"It was worth a shot, at least." Devarus said before putting a consoling hand on Val's shoulder. "So, about this talking to a staff, Ms. Elsara? Is there anything you would require to make the magic work, or do you have all that covered?" He asked after turning to the wizard, and with a brow raised in great interest. 

"N-no, as in the maid we encountered last night, silly." Elsara giggles. "We can probably go find her somewhere nearby, maybe in the foyer. If it really comes to it I can just communicate with them via magic."

".... O-oh...." Devarus uttered in response, and with cheeks darken significantly. "U-uh... i-in that case, why not contact the other from the start? Cut out the middle man, as it were? At worse, uh... I'm not sure. But, it couldn't hurt to try. Might be even safer considering, uh... the other.. circumstances considered earlier." He said, eluding to the whole rat spies all about.

There is a rat spying on you right now.

Val turns towards the rat and look her in the eye.

"We need to speak with Lord Viktor. Can you please take us with him?" 

(Still a little lost, Where about would Runt be currently as i haven't RPed her in a fair few days? )

(Probably safe to assume she is with the group at the moment, out in the middle of the hall just outside the guest rooms we stayed in. Val warned the group of spying rats presumed to be under the Lord's control, and just asked one in common to take us to Lord Viktor.)

((**** I just now checked this thread and realized my reply to Val was never sent. No wonder everything went quiet for 2 days))

The rat squeaks at Val but then disappears into a rat hole. It looks like the rat has no intention of showing the party where Lord Vlad is. Looks like the rat spies are not going to be much help at all.

So what are you guys going to do now?

(Sorry, apparently my post didn't properly go through.)

Elsaraa sighs, reaching for a little bit of wire from the pouch on her belt. She holds it up and begins to speak into it, wisps of magic taking the words off towards Lord Victor, attempting to sound formal, using language she hopes is okay to the young noble. "Good morning, Master Victor. We would appreciate if you can meet us in the main foyer promptly. Please respond to confirm you are well." She puts the little bit of wire away before looking to the others. "I just sent him a long distance message, hopefully I'll hear back from him any second now." 

The response comes "This is a strange sort of magic. I will meet you at the foyer."

Elsara nods to the others. "Okay, we've got a rendezvous. Let's go!" Elsara leads the group back towards the main foyer.

At the main foyer, it was strange but Lord Vladimir was already there. How did he get there so fast? Was he in a room nearby? He smiled at the group, especially at Runt as they entered. "Honored Guests! How may I serve you?" He inquired as to why they called him here.

Devarus returns the greeting with the thinnest smile and slight bowing of the head. Then in a rather bold me again considering his initial meeting with the Drow, he speaks up politely but firm tone. "Lord Vladimir! You honor us with your, admittedly, somewhat unexpected presence at just this moment. Granted, this is your home of course, and only a fool would think your movement about in it being restricted." His smile brightens ever so much.

"We were actually hoping to speak with Lord Victor, and possibly offer our services to help expedite his return home. His family misses him mostly dearly given the coin offered originally to see to his rescue." He explain. "We don't expect additional payment, of course, for any added service provided. Just merely wish to be thorough given the trust placed in us. As likely if we failed, well... Even if we were to offer some excuse, I doubt anything short of his return after having already sent word about his 'status'--" He said, adding emphasis on the last word, and narrowing his eyes a bit at Vladimir. "Would be met with anything less than more 'reliable' and less gentle company sent after him... Which I'm certain you understand, being of some peerage as yourself."

Vlad says, "You may talk to Victor but sadly he does wishes to stay here longer. I understand that you have been tasked with bringing him back but you have to understand, he wishes to stay here for longer. Perhaps he could write you a letter to take in his stead? One of you can volunteer to stay here to make sure he is safe." He gives a side glance at Runt.

"A letter of reassurance to his family would be nice, that's a good idea. " agrees Val with their host "If he wishes to stay there's nothing we can't do but respect his wishes. Perhaps his family can send someone to escort him back once he decides to part. Unfortunately none of us could stay longer under your precious roof, for we have more matters to attend to." he says trying to deviate his attention from Runt. 

"Well maybe if he's got something to do here, we can maybe help him with it?" Elsara suggests. "You get a bit more company for a few days, Mister Victor gets some assistance, and then we can also help him get home safe afterwards. Everyone wins." She gives a big earnest smile, hoping that keeps everyone happy. She knows that she can always make a little house somewhere if they need to stay out of the manor house if their welcome becomes short lived.

Vlad seems to be getting annoyed at the persistence. He says, "He has no work that needs doing. He simply wishes to stay here because he enjoys this place. You may ask him if yourself if you have doubts."

The more annoyed Vlad appeared to get, the more Devarus had to work at not letting a petty grin from slipping out. Being thwarted by a somewhat reasonable request had sat no better with him than the overtures at Runt, after all. "Enjoy this place? With so many... rats, about?" Devarus asks with a lofted brow, then shrugged.

"I suppose even nobles have their eccentricities. Certainly a right to them, at least, even if it means settling in places so dark and gloom and full of dangerous creatures from what I understand -- which, I am still curious just how you've managed prevent this area from reclaiming this humble abode of yours." He admits, eyes narrowing just a tad at Vlad before widening again in a pleasant smile. "But, we were to speak with your other guest, no? So, let's be off then, yes?" 

Runt steps up to Vlad I will stay. If Vlad says it's important than I will do it.