MEANWHILE AT CASTLE THORNE

[abraxasmods]

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.

Comments

[abraxasnpcs]

I don't want to imagine a world where he's capable of touching that connection at all. He shouldn't be, no one in the history of Abraxas has been known to successfully cross that border. It should be a biological impossibility.

[ She pinches the bridge of her nose and sighs loudly. ]

A discussion will be had, I assure you. The basis for which these things have been decided, who's dangerous and who's not, it's all in the book. The book which only Ambrose can read. I'm hoping that recent events have changed his opinions, given that at least one of those protecting him was declared a danger to be caged. But if he doesn't change his mind, it could be a thousand years or more before anyone else can read those pages.

[photophobic]

The book is flawed.

[Kylo sounds... very certain of that, for reasons he isn't about to volunteer freely. Instead:]

Either the information in the book is inaccurate, or Ambrose is incapable of reading it, and continuing to put your trust in an instrument that has proven nothing but its inability to predict who will betray or protect Thorne would be foolishness. The kingdom's interests would be better served by a test on arrival. A period of probation, with each of the newly summoned paired with a proven ally to supervise and observe their integration.

[Or any number of alternatives. But, as Jolene has already said, she's not in a position to make policy. Kylo exhales slowly, offers a twisted smile that probably wants to be more wryly sympathetic than frustrated, (the effect, unpracticed and awkward, isn't particularly warm) and leans back, aware there probably isn't much more to be gained from speculative discussion in the dungeon.]

Suggestions to be raised at a later time. Shall we go up? Or should I wait to be called on, once you've concluded your business here.

[It seems to Kylo like Jolene would be in a stronger position with his memories of the attack to draw on, after all, but he can see how she might need to follow things through down here first.]

[abraxasnpcs]

[ Preaching to the choir here, Kylo. Jolene just gestures in response.

She stands to walk him to the door. ]

It's been a long day, and I suspect I'll be working on this into the wee hours of the morning. I'll come find you tomorrow. For now, please have a good dinner and get some rest.

Thank you again, Kylo.