Lucius let the time pass, but he felt a bit anxious. He fidgeted nervously with his fingers, wondering if this would be a good time to bring the matter of his lycanthropy up. Every one was so happy now, and the mood was so serene that be feared the thought of shattering it. But this was the last time they'd be all together for some time, and the news he had concerned also Vassili, so leaving this subject for a later time would mean neither he, nor Jacob, would know of it.
This made him decide.
"I've talked with Father Dubois this morning", he dropped, in the middle of a sleepy silence. He was unsure of the effect his revelation would have.
"He gave me good news, a new hope... but it's not easy to make it happen. There is a cure for Lycanthropy, both for me and for Vassili. Here, let me show you what he gave me."
He measured the reactions of his friends, but was uncertain of their meanings. Then he took a scroll case from his pocket, opened it and showed two pages of parchment that were rolled within and lay them on the table for all to see:
William looks up from the scrolls, with a curious look on his face.
"Did Father Dubois mention who wrote these journal entries? Not to rain on anyone's parade or anythin' but knowin' the source would be beneficial and would answer any possible doubt as to their reliability."
"Why don't you ask someone who has some knowledges? Maybe Mr de Casteeles? The documents look real enough to me. I could maybe try a spell in the morning if you like? Del, do you know anyone here in the city who could find out about these two pages?"¨
"I can look into it in the morning as well. I do know some people who specialize in documents and handwriting. This Casteeles wouldn't happen to be an older man with an owl? I only know of him but have never met him. I think he is trustworthy enough but sneaky."
Lucius smiles
"Funny that I'm really going to see him tomorrow. I may show him these and ask for his opinion. Thanks all of you.
Van, I appreciate once more your concern, and you don't know how grateful I am. But do remember we still have other quest to do and the Count would not be exactly happy to see us again in his lands. We can not go there lightly."
A light but continual tapping can be heard at Van's bedroom window. This wakes the mage. It really gets to be annoying to the point that Van must go see what is making such a noise. Pulling back the drapes, he sees Lupzig tapping his clawed foot against the window. Master wanted to be sure you were ready for his meeting, Master Van. I will wait on the roof for you. The owl flies up to the roof of the Thunderstorm residence and awaits for Van to leave at the appropriate time.
De Casteeles residence, 5 a.m
Balfour has a bath drawn and relaxes, pondering upon his meeting iwth young Van. So the lad was interested in creating items. Good for him. I cam offer him insight into such procedures.
Once the bath was done he toweled off and dressed for the day. Lupzig, be at the Thunderstorm residence at 6 a.m and wake the lad from his window. Thank you, friend.
Yes, master. The owl complies and flies off into the predawn MArtira bay morning. De Casteeles has a breakfast prepared and retrieves a book, scanning it lazily. A knock is heard at the door to the kitchen. "Yes?"
"It is Master Jurgens, Sire."
"Let him in, Leopold, thank you."
The door opens to reveal Helmut Jurgens. The man looked like a librarian or a book worm but that was farthest from the truth. "So? Looking forward to meeting this Van I spoke to you about?"
"Yes, if he proves to be as interesting as you have put him to me and the others. I'd like to meet the others as well, perhaps on a one on one basis. I would really like to meet the dark elf, Jacob to be honest. That can wait, I suppose as I've learned he is staying here in Martira Bay for research on the lands."
"Very well. Well join me in a breakfast. Any news on this Shadow personage?"
"She hasn't struck in two weeks as sa matter of fact. It is a she I learned. Nothing much else. Although I heard she broke into this dark elf's manor but stole nothing. Very odd behaviour, unless there's a reason for it."
"Yes, well, maybe we'll learn more over the next few days if she decides to thieve this Jacob fellow."
The next two and half hours are spent in discussion about this or that matter, that is until Balfours guests arrive at the appointed hour.
Siren's Lament Inn, 6 a.m
Though Delsenora is what you might call a night person, she can rise early with the best. And thus early this morning she wakes and does a few exercises to keep loose. Then she has a hot bath to realx before having her breakfast in bed. Done, she dresses and once done, checks to make sure her daggers and weapons are within easy reach. She had quickly asked around the night before and hadn't gotten far with her queries. One person told her it was some doctor's journal. She'd heard rumors of some monster hunting doctor but didn't know his name.
Exiting her window, she climbs to the top and admires the Martira Bay morning. Standing there for a bit, she wonders what will happen with these new people she will travel with. She knew there was a mission coming up for the Order. Barovia, mentioned by Lucius put her off a little.
She'd heard bad rumors about that land. Then again there were rumors about Darkon as well. Running across the rooftop she jumped across to the next house, tumbling and then removing a rod she presses a button. A grappling hook flies out and wraps a few times around the next houses chimney.
Griping the rope tightly she climbs with practiced ease to the alley and alits on the ground. Satisfied, she presses another button and the grappling hook and rope return to the rod. She puts it away, ans keeping to the dark alleys she moves out towards Van's rendezvous. Maybe Lucius would know of this doctor she'd been told about. She thought it farfetched, but was still worth mentioning anyways.
She arrived soon enough at the Casteeles place and scanned the area quickly. Breathing a sigh of relief she makes it up to his rooftop and waits for Van and Lucius to arrive.
April 6th, Morning
Outside of the Thunderstorm Residence
William made his way casually down the street from the home of Van Thunderstorm and towards that of the University. It would be a good a day as any to look into tuition and see if they offered the courses he would be most interested in. Of course, finding schooling in the somewhat more obscure areas of knowledge such as occultism or even the the lore of these lands and the strange creatures that may or may not inhabit them. Maybe he would have an easier time gaining admittance to such classes, given the preposterous nature of such an education.
Van hates being wake up without reason! And when Lupzig wakes him up an hour earlier than he has programmed just to remind him of the meeting this makes him more mad. Balfour seems to not trust him and that was an offence for the proud wizard.
"We said that we will leave at 8:30 Lupzig! I haven't planned to be late, I hate delays. Anyway, if you want tell to your master that Lucius will come with me. The amulet I want to craft is for him and maybe your master wants to ask him a few questions so he can understand better his situation and help me with the craft. We will be ready to leave 8:30 sharp."
With that Van closes the window and returns to bed. An hour later, he wakes up again, has a bath gets dresses and heads downstairs to have breakfast while waiting Lucius to come at his house.
Indeed his friend doesn't get late and at 8:30 the two men are out of the house ready to follow Lipzig.
- The first 2 Feats a wizard should take are "point blank shot" and "Precise shot"!
- W H A T ! ? !
- Or they should NEVER memorize rays!
April 6th
Thunderstorm residence
Shortly after 6 a.m
The owl is somewhat taken aback by Van's bad humor, but accepts it as
eccentricity on the part of a mage. It relays the information that Lucius will be joining Van for the meeting.
Very well comes the reply from the old man.
8:30 a.m
Thunderstorm residence
As Van and Lucius exit the home, Lupzig hoots once and flies down to land on Van's shoulder. It hoots twice and Ithan appears, landing on Van's other shoulder.
Master, Lupzig tells me to walk to the government sqaure then head north on King Road. Just follow her and you should reach his home by nine a.m.
So they head out and at exactly nine a.m arrive at Balfours residence. "Psst!," they both hear from the rooftop. Looking up, they spy Delsenora peering down at them, smiling. "Wait a minute before you knock!" The young dark elf levitates down to the ground and looks at Lucius.
Whispering to the two men "Okay, last night I asked around and I got this odd information that the two pages were written by some doctor who hunts, well , monsters? I though it was crazy enough to tell you about. I have heard of this doctor before, but his name escapes me. To be honest I'd feel better if I accompanied you inside. I heard rumors of this Balfour. He is a good man, but very sneaky. I'd feel better if I could join you inside."
William arrives at the University. This being his first time, it takes him thirty minutes to find the admissions office. Upon entering he spies a woman behind a desk. She looks up from the desk to apprise William. When he arrives at her, she asks "How might I help you this morning, sir?" No malice or malintent can be heard in her voice.
After William tells her she replies "That is not as odd a request as you might think, Sir. I will need your name, please."
When William offers his name, that of William Conte, the woman smiles sincerely.
"I was told of your impending arrival, Mr Conte. The classes you seek registration for are held off of the University's campus in a private residence." Flipping through a stack of papers, she removes one. "Ah yes, here it is. Should Mr Conte desire courses in the occult, please accept this payment on his part from me. I doubt he can afford the cost of the course, so this is a voucher from myself to cover the expense of the tuition, the course and the cost of the home he will need."
Frowning, she reads it again. "I don't remember the man's name but he was a middle aged man with a hat." She goes on to describe George Weathermay to William. "So if you are interested I can give you the address to go to and from there someone will be present to instruct you, Mr Conte. Have you any questions?"
Cornelius has returned to engage in further research. He is looking for more information about the Hands of the Healer, which he believes to be one and the same with the mysterious 'two hand device' of which he'd earlier read.
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.
Cornelius will realize that he doesn't get any more information at the library about the hands. That doesn't mean he can't find information elsewhere. Thus he must move his research elsewhere.
Van looks at Deselnora still surprised by finding her over there. He looks at Lucius and then again Del:
"I don't know if Balfour will be ok with that. He expects two people to talk about magic and crafting an item. Maybe your presence will make him suspicious Deselnora and we don't want that. You should have told me yesterday that you wanted to join us so I could inform him as I did with Lucius. No offence, but you need a reason to come with us, a reason we can say to Balfour of course... Do you have any?"
- The first 2 Feats a wizard should take are "point blank shot" and "Precise shot"!
- W H A T ! ? !
- Or they should NEVER memorize rays!
Delsenora grins at Van and Lucius. Why as a matter of fact, I have a good reason to be here. I'll wait here when you enter. Just tell him who has accompanied you this fine morning. I am sure he will want to see me then or perhaps whoever else might be with him, Van." This she says with
a wry smile. "And I do not mean my name but the other monicker to which I go by in the evenings."
She leans up against the wall and waits, offering both men a nod, then a wink.
