Crescent Moon: Mer De Noms
Section One: The Foreigners Arrive
"Strangers abroad."
Fox looked up. Fara was standing at one of the windows, looking out, ears perked forward. "Indeed. And noisy strangers." He stood, walking over to stand beside her. A trio of riders entered their clearing, pulling their foaming horses to a stop, one carrying a flag.
"Noisy, high ranking strangers." Fara sighed and shook her head. "Do you want me to speak to them?"
"I will." Fox kissed one of her hands, then left the room, easily walking across the wide branches and bridges of the Elven manor, then grabbing a vine.
"McCloud! Sir McCloud!" Shouted the man in lead, looking up at the sprawling tree house.
Fox dropped down silently behind the riders, folding his arms. "May I assist you kind sirs?"
They startled and spun their steeds to face him, staring. He very calmly gazed back, assessing them. Fine clothing, but travel worn, as was the flag. The horses were gasping. These three had ridden hard.
"Yes, we must speak to Sir McCloud immediately! It is a matter of great importance!" Said the one in lead.
"Indeed, and what matter is so important that you must seek me out at my home?"
They were well trained in etiquette, so somehow managed not to gape. "You are Sir Fox McCloud of King Phoenix's Army?" The one in lead finally asked.
"Yes. Or I am Lord Fox Ivellios Siannodel. How may I assist you, kind sirs?"
The trio dismounted, and Fox immediately stripped the horses of their saddles and bridles, exchanging long looks with the horses. The horses turned and trotted off, while their riders fairly gaped.
"They are going to my grazing pasture. My steed will watch them. Do not worry." Fox said calmly, gesturing for them to follow as he approached one of the trees. The spiral staircase slowly uncurled, much like a cat's tail, then stilled so they could climb up.
"What matter of magic is this?" Asked one of the trio as they followed him up the stairs.
"It would take me a very long time to explain, kind sirs. In short, it is Elven magic. This house is only a year and a half old, now." He rubbed his hand over one of the wooden banisters absently as he walked. "But is safer then any castle you might stay in."
They entered his commons room, and he gestured for them to sit, easily sinking into one of the comfortable chairs. "You are not of this kingdom, kind sirs. How did you know how to find me?"
"Our presence bothers you?"
He looked at them. "I am a husband and a ranger before I am a lord and knight. I enjoy my privacy, good sirs. This said, perhaps you could elaborate on this matter of urgency?"
Fara smiled when she heard this, entering the room and also sitting. The trio, knowing who she was, started to stand and stammer out greetings. "No, sit and relax, good sirs. Introduce yourselves."
"I am Mage Elgar Mathias, and these are my apprentices. We have heard of you, Sir McCloud, and we have a matter of great urgency that has been thrust upon us. We have traveled a great distance, kind sir."
"And what is this matter pray tell?"
"Have you ever heard of Nomenclature, Sir McCloud?" Asked one of the apprentices bluntly.
Fox froze, mind going to work. "Yes, I have. I take it that you are in practice of said branch of magic?"
The mage sighed and nodded. "Yes, I have been for many years. My two apprentices are learning it as well. As said we have come a great distance, actually from the Far East. There is a school there, on the far side of the desert and hidden among the mountains, which you may have heard of…"
"Morningstar?" Suggested a low, growling voice that made the three guests shoot several feet in the air, sputtering, spells suddenly ready.
Fox had known that Jordan had joined them, and held up a hand. "No need for alarm, friends." He walked over to the window and opened the shutters, showing the wrack dragon's eye and part of his face as well. "This is Jordan, he's a redeemed wood wrack dragon, and he's a friend."
"Aye, so you can put your spells away now." Jordan said, blinking. "Was I right when I said Morningstar?"
Elgar slowly sat back down, one hand on his chest. "Yes, yes you were. That is where we are from. I am in fact a professor of sorts, a teacher."
"It's an honor, then, I have heard much about Morningstar." Fox said. "But what would cause a professor from Morningstar to come here and speak to me? I know that stories circulate about my friends and myself, is that what brought you?"
He nodded. "Yes, yes it is. Sir McCloud, something has gone horribly, horribly wrong at Morningstar. Those of us who practice Nomenclature are… changing. My apprentices and I left three weeks ago, and we only arrived this quickly because we employed the service of the Lanterns."
Lanterns—as in guiding Lanterns—were wizards or other magic users that specialized in teleportation, using their skills to move people and goods from one post to another. Most major cities had at least a few Lanterns, if not a station they worked from, though it was rare for any one Lantern to be in one place for any amount of time.
"By all means, tell us your tale." Fara prompted, sitting beside her husband and handing the trio goblets of mild wine.
Elgar nodded, accepting the goblet and taking a long drink. "The school knew the minute something changed of course. We are, essentially, an entire town of magic users of various schools and specializations. Morningstar is little more then a large, low-set castle in the mountains, protecting a small town within. We are still not clear on what changed, but our Divination specialists were the first to detect it. Then my fellow Nomenclature specialists started loosing their powers or acting very odd. None of the others could figure out what was going on, and it was in fact a young Necromancer that suggested we come to you for help."
Fox sat back and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You suspect someone is meddling in your affairs then."
"No, Sir McCloud, I know someone or something is. The world of magic is suddenly changing, and that does not happen by itself."
"How is it your young Necromancer had heard of us?"
"The Necromancer was of the middle east, a young fellow by the name Anubis that recently came to Morningstar…" He saw Fox's look and smiled. "Yes, I too wondered when I heard his name. He is a black jackal, and I believe he is of Drow descent, though I am not certain. He simply said that his mother had a sense of humor, to quote him. And yes, I do believe he is of the Egyptian area."
"Makes complete sense then." Said Jordan, startling one of the apprentices again. "Oh, sorry. You must get used to me, I'm afraid, I live quite nearby."
There was a moment of silence.
"What would you like me to do, then?" Fox tilted his head to one side. "Come and investigate? There are others better suited."
"No, there are not, we are sure of that. We know of the acts you have done, Sir McCloud, and we honor you for that. We think that you are one of the few people who can help us."
Fox stood and walked back over to the window, reaching out to scratch Jordan under the dragon's eye absently, digging his fingers into the soft boney substance that made up Jordan's skull-like face. "I have not been on a quest for over a year and a half, kind sirs, and I hardly travel alone."
"We know. We were hoping you could bring your party together and at least discuss this matter. Even if you do not help us, we at least need your advice." Elgar's voice was pleading.
He sighed. "I can't refuse to help you, Mage Elgar." He turned to face his guests. "I am a disciple of my god, and I feel I must help you."
"What better things has a hero to do but save the world?" Jordan asked.
"Quiet." Fox said, but he was smiling a bit. "We have guest quarters, friends. You are welcome to stay here. My wife and I shall put the message out, and with any luck, we will hold a meeting tomorrow."
"We thank you." Elgar bowed. "We will be deeply in debt to you if you help us, Sir McCloud. I fear for my students and fellow instructors."
"No, as said, I feel I must help you." He turned to Fara. "I will show our guests to places they can rest. Would you mind going to the casting room and starting things?"
"Right away." She smiled, kissing him on the cheek and leaving the room.
"I understand your party is somewhat large…" One of the apprentices attempted as they walked through the corridor, crossing a bridge to another tree, where many guest rooms were.
"On our last quest, we numbered ten." Fox admitted. "But I am not sure if everyone will be able to travel with us this time. I would like to think so."
"All right then…"
The trio set their belongings down in respective rooms, Elgar turning to Fox. "You said 'casting room,' and I must admit I am curious."
"Do you care to watch? My party decided to forego the usual means of communication a year ago, and I must admit, the process our magic users decided on is… somewhat interesting."
"We'd be honored."
Fox led them back to the tree they had started at, then to another room, this one octagonal in shape and obviously meant for much magic. Fara was currently sitting in front of a mirror that had ten glyphs carved around the edges of it, all of which were glowing very faintly, except for two, which glowed very brightly. She smiled when Fox came in, standing. "Everything's ready, but the word isn't out yet."
"Well, let us put it out then." Fox smiled, standing beside her and working with her to cast the spell.
The magic rushed over the three mages, strange in flavor and definitely arcane. As they watched, they noticed that both Fox and Fara were wearing silver rings with garnets set in, and when the spell resolved, the garnets started to intensely glow.
"Contact made." Fox smiled, turning back to Elgar and his apprentices, holding up the hand with the glowing ring. "A somewhat modified version of Wolfpack Rings. Normal rings of the Wolf Pack simply allow a sense, so the wearers always know where the others are. These allow some actual communication."
"And the mirror?" Asked one of the apprentices.
Fox smiled again. "Watch."
One by one, the glyphs brightened, then one flashed as a voice came from midair.
"Been a while fearless leader! What's the occasion?" Alan's voice rang through the casting room, dragging with it some of the background noise from the endless carnival of the Blood Bayou. The glyph flashed with each word, then dulled back the original glow when Alan fell silent, though faintly sparking because of the background noise.
Fara grinned. "Doing well, Alan?"
"Oh, you know it, fair princess! So, why the contact?"
"Wait until the others join us and we will explain in brief."
"All right."
Another voice cut the air, this one lower. "Fox, I haven't heard from you in a month or so! Before you ask, yes, the local Guild is stable now. How are you doing, living in isolation out there?"
"Just fine Falco. We'll explain a minute, we're waiting for the others."
"Fine by me." As with Alan's glyph, Falco's pulsed as he spoke then dimmed again.
One by one, the other members of the party checked in, all with various comments, those waiting talking to each other absently. It only took about five minutes for the entire party to come together on the magical frequency.
"To make a long story short, it is possible that another quest faces us now." Fox said, watching the glyphs brighten as a chorus of murmurs arose. "And it could very possibly take us great distances. Would it be possible for all of you to be here by, say, midday tomorrow?"
More murmuring, then one by one everyone in the party agreed to those terms.
"Do you object to people arriving early? The Jack is often grouchy early on in the day." Alan's voice said.
"No, you are welcome to arrive tonight." Fox assured him. "And that goes for the rest of you as well. Thank you for your time, everyone."
Various parting phrases were said, and all the glyphs dulled, the glowing of the rings disappearing as well.
"That was… quite amazing, actually." Said Elgar. "You must let me in on how exactly that is done. That would be quite useful between the schools, and even just around Morningstar.."
"You must discuss that with our party's mage and sorceress, I'm afraid." Fox said. "Though I myself know magic, this is beyond my level."
"I could probably explain." Said Jordan's voice. "As I myself am a sorcerer."
"Yes, true that." Fox glanced apologetically toward the dragon. "And you did contribute greatly to some of the local enchantments. I apologize."
"No apology needed." Was the amiable reply. "And Alan is already here."
"Alan?" Asked Elgar as the entire group changed locales, going to the front entrance of the Elven manor and watching as the bard leapt up the staircase.
"Alan is a Bard of the Krewe of Mangroves, of the Blood Bayou." Said Fara. "Our party has an… understanding with the Jack of Tears, you might say. Alan traveled with us on the last quest and fought beside us during the war."
"That I did!" The bard catapulted through the door and tackled Fox and Fara at the same time with a bear hug. The three foreigners winced when they heard bones pop. "So good to see you, fearless leader and beautiful duelist!"
"Good to see you too Alan." Fox said with difficulty. "Now please, allow us to breathe."
Alan laughed and let the two go, turning his gaze to the guests. "So these are the individuals that brought our new quest to us, as it were?"
"Yes indeed." Fara said, going through introductions. The apprentices introduced themselves as Cade and Elijah, both smiling as they shook Alan's hand. It was hard not to smile when around Alan, once you got past his unusual exterior, which more added to the effect then anything.
"Sir McCloud…" Elijah said, pointing.
Fox looked down and saw his ring flashing. "Oh. I shall be right back." And with that, he sprinted out of the room.
"What…" Elgar started.
"Gate request. Fox has gone to confirm it. Which means our priestess Rita will be arriving shortly. She by far has the farthest to travel, so she normally just opens a gate to our Casting room. She could go through with it herself normally, but the Casting room is warded, so we have to allow the spell." Fara tossed a hand.
"Ah."
"Priestess? Of which god, may I ask?" Cade asked, crossing his arms.
"Obad-Hai." Said Rita, joining them as Fox did, smiling, and introduced herself.
The others to arrive that night were Julian, deciding since he was the closest he might as well arrive early, and Bill, who arrived via a Lantern member. Fox paid the travel fee and thanked Bill for coming. Bill of recent had been traveling from arena to arena, having fallen back into his life of a gladiator and enjoying it immensely.
Morning broke crisply, and the air was quickly full of the scents of late spring. The mages were awoken by quiet knocks at their door, followed shortly by violin music as Alan passed by their doors, indirectly disturbing them on purpose. Morning meal was waiting in the dining room when they arrived, Jordan directing them to the proper room.
"This is quite a residence, Sir McCloud." Cade remarked, accepting some bacon.
"Call me Fox, and I'll admit that it is. I didn't always live like this, but I am slowly growing used to this house at least." He shrugged. "Peppy should arrive soon, and I doubt that Slippy will be far behind him. Katt and Falco will arrive together, and then that will be my entire party."
"You know your fellow travelers well."
"They are my friends as well as my party members." Fox smiled.
Alan, having no chandelier to hang from, settled for sitting cross-legged on the table, holding his plate in his lap. A small kitten was huddled on his shoulder, watching the others and accepting small bits of bacon. "Aye, hence why we are so well networked. We keep the contacts running because we want to, instead of merely out of duty."
"Why Alan, gain a familiar?" Rita smiled.
"Yes, actually. This is Kaji. He doesn't like strangers all that much yet though." Even as Alan spoke, Kaji gave Rita a rather cross-eyed look. "But he's learning."
"Always good." Said another voice, and Peppy smiled as he entered the room. "Morning, Fox. Your house was nice enough to let me in without an interrogation."
"Interrogation?" Elgar looked at Fox.
Fox kept a straight face. "It's happened once or twice. Amusing as it was I'm sure you don't want the explanation…" He shot Julian a look as the younger ranger threw back his head and laughed. "But in short, a pair of guards decided they wanted to speak to me, for no good reasons. My house didn't like that much."
Those who understood either laughed or grinned. The mages processed this slowly.
"Slippy was getting ready to leave when I did, so he should be here shortly." Said Peppy, picking up an apple and biting into it. "All excited as usual. I think he's been bored of recent, when he's not busy blowing up his father's blacksmith shop."
"Any recent interesting inventions out of him?"
"Last I heard he was working with firearms."
"And he hasn't lost any fingers?" Bill lifted an eyebrow.
"As much as things tend to explode around the poor fellow, I'm surprised about that as well, in a rather morbid way." Peppy admitted. Seeing the three mages look at him, he felt inclined to explain. "Slippy is our mage. His father is a blacksmith, and he himself is somewhat of a… tinkerer. A gadget master, he calls himself. He's always playing with this new device, that new spell. Thus, many explosions."
"And endless entertainment, according to Falco." Julian shook his head.
"Sounds like it." Cade smiled.
"All right, all of you. You can talk to me to my front now, as opposed to my back." Slippy came into the room, smiling and removing riding gloves as he spoke. "Though it's all true, every word. I myself am surprised I haven't destroyed my father's shop and the surrounding ones as well."
Fox introduced Slippy to the mages absently, waving for Slippy to sit. "Good journey, Slippy?"
"Yes, of course, though I do wish you would mark the trail to your house better…"
"What trail?" Bill said.
At the same time, Fox said, "It is vague for a good reason."
"Yes, to keep guards from being interrogated by the house." Alan grinned, and laughter broke out among the party, leaving the mages sorely behind.
"Falco and Katt aren't up yet." Slippy said. "I know they were up quite late last night. Oh, and we must do something about Falco being a null, he keeps almost hurting himself reading Katt's scrolls…"
"Almost hurting himself? I'm surprised he hasn't fried himself. He knows better." Said Fara.
"Yes, but I think it irks him that he's totally inept at magic." Slippy shrugged. "No skin off my nose that he is of course."
"No skin off anyone's nose." Julian assured him.
"I dare say they'll be here on time, though. Katt will force him to be." Seeing the mages try to figure out what was going on, he explained. "Falco is our thief, he runs the local Thieves' Guild in fact, and is supported by the King of Thieves himself. He's also our Dragon Kin, but unfortunately, besides the powers associated with his guardian force he's a complete and utter magical null. Totally unaware of it, which can be a bad thing in his line of work. Katt is our sorceress, she's helping run the Guild. Mostly doing contract work and such, since Falco only recently learned to decently read and write."
"Diverse group you have." Elgar looked at Fox.
"More strengths and less weaknesses in a diverse group. No matter what the situation, usually one of us is versed in it, though I will say there are one or two moments in our travels that left us a bit bewildered."
"Spelunking. That was not the highlight of our last journey." Peppy winced.
"We ended up having to journey into the UnderDark and confront some Drow, and they, needless to say, did not like us." Rita said to Elgar. "In fact they were planning on killing the greater majority of us. We barely got out of that predicament."
"I think we've all been struck by an old Chinese curse. 'May we live in interesting times.' Of course, it is better then boredom." Said Alan.
"True. But there are times when, honestly, I would rather die of old age." Said Peppy.
"Oh, don't say that, you're meant to die in some glorious battle fighting for King and country!" Alan said, waving his arms around and almost hitting people in the process.
"I'm a scholar, Alan. I dare say this will more then likely be my last quest, I am just getting too old for this."
This brought all conversation to a halt.
"We're honored that you are finding time to accompany us on this one, then." Fox said.
Peppy grinned. "I told your grandfather I'd keep you alive, Fox, and I plan on doing so as long as I can, though every day I grow closer to expiring from old age."
"Technically, everyone grows closer to dying from old age with each passing day. Besides, I doubt that you're passing on any time soon. You're going to be one of those spry fellows at the tavern watching the going-ons with a grin and reminiscing what it would be like to be ninety again." Said Slippy, and Peppy's laughter brought back the good mood of the group.
It was just before midday meal that Falco and Katt arrived, climbing the staircase easily and going through introductions with the guests. Collecting provisions for a meal, Fox dolled out trays among those willing to carry food, and the group moved to the meeting room.
The entire group loved Fox's home, but everyone was in the agreement that one of the best features was the meeting room Fox's grandfather had set up. It was a rather large room, and framed on one wall was an oversize version of Fox's enchanted map, which changed upon request. A wooden rack was installed below the map, holding a collection of books and scrolls that was slowly growing as time passed. A long wooden table stretched down the middle of the room, normally surrounded by ten chairs, but three more were brought in to account for their guests.
The group automatically situated themselves, and Fox gave Elgar the nod to explain, tossing him a short, ornate staff that dripped magic when Elgar caught it.
"I don't protest, but this is something else I am not familiar with." Elgar said in a voice that was starting to drip frustration. "How is it that I have been around all these years and when I come here I find all sorts of magic and artifacts that are new to me?"
"Progress." Katt smiled. "The staff is basically a truthsayer's stick. Originally it wasn't really enchanted, basically we'd toss it up and down the table to whoever was the main speaker, but as people started to visit we found it nice to be able to regulate what they say. I don't suggest lying, because the stick would try to beat your head in. It's nothing against you of course; I doubt you'd lie to us."
Cade and Elijah, who had already decided just to sit back and be entertained, muffled snickers.
"And if you did, I doubt that you'd live through the experience, this group is not one to be trifled with." Said Jordan's voice from the nearest opened window, busily eavesdropping.
"I like to think we are more hospitable and less brutal then that." Fox smiled. "Now that that's explained, if you would please, Elgar."
Elgar cleared his throat and went through the same explanation he had given Fox, watching the party process the information, suddenly serious and all business. For a portion of this morning, he had wondered about the wisdom of coming here, and now he could see that these were the people that tales were told about.
"Well, it's not the whole of magic being trifled with…" Slippy said when Elgar had sat, holding up a hand. Elgar got the idea and rather poorly tossed him the stick, but Slippy was used to bad tosses and caught it. "Because the whole world would know if that was the case, and I dare say we'd be swamped with requests from different sources to correct the matter."
"Which basically means that someone has either targeted Morningstar itself, or the adepts of Nomenclature." Said Bill, catching the stick one handed automatically. "Are there many adepts like yourself in the world, Elgar?"
Elgar shook his head. "No. Besides Morningstar, there is only one other school that teaches it, and it is also isolated."
"Mezobarlin?" Jordan asked.
"Yes, and we have not had contact with them in a while. They are rivals of sorts to us, sad is it is…"
"So, if someone decided to take you and your fellow adepts out, he or she could do it in short order by targeting Morningstar and Mezobarlin." Stated Bill.
"I suppose so. I've already established that someone is after us, I need to know why, kind sirs and madams."
"Don't jump to conclusions Elgar." Fox said, voice almost stern, wrist snapping up to catch the stick. "And you haven't established anything really, you just suspected. We shall establish."
"You've been locked up in that school for a while, haven't you?" Alan asked.
"I'm afraid this is my first journey in a decade." Elgar admitted.
"That would explain it…"
"To continue…" Bill started, catching the stick again. "I will admit that I myself am a Gladiator, and have little understanding of magic, but I know of Nomenclature. The way I understand it, Nomenclature uses the power of names over objects, via the language of the divine. Perhaps one of the divine has grown sick of mortals using their power. Are all of your adepts good and holy, Elgar?"
The mage spread his hands. "We are as susceptible to corruption as any other mortal, friend, though many of my fellows do not like to admit it."
Silence for a moment, and Rita held up her hands, catching the stick with both. "I regret to say, but exact diagnosis of the problem and any sort of plan that would work is nearly impossible without going to the source of the problem. In other words, this party will have to travel to Morningstar."
"And what of Mezobarlin?" Julian asked, grabbing the stick out of the air. "Even if they are a rival school, we should check on them as well."
"If I recall what I have heard correctly, Morningstar is considered the 'good' or 'just' side of magic. Mezobarlin students are known for being somewhat sly and oftentimes evil, or at least not wholly good." Slippy said, freezing the stick in midair so it hovered above one of his hands. "I've met a few people from each school. Basically, the gods Baccob and Saint Cuthbert are commonly accepted at Morningstar, and the ones more commonly accepted at Mezobarlin are Vecna and Wee Jas."
"Good or evil, they should be tended to, perhaps sooner then later." Alan protested, catching the stick and spinning it like a baton. "Neutrality and lawfulness is at least an improvement on evil dictating wizards."
There was a long silent moment. Alan set the stick on the table and reached for a mug, and everyone else echoed the motion, also helping themselves to the food that had been made available.
"So that means you will come to Morningstar and investigate at least?" Elgar asked, head spinning a bit from the rate of conversation.
"Yes, we will." Said Fox after swallowing. "It will probably take a fortnight or a touch more to get fully arranged to travel though, as it has been over a year and a half since our last quest."
"No, that is all right, I am just relieved that you are even willing to do it."
"Of course." Said Fara. "Besides, I think we will all be glad to return to traveling. There is such a thing as being in one place too long."
Fox called for a break in the meeting, and many stood and stretched, Peppy collaborating with Elgar to work with the map on the wall, studying their possible travel paths.
"Thank you again for being willing to help us…" Elijah said to Fox, smiling. "I was a bit worried that this wouldn't be of big enough importance."
"My friend, if this is not important, what is?" Fox wanted to know. "You have a problem that could affect us all, and we are more then glad to help."
"All right, so it's exclusively those working in Nomenclature getting hit." Said Fara, leaning on the balcony railing and looking down at the clearing that spread below the house. Jordan had wrapped around the trees that formed the house, partly enclosing the clearing, but silver moonlight still poured in. Most of the party had retreated to the den, sitting around the fire and discussing matters. "And Nomenclature uses the divine language to control things using their true name. What would someone gain out of controlling them?"
"A lot if it was done correctly." Fox sighed, shaking his head. "Do you sense an even bigger quest then our last two ahead of us?"
"These things don't get smaller and easier." She pointed out.
"True I suppose. What I am wondering is if it has to do with the disturbances rocking the divine courts for the last half-decade or so."
"Do you think we're seeing the beginning of another divine war?" She glanced at him. "Has Heironeous told you anything?"
"No, not yet, and I'm not sure if he's going to be willing to 'drop hints.' Another divine war has been looming for a while." He shrugged. Everyone remembered the fight between him and Titus when the opposing gods Hextor and Heironeous had possessed them, it only made sense to Fox that that hadn't been an ending but a beginning.
"If I correctly recall my history lessons, wasn't the last major divine war the Titan's War?"
"I believe so. Alan may be able to fill us in on some of the details there, that's fairly ancient history. Many more gods have joined the courts since then."
"That's true. I suppose it would only make sense that this quest has elements of the divine. The last one did, but then you are a disciple." She smiled.
He grinned, pulling her close for a moment. "Yes indeed, but you've told me several times that it's not a bad thing…"
"Very true." She nestled into him. "I heard you, Falco, and Peppy discussing travel plans, are we going to employ wagons again?"
"After the trouble they caused last time? No." He shook his head. "We had something else in mind, but you'll hear all about that tomorrow, because that's when preparation starts."
They were silent a moment.
"Did you stop to consider the fact that our stories have apparently reached the Far East?" She asked, lifting an eyebrow.
"No, not for a moment." He replied. "If they want to make me into a legend, so be it, but I'd rather put my energy into …other things." His smile turned sly. "Such as our marriage."
"Did I sound like I was arguing? Because if I did, hell no I wasn't…"
He laughed.