More Visions, More Problems|Neo'anar, Anarlina

[Darastrix]

~I'm here,~ came the reply. Zira was--surprisingly, for him--actually in a knot of courtiers, recounting the duel of the previous day and seeming more flattered than flustered with the attention. He wore the sword he had won peace-tied on his hip, and from his dress to his posture seemed far more comfortable at Court than he ever had been. He tapped his temple to indicate to the others that someone else was needing his attention and looked around for a moment before catching sight of Ryder. ~You say it's urgent; should we go somewhere a bit more private?~

[Devon]

~Yes, I wouldn't want to disturb any of the other courtiers right now,~ he replied. Ryder nodded his head towards Zira and waved for him to follow him. Picking an empty hall, the Seer waited for Zira to get there before speaking.

[Darastrix]

Disturb the courtiers? That was an odd sentiment; usually the courtiers loved being interrupted by someone giving new information. Their only common complaint was that the other person had been able to spread the word first. What in the world could Ryder have to speak to him about? Zira couldn't begin to imagine.

He excused himself from the company of his current flock and followed Ryder out of the audience hall. "Now, what is it?" he asked, giving Ryder a look of bemused concern.

[Devon]

"Thuoth gave me a vision earlier," he began. "The High Priest in Morilanta has released demons again, this time its much worse. The only way to stop it is for Thuoth and I assume the other Forces to gather their chosen."

Ryder held out one of the rings Thuoth left him. "This is for you Lord Zira, you are one of Thuoth's chosen. He said when the time is right he'll use these to gather all of you together."

[Darastrix]

More demons? And there had still been sightings even after things were taken care of last time. The lord that had been allowed to stay in Khelek, the demon that had gone after Midnight and Twilight, the one that had surfaced in Khelek....

He couldn't help but feel an odd pang of envy that Ryder had been the one Thuoth had spoken to. Why not him? On the other hand, he was still one of Thuoth's chosen. That was gratifying. And Ryder was more suitable to play messenger, right? He rubbed his forehead lightly with one hand. "Forces," he murmured before reaching out to accept the ring.

It was rather pretty, he thought. And it matched his own jewelry and crest well. As he slipped it on, he glanced at Ryder and began, "Who else is--Ah!" Pain lanced through him, dropping him to one knee. Forces, what was this? "What did you do!?" Zira hissed through clenched teeth. OhThuothohThuothohThuoth....

[Kender Bard]

The ring had come to life. The feather uncurled as soon as it had been slipped on Zira's finger... And then abruptly stabbed into his finger, the metallic 'tip' of the jewelry quill digging into the flesh, drawing blood as it did so, and sending the pain lancing through him.

[Devon]

Ryder blinked in surprise, moving to Zira's side to help steady him. "I'm sorry Zira I had no idea the ring would do that to you. Are you all right?" Ryder had his own feelings about being the messenger. There was slight jealous for not being chosen, but relief as well since he had no idea what they would be called to do. He loved his lord and would be eager to serve him, but he loved his wife as well and wasn't sure if he could handle leaving her.

[Darastrix]

"It. Hurts," Zira said tightly as he reached up to put his other hand on Ryder's shoulder and slowly got to his feet. He might have accepted it if the ring was to give a pain for some reason after one first put it on, but it wasn't stopping. After a moment or two of waiting to see whether the pain would ease, he snatched the ring off his finger. Blessed relief.

He eyed the ring, now held in the palm of a trembling hand. "Why...why would Thuoth give rings to his chosen that hurts them?"

[Devon]

"I'm not sure, Thuoth obviously has a reason for it," Ryder said. "I'll try and see if I can get a glimpse of something for you Zira. Hold on." Ryder tapped his signs together and closed his eyes concentrating hard.

A few moments later Ryder's eyes snapped open. "Sorry I couldn't see a thing."

[Darastrix]

Zira touched his own Mind sign and closed his eyes for a moment, attempting to divine something himself, though he was far less experienced than a dedicated seer. And, unsurprisingly, he had no more luck than Ryder. "I don't understand this," he murmured. "I can't very well wear a ring that stabs me whenever I put it on."

[Devon]

"I'll work on figuring out why the ring does that Zira," Ryder told him. "I still have a few others to visit, I need to find Sunray as well as Prince Nagi. The other chosen I've never met before," he explained.

[Darastrix]

"Maybe Sunray will be able to divine something," Zira said. "Or Lord Crawford, since you're going to Khelek." As tangled in large events as Khelek's Lord Regent tended to be, along with Schuldig, he wouldn't be surprised if they'd already heard something. "I think while you're gone to see Sunny, I might ask Snowflake if she has any idea."

Snow might not be Thuothan, but she was the highest religious authority in Anarlina. She needed to hear about this anyway.

[Devon]

"I'll check with Sunray before I give him the ring," Ryder said agreeing with Zira's plan of action. "Nalani should be on her way to see Snowflake as well, let me see if I can contact Sunray."

Ryder touched his Mind sign and sent a message to Sunray. ~Sunray, this is Ryder I need to speak with you, can we meet somewhere? I'm near the courtiers currently.~

[Kender Bard]

Yes I suppose I can head over there, Sunray thought distractedly.

He arrived, cloaked with a hood up. It was standard for him to do when heading to the palace anyway; it helped him avoid unwanted attention. He looked around for Ryder.

[Devon]

Ryder caught sight of him and quietly made his way over to Sunray. "Good to see you," he began.

"Listen, Thuoth visited me earlier, Morilanta has released the demons again and you are one of our lord's chosen to help stop it. Thuoth gave me a ring to deliver to you. I've already given one to Zira and for some reason it caused him a great deal of pain, before you put yours on I was wondering if you might be able to divine a reason why it may hurt."