After synthesizing four of each: an alterness tonic (made of crushed roasted beans steaped in water for several hours) and a strength enhancing tonic of crushed flowers, steeped, a white powder and water, Dan makes an appearance at the dinner. A few nobles bombard him upon entering, interested in his newest and greatest fascinations and creations. He politely answers some of their questions as they lead him towards Sir Marcus and Margarite. "Ah, Sir Lyons, so nice of you to join us," Sir Marcus beams loudly, breaking himself from the dull conversation with the strangely dressed people. Sir Marcus turns to his guests, "this is Dan Lyons, one of the newly appointed guards of the court, as it were," he explains, "Dan, this is -"
"Edward Brodwick, Conciliator of Tryvali," one of the guests interrupts, flashing his royal ring as conformation. "King Archibald, Glorious and Benevolent Ruler of Tryvali has heard of the recent - ah - absence of your king," he delicately flicks a piece of lint from his robe, and starts to escort Dan away from Sir Marcus, who open once again had been mobbed by noblemen. "and we are here to assist in anyway as needed. These are my companions, Lady Darla Westvyld, that represents the college," he added with a disgusted sniff, "and Sir Lester Stone, my close friend and councilor." They were a good distance away from the other dinner guests by this point, and Dan was up against the wall. "Strange, isn't it? You don't seem like much of a fighter. How strange it is that the accreditation was so rushed on the very eve of our arrival, hmm? Some might call it downright suspicious." he took a long look at Dan, measuring him, Dan felt a sudden chill, but couldn't figure out why.
Rozen warmly greeted as many people as he could, finding that for the most part the nobles of the kingdom were a cheery lot. Most of their heads were filled with trivial knowledge. As he progressed through the room he started to notice a trend in their thoughts. When the Tryvali party had been introduced, there had been four of them, and now there were only three. Most of the people in attendance waived it off, after all this appeared to be one of the kingdom's larger functions. Rozen had also noticed the surprising like of appearance by both Stan and Estaphon. He was contimplating this when a surge of mental stimulus surged him, nearly knocking him down. There was a...dark...energy coming from the corner of the hall.
Nearby, watching intently was Athenos, Iam close to him. "I'm going to dance on that table," Iam said to Athenos, who was busy scanning the bustling activity for any sense of danger. He felt uneasy about this place. "Maybe I'll give a speech," I am said, "that's it, a speech. To distract them from the distraction," Iam added with finality. He started to walk off, but Athenos grabbed him roughly by the arm and held him there.
"What distraction?" Athenos growled. Iam surrendered the note, which Athenos read quickly. He was about to clobber Iam across the head when he noticed Rozen beelining to the corner. "Come on," he said, jerking Iam behind him. Rozen stopped a few feet from the Conciliator.
"We've got company," The Lady said. She clasped her hands over her lap, brushing her hand across her wrist in a brief movement only Athenos caught. The conciliator and the other man turned suddenly, and the dark energy began to banish. Rozen began bombarding them with questions and salutations, asking about the whether, their trip, their country...the babble was none stop. Dan looked as if he had seen a ghost, but quickly came to. Rozen talked to the group of Tryvalians before they hastily made their exit back towards Sir Marcus. Devlin joins them.
"What happened here?" Devlin asks.
"I don't know, but I suddenly feel rather cold," Dan said sheepishly. Rozen stared off after the Tryvalians.
"There are four of them, but the forth one isn't here, he's upstairs, in the royal quarters," Rozen said shortly. He couldn't get his head around the strange power he felt or why he felt it. "As for Estaphon and Stanley...no one knows where they are. I would have to go talk to Edward to figure it out."
"We're running out of time," Athenos pointed out gruffly, showing them the crumpled piece of paper.
"Well where's the distraction?" Devlin asks, looking through the note again, "It is past time."
"We may have avoided it just now," Iam says with a shrug.
There is a sudden crashing from the kitchen, followed by screams of horror. "Fire! Fire!" One of them screams as he comes out, wafting smoke from his face. The party bursts into action as attendants flee the great hall.