Unwelcome House Guest

By the time Seldan arrives at the brownstone-style small bungalow they share in the Sage Orum's plaza outskirts, he's fairly weary, but settled enough. The journey home, coupled with a visit with his mother and a good prayer and meditation session, have done a lot to set his mind at ease, and he is mostly his usual easy, good-humored self as he opens the door, speaking an arcane word as he does so. He closes it again and locks it, then sets the door wedge into the bottom of the door. Someone does not want to be disturbed tonight.

Malik is at the side table, carefully scribing new notes into his books. By the looks of these, it's not quite a spell, but it has the potential to be. He glances up at Seldan, offering the man a bright grin. "You look like all the hells," he tells Seldan. "And you smell like -- pine, and smoke?" He raises an eyebrow at that, suddenly looking curious, but lets it go for now. Nodding to the table, he says, "I found a vendor in the market, selling that roasted chicken that you like. It should still be warm."

"I ventured to the woods this morn." That at least explains the pine smell, but Seldan says no more of it, instead removing his gauntlets and setting them aside onto the table. "Indeed are you a blessing." He settles down and assembles himself a meal at a table that is heavy and ornate, Myrrish in style, if on the small side. In fact, the styles in this bungalow are a curious amalgamation of Tsuran bright colors and simple, light furniture, mingled with Myrrish decoration and sturdy craftsmanship. "Your day was productive?"

Malik moves behind the man, wrapping his arms around Seldan's shoulders and kissing his cheek lightly before pulling away to take up the chair next to him. "I'm not sure that productive is the word," he sighs. "I feel like I've fallen far behind where I should be. So much has happened of late that I've neglected my studies, to the point where my own notes look unfamiliar. I've been deciphering them for most of the day, though I'm making progress."

There is abruptly, a rather sturdy knock on the door of the variation that indicates that the personage on the other side is not inclined to leave anytime soon, and that more such loud noises are imminent if the knock is not answered promptly.

"I fear that that is my doing. I have asked much of you, of late." Seldan tucks into his meal as he talks, but he's not more than two bites in when the knock at the door comes. He looks up and, with a heavy sigh, gestures Malik back and grabs his gauntlets, donning them as he moves to the door. A quick kick of the door wedge, and he opens the door perhaps halfway, armed and armored.

Malik watches the door closely as well, brows knitting a bit as he pushes back from the table. "It doesn't look like you were expecting anyone," he says, glancing at the locks and the wedge. "And they seem rather insistent." Reaching for his bow in the corner, he looks at Seldan before he opens the door. "If they're here because they desperately need our help, you buy dinner next time. If they're here because they won't be sated until they see our blood on the ground, I'll buy." Because that's their life now.

It's a rather innocuous looking man standing at the door, his hand half-lifted as if to knock again and a warm smile spilling across his face as it is instead opened. The man has moderately long black hair that falls around his shoulders, and black eyes. He's handsome enough, but in a sort of way that wouldn't lend you to remembering him a few days past. All in all he's a rather forgettable looking figure barring the nice robes he wears which suggest at least a moderate amount of wealth. "Hello. I'm here to see Malik." His voice is deep and authoritative the sort of voice used to giving commands and being listened to. Just barely the man can see Malik past Seldan. "Malik! Invite me in won't you?" He smiles.

For a moment, Seldan's eyes unfocus as he stares at the visitor, and to Malik, it may appear that he has frozen for a moment. When he unfreezes, his shoulders and, indeed, his entire demeanor, turn completely impassive. "I think that we had best take this outside," is all he says, gesturing that Malik should follow him outside.

Malik moves toward the door, the smallest twitch on his features as he looks at the man in the doorway. "Why, Eclavdran? Salina is dead. I took no action against you. Our business is now concluded. What do you want?" But as the paladin suggests that they take it outside, Malik just gives him a -look-. The one that says, as the wizard often has, 'Now is not the time to leave a mangled corpse in the pursuit of a noble ideal.'

Politely Eclavdran steps aside to allow Seldan to come outside if he wills, then glances around the district. There's not a lot of people around, but Eclavdran pointedly looks at them and smiles at the pair. "Are you sure you wouldn't prefer privacy for this darlings?" He lowers his voice a little. "Lots of innocent civilians around, wouldn't want them to get involved in any squabble that might arise from our discussion would you?"

GAME: Seldan rolls knowledge/the planes: (1)+10: 11 (EPIC FAIL)

Seldan stops short, looking back over his shoulder at Malik, then back to the visitor. "We do not normally entertain visitors so late," he tells the man on the doorstep, looking around outside. "I feel certain that our neighbors would find little protection, does this escalate," he says carefully, but appears to be considering the idea. "What business remains between you? Is Salina dead, or was that but her double?"

GAME: Malik rolls Knowledge/The Planes: (13)+6: 19

"The fact that you think I'm going to disagree with whatever you're asking vehemently enough for a squabble to form tells me quite a bit," Malik answers. "But given that you don't actually require an invitation to walk through the door, it seems unwise to deny your request. So. Please come in." Those last three words clearly grate on the wizard, and he's doing his level best to keep his emotions under control.

Eclavdran smiles, positively beams at Malik. "Thank you! I /do/ appreciate the niceties now and again." He stares at Seldan steadily, waiting for the paladin to move out of the way. He leans in slightly though, taking a loud deep breath. "Is that dinner I smell? How lovely. I haven't had anything that doesn't taste like sulfur in /ages/."

When Malik finally invites him in, Seldan simply sighs and steps out of the way. "I have only just arrived home myself," he says, waiting until all have entered before closing and locking the door behind them. "I am certain that there is enough to share." Once the visitor has passed by and is headed for the table, the paladin removes his gauntlets again and comes around behind Malik, planting a kiss on the back of Malik's neck - and not incidentally, murmuring a prayer and tracing a sigil where his kiss just landed. "Malik, perhaps you can entertain our guest for a moment? I need to excuse myself a moment."

GAME: Seldan casts Protection From Evil. Caster Level: 8 DC: 17

Malik slides his almost-untouched plate over to the chair closest to Eclavdran. "By all means," he says, attempting to be diplomatic, though it's clear that his heart's not in it. Simply going through the motions. He smiles at Seldan, giving him a nod before turning his attention back to Eclavdran. He is otherwise silent, simply watching Eclavdran, though they both know that he is almost-patiently waiting for the demon to get to the point. Or for a fight to break out. The tension from the wizard is almost palpable.

The demon in the shape of a man glides through the room and sits down in the chair offered to him and settles in comfortably. He doesn't seem the least bit bothered by the unease around him. Instead he picks up a fork and pretends that he is in fact a guest. He lounges in his seat as if its a throne, eating Malik's share of the meal with a few appreciative noises. "So, is /he/ that 'special someone' you were telling me about?" Eclavdran's eyes roam over the house with faint amusement. "Very rude, casting that nasty little spell on you. Though amusing."

Eclavdran leans forward a little, his dark eyes sparkling. "I can see why you like him. He's very good-looking isn't he? Good enough to eat." He takes a bite of the chicken casually.

"What can I say? You didn't give us time to give you a proper welcome. You'll have to settle for us hastily throwing on our party gear." Malik sits on the table, eyes still on Eclavdran. "And of course he is. You already know that, though." Malik knows a veiled threat when he hears one, at least, folding his hands quietly in his lap while he simply lets Eclavdran amuse himself, waiting patiently.

Eclavdran shrugs. "He's much tastier looking in person I must admit. It must be that winning personality of his." Now his voice is a little dry now, but he waves off his own words with the fork he holds in one hand. "I haven't come just for fun and games. Or a nice meal. We will have to wait for him to return before we start the show though yes? Wouldn't want him to miss it."

Eclavdran's eyes roam over Malik, down to his hand. "I heard that you two are /intended/ but I find it difficult to believe. But there are no vows /yet/ to break are there Malik?" The demon is watching Malik's face now, smiling an evil little smile.

Presently, Seldan returns, closing and locking the door behind him. The impassive demeanor is now double-fold as he rejoins the pair, seating himself wordlessly and looking between them.

"We all find some things difficult to believe in," Malik assures him. "They tell me that a rainbow colored dragon flies over this city periodically, but isn't evil, despite its coloration." He shrugs, dismissively. Malik looks to Seldan as the paladin returns, keeping his face as neutral as possible, but only for a second before returning his attention to Eclavdran.

Eclavdran's eyebrow twitches at something Malik says, but he seems to relax as Seldan rejoins them and effortlessly rises to his feet. He moves subtly, to stand a little closer to Malik. Standing - even with Malik sitting on the table as he is - he looms over the pair. "I suppose that I should explain why I am here?" He makes a little amused noise and turns his dark eyes on the Malik. "I've come to secure my bargin. As it does me absolutely no good to have you running around /alive/ if you don't intend to actually be useful."

The demon leans into Malik's space slightly. "I've been thinking for /hours/ of ways to motivate you, but you see I have this problem. The last time I told you to do something... you /failed/." The last word is a threatening growl.

"A moment, sir. There is no need for threats." Seldan sits forward, and waves a hand. "And you have not even introduced yourself." He adds a polite smile. "My mother is most adamant about such things, and is forever after me about it. However," the paladin spreads a hand, palm-down, a diplomatic gesture. "It seems that you had an understanding, and the terms of this understanding were not met?"

Malik raises an eyebrow. The wizard is no fool, even if he's scared. The wizard looks to Seldan as the paladin asks the question, then turns his gaze back to Eclavdran, putting on his best 'curious' face as he awaits the answer. Or whatever is coming next. Not that he can do much to stop it.

Eclavdran bristles for a moment, then seems to rein himself in. Perhaps the demon came spoiling for a fight. Or perhaps it's simply in his nature to look for the opportunity for one. Either way he takes a moment and then smiles at Seldan. The consummate businessman rises to the surface. "Manners, manners. Yes I have quite forgotten them haven't I?" He tilts his head to the side and offers his hand to Seldan. "Call me Erik. As to the agreement in question... You see I told Malik here to inform his fellow adventurers of the dangers of heading down into the sewers. Among other things. Needn't go into the /details/ do we? Needless to say I was quite... perturbed to find a group of them wandering the sewers /looking for me/."

Seldan bows politely in his chair, in the formal Myrrish style that is a close match for his accent. "Seldan. But come now, Erik. Malik has made such a warning, multiple times and to many adventurers, on several occasions to which I have been witness. But you have doubtless dealt with many an adventurer over the years, and I have come to find of late that seldom do adventurers have the good sense to heed warnings. Leading adventurers bears close kin to leading cats, does it not? Malik is but mortal, and can only be in one place at a time. He gave the warnings, which he was bound to do. That it was not heeded is not part of the deal struck, am I correct?"

He goes on, though. "I fear you must forgive me, for I am but passing familiar with your time in the city, so much has my focus been on stopping Salina. Perhaps you could share with me how it was that you were down there? It does not seem the sort of place that one such as yourself would deign to venture to by choice."

Malik listens to Seldan's words, making a small, sideways nod of his head toward the paladin as he keeps his eyes on Eclavdran. It seems that he has a witness to his part of the bargain, at least. For now, though, he simply keeps silent, waiting to see how this plays out. Speaking would probably only make things worse for him, anyway. He lacks the silver tongue that Seldan does.

Eclavdran eyes Malik, a lingering look that holds to many unpleasant thoughts before the demon turns his attention back on Seldan. "All your polite words don't change facts. My point is that I don't think he tried /hard/ enough. Therefore, what assurance do I have that he will put proper effort into the rest of our agreement? I believe very much in being a motivation for those that serve me. If you don't put in the effort, those under you will not either." He grins and shifts slightly, moving past Malik toward Seldan. They're all in close proximity so its not difficult.

"I've helped you guys out so much, but the I'm not getting any tit for my tat boys. My patience is wearing thin."

"He met the terms of the agreement as stated. Had he attempted to use force, he would have been arrested by the laws of Alexandria, and what could he have done for you then?" Seldan stares Erik in the eyes, unflinching, but still cool and even. "But, tell me this - We have removed Salina, and the tower. I am certain that you did not enjoy being summoned at the whim of someone barely taller than a child." Again, that polite, cool smile. "It is well known to me that you could not act against her, so we did. Tell me ... what else is it that you seek?"

Malik isn't arguing. But he's not admitting to Eclavdran's accusations either. He just keeps his eyes on the demon, hands folded patiently, as Seldan talks. He does, however, lean forward just a bit when Seldan asks what else Eclavdran might want, clearly curious as well.

Eclavdran growls and moves, shifting so that Seldan is trapped in the chair unless he wants to stand up /into/ the demon. "Of course you moved against her, /I/ made that possible. But do I get a thank-you? No. I GET ADVENTURERS IN THE ONE PLACE THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE." His voice booms in the small space. He is clearly irate, and... it's likely something that Seldan said that did it. "You're a fool if you think I'm just going to lay out my plans for you. But you should at least know your part. You should know it at least well enough to know that she's /still alive/."

Eclavdran's black eyes flash red suddenly, and he leans over Seldan. "I warned you all. Told you that going to the tower wouldn't give you anything more than she was willing to give up, but you're to stupid to listen. To stupid to /live/."

There's one difference between dealing with Malik and dealing with Seldan, and that is that intimidating a paladin simply does not work. Seldan draws a deep breath, swallows hard, settles himself. "Erik, I understand your frustration, but anger will not help us reach our common goal. Yes, she lives still. Had she been allowed to continue as she was going, you would have lost your help to her entirely, and been wholly on your own. You realize that, do you not? That Malik was her next target, that she would have killed him, and that your deal and work would have been for naught?" He spreads hands.

Malik's voice this time, looking to Eclavdran, face impassive, voice level but firm. "Killing her wasn't part of our deal. It was simply a mutual goal. Being your eyes and ears, and agreeing not to move against you until she was truly dead. That was the terms of the deal. And you agreed to some things as well, while she yet lives." he reminds the demon, raising an eyebrow, eyes focused intensely on the demon hovering over the paladin.

Eclavdran grins. His red eyes sliding toward Malik. "I know well the terms of our agreement. I can't kill you." He lifts a finger and shakes it back and forth. "And you /might/ be more useful to me alive. Which is why I have come. To /motivate/ you to bring an end to our little arrangement. After all, if you're not going to try and end her... what use are you Malik?"

The demon leers down at Seldan. "Maybe what we need is a /new/ agreement? Something that will be to all our advantage?" The demon reaches down and shifts the lock of hair that is constantly falling over Seldan's face off to the side.

"Any agreement I make shall be to -Eluna's- advantage, not to mine." Seldan stares coolly back at the red demon eyes, but seems to think for the space of a few breaths. "No motivation is required. I have already given my bond to Her to see Salina thrown down utterly, and have done so more than once. That is all the motivation I will ever need. I will see her thrown down, or perish in the attempt, with our without any agreement between us." He looks over at Malik.

Malik seems to untense some at that, studying Eclavdran for a moment. Eventually, he just gestures to the chair that the demon came from. "Let's renegotiate, then," he agrees. "We're all reasonable people." Still, there's a tension there, and it's clear that Malik is trying to navigate carefully.

Eclavdran laughs low and wicked. "Such a /good/ boy aren't you?" He nods once but doesn't move. "But let's just say that I don't trust you. I mean, it's only fair. It's not like you trust /me/."

He laughs and picks up a glass swishes the liquid inside around a little and drains it. A soft satisfied sigh escapes him and he leans back a little bit so that he's not hovering over Seldan anymore. "So. You, paladin, will agree to /kill/ her. None of this 'thrown down' crap. I want you to see that Mortal Dread blade in the middle of her heart. Dead." He turns his gaze on Malik. "And you will do everything in your power to help him. And since you both claim that's what you want... it should be easy enough to agree to."

"It is well. We clearly understand one another ... Erik. You know me for what I am, and I you." Seldan doesn't flinch at the words. He even smiles, a small thing that does not reach his eyes. "My people despise such direct language, but I take your meaning well enough. I shall take the keeping of Mortal Dread, and shall see it plunged into her heart. In return, you shall make no demands of me that violate Eluna's tenets, nor that violate my vows to Her. As well you know, for naught less than the destruction of a threat to Her faith would I consider this. Fair?"

Malik considers it, carefully. "Your terms seem reasonable. In exchange, I have a few items of my own. First, you agree that both Seldan and I are safe from your wrath. As are one person each that we can designate if such becomes necessary." He leans forward. "You did quite the number on some of my friends in that tower. Friends that were helping us achieve our goals. You slaughtering our help is counterproductive."

Eclavdran snorts. "Your terms are /not/ reasonable." His eyes narrow on Seldan. "Fair? I think not such an arrangement is not one that I can make. As for you Malik. We've all agreed that she needs killing, so why would I agree to such a foolish thing as granting /anyone/ safety? I'm not asking for anything more, or less than that you kill her.

"As you will. Your terms as stated do not require such, and I will accept no terms that do." Seldan breathes deeply, a silent prayer that he is doing the right thing, and waits. "Mal ... I do not believe that Erik had a choice in that matter, which is why we sit here now." He smiles at Malik, reaching a hand across the table towards him. "Salina must die. All here know that, and so plainly shall I speak, for the comfort of our guest." The smile is turned on Eclavdran, and in the process, loses all shred of warmth. "I shall kill Salina. Malik shall aid me. In return, you shall ask nothing further of either of us, while the deal is active. The death of Salina is the sum total and entirety of the deal."

Malik looks at Seldan, raising an eyebrow. Something about that seems to -- dissatisfy the wizard, on some level. Though he turns back to Eclavdran, adding, "Because if you thought we truly weren't up to the task, we wouldn't be talking. Because the fae will never bargain with you, and you would never get the type of weapon you need, as you cannot, fundamentally, meet their terms. Because even if you could, you can't take an action against her directly, and there are few enough with the skills to take her down. So, if you're asking nothing more and nothing less than that we kill her, you shouldn't have a problem agreeing to our safety in the meantime. And," he adds, pointing to the mark on his neck, "taking it on an act of faith that the paladin will hold me to whatever agreement that we make. So you can take your mark back." The wizard seems to have found some courage, somewhere. Perhaps the presence of Seldan. He seems to have that effect.

Eclavdran laughs, low and easy and full of something dark. "I find you more reasonable than expected Seldan. I will agree to all your terms to one exception - my mark. It /might/ be considered a small breach of what you said, and so it will be excluded." The demon shifts clasping his own wrist piercing it with his thumb nail and draining his own blood into a cup. It drains slow and thick. "I will not be taking any such mark /back/. You agreed to it, and you will keep it Malik." Eclavdran's eyes have faded to black again, and he holds up his blood. "To... seal the deal."

Seldan eyes the cup, well aware of what it means, and glances over at Malik. "You are not content. Speak your mind."

Malik looks at Seldan. "In order for a deal to be valid, one must have an offer and consideration. An exchange," he tells Seldan. "You've just given him what he demands, and asked nothing in return. That isn't a valid deal." His words are to Seldan, but his eyes are on Eclavdran. "What do you get in exchange for your agreement? What is the consideration for the offer?"

Eclavdran smiles benevolently. It's odd, but his face is a human face, and it can wear pleasure and innocence every bit as well as it can malevolence and anger. "I think that offering to give up on any further promises - for a time is well in your favor Malik. Generous even."

Wearily, Seldan pushes aside that lock of hair in his face, and turns a steady, entreating gaze on Malik. "It is not nothing that I ask in return. It is more than you know, I think, and I must have that, or I cannot make the deal. Will you place your trust in me, and allow me to explain what the concession means' at a later time? Or would you have us strike deals separately?"

"I'm making no deal, apparently" Malik informs Seldan, the undercurrent of their current situation starting to become clear. "You are. He is, apparently, still holding to the terms of my previous deal, given his refusal to remove his mark -- which only exists because that deal is in place. And yours now includes me by the wording." It seems that the wizard doesn't think that these terms are quite as generous as Eclavdran does, from his tone. But he's certainly not arguing against Seldan, or his choice. "Do what you think best."

Eclavdran makes a low noise of amusement, laughing at the pair of them. "This agreement binds you both, so you will have to share in it. Such is the nature of such arrangements." His dark eyes flicker between the two men and he waggles the blood. "Best decide quickly before the blood cools, much as I love to watch a lover's quarrel I do not revel opening a vein a second time."

Seldan draws a deep breath, and takes the cup, staring at it before looking up, "Mal, I would beg your forgiveness, and I shall try to explain later. I know that you do not like it, but the vows that I have spoken demand that I do this in this and no other way." He draws a deep breath, and takes a drink from the cup, and passes it to Malik.

Malik looks between the pair of them, lips pressing into a thin line. Someone is decidedly not happy about this situation. He watches as Seldan drinks from the cup, that tense, coiled feeling just briefly turning into something that looks momentarily defeated. But as Seldan puts the cup before him, the wizard picks it up, swirling the contents for a moment before simply saying, "Noros," and drinking down the rest of it before setting the cup down and sliding it back to Eclavdran.

Eclavdran grins. The demon looks... well /far/ too pleased with himself. Smoothly he ignores the cup and leans inbetween the two men. "What's really going to get you two burning later is... How in the name of /my/ realm do you intend to /find/ her?" He laughs and stalks away from the table smoothly. Slow easy steps carrying him away from the two men. "I'm in good enough a mood I think I'll even leave you both unharmed. Much as it would be /lovely/ to play with you both... I don't really have any other reason to stay do I?"

For his part, Seldan stands, slowly, and gestures that Eclavdran should precede him to the door. "Indeed. The hour grows late, and I have little time to play, if I am to figure that out, do I not?" His entire demeanor holds a clear expectation, although politely couched. "There is much to be done, and we should both be about it."

"Finding her has never been a problem before." Malik doesn't stand up. And he doesn't watch as Eclavdran leaves, instead focusing on a point on the floor, in the other direction, that he suddenly finds -most- interesting. "She's always found us. It seems that we're -popular- among bored immortals. Let's hope our luck remains as good."

Eclavdran stops at the door, eyes roaming the two men and he lets out a short bark of laughter. "You two really are idiots. Didn't you do /any/ looking into her? Talk to her people before you went running in to get yourselves killed?" He snorts. "Use that useless bit of wasted space between your ears for a few seconds. Why do you think that she always sends someone else to do her dirty work? Mmmm?"

His black eyes track between the two and he shakes his head. "No. You'll get no more answers out of me. /Someone/ made me promise to make no more deals for the pair of you so you'll have to figure it out for yourselves. If you can." He snorts again and opens the door. "Goodnight boys! Fun chatting with you!"

Seldan says nothing in response, only waiting until Eclavdran takes himself out before closing the door quietly, closing it, and locking it - and shoving the wedge firmly under the door. Only then does he turn and lean silently against the door, staring off into the distance ... and after a moment's pause, crosses both hands across his shoulders, closing his eyes and murmuring, not his usual rote prayers, but a prayer of contrition.

Malik sits in the chair for a moment, still just staring at that spot. But it becomes clear enough that the wizard is visibly shaking, the knuckles on his hand white as a thin stream of blood runs down his forearms, nails digging into his palm. It takes him a moment, but he eventually turns, pushing the plate away to the floor with a disgusted motion, causing the thing to shatter, using the back of his hand to wipe away a few stray tears that have managed to build up. "We should seek Harandel," he tells Seldan, keeping entirely -too- matter of fact. Voice dreamy as he goes through the motions. "The house isn't safe, and you should seek proper contrition, if such a thing is required of you." Though he sounds rather incredulous that it should be.

It takes only a few brief moments before Seldan lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, and draws another deep one, then straightens and approaches Malik. Whatever he just did appeared to settle his mind, a -lot-. If the wizard will let him, he'll put an armored arm around the man's waist, reaching up with one thumb to wipe the tears away. "Forgive me. And thank you. Yes, such is required of me, and I would do so nonetheless, although She has not turned from me." He looks up earnestly. "My vows forbid me the company or association with those of evil intent, Malik, unless it be to defeat a greater evil, and even then must I act with great caution. Eclavdran would love nothing better than to see me fall, and did I leave him the opening, he would attempt to bind me in a way that would force me to break the deal, or fall. By denying him all further deals, I deny him that opportunity."

Malik nearly jumps when Seldan touches him, looking for all the world like he might fight, or flee. He's still shaking, and there's a distant, faraway look in his eyes. It takes him a second to register what's being said, but he eventually nods. "Right. Vows." Something about that word makes him shudder once more, and he looks Seldan over carefully -- almost curiously. "You require no healing." A hand reaches up, fingertips brushing lightly at his neck and the twisted, ugly scar there. "Guess he likes you."

Malik leans in, kissing the paladin's cheek, though his movements are still stiff as he turns away. "We should get to the temple soon, then, before Evensong. Harandel won't have time to see us if we arrive too late." Voice too level, words too practical.

"Mal ... evensong has come and gone." Seldan looks up, suddenly wide-eyed and worried as he registers the words, the look of him. "Come. We shall see Harandel, then. Get your cloak." Gently, he turns Malik the correct direction to find his cloak near the door, then guides him towards the doors.

Malik doesn't seem to need much in the way of leading. He finds the cloak just fine, moving toward the door. He stops with his hand on the handle, still not looking at Seldan -- instead finding another interesting spot on the floor. "I'm glad that he didn't hurt you," the wizard says. It's quiet, but heartfelt. And with that, he opens the door, pushing out into the night air.

-End