Early that morning A'kos heads into the city to see if he can find Jaleh at her manse.  He pops Leo out of his belt and calls out the password, and says, "Find her home, my friend."

Mounted on Storm's Wind, he makes his way to the heart of the city unsure of what to expect - rumors from the other group have left him a little worried.

Upon reaching the manse he keeps Leo at his side.  At the entrance he calls out, "Jaleh!"

After a quick yank of the bell pull he awaits an answer.

The Byzantines, from what Barmak had been told, were not an entirely barbaric people as infidels go.  Unlike the northern Franj, he had come to understand that the Greeks were accustomed with bathing regularly.  So it was with this expectation that the Persian sought out a public bath within Khorsun.  His body ached from the battle, and he longed not only to cleanse the blood and gore from himself but also to make himself ritually clean, that he might offer prayers.

Around mid-morning Jean rides in through the northern gate with the severed heads of three Pechenegs dangling from his saddle.

He clatters grimly through town still marked by the dried gore of yesterday's battle and returns to the small building which has lately served as his quarters.

Some short time before midday Dyanna goes in search of Balthazar.  Seeking the wizard out she says, "Will you escort me to today's festivities, Balthazar?"

She is dressed in her typical utilitarian fashion, though her clothes do appear to be newly fashioned.

With the battle over and a bit of time to drink to their victory and the loss of their friend, meditates and sleeps. When he wakes up he cleans his body and his equipment, and spends time talking to Zmija about the battle and this new philosophy that he has so recently come to and found so effective against the Half-Orcs. Zmija critiques Loukas's use of the abilities he so recently taught him and gives him further tips while giving further insights into the Order's teachings. Before long midday has past and after the third bell after noon they make their way to the Knyaz's celebration.

For A'kos:

The steward of Jaleh's estate answers the door with a sour face saying..."What have you done with her? I have seen hide nor hair of my lady since she left with you!"

Miroslav arrives at the palace in tow of Dobrynya and his retinue. His retainer Boris is also with him as is Ulfr, Radvila and Oleg.

Miroslav has cleaned his armor and weapons by rubbing them down with a lambskin cloth and some sand. He has also found some decent clothing and a good cloak. For once he looks like a general and not just a hardened campaigner. But like the rest of the Rus he arrives fully armed and armored.

The palace of Khorsun is, as was said before, a fairly common building but large and utilitarian, perfect for the Rus and their allies.

It seems that many of the nobles and rich merchant among the native folk have been invited as well, as has the clergy who arrive on foot, roasting in their heavy robes in the midday sun.

It looks as though the nobles, Merchants and even clergy bring gifts to the conquering Knyaz in carts and wagons. In the case of the clergy they carry the gifts.

Sir Jean arrives fully armed and wearing his finest clothing.

All of his gear has been cleaned and fairly shines in the noon sunlight.

His question answered, his tension rises at the absence of his lady friend.  His irritation is riled to annoyance, and near anger, wondering what's become of her.  He head's back to the camp, noting the preparations being made for the feast.  Bathing, he dons dark leather leggings to go with the blue tunic he won during the contest with the daggers what seemed like many ages before, then over the tunic he laces up his leather cuirass.

Strapping on his baldric, he wears his sword at his side and makes his way to the party.

Seeing Jean and Loukas he calls, "Hail, and well met.  Have any here seen Jaleh?"

"I'd be delighted to."  He is dressed in his nicest outfit today, but he's got that spell going which gives him those extra-dimensional space pockets and he is carrying all of his books and equipment.  "I'm ready to depart at a moment's notice."

When Balthazar arrives and finds out that Jaleh is missing, he asks the group what should be done.  "I've memorized a bunch of locate object spells; we could head to the places she was last seen looking for an item we knew she was wearing, if you think that would help."

"Will that work?" A'kos asks, scratching at the stubble on his chin.  "She carries a dagger I can describe pretty well, if you think that will help?"

Barmak stands among the others, his clothes clean and his raven hair loose about his shoulders.

"I've not seen her, Magyar," he says to A'kos.  "Not since before the battle, when Miroslav appointed us to our scouting mission.  Come to think of it, I did not see her among our own when we faced the Pechenegs.  It did not surprise me that she might make herself scarce then, so I did not inquire into it."

He looks to Balthazar to see what the eccentric worker of magics might do.

"It absolutely will, if you can guide me to a likely spot.  I've got 3 of them memorized, and each will last for 6 minutes giving me 120 yards of detection - shorter inside a building though."

"We've been sharing a tent," he says to Balthazar.  "Would that be a good place to start?"

"Or maybe let us ask Miroslav first if any among Dobrynya's entourage has seen her."

"Wait," says Dyanna suddenly, in a soft voice not meant to carry.  "I can help you find her."

She looks at A'kos, her expression inscrutable, and continues, "Come...and you Balthazar.  I have means of...finding her...that are more direct."

When asked Jean indicates that he has not seen her.

Loukas joins the group as Dynna, Balthazar, and A'Kos are leaving. Noting the concern on their faces he turns to the Frank and the Persian, "Good afternoon, Barmak. Sir Jean. What is the matter? A'kos looks rather... Focused."

"It seems that Jaleh has gone missing with no word to him."

"Awesome."

Concern now appears on his face, "That is odd. Those two have been inseparable since... Well, since the beginning. I can not recall seeing her in the battle. I hope she has not fallen."

Dyanna leads the way back to her current quarters and enters.

Quickly she picks up a mirror made up of three panels.  Each pane reflects slightly differently than the others, and she chooses to concentrate on one.  Over her shoulder she says to Balthazar, "Observe, but please allow us privacy and keep anyone else out if you will.  I would not be interrupted during the ritual."

Staring intently into the center mirror she watches as the pane turns cloudy then begins to clear...

What does she see?

"As do I," Barmak replies to Loukas as he watches Dyanna lead the Magyar away.  "It would wound my heart to see their bravery against the Pechenegs rewarded only with separation by death.  Would that Fate should not be so cruel."

"If she fell it was before the battle. She did not fight in it."

"Well, then let us hope that it is neither case. It is good to see the two of you, though. Let us get ourselves some of the Knyaz's refreshment. I have acquired a taste for Mead since coming here!"