Snow listens to both Auger and Strewn. So the plan is forming.

"I assume we want to avoid the dominion portal as a way of entry, as if discovered it would be easy to trap us in the citadel, so we keep that in our pocket for escape", he says, thinking out loud more than anything else.

"By my count, with four travelling with the Roc", he looks a bit unsure at this, "and one descending from the clouds", he looks even less sure about this, "we have five people infiltrating".

"I assume Varielky, Auger, myself, Strewn and Benita?", he adds looking at Varielky thoughtfully, wondering if she would go along with the infiltration idea. "With my father dropping off and then heading to Hyewush to pick up with Driss, Tamazaert and Sura".

"You are right Auger, at least some of us need to be in disguise. Yourself as a Roc rider and whoever travels with you makes sense, at the least. I hate to say it but I may be the best choice to drop from the clouds, my cloak can make up for any error in accuracy", he says running his hand through his hair in disbelief that he suggested he do it. "Of course I can travel a good 500 feet using the cloak anyway, and take someone with me. It just depends if that is far enough".

"It is risky, we would need a backup plan for escape. Would Baylen stay in the roost just in case?"

"Can he carry four that way?" Varielky asks Auger. "If so, and with master Strewn's... descent magic, five of us should be plenty." Or not. But Varielky didn't want to risk Tamazaert and the elder Das didn't strike her much of a combatant. Besides, he would need to fly the airship. So, it was either the five of them would be enough, or they would have to make do with just the five of them.

"But aside from that, can you operate the portal yourself? Or, more importantly, can you connect it to the one in Hyewush? We might run into a problem if the eye refuses to assist us, or is commanded not to." Or for some reason send them to a different portal, as an elaborate trap. 

Auger thinks of his time spent in Baylen's talons on that long night and is not so sure that the others would find it the optimal approach. Still, for a short time it might work.

"Perhaps Benita still has her Imperial garb. That might do if we cannot find a better option. And yes," Auger says, turning to Varielky, "we can take four on the Roc if you can handle the discomfort. Baylen would have to stay in the roost for this to work I think. Otherwise Driss would have to be along to fly Baylen away. I find him true to his word and a capable companion. But not long ago he worked for the Imperials. It might be a little soon to rely on him under such a stressful circumstance. Also, if he comes, that is a spot where one of you cannot come. If we are going to free the High Priestess and the Viscount, we need to take them away somehow, so I think we need to rely on this portal to ensure everyone can get away."

Auger take a moment to note a concern he wants to bring up later. After this conversation he asks for Granophyre's time so they can discuss an optimal employment arrangement for Driss. (OOC: This can happen after the planning session is completed)

Granophyre takes a deep breath. “I suggest that you truly hold the portal in reserve in your planning, as a last resort. Its use is not free. I only have enough finances on hand to pay for one person’s transit.” You all think this may not be the whole truth, for the old sage lowers his eyes while speaking. For the first time, the cost of this journey may be taking its toll on Strewn’s bank accounts, you may surmise.

Driss’ lips part into a huge toothy grin when Auger brings up the idea of leaving him on the airship. 

“No, Auger. You need me to stay with Baylen while yur in there. You don’t know how to properly lodge im. He maybe just fly away and go huntin in the fields and cause trouble jus when you be needing him to ride. I’ll go with you. But… I can rig the saddle so one more kin fit behind. You, me, three more if two ride in talons. And only for a short journey, a few miles. Even rocs have their limits.”

Snow watches Strewn but doesn't bring up the issue of money, or lack of it.

"I hate to say this, but it sounds like we might not have the wherewithal to effect a single rescue let alone two. However, never say never. Something might present itself", he says not really looking that hopeful.

"Tell me about the magical wards, Greybeard. Will we be without all magic in the citadel?", he asks, worried that they might be hamstrung in their capabilities.

He knows better than to bet against the people in front of him, but they do not have a 100% successful record, and they might not be lucky enough to get another chance again. He thinks back to the incident in question. It was one he did not share with his father, because he wouldn't know how to even begin to explain it.

Granophyre answers Snow, “My knowledge is not much greater than your own, but my understanding is this. Every ward possesses its own arcane architecture, depending chiefly upon its creator or creators. The Shians are an independent-minded people, the only exception being clan. To them, nothing is more important than family, and that includes family secrets. They deplore spies and spying upon families in their homes, the primary reason, I suspect, why magical familiars are warded from many an edifice. Only a few buildings have magic-dampening wards, however.

“Alas, the area of the citadel in the vicinity of the portal, and also the itinerant holding lodgings, as I discovered, possess strong anti-magic wards.”

"If there is a second Roc at the Citadel, perhaps Driss could fly with it for a time, but wherever they drop it off, the Roc would be a wild creature to whoever lives nearby. Perhaps Granophyre could again charm a rider and we could get away that way. So many ifs..."

Snow processes Strewn’s comments about the magic suppressing defences. If the citadel for a moment.

”Well, I was considering a magical disguise, but I guess we do need more mundane methods. Some preparation is certainly in order”, he says.

”Auger, do you think yourself and Baylen could scout from above and find a likely target of Imperials for us to accost and steal their uniforms? Uniforms enough for us all would be good, if we get lucky enough”.

"I don't think there's much that's left to discuss. I don't have any better idea, and nobody said anything so I assume neither does any of you. So dropping from the sky it is. No battle plan survives contact with the enemy anyway, so there's no point thinking too much about possibilities and other ideas that begin with 'if'.

"However," Varielky pauses to emphasize her next words, "I'd rather avoid stripping an unfortunate imperial of their clothes. Just because our blades stand at opposite ends does not mean they do not deserve the respect we'd wish they would show us. If you must insist on taking imperial uniforms, I'd rather we take them from their closets, and not their bodies." Besides, they would have to avoid damaging the clothes or spilling blood on them, so it either meant intimidating them to hand over their clothes, a humiliation Varielky wouldn't stand, or sneaking up to knock them unconscious, which to Varielky seemed just as bad. Varielky doesn't say that, though. Maybe the others and their magics have different ideas. "Or, at the very least," is what Varielky suggests instead, "bring them replacement clothes."

As Varielky speaks, Auger starts to shake his head at the complications she is raising, but then thinks better of it, realizing the point is moot. "I think the need for the uniform is not as strong, if we are all going in together with Baylen. The idea was to fool any handlers and create time for the airship to moor itself. But if we have ruled that out then, again, the uniforms that Benita and Tamazaert acquired before could work to provide some cover as we move through the Citadel. But that will not work for long. We are known to the Empire now. All of us. We should get in, free the High Priestess, and then get out as soon as we can. If we can avoid attracting a lot of attention from the ground then Baylen can ferry a few of us at a time, while a few hold back and wait. Or something else may present itself.

"I suggest we do this all at night. Perhaps tomorrow night? I have been stuck upon a mountain for two weeks and Driss and I are in need of real food, and my stock of supplies has dwindled and so I must at least replenish a few things."

Auger visits Asni Village, which as you recall, sits on the eastern bank of the Sebu River at a spot where the stream widens out to a small lake. 

Here, the shore is lined by a long row of diverse structures, including shrines, houses with private docks, and in their center, small municipal-looking buildings, where a long, welcoming, public pier dotted with quaint street lamps and small trees in planters extends out onto the water which glitters in the morning light.

The southerner returns to the Asni Deshar Post Hotel, where the hotel servants run a bath for him, and a healer is called in who rubs fragrant salves on his wounds, and although the whole affair is modest — like a small town church courtesy fair — the Asni folk remember Auger and the others, and treat him with respect and gratitude.

Auger visits the Shrine to Namawa, god of travel and commerce, where Namawa is worshipped as an androgynous god/goddess driving a golden team of oxen. The shrine’s priest, a smiling older man with freckled lavender complexion, dimples, and high, bushy eyebrows, welcomes the warlock and is happy to sell him potions of healing. He mentions that a company of orcs riding giant hyenas passed through only two days hence, looking for a woman named La Cass. 

It is as Auger makes payment for the vials of healing liquid that an imperial crier gallops into the town square, upon which the shrine stands, and blows his horn to call for attention. 

As townsfolk rush out of doors to hear the news, the crier announces the events of the prior day at the arena games in Kalahata. They were won by the same Khazaran fighter, as last month, Piotr Brezhenye; several treasonous individuals were executed, including the Viscount Abziri and High Priestess of Idiwala in Kalahata; and, Therodurk Ulloz, Provincial Governor of Oracca u Shia, announced that individuals called Granophyre Strewn, Varielky Halladsdottir, Snow Das, and their companions now carry a bounty of 1000GP each for their capture, dead or alive, for crimes against the empire including a plot to murder the Emperor himself during his spring visit to El Harrouch Castle.

Auger enjoys his short period of rest in Asni, asking Py to keep watch as he goes about his business. When it comes time to restock he discovers some fine salted pork and some hard tack that can be used as rations at need, as well as some other spices to aid in flavoring any food that Baylen might catch. Auger also sees a bedroll in the local style and acquires two, one being a replacement for his own after Baylen had gotten into it, and another for Driss who Auger belatedly realizes should be equipped with some comforts. Auger makes a mental note to give Driss some gold and perhaps send him into town to equip himself. (OOC: Auger will later give Driss 20 gold for this purpose, if he does not already have his own from Strewn.)

The healing potions are a wonderful find and Auger acquires all six of them, intending to hand them out to party members to use at need. (OOC: I marked off 308gp for the various purchases.)

When Auger learns of the Orcs on Hyenas looking for La Cass and then the news from Kalahata he cannot help but to panic for a moment. They are known. They are sought. There was no safety in the Empire for any of them. What would it take to clear their names when this quest was done? Thankful to not hear his own name called as it might reveal a connection to his family, and home and perhaps even the Dowager, Auger returns to where everyone is waiting. He starts by handing out the healing potions to each of the fighting team members (V, Snow, Strewn, Benita, Tama) while keeping one for himself, "If one of us falls someone can empty a potion into your mouth and you will wake, revitalized. Though I do believe you have to be quick about it."

As Auger interacts with each person in turn, he shares the sad news of the executions and their group's accused involvement in an assassination attempt on the Emperor. He finishes, wondering aloud. "It appears our plans are in disarray. If the High Priestess has been executed, as claimed, I cannot see what is the next step to take which advances our cause. Do we invade the Poppy Citadel anyway, to check on the truth of the story?"

Snow declines the opportunity to take a trip into Asni, preferring to spend the time in the study of his new codex.

"This is most generous, Auger. And it will come in very useful I am sure", he says when presented with the healing potion.

On hearing the news about the reward on their heads, he gives a small grin, which only serves to cover his worry. The grin turns to a frown on hearing of the executions.

"We know the Empire are adept at weaving false tales, it is quite possible it could be a lie, but I struggle to see to what end", he says starting to pace a bit. "I think we have a few possible courses of action now. We can go and check the Citadel, as you say Auger. Verify the story, but also look for any belongings of the High Priestess. It is extremely unlikely that we will find any, and that they will help anyway, but when all you have is long shots, you take a long shot", he continues as he paces.

"We could try and identify any descendants of the High Priestess, or close family and friends, that she may have confided in. Or we could take the airship and see if we can find from the skies what is nigh impossible to see from the ground. I may recognise something from my vision, or Strewn may spot something".

He looks to Strewn and shrugs, "It's your call".

"Unless there are more ideas?", he finishes looking at the others present.

"I don't think the executions are false. What do they gain from that? Perhaps if they knew we were going there, they could have done it to dissuade us from doing so. That too makes little sense, however, if we're wanted. They could have set up a trap." Varielky is relatively objective while speaking now, with no emotion in her words. She had mixed feelings about the priestess and knew little of the other prisoners. As she talks, Varielky swirls the flask Auger gave her for no particular reason, watching the liquid inside. 

"As for belongings, not that I think they'd keep any, but what could possibly help us find what we search for? A diary containing stories about something that happened decades ago? This isn't a longshot, it's a wish for a miracle." And although miracles could happen, Varielky would rather hope for one as a last resort. The gods watch them, she's sure, but if they wanted to solve the matter themselves they could have done so long ago.

Varielky pauses to consider everything else that was said. She wasn't bothered by the fact she was wanted but the reason felt like an insult. Attempted assassination of the Emperor? Assassination, Varielky? It was obvious they couldn't state the real reason. They would make them heroes if it is known they're wanted for saving a kidnapped baby. But still, it got on her nerves.

"We have one more option. Although that too is a long shot, I think it is less risky and more likely to yield some result. At the very least, unless things go terribly wrong, we can try entering the citadel afterwards, if we're out of options. I met a woman named Safiyah while we were staying in Kalahata, in a tavern close to the arena. She was the bartender there and responded when I asked if someone heard of a woman with that name. She was too young to be the person we seek, however, so I didn't think much of it.

"But as I discovered later," (OOC: I don't remember when exactly that happened, but I'm pretty sure Granophyre told her that at some point, or perhaps someone else they met along the way) "Safiyah is not a common name in the Vale or Kalahata, and the Shians have a tradition of naming a newborn daughter after her grandmother. It is possible that the bartender I met was our Safiyah's granddaughter. She might not be, too, and it is a risk to go there. Many in that area will probably be able to recognise my face, as well as Benita's."

"I think that bartender is a good lead, Varielky. And there will surely be talk of the executions in the taverns and inns, assuming they were public. In fact we may hear all sorts of rumours", Snow replies.

"Still risky, but far less so than infiltrating the Poppy Citadel".

Granophyre sighs. “These are sad tidings indeed, although dare I say that the thought of entering the Poppy Citadel once again during these times was not an attractive one. Still I would have preferred to hear the news attributed to the escape or release of the Viscount Abziri and High Priestess, rather than their murder, to what end I do not know.

“I am on the point of dismissing this quest entirely. Although it would mean the culmination of my life’s work to reach my goal, the danger, my brave young friends, threatens like alchemical fire to burn through us all and leave only our remains — blackened ash — the wiser for our diligent efforts.

“But a quiet entry back to Kalahata, and to speak with this Safiyah the younger, may not risk too much. Let us try. And if not her, perhaps a visit to the High Priestess’ quarters at the Idiwala Temple Library may cast illumination upon this endeavor. It is the way of Idiwala to form one’s thoughts into words and set them down to enrich the knowledge of those who come later.”

This statement may refresh Varielky’s memory of her encounter with the Priestess a month and more earlier:

Varielky’s offering of 5GP is accepted, and seems to be enough. An acolyte on temple duty receives the shield-maiden’s request for library access, and the acolyte -- a short, slight Shian man with a club foot and a worried expression -- asks her to wait as he relays the request to the high priestess. The acolyte comes back a few minutes later, out of breath after climbing down, then up the steps again to the temple vaults. He asks Varielky what in particular she wishes to peruse in the library, and if she mentions the Abziri scrolls, the acolyte then relays that message to the high priestess and returns back to Varielky again looking quite winded. In response to Varielky’s looks of concern, he says, “Idiwala writes a different story for each of us, does he not?,” and leads Varielky downstairs to the library, a tortuous process of balancing and physically shifting the weight of his unresponsive foot with each step. Perspiration shows through the back of his white temple robe as he bows and gestures to the library entrance, which is bordered by tilework showing dozens of interlocked sigils of Idiwala.

Once in the library -- a long, narrow room with book-covered walls and hooked ladders to allow access to the highest shelves -- Varielky quickly discovers that the collection is considerably larger than the Abziri library. She notes there is a stairway down to a second cellar level which is blocked by a thick white ribbon strung between heavy wooden stanchions.

At the entrance is a heavy wooden desk, at which sits an old Jenghen woman with a very pale pink complexion and yellow freckles, her white hair showing along the edges of a Khazaran-style wide ceremonial hat whose brim reaches sideways as far as her shoulders, with delicate braidwork hanging from it. Her amber eyes regard Varielky as she enters, and the shield-maiden understands that this woman is the high priestess. She seems to be at work carefully copying the contents of one scroll onto another blank one. Intelligence radiates calmly from her eyes, along with a quiet but distinguished presence. The priestess stands and, her robes swishing, leads Varielky down the length of the room to a series of scroll boxes, and removes one, then carefully opens one of the scrolls upon a long fabric-covered desk at chest-height, where a scroll can be read while standing, by a human-sized reader. With a word of power, a lantern shifts to the priestess’ hand, then the lamp seems to light of its own accord. The priestess, having instructed Varielky in the selection, opening and closing, and reading of the scrolls in the collection, then returns to her desk and her work.

Varielky sees that this is the original copy of the scroll she has been reading in the Abziri Library. Exactly the same, only brighter, the dyes and inks richer, more expensive.

The second scroll is also there, and reading through it, there is no doubt, none at all: the ruler in the white castle does indeed have a red glyph upon his forehead, and his eyes give off their own radiance. There is no sword in the illustration, however, or any other weapon. If Varielky asks the high priestess who the individual is, the foreign ruler with a red glyph upon his forehead, the priestess checks a label in the scroll box, then leads Varielky to a codex on a bookstand which seems to contain information on the various items in the library -- an enormous handwritten book over a foot thick with a heavy binding of wooden panels and dense, heavy fabric. The priestess carefully turns to an early chapter, and after several minutes answers. “According to our best guess, that is Hallad I Guttormsonne, King of Drey, circa 572, DC, Dominion Calendar.” Frowning slightly, she then walks to her desk, picks up a magnifying glass, and returns with Varielky to the scroll, focusing upon the king’s face with the magnifying glass. She straightens up and hands the glass to Varielky. “The work on this scroll is exquisite. If you use the glass, like so…, then you can see the details in the glyph itself upon the king’s forehead. It is the ancient crest of the royal family of Drey, whose line was of course lost during the ongoing conflict with the Empire.” If Varielky looks through the magnifying glass, she finds that the glyph is the very same one she sees upon her forehead when viewing her reflection on the edge of her red-steel blade. The same glyph as in her dream those weeks ago, which drew her to the sword to begin with.

Re: "How many years ago would that be?"

The old Jenghen priestess answers, “The Dominion Calendar ends when the Jenghen Imperial Calendar begins. This scroll was created not long before the fall of the Dominion, which we believe occurred in 581 DC, however, after the Dominion fell, centuries of darkness followed, whose exact length is unknown, prior to the founding of the Jenghen Empire. Our best scholars believe the darkness lasted three hundred and twenty years. If that figure is correct, then this scroll is perhaps 740 years old.”

“In fact…,” she sniffs, her eyes searching the ceiling for a moment, seemingly consulting an internal codex even more voluminous than the huge book she checked earlier, before replying, “it may interest you to know that, according to oral legend, Hallad I fell in personal combat with Storm-Of-Axes, the Destroyer, in a vain attempt to fend off the orc horde from Ixtopyl as they surged across the Bloodstone into Yurreali.”

….

The high priestess of Idiwala closes her eyes for a moment before answering the shield-maiden coolly. “There is always more to every tale, for even if words could encompass all that a scholar has seen or known, the words still but scratch the surface of the truth, like an ant delving into the cracks of a mountainside. Yet the words are still our most powerful means of knowing. Just as an ant carries many times its weight, so do words — ephemera, symbols on a page —carry meaning, history, knowledge, the weight of ages.”

“However,” she moves toward her desk as she continues, “the hour is late, and by tradition, city temples close during the final days of the spring festival. Return in the new month, with a fresh offering, and perhaps Idiwala will lead you to greater truths.” She motions toward the door politely, holding a key at eye level, and in this way politely making her wishes known. 

"Then let us start with that. If the Safiyah I met was not a relative of the Safiyah we searched for, or if she never heard anything from her grandmother that might aid us... I may have one more idea. Your words reminded me of something which the late Safiyah told me when I met her. It might be futile, but if we run out of ideas, it's an option. It involves getting to a temple of Idiwala's, probably, so we can do that while in Kalahata. Perhaps even... I could go there while the rest of you go search for the young Safiyah by the arena, where I'm more likely to be recognised."

It was not hopeless after all. And yet, spirits seemed down, and that was not surprising. It is at that point that Varielky realises she does not want Granophyre to give up his search. She's not there merely trying to keep him alive, with questionable rates of success. And, while it wouldn't be true to say she is interested in the finding itself, a scholar finding meaning little to her, she wants to see the sage finding that which he was searching for. "But above all, do not lose hope. Remember, Auger and I died twice, and still, we stand here. You died once already, and still, you hear me speaking. The gods want us to continue, I'm sure you can see. Your quest bears significance not only to your curious mind. As great as the danger may be, so will the gods guide us on the safe path, or pick us up if we let go and fall. And, if the payment is too daunting, I wouldn't mind if you pay me no more. There is nothing I wish to buy right now, and already I have more than I would ever need. If needed, we can even use what you already gave me. We will see it through."

"I agree with Varielky, we cannot merely abandon our efforts whilst there are leads still to follow. And the money is secondary to the discovery for me, so once again I stand with Varielky, if coin weighs on your mind then it needn't do. I just ask for help with my own endeavour when all is said and done, assuming our quests do not coalesce anyway", Snow says moving to stand with Varielky in a physical show of them coming together in their views.

"As for splitting up when in Kalahata, my instinct tells me we are safer together, but we have been successful splitting up before. Maybe it is the right thing to do, but only you know what this Safiyah looks like Varielky, and the rest of us will draw attention asking around. And I am not sure how much attention you bring in truth Varielky. Is the bartender distinctive enough that we will recognise her from a description alone?".

(OOC: Snow is ready to get going in truth, whether the group decides to split or stay together, he will not argue the decision)

Granophyre’s resolve is bolstered by this show of solidarity, and he agrees that speaking with the bartender is the best plan. 

Snow comes to understand that on the morning of the day he first met Granophyre, Auger and Varielky, he saw the bartender under discussion, in the tavern near the arena in Kalahata, Udgelid Aghestur, which in Shian means the King’s Blade; and Benita, too, had thrown back a few ales in the bartender’s company at the same tavern, though she drank too much to have a clear memory, following a day of practice matches at the arena. Granophyre suggests that only Auger, Snow and Varielky should, together, quietly, seek information regarding the early life of the High Priestess, Benita staying with him to guard in case of an imperial encounter. 

And so, just after sunset on a rainy evening, perhaps the last rain before the long, baking-hot summer, the Reaver’s Word floats above the city some 2000’, and Granophyre offers to employ his levitation device on Varielky. “If you and Snow lock arms, you’ll descend no faster than one of you alone would, for you’re strong enough to carry him.”

Auger rides upon Baylen with Driss in the passenger seat behind him. “If you hand me the reins, I kin land him in the arena and wait for your whistle there. Nuthin’ll be happenin there this time o the evening so soon after the Games, n no one asks questions of roc riders.”

Snow spends some time with his codex just before they are ready to leave, performing the ritual that allows him to understand all languages. Better to be as prepared as possible.

He then wanders over to look over the rail of the Reaver's Word and down at the open skies below them. He looks back at Strewn with his eyes a little wide.

"You are certain this will get us safely to the ground?", he says skeptically. He has put his trust in the old dwarf before, but this is a literal leap of faith. He is also not sure exactly where they will end up in the city. "We are aiming for the Arena as well?".

After his questions have been answered, he turns his gaze to Varielky, "I guess I am as ready as I will ever be, just...don't let go!".