King Haddian ponders this for a solid two minutes, creating an excruciating silence. But Tock is able to study the king intently as the man thinks. His body is clearly frail - he coughs several times during his silence - but his mind is sharp. At last he finally says, "My attendants coordinate my needs and estate staff coordinate most royal events. But the desire for an audience with the crown is overwhelming. Such will be the case even when I am gone."
The king is still thinking, making his answer sound like a "no". But then he continues, saying, "So let me amend my offer to be called that of Emissary of the People. Your thoughts on security from magical persuasion are an important one, so I think you should be involved in shaping the policy for. But your official purview will be in vetting which events, from personal meetings to dinner invitations, that the crown will entertain. You will need to vet the audience and work with all manner of people, from my own personal attendants, to nobles, to the King's guard, to commoners seeking help from the crown, to my own Mistress of Ceremonies, to, naturally, myself. This will be a complicated role and it will not always be a pleasant one. You will have to work closely with my secretary for scheduling purposes and you will also need to travel wherever the crown goes. It will be a public but thankless job, as you will be forced to say "no" more often than "yes" to all the requests you will receive. How does that sound as a compromise?"
Tockponders this a while, "This is a lot to take on, but the position itself is perfect for what I had in mind. I would be happy to bring my skills to an already excellently working group. I will do my utmost to learn quickly and not disappoint."
Just before exiting he comes back and pulls a wondrous wand from his sleeve. "You have ways to keep things safe. This is a highly unpredictable wand that I don't think will suit my new role. It once summoned a rhino for example. I'd rather see it kept safe and found new use down the line." He hands over his Wand of Wonder.
....
Tockgoes along with Dog and Gash to meet the old circus crowd. It's a happy reunion for him, but also a strange one. While before he was just going through a very busy and fun life then now he feels a sense of growth and purpose. As they travel he can't help but check everyone they come across - bulges on hips for hidden weapons, throbbing neck veins for hidden stress and from time to time also his trusty Gem of Seeing for truly well hidden individuals.
Outwardly Tockis just along for the journey with Dog, but privately he's taking notes in a journal about places, appearances, mannerisms and accents. What he lacks in raw intelligence he will cover with hard work. It's exciting to have a path to walk! Once back with the royal family he sets to work on getting to know everyone and learning the routines.
On the day of departure towards Alciondria he has worked out a plan for heightened security with the King and select few of the inner circle. The King will quietly under disguise enter the second carriage while Tocktakes on the form of the King and very publicly enters the first carriage. As the carriages slowly set off from the courtyard and his passes Doghe quietly says in his own voice,
"Dog, we have more people now. Can you get more horses?"
Althus bows to the king, "It would be my pleasure. I always am willing to help people in need. I will set out as soon as possible, and unless Helm calls me away, I will stay there and defend them as long as they need."
Althus bows to the king, "It would be my pleasure. I always am willing to help people in need. I will set out as soon as possible, and unless Helm calls me away, I will stay there and defend them as long as they need."
"Very well! You will meet with the military contingent that is en route to Poria at Tertodets in four days. Until then, my teleportation circles can take you anywhere in Alcion that you desire."
The attendant clears his throat and the king's eyes go wide. "Oh, of course! I almost forgot the most important thing. As a reward for your service to Princess Gentoa and in anticipation of your mission to Poria, I present to you this armor. It was worn by the villain Kurdach the Dragon Killer before he went on his infamous killing spree. This set of plate mail was composed of scales he harvested from the brass dragon Lolestia. The entire suit was found abandoned in the Blacktooth swamps after his final battle against the dragons. When they found it, it was as if newly polished. The armor never dirties, I'm told, and provides great resistances against dragon foes. I don't anticipate you will be fighting any dragons in the near future, but you will look the part of a king's emissary when you delivery our aid to Poria."
The king shakes Althus' hand. "Go well and go with Helm," he says.
Haddian sizes up Gash for the last time. "Young wizard," he says. "You have done something remarkable. I was formally educated as a wizard. It was the most grueling experience of my life. And you have exhibited a remarkable talent towards the arcane arts, teaching yourself in a rapid amount of time."
The king clears his throat. In a regal voice, he says, "For your service in protecting the new princess, I present this scepter."
His attendant unveils a scepter. It is ornate with platinum inlay and a blue-tinged silver. A steady fog of cold rises from the staff.
"This is the Hailstone Scepter, commissioned by the drow warlord, Halkuk Marrignun," the king says, pronouncing the drow name in a reasonable approximation of the drow tongue. "It has never been used in battle as Marrignun had this created purely to sit upon his mantle. The mage who made it for him was a talented one and it is imbued with terrific power. This staff is now yours to wield or to display as you see fit."
Before Gash can get a word out, the king continues, "In addition, I have procured for you a place in the Alciondria Mage Academy. It will be some weeks before your lessons begin. In the meantime, I wish to appoint you as the royal Emissary to the Mages. This is a position that I have not needed in the past, being a mage myself, but the young princess will need such an emissary. It will also network you with many powerful and influential mages!
"My final boon to you is the chance to go anywhere in Alcion that you wish. My royal teleportation circles are at your disposal."
At last Gash is able to speak.
(YoFizz, you can now write Gash's outro before the final credits roll!)
Althus takes the armor gratefully, appreciating it more as a gift from the king than a piece of equipment and history. Over the next few days, he accustoms himself to the weight of the armor as he practices the sword, preparing for the journey ahead. As he spends his free hours in prayer and contemplation, Helm is strangely silent, leaving it up to the paladin to choose his own path.
When he leaves his room for the last time, heavy bags on his shoulders, adorned in weapons and armor, he makes casual goodbyes to the friends he met on the journey. He sets off for Tertodets with an open mind, eager to see what his god has in store for him down the road.
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Tock ponders this a while, "This is a lot to take on, but the position itself is perfect for what I had in mind. I would be happy to bring my skills to an already excellently working group. I will do my utmost to learn quickly and not disappoint."
Just before exiting he comes back and pulls a wondrous wand from his sleeve. "You have ways to keep things safe. This is a highly unpredictable wand that I don't think will suit my new role. It once summoned a rhino for example. I'd rather see it kept safe and found new use down the line." He hands over his Wand of Wonder.
....
Tock goes along with Dog and Gash to meet the old circus crowd. It's a happy reunion for him, but also a strange one. While before he was just going through a very busy and fun life then now he feels a sense of growth and purpose. As they travel he can't help but check everyone they come across - bulges on hips for hidden weapons, throbbing neck veins for hidden stress and from time to time also his trusty Gem of Seeing for truly well hidden individuals.
Outwardly Tock is just along for the journey with Dog, but privately he's taking notes in a journal about places, appearances, mannerisms and accents. What he lacks in raw intelligence he will cover with hard work. It's exciting to have a path to walk! Once back with the royal family he sets to work on getting to know everyone and learning the routines.
On the day of departure towards Alciondria he has worked out a plan for heightened security with the King and select few of the inner circle. The King will quietly under disguise enter the second carriage while Tock takes on the form of the King and very publicly enters the first carriage. As the carriages slowly set off from the courtyard and his passes Dog he quietly says in his own voice,
"Dog, we have more people now. Can you get more horses?"
Fade to black.
Althus bows to the king, "It would be my pleasure. I always am willing to help people in need. I will set out as soon as possible, and unless Helm calls me away, I will stay there and defend them as long as they need."
"Very well! You will meet with the military contingent that is en route to Poria at Tertodets in four days. Until then, my teleportation circles can take you anywhere in Alcion that you desire."
The attendant clears his throat and the king's eyes go wide. "Oh, of course! I almost forgot the most important thing. As a reward for your service to Princess Gentoa and in anticipation of your mission to Poria, I present to you this armor. It was worn by the villain Kurdach the Dragon Killer before he went on his infamous killing spree. This set of plate mail was composed of scales he harvested from the brass dragon Lolestia. The entire suit was found abandoned in the Blacktooth swamps after his final battle against the dragons. When they found it, it was as if newly polished. The armor never dirties, I'm told, and provides great resistances against dragon foes. I don't anticipate you will be fighting any dragons in the near future, but you will look the part of a king's emissary when you delivery our aid to Poria."
The king shakes Althus' hand. "Go well and go with Helm," he says.
(You may now write Althus' outro!)
Haddian sizes up Gash for the last time. "Young wizard," he says. "You have done something remarkable. I was formally educated as a wizard. It was the most grueling experience of my life. And you have exhibited a remarkable talent towards the arcane arts, teaching yourself in a rapid amount of time."
The king clears his throat. In a regal voice, he says, "For your service in protecting the new princess, I present this scepter."
His attendant unveils a scepter. It is ornate with platinum inlay and a blue-tinged silver. A steady fog of cold rises from the staff.
"This is the Hailstone Scepter, commissioned by the drow warlord, Halkuk Marrignun," the king says, pronouncing the drow name in a reasonable approximation of the drow tongue. "It has never been used in battle as Marrignun had this created purely to sit upon his mantle. The mage who made it for him was a talented one and it is imbued with terrific power. This staff is now yours to wield or to display as you see fit."
Before Gash can get a word out, the king continues, "In addition, I have procured for you a place in the Alciondria Mage Academy. It will be some weeks before your lessons begin. In the meantime, I wish to appoint you as the royal Emissary to the Mages. This is a position that I have not needed in the past, being a mage myself, but the young princess will need such an emissary. It will also network you with many powerful and influential mages!
"My final boon to you is the chance to go anywhere in Alcion that you wish. My royal teleportation circles are at your disposal."
At last Gash is able to speak.
(YoFizz, you can now write Gash's outro before the final credits roll!)
Althus takes the armor gratefully, appreciating it more as a gift from the king than a piece of equipment and history. Over the next few days, he accustoms himself to the weight of the armor as he practices the sword, preparing for the journey ahead. As he spends his free hours in prayer and contemplation, Helm is strangely silent, leaving it up to the paladin to choose his own path.
When he leaves his room for the last time, heavy bags on his shoulders, adorned in weapons and armor, he makes casual goodbyes to the friends he met on the journey. He sets off for Tertodets with an open mind, eager to see what his god has in store for him down the road.