A Misdirection of Magicians (IC)

[Erelamar]

Clytemnestra and Kirsch (with Hargen in the West Salon)

"A brave one indeed, Lord Kirsch, as Lady Clytemnestra suggests..." Again, the same look falls over the old man's face, the hesitancy. "I know..." and Hargen struggles, but not with his memory. He peers into his empty mug but eventually sighs.

"The Marquis' cousin, the former castle magician here, his parents were meant to have Allsatalos, indeed, and all of the March as well, but they perished. Sometime between the end of the Skeletal Scourge and my birth, they were out sailing aboard the castle's skyship, as was their passion: sailing, singing, living joyous lives. They were beset by cloud giant raiders, their ship destroyed and their lives ended."

Hargen looks to each of you, and there is something of a pleading in his pale eyes. "And what I'm about to tell you next, you must not think too harshly of the Marquis; he came from much more difficult times... Late one night, as I neared manhood, I found him deep in his cups in the Eastern Garden, staring at his sword upon the ground with tears in his eyes. I knew of the fate of the cousin's parents, all in Allsatalos knew, but at that time, the Marquis confided in me the aftermath.

"He armed himself with vengeance in his heart and he called in the final favor owed his family from centuries long ago by a silver dragon which lairs in the Fraal. Together, they hunted down the cloud giant clan, and in his rage, he slew them all: lords and soldiers, mothers and children, and he crashed their cloud-keep into the waters of the Hekaton Straights. When he returned, he put away his arms and vowed never to take them up again.

"But that was not the only source of his peculiar melancholy which I experienced all my life; their son, the magician cousin, was in no way shape-or-form ready, or of the temperament, to take on the responsibilities of Allsatalos. Even after training at the Incrementon. The Marquis knew this, he said, and continued, 'At least we have Father Neomund. Who would ever have imagined a snow elf a godsend?' and bitter was his laugh through his tears."

Hargen Orq sits back in his armchair, obviously winded. "Perhaps, that is the best I can manage in answer to your query." He takes out a handkerchief and dabs his forehead which had begun to perspire, but not from the heat of the hearth. "I believe, I must be getting to my room and rest if I am to make tonight's events at all..."

Megamax and Victor (with Lady Lilet in the Guest Suite Hallway)

Lady Lilet's toothy grin spread wide at Victor's words. "Oh, isn't he a charmer. You may have to watch out for yourself," and she nudges Megamax enough to jostle the magician.

At the mention of the guest spa, Lady Lilet finally disentangles herself from her tiefling escort. "Ah, ha-ha, you wicked things. Gawking at an old lady? No, no. I believe I will take my ablutions in my chambers, along with a light nap, I think." And her yawn while exaggerated—as is her fashion with most things—does not appear to be entirely feigned. "Besides, and this knowledge comes from experience, a bellyful of brandy and chocolate do not mix well with extreme heat. I'd like to faint, I fear." She laughs adding the aside, "And, I'm more than certain, I'm going to be sharing Orby's company rather a lot these two days... at least if I want to get a word in edgewise with Emalia."

At Megamax's mention of necessities, Lady Lilet waves carelessly, "Don't worry a drop on any of that, honey. They've got all you need in there, softest towels and robes you've ever felt, masseuses greased to the elbows with scented oils and cooling creams; they'll even prestigi-, presdig-, oh listen to me! They'll magic your clothes clean while you settle in for a soak." She makes to retreat back to the open door of her guest suite in the corner of the hallway. "Just down that way to the end, darlings!"