When Assumptions Are Bad

The door to Mithralla Merchandise opens, admitting a ray of morning sunlight, a gusty breeze, and Seldan, who closes the door quietly behind him and looks around the shop, as if for something or someone in particular. He has a rolled piece of parchment in one hand, and his bearing is both purposeful and serious.

Mikilos sits behind the counter, reading a large text of some sort, muttering absently to himself. A small pile of other books wait beside him, though the wizard glances up as the door opens. "Oh, hello. What brings you in this morning?"

Hun'rar has been perusing some of the items on the shelf for a little bit, not seeming particularly interested in any one thing. When the door open he look over some shelves and nods at Seldan before returning to his browsing.

Seldan returns the nod, recognition and acknowledgement clear in a smile that fades quickly enough. "Hun'rar." He takes himself over to the counter, though, and up close, his color isn't what one would call particularly good, but he is set and resolute. "Mikilos, if I might have a few moments of your time." He keeps his voice down, just in case anyone else is around, but sets the rolled parchment down on the counter.

Mikilos quirks a brow, but nods, placing a ribbon in the book to mark his place before setting it aside. "Of course. What can I do for you?" he inquires, glancing to the parchment with curiousity.

Hun'rar watches Seldan over a weapon's rack and raises an eyebrow as Seldan approaches Mikilos. He doesn't want to pry but his curiosity is getting the best of him as he walks a bit closer so he can hear better.

"The assumption that the wizard Zeheir is long dead may not be entirely correct." Seldan leans his elbows against the counter, but doesn't seem to particularly mind Hun'rar's approach. "After our return from the tower, I was suspicious, and sought augury of Her temple. The question I asked of Her was this: 'What will I find if I should seek the wizard Zeheir?'" He nods to the parchment, which is untied and has partly unrolled itself. "That was Her answer. It is cryptic, but it is not the nothing I would expect were he beyond reach."

Mikilos grimaces, but nods, looking to the parchment, moving to unroll it the rest of the way. "Zeheir found a method of time travel. Dying long ago doesn't strictly mean he's also dead currently."

Hun'rar just walks over when he hears the name Zeheir since he was on that mission as well. "Pardon my prodding but time travel? I wouldn't be suprised if they were... unnaturally longed live or a lich but still alive? They would have to be powerful to have the tower in the plane of fire." he says giving up any hint of subtlety.

The parchment reads:

Seldan Padaryn,

I have performed your augury, and Her word to me was this: Weal and woe.

Use it wisely, and be well.

The signature on the parchment is accompanied by the crescent and sphere of Eluna's faithful.

Seldan looks over as Hun'rar joins them, nodding seriously. "It is as he says, that he may not be dead now, and it may also be that he is less truly dead than ... something else. He was known to engage in dangerous magical experiments in an attempt to save his wife, was he not? Could those experiments have twisted him in some way that is not undeath?"

Mikilos considers. "Possible. For all we know he may have become the very 'Mistress' who has been causing problems. I doubt it, but maybe. When we get into it, there's a vast amount we simply don't know." He looks over the letter. "Including what to make of that. Zeheir's tale is a tragic one in many ways, is that all? Or is there deeper meaning?"

Hun'rar furrows his brow as he looks at the letter "That just means bad things to come or that bad things will happen right? Probably means this won't be an easy thing to finish investigating."

Seldan pauses to cough a couple of times, the sound rattly, but he looks back up quickly enough. "It means that I would find both good and bad. I am told that Her words in divination are often cryptic, so that is not a surprise." He pauses to push a lock of stray hair from his face. "If I have learned anything from my recent research, it is that tales as they are told do not often hold the whole of the truth of a matter. There are things left unsaid. He might have become this Mistress ... or he might have even become the ooze that plagues us all, if the magic were twisted enough." Something in his tone suggests that he is not discounting that possibility. "I would see us not sit back and seek a cure, but go after the Mistress directly. Until she is no longer a threat, even do we cure this plague, we are not safe."

Mikilos shakes his head. "Weal is good, as well as woe. The phrase typically refers to the ups and downs of life. But in this situation? Hard to say." he frowns, and nods. "I agree, taking out the Mistress is important. But charging in would likely just get us all killed. We know nothing about her, or even if she really exists. If we do find a proper cure for the Plague, it knocks out whatver her plan for it is... maybe. Possible she's infect herself and is goading us into finding a cure for her. Again, I doubt it, but maybe."

Hun'rar ponders those words, the advice from Mikilos "Huh, those are good points. I disagree on charging in though, if our cause is rightious Gilead will bolster us through any challenge. However charging in is not the same as going in blind, we should do research to understand what we are charing into." he adds, mostly splitting hairs.

Seldan smiles quietly, raises a hand. "I had meant no such thing, only that it is not enough to nurture the sick and seek a cure. In seeking the truth of this wizard's tale, we may well find the cure and the answers that we seek, and perhaps learn more of this Mistress as well." He nods to Hun'rar. "There can be no doubt that the gods test us, but have not abandoned us. I mean to see this done."

Mikilos nods. "A balance to be struck. Knowing as much as you can before an attack, but not wating to try and know everything."

Hun'rar reaches out and clasps Seldan on the shoulder "The gods put tasks before us because they need doing and know we can do them. Even if it doesn't always seem like it. But research and investigation must be the first step here, Master Mikilos has made that clear and I fully agree. There are too may possibilities as this point."

"Of course." Seldan nods his agreement as well, looking over at Hun'rar at the gesture. "Wisdom and temperance, not blind movement, are needed. I will learn what I can of this wizard's tale ... but I believe that we need to know the truth of Zeheir and his fate. Will you help me?"

Mikilos nods. "I'm more than slightly curious in Zeheir's fate for it's own sake. And his methods are of no small interest. even minor time manipulation is powerful magic. To leap from year to year? wasn't long ago i would ahev called it impossible."

Hun'rar nods to Seldan "You shouldn't have to ask." he then turns to Mikilos and nods in agreement. "Honestly I'm still not sure, I might not be an expert in magic but nothing I have read would indicate something like that is possible. But I am not an expert and its a complicated field."

"Many things are possible with magic." Seldan turns so that his hip leans against the shop counter, the better to see both of them, his back to the door. "That is why wisdom and care must be taken in its use and understanding. When it is not ...." He pauses, and coughs again, turning his head away from the others before resuming. "We must understand what this wizard had intended to do ... and what he managed to do. Have any of his journals ever been found?"

Mikilos shakes his head. "Not that I've been able to track down. Framents of copies, the occasional referance is someone elses notes. But nothing direct that I'm aware."

Hun'rar nods "Well then, sounds like there is a lot of work ahead of us. I will have to go back to the temple and see what I can track down and what resources I have to call on. I hope you both have a good day." he adds with a smile and heads out of the store.

Seldan nods to Hun'rar, straightening as he moves to leave. "Thank you for your help, and go in Her light. I shall seek what I can as well, though I do not dare Her temple as I am." His eyes lower. "I shall try the library, I think."

Mikilos nods, and waves as the two head off. "Fare well, and good luck."