[ATS] Arrival of the Legion, Part 2

Vaysh whispers to Althaia, 'How many nations, I wonder, have been conquered by those stronger than themselves under the pretext of calming the tumult within their borders, or in the name of restoring peace..'

Captain Tenar Gentan says, "I return now to the fleet. My soldiers will keep watch."

Erius bows again and says, "As you wish M'Lord."

Captain Tenar Gentan nods.
Captain Tenar Gentan says, "Tralisians."
Captain Tenar Gentan leaves south.

Althaia whispers to Vaysh, 'That is the price of freedom then, to serve under your so called protector. If such happens then only time will tell, but perhaps the nation of Vanyelar will do better than what the council of Tralisia has done. There is always time for change and nothing holds you or I here.'

Erius sighs heavily. "This will do much to stem the evil we face."

Cherubin smiles.

Tytan says to Erius, "Aye, an' nun ta soon either."

Mornauto nods, "The Vanyelarian army is not to be trifled with..."

Arek says, "I am waiting for a local thief to trifle with them. It will be most amusing."

"Everything remains to be seen." Airednas shrugs, pulling away from the slab of stone. "I suppose the excitement is... over for the time being?"

Erius chuckles at Mornauto's comment. "Your seeks have much weight on them young one. You must show these men the utmost respect."

Mornauto nods emphatically, "Oh believe me, I do."

Erius nods his head at Airendnas indicating what she says is right. "I suspect the Captain will station his troops."

Erius says, "Ah yes. The King has also sent us supplies and gold. This will do much to assist all of our troubles as well."

"True enough." Vaysh's smile never wavers in his reply to Althaia, lacking in mirth as it seemed as he raises his head. "Just a pity I hadn't the opportunity to stay longer and actually get some definite idea of what -they- considered good governance."

Cherubin says to Erius, "While it's reassuring to see such help, how comes your research?"

Cherubin says to Erius, "I'm afraid i only saw normal weapons with them."

Airednas returns the nod with a sweet smile, white teeth flashing as she comments loudly, to no one in particular. "I can't wait for the next bumbling /mage/ to blast another of his wide spells for show... and 'accidently' trifles with the guard... the aftereffect should be most amusing."

Cherubin says to Erius, "And those don't seem to do much for portals"

Arek chuckles.

Mornauto says, "This isn't the first time I've seen those legionnaires, if we leave the demons to them and the portal to Erius, we should do fine."

Erius says to Cherubin, "My research is progressing. This is a most powerful spell. It will take time."

A slight laugh escapes Althaia as she keeps her eyes the young Indago, "Perhaps, but some things, I hear, aren't worth waiting for. Fate bless us to have an opportunity for everything, if possible" she adds, tapping her lower lip idly.

Mornauto says, "Let's hope you have the time you need."

Arek peers at the portal as he walks slowly around it, examining it closely.

Cherubin says to Mornauto, "One rarely does have that much time."

Mornauto shakes his head sadly, "Too true..."

Tytan says, "Considerin' they're riskin' their lives ta protect us, I can't believe yer all bein' sa ungrateful..."

As Arek walks around the portal it begins to hum and power up. It violently spins around.

Erius says, "You! Get away from the portal!"

"Opportunity for experience no doubt, however bitter," answers Vaysh with a small sound of disdain. "As the disgruntled in life would say, having nothing to console themselves with but what they've learned."

Mornauto says, "I must be off."

Arek takes a number of quick steps backward.

Mornauto leaves south.

Arek says, "I did nothing to the cursed thing."

The portal continues to spin quickly even though the Mage has stepped back.

Cherubin nods at Tytan.

Cherubin says to Tytan, "Umm we may want to call some of them."

Before your eyes it opens for a brief moment before it seals itself shut once more....in the opening you see what looks to be hundreds of abyssal fiends at the other end...

Shutting his mouth with a sharp snap, Vaysh steps back inadvertently, his fingers tightening about the shard he'd held loosely at his side.

"So says you." Airednas shoots Arek a writhering glare, twisting herself behind the slab of stone.

Arek steadies himself as he calls forth magical energies. His hands glow blue with power as he prepares for a possible attack.

Erius briskly walks over to the Tralisian guard. "Instruct no one to approach this portal."

Tytan says, "Well, at least we know we're doomed. That'll make wills a wee bit easier ta plan."

Erius shakes his head at the Sentry. "To accept the fate we are doomed would set us up for failure."

Eyes slanting, Althaia tilts her head glancing at the portal as her eyes hungrily examine it, widening as they take observation of what waits behind, "Ah...is this like looking death in the face? Hundreds of fiends, waiting to eat us whole. If I die...I hope I at least give them mild indigestion," she adds dryly, her tone betraying her trouble features.

Tytan says, "Aye, yer talkin' ta a dwarf. If I thought we were doomed, I'd be first in line ta show em, they're wrong."

Peering over the stone, Airednas eyes the portal with an increasingly worrying frown, hands shaking for nary a moment, before holding firm upon the handle of her blade. "If you do not mind..." She bites out scathingly. "If there is time to plan wills, perhaps they could be better used for an order and well, a course of action, /Arch Mage/?"

"Your sense of humour is most comforting," Vaysh observes witheringly of Althaia, taking his place beside her without further to-do than a dark look at the portal. "But helpfully distracting in such times as this, I admit. Now, to see if that seal actually will hold...would you wager on it, Cryinale?"

Looking warily at the portal, Arek turns to face Erius, "Does this open randomly or is it triggered by some action? Perhaps disorains set it off... it could respond poorly to filth."

Cherubin smiles at Arek.

Erius says to Airednas, "My dear citizen. I would not worry. We will be placing some of our newly acquired guards in the center, here. This will do much."

Cherubin says to Arek, "It's reassuring to know it may be attuned to different races..."

Cherubin says, "Arek possibly stuffing it with an Indago may close it?"

Erius laughs openly at Arek's comment. "I cannot say. Perhaps the Sage is trying to taunt us."

"With my life, for that's what's on the line. If that seal breaks then I suppose we shall see if there is an afterlife, Indago. Another step in the scholarly field, I figure you might enjoy given the circumstances" Althaia says with a mild laugh, shaking her head as she looks to you.

"Not one as slender as myself, I hope," Vaysh imparts in Cherubin's direction with a dry smile.

Arek grins wickedly at Cher, "Well, that may prove true. However, before I sacrifice myself we should try all the lesser races first. And you belong to the least race of all, I see."

Cherubin nods.

Cherubin glances towards Erius.

Cherubin says loudly "Enough, We have no time for petty bickering!"

Arek chuckles.

Cherubin says, "This get us nowhere."

A tighten of Airednas' jaw at Arek's veiled insult, clench of teeth and hand with a moment of fiery anger, quickly subdued. "Not. The. Time." She murmurs, more to herself than any other. A flip of her wrist as she tests the blade in time, "Well then..."

Cherubin says to Erius, "What can we do to help your preparations?"

"And who said I wholly enjoyed academic pursuits?" Vaysh retorts in Althaia's direction, one eyebrow arching in mock indignation. Not idle, he remains, however, gesturing fluidly as a faint blue glow surrounds his form.

Erius says to Cherubin, "You can keep your resolution firm and do not falter. I must finish the creation of this spell and it will help us dearly."

You try to become intune with the magical stream....
You focus your mind, and your thoughts deep within the planet...
Your mind and body draw power from the magical stream and you feel it course through your veins!

Arek says to Erius, "Of course it does. I have no fear of it."

Erius puts his arm around the Indago and the two of them walk towards the portal. "I have interest it as well. Perhaps, you would like to study it from afar in my stead?"

Arek says to Erius, "From afar? What do you mean?"

Cherubin mutters softly, "Hopefully from somewhere afar from the rest of us!"

---

A low murmur of words, a warp of shadows taking over Airednas' form, her hands stilling upon the small, rather insignificant blade, the frown ceasing to be replaced by annoyance.

The Arch Mage's suggestion occasions for a slightly lifted eyebrow from Vaysh, and a thoughtful "Hm," slips from his lips. "So the matter of the Tower is to be entrusted to someone else, rather than the city's affairs...most intriguing..." He slants a look in Arek's direction as if straining to overhear more.

Cherubin grins at Airednas.

Erius waves his hand in a circle before the portal. "From a safe distance...so when the portal opens you will not be devoured." He chuckles at his comment afterwards, afterall, he took a few moments to craft it.

Airednas bites down on her lip hard, choking as she tries to contain the sharp burst of laughter.

Arek chuckles to himself, "As long as a son of Vanyelar stands between the portal and myself, I consider myself to be a safe distance away. But I feel that studying the portal will help in my own research."

Cherubin snickers with Airednas about their shared secret.

Shifting, Althaia twists her lips into a wry smile at the Indago before looking to the Arch Mage and the other Indago, "You know, I'm quite glad I gave up on the magical arts. From what I've seen, it sort of seems to reinforce my decision in taking up...something else," she says.

Airednas grins at Cherubin, her gaze flickering to Arek. "Well said, dear sister, well said."

Erius shoots Althaia a glance and a quick smile slips out. "Yes. I will pay you for your services. I will allow you to write your thoughts and anything of interest you find then give the work to me." He pauses for a moment, then adds "I will have copies produced so you may keep one. Is this acceptable young mage?"

Erius turns and looks at Vaysh and speaks loudly. "I insist you take this mage to assist you. It will increase the value of the experience as well as the research."

Arek says, "If it will further my research I'll even take a Disorain."

Cherubin smiles.

A soft exhalation of breath issues from Vaysh, wordless laughter swiftly silenced. "And what," he inquires delicately, "Are we to be studying, if I may be so bold as to inquire? We shan't be venturing anywhere far too dangerous, shall we?" He mutters something else, the words 'foolish' and 'risky' being barely audible.

Cherubin says, "Possibly studying Arek's own ego?"

Erius grins as his eyes light up. Another joke no doubt. "Perhaps you can throw one in the portal and see what happens?" He then begins to laugh. "Ah, yes. Now you know why I keep them to myself."

Cherubin says, "Lord knows it's big enough."

Erius thinks for a quick moment and replies to Vaysh's words. "There is much to study about this portal. I will not tell you - for it will be part of your learning experience. The two of you must decide."

Airednas coughs back another laugh, grinning at Cherubin before she adds in her own comment to Arek. "Though I doubt any would wish to take you, sir Ego."

Arek glares back at the pair who keep pestering him, "Shouldn't you both be getting to the local taverns before all the good paying customers have been taken by your competition?"

"And deprive myself of your /charming/ company?" Airednas drawls with another smile. "My, aren't you a nice specimen."

Cherubin says to Arek, "It's nice to see you take this important task given so seriously"

Arek says to Erius, "I would ask to access your private library for information before rushing into a hypothesis."

"Their competition? Well I'm still here" Althaia adds, stepping forward as she laughs, shaking her head, "Arch Mage, may I partake in the studies as well? I have some knowledge...well some theories with the different planes, if the abyss is one or maybe...lack of one there of."

Erius says to Althaia, "If the Mages request this then so be it."

Cherubin says loudly "I would hope you'd spend a little more of your efforts trying to accomplish what's set before you instead of continuing to bicker senselessly."

Erius says to Arek, "Perhaps. I will think this through."

Erius says, "I must retire for now. There is much I have to do now. Thank you."

Arek nods.

Erius bows to the gathered crowd.

Erius leaves east.

"I do believe it is his nature to be petty." Airednas comments to Cherubin, pointedly ignoring Arek. "Well then... since the excitement is over..."

Arek laughs openly and loudly as soon as the Arch Mage is gone. He points to Althaia, "You have a theory! I'd be surprised if you could even read and write. What could you possibly know that I do not save for how to please three men at the same time?"

Cherubin says, "Well there's no sense hanging around now that Erius has left."

Cherubin says to Airednas, "I'm sure Arek would like to bask in his own ego for a while, so i'll leave him by himself."

The pale Indago beside Althaia remains silent for a brief moment after Erius' departure, passing a finger over his lips. "I have no less love for knowledge than yourself, Cryinale, but if this entails greater risk than would be sensible to consider, then..." A shrug, and Vaysh smooths his robes over his narrow frame, all traces of reluctance cast off as easily as a cloak.

Cherubin waves to Airednas.

"Let us say Erius can consider it done." Vaysh's casual drawl belies little excitement at having accepted the offer, but a faint glimmer in his gaze speaks otherwise.

"Well I'm not quite advanced as you are, I'm not up to ten men as you have been. A fast learner you are, I'm sure," Althaia adds wryly, "And I have my theories for I've access to a source of information that you will never have, Indago. Your views are focused on merely the magical, while this portal - perhaps having been conjured through magical means - may not be magical in nature, a different energy source I'm sure."

Arek sighs as he listens to Althaia, "Perhaps you are not completely worthless. I will send you some information tomorrow. I expect you to be able to keep up with Vaysh and I. Otherwise you can go back to doing whatever you do when your betters don't require your service."

Arek says, "At least you don't stink like the Disorains."

Inclining her head politely Althaia merely replies, "As you wish. It is up to your discretion to share what wild and inane conclusions you have thought up." A smile traces across her features, hollow none the less, "But then again, some things are worth knowing nonetheless."

"To each their own, sir mage." Airednas sweeps Arek a mocking bow, the shake of her shoulder belying her anger. "A blessing upon your research, and /try/ not to open the portal... /again/ by... to quote your own words, 'filthy presence'."

Airednas quickly drops out of the shadows into view!
Airednas leaves south.

Arek chuckles.

Mouth curving in what might have been an expression inappropriate but a few moments earlier, Vaysh clears his throat diplomatically. "We might as well prove...or disprove the validity of ideas such as hers," is all he ventures to say, clearly amused by Arek's comments and the responses they engendered.

"You two are interesting company, at least. Perhaps," continues Arek, "we will find the answer to this problem and perhaps not. However, I intend to at least further my own research. As long as the Vanyelarian guards are here the city is safe. We have some time to devote to this before an emergency."

"Perhaps, indeed Indago," Althaia adds as she glances to you, "I hope you've your theories as well, you seem like the kind who likes to take credit for the work of others" she says with a grin, extending an arm to poke the young Indago's shoulder, "Send word when the 'better' is ready and get rest, intervening in a moment such as this? You must be tired."

"What, me? Never. You must have me mistaken for someone else." Vaysh snorts softly, hiding his smile. "A practical suggestion, elf - and one not too far off the mark, actually. You must be spending more time around me than I thought." He raises a hand in farewell, and without other preamble saunters off.

"Be well, the two of you," Althaia says, lifting a hand up into a languid wave.