Morning comes to the complex and scents of baking bread and roasting meats filters down the hallways to your rooms.
Felam rises, quickly splashes some water over his face and dresses before making his way to the delicious smells, keeping an eye out for his companions.
Garth thinks this smells very promising. He quietly gets up and goes to wash, trying not to wake Alessa if she is asleep, then heads promptly toward the odor of baking bread. . . . He plans to seek out Bonny and Gem after breakfast.
Bread from the kitchens cools on racks just off the Great Hall, and many folks are up as well, circulating, classes going on around the corners of the hall or military drills in a few open spots. The oak tree is still alone in front of the chambers known to hold the Ilarisir.
Garth and Felam easily find each other in front of the hot bread.
"Ah Garth!" Felam says. "I trust you slept well. A bit of breakfast and then off to learn of the news of the world?"
"You could say that," agrees Garth, happily slathering butter on his bread. "Zaris knows we're here. I want to grab a chance to see my friends before we have to go charging off again."
He looks over those assembled for breakfast, searching for Bonny, Gem, Vict, the armorer, Zaris, Alaric, or Erin, but sees no sign of those worthies as of yet, though he spots one armorer's assistant.
Garth waves at the armorer's assistant, and the boy returns the wave and collects a pot of something hot and a tray of muffins.
Garth finishes his breakfast and, since Alessa has not appeared, commandeers a tray with breakfast and coffee on it and takes it back to his quarters. There he leaves the tray for the sleeping Alessa and goes on his way in search of Bonny and Gem.
Down the halls and through the arcades, Garth finds himself in front of Bonniselle's door where he's joined by Felam
At their knock Bonniselle's assistant opens the door, "Ye- oh you're back. Come in, I'll see if she's ready for guests. He ushers you into the sitting room. As usual the lack of windows in the complex makes the sitting room seem dim, but magic has lit lights about the room to provide decent, indirect light.
Shortly, the old woman comes out, slowly, a stone cat trotting along at her feet. "Welcome back demon hunted. How goes the great fight?"
Gem says nothing.
Felam laughs and Garth gives Bonny a hug. "We beat the demons, but now we've got some other creatures to go back and fight. Other than that, we're fine. What about you?"
He rummages briefly in his pack and comes out with a small box of taffy. "Here. Be careful, it can get caught in your teeth."
He kneels to greet Gem, rubbing the stone cat between his stone ears. "How have you been, Gem? Are you keeping an eye on Bonny these days?"
"You tell us," Felam says. "Do you have any news of the wide world?"
Bonny takes the taffy and tastes it, "Delicious. We're fine here. Between those that can create food and our contacts about the world, we can sustain indefinitely here. The last corners have been swept clean of the taint of centuries of death though we'll need to stay alert, since that taint can seep out of the very rocks.
She turns to Felam, "Little enough news. Wulris has fallen to Sulthon with barely a struggle. The dragonlord controls the North. The mountains, wastes, and the Shards retain him though. To the South, odd tidings of dark glass and burning metals. By dreams were unsettled. Perhaps the seeress will know more."
"Mine too," says Garth succinctly.
Gem says nothing to Garth, and accepts the attention stoically.
"Of course Gem, I release you to your master, go with Garth," says Bonny.
"It's good to be back, even if it's for only a short time," says Garth. "Do you know any news of Cynar or King Kier? Alessa will want to know."
She shakes her head, "I've heard nothing save the rebuilding continues."
"You know nothing of any signs or portents?" Felam asks.
Bonny sighs, "Not my expertise I'm afraid. I know a few things, but nothing about this."
"Has there been any word of some signs in the sky then?" Felam asks.
She looks... vague. "The sky was mentioned, but there was a girl in danger, or her village, and a fire that didn't burn. Very odd."
Garth nods thoughtfully.
"Very odd indeed..." Felam trails off, going deep into thought, searching his memory for any known phenomena that might resemble this. "I shall have to explore these matters further," he says quietly.
"I have no new news I fear. Their reconstruction proceeds, but that is all." She seems upset that she can't tell you more.
Garth gives her another hug. "Don't worry. I'm sure Zaris and the others will know what it it," he says. "All I hope is that we can have a little peace and quiet while they're figuring it out."
After further conversation, Garth announces his intention to go and see Vict, then stop by the armorer's to see if he falls over from the shock when Garth appears in intact armor, then look for Zaris, Alarin, or Erin.
Bonny stands to see you out. "Don't be a stranger now. I hope you can stay a short while this time."