Releasing the Hounds

A field outside of Alexandria, late afternoon.

Eatonis has arrived. Spring is coming. The snow is thawing. A time of renewal. A time for the light to return and to cast out the dark.

Cor'lana Lupecyll-Atlon stands with her husband in a field, sunshine pouring down from Daeus. She's dressed for war once again, but this time, she looks far more serene about it--or that the very least, she seems more reassured that there will be victory at grasp. Pothy swoops down from the sky and lands on her shoulder. "Friends," he says in a mimic of her voice.

"Good boy," Cor'lana says softly, leaning in and kissing Pothy on his fuzzy little head. She then turns to her husband. "Looks like Pothy's gotten us the rest of our little party on the way."

This is not the sort of thing you can rush. Not if you want it to go right. But patiently, patiently, Telamon is scribing in the earth. A summoning circle, anchored with seven gemstones, filled with powdered silver. He's consulting a large scroll carried by an unseen servant as he goes.

At Lana's report, he looks up and smiles. "Good. I... think this would be more appropriate to cast at night, but I don't think we should wait." He sighs. "At least they'll understand. And hopefully, with the help I'm bringing, they'll have an easier time of it."

He checks the circle against his diagram one last time, before stepping back. "Alright, that's done." Dressed in his sorcerous accoutrements -- circlet, robe, tunic, trousers, boots, twinkling rings on his fingers and his eyes full of starry power -- Telamon looks every inch the archmage that people sometimes call him.

It just so happens that Rune and Aelwyn had been traveling from Mictlan, back in the direction of Alexandria when a certain familiar raven had altered their course. The half-sil has been absent for the past few months, seemingly with little explanation. The fact that Harkashan not not shown any any worry in her absence is likely enough to have meant there was little to be concerned about, there.

Now, she walks from the distant trees in the same direction as the raven flies, boots trudging through mud as she makes her way beside the smaller Makari. Rune is, decked out in cold weather traveling gear, with a thick coat and a fur-lined cloak, her weapons strapped against her back and a carry bag which likely holds most of her other worldly posessions thrown over one shoulder.

From the distance, she raises a hand, likely already wondering about just why Ravenstongue looks as if she is about to go to war and Telamon looks dressed every inch the Archmage. "I'm guessing you already heard what's been happening?" She calls out, voice lifting to carry the distance as she approaches. "Otherwise you both wouldn't be dressed as if you're going to make someone regret their life choices..."

Simony, too, is girded for war. She's chosen thick, padded robes, bearing the colours and insignia of Navos, the white Raven. The tilted hourglass hangs from a silver chain around her neck. Her breastplate is polished to a keen shine, and over her left arm is a metal shield, emblazoned with that same tilted hourglass.

The figures in the distance bolster her mood, and she begins to trot, taking some effort to avoid the worst of the mud and sodden ground. Her clanking and clatter is easily heard from a distance.

"And here we merry band of misfits be!", she exclaims cheerfully as she comes running up. Telamon is the first who is hugged at, followed in turn by Cor'lana, Rune and then Aelwyn. "Ah, it is good to see you all again, I trust your journeys here were not troubled?"

Aelwyn definitely was not prepared for the cold journey. In his haste, he had left most of his belongings in the city - and even now his usually well cared for ruddy scales were covered in dried earth, his furlined wolf cloak stained, and the Dragoon did not carry his typical lustrious glaive. Instead, it was dark, dead and had only one red ribbon around it. At least he had a good night's sleep under him.

Along the way, he had asked - actually asked! - how to talk with the people they were about to meet. There was a lot to be said about his usual nonchalant attitude for etiquette, but after what happened he did not want more social explosions.

Walking besides the smaller half-sil, Aelwyn bows his head respectfully as they near. "Keepers of the raven," He greets, politely. Then, somewhat surprised, he looks towards Simony. "Canvas. This meant to find her - but it is good that she already knows." He tells her, then straightens to a stand. There was a particularly haunted, exhausted look in his eyes. "How much have they been told?"

"I have something that I should probably inform of all of you first," Cor'lana says softly, petting Pothy still. "The Mourner Verna Lupecyll-Atlon has been taken. A member of the Queen of Air and Darkness's Court has granted us the knowledge of where Verna is being held hostage... in return for my sister, Auranar, staying at that Court for some time, where she is to duel with Lord Folendel." Here she smirks, just a little. "She is Pothy's appointed champion in that duel, and she will win."

Here, she crosses her arms. "Verna was supposed to be involved in this, which is why I bring it up. I won't ask any of you who are focusing primarily on the fiend to divert your efforts, but I cannot, and will not, abide a member of my family being held in duress. She is being held at the Keep of Mor Kulkodar Kala in Caracoroth's Teeth, a mountain range in the Desolation."

There's something not terribly nice in Cor'lana's eyes as she says, "The Keep's name translates to the Black Dragon's Nest, but I have no fear of any draconic creature we might find there. In the meantime, if there is anything I might be able to do regarding the matter of the fiend... Please do let me know. I know Telamon is working on things... as we speak." Here she smiles at Telamon.

Telamon returns Simony's embrace, smiling down at the gobber priestess, before turning his eyes to Aelwyn and Rune. "I know everything," he says in a calm tone. "What Simony told me, the events at the dungeon... and I do not believe this kidnapping to be a coincidence. But as Lana says, we cannot abide family held like this."

He takes a deep breath. "I had hoped to aid you directly, but at this point I cannot. So it falls to me," and his eyes twinkle, "to offer -indirect- aid. Something Simony and I discussed, and I have meditated on."

"If there are any further questions, please speak them now. I will need to cast the spell, and bring through your allies."

Rather than explain the extent of her own journey, Rune just gives a non-committal lift of one shoulder in response to Simony. "Aelwyn found me along the way." Blue eyes turn towards the Makari, lifting a brow at his formal way of speaking. While Rune deeply respects the two half-sil before her, her way of speaking and acting around them is more similar to what one might expect of family, or dear friends. "It's... been a long way." She adds.

Then, her attention is seized by Cor'lana, who seems to already have most, if not all of the information that Aelwyn had passed along to her. "I'm probably the one most out of the loop here." For obvious reasons. Rune simply hasn't been a presence in Alexandria as of late. "Aelwyn was seeking help to assist Verna. I was hoping to find you two as you usually have your fingers on the pulse of the Fey bullshit that goes on around here."

The rest of the information largely goes over her head. Champions, duels, fiends, it all leaves the half-sil looking confused. "Sorry." She manages in a softer tone, "I'm probably missing more than you could explain in what sounds like limited time. Tell me what you need from me, and you have it."

Simony frowns at the news Lana brings, and it doesn't improve her condition as Telamon speaks his piece. The returned hug does mollify her temporarily though. Her grin returns lightly and she nods to Aelwyn. "I come by raven, not by chance. I have most of the pieces of the puzzle, and now know of what Cor'lana and Telamon bring. I am sorry that this is how things have turned out, I feel that I should have been able to handle this fiend on my own. But it continues to meddle and mess with my friends. For that, I do apologize. I am in this to whatever end it comes to, up to and including the giving of my life. But it will die, or be forced off of this plane of existence. Either outcome works, and are the only acceptable conditions."

The Gobbo looks to Rune then. "The fiend, which troubled Aelwyn's brother, has been forced out of Jacob. It escaped the Arcanist's dungeon, duping a guardsman there into assisting it, shattering the protective barriers that prevented the use of magic, and caused numerous prisoners to escape. It perverted a servant of Navos, and attempted to kill me. And now, somehow, it has pulled some shenanigans and taken Verna, who'd planned on scrying it, I do not know what happened there, except that she is taken. That's more or less the gist of things as they stand right now."

Aelwyn sighed out heavily at Cor'lana's words, looking as if even bigger weight had been placed on him. Then he shakes his head, as if to clear his head. "No, her safety is important to this one. She helped this one's brother." A look in his eyes grows more firm. "This one owes her a great deal, and this one failed her." Or maybe the look in those slit orange pupils was just pain.

His orange eyes then turn towards Telamon, surprised. "Ah..." The Dragoon turns to look towards Simony. "This one owes many people, a great deal." His teeth briefly widen at the goblin, before his eyes turn towards Rune, giving her a sympathetic look, and puts his hand on her shoulder. He grins at her momentarily. "One can hope for a time of celebratory drinking and stories to be told in the lazy heat of a fire." He then takes in a slow breath and clicks his teeth. "Yet Twin saw the fiend at the Crimson Troupe, in my brother." His tail slowly sways behind him.

Returning to the others, "This one was spoken to by the fiend, and this creature felt different." He informs Telamon, "Not possessed. It spoke through Mourner, perhaps. It's eyes were different." There's a longer pause. "There was no fire." He straightens to his full height. It may have made him chest height in some circles. He adds, "Yet if it is the fiend's doing, then I brought it into this city." Turning towards Simony, there's a fiery hardness in his eyes. "That is why it shall never be fully your responsibility, Temperance."

"Fear not," Cor'lana says gently in reply to Aelwyn's recounting. "Fiends can be killed. It is difficult to do so... And the price I paid for a one-time access to a weapon of truedeath to kill one outside of the Hells was great. More accurately, the price _Pothy_ paid for it." Here she comforts her little white raven. "We can get rid of the fiend. The problem is that... it smacks to me of concert. Verna is kidnapped right as she intends to help you with the fiend. Yet a fae of the Court of Queen and Air and Darkness knows where she's been kidnapped. Why, considering I sought out Her Majesty's weapon to kill a fiend to begin with?"

She frowns. "I would never accused Her Majesty of consorting with fiends--but perhaps... The Lord Folendel has. Or maybe there is another entity who would seek to collude. Either way, we may not find out until we go to the Keep."

There is only a brief moment of furrowed brows as Simony adds more pieces of the puzzle to help fill in the hole in Rune's understanding. She nods once, "I remember." Her blue eyes flick towards Aelwyn, then back to Simony. Rune hadn't know what befell of Aelwyn's brother after the battle. "So it was a fiend in his brother, then." She bites at her lower lip pensively, "That makes more sense than the alternatives."

After a pause, she adds, "To be honest, I'm a little surprised anything or anyone can get a jump on Verna. Guess I've always thought of her as being strong enough to be nearly untouchable." It's a hard thing to accept when you realize your heroes are just as mortal as you are.

Then, she leans ever so slightly to touch her shoulder against Aelwyn affectionately, "Please be careful on how much you carry on your shoulders. You're one of the strongest people I know, but that doesn't mean you don't have limits." Rune is well aware that Aelwyn's sense of honor often has him believing he owes debts that must be repaid.

Then, shifting to a straighter stance, Rune rolls her shoulders, seeming to steel herself. Her gaze flicks to Pothy and then to Cor'lana. "I don't want to ask what price that was, do I?" There's worry in her expression. "Between Fey and Fiends, nothing is ever fucking simple, is it?"

"You should probably consider something, Lana. This fiend has controlled people, spoken to people, from inside their heads. I had to remove the top of Jacob's skull so that we could remove the magics the fiend placed there. Her Majesty may not be consorting with fiends, but being controlled by one. Or more, the fiend was able to turn my God's servant by having another fiend possess it. And thus how mine own servant was able to catch me unawares, and nearly kill me. I fear that it may be a rather deep rooted problem."

Simony glances to Aelwyn then, her frown heavy with tooth. "I understand, but it is my responsibility because my God has commanded me, through the servant I summoned. I can not and will not disobey what is a direct command from my deity, that which allows me the motes of power I wield, which I am expected to use to help, protect and save people.

The Temperance nods to Rune then, "Aye, you have the right of it. At least we can all understand the dangers, and hopefully won't hesitate when the time comes to strike. There's a lot going on here, and we're the troubleshooters."

Having busied himself with last minute preparations, Telamon turns his attention to the circle. And then he begins to chant, his voice slow, sonorous, thrumming with power. Ice forms in fractal patterns around his feet, and shifting patterns of light shimmer around him like bizarre, inverted friendly shadows.

Before him, the summoning circle crackles with energy, and a ghostly afterimage of it rises up, rotating from horizontal to vertical. Glowing runes of light, seven in all, hover around the circle's edge, and in the center a swirling nimbus forms, rapidly growing to fill the circle's boundaries. And then it clears...

On the other side of the gate, it is evening, but the air that blows through the portal is not cold. A spring evening, with the blazing eye of Eluna over a field that seems too perfect to be -real-. And after a moment, there is movement beyond. Four legged forms in white, silver under the eternal moon, that silently glide towards the portal as Telamon sings softly in Celestial, making his plea.

Aelwyn's head turns and he offers Rune a slow grin, or perhaps a grimace, as he turns to look at her, his own tail lightly touching her ankles. "This one is trying, Twin. I shan't see that look in your eyes again." But it obviously was hard on him. "Besides, everyone is here now. Surely, nothing can stop us." A teasing grin.

The draconian's eyes look surprised at Simony's words. "It was another fiend?" It seems the draconian was also not up to date with everything. Then his eyes narrow slightly, and his tail whips slightly. "Not alone, again, Temperance." He tells her. "And let us not have this discussion here."

Another deep breath sigh leaves him. "There was little to it. She was reaching to see the mummified corpse this had found in the alley - and then the creature walked up to her, put his hands on her neck." He reaches out, as if holding imaginary neck. "Just like-" And then he pauses. And just stares at the gate. "... they never told us what was going to happen." He quietly whispers to Rune.

"Oh believe me, nothing is ever simple," Cor'lana says with a wide smile at Rune, "but the highs of life and living make up for the lows that come with it. And there's a certain someone beyond death who would be filled with sorrow if he saw me so soon." Her smile takes on a sad tint. "The price paid was Pothy staying in her court for a century. And... It is not a nice place." It is all she says of Pothy's ordeal.

She looks at Simony. "Fiends are _exceptionally_ good at mind control," she says. "So you may in fact be correct. Not that Her Majesty is... particularly known for generosity and kindness to begin with, but she was acting in a rather... erratic fashion the last time that Telamon and I met her."

Speaking of which... in a certain sense, Cor'lana looks up with a sense of pride as she watches the four-legged creatures arrive. Here, she curtsies before their arrival. "Welcome, blessed souls under the eye of Ni'essa Sky-singer," she greets.

It takes Simony bringing up that this creature hsa controlled others for it to sink in with Rune that she is once again getting involved with something that could very well exploit the weaknesses in her own mental defenses. This time, rather than cursing in common, she does so in growling Draconic. "Why does it always have to be mind control?" She sighs to herself and reaches up to rub one gloved hand against the bridge of her nose.

Then, the touch of a tail to her ankle has her shake off that worry. It's a risk her friends are well aware of, so there's no point in dwelling on it. The concerned look does continue to linger in Pothy's regard, brows furrowed, but she doesn't ask further on that, for now. Instead, her eyes are caught by the the wonder that is Telamon's magic. As someone who lacks magic of her own, it is always a wonder to see spells of this nature. As Aelwyn whispers, she whispers back, "Any idea what he's doing?"

For all of her tenuous connection with the Sky-singer, Rune isn't familiar with these creatures or this spell. She does incline her head, perhaps taking her lead from Cor'lana, her own hand instinctively moving to cup her necklace like a lifeline in the strangeness that is what is unfolding.

The Goblin is very distracted at this point. She'd known what the sorcerer was going to summon, she'd seen an artistic interpretation of them, but she watches in rapt awe as the majestic animals approach the portal. Her expression brightens, and she edges closer to Telamon.

After a moment, she shakes her head and looks to Aelwyn, "I know I am not alone." Her eyes flick to the portal, her expression growing impatient, "But I still consider it my duty."

Simony turns to Rune a moment, recognition on her face, and she replies to the Half-Sil in slightly accented Draconic. "It is their way, they like to know while keeping others guessing. It is also the control they desire, and through such control they stay on top, in their infernal prison. If you can knock that control loose from their hand, they will try to slink back to the hells. We've a long tangle to unravel."

The Gobbo nods then to Cor'lana. "I am sad to say that particular quirk has been quite evident in ... prominent people of late. It is quickly become a rabbit warren..." She offers a bow to the moon dogs as they arrive.

The first four-legged form steps through the gate, and it's clear Telamon has chosen something... well, not fiendish. Its fur is long and white, flowing around it like a cloak, caught up in braids along one side of its canine head. If a werewolf is a horrid malformed mixture of canid and human, then this is the opposite: a harmonious blending of the hound and the man. Indeed, it approaches Telamon, tilting its head and gazing back at him with large, dark eyes. Then it raises its forepaw -- but the limb ends in a five-fingered hand, not a paw, and Telamon takes it, shaking firmly.

As two more of the celestial hounds step forth from the portal, Telamon turns to the others. "All is well," he says with a smile. "This is Swiftstep, a moon dog hailing from the higher planes. They hunt fiends, and have agreed to assist you, Simony, in this endeavour." He fixes her with a serious stare. "They will tell you what they know, and what they can do. Please don't abuse their trust."

That done, he grins as the moon dogs glide past him, sniffing with interest at Lana, then moving towards the others with curious eyes and noses.

Aelwyn looks at Rune again, and then moves to put his arm around her. "Because everything wants a piece of the Twin?" He tells her with a low rumble and a light flicker of his tongue. "This one is certain nothing of the sort shall happen. Or if it has, this one can always bite her back to herself." A flash of his sharp teeth.

Simony gets another look from him, but he doesn't reply this time - there was more important things to focus on. Like focusing back onto the portal. "It's... a portal?" He offers, unhelpfully. "For... dogs?"

Then the dogs are running out towards them, and he just looks a little lost and confused. He listens to Telamon's words, then... he runs his hand across his mane of quills. "Not what this one was expecting," He quietly mouths to Rune, before he bows towards the dogs. "Moondogs."

To return to the other conversation, "The fiend tempted, not control," The draconian tells the others. "Why bother tempt this one and his brother if it could simply control? Whereas the one took the Mourner, had no such interest. It simply took her and vanished."

"Yes," Cor'lana says happily. "Moondogs. They are extraplanar dogs, graced by Eluna's presence. Naturally, they're rather opposed to fiends. They're a rare sight in the material plane."

One elongated ear twitches slightly as she focuses on Simony's Draconic, words that are followed by a nod of her head. "Just... if we face one in battle, have a couple of spells set aside to break a person lose from that kind of thing." Rune doesn't belabor the point. Her friends are all well are all aware that turning the rogue's mind turns an ally into a dangerous enemy. Aelwyn's talk of biting her back to her senses gets an amused roll of the eyes, though.

The strange appearance of the creatures stepping from the portal steals her attention, though. That, and the strange warmth in her necklace that comes with their arrival, or with Telamon's spell, it's hard to tell which. "Celestial hounds that... hunt fiends?" She is repeating it more for her own understanding than for clarification.

Then, at their approach, Rune releases her necklace and lets her hands drop to her sides, offering one out as one might do to any animal. Since they do seem to be using their sense of smell, it seems the right thing to do. "I'm never going to quite get used to the wonders that magic can do." She offers softly.

The Goblin looks hurt, and indignant. "As if I would ever do that, Telamon. I would rather die." She huffs and turns away, waiting her turn patiently, waiting for the dogs to come. Simony offers up her hand, for sniffing if that is their wont, and for shaking. "I am Simony Smithsdottir, earthly servant of Navos. I am grateful for your assistance in hunting this troublesome fiend. I hope that we have a good, and successful hunt. Is there anything you would ask of me, or expect of me, at this time?"

She nods solemnly to Rune, "I have some spells that should do the trick. There is never any guarantee, but I will do everything in my power to do." A little giggle escapes Simony then. "You should see his explosions."

The moon dogs seem perfectly at ease around the others, their mannerisms dog-like, but not servile or subservient. Indeed, there's a kind of calm confidence to them. Closer, they can be seen to wear ornaments -- a bracer here, a necklace there, inscribed with the symbols of Eluna. One looks up at Rune, sitting on his haunches, and tilts his head, before his tail begins to thump repeatedly on the ground.

Swiftstep places his chin on Simony's shoulder, his dark eyes thoughtful, before looking at the small goblin. Something seems to pass between them, and then the dog places his hand in hers, squeezing gently.

Telamon chuckles at Aelwyn. "If a quarry needs to be flushed from cover, what better than a hound? And what better hounds, than those who serve the Sky-Singer, the Dreaming Dragon?" He rubs his chin, as the portal closes up now, leaving the group alone once again. "And with any luck, this will be less disruptive than summoning... well, other things."

Aelwyn, admittedly, didn't have too much experience with dogs. Especially celestial ones. He eyes the hounds with some wariness as they start to get closer, his tail shifting away. Was he supposed to hold his hand out to them?

"Other things?" The draconian asks then, "Is Archmage afraid of another attack from the fiend?" A click of his teeth. "How will they help us find the fiend?"

Still eyeing the dogs, the Moondogs, he then slides into his satchel resting near his butt, and rummages. Finally, he offers spicy meat jerky to the nearest dog. "Canvas' speech of this one's kin has improved vastly." He compliments the goblin then, flashing his teeth.

Though no expert with animals, the posture that the Moondogs present towards them is calm enough that Rune relaxes a little, adjusting her pack. She tilts her head slightly at the one sitting before her, echoing the canine's own regard of her. "I serve the Sky-singer as well, we have that much in common." However, her voice is quiet as she murmurs that.

Then, clearing her throat, she answers Aelwyn, "If they're like most hounds, I would assume they can scent better than we can. As Celestial beings, they might even have preternatural senses to perceive fiends in ways we can't." She shifts the weight of her pack to her other shoulder, "I'm a decent tracker, myself, but I can't do jack against magic. I bet they can."

The Goblin goes still as the moon dog settles before her, his nose by her ear. Her expression is one who is listening to something, as if at a far distance. "Swiftstep, I welcome your aid in this task we have taken upon ourselves. Your capabilities will allow us to hunt the fiend. If you would sniff the fiend out for us, we would put an end to it. We will accept the brunt of the combat. I expect the fiend will attempt to possess some or all of us, your baying will keep us safe. With the fiend distracted with us, you can safely nip at his heels and flank. I will include you in whatever protections I muster, and I will serve you by healing your wounds and soothing your ills. I will watch over you as I would my friends."

Simony casts a glance to Aelwyn. "Their sense of smell is superior, as is their vision and hearing, and they can see evil, invisible and magical creatures. They can send extraplanar creatures home, and they can offer beneficial healing spells too. With this pack, we shall find this fiend, and put him to an end, and with luck, keep our body parts, blood and souls in their rightful places."

Telamon simply chuckles at the back and forth between the heroes, and the celestial hounds. "They aren't animals, but noble celestials, so don't be fooled by their appearance." One of the dogs turns back and gives Telamon a mock wounded look with big puppy-dog eyes, and Tel snorts. "Very funny."

"But yes, as Simony says they are well suited to hunting fiends. Their parties venture into the astral and ethereal planes, and even to Ea, when they stalk such prey. I think if it comes to a scrap, you'll be happy they're along."

The dog nearest to Aelwyn inspects the spicy jerky with interest, before reaching up with a deft hand to take it. Absently gnawing on it as it ambles back to stand next to Simony, but it does give Aelwyn a nuzzle by way of thanks.

The Dragoon lifts his fingers and wriggles them. They were still there. Ah, his animal handling skills were surely a thing of legends, if he could even sway a celestial being. Suppressing a grin, he bows his head towards the dog respectfully, before raising his gaze again.

"Then there is a way to track the fiend," Aelwyn starts, "But what of the Mourner? That is what should be the priority." Especially to him; his gaze grows heavier. "It devoured decades in seconds and it hungered. This one hopes we shan't be late."

Cor'lana smiles broadly as she looks at the noble creatures, suppressing a broader grin in response to the moon dog looking wounded. "Then we've picked our newfound allies well," she says. "It gladdens my heart to know that we have support."

She looks at Rune for a moment. "And don't think I've forgotten," she says. "I need to get you back to Grandfather's house for another meeting with Blue."

With Aelwyn's question, Cor'lana smiles broadly. "It's simple," she says, far too calmly. "I'd like to put together a team. And if there is a single person without moral qualm as to my sister-by-bond's capture and imprisonment, then let them be cut down in our infiltration, should it come to it. Should anyone here be willing, I would be glad of your help."

"Almost makes me wish my father had insisted upon me learning Celestial. It sounds as if they'd be fascinating to talk to." Rune looks from the nearest Moondog to Telamon and back again. She has that innate curiosity that comes from a fascination with stories and tales. What kind of stories could such a creature from another realm tell?

Cor'lana's comment about Blue seems to draw Rune's attention away from pondering the stories of Moondogs, the half-sil only inclining her head. "I should... catch up with Harkashan first, but yes. If our slain enemy was the linch-pin of whatever is happening with the Fey and my mother, then it's time we see what has happened in the aftermath."

With her hand tightening lightly against her pack, the rogue nods her agreement, "You know you don't even need to ask. You call and I'll be there. My blades are yours against anyone who threatens you and yours."

"If you would like to also assist us in the finding of Verna, noble ones, we would be happy for your aid. As the saying goes, killing two birds with one stone, for it is likely the fiend holds her close. Perhaps as a bargaining chip, perhaps a distraction, or perhaps as a trap. Your baleful howls shall be of great use here, to safely force the fiend or his minions to flee her."

Simony looks to Ravenstongue, "Do we have an article of Verna's clothing at hand? I am sure they could track her scent. And if we near her, and they can smell a fiend, then we will know both goals can be accomplished at the same time. If it please you to help us in that manner also, Swift Running Over Many Hills With a Step?"

Telamon blinks. "I had thought..." Then Swiftstep looks at Telamon, and he pauses. Then he says, "We don't know the two are in the same locale. I had thought to let Simony, along with the hounds, harry the fiend, while Lana and I -- and any others -- remonstrated with whoever had taken Verna."

He sighs. "But Swiftstep has pointedly reminded me that there are no coincidences. If the fiend is one and the same, then they are bound to assist in pursuing it. I don't wish to put them at risk, though. I doubt the name of 'Black Dragon's Nest' was hung on that place by accident or boredom."

Aelwyn lets out a slow rumble and a grin towards Cor'lana. "Then those words were the ones this desired to hear." He tells her, and bows his head. "This one's glaive is hers."

The Dragoon turns to look towards Telamon, and then there's a quiet inhale, and a longer exhale. "This one hopes they are, but the thing did not act like the fiend that took this one's brother." A click of his teeth, and he grits his teeth. "But it matters not. Both shall fall eventually."

Turning towards Rune, he then slides his tail over towards her ankles, touching them lightly. "This one appreciates her help." He bows his head, then rumbles with some amusement. "Again." Then he turns towards the rest of the party. "Shall we depart?"

"That's the thing, we don't know if they are," Cor'lana says gently. "There are several individuals and entities who have an interest in Verna, not just the fiend. But we will endeavor to rescue her regardless: because it's the right thing to do."

Here she looks full of conviction, eyeing Pothy for a moment before she adds, "Because I told my sister I _would_."