Eadoin remains stunned by the human ability to equivocate, to find some detail, then to wrap that tiny nugget in layers of symbolism.  How can one *ever* be certain of something?  If one were to wait until complete certainty were reached, nothing would ever happen.  He listens to the explanation, blinking at Seti curiously, unable to tell which points are rhetorical devices Seti uses to express his thoughts and those for which he might expect some response.

When Seti gets to a stopping point, Eadoin scratches his head sheepishly, smiles a bit, then asks, "Ummm…was that a yes or a no?"

He finally guesses there are two points that he might respond to in Seti's explanation.  To the first, he shrugs.  "We can't ever be sure, sir.  Nothing can really be known completely.  We must act, sometimes, when we only know a little about something, weigh what we know against risk and choose a path.  I'm asking if you will use what art you may have to help reduce uncertainty."

To the second, he answers plainly, "No one should live as a slave, caged, trapped in stone without hope.  People ought to be free to live and to die, to go to reward or perdition, or to live again as the thread of their existence dictates."

Tail whisking, he adds easily, without a hint of guile, "I'd ask the king to reconsider simply keeping her imprisoned.  Were she of the right mind and heart, she has the strength's and talents to do as much or more to help far more than she's harmed.  It is not my place to say how, or whether or not such things might ever be, but I've…the means, duty really, to do what I may to see that things come to the best end they can."

---

While Seti speaks with Melissa, Eadoin regards Scolo, really unsure about whether he ought engage the strange wizard in conversation.  He's found the man very confusing and he often wonders whether the man is taunted by invisible fairies.  Eventually, quietly, he says to Scolo, "The moss, sir, I gather it's like a sponge that can soak up thoughts or memories, then that you can maybe get the memories out again by eating some of it.  It sounds dangerous, or maybe like it could be misused if one wanted to steal memories from someone else and use them for other things.  That's what she means, I think."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:10, Tue 23 Oct 2012.

"Seti," Melissa says.  "I've spent months on the trail of Theoderic, watching over the borders of his lands.  This Font, this isn't my thing.  I don't know what the others knew.  But I can tell you, not much.  A Demon.   A Demon would have whispered the information to those who came here, telling them what to do.  I don't think it was the Blackguards.  They aren't... they aren't the type to pursuing things like that.  Most of them are more bestial, less thoughtful.  Murdering priests, yes, figuring out how to use ancient things like the Font, know.  On the other hand, if the Orc shaman who was here asked for their help, and it involved torturing a priestess here, I'm sure they were happy to serve."

If Melissa makes a reasonable request, Seti will likely indulge, but after the stress and carnage of their recent days, he is in no mood to offer unsolicited. "This shaman, do you know his name or do you speak generically?" If nothing else presents itself, he bids the lady good day and returns to the concern that is gnawing at him.

----------------------

Always in control, Seti let's his expression show resistance - not anger or violence but a very stern resolve, "Forgive my lack of clarity. We should never allow confusion where it need not be. If I were to pray this evening to Lord Pluto and ask his aide in determine Melissa's aura, he may grant some additional insight. However, I believe such a request would be wasteful, bordering on disrespectful. I already know the woman well. I know some of her companions. I have seen into their souls as well. Absent of a higher power directing me specifically to the contrary, I do not believe her many serious transgressions can be so quickly washed away. You asked if I can detect evil. I can answer that I am certain evil exists within Melissa." From this priest's perspective, Eadoin simply does not understand about the power of spells, perhaps innocently, but still such misinformation is dangerous. Yes, we are never certain, but rather than make that doubt what he know, it should make us comfortable with it - not always questioning it, as if we could ever be certain. "Is that clear enough? I wish to be thorough and as helpful to you as possible."

Turning to the Centaur's second point, "We always have hope." he begins, offering an excerpt from an ancient myth:

"Only Hope was left within her unbreakable house, she remained under the lip of the jar, and did not fly away before Pandora replaced the lid of the jar. This was the will of Jupiter."

"I must disagree with your view on imprisonment. Some crimes must be punished, and those who murder, threaten, and cause harm must be restrained. If it is your desire to hasten her to Tartarus, I will consider your request, but I am not so disposed. Lest we have some misunderstanding, I too ask again, 'What issue do you intend to put forth to our king?' Are you suggesting that he merely release her unsupervised, entrust her with his battle plans, or move her to some more comfortable remote imprisonment until he deems to pass judgment? Do you intend to force his hand? He knows her status. Why push him?"

He knew this debate was coming. He intended to stay out of it, presuming Theodoric would make his own decision, but now he is more concerned that the king may be misinformed, and Seti may have to reiterate his beliefs in light of the new circumstances. Ordinarily, he tries to avoid making excessive debate with those in power. They have enough to worry about already, and the virtue of their position dictates that they make difficult decisions with which others with disagree. Having said his piece, he intended to let it go. He'd even been avoiding Theodoric and the command tent for the past few days, not wanting to tempt himself into such dialogue. But this.... this dictates some comment. Yet, few allies seem present, and worst of all the king's lover has similar naive views on good and evil. Perhaps if they had seen all of what Seti has seen, the abuse heaped upon the innocent, the rapes, beatings, and murders, they would not be so cavalier. If they could speak with the tortured departed souls.... Such is a priest's burden. Without great faith, witnessing such suffering would consume most men.

Another thought crosses his mind, and before the Centaur begins an argument for her freedom, Seti makes a proposal, "Do I understand you correctly? You believe Apollo and his Muses have removed the evil and hate from the blackguard and that she is now prepared to live an honest, good life, helpful to our cause? If so, perhaps you would indulge me some simple questions and answers with her. She knows a great deal more than she has yet been willing to share. Would she not share all, willingly, if we're all working together so harmoniously? Should we find out?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:00, Thu 30 Aug 2012.

Eadoin listens, wondering if his counterpart will begin speaking slowly and loudly.  The young Centaur isn't the sharpest marble in the pouch, but he's quick enough to know when someone is managing their frustration.  In gentle response, he answers, "Sir, I understand well what faith is and how it can manifest itself through magic.  I've my own path that allows me some measure of the gods' favor as it respects wild and growing things.  It's...vulgar...I think, to treat honest prayer and supplication as spells, as things, as might a wizard, something that imposes a person's will onto the outside world.  Others walk that path, but not me."

After listening quietly a while longer, only able to guess at what emotions or deeds Seti might be projecting onto the situation or generalizing based on his own experiences.  He does read first hand the judgement in the man's voice, so different than he's come to expect from those called to guiding the dead.  All are alike in death, the thing of importance is in helping to guide the soul of the departed along its proper path.  He's unaccustomed to those of Lord Pluto's service concerning themselves with the judgement of the living.

"Sir, my experience with Melissa and her actions are deep and quite personal.  They are not general, found in distant lands nor in the collective suffering of all who have been harmed by the Huns.  They are first hand, both for my family and myself.  She has done both harmed us and interceded on our behalf."  He shakes his head sadly.  "I grew up in a city under Hun rule and have seen what they do first hand.  Suffering, though, does not create virtue by itself."

Quietly, Eadoin says, "Sir, you seem to have made up your mind to act in one way without taking benefit of the gifts given to you.  I do not agree in any way that it is disrespectful or blasphemous to make use of spells that we are granted in pursuit of deeper understanding.  You say that you are certain, but do not seem to accept that things may have changed since you made your assessment."

"You say you don't doubt the power or will of the gods I serve, but you place the decision you've made above my plain statement that I've acted within the bounds of my sacred duty.  You question my faith and try to convince me to see things your way with parables of Pandora's Box.  You debate both my faith and my understanding of my gods' will without taking any actions to further your own understanding."

Eadoin frowns deeply, "I've asked as best I know how whether you can or will help, now you ask my permission.  Your question to me to restate what I've said is insulting, sir.  It is cynical and judgemental, more a statement of your skepticism than something you intend me to answer.  I've asked a simple thing, but the conclusions to be drawn from the findings are the responsibilities of another.  I can only guess that you wish to continue debating and do not intend to help."

Here, Eadoin shrugs.  "Your tone and your insinuations are condescending and insulting.  You defend a position you've already reached, even when circumstances are not as they once were.  Do or do not as the mood takes you.  Pray.  Delay a day, a week, a month."

With no further discussion, Eadoin turns and departs.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:31, Fri 31 Aug 2012.

Seti stares blankly as the Centaur walks away. He turns to Scolo, "I must say, I've never understood the woodland creatures."

It was not his first diplomatic failure, and it is likely not to be his last. He would have preferred to know what Eadoin intends to do and why, but Seti has always found it pointless to try to force someone to do something they don't want to do. Apparently, his counterpart feels different. To each his own. Long ago, he grew weary of the constant misinformation about priests of Pluto, but he's learned to live with it and learned not to waste time trying to educate those who think they already know.

With that dialogue ended, Seti approaches Melissa again.

"Eadoin claims you have asked forgiveness and had the evil washed from you. Is this true? If so, I should very much like to hear more about how you may be able to help us. My previous offer stands. The more useful information you provide, the more effort I will exert to improve your situation, although I can make no promises. Ultimately, it is not for me to determine your fate."

Seti is honestly unsure of what Eadoin believes or why, but it doesn't matter. On the other hand, what Melissa believes may matter greatly. "What more can you tell me of the attack on Arras? Previously, you were concealing information. You and I both know this, so please don't insult our parlay by denying it."

Realizing this could take a while, he pulls a piece of bread from his pack and breaks it into, offering Melissa and Scolo pieces. "And please, if you will, tell me more about your plot to turn Theodoric to your cause. How long were you following him, and how did you find out about 'the Elf'? How did that stop your plans.. or has it?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:38, Thu 30 Aug 2012.

Melissa takes a deep breath.

”Eadoin said it would take the evil away.  I trusted him.  I let him cast his spell.  But I don’t feel.. I don’t know what it is I am supposed to feel.  How does ‘Not Evil’ feel?  I don’t feel happy.  Not angry, either but… I don’t feel happy.  But I’ll answer your questions anyway.

"Let’s see… Arras… first of all, it’s the Emperor’s position that all the gods will bow to the lords of the Abyss, who will be the new rulers of the heavens.  Don’t ask me about that, that’s not anywhere near the kind of thing I think about, so all I know is what everyone is told.  But this means the clerics have to go.. and… well you’re not all bad, are you?  I mean… I had trouble with some… they were bad.  But for the lords of the Abyss to take over.. Demons… the clerics have to be dealt with.  The campaign has already begun.  Arras was just a piece, and that first attack was more of a test than anything, to see who’s who, who does what, how Arras responds to an outright attack.  From what I was told… with the exception of your people, and Minerva’s, it was chaotic.  But that’s all Arras was.  A first shot there.  More will follow.  Me.. my work wasn’t there.  We were on Theoderic’s borders.  We killed a priest in Quintinacum, and then Rita showed up and that was the end of the story.

"I feel… it hurts when I think of doing that.  I don’t want to talk about that.

"But Theoderic, that was before then. I can talk about him!  I first met him years ago.  I don’t think he even remembers, because it was so long ago, and I wasn’t even in the Blackguard that time he came to Lutetia Parisiorum with his father.  He was the handsome rogue prince and I was.. what I was… and I wished… I really wished I could be someone a prince would court.  I tricked my way into a reception.. and I met him.. but eventually I was caught and thrown out.  But I didn’t blame him, not at all.

"And then, he came back, and he had two girls with him!  Rita and Aelasuria, and I thought he was just playing around, who would have guessed, because…

"Did you know?  He hated Elves.  It was an old personal issue.  He hated them.  Really.  That’s why we thought he could be brought over.  We’d make him the conqueror of the Elves.  Only… and Elf conquered him.  Seti… you should check.  I strongly suspect it is a spell of some kind.  For a man that was known to dislike them to turn like that.  What else would do it?"

She fills in details here and there- talking to him at Lutetia Parisiorum, and trying to be intermediary, to bring him into the Emperor’s service.  Again, in his own lands.  Sadness, and jealousy, watching him lost to Aelasuria.

”But never hate,” she says.  “I never… could have hurt him.”

Scolo chuckles in his celery - I warned her didn't I?

Melissa is finishing her tale, and a pair of soldiers are approaching.  They call out to Seti, Scolo, and the wagon driver assigned to this wagon.

Melissa hears them and answers back to them.  "Is it supper time?  What are we having?  Or time for my bath?  I could use one, you know."

But two aren't here for Melissa.

"Sir wizard, Good Father," one says to Scolo and Seti.  "We are sent to let you know, the troops prepare to move.  The columns are forming, and even this one must take its place."

"I don't suppose I could have an open window?"  Melissa.

"Lord Gellas and Father Seti are the masters of your confinement, not I," the soldier says.

Melissa's tone changes, she speaks to Scolo.  "Scolo... ride with me.  You don't know what it's like, bouncing along, seeing nothing, treated like an animal.  You don't think like the others do.  You trust me, don't you?"

Hmmmm ... Trust: A carroty feeling that two or more blugas believe and expect the others will support and defend them eh?, or assumption that one is codeleing the truth, or a saucy apple blossom pudding with cancher shell.

He shrugs his shoulders - and tries a smile.

Well harpy harpoogas?


Ahem comes a voice from the wagon itself, Edgar's voice.
Master Scolo likes you milady - perhaps its best to not muddy the waters with things more complicated.

Ooh whoo - excuse me - i need to quit flip flapping my words so much - I can ride with your wagon as before and we'll chat as you like,though may be fun to obsec if you can still be evil or not - I'm definitely interested in understanding the whole paradigmata.

Frustrated by the rush, Seti nods to the soldier. The troops must move, and they must move with them. "This is a war caravan, not a spa," Seti replies callously. He tires of Melissa's complaints. They've all suffered much. Even the good priest is tired, hungry, and longing for a bath, but he knows good and well now is not the time or place - as does she. As always, he suspects it is yet another attempt at freedom or subterfuge.

"If you are lonely, I will ride with you," Seti volunteers. "I will return shortly," he announces. Then he leaves Dagnish in charge with strict instructions not to permit any change in Melissa's condition until he returns. He is to yield to no one except for the king himself. "When I return, I will accompany Melissa in the wagon. You will ride with us," he announces, more resolute than ever that he must learn more from this most valuable source of information. Rather than hear more of her complaining, he would rather share her deprivations.

After making some minor operational preparations, Seti climbs into the wagon with Melissa. "It's a bit cramped, but I've ridden in worse," he says to her, propping himself up against his pack. He offers her a blanket and a pillow. "It's a bumpy ride, isn't it." Despite his lack of a romantic partner, Seti is no stranger to the guile of women. To the contrary, he has seen enough prostitutes, weddings, and young maidens to have become rather dry about it all. The circle of life has its place but no place in his life. The temptress will have no such luck on that front. If she wishes to get into his good gracious, it will have to be more intellectually.

"We're departing very soon. We'll be traveling in the middle of many troops, so escape will be particularly futile. To be honest, I don't know where we're going. That is not my concern. You are," he adds with a forced, obviously fake smile.

"It's a long ride, and I love to hear stories. Start wherever you like, but I am most interested in the Blackguard leadership, Zerova, and your plans for Theodoric. As brave as you are, you would not have attempted them alone, or even with only your small band in tow. Such a move would have come from higher up, no? Tell me something interesting. Your fate may still depend upon it."

Seti makes it a point to separate his scrolls and magical potions from his pack before entering the wagon. He entrusts them to Dagnish, along with his staff - not likely usable in the confined space, even if he needed it. He retains his non-dangerous, mundane personal items: bread and wine, some parchment and an inkpen, a canteen of water and some spare clothing.

"The list of clergy we found was interesting," he also offers up as a topic. "I wonder how it's marked so that you know which ones are working with the Huns."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:31, Thu 06 Sept 2012.

Scolo raises his eyebrows at the behavior.  When Seti's back is to him he mocks him to Melissa making a stern grumpy face.

He produces another pillow for Melissa. And sits on the wagon on the outside unless specifically requested to get inside.

During the long trip, it's increasingly clear that Melissa is much more comfortable with Scolo than she is with Seti.  Whatever Eadoin's staff has done for her, it has not erased her memories, and as she has explained before, her memories of priests are bad.  Not Seti's sect- they managed to earn an exception- but then, he's still a priest.

Scolo, on the other hand... Scolo is completely free.  Not even the bonds of common sense are able to hold him.  Not a care in the world.  Scolo’s subversive mockery of Seti brings something they have not seen yet- Melissa actually gives a little uncontrolled giggle.  It is actually the first thing he has ever heard from her that doesn’t sound carefully controlled.

Her mood elevated by Scolo, she talks a little about Theoderic, Zerova, and other topics.

Zerova was a long standing patron and expert recruiter for the Blackguard.  It wasn't easy, finding just the right sort of Evil.  The right person had to enjoy hurting others enough to do it without pause, and yet, be controllable.

"That's the hard part," she says.  "Any dolt can kill.  But having them obey orders, instead of taking whatever advantage they can... it wasn't ever perfect.  We'd chase our own happiness.  Sometimes it got in the way."

Her "plans" for Theoderic sound disjointed and muddled.  She's rational enough to know she would never actually have a future with that man.  And yet... she liked him.  The one the Emperor could not tame... the Rogue Prince... the last one resisting.  She takes credit for the Blackguards not simply killing him.  Melissa repeatedly intervened to make it seem like they could find the right levers, and control him.   Start trouble between him and Elves, and rush to his aid.  Melissa was following her own course, even if it was really leading nowhere.  In the meantime, of course, she helped kill the cleric in Quintinacum.

That makes her stop and think.  She looks very troubled.  "That's bothering me.  It didn't before.  It's strange...  I find myself feeling differently but not happier.  Like I've replaced pain and anger with pain and regret.  It's still pain.  You should tell Eadoin that, when you see him."

Scolo is solemn when she goes into regrets, and kindly puts a hand on the lady's shoulder. Trust is over-rated - it is much better to understand. Even the unsane know that.

After blah blah regarding all the past wrongs that SETI wants to discuss, Scolo is admittedly a little bored.

He pulls out the parchment of the snails journey on rainbow road and reads it outloud.
(Essentially the rainbow road thread)
Hmmm? What's this? After walking across the rainbows they've come upon an empty city? How fascinating.


Wars can be a lot of fun if not for regrets - there is always a new challenge - a deadline where lives hang in the ballance. One can understand the joy of conquest from the Hun, human, and even the Elf Hockeywatch.

So - when the war is done - what would you do?

He asks both of them.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:37, Sun 09 Sept 2012.

Riding with the mad wizard is extra torturous for Seti, but these are the burdens he must suffer. The priest makes little effort to hide his unhappiness with them both. "Melissa, I've had enough days alone on the road or in the library to ponder the meaning of life and my feelings. If you haven't, then you can use this opportunity well. However, if you wish to convince anyone of your change of heart, you'll need to do so with facts, not warm fuzzies. Everyone here knows that you have valuable information that you refuse to share. In doing so, you aide our enemies that brutally murder, rape, and pillage the people of Gaul. One cannot gain morale absolution merely by walking away. It doesn't work that way."

Expecting little to come from her anytime soon, he passes the time engaging Scolo's boredom. "After the war?" he asks, "Well, who knows what the world will be like then. Some day, I would like to travel to the ancient lands of Greece and Egypt, to see the birthplace of many gods, but I suspect for many years there will be much work that needs to be done. Even under the best of circumstances, there will be towns that need rebuilding, political struggles between princes and guilds, and the defending of some new frontier. I reckon that it is not within our power to banish all demons from the world in this war. It is but one of many chapters."

He adds, although he suspects the wizard has little interest in rules of any kind, "I have some interest in the codification of law. There will be much confusion initially. I find that most men and women, left to their own devices, eventually do bad things out of thoughtlessness or ignorance. Having the presence of law helps them think about how their behavior affects others and helps prevent conflicts from escalating to more actionable grievances."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:49, Mon 10 Sept 2012.

Mmmmmm yes - now that you mention it, laws might have some function ...

I only know laws from having to turn away the minds of law enforcers who not only don't understand the rule as written but also seem to seek power more than safety.

I would be glad to live among some capable and fair lawmaker -

"What would I do after the war?" Melissa says, exploring the question.  "That's... up till now there was no after the war to think about.  The Huns will always be at war.  If they take Belgica and beat the Elves, there will be the Saxons, the Dwarves, the Goths... they will have to always fight because it's what they're here for.  And if they have no opponents left they will be turned on each other."

"But now.. do you really think there can be an after?  Let's say there is, and let's say it includes being let out of this box.  I'm not going back to my old life again.  Never.  Ever.  The thought of that makes me sick.  And I don't see myself as some comfortable merchant's wife... oh, yes, we'd be in Lutetia Parisiorum one day, and someone would say, look, isn't that...

"I have too much past.  I think I would find myself... if I had the chance... at some noble's court.  Some wealthy lord who wanted a mistress who happened to be very good at some things most mistresses aren't.  And very good at the things mistresses are supposed to be good at, too.  That seems to make the most sense."

Scolo shakes his head smiling in a nurturing as if to a student who just flubbed her first test but has some potential.

That won't do... That won't do at all - Ild prefer the priest assassins to go on than to just trade one prison for another. No - to get out of the box here
He knocks on wood
You must get out of the box here
He taps her head.

You mean to survive, by attaching to a leader - better the Deamons than some petty noble. No noble could stack up - it would bore you.

Survival schmival! Find a way to live - and live alone! If you can see it and be it - you will be free with or without a war.

You could run a casino with shiny things? Or a brothel for priests, or maybe a sadistic twelve step recovery program for perverts

Edgar suggests.

You could run a town - in a colony far from here in pirate country you would learn to spot the troublemakers and send them off before the trouble.
Or manage a law practice, collecting debts. Or a security firm, providing body-guard escorts to those visiting Leutetia Parisorium - or works of art. Your history would be an asset.

Waste not another breath whining about this little prison, the one in your mind is worse.

Having asked twice for information, Seti decides not to ask again. Her platitudes bore him. It's not becoming of a sincere negotiation. Instead, he responds to Scolo,

"Indeed, I think the gods give us challenges to give our life meaning. While many may speak of retiring to a villa in the countryside, the great ones never do it. The chase is more fun than the capture. Everyone knows that."

He looks over the list of names again. Certainly Melissa knows how to get in contact with her Blackguard brethren, if she so chose to do so. All over Gaul, priests were falling. Seti closes his eyes for a few minutes and prayers that their souls may transcend peacefully.

Melissa looks unhappy.  Seti and Scolo have seen a lot of that lately.  She used to look more bitter.  Now it’s more… regretful.  And still, she seems to respond to Scolo’s irreverent style more than Seti’s dark glowering.  She takes Scolo’s strange words at face value.

“If there is any prison in my own mind it is not of my making, and I cannot undo it.  I’m not a great one and wasn’t destined for that.  I am… I am many things, but I know…   I know what my skills are.  There’s much I could do.  But I’ve found that just surviving is a noble fight.”

She has an idea of her own.  “What do you need me to do, Scolo?  You’ve got some angle of your own, don’t you?  Of course you do, you’re a wizard, you’re too far out of the real world to understand it.  But I’m not.  Maybe you need someone who can dust the spell books, and cover your back.  I could be very good for you.”

She considers.
  "Sometimes the best way to survive is to be valuable to the right person.  I can be.  You know what?  Seti’s a priest.  I have no desire to kill him at all.  Is that the sum of what that staff did?  Take a away the part of me that wanted to kill clerics?"

My angle? My angle .... That would be the angle of the Lesky curve if I could choose one, not unlike a fractal extended through deklo-space.

But yes I do have my own motives.  I am here because the Hun king had too many rules - that's right - as his wizard I had lost the freedom to work. But I tried to work it out, made him a nice gift - he made me a series of magic killing swords.  Clever if direct.

So what I need .... I need someone who remembers ... Someone who can remind me what I was doing and watch for danger. - Edgar helps ..

For instance - here!
He takes out his waffle iron.

Look at this - it makes magnificent waffles, and it is powerfully magical. But what does it do? I put at least 3 remarkable enchantments on it but have no memory of the event. If you can remember for me what they were - that would be something.

Melissa smiles- and it looks genuine, not an “If you only knew, ha ha” kind of smile at all.


She seems to enjoy Scolo’s antics. But when he suggests memory… she darkens.  You don’t mean the Obliviax, do you?  Scolo.. I wouldn’t.  But I can help you remember things from here on out, if you let me.  They always said I was quick like that."

Then, finally, she looks at Seti.

"Speaking of memory," she says.  "You want mine, I know.  There are things you want to know I can't help you with.  I don't know plans and missions.  Kreubbus doles out information sparingly.  You don't get to be head of the Blackguards with trust and fellowship.  But I can tell you about individuals.  Let's start with me.  I confess to the murder of seven priests.  Four in Lutetia Parisiorum, one  in Quintiniacum.. those jerks in Agedincum.  And one priestess.  That was a mercy killing, Seti.  They got her alive, and she was just a young novice, and I know what Blackguards will do.  Those are my crimes.  Now the problem is, I am a confessed murderer.  Scolo talks about escaping from my head prison.  I can't do that now.  It never was a prison before.  I hated them.. I hated them so much it was a kind of satisfaction, knowing I had killed them.  I liked it.  The head prison Scolo talks about is a brand new thing.  I never had it before Eadoin and that staff of his.   Let me tell you, it's a lot worse than just being in the box."

"As you have likely surmised," Seti offers some sympathy, in his own way, "I do not approve of what Eadoin did. His intentions are good, but using magic to alter someone without supplying them with the wisdom and guidance to manage their life is a rather strange blessing. If you so desire, there are plenty who care teach you, but as with most things such knowledge requires a desire to learn."

Since he's already at the end of his rope, he gives some minor positive response to Melissa's "offering" of information. "I appreciate your list of transgressions, but imagine that you were in my shoes, hoping to get useful information. You wouldn't care much about past personal transgressions. I'm not your priest. If you wish to go down that road, we can discuss it, but for now, I am only here in the capacity of determining whether you have useful information to share that may affect your sentence. Personally, I'm not here to judge your character, your internal struggle with morality, or future after the war. I find it absolutely inconceivable that you would have no knowledge of how to contacts other Blackguards, no knowledge of secret codes or messages, no knowledge of their mission, no knowledge where to find them, and so forth and so on. A spy, or even an assassin, who is simply wandering in the wilderness indefinitely, with no way to send information home, or even find home, is of minimal value. To be blunt and honest, I don't believe you. It's not credible, and after all my efforts and good faith, I've grown weary of asking."

Seti has found such behavior typical among politicians and charlatans - to exaggerate and distort requests made of them to make their inadequate responses seem reasonable. No on ever suggested that she knew everything of Kreubbus, that trust and fellowship flows bountifully over campfire songs. The mere suggestions are insulting to anyone who understands politics. Even in the darkest nights, the moon and stars shine some light, lest nothing useful would be possible. Seti would stake his life that Melissa knows critical information that she is deliberately withholding. Browbeating her seems useless. She would probably enjoy it. By sharing her imprisonment, even if briefly, he hoped to convinced her of his sincerity, so that when he finally walks away, she'll know that her chance to improve her fate - at least through him - has walked away as well.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:03, Sun 16 Sept 2012.

"Other than my own mission, which you know about, there's little I can tell you.. except about people," Melissa says.  I don't know their plans or orders, but I know some who were chosen to infiltrate Belgica, and do some damage and murder priests before the invasion.

She discusses some names with Seti and Scolo.  A few they can match up against other reports- there was an Elf woman, Jestrynara, who was dealing with Blackguard plots for a while.  So there are few names they write off as already dead.

But there are some Blackguards Melissa knows to be in Belgica that are still unaccounted for.  She describes them.

Myxokos.  She knows he is a fugitive from a distant land.  She thinks he is a corrupted priest- the kind that decided something was so important that if the gods weren't responding to his requests, he'd get help from the Infernals.  And of course, once you go down that path...

Hallus.  Mean, sociopathic type.  The typical run of Blackguard thug, but very slippery and agile.

Valti, who usually works with Hallus, and is an excellent archer.

And then there is Corrantus.  One of the leaders,and one of the older Blackguards- Corrantus is in his fifties.  A big, strong man and an excellent warrior.  Headstrong and arrogant, domineering, possessive and jealous.  He isn't even supposed to be in Belgica, but he insisted... and got his way.. after his current girlfriend was 'drafted' into Zerova's troupe as a musician.  Always butted heads with the others... it may be that he has gone too far, and is no longer considered on the Blackguard roster.  Or maybe, the Emperor was a little suspicious that Zerova might not be entirely on his side, and wanted someone else who could watch over her.
(

Despite her seeming sincerity, Seti continues to find it incredulous that she could be truly ignorant as to how to reconnect with her Blackguard allies. There has to have been a rally point, a home base, a way station, or something. Adventurers and spies die frequently enough that even those who work on a need to know basis need to know some such things. Still, it's something, and he thanks her for the information. It's enough to at least commute the worst part of her sentence, although Seti remains against freeing her anytime soon.

Once the king decides to interact with her, Seti wants to see how that changes her attitude.