Log View

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Amethyst Again in the ancient alchemy lab, the room converted for use in coordinating the city's forces and strategic planning. Ashuria has been working long and hard with others of her kind in setting things up, but for now it is only her and a scribe that are situated at the table, awaiting the arrival of the chosen who have news to share.

And on the table is a large map of the city and the surrounding areas, with various markers serving to represent the happenings beyond these walls. Elderloch is obviously preparing their own battle plans.

Bright Journey Not entirely sure what is about to happen, Bright walks in alongside the others silent, but curious. She peers without apology at the plans and preparations being made, even as she skims her fingers through her hair to get it orderly again. That's an easy task thanks to the Collar she's wearing, but for all its magic it still can't dry her hair!

Still, in the last couple days since she spoke to Ashuria last, quite a bit has happened. She, Amethyst and Rishi have been talking about their plans for the next several months...a private alchemy lab, a portal working...very exciting stuff! But there's far more prep work to go. And it may not happen of Elderloch is under siege before it finishes...

So it's in everyone's best interest to nip their enemy's plans in the bud. Take the fight to them. Bright is most curious and concerned about Silk and Pearl, looking them over carefully as each arrives.

Silk Moon Lotus Silk rubs her eyes to wipe the sleep from them as she enters the alchemy lab. It has been a long couple of days for her and the sleep was needed. She looks around the room and pulls out some documents out of a pouch on her belt. She walks over the to planning table. "My share of the mission was successful. I went for the stealing while Pearl did the information gathering. These are the plans they had in the war room." Silk smiles, "I have some good news. They plan to attach early next season when the tides change and makes it much easier to reach Elderloch. I'll go into a little more detail once everyone is here."
Black Pearl It is quite a while longer before Pearl comes in. And she looks...tired. Listless as none here have seen her before. Even her bright blue eyes seem faded. Once she sits down, it takes a moment for her to talk. "I found out a bit about their generals, and a different type of soldier as well." She yawns, and continues. "A month to train then they mean to attack. And send infiltraters to poison not just the Dreamsouled...but the Exalts they saw fight."
Amethyst "My daughter will not be joining us today. She is off somewhere in the city hiding and I know better than to try to find her." Ashuria addresses the group, sighing and shaking her head. She gives Bright, then Silk a polite nod, but she looks especially interested in what Black Pearl has to say. "There is more than just you two sharing information. We've recently had a string of assassinations around our perimeter, focused on officers and sorcerers. We've not even detected them, let alone captured or killed any. It worries me that they may be coming for us and you, especially if they bare the same poison that was spoken of in stories long before my time."
Bright Journey Bright is frowning, the wheels turning in her mind all but visibly as she taps her foot, looking at the door.

"I just spoke to Amethyst yesterday, and I didn't realize she wasn't planning on joining us today. Maybe rishi will have a better idea what's going on." She chuckles dryly. "That could be true in a couple of ways. But for now, it sounds like the two of you have had a hell of a busy night or two."

As Bright listens to all three of them speak their piece, her frown deepens considerably. She pulls out a chair and takes a seat, looking at the map and thinking, then turns to look at everyone else.

"It sounds to me like our being here pushed up their plans a great deal. I think they could have afforded to wait as long as it took before we showed up...now they're going to attack in a month? It makes me hopeful that these assassins have a technique that's powerful, but risky. I know I'm no great shakes at seeing the invisible, but if we could hash out how they're doing it...maybe we can come up with a counter. Once they're in sight I'm pretty sure I can keep them from getting away."

Silk Moon Lotus Silk looks over at Pearl "I'm glad you made it out ok. I had a fun time with the guards." She looks to Ashuria "They are planning a multifaction attack. The leader is known as Glorious. He has recruited Princess Maana, Gale, and Vain.
Princess Maana is the one leading the assassins. They plan to blend in somehow then disable the key officers and any other targets of opportunity. 
Gale and his forces will be the vanguard and are known for their fearlessness. They don't back down or break. 
The Vain's going to bring the seige engines. He is willing to attack his own allies to achieve his goals. 
lastly, Glorius will have a small contingent with him. He has some artifact called The Disruptor. He plans to use it on the dream souled and the rest of us exalts. 
"I feel that removing Maana from the fight would be very valueable. I'm not a war leader though." Silk hands the plans over the Ashuria.
Black Pearl "There is a martial art of secrets. Not of not being seen, but in being unnoticed, or thought harmless if noticed," Pearl says. "Princess Maana is a mistress of it. Better at it than I am. And...she wishes me to meet tomorrow night at a place. She thinks I am a tecruit to the infiltraters..."

"They will disguise themselves as dreamsouled. Blend in. A casual touch is enough to be poisoned..." She looks at Silk, "Remember the Raksha in your gambling house?"

Amethyst Ashuria sighs, "I had a long conversation with my daughter last night and she's a bit upset about things right now. But I had to have that conversation sooner or later with her." She runs a hand through her hair. "Maybe Salara can help figure out what's going through her mind." There's a certain tone in her voice that makes it evident she doesn't seem to care much for Rishi.

"They may fear that we've brought in backup and that more may be coming or that we will somehow entrench our position. Or perhaps having a scouting party completely destroyed by you folks shook them a little." She suggests. "And if the individual assassins truly are masters of disguise and poisoning without being noticed, that would certainly be a bold plan."

Ashuria takes the plans for Silk and glances them over, nodding. "I think I agree. Facing them head on would go much better for us than being assassinated in the shadows. Doubly so if you can get your hands on whatever artifact they think will give them such an edge over us."

"And to get this straight," Ashuria calmly turns to Salara, "You managed to convince them to recruit you? If we ever wanted a chance to attack Maana, that would be perfect if we could ambush her."

Bright Journey Bright looks at everyone else and listens carefully. Eventually, she slowly starts to nod, fingers drumming tunelessly on the table.

She lets out a wry chuckle as Ashuria finishes. "Heh. And here I was, just talking about powerful but risky plans. Then again, we are more powerful but there's only a couple of us. We're not going to get anywhere without taking -any- risks." She slaps the table with both palms. "Instead, I can think of a few ways we can make it a little easier on us."

First...Silk." Bright turns to look at her stealthy friend and cracks a smile. "I bet a little disguise or three would go a long way. And if you had any doubts about how good she is..." Bright chuckles again and looks at Pearl. "Did Silk ever tell you about the -very- first time the two of you met?"

Silk Moon Lotus Silk cracks a smile at Bright's comment "I may have been Bright's servant during the meeting with you and Amethyst. And I've learned some tricks since then." Silk looks over at Bright "I will say that Pearl did a great job with her disguise as well. If I didn't know it was her, I wouldn't have picked her out."
She looks over at Pearl "Did you sleep well after we got back? You look tired. Maybe check with Rishi to see if there is something odd with our trip to Leviathan?" 
Silk looks around the table "I can definately get back in, I don't know if I can get the artifact. They may have increased security around it since we already broke in once. I believe I saw it. It looked like a gauntlet or bracer with a series of lenses. They also had some hearthstones."
Black Pearl "Yes, they eant to recruit me. Change my alter ego from common soldier to assassin," Pearl says. "And...it might be Vain's? He was wearing something like you described."

Salara nods back to Bright. "It was a masterful oerformance she did! Also quite an adepr student." She nods to Silk, "I have to go alone to the meeting. But stealing what they have...weakening rhem and strengthening us is a good thing."

Amethyst "Going alone would be dangerous." Ashuria warns, "If this assassin truly is so skilled, who's to say she hasn't figure you out and simply wishes to depose of you?" And Ashuria gives a nod to Silk, "I would not be surprised in the slightest. Especially since I'm sure by now they've realized their battle plans were swiped. I'd ensure you have a plan b in case you get caught."

"Vain... If he's the one making the seige engines, he might've made the artifact too. I've seen a wide range of Raksha artifacts in my time, and I can assure you that each of them is its own brand of crazy." Ashuria reasons.

Rishi There's a knock at the door and Rishi enters, a little subdued looking. She's carrying a small parcel and, oddly, still covered in moonsilver. "Ah! Good! Everyone is being here! Is anyone needing the healing? I am having some notes on the beginning of the research for the portal."
Bright Journey Still nodding in reply, Bright frowns deeply again, pensive. She looks up at Ashuria.

"If they know the plans were taken, we can't count on any of the timing. That's easy to change. Their people and strategies might be harder for them to alter, but clearly they're determined to get this done, with us or without. Them not backing off concerns me, but I'm also not sure how much they know of us. I think a couple of them got away to report, didn't they?

"So that leaves this meeting. I...have to admit, I have to agree with Silk. We will have to make it seem like you're alone, but this is far too risky to actually just be in here sipping a rum cocktail while you're out there. We have to be able to support you if things go south, and if we can pick her off right there, that would be even better."

Bright looks over at Rishi and nods. Bright looks a little more serious than usual, but offers a bit of a smile. "Rishi. Glad you could make it, we've had a lot to discuss. We can talk about the portal another time, but here's what Silk and Pearl found..."

Bright's explanation is quick, but then, the conversation had only really just started.

Silk Moon Lotus Silk nods in agreement with Bright's accessment. "I don't like letting Pearl go alone, I can hide myself nearby, I'm not sure about any of the rest of you being able to hide close enough to be able to act. I don't want to leave you behind, we need suprise if we are to take down Maana. The martial arts style she knows is very dangerous as you will not know she did something to you until the poison has taken effect."
Black Pearl Salara ponders. "It is...remotely possible. But all the generals saw me. If my disguise were penetrated, I would not be here now." She sounds certain, even though the dissheveled water-caste yawns.

"Hello, Rishi. I am not feeling myself, really. But don't know why." And at Silk's assertion, she nods. "I can...try to use the style against her, if I can touch her, that is."

Amethyst "Though if they truly are waiting for the currents to change, that's more at the whim of the seasons more than anything. At the least we'll be able to see them coming if they do attack early. Make a note to have the furthest sentries check the current directions routinely." The last part is instructed to the scribe seated beside her, who is quietly recording the meeting and also copying over the battle plans.

"Maybe if you do go back you could just put these back where you found them? We'll have our own duplicate here in short order." Ashuria speaks to Silk, and gestures at the battle plans. "Otherwise, I have no real authority over you guys so do as you will. If you want anything from us, just let me know."

Rishi Rishi has her head cocked to the side listening to Bright's account, then nods. "Yes, yes, is being much to dangerous for only one person to be going. I can be hiding in Pearly's pocket so that, if there is being any of the problems, I can be helping her doing the escaping. Silk should also be the joining us, because she is being most sneaky."
	 When Pearly speaks, Rishi tilts her head the other way, suddenly very intent on her. Rishi's nose shifts subtly and she comes close to Pearly. When the other woman yawns, Rishi inhales deeply, then closes her eyes, clearly intent on her thinking as an empty silver ring starts to glow, standing out even from her silver forehead. Then she nods. "For now, Pearly is coming with me, for she has contracted a most powerful sickness of the sleeping and I will be needing to cure this before she is falling into the endless death sleep." 

	 As she gets back up, she stops a moment, then opens the packet and pulls out a small note and hands it to Ashuria "From your daughter."
Bright Journey Bright is listening to and nodding with most of the participants--everyone has been pretty much in agreement, after all, so it's not a big deal. Watching Rishi walk up to and -sniff- someone is...comically par for the course for Rishi.

At least until the Lunar starts talking about some horrific disease Pearl has contracted. Bright's eyes widen and she slowly stands, concern etched on her face.

"Until she is falling into -what-? Rishi...listen, if you need a hand, my bow can actually cure disease and poison. Or if you have it..." She sighs. "Well, I guess I can back off then. I know how good you are at this."

Silk Moon Lotus Silk nods her head in understanding from Ashuria's request. "I'll be happy to try returning the plans, from what Pearl learned, it sounds like they are moving up their time line. I will be happy to steal the artifact if it is still in the war room."
"I'm happy to stay on overwatch to protect Pearl during the meeting. We will have to be extra vigilant to make sure the princess doesn't kill Pearl without us noticing. I think I can help Bright hide nearby as well.
Black Pearl Black Pearl looks alarmed at first. And then understanding. "I must have been touched by her somehow. I...she must want this as a tie of loyalty. Like poisoning someone and using the lure of the antidote to control her." She looks...impressed, then chagrined. "I should have noticed I got touched though." She nods to Rishi. "I can show you what this is...i can inflict it in others even." She pauses. "Killed a few with it."

She turns to look at Silk, "And hearthstones...learning of more manses...maybe used to help repair..." And she cuts off before looking ar Ashuria. "Sorry."

Black Pearl Black Pearl says, "Id like to think I could take care of myself, but using that technique on me without my noticing...I need more."
Amethyst "Oh dear." Ashuria frowns as Rishi discovers this malady. "Well dear Rishi Fleshweaver, you know where the medical buildings are. Feel free to use what you need." Ashuria is usually pretty calm and collected but the fact that Salara has been poisoned without notice is definitely alarming to the Dreamer. And then she's distracted by the paper from her daughter.

"Amethyst /is/ doing ok, right?" She askes Rishi, quite seriously. There's an obvious worry in her tone of voice. And only after a moment does she open the letter and read what it contains. And her expression fades from worry to sorrow, though she doesn't speak of why and instead just puts the letter away.

"And thank you Silk. Maybe with some luck they haven't yet realized them missing." She suggests.

Rishi Rishi considers Bright's request, then nods. "It would take me some little time to be compounding a cure for her. If you would like to be trying to be curing her now, I am certainly having none of the problems." She looks at Pearly "Assuming you are being alright with Bright doing the shooting of you?"
	 Rishi hrms. "I am thinking that the stealing of the artifact is being necessary for us to be winning, but, if they have not yet noticed the plans are being the missing, they will certainly be noticing that the artifact has been taken. This may be the problem." She hrms further. "...Could you be framing one of the Fae? Making it look like they were wanting the plans for dreams of glory or their power games? If you can get them blaiming of the each other for the theft, that might be making the artifact going missing more useful for us, yes?"
Rishi Rishi nods to Ashuria. "She is doing well. I....am not wishing to be speaking of things between you."
Bright Journey Bright stands and backs off a couple steps, out of anyone else's way, before she holds out her left hand. Streamers of moonsilver form and coalesce into Bright's bow, a sight only Ashuria has not yet seen. And no doubt she's heard a story or two of what the end of the battle looked like from afar, but seeing the weapon up close is something else again. It's shining and pure, but its ability to purge corruption will be tested tonight.

"Rishi, I can try to heal Pearl in short order, yes...but anything you can do to help me be better at it will be welcome. I'm good at this, but not the best."

She offers Pearl a grin. "Please relax. This arrow may or may not work...but it will not hurt you. Steel your resolve and be ready to fight it off. Don't let yourself sleep."

With that, Bright looks curiously at Rishi. "If you can do anything to improve my chances before I try, let me know."

Silk Moon Lotus Silk smiles at Rishi "I can certainly make myself look like someone else. I have mastered my anima that will allows me to look like anyone I have seen." Silk looks at Pearl, "The green woman you were talking to was the princess?"
Black Pearl Black Pearl braces herself for the shot, which hits and silver light flates into her. For a long moment, she arches, as the essence works in her...but her body is not durable enough, and when the light fades, she slumps down, still tired. "I...am sorry. I don't feel different." She sighs and then shakes her head. "That was Precious Breath, an infilteator. The princess is masked-veiled-and wears white silk to comer all."
Bright Journey There's no physical arrow for this one. Bright Journey slowly inhales, drawing breath as she pulls the dry bowstring back. By the time her two fingers are next to her ear, an arrow of pure silver light rests across the string. Far from the angry messenger of war, this arrow sings sweetly of peace and purity.

Bright's arrow flies towards Pearl and sinks in...

Amethyst Ashuria watches this all transpire. Her eyes transfixed on Bright's bow materializing before her. And that ability. She gets an expression on her face, "What all can you cure with that bow? Do you think you could, say, fix an affliction with one's soul?" It's as though the rest of the happenings around her are not nearly as important as that singular question. And she looks over to Rishi all at once as though only just now realizing that she too is quite a potent healer. "What of you, could you perform such a feat?"
Rishi Rishi was watching carefully and pats Bright on the shoulder. "Your artifact is most impressive and your technique is looking quite nice. I am thinking that you could perhaps be using more of the training in the healing arts, but...sometimes your patient is not being responding well. We should be discussing that when we are having the time."
	 "For now," She puts an arm around Pearly "The two of us should be going back into the Alchemy room so you can be telling me about this disease and I can be compounding the treatment. I will also be making the coffee." 

	 Rishi looks over at Ashuria and considers. "I am being a most skilled sorceress and healer. I have not done any of the work on the soul before. I am not thinking it is being the simple. But I am not thinking it is being impossible for me either."
Bright Journey Bright Journey lowers Nightbane, considering Pearl for a long, contemplative moment as Rishi starts to guide Pearl away.

She looks at Ashuria, thoughtful and a bit somber. "Perhaps there's a lesson in this," she says. "The bow worked, of that I have no doubt. But it still did not -help-. I poured all I had into that but Rishi is right--I have neglected the healing arts. That was my own mother's path, and it's been years since I really thought about it again.

"As for the soul, Ashuria...that depends on how you count it. I -can- actually help with afflictions of the mind, like insanity. I had to do that not too long ago, in fact. I don't think I could cure a genuine supernatural curse on someone's soul, though." She pauses, considering. "At least not yet. I know my bow still has secrets left to unlock."

Silk Moon Lotus Silk watches Bright's attempt to heal Pearl and frowns a little when it doesn't work. "From what Pearl has told me about the technique used to afflict the disease is very hard to resist once it has taken effect. I have not learned that technique myself yet. I'm still a student." Silk looks between Bright, Rishi, and Ashuria "I don't know how to remove a curse, I'm imaging that it will require sorcery to remove a curse."
Amethyst Ashuria nods to the group. And then centers herself. "Something to consider after we deal with enemies is how to go about helping my daughter."

"For now it sounds like after Rishi helps Salara, you should set out for the meeting point that Maana gave to her. With any luck you can learn something new and possibly take her out." She summarizes.

"I'll stay here and get some instructions out to the others about how they're slipping past us. Maybe with a bit more observation we can stop them. And I'll make sure all of us Dreamers are watching ourselves, as the assassins could theoretically already be in the city." She sighs. "Be well you folks."