[h1][b]Fleeing Alek's Shop[/b][/h1]

>Collaboration done with: [@The Large Dumbo] and [@Cu Chulainn]

[color=ed1c24]"So, friend, should we make our way to an inn and get our bearings?"[/color] The paladin motioned to the adjacent warlock.

>(Ms. Ravenwinter says in OOC: Friend is some strong language for an evil pairing)

[color=silver]"Word will spread quickly, I believe,"[/color] Uregaunt mumbled, stroking his chin. [color=silver]"I believe if the guards don't arrest those two, they'll also be searching for an inn as well. Perhaps it is best if we leave now, while we can do so without detection."[/color]

Halflight replied, [color=ed1c24]"Perhaps... if it comes to any guards running into us, however, just let me do all the talking. I may have lied about... a few things, but I'm still an ordained Knight of Lurue. That status, alone, may give us leeway for any future encounters."[/color]

>(Cu replies in OOC: You’ve never said “Friend” in an evil accent.)

[color=silver]"Lurue, is it?"[/color] Uregaunt said, pausing for a bit. [color=silver]"Very well. If it does not, however, I take it you're willing to clear our path of any obstacles?"[/color] He made a fist and raised it, clenching it slightly as he spoke.

[color=ed1c24]"So long as it doesn't ruin my image."[/color] Halflight replied, flicking his hair back with his hand, with a small smile. 

Uregaunt chuckled. [color=silver]"Good, good. There's much I need to consider about that situation we found ourselves in earlier. Once we're out of town, I'll be glad to share some of this information with you. Specifically, I'm wondering most about this..."[/color] He lifted the arm with the gem on it and gived it a few ginger taps with his finger.

Halflight chuckled back, mostly from the usage of the word 'pickle.' [color=ed1c24]"Ah, these old things? I've already had a few thoughts on it, myself. Notice how the spark in that one pale man's gem lit up when we healed him?"[/color]

Uregaunt nodded quietly. [color=silver]"That pale man is a mysterious one,"[/color] he remarked, crossing his arms. [color=silver]"I believe we should have killed him when we had the chance... Of course, we had no way of knowing..."[/color] He paused, clearing his throat and letting his arms drop as casually as possible. [color=silver]"It matters not. That albino is a rather remarkable figure, to say the least. I'll explain once we're out."[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"Of course, I had only assumed. He did have control of that woman, after all... Say, does she ever talk, by the way? And why is she helping us?"[/color]

[color=silver]"She's helping us with the grace of Kelemvor, of course,"[/color] he sarcastically said, a smug smirk on his face as he tried - and failed - not to chuckle at his own cleverness. [color=silver]"I know little of her origins, but I know that she follows whatever commands are issued. 'Kelemvor' was kind enough to grant me this miracle, and to that end, she will aid me in my quest. At some point, though, I believe we should... well."[/color] Uregaunt hesitated before continuing. [color=silver]"We should get to know her better. I admit I know very little about her.”[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"Ah, so she's the religious type... Perhaps we should bring her to a temple?"[/color] Halflight inquired.

[color=silver]"Perhaps. I doubt it, however."[/color] Uregaunt looked around, frowning. [color=silver]"Perhaps I've given too much information loosely. I wouldn't want anybody to hear this information who needs not. Let's just say that 'Kelemvor' is likely closer than you may think..."[/color] He placed heavy stress on the word 'Kelemvor'.

Halflight glared at Uregaunt. At first, he had interpreted such emphasis as something of a death threat... until he looked at Uregaunt's expression, as well as his gem-inlaid arm. Halflight cackled to himself at the realization. [color=ed1c24]"I see... we are more kindred spirits than these gems have thought us out to be."[/color] Halflight grinned, before looking at the Servant, clearing his throat. [color=ed1c24]"Can you speak? Tell us your name."[/color]

"Midnight." The unseen servant soon closed her maw, awaiting the next command.

The warlock inquired further, [color=ed1c24]"Do you remember anything that happened before you woke up and encountered the rest of us? Try to remember as much as you can."[/color] 

"Yes." She stood invisibly silent before the duo, but again lingered for another impending query.

[color=ed1c24]"Just keep recalling while we make our ways out of town. You could tell us everything once we're in a less open area."[/color] Halflight egged her to continue.

[color=silver]"Yes,"[/color] Uregaunt stated in agreement. [color=silver]"We should make haste, lest we stumble upon some unwelcome company."[/color]

Ysalain asked, [color=ed1c24]"So what were you doing before you had woken up, friend?"[/color]

The invisible voice replied, "Dying."

The paladin awkwardly hesitated, [color=ed1c24]"... Okay."[/color] Halflight was still very surprised at her response. She appeared to be more concise than curt, despite the lack of visible body language. He probably should look at Uregaunt next time when asking him questions, specifically. This does, however, open a new can of worms.

[color=ed1c24]"Dying? Were the dastardly changelings responsible?"[/color]

"Yes." A pause. "No."

[color=ed1c24]"Who was the man with the gem in his chest? Was there a reason why our attackers took his shape?"[/color] Ysalain requested more.

"I know of him." The unseen girl bicated her replies. "No."

[color=silver]"Tell me,"[/color] Uregaunt said, crossing his arms. [color=silver]"What is your relationship with the gem-chested Albino?"[/color]

"He bears the gem of Azuth's staff." She finally added some insight. "It's no longer a sapphire but a diamond."

Uregaunt nodded, placing a hand on his chin to think about the facts he has acquired thus far from Midnight and his observations.

The paladin tested, yet again. [color=ed1c24]"So you did not protect him for his life, but for what he has in his chest?"[/color]

The incognito reply was brisk. "Yes."

[color=ed1c24]"Then why help us?"[/color] The paladin probed deeper.

The female wind whispered, “For I am your servant and guardian."

[color=ed1c24]"Ours, or our gems?"[/color] Halflight raised his forearm.

“Gems.” She stated simply.

The paladin was ever curious. [color=ed1c24]"What is so important about our gems?"[/color] 

"Together, they can imprison a god." Midnight replied.

[color=silver]“Why have we been chosen to bear these gems?"[/color] Uregaunt piped in, a concerned scowl on his face.

The guardian answered simply once more. "To prevent my death." 

[color=ed1c24]"And if we all die, so will you?"[/color] The prince of Lurue questioned.

"Yes." Again, was the theme.

[color=ed1c24]"And if the man with the gem in his chest dies, will you also die? Or will we die?”[/color] 

"Yes." A pause again."Yes."

[color=ed1c24]"... Shit."[/color] The pair paused in return. [color=ed1c24]"I believe we will have to take a shorter rest than anticipated, friends. We have to find that half-orc."[/color] Ysalain suggested. [color=ed1c24]"Do you have any means of tracking anyone down?"[/color]

"No." She replied.

[color=ed1c24]"Do our gems?"[/color] Ysalain solicited.

"Yes." She answered.

The paladin solicited further. [color=ed1c24]"What else can they do?"[/color] 

Her reply was more extravagant, but remained curt. "Provide magic to its keepers. Grant strength with their communion. Deliver exhaustion with their separation."

The long-haired knight requested more intel. [color=ed1c24]“Explain the last bit more..."[/color]

"Three gems cannot be farther than 500 feet from one another more than a day, lest the keepers suffer loss (Exhaustion Level and/or Loss of HP). When all are amassed together, the gems provide the ability to learn and store magic (spells) without preparation or reserve." She continued, "If one dies, the others inherit the loss vigor."