Hello Skyheort (plot)

[Skittlebug]

The Mind from Anarlina appears in front of a small inn in Skyheort with Naomi and Renlo. With some well wishes he excuses himself to find a room, rubbing at his forehead. He's agreed to see them as far as Khelek when they're done here, but for now he needs to rest.

Naomi looks around, quite thrown off by the bustling city, dizzying even. "I'm...not quite sure where to begin looking." She admits. "I think one of the men we're looking for might be a bard." He'd been playing an instrument in the vision at least. She tries not to think too long on why there had been blood in the vision as well. "The other man...he could have been in any tavern...and there are so many places to look here."

[Kender Bard]

Renlo lay a hand on her shoulder. "Easy there," he chuckled. "I've been to Skyheort before, briefly. It is a big city, but we'll find them. To find a bard, the best place to start would be the guild."

[Skittlebug]

Naomi takes a breath to steady herself and nods. "You're right, which way is it?"

[Kender Bard]

"Not easy to miss," Renlo replied with a small smile and led the way. His Reaper guard and imposing presence helped forge a path through the thick pedestrian crowds until they were standing before the bardic guild. "Here we are."

[Skittlebug]

It turns out that they're in luck. Nicolaus is currently practising in the guild and they are directed to him easily enough.

Nicolaus raises a brow when he sees the unfamiliar faces but finishes the line he's on before stopping. "Can I help you?"

Naomi smiles, hoping that it looks reassuring. "Yes, I've got an important message for you. Would it be possible to speak somewhere more private?"

Nicolaus looks over the pair, looking a little unsure, and settles his gaze on Renlo. "Two people for one message?"

[Kender Bard]

"I am her guard," Renlo supplied. "The message she carries is of utmost importance. If you are uncomfortable with my presence, however, I could step away for a moment."

[Skittlebug]

Nicolaus frowns a little, but shakes his head. "It's all right, I'm just not accustomed to receiving important messages. Um..." He glances to the side as if thinking for a moment, then tucks his violin away before straightening. "There should be a place we can talk, if you'll follow me." Once they're ensconced in one of the guild's smaller practice rooms he looks to Naomi expectantly.

"Right," Naomi takes a second to compose herself before launching into the explanation which she's glad seems to be getting easier each time she gives it. He doesn't interrupt once, watching her with a small frown. Once she's done, holding Nicolaus' ring up for him to see, she waits for a response, a little awkwardly as the silence stretches out.

Nico really does want to just snatch the ring and see for himself if the story is true, Taed choosing him as a mortal instrument against the demons, a bit fantastic, but what a fantasy. Of course, despite everything, he does still have appearances to keep up. He blinks a few times and begins to shake his head. "Are you sure you have the right person? This can't be meant for me, I'm just a bard. I can't fight, I don't even have a sign..."

[Kender Bard]

"Taed's choices may seem a bit unusual," Renlo admitted. "We recently gave a ring to a priestess who certainly did not strike me as the type for fighting. Most likely, Taed is choosing his champions for whatever strengths they have to offer him. No doubt there will be more to this conflict than merely battling the demons. You must have faith that he knows how best to utilize you in this war against the Abyss."

[Skittlebug]

Oh yes, unusual, very. It takes a bit of concentration not to grin. "I'm still not sure but...if what you say is true, I can't very well refuse a Force." He reaches out for the ring hesitantly, and fidgets with it for a while before putting it on.

[Kender Bard]

Like the others before him, the bone ring produces a grinning skull face to signify that it was attuned to him. Renlo smiled. "Taed thanks you for your service," he replied gravely, hoping it were true.

[Skittlebug]

Nico's eyes widen and he stares at the ring for few moments, thrilled. "Whatever those services are..." He looks between the two. "What do I have to do, now that I have the ring?"

"For now you just have to wait, more will be revealed once all of the rings have been delivered." Naomi answers, wishing she could tell him more.

Nico nods, slowly. "All right, I can do that. Is there anything else? I think I'd like to just...take this in for a while."

Naomi shakes her head. "That was everything, and I'm sorry we can't tell you more."

Nico rings his hands a little, but nods. "Thank you then, I'll be sure to keep the ring on. And good luck with the rest of the deliveries."