Bründir finally sits up, intending to join this quarrel in earnest. "Anyone cares t'ask me, ye've all hit yer heads. Vark found a big help fer us, so thanks to that. Seid found some stories an' legends, maybe they help, so thanks fer that too. I was there with...whatever ye call'im, yer friend 'ere, Jex. If he had 'is way, we'd be askin' ev'ryone after everytime they foun' a coin layin' about or spilled a drink on'em." The dwarf checks everyone in attendance, trying to stay neutral on either side of this argument.

"Fact is, we've got stronger ideas goin' forward an' we know we've gotta keep wits about us. Piss on th' rest. Things 'appen; do what needs doin' an' get over it. Since we seen daylight after th' mines, ye've all been like snippy lil' maids." Bründir's hands go up in mocking pantomime, "I don't like you, I don't like you. You stepped on my skirt! Well, you stole my man! I feel like I'm in some shit bard's show." The dwarf settles back in, not really sure if his point was made. He felt like more was needed, but it felt more like ranting now.

Jex turns to Brundir with a look of surprise and hurt plainly written across his face.

"Really Brundir? Now you take a turn to condescend? You were there! I cannot speak to the professors methods as I was not present, and I know he can be... eccentric. But he is smarter and wiser than anybody I know. I spotted the signs of devilry myself, though I apparently know nothing of this and it went unnoticed by those who are much more educated than me on the topic." He scowls at Vark, and watches Seid out of the corner of his eye.

" and I feared the worst immediately. But I took every precaution. I involved somebody who had no clue of our exploits. An independent mind, capable of spotting the pattern and piecing it together, but not prejudiced to the conclusion. Though our friend may not value my intellect, and doubts my motives, I'm sure he would concur with with prudence and Wisdom of this method." He looks at Seid for confirmation, but continues regardless.

" And in front of you all, Thurston says, he discovered independently, the cause of the mishaps to be the activity of a devil, a little over a week ago. Now whilst not conclusive, this seems a mighty coincidence to me." He scowls at Vark before turning back to Brundir.

" So tell me Brundir, you think it is sensible to use a gift from even a suspected Devil? Perhaps we should ask your sword or those who made it? You wish to say again that Thurston is rash again in his scorn of such action? That this is about pulled pigtails and hurt feelings?"

He turns to the quietest member of the group." What of you Val? Perhaps the most sensible and level headed of us. Do you think it is OK to use gifts from one who may be a devil?"

Bründir took Jex's fiery rebuttal with a massive grain of salt. Even the most humble bristled slightly at criticism, let alone being accused of petty actions. "A'right," he begins, leaning over his mug, "First, we got dragged 'round, askin' mopey an' smiley twats alike 'bout their days. We're lookin' fer somethin' so bad it got shoved under a mountain, not some lil' wish imp. Second, Vark'n Seid're good in my book. I'm sure if Vark found somethin', and Seid said it was clean, it's fine to use. B'sides, it showed'im home, an' not much else, right? Not like it showed th' giant sippin' wine over a book in it's study."

Bründir swung his sword belt around, planting Dumdrengi on the floor with hilt resting above the tabletop, "Third, Thurston I trust, same as ev'ryone 'ere. If Vark came runnin' in saying he wanted to do what he did, I'd've prob'ly signed on with Thurston an' said bad plan. What's done is done, though, and seems we're fine. And lastly," he stamps the cap of Dumdrengi's sheath on the floor to articulate his point, "Don' think ye know whims an' wills of ancestors. I'm young by my kind, but I could be yer great grandpa. This 'ere was made fer doin', not wonderin', an' I've a mind fer some doin' at a damn castle with some scaly witches. Dumdrengi looked 'round as much as we did, an' it seemed bored of it."

Seid bristles slightly at several of Jex's insinuations, but remains quiet for a moment as he is also very curious to hear what the quiet, goliath woman would have to add to the conversation. Val sighs heavily as she rubs her chin, listening to everyone's words... she tries to imitate what she'd seen Larkin do when examining a complex situation. The problem was that Larkin was much more brilliant that Val, so she would heed his wisdom. "This is all maybe too much for me to truly understand, with spells and devils and ancient sorcerers, but you ask about a gift from a devil? Do we really know this Matthew is the devil we seek here? We do not. My brother always said he did not believe in..." she thinks a moment for the right word. "Coincidence? Yes, I think that's the right word. I think it means that something happened at the same time so you make a link between the two without anything to prove it?" She looks sheepishly over at Seid to see if she got the usage right; to which Seid smiles wryly and nods. "So, what happened here could be this Matthew character. Or it could have something to do with the issues that plagued the elves the last time we were here. Did you all forget the undead that attacked? Undead that came from the Morrigan worshipers? And we do know the Morrigan is a devil or demon or whatever. I don't trust magic, but I do trust people. Should we blindly use something from someone who intentions we don't know? No. But I trust Seid, he has proven himself to be trustworthy and loyal to us. If he says this gift was safe, then I believe that Vark was safe to use it." She looks at Jex and nods. "I'll put it in a way that makes sense to me, so I know I'm making sense to you. You're much smarter than me and I fear I'm not explaining myself very good."

She hefts Rook. "This hammer is special, it comes from a strange land and has been wielded by my brother and father before him. It clearly has powers that we don't understand. If I set the hammer here on the ground... is it evil? Is it good? It's neither. It's a hammer. If I pick up the hammer and smash in Seid's skull for no reason, that would not be a good thing. But if I were to pick up the hammer and smash the skull of a devil trying to kill Seid... that would be a good thing. But the fact remains, the hammer is not good or bad. It is all how it is used and who uses it that determines whether a thing is good or bad."

Seeing Val's thought process and the way she seemed to falter towards the end, Seid speaks up. "That is quite profound, Lady Rimehand, and quite accurate. Unless it has some intelligence to it, very few things can truly be evil. There are some artifacts that are just that, but nearly everything in this world can still be used for good no matter their origins. The same can be said for good things turned to evil. The intent is the most important thing here. And while I do not appreciate Jex's antagonistic tones he uses when speaking to those he clearly seems as underneath him..." Seid looks Jex in the eye and raises an eyebrow as if begging him to disagree, but continues before giving him a chance to do so. "He does raise some valid points. We do need to be careful in how we proceed. And that is exactly what we did. I did not just blindly suggest to Vark that he use this item. I spent a significant amount of time learning about what it did and the properties. If I had any concerns, I would not have suggested so. Now, should we have consulted with the group first? Perhaps. And to avoid any future concerns of this nature, then we should agree to such things in advance. But such things should apply equally to all members of the group. Jex, you have a tendency to rush off on your own without consulting others of your intent. So if you want to be brought into the decision making, then allow us to speak on your decisions before you do them. And you are not infallible; you told us a story about a lich called Matthew. I have found no references to such a person in history. So, whether you just discovered some false lore in your years of travel... or you made the entire thing up to appear the smarter of the group, I am unsure. However that false trail you spoke of threw off my research for sometime. So before you think to lecture us on thinking before we act, you need to the same. We all need to do the same. Brundir is right though! We are bickering over nothing. We need to come together, not fracture!"

"I have never rushed off without the group." Jex stands from the table. "I spoke to four of our members before involving even my friend, anything else I have done alone has not been about our collective interests. I have no doubt that spell worked as intended, and perhaps it was not evil of itself, but can you be sure it did not do a second, hidden thing? Perhaps that is why it did not function as expected." He walks around the table "As for my tone, I respond in kind. I do not enjoy being spoken to as you gave spoken to me, and so my tone lacks respect because it has not been earned. And more than that, you disrespect my friend, who has earned my respect and treats me with nothing but kindness."

He stands by the door. "Several here have now said they would not have used the gift, yet most seem unwilling to condem it after the fact. But still, I stand with Thurston on this. Matthew is, potentially a devil. We should not trust his intentions again. As Val said, the evidence is not conclusive, but a coincidence seems unlikely. As to the Lich, I was very clear at the time I said it. A story I heard, the only Matthew that came to mind. If we are to hide everything we are uncertain of, leaving it unspoken, we may as well go ahead and remove our tongues now." He opens the door." I am going back to Sheercleft, with my friend. Those who wish to join me are welcome. But show some respect in your own tone if you wish to receive it back, and do not put those I care for in danger, or find your own way home." He leaves to find Thurston and make preperations for the trip home. The word 'fool' can definitely be heard under the closing of the door. 

"Jex, half a moment if you would. What exactly were you doing when this friend of yours was helping? And I would love to meet this learned man. Perhaps you could introduce me to him. Right now would be a perfect time. Before he has a chance to leave town."

Jex pokes his head back around the door. 

"As I explained to the others before you arrived, I was avoiding him. As I usually try to do. If you want to meet him, I can arrange it, though I trade on reputation, so I am not sure I want to be responsible for your introduction to anyone. Earn it first." He turns, the door clicking softly behind him. 

Seid smiles smugly as Jex leaves. "He is more full of shit than a manure cart. I don't believe for a moment that he knows any learned men, let alone elves. I find it highly convenient he was not around while this 'professor' was investigating this. His tongue is more honeyed than a bear's. Do not trust that man, because I do not."

“I just... I just hate how he always thinks he’s right. There’s no... no debating with him.” Vark mutters an orcish curse under his breath and shakes his head as if dismissing any thoughts of the pretentious assassin. “I- uhm I guess we should head back to Sheercleft though. A-after we hear from Wydrioth. And then it seems like the only thing we all agree on is going to deal with the dragonborn sisters.”

The door to the Silver Tower swings open with a creak, but this time it is not Jex or Thurston, but a herald of the Lady.

"My lords," he greets them with a half bow, "er, and lady," he adds, looking to Val.

"The Lady Lelfaer requests you attend her in the great hall."

Jex heads from the Silver Tower and considers turning back to listen. He catches a brief snippet of what follows and turns off, breathing deeply to contain his anger. He takes out a little black book from his pocket and scribbles something in it as he walks down the path in search of Thurston. He turns up empty handed as he checks the treetops, but as he heads to the wagon he sees the shadow of the big Norscan in the smiths and wheels in with a smile on his face. He slaps the Paladin on the back and gives him a cheery grin.

"What fools we must suffer my friend. But was Thor not also tried so hard at times? What are we to do with it eh? We can only help them to see the error of their ways and deal with the consequences of their folly."

Bründir looks after where Jex had left, then returned to the others, "I s'pose those two've gone to their own business, yeah? Let's hear what's said; if Jex 'n Thurston need t'be there, we can send fer'em." Bründir rises, returns his sword to its place at his hip, and waits for the others to follow, stay, or leave.

Thurston nods to his friend has he slaps him on the shoulder. 

"I am worried about them Jex. " he says still hitting the heated metal. Jex notices that he has taken his armor and shirt that are resting on a perch nearby. " Vark should have learnt his lesson and don't trust the honey words of that devil. or whatever he is. And Seid should know better too. I am afraid that, in the end, he likes so much show how smart and how much of magic he knows... " sparks fly as he hits the metal with the hammer. " I know they mean well but we have to play smart if we want to fix this. We saved Sheercleft yes, but we must end the Morringan Sisters or whatever they call themselves before leave this area and try to search for that.. thing. But we must keep an eye on those two, and make them see... " 

Jex nods. "You are right, and I told them as much. But even Brundir sat between the sides like they talked as much sense." He frowns and shakes his head before giving a smile. "But here we are, perhaps we should head back and get your temple finished eh?" 

Thurston shakes his head when he hears what Jex says. 

" As long as I long for see that project completed, I fear that the Morrigans is a huge threat to the stability of the zone greater that we thought. Remember how fast they reorganized the bandit camp after we first destroy it? If we want to make this region safe and the trade flourish between Hyrandar and Sheercleft, we should take care of that problem while our new homes are finished... Do you think the rest would agree or they will insist on going to check on that giant friend of Vark? I get that he sees him as a... mentor, but any information acquired by that Matthew character could lead to a trap. " 

He takes the heated metal, red-white bright, and puts it on a clear cold water, white smoke raising from it as the heated metal contact it. 

Val nods her assessment with Brundir. "Agreed, if they are needed we can summon them, but if even I can sit here quietly without storming off, then... I suppose they deserve to miss out on this." 'Proud' She hears her brother's voice in her head and smiles at his praise.

Seid stands and gathers his things. "Let us go see what the Lord and Lady have for us, shall we?"

The herald escorts Bründir, Seid, Valaith and Vark to the great hall, which, aside from its guards, is quiet and empty. The soft sunlight of the late afternoon filters through the windows, throwing ornate shadows of the organically shaped frames across the boarded floors, and the scent of cedars is on the air.

The group is led past the dais of the Lord and Lady and down a passage to the right. Some of them have been here before, when Lady Lelfaer presented them with their gifts. The corridor leads to the Lady's study and other rooms beyond the audience chamber.

Eventually, the herald comes to a halt outside the study, and gestures to Vark to enter. The room is dark inside, but for a few sparse candles, and Lady Lelfaer can be seen standing besides what appears to be an ornate design that is etched upon the floor in a fluorescent green.

"Come," she beckons to her guests, closing the door behind them once they are inside.

"Stand here," she tells Vark indicating for him to stand in one half of a figure-of-eight like motif.

Vark is wide eyed as he takes in the ritual space prepared before him. He hesitates for just a moment, not in fear but just in pure wonder, then finally steps forward into place with a small nod.

Once Vark is in place, Lelfaer begins reciting an incantation in an arcane tongue. She casts a powder into the flame of one of the candles and their light dims. The circle's glow intensifies, and the air on the far side of the figure-of-eight shimmers like a mirage. Slowly, the shimmering solidifies into a tall, raven-haired elven women. She's dressed in robes of dark silk and holds her head high with a regal bearing and confidence. Despite the ageless appearance of all mature elves, something about her seems noticeably older and more experienced than the Lord and Lady Fairfax.

"Lady Evelyne," Lelfaer announces with a brief curtsy, "please allow me to introduce Vark Galestone of Endelfjell. Vark this is the Marquise Evelyne of Wydrioth, please tell her of your experience with the Paramount of the Jötnar."

The Marquise says nothing, yet, and simply watches Vark with a piercing, predatory gaze.