Mindartis relaxes a bit when he sees his sister joining them, recounting what he learned in his meditations to the group. "It would be a smaller group," he says, "but sending a smaller scouting group would be a better idea I feel. I dont want to take everyone somewhere unprepared."

He keeps an eye on Flitterbug while she speaks to the professor, while he listens to everyone elses conversations.

Right you are, Lord Mindartis, Del continues in this conversation although others might be going on as well, but that also allows us to explore via the hoops - the one you carry goes between that thorny area and the fens, but there are 3 more in the tapestry, two of which are the large army moving kind. We can see if any are useful, and get back to where we started with your amulet, and if we are on the correct plane, back to this place with Lord Quentin's circle

The dinner is relaxing, and if you enjoy listening to scholars arguing about magical theories, very interesting.  Flitterbug eventually buzzes back to Mindartis, telling him, "Professor Sneedle is going to give me a book about Sorcery for Village Idiots. Not because I'm an idiot...she says. But she thinks studying sorcery is probably the best way for a magical creature to learn extra magic."

Quelindrittar rubs up against Raven affectionately but doesn't seem very interested in the silverware. She keeps making the strange huffing noises, and staring at the wall.  Or maybe her own nose...her eyes seem a bit crossed.

Raven finally gets it. She scratches Quelindrittar some more. "You sure you want to start sneezing out silly sparks?" She asks the hatchling. "I thought you would want to wait until you, as a bit more dignified dragon, could do something better than simply snneeze out a silly-looking mass of spark snot..." She pauses as she smiles over at Sparky. "Sparky is a boy, and thus enjoys being a bit silly, but, as a female dragon, are you sure you want to lower yourself to his level?"

Hearing his name, Sparky looks up, then spouts a little gust of electricity over his hoarded silverware, watching with satisfaction as the sparks snap and sparkle on the metal. Quelindrittar sighs jealously, and goes back to huffing.

Elwin listened with fascination. In getting up and trying to mingle with the guests, he had encountered a young lady about his age who hailed from the courts in the east. She was quite the chatterbox, and the stories of her home--and of her life--were actually quite interesting. He'd barely noticed the time fly by as the conversation seemed to flow much more readily than when he was expected to carry half the burden of it.

He found himself looking around less and less--he was certain that if something important were to come up, someone would get him. In the meantime, he'd make the most of this opportunity to chat and even flirt with the lady (who also, mercifully, didn't seem the slightest bit pretentious or overly-enamored with her station!)

.Mindartis chuckles a little, "I almost forgot about those hoops," he says. When Flitterbug comes back to him and tells her news, "That sounds great! How are you feeling now?"

"I'm so excited!" says Flitterbug, flying a loop around Mindartis's head. "What a great team you and I will be, when I'm a super powerful pixie sorceress and you're the mightiest warrior in the world!"

After the meal, everyone goes on chatting and having a great time.

Raven divides her attention between her rambunctious scaly children and the attentive scholars, many of whom are fascinated by the dragons or the moonblade (or Raven herself!) Allistane stuns the scholars by giving an impromptu lecture on the properties of sentient magical weapons. It's a bit more technical than anyone in the party is prepared to deal with, but several professors seem impressed.

Del thoroughly enjoys himself, in turns improving his mind by deep and philosophical discussions with the wisest minds at the Thamasaiile, and passing on some of his own wisdom to the admiring young bard students.

Professor Sneedle brings forth the promised book, and while Mindartis cheerfully spars and wrestles with some of the more athletic students, Flitterbug is uncharacteristically quiet and serious, concentrating on  her new studies.

Sir Elwin is startled at how quickly time passes.  He chats with the young lady all afternoon. Her name is Sessara Dejassil, and she is the only daughter of a widowed baron and retired veteran from the small court of Rassayel, in the eastern end of the Kalaine forest. Though her chatter fills your time pleasantly, she also manages to get the details of your own history out of you, and is impressed and admiring. "Have you never been curious about who your parents might have been?" she asks. "Even if they were only miners or beggars, if it was me, I would want to know. We have a seer who is very good at revealing people's unknown past, and past lives. If you are ever in Rassayel, you could speak with her. Or not, if you prefer. It would be nice if you DID come, because I could see you again. I'm afraid I'll be leaving for home soon, and I probably can't delay my departure, because one of Prince Lintelér's recruiting squads will be providing my escort, so I will have to adjust to their schedule. Just when I've found an interest in staying, too."

Eventually, some of the scholars note the time, and a few scurry away to deal with other business. Sensing that it's time to be off, you bid Lonvari farewell and make any last preparations you need before setting off after Quentin toward the king's castle. It has been a while since the horses and hyenas had a good gallop. Bongo and Laughtrack jump all over Del and Ethan, giving them slurpy kisses, and Oroman rubs his head against Elwin's chest, eager to get going. Rose and Calzana can barely contain their excitement, and the moment Raven and Mindartis are in the saddle, burst forward into a mad race.  The dragon hatchlings try to keep up for a second, but Skizzix calls them back, and they lope along beside his mastiff, Del and Ethan on the hyenas, and Oroman, trotting at at dignified pace, and arching his neck so that his barding catches the light.

You arrive at the great stone castle as the sun is beginning to set.

((Assuming his sister's still there (if not ignore this part))))

Mindartis looks to his sisters as they finally arrive at the castle, "It looks just as cool on the inside."

((all that plus plus a flying cat too))

Laughtrack and Bongo (whose name Sir Ethan could change if he wants - Bongo is just hyena or jackal in some West African languages) have passed their required seven training rolls, so are very well behaved, and would never even think of eating a person or their mount or pet unless they were an an enemy - but they are proud to know that they could just never would . Not even bothered about now being the second most exotic in our traveling menagerie. But they'll be very happy to get some leftovers

Del has a little travel music for the trip of course Now I've been happy lately, thinking about the good things to come...And I believe it could be, something good has begun....

And as they pull up he greets whoever is there to meet us - perhaps the valet who took care of us before? Thank you Derez, I believe we are expected, and our Brother Lord Quentin may have arrived ahead? We have engaged Mr Fiskins here who can help bring our ever-growing wain to the stables and continue in where they send us

Reluctant to leave his sister behind with the other refugees after finding her once more, Mindartis borrows a horse--Teydaar's flashy black and white paint mare-- and Althaea joins the excursion.  "It's beautiful," she says, coming in sight of the Lomalos castle. "It looks like it belongs to the Twilight Lands. Almost like coming home again, a little bit." And yes, the cat is flying along with the party. It twitches its tail in annoyance as the frisky horses run off in their race, and lands and naps briefly on most of the slower travelers or their mounts in turn.

You are welcomed at the castle by the king's guards. Asking after Derez, you are informed that he hs joined the Prince's army, and will soon be going off to the east to help gather and train new recruits. "I will tell him you asked after him next time I see him," says the guard "I could send word, if you have a message for him, or want to speak with him." As you are leff through the castle, you notice that there seem to be a lot fewer guards, and the pages running messages through the halls seem to be mostly children. Though there are still politicians bickering in the halls, there are far fewer of them.

You are not taken to the throne room this time, but to a smaller hall where the king and a couple of nobles stand over a table map of Lomalos, apparently bickering over some property dispute. The king looks relieved when you appear. "Ah, the great adventurers have arrived!  I'm afraid this matter must be put aside for now, Lady Huaril, Lord Jasket. Have Lord Quentin notified that his companions have arrived.  What information have you brought of the war, my friends? Good news, I hope." A young page scurries away to fetch Quentin.

As they reach the castle, the tressym lands again on Raven's shoulder, and she runs a hand down the feline's back. Once the hatchlings have caught up, Raven walks in, the cat on her shoulder and a hatchling to either side of her.

(OOC: forgot about the tressym.. Thanks for the reminder.)

Ethen is a few steps behind Raven as he follows her inside the castle, eyes wide as he takes in the impressive place.

Bless you Majesty, you are very kind Del answers We have been at the edge of the war, as it were, but we believe central to the main problem. What we have learned about the enemy: the leaders are Annie Bracken, who styles herself 'head hag' and 'arch witch's apprentice'; and Satharas Indri'in, a Shadowfell necromancer who mixes constructs with undead. It seems like different factions seem to think one or the other is really in charge. They are building a device with which they hope to restore the Archwitch from the prison Masters Styles and Thanicles wrapped about her in their time-traveling adventure. It is made of the sugar-encrusted victims, still alive, made into something powered by the lightning from bronze dragon scales. So our recent efforts helped in two ways. Freeing those 30 thousand victims deprived them of building blocks - some planned event at the half moon was missed for want of material. And these two hatchlings of Anabraxes the Shining are free from their fate. Their brother Terrabraxerazz the Vengeful guards the Ararsok. The pirates that were allied with the hags are reformed, imprisoned, or scattered. And just before this, we broke a siege to free Eldest Zanderfell - who bade us to keep thwarting the hags' plans wherever we might. So thwart them we shall. 

Del pauses for other details from amateurs &or questions from the King

The two nobles look flabbergasted, and even the king seems stunned. "These troubles are far greater and farther-reaching than I had truly believed," he says. "It seems that my son's military decisions are not the over-reaction I initially thought. Thirty thousand rescued?  And, if I understand you correctly, that is only the tip of the iceberg?" He shakes his head. "The kingdom of Lomalos was already short on warriors, and the gathering of Lintelér's army has left us almost completely stripped of defenses...but it seems that the best hope for our future does not lie in protecting our own lands, but in ending this plot you have discovered." Turning to the two nobles, he says, "The Wardens and Elders must be assembled. Have your people at the castle this evening. I will have word sent to the Simuls and Naicas, and also to the Council of Leaves and the mayor of the Free City. We must explore all possible ways to support the Prince's army, while still defending our homeland."

Turning back to you he adds, "You have been incredibly busy, and must be exhausted. I offer you all the comforts of my castle. The rooms you stayed in on your last visit are free. If you would like to stay there, they will be prepared for you at once. Dinner will be prepared in an hour, and afterward we will have a meeting to discuss Lomalos's strategy and place in the coming conflict. You are welcome to attend, if you like, or just to rest. Your problems, it would seem, are bigger than ours."

Elwin had listened quietly to Del's recount; he hadn't stopped to think about it, but indeed, it DID seem things had grown to a rather extreme proportion.

Upon hearing the king's offer, he gave an unpracticed bow. "Thank you, your majesty. I would be most interested in attending to this meeting after dinner."

It is a pretty big tip, Majesty, the raids by gnolls and others all over the Westwoods and beyond. Del continues Lifting the siege of Zanderfell's Rambleoake was a major job for a large army - in that case the Knights of the Hall. Quick thinking by Lord Mindartis stopped an entire army from coming through a portal into the warehouse we had just cleared of hags - that would have been work for an army. And if not for Terrabraxerazz, there'd have been a major battle against pirates in Slate City. So plenty of close calls where an army would have been efficacious.

Del shoots a quick aside Message to Raven I left Sir Thami's name out so far, as he was being mysterious. Or maybe that was just for our benefit. Would your brother want his valor highlighted or anonymity preserved?

But the way we work Majesty, an army is not exactly handy to have at hand. Sneaking often plays into our plans. If His Highness' Army keeps the pressure on the hags everywhere or anywhere that probably helps us as we will be sure to be elsewhere. Keeping in mind, diplomacy is also important. It is never more important to all join as allies, and the hags excel at creating divisions or exploiting those present.

Of those thousands rescued, some three hundred are dorming at the Thamasaille - our next move is to see them home to the Feywild, and possibly cause some hardship for our enemies there. Then we will go to the Brinehold - another of Anabraxes' clutch is prisoner there, and the Sea Hag is one of those who likely could stand a little thwarting

Shortly, Quentin rejoins you, arm in arm with Prince Lintelér.  The king gives them a distracted look and says, "It seems I have been a bit complacent about the safety of the Westwoods. Lintelér, if you would see to the comfort of our guests, there are matters I must attend to. There will be a council after dinner tonight to dicuss the steps we are taking, and any further efforts we can contribute. I shall see you then, if not at dinner."

The king departs, calling out to  a couple of scribes who have been standing by.Prince Lintelér greets you all warmly, asking to be filled in on your latest adventures and introduced to your new companions. "I'm hoping to have a word with you in private later, Sir Elwin," he adds.

((Let me know if there is anything anyone wants to do before another banquet--yipes, two in one day!--and the meeting.))

((See my siblings please))

Mindartis introduces his sister (and FLitterbug if he hasn't met her already... I can't remember XD)

I am not sure if Lord Quentin has said anything, Your Highness, Del says to the Prince when the King has left and I did not want to in front of His Majesty, but your brother Prince Kolrando has certain blind spots... Del would stop if the Prince already knows or if Q gives some sign he shouldn't go on, otherwise letting Linteler know how the young prince has unreasonable trust of Lemet, and the dangers thereof - although noting how it made Lemet so uncomfortable, and the humor thereof as well