@EliteCommander Kolvar sat down in front of the S’tor thought mage. He felt there should not be any more delay going back to the group. Anxiously he was tapping his clawed hand on his thigh, “
No I am quite fine thank you. Although I am worried that those House Silbermine goons will cause a skirmish with those foreigners. I feel we should leave as soon as possible.” Kolvar felt troubled to be leaving the others alone with those soldiers.
Gar’Tan nodded. “Yes, I imagine so. But, I don’t need to be able to read minds to tell you what the Inquisitors are doing right now. They have
strict protocols to follow. They must make a report to their superiors, outline the mission, declare who requested it, and explain why a Thought mage is needed. And since we are going to be flying there, they need to prepare equipment and supplies for the journey that can be carried by a group of large birds. Still, I wouldn’t expect it to take more than half an hour or so. Considering that, without invoking emergency powers, it usually takes weeks or months to secure the services of a Thought mage, I would say that you are enjoying some of the best service the guild offers at the moment.” He smiled.
Of course, Kolvar didn’t return the gesture, in fact, he looked annoyed that such a thing could take so long. Although thirty minutes was not really that long. Kolvar never was one to be very patient with bureaucracy. “
Indeed, and I am very grateful for you lending us your services.” His eyes were darting back and forth, feeling more anxious as time went on. “
Would it be too much to ask for a glass of water? I am feeling quite parched.”
The S’tor tilted his head slightly. “Hmm, do you not enjoy tea? Well, it is no matter. I still have some of the water I used to make it.”
Gar’Tan seemed a bit slow to stand. He was not yet an elderly man, but he did look like he was becoming advanced in years. Between the finely decorated room and expensive clothing he wore, he did appear to be wealthy, certainly wealthy enough to be able to have a Life mage extend his own life. However, not everyone who could afford to pay for such a service ended up choosing to do so. For some, the allure of an indefinite lifespan did not outweigh the downsides.
Taking a glass pitcher from the other side of the room, Gar’Tan poured a cup of crystal clear water for Kercheck, as well as a cup of tea for the soldier Baraw, upon his request. “Since we have the time now, though, perhaps it would be productive to discuss what Castigator Nellara intends for us to do with these outsiders, and these Glen? Do you know if there is anything we need to keep in mind? Any precautions we need to take? I am sure the Castigator will explain herself, but I do not want us to make any mistakes before we can even speak to them.”
Kolvar took the glass of water and took a rather sizeable gulp. “
Thank you very much.” Kolvar set the glass down on the table beside him before responding to Gar’tan’s question. “
I am sure she would want to either compromise with the glenfolk, I am sure she does not want a bloody battle to occur from any miscommunications. She does not seem like the bloodthirsty type, although that Shirik does seem like a…volatile person.” He picked up the glass to take another sip.
“
And I do not think these foreigners are looking for a fight, but we should tread carefully and not cause any conflict with them. I have a feeling they have a vast amount of knowledge we could learn from them.”
Gar’Tan nodded. “I see. Fortunately, I doubt we will be approaching heavily armed. We will not be able to carry heavy weapons and armor in the air. Of course, I am sure you can communicate with the Glen perfectly fine without me. It is these outsiders I am needed for. Once we arrive and I am given permission to unshackle my magic, I will serve as an intermediary between the Castigator and the outsiders.
Given the delicate nature of this situation, it seems like it would be most appropriate for the diplomacy to be handled by those qualified for such matters. My role shall strictly be in translation. Now, of course, to set expectations, these outsiders do not share a language with us, as you say. I too will not be able to understand the words they think just because I can hear them being thought. However, what I can convey is even deeper, more fundamental communication. I can impart
intentions onto their minds, and understand theirs. I can share meanings, without necessarily the need for words.”
“
And that is all we ask of you. To help mediate their intentions, and whether they are stuck here or planning to invade the country. Although I would think the former would be the most likely case.” Kolvar finished his glass of water. “
I do hope they are a peaceful race, It would sadden me if we were conquered by them.” He stared out of the window of Gar’tan’s office, not wanting to repeat history once again with his people.
Again, Kercheck’s words most certainly piqued Gar’Tan’s interest. “You say they are stranded here in our territory, yet you fear that
they could conquer
us? What wondrous and terrible capabilities must they have for you to have this worry? I believe I am understanding why Castigator Nellara invoked emergency powers for this mission.”
“
Their technology is something quite advanced to our own. I am afraid once they get their strength back, there is a possibility they could easily squish us like a bug.” Kolvar now looked quite perturbed by such a thought. “
But I give them the benefit of the doubt, I am sure they are more scared of us than we are of them. Again we need to tread carefully on such a delicate matter.”
All things considered, the Inquisitors’ preparations did not take too long. Within half an hour, the pair of Glen had returned. “The mission has been approved. Azaris has command. Supplies are prepared in the courtyard.” One of them announced, paying no mind to Gar’Tan or either of their guests. The Iriad Inquisitor stepped forward and addressed Kercheck and Baraw directly. “If you intend to return with us, then follow behind me.”
Although the Iriad’s words seemed to present a choice, they did not actually seem too keen on giving one. Opening the door, the Inquisitors ushered them all out into the hall. This time, Gar’Tan joined them as they walked behind the Iriad and Tekeri, with the two Glen following in the back. Rather than going back the way they came, the Inquisitors guided them out the back of the building to a closed-off courtyard. By any definition, it was an extravagant place. There were brilliantly colorful flower gardens that were clearly maintained through Life magic, as they were in full bloom despite it being well out of season. There were water features like artificial streams, and ponds, complete with large and colorful fish to inhabit them.
There were several others that seemed to be using the space, but without uniforms among all but the Inquisitor Guard, one could not know for sure if they were Inquisitors or Thought mages. Of course, the Inquisitors escorting them paid no attention to anything but their objective.
There was another pair of Inquisitor Guards there to meet them, though they simply stepped back as the others were readying themselves. Between them, there was a simple, flimsy-looking wooden box. While closed at the moment, it no doubt held the equipment and supplies they had been given for their mission. It had four handholds, one in each corner, which were the perfect size for a large bird to grab in its talons.
Regardless of what Kercheck did, the Inquisitors intended to handle their own shapeshifting. The Iriad Inquisitor, it seemed, was also a Life mage. When readying for the transformations, each of the Inquisitors removed everything except for, curiously, their masks. The Iriad went to each of them, one after another, to make the change into a Hiri: a particularly large, predatory bird native to these mountains. They had bright blue and green plumage on the tops of their heads and down their backs, though were camouflaged against the sky from below. For reasons known only to them, the Inquisitors preferred to have to awkwardly shake off a particularly oversized helmet as a bird rather than to allow anyone else to see their faces.Even the Iriad did the same when they transformed themselves last.
Kolvar was enamoured by the garden in the courtyard. He would need to remind himself to get the information on how to maintain a garden like that. He was glad that they would be able to get back to the group, he just hoped they would be able to make it in time. Using his magic to transform into a similar looking bird along with the soldier. “
Let us not waste any more time, are we all ready to depart?” He looked around and felt stupid asking that question. Flying along with the others when they all took off into the air.
While Baraw’s voice was certainly different in this form, he did not seem at all uncomfortable with it. “I also need to give my report to Lenkik’s garrison. Now that the Inquisitors have the mission, though, there is no need to delay them. Go on ahead, I will catch up.”
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