Scrolling for Truth
It's long after evensong now, the sky is cold and glitters like a handful of diamonds were thrown out across the cosmos. Yet neither the sky above nor the chill wind that blows down the streets is noted by Zeke. The hours of the day were spent, and he hardly noticed as he made his way down the familiar streets to Seldan's home. Which, he hoped to find the man at. He knocks somewhat hurriedly at the threshold, and waits impatiently for a response, his green eyes flickering up and down the road.
The answer comes swiftly enough. The sounds of padding, bare feet, something moving, and then a spoken wood behind the door. Seldan's voice, and shortly thereafter, the door opens. The man has thrown on a shirt in haste, untucked and left open, and he is barefoot, but with the gem-encrusted headband firmly in place and only half-taming unruly, loose hair. His eyes narrow uncertainly, but on seeing a familiar sith, he steps aside at once. "Peace upon your nest, kin. What brings you here?" The movement aside is a clear invitation.
Zeke steps inside with a nod, tucking his tail close so that Seldan can close the door all the sooner without risk of hitting it. For a moment he doesn't relax, taking in the familiar environment with caution and then does he let out a breath of a sigh and nods as if to himself. "Peassce on your nessst, kin. Thisss one comesss with... Sssome-thing." He shakes his head and makes for the kitchen slowly enough to be followed with ease and yet with a certain amount of haste in his movements that betray his agitation.
"And newsss ass well, but thisss one isss unscertain where to begin. There isss perhapsss too much." He sighs and motions to the table. For Seldan to look as he draws a scroll from within his vestments. He holds it though, for a long moment and does not reveal it. "Thisss one urgesss caution in dealing with thisss sscroll Sseldan. For it could be... a foolsss errand."
He shakes his head, seeming at last to come to a decision and rolls the scroll out onto the table. It's not a terribly long scroll, and it is blood-stained, written upon. Names. Many names. A list of names. With bloody spots and some bearing check marks beside them.
The hesitation, the agitation, is not lost on Seldan, and he swiftly closes the door behind the pair, taking a moment to maneuver back into place a small metal wedge, pushing it firmly between the door sill and the bottom of the door. When that is done, he turns back to the sith-makar, listening gravely, instantly alert.
When the scroll comes out, he studies it intently, eyes roving over the names, demeanor becoming more and more pillar-like as he does so. He does not reach for it, however, instead drawing in the air before him a group of complex, interlocking sigils. Above them, he draws with his finger a crescent and sphere, clearly unifying the other symbols underneath Eluna's aegis and protection, chanting as he does so. All the sigils burst into midnight blue-and-white fire before him, and he raises both hands, pressing them down to a circle at the pair's feet, repeating an incantation several times in the process. Once they lie on the floor at the pair's feet, forming a circle big enough for both of them and the table as well, he speaks a final word, and the sigils all flash silver, then vanish. A spell that Zeke has seen him cast before.
That done, he turns to study the scroll. "Whence came you by this?"
GAME: Seldan casts Magic Circle Against Evil. Caster Level: 16 DC: 21
Zeke thrums, nodding once to Seldan. "The where isss part of thisss onesss caution. Aya gave it to thisss one. Not hourss later, ssshe came back... With Lily." He looks down at the scroll, distrust and caution in his gaze though the scroll did not in fact react to Seldan's spell. "Lily isss returned to usss, and thisss one doess not think that it cosst Aya no-thing to do. Ssseyardu refusesss to lissten to wordss that sshe might be dead, and Aryia isss lossst completely to grief. Cryosssanthia..."
He trails off a moment. "Losst to joy and exhaustion. Thisss one would be with them even now, but thisss... Thisss may be the lassst thing Aya ever givess to usss. And thisss one doess not know if it can be trusssted."
GAME: Seldan rolls spellcraft: (4)+18: 22
There are many things in the sober, reserved expression that Seldan turns on Zeke as he hears the bluescale's news. Surprise is not one of them, but sadness is. He turns a keen eye on the scroll, then, his eyes unfocusing for the space of several breaths. At length, he shakes his head, but still does not touch the scroll. Instead, he chants another spell, this one much simpler and only a single phrase and a simple sigil. The sigil resolves into a golden-silver film that sparkles before his eyes, and he studies it closely for the space of several seconds again. He is being thorough, ere he answers.
"I was witness to her return, kin," he begins, his eyes narrowing as he studies the parchment. "Ware, it stinks not of evil, but it has magic on it," he warns, still staring at it. "I think Aya not dead, but it may well be worse. She bade the Silverguards strike her down, and she may well have exchanged Lily's soul for hers. She is given to Eclavdran, that much am I certain of now, and she is doubtless not in his favor. Striking her down may well be the greatest mercy I can now grant. I did not follow Seyardu, for she drew steel on me and bade me not move, though I had said naught to her, nor had I moved."
GAME: Seldan casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 16 DC: 18
Zeke doesn't seem surprised by this fact, but instead nods at the affirmation that the thing is magical. "Thiss one agreesss with your ssstatement. If ssshe isss not dead, ssshe iss worsse." He shakes his head in sorrow at this but looks at Seldan. "Did Sseyardu think you the demon perhapsss? Thiss one can not imagine why sshe would draw her weapon on you elsssewisse."
GAME: Seldan rolls wisdom: (2)+5: 7
"I think that so," Seldan agrees, narrowing his eyes at the scroll. Abruptly, he steps back and bolts upstairs, feet pattering as fast as they can go. He returns downstairs presently, with a vial of ink, a quill, a blank sheet of parchment, and a scroll in which the coil is wrapped. Weird to be sure, but his bearing is straight, tall, and confident. He knows what he is doing, and is acting without hesitation or doubt. "The magic upon that scroll is divination, Zeke. It may be a thing he can use to scry, or listen. Given more time, I could learn more, but I think it unsafe to do that here. Will you follow me, and bring the scroll?"
Immediately, Zeke picks up the scroll upon Seldan's request, and tucks it into his vestments where it was before. "Thisss one will do asss you sssay." He motions with his claw. "But lead and thisss one will follow."
Seldan nods, and opens the scroll, studying it, and frowns. "This is not the spell I sought, and yet will it serve. Come, let us sit by the fire." He nods towards the living area, and its warm and merrily burning hearth. He sets the other materials aside on the low table, and reaches for the scroll. The sigils of protection, somehow, have followed him, but he pays them no mind, instead invoking the contents of the scroll, and only nodding in satisfaction when it crumbles to fine dust in his hands.
Finally, he speaks. "There is something familiar about these names, and many of them do I know. I would recopy this scroll onto a mundane parchment, and destroy the original, for it is enchanted, and doubtless an item that aids the demon in scrying. The enchantment on the scroll was a ward against scrying."
GAME: Seldan used a Scroll of Mages Private Sanctum.
"Thisss one hass noticed alssso, that many of the namess are familiar. Aya sssaid that ssshe thought it a lissst of thossse in the Adventurer'sss Guild." Zeke pulls out the scroll again, and lays it down where it can be read after seating himself by the fire. He makes a motion with it with his claw and the scroll /moves/. Or rather the names and the bloodstains and the marks move. As if one was reading down the list. "Thisss one hass not had much time to sstudy it, but hass learned that it isss longer than it ssseemsss at firssst."
"Do we set to it, perhaps we may copy the list entire. Ere the scrying spell expires, I would destroy this scroll." Seldan blinks at the movement of the writings on the scroll, surprised by the enchantment, minor though it doubtless is. "It is _full_ of divination magic, and I do not trust that Aya was not doing as instructed in providing it."
"That may be wissse then. Thisss one isss glad that thisss one brought it to your attention." Zeke nods to himself and suddenly stops scrolling. Scrolls back up. Stares. "Sseldan. It hass changed."
The sith-makar looks at the the names on the scroll. "Aya's name. Sshe pointed it out to thiss one and thisss one remembered it becaussse it had a mark bessside it. It isss gone now."
Seldan suddenly stops, frowning, and leans forward. "It follows - something, but what?" he murmurs, half to himself. "Let us review the other names, and see what those with marks may have in common."
GAME: Seldan rolls wisdom: (7)+5: 12 GAME: Seldan rolls spellcraft: (18)+18: 36
Zeke hums softly to himself, listing off out-loud the names of those who have checks by their names, but they seem to have no correlation to one another. Some are men. Some are women. Some have been with the guild for ages while others are new. Some are friends, some hardly known at all. There's no rhyme or reason to it that Zeke can see.
Seldan is only half-listening, his attention on the scroll itself. _What could the scroll be looking for? What manner of magic is on it, that it might mark things so?_ He, too, is puzzled by the pattern of names, but as the pattern of magic gradually resolves itself in mind and behind eyes, he lets out a low whistle. "I was correct. This scroll scries, listens to what surrounds it, and several other minor enchantments," he murmurs. "Fear not for the scroll, I shall have another scribed on the morrow."
He looks up, then. "Let us be about copying it, and its marks. Useful though the information is, I dare not leave this in our hands."
With those words Zeke sets to copying the names down. He is quick at it, efficient. Scribing scrolls for healing was a task to which the sith-makar is well-adapted to, and his penmanship is excellent. He even can replicate the blood spots with marks beside the names in similar design. Though... he's no artist so the representations are not perhaps what they could be otherwise. Even so after several long moments they have a copy of the list with all the names written on it and the marks beside. "Thisss one isss concerned... if the scroll changes... could namesss be added ass well asss removed?" What would it mean if one were?
"That is likely so. It is in my mind to seek the thoughts of others, for there is something nagging at me, that does not come to me when I seek it." Seldan frowns at the scroll. "If it is kept within a bag of holding, or haversack," he begins, "perhaps it is safe. A thing useful, and yet dangerous. What think you?"
"Thisss one thinkss that dessstroying it hasstily may be unwissse... but keeping it in the open or upon onesss sself would alssso be unwisse. Perhapss it would be sssafe in an ssspace ssuch ass you sssuggesst. Better than on a perssson. But thisss one hass none sssuch, and doess not wisssh for sssome-one ass important to our caussse ass you to be sscried upon." Zeke offers.
At once, Seldan nods. "You may well have the right of it. Such a bag do I have, and it is in my mind to see if either the Seers or the Iron Book would undertake its safekeeping, while we work to understand it and its meaning. This is doubtless a curiosity and a clever enchantment, that might be put to less sinister use, in better hands. I shall speak with the Seers in the morn, if that pleases you. The bag, and the spell, shall keep the night, for the spell lasts a day."
Zeke nods, seeming to relax, and touches the scroll one last time where Aya's name had so recently been. His claw lingers there for a few moments, and quite suddenly the scroll... changes. Instead it shows the image of a man. A perfect little painting of familiar face - that of Azog. So startled by this development is Zeke that he jumps out of his seat and almost stumbles to the ground. He hisses irritably at the scroll, and looks at it suspiciously. "What did it /do/?"
Seldan, too, starts as the image appears, but takes it a bit better than Zeke does, half-standing and staring at it intently. "A minor scry," he says finally, "but more minor image, than scrying, for the image does not move nor interact," he remarks finally. "It is clear to me that this was made to aid in identifying these people - but to what end?"
Uncertainly Zeke moves forward, but doesn't touch the image. Instead he studies it carefully. "Perhapsss to make attacking them easssier?" He seems unnerved by the change in the scroll, and holds his claws close to his body least it change again against his will. "Thisss one doesss not like it Sseldan. It wasss merely a lissst and it wass bad enough, but lissstss and picturesss?"
He suddenly goes very still. "What if it isss to make it ssso that he can sssteal their appearance? Can he become any-one?" The blue-scale shudders at the mere thought.
GAME: Seldan rolls knowledge/arcana: (11)+18: 29
"That do I not know. This much can I say, that his impersonations are imperfect. Impersonating a specific person is no easy thing, especially when faced with one who knows them well. The appearance may be duplicated, if one has a piece of that person." Seldan finally settles down onto the couch, perching on its edge. "This list is dangerous, of that there can be little doubt. I think it ill-advised to speculate on what he may or may not do with...."
Suddenly, he stills, his eyes lowering. _That means that he has a piece of me_, his mind whispers silently. _How did he come by that, and how might it be wrested from him?_
Interestingly enough, Zeke's mind seems to have traveled the same path as Seldan's because the sith clasps his kin on the shoulder gently. "If it isss ass you sssay, then he musst have sssome part of you. If the sspell usssesss sssuch a thing, then he can have only a limited sssupply, and then he will run out. If the sspell doess not... then we will have to be vigilant and be certain of you. Perhapsss through the ussse of your divine powersss, for no demon can ussse thossse and we can be certain then that you are your-ssself." It did not bear thought what /else/ a demon might do with 'parts' of a person.
GAME: Seldan rolls wisdom: (10)+5: 15
"For such a spell, the part of a person is a component, consumed in the casting," Seldan answers, thoughtfully. He had looked up at the claw on the shoulder, and a ghost of a smile tugs at the corner of his lips for the reassurance. "Ask me who I am, and I shall call upon Her grace in response, or if I am spent, I shall so declare. Any other response, and it is not me."
He grows still again, considering. "If that is so, then has Eclavdran not taken other forms, appeared as others? Could they not be real people, as I?"
"As you say then Ssseldan." Zeke wags his tail behind him, pleased to have been of even this much assistance. He has reassured his kin and that is no small thing. Yet the words he speaks afterwards bear more thought and Zeke shudders. "Thisss one iss certain that the demon hasss. Which meansss that either they are at the demonsss mercy, are hisss enemiess ass we are, or are a ssservant giving to him willingly. None of which we can easssily know."
He considers a moment and then motions to the scroll. "Unless the image of hisss fasce iss on that lissst. Then we might know from whom he ssstealss hiss image at leasst."
The pair are sitting in the living area by the hearth, a pot of tea and a set of cups in an ornate dove-grey that Seldan brought with him from Ecclesia sitting on the table, along with a magical-looking scroll, marked with names and, in places, bloodstains. "That may be so," Seldan is saying, a ghost of a smile tugging at his lip that fades as he looks down at the scroll again. "There is but one I know to be willing." He pauses, leaning forward in his hastily-donned and loose shirt, staring at it. "How did you say that Mistress Aya came by this?"
There's a familiar *twisting* feeling to the room that they're standing in, a small dot at the center starting to fold around itself in impossible geometries before springing like a rubber band with a cracking *SNAP!* that marks the arrival of one Malik, Wizard (et cetera).
And anyone that knows him knows exactly how this particular scene played out.
Malik received a message, and took off at a run. Before realizing that he does, in fact, have magic that makes this go a whole lot faster. By which time he's too distracted with the spell to quit running.
Which is how, unlike most other teleports, Malik manages to come out of this one in a full-on skid, boots barely finding purchase on the marble floor while still covered with the dust from the cobbles, arms flailing about him as he tries to bleed off some of that kinetic energy in whatever way he can manage.
Naturally, this doesn't *quite* stop him in time to avoid the table with the large, decorative vase they brought back from Xiang Sei during their post-honeymoon travels.
"Tarien's balls!" Malik curses under his breath, looking down at the various pieces of the mess -- before realizing that he's not alone in the room. "I, uh --" He rubs at the back of his neck, briefly, "I'll fix that later." And then, directly to Seldan, "Where did you get a demonic artifact?" And the unspoken question that Seldan can pick up from that tone -- 'and when do I get to see it?!'
Zeke, already recovering from the startlement of the scroll /changing/ quite unexpectedly is to no surprise, even more shocked by the sudden appearance of /someone/ into Seldan's home. He doesn't even realize that he's hissing and making himself bigger before it's happened. Admittedly, it's actually a rather impressive thing to see a fully-grown male sith-makar take on an aggressively defensive stance.
A moment later however he settles back, looking and smelling embarrassed for his display and recognizing Malik. "It wassss received from a tower that Mei took Aya and sssome other people to." He unfortunately doesn't know the exact details.
Seldan, too, is on his feet as soon as he feels the magic start, but by the time he is standing and has taken a couple of steps towards where he left Reunion, the world has resolved again into an excited wizard skidding into a table with a loud *crash!* He winces, then starts to chuckle, low in his throat. "I might have known that you would take an interest in such," he answers, ice-blue eyes alight with warm, affectionate amusement, and his shoulders, too, relax.
"I see. Can we be certain that he did not permit her, or wish her, to have it?" he asks carefully. "The item is of great interest, and yet I know not if it can be trusted. I have laid protections," he adds to Malik, "and I sense no evil, demon-made or nay." He looks back down to the table, steadying it and studying the list of names. "There is something about these names. Many are familiar, but not all, and I cannot put a name to it."
The vase is forgotten for now -- he really will fix it later -- as he makes his way over to his husband, stealing a quick kiss as he gives Zeke a nod of greeting and a warm smile. "Sungaurd," he greets, removing his cloak and tossing it on a chair to the side.
Still, he jumps right into the conversation. "Not all magic created for evil intent reads as evil," he reminds. "Most are merely tools. Its the wielder that gives them their purpose. A fiery dagger can be used for slicing toast or cutting throats, and if used for either will merely read as a chunk of iron with Evocation. Even demons can't get around the fundamental laws of magic. Simply because they wish something to be used for ill-intent doesn't mean they can corrupt it on such a fundamental level without incredible effort."
"Peassce on your nessst Malik." Offers Zeke, sounding apologetic. He moves backwards to allow the mage a closer examination of the scroll in question. Or what was once a scroll. Now it appears to be a painting of Azog. The image is quite clear and very well done. "Thisss one can be sscertain of no sssuch thing Sseldan. After all even if the demon ssseemed upssset that thisss wass taken... could we know that to be genuine? All thisss one knowss iss that he wassss gone quickly from the plasce that thisss wasss taken from. Perhapsss fearful of being harmed, Aya thought him to be recovering."
Seldan returns the stolen kiss with a small smile. "You sound like Sunguard Folhan," he counters with a smile, referring to a particularly pedantic man the pair had encountered during their stay in Ecclesia. Any comment to this man sparked a lecture unbidden, but the paladin seems to take no offense, instead picking up the cloak carelessly tossed on a chair and moving to hang it on a hook for the purpose. "You are of course, correct, and well do I know it. I see only divination upon it, but perhaps you shall see more."
"We know naught," he answers Zeke, then, returning to the pair. "We also know naught of he may be able to make use of it being in other hands, hence the sanctum enchantment. For which I must seek another scroll of you," he adds to Malik. "I have the coin for the materials."
Malik waves the thought of payment away. "For protections on our home, I'm not accepting your coin," he tells Seldan. "Scrolls are quick to make, and I have plenty of money." Though he does pick up on what Seldan is putting down, offering a smile in turn. "A treasure trove of knowledge that gets too little credit?" A blink, here, that faux-innocence on his face. "I couldn't agree more."
Still, he eyes the -- painting of Azog. Or scroll. Or whatever it is. "And -- *this* is what we're looking at?" he asks, looking between the pair of them. "An unusual form. Normally magic is woven into slightly less -- destructible material, if it isn't to be immediately consumed."
Zeke looks at the scroll with some suspicion. "Perhapsss it isss not ssso disstructable ass it looksss? Or perhapsss it was required to be a piece of parchment becaussse of the nature of the magicsss put upon it?" He knows little of magic in truth, and he feels quite out of his depth speaking on it. "Perhaps it wasss meant to be consssumed for another ssspell but he wasss sstopped. Though it ssseemsss... intricate for sssomething that isss only a material."
"It is believed that Eclavdran made it." Seldan leans against the arm of the sofa, watching Malik with a gentle smile. "It is a list of members of the guild, quite the comprehensive one. I know not if it is those he targets, those who have wronged him, or some combination."
GAME: Malik used a Wand of greater Detect magic. GAME: Malik rolls Spellcraft: (1)+25: 26 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Malik rolls Spellcraft: (9)+25: 34 GAME: Malik rolls Knowledge/Arcana: (10)+24: 34
Malik pulls a wand from his bag, looking over the scroll. He focuses, and it takes him a second to work through all of the items on there. "Almost assuredly Eclavdran," Malik agrees. "Though I can't be -- *quite* positive. There are subtle differences between the one I know and the one that is on here. Could simply be growth in power," he notes. "Or it could be a forgery. Or someone with an incredibly close aura. But the latter two are less likely than the first, I think."
Still, he presses his mouth into a line, narrowing his eyes. "Divinations. Many of them," he agrees. "And -- something else. Something --" He squints more, head moving to the side. "Something -- fuzzy. I can't quite make it out." That seems to concern him more than anything. "Either powerful magic, or a kind I can't see." Either of which should be cause for concern, presumably.
Zeke watches the exchange with obvious curiosity, and Malik with a good deal of caution. "Ssseldan sssuggessted that we copy it, and then dessstroy it. Thisss one isss not sssure we can copy thessse tiny paintingsss?"
Malik's mouth just presses into a frown, here. "I don't think I'm going to get further than what I have, right this moment. Not without preparing a new spell for the task," he tells the other two. "I'll start to work on that right away. Zeke -- feel free to stay. I can have food brought for us," he tells the Sith. And then, back to Seldan, "And I'm sure that you and he have much to catch up on, after his extended absence." A soft smile here for the paladin, the wizard just glad to see him healthy and hale. "I'll return in an hour."
Zeke shakes his head, "Thisss one will go and fetch food. Thiss one trusstsss the sscroll in your care in the meantime." He nods to Seldan and then to Malik before heading to the door and heading out to fetch food for them all.
He will return almost a half-hour later, which gives them plenty of time to at least begin to dig into the food. Zeke's food choices are with an obvious bent. Cheesy pasta and bread, fresh vegetables of discernable identification and fruit freshly cut, arranged and slightly sweetened for dessert.
GAME: Malik casts Identify. Caster Level: 16 DC: 17 GAME: Malik rolls SPellcraft+10: (4)+25+10: 39 GAME: Malik rolls Spellcraft+10: (7)+25+10: 42
Given the late hour, Seldan eats politely, but lightly, sticking to vegetables and fruit and a little bread, and he had poured tea while they waited. He seems in no distress, just disinclined to eat much. He had spent much of the time waiting in silent prayer, with Malik doing his own preparations, and in that time had at least tucked in and belted the hastily-donned shirt into his trousers, and added his holy symbol, so as to be a bit more put-together.
Malik returns in no time, and gets straight to the point. With a whispered word, he stirs a goblet of wine with a feather (from an owl, for those so inclined), and down the whole thing in one go before setting it down and making a gesture with his hands, eyes starting to glow as he takes a look at the scroll once more.
"Curious," he says, looking the thing over carefully as he reaches out a hand, fingers tracing motions not *quite* on the surface of the paper. "Activated by touch. Different touches."
And before anyone can argue, he's already reaching out to touch the scroll, finger moving from the top left corner down the left edge of the parchment.
The image immediately shifts from Azog's face, to that of another individual. This one it seems is a goblin. They don't seem familiar to anyone in the room, and there's no name on this image to identify them.
Zeke was half-way to stopping Malik from simply poking the parchment when he realizes that its too late. With the deed done all he can do is look at the new picture with confusion. "Who isss that?" He clearly is curious.
Having seen Zeke touch the parchment, Seldan only watches as Malik does so, but leans forward with interest, picking up his teacup. "I know not ... but it is in my mind that that is one we should seek out. Are there others, such?" He stares at the images, as if by staring he could commit the face to memory.
Malik shakes his head. "I can't tell you the functions," he says, "just how to activate them." A glyph made with his hand, traced over the paper, brings on the next function of the parchment.
The symbol causes the image to fade out and instead one of the goblin in-motion appears. The image shows the goblin walking calmly down the streets of Alexandria. Doing nothing really of note. However... this is clearly a scrying. The three are scrying upon this unknown goblin, quite unknown to him. He stops to wave at someone and then continues on.
Zeke shudders at the images. "Ssso... it isss a crysstal ball? It... Hasss namesss on it, and then imagess, and alssso allowsss ssscrying? What manner of thing /isss/ this." Destroying it is sounding better and better to him.
"A thing that permits Eclavdran to seek those he wishes to find, to whatever purpose," Seldan answers, wrapping both hands around the teacup and sitting upright, his relaxed demeanor vanishing in favor of the paladin's mien. "Might we return to the list of names, please? I would copy that much, at the least, that we might know who it is that he seeks?"
Malik waves a hand, dismissing the effect and (presumably) returning to the list of names, though that might take a bit of doing, depending on what all effects are on this thing. "It is a *useful* thing," Malik answers, despite the shudder from the Sith-Makar. "Something of his, with a small portion of his aura tied to it. A priceless thing, for a Lord of the Hells, and powerful magic in its own right, if all he needs do is write their name on the parchment."
Someone clearly isn't concerned about its potential negative uses as the other two upstanding citizens in the room.
GAME: Malik rolls Wisdom: (8)+4: 12 GAME: Seldan rolls wisdom: (2)+5: 7
"Thisss one isss fairly scertain that thisss one hass written down all the namess kin, unlessss one wasss added to the lissst ssince we lassst looked." Zeke offers to Seldan, looking at the bloodstained list once more. He is admittedly curious about it, but cautious. Ever so cautious. "Perhapssss... it /isss/ besst desstroyed after all..."
Seldan shoots Malik a _look_. "It is no easy thing, for while it is indeed a marvel of magic, it is a marvel of magic that holds information to which none should be privy, not for so many, and most surely is not intended to be used to their benefit," he counters. "I would consult with the Seers, and perhaps with the Iron Book, for what best to do with this item."
Malik sees that look, and there is a moment of genuine conflict on his face. The first, the one he can't hide as well -- something almost akin to betrayal, an unexpected volley from his partner. But a moment later, he gets that under control, clamping down on that part with the practiced discipline of a wizard, replacing it with something that looks like barely-contained anger.
"And here I was told that those of your calling felt no fear," he offers flatly. "Yet here we are, debating on the destruction of something that we might never get another chance to have, merely because you fear it."
He shoots an accusing look at both of them, but steps back away from the table. It's not his scroll, after all, and he has no claim on it. But he gives the pair the same sort of look being directed at him, turning specifically to Seldan. "You, of all people, should know how much a love of the light can blind you to the necessity of darkness, and shades of gray. You serve not the Sun. No matter how much others might wish." And with it, an image: a stern-faced, older man, sharing many of Seldan's features.
Zeke is a cautious sort, and a fight - even a light one - between cihuaa is not to be taken lightly. He settles back a little bit, quieting and becoming unobtrusive. Even Malik's glance toward him makes him flinch slightly, that kind of attention directed at him is... unnerving to say the least. It... has memories attached to it that are none to kind to him. He has things that he might say, but for now he keeps them to himself and lets the two soft-skinned men sort it out.
Instantly, as Malik verbally assaults the paladin without warning, Seldan's features shift, and he straightens, and stands. Suddenly, he is the alabaster pillar, without expression. "I serve She who governs the wise and just use of magic, Malik. I think you wise enough, at least, to realize that this," he nods to the scroll, "is naught of the kind, and that its creation is not for benign purposes. I am uncertain that destruction of such a thing will serve us, and yet do I consider it dangerous, to all whose names are on that scroll. Including yours." The ice-blue eyes are steady, and do not flinch.
"Do not throw my father at me, Malik," he warns softly. "That name holds no fear for me now, and like my calling or nay, he does not challenge me. Nor shall you throw fear at me, for only a fool knows no fear. Those who are unburdened by fear know fear, and know it well, but they also know that She is greater than fear, and that fear may be cast aside to do Her will. I have said that I would consult with the Seers, and with the Iron Book, to determine the best course. I think it unlikely that the Seers will destroy it out of hand, and much more likely that they will find a means of safekeeping, that you may study it if you so desire."
Malik just holds Seldan's gaze a moment, squaring his shoulders as well, though his hands are kept *very* carefully at his sides, lest Zeke read something into his posture that Seldan wouldn't. Still, he doesn't back down from his stance, but keeps his tone a bit more moderated. "It was you that first cast your judgment," he reminds the paladin. But both of them can hear the little tinge of guilt creep into his voice -- especially as he sees the effect that it has on Zeke.
Glancing down at the ground, now, he presents his case as best he can. "You're wrong, though. It matters not what the magic was created to do. Any magic can be used for dark purposes. It does not make it dark magic, or less valuable." A heartbeat, here. Then two. "I've searched for something like this for *months*. Through dark tombs and dangerous places. And you have it fall into your lap, and the first thing that comes to mind is *destroying* it." He glances between the pair of them. "Have you imagined what good this could be used for? An item like this, powerful beyond measure, created by a being not that different from a god? A being whose *own name* we could write onto this scroll with powerful effect, given that it is intimately linked to him? Or Grauthis, perhaps? If any magic in the world was strong enough, it's *this* magic." He gestures to the scroll again.
"But please. Tell me further of how *irresponsible* it would be to allow for its continued existence."
Finally, Zeke rumbles, a low comforting tone meant to put someone who is unhappy at ease. "What if thisss isss the point of the thing? Ssso that we fight amongssst oursselvess? To make usss doubt one another?" He looks at the item solemly and then Malik. He wishes despirately that the two would not argue, but can not stop it. Not like this. He hopes at least that his words are some aid.
"I do not doubt that Malik's intentions are good, but it is in my mind that he did not hear me, that the Seers are unlikely to destroy it." Seldan nods to Zeke, after a moment of steady gaze that holds gratitude. "Zeke is right. Do we divide amongst ourselves, the demon is the winner. We shall not destroy it, not yet, but it does not stay here. Here does it pose too much risk, to a place which Eclavdran already knows far too well. We know not if he can scry upon the item, and thus do I have the private sanctum active. Scrying does not work in this place, so long as the spell be active. Besides," and here he smiles, a glint in the ice-blue eyes that clear say that he is teasing, "lectures on irresponsibility from one who but moments ago teleported so hastily as to crash into a table run cold."
GAME: Malik casts Mending. Caster Level: 16 DC: 16
"And yet," Malik counters quietly, "a thing being unlikely does not make it impossible. And you would seek their counsel beyond mine, despite my own efforts on the matter, knowing that the outcome might be something you think unlikely. And even support." But Zeke's words, at least, have something of their desired effect -- Malik glances between the pair, offering a curt nod. "I see. Then the decision is already made."
He turns to the vase, the whispered words of a spell restoring the thing to its original form as he leans down to set it, carefully, back on the table that it was knocked from. Seldan's teasing at least reminds him that he has a mess to clean up, it seems.
Looking thoughtful, Zeke looks at Malik. "Thisss one isss curioussss Malik. Why can you not sstudy the object when it iss held in the ssafety of the Iron Book? Or the Ssseersss?" He doesn't understand why the mage seems to believe that it will suddenly be beyond his grasp. "Thisss one trussstss your word Malik, and knowsss you to be a Keeper-caste of great ability. Thisss one doess not wissh to dissscount your desssire ssshould it have sssome purpossse behind it."
"The purpose is valid indeed," Seldan agrees, again shifting into the mien of the alabaster pillar. "My concern is for the safety of those around us. It is an object familiar to Eclavdran, and it is in my mind that scrying on it would be a simple thing indeed. I have said that it is not to be destroyed, for it contains a clue to the demon's intentions, and possibly to how to thwart those intentions, but neither should it be left in a place surrounded by the innocent."
A moment's pause, and Seldan adds, "One midnight visit from a demon cools the appetite for a second."
Malik, however, is not immune to fear. At at the mention of the midnight visit from the demon, he very nearly drops the vase that he's trying to so very carefully aright, the thing slipping through his fingers a moment before reflex takes over and he halts its new, sideward topple.
"I am fully aware of the danger," Malik reminds the pair of them, reaching up to touch his neck, an involuntary shudder running through him.
"And it need not stay here. But if you take it before the Seers and the Iron Book, the most Zealous among you will be the loudest voices heard, and those who counsel moderation will be drowned out by shouting, so that those of neutral disposition lean in their way, and those that wish to maintain it fear being labelled heretics. So you can claim that it is not to be destroyed. But if you leave it up to their decision, you can make no such promise. And even taking it to them risks the same."
A glance up at Zeke, then. "Would *you* risk someone studying something that you think dangerous enough to merit destruction?" he asks the Sunguard. "Perhaps you would. But I've no faith that any member not of their own would be permitted access to such a thing while the debate rages on."
Zeke seems surprised by the question. Surprised by Malik's words. He is in fact, uncertain how to respond to them. "Isss there sssome-plasce sssafe that it could be taken to? That would allow for the ssstudy?" He didn't /think/ that the Elunans and the Iron Book behaved in such a way - Seldan would know such things better than him, and he trusted the other man's instincts on that, but the mage - Malik - had more experience than him as well. He looks at Seldan. "Sssurely your fellowsss would allow your kin to do hisss resssearch?"
"I am now of them?" Seldan's tone goes very quiet, and cool. Dangerous, even. "I see. I am certain that they would, but I shall inquire of them, learn their stance, ere I turn it over, for speculation is of no use. That shall I do for you, come the morn, but for now, I think that this discussion will bear no fruit. I shall return to the Temple, for I desire prayer." He strides over to the table and, with a quick spell, cleans the cups, and takes the teapot, dumping its contents into the hearth and applying the spell similarly to the teapot. "If you will both forgive me."
GAME: Malik rolls Bluff: (8)+21: 29
Malik doesn't look at either of them, giving a slow nod to Seldan's statement. "Appreciated, my love," he offers quietly, some of the anger fading from his voice. But where the anger was, there's now just a weary sort of fatigue, and now that the excitement has washed away, the sheer tiredness of his voice is apparent. Along with the rips, stains, burns in his clothes, and the level of dust that covers everything he's wearing.
He, too, has been otherwise engaged it seems.
Finally, he looks up at both of them. "Forgive my outburst," he says, taking a deep breath and steadying himself, the smile slowly starting to return. "That was unfair. Fears born of weariness and anxiety given far too much reign. A thing that I plan on correcting presently, with a long bath and a good night's sleep." A glance to Seldan, there, as he gives the paladin a small smile. "Hopefully you won't stay at the temple all night. But I understand."
And with that, he grabs his cloak from the chair, turning and heading to the stairs, to the room they share.
Zeke picks up the scroll, rolls it up, and places it in his vestments. "Thisss one will keep the sscroll for now thisss one thinksss... Until you ssspeak with your casste-matesss." He sighs and looks at his now-empty claws. "Thisss one hasss been a dissstraction for you and your cihuaa before. Thisss one will sssimply have to make thisss onesss ssself abssscent from Cryosssanthia'sss ssside for a time. Thisss one isss sssorry that the object wasss the sssource of dissscord between your-ssself and your cihuaa."
He bows his head respectfully to Seldan, and then makes his way out of the man's home. There are more things he might have said, but not in their home. Not with the silence between the pair stretching out into the dark.
-End