As Lelfaer completes the ritual and the magnificent and intimidating visage of Lady Evelyne appears, Vark is immediately at a loss for words. “Uhm ah y-y-yes I- oh! uhm,” he quickly bows as he grasps for some sense of etiquette. “I- the Paramount- Aureaonus is a dear friend of mine. My tribe was lower down the mountain, the chief was superstitious and thought we should give the giant on top of the mountain offerings, I was the one to deliver them and uhm anyway, we became friends. B-but he was attacked, by blue skinned people controlling the wind and lightning. I got caught in the crossfire and then fled. I wasn’t sure what became of him all this time but we just performed a scrying ritual,” his demeanor becomes clearly charged with excitement as he begins to speak of the development, and he turns to Lelfaer as well now realizing that she hadn’t been updated. “It was weird because I couldn’t actually see him, but the spell was successful and showed his home on top of Endelfjell so that must mean he’s alive at least. I want to seek him out as soon as we can.”

The Marquise arches an eyebrow when she hears that Vark has scried on Aureaonus, earning the half-orc a look of surprise and confusion from the Lady Lelfaer.

"Well, this is unexpected," the Marquise declares. Her voice is deep and smooth, and the words roll from her tongue like syrup. "You, young Vark, are speaking with me by the grace of the Baroness of Hyarantar. She had suggested that you would require some assistance in such an endeavour, but here you are bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and scrying on a storm giant. Tell me, boy, however did you achieve such a feat?"

For a moment Vark’s face is literally frozen in shock as he realizes how the situation must look. Lady Lelfaer had gone to her superior for assistance with powerful magic and he had just done it with seeming ease. The lump of ice in his throat is almost painful as he tries to wrap his head around how to explain the scrying card. “Uhm w-w-well y-your... Grace? Uhm I... I did have some uh... help. I uhm... well I’ve been connected to some sort of... arcane entity. An ancient one... he goes by M-matthew,” he goes on to explain how he came across the stone and how Matthew had helped him to venture into the mines beneath Sheercleft in order to apparently free himself. “We.. we’re not sure what his intentions really are but... well he seems to have taken a liking to me at least, I guess because I helped him escape. Uhm, last night he came to me in a dream and when I woke I was holding a card. Seid identified that it would allow me to cast a scrying spell. It was... exactly what I needed. Uhm I d-don’t want to waste your time but... well actually part of why we intend to travel to Aury- uhm- Aureaonus is b-because he surely knows the true nature of Matthew and why he was imprisoned and also about the Morrigan who’s followers have been causing trouble in this region. B-but... maybe you know something about either of those figures?” Standing next to the boy Lady Lelfaer would notice the cold sweat that has broken across his brow as he says all of this.

"Yes," the Marquise replies with languid grace, "the Baroness has told me of your escapades beneath the mountains. Tell me, boy, did you never once wonder that so much power might be so freely given? One would hope that you might have learned from your past mistakes, and yet here you stand before me, proudly boasting the results of more borrowed power. Did you ever stop to think that if the spell did not work as expected, that it might be because you saw nothing more than that which this 'Matthew' wanted you to see?"

Lady Evelyne pauses to allow her words to sink in before continuing.

"As for me, the Paramount has resisted my attempts to locate him - unsurprising for a foreign leader. Nevertheless, I assure you that he is alive and well."

The Marquise begins pacing about inside her circle, her hands linked behind her.

"Only time will tell what you have unleashed through your dealings with this Matthew figure. The Morrigan, on the other hand, are a clear and present danger to the stability of the Eastern Reaches. I care not if they truly are what they claim to be. They are a chaotic influence on the region, and I want them gone."

The hard look in Lady Evelyne's eyes brokers no quarter or mercy.

"Now, Lady Lelfaer tells me that your little mining village is now under new management. As I'm sure you'll come to learn, if you haven't already, that is a change that some of our neighbours will feel strongly about. I on the other hand couldn't care less which Dwarven House or Breannian Duke controls a scrap of rock beyond our borders. What I do care about is who is going to take responsibility for the flow of trade across the mountains."

"So," the Marquise concludes, "can I trust that you will handle the Morrigan situation? (By which I do not mean 'hand them the means to roam the continent unaided'.) Or are you going to make me waste time and men, on rooting out this upstart trio of drama queens? That is what the Baroness originally hired you to do, is it not?"

Bründir steps forward, trying to set himself to look dignified, and bows slightly, "Ma'am, I suppose - given things bein' how they are - that it'd be me. I speak fer th' mine, an' seein' as our mayor was a no-good Mabinogi rat, I speak fer th' people too." The dwarf stood rigid with his hand hung on the frog of his sword belt as he'd seen so many guards before when faced with their captain.

"We've talked about headin' fer th' Morrigan's keep. They might be a pest to ye, but they're workin' somethin' big. We want'em out too, but no tellin' what's in there."

Initially Vark looks surprised again, this time at the Marquise’s scolding tone. But then he turns away, furrows his brow, and thinks for a moment. Her sentiments were exactly what Jex and Thurston had stated, though far more eloquent and lacking their bias. Still, the resolutions he’d made in response to their berating hold true and surprisingly, Vark finds confidence as he opens his mouth. “I... I have thought about it. At first I thought I’d unleashed an ancient evil. That-... that still could be true, but so far... well there’s not much evidence either way. I think the cost of the power was his freedom. The card was... a thank you gift I think. And Seid determined it was safe, that it would help us. I trust him... and-and well it sounds like what the card showed matches what you’ve learned. Aureaonus is alive, but resists scrying magic somehow. And... well if the cost is greater and Matthew is evil then we’ll do everything we can to stop him. Just like we’ll do everything we can to stop the Morrigan.” 

"Step into the circle, if you would speak for Sheercleft, dwarf," Lady Evelyne instructs.

"I am aware that your little band of 'heroes' has attained some renown in recent times. Indeed, if the Lady Lelfaer had not vouched for your abilities then we would not be having this conversation. Nevertheless, you have yet to prove yourselves in my arena. You may mean well, but naivety," she adds with a glance to Vark, "can be as fatal as ill intent. If you would show your quality and make an ally of Wydrioth March, then make good on your claims and remove the Morrigan from our borders. As for the Jötnar... if you discover more, I would hear of it. You will find me a generous ally to capable friends."

Bründir steps carefully over the circle's border, as though he may scuff the paint and ruin a connection, or be sucked through a portal to faraway lands. "Pleasure meetin' yer acquaintance, ma'am. Bründir Halfshield, I speak fer Sheercleft, I s'pose, considerin' how things are fer now." He repeats his previous intents, though with much of the puffed confidence deflated.

---------------¯-------------------------

Meanwhile, beneath the drama above, in the blacksmiths in the forest beneath hyranatar where the super fun time squad are located, a dashing duo continue their conversation:

Jex gives Thurston a wink. "I am behind you my friend. You know that. But a life spent worrying is not one worth living. And I would like to see the construction. I would like our new home to be safe should the Morrigan circle around us. Perhaps our other friends would like to join us also."

The Norscan introduces the piece of metal once more into the cold water and even with the vapor raising from it he takes it out of the water and examine it. He puts the piece on a flat surface and sits, examining it. Apparently happy with the result, the always observant Jex notices that he looks at the rogue hands and then back to the forged pieces, that seems to be some kind of dagger. He is trying to be subtle about it, but not really achieving it. 

"I say that we cut that dragonborn heads and put them on a pike in the road between here and Sheercleft, theirs and those that had followed them. It's how we treat that kind of scum in my homeland. Will make next ones think twice of joining them or start a life as a bandit. " it's not the apparently extreme measure, but the naturaility wich Thurston says it that surprises Jex. He uses a patch of lineth to cover the piece of metal and start picking up his things. 

"I am thinking... Jex... do you think that we could use this Vark connection and naivety in our advantage? This Matthew has used us so far using deceipt and mistery. Perhaps we could use some of Loki's teachings to learn more of him. Unfortunately I think that if we try to get Vark or Seid on board they will eventually disccover our plans. " he looks at Jex and smiles.

"Thor and Loki had worked together in ocassions... " 

The Marquise eyes Bründir with something between amusement and interest as she takes in the leader of her march's new neighbour.

"Well, Lord Bründir of Sheercleft," she replies with a knowing smirk, "the tales of how you faced down a hobgoblin warlord with nothing but a broken shield and an old blade are already spreading beyond your little village. I suggest that you get used to living up to your legend. I hope that soon the bards will tell of how you vanquished the Raven Trinity atop their castle walls. Now, if there's nothing else?"

Bründir smiles at the stressed title. It was clearly not said out of respect or reverence, but at least lacked the venom of an enemy. He couldn't help laughing along with it since he couldn't even picture himself as a lord. "I can't say it was all me, Ma'am. Them 'ere with us - an' two others who 'ad other things to do - did as much an' more."

 Jex takes a stool and leans back against a wall as Thurston speaks, pretending not to notice the big Norscan looking at his hands, or what he's working on. Instead he watches, the huge muscles moving as he strikes the blade, rippling across his back as he turns to plunge his work into the fire. He shakes his head and gives a half smile. 

"My dear Thurston. Are you suggesting a plot? How devious!" He holds silence for a moment, almost as if he is shocked, before giving a chuckle. "You are right. Of course. And most wise. Follow the worm to find the bird. A trap has been laid that only we can see, so let us follow our naive companions and allow them to spring it." He thinks a little longer. "Hurrig is wise. And Dorno... Dorno can be made to see things a way if you sell it right. I would like to have them on our side. Either to watch Seid, or with us for when things go bad."

He stops a minute and sits forward. His stool makes a loud crack against the stone floor as the other legs hit the ground. 

" Being honest Thurston, I am not sure if it us by naivety and foolishness or by cunning design, but I fear Seid has encouraged Vark too far on this path. I hop it never comes to it, but we must be ready if it dies, especially on the road home. If argument breaks out again it may go even further." He pauses a moment to let the implications of his words sink in.  "Should that happen, I would hope Brundir and Val, or at least one would stand on our side, but after today I fear the worst. If argument breaks out, I will disappear, but do not fear I will not go far. I will take the wizard quickly. You must throw your hammer with all the might of Thor you can muster, bring the full lightening of the gods and remove Vark from play." He stands up and begins to pace as he works through the imaginary battle in his mind. 

" Our best hope lies in balancing the numbers quickly. Brundir will try to call for peace, which will hopefully keep him from acting initially. You must close on Val. Try no heroics, but stay alive and keep her busy. It will not take me long to finish the job and come to tip the odds in your favour." He sighs.

" I really hope it will not come to this. But we must be prepared and organised if we are to survive against their superior numbers."

He grins, suddenly." But here I go again, spoiling the mood." He sits back down. 

" What are you working on?" He nods at the metal still being worked on the anvil. 

Vark smiles as Bründir steps into the circle behind him; his confidence is now backed up by the presence of the dwarf as opposed to simple defiant bravado. He nods as the bard finishes talking and looks back to the regal elf. "Th-thank you for your time. I- we promise that we will take care of this, you won't be disappointed."

"I do hope so," Lady Evelyne replies with a knowing smirk. "Seldarine guide you, Acharnost."

The image of the Marquise slowly fades, and the fluorescent green of the ritual circles along with it, until the magic has faded and the glow is extinguished completely. For a moment, silence reigns in the dim candlelight of Lady Lelfaer's study.

"Well," the elf declares lightly. She clicks her fingers and the candles flare back to life, bathing the room in gentle light. "It would seem that you all have a great deal to do."

Thurston doesn’t reply immediately to Jex’s words. Instead he keeps working.

”It was so bad when I left? Well I really hope it doesn’t goes that way. Do you think that Matthew has them under his control?. Or that they would attack us in case we uncover that Varks benefactor is, indeed, some kind of fiend evil creature?. I will keep an eye out for that kind of influence. Thor grants me the chance to look for that kind of creatures in order to destroy them. “ 

He keeps silence another minute while still working. 

“I trust them. Despite their wrong angle at this, they have proven their good intentions. But I must say that Seid has gotten himself into trouble before pursuing the lure of knowledge and power, and Vark is so naive and desperate for acceptance that he is easily manipulated. Also, as the professor pointed, the guilt of that thing being freed can make us keep taking bold and foolish actions. I think that they both really think that they are doing the right thing trusting Matthew because they need to find some kind of forgiveness and justification for what we have done. If Matthew isn’t the devil we think he is and the Maginobi were trying to capture his power to their own benefits... then we have done nothing wrong. “ he puts the knife on the water again, letting the steam rise. “I must admit that is a reassuring thought. But we must be stronger, we must be wiser. It’s not just our fate what is at stake anymore. So, until proven otherwise I will treat this Matthew as hostile, manipulative and dangerous. What we must do is to make the others see this point. Keep an eye on Seid and direct his lust for knowledge and power towards the right path and make Vark turn into a man. And use them to find the truth about this Matthew and imprison or destroy him if our fears see themselves confirmed. For that we cannot have them against us. I will show repent for my outburst. In fact I truly regret it now that I had the option to think slowly. “ 

He got the blade he had just forged, apparently now more satisfied with the result and took it to the milling stone. 

“We must storm the Morrigan fortress and destroy them. Then let them guide us to find what or who they Matthew really is and act swiftly and decisively as you described if necessary. But I do hope we don’t get that far. Probably for that time we had more proofs of his true nature. For now we have only our guts and for them is as good as theirs. But if Brundir Hurrig Dorno and Val see more proofs decanting the balance to our side things could go really different. “ 

He raises the piece of metal, now clearly with a dagger half done on his hand. 

“This” he says “it’s a token of friendship between us. And for you to finish it fast if needed.” And he turns the milling stone turning again to finish sharpening the dagger. 

Jex smiles. Standing once again he squeezes Thurston's arm affectionately. "I am truly honoured to count you as my friend. Thank you for the gift, I really do appreciate it. I will come with you to apologise for speaking too harshly to the others, though I will not say that our sentiment was wrong. It is true that you do not keep friends or change opinions by standing like an ox in a storm."

“I am honored too to be your friend.” He replies shaking Jex arm firmly too “ And I agree. I do apologize for my manners nor for my mind.  Let me finish this and we can go back to them. I will finish the polishing and the handle and will give it to you in a few days.” 

Giving Thurston's arm a final squeeze and a nod of agreement, Jex leaves the building with his friend to look for their companions. 

Seid and Val both remain quiet during the speech with the Marquise, but while Val sat stoically and allowed those who were better at this sort of thing... Seid was pacing and looking nervous at the turn of the attention. He looked prepared to step forward and intervene several times, but each time he turned abruptly to walk into the ring he would stop short just as Val would raise to stop him. Eventually Val walks over and puts her hand upon his shoulder and nods with her head towards a quiet corner. Seid sighs as tensely allows himself to be guided over there by the massive hand still upon his shoulder. Once far enough away to believe her voice wouldn't carry over the magical communications she leans in close to whisper to the wizard. "You have said enough this day. This is not for you to do. This is for Vark... and Brundir. Do not interrupt them." Seid clenches his jaw, but nods.