Land of the Midnight Sun

Bright sunlight floods Seldan's fair features as he stands well outside of the Alexandrian gates, in a glade out of the sight of the walls. Although he wears armor, Reunion and Guiding Star are nowhere to be seen, and he carries only a knapsack over thin cloak and armor. He regards the pair before him with a demeanor that is quiet, reserved, impassive almost. "We go to the village of Siavonere," he tells the pair, once all are gathered. "The people there are not as the Queen of Air and Darkness, not nearly so. Expect not the machinations, nor ill intent, but they may fear us."

"Some centuries past, demons set on this village, and tricked humans into doing the same. Most in the village were slain, defending the one that we seek. I can but hope that I am recognized, and that Salina will consent to see us. Conceal your weapons, for we must needs come in peace."

For his part, Telamon bears no weapons. Indeed, he is dressed in an ensemble that looks closer to the norm than he has in recent days, a white ruffled silk shirt over leather trousers and black boots with silver buckles. His hair caught back in his circlet, with his cloak around him, he looks like the dandy some accuse him of being.

"It'll be nice to deal with someone who's not outright trying to mess with us or kill us," Tel remarks. "It'll be as you say, Sir Seldan. Peace, and peace again, and hopefully we can find a few answers." He reaches over to take Lana's hand in his, squeezing briefly.

Cor'lana is dressed in her adventuring robes, as is normal for her these days, a thing that is sensible to wear into combat. Her cloak, her circlet, and her bracers adorn her as well, and she wears a sober expression that befits the manner. It's very safe to assume all of her weapons, if any, are stowed away into her bag of holding.

"Those are assumptions to make, my love," Cor'lana reminds Telamon gently, her violet eyes flicking over to him as she squeezes his hand in return. "Ones that I hope hold true and well."

She sighs lightly as she looks to Seldan. "Any other things that we should know?" she asks.

At this, Seldan's eyes lower. "I will not conceal from you that once was Salina my enemy. She is so no longer, but I would describe her as neutral. She is known as the Endless Winter." He lets out a breath. "Not lightly do I seek her, and I cannot promise that we will be permitted to speak with her. Nevertheless, she has since made overtures, come with warnings that held true. For this reason do I venture this trip." He seems - almost uncomfortable, but when he lifts his head, he is again resolute.

"Come then," he says. "Let us begin, and reminisce not." He gestures that the pair should take his shoulders, and raises his free hand to begin the spell. The man is an artist, with an eye for detail, drawing multiple interlocking sigils and extra relationships that spatially connect arcane concepts, and in this case places, together. "Guide my spell, holy Dreamer, straight and true," he breathes, then adds the words of power that first bring the sigils to life in blue-gold-silver hues around him, then the final that twists the world, collapsing it around them.

GAME: Seldan casts Teleport. Caster Level: 16 DC: 23

A blink. A pull. A shift. The world is suddenly white. A sky of impure color, softly touched by blue. The ground pale and showing that impurity by its own untouched nature. It stretches endlessly in every direction. The air is freezing cold, biting at those that stand in this icy domain. They stand close to the edge of what is clearly a settlement. Domed homes sitting like a clutch of round eggs. There is no sign of people. Yet a sense of being watched. A sense that there _are_ beings here.

Then from the midst of the buildings comes a tiny woman. She's barely five feet tall and slender as a reed. Her skin is as pale and colorless as the ground beneath her bare feet that are occasionally visible beneath her long pale blue dress. Her eyes are husky-blue, but lacking the warmth that usually comes with a welcoming gaze. She strides to the edge of the settlement and stops.

In spite of Seldan's warning, she doesn't seem to be afraid of you, but rather she takes in your group and seems to be weighing you each carefully. She has the gaze of a predator. A creature that might eat you if you step the wrong direction, and yet... if you are careful; it might not. She is however, remarkably beautiful, ageless in her features with long platinum blonde hair and a sense of power that most people work their lives to obtain. She carries no weapons, no sign of anything but her own pale hands at her sides.

The cold is... surprising. After all, in Alexandros it's moving inexorably towards summer, with warm winds and sunny days. But then, Telamon figures they are far from Alexandros. He looks around with a bright gaze, his starry eyes twinkling a little as he takes in the landscape, the domed houses... the awareness of being watched cautiously.

And so he makes no sudden moves, his hands open and visible much as the woman who approaches them. He doesn't speak yet, but lets Seldan make the introductions -- but that doesn't stop him from putting on a charming, cheerful smile.

Cor'lana measures the woman ahead of her with a violet gaze that's as careful as anything. She knows very well from personal experience that people do not have to be very tall to be deadly, nor does she have any desire to turn this woman into her enemy without provocation.

Like her husband, she does not speak first. It is not within good taste to introduce herself nor to speak unless spoken to as an unintroduced guest. As they are not in their home nor are they in a friend's home.

"Salina." It does not take Seldan long to speak, nor to approach the edge of the settlement to a conversational distance. "I would ask your forgiveness, for not lightly would I disturb you. I bring with me Telamon," a nod to the man behind him, "and Cor'lana," a nod to the woman, "Lupecyll-Atlon. They are my companions and allies in a matter on which I had hoped you might share your wisdom." He wastes no time in explaining the errand, adopting a parade-rest stance within conversational range.

Those reading him will see impassivity that says that he is anything but relaxed, despite the appearance of steadiness.

The woman nods to Seldan politely, offering her own soft words. She has a voice that's surprisingly deep for a woman her size. "Seldan Padaryn." She turns her cool eyes on each of those introduced to her in turn. Interestingly, she does not offer them a place in the settlement to one of the houses. Instead she lifts one hand to her waist. As she does so three stools rise up from the snow, made of ice. "Sit."

Her voice does not offer this as a suggestion, but more as a - polite - command. "There is no food nor drink here for mortal-kind, but speak your problem; for I remember the aid given by this man and have not forgotten it."

Telamon sits down on the icy seat, glad for the heavier leather of his trousers. But he gives no sign of discomfort or worry, instead resting his hands on his knees. His eyes flick to Cor'lana, ever so briefly, before moving to Seldan.

Still, he holds his tongue, instead opting to watch Salina with interest, studying her expressions, her mannerisms. All with the same calm smile on his face.

GAME: Telamon rolls sense motive+3: (17)+20+3: 40

Cor'lana takes the seat, politely sitting on it in the manner that a lady would find to be most proper and most comfortable. She, too, is inwardly glad that she is somewhat resistant to the cold in this moment. Her eyes meet Telamon's before also moving to Seldan, something unspoken passing between them.

Her breaths are calm and steady. In any matter that she stands with Seldan, the Silverguard will not find himself with an unprepared ally in her.

Some of the tension appears to leave Seldan like a rush of air at Salina's final words. He seats himself without hesitation, on one of the stools offered, appearing to have no trouble with the cold at all despite relatively light attire. "The matter at hand is the matter of the summoning circle beneath the city of Alexandria. It remains active, though I had been informed that it was disabled, and a - simulacrum - of Eclavdran remains within it, prowling the sewers."

With swift words, he continues to lay out the problem. "It is not Eclavdran himself, for that did I destroy, and it reeks not of evil. It is, I think, a mindless thing, and yet dangerous enough. Worse still, it is the belief of my companions that other entities may be turning the circle to their own ends. We would disable it, permanently, but how that might be done without collapsing the city, I had hoped to seek your wisdom."

Salina blinks at this news, but does not show any emotion on her face. "That explains a few things." Her explanation is not terribly clarifying. "I no longer control the Tower of Zeheir, so I can not travel into the past and undo what was done. Nor would it be wise to do so. However, I can destroy the circle for you without destroying the city."

Her eyes trail over the group and land firmly on Seldan. "The creature however is my own creation. Destroying it is no easy task for me." She doesn't explain why this might be though it might seem contrary to those that know magic well that destroying a thing of ones own power might be less than simple.

GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Spellcraft: (2)+17: 19
GAME: Seldan rolls spellcraft: (17)+18: 35
GAME: Telamon rolls spellcraft: (11)+16: 27
GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Spellcraft: (18)+17: 35

Telamon blinks slowly. Looking at Salina, he considers for a moment, before taking a deep breath. "That would be most appreciated." He tilts his head, regarding her with respect and caution. "If I may, it seems the news we bear touches on something that has affected you here. I would not presume to guess at what has transpired."

The news that the echo is Salina's creature, and not easily defeated by her, makes Telamon's eyebrows rise fractionally, but he doesn't respond. Merely to nod to her -- after all, their plan was to deal with the echo themselves.

"Given its nature, then, I am gladdened that we made no moves to strike at the creature ourselves," Cor'lana states carefully as she speaks for the first time in front of Salina, adding onto Telamon's remark. "We were cautious in our approach and elected not to take any measures beyond to box it in as we made our escape. We would endeavor to continue to make no measures that would do any harm to you nor yours."

"Will destroying this creature do you harm, Salina?" Seldan flicks a quick look over at Cor'lana, seeming to have realized the same thing that she did. "It was our intent to destroy it, but - do I read the magic aright, the circle may have a role in restoring it in some way? Is that even so?" He, too, remains cautious, respectful, and still, but much of his mien has settled into its usual steady self. "For truly would I be grateful, did you destroy this circle, as a matter of caution, and yet would I understand the consequence of doing so."

He nods over to Telamon as well, in clear agreement. "If the circle is being used, and it is impacting you, I would know of it."

Salina shakes her head minutely. The first 'human' motion she's made. "Merely remarking upon the past. I had wondered what Eclavdran wanted with a simulacrum of his own. Now I know." She nods once politely to Cor'lana and then fixes her gaze once more upon Seldan. "Destroying the creature will not harm me; only release that which is mine to return. Still, I can not destroy such easily due to how it was made. I would not be surprised if the circle heals the simulacrum."

Her gaze goes somewhat distant. "The sickness which I struck Alexandria with was very powerful magic, and Eclavdran insisted that I infect both himself and the creation with it. In some forms the sickness grants powerful healing properties as it did so to itself - so it could do to those it infected."

Telamon looks stunned at the prospect that not only could the circle heal the simulacrum, but that the simulacrum itself might reconstruct injuries. He firmly cuts off an exclamation, instead taking another deep breath to focus.

"What methods would you suggest we employ against the simulacrum, my lady? I have seen this thing, and echo or not, it does not strike me as easy prey." Telamon steeples his fingers, keeping his attention on Salina.

The news Salina imparts draws a phrase from Seldan's lips that may as well be fire sizzling into the ice at their feet, for both vehemence and heat, and yet it is clearly not directed at the fae woman. He listens to the rest in silence, a black scowl twisting the usually steady features, but in the space of a few moments, it settles again.

"Forgive me," he coughs, with a very small smile that betrays embarrassment. "Master Telamon's question is a good one, but - should we be wary of that infection? Does it yet pose a danger, or is it but used for healing properties for the creature?"

"It is difficult to say what methods would be best employed. It is not Eclavdran. It is only so on the surface. Unlike a natural simulacrum it will not have exactly the same powers as he. Nor am I aware of those abilities fully for I gave it to him as a blank slate. It will likely be able to repair itself to some small degree, but I will destroy the circle and remove its ability to do so endlessly. Furthermore it will not pass on the illness that once came with the cursed blight; for I have rent that magic from Alexandria for-ever and given it back to where it belongs."

Telamon lets out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding. The prospect of a round of plague, on top of everything else... didn't bear thinking about. He gives Seldan and Lana a smile, before looking back to Salina.

"My lady, will there be signs or disturbances when you end the circle? I am confident there are heroes enough in Alexandria to end the simulacrum, but I admit to some curiosity as to how we will know the circle has been unmade -- and what the effects might be."

"For that matter, is there anything that you require in order to dispel the circle?" Cor'lana asks, concern in her eyes and in her voice as discussion of this plague is aired. There's the vaguest glint of curiosity in there, too, but she knows well enough that some questions simply don't need to be asked.

Seldan inclines his head gratefully. "For that am I deeply grateful, Salina. We shall see to the simulacrum. My companions ask good questions, and too would I know whether you are aware of use of the circle, and whether it has been used by another entity. Those who once served Eclavdran have been - pesky of late, and it is well to know whether they are making use of the circle, or if it be another."

"There will be no disturbances. I will return the sewers to their natural state." As if this is simply done. "Do not doubt this as my word is something I am bound to. I will complete the task in..."

Here a moment of thoughtful hesitation. "Twelve days. Less perhaps, but no more. I require no aid as I will not dispel it. I will unmake it." Salina blinks and you realize that its been a very long time since she's done so. Nearly the entire length of this conversation. "I have no way of knowing if any have used the circle to their own ends. If they have done so, they are fools. The thing they summoned would be unbound and unnamed."

Those starry eyes flick to Cor'lana again, as Telamon listens to Salina's firm, no-nonsense pledge. He actually looks a little daunted at her cool, confident remarks. So he rallies as best he can, putting his friendly expression back up. "Sadly, the world has no shortage of fools, my lady. There are those who will always gamble with their own lives -- and more -- for short-term gain." He shrugs. "Such is life, I'm sorry to say. At least there are those who do think before they act."

Cor'lana keeps her expression marshaled into a calm countenance in a contrast to Telamon's own. For one of her Grandfather's people, this woman seems... so much unlike one of them, and that is disturbing in its own quality.

And yet the curiosity is not one she will tempt. Not here, not now, not ever. It would be unwise to turn a former enemy of Seldan's back into a current one with the wrong word.

"Then we will take care of what remains afterwards ourselves," she says. "Once the circle is gone." So it is said and so it is done.

For his part, Seldan evinces no trace of doubt that this girl before them will do exactly as she says. "Always has your word been above question, Salina." _Now that I think on it, it has always been so, even in the days when she was my bitter enemy,_ he muses silently to himself, blinking a few times. "Then it shall be unmade, and when it has been done, we shall need to move swiftly upon the simulacrum. It will be well to restore that piece of you to yourself. As to any who summoned it - let them look to themselves." He wears a very small smile that holds little of humor.

"You have offered aid and wisdom indeed." He is silent a moment. "The demon that owned Aya was once a minion of Eclavdran, and I suspect there are other, similar ones within the city. I know well how Aya came by that demon, and I assure you that it was her doing." There's a bitter note in that, but it fades quickly. "Still shall we see to that, as soon as the circle is unmade."

"Twelve days." Salina repeats calmly, then looks at each in turn. "Then, unless something else concerns you?"

Her eyes land lastly on Cor'lana and remain there. Eerily knowledgeable.

"Twelve days," Telamon confirms. Then, deliberately, he bows, deep and careful, exuding as much grace and polish as he can muster. "It was a pleasure to meet you, my lady." He's wise enough to not thank her -- even he knows better than that. Once he straightens, he moves to stand next to Lana now, the stars to her lavender as always.

It is always the same thing, Cor'lana realizes in that moment when Salina's eyes meets her own. It's that feeling of longing for a world to belong to, a world like the one that her Grandfather hails from. A longing to be as powerful and as self-assured as a fae queen is. It was the feeling she'd felt when she looked at the Queen of Air and Darkness and it's the same feeling she feels now in front of Eternal Winter herself. It's not jealousy so much as it is the sort of awe that a sapling might have if it observes the towering tree next door and hopes beyond hope that someday, it might grow to be a measure of the height. That someday, she might be as powerful as the queen before her. That someday, she might be so powerful that the only one who will ever rule her and have hold over her is herself and her own consort--and that no other fae queen may ever have touch of her.

"Nothing more," Cor'lana says, dismissing the feeling as much as it's a response to Salina's statement. She offers a small smile. "It is my pleasure as well to have met you as well, my lady." It is the safest farewell she can think of.

-End