SHARDS
Between the Pattern of Amber and the Logrus of Chaos are the lesser powers: broken patterns, the ravelled logrii, representations, designs, and wells. Realms of power. Shards.
Amber defeated Chaos in the Patternfall War, but the battle continues.
Now the Shards begin to fall. The realm of Begma is no more.
Caine has killed Rinaldo and holds Kashfa in his iron fist.
Slowly the eyes of the other Shards begin to open
Chiare and Thule have been warned, but most remain blind to the danger.
A small band of heroes has fled Kashfa. They saved one of their number, rescued one potential ally from Caine's dungeon, and saw others killed.
Their first confrontation was costly, and only time would tell if it was worth the price...

You are currently in a land known as Trisailmion.

It is a land out of the dreams of Jules Vern. Tall buildings of brick and stone soar dozens of stories into the sky. In the harbor steamships of all size and variety move busily about their way. The sun is setting, and gaslights come on throughout the city. Throughout it all is constant aroma of soot, the result of a thousand chimneys.

Vance to Krinac: 'We've just docked, then.'.

Krinac: "The NPCs Nayda, Ariadne, Andra, Reed, Kaisarah, and Sean accompany the party."

Krinac: "Rex is missing, but Allyna will bring him through by trump sometime soon."

Krinac: "Sean is currently being played by Render because Madrak is 'dead'"

Krinac: "Nayda has passed out, and is in a very deep sleep, not even noticing when you trumped through."

Krinac: To save time I am going to summarize a few events. You arrived recently before a large steamship by way a sketch drawn by Allyna. Your arrival fortuitiously went unnoticed. Most of the party being in need of medical attention, Reed, Nayda, and Kaisarah stayed to charter a vessel.

Krinac asks, what PCs wish to stay to charter a ship?

Allyna will go with the charter mission.

Krinac nods approval. "I'll assume the rest of you go (except possibly Sunfall) since you are all wounded."

Jeanette led the rest of the party to a hospital.

A small debate ensued at the hospital. They wanted payment in advance in local currency, but were persuaded to take a large quantity of gold.

Sunfall accompanies the others. No sense in being needlessly separated.

The doctors seem relatively advanced. They follow antiseptic techniques, and take numerous x-rays of several. For most of the party, the minor injuries are sewn shut, and wrapped in a bandage.

Jeanette has a cast on her arm that completely covers her hand. Her mouth has also been wired shut, so that she can barely speak.

The doctors have spent quite a long time reviewing Vance's x-rays. They want to operate. He has a bullet lodged in his right lung, and one of his ribs has healed incorrectly. They want to break it again so it can reheal. They project several days of bedrest afterwards.

Krinac: "Vance, do you intend to let them operate?"

Two members of the local police have also arrived showing an interest in your unusual injuries and method of payment.

Krinac: "Who will speak to the constabulary?"

Vance agrees, on the condition that his daughter be allowed to watch (with the appropriate precautions taken for the sterile environment).

Allyna notes that most of us haven't slept in about 24 hours now.

The doctors try to argue Vance out of having Ariadne in the operating room, but reluctantly agree. Vance is undergoing surgery when the cops arrive.

Officer Johnson says, "Hello, I'm Officer Johnson, this is Detective Johnson, could someone explain to me what is going on here?"

Detective Johnson removes a notepad, and starts jotting down notes.

Krinac: "Krinac notes that while there is a humerous side to this, you did leave a corpse at the docks, arrived with injuries, and aren't dressed or armed in any way appropriate to this shadow."

Vance * blinks. "Who left the corpse?"

Krinac: "Umm, you were lugging Dalt's body along with you to the hospital?"

Vance to Krinac: 'I don't believe this. They can't even hide a body without my guidance?'.

Krinac: "Yes, the corpse is hidden, but I still don't think you want cops searching the docks."

Officer Johnson says, "Look we can do this one of two ways, you can answer my questions now, or I can have all of you arrested and you can answer my questions in jail."

Sean rubs his face tiredly. "Of course, officer. What do you want to know?"

Officer Johnson says, "I want an explanation. An understandable explanation. Why are you all dressed in costume, how did you get those injuries, and why are you waving around those pig stickers?"

Krinac to Vance: This is what happens when you trump to random shadows for medical treatment. I'm being nice.

Sean blinks. "Pig stickers? Oh, the swords."

Sunfall says "Well, the injuries we got while being mugged."

Krinac notes that Officer Johnson and Detective Johnson are armed with some kind of pistol.

Officer Johnson says, "Really? where and when did this mugging take place?"

Sunfall says "Last night."

Sunfall says "...or this morning. I don't have a timepiece."

Sunfall says "Not anymore, at any rate."

Officer Johnson says with irony, "And you waited all last night, and all today, and then walked into the hospital under your own power?"

Vance to Krinac: Vance nods. "Oh, I'm not complaining. Remember, I was in too much pain to do much about this situation. I'm going to let them fall on their ass...I've realized I have to step down as leader for a bit to make them capable of working with me."

Sunfall says "It could have been later this morning. The details are fuzzy. I was knocked unconscious. You can feel the bump, here, go ahead."

Officer Johnson says, "Well then, since you were mugged, let's take you all down to the station house so we can take a detailed statement."

Sunfall says "Who is liable if one of us dies of injuries at the station?"

Detective Johnson frowns.

Sunfall says "...I don't feel so goo...ood..."

Sunfall collapses.

Officer Johnson says, "Oh a street lawyer, the doctors have pronounced most of you fit to move... Doctor!"

A nurse rushes around the counter and starts examining Sunfall.

An orderly and a doctor show up, and they start checking vitals.

Sunfall goes into convulsions.

Jeanette winces, and starts to get up to help Sunfall, but stops as she sees the doctors acting.

Krinac notes that if Sunfall is acting, she's good.

The doctors begin to work over Sunfall, one of them injects her with something.
Another doctor has approached... "Grand mal?" "Doesn't appear to be."

Sean watches pensively.

Nurse "BP 150 over 110."

Sunfall becomes violently convulsive, and only slows down slightly after the injection.

Officer Johnson and Detective Johnson back well away, and watch the other members of the party.

Sunfall suddenly lapses into an apparent coma.

One doctor says, "Where is her @#!$% chart, was she given anything, maybe this is an allergic reaction."

More doctors arrive, Sunfall is wheeled to the ER.

Jeanette frowns, and gets up to follow the doctors...

Officer Johnson says, "Wait, since it seems that your friend is in critical condition, we won't take you to the station yet, but I want you all to remain here in the waiting room. Is that understood?"

Krinac: "Time passes... an hour, two..."

Officer Johnson watches for awhile, "I don't suppose any of you are willing to make a statement while we wait?"

Jeanette uhms softly, and sorta tries (and fails) to mumble a reply.

Krinac: "Sunfall's condition appears to be stable. Stable meaning that she is in a coma, but isn't sliding any further. They move her out of the ER and into ICU."

Officer Johnson says, "I'll take that for a no."

Officer Johnson and Detective Johnson confer for a bit.

Detective Johnson leaves, and then returns with two more police officers.

Meanwhile Vance is moved out of surgery and into recovery. He will probably remain unconscious due to the anesthetics for another hour or so.

Officer and Detective Johnson confer with a doctor that was treating Sunfall.

Sean seems to have dozed off in the meantime, slumped in a chair.

Officer Johnson says, "The doctor tells me that your friend's condition is not about to change. You miss (indicating Jeanette) can stay here. Patrolman Friday will show you to your room. You (indicating Sean) can come with me to the station house where we will take your statement."

Sean stretches, trying to wake up. "Am I under arrest?"

Patrolman Friday takes Jeanette by the arm, to 'lead' her to her room.

Jeanette tries to scowl at him, but doesn't manage to make it very intimidating with her mouth wired shut.

Officer Johnson resonds to Sean, "Not yet."

Sean says "Then I decline."

Officer Johnson says, "Fine, well do it the hard way."

Sean says "I went to a costume party. I got drunk, I got in a fight. What's the big deal?"

Officer Johnson recites, "By the authority given to me by our King John XII, you are under arrest. Drop your weapons."

Vance to Krinac: 'Is Ariadne with me?'.

Krinac to Vance: So far yes, I haven't forgotten her. Fortunately this is a male dominated society, and the "I want to stay with my father excuse" is understandable.

Officer Johnson's hand is resting not on his sidearm, but on a billy club.

Vance to Krinac: Vance nods. "Good."

Krinac clarifies,"There are four policemen in the room: Officer Johnson, Detective Johnson, Patrolman Thursday, and Patrolman Friday.

Sean starts to unbuckle the swordbelt, then says, "Oh, I just remembered something."

Officer Johnson asks, "What?"

Krinac to Vance: Incidentally I assume you left the assault rifle with Dalt's corpse?

Sean backhands Officer Johnson, and lunges at Detective Johnson.

Vance to Krinac: 'Yes, though I had Ariadne hide a clip of ammo with her, if possible. I can live with losing Dalt, since we have Nayda (though I still want the corpse). I want a sample of the ammo...that's not replaceable.'.

You paged Sean with 'Hope you have someone backing your play. Keep in mind...I'm recovering from being cut open.'.

The backhand leaves Officer Johnson standing, but staggering, Detective Johnson was reaching for a pistol... and Sean slaps it away... it sails across the room...

Patrolmen Thursday and Friday are reaching for their guns, Friday shoving Jeanette rudely aside as he draws.

Krinac: "Actions for Sean or Jeanette?"

Krinac to Vance: Ok what about the grenades... you'll find he had three other on his person.

Sean tries to throw Detective Johnson into the Patrolmen.

Vance to Krinac: 'Hidden nearby...preferably buried in a small bag, somewhere that won't be noticed (under a bush, etc).'.

Krinac to Vance: You're in a metropolis the size of London... try under a crate not a bush.

Krinac: "Jeanette??"

Jeanette reaches up with her good arm and grasps the cop around the neck. A mumbled Word, and electricity arcs around her fingers, jolting his nervous system into unconsciousness.

Sean successfully grabs detective Johnson and flings him across the room into Patrolman Thursday, who discharges his weapon in a random direction.

Vance to Krinac: 'Well, wherever I would think is appropriate, in my judgment.'.

Krinac to Vance: Ok, so noted.

Officer Johnson is recovering from his blow and drawing his sidearm.

Jeanette collapses to the floor, as if whatever affected her victim had felled her as well.

Sean tackles Officer Johnson.

Sean and Officer Johnson struggle briefly for Johnson's gun, then Sean strikes him a particularly low blow and pulls the gun from his hands.

Doctors and nurses have ducked below the desktops.

Officer Johnson is suffering great pain. Detective Johnson and Patrolman Thursday are trying to get unentangled and back to their feet.

Sean points the gun at the other officers. "Stop moving. Now."

Detective Johnson and Patrolman Thursday freeze.

Sean says "Now. Each of you will drop your weapon. Slowly. Then move over there and lie on the floor, face down."

Krinac: "They obey."

Sean tells all the doctors and nurses to lie down, as well.

Krinac: "The doctors and nurses also do so... although some ran out of the area at the start of the fighting."

You are in a waiting room off the ER. There is one doorway (no door) to the waiting room, and a long hallway with several doors and corridors branching off of it.

Sean picks Jeanette up.

Jeanette lies limply in Sean's arms.

Sean puts Jeanette over his shoulder, so he can use the gun if he needs to.

Several heads poke their way into the corridor, most pop back almost immediately, one of them is Ariadne's... she looks at Sean carrying Jeanette...

Sean says "Time to go."

Krinac to Vance: You are woozily aware of Ariadne trying to wake you.

Ariadne pushes Vance's gurney into the hallway. "I hope you know what you are doing."

Vance to Krinac: Vance makes an effort to wake up.

Vance is moving groggily on the gurney, but doesn't appear to be truly alert yet.

Krinac to Vance: Incidentally you are dressed in a hospital gown now.

Sean smirks. "I have no idea, but everyone else was unconscious or unable to talk, so I'm improvising. Let's contact someone who hasn't been hit in the head recently, and get out of here."

Krinac: "While this is taking minutes to play out, only seconds have passed."

Sean adds. "Grab their guns?"

Vance to Krinac: 'Let me know when I can speak. I'm going to try to get my possessions rounded up (though Ariadne would have my gloves with her).'.
Ariadne returns to get the other three guns.

Krinac to Vance: You can mumble... be a little incoherent.

Jeanette mumbles, "Sun..."

Vance to Krinac: 'I would have stripped off my weapons beforehand, if I knew where they were taking me. Just as a note...I normally carry several hidden daggers, and that's not something to show off to doctors.'.

Krinac: "Hmm, I don't remember anyone taking a sketch image. Allyna did you hand out any images?"

Sean says "Right. Where's Sunfall?"

Vance mumbles softly, "Wait...come back..."

Krinac: "Hmm, wait, Vance did have one of Kaisarah, but that's the only one I believe that was mentioned ICly."

Vance to Krinac: Vance notes his previous pose is an opportunity for us to backplay a dream sequence sometime, if you want.

Jeanette had one of Sean.

Krinac to Vance: Hmm, ok... I'll note that for reference...

Allyna didn't give any away that weren't asked for. Don't remember when Jeanette got Sean's.

Jeanette * Before the trip to the tower.

Vance suddenly jerks forward, starting to rise. His eyes open, and then he sinks back down in obvious pain.

Allyna * I don't recall. >shrug<

Ariadne returns with the guns, and rushes to Vance's side.

Vance glances around, disoriented. He instinctively makes a movement with his right hand, as if to palm something, before realizing that he's in a hospital gown.

Sean points the gun at a doctor. "Where are his things?"

It is Ariadne who answers, "Underneath the rolling table."

Sunfall steps out into the hallway, wearing a hospital gown and carrying a gauze-wrapped bundle. She appears fine.

Ariadne asks, "What is it you need, the 'image'?"

Sean nods. "Yes. We need to get out of here."

Ariadne says, "I'll get it."

Vance gazes around the room, trying to clear his head. He finally says, "Bring a doctor with us. Let him get a medical bag."

Ariadne says, "I've got it, here it is, do you know how to use it?"

Sunfall walks purposefully toward the waiting room.

Sean says "Uh... I was hoping he'd mentioned that to you. Get away from the corridor, we've got company coming."

Ariadne wheels Vance back into the recovery room.

A lone figure peeps around the hallway as Sunfall enters the waiting room. "Hold it right there." He is armed.

Sean calls out, "Stay where you are, or someone gets hurt!"

He appears to be a hospital guard, not a police officer. Nevertheless he has a sidearm out.

Sunfall dives out of the hallway, toward her weapon.

The guard looks nervous, and fires down the hallway.

A piece of the wall not far from Sean's head suddenly has a hole in it.

Sean fires once.

Sean misses and the guard dives back behind the wall. He can be seen bobbing his head back and forth.

Officer Johnson yells out, "Idiot, you're going to get someone killed, step back and wait until the police arrive."

Sean fires again. "Drop your weapon!"

Sunfall stands and faces the guard, looking him over dispassionately.

The guard is almost hit by Sean's second shot, and dives back behind the wall.

Sean says "Sunfall, do you know how to use the image?"

Vance to Krinac: 'Can I act?'.

Krinac notes that Sunfall is on the opposite side of the corridor, and two doors down, in the waiting room. Sean is now in Vance's room with Ariadne and Jeanette.

Krinac to Vance: You can talk.

Vance looks to Ariadne. "Help me get dressed. I'll show you how to use an image."

Krinac: "Ok, I'm going to speed up."

Sunfall yells back "What image do you mean?"

Sean says "Never mind. Get over here, I'll cover you."

Krinac: "Sunfall manages to dive back across while the hospital guard is lying low. That brings the party alltogether, and you trump to Kaisarah"

Vance * ahems. "Did anyone bring a doctor along?"

Krinac: "That's without taking a doctor hostage, taking a doctor hostage requires someone to run back across the corridor, grab a doctor, and drag him back."

Sean goes back and picks a 'volunteer'.

Krinac: "Ok, you have a doctor, and you trump away."

Krinac: "Everyone arrives in Kaisarah's stateroom, Kaisarah makes sure everyone is across, and then goes to get Reed, Andra, and Allyna."

Sean mumbles, "Well, -that- could have gone better." He sighs.

Allyna looks somewhat refreshed, but still not entirely awake, apparently having been roused from a nap. "What happened?"

Vance frowns. He's in obvious pain, and he doesn't look pleased. "I need someone to recover Dalt's body and the grenades buried nearby. Volunteers?"

Allyna says, "We got them."

Allyna says, "Why didn't you pick them up on your way back?"

Vance looks at Allyna. "Sorry...I had surgery a little while ago, and wasn't up to it." He then turns to Andra. "I need to get to Arcadia."

Andra asks, "Where is Arcadia?"

Vance to Krinac: 'Vance picked up a sarcastic edge. Comes from getting a lot of stupid questions...'.

You say "I'll guide the boat, but I am still weak. You'll have to help."

Ariadne asks, "Is that wise father, you just got out of surgery. The doctors said you would need days of bed rest."

Krinac: "Anyone keeping the hostage doctor from screaming?"

Sean will do that. :)

Allyna peers at the strange doctor.

Vance glances to Ariadne. "I am still under a doctor's care, but we must get moving. The longer we wait, the harder it will be to question Dalt."

Sean points his handy weapon at the doctor. "Not a sound... Uh, Vance, are we going to take the doctor with us?"

Andra says, "If you have good reason, then I will do all I can."

Allyna says, "You're a doctor?"

Jeanette nods, and mumbles something that sounds like "quit babbling and get moving".

Vance nods to Sean. "He will be compensated for his time and effort. Allyna can send him back when he's no longer needed."

Sunfall says "And I could use some new clothes."

Allyna frowns. "Vance, shut your mouth. I've had enough of this. You're taking hostages, now?"

Allyna directs this question to Sean.

Vance gazes evenly at Allyna. "We're doing what is needed. I would inconvience one person in a second if it would help save a world."

Jeanette slams a fist into a table. "Quiet!"

Allyna says, "Yes, I've seen that. You would do anything at all to forward your holy quest, except, perhaps, tell anyone what your plans are. Well, you aren't the only one with a mission, and it's readily apparent to me that you are leading us down a path of disaster, and you have little interest in saving the spheres."

Vance smiles. "I see. You've picked a good time to usurp leadership, then. After all, what can I do to stop you?"

Sean glances at Allyna. "At the time, I was the only person standing who could talk, and they were going to arrest us and split us up. We don't have time for that. As for the doctor, I was hoping we could have Vance checked over, then let him go."

Jeanette upends the table and hurls it across the room. "WILL. You. All. Be. QUIET!"

Allyna says, "Vance, you'd be in good health if you had just--"

Allyna backs away from the flying furniture.

Vance instinctively moves to avoid the table, and falls over in the process. He does not immediately rise, grimacing in pain instead.

Ariadne supports Vance. Andra, Reed, and Kaisarah stare at Jeanette.

Sunfall stands, watching with interest.

Jeanette speaks slowly and carefully through her wired-up jaw, enunciating every word to make sure it comes through clearly. "I. Have. Had. Enough. of. This. Bickering." She points at Allyna. "Do. We. Have. A. Ship?"

Krinac: "Umm, from the size, and apportment of the room, you are on a ship."

Allyna says, "We are on a ship."

Sunfall picks a handy stool and sits, arm around her junaive.

Jeanette nods, and turns to Sean, pointing at the doctor. "You. Make. Sure. Vance. Has. Not. Been. Re-Injured."

The doctor pales and draws a stethescope, and begins checking Vance.

Vance does seem to be in pain, and is quiet as he lets the doctor examine him.

Jeanette looks back to Allyna, awaiting an answer.

Allyna turns her attention to the doctor. "If you scream, it's not going to do you a lot of good, but it will cause us no end of trouble. As Vance's leadership is largely unquestioned, I can't promise you your freedom, but if you will agree to speak civilly with me, and give me a chance to convince you of the urgency of our situation, I will make certain that you are released as soon as I am able."

The doctor is mumbling as he works, pulse, normal, blood pressure, low but normal.

Allyna says, "Will you hear me-- Hear us out, sir? Without making trouble?"

Jeanette says "Allyna. Be. Quiet."

The doctor glances from Allyna, to Jeanette, to Sean, and swallows and continues working.

Allyna says, "No. This is an innocent man who might well willingly help us if he knows our cause, but instead is afraid for his life."

Jeanette says "Shut. Up. Let. Him. Work."

Vance to Krinac: 'Do I know if Reed still has some gems?'.

Krinac to Vance: Unless he suddenly started handing them out as party favors he had a bag full.

Vance says in a calm voice, "Reed, come here."

Allyna frowns. "He will work better if he feels safe."

Reed steps over to Vance, "Yes?"

You say "Hand me one of your gemstones."

Reed says, "Certainly", and pulls a small clear cut stone from the bag. He hands it to Vance.

Reed continues, "And may I suggest that since we are letting the doctor go, we don't say too much about our activities."

Vance holds the gem up, showing it to the doctor. "Sir, how much would something like this be worth where you live? As a guess?"

The doctor licks his lips nervously, "If that isn't just cut glass, it would fetch a good price. Several thousand pounds I am sure. If it is all the same to you, you look to be in good health, you can keep your stone, if you just let me return home."

Jeanette steps over to Vance and makes a brief examination herself.

Vance doesn't look good. He looks tired, and his entire torso is wrapped in bandages keeping his ribs strapped into place.

Vance hands the stone over to the doctor. "I am a man of such resources as to spend this on a cup of coffee. This is for your silence...you're welcome to portray me as a mysterious underworld figure, as long as names and other specifics aren't mentioned. If you can instruct one of my associates in how to care for me during my recovery, and leave your medical kit, I would be happy to send you home."

Jeanette frowns at Vance. "Remain. Quiet. And. Rest." To the doctor: "Go. Leave. The. Bag. Your. Work. Is. Done. Say. Nothing. Of. What. You. Have. Seen."

Vance frowns. "Jeanette, no offense meant, but perhaps you should practice what you preach. You look unwell."

Jeanette nods. "Your. Injuries. Are. Worse. Rest. Sleep."

Allyna says, "If she is unwell, it might be because you led her into a trap and then abandoned her to pursue someone else's vengeance."

Jeanette turns round to glare at Allyna, motioning for silence.

The doctor looks confused, but starts to leave the room, with the stone and without the bag. "That man has been through surgery, keep the bandages tight to hold his ribs in place, but open them three times a day and check for spotting. You need to stay immobile or the stiches could reopen."

Krinac: "Is anyone preventing the doctor from leaving?""

Allyna is.

Jeanette says, clearly, carefully, angrily, "Let. Him. Go."

Vance looks to Ariadne. "Help me to my room." He glances back at Allyna, and says, "It is not as you say, but this talk is for another time."

Allyna presents the Doctor with a sketch. "Just look at this picture. No need to confuse the crew."

The doctor looks blankly at the sketch, "I don't understand."

Allyna is standing at the door. "No one who didn't board the conventional way is leaving this room until we are out of port."

Allyna says, "Just focus on the picture, look _through_ the picture. When it seems real, just take a step forward."

The doctor looks at Allyna as if she were insane.

Jeanette nods, and lets Allyna deal with it, turning to Vance. "You. Will. Rest. Stay. In. Bed." To Ariadne: "Keep. Him. Immobilized. As. The. Doctor. Said."

Sean says "Just try it, doctor. Pretend this is all a bad dream, and forget about making sense out of it."

Vance frowns, and looks to Ariadne. "Perhaps I should be moved to an actual bed."

Ariadne has helped Vance up.

The doctor says, "A dream... and looks at the image, and steps away."

Allyna turns to Kaiserah. "You should inform the crew that we are ready to depart, once the doctor is safely ashore."

Allyna steps aside to let Kaiserah go. "It's alright if you trade cabins with Vance, I hope? He ought to be in a bed."

Vance looks very, very tired. "I am resting here, since my condition is the worst of us all. Whoever wishes to discuss my leadership is welcome to do so once I have had a good night's rest."

Jeanette says "Get. Vance. To. Bed. Now."

Allyna says, "If anyone wishes, Reed and I can transport you each to private cabins without moving you through the public hallways."

Allyna says, "Certainly, Vance should be left alone to sleep, with at most one person to take care of him."

Andra says, "Why not just poke your head out and make sure no one else is in the hallway?"

Ariadne says, "I will stay with my father until he can stand."

Jeanette nods, and gestures for them to go.

Allyna says, "Because we have taken enough chances and this is a small price to pay to avoid more trouble, although it's clear that for some people here any price is too high to pay for that convenience."

Jeanette glares at Allyna, stalks to the door, and opens it a crack, peeking out.

Kaisarah says, "Certainly have my bed. He goes to help Ariadne get Vance into bed."

Vance's eyes blaze. "Enough, Allyna."

Allyna says, "No, Vance. Not enough. I thought it would be enough to wait until things calmed down when you decided to ram our ship into the ground."

Krinac: "AHEM... could we at least take a few minutes break so Sunfall can get dressed, and maybe REX could rejoin the party?"

Allyna says, "I thought I should wait until we were safe when you decided to lead most of your allies into the Palace in Kashfa. And then I waited until you could get medical aid."

Krinac: "I realize your arguement is an important IC event, but I'd like for all the party to be here."

Jeanette closes the door, then walks over to Allyna, reaches for the girl's shirt, and pulls her close. "Shut. Up." she says, directly into her face.

Vance says, "I'll make this short. You can leave anytime you want to. The others can stay or go as they choose, and all I ask is that they talk to me briefly before their departure, as a courtesy. Now, I'm going to bed. If our positions were reversed, I would at least have the decency to let you rest after surgery."

Allyna says, "But if I wait until you are no longer incapacitated, I will likely be dead before I say my peice. Now, I'm not going to make your life difficult right now, but we are GOING TO BE CAREFUL."

Jeanette then turns to Vance and repeats. "SHUT. UP."

Allyna says, "Jeanette, get away from the door."

Allyna says, "This will not take long and none of you is in any sort of hurry. We will do it the safe way. That's final unless someone wants to argue it out with me."

Jeanette reaches over to take one of the policemens' guns from Sean and points it at Allyna. "The. Next. Person. To. Speak. Will. Need. That. Doctor."

Vance turns to Ariadne. "Help me to bed, daughter." He ignores Allyna entirely.

Allyna ignores Jeanette and nods to Reed, pulling out a sketch of him. "Go to Jeanette's cabin, she's obviously in need of rest. We all are.

Jeanette pistol-whips Allyna, slapping the gun barrel across her face.

Ariadne and Kaisarah between them get Vance into bed.

Allyna stumbles backwards, dropping the sketch.

Jeanette says "Be. QUIET."

Jeanette is, for those who care to notice it, extraordinarily unhappy. Red-faced, wide-eyed, and very careful not to let a finger stray near the pistol's safety.

Jeanette turns to Ariadne. "Make. certain. he. rests. sedate. him. if. need. be."

Allyna glares at Jeanette. "That's enough. I've had my fill of pulling your asses out of the fire."

Reed steps out and tries to help catch Allyna.

Vance is already in bed, though he watches the emerging drama.

Allyna walks unsteadily toward the door of the cabin.

Reed says, "Leave be, they are in pain and haven't rested in more than a day, I'll help you to your room."

Jeanette points back at Allyna. "You. rest. also. no. more. bickering. or. someone. dies."

Sean clears his throat. "Let's all calm down. Jeanette, give me the gun back."

Allyna says, "I am leaving be. I am leaving you all be. I have my own mission to pursue."

Allyna opens the door and steps out, closing it quietly behind her.

Sunfall shifts position.

Jeanette says "Sean. Don't. Let. Her. Leave."

Reed says, "I'll go speak with her."

Reed gets up and follows.

Sean says "What would you suggest I do, shoot her?"

Reed leaves the room.

Sean nods to Reed as he leaves.

Vance closes his eyes, and appears to be going to sleep.

Jeanette's eyes close for a long moment, then she shoves the gun in her belt. "I. Am. Taking. Command. Until. We. Reach. Arcadia. Have. The. Ship. Put. To. Sea. Get. Us. Well. Away. From. Shore. I. Must. Rest. Will. Start. Shadowpaths. Later."

Sean gives Jeanette a long, apraising look, then shrugs. "As you wish."

Kaisarah says, "I had best go tell the crew to cast off. They may wonder how the rest of you got on board."

Jeanette nods, "Wake. Me. If. Anything. Develops." She walks to the door, exits, and heads for a cabin.

Sean goes over to Ariadne and gets another one of the guns. He slouches into a chair facing the door.

Andra says, "I haven't slept in more than a day, I could start us toward some place I've been, Thule or one of our trade allies, but I'd be better off with a few hours sleep."

Jeanette * gave orders regarding that, remember?

Andra sighs, "I don't know if that would take us closer or farther. I will get some rest, and try in the morning. Good night."

Krinac: "Um, the night passes?"

Vance * nods.

Vance awakens after a long rest, and sends for the others.

Sean is sleeping in the chair he sat down in.

Sean wakes up when Vance starts asking for people, and sits up a little.

Vance looks over at Sean. "I'll be dressed in a few minutes. Have everyone meet me here. I want to make certain of a few things before we continue our journey."

Jeanette arrives in Vance's room the next afternoon, having spent most of the night sleeping. When she arrives, both the wire on her jaw, and the cast on her arm, are gone.

Sean nods. "Fine," he says without any real enthusiasm. He nods to Jeanette when she arrives.

Jeanette nods. "Good morning, Vance. How do you feel?"

Vance chuckles. "Like death warmed over. But my spirits are improved. Thank you for the other night. I was not up to the argument that was brewing between Allyna and myself."

Jeanette nods. "There will be no further arguing. I will enforce that vigorously, upon both of you. Do you understand?"

Sean says drily, "Good. The arguments were giving me a headache."

You say "I understand. I'm willing to let you remain in charge until Arcadia. I am obviously not up to it, and frankly, I could use a reprieve."

Sean says "Why Arcadia, anyway?"

Jeanette says "To question Dalt."

Andra says, "I've never been to Arcadia, so it will be difficult for me to guide the ship there. I'll do what I can."

Sean frowns, then shrugs. "I see. How's Nayda?"

Vance nods to Jeanette. "The powers of Arcadia's Broken Pattern are strongest near the source. And, I may be able to call upon others who are more expert than I in their application."

Jeanette nods. "If Vance can point out the proper path, you and I can guide the ship along it, Andra. Don't worry."

Andra turns to Sean, "I don't know how Nayda is. Has anyone been to check on her this morning?"

Sean groans. "No. I spent all night passed out in the chair. Where's she at?"

Vance suddenly frowns, and looks to Jeanette. "I suggest checking on her. And Allyna, for that matter."

Jeanette nods. "Don't you dare move an inch, Vance."

Andra says, "She's in the third stateroom to the starboard."

Vance smiles. "You're in charge. I'm just going to sit here."

Jeanette nods, and paces to the door. "Which room is Allyna in?"

Andra says, "Next one beyond that."

Sean gets up, joints popping as he moves. "Ow. I'll come with you."

Jeanette nods to Sean, and heads down the corridor to Nayda's room.

Nayda answers timidly, "Yes, who is it?"

Jeanette says "It's me... just checking in. How are you, ma'am?"

Nayda replies through the door, "I'm feeling better this morning. Who are you?"

Jeanette says "May I come in?"

Nayda pauses, "...Yes." She opens the door.

Nayda looks at Sean and Jeanette and sits down on her bed.

Sean ducks his head in a sort of bow. "Hello," he says quietly.

Nayda asks, "Who are you people?"

Jeanette smiles, and bows a greeting. "Jeanette DuBois, ma'am," she says as she steps in. "I apologize for the inconvenience... as for who we are, I suppose the best term is 'friends'."

Nayda asks, "Whose friends?"

Jeanette says "Yours. The world's. Life's. Death's. Eternity's. Would you rather be back in that cell?"

Sean clears his throat. "Erm. My name's Sean... a friend of mine knew your brother, briefly."

Nayda shudders, "No I much prefer where I am now. I just don't know any of you... a friend of yours knew my brother? That's a distant relationship to risk your life to save mine."

Jeanette says "There are reasons, which will be explained in time, ma'am. For now... please trust us."

Sean says "We were trying to rescue another friend of ours, too. It was our good luck you were held together."

Nayda says, "Then I count myself very lucky. May I ask where are we?"

Jeanette smiles gently. "At sea. Sean will get you anything you need, ma'am. Please, be at ease." She steps out and continues along to Allyna's room.

Jeanette looks in. "Allyna? Are you alright?"

Sean nods. "I'm not sure where we are at the moment, but we're well away from Kashfa by now."

Rex smiles at Jeanette. "Hello, stranger!"

Jeanette sighs, deeply. "Hello, Rex. Welcome back."

Rex nods. "I heard things have been...interesting. How do we propose to question Dalt, if he is dead?"

Jeanette says "The powers of Shadow are many and varied. Apparently Vance knows some necromancers. We're heading there next."

Rex shakes his head. "That guy has weird friends. Then again, I have no room to talk, on that score."

Engela who just emerged asks, "Where are we going?"

Jeanette says "Elsewhere, young miss. More answers will come as I have them."

Nayda nods to Sean, "Of that I am very glad."

Allyna looks up from the card she's working on. "I have brought Rex back to your merry band, Jeanette. You are welcome. Do you and I have any business?"

Krinac to Vance: Ariadne asks, "Are you truly satisified with that woman assuming command at the barrel of a gun?"

Rex steps back away from the door.

Sean nods to Nayda. "Is there anything you need?"

Jeanette nods. "I apologize for hitting you, Allyna. I should not have. But I was very tired and had no energy for dealing with squabbles at the moment. A more thorough discussion of the problems can take place when we are not so pressed for time."

Nayda says, "Rest, and I'll need answers sometime, about where we are, and if I am free to go my own way."

Vance to Krinac: Vance shrugs. "If it gets her to contribute, yes. She's been reluctant to take action, until now. I will play along if it makes her useful."

Vance to Krinac: 'Remember, daughter, you must always keep your eyes on the goal. That is why I've tolerated Allyna as long as I have.'.

Allyna says, "Your apology is empty. We will never be any less pressed for time than we were last night. Not while we continue rushing headfirst into one war after another."

Krinac to Vance: Ariadne asks, "And what of her? Will you let her leave?"

Sean nods. "It should be safe to rest for a while. I might suggest that there is safety in numbers, and we have some things we should discuss... but you're not a prisoner, either."

Jeanette says "Last night we were wounded and exhausted, Allyna. Now, at least, we are rested, and have another journey ahead of us. There will likely be time soon. But please, not yet."

Allyna says, "Wounded and exhausted and taking hostages."

Nayda nods, "I would like to rest then. Thank you for saving me."

Vance to Krinac: 'If I felt she was going to hinder our mission...no. But I cannot keep her from leaving, at least for now. Besides, better to have her depart alone than kill her and cause the departure of others.'.

Jeanette says "You will note that I insisted upon his release."

Sean says "Of course. If you need anything, let me know... or one of the others. Rest well."

Allyna says, "Put off discussion long enough and you'll all be wounded and exhausted again. All I wanted was some assurance that we would not take unnecessary chances until there was a time to talk calmly, and that was not possible."

Reed signals to Sean as he emerges. "We need to talk."

Allyna says, "Congratulations, Jeanette."

Sean rubs his face. "Of course, Reed. What is it?"

Allyna says, "You must feel quite good about yourself."

Jeanette says "There will be a time shortly."

Allyna says, "If there is time before I am prepared to leave, and if I'm given reason to beleive I am safe, I'll attend your meeting. But at the moment, I am not terribly inclined to participate in your lunatic games."

Rex smiles. "Well, count me in. Life gets boring on the homefront."

Jeanette says "Believe me, Allyna, I intend to make the point soon. This trip should give us all the opportunity we need."

Allyna says, "So should have our last little jaunt, but you ended up fighting your way out of a hospital."

Jeanette says "That was not my decision. Take it up with Sean."

Allyna says, "You are the one who hit me, Jeanette. Do you have anything more to say to me?"

Jeanette says "I've said what's proper to say. If your honor still demands response, speak to me after we have settled the other questions you have raised."

Allyna says, "I do not have any sort of honor which demands such things. Your apology is insufficient because it gives me no reason to beleive that you would not do the same thing at another time."

Vance to Krinac: Vance tells Ariadne to get Kaisarah.

Krinac to Vance: Ariadne does so.

Allyna says, "But perhaps I am selfish. Being hit would be a small price to pay to save the Spheres, if I had any reason to beleive we were making progress."

Jeanette says "It may be that we are. It may be that we are not. When I know, I'll tell you."

Reed and Sean return.

Vance to Krinac: Vance tells Kaisarah the same things he discussed with Ariadne. He then says, "Killing her may become necessary, but I can't afford to alienate the others. Let us hope that Jeanette's recent show of backbone will distract

Allyna from her efforts at undermining my authority."

Jeanette says "If you want to come, come. Or stay."

Reed says, "Perhaps now would be a good time to get everyone together to discuss things without the press of time?"

Allyna says, "There is so little at stake for you, Jeanette. Vance has no such excuse."

Vance to Krinac: 'Keep an eye on Allyna and Nayda, Kaisarah. One will be trouble, and the other is my backup if my questioning of Dalt's spirit fails.'.

Rex smiles at Reed and Sean. "I think now would be a wonderful time."

Sean blinks. "Hello, Rex. Are your friends with you, too?"

Krinac to Vance: Kaisarah says, "I have heard tell of magical posions such that the person who consumes it must take some of the antidote each day. I suppose they are but myth, but it could be quite useful."

Jeanette shrugs, and turns to walk out and back to the others.

Rex smiles, and nods. "The gang's all here."

Reed shakes Rex's hand, "Good to see you are alive."

Allyna stands, to attend this meeting.

Vance to Krinac: Vance nods. "I hear them coming. We will speak later of this."
Vance is still in his room.

Sean smiles, and claps Rex on the shoulder. "We've missed you... Vance will probably be cranky, but he's been shot recently. Don't mind him."

Reed says, "Actually being shot seems to have mellowed him some. Perhaps it is the pain killers."

Sean chuckles.

Reed knocks on Vance's door.

Rex shakes Reed's hand, vigorously. "Likewise, I'm sure." He grins at Sean. "Well, I expected as much; cranky, not shot, although I am hardly surprised, given his penchant for crankiness. Just don't tell him I said so."

Vance calls out, "Come in."

Sean smirks, and enters the room.

Vance's neutral expression briefly fades to a frown as he spots Rex.

Reed says, "Now that we are all rested, and at sea, perhaps we can finish our talk in a more peacable fashion?"

Jeanette nods, "When we are all present."

Sean sinks into his chair again.

Rex enters, along with his entourage: Engela, Aranor, and Middenriddle.

Ariadne stands, "Does all include Andra? Nayda?"

Jeanette says "No."

Vance hmms thoughtfully as he spots Engela.

Sean says "Nayda's resting. We can fill her in later, I think."

Jeanette says "Though they may attend if they wish, of course."

Allyna says, "Why not? Their lives are at stake, too."

Sean says "We might want to get Andra in here, though, unless she's going to be returning to Thule instead of coming with us."

Ariadne says, "I'll go get Andra then, and I'll _ask_ Nayda ?"

Jeanette nods to Ariadne.

Allyna nods to Ariadne.

Sean says "Depends, Ariadne... if we're actually going to have a civil planning session, sure, we should ask her. If this is going to be limited to hashing out our differences, I think we should let her sleep."

Aranor will want to see that.

Ariadne returns with Andra and Nayda.

Vance is quiet, perhaps unusually so.

Jeanette says "Allright. Thank you all for coming. I'm going to ask everyone to be quiet, and not speak unless I ask you to. I want this to be a civilized discussion. Any objections?"

Rex shrugs.

Allyna says, "I object."

Jeanette says "On what grounds? You'll have the chance to make your point. That's what we're here to discuss."

Allyna says, "I'd like someone who isn't inclined to club me chairing this meeting."

Vance remains quiet. His expression is unreadable, with his hands in front of his chin, fingertips tapping toether.

Allyna says, "Nayda is probably the one here with the least bias."

Reed says, "I will second that motion. I suggest that Sean chair, unless someone has an argument with him?"

Jeanette says "Sorry. I'm who you've got."

Allyna says, "Jeanette says that Sean is responsible for the fight last night."

Jeanette says "Incorrect. I said he was the one who started it. And he was."

Reed stands, and waits to be recognized.

Jeanette says "Reed?"

Allyna says, "Jeanette, sit down. You want a calm discussion, let someone else Chair."

Reed says, "Madame Chairperson, there has been a motion and a second that you
are too controversial to chair. May I suggest it be voted on so that the issue is decided one way or the other."

Jeanette says "The issue is decided, Reed. There will be no further motions of this type. Now then, Allyna, I understand you have a complaint about the way Vance has been handling this trip."

Sean lifts his hand casually.

Allyna says, "The issue is not decided, Jeanette. If this is going to be a farce, I'll go elsewhere. If this is going to be a discussion, I'd rather have it presided over by someone who has not engaged in physical combat with any of the participants in the last few hours."

Rex says "I agree. There was a motion and a second, and no resolution. Let's discuss this, or not."

Jeanette says "This is not going to be a farce. This is going to be an open airing of views. I'm simply going to make sure it doesn't end up going around in circles again."

Vance coughs slightly.

Rex says "Which you'll do by following the rules of the format you have chosen, Jeanette. I'm not here to participate in hypocrisy. I, too, vote that a different, impartial chair be chosen."

Allyna stands. "I shall refrain from clubbing the self-appointed chairperson and simply leave. I'm certain that you'd all do quite well without me. Is there anyone in this room besides Rex and his crew who can honestly say they would be alive and free right now without my assistance?"

Jeanette says "Allyna, please sit down. Vance has relinquished command to me for the duration, and I intend to settle this question once and for all."

Allyna says, "I no longer recognize Vance's authority. Vance has abused it. As it is Vance's authority which is at question, it is hardly a valid basis for a claim of impartialiality."

Jeanette says "You desire him to step down, he has done so. Next?"

Allyna says, "I did not suggest such a thing."

Vance finally speaks up. "Jeanette, I would put forth the suggestion that you appoint Reed the impartial chair, while retaining command."

Allyna says, "I desire you to step down and allow an impartial party to chair this meeting."

Allyna smiles to Vance, with genuine appreciation.

Rex looks around. "As do I, if I must repeat myself."

Sean considers his still-raised hand, and puts it down again.

Jeanette says "Fine. But if it starts going in circles again, I'm going to take steps. Sean, you're it."

Vance glances to Sean.

Allyna says, "Sean is hardly impartial. We've already made that point."

Reed puzzledly looks at Sean... "I don't care want to arm wrestle for it?"

Jeanette shrugs... "Fine. Sunfall."

Sean snorts. "I'll defer to Reed."

Allyna says, "Does anyone object to Sunfall?"

Sunfall says "I'm pretty impartial, I guess."

Rex says "Not I. Sunfall, if you don't mind?"

You say "I don't mind. She is well-suited to the role, due to her training."

Sean looks annoyed. "Fine. Can we just get -on- with it?"

Reed says, then I will defer to Sunfall. Madame chairman you have the floor.

Allyna sits.

Engela looks confused by all the politics.

Ariadne and Andra just wait patiently.

Sunfall says "For my benefit, can each side please briefly state their case? No name calling or melodrama, please."

Allyna says, "Oh! Reed... Is there something you might want to leave in your cabin?"

Allyna covers her mouth apologetically at having spoken out of turn after all that.

Sunfall says "Allyna, go ahead."

Reed half rises, gestures at his empty belt, and sits.

Allyna smiles; and stands. "Thank you, Reed. You thought of it before I did.

Would you mind if I explained?"

Reed says, "You had better explain now that the topic has been opened."

Jeanette nods, "Do."

Sunfall waits.

Allyna nods. "The device which Reed uses to measure the... I'm afraid I don't recall the words he used... The thing he's been pointing at broken patterns... It contains an Image link of a sort I've never been in contact with before. I cannot tell what purpose the link has, but one possibility would be to convey information to someone."

Allyna says, "Since we have been quite concerned with matters of security, I thought it best not to risk that possibility. Reed obviously agrees with me."

Sunfall says "Is there a way to break that link?"

Allyna shrugs. "I don't know, yet, short of destroying the device. I would need more time. It's possible, even if the link were not a part of the device's function, which it may well be, that the device is designed not to function if the link is broken. Until we know how it works..."

Sean says "It may be enough that we're aware of it, and take precautions."

You say "Ahem. Sunfall, I would suggest that conversation be tabled, for the moment, in favor of more immediate concerns."

Allyna nods. "If someone is listening, however, they know that we are aware of it, now, and will likely attempt to spy on us by other means. That is my fault." She doesn't bother to explain.

Sunfall says "Thank you, Vance. Allyna, did you have any other concerns you wished to address at this time?"

Allyna proceeds directly to make her case. "I don't like to think that I represent one 'side' in a conflict here. Rather, I feel that there has been a failure of communication, and perhaps a lack of forethought. Supposedly, we all want the same thing: the protection of our homeworlds, and those of others who might be threatened by what remains a largely mysterious doom." She takes a breath.

Sunfall says "So you would say that our group has recklessly bullheaded our way through problems and risked ourselves needlessly?"

Allyna says, "Very nearly constantly in the days that I have been with you."

Sunfall says "Thank you. Vance, state your case, briefly please."

Vance glances over to Sunfall. "Actually, I would ask for others to state my case for me. Several here actively sought to join me, and everyone else except Allyna has followed without significant complaint since our beginnings in Kashfa. Surely someone here would be willing to speak on my behalf?"

Sean lifts his hand.

Vance to Krinac: 'When someone's trying to cast you as the villain, you let the pillars of the community speak in your defense, instead of standing up to be a target.'.

Sunfall says "This is irregular, but, go ahead Sean."

Sean says "I'll be the first to say that recent events in Kashfa went poorly. We failed to coordinate what would happen when we hit the beach, and I thought it was an unnecessary risk to try to kill Caine and rescue the prisoners at the same time."

Sunfall says "Do I here a 'but' in here somewhere, or are you supporting Allyna's claim?"

Sean looks at Sunfall. "If you'll -give- me a minute, I'll finish. I'm trying to be fair."

Sunfall says "Go ahead. I don't mean to rush you."

Allyna starts to say something, but cuts herself off before a word actually escapes her lips. Obviously, she is not particularly familiar with these sorts of formal proceedings.

Sean says "Punching my way out of the hospital wasn't my first choice, either, but I didn't want to risk them seperating us, not knowing what sort of magic they might use to bind prisoners. And nobody had told me enough about the shadow to lie worth a damn. So I had to do it the hard way. Anyone has a problem with that, take it up with me. Vance was out cold the whole time..."

Sean says "But before we hit Kashfa, we were doing well. We'd put together a small company, we'd warned Chiare, we'd warned Thule, we'd learned much about the threat, and how it might be stopped."

Allyna raises a hand.

Sean says "I'm not finished."

Allyna lowers her hand, after a moment.

Rex raises his, as well.

Sunfall says "Rex, hold on a moment. Sean, go ahead."

Rex lowers his hand, for the moment.

Sean says "Kashfa was a trap, and we walked into it. Things never go right in those circumstances, and we made mistakes. I made mistakes, Vance made mistakes... I think we all did, to be blunt. We've done better, and we can do better in the future. But you, Allyna, aren't helping by being so combative in expressing your opinions, and without Vance we'd never have gotten as much done as we have."

Sunfall says "Sean, directed accusations of that nature are out of order, but thank you for your testimony. Rex, you had something to say?"

Rex says "Aranor and I have become aware of an effect which surrounds Vance, which seems to draw events to a head in his vicinity. I choose to follow him, not for guidance, nor leadership, but simply so we will find ourselves in the right place at the right time."

Rex says "That is all."

Sunfall says "Jeanette, do you have any testimony to add?"

Jeanette nods. "Yes. I believe the main objection rests in the fact that Vance acts upon knowledge he has which Allyna lacks, knowledge which impels his decisions. Without this knowledge, she cannot understand the choices he makes, nor their urgency."

Allyna frowns.

Vance merely nods, as he continues to listen.

Allyna raises her hand.

Sunfall says "Vance, if you have nothing further to add, then Allyna may speak again."

Jeanette says "In truth, most of us lack this knowledge as well, but have been for now willing to trust in his decisions. Allyna does not have our experience with him, nor understanding of the danger we face. She has not seen what remains of Begma, for example."

You say "The others have summed things up rather nicely. I am satisfied."

Nayda says, "What do you mean what remains of Begma?"

Sunfall says "Nayda, pause a moment. Allyna, you have a chance to rebut."

Allyna says, "I would rather Nayda get the answer which, if I understand it properly, is very important to her. I will rebut afterward."

Sean sighs sadly. "I'm sorry, Nayda. I assumed Coral had told you, at some point."

Nayda says, "Coral told me something may have happened to Begma, but she had not been able to confirm it and didn't want to alarm me unnecessarily."

Allyna nods, a bit reluctantly, and proceeds.

Sean rubs his jaw. "I'm with Vance, and I know what Allyna thinks of me... If you want, we can talk in the other room while the others sort this crap out."

Sunfall says "That sounds fine, Sean. I was about to suggest it."

Nayda stands and goes to another room.

Allyna says, "I question what knowledge impelled the decision to approach Kashfa directly, once it became clear that it was home to a vastly superior enemy force. Although Vance has knowledge I do not, I have not suggested that I ought to be making the decisions, but rather that Vance alone should not. I also have knowledge Vance does not. I can think of a dozen ways we might have made it into Kashfa without Caine ever being aware of our presence. Likely half of them would not work, if I had Vance's knowledge, but some of them might well have worked, had they even been considered. We each have knowledge that others lack. Vance is not at all unique in this."

Sunfall says "Reed, go ahead, but please be brief. I believe I may have a solution."

Reed says, "I should say that I agree others should be consulted when time allows, when time does not allow one person must make the call, and the others should follow. What worries me more than our failure at Kashfa, is our exclusion from the decision to contact Dalt, and the willingness of some parties to result to physical force to silence debate when time is not of the evidence. A leader should lead when time is tight. When time allows he should ask for advice."

Reed sits.

You say "May I respond to that, Sunfall?"

Allyna holds herself back from responding, quite visibly.

Sunfall says "Vance, if you mean to respond to individual points, I doubt it would be useful. It is not necessary for you to defend your actions, only your management style. Which is it?"

You say "Management style, I believe."

Sunfall says "Go ahead, but be brief."

You say "There is a reason why I keep some things to myself. Several volunteered to join me, and others were in the right place at the right time. Though we later proved to be on the same side, Sean and Reed were both spies for an enemy of mine. Put bluntly, I can't trust all of you, at least not yet. I have told each of you my objectives up front, and I have shared in the danger for any plan I have proposed. Yes, my life has been saved by some in the party. But that does not automatically exclude them from suspicion. I retain knowledge many would kill to get. I guard that knowledge as part of a duty I undertook long ago. Regardless of the outcome of this discussion, I will not reveal information if it might reach the wrong ears."

Sunfall says "Lack of trust is as sure a way to die as any, in our present circumstance."

Sunfall says "Inasmuch as Vance has a breadth of knowledge and experience the rest of us lack, I doubt we would be best served by placing someone inexperienced in his place. However, he has lacked a reliable, communicative lieutenant thus far. Even Madrak maintained a mysterious demeanor. Allyna, as a trump artist, is nearly unparalleled as a ways and means specialist and would make a good lieutenant. This arrangement would mean that Vance and Allyna would have to be willing to spend as much time as necessary between crises to keep each other informed on potential outcomes and resources. Is this acceptable?"

Allyna frowns.

Allyna says, "Even were it acceptible to Vance, I would need to give it serious consideration. May I speak a moment longer?"

Sunfall says "Go ahead."

Allyna says, "First of all, I am not a 'trump artist'. Images are trumps, and trumps Images, at a certain level, but they are also quite different. I have known for quite a long time that those who practice the art of drawing Trump, although I did not know the name of it, were not aware of all the secret techniques of the Inscribers, and I've plenty of reason to suspect that the converse is also true."

Allyna says, "From the reactions you have all shown to the simplest of Inventions, my suspicion that this art is, at least, not widespread among trump artists has been confirmed."

Sunfall says "Nonetheless, it represents a means of transport, does it not?"

Allyna says, "What is your proper title, Sunfall, as one who has traversed a Broken Pattern?"

Jeanette clears her throat noisily. "Do we need to bother about titles right now?"

Vance looks over at Sunfall. "This is quickly getting off-topic. I will -consider- Sunfall's suggestion. However, I have yielded command to Jeanette till we reach Arcadia, and I expect to be very busy for our first few days there. Any further command decisions will have to wait till afterwards."

Allyna continues. 'Second, I had been quite willing to accept Vance's leadership, tempered by a more open system of information exchange, when I concluded that it would be necessary to confront him, but as time has passed, and I have seen over and over again Vance's leadership in action, I have come to beleive that his sacred mission and his sworn secrecy make him the least qualified among us to lead. Because he cannot discuss his plans, or his motivations, it is impossible for any of us to advise him, while he could advise any of us. Further, It seems that few of us actually trust him further than he has trusted us, which is not very far at all. With Vance as leader, no matter who is his lieutenant, we will necessarily be fractious and conflicted, whether overtly or not. We need to at least have a _shot_ at acting as a group, something Vance cannot possibly give us.

Vance stands. "You seem to speak for the others frequently, Allyna. I'll leave it in their hands. No one was forced to my banner, and anyone who wants to can leave at any time. But I am willing to put my life on the line for the cause. Kashfa was our first stumbling block...those will occur, considering our opposition. After I question Dalt, I will resume command of whoever remains. Now, I think I will go get some fresh air." He stands, and slowly walks to the door.

Jeanette mutters something that sounds like no one would want to know what it translates as, then says to Ariadne: "Make sure he doesn't re-break any ribs..."