder right after."

"I'll be heading to the temple today.  I have some business there I must attend to," Motoko seemingly answered her companion's question even before she walked into the room.  She smiled at everyone else as she greeted them.  "Good morning.  Did everyone have a good night's sleep?  I'm still getting used to being able to sleep in a bed at night."

Sitting down at the table, the swordswoman grabbed an apple and started munching away at it.  She looked around the table, wondering if there was any rum available.  She'd settle for some wine, but hopefully there was some moonshine around.

"Good morning."  Mariasha smiled a greeting to Lady Fairaday and then to Crow and Motoko as the entered the room. She pulled herself away from gazing out of one of windows to make her way over to the table. She poured a glass of water and helped herself to a plate of fruit before taking a seat.

"I was going to head to the temple as well, I need to speak with Brother Galen. May I walk with you, Motoko?"

She nodded to the ones entering the room as she began to eat.  "I think I will find out where the mage lived, look about.  Perhaps there is more than what we have heard so far." she knew the site would be easy to find through the watch.  Perhaps she would find the particular watchmen.  "Fairaday...perhaps since the dark fae defeat, magic...good magicks will make a resurgence.  after all we did return the centaurs deity, not all is lost.  Like a fragile flower it just needs tending" perhaps anything was possible.

Down below from the tom Little Kitty gave a trilling noise, then with effort jumped up to join her new friend.  Stalking a circle around him for a moment she then moved next to him in the sunbeam.  Settling in she let an ear flick then began to lick and groom the male for a moment.  Then like a sphinx she laid next to him and simply watched the two leggers move about.

 "Well, I was going to head out to search for the Wizards Tower within the hour. I had thought we planned it for this morning. I guess I can go alone except for lilbug if no one else wants to go."

 "I wish you well at the temple...did you say? What temple is that? I wasn't aware of any temple. But then again, perhaps one was built while I was away on the trip to Feyda's kingdom"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:11, Sun 23 Oct 2016.

"The Temple of Enduring Truth," Motoko answered Fairaday's question.  Leaning back against her chair and dangerously balancing it on the two back legs, she tilted her head as she continued, "You should check it out some time.  The view there's pretty great."

Turning her attention toward Mariasha, the swordswoman smiled and said, "Of course you may.  It would be nice to have some extra company."

 "Perhaps I will someday, If I ever seek the truth of something and can't find it for myself. I am sure it is a beautiful place if someone spent time and artistry building it."

 She ate more of her breakfast, enjoying the food and the company. Especially after the restful night she had had after her bath.

"Xi, you can go with me if you'd like. It seems like no one else seems interested in finding out what happened to the cat's Master this morning."

"Perhaps....Not everyone is up yet though" She gave a smirk.  "I wonder if there is an unknown guild in the city...it has been a while since we have been back here.  Much might have changed"

In reply to little kitty (msg # 149):
 He opened a sleepy eye, gave her a quick lick or three then wrapped a leg over her neck and went back to sleep curled up around her protectively.

She finished a bit more of her meal "I will accompany you Fairaday, I too thought of the mage.  Of course if we are lucky...perhaps the felines owner is not the one killed but a next door neighbor." she sipped a bit of juice "But as you know...we are never that lucky" she gave a grin.

The young bard continued eating as he listened in on what everyone else's plans were going to be like.  He looked between Xi and Fairaday, taking note of who was going to be investigating the wizard's murder.  He was interested in investigating as well, of course.  It's just that...

"I kinda promised Hieronymous that I would be taking my studies seriously and it'd look kinda bad if I showed up late, right?" Crow explained himself to the others.  "If there's still some time left in the day, I'd be more than happy to join you two in investigating the mage's murder."

Getting up from the table, he smiled and said, "Speaking of which, I should probably get going right now.  Again, don't wanna be late, right?"

Gathering up his raccoon familiar, he dashed out toward the door of the Manor.  Now that he thought about it, though, Hieronymous never really specified a time.  Crow just assumed that they were to start lessons in the morning.  That's how it usually worked when it came to studies or training of any kind, right?

-> To The Palace in Milath

Anu entered the Mai hall, and found his way to the dining area. Already slick wit sweat from a brisk morning workout. he had been very happy to find that one of the cottages was a small gymnasium and practice Salle. He had gone through twice his normal routine to catch up after weeks of riding  and camping. the heavy sand filled balls and weighted clubs had left him feeling a bit  more worn than he remembered after such a long break in his routine.

Good morning all," He greeted everyone briskly he sat at the table gathering a healthy breakfast of fruit cheese and sausages."You will all be happy to know the gymnasium has a heated pool and steam bath."

"What plans are we considering for the day?

 "Good morning Crow, Anu. I was planning to go investigate the Mage's death. I suppose we could wait until you get back from Hieronymous' Tower. I'd like to go before lunch time though. Do you think you will be back by then? If not, we can go and you can join us there."
  She poured herself more hot tea and offered the pot to Anu as Crow headed out to his appointment. She stood up and went to the buffet for fruits and cheeses and toast points then sat back down. She spread some brie on a toast point and ate it, then tried another with a berry cream cheese. It was surprising spicy but left her wanting more despite the heat. They must have a very good cook in the kitchen!

"Join us for breakfast! The cooks are very talented."
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:44, Mon 31 Oct 2016.

It was early in the morning as the sun rose that Stardancer finally had stirred from her slumber.  She had take some time to explore the island a bit, mostly to look for Little Kitty.  Walking up the path to the main manor she saw the chubby raccoon, soon followed by his companion Crow.  She smiled and nodded "Good morning Crow.  And to you, Cooper."  She pulled from a small pouch a nut flavored cracker for the masked bandit.  "Are the others in the hall?"

Rinaldo was close behind Stardancer carrying a large satchel over his shoulders. his traveling leathers replaced by a loose shirt, long loose trousers tucked into his knee-high boots the colors gaudy and bright.his hair now held in long braids with several gold rings and several raven black feathers woven into the braids. Whistling a cheery tune mingled with very well done birdsong  as he stopped and seemed to fix a starling with a sharp glare as if daring it to dive at him when it began to chatter at him.

"Good morning all, how are we on this bright and cheery morning." he paused by Stardancer and gave her a soft kiss, then pulled a chair away from the table so she could join them.

He returned from the kitchen, kneeling quietly by Her side where he belonged.  Listening to the conversation, he grinned up at his Mistress.

"I will give them Your compliments, my discerning Lady.  Is there anything more You need me to see to before we go out for today?  Shall we bring our new cat with us?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:58, Mon 31 Oct 2016.

Mariasha looked up from her plate to greet the others as they entered the dining hall. She still felt a little out of place , seeing as she was practically a stranger to the group. However she was determined that she would do all that she could to help them. "Lady Fairaday,  I should not be long at the temple. I have an urgent matter that I need to discuss with Brother Galen. However, I assure you I would like to assist you in finding the truth of the murder of the tom cat's master. I shall return before noon., if you will allow me to accompany you." Mariasha offered quietly.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:58, Mon 31 Oct 2016.

"Ok, I guess I'll wait then. I guess I can find something to read or maybe take a stroll or something."

 She looked down at her slave, a black look in her gaze. Her lips twisted very slightly.

 "Did I tell you to speak to them? I am capable of doing so myself you useless and miserable slave!"

 She threw her napkin onto the table as she stood up, stalking out of the room toward her suite.

This message was deleted by the player at 20:53, Fri 04 Nov 2016.

He watched his Mistress stalk out of the room and sighed happily.  Looking over to Mariasha, who seemed concerned, lilbug blinked and smiled broadly.

"Isn't she amazing?  I do not deserve a Mistress as wonderful as my Lady Fairaday.  Padros, God of Slaves be my witness, I am truly the most blessed servant in Arn."

He nodded then to Mariasha, watching Lady Fairaday return to Her suite.  "Of course I will take your letter for you, should you wish for me to courier it to Grand Master Galen, Lady Mariasha.  Simply leave it on the table for me to pick up if you wish for me to so.  Farewell for the moment.  Coming Mistress."

And off he ran to catch up to Lady Fairaday, the delighted expression never leaving his boyish face.

Azeal entered the great house dressed as he usually did a dark cloak wrapped about his shoulders his face cloaked by a long wrap of similar dark material. He held Sparrow leash in one hand, but handed it to her as he entered the main hall.Pausing to adjust the drape of the simple, if slightly revealing, light silk dress he had given her.

"Good morning, I hope all are well rested he spoke after a moment."Sitting down afer he uncovered his face and swept his cloak behind him.  "Sparrow, bread, cheese, and a cup of cider. fetch yourself a plate as well."

Stardancer brightly lit the room with her smile, especially at Rinaldo.  It had been so long since she felt like she belonged someplace.  Not because someone was ordering her to, but that she came to care for the two leggers...especially Rinaldo.  Since she got to the breaking fast she began to dish plates for others and handed one to Rinaldo.  Seeing Sparrow and the rough Azael come in she partially dished up two more and handed them the Sparrow before making her own.  She also found a few odd plates and placed some egg and meats on them for the two cats, hoping the others would not mind.  A soft ear skritch for both as they ate on the chair they claimed.  she brought her plate over towards where Rinaldo was.  Eating after Rinaldo started she would listen to the conversations.  She wondered if Rinaldo wanted to investigate the wizards place, the city, do more shopping, or explore this island.

Xi was nearly done with her meal as the others began to awaken "Good Anu...I wish I had known you awoke early.  I would have joined you for some marshal exercise.  I am sure we both could have sharpened our skills." she then drained the juice from her goblet.  "Lady Fairaday.  If you will excuse me I will gather my gear and be ready to go to the wizards abode.  I do think the wizards familiar should be watched more closely though, and I can think of none better that our centaurian friends pet.  They seem quite close this morning"