We end up on another somewhat serious chapter, as we delve a little into the potential danger of Kadlin Bearsmasher.

Of course, it goes down in Degrassi as you'll see.

 
(This takes place simultaneously with Stormclouds)

"The market is one of my favorite places to visit on most worlds: the frantic hustle and bustle; the various cultures and races out shopping or displaying their wares; and the occasional pickpocket that doesn't realize theft of a space elf's property is nigh impossible. Ah, this is fabulous..."

Glyn seemed to be in a cheerful mood, as much in his tone as his mode of dress: a scarf that alternated between bright and dark blues, black cotton long-sleeved shirt, and camo-blue jean shorts. He had started off expecting to have Tarvel for company, but she hadn't the patience to deal with the crowds on a purely diplomatic mission, and instead had stated that she would shadow him along the way.

The Morlenciri traveler weaved his way through the clustered passageways, around the ever-moving crowd of merchants and buyers. Though the space elves' striking beauty did inevitably lead to a few turned heads and enraptured gazes, the majority of the market's attendance was very self-focused on their own issues and troubles. Guards from the Feline Empire were stationed regularly about, though they paid heed to only troublemakers that somehow irked them, or provided a brief spot of amusement.

Glyn kept a careful watch on the odd atmospheric conditions forming in South Degrassi, and at Jen and Sebastian Dash's meeting point - quickly discounting the possibility that the recent weather patterns were anything natural to Loathing by meteorologic digital mapping and past records from Aleena's stay. His working hypothesis was that the inclement weather had formed due to the actions of the arcane weavers, but he hesitated to postulate any further about its significance without closer investigation.

Concluding both a minor bit of sightseeing and more importantly a roaming surveillance and reconnaissance, the unaccompanied elf gent came across the current coordinates of Konall Bearsmasher, inside the hall of the Southern Degrassi bar. The smell of unwashed flesh, agriculture and feedstock, and of course filth-ridden, questionably-brewed liquor staggered Glyn's steps even before the space elf neared the bar's worm-ridden door.

Logging his personal thoughts on the matter to the space elven network, Glyn remarked: <There's something to be said about people who wish to visit this place, and more so those who frequent it. If it weren't for our 'little friends', I'd be joining those poor sods regurgitating their stomach contents by the side alley. Wait, is that a flyer for table dancing on Tuesday nights?> It was a great disappointment then that Tuesday had passed recently in this timezone, as well as the revelation that the flyer appeared to be somewhat dated compared to others posted about.

Taking a wise precaution to the seasoned warrior's reflexes, Glyn strove to make his approach in Konall's periphery clearly and in an unalarming manner. "Greetings Bearsmasher: may your weapons never fail you, may your drinking habit never ail you, and may you find a gory, brutal method to leave this life. Thought that up myself - you appreciate it, Konall?" Glyn asked with a wide grin.

Konall shrugged. "You can just talk straight to me." He set down a half-full tankard among three of its empty friends. "You here for a drink?"

Konall looked the man over - typical statuesque look of the elves; a head shorter than himself and definitely four-stone or more lighter; and seemingly built for speed and athleticism. Looked like no weapons or armor, but he knew an elf who had a way of being combat ready in a flash...

Tilting his head briefly, the snow-haired elf answered: "If you could advise me as to which drink has the least amount of texture or particulate matter floating about, I'll try it. Otherwise I'm good, thanks. My name is Glyn. I am a companion of someone you met while fishing in the past."

"Bartender, the elf here needs the Little Miss's Special, clean glass, no cockroaches." Konall turned back to Glyn. "Who's the fishing buddy, you're talking about?"

<The point was to avoid stating out loud that we were sent by Aleena, Sir Bearsmasher> Glyn privately broadcasted. <My colleagues and I were asked to be discreet in our present excursion.>

 Konall rubbed his head. "Try talking the normal way. That gives me a headache; I need... ah, that's where I put it." Konall finished off his ale and the headache went away. He knew Aleena. That reminded him.... "So what do you want?" Konall said, drowning another ale in a single gulp.

Glyn coughed in polite disdain, "Professionally, I'd like you to give your liver some recovery time. But that's your personal affair - we wanted to take the opportunity to meet you foremost, as well as inquire about the recent alarming movements of Kadlin. Do you have somewhere we could be briefed without being overheard?"

Konall reached over to the nearest bar crawler and punched him in the gut. The man immediately swung back and swung hard. Konall picked him up and threw him into a nearby trio of drinkers, who immediately started a fight with the guy. Within minutes there was a maelstrom of fighting around Konall and the elf, which Konall managed to avoid being involved in like the calm center in the eye of a hurricane.

"There," said Konall with a smirk. "Privacy." He blocked a mis-thrown chair with a backhand. And they say vikings know nothing about subtlety.

Glyn reached behind his waist and smoothly withdrew a set of tonfa before continuing on. "... There's been word that Kadlin's sword should be examined and possibly removed from her possession, for both her sake and for all others. The nature and frightening power changes she has gone through are a source of concern to the Kingdom of KOL, and any new information you can share would be beneficial to formulating plans to resolve the matter."

Konall ducked a flying brawler and looked at a nearby keg of beer with a sigh. "I've wielded it, briefly. It gets into your mind, whispers secrets of power, gets to the worst of you. It takes over. It's also far more evil than you can imagine. Don't study it. It wants you to get to know it, to see things from its point of view. You find the deepest hole in the most remote point in the world you can, and you throw the sword in. If it gets loose, well it'd be better if the world were to end. If all worlds were to end."

Chilled by Konall's explanation, Glyn took a moment to phrase his response, dismissively maneuvering the flight of two airborne barstools back to the clay-packed floor. "Konall, do you have a plan then for separating the sword from Kadlin's possession? Acquiring the sword would take priority to any handling of its threat. And this being KOKOL, why do I feel there's a pressing threat of the sword being freed in the near future?"

"It wants out, it's smart, and it talks to whoever holds it. It'll find a way out. We need to get it, the sooner the better. Wait, you elves come from the stars, right?"

"Ah, interesting train of thought there - transporting out of the reach of KOL inhabitants. Yes, were we to acquire it, it shouldn't be a problem disposing of it without it passing through a living being's hands." nodded Glyn.

"Here's the problem: Kadlin can call the sword to her side any time she desires. The only way to take it is to get her to no longer desire it."

"Considering she most likely still rests, and has shown proficiency in the art of necromancy, subduing her temporarily or permanently might not be enough to break her will to grasp its power. Have not you and others tried persuading her on numerous occasions to release the sword? Do you know of any last principle or person that might shock her from its persuasion? … If you allowed it, we could try projecting select memories of yours to appeal to her sense of family, Konall. I could even attempt to rig it so only you could activate the collection, and only she could see it."

"How about we stick her in a room with unicorns and puppies and sunshine? No, we find a way that'll actually work. Maybe we can smack her upside the head long and hard with the truth about what she's doing."

"Oh? And what was the tipping point for you, Konall? What cleared your thoughts of its seductive trap?"

"I got so sick of the person I'd become and the things I was doing that I wanted nothing more to do with the cursed blade. But Kadlin seems to be enjoying who she's become. Enjoying it way too much."

"Up till one of our folk left recently, Kadlin displayed affection and concern for you, her brother - perhaps twisted and defiled by her constant association with vile arts and practices, but it was definitely present. That is why I believe redemption may involve a great risk or action on your part, to save her if possible. Otherwise..."

"Otherwise everything heads to Hel in a hurry. I know."

"And we will be obliged to kill your sister - on your advice. The fight's dying down, anything else you wish to say before I leave?"

"Drink up. Things are going to get bad fast."

Cameron comes up with some great responses, especially for Konall. Okay, roleplaying's done with this one, marking AIL's 20th mission ever with only ten roleplays, mostly co writes. But that's okay since they were all pretty good.

Next up, of course, is the Finale.