Mists over the Musarde [IC]

[ewancummins]

Evangeline is intent on Sir Cirdan, hanging on his every word.

''Oh, you are so brave!''


The evening progress pleasantly, with wine and conversation flowing freely. Dinner is finished and cleared away.

Looking out the window, one can see the dying blaze of the sun in the west. It will be fulll dark soon.


Denys Sancerre rises and addresses the party,

''Gentlemen, if you haven't pressing business elsewhere, I'd be most honored if you would consent to be my guests for the night. ''

[steveflam]

Norzak rolls his eyes at Evangeline's behaviour towards Cirdan. Muttering into his ale "T'aint no wimmin if she ain't got no beard anyhow, BAH!" He takes a deep swig of his tankard and gets a refill. Belching rather loudly, he uncermoniously wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. "Good ale ye got, Denys. 'N I'll take ye up on yer offer. 'N tha meal was perty good too!" He pats his stomach in appreciation and takes another healthy swig.

[ewancummins]

Your host has become quite jolly, possibly from the not inconsiderable amount of wine he's quaffed over the course of the evening.

''I'm pleased to hear it, Norzak. I hope your companions will be able to stay, as well. ''

Denys Sancerre rises from the table.

''I'll be right back, I've got something I want to show you all.''


Evangeline is chatting with Sir Cirdan-

''What sort of horse do you ride? Is he very big and strong?''

[Adam]

While enjoying the meal, Bennedict has been very careful not to overindulge in the wine, fine though it may be. As he saw the elder Sancerre getting further and further into his cups, Bennedict slowly started drinking less and less, letting the man get fully under the influence while the archivist remained clear headed and ready to take advantage of any openings the man gave. One never knows when an opportunity will present itself, after all, and Benn had taken advantage of a detail a patron had let slip unintentionally on more than one occasion.

Still, he found the evening to be agreeable enough, though he wasn't sure what was implied by the master of the house's invitation. Odd that he would invite strangers to remain in his home for the evening, he thinks. Especially given the oddity of the aforementioned strangers. Bennedict watches as Norzak picked the remainders of dinner out of his messy tangle of beard, popping the pieces of meat and cheese into his mouth after clearing off most of the hair. Still, we have business to discuss, so I will remain for a short while, at least.

[ewancummins]

Evangeline's father returns carrying a wooden coffer. He sets it down on the table.

'' Here it is.''

The small box is built of hardwood, possibly oak, with handsome brass fittings, lock, and latch.

Denys fumbles with the key for a moment, before opening the coffer. The interior is padded with velvet a shade of blue so dark it appears almost black. Lying within can be seen three items: a silver key, a roll of yellowed parchment tied with a green ribbon, and a curiously crafted mirror.

[Adam]

"Uh, that's very interesting," Bennedict says, with a quizzical expression. "May I ask what the significance of these items is?"

[ewancummins]

'' Last month I directed my workers to collect some decoratively carved marble from an empty building in the neighborhood. In doing so, they came across a hidden space within the walls. Inside, they found these three items. I was present at the time of discovery, and I immediately took them into my possession. ''

Denys takes a long draught of wine from his unsteady cup.

''Take a look in the mirror....''

[Adam]

Bennedict quickly racks his mind for any mirror related stories of the supernatural. Not wishing to appear rude in front of his host, however, he squints and stares into the mirror's surface with an analytical eye.

[ewancummins]

Denys turns to Nozrak and asks-

''Friend Norzak, I understand dwarves have a certain knack for locating hidden treasures. People say you do it by smell. Is that true?''

[Adam]

Bennedict's head tilts quizzically to the side at the odd sight reflected in the mirror. Not really hearing Denys's question to Norzak, he drums his fingers eagerly on the table in front of him, twitching to reach out and touch the objects. "That is truly unique, herr Sancerre. May I perhaps be permitted to examine it more closely?"

[steveflam]

Norzak stares at Denys. "That we can smell hidden treasures? I dunno where ya done heard that, but t'aint no truth in it. We might be good at mining 'n' working tha stone, but 'tis all. Whoever tole ya that prolly had too much ta drink 'n' made it up!"

[ewancummins]

Denys replies to Ben-

''Of course you may examine it further. This is something that's been on my mind since the secert space was uncovered and these items retrieved. I'm not sure if the key and the scroll are related, but it might be so- someone hid all three rogether, after all. I wonder what the key opens....''

and to Norzak-

''Ha! I suspected it might be merely a legend.''

[Le Noir Faineant]

''What sort of horse do you ride? Is he very big and strong?''

Cirdan has been busy eating, like if he had been starved, all the while busily nodding to everything his companions say.

In one of the rare moments his mouth is empty enough that he may talk,
he responds to Evangeline: "I ride a white stallion, named Achilles. I took it from the first giant I slew. He had wanted to grill it like a steak, but I saved it."

[Adam]

Almost as soon as Denys finishes speaking, Benn's hands eagerly dart forward towards the mirror. He lifts it gingerly from the tabletop, holding it between his fingertips at arm's length. He tilts the mirror and turns it, watching the odd background closely to see if, by moving the mirror, any other clues from the background of the mystery room might be revealed.

Additionally, he mutters the words to a prayer of revealing, hoping to detect any magical auras on the mirror, scroll, and/or key.

[ewancummins]

Evangline smiles happily at Sir Cirdan's response.

''Achilles, what a splendid name for a horse. A giant- oh my, that must have been very frightening. I suppose not to a hero like you, though. I would have been terrified! ''

Evangeline pauses a moment to take a sip of her wine.

'' I've read that the king of Darkon is a powerful sorcerer who lives in an enchanted castle. Have you been to his court? Is it very grand?''