Alric found the shift in conversation both welcome and unexpected. He had assumed that Miro only wished to introduce them all to each other, and play the farce of making himself master over them. But no, it seemed he needed help with something too. Another wizard, out and about within the confines of the city. Apparently this was what the meeting had always been about. Alric stroked his chin in thought, listening to Miro's words. Rayage was in league with Miro before this endeavor it seemed, both hailing from the isle of Sahova. Alric had never heard the name before, but he was familiar with Nuits, having met two now. Undeath seemed to follow Miro like a plague. Alric narrowed his eyes then as a thought occurred to him. Was the large man also undead? Miro had just said that Sahova was the "undead" isle, and both he and his target were no longer amongst the living. Did that also mean that Rayage, who had come from the same island, was undead? Alric decided to keep subtle in his inquires, in case this was something he was not supposed to know. He smiled though, when Rayage was called professor. A professor with such a well-built body was not par for the course, and it made Alric happy. Deceiving appearances were a great joy that Ionu taught all to take pride in. He decided he liked the professor just a bit more. Rayage's face had made curious twists, smirks, and grimaces at certain parts of Miro's speech. It only made Alric all the more curious. He briefly looked over to Lessom, the poor bloke he had constantly ignored. It was so easy to do, unfortunately. Servants were made to blend in, but that did not make them any less dangerous. Alric wondered too if he was underestimating the unassuming man. He let his thoughts be as Rayage took Miro's cue and began to explain the situation in greater detail. Forus was a thief it seemed, who had escaped this "undead isle" with a powerful magical artifact of unknown powers. Rayage, almost confirming Alric's earlier suspicion, said that this device was important enough to send two Masters after it. Miro, and Rayage, of course were those masters. And if Alric was only half as intuitive as he thought he was, Rayage was a master Alchemist. The ouroboros on his cape, matching the alchemicaly modified cloak Miro had gifted to him earlier, being his reasoning. Rayage made it clear that he did not trust them nearly as much as Miro, which seemed rather expected to Alric if Rayage was indeed undead. In his experience, the undead were shadowy suspicious characters with a knack for egotism. Kuvarakh being the rare exception. Alric's face became pale, and his hands cold at the mention of various magical disciplines known to this Forus. He only knew one magical discipline! Well, two, but his reimancy was laughable. Pitiful, really. How could Miro hope that he would be able to contribute in any way? Was it that odd technique he had pulled on Ender? Was that what made Miro think him in any way capable of fighting a mage with four disciplines? Alric put that aside, for the moment, unwilling to abandon his friend despite the odds. Despite the fact that he was dominating, crazy, undead, and possibly psychopathic. Though he seemed to still retain some of his old aspects. Alric caught on the words Rayage said last, about the artifact falling under Forus's research. Did that mean that Forus himself had made it? "Excuse me, but I would like to ask a few more questions. The fact that this man has access to four magical disciplines does not bode well for my sense of self-preservation. Miro, you may be incapable of death now, but I am still quite susceptible. Also, this man is a Nuit, yes? I have had few encounters with the lot, but do know that they prefer to be left alone. Where are we to find him? He does not need food and water, so I cannot simply start interrogating the market. He may not have ever set foot there. Also, this device, he made it? If so, then we are in far graver danger than I first suspected. He may have access to more than one, for all we know. In fact, he may have taken it apart to better hide it, only to put it back together later. Later being a few hundred years! I do not mean to doubt you two, or this island of Sahova. But what is to make you believe that he can be found in Ravok? And what is to stop him from completely vanishing for a hundred years or so? I must admit, my knowledge of the undead and Nuits is lacking, but I see no reason for him to risk discovery with you two so near. Especially considering how easy it is to spot you in a crowd Miro. No offense, but it is far easier for him to spy on you than he him, I should wager. I can not think of a way to find him, or even what he might want here. You two don't know what the device does, or its appearance, so how are to look for it? I want to help, you, I do. But I have a rather...limited skill set. I- oh, well I suppose we all need to know each other's strengths if we're to succeed. Consider this an act of trust Rayage, and may you be humbled by it. I only have Hypnosis as a skill, and it is not a very good defense against someone I cannot find. And, finally, the end of my concerns. Does he have a gnosis mark of any kind? Are we dealing with a faithful man, or one working autonomously? Four disciplines is quite a lot already. If he has any god's help, things are beginning to look dire." Alric took a deep breath. He had not meant to go on so long, or oust himself. But he felt that if this was what they were all here for, they needed to know what all everyone could do. He kept his Illusionism mark a secret, in case things turned sour. Hypnosis was a feared discipline, even among other wizards he had encountered. But Alric knew its failing more than anyone. It could be a very powerful tool, but against a master wizard who might have lived centuries? Who was to say. He thought he might help the situation go a bit more smoothly, however. Just in case. "I suggest that everyone reveal their strengths, if only so that we may strategize accordingly. Miro has already ousted us all as wizards, so it should not come as a great shock. And If you do not trust each other, then trust Miro who trusts us. It should be close enough." |