Carson in Kel

[KM Onyx]

[OOC:  alright I've tortured you long enough.  I apologize for my inattention and applaud your patience and tenacity]

Before the misharr could respond Lady Hope stood and began to address the assembled, "Thank you all for traveling to our backwater little village to share in my happines." Carson caught more than a hint of sacrasm in her tone.  It was either a reflection of some underlying resentment at the way Kel was perceived by the high and mighty in Maston, or merely self deprecation.  "This evening we have the pleasure to welcome some new arrivals from the Paladins of Dargotten, Sir Florian and Dame Melaine, with their Squires Carson and Josila.  Thank you for coming.  May Dargotten light your path."

Sir Florian stood and bowed to Lady Hope, "Thank you, Lady Hope, for that gracious welcome."  He raised his goblet. "May your union be blessed of Faeterna and may the house of Severs ever stand."  All stood with goblets raised and said, "Faeterna's Blessing" and sipped their wine then sat back down.

[Carson Criswell]

[OOC:  alright I've tortured you long enough.  I apologize for my inattention and applaud your patience and tenacity]

[OOC: Hi, stranger.  How did you find out about this website.  ^_^]

Sir Florian stood and bowed to Lady Hope, "Thank you, Lady Hope, for that gracious welcome."  He raised his goblet. "May your union be blessed of Faeterna and may the house of Severs ever stand."  All stood with goblets raised and said, "Faeterna's Blessing" and sipped their wine then sat back down.

Carson stood for the toast with the rest.

She sounds bitter.  And she doesn't sound happy.

And she said "my", not "our", Carson added to himself for further consideration as he returned to his seat.

She also said "all".  Does that mean we were the last expected party to arrive?  Will something be happening soon?

"So, ..." Carson asked his tablemates.  "How long have preparations been going on?  There seem to be many guests here.  They can't all have been staying for a long period of time -- or if they have, I imagine the expense is ... significant."

[Ssuk'Lysseth]

"All honor to you and your fellows then.  Forgive me, but how should I address you?  'Brother'?  'Brantar'?"

"A member of the order is one Lost," the misharr explained.  "We refer to one another sometimes as "wanderer" or "journeyfellow" at first meeting, but mostly by our name as Lost.  That is, the names we have chosen to represent the mantra of our path.  We form the essence of our journey into a short poem--a haiku, and from this we take one or two words as our representation followed by 'Lost'.  Sand Falling Lost... Ah, but such a lengthy answer.  Squire Carson may have no need to address the Lady's companion presently."

Sir Florian stood and bowed to Lady Hope, "Thank you, Lady Hope, for that gracious welcome."  He raised his goblet. "May your union be blessed of Faeterna and may the house of Severs ever stand."  All stood with goblets raised and said, "Faeterna's Blessing" and sipped their wine then sat back down.

Carson heard a low hiss from across the table.  He could feel the eyes of the misharr upon him, and as he turned he could see that the male's teeth were barred and his ears lay flat.  The Lady Lysseth did not bear so blunt an expression, but her eyes seemed to bore into him and it was not the most comfortable feeling.  Then her gaze shifted away from Carson and she seemed to stare into the air beyond him for a moment absently drawing her fingers down the length of her whiskers.  Just as suddenly, her companion relaxed his expression, blinking several times before he addressed Carson.

"Squire Carson, the Lady apologizes for her rudeness, but she must leave now, and her companion will go with her.  She wishes you will be wary." He hesitated, opening his mouth with a sharp breath as though to speak, closing it again without a word as he looked toward the Lady, then back again at Carson, repeating the gesture once and again.  Finally he spoke quietly with his eyes on the table, "Perhaps there are things... sacred things... a human would do well not to meddle with."  The Lady and her companion rose together with the fluid grace of their kind.  The male misharr leaned forward toward Carson with his hand resting on the table between them.  "The Lady wishes Sir Carson to know that if he should ever need her assistance, he might call."  Then he withdrew.

The two misharr turned together, the Lady rested her hand on the other's arm, and with another step they were gone as though they had never been.  No one seemed to take note of their passing or of the empty chairs they left at the table.  Where the misharr had briefly rested his paw in front of Carson was a shining marble of red tiger's eye.

[Carson Criswell]

"Squire Carson, the Lady apologizes for her rudeness, but she must leave now, and her companion will go with her.  She wishes you will be wary." He hesitated, opening his mouth with a sharp breath as though to speak, closing it again without a word as he looked toward the Lady, then back again at Carson, repeating the gesture once and again.  Finally he spoke quietly with his eyes on the table, "Perhaps there are things... sacred things... a human would do well not to meddle with."  The Lady and her companion rose together with the fluid grace of their kind.  The male misharr leaned forward toward Carson with his hand resting on the table between them.  "The Lady wishes Sir Carson to know that if he should ever need her assistance, he might call."  Then he withdrew.

I meant no offense ...  Carson watched the departing misharr, feeling a bit foolish and embarrassed.

I don't think it was the toast that upset them, he thought to himself.

I'd like to be able to say I feel especially foolish after that little stunt alienated someone who was trying to be helpful, Carson thought.  Unfortunately, it seems to be the norm.

The two misharr turned together, the Lady rested her hand on the other's arm, and with another step they were gone as though they had never been.  No one seemed to take note of their passing or of the empty chairs they left at the table.  Where the misharr had briefly rested his paw in front of Carson was a shining marble of red tiger's eye.

A token.

A trap?

Carson didn't think it likely, but prudence seemed called for.  He reached for his glass and used the reflective surface to focus his mind and seek the Void.  He sought to see what energies might be in play around the small stone and how (or if) it could be safely collected for future use.

Sand Falling Lost.

He speaks very well.  Layers of meaning in his words.  Or her words.  Carson considered, trying to see if the misharr's remarks could be re-interpreted in a more sinister light, or with other, hidden meanings.

Possibly.  Just possibly.  And if so, they're good, which would be bad.

On the other hand, no need to go looking for trouble or making enemies right away.  Best to give them the benefit of the doubt for now.

And ask Josila tonight if she even remembers seeing them at table.  Carson grinned slightly at that.  Even if he were a betting man, he wouldn't have put a gold piece either way on how she'd answer that question.

Assuming he felt it wasn't obviously unsafe, Carson collected the tigereye and carefully tucked it away.  Then he returned his awareness more fully to local events.

So, the Lady is traveling incognito.  And has other names than "Lady Lysseth".  I wonder if 'Lysseth' means 'Nobody' in Misharr?  That would be a jest.  That smile crept out on Carson's lips again.

Still, she felt ... nice.  I hope we meet again in pleasant circumstances.

[Carson Criswell]

[OOC: One duty incumbent upon those of the Order is to repair the inroads upon Creation made by the onslaught of Entropy.]

[Carson Criswell]

[OOC: One duty incumbent upon those of the Order is to champion the Truth, and the speakers thereof, when Falsehood would go otherwise unchallenged.]

[OOC: Hello?  Anyone still reading this?]

[Carson Criswell]

[OOC: One duty incumbent upon those of the Order is to wait patiently for Dargotten's return.]

[KM Onyx]

[OOC:  apologies for the unannounced simmer hiatus.  Shall we continue? Back to the Longest Dinner EVAH! BTW, love your little "duties of the Order" snppets]

Carson's senses shifted to the void where he could percieve the ebb and flow of the mystical energies in the room.  As expected the Knight-Paladins shone brightly in myriad colors reflective of their talents.  Sir Piers also shone like a beacon, his aura was oddly tinged, however, as if slightly off scale somehow.  Perhaps it was an effect of his scaring.

There were two others at the lower tables who also radiated strong powerful auras.  One was a lady dressed in an elegant red gown.  The other was an old man in a well made, high quality, though somewhat shabby looking tunic.  His eyes wandered about behind thick spectacles.  They seemed to take in everything and nothing.

The stone left behind by the departing misharr also glowed faintly with the tell tale signatures of Force, Sentient and one other that he could not identify.  It was a talisman of some sort, but whatever charm lay upon it was dormant for now.

The dinner was reaching it's conclusin (finally!) with a string of toasts, mostly well wishes of one sort or another for the happy couple, offered by various of the guests.  One particularly poetic one came from the head of the Tiangchouese delegation.

[Carson Criswell]

[OOC:  apologies for the unannounced simmer hiatus.  Shall we continue? Back to the Longest Dinner EVAH! BTW, love your little "duties of the Order" snppets]

[OOC: Glad you're back -- hope all is well.  Glad you liked the passages.  There had been more, but some of them got deleted, I fear.  I suppose someone didn't like them.]

There were two others at the lower tables who also radiated strong powerful auras.  One was a lady dressed in an elegant red gown.  The other was an old man in a well made, high quality, though somewhat shabby looking tunic.  His eyes wandered about behind thick spectacles.  They seemed to take in everything and nothing.

Mages?  At the lower tables?  Worth keeping an eye on, then.

The stone left behind by the departing misharr also glowed faintly with the tell tale signatures of Force, Sentient and one other that he could not identify.  It was a talisman of some sort, but whatever charm lay upon it was dormant for now.

Carson nodded to himself as he secured the stone.  A mystery for later.  Sir Elapoz will probably help.  If I ask him.  Carson wasn't sure he should do that, and would think about it.

The dinner was reaching it's conclusin (finally!) with a string of toasts, mostly well wishes of one sort or another for the happy couple, offered by various of the guests.  One particularly poetic one came from the head of the Tiangchouese delegation.

This Dinner has been more of an ordeal than I expected -- even though most folk I've met have been very nice.  It has just seemed to drag on and on ...

Probably because I'm so impatient to ask Sir Elapoz about the details of this match -- which I can't do until this is over.

Carson checked Josila's condition once more and waited until he could politely join his knight and depart the meal.

Carson's quirky smile re-emerged.  Mother Bewresha ...  I earnestly and heartily pray that Sir Elapoz is not the sort who loves guessing games.

[KM Onyx]

At length Lady Hope and Sir Piers stood, and thus everyone else also stood (some on less than sturdy legs having enjoyed the Lady's hospitality in full measure).  She thanked everyone for coming once again and they processed out of the dining hall.  After they had left the guests began to disperse to their apartments, the inn or their homes.  Sir Elapoz caught Carson's eye and beckoned him over and together they returned to their rooms in the castle.

[Carson Criswell]

At length Lady Hope and Sir Piers stood, and thus everyone else also stood (some on less than sturdy legs having enjoyed the Lady's hospitality in full measure).  She thanked everyone for coming once again and they processed out of the dining hall.  After they had left the guests began to disperse to their apartments, the inn or their homes.  Sir Elapoz caught Carson's eye and beckoned him over and together they returned to their rooms in the castle.

Carson knew that protocol dictated he wait for Sir Elapoz to speak first.  He also knew that prudence dictated any conversations be held where the risk of being overheard was remote.

Who are the mages going out with?  Who seems to be making note of their presence?...  Besides me, that is.

Carson positioned himself slightly behind and to the side of Sir Elapoz as the left the hall and entered the hallways of the castle.

Who's passing notes?  Who's taking note?  And where is the nearest exit if a fight breaks out in this hallway?

"Sir Elapoz ....?"

"I just wanted to let you know ... I am extremely enthusiastic about having been placed in your service and I'm looking forward to serving with you."

"Especially if that might mean finding out what is going on around here? ...  Any time ... <pause> ... in the near future ... <pause> ...convenient to your schedule, that is."  Carson grinned and offered the knight a small bow of deference as they walked.

[KM Onyx]

Sir Elapoz chortled and clapped Carson on the shoulder, "Ha!  Quite right!  Time we had a proper debriefiing."  When they got to their suite Sir Elapoz poured a glass of wine and settled in one of the overstuffed chairs. "Be sure the door is locked.  Good.  Now, can you set a simple eavesdropping ward?"

[Carson Criswell]

Sir Elapoz chortled and clapped Carson on the shoulder, "Ha!  Quite right!  Time we had a proper debriefiing."  When they got to their suite Sir Elapoz poured a glass of wine and settled in one of the overstuffed chairs. "Be sure the door is locked.  Good.  Now, can you set a simple eavesdropping ward?"

"I don't know, Sir Elapoz.  It wasn't something I was specifically taught.  I can make an effort at it, though."

[Assuming he was told to proceed:]

Eavesdropping ...  Eavesdropping.  The first part of any ward is detecting the thing to which you need to react.  What would 'eavesdropping' look like?

Well, I sometimes see thoughts as pictures.  If someone was eavesdropping on us, I might be able to see the shape of those things taking place on the surface of their mind.

I'm not sure, though, if I should be looking for the thought of eavesdropping itself.  And I don't know what that would look like.  Maybe I could somehow keep an 'eye' open to what thoughts we are speaking about, and look for a ... 'reflection'."

Carson got out a focus stone and considered the techniques which he wished to apply.  He also began calming his thoughts and reaching for the Void.

Link here, power there, then it radiates out.  Maybe ...

Carson set himself to weave a 'mist' of mana out to about ten feet of radius, centered on his focus.  I should be able to expand it, once it is in place, if this works.

He then projected 'illumination' -- which was how he visualized his own outward reaching Sentient sense -- going into the crystal, then radiating out in all directions.  It should pass lightly through minds of any Sentient in the radius and throw up a 'projection' of what they were thinking onto the misty backdrop.

Or, given my current level of skill, maybe only a silhouette, Carson considered wryly.

[Assuming success, so far:]
Now for the tricky part.

Carson then crafted a small anchor, or attachment point, also at the crystal.  For a trial, he placed the 'thought' of an apple there -- rich and red.  He shone a different strand of thought -- like light -- through the 'apple' to make it 'apple-flavored', and let that light also radiate out through the focus.

If this works, anyone thinking of 'apples' should have their thought pictures on the backdrop 'light up' and call my attention to it.

Which is fine if I want to track down a hungry Servant of the Wyrm with a love of apples.  Carson grinned as the sweat started from under his hair.

But, if I can hold this, and keep 'updating' the central thought picture to match the contents of our conversation, I should be able to tag anyone in my radius who, 'coincidentally' happens to be thinking about exactly what we are talking about.

Either that, or I'll just make anyone who walks by really hungry for apples.

"I ...  I'm not sure, Sir Elapoz.  Does it look like this might do?"  He shifted the core thought to Sir Elapoz, himself.

Carson also considered his structure and how far he might extend it, while retaining stability.

[KM Onyx]

Sir Elapoz closed his eyes and Carson could feel the gathering of power as he examined Carson's handiwork.  The knight mumbled a little, half to himself, "Hm. Detection ... projection....yes."  He opened his eyes and smiled, "You're on the right track.  You've set up a zone in which you detect anyone with a particular thought in their head, yes?  What do you intend to do should someone have such a thought?  How about this?  Flip it around so that anyone within the sphere of influence will only have the thought you project.  In that way you will effectively mask anything we might be discussing at the time and need not shift your 'capture thought' while we talk."

Sir Elapoz sat back in his chair and took another sip of wine while he watched Carson work out the details.

[Carson Criswell]

Sir Elapoz closed his eyes and Carson could feel the gathering of power as he examined Carson's handiwork.  The knight mumbled a little, half to himself, "Hm. Detection ... projection....yes."  He opened his eyes and smiled, "You're on the right track.  You've set up a zone in which you detect anyone with a particular thought in their head, yes?  What do you intend to do should someone have such a thought?  How about this?  Flip it around so that anyone within the sphere of influence will only have the thought you project.  In that way you will effectively mask anything we might be discussing at the time and need not shift your 'capture thought' while we talk."

"I thought about that, Sir Elapoz -- but it seemed to me it would take more energy to push in a foreign thought, rather than to pick up someone's surface thoughts.  Which means I could probably cover a larger area.  Also, it would be less ... intrusive."

"And I still have trouble maintaining spells for any length of time -- but I shall try as you direct."

Carson first checked to make sure Sir Elapoz's personal shields were in place.  He also took down the 'scan' to pick out specific thoughts from the wall of mist.

So, now I want to persuade anyone coming close enough to eavesdrop, that there's nothing of interest here and they might as well go else where.  The thought was familiar enough to Carson -- though he struggled with it daily.  However, the trick was going to be projecting onto others.

I can re-use the anchor ... Carson allowed the mana barrier to thin out, pulling the energy back towards himself.  This is more of a simple area projection.  They did cover this a bit.  'Nothing to see.  Might as well wander away.'

Carson settled the new thought in 'place', notionally centered within the focus and  then shone a kind of mental 'spotlight' onto it, producing a more intense outward radiating beam to carry the thought outward in all directions and (hopefully) to be received by any receptive mind within range.

"Nothing to see.  Nothing to hear.  Might as well wander away."

Carson figured it would take a little experimentation to get the power level right, so he didn't end up blanketing most of the castle.  He tried to estimate a level that would effectively project the thought into the mind of an unshielded sentient up to about twenty feet away.

"How's that, Sir Elapoz?"  Carson was hopeful that he'd succeeded.  This seemed well within his abilities, but still a useful learning experience.

I think the other would be more ... elegant.  Less influence on the free will of others.  Plus, if we were being eavesdropped on, I almost think I'd rather know about it than seek to prevent it.  But Sir Elapoz knows best.  And I'm not sure how well I could manage the other -- as he noted, it would seem to require more 'active management'.