Summon the Beast
GAME: Merek casts Divination. Caster Level: 15 DC: 18 GAME: Merek rolls 1d100: (75): 75 GAME: Merek casts Commune. Caster Level: 15 DC: 19
Mikilos has been planning for a while. That's not so say he has a great plan, but it seems to him the best for long term success. Teleporting those gathered to a spot well outside the city, the gathered meet with the witch Ashes before moving to a clearing a short hike away. "There are no encampments or settlements nearby if this goes bad, and perhaps importantly, is a Ley Line nearby who's power I can tap for a little boost."
"It's Death Witch, not Swamp Witch." The ash coloured Arvek Nar says. She wears tattered grey slacks, a grey shirt and short grey jacket. There's a weatherbeaten leather satchel strung across her shoulder, and a surprisingly life-like looking centipede headband. "The Temple gets confused."
Her voice is monotone, no inflection ot her words. She sounds bored and uninterested. The more shocking thing, perhaps, is a full face tattoo or some other skin marking which is of a skull. What is visible of her hands, there are stylized bones there too. "I'm actually a Mourner."
She looks at the hobkin beside her, and then her ex-boyfriend. "Hello Merek."
"There are some spells I want to cast before we start."
Cesran has arrived via magic carpet and is here to help Mikilos, "So what do you need me to help with Mikilos. I have the spell Dominate Monster prepared and I'm ready to help stop any interference." He says as he looks around and nods to Mourner, "Hello. I too have quite a list of spells I wish to cast before we get started."
Merek of course would take the time to commune. He is wearing that dark attire with a hood about his face, and eventually makes a way back to the party. He has on a tech visor which is from Merkabah, then he will adjust the belt cape which he wears, nodding to everyone. "I have important news that we need to think about before we do any of this. It will determine the way that we go about this thing."
Elyanna for her part, remains close to the Mourner's side, if a little behind her, looking the place over with a reserved stare. Beneath her cloak, she runs her thumb along the coils of Maidenhead, expecting the show to begin, soon.
She doesn't have a great deal of experience to go off of, as she's only directly fought one demon thus far.
She glances to Ashes, and explains, "I will do what I can." before Merek's words catch her attention.
GAME: Cesran casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 20 DC: 23 GAME: Cesran casts Magic Circle Against Evil. Caster Level: 20 DC: 25
Jinks sucks at his teeth, marveling yet again at being the shortest person in the room-- well, clearing. In this instance it may pay out; there is certainly an abundance of larger people to catch the eye and draw ire. However useless they may be today, he wears his leathers, bow, and rapier. His belt is decorated with a score of slotted scrolls in cases but his hands hold a green-glass bottle of liquid courage he's putting to proper use. "Coyote laugh with us," he mutters, tinking the lip of his wine bottle against the brooch he wears.
GAME: Mikilos rolls spellcraft: (4)+37: 41 GAME: Cesran rolls spellcraft: (20)+41: 61 GAME: Merek rolls spellcraft: (20)+26: 46
The mourner fixes her stare on Mikilos. She is unsettling when she does this, the wide goblin ears, her rope-like hair, with the skull she has for a face. Fortunately, she doesn't smile, jagged shark like teeth would only make it worse. "I have two magic circles and three protections from evil."
"On whom should I cast." Her words come at their measured, flat place, "I also need at least half a minute to get the hexes on."
Mikilos reaches out his mystic abilities, drawing on the local flow of magic streaming past in a great river. It's a small gain for the wizard's total power, but each tidbit helps. That cared for, the wizard reaches out to the stone, boulders in the field, adding and merging into a wide, low wall, only a few feet high, but massive in depth and width. Effectively a large stone platform to work upon. The stone has been manipulated to make marks of color, indicating rings towards the center, two low semi-circles tables to the front making a crude ring, five large circles to the back, and a marked spot to the side of each table. "I have to prepare some spells, which will take a few minutes. Once this gets started, things are going to move very fast, for good or ill. Ashes, you'll be to the left of the tables, Cesran, to the right. Will summon angels when things are getting started, they will take the five far positions."
Cesran starts to cast some protection spells over himself, as he casts the veins and arteries under his skin light up blue, it's a faint but noticeable glow. He nods, "I understand. Before I take position would you like a second set of eyes to spot check that everything is as it should be? Not that I don't have confidence in your skills, just I know I'd like someone else to look this over before we get started." He offers.
Merek looks between everyone making the preparations, while he takes the time to lift up a hand, a circle of golden rings which bring about runic script begin to shimmer, while he draws along the power of the Dragon Line. It's easy the way he does that, "If anyone would like to know what Eluna thinks, and her Court, I am willing to answer."
"Okay." Ashlee says, moving to her indicated circle and taking a look around. She touches the holy symbol on her breastplate. "Feiu of the Tears, let me see magic." After which her eyes glow a pale grey. This doesn't make her creepier at at all.
"What is it Merek?" She's terse, generally. She doesn't mean to be rude. "Elyanna, Jinks, stand by me. The horses are for running away."
There are no horses.
GAME: Cesran casts Greater Arcane Sight. Caster Level: 20 DC: 29 GAME: Ashes casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 10 DC: 14 GAME: Ashes casts Mount. Caster Level: 10 DC: 15 GAME: Ashes casts Mount. Caster Level: 10 DC: 15 GAME: Ashes casts Unseen Servant. Caster Level: 10 DC: 15 GAME: Ashes casts See Invisibility. Caster Level: 10 DC: 16 GAME: Ashes casts Magic Circle Against Evil. Caster Level: 10 DC: 16 GAME: Ashes casts Magic Circle Against Evil. Caster Level: 10 DC: 16
Mikilos places 25 large opals to the center of the platform, arranged in a ring, with one at the center. Around these are scrawled a ring of binding, set with a condition to break the spell. Specifically 'A paladin must hold the gem in both hands and wish aloud for the demon to be free.'
Around this goes the circle of conjuration, marked with the demon's known name, but perhaps more vital, the blood taken from an arrow which injured Eclavdran in a previous battle. Outside this, a magic circle of protection against the forces of evil, turned inward, to bind the demon and hold it... at least for a few vital moments.
"A second set of eyes would be welcome, thank you. I have confidence, but always a chance of making a mistake."
GAME: Mikilos casts Wall of Stone. Caster Level: 17 DC: 26 GAME: Mikilos casts Minor Creation. Caster Level: 17 DC: 25
The Mourner continues with several more incantations, including sprinkling silver dust around Elyanna and Jinks. Her eyes take on a different glow, and there is a shimmering beside her.
Now there are horses.
GAME: Cesran rolls perception: (20)+22: 42 GAME: Cesran rolls spellcraft: (19)+41: 60 GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/arcana: (5)+37: 42
Jinks licks his lips and uses the bottle to signal salute, stepping over to the macabre 'nar. He takes a moment to rearrange the order of the scrolls on his belt, moving a particular one nearest the front to abut the buckle. He begins his breathing exercises and vocal warm-up, stretching his jaw. All fantastically banal and rote things that make the idea of summoning an evil demi-god a little more day-to-day. Even if that's a pleasant self-delusion.
Elyanna has run too long with the Mourner through... lots of weird, some of it with the Seer, to question Ashes in most such instances. So despite their relative stations, the red woman is swiftly assuming post at the grey's flank. She shrugs her cloak back from her shoulders, affixing her buckler and plucking the braided tresses of Maidenhead from its place on her belt.
"On your word, I can start my song of focus, Mourner." the hobkin states. Soon after, like the Gnome, she starts to alter the cadence of her breathing, rolling her shoulders....
Cesran nods to Mikilos as he starts to carefully move along the the outside of the circles to take a good look at them. He takes his time giving the others a chance to cast their spells as he is meticulous. He finishes his circuit and heads over to Mikilos, "So I have a couple of questions. How are you going to get Eclavdran to appear here? Also I don't think you are using the right trigger. It has to be something that reasonably and likely could happen. Otherwise the spell is going to fail. I don't mean to criticize Mikilos, I want this to succeed as much as anyone."
Merek will take the time to answer Ashlee, since she seems to want to know. "What we are doing is possibly going to bring something through more than Eclavdran. In addition, it is possible that there are forces that seek to come and interfere with the process." Then he takes a look about the place, "Next, it is possible that this will bring a heralding of the night that will kill innocent people. The Court was a lot clearer than they usually are. We can't ever really be sure if we're ready for a fight like this."
The mage nods a little bit to the party, "What it is that we are doing might not stay in this place."
"I'll Hex him as soon as he appears. It will take half a minute." Ashes repeats, staring at Elyanna, "Act as Mikilos directs, with the song?"
She is unsure when would be best. A glance down at maidenhead, "If he has a weapon, and you disarm, I have a servant to grab it."
Her makeup is a little different today, a dull grey worm piercing that comes out of one eye socket. Also painted on, angry wasps near her mouth, and two butterflies over her wormless eye.
Mikilos places upon the tables several pewter bowls, a stack of lead plates, two large jugs of oil, a couple apples, two sacks of gems, and seven small iron lockbox. There's... probably a reason for all that, pulled from a magic haversack. "A Greater Planar Binding spell triggered by the name of his own blood. If not, Gate. Which has potential for all kinds of problems, so hoping it doesn't come to that."
"As you say." Elyanna replies to Ashes and glances toward Mikilos, "On your word, then."
It's going to be... memorable, whatever happens, here, but she turns into herself to find the melody....
GAME: Mikilos casts Summon Monster VIII. Caster Level: 17 DC: 29 GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3 GAME: Mikilos casts Summon Monster VII. Caster Level: 17 DC: 28 GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d3: (1): 1 GAME: Mikilos casts Summon Monster IX. Caster Level: 17 DC: 30 GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5
Mikilos casts a series of conjuration spells, calling upon celestials to aid him. Beautiful elven women with dragon-like tails instead of legs, they move to the far side of the platform, five moving into indicated positions.
"Oh." Ashes looks at Merek. She's silent for a moment. "Well, she sent you. Someone else to protect the innocents would have been nice."
She will not fault the gods for their use of hands and fingers, but does wish they didn't keep them in fists behind their backs. Oh well, fingers crossed.
The Mourner turns and gives Elyanna a kiss on the cheek. She thinks about it a bit, then kisses the gnome on his head.
GAME: Merek casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 14 DC: 16 GAME: Merek casts Greater Angelic Aspect. Caster Level: 15 DC: 22
Cesran finishes helping Mikilos, "Good luck, I'm praying that this works." He says as he moves to get into position and he takes out a rod from his belt to hold just incase. He does cast dimensional lock on the place where Mikilos is going to summon the demon.
GAME: Cesran casts Dimensional Lock. Caster Level: 20 DC: 30 GAME: Merek casts True Seeing. Caster Level: 15 DC: 19 GAME: Merek casts Arcane Sight. Caster Level: 14 DC: 18 GAME: Merek casts Draconic Reservoir. Caster Level: 14 DC: 18
Mikilos double checks all is as ready as is going to get, and casts the first vital spell, reaching across the planes and calling upon a Demon Lord. "Eclavdaran, Duke of the Iron Hells, come."
GAME: Mikilos casts Greater Planar Binding. Caster Level: 17 DC: 29
As the roster expands Jinks can't help but be sad this isn't all leading up to something more mirthful. He starts when he's kissed, struck from his marvels and musings to scowl around and up at Ashes. Her face paint inspires him to pat at his hair, making sure she hasn't left a spider or the like behind. Crawling vermin don't go well with this outfit.
The gnome tips back the bottle and drains it with one prodigal gulp. He flips the empty vessel into the distance behind them and fills the same hand with his bow now, letting is slide down to the ground to rest like a bendy cane. "Anxious and half-drunk," he smirks, shifting on his feet.
Unfortunately, the seconds pass by, and nothing happens. One second. Two. No sign of the demon in the wake of the spell that Mikilos so confidently cast. Three seconds. Four. No sign of the pit fiend whom has been of so much trouble to Alexandria. Nothing.
GAME: Mikilos rolls will: (9)+17: 26 GAME: Cesran rolls will: (2)+21: 23
Merek lifts up the magic of his while wings begin to extend, and he will take the time to draw upon the flame shield to bring it within. A magical shield will form and his eyes begin to glow blue with celestial gold.
GAME: Merek rolls will: (8)+19: 27 GAME: Ashes rolls will+2+2: (15)+12+2+2: 31 GAME: Jinks rolls Will+2: (20)+4+2: 26 (CRITICAL SUCCESS) GAME: Elyanna rolls will+3: (12)+6+3: 21
Cesran continues to stay on guard as it doesn't look like the spell worked. He looks around ready to cast a spell if something else is coming. His eyes glowing bright blue from the spells that were laid upon them.
Mikilos waits. Waits a moment longer. Clock in ticking... "Damn. Have to go direct and dangerous... hope he's in the shower or something equally without minions..."
GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/arcana: (2)+37: 39
Elyanna blinks at the light kiss, and isn't entirely sure of the full connotations, if any, but, she leans in to return the gesture, albeit a little awkwardly before she hears the Master Mage begins his work.
With a low growling note, the hob-blooded woman starts to croon a wordless melody, and her hand opens, allowing Maidenhead to unspool from her hilt.
There is a certain... clarity about it.
Helpful, even, if a little militant.
GAME: Ashes casts Summon Monster III. Caster Level: 10 DC: 17
Merek watches, waiting. It looks like people weren't mentioning anything to his words about it all, so he walks to the entry way and will think about it. Then nods a little along to Mikilos.
Ashlee stands in her spot beside the table, staring around with glowing eyes. There's actually a slight bounce in her posture as Elyanna starts singing. It reminds her of her cavalry days. She keeps focusing on where the demon was supposed to appear.
She asked the Feiu of the Tears to expose hidden things, and there seem to be none. After glaring at the spot for a good half minute, willing all her hatred of Ectra at an entity who isn't there, she considers, she might have to try harder.
She touches her breastplate, "Feiu of the Tears, send me an angel butterfly." A lantern archon pops into existence beside her head. One of her makeup butterflies vanishes. It flaps in eerie silence. She gives an order, "Go take a look around the platform."
Mikilos is, aamoung other things, a businessman. The cost of all this is painful to his capitalist heart. But, what needs done needs done. A packet of over priced herbs, and a muttered holding of his amulet, the magus opens a Gate across the planes, hauling Eclavdran thru by the scruff of his proverbial neck. Which is kinda satisfying, but very dangerous.
There's a moment of silence, a moment of nothingness as the gate opens and then... Someone stumbles through. A man. With black hair and black eyes. He smiles at all of you as he looks around, seeming really... ordinary enough, striding forward and oh-so-casually. A demon? This man? He stops at the edge of the circle and utters a singular word that makes the world shudder in response. "You should not have done this, but I will enjoy making you pay for it."
GAME: Cesran rolls will: (6)+21: 27 GAME: Ashes rolls will+2+2: (13)+12+2+2: 29 GAME: Mikilos rolls will: (9)+17: 26 GAME: Jinks rolls Will+2: (12)+4+2: 18 GAME: Merek rolls will: (11)+19: 30 GAME: Elyanna rolls will+5: (11)+6+5: 22 GAME: Zeke rolls 1d10: (1): 1 GAME: Zeke rolls 2d6: (8): 8 GAME: Zeke rolls 2d4: (2): 2 GAME: Merek rolls spellcraft: (2)+26: 28 GAME: Cesran rolls spellcraft: (19)+41: 60 GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+10: (16)+10: 26 GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+10: (3)+10: 13 GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+10: (6)+10: 16 GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+10: (4)+10: 14 GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+10: (14)+10: 24 GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+10: (18)+10: 28 GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+10: (11)+10: 21 GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+10: (17)+10: 27 GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+10: (2)+10: 12 GAME: Merek rolls wisdom: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Merek casts Breath of Life. Caster Level: 15 DC: 19 GAME: Merek rolls 5d8+15: (20)+15: 35
Merek watches even while the Duke appears. The man sees the creature for what it is, then he's facing the demon that was his friend for three months and more. The hood begins to shift away along with the belt cape, while he takes the time to place both hands to his sides. All he needs to do is remember, while he watches the people, the angels, fall in front of him. "Never again." Back to Lily, to him, to Verna. The man lifts up a hand while arcane might of the divine
"Eluna, see us through this, for today we will fight! Grant me your power!" The man warned all of them, still... He can't run away from this all, this is his duty and his calling, no matter what it comes to. "I CALL UPON THEE BACK TO LIFE! AND ARISE, OH YE WHO SHALL FIGHT! THE GODS HAVEN'T CHOSEN THIS DAY FOR YOU!" A hand reaches to Elyanna even as she falls. She was killed. She was on her way to the Halls. The next thing that she knows, the divine power is lifting and bringing her back. The mage's wings will expand, while he takes a look to Jinks, "Don't worry, I will bring you back, when the time will be right." Then he turns to face the one that began all of this. "Eclavdran. We will bring you back before your Archfiend Master, in chains!"
The demon moves, stepping almost delicately out of the circle - while purposefully messing it up - and smiles warmly at Mikilos. "Thanks Mikilos, for summoning me. I'll enjoy what comes next." His eyes burn red and he vanishes just a few feet outside the circle, gone without a trace.
GAME: Cesran rolls spellcraft: (13)+41: 54
Ashlee is a hard headed, stubborn hobgoblin with a rigid mind. Actually, that is not correct. She's a rather easy going one that prefers to stand and watch the combat. Sometimes she's open her parasol, just to get the right amount of shade. She's watched a lot of things die.
As the man, the demon appears, AFTER she had giving waiting for him and started to do other things, she feels the pressure of evil intent pressing on her. She bends, but she does not break. Another being her goddess has sent her to assist with killing. She knows her place, and stays in it, hobgoblins like that. It gives her security.
And... almost... enough will to resist, as the demon's unrelenting power hits her again. Her friend and the strange boozy gnome drop on either side of her. They have her kiss, the Feiu of the Tears will shed some for them. Yet, the shock of that leaves her paralyzed, staring blankly.
Staring without the power she can bring behind it.
Vardama's butterfly pops under the onslaught as well. Perhaps Ashes will be trusted with something stronger, later.
Now, she is a useless pillar.
GAME: Cesran casts Limited Wish. Caster Level: 20 DC: 29 GAME: Cesran rolls 5d8+20: (26)+20: 46
The red woman was in her second bar of the helpful song, drawing her breath for the beginning of the next chord, bringing her arm up to get a single pop of Maidenhead to add percussion when a single terrible sound overpower the songtress's voice.
Without another note, her body, mid twist, slumps to the earth, leaving the braided hair of her whip to drape, then slither from Ashes's shoulder before the hilt leaves her nervous fingers. The weapon dangles over the supine form as her hair spills like a hellish raven halo about her head.
Cesran growls his frustration as the demon just waltzes out of their carefully laid trap. He takes a breath and calms himself before quickly surveying the scene. Jinks and Elyanna are down, but Merek has taken care of Elyanna. He moves over to Jinks as he takes out a medium sized diamond and he tosses it into his staff's mouth. As Ral-sara chomps down on it Cesran knees down, "White Magician, I wish to bring Jinks back to life using the Breath of Life spell that you give to your clerics. Please give me that power for but a moment." He touches the dragon's muzzle to Jinks' lips as he completes the spell. The dragon head exhales the diamond dust into Jinks's lungs as Cesran waits and watches.
Mikilos sighs, and slumps for a moment. "He could have just left the city alone..." taking a breath, the wizard casts a familiar spell, one of refuge and shelter. And unneeded luxury. "I have no idea what he has planned. The Mansion is between the tables here, should be safe enough to regroup and plan."
GAME: Mikilos casts Mage's Magnificent Mansion. Caster Level: 17 DC: 28
The staring steel pools of the Keeper are glassy for but a moment before Merek's Celestial Entreaty brings her back from her third trip accross the veil.
Two were more spiritual journeys than death's, per se.
Life returns to her in a strangled gasp as her unshielded hand snaps up to claw at the air before her.
She coughs, the sound of forstalled mortality overpowering the ominous crowing of her killer before he is suddenly gone.
In comes a slow, quavering breath, and a weak, "W-what... happened....?" <goblin-talk>
Ashlee remains frozen for a few moments longer. It wears off. She exhales.
She helps Elyanna stand, then watches as Cesran and his talking dragon-head staff brings the gnome back to life. Diamond Dust. That doesn't seem like a good thing to breathe.
It's magical though.
She nods slowly and looks over to Mikilos, "We need to get back to 'the Gang'. We also need a fast way to Alexandria. There is someone about to be murdered."
She stares at him blankly for a little while. "I'm sorry that doesn't fit with your plans, and I wasn't a powerful enough witch."
Perhaps the temples can send someone better, next time. Or perhaps, the mountain will come to them if they will not come to the mountain.
Merek will look to Elyanna, while he takes the time to nod a bit, "We did not win. That said, you are alright." The man looks to Ashlee, and to Mikilos along with Cesran. "I am going with them. I'm still working the way to assist them back into the city, I made progress to that the other night while you all were probably busy." Then he's walking with the two hobgoblin, "There are things that I need to do, I'll get you two back to where you need to be then finish up what I was doing. Outsider Blood runs along inside of me, I don't need to sleep as much. I will be about to plan with you two when I can."
"ow." Jinks blinks, on his back, and frowns at the sky. A little lurch and he gags, bile and wine splashes on his mouth and nose. He chokes and shudders, twisting into a tight-C as he looses the liquid contents of his guts into the grass.
Cesran nods, "If we need to get to Alexandria, I can teleport us to the city. I have both kinds prepared for the day." He offers as he gently rubs Jinks back and looks away to give the gnome some privacy. "Merek before you go, I saw you cast true sight on yourself, what did you see. All I saw was that he was polymorphed into a person. What kind of demon is he? It will help in my research to try to stop him. If you don't know just please describe him to me as accurately as possible."
GAME: Merek rolls knowledge/the planes+2: (2)+8+2: 12 GAME: Merek rolls knowledge/the planes+2: (7)+8+2: 17
The gnome goes on the ride with a calm expression that comes from many costly mornings-after. At some point he manages to roll further up from his side and onto his knees, back lurching up as he continues to expel more than the one bottle he drank just before the fight. Finally he gasps, spits, and looks up at the grim faces. "So, we didn't win," he observes.
Mikilos takes up his supplies. "I doubt we can get back in time, but worth the attempt. I knew this was a risk, but went sideways faster than expected. Still. Live to regret, so mayhaps not so bad as might have been."
Elyanna accepts the help as it's given, leaning on the Mourner for a moment to get her knees solid under her.
The braided lash is draw from her friend to be recoiled and she utters a soft, "Thank you Mourner."
She turns then, a disquiet touching her features, before she reaches out to Merek's shoulder, "I... heard you... calling me.... back."
The hand withdraws, and she affords the man a very deep, very formal bow, which she holds for several seconds. “Thank you, Merek.”
It's as she straightens that she agrees to the Mourner's words, "The sister is in danger."
Merek looks then to Cesran, and will not a little bit. "He's a Pit Fiend, Cesran. That much I know. I don't know anything else about what kind," he will note. Then to Mikilos, "I will see you two, for now I need to make a safe way for these two and friends to get into the city. I can teleport them back to where they need to be." The man looks to Elyanna and to that hand, and will place a hand upon her shoulder, then nods. "You're welcome. Thank the gods. They grant me the power. I am only Eluna's servant. Powerful that I may be."
The ashen arvec stares down at the gnome, her skull face an unpleasant reminder of his recent experience. There is no need for a momento mori just now. She says, "What is your name?"
Then, remembering what her pamphlet said, "I'm Ashlee," then, "don't call me Twilight."
Jinks spits again for good measure, sucking the thicker slime from his teeth before forcefully expelling it to the ground. He falls back out of his modified cow-pose, crashing to his rump and an elbow before wiping his slimy face with a handkerchief. "Jinks." He says, closing his eyes and wincing as he empty guts knot again in protest. "But you can call me 'uninterested in further adventures against the unstoppable.'" He finds the last clean corner of the cloth and drags it down his wine-purpled tongue before tossing the ruined thing away. "Good luck with further misadventures, ladies and gentlemen, but my services are no longer available." Cesran nods, 'Thank, you I was missing that piece of information, but I've seen him now so nothing short of a mind blank or divine intervention is going to stop me from finding him. It was a good try Mikilos, unfortunately we'll just have to devise a different way to stop him." He looks around, "So who's staying and who's going?"
Ashes raises her hand, "Elyanna and I are going."
"I am going with them, though I'm going to be back to Alexandros after that," Merek notes.
"Where we'll be arrested and beheaded." Ashlee says, she actually sounds cheerful.
-End