2. Wyrm's Rock

The island-fortress placed between the two spans of Wyrm’s Crossing. The headquarters of the Flaming Fist. It isn’t the party’s first time within its massive walls, but it’s still awe-inspiring. It makes the Friendly Arm Inn look like a simple watchtower.

Scar meets them at the entrance with a welcoming nod and leads them through the twisting halls. "You’re early! Good. We’ve taken every precaution for your meeting this morning. Since your discoveries at the Seven Suns, we’ve been secretly testing all of our officers." He holds up a hand that shows several open cuts. "We found three of the things. Going through all the ranks will take time, but everyone you see here today has been tested and verified."

He stops outside a large pair of double-doors. "This is the council room. You’ll find Duke Jannath here already, preparing her briefing. Duke Eltan will be with you soon, and the others should arrive within the hour."

Scar pushes open one of the double-doors and holds it for all as they pass through. "I have other matters to attend to, but I won’t be far. May the gods guide your discussions today."

The chamber is large, with tiered rows of semicircular benches facing a dais where Duke Liia Jannath stands at a podium. Xan solemnly waves down at the party from the backmost bench.

Liia looks up from her notes to give the party a warm smile. "Welcome! Sit wherever you wish, it’s an overly-formal setting for my tastes. Functional though."

Duke Entar frowns slightly at Liia's words, but nods and takes a seat in the front row. "I hope your plans aren't already set in stone, Duke Jannath. For the good of the Gate." He shifts on the bench, which apparently isn't as comfortable as it looks. "This needs to be done right."

Liia Jannath's smile shows perhaps too much of her teeth. "Oh Entar, dear, just sit back and relax. Your input will of course be appreciated. When it is asked for."

Dieter decides to stand, he stands a bit further back giving room to those that would be speaking.

Aiwë sits next to Xan, and waves over any party members who wishes to join them.

"How are you today, Xan?" Aiwë asks, settling in.

Dieter finds himself in the company of Koveras, who has also chosen to remain standing. The half-orc's arms are folded across his broad chest, leaning against a wood-paneled wall as he watches the exchange between the two Grand Dukes in the room.

Out of the corner of his eye he notes Dieter's position and gives him a small but respectful nod.

Xan rolls his eyes and opens his mouth, no doubt to say something melancholic, but visibly forces himself to smile instead. Once he meets Aiwe's eyes though, the smile becomes genuine. "I am well, Shelur."

There's a small pulse of blue light from the unsheathed moonblade laying across his lap. "It doesn't love that name for you. It much prefers 'Aiwë'. Still, I'm happy with the progress it's been making. We speak of you often!"

A glimmer runs along the length of the blade, culminating in a shining point at the tip that lingers for a moment. Even without touching the sword, Aiwë gets the impression that it's cheerfully saying "hello".

Dieter returns the nod.

"I'm so glad you're well."Aiwë grins at them. "Do you? Well, it can use either name, they're both mine and I'm proud of them." She taps the sword gently in response to its hello.

"How do you think these talks will go?"

"As well you should be, Aiwë Shelur."

Xan's gaze drifts down to Liia Jannath. "She's worked very hard to care for this city. And the things she's accomplished are quite clever! She can be the most elegant and refined person in the room, but she won't lord it over anyone. And I've seen her debate with and entertain both nobles and beggars."

(Insight: The elf's face is impassive, but Aiwë knows what to look for: he obviously fancies the Duke. Come to think of it, he's apparently spent a lot of time with her. How long have they known each other?)

"I think if everyone listens to what she has to say and finds ways to improve upon it, her plan will work." His eyes drift to Duke Silvershield. "I suppose we'll see."

"I suppose we shall..." she says in lilted Elvish. "Some Dukes seem to believe that 'right' is always 'their way.' How long have you worked with Duke Jannath?"

The elf's eyes go back to Liia. "Not long. But I met her years ago, before she became a Grand Duke. She's one of the very few non-elves to visit Evereska. She was invited to study magic with some of our oldest teachers, and I was the Greycloak who led her into the city..."

The double-doors open again, and three people enter the council chamber, all three dressed in armor. Though they haven't yet met Duke Eltan, the lead figure is obviously him: a tall man in fine plate armor with the Flaming Fist emblazoned on his chest, he radiates a militant authority.

His dark eyes seek out Aiwë, Stella, and Dieter. "Well met, friends. I am glad we finally have the chance to meet. On the behalf of Baldur's Gate and the Flaming Fist, I thank you for what you've accomplished thus far in thwarting the Iron Throne." He gaze drifts over to and locks onto Koveras for a long moment, weighing and judging, before moving to one side and introducing the other two with him. "I believe you already know Khalid and Jaheira."

Khalid smiles shakily and gives a nod. "He-hello again! It's g-g-good to see you all again, though I wish it could be under dif...different circumstances."

With the fierce, piercing gaze of a hawk Jaheira takes in the gathered people. Her smile is tight, though not insincere. "The Duke called on the Harpers for aid, and our leaders saw fit to send the two of us. Together we will end the menace of the Iron Throne and avert war with Amn."

It isn’t long before the last attendee shows up. Duke Belt throws open the doors and strides into the chamber. The massive gold dragonborn’s wide grin shows a mouthful of fangs. "A new day!" he declares. "A new dawn. May Lathander guide us as we steer Baldur’s Gate to a renewed time of peace and prosperity! May we be united in purpose, of one mind and heart, putting aside our differen-"

"Good morning to you as well, Belt," says Liia dryly. "We’re very glad you’ve made it."

She looks around at the gathered group as Belt finds a seat. "Now that we’re all here, we might as well get started."

With an arcane gesture, Duke Jannath conjures a large illusion of a map of the Sword Coast, gradually zooming in to the area around Baldur’s Gate. Even Entar Silvershield seems impressed by the intricate spell.

"I’m not going to bother with a history lesson, we’re all aware of the Iron Throne’s schemes." The Iron Throne’s crest appears hovering over the representation of Baldur’s Gate, and then the face of a man appears next to it.

Koveras doesn’t bat an eye, but all the same he grows tense.

"Rieltar Anchev is the originator and perpetrator, and the key to dismantling his plans is to dismantle him. Fortunately, much has already been done to interfere with his plots, most of it by our adventurer allies," Liia declares.

"Hear, hear!" calls Aldous, applauding. Belt quickly joins in, his boisterous voice filling the chamber.

Duke Eltan nods gravely. "Their work has been impressive, both alongside the Flaming Fist and on their own."

Liia nods at the various party members and smiles, then continues on. "What we need in order to fully and openly act against Anchev is concrete proof. Koveras?" She raises her eyebrows at the half-orc, inviting him to speak.

Koveras clears his throat. Without looking at anyone in particular, he begins to speak. "Rieltar is methodical. He keeps a paper trail for all his dealings, though most of it is encoded or hidden with illusion magic."

"And where would he keep such documentation?" Liia asks. No doubt a rehearsed question.

"In his office in the Iron Throne compound, here in the city. Given his careful nature and wizardly prowess, it is likely one of the most difficult areas to access in the city."

"Particularly with him in it. He is a mage of considerable power, in the seat of his power." Liia holds up a hand for attention and emphasis. "I don’t believe it possible to obtain the needed evidence without a full-scale assault on the Iron Throne compound… so long as Anchev is present."

The twinkle in her eyes reveals that this is what she’s been waiting for. The other dukes all lean forward.

"The Harpers report that Rieltar’s superiors in Sembia are unhappy with his progress and are unwilling to send him aid, and may even be close to shutting him down. He’s looking for something to turn the tide back in his favor. He needs allies, and we are going to provide him with some."

"Under the guise of another organization, we will arrange to meet with him." Rieltar’s face dissipates, and a large question mark takes his place next to the Iron Throne crest. "Though I’m sure he will bargain about where and when to meet, he will have no choice but to accept, desperate as he is."

She continues on. "We just need him out of his compound, or better yet, out of the city entirely." The portrait of Rieltar appears once more, and both it and the question mark float across the map to rest between "The Friendly Arm Inn" and "Beregost".

"Once he is, we launch a coordinated infiltration of his office and seize the evidence." A red arrow appears, pointing at the Iron Throne crest still hovering over Baldur’s Gate. "Utmost care will have to be taken, for if Anchev is alerted he will simply teleport back to his office, and-"

Duke Entar Silvershield stands. "This plan already has a huge hole." He points up to the question mark on the map. "These ‘allies’ we set up, who are they? What facade can we create that would be credible enough to tempt Anchev out of the city?"

Dieter watched intently trying to soak up as much information as possible. Dealing with wizards was easy, fighting a wizard was a mind game or multidimensional chess match… if you played by their rules. Not many wizards knew how to react when you punched them in the face. Dieter suspected that Rieltar did know.

Dieter did want to know who these allies were. He could see themselves inserted in various points of the plan.

Aiwë recalls the two Zhentarim agents that arrived on the Silvershield doorstep that morning out of the blue. Perhaps this is what Gemini had in mind. Duke Jannath has the air of a woman telling a story she already knows the ending to, so she sits quietly and waits for her to finish her delivery.

Liia’s smile slips a little and she blinks several times before answering. "We will get to all of that, Entar, if you’d just let me continue. We’ll come back around to it."

She clears her throat and continues. "If Anchev is alerted, he’ll simply teleport back to his office, and that would spell doom for anyone caught there. So, there are two parts to this plan that will require careful consideration, two teams. One to draw Anchev out, and the other to retrieve the evidence."

The duke points up to the question mark floating on the map. "This isn’t a hole in the plan, it’s merely undecided; there are several avenues open to us. For example, we could masquerade as Knights of the Shield." She quickly holds up a finger to cut off Entar, who visibly bristles at the name of that group. "It’s just one option. I am open to hearing others."

Liia looks out on the council. "Does anyone have any other ideas for a group or organization that we could recruit or impersonate?"

Duke Eltan raises a gauntleted hand. "Could we not dress as Iron Throne reinforcements from Sembia? My soldiers could act that part easily enough."

Aldous jumps in. "I'm sorry, Your Grace, but how would that draw Rieltar out of the city? Would he not merely welcome you into the Gate? He must be drawn out."

Eltan's eyes widen in surprise. "You are correct, Aldous. Forgive my error, I am trying to find a place in this plan for myself and my men, and I spoke too soon."

He turns to Duke Entar. "Your son has a better mind for this than I do, I'm afraid."

Entar blinks and turns to regard his son. "Erm, yes. Well noted, Aldous."

Khalid raises a hand.

Liia shushes the others and looks at Khalid. He doesn't say anything. "Yes, Khalid? You have a contribution?"

"Oh, erm. Y-yes. I'm not sure that I could p-play the pa-pa-part, but maybe a g-guild of... assassins?" The half-elf looks as though he would like to vanish like a turtle into its shell.

Despite the hesitant manner of the offering, there are murmurings of agreement. This could be a good idea.

"Rieltar has already got assassins," Koveras calls out. "Why would he need more?"

The mutters of agreement turn to quiet expressions of shock.

"Thank you for that, Koveras," Duke Jannath says. "So not Iron Throne reinforcements, and not a guild of assassins. Any other ideas?"

"I dunno, Blood," Aiwë flashes the man a grin, "in our experience the assassins he's got have been rather sub-par and as a result me and mine have been thinning their ranks." She sighs.

"But... if we're sure that won't work, then how about Zhentarim agents? With Harpers at large," she gestures to Jahiera and Khalid, "it's a reasonable story that they might hesitate to have more of their ranks enter the city. We even know a few bona-fide members," she spits her last words though her teeth, "but they're wild cards."

Koveras dips his head in a bow to Aiwe. "That you have. However, I worry that he may have more talented ones at his disposal yet. Not would-be bandits or amateur Black Talons, but other... special assets. You have seen the doppelgangers, for example."

Jaheira raises her voice. "As a mercenary company and mercantile organization, with plenty of shady dealings and plots of its own, the Zhentarim could be ideal. In fact, for a time we suspected they were the ones behind the Iron Crisis."

Her eyes pick through the council members again, as if daring anyone here to come out as a Zhent. "I would never trust an actual Zhentarim agent to do anything for the good of the Sword Coast, but... neither am I in charge of this venture. It could be that only a true Zhent would be convincing to Rieltar." She says the last with a shrug.

Dieter nods in affirmation to Koveras’ words. There are always bigger fish, always.

"The Zhents I know want to stop the iron crisis too, at least at the order of their superiors. I in no way trust them, but we may be able to use them to make our ruse more convincing. If there are no other ideas..." She looks around just short of pleadingly.

Belt leans forward and rests his hands on his knees. "Duke Jannath mentioned the Knights of the Shield. Information dealers, political manipulators... They could also be a good match. Though Duke Silvershield has some history with them..." He turns to look at Entar.

Entar's frown grows even more severe. "I hate to even mention them. But..." He meets eyes with the other Grand Dukes. "It's true. They would make a tempting offer for Anchev. Though I couldn't stomach working with any of them personally. Better yet if we could simply masquerade as them, rather than employ any of their agents."

Aldous' frown mirrors his father's. "What? Who are these Knights of the Shield? What 'history' do you have with them? I-"

"Not now, Aldous," Entar snaps. "Not here."

In an uncharacteristic display, the Duke rests his elbows on his knees and lapses into silence.

Liia clears her throat to bring the attention back to her. "So. The Zhentarim, or the Knights of the Shield. Which one shall we decide? And who will lead the team impersonating them?"

She scans everyone, impressing on each the importance of the situation. "Remember that we will also need a team to infiltrate the Iron Throne compound, and must also decide who will make up that team. If you have any thoughts to share on these matters, then do so. If we cannot come to a consensus, it might come to a vote."

Koveras straightens. "Whatever the charade, I will be part of that team."

(Insight: The half-orc's eyes blaze. He wants to be in the group that gets him closest to Rieltar.)

Liia frowns. "Koveras. I had thought you would take lead in the team that infiltrates the compound. You know its layout, after all, and stand the best chance of reaching the office undetected."

Aiwë looks at Koveras sharply and speaks to him in Orcish. "To truly cripple the Iron Throne Rieltar can't die until we have the evidence we need, otherwise it will spawn another one just like him."

Koveras' face darkens and he opens his mouth to retort... but as he looks at Aiwe his expression cools. Perhaps he's thinking of the calm he felt last night under Aiwe's spell. He closes his eyes a moment and then nods to both her and Duke Jannath. "It will be as you say. I will go with the team that enters Rieltar's office. Though, I may not be the leader you want for such a mission."

Xan speaks for Aiwe's keen ears alone. "That was impressive. I had heard the son of Rieltar was strong-willed, but you seem to have tamed him somehow."

Aiwë nods to Koveras, then murmurs her reply to Xan.

"He has an Orcish will forged in pain. They are not tamed, they are understood. He knows I understand him and his thirst for Rieltar's blood." At least, she hopes he does.

She speaks to the group after another moment. "I will go with the group Stella chooses, though I recommend the infiltration group. Rieltar is likely to remember the descriptions of those who's assassination he ordered."

Stella seats herself by Aldous.
Why does everyone cut their hand?! It is orders of magnitudes more sensitive to pain than, say, the arm!

When Duke Eltan enters, she studies him, and scratching some notes in her tome, filling out a previously blank entry where she had already written his name. During the presentation, Stella is absorbed by the illusory visuals.

Quote:

"This isn’t a hole in the plan, it’s merely undecided;"

That's...still a hole, Stella noted. Just one she hadn't overlooked.

When asked for ideas for a group to impersonate, the Zhentarim is the first Stella thinks of.

Quote:

Eltan's eyes widen in surprise. "You are correct, Aldous. Forgive my error, I am trying to find a place in this plan for myself and my men, and I spoke too soon."

Stella is immediately impressed by the humility of the Duke Eltan. And is pleased by Duke Silvershield's.

Quote:

Maybe a g-guild of... assassins?"

Stella's eyes widen and she nods. He loves his assassins. Or, having them, that is.

Quote:

"Rieltar has already got assassins," Koveras calls out. "Why would he need more?"

Because we killed many of them.

Quote:

"not a guild of assassins."

Why not?

Quote:

"It could be that only a true Zhent would be convincing to Rieltar."

We do know a few true Zhents...and a few...partial Zhents? What is Gemini?
"Agreed," Stella says, speaking up for the first time. "My companions are more adept with infiltration than subterfuge, especially if disguises are required. We can be part of the infiltration team. If Duke Silvershield doesn't believe working with the Knights of the Shield to be wise, our connections with the Zhentarim may be our best option."

"I agree" Dieter speaks up. "We will take part in the infiltration. What are our rules of engagement?"

Liia's eyes dance as she smiles, clearly pleased with the party's choice, as well as Aiwe's handling of Koveras. "Very well! Your specialized party will infiltrate the compound and procure the evidence we seek." Then she speaks to Dieter: "With respect, there will be time to discuss the details of your mission later. For now, there are other things yet to decide that require the council's attention."

Liia turns to Duke Entar. "It seems the decision is yours as to whether the lure team disguises itself as members of the Knights of the Shield or the Zhentarim. I understand that this is a difficult issue for you, and so I propose we take a short recess. When we reconvene, this is a point we will need answered."

Her gaze takes in the entire group. "Just across the hall is a room with refreshments. Please be back in..." She conjures an image of a clock face. "...twenty minutes ready to continue our discussion."

Belt is immediately on his feet. "The best part of meetings like this!"

He eagerly makes his way to the other room, propping the doors open as he goes.

As the council members make their way to the other room, Aldous isn't ready to leave yet. He moves to stand in front of his father. His voice isn't so emotionally charged as before, but he appears adamant about getting answers. "What is going on, Father? The Knights of the Shield? What do 'information dealers' and 'political manipulators' have to do with you?"

Entar doesn't look up at Aldous. "I said 'not here', boy. That's final. Now go, leave me be. Please."

Aldous leans down. "It's about Mother, isn't it?" he says softly. When he gets no answer, he shakes his head in frustration and leaves the duke to his thoughts.

Xan makes his way down the rows of benches, but instead of moving into the refreshment room he begins a quiet conversation with Duke Jannath.

(Perception: "Well done thus far, Liia..." He seems to be encouraging her.)

Aiwë approaches Duke Entar. "Do the Zhentarim also hold conflict for you," she asks quietly, "or just the Knights of the Shield? We already have Zhentarim agents on hand, we don't need to strain where it's unnecessary."

Entar shakes his head without looking up at Aiwe. "The Zhents could likely handle the job. But the Knights of the Shield... conceivably have more to offer. And we need every advantage we can get against Anchev..."

The man is obviously distraught. He could likely be swayed either way with some persuasion.

"Aldous has a lot of hard lessons to learn. He's been watching you to learn them. What do you want him to learn, here?"

Entar nods after a long moment. "He must know my mistakes, in order to not repeat them. My shame may be his salvation." He looks up at Aiwe. "Thank you. I know my decision."

Aiwë nods. "He thinks highly of you, and he's trying to please you. I don't think that's about to change, not really."

She leaves to go get a snack, relieved that she apparently has a knack for calming stubborn men.

In the refreshment room she claps Aldous on the shoulder. "You're welcome, probably."

Aldous, apparently lost in his thoughts, jumps at Aiwe's touch and nearly drops his bagel. "Erm. Thanks? Probably?"

In the refreshment room, Khalid looks forlornly at his sandwich. "No... It's f-fine..."

Jaheira sighs and turns to one of the servants. "Hey! My husband said no pickles!"

The servant jumps and quickly prepares Khalid another sandwich.

Belt's arms are full of snacks of all sorts, with several more in his mouth. "Mmgrrooo'd!"

The council members file back in and take their seats, the sound of small chatter like a buzz in the air.

Duke Jannath brings the map illusion back up, and the room quiets expectantly. "We decided that Stella, Aiwe, Dieter, and Koveras will make up the infiltration team. Now let's move on to-"

Aldous straightens in his seat. "Oh, well I'm going too!" He looks around at the party members for support. "A little extra arcane support never hurt, right?"

"Aldous, I think this would be good opportunity to learn grand strategy and command. Small unit tactics would be wasted on a noble of your caliber. We need the future of House silvershield leading the organization effort" Dieter says

Please please please please

Aldous frowns at that. "But I... Hmm..." He looks around. "There are plenty of capable and proven leaders in this room..."

He eyes Dieter suspiciously.

Aiwë looks at Dieter with a raised eyebrow. "Small unit tactics are necessary to understand grand strategy and command." She turns to Aldous. "I do think that Dukes need your support on the large-scale plan though. More likely than not you'll be sitting in their seat one day."

"My apologies, what I meant to say was you have already learned so much and these opportunities need to be taken advantage of" Dieter apologized "like you said there are plenty of mentors here. You should take advantage of this opportunity"

Stella frowns and watches sympathetically. There wasn't much she could do here, she decided. She politely stands and follows the crowd to get refreshments, gently takes a few, then returns to her seat and continues to take notes.

As the discussion of which group Aldous will attend, Stella's mind goes back to Ajantis and others' comments on how much Aldous seemed to be swayed by her influence. If she didn't say anything, it might be hard to change his mind. She hated the idea of having so much sway on him...but if it helped everyone, then she'd use her influence.

"Aldous' arcane aid proved extremely valuable when we infiltrated the Iron Throne's mine," she begins.

Stella really wanted his support...but he did keep throwing himself into danger. And it was probable they would get distracted for fear of each other. They still only had a small amount of experience working together.

And she trusted Aiwë. She understood people better than Stella did and had supported her throughout this entire journey. If Aiwë thought Aldous work with his father, even if Aldous found it tedious or hard.

"If we're doing a stealth operation at their headquarters, however..." Stella continues tentatively and meets Aldous' eyes. "...a smaller group is likely better," She thinks to Duke Eltan's earlier comments. He did have a good mind for this kind of thinking. "Additionally, your insights could also be valuable for the dukes, as you have much firsthand experience with the kinds of mercenaries they hire and have seen their operations firsthand," she smiles reassuringly.

Mollified, Aldous settles back to listen to the rest of the discussion.

Duke Jannath continues. "Then the next point is to decide the ruse our lure team will be employing." She looks to Entar. "Have you decided, Duke Silvershield?"

Entar nods sharply. "I have. The Knights of the Shield have the most to offer Anchev in his desperation. He won't be able to pass up the opportunity to at least hear them out."

"Very well," Liia says. "Is there anybody who wishes to play a direct role in luring Anchev out? A spokesperson, to reach out to him. Or anyone willing to don a disguise, mundane or magical?"

Khalid and Jaheira immediately raise their hands.

"We have experience participating in these sorts of ruses. If you need a message discreetly given to Anchev, we can manage that. In addition, we can be on-site to support whomever will be taking point in actually speaking with him."

A pale hand rises from the back row. Xan speaks out for the first time in the meeting. "I volunteer to be the one to meet with Rieltar Anchev. With a magical disguise from Duke Jannath, I can look the part." He gestures to himself. "I am also accounted a talented wizard in my own right, and so have a reasonable chance of standing against Anchev should things turn violent, which they very well may. I might also be able to keep him occupied for a short time in the event that the infiltration team sets off any alarms. Any extra time we buy them may be crucial."

Duke Belt speaks up. "I am hardly the person you'd want to involve in anything requiring subtlety," the dragonborn acknowledges. "But I can be of assistance in planning and overseeing affairs. I can also use Sending spells to help coordinate between the groups of our operation."

He inclines his head toward Duke Jannath. "Do we know where we want to lure Anchev to?" He gestures to the illusory map. "Perhaps Beregost, or the Friendly Arm?"

Eltan shakes his head. "We don't want a possible confrontation with Anchev to happen anywhere close to innocents. A wizard of his power could likely level a small town." He puts a hand to his beard. "Are there perhaps some known ruins around we could arrange to meet him at? The old Firewine Bridge, perhaps?"

Liia's eyes narrow as she considers the possible locations. Eventually her eyes turn to Koveras. "What say you? You know the man best. What location might he agree to?"

The half-orc's throat rumbles in a slight growl. "I do know him best."

Koveras nods toward Duke Eltan. "Given the chance, Rieltar absolutely will use innocents to gain an edge, either in battle or negotiation."

He looks at Xan, unfamiliar with the elf and his skills. "I advise against matching spells with him, unless there is no other recourse. Rather, meet with him in a neutral place where he won't want to engage, but he also feels reasonably safe." He points up at the map. "Like Candlekeep. I have been to the library-fortress, and while its guardians may take no issue with using their halls for negotiations, they will absolutely brook no violence there. Rieltar respects the combined power of the mages and priests that guard the place."

"I agree it should be away from civilians, even if we have allies in those locations. But doesn't he have allies in Candlekeep?" Stella asks.

"An assassination attempt was made on one of my companions a few days after we arrived there; they planned an ambush after we left for fear of further attacks." She flips a few pages in her tome. "We found confirmation it was all orchestrated specifically to kill Keggruk Cagebreaker. By my best estimations, only someone high-up or with access to their communications would have had such information. If they remain in an open space, perhaps there's nothing to fear, especially if Elminster is present or nearby...but I do worry it may not be as neutral ground as it seems."

Jaheira leans forward. "Orchestrated to kill Keggruk Cagebreaker? For what purpose? Why him?" She frowns. "You asked us the Harpers to look into those assassins, but we weren't told this."

Stella's eye-stars shift pink. Had she said too much? Stella glances at Aiwë. Should she mention Viconia and the geas placed on her?

She closes her eyes for a moment and returns them to her neutral violet. "It was a recent discovery, shortly after our incursion at the secret mine. We've...had a much going on; I apologize...we should have tried to reconvene about this sooner."

Aiwë's expression becomes stormy as the conversation turns to the assassination of her uncle. "This was the soonest we could tell you. We also learned that for their purposes, his resurrection was irrelevant. They didn't need him to stay dead. I don't know what that means. Our informant was under gaes, and couldn't expound on that or anything else. Something to do with god of murder rites, I wager. He sacrificed himself for us, if it means anything."

"As for Candlekeep, Rieltar's informant who told him of our arrival has been taken care of, but I imagine Rieltar has placed another. I'm not sure if he had advanced notice we were coming, but if so, it may not have come from Candlekeep." She looks at Dieter.

"I imagine you told some people you were coming to meet us? It wasn't a secret we were coming. Why would it be?"

"Well I woke up, did my chores, then Tulfgar told me to put my maille on. He said he had a job lined up for me with a merchant travelling to candlekeep and from there I would escort some family friends on a vacation" Dieter shrugs. "Tulfgar must have let it slip or could have been listened in on"

Koveras frowns as he thinks. "A informant under geas... Rieltar probably has at least a handful of spies and other assets who would merit geases. Which one did you meet?"

His frown deepens. "I am no spellcaster, but Rieltar occasionally spoke about rites having to do with Bhaal." He looks at Aiwe. "Is there any reason Keggruk might have been marked for death by the Lord of Murder?"

Stella looks to Aiwë, who was the one to hear confirmation from Viconia.
"'The Lord of Murder shall perish, but in his doom he shall spawn a score of mortal progeny. Chaos will be sewn from their passage. So sayeth the wise Alaundo...'" Stella recites, eye-stars a solemn indigo. "The Avowed in Candlekeep recited this prophecy while we were there. It's possible his influence may be deeper than just a few spies..." She pauses. "Perhaps Candlekeep would be a good meeting place, as it could open up opportunities to learn more about how this all connects. Double-purpose. That could be risky, though."

"Viconia Devir. She helped kill Keggruk and was involved in the kidnapping of you and Aldous. She's some kind of cleric, I think."

Aiwë folds her arms. "Your guess is as good as mine, Blood. You've read his book which sounds like it contained his life story. He's incredible. A hero! He's a paladin of Torm and Chieftess Cagebreaker's right hand, second only to her in the Order and the Tribe." She tosses up her hands, trying to think. "In context with Bhaal, maybe that prophecy... He's an orog and followed Gruumsh once. There were plenty of murders on his hands before he renounced him and convinced Chieftess Alalla to fight against Gruumsh. She'll tell anyone that after the Triad, Gruumsh's fall was thanks to him."

She looks around the room as though they might give her ideas. "A murderer changed? A threat to a god?" Aiwë frowns, her orcish accent heavy. "It all seems like a stretch, but Viconia said if we figured it out, we'd figure out who was next."

As she speaks the words of the Prophecy, Stella begins to feel dizzy. Something like the feeling of being caught up in one of her visions, but mixed with motion-sickness. By the time she finishes speaking her piece to the council, however, the nausea has passed.

Aldous puts a hand on her elbow. "Are you alright? You looked sick for a moment there," he whispers.

Aiwe's words hang dead in the air for a moment as the Dukes and others contemplate this news.

Jaheira sits back in her seat, eyes narrowed. Next to her, Khalid looks pensive.

Duke Jannath breaks the silence. "In light of all that's been said, I believe Candlekeep may be our best option. Perhaps while there, I can perform some research to enlighten us on these matters."

"So you mean to be part of the lure team yourself, Liia? To meet with Anchev?" Duke Eltan muses. "What shall I do? I lead soldiers, not intrigues."

Belt's loud voice gives an answer. "Surely we'll need the Flaming Fist on standby, should things go awry in the Iron Throne compound. By then, our hand is played, and we might as well march in force."

Eltan nods. "I see the reasoning." He seems glad to have a more obvious part to play. "I'll make sure to begin a round of surprise drills and inspections, so that mobilizing my soldiers doesn't spark any alarms with the Iron Throne."

Stella exhales and slumps in her seat, disturbed, eye-stars shifting to indigo and icy blue.

She places a hand on his. "I...don't know. It felt almost like I do when I'm experiencing a vision...?" she whispers back uncertainly. "Perhaps reciting prophecy somehow connects me to my powers? Maybe that's why reading the markings in my tome triggers the portents I see? I need to speak with Duke Jannath after this..."

Liia Jannath smiles as some details of the plan come together. She looks over to the Harpers. "When can we expect you to contact Anchev on behalf of the Knights of the Shield? How soon?"

Jaheira's eyes go distant for a moment as she thinks. "We can have a message sent as soon as tonight, though we'll want to meet with Duke Silvershield first to go over some details about the Knights of the Shield."

Khalid clears his throat. "Assum... assuming you're available this afternoon, Y-y-your Grace."

Entar nods curtly. "Of course. I will have the rest of the day's schedule cleared."

Duke Belt claps his clawed hands together. "Well! Then we'll all be planning and anxiously awaiting word!"

He glances at Liia. "Agreed? Done? Those leftover refreshments are calling..."

Liia chuckles at Belt and nods. "We're finished. I expect updates from all of you as often as you can manage them. Thank you, all!"

She waves her hand and dismisses the illusory map and accompanying depictions and conjures a mage hand to collect her notes.

Stella stands when the meeting adjourns. "Duke Jannath," she says, approaching, bearing her old tome. "Might I ask for your...expertise on something?" She flips open to the page with Lily's flower, where she first noticed the writings. "You see, I have some writings, written in what the Ilmatari priests told me could be an ancient script, and I was wondering if you could tell me what you know about it? If anything, of course."

Liia Jannath is chatting with Xan when Stella approaches. She turns to Stella with her characteristic warm smile. "Please, call me Liia."

She tilts her head as she examines Stella's tome, running her dark fingers across the letters. "This..." Her breath catches. "Xan, come look at this!"

Xan steps close, eyes darting over the page. "This is... Not a soul has used this alphabet since..." The elf gapes. "Seldarine save us..." He looks at Stella with a great deal more than the usual degree of doom in his eyes. "Stella. Where did you get this?"

At Xan's near-horrified look, Stella's face flushes cold. "I—I think I have been writing these. It's my handwriting. Each evening I study the stars and my star charts. I found these in them. And I continue to find more in my tomes," she says, flipping through more pages. "But I don't remember writing any of this! I can glimpse their meanings by casting Comprehend Languages, but I can never hold onto what they say for very long. It's vast and beautiful! And can help me see possibilities or react to things before they happen the next day."

She swallows. "But...well, it's also sometimes frightening and terrible..." she says pulling out her new tome and tentatively flipping to the page with the sigil of Bhaal scrawled in blood. Next to it in a shaky handwriting is an annotation: Vision: Four stars in a circle, each consumed by darkness then corrupted by a red star. Screams of thousands dying.

Her voice drops to nearly a whisper and she closes her eyes and trembles. "I-i...it scares me."

Liia looks from the Xan to the tome, and back. "Is this language what I think it is? How can Stella have learned to write it?"

Xan shakily pulls a strand of dark hair from his pale face. His eyes are unfocused, as though viewing something else entirely. "The alphabet is called Hamarfae. I don't even know the name of the language it was used for. But... Stella." His grey-green eyes finally focus on hers. "This writing and its language were banned by Mystra, the Goddess of Magic herself."

His next words are the barest whisper:

"Hamarfae was used to write Elven High Magic."

Aiwë takes Stella's hand, having hung back to support her.

"W-write Elven High Magic?"

Elven High Magic is the stuff of legends, an Art so powerful that it could - and did - sunder continents and slay gods, and more often than not consumed the life - or lives - of those who tried to use it. Due to the elves' reckless and irresponsible use of it, Mystra herself did indeed forbid its use. According to lore, she either slew all those who knew how to use it, or scoured such knowledge from their minds.

Thus the horror in the eyes of both Xan and Liia.

Xan's eyes shift to see who might be near, who might have overheard. He locks eyes with Aiwe for just a moment, and his next words are for both of the young women. "Stella, there are those who would kill to have this tome, in order to attempt to pry arcane secrets from it. And they would do much worse to get their hands on you for having scribed it."

He exchanges a glance with Liia. "I have no idea what this means for you, Stella, or how you could know any of this." He taps the page. "I would tell you to burn the book and never think of it again, but it seems you may have no control over that." He takes a deep breath. "In my home, Evereska, there might be someone who can understand what's happening, who can help you. I can take you there. I would insist on taking you this very instant, but for the fate of Baldur's Gate; you're too important to what's happening here, and stopping the war."

He closes his eyes. "I pray- No. That is too risky. I can merely hope that in this I am not making a huge mistake."

Aiwë's eyes widen. "Is this part of why Rieltar was after us? Stella needs to be taken to safety. Surely there are others that could take our place in the mission! "

Stella's eyes fill with tears and her lip quivers, eye-stars an icy blue.

She thought she was done being afraid of assassins, but now she had to be afraid that if she allowed either of her tomes to get into the wrong hands the course of the world or even beyond might be at stake?!

"I-I can burn the tomes...or just coat over them with ink? And I could, I don't know, have my hands restrained at night..." she mumbles, eyes downcast and flicking back and forth. She hesitantly looks up to Jannath, Xan, and Aiwë.

What could she do with such power?

No. No, she shouldn't try, or she'd be hunted by the Goddess of Magic herself, apparently. Mystra had her own constellation, Mystra's Star Circle, or Crown of the North. If the stars were granting her these powers, it seemed awfully ironic, given her heritage and homeland...

She didn't want any of this. Why had she even asked?!

Liia shakes her head. "I don't know how Rieltar Anchev could possibly know about this, and his plans have been in motion for years already. His assassins must have been after you for another reason."

She turns to Xan. "You're scaring them. Surely so long as Stella takes precautions, no one who actually knows what this writing is will find out. Only the most specialized of scholars would even recognize it!"

Xan takes a deep breath. "Perhaps you're right. Perhaps I am merely speaking doom, as I often do. But if this isn't something Stella can control, then sooner or later someone dangerous could find out. I still think it's best that she come to Evereska when possible."

Liia puts a hand on Xan's arm. "I don't doubt you. I just know that the people here need her and her friends for a little while longer, to finish this business with the Iron Crisis and Anchev."

She looks at Aiwe and Stella with concern. "Please, I ask you to stay and help us, at least long enough to help us get the evidence we need."

Aiwë looks at Duke Jannath with a challenging stare. "And will you step in to help Stella if saying endangers her? She's already been through so much for this war that has nothing to do with her!"

Thus far, the party's dealings with Duke Jannath have been warm, if confusing. Now, as Aiwe challenges her, the bard finds the woman's eyes as hard as adamantine, and no doubt with a will to match. "My duty is to protect the people of this entire region - whether they're here for a day or a lifetime. Including Stella, and including the rest of you. But putting all that aside, I'd also hoped to consider you friends. And friendship is a duty I take just as seriously as governing Baldur's Gate."

She doesn't blink. "Yes, I will step in to help Stella. I couldn't do otherwise."

Stella simply nods at Jannath, blinking away tears while clutching her tome to her chest.

She didn't want to burn anything in here. There was a reason she kept every page. But she would stay and help. She had power to help, and was in a position to do so. A watchwoman. Aware of threats few others were. With every opportunity to leave home, she stayed, and she'd stay now.

Still, the dread that coursed through her...right now, it felt like it wanted to claw its way out of her and rip her apart. It would fade, right? All the other times did.

But stars, this was different. This wasn't fear for herself. It was fear of herself.

"I-I'll take precautions," she says finally.

Aiwë watches Stella and the decision making happening behind her eyes. "I'll help you." she promises quietly.

She looks back up at the Duke. "And you, too."

Duke Jannath gives a single nod. "Thank you. For some reason, I doubt that we could overcome this threat without your aid."

Xan seems to have gathered his wits about him properly. "Yes. Let us focus on the matter at hand. I must learn more about these Knights of the Shield if I am to play the part of one of them..."

Aiwë turns to Stella and looks at the book hugged tightly against her.

"Hey, don't worry sister-girl. It will take some work on this backlog," she taps the book gently, "but between your magic and mine and some elbow grease and ink, I'm sure we can replicate this whole book in safe and respectable Common by tomorrow morning. You won't have to lose a thing. From there, one or two pages a day of new material is easy!" She smiles encouragingly at Stella.

"We need to do a little gossiping so we can help the Silvershields with Skie, while we're out let's pick up all the materials you need. I'm sure Baldur's Gate has some incredible stationary shops, and I have enough money for you to get a treat." Her grin widens as she wheedles her gently. "Coloured inks? A fancy pen? Gold foil on your spell book?"

As Aiwë talks, Stella's eye-stars slowly lighten from indigo and blue to contemplative green.

Eventually she nods a few times. "That would be nice."

A thought occurs to Stella. "Maybe...we could also stop by Sorcerous Sundries? There are...a few things I might want to pick up there."

OOC:

Stella's going to use Portent to give Aiwë a 6 on Insight check and Cosmic Omen to give her -1d6.

Aiwë's thoughts are scattered.

She has to help Stella be calm.

Mystra scoured the memory from mortals minds. Like hers? Is that the source of her holes?

She has to keep Stella safe.

Dangerous arcane words missing from her mind doesn't seem so bad, but why are there so many holes. What else is missing?

She misses the deception in Stella's reply. "Of course! Wherever you like."

Aiwë's 'roll' is 8, so with Cosmic Own she fails the check.

Stella sighs and closes her eyes for a moment. "Wait, there's...one more thing," she says, lowering her book and opening it to the bloody circle she had apparently made while studying her star charts the night before. She hands it to Liia. Beneath it are annotations:

Not a corrupting red star. A planet. Kossuth/Uluemyn. Bleeding a flood of death into the cosmos.

"This was from last night. Don't," she says, closing her eyes again, "tell me what that means. But if there's something about that planet that might shed light on anything, now you know. Tell Aiwë if you must."

She turns and leaves Xan, Liia, and Aiwë with her tome to find Aldous. She needed a hug. And maybe some leftover refreshments.

Aiwë is left holding Stella's tome like it might burn her. Like she might attack anyone who tries to take it from her. She looks at Stella and then back at Xan, torn between chasing after her and taking advantage of the quiet moment without her. She looks down at the book.

"I'm full of holes, Xan," she whispers in Elvish. "I didn't even notice until last night. Pieces of my memory are missing like books lost from a shelf or threads pulled from a tapestry. Like... like a plague withering leaves from crops. I don't even know how far it's spread." She looks up at him. She is nearly leaving fingernail marks in the leather of Stella's book. "I've been too afraid to look."

Xan puts a gentle hand on Aiwe's shoulder and looks deep into her eyes, as though whatever holes in her memory might be visible there. "This is concerning... If your memory has been tampered with, you could be compromised and not even know it. Though..." He looks again at Liia. "This could be connected to Stella's new... development."

Duke Jannath's usual warm smile is replaced with a deep frown. "There are ways to magically restore lost memories. Perhaps Duke Belt..."

Xan shakes his head slightly. "If the Goddess of Magic took those memories, what trouble might be stirred up in restoring them?"

Liia sighs and touches the elf's arm. "And what if it's not Mystra? What if the enemy has cast a spell on her? This is something we need to know, or I fear we may have to exclude Aiwe from our plans. Stella and Dieter should probably be checked as well."

Xan grits his teeth in frustration, but soon softens as he recognizes the truth in Liia's words. "Aiwe. This is your mind. The decision of what to do with it is yours. But we are here to support you with whatever you decide."

Aiwë grits her teeth. "If Mystra took them she can take them again, but I can't be a liability. We need to know what is missing." She looks back up at them. "Stella can't know, at least until we know it's not her."

Liia fetches Belt from the refreshment room. The dragonborn once again has his arms full of food, but he sets it all down on a bench. "Someone needs a blessing from Lathander?"

After explaining some of the basic details, Belt nods and casts a restoration spell on Aiwe - and then catches her as she blacks out. "Hmm... That's new." He shrugs his great shoulders. "The mind can be a funny thing. She's likely just processing the changes."

Aiwe's mind is cast back to relive a lost memory.

Aiwë lowers her hammer and takes the offered hand. She grips tightly, an attempt to keep her a moment longer. "Are you geased? Do you know the answers to those questions?"

Viconia's answer is a deep, silent look into Aiwe's eyes - and then the drow casts an enchantment spell, channeling the magic through their touching hands. Aiwe is frozen, unable even to bat an eye, as Viconia speaks.

"For my own reasons I am sealing this and other memories away, but one day you will remember them. I am counting on it."

She takes a deep breath. "I am geased. I underwent the process willingly, as a proof of loyalty." A spasm of pain crosses the priestess' face, and Aiwe feels her hand tremble. "Shar take my sight, but I was fooled. The man cares only for his divine purpose and the tools available to achieve it. But I will be his tool no longer."

Viconia's grimaces through the pain, choosing her words carefully. "You and your friends have also been made his tools. You can defeat him. I have given you the means... as much as I can. I pray it is of use. And I ask you forgive my intrusions, for I fight in the only way left to me..."

Aiwe finds her mental and physical freedom returned, and she nods. "Thank you for coming. We'll do what we can for you. Until then, may the shadows guide and keep you." She gives her hand a final squeeze, then releases her.

Aiwe wakes to find herself held aloft in Belt's scaly arms.

"Not Stella." Aiwë's relief could have dropped her if she weren't already in a dragonborn's arms. "Not Stella... Devir!" She stands shakily and rubs her head. "The Sharran cleric. She said Rieltar has made my friends and I his tools, but that she's given me the means to defeat him." She looks at her cousin and the two dukes.

"I don't know what that means. It's the only memory that returned to me."

Xan rubs his smooth jaw. "A drow's word is not to be taken lightly. And a Sharran's even less. But if you trust her, Aiwe, then I trust you."

He addresses Duke Belt. "How is it that your spell returned only part of her memory?"

Belt shrugs. "Lathander's light is bright enough to pierce any darkness," he says confidently. "But it may simply be that this priestess of Shar is simply a more powerful conduit to her diety than I to mine. I may not have the spellpower to match her."

Liia muses silently for a moment before voicing a question. "Who is this Viconia DeVir to Rieltar? Why does a Sharran priestess ally with a Bhaalist? And why betray him now?"

"I trust that she wants Rieltar stopped as much as we do," Aiwë answers Xan. "Whatever it was she did to me was rebellion against him and caused her pain."

She turns to Liia. "Whoever she was, now she's just a tool. She said Rieltar tricked her into the geas, that 'the man cares only for his divine purpose and the tools available to achieve it.'" She sits on a bench feeling tired. "Maybe my friends and I were an opportunity for her."

"Perhaps you were an opportunity for her." Xan lays the moonblade across his knees as he sits down next to Aiwe. "An opportunity to live. To realize her mistakes, and change her ways." He shakes his head. "Or perhaps she'll merely move from one evil to another. But because of you, she may have that chance at redemption."

He shrugs. "In the meantime, you have more memories to regain, more clues to learn. Perhaps you'll learn something that gives us an advantage in this struggle."

Aiwë's laugh is half sigh. "If I gave her just a chance, then this Cagebreaker has done her duty." She rests her head on Xan's shoulder. "I'll do my best on the rest." She breathes once, twice, then steels herself and stands.

"Thank you, Dukes. I will leave you to your preparations, and will see to mine." She bows then hurries after Stella, spellbook tightly in hand.