It's all in the Ink

It's not difficult to locate Auranar. Anyone that knows her or of her could easily guess at what one of the locations where she spends most of her time. The library has seen so much of her over the years that she might as well be a fixture here. Particularly of late. She has a stack of books beside her, the subjects vary, but most of them concern demons, devils, and their various counterparts. There are a few medical textbooks in the mix as well. An odd assortment perhaps, but one with purpose behind it.

Auranar is currently engaged in one of these books, her notes neat and clean as she diligently takes them. Though... if the furrow on her brow is any indication, she's not getting as far as she would like.

Icy rain lashes the windows, the wind howling outside as a mighty autumn tempest sweeps the city. Dead leaves cling to every surfaces and liberally litter the marble floor of the entrance, no doubt to be swept up in short order. There are few here right now, but the doors open and quickly close again, to admit a figure cloaked in midnight blue, a tome under his arm, concealed under the cloak. Seldan wipes away the water drops off the hood of the expansive traveler's garment, oiled against exactly such weather as this, then pulls down the hood to reveal ginger-blonde hair.

He looks around him, then hangs the dripping cloak on one of the racks near the door, taking the tome with him into the stacks around history and geography. His path, though, takes him right past some of the subjects that Auranar seeks, and when he spots her at the table, he hesitates, drawing a deep breath.

GAME: Auranar rolls perception: (1)+5: 6 (EPIC FAIL)

Another form slips inside the library, although this fellow seems a bit better prepared, as the gnomish gyroparasol in his hand neatly folds up again. Telamon appears to have been escorting two other students, and gives them a cheery wave as he carefully shakes some of the water off the parasol before hanging it up, along with his own heavy cloak. Raking a hand back through his pale hair, Telamon carefully puts on a friendly, if contrite, air as Lady Octagna stares at him pointedly.

Completely oblivious to the fact that she is no longer alone, Auranar continues to feverently pursue her books. Closing the one she's on and opening another for similar reading. Her dark eyes move back and forth rapidly over the pages digesting the material far faster than your average person would have been able to. She jots down something on her notes without ever taking her eyes from her book and turns several pages while Seldan hesitates at the other end of the table.

"Mistress Wynnfiel?" The call is low, quiet to avoid penetrating beyond the stacks - Seldan has no desire to incur Lady Octagna's wrath! Bad enough the book he's brought inside, even if it is clearly labeled as being the property of the Arcanist's Guild. He regards her diffidently, the book held against him in both arms. The look is boyish, uncertain, despite the appearance of a somber and serious man.

He has not seen Telamon yet, but may be loud enough despite his best efforts to be heard nearby.

Well, Telamon appears to be applying his considerable charm to Lady Octagna -- something about a dustup that occurred here recently, that he got tangled up in. It does seem that the formidable librarian is forgiving of the young half-sil -- well, enough to not kick him back out into the rain. But she does shake a finger at him pointedly, before turning him loose.

As Telamon turns away, he lets the charming, cheerful expression slip a bit, a look of relief crossing his face. Surreptitiously, he rubs his brow, before moving away towards the stacks, though he takes note of the tall fellow and the elvish lady. If they take notice of him, they'll receive a cheerful smile and a wave.

Auranar's head lifts as her last name is called out, though her eyes linger on the book a moment longer and then... She finally tears her gaze away and notes that Seldan is standing there. "Oh!" It's a bit louder than intended and she has the grace to look embarrassed by the sound and she subtly ducks her head in apology to the mistress of the library. "Seldan. Please, call me Auranar. Won't you join me?" She keeps her voice low, and noticing Telamon gives him a small wave in return of his own.

Still with a trace of that diffidence, to go with a quiet reserve that creeps over him, Seldan makes his way closer to the table at which Auranar sits, standing behind the chair. "Auranar, then. Forgive me." The man's light voice has a definite Myrrish lilt to it. "I had not intended to so startle you." His formal words are kept low, with a glance at the direction of the central counter. A glance that catches Telamon, and he inclines his head politely. "I see that I am not alone in my research of demons."

Maybe he's just foolish. That does seem to be a common issue for Telamon. But he makes a point to sidle over to the other two, and says, very quietly and very seriously, "Um. If any of you find any...er... books that are trying to walk away on their own... do let Lady Octagna know? I /think/ we got them all settled back down, but it was kind of chaotic and I don't know if the librarians have inspected all the shelves..."

"Are you truly surprised that you are not?" Asks Auranar of Seldan, smiling slightly and tilting her head at him. "No, but you're quite right; I have my own reasons for wanting to find an end to Eclavdran so badly." She hefts a sigh and seems about to say more when Telamon interrupts quietly and she blinks at him several times. "Ah... that is... I'll keep a look-out?"

"That am I not," Seldan inclines his head in agreement, with only the barest ghost of a smile that quickly fades. Before he can go on, though, Telamon interrupts, and he includes his head gravely to the newcomer as well. "A prank of the Arcanist Guild students, I've little doubt. Have you spoken with the mages there to determine who might have started it? I am certain Lady Octagna would be grateful, were that information shared."

He shoots a meaningful look at Auranar, and sets the book he'd clutched so closely on the table in front of the chair he stands behind, its cover where Auranar can see it, but he mentions nothing.

Telamon slowly shakes his head. "Not a prank. I was here for it. More like... a good example as to why you shouldn't play with conjuration if you don't know how to put back what you're pulling forth." He curls his lip in disgust. "If you're curious, Lady Octagna has the details. But it was kind of crazy for a bit." He rubs his temple on reflex. "Also, I may never look at books on taxation the same way ever again."

Auranar picks up the book that Seldan set down with some curiosity, and pulls it closer. Opening it with care for the age of the pages she looks through it and blinks. Makes a soft exhalation of surprise and then seems to pale. Though with her complexion it might be difficult to tell such. The elvish woman quietly closes the book and tucks it to the far side, her eyes lingering on it before she looks at Seldan. She seems entirely at a loss for words at the moment.

Seldan's attention is only half on Telamon and the story he tells. "Any magic is dangerous, does one not know how to control it," he answers quietly. "That is why one practices, and not in a library. I am certain that it raised havoc."

His eyes, though, remain on Auranar, and he reaches one hand towards, a clear but silent gesture of comfort. There is clearly more he wants to say.

Telamon's expression is slightly sour as he regards Seldan. "Well, this lot of idiots thought it'd be a grand idea to try to summon a demon. Because 'restrictive edicts' are clearly just the council throwing its weight around." He takes a deep breath. "I beg your pardon, sir and ma'am. This has been irritating me for a day or two, and I haven't even properly introduced myself. Telamon of Ylvaliel at your service."

"Wait... _what_?" The sound that Auanar's 'what' makes is a sharp bark of sound and she's utterly forgotten the book and her obvious concern about it in the flash of an instant. "Who? Where? What demon?" She looks absolutely furious, and obviously has forgotten herself enough to forget the rules of the library that is nearly a second home to her. Her eyes flicker to Seldan and she looks at him as if to ask 'did you know about this'?

"Summoning a demon?" _That_ has the ginger-blonde man's undivided attention, and his head snaps up, his own ice-blue eyes snapping, even as he continues to reach comfortingly towards Auranar. "I am Seldan Padaryn, of Eluna's Silver Guard." Suddenly, he regards Telamon with sober focus, a much calmer reaction, but one that clearly says he didn't know either. "Please, tell us your tale. "

Telamon carefully sits down opposite Seldan and Auranar, suddenly feeling like the kid who just brought an unexpectedly important bit of information to someone way above him. "As near as we could reconstruct... they had stolen one of the books from the restricted section. One that they don't let anyone just waltz in to read or even inspect. Then these idiots decided to try and summon something." He raises a hand. "I grant I'm young and inexperienced." He flashes a smile, rueful, a flare of a little boy from long ago with a bit of scamp in him. "But one of the things I learned was 'never call up something you can't put back'. I don't know if they had ANY idea. In any case... they messed it up. And... all the books started coming to life, attacking people, and trying to leave the library."

Aruanar relaxes by inches. Microscopically and with worry brewing on her brow. "What insanity. I had hoped... that with the city reinforcing its laws about demons we might see fewer of them and yet now they're being summoned here?" She looks mortified by the mere suggestion that the library might not be safe. That this sanctuary as well had been intruded upon by something as foulsome as a demon. "First Eclavdran and now this."

Her hand touches upon the book that Seldan brought and her eyes start to actually tear up. Suddenly she sits down, as if her legs had ceased to have the strength to uphold her. Her hand goes to her brow and she covers her face with it. "The temples. The library. The city streets. People are _dying_ and..." Her shoulders hunch. Not usually one to give into despair she huddles in her seat seemingly consumed by a sudden swell of it.

Uncertain of what to do, just a little awkwardly, Seldan comes around to where Auranar is sitting and rests a hand on her shoulder, a gesture meant to be comforting. "The city's proclamation was long overdue, and much has been allowed to pass without comment. I do not doubt that much of cleanup remains, but I have said already that I shall not rest until it is done."

He squeezes that shoulder, gently, and lifts his eyes to regard Telamon. "Were those responsible punished? My lady is right - there is far too much of this of late, and it threatens every corner of the city. Too long has it gone unchecked. The turn-back begins, but it is but a beginning, and we can but pray that it is not too late."

Telamon sighs. "I don't know, beyond their expulsion from the library. Lady Octagna would have their names. I was... scrambling to try and help a friend of mine get the book back into its place, and her familiar got... the only word I can use is -swallowed- up by the books. Fortunately we were able to reverse it and get Pothy back, but Raven was... a little unraveled by the experience." He looks to Auranar. "Where there is life, ma'am, there is always hope. So long as hope endures we won't fail."

Auranar looks up at Telamon, her face streaked by silent tears. She seems to take strength from Seldan's certain grasp, but she shakes her head at Telamon's words. "My parents... they were killed by a demon. I've spent my whole life trying to find out why. To find out his weaknesses so that he can be driven back to where he belongs." She looks at the book brought by Seldan and touches it delicately. It has a name on it. Wynnfiel. Like the name that Seldan had spoken to get her attention at the beginning. "I'm sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Auranar Wynnfiel." A different first name then.

"They died to protect you from that demon, Auranar," Seldan answers, not moving his hand from her shoulder, and giving it another, gentle squeeze. "This one is slippery indeed. But, even so have I learned something of what it is that he seeks, and came here in search of more. For the banishing of this one will not be the work of one of us, but the work of all of us, working together. I have - little enough aid," he sighs. "If you would help, Master Telamon, I undertake a search."

Telamon spreads his hands. "As I said, sir knight, I am at your service." His dark eyes twinkle. "I admit I'm not sure how much I can help. But I'll not sit idly by." He gives Auranar a reassuring smile. "Besides, turn down the chance to aid a fair lady? Do I -look- stupid?" He pauses, then grins impishly. "Don't answer that. Ask what you will of me, sir."

Seldan's words are perhaps less comforting to Auranar than he might like them to be, and she looks near about to cry some more at the thought of her parents perishing for her sake. Yet she manages to gather herself together and by the time Telamon offers his aid she's recovered enough to give him a bit of an odd look. She shakes her head then, and wipes her tears from her eyes. "Thank you. Thank you both."

"You can help a great deal, more than you know. I seek the meaning of a prophecy," Seldan explains. With a final squeeze, he removes his hand from her shoulder and moves to her other side, reaching for the book he had handed her. He thumbs through its pages, as if hunting for something, then from one of the pages near the back draws what would once have been a scroll. It is now flattened, and creased in the middle, but he lays it out for all to read, pinning its corners down with books.

A pillar stands in the sky, Amid the fires of hell. The sky is filled with ashen snow, Lonely tolls the final bell. Here a shadow stretches, Across the land. The many eyes of evil open, And the hourglass fills with sand.

In the heart of the world Lies a beasts broken heart, Soul of shadow ripped asunder, What was one has torn apart. We who were mortal men, Now are immortal sin. Calling out with numerous voice Cacophonous din.

The hourglass fills with sand, Slowly drifting us past time, Across the land, And the many varied planes. Lonely tolls the final bell, Friends torn apart, Amid the fires of hell The demon stands in victory We will finally be free.

"It is a demonic prophecy, and is to be considered in that light, and yet something of their mind may we learn, a thing by which they may be attacked, one hopes. Specifically, I seek information on the place called "the heart of the world". Eclavdran has long had dealings with this plane, and I have come to learn of one with whom he had lain, and I have reason to think - hope - defied him."

Telamon furrows his brow at those stanzas. Nothing jumps out at him, not at first. "Not a particularly cheerful poem. But if it was penned by demons, then... no surprise." He leans over the book, peering at it. "I admit my eyes tend to look to the stars for answers. This may be a little more down to earth." He frowns, looking at Seldan. "I guess the place to start is with the pillar?"

Auarnar carefully dries her fingers before looking over the scroll and nods to Telamon's words. And Seldan's. "Either might be good focal points for the prose.... A pillar stands in the sky. What pillar? If it stands in hell then it might be difficult to reach, but might refer to a specific location where more information can be gained." She shakes her head, hardly beliving that such would be worth it. "The heart of the world might also refer to the hells Seldan. After all, it is the location from which the demons come from, and is said in theology to be the center of the world."

She opens one of her books and points to a depiction of the many realms. "Here. The hells reside supposedly beneath, with our plane here, and the heavens above." She points to each in turn. "So magically speaking, one might say that the hells are the center of our world."

"I have - learned a few things already," Seldan says carefully. He seems to eschew a seat for himself, instead leaning over the table with one hand planted on it, studying the scroll. "I have sought the wisdom of the servants of the Draco Solis, by communing through my kinsman. The heart of the world is a place upon Ea, but - it may be that that place has a close connection to the Hells. I would know where it lies."

Here, he hesitates, but pauses, and pulls from his belt pouch a moon-like stone, with a steel orb set into its center. As he pulls it out and studies it, it begins to glow softly, a moonlit thing that sheds silver light on the page. "It has come to me that the breaker of this beast's heart was most likely once mortal. Whether they are now - I cannot say." There's some of that diffidence again. "To explain, I must explain this." Reverence and awe tingles his tone. Telamon raises his eyebrows. "When you say 'breaker of the beast's heart'... do you mean in a killing way, or a romantic one? There are some differences." His eyes fix on the curious bauble, and his hand twitches toward it before he firmly flattens his palms against the tabletop. "That might be something to consider. In the meantime, what is that you've got?"

Auranar considers this as well, her brow furrowed. It doesn't surprise her that she's wrong in this instance, and she lets go of her own idea easily. She considers everything and finally shakes her head. "I can not imagine that a demon would care enough about a mortal to let his heart be broken by one. So perhaps the metaphor is literal." She has hope of that at least and when Auranar notices the orb in Seldan's hand like Telamon she is curious. "It's lovely. Is it a light of some kind?"

"It is a guide, for Eluna's chosen, that Her will be made plain when there is doubt," Seldan explains, straightening. "I have verified that it does indeed originate of Her servants, in a time long past, granted to Champions of Eluna. There are two more, both held by the Dark, and I mean to free them both, that they might aid us. But, in learning of this, I learned also of the Champions of Eluna, and of their fall. One is said to have lain with Eclavdran." A quiet admission, tinged with shame, perhaps? "He sought so desperately the moon. I know not the fate of that Champion, but I can but guess it was the beginning of the end. Of them, I would learn the truth, and I think that to seek the pillar, and the heart of the world, I shall learn more. Perhaps those long-ago champions might offer me insight, that I might banish him for good and all."

Telamon cocks his head at Auranar. "Haven't you heard? Magic is all about contemplating impossible things." He studies the glowing stone, before flicking his eyes to Seldan's. "Are you ready for that truth, though? When you follow that road, you sometimes learn things you cannot unlearn. I won't pretend to any great wisdom or knowledge of this... except that things sometimes get buried for reasons. Not always good ones, but for reasons nonetheless."

"Indeed, if you could... unearth one of these champions you might be able to uncover from themselves the reason that they were targeted, or where the other... of those things are." Auranar ignores Telamon's gentle jibe and focuses instead on the strange orb. She tilts her head to the side and looks at Seldan carefully. "If such things are coming around again you should beware Seldan, for history likes to repeat itself."

She blinks and then looks embarrassed suddenly. "Not the part about the demon sleeping with someone mind you! But the... theme of corruption of champions might."

"Once already has he attempted it," Seldan admits, eyes lowered to look at the orb in his hand. "He failed, by Her grace. I shall be wary, for I am one of his targets." The orb darkens briefly in his hand and flickers, as a tinge of something weary colors his tone. "It is not in my mind that he will seek to bed me, but corruption and isolation is far more likely."

He draws a deep breath and releases it slowly, then tucks the orb away. "I know not what I shall find, but it is in my mind that I shall learn what I must, stand against what I must, and follow whatever road I must, that he and his minions and his cult be stopped."

Telamon nods slowly to Seldan. "Alright then. If you're committed, then you have what aid I can offer." He offers Auranar a grin. "Who knows? We might even learn something new." He rolls his head on his neck. "Where would you have me start, sir knight?"

"Yes, tell us where exactly you think our aid is best spent Seldan." Auranar seems eager, but there's a bit of caution to her offer. One that is not perhaps surprising given her recent words about her own parents demise. Still, she seems determined in spite of the risks involved. "You will not face this demon alone Seldan. Whatever I can do to help."

"I would have you locate an area upon Ea that is referred to as "the heart of the world"," Seldan answers, fastening his belt pouch and raising his eyes to study the other two. "Do you find references to the Champions of Eluna, they may aid you, and do you think of questions for which there are no answers, I may be able to seek assistance. I shall continue as well, and perhaps we may be able to learn more of a pillar as well."

As Telamon nods and leaves to do just that Auranar glances at her stack of books and her eyes fall on the one that Seldan left for her. "I... I meant to thank you. For the book my mother wrote. I ah..." She hesitates and finally completes her sentence. "I didn't have anything of them. They died in the balor's fires."

When the topic of the balor's fires comes up, Seldan closes his eyes, and moves around the table, finally seating himself carefully in the chair across from Auranar. His movements are stiff enough to suggest that something restricts his free movement, but what is not readily visible. He rests his hands on the table. "I thought of you when I found this among my reading. It is perhaps neither a light nor a happy thing, but I thought you should know, and did you have naught of her, then well am I pleased to provide it to you."

He shifts a little in his seat, and the open collar of his shirt reveals a rather nasty-looking scar across his collarbone, and nearly his neck. That wound had been deep, and didn't miss taking his head off by much. "Your parents sought to protect you from him."

"You wear armor, but you don't want anyone to see it?" Auranar questions, but it's a sort of half-question. Offering Seldan a way of not answering if he doesn't want to. She nods gratefully as Seldan speaks about the book, but she says nothing more about it herself, instead watching Seldan and letting out a small hiss at the sight of his scar. "Oh my... That looks like it hurt." She motions to his injury and then looks embarrassed to have said anything about it. "Sorry. I shouldn't have..."

For a moment, Seldan hesitates, but glances at his belt pouch, and smiles very, very faintly. "I do, at all times save when I sleep, and then only do I sleep in safety. I would not frighten, or draw undue attention to myself, but I am not safe within these walls, my lady. The armor is also rather - conspicuous." He speaks a word in the sildanyari tongue, and the glamer fades away, to reveal a spectacular, unusual, and unique suit of plate armor, its sheen moonlit and opalescent rather than brightly polished. He leaves that for a moment, then speaks the same word again, and the illusion of the simple shirt and trousers returns. It does not affect the open-front robe that he wears over it.

"As for this," he looks down at the scar, perhaps a little diffidently. "You do not offend, my lady. Would that I could say that you were alone in having lost all to a balor, but you are not. A small price to pay for stopping them, and others who stood with me fared worse." His eyes lower. "I weary of the continuous threats within these walls, my lady, and am but grateful that the city has finally seen fit to take notice."

The change in clothing is a surprise to Auranar in spite of her expectation. She'd known he was wearing armor but his armor was... worth a look or six. "Wow." She offered in hushed tones of awe, then looked a bit embarrassed to have said that. "It's beautiful, but it must be... hard to be unable to feel safe... ever."

She looks at the scar though, and she knows well the source of his caution. It's caution that she herself feels now, but not one that armor could protect _her_ from. "No Seldan... You've paid in blood for our defense. We owe you a great deal. I know I'm not the only one that has paid a price at the hands of this balor but... I wouldn't wish your wounds on anyone."

"Nor would I, my lady, but She shields me, and gives me strength, and I bear them that the innocent of this city need not do so." Seldan looks up, his gaze steady and strong, intent and earnest. "I ask no more than this - that the people of Alexandria not continue to suffer the foolishness and corruption that places all at risk. Just and equitable law, firmly enforced, shall be the protection of her people, if it can be achieved. This includes magical law, and may mean that laws regarding the use of magic within the city are needful. I would have you be watchful, and do you see someone flouting law, all good sense, or both, will you stand against them?"

Auranar looked like she wanted to say something, but instead she holds her peace until Seldan's question and then she looks at him steadily with her dark eyes. "Of course. You need not ask me that Seldan. And... it's Auranar. No 'my lady', just me." She smiles softly and picks up the book that he brought to her. "You've more than earned the right to call me by my name."

Seldan inclines his head, although there is a small smile on his face, a genuine warmth that wasn't previously there. "Among my people, the use of one's given name is a privilege, not a right, and is not to be presumed. I am honored that you offer me such a privilege, Auranar." The acceptance of the given name is there, though. "I ask because there are enough people in the Guild, and outside of it, with no regard for the law, that city proclamations will mean little. Those who hurt the innocent of this city must answer for their crimes, and while I do not defy the city's authority, I think them ill-equipped to stand up to the irregulars of the Guild."

The elvish woman nods. "That, I admit I do not know much about. But I trust your judgement." Auranar looks down at the book. "It seems almost hopeless and yet... As you said, we can not give up hope."

"It is not hopeless. The more of us that deny such behavior, the stronger we become. And - more eyes to look means quicker to find. I shall value your help in finding the meaning of this prophecy immensely. We shall manage. We always have."

-End