abraxaslogs | MEANWHILE AT CASTLE THORNE

MEANWHILE AT CASTLE THORNE

Once the hour is up, the execution courtyard of Castle Thorne is a great deal emptier than it had been. The portals are gone with no trace and life is trickling back into those frozen by wild magic. The banners resume their fluttering, the sounds of the castle resume, and guards stumble as they complete steps they’d started. Throughout the courtyard and beyond there’s a general sense of bewilderment as time resumes.

It doesn’t take long for any of the Thorneans to realize what’s happened - they’ve lost a large portion of guests and prisoners. Some guards begin rushing out of the courtyard to search for any who may have lingered, lesser mages stagger in to lend a hand and investigate.

And many eyes turn quickly to those who remain. Any prisoners who have lingered are immediately seized and returned to the dungeons. Welcomed guests are rounded up and herded back to their rooms, where a guard remains posted at each door and will not allow them to leave. While they remain unshackled, it is clear that even welcomed guests will not be treated with impunity.

One by one, everyone will be interrogated regarding the events of the day.

Thorne is not happy.

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[Sasarai sighs when he is escorted from his room by two rough looking guards. It's an intimidation tactic, he knows, and he feels offended that they would use this on him when he'd been so busy napping.

Offended, but not surprised.

By the time he is taken to the dungeon and seated in front of Jolene his posture is heavy with drowsiness. Calling on the True Earth Rune for the first time in this world has knocked the wind out of him .]

Sorry, I don't know if I have much to say.

[His clear eyes slide from Jolene to the guards then back again from within gray sockets and a smile cracks across his features that lacks its usual luster.]

Two mages I don't know did something to the crowd and opened up portals to elsewhere. Some people left, some stayed.

I was a bit preoccupied with stopping an assailant from killing the High Mage.

...Speaking of, my throat is still a bit dry from shouting those chants for so long. You wouldn't happen to have any water, would you?

[ With a gentle wave of her hand, Jolene dismisses one of the two guards to fetch a cup of water. He disappears for several moments while she speaks with Sasarai. ]

I understand. Ambrose thanks you for your protection during this unpleasant mess. All we're trying to do here is get to the bottom of things. Now, these two mages, did they say anything to you all? Or did they just open the portals without a word?

[ The guard returns and places a cup of water in front of Sasarai. ]

[Sasarai gently lifts the cup and takes a slow sip, thinking back on what happened in the execution yard.]

They said time would be frozen for an hour and explained that their portals led to places outside Thorne. Free Cities and ah...

Sol...something. Solvunn? I think that's right. They told us a little bit about those places, too. A very little bit.

[He sits back in his seat.]

They said Thorne would not be able to trace the portals and I'm guessing that's true. Lots of people left, I wouldn't be surprised if many of them were in the dungeons before and went through the portals to escape persecution, not much caring where they ended up.

[That last bit is not said in a scolding tone, it's just an observation.]

But outside all that they didn't say anything that might suggest who they are what they stood to gain from all this.

Yes, Solvunn. It's a commune to the south. Our relations with them are... smooth, at the moment.

[ She jots down another note. ]

Did you happen to catch the identities of people leaving, and to which kingdom they were going to?

Some.

[He sighs, watches her write something down, then shrugs lazily.]

With most folks dressed the same it was hard to keep track. I don't know many faces here just yet, I've only been here a few weeks. And, well, once that elf fellow jumped for Ambrose that's where most of my attention was...

If I saw a lineup of everyone who'd been in the castle maybe I could say more.

Sorry.

The elf fellow... I see. Unfortunately, we don't have a lineup available, but if you know any names, it would be most appreciated.

[ The air hangs heavy with an unsaid "And worthy of reward". ]

Surely you've made some acquaintances in the time you've been here.

Yes, I have. But I don't know anyone here well enough to notice their faces as they rush by me.

I hope you understand that I'm not keeping secrets, I was just distracted and my magic does require focus.

[He folds one leg across his knee.]

That elf, the one who attacked Ambrose, he went to Solvunn. I did see that much.

I understand. Your focus protected Ambrose, and for that, Thorne is eternally grateful.

[ She notes that the elf went to Solvunn, draws a little star next to that line for emphasis. It's not much, but it is a lead. ]

What can Thorne do to repay your bravery, Sasarai?

To repay my bravery?

[He tilts his head back thoughtfully and closes his eyes. For a moment it may seem as if he's fallen asleep, but his eyes roll open again.]

I don't have an answer just yet.

Would it possible for me to request a favor at a later time? It won't be anything untoward, I assure you.

Of course. Unless there's something else you'd like to tell me, you are free to go, Sasarai.

[ One of the guards opens the door for him. ]

I doubt I have anything else to say that's useful.

[Sasarai stands and brushes his palms against his pantlegs. Before he leaves he turns back to Jolene.]

I do have one question before I go...

I would like to learn more about this Singularity, its history, and the history of the other territories' stances towards it. I've read what is available in the library... Some of it, anyway.

[There are many books there, it would take even an immortal scholar like him years to get through them all.]

Does Thorne have any recommendations?

Well, for history, you can always pull the Abraxan history texts, the ones we all learn from when we attend school. Only place to start is at the beginning, right? But the Singularity...

[ She shakes her head a little, letting the air weigh with thought. ]

The Singularity predates all of us. Not just Abraxas. Everything and every world. It's connected to every part of the universe, and it birthed the gods, if you believe in them. Even now, there's so much we don't know about it.

I see...

[Sasarai goes silent a moment then bows slightly, one hand against his chest.]

If Thorne ever needs to study the Singularity, please consider me. I'm a scholar and a mage in my own world, a good one.

[In his own not very humble opinion.]

If we know more about it, we'll know more about how to protect it.

We are in agreement about that, Sasarai. Thank you for your offer. I'll present it to the Head Mage.

MEANWHILE AT CASTLE THORNE

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thank you for your patience!

of course!

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