GHH 7, Shortly After Peeta's Message

[shadow_sage]

[Liara appears over the orb, looking harried and paying more attention to what appears to be a notebook of some kind than the orb itself.]

Yuan, I'm leaving very shortly, but we need to speak.

Ryo, Kotoha, if either of you have time, some help in the mountains would be nice.

[She turns a page over.]

Shin, we should catch up. Let's talk about when you might be available.

Gunpei, I have something I'd like to ask you to do, also.

[A pause, and then she looks into the Orb.]

And has anyone heard anything in the rumors lately about why dragons might act out now? Has anything changed that the locals have noticed? River, weather, other countries, other towns. Anything at all?

And is there someone willing to speech with the King?

Comments

[steelhearted]

My lady?

[Tensely. He did his best to avoid dragons at home, and judging from the blast these ones are large, or at least aggressive.]

It's been hot. Perhaps that's agitating them. Making their blood boil.

[It's not a good guess, but it's all he's got.]

Please be careful.

So. I got no notification anywhere about this. Sorry I missed it.

[shadow_sage]

I can't find Bakura, but I don't want to alarm anyone. If you could try and find him, I would appreciate it. Because I also want the two of you to go to the monastery and try to find out what is going on out there.

[She turns a page on the notebook.]

After that, would you be willing to ride out to the Port for me? There's some business that needs dealt with, and I want someone I can trust to see it through handling it. I think you can manage, if you're willing.

[She smiles, faintly, and looks into the orb.]

Something was said about their breathing fire. I find it hard to accept that the heat would trouble them if that was the case. But I'll keep it in mind. How...intelligent are these beasts? At least where you are from?

Pfft, no worries.

[steelhearted]

Right--Bakura's the one with the white hair and blue eyes, yes? Where was he last seen? Does he tend to wander off? [If he's got a starting point, it shouldn't be too difficult to find him. Eventually.] I've heard talk of the monastery, but I've never been. I've never been to the port, either.

[A smile.] I'm glad you trust me, milady. Does this business involve ships, by any chance?

[Oh--oops. He glances away at the last comment. Perhaps that's something he should have mentioned earlier.] Uh, yes. They do that. Back home, I heard rumors that they can speak, but I've never heard one myself--just helped put out crop fires and helped my lord knight bandage a baby's leg.

[shadow_sage]

Correct. I last saw him in the mansion the king gave to the heroes. He should know where the monastery is, but it's easy enough to find. You're a prince, so hopefully they don't give you the runaround. Don't let them get away with it if they do. And don't tell anyone else what you find if they ask you not to. We can't afford to lose any goodwill.

[A deep, slow breath, and she's standing up, the view behind her shifting.]

There's a lighthouse, just outside of the town. I think we can use it. Once we have it, we need a ship. And a crew. But the lighthouse comes first.

[She looks down, checking her sword. Not that she's very familiar with its use.]

Let us hope they respond to reason, then.

/rolls in here kind of late

[somewhatpointy]

It's not like I'm doing much else right now. What do you need?

[A pause.]

And I'm sure as hell not going to talk with the king. Not patient enough.

[shadow_sage]

Well, I'd rather you were coming with me to the mountains, anyway. There are at least two dragons, and I might have to fight both of them if they won't let Peeta go.

[somewhatpointy]

[There's a bitter chuckle.]

That's a bit bigger than the monsters I usually fight, but, hey, just calls for a change in strategy.

[Not like he thinks much about strategy when he really gets wound up.]

[shadow_sage]

[She shakes her head.]

I'm actually looking forward to dealing with something so small, for a change. But if we're really lucky, there won't be a fight at all.

[somewhatpointy]

Nothing wrong with preparing for the worst-case scenario. Saves trouble in the end.

[shadow_sage]

[She nods.]

If you have any weapons, however, you should bring them. If you're willing to join me, we need to leave very soon.

[somewhatpointy]

I've got an axe somewhere...not that I usually carry it on me. I'm probably more dangerous without it, but I guess I could bring it along.

I have a horse, too, if that helps. I can leave anytime you're ready; I'd just have to pick the axe and the horse up.

/also extremely late sighs

[shinkenyellow]

[ This was why - or at least she presumed - she was here. To help. Kotoha liked to help and it was one of the only things she was any good at. Of course she had time!

She nods into the orb grimly. ]

I have time. Where shall we meet?