RP:Cards in the Hand
Part of the The Ice Plague Cometh Arc
Oculus of the Air Marshall
The quarters of the Air Marshall are an unusual thing. White mist pours in from the oculus over your head, reminding you that you're high above the earth and walking among the clouds, if the almost painfully thin air isn't already a reminder. Technically, these apartments are part of a dual-oculus, arranged upon a wide rim of ice and around a hole in the 'floor' that's perfectly centered with the hole in the roof. Peering down is not recommended, for at this distance even the enormous black dragons on the ground appear like pygmy ants. The furnishings are sparse but elegant, consisting of a downy floormat, two large chests--for clothing and items, respectively--, a long desk, three chairs, and a small eating table. All of this, however, resides in one half of the round room while the other half is occupied by an uneven mound of what at first seems like priceless gems, glistening in a variety of blues and whites, and white cotton, giving off a peculiar chilly aura. Closer inspection reveals the 'gems' to actually be chunks of ice, all of which bear scratches and dents, and the 'cotton' as snow showing equal endurance of a hefty weight. It seems this may be some sort of 'bed' for a large creature that's obviously fond of the cold, the Air Marshall's mount likely. From here, the only way to go is through the upper or lower oculus.
Satoshi stands before her chair, palms flat against the desk as she pours over maps and paperwork. At one end of the desk, standing unobtrusively, is an elven woman, clad in the leathers of a scout and accompanied by a young, bright-eyed gryphon. Lifting a half-rolled page, Satoshi peers closely at it before saying, without looking at the elf, "And your certain on the numbers?" The elven woman nods, only letting a light frown mark her indignation at being questioned on her scouting work.
Chakor 's head hangs low as he approaches the Air Marshall's chamber. The elven gladiator was not use to feeling dread or fear but those along with a myriad of other emotions were filling his mind. Upon approaching the entrance to the Oculus, he knocks on the side of the doorframe. "Madam Satoshi" he says as he clears his throat. "I seek an audience with you concerning a grave matter."
Satoshi looks up from the missive she's holding, expression curious at Chakor's appearance. She hadn't had the chance to speak with the lycan since the Sky Tag event, although she'd heard Chakor had partnered himself with a peryton and seemed to be doing well. The weighted look to the gladiator's features suggests otherwise, however, to Satoshi. Glancing at the elven scout, the magus says quietly, "If you'll excuse us, Mistral? And thank you for the report. Keep your patrol on that area, please." A bow comes from the elf, followed by one mimicked by her gryphon companion, before the pair depart and leave Satoshi alone with Chakor. "What grave matter do you need to discuss?"
Chakor took a few steps forward across the threshold of the room. His hands were shaking as he began to speak, "Madam Satoshi, I fear I come bearing terrible news." The elf swallowed hard and composed himself for the coming recollection "A few nights ago, after imbibing far too much drink, the avian Misaki's mount Buddy came and took me from the Tavern. Now I had been drinking to cope with Misaki's rejection of my advances." The gladiator cleared his throat and refocused so he did not go off on a tangent. "When Buddy dropped me off, he did so right infront of Misaki and her love Mythayus. Though I was upset about the avians choice, I had not expected to meet her flame so soon. The sight of the two enraged me." He had to look down. This was the part of the story where he had lost all honor. "Madam, I lost control and turned into a lycan. Buddy charged at me in an effort to defend his master and I…" He choked hard on the coming words "I…I killed Buddy."
Satoshi, with the end of Chakor's explanation, slowly lowers herself into the chair behind her. With arms proper on the desk and hands pressed as if in prayer, the magus sits there, eyes closed, unmoving. It would seem life is dishing one thing after another atop Satoshi. Her people endangered by an unknown threat, numerous dead already, with the looming potential of a poisoned water supply to add to it. And now, one of the Eyrie has slain a fellow member. A sigh escapes Satoshi then, the sound as weary as she feels. "Do you know what the punishment is for killing another member of the Eyrie? It's death. And yet, you stand here before me now to confess what you've done?"
Kasyr had been on his way to see Satoshi, so he wasn't that far behind Chakor. Enough so that he's well within range to hear the elf when he makes his confession. It's enough that the Revenant pauses at the entryway to the room, if only to make a low whistle, murmur a quiet, "...Awkward." and then take a couple of steps backwards and to the side so he afford Chakor an illusion of privacy.
Chakor 's ears twitch as he hears a soft whistle behind him. He turns his head slightly to see if anyone is there but there is nothing. 'Must be the wind whipping through the place' he silently thinks as the elf shrugs off the noise. The gladiator turns his focus back to the magus before him. "I understand that Madam and if you feel that death is a just sentence for me then so be it." His years in the Arena had washed away all fear of death from his mind. "But, your highness, please allow me to make an appeal for a lesser punishment."
Satoshi spends a long moment seemingly staring into the empty space over Chakor's shoulder, perhaps hoping to pull some answer out of the air. Or, if you know Satoshi and Kasyr, she's silently nudging the kensai to ask his opinion. After all, being an empath, Kasyr has a better chance than Satoshi in determining whether Chakor is genuine in his regret and desire to remedy the situation. Whatever exchanges between the pair, Satoshi keeps to herself as her gaze shifts back to the gladiator. "What sort of punishment do you think could repair the fact that you spilled the blood of a clansman? What guarantee do you have, that you will not commit such an act again? Lycanthropy is a powerful condition, if you cannot control it and kill when it takes you, how can we trust you will not let the beast takeover whenever anger fills you? And what of Misaki, how will you make amends with her, for its her partner you killed?"
Kasyr , despite the fact that he's eavesdropping from a position that noone's facing, can't help but adopt a thoughtful stance. That said, the revenant doesn't reply immediately, seemingly more content to hear more of what Chakor has to say. That, and to get a proper bearing on the man's emotional state. Far be it from the Kensai to make a snap decision if he doesn't need to. In the meanwhile, the revenant simply draws one hand over to his pocket, plucks out a cigarette, settles it between his lips...and then stops himself. Right, cigarette smoke. Probably not a good thing when trying to be subtle.
Chakor spends a moment in silent thought. He knew there was no way he could every truly make amends to Misaki for killing her young drake. Though she had nearly killed him, it was small consolation for what he had done. After a several quiet and tense seconds the elf speaks "Madam, this is the first uncontrolled shift I've had in nearly seven hundred years. My changes only ever come during the full moon, a moment which each month I take extra precautions to remove myself from others. I was not in control of lycan, and for that I am truly sorry." He takes a few steps forward until he is standing on the precipice of the hole in the floor. "I know of no way I could ever completely make amends with Misaki for what I have done." In a moment of surging passion the gladiator rips off his vest and the bandages around his abdomen to reveal a large circular scar very nearly reaching from one side of his body to the other. "She has taken a pound of flesh, and she deserves several more. So what do I feel should be my punishment?" The elf was surging with emotions as he spoke "Send me to my death. If there is something that the clan needs right now that could quite possibly kill me, then let me under take that task."
Satoshi, like Chakor, keeps her silence as she thinks. In truth, the magus has no desire to kill the gladiator. It would be a waste of a capable fighter. But she likewise cannot ignore his actions. Chakor's proposal of a task catches the kit's attention, however. Lifting her head from where it's been buried in her hands, Satoshi looks steadily at Chakor then. "There is a pair of tasks, then. And I may find further for you, until I feel you have paid for your crime. Firstly, travel to Chartsend. The mayor there is named Alicia e Tenebris. She is in need of aid. We don't have the full details on the situation, but we have reason to believe one who calls themselves 'Al' is attempting to open a portal of some sort. That is highly dangerous magic that can threaten an entire region. Investigate the matter, end it, if need be by whatever means necessary. We also have reason to believe Misaki is somehow involved. As an accomplice or against her will, I do not know, but I wish to see the situation remedied before anyone comes to harm. Secondly, the Eyrie is in need of two Black Dragon eggs. You are to retrieve these. However, you may not steal them from a nest with present parents. Orphaned eggs are all we will accept, ones that would not survive without our intervention. You are to speak to no one about either of your tasks, are we clear? Should you succeed in both, we will consider your case. But I think the final call should be Misaki's, don't you?"
Kasyr conspiratorially pokes an eye around the corner, making sure the coast is clear, if only so he can offer Satoshi a thumbs up gesture. And then just as quickly, he retreats back into his position of 'waiting-in-turn'.
Chakor lets out a small sign of relief. Though he would have taken the death sentance, he was still much fonder of being alive. As a sign of his gratitude, the elf bows low before Madam Satoshi. "I thank you ma'am for being empathetic to my plight." Righting himself he continues "Miskai should indeed have the final say on my final sentance." The gladitor turns to leave when he stops short and turns back to the Queen. "In regards to the one called 'Al', I was there when he opened a temporary portal. He is attempting to assisit Misaki in resucing Satoru from the Nightmare Realm. I believe his full name is Alphonz. Beyond what I witnessed, I do not know much more."
Satoshi nods to Chakor. "Thank you for the information. If he is trying to aid Misaki, that's a different matter. Still, I warned him myself that portal magic is incredibly dangerous. Vailkrin was nearly wiped off the map from a portal opening in their skies. Ensure the safety of the region, that is what's important. Save Satoru in the process if possible, for he is Eyrie as much as Misaki. You can relay your information to Alicia, I'm sure it would be of use to her to know Alphonz' intentions are not necessarily malicious--not that it makes them any less catastrophic, should things go awry. The wizard Svilfon has been sent to Chartsend in this matter too, he might be able to help with his knowledge in magic."
Kasyr takes this moment to knock on the wall, before he casually steps into the room. Rolling the as-of-yet unlit cigarette in his mouth, he lazily asks, "Am I interrupting anything? I can come back later, enfin?" He glances once between Chakor and Satoshi before his attention dips down to his smoke, the likes of which quickly finds itself cupped behind one hand, while his other hand is drawn up within the protective enclosure thus formed.
Chakor smiles politely and nods. "Understood madam. I'll seek out Svilfon and see if he has anymore information on the matter. Again, I thank you for taking pity on me. I'll die before I disgrace the clan again." The elf reached down and grabbed his vest as well as his bandages. A voices startles him momentarily before he notices the vampire standing in the doorway. "No sir, I believe we are finished here." Taking a moment to think back to the whistle he had heard earlier, he figured Kasyr had probably been there for some time. "That is unless you have any input on the matter sir."
Satoshi returns Chakor's nod, although she doesn't correct him on his remark. This isn't a matter of taking pity, this is the magus being practical. Why throw away the life of a warrior who has made a mistake, when he's willing to tend to important tasks to make up for it? This way, Satoshi gets three issues to tend to themselves, and all without wasting a worthwhile life. "Good luck to you, Chakor."
Kasyr draws his hand away from his smoke, the cigarette now brightly lit. Chakor's comment elicits no real reaction from the Kensai, something made all too easy due to his experience in politics, "Mm? Far be it from moi to intrude." That said, the Kensai directs his attention towards Satoshi, if only to offer a careless shrug, "I got your missive, by the by."
Chakor turns a final time to his Queen and bows. As he leaves he offers a polite nod to Kasyr. The gladiator had been handed his duty and would see it through to the end no matter the sacrifice. Embolden by having been given such important tasks, he set his mind on finding a way to Chartsend and the wizard Svilfon.
Satoshi waits until Chakor has begun the descent into the outpost Spire before she looks at Kasyr, a half-smile on her face. "You can ignore that missive, if you like. Something tells me that lycan will devote himself fully to the task and help Alicia. And I get the feeling you might be more needed in Frostmaw." Before Satoshi continues, she sighs, looking suddenly weary again "...We know where the wraith's ice has gone."
Kasyr casually tips his cigarette off to the side, shedding a few ashes onto the floor, before his focus returns to his wife, "If things get complicated, I'll ask Svil to contact moi. That said, I can only gauge by your reaction that the discovery of where Bozrah's remains are es one of a most dire nature."
Satoshi eyes Kasyr's cigarette, tempted to help herself to it. Sure, the last time she'd done that had ended poorly for the icy magus, but... dammit, the kensai always seems so calm and collected when he has a cigarette on hand. Satoshi could use a bit of that 'calm and collected' status. Kasyr's question only makes the kit put on a sour expression. "Lake Frysta. All of Frostmaw has been drinking waters tainted with a wraith's corpse for the past two weeks. Some, elderly and children, have fallen ill already. Although... only Frost Giants."
Kasyr 's nose scrunches up, "Only frost giants? ...That's quite..peculiar, all given. What's the symptoms, enfin? Are they shifting into wraiths, ou quoi-ce-soit? Or just some form of virulence?" The revenant pauses there, before he tilts his head down towards the ground, clearly in thought.
Satoshi slumps back in her chair, folded hands atop her head in unspoken frustration. "Just... illness, so far. Fever, delirium, won't take food or drink. Herbal medicines and healing magic has no effect. It's not a natural illness, I know that much, my whiskers go on end whenever I get near one of the sick ones. But neither I nor the shamans can feel anything... 'wraith-y' about them. So it's some sort of magical malady, for which we have no idea how to cure, nor how it will progress or how many will be effected." As Satoshi's head droops back, her hands slip forward to cover her face. From behind the muffling layer of flesh and fabric, she adds miserably, "My people are sick and I don't know how to save them. What sort of queen does that make me?"
Kasyr offers Satoshi a look that's oddly bemused, "A stubborn one, since je m'en doute- I doubt that you've given up on them, even despite your lack of knowledge." The revenant pauses at that, before he tips his head off to one side, "Still, a magical malady.. es it tied to the wraith, or es it simply using the inherant darkness in the remains as fuel? Peut-etre we should send someone out to investigate the regions where the wraiths had rampaged, to see if we might be able to find out if anything similar to this occured, albeit to a lesser extent?"
Kovl wings buzz as he ascends to the oculus, periodically glancing below him to the ground below him. This is a curious structure, unlike any he has seen in the past. The walls of the oculus shield the pixie from the harsh cold outside but still Kovl holds tightly to his cloak, still shuttering. Tucked in his clothing is the useful crystal gifted to him by Satoshi. If it were not for the warmth it emits, the pixie would be truly freezing. Snippets of conversation reach his sensitive ears about topics unknown to the pixie immediately. One voice is Satoshi's. As he reaches the room, his dark green eyes first catch Satoshi and then a stranger with her. Keeping one hand clutched on his cloak, his other gives a slight wave to Satoshi. "Hello." His eyes move from Satoshi to Kasyr then back to Satoshi. It seems he is interrupting something. Kovl lets out an awkward and apologetic smile. "I can meet you later if you please, Satoshi?"
Satoshi's nose scrunches up in response to Kasyr's remark about being stubborn. Of course she's stubborn, that's why she'd be willing to claw a hole through the fabric of the world to bring the kensai back from Hell, if Satoshi had to. But she doesn't have to. Not yet. Hopefully not ever. Satoshi has enough on her plate as is. "I was thinking the same thing, about investigating Larket and Gamorg, perhaps Gualon too. See if there's anything of the Leech's stomping left to dig up. But Hildegarde took most of our priests to the lake, and Frostmaw has no paladins. It seems futile to send searchers without an ability to sense and decipher dark energies. I'll have to contact others, see if they can lend able han--" At this point, the magus notices Kovl's arrival, thus stalling further discussion. "Ah, Dust, hello. I got your message, and I assume you got mine, as I can sense that crystal on you. We can talk now, if you like. But first," she gestures to the revenant, "may I introduce Kasyr? Vailkrin's vampire king, and my husband." Then to Kasyr, "And this pixie is Kovl, I'm inducting him into the Mage's Guild. Clever illusionist, gave Rabbit a run for his money."
Kasyr purses his lips for a moment, before perking right back up, "Mmm, That said, Gamorg has shamans, non? One would think they might have had a hand in..cleaning up. So perhaps seeking out one from that community might serve well enough to procure the information we seek. As for Larket, it has an ample number of paladins, non?" With that having been said, the Kensai turns towards Kovl, if only to casually draw his hand up to the goggles which rest perched on his forehead, so that he can tug them forward in a lazy sort of salute. "Et hello, monsieur." That done, the Revenant lets his goggles snap back to his forehead, so that he can nudge them back into their proper place.
Kovl nods to Kasyr with a smile fresh from the Lady of Frostmaw's compliment. "It's nice to meet you, Kasyr." To Satoshi, "Yes, I received your message. Thank you for the crystal. I'd be a block of ice if it weren't on my body." Hovering above the hole from which he arrived, the pixie bows in appreciation. Kovl watches the two, curious of their topic of conversation, having only heard snippets. He would ask right out, but the queen appears so stately to him, sitting behind her desk. It would just seem improper. Instead, Kovl floated to one of the chairs across Satoshi's desk and sat on its back, dangling his feet over the edge.
Satoshi glances sidelong at Kasyr. "Honestly, I'm tempted to call upon even Cenril's Church, if it means finding folks with the holy magic needed to sniff out clues. But I'll contact Kelovath in Larket first, they owe Frostmaw a few favors after we aided them against the wraiths. But for now~," Satoshi looks pointedly at Kovl, flashing him a grin, "Svilfon tells me you did quite well in his test. As I promised, if you impressed another member aside from myself, I'd offer you an entry into the Guild. Still interested~?" She assumes so, otherwise why is the pixie braving Frostmaw?
Kasyr gives Satoshi an amused look, "Well, all it would take es word of a vampire conspiracy brewing in Gualon, et they'd likely send a few people sniffing around, to do all the legwork for us." The revenant shrugs to noone in particular before he glances off to the side, seemingly content to just sit there and smoke.
Kovl 's curiosity is getting the better of him, but still he doesn't ask. The eidolon has postponed the conversation until after the pixie has been inducted. Perhaps he would ask after their talk. He nods excitedly and smiles before leaving his perch, floating above the chair instead. "Yes, I'm still interested. I'm excited to learn what the guild has to offer." The pixie turns to Kasyr, lifts a brow, and smiles. It appears Kovl isn't the only person who likes to fabricate rumors.
Satoshi presses her lips into a thin line to hide a grin at Kasyr's comment. When Kovl affirms his interest in the guild remains, the magus lets the hidden grin show. "Excellent! Then it's my honor to declare you officially an Entered Apprentice in the Mage's Guild. I hope your studies into the Illusory Arts brings benefits to the guild, as much as our lessons bring growth to you."
Kasyr doesn't really seem to change his expression when he comes under Kovl's scrutiny, the Kensai seemingly more involved in the gradual reduction of his cigarette into a stub. it's only when it's on the brink of dissapearing that he procures yet another from his pocket, and proceeds to use his current one to light the new arrival.
Kovl turns to Satoshi with a wide grin. His emerald eyes light up in a smile. Kovl floats onto Satoshi's desk, stilling his wings as his feet touch the woodtop. "Thank you, Satoshi!" The pixie let out a breath. His demeanor changes from professional to jovial. He rotates and points into the air at nothing, holding the pose as he shouts, "I command respect in the name of the Mage's guild!" Kovl begins to laugh joyfully.
Satoshi is almost, almost reminded of a little, fairy-winged Riss when Kovl strikes a pose while declaring to the air. He just needs some shades. She exchanges a look with Kasyr, curious if he got the same image in his mind. "Make the guild proud, Dust, we don't have a master of illusions yet."
Kasyr didn't get the same image as Satoshi, but that whole 'Take a pose thing' is funny in it's own right. Still, beyond a brief smirk, the Kensai more or less busies himself with the process of swapping out cigarettes, the newly lit one finding it's way to the corner of his mouth, whilst the old one is snuffed out against his sleeve. Considering this is also the trenchcoat that still has a hole punched through the back of it- it's already due for a replacement, anyways.
Kovl 's laughter dies down but his smile doesn't fade. "I will." The pixie glances to Kasyr for a moment with a grin before speaking with Satoshi. His voice lowers a little as he changes the subject. "I heard you were attacked along with Svilfon not too long ago. I have already spoken with him, and my suggestion extends to you. I can't help but notice I'm quite a bit smaller than these giants who reside here. And my ears are quite sensitive to the acquistion of new information." Kovl takes a step forward toward the queen. "And I'm not new to the rumor mill. I'd like to offer my abilities to help you discover the mysteries behind the attack."
Satoshi's expression is caught between intrigued and anxious. "While I'm not against accepting any offered help, I'd still warn you to proceed with extreme caution, Dust. Svilfon and I were ambushed by trained mage-hunters, with the use of an anti-magic trap carved into the trees themselves. Such dampeners would have a potent effect on a creature of magic such as you, should you so much as fly through the border of a trap. I won't forbid you against searching for information, mind you, that is your choice to make. Might I suggest you join some of the Eyrie's patrols initially? They are swift, light aerial riders and trained scouts, patrolling the forests from the skies above. They can protect you in case of an attack and they may know what direction is best to point you."
Kovl 's smile fades. Svilfon had made no mention of the anti-magic trap. Could there be more surrounding Frostmaw? "Luckily, the mage-hunters are not aware of my existence yet, but I certainly will heed warning of anti-magic traps. I heard the attackers were worshipers of Aramoth, but they were also exiles. I'm assuming they were frost giants?" Svilfon had mentioned The Eyrie to him earlier, suggesting he join their ranks. Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to at least travel with them. However, the pixie's presence in Frostmaw was relatively unknown, and his small stature would allow him passage and secrecy to places he suspected The Eyrie would not reach. At least it's an idea. "Thank you for your suggestion about The Eyrie. I will keep it in mind."
Satoshi nods, a flicker of curious on her face upon spotting the pixie's fallen smile. "They were Frost Giants, yes, and former monks of Aramoth. If you can avoid getting caught in one of their traps, your smaller size may prove useful. Mage-hunters they might be, but they are still people of this region, they've likely never encountered a pixie, let alone learned how to fight one. Races of human-size would be the smallest they'd find in the northern lands. You're well suited to the job."
Kasyr has taken a position up against a wall during this time. Really, the Kensai's finding it more productive to simply listen, than to offer any input of his own.
Kovl grins again. "See? And you should know the number of people I've been able to surprise is great. Did you know any of these attackers personally? You said they were monks?" The illusionist crosses his arms and rests his chin on his hand propped up by the other. His expression is thoughtful.
Satoshi shakes her head. "No, they were exiled years ago, before I became queen. I recognized their techniques however, as those taught to monks of Aramoth." Hell knows Satoshi spent enough time in Cuki's company to be able to spot an Aramoth monk in a crowd. "All else we know is someone hired them, to capture myself and kill any magic-users of Frostmaw. The only clue as to this someone was when a monk complained about doing a job for 'the dark bastard'. To doesn't narrow the possibilities by much. Could be a priest, shaman, a necromancer. Any entity who uses darkness, or any who uses magic, for these monks disapprove of magic."
Kovl lets out an audible hum. "Or someone with a dark personality. Or maybe even possessing dark skin. It could mean many things, but that title can certainly help. Do you know where the exiles camp? And are there any monks of Aramoth here in Frostmaw?" Of course, the pixie isn't planning on solving the mystery here and now. He is prodding for places to look. He thinks for a moment and adds a third question, "What do the anti-magic traps look like?"
Satoshi refrains from answering Kovl's questions just long enough to send Kasyr a look, nose wrinkled in feigned annoyance that he's moved out of reach, and taken the cigarettes with him. Still, wall-supporting kensai or not, there's a pixie asking questions, and Satoshi is happy to oblige in knocking them out one by one. "The exiles have small camps scattered through the forests, constantly on the move, for my knights are often assigned to hunt them and bring them to justice. There are many monks and warriors of Aramoth in Frostmaw, for the Frost Giants consider themselves His children. As for anti-magic traps, the ones the monks use are of unique design. Primitive runic symbols, easily blended into natural surroundings. The ones we encountered we carved into trees, making them hard to pick out from the bark's rough skin. I can draw up some of the patterns I'm familiar with, and send it to you by letter later."
Kovl glances back at Kasyr, following the queen's gaze. "Yes, I would like that." The pixie's head moved back to Satoshi, "And one more question that I can think of at the moment. What were the circumstances of your ambush? What I mean is how and why were you placed in the location of the attack?"
Satoshi said to Kovl, "Svilfon and I were simply taking a walk while we discussed other matters concerning Frostmaw. The monks seemed surprised we had stepped into the trap. I imagine they had placed it near the entrance of the forest in hopes -any- mage would eventually stumble through. It's a commonly walked path. That it was the two primary mages of Frostmaw must have a pleasant surprise~... turned unpleasant, considering neither wizard nor I take kindly to magic-dampening techniques." A spark of malice is visible in the amber flecks of Satoshi's eyes, a predatory gleam called up by the memory of the blood bath. "Suffice to say, you won't have any witnesses to question among that group."
Kovl appears surprised at the circumstances of the ambush. "I was under the impression you were led there. At least, this was what Svilfon seemed to indicate. It is possible I just misinterpreted him." The pixie thinks another moment. "What a strange request... To hire monks to rid Frostmaw of mages." Ideas begin to sprout in the pixie's head onto how to find the one responsible. "Where were you attacked?"
Satoshi's hand is lifted to wave off toward the west, in indication of the area. "Just beyond the forest's entrance outside the western gates. When I send you the symbols, I'll include a map so you don't get lost. Be sure to charge that crystal before you go? Frostmaw's forest is a treacherous place, it tends to ensnare travelers for far longer than they intended to stay~."
Kovl nods. "Thank you for the information. I will see what I can come up with. I have already appeared in the tavern in this form, but in order to shield knowledge of my presence here from spreading, I may have to alter my appearance just a tad. Holding a card up your sleeve certainly helps your odds at winning." The pixie winks. "I will try to keep the nature of who I am hidden, and I ask that you do the same for best results." He thinks for a moment. "Just address me as 'Kove' in your letter. It sounds less pixie-esk."
Satoshi is finding more and more reason to like this pixie. She nods at his request, "I don't spill secrets, Dust, have no fear. The less all know, the less our hidden enemy knows, after all. I hope your search is fruitful~."
Kovl grins. "And I will be sure to recharge this crystal. I have a way to contact Svilfon immediately if I get into trouble." The pixie begins floating again. "You may not recognize me immediately the next time you see me." Kovl winks again.
Satoshi says, "Perhaps, perhaps not~." Her whiskers give a knowing twitch as she smirks. A salute is offered to the pixie then.
Kovl said, "Thank you for inducting me into the guild." The pixie buzzes to the hole in the ground. He waves at both the queen and her husband. "Nice to meet you, Kasyr." Before leaving, Kovl asks one more question. "Where can I stay while I'm in the city?"
Satoshi said to Kovl, "Speak to the barkeep at the tavern, his name is Drargon. He'll have your letter, and he'll be under instructions to provide room and board to a fellow named 'Kove'."
Kasyr plucks the cigarette from his mouth, if only to then offer a salute to the pixie with the same hand, "C'est un plaisir, Kove. Happy hunting."
Kovl said to Satoshi, "Thank you!" With that, the pixie descends through the hole in the floor. "Bye!"
Kovl said to Kasyr, "Thank you, sir!"