Day Two:
Hall and Belieth had left the Wanderer early on it's second day in Bral to do a little shopping. Belieth had been borrowing clothes from some of the other female members of the crew, and while no one had complained, she felt the need to have something she could call her own. She dragged Hall out of bed early and decided to visit some hightown shops.
Before leaving, Hall opened his personal coffer and removed a Cartanian platinum ingot, just in case. It turned out to be a very wise move.
The pair roamed the streets, Belieth stopping to look in every shop window she passed, and Hall lugging around several large bags, all containing lovely-wrapped boxes. Struggling to lift one that was particularly heavy, he stopped Belieth for a second to talk.
"Don't you think you have enough?" he asked.
"Now, dear," Belieth began, "it's been five years since I've been able to go out and have a little fun. Just a few more shops."
"You said that about five blocks ago, and this ingot won't last forever."
"Honey, you're co-owner of the ship. We can sell of some small part to pay for all this, or just sell Zebart," Belieth joked.
"No one (grunt) would want to buy him," Hall replied, trying to get a better grip. "We already tried." Belieth just turned and looked at her husband. He grinned.
At that she beamed and proceeded toward midtown for a famed outfitter. Hall grudgingly followed. Once there, Hall noticed a bench nearby, at the entrance to a small park. He pointed to it with one of the bags.
"You go ahead," he said, hoisting yet another bag. "I'll wait over there."
"Okay, Hall." Belieth kissed him on the cheek and entered the shop. Hall struggled to the bench, finally dropping one of the bags along the way. As he bent over to pick it up without spilling the others, a mauve, three-fingered hand picked up the parcel.
[Might I be of some assistance?]
Hall looked up, and saw Estress before him. The illithid hadn't changed since their last encounter months back. A smile crossed the bard's lips.
"Estress!" he said, setting the other bags on the bench and taking the dropped one from him. "It's great to see you again! How long have you been on the Rock?"
[About a week,] the illithid replied. People passing the pair couldn't help but watch with amazement as an illithid and a half-elf were being cordial, even friendly, in public.
[I'm afraid, Hall-ee-mor Dargess, that I do not bear good news.]
"What's the matter? Was there a problem with obtaining the necessary materials for the psionic helm?"
[No, that was not a problem. Someone is now delivering the materials to Onestar and the Eternal Wanderer as we speak.]
"Then what?" Hall asked, sitting down on a corner of the bench.
[On my way here, I heard of a major catastrophe on Oerth. The famed Greyhawk Library was destroyed.]
Hall's jaw dropped slack. "The entire repository? Are you sure?"
[I travelled onboard a elven man-o-war. They requested my presense since I am considered somewhat of an expert on these matters. I spent some time there studying of the Juna.]
"...by the Moons of Cartania..."
[They are still unsure what happened. There were definite signs of sabotage, but no one was sure what caused it. Some of the remains of the explosive charges were...]
"Were what?"
[Were Arcane in design. The entire facility was devastated. Major works of some of the greatest minds the spheres have ever known are gone. Security has been increased at such places as the library in Greatspace, and Lord Monitor's Archives in Omnispace.]
"What of the Great Archive in Heartspace? The loss of that library would be beyond measure."
*As far as I know, it is well, and also under protection.*
Hall just stared blankly at a nearby wall for a moment before turning back to Estress.
"Arcane, you say? I'll bet you I know which one."
[I was thinking the same thing, though nothing has been proven yet.]
"And if he was in on it, nothing ever will be."
Just then, Belieth, sensing something was wrong, came back outside with another bag. She walked over to Hall, and upon seeing Estress, became alarmed.
"Hall!" she cried out, "what's the matter? And what is that doing here?!?"
"It's gone... the whole library, gone!"
"Wha... what library?" Belieth asked. "And what are you doing with this..."
"Belieth, this is Estress. He is an illithid scholar. His name means 'Thought taker,' or 'Thought borrower,' and he is a friend of mine and Onestar's. Estress, this is Belieth, my wife."
[Obviously, you found her?]
Hall nodded.
Belieth looked the illithid over as Estress bowed slightly.
[A pleasure,] Estress conveyed.
"Same here... I think," Belieth replied, still somewhat nervous. "You two sure made some interesting friends while I was gone. Honey, what happened?" By this time, a crowd was beginning to gather. Onlookers were wondering just what was going on.
Hall looked around and began to pick up bags. "Let's get back to the Wanderer. I'll explain on the way. I don't want to cause another scene, like what happened when we arrived."
The trio made their way through the crowd back to the ship, sharing information as they went.
That evening, within Prince Andru's banquet hall, dozens of arcane were milling about getting seated. All of them wore the company colors of the Conorg Collective Consortium, but their ceremonial robes implied different lines of work. Onestar, Hall, Belieth and Crystal, guests of Blaise, sat at one of the numerous guest tables looking at the crowd, dressed in their best formal wear. Belieth pointed to a group of arcane that entered from the south entrance. Most of them were female.
"I figured that there were two sexes among arcane, but I must admit I have never seen a female arcane before," she said quietly, so as not to embarrass any of their blue-skinned hosts.
"Blaise says that the women generally work in the administrative end of things, so they don't travel as much," Hall commented. "The males engage in sales and negotiation, while the women handle the bookkeeping and administrative tasks. I don't know if that's the result of racial doctrine or some complex set of laws, but there it stands."
"Note the different robes," Onestar said, noting a group that were assembled near the podium. "It's like they have different ceremonial garb for administrators, artists, merchants, accountants, and whatever else they need."
"I haven't seen this much regalia since I attended the wedding of the Ravenheart and Oakenbark clans on Garden," Crystal said softly, her eyes scanning the crowd.
"Among the arcane," Hall continued, "a business meeting is the most important cultural and social gathering they can have."
"What's that huge glass ball near the podium for?" Crystal asked, pointing to an enormous glass ball that was hovering about six feet above the podium.
"Something to do with the 'Elder Arcane,' whatever they are," Hall answered. The others just looked at him strangely.
"Blaise is an arcane after all," Hall said, as if apologizing. "There are some things he simply won't explain."
A few minutes later two Dowhor came up with platters of fruit, cheese, cold meats, breads, and an assortment of wines. As the four guests helped themselves to the food, Blaise came up to their table.
"Well," he said jovially, "how is the party shaping up?"
"Exquisite," Belieth said, as she spread an exotic fruit spread on a piece of bread.
"You certainly spared no expense," Onestar joked.
Blaise put his hand on Onestar's shoulder.
"If there is one thing we arcane know how to do," he said, "it's how to use money."
"Blaise?" a voice called.
Blaise looked up in the direction of the voice.
"I must go," he said. "Enjoy your meal."
Blaise quickly walked back into the crowd and was greeted by a female arcane. The arcane woman just looked at Blaise for a moment. She was a very regal individual, even by arcane standards, and she had the appearance of pure elegance. She approached Blaise and took his hands.
"I was hoping you would be here," she said.
"I wouldn't miss it for anything," Blaise answered. The two arcane looked at each other for a heartbeat longer than was necessary, then proceeded to take two of the seats among the main tables.
Meanwhile, back at the guest table, Onestar, Crystal and Belieth gave Hall a strange questioning look regarding the exchange between the two arcane.
"He never said anything about that!" Hall said in self-defence.
"No matter where he goes," Onestar said, sipping his wine, "he will always be an arcane."
A few minutes later, an enormous arcane took the podium. He was, apparently, one of the Conorg's chief executives, a legendary businessman named Pythagorus.
"This historic conference is now in session," Pythagorus boomed in a jovial voice. "So if any of you guests want to buy stock in Conorg, you're too late."
At that the arcane broke into roars of laughter. The humor was lost on the various guests. In fact, most of the evenings topics were lost on the guests. While the arcane made plans for the various business meetings that would occupy the next several days, Dowhor waiters and waitresses kept the guests happy with a continual stream of food and drink. The crew from the Wanderer found it odd that dohwor were working for arcane this way, but then these dohwor may have been spying on the arcane, trying to learn a few tricks, or simply taking advantage of an easy source of income.
After the meal was served, the guests were escorted into an antechamber where a band was providing music and entertainment. Hall and Crystal both cringed at the "music," which was perhaps the worst they had ever heard. So far, the music was the only sour point the arcane had made. After a while, the guests were brought back into the dining room to hear Pythagorus deliver his closing speech, which formally marked the end of the opening ceremonies. Hall and Belieth were pleasantly surprised at how the evening went. Onestar seemed anxious to get out, and Crystal appeared disappointed at the whole thing. Somehow the two half-elves thought that their discomfort had nothing to do with the party.
Even to the non-arcane guests, which ranged across a variety of races, Pythagorus was a great speaker, with a boisterous style. Hall wanted to be sure and talk to him sometime during the week.
"...and the recent actions of the GATH have proven, once again," Pythagorus said, "that they couldn't see a good profit if it walked up and shook their hand!"
The arcane assembly broke into laughter again.
"Don't speak too soon, Pythagorus," a deep voice called. The room instantly went silent as a single, lavishly dressed arcane approached the podium. He had an air of authority that was somehow dangerous. He wore purple and gold robes, and was attended by what appeared to be six human guards. He had facial hair, which is rare among arcane. Everyone in the crowd recognized him.
"Te-Ess'Arr," Onestar whispered in disbelief.
"This is a private party," Pythagorus stated.
"Nothing is private," the uninvited guest said. "Everyone has a price, including Prince Andru, and your makeshift consortium. I own the universe, and there is nothing you can do to stop me from using it as I please."
"I'm afraid I have to differ," Pythagorus replied. "We see your mismanagement as an opportunity. You do remember what opportunity is, don't you? You have an uncanny knack of missing it."
The Conorg delegates struggled not to laugh.
"I only persue what is profitable, and if something no longer has a profit, I stop pursuing it." His eyes narrowed on Pythagorus. "I also make certain that no one else pursues it either, should I later change my mind."
"OK, Arr, you've made your theatrical enterance, and I think we all know the rest of your pitch," Pythagorus stated. "Now kindly leave before we all lose our dinner."
Te-Ess'Arr just snorted and turned around. On his way out he paused and looked at Blaise.
"I haven't forgotten about you, little man," he hissed.
"I'm like a bad copper," Blaise said sarcastically. "I always turn up."
The crowd was silent as Te-Ess'Arr slowly walked toward the main exit. Just before reaching the door, he quickly walked to the table where Onestar, Hall, Belieth and Crystal were seated.
"I haven't forgotten about you either," he said. "You won't escape me forever."
"Is that a challenge?" Onestar said dryly.
"I never make challenges. I state facts," the arcane said. Belieth rolled her eyes in response to the arcane's arrogance.
"You are Blaise's associates?" Arr asked.
"In a matter of speaking," Onestar said, wishing he had a weapon with him.
One of his guards tugged on his robes. Te-Ess'Arr bent down to hear what the guard had to say.
"One of my guards wishes to introduce himself," Arr said. At that the guard removed his cowl to reveal an elf with a thin beard. In place of his right hand was an oddly shaped hook.
Hall and Belieth sprang to their feet, grabbing sharp utensils as they did and assumed a defensive stance at the opposite side of the table. The look in Hall's eyes was one of unmatched fury, unmatched except for the look in Belieth's, which would have frightened a red dragon.
"Now Hall," the elf said, "it that any way to greet an old friend?"
"Jamian Blackleaf... What are you doing free?" Hall hissed.
"Everyone has their price," Arr said. "Including the Imperial Elven Navy."
"Seriously Hall," Jamian said, "the slate is now clean. You beat me fairly, what's past is past."
"It's not that simple, Jamian," Hall said, as he held Belieth back. She was ready to go berserk with rage.
"If you say so," Jamian replied. "Next time we meet, I won't play fair."
At that, Arr and his guards walked out. Hushed whispers echoed around the chamber as the doors were closed. Hall and Belieth slowly sat down again. It was clear that they were both furious beyond description.
"He won't try anything here," Onestar offered. "He would be too easy to catch."
"I know," Hall sighed. "Just knowing that he's free is..." he couldn't finish his sentence. He just took Belith's hand and held it tight. Belieth stared blankly at her plate.
Blaise and the female arcane who was with him came to the table.
"Is everything well?" he asked, nervously.
"For now," Onestar said heavily.
"One thing can be said for us," Blaise said, "we sure know how to pick our enemies."
The four at the table somehow managed a slight laugh.
