Magic In The Air

Kelphy: <...Oops? Well, he did save me when Seraph tried to attack me, what was I supposed to do?>

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*Ari steps out and follows the group wherever, staring around at the buildings*

Ari: <T-They're so weird...>

Degoth swept his hair back into a more controlled style, adjusted his toga, and coughed. "Oh I can't wait to see how this plays out." His voice was accented and deeper, instead of slouching he stood straight and held himself strongly. He seemed nearly like a different person from the one who had just strolled into the car not long before.

Degoth swept from the car pointedly ignoring the guards as not worth his time.

Arthur<Never mind the thief. Seraph is a much bigger concern. Did you see Rasheverek with him?>

Dagonet<No, my Lord. But I do hear whispers from the Franks, the Germonics, & the Romans.>

Arthur<You speak as though they are in alliance. What fool rumor is this?>

*Dagonet shakes his head.*

Dagonet<Not an alliance. The way the bards spin the tale, they think the Kingdom weak, & mean to race each other to the plunder. We've had many defections as of late, then there was Queen Guinevere's kidnapping-->

Arthur<Enough. Kelphy, you should go to Merlin. Find out everything he knows about Seraph's return. Enemies & traitors all lined up...this whole affair reeks of machinations most foul.>

*Dagonet nods.*

Dagonet<Indeed, my Lord.>
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*Thiera starts to walk out, but Lilith grabs her shoulder.*

L"(I don't think we should be travelling with that guy. He seems like bad news, & we're trying to keep a low profile.)"

T"(So then what?)"

L"(Senthose was after gold that turned lesser creatures into dragons. So maybe the oldest dragon alive will have something worth telling us. As I recall, he was guarding Hera's golden apples, which were magically transported somewhere in the palace, so that he could advise the Emperor.)"

*She nods*

Kelphy: <Where can I find him?>

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*He pulls Thiera's cloak's sleeve again*

(I'm good at blending in, but not as a noble...)

*Samuel follows Degoth's lead and takes a tall and confident stance. He walks over to Thiera, head held high and leans in to whisper*

(Quit arguing. The guards are watching. We'll figure out Degoth later, but for now we have to blend in. Now act like VIPs!)

*Thiera looks from Ari to Samuel, confused.*

L"Follow me."

*She heads towards a bath house.*
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Arthur<He should be in the high tower.>

*She bows and leaves to find Merlin. Upon arriving at the top of the tower, she knocks on the door*

Kelphy: <M-Master Merlin?>

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Ari: <(I want t-t-t-to hit him.>

*Samuel silently follows, unsure of the purpose of their destination.*

L"See? Now that we're in here, we're cloaked by steam & the sound of running water. We can speak freely here."

T"Good thinking, Lilith!"

L"So...how are we going to get into the palace? They won't just let us in there without some kind of identification."
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*The door slowly creaks open. She sees an old man in robes similar to Seraph at the window, examining the stars & writing some kind of chart with the aid of a sextant. His back is turned to her.*

Kelphy: <Excuse me, Master Merlin? I came to ask you about Seraph...>

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*Ari stares at them, silently listning*

*Samuel glances out the window to make sure they really were safe to talk here.*

"You got me. Normally, I'd stick to the shadows and sneak around, but it doesn't work as well in a group. Maybe they're looking for servants?"

"I don't know about them, but I could use a few." Degoth appeared in the mists, teeth displayed in a bright grin. "So what do you say, care to be my entourage? All expense paid trip to the palace. I even have my own suite, with a balcony!"

[I don't know if I should trust him...maybe I should leave someone outside, as a back-up...but there's no one here who's both dependable & trustworthy. Whatever. I'll just have to risk it.]

"I accept your terms, Mr...Degoth, was it?"
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*The man turns around. He has a flowing beard & bright blue eyes.*

Merlin<Seraph? How do you know about him?>

"Ya I don't like the idea of being used though..."

*Samuel folds his arms, but knows there's not much other choice.*

Kelphy: <He is here, apparently.>

*She bows and walks up to him, bowing a second time*

Kelphy: <My uncle told me to find you.>

He looked to Samuel, his grin widening. "Oh don't feel so bad about it. The /other/ option was to have you all arrested as spies then break you out in the dead of night so you could gallivant about the castle dodging guards and traps I place for fun. So, you know, bright sides!" He clapped, rubbing his hands together.

Then he spun to Lilith. "Degoth, yes, for now. We'll see if I stick with it. So. Servants, yes. Wonder who should be what. Always looks more proper for them to have roles. Maybe you can be my bodyguard, you have the look of it." He looked down at Ari. "I suppose he could be the laundry boy."

His eyes found their way back to Samuel, and flashed. "And you...I'm thinking Jester."

"Are you kidding me! I'd rather be the laundry boy!"

*Samuel thought for a moment about having to do Degoth's laundry.*

"...I take that back...but still, can't I be a scribe or something?"

*Frustrated, Samuel went back to staring out the window and letting Degoth bask in his amusement.*

T"Umm...so, what would I be?"

*Lilith gets all up in his face, staring at him creepily with both of her eyes wide.*

L"Yes...what WILL she be?"
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Merlin<He's here? As in inside the castle? Right now? Where?>

Kelphy: <Well, he is here, where exactly I don't know... >

"Oh, didn't even see you. You need to speak up more." Degoth pushed Lilith out of the way to look at Thiera, tilting his head. "Actually, no you don't. A courtesan would round out this little group rather nicely. And Courtesans don't need to speak up. Yes, excellent. I think we're all set."

*Lilith knees him in the crotch, grabbing her sword hilt.*

T"Won't this compromise the mission?!"

L"Screw the damn mission!"
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*Merlin closes his eyes.*

<He is not in the castle. He is not within 10 miles of this spot.>

Degoth's left hand clamped around Lilith's swordarm, while a spear sprang into life in his right and tipped Lilith's neck. "Now, see, I knew you were the fighter." He grinned.

"But calm down. I'm just bringing you into the palace, and you can do whatever you want from there. Like I'd trust the kid to clean my clothes or the guy to crack a decent joke."

The spear vanished, a ring on his right hand where there was a bracelet before, and he let go of her. "Don't go spoiling my fun, and whatever inane mission you're on, by being touchy."

Kelphy: <Wh-he just burnt the library down, though...>

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*Ari discretely facepalms*

"I will not have you tell an entire country that my sister is a sex servant! I don't care whether it's a ruse or not!"

*She bats the spear away from her neck.*
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Merlin<Then he must have teleported away. He's powerful enough to teleport...nevermind that. Did he do or say anything to you in particular?>

Kelphy: <Other than try to kill me? Not really.>

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*Ari draws his sword and points it at Degoth*

Ari: <Y-You shall not h-hurt my Master.>