[h3][color=gold]Khan[/color][/h3]

[u]Within Khan’s office[/u]

Khan settled into his chair after he finished his story. His back leaned back and applied pressure enough to make the wood squeak in protest, his odd colored eyes examined the teacher. Weariness was already flooding him from the inside out and threatened to force him to drift off to slumber. It was a rest long overdue but he resisted. There was still the feast to deal with, including Ovak’s condition and other more important matters. Giving into mental fatigue wouldn’t remedy the miles of paperwork he still needed to complete. That fact was only made worse when Khan’s odd colored eyes shifted to note them staring there waiting for him. 

The headmaster took a breath then exchanged a look with Uicle, his eyes holding there. It was by far the longest staring contest he ever had. Little pointless though since the armor had no definite eyes to speak of. In the back of Khan’s mind, he was debating on the teacher’s reaction to his story. Would there be disgust? Unlikely as Uicle possibly had all his human emotions hollowed out of him by Aarem himself and stuffed in a jar on the God’s mantel. At least that was what Uicle made it seem like. 

In his own mind, Khan knew none of the staff or teachers were saints. Serge had killed innocents in the thousands during his time as a soldier and Lidda had been forced to walk away from those enemies dying on the battlefield, their suffering only began. He was fairly certain even Ovak had tasted blood by the way the archmage held himself.  

Ignoring his growing anxiety, the headmaster looked at Uicle a little longer. Then he withdrew. His hand reached for his cane and slowly he lifted up, his lungs released a stressful grunt in his efforts. After a moment where his knuckles seemed to fail to crush his cane’s handle, he spoke. [color=Gold]”Is there anything else you want to know or shall we return to the feast before we’re noticed to be missing?”[/color]

[h3][color=tan]Ovak[/color][/h3]

[color=tan] “No thank you Grey,”[/color] Ovak stated kindly as he let Grey answer Leith. Naturally, being a gentle giant he was, Grey moved to intercept the group collecting. Unfortunately he wasn't perfect and one managed to slip by him, trotting to approach Ovak. 

The vampire bowed, then started to speak respectively, slightly hinting at her intentions. Her eyes however reflected that of a predator. It was likely what had scared off Leith because abruptly the student’s  body rose from his seat and he bid them a polite farewell.

If things were easy, Ovak might’ve followed Leith’s lead and escaped himself. His eyes followed the youth, partly wishing he could join him. He then smacked away the desire, ripping his eyes back to the front to hear the rest. 

Ovak reached for his tea to sip it again. The warm heat played at his wrinkled lips and  his thoughts pushed past the taste, even ignoring the terrible smell. It was proof he had worse in his history making him smirk at the memory. It was  of a woman with flowing, curling locks forming  into his thoughts and holding out a terrible smelling tea cup to him. Her brown eyes felt like deep voids he easily could get lost in for hours. The more he dwelled on her picture, the more his heart began to ache. He knew she was gone and the recollection never seemed to dull in pain, but she was still within his heart.  His past was history and  while it was enjoyable to linger on,  it was best to deal with present. 

His mind returned to examine the vampiress before him recalling her somewhere. Mentally he tried to conjure up everything he knew about this event, from her most venomous reaction to her mildest, causing realization to dawn on him. She was a baronness. The one connected to guards attacked during one particular escort mission and immediately he realized which mission it was. 

Oddly enough he wasn't surprised. 

Baroness wouldn’t be satisfied, like many others, to leave here without getting her goal even a fraction done. The main reason many individuals didn’t  bother the College was because they had hope they would eventually get what they wanted.  She wasn't any different.

Before he could reply, Grey abruptly went on the defensive and subtly warned the vampire off. Not exactly ideal for the delicate situation as Ovak rapidly got to his feet. His hand reached for his came and gestured for a nearby golem, one of wind, to help him upright. [color=tan] “It's alright Grey and thank you. I'm sure the Baroness, Ms. Yzarc, doesn't mean any harm here. However I believe she's here about an incident over a misunderstanding and one I intend to clear up.”[/color] 

His arm grasped the golem’s out held arm then moved around the lengthy table toward her. [color=tan] “However I do want to make a request of you.” [/color]

Ovak stopped to place a hand on the man’s arm in a fatherly manner and didn’t imply, in any manner,  he was  demeaning the larger man’s actions. In fact he more than appreciate someone had broke the awkward moment soon to come.  [color=tan] “Could you give Lucilia this for me? Tell her to tap it twice and whisper the flower Lyn bought her to it. Lucilia will explain and wish me luck.”[/color] 

Without warning, Ovak gently pressed his hand to mouth then whispered several inaudible words under his breath. Even the most sharp ear would merely note a few syllables and nothing more,  making it impossible to determine the contents. When Ovak finished he withdrew his hand. In it  was a small coin of purple hue nested in the palm, one that hadn’t been there before and likely a work of arcanite. He indicated with his head for Grey-hopefully when the guard faced him- to take it to Lucilia. When Grey finally retrieved, and if he decided to trust Ovak, only then  would he turn back to Yzarc to address her. 

[hider=Coin Message]
When the coin is tapped, it glows and Ovak’s words come from it in a quiet tone into her mind. 

[i][color=tan] ‘Yes, Lucilia you can be upset with me later. First off, we have a important matter to discuss.’[/color][/i]

He paused then spoke again, continually without further delay.

[i][color=tan] ‘Alright, Shaltear Yzarc has currently arrived and approached me about the recent mission that quickly got out of hand. Now, I need you to do several things for me: 

First, bring the Journal Ssarak Dyreackthanose and Meirin Kureni delivered to you. The one about interesting activities in Djarkel. Mostly I need proof about the student’s report over the guards not being themselves and having been turned in Ghouls, bring doubt in about the lack of bodies if my suspicions are correct. Namely that the Baroness hasn’t been given full details about the series of events that happened. 

Second, seek out the two students should the Baroness request to speak with the individuals responsible for delivering the information. I would also suggest we not have Alaira, Darius Jura, or Lyn speak with the Baroness herself else things become more complicate than they should. Alaira is likely to get aggressive if she suspects the Baroness will hurt her or someone she loves. Darius might not know as much or will only speak what he feels is needed, placing blame on Alaira for the mission’s path. And Lyn’s a child. An intelligent child, but even she will try to lie and keep her Aunt out of danger putting the Baroness on alert to our intentions. Besides, I’m sure none of the students will want to put the child through Djarkel questioning, including myself. 

Third, inform Val she will needing to free up her work schedule for next several weeks. This means Tyrael will have the forge to himself but might need to teach a few of the basic forge classes Val usually does and also watch over her classes in her absence. Have Uicle put out request for volunteer manual workers from the staff and college to help rebuild the bridge that was destroyed. Granted, it would’ve came down a week later and we would’ve been forced to build it anyways for free,  but telling the Baroness that isn’t going to gain a compromise.  It also saves us purchasing the materials and gaining the Baron’s permission.

Last thing is cut pay down for the future missions from any student who killed a guard. They will be down a notable amount of their payment as it will be going to the families, something I want you to personally ensure happens. Even if you need to make a list of what the family needs and buy them from Rurik, at the College discount, and have him deliver it to the family himself or your own trade services. This will be happening for the next ten to fifteen years, depending on what I can get the Baroness to agree to. They might not like it but it’s the least dangerous route to ending this peacefully. 

Also, on a completely different note… if any of you happen to meet Annabeth Gulch, or one of her companions, please inform them Khan is his office. Just feel free to knock and enter right away before he vanishes. And Grey has a message from me as well about later tonight. Sincerely, Ovak.' [/color][/i][/hider]