With the older Chanactarsa gone, the younger one turns her attention back to Tahirah.  "I should go with her.  The Rokt will expect two of us to be there.  If he sees only one, he may suspect a trap, and if another takes my place, he may suspect a trap.  What is the payment for your services?"

Donovan relaxes as the door swings shut behing the other blood-drinker, and returns to his place behind the counter, where he serves Aaron's friends more drink.  They, for their part, continue in their apparent attempt at bankrupting the man who offered to pick up their tab.

Elsewhere, conversation revolves around many subjects.  Over the bridging though, the discussion centres on how to make the best of the current situation....


Outside the inn, Banglen-Yp is gone, leaving a wide circle of ground which seems less wet than the rest.  The storm is rapidly changing that detail.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:03, Wed 11 July 2007.

Roman notes Banglen-Yp's departure and makes his decision.  "I'll go, the same way as before...Have the panthers help me find my way, I'll be taking the short cuts...".

Stepping outside he repeats his transformation At least the wind and rain won't bother me like this...
This message was last edited by the player at 05:40, Thu 12 July 2007.

Cats are always good, Chance sends across the bridge with a physical shrug. Anyone who can be near without arousing suspicion is good, too.

He nods to Roman as he leaves. He rather hoped the man would volunteer without being volunteered. It seemed a plan was coming together. That was good. Maybe some action would be good for the group. Information would be better.

Chance could blend in, as he had said, but someone that knew his face could still recognize him. He'd rather not be too close.

The same slow, casual voice comes over the bridging.  Perhaps he was assigned the duty?  We are listening.

"I think," Luke muttered, "I'll hand off to the Old Man.  Little too many things going on around here, and I'd rather have him know what's going on anyway, while I keep my own feet free for dancing."

The bridging buckled for an instant, but did not break - it shifted, warped, then steadied.  Berd now controlled the Bridging, leaving Luke free and clear to commence whatever nefarious plots might seem useful at the time.

The group of sailors go into a close huddle around the table, throwing occasional glances in the direction of the Questors, particularly Tahirah.  The looks they give seem far more curious than hostile.

Suddenly, Meredith, who has been sitting quietly, away from the others, speaks over the bridging, I know what the women have.  I just saw it, clearly, in her mind when she spoke of the horned man.  It is a die, with too many sides, and it scares them.  They want to sell it to him, quickly, and get away from it.

Oh, Chance broadcasts. A die with too many sides? We could hit up every casino in the cosmoverse with that kind of die. We'd be rich ... or we could destroy it and save the universe, instead. You know, either way. A wry smile filters through the mental channels.

Tahirah shrugs.  "The trap is already set," she notes.  "I wish you luck, and hope the knowledge you have gained allows you to extend your fate."  She turns a final card, and pretends to look at it, before adding, "You may find friends in strange places."

She's a little startled by the last question.  She'd never even thought about doing it like that.  Of course, back in Charyk, the Lords had provided her with her apartment, and nobody had ever asked her to pay for anything.  She had been...Tahirah.  Now that she was out in the myriad worlds, and really just Tahirah, she might have to think about things like that.  Just at the moment, though, she has absolutely no idea.  "It is a gift," she replies instead.  "And therefor must be freely given.  Gifts may be exchanged, but it is not required," she adds, in a moment's inspiration.  She'd seen entertainers operate on that principal, and they had seemed to do well enough with it.  Though later she might think more about whether that was the level she wanted to present herself on.

Aaron had to use a lot of energy to hide his surprise, when Meredith announced her discovery across the bridging.

"A die with... oh shit." He took a moment to collect himself, then: "It's another Cube, a type of object used by the Archons to track and intercept individuals who travel the Myriad. It inscribes an image of every world the individual who holds it visits. I've figured that they probably use it to plan forward movements through the Worlds, picking and choosing which world to conquer next through their inadvertant lackeys."

Aaron frowned, shaking his head, knowing just how it felt to be one of those unfortunate souls tagged with an item of that magnitude. "Those ladies have a lot on their plates with one of those things in tow. I don't blame them for wanting to ditch it."

Well, well.  Luke grinned, his teeth suddenly as sharp as any panther's.  That means we need to observe this meeting carefully and, dare I say, capture both the ladies and their contact.  If they have a cube, then either they seized it from the Archons, or they work for them through an intermediary.  For myself, I'd love to find out more about what's going on from this contact of theirs.

I vote we watch...then, when we have them all together, take all of them before their contact acquires the cube and leaves.

James continues to stare off into space, talking quietly to no-one.  No-one here anyway.

Morgan injects a note of caution.  Didn't this group have such a cube at one time? They might well be working for Amber. The women are obviously mercenaries.  If we take the man after the meeting, there is less risk for us, and we are more likely to get him living.

Point taken, Morgan.  This group captured its cube - perhaps they did the same...hmmm, on consideration, even if that is the case I would like to question the women as well.  I would like to know where they FOUND the cube, and from whom they stole it.

Question them surely. But why not separately, and with the offer of pay? If they'd refuse payment, and your magicians can not pry it lightly from their minds, then there would be time for more physical endeavors. One person can be captured, whre three will die fighting.

The woman, all unaware that she, her partner, and their business associate are the topic of so much conversation all around her, considers Tahirah's words, and replies, "In that case Haria Nex thanks you for the gift, and presents one of her own.  It is not much, but it is all I have."

Her right hand lifts to the back of her neck, sliding in beneath her hair, to emerge a moment later holding a knife.  It is an odd weapon, the double edged blade curved into a semicircle, four fingers broad at the base, and tapering to a needle-sharp tip, which turns back towards the hilt.  The outer curve can't be more than a handspan around its entire length.

The hilt itself has four rings along it, designed to hold the thing firmly in the wielder's grasp, and set in such a way that, if held correctly, the blade would curve away from the user.

It is, overall, a heavy, viciously hooked claw of a weapon, which shows signs of having been lovingly cared for.

She lays the blade on the table, the hilt turned towards Tahirah, and slides it towards the seer who fortold her death.

"I give this freely, as a gift.  And with it, I give the Knife Blessing - may you never need to use it, but may it serve you well, if you do."

"Ooh. Take the knife," Aaron inadvertantly intoned across the bridging. His apprecation for all-things-edged coming to the fore as an uncontrollable amusement. "That woman's got good taste." he nodded appreciatively.

Then his eyes narrowed, his head cocking to the side as something new met his mind.

"Tahirah and this woman - they have developed a connection, here. Do any of you think Tahirah would be able to convince this woman into giving us the Cube, if not information about its previous owner?"

He considered sending that exact request to Tahirah herself, but Aaron was unsure as to whether the woman who was speaking to her had any sort of sensetivities to such effects. He erred on the side of caution this once.

Luke leaned back in his chair, relaxing slightly.  Yes.  A good plan, Morgan.  Better to take one of them, and speak to the other two.  If a battle can be avoided...the man must be taken immediately after obtaining the cube, though, or no doubt he will escape.

Aaron, I would support your suggestion to have Tahirah ask about the cube, now.  I don't think we'd get them to hand it over, and doubt we should try - they have a curious sense of honor, and I believe they would refuse.  But asking about the cube, and from where they obtained it...should Tahirah put her question properly, I suspect the woman would certainly volunteer the information.

A message over the bridging The first woman has new companions - and she sounds pretty hostile to the other - perhaps setting them up to kill her.  It could be that she's in on the double-cross.  Maybe that's why she was so sour..."

Very well.  Tahirah's voice slides into the Bridging softly, for the first time.

She lifts the knife from the table, her hands finding the correct way to hold it surprisingly quickly, and her head dips in thanks.  "It is...a very fine gift indeed," she replies.  "I thank you also, Haria Nex, and," she hesitates, and lays the knife to the side of the table, though her hand continues to rest on the hilt. "I ask a liberty.  It is not my place to interfere, or to hold you here, and I do not wish to do so.  But within your fortunes, I see a cube, that is more than a cube.  Beyond the cube, I see the fortunes of many - of thousands, and more.  It is unique, as all things are, but it is not the only one of its kind."

Though she doesn't move her hands, her hood seems to pull back...no, rather, to fade away, until it lays across her hair, but not at all over her face.  Her surprisingly young eyes look up at the woman across from her.  "My name is Tahirah, and though it is not my place...I would hold you here, if it were.  I ask you, as a friend, please, before you go - tell me of this cube.  I believe it is very important."

"How do you... ?" Haria Nex starts the question, then stops herself with a shake of her head.  Gesturing towards the cards, she says, "Surely you have ways to find out things that would be hard to block."

Falling silent, she bites at her lower lip, thinking for a moment, before reaching a decision.  "I fear the die.  It has some dark purpose, and once I saw it, I wanted nothing of it, but my people have made a bargain with the Rokt, and the Chanactarsa are bound by their bargains."

She sits again, leaning forward.  "We are hunters, of a sort.  We can find anything, no matter how well hidden.  We are known for it, and others pay us to seek things they desire.  So the horned one came to us, and told us what he sought, and because my sister made the bargain, we were bound to at least try to find it.  Seven years we sought it, without success.  At times we came close, only to lose it again.  Other times we found things which were like the one we were hunting, but they weren't the right one.  We had to find the exact one the Rokt desired.  So we kept searching, and when we found it, none of us wanted anything to do with it."

"But we had a bargain."

Her head drops, and she studies her hands, resting on the table.  Turns them over to examine the palms, covered by a network of fine scars.  "The place where we found it was far from here, at the end of the world.  The land ended in a cliff, and a bottomless pit, filled with darkness, fog and thunder.  At the very lip stood a fortress, and one of its towers leaned out across the void."


"In the fortress lived a thing of nightmares.  Scales and wings and claws, all of diamond, and it held the thing we sought.  We took the thing, though seven of my sisters died to do it, and those who survived brought it away with us, even if we didn't want it."

"So we travelled, back here to meet the Rokt.  The die, the cube, as you call it, had many places pictured upon it, and whenever we rested anywhere, we would wake to find that the thing had grown, and a new image was added to it."

She clenches her hands into fists, and makes a determined effort to raise her gaze to meet Tahirah's own.  She succeeds, barely...

"We looked at it as little as we could.  It made all of us afraid.  We would have thrown it over the edge of the world, on the first day, so much did it disturb us, but we had made a bargain."

"So we brought it back here, a long journey, and now Daennar Gef will present it to the Rokt, and the Chanactarsa will receive payment, and be rid of the thing.  They will be able to return to their home, at last.  I would go with them, but I will be dead."

Chance releases a half-sigh. Across the bridging, he drawls: Ah, the burdens of honor. This poor lady seems to be in a predicament, perhaps we should help her out?

He smirks, as the chair comes forward and the other two legs of it meet the floor with a clunk. As soon as the chair is flat on the ground, he stands and approaches Tahira and the woman with his warmest smile--not a big one, just enough to show that he was sorry for intruding.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt, ladies," he begins. "May I speak plainly? I've never seen of anything like this cube before, but I have heard tales of similar things. I feel that if your instinct is to destroy the thing, then it needs to be destroyed. Yet, I understand your conundrum--your people made a bargain and that must be kept. Tell me, when the object of desire is delivered and payment received, is the bargain complete? What if a new bargain were struck, say... with myself for example... to locate that same object with the intent of destroying it? Would your people make such a bargain?"

May not need to make such a deal, but... just in case. Her people seem to have some ability to move through the worlds towards a goal or object. Useful talent--not unlike those who walk the great Pattern, am I right?

Looking curiously at Chance, Haria Nex, reples carefully, "I... do not know.  I am not the leader.  My sister, Daennar Gef, would be the one to bargain with if you wish to employ us."

"Still, she may not agree.  We find things, we do not usually destroy them.  If others wish to destroy a thing after we find it, that is their affair, and one we really want no part of.  Destruction of powerful artifacts can release curses, and life is hard enough, without being cursed."

She glances around at the other strangers present, "In any case, if a decision must be made, best it were made soon.  The time for Daennar Gef to meet with the Rokt is almost upon us."
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:49, Sat 21 July 2007.

Thank you, Roman.  Interesting information.  Well done, Chance.  A fine idea.  Roman, Chance suggests hiring these people to assist us.  For myself, I believe that the more upon our side than against, the better.

"I've been cursed before," Luke drawled out, setting his boots upon the floor.  Oddly enough they clacked against the wood, as if their bottoms were something harder than they appear.  "Many more times than anyone here might believe.  No doubt I'll be cursed again.  I'll take the responsibility of destroying the cube, Miss, if you wish.  Off your spirit, onto mine."  He grinned - one of his better smiles, rather than the usual.  "Wouldn't want to make your life any harder than it already is."

"If I can be so honest," Chance says with his best smile. "It seems we may have encountered something like this before, in fact. Maybe the same, maybe not. We'll take responsibility for destroying it. We want to know if we can hire you--just you--to assist us in finding it or the Rokt, if the delivery has been made. Can you make such a bargain, yourself?"

"You would wish to employ me, alone, to find this thing? Haria Nex watches Chance's face carefully, "And then you would destroy it yourselves?"

She finally breaks her gaze away from the man, turning it instead to the others present, each in turn, and finally back to Chance.

"It is against our code to take a bargain which would oppose one made by another of our sect.  So I cannot help you to prevent the delivery of this thing, this... cube... to the Rokt.  There is, though, nothing in the code to stop me helping you to find him, and take it from him after it has been delivered."

"The code requires that I name a cost for this, before we seal the bargain.  I would do it for nothing, but that would go against the code.  One half ounce of copper, that is my price.  Take it or leave it.  Do we seal the bargain?"

Her face breaks into a broad smile, as she draws a small knife, and pulls the tip across the palm of her right hand, before extending the bloodied hand towards Chance...

Chance keeps himself from frowning too much at the sight of the woman's blood. Decisive little thing, isn't she? he sends over the bridging. I was going to ask her to wait until we knew what was happening with Banglen-Yp, Roman and Morgan's recon.

He knew better than to back out of a deal at this point, not when she had already cut herself for the deal. He also knew not to mention that half their number was out tracking already. Half ounce of copper? Unless she came from a place where ounces were much bigger, that was like... a penny or something? Good, she wants to do this, then. She charges a minimal fee just to satisfy her honor.

He nods his agreement, then touches his guitar case. If he was going to wound himself, it would be with his own weapon. The guitar case melts, dissolving away most of its mass, as its shape flows and ripples until it matches her knife in near-perfect detail.

He places the knife against his palm, steels himself with a deep breath, and then pulls it hard and quick across. Knife still in left hand, he extends his right hand and takes hers with a firm shake.

As he withdraws it, the right side of his clothing flutters as if in a sudden breeze. The sleeve of his shirt flows down the right arm, extending--now a long sleeved shirt, rather than a t-shirt. A bandage appears from under the sleeve and snakes around his palm and tightens, staunching the flow of blood.

The knife is already returning to its preferred musical shape, only now it's a bloody guitar.

"Deal," he says.

Anyone have a half-once of copper on them?

Morgan flips a small golden coin at Chance.  Smallest I've got.

Having observed the meeting, Chance knew payment would be due on delivery. He catches the golden coin and looks at it. "It appears we only have gold, right now. Don't worry--I'm sure we can get change before delivery, so the correct amount is paid."

He glances at the innkeeper, wonder if the man could exchange some copper coins for a gold one. He assumed proper payment would be necessary within her culture.

Several panthers, hearing Chances desire, decided to answer it, but Ahmad quiets them and answers for all.

We're 'round a ground-house, stone. There's eight of us, Banglen-Yp, Roman, and her kitten. Two of the women are inside, a third woman watching. The man is headed there.  Roman's suggested we take the man, while he waits in reserve. Banglen-Yp is quite pretty. Her fur is thick and sleek, and she moves well.  The woman have agreed to kill Haria Nex if she tries to interfere in the exchange. They all seem road-ready with full bags.

Chance lets a smile slip onto his expression. Kill Haria Nex... That burned deep inside him. Not on my watch, he think. As far as he was concerned, this was an act of war.

My opinion: we can't let that happen. Haria Nex is innocent, and she's trying to help us. The others may feel they're just doing their job, but they've sold their soul to their duty. Don't let them stop us from our objective. Reason with them if possible--they don't know what is at stake here--but we should be ready to do anything necessary to stop them.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:03, Wed 25 July 2007.

Morgan shakes his head. She won't break faith to interfere in the exchange, so they've no reason to do anything. I wager she'd kill them if they broke faith. Or try. We agreed to capture the man after the exchange, didn't we?

James' presence is felt in the local bridging.  The place she described finding the Cube sounds very like the Courts of Chaos.  Roman could no doubt confirm it.  If it has been from there to here, picking up impressions of the worlds along the way then it incredibly dangerous.  It would identify all the worlds the Archon's need to take to achieve their purpose.

Aloud, he says, "Ms Nex, if the bargain is good we should act on it.  I don't think your kinswoman would appreciate any interference in the delivery but our best chance to take the cu...die from the Rokt will be immediately afterwards."

Yes, Chance sends over the bridge. But we don't know if they'll consider her actions after the exchange to be breaking faith. She said she wasn't sure how the leader would take it. So, we need to be on our toes, I think.

Edge of the Abyss or somesuch, James? I thought that myself, but I've never been there.

I've never been adverse to people selling their souls, but duty is cold comfort.  I agree that we should be prepared to stop them, dead, for the simple reason that they will not hesitate to kill any who oppose them.  Haria Nex, James, Morgan and his people, the bloody kitten.  They come from a culture where such things are acceptable, even encouraged.  Look back on what they said - death means something slightly different to them than it would to you.

James is correct - that cube must be obliterated.  Haria Nex's people cannot be allowed to stand in our way.  Additionally, their employer must be either captured or slain.  He shot a quick look at James.  Any information we wrench from him will be taken painlessly.  To some, torture is morally reprehensible.  To others, it is merely inefficient.  Either way, it is to be avoided.

He stood, and turned toward Chance and Morgan.  "Happens I have a pair of pennies."  With a flick of the wrist, he sent the old, greek coins to Chance, trusting on the man's quick reflexes to catch them.  "Just in case our friend doesn't have change."

<blue>Ahmed, Roman's plan seems solid, though it would likely be better if some of our other people were there as well.  Morgan, of course, James, Chance at the very least.  He gave a sour smile to the empty air.  I will remain in reserve, to guard the Underflow against any assistance.  I'm certain any of you are better able to deal with the physical aspects of this, and if I bring my talents to bear, I may gather unwanted attention.  Better I prepare to slam the door in people's faces.

Of course they are Morgan's response leaves little doubt of his opinion. Traitors and enemies die.


He does concede the point to Chance, bowing from the waist without getting up.  I missed that, first go 'round. On our toes it is. He stands, then, and heads for the door.  We're heading out. Leareth, half on watch here, half with us, please. It won't take a minute to get there, but it will to get secure in the saddles. Someone willing to carry the woman?

The drawling voice from earlier indicates a 'yes', so Morgan grins, and steps into the storm.

"Then let us go." the young woman pulls her cloak about her, and moves to the door, "Be warned though, that if any interfere before the trade is completed, it may end badly.  My people take bargains seriously... that is why others trust us to work for them.  If word were spread that a bargain was not honoured, then they would find others to do their work."

"The die, must change hands, and the payment, to preserve our good name.  Once that has happened, the Chanactarsa are, in no way, obligated to ensure that the Rokt retains the thing, and will not act to stop you taking it from him."  She smiles, though there is little humour in it, "Do not act too quickly, else you may find yourselves the next things that Daennar Gef sets out to find."

Out in the street, she calls out, over the sound of the storm, "We must make haste, to the marketplace!  We may already be too late!"

As enormous panthers drop down onto the street, and Morgan buckles himself onto Leareth, his laughter is muffled by the roar of the storm.  "Use the straps! He's fast, but you really don't want to fall off!"

Tahirah's cards have already vanished into her sleeve, and somewhere during the conversation, she's drawn her hood back up as well.  She rises quietly from her seat, and walks out into the storm like it isn't there.  "I must ask, of your clan," she says, drawing close to Haria Nex, her voice professionally pitched to carry the short distance through the storm.  "I am sure many of your clients wish their motives unknown, and some must seek to use you for goals of which you would not approve and purposes unstated...but how far might your duty be twisted, before it is stretched beyond what your honor can hold?  Is there such a limit?"

Meredith shakes her head, and her voice comes, quietly, over the bridging, I will wait here, and see if I can find out more from Donovan.  There are mysteries here which need to be investigated.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:32, Fri 27 July 2007.

Serena had been up in her room at the inn for quite awhile working on her spells. So long in fact she had lost track of time completely. Rising from her sitting postion Serena stretched and felt her stomache grumbling loudly. After checking her attire, a simple green hunting riding dress and running a brush through her long auburn hair Serena grabbed her bag and closed the door to her room headed downstairs to get some dinner.

As she entered the main room at the Inn she looked up and froze with a look of pure astonishment on her face. Could it be? Aaron, Chance, Luke,Meredith and others she did not know appeared to be sitting at a table. Serena blinked once and yes they were still there..she felt a pang as she noticed Devlin wasn't there. Serena had not forgotten any of them and as she approached the table her face literally glowed as she smiled at them and said,"By the grace of the Unicorn. I cannot believe my eyes.". Serena then looked at all of those she knew one by one then slowly recovering from the shock she asked,"May I join you?". Feeling a bit foolish as she did not know what else to say since she had a million questions she waited for their reply.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:10, Fri 27 July 2007.

Donovan looks up as Serena enters the Common Room.  "'Ello, Miss.  Did yer 'ave a good rest?  If'n yer wants some dinner, I can 'ave somethin' ready fer yer in just a little while."

Meredith turns as she hears the familiar voice, "Serena?  You are well?  How do you come to be here?"

Many of the others, just on the point of leaving to seize the cube from the Rokt, suddenly find themselves with a distraction...

Those of you who go, go now - you don't need me, and I can certainly guard the Underflow from here.

Though, in fact, I sense no presence of Archons at the moment.

Luke, already risen, cocked an eyebrow at Serena.  He wasn't entirely surprised to see her - his most recent search of the area had alerted him to her unique, spiritual signature an instant before she entered the room.  Now he swept his cloak aside, making a small bow.  "Serena.  A surprise, and a turnabout.  This time, you discover me."  He straightened.  "And why not?  Unless you have done something most recently that would have us rebuff you."  He grinned; as always, his teeth seemed white, even...and in some imperceptable way, sharp.  "I assure you, whatever it might be, my oldest associates have likely done far worse."

Chance pauses at the door, on the heels of Haria Nex, but pauses. He turns seeking out the source of the familiar voice. "Serena!" He beams, striding forward with wide arms for a hug. "We wondered if you were okay, after everything. You have to come with us, we're about to die--again. Come on, I'll tell you all about it on the way. Okay, this lady is called Haria Nex. Her people..." he continues on in a brief recap of the story with Haria Nex and the cube.

Tahirah, being unfamiliar with Serena, continues out without pause, to ask her question of Haria Nex.

Outside, Haria Nex turns back to Tahirah, "There are limits, yes.  Every bargain is judged by the one who is approached.  Only clan leaders can make bargains which call for many of us.  Being so young, I can make bargains which bind only myself, so that only I would suffer if I make an error.  Others could join me on a mission, but they would not be bound by it."

"We can end any agreement, at any time.  Doing so would harm our reputation though... a thing we do not lightly do.  The agreement with the Rokt could be declared void by  Daennar Gef, but we would all stand before the tribunal if she did so.  The tribunal would decide if we were justified in breaking the bargain, and if not, then we would be punished.  Branded as oathbreakers, and banished."

"Likewise, any of us could break our oath and refuse to take further part in a job.  That would again see the oathbreaker before the tribunal, and even if she wasn't punished, others would not likely accept an oath from her in future."

She shakes her head, "We have laws and codes.  If the one who employs us is shown to be false, then all bargains and oaths connected to him are deemed void.  If the Rokt is proved false, then there will be no tribunal."

Serena smiled at meredith and responded, "" Actually Meredith I was heading back to Amber but it appears as though you may need me now." then turning to luke replied,"I can assure you I have done nothing that any of you would dissaprove of. It is good to see you Chance, you seem to heave kept your sense of humor. One quick question before we go out to possibly die. Have any of you heard from Devlin?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:24, Wed 01 Aug 2007.

Chance lets his arms fall to his sides, but his grin doesn't waver. "Devlin, yeah; he just returned too, as luck would have it. He's fine. He's with the others, taking a nap or something. They found an old friend in bad shape and took him to a safe place for rest and recovery and Devlin was among them. Let's see... I don't have the means to contact him, but I'm sure someone can arrange for you to talk to him, if you'd like?"

Serena smiled a true smile and answered,"Yes, Chance I would like that. I admit I have been kicking myself that I never learned how to create a trump or a palanquet as Cyan called it. If you could arrange such I would be forever in your debt." then she blushed realizing how much she had given away but she quickly recovered.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:59, Wed 01 Aug 2007.

Chance nodded, then closed his eyes in concentration a moment. He wasn't sure who was still in on the bridging, so he decided to start there. Berd, anyone on the mountain, still listening? We've got an old friend here who would like to talk to Devlin, if he's still around: Serena.

Morgan waits, mounted, for the conversations to resolve. The storm limits both sight and hearing, so he has little to add.

Haria Nex looks to the faces of those gathered outside in the rain.  "Is this all that will go?  We should hurry.  If all has gone aright, the meeting with the Rokt should be happening already."

She lays a hand on the shoulder of one of the panthers, which has moved closer to her, "This one?"


Inside, Meredith lowers her eyes for a moment, then looks up, "Time is wasting.  I will stay here and bring Serena up to date on what has happened.  Anybody who plans to stop the horned man should go now." her voice is still quiet, but to those who knew Meredith before she went in search of Cyan, it contains a new strength.

Tahirah climbs back onto her own panther, petting it briefly behind the ears.  "If it is not too late when we arrive, is there a proper way to approach for a meeting?" she calls over to Haria Nex.

A mental shout to all over the bridging sets Leareth moving, and indeed, everyone mounted finds themselves moving at inhuman speeds across the roofs of the city.

The followed-woman betrays!

The panther with Haria nods emphatically.

For an instant, Berd's presence wavers in the bridging.

Chance smiles at Serena, gives her a friendly pat on the arm, and then heads outside to mount up with Haria Nex and the others.

James is halfway to the door when Serena appears.  He stops abruptly, surprised.  First Devlin, now Serena, but not together?  Still, James was pleased to see Serena and wasn't about to enquire to closely into the circumstances.

"Hello, Serena, it's good to see you."  James hesitates again, Devlin would probably want to know.  But Chance takes care of that.

With the niceties taken care of and Serena occupied with Chance's briefing, James heads out the door and back into the storm.  He finds a troop of panthers milling around waiting.  He looks in vain for Ahmad.  He still has trouble picking the panthers apart.  The numbers and the bad weather aren't helping.  James resorts to calling Ahmad's name, but when there is no response he seeks out the closest panther that is already saddled.

"Will you carry me, please?"  James just barely remembers his manners and waits the bare minimum time for agreement before vaulting into the saddle.  Morgan is already underway and they will need to move fast now.

Those who are going, go.  The panthers race away from the inn, already knowing their destination, it's location, and the shortest route to get there...  Haria Nex crouches low over the panther's neck, her face set in an exultant grin as the rain lashes against her face.

Meredith moves across to Serena, and remarks, "There they go again.  Always in a hurry to do something."

There's a time for sitting with dignity, and a time for not falling off of one's ride and being left sitting in a puddle.  Tahirah throws her arms around her panther's neck, and clings tightly, sparing only a thought for not choking the poor cat as it runs.

The cats move rapidly through the rain, their charges clinging to their thick fur.  Normally they would worry more about the safety of their riders, but today is an emergency.  Things are happening too quickly.  Speed is of the essence.  Some of their companions are already dealing with a tricky situation.

A leap to a low roof, then a higher one... a bound across a street far below, a spring to another roof... the city flies by in a blur which seems to involve as many vertical shifts as horizontal ones.

Finally a drop, of dizzying height, and a perfect landing in an open square, in front of a shop whose door and windows are gone.  Inside, it looks crowded with a wide variety of creatures.

OOC: Those who just took the Panther Express</i> can feel free to move to Part 60c - Cats on a wet tile roof.

Luke leaned back in his chair and relaxed, stretching.  He'd done his part of it - it was up to the more dynamic members of the group, now.

"Bartender, another ale if you would."