Miroslav shakes his shaggy head then downs a goblet on wine in one long pull..."Yes, Jaleh...forgive me. My brain is addled!

He then looks to Ulfr and smiles laying a hand on the big man's shoulder..."Even among our enemies you manage to find those who are able to be our friends!"

OOC: I thought Dyanna and Miroslav were going to use the Mirror to visit Persia and attempt to negotiate a counter-alliance against the Emperor or something like that.

Taking a cup of wine for himself Loukas says, "So, my friend, to say it quickly, this is Pelles of legend who was long the keeper of the Grail. It was stolen from him by the Mad Arab, so he's going to guide the Heart of Oak to Syria where we will confront him and take it back."

Pausing he looks around, "Have I missed anything?"

Ulfr scowls in concentration a moment, then nods at Loukas, "No, I think you've summed it all up." 

"Perhaps we can shorten our trip and just step through the mirror?" asks A'kos.  "Though, I must admit, it brings me even less joy than sailing on a ship of feathers."

Miroslav smiles when he sees Medved enter the room..."Goos to see that you did not get yoruself killed!"

He turns to A'Kos and says..."Perhaps the mirror should be used? I could spare the hours that this would take rather than the weeks of a long voyage."

"Using the Mirror would certainly be quicker... But if something goes wrong and we are unable to get back through he are trapped in the Mad Arab's lair. I suppose we could find passage from Damascus home, but, Pelles, what do you know about where we are going?"

The old man shrugs his narrow shoulders..."It is hot there...dress for the heat."

Loukas gives Pelles a blank look, "Hot. Yes, erm, right.

"So, are you saying that you do not know where the Mad Arab's lair is located or that you do not know anything about the actual place."

Pelles smiles and says..."Yes!"

"Then a glance through the mirror, at the least, is worth the effort," A'kos said, offering the old man an unfriendly look.

"Better to find out what we can now, as opposed to sailing across the seas and then wandering about aimlessly."

Thorn does not appear to bothered by Pelles' revelations either way.

Heinrich listens quietly, still waiting to hear about who the Mad Arab is and how they are so sure that he has the Grail.

Ulfr scratches his beard, "Oh, I don't know.  Wandering about aimlessly has its charms as well.   I am in favor of sticking with the Heart of the Oak, but she has been my home for so long now that perhaps I am biased." 

Miroslav nods his head as he listens..."Yes, probably best to take a look through the mirror regardless of what you choose to do...either sail or walk on through the device."

He looks to Boris Goraslavich his personal retainer and says..."Fetch Dyanna...she should be here anyway. ALso tell her to bring her mirror with it, we have need of it."

A few minutes later, Dyanna arrives with Boris who is carrying her mirror. She nods to her friends and says, "It has been far to long that you have been gone. I have been stuck playing diplomat's assistant for Miroslav. Dreadfully boring."

"I see you have some new friends along with you."

She bows slightly and says, "I am Dyanna."

Loukas is very pleased to see Dyanna, "Our Spartan Guardian!", he shouts. He comes forward quickly to give her a brotherly hug, "You have been missed and, as usual despite his complaints, our 'Captain' has been blessed by your company while we've been away."

As he hugs her he finds himself surprised by the emotions he feels and suddenly finds himself quite uncomfortable. Smiling bashfully he steps back and clears his suddenly dry throat, "Yes... So, Dyanna, this is Pelles. THE Pelles. He would help us find the Grail and knows that The Mad Arab has it in Syria."

"Hello, Dyanna," A'kos smiles warmly.  "'Tis nice to see you again."

Dyana raises an eyebrow as she looks at the old man introduced as THE Pelles. Within a few moments she has her mirror set up and after a few questions asked of Pelles she has the mirror dialed in to spy upon the Mad Arab.

She shakes her head as she stares t her own reflection in the mirror.

"This Mad Arab cannot by scryed!"

She works with her mirror for a few more seconds then it changes, showing the outside of a great tower in what could only be a desert climate.

"He may be able to stop a direct scrying attempt but here is his home. Nothing stopping us or you from going straight through to his door and knocking it down."

"I am ready.  Comrades?"

Ulfr sucks in his breath, shakes his head, but answers, "I like not this sorcery, and prefer the solid planks of the Oak beneath my feet.  But if this is how it must be, I will go." 

"This is as good a time as any. I quite enjoy the sun...provided there's plenty of water to hand, of course."

Thorn strums the strings of his mandolin, a song coming to mind.

Heinrich asks quickly, "If we go there this way, how do we get back?"

"As long as I keep my concentration a door back will remain. Even if I do not keep it, I retain the location and can open the door again at will."

"Let us go with rations and water enough for a few days just in case something goes wrong. Otherwise, I am ready as well!"

"A scouting foray," said A'kos.  "We'll plant a stake so that we can find the place where the mirror spits us out.  Dyanna, keep it open for one hour.  Then check back each hour for ten minutes.  Once we determine the lay of the land, we may wish to reconnoiter back here to discuss what we've learned, and appropriate tactics moving forward."

"I would not go into this blindly, without some sort of retreat possible.  'Tis a shame you cannot come with us, Dyanna.  Your skills would be welcome."