I couldn't believe it. I, Cidra Graystone, was to attend a prominent state function. I was thrilled. Well, I would have been really thrilled if I had received the invitation in the normal way. By post. I have to wonder how Murdoch came to be invited though.
Garrett and myself found many items worth taking in Murdoch's, ummm, manor. Including several scrolls, all magics I have had yet to enter into my book. I was quite pleased. The moanor itself was rather untastefully decorated. Murdoch should understand that even though an object is expensive, it is not automatically aestically pleasing. Really, his abode was laughable it was so ugly. Puce with orange? Honestly. I believe the man may be colorblind.
We also received lots of good information out of Murdoch. He gave Garrett the location of his stones. He explained what happened with the dwarves. He even admitted that he sold the elven artifact, the Eternity Glass, to some of those evil Nargath followers. That's something that could prove troublesome in the future. But most importantly, be extrapolated on Grandfather. That he had been contacted by the Atman Defence League. They torched the house to kidnap Protoss and myself in an attempt to flush out Grandfather. How imbicilic. That plan would nave never worked, even if they had caught us. Grandfather has made it abundantly clear too anyone looking that nothing would be worthy enough to save if it meant sacrificing his own precious person. But that is neither here nor there. The troubling part, it that the Atman Defence League knows about Protoss and is making an effort to come after us. Whether it is capture of kill remains to be seen. Looking back at this situation, I unfortunately have a few regrets. I wish I had stomped on Murdoch's face for all the trouble he has caused me. I wish I had repaid the favor and burned his shackown. Lastly, I wish we hadn't let him live and left left him in the custody of the dwarves. Sure he has wronged them, however, they are not the only ones. Not to mention I just have an unpleasant feeling we will see the knave again. We should have trussed him up like a goose and tossed him into his burning house. Not to say that I don't have confidence, oh, who am I trying to kid? I am positive that Murdoch will finagle some method to escape the dwarves' clutches and come back to haunt us when we least expect him. We should have been rid of hime permanantly when he was weak.
On a fluffier topic, I got to attend the state funtion! I still cannot believe it. I wish I had ben able to afford more decent attire, but I needed ink to evter my new spells. That obviously has to come first. But to be in the same place as the Council of Nine. By Aranor's sacred eyebrow, I never thought I would be in their presence. I dearly wish I had acted with more aplome. I was toungue-tied for the most part. Stuttered like a damned fool to be honest. But to speak with Mallant, Willera, Darnath. . . Geniuses in their chosen branches of magic. Surely my reaction was understandable. My heart was recing so fast I though I would faint. I hope on day I will be acknowledged as they are.
Of course, some of the knowledge they imparted is worrisome. Though I am thankful for the warning. They knew who we were. Apparently, we have been generating much interest, though not necessarily of the positive variety. We were warned to get out of Atma. Many people, more than we had imagined, are after us. And they are powerful. Such a General Garivus. That he is aware of us, the very though gives me shudders. And of course Protoss and Grimgore simple HAD to immediatly go up to him and strike up a conversation. I suppose the question then is, are they insane? Mentally blunted? Both? There was no bloodshed, but that just made it obvious that we were in the vicinity. Well, I never took them to be the most intelligent.
But again, my wits were not exactly around me either. We had to declare our names when turning in our weapons and I gave my real one. Then after Garrett pointed out this oversight, I gave the name Cidra Grayrock. Honestly! It was in front of a member of the Circle Of Nine, but that just makes it all the worse. I suppose I was somewhat mentally blunted as well.
So we now need to leave the city. That was the advice we were given. Or the order. I'm still not quite sure how to take it. I wonder where we will go? Grimgore wants to return to Citadel since he has long since completed his task. I have to say that I don't have much fondness for fate, but I suppose I must let Aranor's hand guide me. |
