[Apologies for the long gap] Still uncertain of his place in this company, Ryzar turns a puzzled frown towards the Guildmaster. "Be that as it may, Mistress." Ryzar says deferentially, still standing at his place at the table, "But Mistress Tanala fought alongside *us* when the Tentacled Beast attacked *your* guildhouse! Surely you cannot feel that *some* debt is not owed her?". "If the Academy of the Mind requests our aid, we will give it. So far, they have not", she replies sternly. Ryzar turns to face Duplar and Reylorna. "Master Duplar, Mistress Reylorna -- though Witch Tanala may be the rival you claim, would we not be as bad as you claim *she* is, did we not, at the least, *try* to help?" Duplar agrees that investigation should be made, but thinks that Reylorna should hang back if she is involved at all. He knows that Tanala doesn't like him, but that is nothing to her hatred for all things human. Reylorna herself is unwilling to go anywhere near the Academy of the Mind until someone has some hard information on what's going on. She explains that there are many in the Academy of the Mind who want her dead, and might blame her for whatever has happened to Tanala. * * * * Disoriented, with his 'ears ringing' from the mental scream, Hank looks to those he's already met, trying to get any indication from them that there might be something he could do. At the very least, he looks to see where Roy's going. They're in this together... Roy looks rarin' to go. He says, "'Wizard'? I thought you guys were all ESP and stuff...you got magic, too?". Jathren gives him a puzzled look. "What do you mean?", he says, "The wizards are those who practice powers of the mind. There are different disciplines, and different sects, but Duplar and Reylorna would be able to tell you far more than I". Hank tries, while listening to the response, to gauge the reactions of the other "natives" that they haven't met yet. It seems to Hank that their reaction to the 'scream' seems to be one of confusion and bewilderment. In general, Hank is still looking to see where he can be of use. Since no-one has contradicted his 'keep the pack within eyeshot' policy, he might have it handy. * * * * A young human enters the dining hall, dressed in much the same uniform as many in the hall; Duplar recognises him as one of the apprentices in the Technical division. By the way he's out of breath, it seems he's run a long way; he's almost on the point of collapse. "Dead", he says, "Both of them! An Assassin!". -- Tim Hall Weblog: http://www.kalyr.com/weblog Photos: http://kalyr.fotopic.net/
