[i][b]Chessmaster[/b][/i]

Pacing. Again. Fifty-Six steps forward, turn to the left, forty-six steps forward, walk straight up the wall, twenty-six steps straight up, forty-six steps forward, turn to the left, fifty-six steps forward, walk down the wall, twenty-six steps straight down, and repeat. It was a ritual they knew well, as it was the only thing they could do to in this prison. The repetitiveness kept them from all descending into madness, and time seemed to pass quickly when they walked largely on autopilot and let their minds wander. It was in the hopes that time had advanced again that they returned to their chessboard, eyeing the various pieces on it. The pulsing white pieces of mortals who would play a major part in the future, without outside influence. The shimmering gold pieces of the Gods' pawns. The black of Kudd's servants that seemed to draw in all light around them. The chaotic purple of his own pawns, settling in on various parts of the nations in Tiien. They touched their fingers to each of the pawns, checking on progress. Ironstead. Ghannos. Frostbite and in the Frozen Plains near it. The College and rapidly closing in on it. Yarosmere. Eania. Djarkel. 

"Good. Good. Things are moving along as planned." Chessmaster muttered, his other two siblings only looking on with slight interest. The time for their revenge and rebirth wasn't at hand, so they had no desire to be apart of the planning. Something he was grateful for. "Now...time to see what influence I can wield with the mortals themselves." They reached their fingers down towards two mortals, who possessed artifacts of his.

[u]Grey[/u]

Grey's axe spoke to him. [i]Ah. It feels good to be in the hands of a just warrior again. At first I thought you were that corrupted bastard, Legion, with all his demons writhing in his blood. Tell me your name, Guardsman, and I shall tell you mine.[/i] Another bird, this time made of metal, came and spoke to the guardsman, sounding like a bored young man. "Uicle needs a list of mercenaries he can trust. He assumes you know at least one." With that, it left.

[u]Leith[/u]

[i]The servants of the Wild are here. More are coming. Prepare yourself, Hydromancer, for they will be far less subtle than the Eternal Hunger, and far more dangerous. You will need your demon, before you  can afford to have us expunge it from you.[/i] The voice from before spoke in Leith's mind.

A metal bird landed on Leith's shoulder, speaking in the voice of a little girl. "Uicle wants you to talk to the Yarosmere diplomat you saved, and figure out what exactly is going on in the desert nation." Then it left.

[u]Ssarak[/u]

A metal bird of Uicle's flew in front of the Esyire, speaking in a rough voice of someone used to shouting their entire life. "Ssarak. Uicle wants you to comprise a list of all the mercenary companies you know that can be trusted to not run and not betray the College. Also, there are two Esyire diplomat groups. Each claiming that the others is a false government. He wants you to find out the situation from both sides, and assumes you won't try to kill any of them." With that, the bird flew off.

[u]Aramir and Annabeth.[/u]

"Considering that Satori made such an...interesting display of power last year, and the entire world is shins for me whenever I walk into large crowds, I don't think I'll be going to the feast this year. Shooting my bow is a better use of my time." Aramir's attention was immediately taken by a gargoyle striding up to the two of them. Speaking in the eloquent and smooth tone of a butler. 

 "Aramir. Something is happening in the Frozen Plains, according to the Snow Elf delegation. You're too find out the details." Aramir paled, which the Gargoyle ignored as he continued. "Annabeth, go with her. Wait for Auriel in the courtyard, and head towards the Eania delegation. Oh, and this is for you Annabeth." The gargoyle handed the human a note, before striding off. It read: '[i]The Snow Elves are being destroyed tribe by tribe by a demon army. Aramir's own tribe was wiped out a year or so ago. Make sure she doesn't have a break down or something while talking to the Snow Elf delegation.[/i]', signed by Uicle. 


[u]Auriel[/u]

The same Gargoyle quickly tracked down the Forest elf, delivering the same letter. "You're to go with her and Annabeth to the Snow Elves. Meet them in the Courtyard and head towards the Eania delegation."

[u]Mei[/u]

A bird fluttered in front of the monk, a lilting voice coming out of it's metal beak. "You're to talk to the Djarkel delegation about the killings that have been happening amongst the barons. Ask Lucillia to introduce you." And then it left.

[u]Althalus and Alaira[/u]

Althalus gave an eloquent bow. [color=00aeef]"You know me. Humble, selfless, the list just goes on of my many charitable traits. You actually need rest? I thought you just got energy from yelling and punching things. At least that's what I'm told all the large, gold spear wielding, thug beating, demon killing, pretty girls do instead of sleep."[/color] Althalus winked with a smirk, as the half-elf bopped him on the head. [color=00aeef]"Oh, is that your new technique? Hit them with the spear like it was a club? I don't know much about combat, so pardon me if I'm wrong, but aren't you supposed to poke them with the [i]shar-[/i]"[/color] Whatever he was going to say was cut off as a large steel Golem strode up. A gruff old man spoke from it, his tone still speaking of military days. "Alaira. You're to go to the Tidehome delegation and figure out just what the problem is. Althalus, you're to go with her to make sure she doesn't punch anyone and get her rights to visiting Lyn taken away, herself locked in a cave, and cause a minor war. Per Uicle's orders. I assume you know what Tidehome colors look like?" Althalus nodded. "Good. They're next to the Djarkel delegation. Also, Alaira, Uicle wants a list of mercenary companies he can trust." With that, it walked away.

Althalus looked at Alaira. [color=00aeef]"Well, come on. Smile. We gotta start working on that. If you scowl the entire time they'll be more scared and less likely to explain. Smiling works wonders to turn you from 'terrifying' to 'approachable' and you can't beat the information out of the diplomats. Shall we go?"[/color]

[u]Darius and Baldur[/u]

A steel golem tracked down first Baldur and then Darius, delivering the same message, a small boy's voice coming out. "Find Khan and make sure he's taking his medicine."