Palast, 16th of Frostkolt, P.C. 943 - Tawyin's Journal

Well, yesterday was surely one of the more exciting days of my life.

It's not everyday that you meet not just one, but two gods.

Although I'm really not too impressed by the one.  Not that into bald guys.

But it was nice to see Mishakal, even if she didn't stick around for that long.

Here's what happened.

As you know we had a plan to get the Blue Crystal Staff (which by the way, is not Blue, is not made of Crystal and for an artifact is pretty unimpressive).  Well, we were able to do just that (thanks to Balla) and as we were just getting to the apothacary shop where the avatar was, Fiona started screaming.

Of course I figured there was something wrong with her, and Dal did too.  A few of us stayed while the rest rushed to see about the avatar.  Once we made sure that Fiona was not bleeding or anything, we headed to the shop as well.

And it's a good thing we did or we would have missed meeting Set (try saying that five times fast).

So, there was Set, and 6 of his minions, and Mishakal's avatar. They were doing really, really naughty things to her that I don't feel like repeating here.

But never fear, we showed up to save the day.  Except Markum seemed to not be able to hit the broad side of a barn, and ended up almost getting hit with an arrow in that portion of his anatomy which will assure the continunace of his family tree if you catch my drift...

Humans are icky.

Balla was quite impressive during the fight though, she fell and squished one of the minions, but apparently got the staff close enough to the avatar to have her use the staff to move the heck out of the way.

The fight didn't take too long, especially after Set left. I really wish he would have done that disappear in a sand whirlwind thing I've heard about, that would have been something!

So, Mishakal is back, and the former avatar is going to go straighten out her daughters. I really wish I could be a fly on the wall for that one.

But we are heading... somewhere.  There is much debate as to what we are going to do next, go to Habbakuk, go find Lunitari's stuff, investigate a sighting of Chemosh in the area. All of these are possibilites.

It seems we have forgotten all about Chislev.  I hope she doesn't get mad. Although she's neutral, so the worst that will probably happen is when she gets back she'll rain on us..... a lot.

Oh, note to self: keep an eye on Fiona.  She's starting to ask really, really odd.

Linaras, 15th Frostkolt, P.C. 943 - Taywin's Journal

So the others have a plan.

We seem fairly confident that the artifact AND the avatar are both in town.  How we lucked into this I'll never know, but I'm immensely grateful for it.  As it is we have a hammer for a god that could be anywhere and sword for a god that is still halfway across the continent.

If all of the gods could be this accomodating.

Apparently Dal through means that I would rather not comtemplate found out from one of the accolytes that all of the treasures from the temple are being held in a vault accessbile only from behind the high altar.

Wait, did I mention what was happening with the temple?

No?

Ok.

So apparently not only had the world turned upside down, but there are folks that have gone literally bat-crap crazy.

Apparently the former High Priestess of Mishakal had two daughters, two TWIN daughters who took over for her when she retired (wonder if it was before or after this whole thing started?). 

Well, it seems one daughter had a vision where a woman came to her claiming to Mishakal and told her that she had to go into hiding due to the whole foreign God thing, but if she would worship her under her NEW name, then she would give her back her spells.  Just call me Hera she said.

The other twin on the same night got almost the same dream, but the name SHE was given was Isis.

So these two did what sisters always do... they argued and decided to split the temple down the middle and decorate one for Hera and one for Isis.

Humans!

Anyway, they split the temple and redecorated.

Now we are gong to try to get down to that vault and hopefully get the Blue Crystal Staff.

I hope our ogre knows that the staff looks like a normal quarterstaff when it's not being used.

Bracha, 14th Frostkolt, P.C. 943 - Fiona's Journal

Xak Tsaroth, ancient center of worship for the goddess Mishakal, I think I might have come here with Willow at some point when I was younger.

I don't remember this city, but then again, I do.

But are these memories mine, or are they someone elses? Someone much more powerful.

I don't know.

And a part of me doesn't care, part of me likes the power, and the knowledge that I'm getting.

But another part of me is tired, so very, very tired.  I want to talk to Markum, see if there is any light he can shed on what happened to him, to see if there is something similar to what happened to him that will somehow let me know if anyone can tell me what is happening to me, and what is in store for me.

The problem is that we never seem to be alone, and now is not the time for greedy personal concerns.  The whole world is in crisis, what is one life when we all need to preserve the entire plane?

Dal and the other are out roaming around the city, trying to figure out if there is either artifact or avatar here.  Mishakal's voice is louder right now, so I think we are closer, but I still don't have a good handle on what is going on with me I'm afraid.

Hopefully soon we'll know more about what is going on.

Majetag, 10th Frostkolt, P.C. 943 - Taywin's Journal

Welcome the latest edition of Krynn has gone to the Abyss in a handbasket.

So, we found the entrance to the Sla-Mori and somehow managed to not kill each other while we were waiting for the correct moon phase to have it open and last night was that night

I'll have to admit, I really wasn't looking forward to going underground.  More Dal's sort of place than mine afterall.  But if that kept us from freezing our backsides off going over the mountains... well then I'm all about it.

So I read this book once.... it was something that I picked up in Sigil once upon a time.  The merchant swore that it was history, but I'm not sure.  All I know is that it talks about these great fighters that promissed to help some old moldy king with some fight and because they were not able to fulfill this oath they were cursed to never rest or have peace until they fulfilled their oath.  So they haunted the underground caves until some heir of this king came and had them help out to kill this huge army.

The Sla-Mori was kind of like that.  It seems that the Guardian of Kith-Kanan and all of the lesser guards have gone off their meds and a bit around the bend.

I was waiting for them to start quoting the book:

The way is shut.
It was made by those who are Dead.
And the Dead keep it.
The way is shut.

Luckily it didn't get that far (bitt that would have been COOL), but we did have to kill them all.

I promise, I have very little to do with it.  Apparently Dal and Fiona were pretty handy destroying some of the zombies and everyone basically piled on the rest....

Oh and the Dread Wraith, did I mention there was a Dread Wraith?

Anyway, we are past that and in Pax Tharkas and hopefully no one'll notice that we took something with us from the tomb, but when the rotty corpse of the King of the Qualinesti GIVES you something, it's not like it's stealing, right?

Right?

Palast, 9th Frostkolt, P.C. 943 - Taywin's Journal

I found Callisto's journal today.

It was in Fiona's pack.

Don't ask what I was doing looking in Fiona's pack.  I'll admit it right here and now, I'm worried about her and I've noticed that some days she writes in her journal still.  Something that her and her mother and grandmother before her have done their whole lives.  I wanted to know if she had any grip on what is going on.

I'm not proud of myself for doing this, but I'm glad that I did, because as I said, I found Callisto's journal.

And I'm NOT ashamed that I took it and read it.

Of course at first it was only a bunch of squiggles that danced in my eyes, but all it took was a quick spell and I could read what she had to say for herself.

Which is not a lot, I can't believe that she never once thought we would come after her.

Oh, I suppose I should explain what happened last night while we were waiting for the entrance to the Sla-Mori to open.

We were camping in Qualinesti Forest, near the border between that forest and Darken Wood (wonder where the Forestmaster was) and sometime during the third watch (or maybe it was the second watch) Callisto aparently overpowered the folks on watch, knocked them out and stole Fiona.

I'm not sure how Dal managed to track her down, but he tracked her to a Portal which lead....somewhere.  Through the portal he went and he was teleported back to us a short time later with Fiona.

So I tried to see what it could have been that happened to her, but found Callisto's journal instead.  Apparently she had been planning this all along.

I have a feeling this isn't over with she and I no matter what Dal says about her ability to get back from whatever plane she's gone to.

And when I see her again I'm going to rip her spine out.

But now, we are off to visit the Sla-Mori and the tomb of Kith-Kanan.

6th Poseideon, P.C. 943 - Callisto's Journal

Tonight is the night.

This group of rubes are heading through a dark and ancient forest, filled with mystery, blah, blah, blah.

I'm sure with all the fighting for survival against monsters that being worried about they won't notice when I slip out of here.

And take Fiona with me.

Cause really? *I* was going against Ares?  Hah!  No, I just wanted to keep an eye on her and get whatever information I could off of the rest.  Like where they are going.

And underground is not somewhere that I want to even contemplate.  Too much like Tartarus, and I don't have any obolus on me at the moment. But I do have a few denarii still and thanks to Fiona and her scary knowledge of all the portals on this backwater world, I know we aren't too far from somewhere I can get back home to, and from there.... well, I just have to get Ares's attention and hand the girl over.

Simple.

1st Frostkolt, P.C. 943 - Fiona's Journal

Daltigoth.

There was a time when I would walk the streets of this town freely, and  visit the taverns, listening to my fellow bards.

But not now.

Now I'm stuck in some inn disguised and hidden away like I was some pariah.

I guess thanks to Ares I am now and while I would never be so brash as to suggest that I try to take out the God of War, I would certainly love to give it a try.

At least Markum is back to normal.  I see how he looks at me though; he's worried about me.  Taywin and Dal too, actually even some of the newer members of this company seem to be worried about my behavior.

Even that blonde girl Callisto who is somehow connected to Ares seems to keep close to me as if she's concerned about my well being.

Maybe if we were able to return a few more artifacts things would get better...

One can only hope, but it's taken so long to for just two gods to be returned.  There are so many more to go.

We need a lucky break, some way to convince these Aspects, or Avatars, whatever they want to call themselves to come together to make it easier to return them to their realms.

28th Maimakterion 943 P.C. - Callisto's Journal

Yes, I'm still here.  And I will THINK about returning your precious fairy later.  She annoys me with her fashion sense.

So we are here is some big city and I have never, EVER been more bored.  Apparently everyone is all in an uproar about these 6 shades coming bodily back from the dead.  I could tell them some stories, but I have other plans for this group.

Apparently they are full steam ahead on getting these gods of theirs back.  Why would they even want that?  I mean, all Lolth had to do was trick one god into trusting her, and the entire pantheon falls?

Epic fail.

I mean, Ares is a pompous ass, but at least he's managed to stick around and hold on to what is his.... except Xena, but I don't like to think about her, gives me a headache.

So for now I'm being a good team player and agreeing to go with them at least halfway across the continent looking for all of these godly trinkets.

Once again, we'll see how long that lasts.  I suppose I could stick around long enough to get Ares and myself back, then all bets are off.

Bakukal, 27th Darkember, 943 P.C. - Fiona's Journal

Well at least we know what happened to Samual and the rest when the disappeared in the flash of light that surrounded Markum.

Oh, wait I should probably back up.  I'm getting ahead of myself again.

Markum was apparently Kiri-Jolith's avatar. After he went into the Tomb, killed the Medusa (hope it wasn't "The Medusa", someone would be upset I think) and retrieved the lance he was surrounded by this brown and white light.  He was able to speak with the others for a few moments, but frankly I was too startled to really talk to him at that moment.

That and the voices were nigh on deafening at that moment.  To top it off, he didn't even look like himself, he's been acting differently, we both have and I know it, but he just didn't look like Markum.

So, Kiri-Jolith/Markum talked to everyone for a little bit, answered some questions then it was like he was exploding in a burst of light.  Markum fell to the ground and while I would usually have ran to his side to make sure that he was ok, I was froze in place by what I was hearing.

Thank the Gods that he was not injured.

But back to the Hell Hounds, once this happened, the Knight Haunts that had been Samual and the others disappeared. We all assumed that they had done their duty and they had ascended with Kiri-Jolith to the Dome of Creation where the God dwells.

So we headed back towards Foghaven Keep quite aware that there were at least one hydra and possibly two in the area.

We were not expecting the trebuchet stone to almost hit us.

Apparently not only had Kiri-Jolith left, but he had some how managed to restore the Hell Hounds to life, and they were on our side again.

They had either been told of, or seen the hydra that was stalking us and since Kiri-Jolith left them at the Keep, they decided to use the siege engines to good effect.

Except it just about scared the crap out of me.

Thankfully we managed to make relatively quick work of the two hydras, luring them out of the woods and attacking them with a combination of magic and might.  The trebuchet would have helped if they could have figured out how to aim the thing.

We are not apparently heading towards Daltigoth, with the plans to ask around a bit about the Hammer of Kharas. From there we are moving eastward, through Qualinesti Forest, over the mountains around Thorbardin and then heading northward, at least unless something changes between here and there.  We know that we have at least one artifact in the party and we are heading toward the holy site of that deity to return it.

I have been told there are two other artifacts with us.  I'm even told that I know where one of them is, but every time I try to think of where it might be, the location slips out of my mind like a fish slipping out of a net. I know that the harp is safe, but I don't know where it is.  I just hope that when the time comes, I do not disappoint Branchala.

I will have to figure out what sort of face I will wear while I am in Daltigoth.  Last time we passed this way, we found out about a warrant out for my arrest thanks to that foreign God, Ares.

Maybe a drow?  It might be interesting and won't that surprise Dal.

Bakukal, 27th of Darkember, 943 P.C - Taywin's Journal

You know, sometimes humans just aren't that observant and elves just aren't much better. Pala, um, Branchala bless them.

So, I was standing around listening to all of this talk about if we should let this new blonde girl help us out, and getting all a little bored with the whole rigamarole and yakkity stuff.

I almost walked off, but with Markum acting all Godly and stuff, and Fiona acting.... well, I still don't have words for the way she's acting....

Anyway, I decided to stick around relatively close by and make sure that we weren't all going to get ambushed or something.

It's a good thing that I did, cause I totally found something.

And I ALMOST thought is was really cool the way it was acting and stuff.

Then I realized all it was that I was seeing was a cooshee.

I wonder if that means that She's here.  I hope so, considering it's her job to watch the place, and we are totally flounding around all over it.

I wonder what she would do if we I just wandered off with the dog......

I've always wanted a pet.

27th of Maimakterion, P.C. 943 - Callisto's Journal

Ok, so I figured I would get in on this whole journal thing. The mortals seem to be having quite a good time of it. And before you ask, I am not going to use your little calendar monthly names, I'm going to use proper Greek names for the month.  And that fairy isn't going to stop me.  Don't worry, I'll return her back when I'm done, maybe even in one peice. Hehehe.

Alright, so for those of you that don't know who I am, let me introduce myself.  I am Callisto.  I am NOT Ares's insert derogatory term here.

I am not exactly from around here and I really REALLY want to get the heck back to where I'm from.  It's not that I don't like it here... Oh who am I kidding, I HATE it here.  I have no idea why Ares or anyone else would care about this lump of dirt.  I've got more important things to do like making a certain someone's life a living trip to Tartarus.....

But I'm off the subject, again.  Listen, let me just say that I'm fine with helping these folks fix things around here, although I'ts not like I'm a real goddess or anything (not going to tell them that, there is a difference between immortality and divinity, but these rubes don't know that).

I mean, it's not like I have a portfolio or anything, but then again these folks don't need to know that.

So, I'm going to help them find there stuff for as long as it amuses me, which given my attention span.... well, we'll see how long it'll last.

I mean, they were smart enough to get past what Ares left behind, hopefully they're smart enough to get me the heck out of here soon.

Misham, 26th of Darkember, 943 P.C. - Taywin's Journal

Fiona's Litany as it stands now....

Father needs his harp
Grandfather needs his ring
Grandmother needs her staff
Great-Aunt needs her cup
War Maker needs his staff
The Wild Twin needs his sword
The Warrior Twin needs his lance
The Silent Brother needs his Bracers
The Glowing Son needs his Bracers
Earth's Mother needs her heart
Knowledge's Root needs his eye
The World Maker needs his hammer
Passion's Wife needs her scales
Industry's Husband needs his fire
Fool's Lady needs her shield
The Sea Witch needs her shell
Death Bringer needs his censer
Merchant's Master needs his cards
The Cheater of Death needs his horn
The Dark Eye needs his Shroud

Linras, 22nd of Darkember, 943 P.C. - Tawyin's Journal

Well, it's been a couple of weeks since the whole world turned upside down and we have been treking around all over Solamnia and part of Ergoth.

I'm getting increasingly worried about Fiona, I don't think she's slept at all that I've been able to tell and she only eats when we remind her to do so.  And it doesn't help that she's got 6 Knight Haunts that hover around her all the time.

And Markum! Markum has always been so nice and now he's distant and a bit scary if you ask me. I know that it's because of Kiri-Jolith that he's acting so odd, but I miss the REAL Markum.

He was really nice and he would help me and Dal take care of Fiona if he were himself.  And he would know what to do and where to go to fix things (Hopefully).  I know some things, but I'd prefer to stay in the background a bit for the time being, hopefully they won't need my help.

So we headed south from Ravenskeep to go to Qualinesti forest, former home of Kith-Kanan and the Wildrunners.  I think it's kind of cool, except for the fact that in order to get the permisson to go there Dal had to get a geas put on him by Kiri-Markum.  So lame.

The only good thing about this whole trip is when we finally got to the edges of Qualinesti forest we got so see griffins!

That was so cool!

But then when we got to the holy site to Chislev, we found out that the High Priestess has left walking east looking for something.

So now I guess we are going to on to Foghaven Vale.  It's been a while since I've been there, am sure that it hasn't changed much....

Bracha, 21st of Darkember, 942 P.C. - Fiona's Journal

Perhaps if I write this down it will sone how get them to leave me alone.

I know that they can hear me, they can hear everything and know everything, how could they not know that this would happen?

But I must not let these things shake my faith, I have dedicated myself to him for 10 years now and I'm know that him and his fellow gods are seething at what has happened.  All but one, the one that weeps quietly, whose voice is more of a whisper to me.

But to my task, for as I have learned from my family history, nothing is certain and even I might not make it to the end of this trial.  If so, perhaps this information will help the others.

This is what I know.

Father needs his harp
Grandfather needs his ring
Grandmother needs her staff
Great-Aunt needs her chalice....

Palast, 16th of Darkember, 943 P.C. - Willow's Journal

Taywin and the others have left.  They say that they are heading South towards Ergoth and Foghaven Vale.

I can't help be feel a bit distressed though, considering what I found in the groups rooms when I went to tidy up.

With all of the tumult that has happened the last few weeks, I would not have been surprised that something like that might happen in this town.

It's just that... well these sort of things don't happen around here too often.

I hesitate to tell Elric, but I see no way around it, but I am rambling.  I tend to do that a bit when I'm upset, I suppose it's from dealing with Kender so much.

So, here is what I know.  Xeno, one of the Kagonesti that was a traveling companion to the Orge, I found him dead with out a mark on him.  A Kagonesti in the prime of his life, dead like that, highly unlikely, so I decided to use a spell just to make sure, and my suspicions were confirmed.....

Xeno had been poisoned, one of my people murdered under my very roof. I have no idea what this poison was that killed him, but there is no mistake that someone murdered him. There was even something left behind, as if the person the committed this act was trying to attract attenion to the deed, if not to themselves.  Perhaps it is someone that follows one of the new gods?

I hope that whoever did this is not tracking Taywin and Fiona's group.

I suppose I can't keep this from Elric any longer, the town folk will be in a panic after what else happened tonight...

Linaras, 15th of Darkember, 943 P.C. - Taywin's Journal

Today was by FAR the most interesting day of my life.

There was things to fight, and an exciting if smelly tromp through the sewers!

We found Fiona, and luckily she is.... well..... I mean.... at least she's alive. She seems to be a bit....off, but she's alive.

We also found Samual and the Hell Hounds and well, let's just say that I was NOT the cause of their current condition. 

Apparently they might not have been that bad of folks after all.... I mean evil folks don't come back as Knight Haunts, just let me say it again, I had NOTHING to do with it.

Varian is still alive too, although he's going to need some healing.  Apparently there was much naughtiness at the Keep since we left.  Quite impressive for only a little over a week!

And speaking of naughtiness, apparently Fiona's uncle is now a Death Knight, at least from what Fiona told us when she can concentrate on what we are saying to her.

And then there is Markum...

If Fiona is distracted by the voices in her head, Markum is down right transformed by what happened.  I mean, I missed what happened the last time, but if all of the avatars act this.... odd, it should be a piece of cake to track everyone down.

Cause Markum seems to think that he's Kiri-Jolith.  Which means that we are on our way to find Huma's Lance, which is apparently the artifact that we need.

Except we want to try to find Chislev in the mean time, and for that we are going a bit farther afield to Qualinesti forest.  That should be fun!  Talk more later cause things are just starting to get interesting.

Bracha, 14th of Darkember, 943 P.C. - Willow's Journal

Four days.  Four days since anyone has been seen from the Keep and I'm beginning to get nervous.

The last I saw Markum and Varian was four days ago; they stopped by the Inn to let Elric know that the Lord has decided to call back the troups into the Garrison.  Something about a threat to the area, and everyone needing to be ready for the worse.

Of course that means that Elric has been in charge of the town guard for the last four days, and is doing his best to keep everyone calm.

Fiona.... Fiona I haven't seen since the night the stars changed.  She came to see me, to ask me to help her with something.... something that I dare not even write in this journal.

I went to the gates this morning, to see if anyone was watching the walls, since no one has seen hide nor hair of anyone and I pounded on the doors until my hands bled, but no one answered.

Today Dal and Taywin and the others got back this afternoon (I really need to pay attention to the other's names, it's just rude).  They have decided to try to sneak into the Keep through the servant's entrance.  I would go with them, Fiona has been my charge since she was born, especially since her parent's death, but I think that perhaps it would be better for me to stay here, out of the way.

And be ready for whatever they find.....

Misham, 5th Day of Darkember, 943 P.C. - Taywin's Journal

I was at the epicenter of the most interesting event in the history of Krynn......

No, really, I was.  Honest!

I didn't even do it.....

Promise, I wasn't even there.....

Well, I was there, I just wasn't there-there.

Which was the WORSE thing that could have happened since when I wandered outside tonight to walk around Palanthas (everyone else was in a tizzy about researching all of the Gods) and noticed the stars had changed dramatically and realized that I had missed something Super Spectacular.

I mean, I might not have noticed the constellations changing (Yeah, right!), but the fact that there were much.....less moons in the sky sort of jumps right out at you.

So, from what I have gathered from the rest, while I was walking around the library looking at some books, someone (Dalhar, not me) broke the all powerful artifact that we had been sent to retrieve. I just wish I had been able to tell everyone what I knew about the stupid thing, but .... well......

To quote the Ogre, we broke the pantheon.......

Someone is going to be in BIG trouble, at least for once it's not going to be me.

So, here's what we know, apparently if you just break the artifact, some relatively localized effects happen (people turn into statues, portals to The Beyond open, blah, blah), but if you happen to have the backing of a God or Goddess from The Beyond who is in cahoots with one of OUR Gods or Goddesses and our Traitor lets the Outsider manifest their power on Krynn and breaks the artifact then the whole world turns upside down.

I wonder which of the Dark Gods got tricked in to THAT little bit of silliness.

At least THAT wasn't me either.

So, here we are, not only do we have to return to Ravenskeep (eventually, not looking forward to THAT conversation) but we also need to fix this problem.

This might take a while......

Linras, 1st Day of Darkember, 943 P.C. - Fiona's Journal

I woke up this morning to a world of white.... and Markum pounding on my door.

Apparently my dear Uncle has decided that the ruckus at the Inn needs to be investigated, and no suprise who will be accused today.

From what I heard, Dal has been accused of stealing my uncle's horse, by Lewin through Samual.

I swear I have half a mind to go down to the stables, find the horse, take it to the barracks and tie it to Samual's bunk!

But I have more important things to do.  I had another dream last night.  I saw him again, his green cloak in shadow, his lips moving, trying to tell me something, but no words reached my ears.

I'm sure that Uncle's plan is wrong.  Why would The Bard King would come to me in a vision and it not mean something is beyond me. Which makes me think that Uncle's idea to retrieve The Key from Palanthas is foolish in the extreme.

Perhaps I should make sure that someone that I trust is sent on this mission, someone that will make sure that the artifact does not return to my Uncle.

But who?

Bracha, 28th Day of Gildember, 943 P.C. - Willow's Journal

I would normally be settling in after a very busy Night of the Eye, but tonight was a night like no other.  Cold, and snowing, this is just not right.  Not this far north, not this time of year.  It's barely even fall and we have almost six inches of snow!

The Lord of this Keep seems to not care and while Fiona tries her best, her hands are tied on this.

Even the wolves are out in force tonight.

Fiona, Taywin and Dal graced us with their company for awhile this evening.  Dal even had a few guests, although I'm a bit nervous that there were so many drow in the area, but if Fiona is at ease with these strange elves, I can't really argue the point.

Especially since they were by far not the oddest guests at the inn this evening.

I know that there haven't been ogres in the area since Huma's war, much less an ogre traveling in the company of two of my people. So when they walked into the inn it was defintely something to be noticed.

Did I mention the wolves were prowling tonight?  Samual and his band of ruffians decided to harass Dal.... again, and while I would not trust Fiona's bodyguard any farther than I could throw him, the boys were a bit over the top.

The other dark elf provided a bit of entertainment however, casting a perfectly placed globe of darkness down on Samual's head.

Markum and Varian were, as usual, very helpful, if a bit late in arriving at the party.

I have retired to the kitchen for the moment to let Elric take care of the mess that the squires left behind and to make sure that  Fiona and the others have managed to sneak out the back way safely.