Reporting|Neo'anar, New Anarlina

[Kender Bard]

"I don't think I do either," Shyamal admitted, though in truth he wasn't sure he could muster the calm, cool, sure confidence that Lucifer had shown in that moment. He'd actually felt chills go down his back at that little act.

How could he do that to an entire, jaded, hardened nature?

"I think that's a fine plan," Twilight agreed. "Let's consider how many people are going to go in with you then, Shyamal. Lord Trevor, do you still agree to lend some fine men?"

[Devon]

"Of course I'll still be supplying a few men to help him," Trevor replied to Twilight. Desmond bowed to Twilight and spoke, "I'd like to be counted among his men for this Lord Twilight."

[Kender Bard]

"Very well," Twilight agreed. "This is more in tune with your training. How many men should we give the young prince, you suppose?"

[Darastrix]

"When you're more firmly settled on a number and a course of action," Lucifer murmured, "I will have word sent to Lord Crawford. Etaf has favoured him well in the past with his portents. She may yet again."

[Kender Bard]

"That is greatly appreciated," Twilight replied.

"Not too many people," Shyamal cautioned.

"But not too few," Twilight warned. "You'll want men that can do a variety of things so you don't need to overburden yourself but you don't want to go in with a mere handful otherwise you'll be easily overwhelmed by, say, palace guards or a cadre of priests."

"Aye," Shyamal agreed with a small sigh. "What do you suggest, Lord Twilight?"

Twilight rubbed at his chin and hazarded, "Fifteen men? What say you Trevor?"

[Devon]

"Aye," Trevor replied lifting his chin from the hand it rested on. "I'd say fifteen men sounds like a good number to show a little force with."

[Kender Bard]

"Fifteen then," Twilight agreed, glancing at Lucifer. "And if your seer is able to give us an idea of how successful that will be, we would be most appreciative."

[Darastrix]

Lucifer nodded. "I suggest then that we take our leave for the time being and reconvene in roughly two hours. That should be time enough for him to recover and interpret whatever vision he may receive, and to pass it on to Mastermind to report."

[Kender Bard]

"Agreed," Twilight remarked, standing and then leaving the room.

Shyamal stayed in his seat, staring down at the table with a pensive, deeply worried look.

Just outside the door, Fausta crept close a little too late to try and overhear anything interesting or important.

[Devon]

Trevor lingered in the meeting room for a little while longer, looking at the young prince. "Prince Shyamal, are you all right? I know these meetings tend to be a bit stressful, especially given the topic at hand."

[Kender Bard]

"I will be fine," Shyamal replied quietly. "These meetings are nothing compared to what I face ahead." He swallowed, hoping his voice didn't sound as bleak to Trevor as it did to him. He tried his hand at sounding a little more courageous, casual. "I thank you for your concern, of course, and all the support you've shown me since I first approached you."

[Devon]

"Things will get tougher for you in the coming months," Trevor admitted honestly. "But I don't doubt that you can handle it. Look at what you've done so far and at your age, it all seems hard but the best action you can take is to move forward which you are doing. Making these decisions gets a little easier with experience."

[Kender Bard]

"I certainly hope so," Shyamal agreed with an anemic smile. "How long until you think things will truly begin? Time is suddenly critical but I don't think it would be wise to head out in winter like this."

[Devon]

"We'll probably wait until towards the end of winter," Trevor said. "I know the time seems crucial now, but we can use this time to properly prepare for everything. Besides we still need to get you ready for act after the end of battle. I don't know if you have a flare for the dramatics, but you may have to take a few lessons," the older leader said with a chuckle.

[Kender Bard]

"I do not," Shyamal admitted. "It has been in my experience that things are much safer in Morilanta the less that you are noticed... so I made a habit of being inconspicuous when I felt it best to be."