Chapter 35

Back at Fatima's Rooms for Rent, it's been several hours since Cael left, and the sun is starting to set. Falling Leaf is still kneeling in her corner, staring into nothingness. The room has grown even warmer and stuffier with all the curtains drawn, but it would be bad for any passers-by to see an elf in here. Toshiro and Gwenh might be worried about either of the two by now.

The room is full of shadows when Falling Leaf finally comes out of her meditations. "Where is Cael?" she asks. When someone (Toshiro or Gwenh) tells her he's not yet back, she suggests they go and find him. It's been too long, and it seems as if he may have gotten into trouble.

Unwilling to undergo yet another transformation today, 'Leaf will use more mundane means to disguise herself, probably looking a good deal like Gwenh in her full-body wrap when she's done. Toshiro changes into his darks, and the trio leaves the wayhouse. 'Leaf guides them towards the city's center of religion, the Golden Mosque. The facilities for holding and trying heretics would be nearby. All is quiet until a voice calls out, just loudly enough to be heard across the quiet and empty square, "Wombat!"

The call of "Wombat" instantly triggered a response in Toshiro. Stopping along the edge of the plaza, he pulled Gwenh behind him and looks for the messenger. Spotting the two gajin, he motions to Gwenh. "Stay here," he whispers and then he moves closer to the pair, taking care to stay in the darker areas of the courtyard. When he feels he can safely communicate without being loud. "Ko'nichi Wa," he spoke as he took the two's measure, trusting only a friend would be calling the name of a small nondesert animal in the night....

"Ah..." Morgan hesitates. She'd expected that he'd speak the northern common tongue. She knew exactly two sentences in Jade: "Stop, thief!" and "I need a fast horse." Neither seemed applicable at the moment.

She points at herself and Gryppen. "Friends of Kvelti. Know Kvelti?" she asks softly, also moving out of the moonlight and tugging gently on Gryppen's sleeve. No sense in standing in the middle of an open area and speaking a foreign tongue in such a xenophobic place.

Toshiro smiled. "Hai. I know her quite well... and know her perchant for finding trouble. For herself and for her friends. I take it she told you of our presence?"

Gwenh watches as Toshiro talks to the two strangers. Keeping her wrappings tight, she lets Toshiro do the taking, instead trying to study the two for any sings of racial features.

"Yes, she told us to keep an eye out for four or five... including two elves and a Jade Empire man. That'd be you, then." She pauses a moment before continuing. "Morgan," she indicates herself, and then looks to Gryppen. She waits for him to introduce himself (or not, as his choice) before continuing. Gryppen did not introduce himself to the man, but touched his hat and bowed slightly, smiling. "Have you need of assistance, or is your quest going well?"

Gwenh, studying them from afar, sees two humans, obviously northern, but in local dress. The younger female seems to bear a family resemblance to the older male. Her draconic mind tastes magic about both of them, but without changing fully to her natural form, she'll have trouble determining exactly what sort and why. Are they wizards? Enchanted? Disguised? Carrying something magical? It's hard to tell.

"Not as well as I like but better than it could be," He answered. "We are missing a few of our number... mostly the renegade looking to cure an ill or two of this land. He might be stuck in the heretics' quarters. If the two of you feel you can aide us, please join me and my associates." Motioning to them to follow, Toshiro moves back to where the two had spotted them. Whispering to Gwenh, Toshiro explained their prescence. "Supposed friends sent by Kvelti. We shall see what they can aid us in..."

Gwenh shakes her head. "I can almost taste the magick clinging on these two. I can't tell what it is without changing, but they're hiding something from us. But what?" She follows Toshiro. "I hope they're who they say they are."

'Leaf scans the newcomers critically, frowning slightly. "Can you be stealthy?"

Morgan smiles. "It's one of my specialities. Jailbreaks are another. Good thing we met, eh?" Her smile fades as she turns to look across the courtyard. Mostly, she was thinking that this would be much easier with her strong left arm in place... but putting it on would wreck the illusion and draw attention. She'd just have to make do without. "Which building?" she asks. There's a slight pause, then 'Leaf indicates one in the shadows of the Golden Mosque. "Let's get going, then."

Toshiro nods his agreement. "Let us hope then..."