"I am very sure you are lying. I am certain that Nod, at least, has criticized you for both of those things. I took the liberty of waking him up, by the way, on my way down here. I imagine he will join us shortly; I thought we could all use a lesson or two on the history of The Alliance Wars or some other equally riveting historical event as we finished our breakfast."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:04, Sun 03 Feb 2019.

If looks could kill, Falnis would be dead.

This fact looks like it pleases Falnis.

"Aerendir and I were just discussing how I will be joining you on your mission to rescue your brother," he lies in the common tongue, turning to Lyria. "I was thinking about the matter for some of last night, and while it is a little odd that you care if your brother dies-- I assume he is as much of a rival for your position and a liability as he sounds?-- it really is against the laws of nature anywhere that a male should presume to inherit instead of a female, or use force against one of higher rank than his own. Therefore, I would like to assist you. Assuming, of course, that you are willing to accept the help of a varim, which our high-elf friend seems less than sure of?"

OOC: Dalmar Argant rolled 43 using 1d20+26. Bluff Check.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:07, Sun 03 Feb 2019.

"She is not interested in any help you are offering," Aerendir cuts in. "Because she knows that nothing good comes of getting tangled up with your kind. Don't you, Lady Veldorn?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 03:39, Tue 05 Feb 2019.

"I assure you, my being 'tangled up' with anyone does not feature in any of the ways I am planning to assist her in her quest, Aerendir," Falnis says soothingly.

"You know what I mean," Aerendir snaps. And then, coercively: "And so does Lady Veldorn. Don't you?"

Lyria shoots Aerendir a dark glance. She may not know much about recognising untrustworthy varim assassins, but she can certainly recognise a rude elf when she meets one.

"I think Lord Falnis seems very decent," she replies to the elven ranger evenly, before turning to Falnis and smiling encouragingly, "I would be happy to accept your assistance in rescuing my brother."

OOC: Lady Lyria Veldorn rolled 15 using 1d20+8. Sense Motive.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:15, Tue 05 Feb 2019.

Marabir frowns, glancing quickly at Aerendir before turning back to Lyria.

"It's not that we don't think Falnis is decent-" he begins delicately, but is cut off by Nod who arrives at the table at that moment.

"Lord Orthran is joining us?" Nod exclaims excitedly, having overheard the last part of the conversation, "I must say this is going to be an enjoyable adventure!"

He then seems to remember that the 'enjoyable adventure' pertains to several potentially gruesome fates for Lyria's brother, and he glances awkwardly at her.

"I... when I say 'enjoyable'... I mean... well, it will be good to have Lord Orthran joining us."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 22:24, Tue 05 Feb 2019.

Aerendir scowls viciously and breaks the shell of his hard boiled egg in a way that makes it clear that it isn't what the high elf wishes he was breaking right now.

Falnis rewards Nod and Lyria with an approving smile, and Sir Varonil and Aerendir with a smug one. The amused glint in his eyes at Marabir's, 'it's not that we don't think he's decent' suggest that the Knight may not be living that down any time soon.

"Thank you, Nod. It will indeed be a most enjoyable venture. And you also, Lady Veldorn, have my thanks for your support. I assure you, neither you nor your brother will look back with regret on your choice.

The look which Marabir sends Falnis promises that he will be doing everything in his power to ensure the varim will look back with regret on his choice.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:58, Tue 05 Feb 2019.

Unaware of Marabir's glare, Lyria smiles at Falnis, then at Nod.

"I know what you meant," she says kindly to the minstrel, "Now come, the breakfast is getting cold and we must depart shortly if we want to make good time."

Nod smiles brightly, seating himself comfortably between Falnis and Lyria.

"So, who wants to hear why the ruined tower near here is called 'Cerald's Bane'?"

"Perhaps you weren't listening to the part where we said we were in a hurry," Aerendir says.

OOC: Aerendir rolled 24 using 1d20+10.  Initiative Check (to stop story).
Dalmar Argant rolled 17 using 1d20+11.  Initiative Check (to agree to story).
This message was last edited by the player at 06:35, Wed 06 Feb 2019.

"Why is it called Cerald's Bane?" Falnis asks, with an interest that Marabir suspects is certainly not as genuine as it sounds.

Falnis seems to have given the answer Nod wants to hear. Ignoring Aerendir he eagerly proceeds.

"Well, the tower was built during the Alliance Wars by the forces of King Marnir Caladorm as a bastion against the forces of King Eurnir Carendil. Or General Eurnir, as he was at that time. But the ruins didn't acquire their current name until the reign of King Halrandis I, when the tower was under the control of Lord Cerald Aldaron. Legend has it that he acquired an exotic creature of some sort, imprisoning it in it's dungeons, and that one day the creature broke loose and slaughtered everyone inside the tower."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:36, Thu 07 Feb 2019.

Lyria glances at Falnis and shares a grimace, before turning back to Nod.

"What was the creature?" she asks intently.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:37, Thu 07 Feb 2019.

Nod leans forward, relishing her reaction.

"Some say it was a sphinx, imported from Puristan. Others say it was a dragon. There are even rumors that it was one of his own kin who had become a vampire. Then of course there are those who dismiss the existence of all these creatures and cite mundane causes such as plague or assassination."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:38, Thu 07 Feb 2019.

Marabir, who seems to belong firmly to this latter group, raises an eyebrow at Nod, arms folded across his chest.

"Fascinating," he says blandly, before turning to Aerendir, "We had best start preparing the horses. The sun will be up shortly."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:15, Thu 07 Feb 2019.

"Agreed," Aerendir says, rising. "And only you would call plague and assassination 'mundane', Nod," he adds critically.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:50, Fri 08 Feb 2019.

Falnis opens his mouth.

"And you, of course," Aerendir sneers.

"What I had intended to comment, my overly cynical friend, was that if there are sphynxes and vampires there, the place sounds like it is well worth the visit. Does it lie on the way you intend to travel, Lady Veldorn?"

It seems to occur to the varim that this may not go down too well with a noble on a rescue mission for her brother.

"For when I am returning from the successful mission, of course," he adds.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:45, Fri 08 Feb 2019.

"Horses, dark elf, Aerendir snaps, before either Nod or Lyria can reply. "If you are actually coming with us. I imagine you have more preparation to do than the rest of us, if you really did tie him up in the woods like you said you were going to."