cryptomancer

Congrats Patrick!!!

Each soul and lonely heart has keys, Locked against the times we failed, We seek and dream as stand on Quays, And look back upon the ships that sailed. *bows to Solivagus* *swoops over Mynx and pats her head* Tag You're it! New topic, Golf

I gleefully declair I do not smoke, Nor drink, nor other leaves toke, But I to all the caution spoke, Beware of me, if I aint had coke. New topic, Coffee.

Sabastian watched the approach of Ciroth, noting that Atana stayed sheathed, and noting the caution. With a wave of his hand he dismissed the minders that watched him, and summoning a messanger requested the room be cleared to accomodate a quiet meeting. When Ciroth was close enough, sabastian rose slowly, hands clear, and bowed. "Welcome Ciroth, I am please you could join me, please be seated, let me arrange refreshments for you." Sabastian watched carefully as Ciroth glared at him, "I know I appear to be doing you an injustice, and on this matter we will discuss shortly, but I believe you would be far more comfortable seated, with a drink in your hand. Please, sit, let us talk."

Sabastian sat and waited, Ciroth was looking for him, so he sat and waited where he counld be found, his usual table on the deck overlooking the main hall. His drink half full, Sabastian read through the information on Ciroth. The first words of his brief made things clear very quickly, "Aggressive, and arrogant, will resort to violence as a solution to any situation where he finds himself opposed." He will be difficult to talk to if he is angry, yet it must be done, Hendrake was the one house that had stood against Sawall for the Throne, as well as Jarin's regency. The key information tied Hendrake to Jarin's death, included the fact that a dagger that Ciroth kept as close to him as 'Atana' his sword, was missing from his person since the assassination. This would need to be played carefully, for Ciroth would fight to protect his honour, and that meant hiding the methods he had employed, Sabastian knew the risk, so he had set in place the council recomendation. Should Hendrake fail to provide proof of innocence, and instead caused, either directly or indirectly, the death of a member of Sawall, the full might of the house was to be employed in a full confrontation of not just Ciroth, but his entire house. Sabastian sighed, his heart heavy that it had come to the posibility of open conflict. Ciroth would likely challenge, or openly attack, he will be true to his nature and do so personally, all that would remain would be his ability to listen to reason, and provide the necessary proof of his innocence, and diplomacy could then run its course. But for now, Sabastian waited, Ciroth would find him.

Our efforts to improve, Twisted echoes in a void of knowledge, Desire overriding the wish to stop. Each stroke draws closer to completion, Each blot of sweat a designer’s mark. Toil in the flesh and mind Our quest joined by a similar kind, Those that in joy seek An outlet, where they need not be meek. "Why fly in face of fear"

The shout of "Happy Easter" from the Raven was drawn out and fading into the distance by the time the Pennites that saw him fly past noticed he was being chased by poodles. Happy easter all.

Sabastian looked at Sol, "Follow me, let us go to the place we were meant to meet, we can talk on the way." Sabastian shifted to His human form and walked to the door, turning slightly to note the slight hesitation from Sol, trust fighting with the wish to know more. Sol followed, and as he caught up Sabastian spoke. "Sawall has methods of extracting information, these are effective, most of the time." Sabastian paused as he looked at Sol for response, and as none came, continued. "The Sawall Council has given me a list, people it suspected, not Houses, but candidates, ones that seemed to want more than was on offer. Your name was mentioned, hence my wish to meet, unfortunately not to disuade your tactics, but to ensure no loss of status for Sawall should you succeed. That you see was my task. I was to allow what happened only if it would mean no loss of status to the house, Council orders based on the needs of the house, nothing more." Sabastian noted the look he got for this news, and nodded. "The idea was to use the threat of an all out vendetta for the death of Jarin as a bargining tool. I disagree with the use of Vendettas and the bloodshed that they cause." Sabastian Paused, "However, I see no good coming from the methods being employed in this contest, and would gladly promote a vendetta as a course of action to stop any further perversions of our political system." "After Minobee was struck the first time I doubted the accuracy of the information that pointed to you as a suspect. Now I am certain of your honour in this matter, and apologise for any slight or disrespect I may have caused." Sol nodded, acknowledging the apology, without signs of acceptance. Sabastian withdrew the list from his jacket, Your name was number 2 on the list, Sawall will not be happy that I have shown this to you, but it is the price I pay for your trust." Soll scanned the document, his eyes returning to the first name a few times, and the comments noted beside it. "He was first to leave the hall, and spared no time in doing so." Sabastian nodded, "Yes, and it was his eyes that concerned me. Ciroth of Hendrake requires our attention, in a calm and civilised manner, to ensure we are correct in our suspicions, then we target Hendrake in full for the injustices against our houses and our fellow candidates, and the word vendetta can be given new meaning."

Sabastian scattered the table as he rose, shimmering into his seldom seen demon form, deep blue flame forming a shield as he watched the Hunter Demon enter and stalk his target. One demon, only one target, why not all of us? Sabastian looked around the room, all were here. Scanning the faces Sabastian looked for any sign in the expressions of those gathered, any sign at all that they were involved. watching especially the eyes of the candidates he was seeking. Confirmation was brief but it was given. In the turmoil that followed the demon's departure, Sabastian turned to Sol, "I think we have found our mutual enemy, the eyes gave them away, let us meet after and discuss further."

Sabastian paused, and let Sol's anger burn. "Our meeting has become more urgent." Sabastian looked around cautiously, aware of those that had noticed the exchange between Sepharis and Sawall. Sabastian bowed slightly to Sol, "Sawall apologises for its doubt in your conduct. The council seems to have been mislead in their information gathering after Jarin's assasination." Sabastian motioned to a table, "Join me, I believe we need to discuss the need for a consolidated retribution on those responsible." As they walked to the table and seated themselves Sabastian continued, "Sawall has suspicions on three of the main houses, I have doubted the information that has been given me, and in on case been proven correct in my doubts, Sepharis, and you now have my complete support, and Sawall will offer any resources it has to find those responsible for these attrocities." Leaning forward, Sabastian continued to talk, watching the anger still burning in Sol's eyes. "How may we assist you?"

Sabastian arrived early and relaxed as he watched the others arrive, sipping slowly from the glass of brandy, his attention focused on the gathering candidates, He acknowledged Sol as he entered, discussions would be interesting following this gathering, his suspicions deepening as he realised Katelyn seemed to be absent. Rising and setting his third empty glass aside, Sabastian approached Sol, noticing the use of the trump, and the concern deepening in Sol's eyes. Sabastian hesitated, this could mean that Sawall's council was wrong, Sol would never harm Katelyn, even with the throne at stake. Re-assessing the nature of the brief he had been give he approched Sol again, "Sol? What is wrong? Is Katelyn ok? You were searching for her, what happened?"

The Raven lands and hands a red dossier, appropriately clingwrapped with top secret stamped in large letters across the front. Behind him a small swarm of pidgeons with aviators and sniper rifles waits for instructions. Sorry its late, but the seagull bombers canceled on me at the last minute and I had to retrain this lot for the 28th time this week.

I think we started a cult, Or at least a garden tea, (Raven ruffled feathers And mimicked a cross-stitch) Missing the inherent point Of the conversation entirely. You see it was never intended In religious circles to seem (Raven swiveled his head 360 And patted a little book) Denial of religious good Could make us likely rather mean. As said by ‘living colour’ “Cult of personality” agree? (Raven flew around and cawed Badly mimicking 80s rock) Such personality we have acquired Weather it a cult becomes, we see. "The world is but a mirror"

but..... i thought it was a full buffet dinner, with wine and cheeze after.

A Raven flew into the room and circled slowly. Spotting the target of his search, the Raven started to fly faster, weaving through the decorations and guests as he flew lower, and finally, in a flurry and much fluttering of feathers, landed gently on Gwaihir's shoulder and whispered....... "Happy birthday Gwaihir, hope it is a good one."

Happy birthday to you both, hope it was all you wished, and full of fun and wonderful things.

Sabastian waved away the messenger, he was not thrilled at the prospect of an open meeting. Sending his offer of a posponement to Sol, he returned to his rooms, at least this may shed new light on the information that Sawall's council had given him. Sol may even be happier to listen after hearing the others discuss things. Leaving for the great hall he directed the few minders he had watching him to stay out of sight, and walked seemingly alone to see what Duke wished to say.

*Calls PA* "Shift my 11'o'clock to three, tell my three I need to cancel as I will be out of town, send flowers to my 12'o'clock and ask her to meet me at 6, and tell the golf club I will need to pospone my urgent morning 'meeting'."

It is called diplomacy, the art of talking nice and carrying a big stick.

Sabastian received the reply from the messanger. Snapping the wax and reading the contents he smiled. This at least was a good start, a formal reply, and request for posponement till tomorrow, mid morning, same place. Sabastian rose and returned slowly to his rooms. Sol would be hard to win over, but hopefully not impossible. Tomorrow would tell.

Sabastian sat and relaxed with a drink in front of him on the low table. This place was perfect, quite, but with enough people to prevent any public aggression shoud the council's suspicions prove true. He took a sip of the dark liquid in the crystal goblet and replaced it on the table, then, summoning a messanger he gave inistructions. "Please convey my invitation to Sol of House Sepharis to join me." Sabastian watched the messanger leave, now was the test, if all suspicion was correct, this would end very quickly, or not happen at all. It was just a matter of waiting now, see if Sol would be drawn to discuss things in more detail.

Sabastian ignored the first summons to the Sawall House Council, he did not wish to discuss the pursuit of a all out vendetta. The second and third arrived almost similtaniously. The meeting was brief, he was handed an envelope and instructions to confirm its contents, simple, no negotiations. Sabastian scanned the contents as he returned to his rooms, "interesting" he thought, the council has a few leads, and more substancial than mere gossip. He looked at the two names on the first page, neither would be easy to pursue, both had rejected closer ties with Sawall in the past, this indeed would be interesting. It only took a few monents to decide between the two who he would approach first, and moments later left his rooms to find him. Somewhere public first, force a polite meeting where all could hear.

"So much for the possibility of a military ruler." Sabastian's thoughts sifted the news of latest killing. "It really was a pity, military rulers were always a good option, they possessed a strength of charactor that so many politicians lacked." Sabastian moved about his rooms restlessly, the latest kill had upset him more than others, because the general was definitly one of the stronger of their number, the success of an assassin against him hinted at a deeper power struggle than the regency, could someone actually be after the throne? These thoughts disturbed him, Sawall was a strong house but if a usurper took control they stand to lose a great deal. The idea of a vendetta played in the back of his mind as Sabastian moved to find more news, and listen to the gossip in the main halls.

It was a wildly erratic path that the raven flew, his attention not on his surroundings, but on the small portal that floated just in front of him. through the portal the Raven was searching the draws of a large desk, "Where is it, where is it,I know it is in here someplace" was the only muttered words heard by many as the Raven caused them to avoid his flight. "Yay!!!" the portal vanished in the shriek of glee, and brandishing the small white object the Raven headed for the blindingly white form of Gryphon, and in a gleeful yet controled manner landed on his shoulder and grinned. "Happy birthday Mate, all the best, sorry I am so late." Gryphon eyed the Raven with suspicion born of experence, "What are you up to?" The Raven grinned, and in the brief instand that the first flash of white made Gryphon blink, the click click of a stamper was heard, followed by several more, and as the raven fled the scene, Gryphon was left standing, white from Cheermynx, with several coloured stamps of daisies, bunny rabbits, bumble bees, and one single red "processed" covering his head and shoulders. Happy belated birthday Gryph, Hope you enjoy many more.

As someone very wise once told me "All things work together for good in the Lord's hands" Good to see you are happy, and I hope you still write, even if it is not with us.