Chapter
49: Game Over? The Spy
Chapter
53: Secrets of Studying
Magnus thinks for a moment, "Nothing more specific then you have already told me for now. I am curious to find out all that I can about the capitals political circles. Choosing the right friends can be very important. I'll be right back." Magnus heads into the perfumed room.
Several minutes later he leaves the room and notices two other orcs have appeared and are chatting together. He notices Jerpip standing along the far wall trying to blend in with the background. As Magnus heads back to the party Jerpip falls in behind him. When they are out of range of any curious ears he says, "Oh and for the rest of the night water down my drinks by a third, I want to remain alert. And as for any more specific information, I'm sure that this party was not just held for the sake of my masters, try to see if you can find out exactly who the Viscount actually met with and about what.”
Jerpip nods.
“Thanks my good man. Catch you at the end of this glass."
As they reach the party Magnus takes a slight detour on his way back to the Baron's squires. Taking a slow leisurely walk around the party. He tries to take in as much as possible. Of course, the Counts are still the center of attention and Jadir and Torana are trying to out boast each other again.
Quite a few lords and ladies surround them. Magnus can only recall the name of the Countess Atre 'va. The Count's escorts have vanished, there seems to be no trace of them. Nahabedian has also mysteriously disappeared, as has the host, Baron Gar 'ott, and Magnus is sure one other is missing, but he after a second quick look around all the other major players seem to be still there.
Vel 'im is still no where to be seen. He smiles and gives slight bows to some of the ladies as he passes by. Most of those that are left have formed their own groups and seem quite bored with the whole affair. He picks up from quite of few of the ladies that they are miffed that there will be no dancing tonight.
As he makes his way back to the sisters he finds them sipping their drinks, ignoring each other for the most part and staring blankly around them.
He smiles, "I'm glad that the two of you are still here."
Fey `Pepinger s mood improves immediately. Seypepping stiffens as if surprised and smiles shyly at the approaching squire. "I hope that my questions from before haven't started an argument between the two lovely Pepinger sisters."
He sits down between them and Fey `Pepinger moves closer, "We were just hoping you'd come back. The night is still young and it's so lonely being a lowly squire." Seypepping turns toward Magnus and sighs, "Never has she spoken truer words."
Jerpip refreshes everyone's drinks, bringing Magnus a new one altogether. After his first sip Magnus can tell the difference in taste. A little water and the drink is barely palatable. Apparently Jerpip knew it would have this effect as he mouths "sorry" and vanishes into the crowd.
Sometime later the trio of squire's are interrupted as a servant appears and coughs saying, "The Baron has made it clear that he will be ready to leave soon."
Both sisters flash the servant a look of irritation, before giving sighs of resignation.
Magnus raises an eyebrow as the servant leaves, "I see that the Baron has concluded his business for the evening. I had noticed that the Viscount and your master had left the party earlier, perhaps there will be some action in the war for you two yet."
Fey `Pepinger says, "Ahh, so that is what you meant earlier. You knew more than you let on. I see that we will have to watch you more closely. I hope we shall see each other again."
SeyPepinger merely sighs looks longingly at the young orc for a moment, "It has been a pleasure, I too hope I have the pleasure of your company."
The young orc takes a hand of each of the sisters, one in each, and brings them both up to his lips as he kisses them together. As he brings his lips from the hands he places them together with his right hand underneath and his left on top, cupping them. He looks between the two and says, "I hope that my conversation this night has not sparked a conflict between the two of you lovely ladies. It would wound me to know that I had raised discord between your sisterly bond. If I have, I duly apologize."
Fey `Pepinger smiles and says, "Fear not my handsome squire, tonight has not changed a thing between us sisters."
He stands up, still holding their hands, "Perhaps you would allow me to escort the two of you to the Baron?"
Magnus helps them to their feet, taking one on either arm and pronounces, "I am at your command. Where is our first destination?"
With the Pepinger sisters on his arms, Magnus heads out of the ballroom and further into the Viscounts home. SeyPepinger lightly leans against him, while Fey' Pepinger uses the opportunity to let her hands roam.
They hadn't walked far when Magnus realizes they have a shadow. As they turn corners whomever it is, stays far enough back as to not be seen.
As they walk to wherever it is they are going, Magnus looks into each sister's eyes, with the look implying 'you're the one I want', and giving her arm a gentle squeeze.
The trio soon comes upon a group of men talking quietly outside a room. The sisters quickly separate themselves, each giving Magnus a kiss on the cheek and a whispered, "Thank you."
They approach a rather tall stern orc, who barely acknowledges their presence. Magnus eyes quickly focus on a familiar figure in the group of men. Somehow Nahabedian has managed to join what seems to be a rather exclusive group.
As the squires approached the men, the conversation seemed to change and the tension level raised up. Nahabedian gestures for Magnus to stand at his side and nods to the Baron. The conversation changes again and the men relax a bit.
Magnus notices the shadow stays well enough around the nearest corner not to be easily discovered.
"Our forces will succeed. Victory is so close, even now that cursed barrier weakens so that we can launch distance attacks at their army. Soon our soldiers will be able to charge across that line and wipe the barbarians from the face of the valley. But I cannot stress highly enough that we must keep the war effort alive in council. If they decide to recall the Home Guard, then we will be helpless when the barbarians attack and those brave soldiers who gave their lives will have died for nothing. The death of the Duke's only daughter will go unanswered. Our ancestors will cry out in their graves and the heavens will have turned their back on us. We have the power, we have the right. We have been more than patient with the barbarians and still they attack us at every turn." He places his hands upon Nahabedians' shoulders, "You must see that Count Naga Habe'dian! Tell it to your brethren! Come to the council! Let your voices be heard! It is your privilege and duty as a nobleman and your right as an orc to do what is needed for the safety of our people!"
Nahabedian nods, "I will do as you say and we will come to the Council tomorrow, but I do not think it wise for us to speak out so soon after arriving in town. If the politics here are anything like what we have at home, since we are strangers to the capital it will most assuredly arouse suspicion. We should at least give the illusion of letting the peace faction have their say."
The baron smiles, "Then we shall see you then."
SeyPepinger heads back the way they came, walking quickly. Magnus senses that as soon as she is out of sight she started running.
The Baron thanks the third man, who happens to be the Viscount. Nahabedian takes his leave and Magnus follows catching only the voices of the two men still in the room. As they round the corner Jerpip appears and follows is tow.
With the business of the evening done, the Counts take their leave of the Viscount and return to the carriage.
‘Well, except for the company this was a wasted evening. Why did we even bother with this?’ Jadir snorts "Has anyone seen my no good excuse for an..a squire?"
The answer to that question comes quickly as their carriage arrives and they find a tired but jovial Vel'im in the carriage reeking of perfume. Jadir snorts as he sees his apprentice and gets in. Silence reigns except for Torana's single comment, "I guess this means he's one up on us." Jadir gets a disgusted look on his face. The steward tries hard not to laugh,
Nahabedian looks as if his thoughts have taken him far away ‘They are only toying with us. It’s as if everyone knows something but isn’t telling. I get the feeling that even if we didn’t accept the invitation we would somehow be at the council tommorow.” He glances over at Torana, ‘Now how do I get him to the king?’
Jadir falls asleep on the short trip back to the inn and Magnus and Jerpip are left to wrestle him into bed.
After breakfast the next morning the Counts make small talk while the squire checks for eavesdroppers.
After Magnus makes sure none are around, Nahabedian talks about his meeting. "I met with a group of noblemen who are very patriotic and are definitely for keeping the war effort going. Apparently the Viscount thought I would be the most likely to support him. He introduced me to a few of his associates, by the name of Duke Phinn `Harr, Baron Gar'ott, and a Lord Ter' ington. We must be careful around the Viscount, he is definitely a mage. He is not as brash and foolish as he appears in public. That is a very calculated manner that appears when most appropriate. Baron Gar'ott has his own agenda and I think the war is just part of it. He works on the patriotic strings pulling men to his side. It would not surprise me that he could call an army to his side, right here in the capital. Lord Ter' ington seems to be more of a lackey, trying to get out from under his mothers drawstrings and prove himself. That makes him dangerous, but it also makes him useful."
He pauses, "I am impressed by the Duke. I think that if it weren't for his station he would be on the front lines leading the charge. The others, in private, said in that if he did take the battlefield he would be more dangerous than someone named Tokha, I didn't get a title, and his son Latok. The loss of his daughter has, however, permanently affected his thinking. I would think that if the effort for peace every gained enough momentum to overcome the war effort, he would needed to be restrained or several council members may find themselves on the wrong side of the grave. He does not give the appearance of a man ready to snap, but I have seen the look in his eyes before. Despite all that, if it came to an actual war, he would be much more dangerous than the Baron and the Viscount combined. His personal guard outnumbers the staff in this inn. His estates are the closest to the capitol and it seems he sponsors quite a few young warriors and magi, so many of them owe him. Most importantly, he is a very generous contriubter to several Temples of the Elemental Lords."
“Oh now that is what I really needed to hear. One of the bigwigs has a personal army ten feet away and take over if he doesn’t like the direction we are taking! This was a fools errand!” Jadir frowns, "So if push came to shove, the battle priests would side with the Duke. With all this power in these few men how does the peace movement fare?"
"We shall find out soon enough, we have been invited to the watch the Council today. As the Baron put it, it is your `duty as a nobleman and your right as an orc' to appear before the council."
The steward says, "I think we should not take sides publicly just yet. We have an invitation tonight to another gathering. This one is from Lord Dur 'rek. He, if I remember correctly is a member of the group pushing for peace. I'm sure now that the barrier is in place and there is no way for the... barbarians to reach our lands, their movement will have gained support amongst the people if not the council. After all most people here couldn't care one way or the other, just so long as the barbarian army isn't heading this way."
"Also there is a problem with going to the council. All entrances to the building are covered with runes to disburse any arcanic forces in effect. Which means..."
"Which means the moment we walk in, they can't understand us and we can't understand them." Torana finishes with a frown.
Magnus looks at the wizards and asks, "Would the runes effect our polymorphed bodies as well?"
Torana shakes his head, "No..not unless they use the rune I think they are going to use.” He frowns, ‘And the odds of them using it are good.’
Jadir frowns, "Which one? The dispel rune won't work."
‘The first test begins’, Nahabedian looks grim, "I know the rune you are thinking of. It is quite possible that we would revert. The minute we entered."
"Or maybe not..." That sly mischevious smile returning to Torana’s face.
Jadir looks at both magi saying, "What are you talking about? There is no other... ’Anti-magic’ Oh! That would be a problem. Even after the council we probably wouldn't be able to understand them. If it's that rune, we'll have to leave all of our equipment here or risk it being destroyed."
"Professor," Torana asks, "are the runes all over the Council hall or just on the entrances and what is the range of the rune?"
"I've never actually seen the rune. But based on what I know, I believe it is merely a rune that dispels runic flows that are active in the area. It was done by a high level magus and was made permanent. In theory every square inch of the outside of the council building is covered by those runes. Also the building itself is made with a large quantity of lead in it as an extra precaution against spying eyes. ‘I could turn them in and then possibly plead for leniency since they are suing for peace. Of course I’ll be executed by nightfall. Either way they will soon be found out if they try and enter the council building.’”
He steps out into the hallway and quietly sneaks upon his prey, A magus in grey robes. Unfortunately he kicks a small stone and the magus turns around.
A blast of fire arcs toward him, but his magic shield protects him. “Protected by magic eh? Not any more! The magus speaks a rune that he recognizes with much fear. Last time he heard that rune it transformed him into a giant hideous creature. He charges hoping that the protective spell his master helped him create would save him. The spell is released and the world in front of him shimmers. He pauses as he feels his skin tingling, “Oh no.” But after a moment it passes and nothing happens, the magus looks surprised as finds a sword sprouting from his gut.
‘Wait a minute that wasn’t a protection from polymoph spell was it?’ Torana looks thoughtful for a moment and quickly pulls out his spell book from one of the hidden pockets and says as he flips through pages, "I think I have just the thing for it."
"A long, long time ago, when I was first starting my career in adventuring I ran across another magus who attacked me with this spell that turned me into a dragon. Now you might think that was a stupid thing to do, but he was a cagey one. You see the place we were in had low ceilings and I was in a doorway at the time. When I started growing I nearly choked to death with my head stuck on one side of the doorway and my body on the other. I manage to pull myself together, but I was stuck in dragon form for a long time as I couldn't get my spell book and the room was very, very cramped. At first I shot flame into the room where the mage was to chase him away, then I decided I wait out the change...which silly little me, I thought was temporary. After a while I figured it was permanent and set out on finding a way out of that place. It was a bit difficult at first. But once I got my dragon legs those monsters were no match for me. I have new respect for dragons who hide deep inside the mountains to hide their hordes from the droves of adventurers who are looking for their gold. You wouldn't believe how many adventurers I sent packing. I fought one group no less than four times. Finally I managed to wrap my dragons throat around some words in common, no mean feat mind you. They definitely weren't meant for that sort of thing. But when the next group came through with a competent mage, I made a deal. If he could figure out a way to change me back, I'd give them all the gold I'd gotten from previous parties that bribed me to not eat them."
"You ate people!" Vel'im looks shocked.
Torana shakes his head, "No and I almost starved for it too. When I got out of there it was a long time before I went underground again. My mentor gave me a rune that supposedly protected from such spells, but the rune is so badly garbled that it requires serious study to find it's real purpose. I also found that it also makes an effective shield against dispel runes!"
Jadir says, "Is this like that other rune you used that no one could read."
"No, I could probably figure it all out now. I just haven't used it in a long time so I forgot about it." Torana points out a rune and the others look at it.
‘What the dreck is this squiggly dung?’ "You're right that one is a mess." Jadir says, "If the guy who wrote this one was your mentor, it explains a lot about what happened to you."
"There is absolutely nothing wrong with me whatsoever."
"Suuuurrre."
Nahabedian interrupts what could be a long exchange, "What is range and effectiveness of the rune?"
"It creates a shield that protects the front half of the caster. It reacts against dispel magic runes in an unusual way."
"That rune dispels magic in an area, how is another rune going to counteract it?"
Torana explains, “What it does is the dispelling energy is bounced back in the direction that it came from. If you, standing in front of me, were to cast that rune while I was protected. While the magic immediately around you would temporarily cease to work, when it hit my shield everything would rebound and items that are normally disabled for long periods of time are suddenly active again. However this only applies if you are facing the caster when that rune is used. But like any shield it can only take so many hits before it collapses. But I've never given anyone a second chance."
‘That almost made sense’, Nahabedian sighs, "So far this seems to be our best bet. We shall use this rune to deflect the runes around the council building and perhaps then we will be able to understand them."
Jadir says, "Well now that that is behind us. Lets have a look at that rune." The three magi study the rune for a moment and all three frown.
Jadir comments first, "I thought you said this thing protected you from polymorphing?"
"This is the rune, I've used it way too many times not to know it."
Nahabidean asks, "And you never studied it before?"
"Usually I only had enough time to memorize it. It usually gave me such a headache just looking at it."
"Kind of like the one I have now." Jadir sighs, ‘His master was a real idiot!’
Torana nods. "Actually its structure seems fairly simple, but it is definitely a heavily modified custom rune."
The rune is quickly copied and memorized by the three magi.
Shortly before noon a carriage pulls up in front of an impressive looking tall stone dome-topped building with over-sized statues of heroic looking figures standing guard.
The steward and two squires make way for the Esteemed Counts of Noravia.
An orc, around middle aged and noble distinction greets them. Bowing he says, "Welcome I am Lord Ga 'rond. It is my pleasure to be your guide today."
He leads them into the building, almost immediately there is a brief shimmer as the Counts enter. If anyone noticed no one says anything. Once inside they travel down the long tall echoing halls. The guide keeps up a monologue about the issues that will appear before the council today. Everything from raising the price of crops to raising taxes. Only a few minor issues appear to be of note to the Counts. The separate factions of the war have arranged for time on the floor.
‘This is interesting stuff! If only they’d let me bring my scroll and quill.’ Vel'im seems to have trouble with his hands as he is itching to write down everything he sees as he cranes his neck one way then another trying to take in all of the tall statues and wall sculptures lining the halls.
Lord Ga 'rond shows them to a small booth over looking a series of other booths arranged in semi-circular fashion around a wide stage with a dais upon it.
On that platform, currently is an orc expounding at length in a monotone voice about putting a price cap on the rising cost of something called Taero. The mere sound of his voice is apparently enough to put many to sleep, but the moment he finishes their aides wake them up.
Another orc steps up to the dias and calls for a vote. It is seconded by someone and all around the chamber red, blue and black cards. The figure waits a moment then announces that the count will begin. He scans the room counting the cards then announces that the motion has passed. They will conviene a study to determine the feasibility of and putting a price cap on Taero and will then refer their findings to the council in a report so they can then vote on whether they should create a committee to determine the an actual price cap that will not hurt the economy.
Lord Ga 'rond says, "The red cards signal that they are for the motion, the blue cards are against. Normally if you have no position on the matter you do not raise the card. If you feel very strongly in one direction you hold up the red or blue card and a black one next to it. In the moments between the beginning of the vote and the beginning of the count, many council members will check to see where their allies are voting. If one of them has a black card next to their vote then it is possible that many will change their vote before the final count. It is a way of finding new allies or showing the power of your alliances."
The Counts watch as another orc gives a speech on about the alarming rise of the cost of sending a child to school. The proposal is to lower the costs, by raising taxes across the nation with the money specifically going to funding certain key schools. Again the motion passes. From his vantage at the back of the room, Magnus can just barely make out a few figures, in booths across from him, but can't make out any faces.
‘Right where he said he would be. As I thought, this was all arranged before we even arrived in town.’ Nahabedian makes eye contact with Baron Gar ‘ott in the booth to the far right of them. The Baron is in the exact position he indicated the night before. Then the Baron looks his way, he gives him a nod in greeting.
The importance of ones status is impressed upon the young squires, not only from the proceedings before them, but by the servants that occasionally bring drinks to the Counts and Lord Ga 'ron. When Vel'im motions for a drink, the servant gives a condescending look that says, 'get your own' and continues on his way leaving a puzzled squire in his wake.
It isn't long before they announce the anticipated Lord Dur 'ek. From this distance there seems to be nothing to distinguish him from any of the other nobles they’ve seen on stage, "Let me begin by first extending a warm greeting to new visitors to our council, Count Tor'an, Count Ja 'dir, and Count Naga 'Habedian!" He gestures to the alcove where they ar hidden.
The rest of the council gives a round of applause as the three Counts let everyone get a good view of them, their location obviously being no secret.
‘This stinks, how did they all know?’ Jadir wonders.
"I hope that we don't bore you to death, with our petty problems here in the capital." A polite mummer of laugher echoes through the chamber.
Lord Dur 'ek launches into a stirring speech about the future of the children, the importance of keeping them in school, advancing their sciences and generally making for a more comfortable future.
His tone quickly becomes anti-war as he reasons that the barrier should be left intact with a detachment of the Home Guard to watch over it. But the active size of the Home Guard should be reduced as the barbarians show no signs of being capable of passing through the barrier.
Jadir hides a smiles, ‘If you only knew.’
He talks about how much time the youths are losing on their studies and what he calls, 'habits of the young'. He paints an idyllic picture of life attained by leaving the barrier in place, studying it and creating another more powerful version should the barbarians ever break through.
His speech plays upon the emotion heart strings and remembrances of ones youthful exploits. "Can you imagine what you would be like, if you never had the freedom to experience all that which you did as a child? All the joys, pain, loves and losses, the adventures and the knowledge? What would you be like if instead you spent it preparing to fight a war that may never happen?"
When his speech ends moderate applause echoes through the chamber.
"A wonderfully stirring speech!" Lord Ga 'ron praises, "But one could expect no less from Lord Dur 'ek! He firmly believes this war should be ended. This is not like the Troll wars. They may be primitives, but they are still far more intelligent than we give them credit for. He's sure that we can reason with them." Lord Ga 'ron watches the three Counts out of the corner of his eye for any reaction.
The Counts for their part make a show of being impressed by the speech, but offer no comment either way on the war.
Next up is the venerable Duke that everyone has been talking about. The squires edge forward for a better look. Even at a distance the Duke looks powerful, distinguished and commanding, like a general who could rally troops to his side by merely appearing on the battlefield. His manner and the way he handles himself convey the very soul of aristocracy.
Lord Ga 'ron says reverently and sadly, "The Duke is here not only to grace us with his presence, but to tell us of the dangers of the primitives and rally the nation to continue the war."
The Duke starts off with a few greetings to the Counts of Noravia, some noblemen who had been away for a while, and oddly enough several members supposedly in the Peace faction.
Those expecting an anti-war speech from the Duke are surprised as he goes on to talk about various problems facing the kingdom and suggesting possible solutions to many of them. He mentions various committees and congratulates them on their work so far.
In general he gives a very upbeat speech with congratulations to all the members of the council, regardless of faction, or province. He moves on to what is good with the nation and its people. He finishes with just a touch of melancholy in his voice, "On this date, I am proud to say that our nation is still going strong against all the forces that try to drop us into chaos. I hope and pray that we keeping doing all that we are doing now, so that a year from now I can say the same thing."
When he finishes by general consent there is a long moment of silence. Nearly everyone in the chamber bows his head quietly.
Lord Ga 'ron looks almost haunted, "You may not know this, but it was a year ago today that the abbey, where his daughter was attending school, was attacked by the primitives and everyone was slaughtered."
As the Duke turns to leave, the applause begins. The Duke leaves the platform to a standing ovation from the entire council.
Torana smiles, ‘Very shrewd. There is no need to call for war. His very presence is a reminder of why they fight. He calls them to war not with his words, but with his anguish and sorrow. Reminding them that they have lost a princess.’
Chapter 53: Secrets of Studying
Lord Ga 'ron says, "There goes one of the bravest men I know. I don't know what would happen if my daughter was killed in such a slaughter."
The Council adjourns after a few more speakers, but by that time most of the Council has already left. As the Counts from Noravia prepare to depart Lord Ga 'ron asks, "What do you think of your first day in the council?"
Count Naga Habi 'dean responds guardedly, "It was very informative. We did not realize the extent of certain problems facing the rest of the kingdom."
Count Ja 'dir says, "We must work to resolve these great issues before our country is divided over such a relatively simple issue with an obvious solution. Of course, you see that this war cannot go on the way it has."
Lord Ga 'ron says enthusiastically, "Yes, Yes. Lord Dur' ek has the right of it. I trust that I will see you at his gathering this evening?"
"We wouldn't miss it for the world!" Ja ‘dir says.
"Excellent! Excellent! Then I shall see you later." As the Counts take their leave, Lord Ga 'ron bows.
Once back at the inn, they reconvene back in the waiting room that seems to have been reserved for their exclusive use. Magnus takes the time to verify that there are no spies around.
‘Almost as if we had planned it.’ Torana smiles, "Perfect, we have spy in both camps. I shall keep aloof favoring neither until we have all the information we need. Then you two will go to work with your respective groups..."
Magnus holds up a hand as he realizes that someone is approaching at an odd angle. He looks around for a moment before it dawns on him that something or someone is moving toward the room through what should be a solid wall. He moves toward that wall and stands with his back to it indicating the location of the spy.
Jadir announces rather loudly, "I think I would like to view the capital today."
‘The extra volume really isn’t necessary.’ Torana smiles, "Yes that sounds like a wonderful idea. I think that I should also like to see the state of education is like here. I remember them mentioning something about it being deplorable here in the capitol."
Nahabedian says, "I think I could do with a tour of the capitol."
"Squire." Jadir motions vaguely in Vel'ims' direction. "Go see about getting our carriage ready and arrange for a trip around city. I feel the need for a change of scenery."
After Vel'im leaves, everyone is silent until the spy leaves.
Then Torana turns to the steward and says, "Where can we find books on learning your language? The written form, I mean. At some point someone is going to want to write us a personal note and we need to know what it says."
‘Going native eh, smart thinking at some point we are going to have to separate.’ The steward says, "There is a fairly comprehensive library that should contain the elementary books. Magnus should send his friend to get the books first and after you have mastered the basics then you can enter the library and look up more advanced topics without arousing too much suspicion. And to help I know a rune that would accelerate the learning process. But much to the disappointment of many of my students it has several side effects and doesn't help when memorizing runes."
Jadir perks up, "Really? What kind of side effects." All three magi lean slightly closer.
"Well it tends to speed the user up while a good side effect is that it enhances intelligence and memory recall for a short period of time. But the down side is that afterward you have massive headaches, are extremely tired and feel that you must go to sleep immediately. And you will sleep for nearly an entire day. And shortly after waking up you can talk of nothing else but what you just learned. Eventually you return to normal. Also, You can't look at or use the rune for another month without risking losing a portion of your memories. Every year I have a couple of students who miss exams because they use the rune the night before the test and they always wake up after everyone else has finished. Or someone who tires to learn runes and finds that when it's all over with they have learned one rune when they could have learned many. In some cases they can't even remember their names. And after they use the rune, they can't remember anything for a while."
Magnus gets a little uneasy as he Torana glances in his direction with a slight smile. "I would very much like to see this rune if possible."
"Of course. I shall need pen and paper and some time but I can reconstruct the rune.”
The others nod and Torana says, "Magnus get in touch with your friend and see about getting the books on how to learn the language."
Magnus nods.
Nahabedian says, "How did you know they would have books on how to learn a language that could be taught orally?"
"It's a big country and I have books on how to learn Ancient Elf and Dwarf.” Torana answers, “It stands to reason that someone here would have the same type of books for their own language. Once we have all the appropriate materials we shall use the runes after an engagement and sleep in the next day.”
Jadir produces a quill and ink. While the steward sharpens the quill he says, "At some point you are going to need to get a proper pen."
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