The aftermath

Start here.

"Good shooting, but you nearly took my eyebrows off with that first fireball," Iago comments casually as he tries to swat away the bats.

KAI

Kai watches the human, waiting to see if he settles to the ground, swords at the ready... just in case.

((and still invisible))

Iago seems disinclined to settle on the ground. Possibly due to all the firepower pointed in his general direction.

With the threat of the spectres past, the elves retrain their bows upon the flying human, some advancing slightly to get better vantage points.

Cas pulls yet another wand from his robes and points it at the human.

"Come down please."

"Because of your famous elven hospitality?"

Cas smiles without humor.

"You aren't hurt ... yet."

"How... inspiring. I'll tell you what, you lower a few weapons and get me a drink, and we'll talk."

Chuckling with actual amusement, Cas motions for the elves to lower, but not shoulder, their bows. With a mumbled word and a gesture, a glass of liquid appears in Cas' hand.

"Here is your drink. It comes at a cost of a tale."

"What tale shall it be, then?" Iago asks, as he lowers himself and drinks greedily.

"Love, adventure, tragedy, betrayal, or intrigue? I've had my share of it all."

KAI

Kai fades into view immediately behind Iago, blades lowered, but not sheathed. He speaks in low, almost whispering, tone.

"Personally I'd like to hear the tale of how you have come to be here, especially with spectres on your tail."

Seeing that the situation has diffused somewhat, Kai steps back slightly, still within reach of the man, but giving him a little room. Blades still drawn, but still lowered, Kai waits patiently for the man to speak, addressing either himself, Cas, anyone who is here with the elves, eyes searching, watching every motion that the man does.

Cas, still holding a wand, says, "That IS a tale of adventure. Maybe you could regale us with another, at the cost of another drink, of course." The goblet the human handed back to Cas fills again. Cas offers it to the human.

((Everybody check the EXP thread))

"Perhaps, but what of you, and your friends? I doubt you're here for recreation; it rather seems like you're geared up for a war."

Iago pauses as he examines the elves more closely.

"But I am getting ahead of myself; is it not the custom to introduce one's self first? Very well then, I am Iago Francesca, now who are you?"

KAI

From behind Iago, Kai gives a glance to Cas, trying to gauge his reaction to this human in their midst. Lowering the tips of his blades just a bit more, Kai settles in behind Iago, waiting to see how the elves respond... since it is the elves who are his focus (a situation that Kai is more than happy to maintain).

Cas motions to himself.

"My name is Casuliastantinionum. These other elves are my friends and members of my community and they can introduce themselves ... um ... themselves." ((I am not going to make up 10+ elf names on the spot!)) Cas looks slightly embarrassed at the incorrect grammar.

"The human with his blades at your back is known as Kai, while the elf who so easily took reduced the spectres to ash, figuratively speaking, is known as Rysmarin. Both are welcome guests of our community."

Cas again offers the goblet to Iago.

"Now, drink for you must be parched still. While you drink, tell us what you know of this necromancer."

KAI

At mention of the necromancer, Kai's attention focuses even more intently, hoping to glean every bit of knowledge that he can.

Rysmarin

Looking on quietly with a disquieting grin, the wild elf simply listened to the banter between the others for a time, emotion playing across his face as he tried yet again to hold back his nature. After only a short time of this, however, Rysmarin grew restless. He waited patiently until Iago and Cas have both made their introductions, then produced his own.

"I am Rysmarin Monshadow of the sorcerous clan that once roamed a forest well away from here. Pleased to meet you!"

Once Iago had produced his maps, Rysmarin looked at it for a moment, then at the bag.

"Oh, but this does grow more interesting, doesn't it, Cas? A map to our necromancer-friends base... And an old embaresing nick-name, to boot! How about that?"

He grinned with an odd mixture of friendlyness and distrust that only his sharp featured and pointy fanged visage could produce.

KAI

As Cas makes the introductions, Kai finally sheathes both blades. As Iago pulls maps from his pack, Kai's interest perks up.

Intel... finally.

Kai shakes his head to himself, supressing a smile at Rysmarin's... enthusiasm.

Kai makes a slight gesture towards the maps.

"I am sure that those could come in handy. Odd though, that a necromancer would have human and orc guards. I would think that undead would be much easier on resources."

Cas nods at Kai's words. "That makes sense." At a motion the remaining elves walk back their posts.

"We should discuss this more, but not here. Follow me."

Cas leads the party members, and Iago, to his dwelling, bringing them to his workroom.

"Now, lets take a look at this map."

((Have a Happy Easter guys, I won't be able to post again until late Sunday.))

KAI

Kai chuckles quietly at Iago's words.

"But you have made it, and to all appearances relatively unscathed, at least from your flight. I imagine that the time you spent there was... less than pleasant."

KAI

Kai gives a wry grin as he responds.

"Why, right back to where you just left, of course."