Of Orbs and Vampires

A chilly northwest wind rattles the panes of glass in the frosted windows of the city library, and an iron-gray sky promises rain later. A perfect day to stay inside and study, or read, and a good many people here are doing so under the watchful eye of Lady Octagna and her assistants. Papers rustle, and the sounds of quiet conversations occasionally get hushed, either by a watchful assistant, or by another patron close by.

Off in a quieter, more advanced part of the historical section, Seldan is sitting alone at a table, a stack of books beside him and another one open before him. He trails a finger down the page, his lips moving soundlessly as he skims whatever it is before him. Most curious, though, is a stone orb that appears to be circling his head almost lazily, a second steel orb within, casting a faint, moonlit glow over the page that he reads. It doesn't appear to be doing anything in particular other than being a reading light at the moment.

The weather is a definite encouragement to be indoors, though some are hardly strangers to the library. Verna emerges from a section of the stacks, several tomes in hand as she seeks a quiet table. She has something of a hovering spherical companion of her own, though the coppery spheroid hovers over and behind a shoulder rather than orbit.

The glow of Seldan's 'reading light' may be noted before the paladin, himself, though one draws her attention to the other. She approaches, refraining from comment until all but upon him so that her voice can remain low yet still heard. It is a library, afterall.

"Good day, Silverguard Seldan. Such seems a day for research."

The greeting, from a familiar voice, draws Seldan's attention, and he looks up, and sits up a little straighter, making an attempt to push that unruly lock of hair from his eyes that is largely in vain, and finally tucking it behind the gem-encrusted headband that he wears. It looks a little odd, but it does get it out of his face. "Her light upon your path, Mourner. It does indeed, and do I find a quieter space in which to do it, I am less likely to be sought out for some," and here he pauses, "errand." The tone is telling, but the reading light dims as he speaks, down to where it appears to be only a rock.

His gaze goes up to the thing, and he lets out a very quiet sigh, and returns his attention to Verna. "What seek you?"

"If it is any consolation," Verna notes to him, "I do not come with a missive to restock the temples' stores of mushrooms, wolfsbane, nor other random herbs." She makes an educated presumption concern errands, perhaps based upon experience. "I seek knowledge, as is my interest. In this case," a glance to her books and back, "less common motives for exsanguination and collection."

The half-smile that plays around Seldan's lips tells the tale of a remark that is right on target, or at least, very close. "Or the parts of a rare beast, or a gem only to be found in the most dangerous places on Ea." The smile, though, is short-lived, as she reveals her research topic. "I may say now that which I dared not say in the presence of Alexandria's guard. House Altay is hosting a vampire in their ranks, perhaps a vampire lord. I know that House Altay figured in a previous incident, but the details are not known to me. The Hearthguard Seyardu may know more."

Verna's lips purse at that news. "I will make effort to speak with her again. Vampirism was the obvious foremost conclustion, though a passing comment from Seyardu intrigued me to consider alternative infernal possibilities. It seemed reasonable, considering the current situation. Whatever the true purpose or perpetrator, they are taking great effort to both disguise the attacks, and in victim selection."

"The presence of the vampire was not known to her," Seldan answers simply, placing a marker in the book and closing it, leaning forward with his forearms over the book to better engage himself in the quiet discussion. The orb around his head, meanwhile, has resumed its faint illumination. "It is in my mind that they may be tied to, or serving, Eclavdran in some way. We should approach the hearthguard, for a better understanding."

The further news only increases Verna's frown. "That could explain the efforts at discretion, though is not reassuring in any way." She is certainly no fan of undead and assuredly not of Eclavdran. She sets her own books upon the table; aside and more to ease her burden than for perusal at the moment. "It is of some worthy note that the city appears aware of the threat, or at least the facts that some are or may be in league with the demon."

"And it is time and long past that they became so, Mourner." Seldan's tones are cool and even, but his gaze is intense and serious. "I am personally aware of three different individuals who have either attempted a summoning, or pacted with a fiend, in the past half-year. The practice is so rampant as to become open, and it must indeed end. The fiend I know of whose presence was accepted within the TarRaCe, by its proprietress, has fled. I came too late, when the city permitted it. There is evidence that there may be more than these three, and I would hear Hearthguard Seyardu's tale in its entirety. The summoner lost control of the balor they summoned, and fled, unleashing it upon the villages of Alexandria. It is by sheer good fortune that Serene was around that evening, for she and I, a Druid of the grove, and Mal, were able to find and banish them, but not before many died, and many more left homeless with winter coming on."

Verna's frown flattens in perturbation at this news. "Obviously, it is as you state. I was not aware that such foolishness or collusion was so rampant. Even an attempt by those of the light, to conjure and bind or destroy a fiend to remove it as a threat, with proper planning, preparation, and precaution, is no light matter and never a certainty."

"Even so," Seldan agrees, his demeanor relaxing just a little. "I do not doubt that the summoner had the best of intentions, but it is in my mind that he was ill-prepared for the being that he conjured, and relied upon relatively inexperienced backup. He had asked me," and here, his eyes lower. "I refused to aid the summoning at all. I had my reasons, that seemed good, and yet -" He trails off, and frowns in puzzlement as the orb floating around his head darkens, just for a moment, studying it intently. "No. They were good, I think. The outcome was less so, but Mal has the right of it. One cannot save a fool from themselves."

"I can hardly judge one for the attempt with good intentions," Verna admits. "Their plan and preparations, perhaps, but not the attempt, in general. Nor your involvement or, in this case, the choice to abstain." Her eyes now shift to the circling stone and its shift in luminosity. "Might I ask whether that is a token to aid Malik in discerning your moods, or of some other significance?"

"This?" Seldan reaches up to catch the stone orbiting his head, which had brightened at his previous statement, holding it in a hand and studying it with a small, reverently awed smile. "It is a Moon of Eluna, from what I have been able to glean." The orb is by now glowing faintly, as it has been for much of this conversation. "A gift of celestials to Eluna's chosen, to make Her will clear, when there be doubt. Its darkening is disagreement, but it will brighten when my thoughts align with Her will. It is - opinionated, I think."

"There are two more," he goes on, thoughtfully. "All fell once into the hands of evil. This one was rescued from Eclavdran's minions, but I sought news of the other two," and here, he nods to the books and stacks of books that he had been perusing. "They must be recovered, I have less than no desire to leave such a wondrous thing in the hands of the Dark." As if in answer, the orb in his hand brightens.

"Intriguing..." Verna notes as she observes the stone more closely. "Not so different from communing with one's Patron or Matron, perhaps? A useful aid for guidance, certainly, and obviously not something to leave in the hands of evil. It seems, once more, some assurance, or re-assurance, is something most welcome and needed."

"Wisdom does seem to be in rather short supply, of late," Seldan agrees, allowing Verna to visually examine the thing, but letting it rest in his hand. "It is my hope that, with Her at my back, I can offer it to those in need." With his free hand, he re-opens the book to its marked page, then looks up again. "Would you have me seek out the Hearthguard, that we may learn more?"

Verna does not attempt to touch nor interact with the stone, and shifts her attention back to Seldan, himself. "If she knows more, as you noted, it would be worthwhile to learn. I encountered her at the Soldier's Defense, where we both attend our duties to the city in the interim. Should I see her there, I can make arrangements and inform you, or likewise should you seek her first. A meeting between us three would be more productive than repeated retelling." She pauses a moment and exhales a breath. "The recent activities in the temples suggest that there is both some coordination and yet lack thereof occuring at once. The city is a community, and may well need to better act as one, if we are to weather the current troubles, of which there seems no shortage."

Seldan's gaze remains steady, and something in him relaxes, some tension easing out of him at those words. "Truly do you speak my mind, Mourner, and for that am I grateful. There are too many among the community who care not for the plight of those who cannot defend themselves, whose ego is more important than the people they have injured or wronged, who refuse to see beyond their own concerns, or beyond the surface presented to them. It is - troubling, and we who would look to the welfare of the city itself must stand up, I think, and say _no more_. The city itself has begun to do so." The orb in his hand brightens again as he speaks, and he goes on. "I shall seek the pair of you out, then, soon."

Verna nods once in agreement. "Indeed. I further believe that even those who act in defense of others, compelled to act with limited information, may seek more dangerous options than they might otherwise. My own experiences in the past, in hindsight, may speak to this, and I would minimize this. While all may not be informed of all things at all times, we are strongest when working as one. I look forward to the meeting, in the hopes that more understanding, and viable courses of action, will be revealed."

A touch of sadness colors the set of Seldan's shoulders, just briefly. He knows exactly what she is talking about - it need not be said. "It is even so," he agrees. "Let us share all that we may, with those of like mind, and those who do not look to the welfare of all, we must be cautious with, lest what we know be used against us, or our plans thwarted."

"We cannot shout our plans from the mountaintops, as it were, of course," Verna agrees. "Even those whom require caution can still be of use if pointed to a direct and simple goal. Not unlike what the temples do currently." A pause as the comparison sparks a thought. "Perhaps that is a portion of their intent..."

She veers from her musing. "In any case, I will continue the research I have begun, so that I might have more to bring to the discussion. I freely admit that I was ... hesitant to delve into matters of the Demon Duke, previously, even after his return was confirmed. Not so any longer, for the reasons you noted."

"Your knowledge is valuable, Mourner," Seldan answers seriously, although he, too, begins to turn back to his book. "I do not fault your hesitancy, and yet are both your magic and your experience also essential. We need all that can be trusted to stand with us, and I welcome your willingness to stand and fight, despite your experiences. He'd stopped in his turn back towards the book, as he speaks. "Archmage Cesran is quite knowledgeable, I think, at least in matters of understanding of magic. Master Mithralla ..." He trails off. "I hesitate."

"A variety of eyes, minds, and experiences can offer insight," Verna notes with a rather neutral tone. "Even a poor suggestion might lead to a epiphany. Unless it is a matter of whom to trust, in which I will defer to your advice."

"Such is true, and yet few do I trust," Seldan admits quietly. "If more could be made to see beyond themselves...."

"It find it far too coincidental that Hearthguard Seyardu and I had a similar discussion," Verna comments, "albeit in the general context of Sith-makar society compared to others. Perhaps her insight there will also be helpful, as her people seem far more communally-minded and united. For now, however, I should leave you to your studies so that I can pursue my own."

Her hood turns to glance back towards the librarian's desk. "Lest we incur Lady Octagna's displeasure and be denied further reading."

"Of course, Mourner. Her light upon your path." The orb returns to its gently glowing orbit around Seldan's head as he turns back to his reading, with little more fanfare, and just enough attention to be polite.