Tea Time for Two

After dropping in on Aurelia and the council, the gathered adventurer’s say their goodbyes and begin to leave. After Ghesh nearly knocks him over with a scaly hand clap to the back, Markas approaches Sheryl.

“Sheryl! Fancy a drink at the Mirror? It’d be nice to hear how your trip back to the Feywild was?”

“I would like that Markas, yes,” she replies, beaming up at him. She lets out a sigh, an attempt to let go of the tension she still felt from the mission.

“I still cannot believe how much we accomplished today. It's a bit surreal… Harmony is really amazing,” Sheryl continues as the two set off in the direction of the Gilded Mirror.

“Yeah, that was pretty intense. I knew they were capable but they’re so, well… distracted most of the time. Still, having one of the Seals kept safe is comforting. I regret breaking the first we found.” Markas looks a little troubled at the thought.

As they round the corner, heading down the street of Butcher shops a small smile crosses his face.

“You know, the first time I came down here we were dancing the whole way through, back when Leocanto was fighting the Necrodancer in the Mirror. Did I ever tell you about that?”

Sheryl’s eyebrows shoot up, interest colouring her expression. “No I don’t think you have! What is a Necrodancer?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure. Someone Leo had a run in with before. He came back looking for revenge and started playing music that had everyone in town dancing along. Against their will I should add… Still, it was quite funny to see Aurelia dancing around her office,” he says with a chuckle. “That was when I actually moved into the Mirror… Speaking of home, how was your trip? I’m glad to see you’re back, the letter had me concerned.”

“Ah, I didn’t mean for it to do that,” Sheryl says sheepishly. “It felt like it needed to be said, though I am happy I wasn’t away for too long.”

The two round a corner and the Gilded Mirror rises before them, as opulent as ever.

“Home was home. Not much really changed, though the Lady did pretend she didn’t know me when I first arrived. Ha! That was kind of funny.” Sheryl’s half grin seems to be more of an echo of relief than amusement. “Oh! I’m guessing Sunday told you who 'the Lady' is?”

Markas nods. “Queen Titania, right? I haven’t met her.”

“You have!” Sheryl exclaimed happily before reeling it back. “That must’ve been the time you danced around the tree, yeah? Anyway, I told her about what I’ve been up to during my year away. She likes hearing about my adventures. I mentioned you,” she adds, looking up to the half-elf, “and the investigations we’ve been doing together into the Vanguard and for the Harmonious Order. I didn’t mention anything about you and Sunday though.” The small woman gives a humourless laugh. “Even mentioning Sunday in passing was enough to send the Summer Queen into a stormy mood.”

“Yeah, I don’t imagine Sunday is one of her favourite people… She pretended not to know you though? Seems… odd.”

“Weeeeeell,” Sheryl says, lifting one shoulder in a half shrug, “I think it had something to do with that time Serpentine banished me back to the Feywild. Serpentine did it out of spite against me – and I was caught off guard.” Sheryl’s lower lip sticks out in a small pout. “When I was Banished back I saw my… mentor, Kruxeral. He attempted to let the Queen know I was there, but I popped back here before she could arrive.”

Sheryl half skips as they walk up the steps and into the Mirror.

“It was probably her way of getting back at me for that. It’s fine though! I told a spellbinding tale for her so she couldn’t stay angry at me for very long. And besides, it was kind of funny.” She winks at Markas playfully. “Shall we go to the lounge? I’m a little peckish after that whole adventure and wouldn’t mind a platter of sweets. How about you?”

“Sure! Too late to start training now anyway,” he says with a smile, waving to the bar signalling for two drinks as they walk through, earning himself a somewhat begrudged nod in response.

“Those wizards sounded interesting,” Markas continues. “I’m kinda sad we never got the chance to meet them. I’m sure Ghesh would have liked to spar with them too.”

The lounge is mostly quiet as they walk in and Markas seems to think things over for a moment as they drop into their seats. Then he leans forward slightly and lowers his voice.

“The Vanguard seems to be picking things up a bit now. Last time I went out after them, with the grain stores in Zot Goran, it was still very covert. But they sent a small army in this time… and the woman in the gold mask seemed higher ranking than the others. Have you heard anything else since you’ve been back?”

“Last week, when I went to Zot Goran,” Sheryl starts, also keeping her voice low, her body language relaxed though her eyes alert to everything around them, “We had been told it was a rescue mission, and it was, but not for whom we were told.” She takes a small sip of her feywine cocktail. “Girelle had been captured and replaced by a concubus imposter, by the order of Babis Farstep, one of the higher ups in the Vanguard. Varis, he sensed the Girelle we had been talking to was a demon…” She pauses momentarily, the memories of what happened showing in flashes of emotions across her face. Sheryl shakes her head slightly. “Anyway, we banished the imposter – Viranich was their name – and managed to get to Girelle, the real Girelle, in time.”

One of the staff comes over with a three tiered platter of pastries and sandwiches and the two of them pause their conversation as it is placed down on the small table between them, along with two small plates with some delicate silverware, some preserves, and serviettes. The server bows slightly and then retreats. Sheryl picks up her plate and starts selecting some of the warm pastries and small desserts.

“Babis has been taken care of – Varis saw to that,” Sheryl continues, sitting back with her plate balanced on her knee. Picking up the small knife she cuts the warm pastry open and a burst of steam puffs up into her face. She starts spreading a thick clotted cream across it.

“He did have a letter on him though, dated some tenday or more before, that said ‘If you need to get a message, use the genasi, he is above suspicion.’” Sheryl takes a bite. “Mmm! That’s so good.”

Markas picks out a small pastry and takes a bite, awkwardly trying to catch crumbs as he does. “Farstep? I wonder if he was related to Langston at all? At any rate, things really seem to be picking up. Hopefully Girelle can find word of another seal before they do...” A look of frustration crosses the half-elf’s face. “If I hadn’t broken the other one that could have been two seals we had now… we need to pick up the next one for sure!”

The small woman puts down her scone as she looks at her friend, concern darkening her brow.

“Markas, you are not at fault for what happened. How could you have known that was the First Seal?” She sets her plate aside and rests her hand on his forearm, making him look at her. “The Vanguard used our ignorance against us. That’s how they have been able to stay one step ahead.” The soft glow of the gem in her circlet warms her face whilst she watches him closely. “No one blames you, so why do you keep punishing yourself?”

A weak smile forms on Markas’ face.

“I know, but I still feel responsible… In truth I was hoping nabbing today’s seal would make me feel a little better, like some balance had been restored, but with how much the Vanguard seem to be pushing forward, I just wish we knew more about all this. We are stumbling around, finding these seals but what is it all for?” He stops to take a sip of his own drink, not sure what it is, but it was sweet and he likes it. “Or even what these seals are… the first was hidden on a tiny floating island in the Plane of Air, this one was in a wizards tower in the Feywild. How did they even get there, y’know?”

“Hmmm.” Sheryl takes a sip of her own drink and pops the last bit of scone into her mouth, thinking. “Arkadius told me about the woman in gold, the Enforcer, and how she recovered an artefact that allegedly is helping them track down the Seals.” She picks up her drink and looks over the rim of her glass to Markas, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I’ve been thinking… if we could find out where they are keeping that and steal it away too, then maybe…” The corners of her lips quirk up slightly.

Markas lets out a soft laugh as he takes another small cake from the stand. “That’s an interesting idea… the only problem is we don’t know where they have it. You think Aurellia or Girelle might be able to dig something up?”

“Possibly,” Sheryl says, taking another sip of her cocktail before putting it down. Her brow furrows as an idea occurs to her.

“Maybe I’m being silly but–” she bites her lip before continuing, “After last week, let’s give it a few days. I want to ask someone to… look into something first. If everything is alright, which I’m sure it will be, we can propose our idea to them. Sound good?”

“Sure thing.” Markas takes another bite of the tiny cake and leans back into his chair. “It’s not like we have somewhere to go with this right now anyway. Just let me know when you want to suggest it. Since we still haven’t heard anything from Joyeues, we can focus on investigating this mess!” He gives Sheryl a wink.

She smiles at him and relaxes back in her chair. The two enjoy the delectable treats for a while, commenting on the taste of one pastry over another, whether cream should be on top or below the jam. In the end no decision was made except personal preference will always win out for whomever is eating the treat, and that’s all that matters.

After the plates had been cleared and they were both enjoying the last bits of their drinks, Sheryl leaned across to Markas, her expression a bit more sober.

“Markas I… I do not know what your perception is of the Feywild, though I know there is a lot of… history for some people here.” Her fingers tighten on her glass as she tries to keep her voice steady and calm. “And I know Sunday does not like my… home very much. But if… if anything were to happen, say like, someone thinking it would be a good idea to try to, I don’t know, take on the Queen of Summer… by herself…” Her throat catches and she can’t continue speaking but she looks at her friend and hopes he understands what she’s asking.

Markas sits quiet for a few seconds, his eyes meeting Sheryl’s across the table. He lets out a deep sigh.

“I understand what you’re saying… and I know the… awkward situation that would leave you in. I don’t know that there is something that can be done to get the outcome you would like here but… you are my friend and if there is a way to…” His words trail off. There is a moment before he reaches over and places a hand on her shoulder.

“You are my friend. And I will do what I can.”

Sheryl places her hand on top of his, giving it a gentle squeeze, a sad smile lifting her lips for a brief moment before dropping altogether. She lets out a small sigh and places her glass on the table, then looks back to Markas, taking his hand from her shoulder, bringing it up to her lips and kissing it lightly before letting go.

“I thank you, Markas. Just know that I will understand if... you cannot. We all want the ones we love to be happy and safe…” She trails off her gaze going distant for a moment. Then she blinks and she is back to her usual, brighter self.

“I wonder when we are going to hear from Joyeuse again. I would Send her a message but I couldn’t use that spell when I returned to the Summer Court. You didn’t hear from her since our investigation into those Planar Pirates have you?”

“No, nothing. I’m sure she will come calling when she has something for us though. And, well, we both know I can’t exactly check in on her myself,” Markas says with a smirk, sitting back into his chair. “But who was obstructing you before? The Lady?”

“I don’t know if it was her or if it was being in the Summer Court itself. But you know how today Aurelia was able to get us right next to the Tower in the Feywild? She wasn’t able to do that for me when I asked her to Plane Shift me back home. It’s protected by many wards, you see. But now I have this,” Sheryl points to her circlet. “It was a gift from Her, to allow me to return directly, once a month, which I am to do, to keep her appraised of these Interplanar disturbances. It’s part of the conditions allowing me to come back here.”

“Hmm, so you’re reporting back to the Lady on this now as well? I gather interest in the grand scheme of things but any idea why she would be interested in particular?”

“Despite what some people may believe,” Sheryl says, raising an eyebrow, “what happens here on the Material Plane affects us in the Feywild too. Queen Titania cares about her realm a lot, as do I, as I care about what happens here. But this goes back to what you were saying before.” Sheryl leans forward conspiratorially. “We don’t know what the Vanguard's end game is, but I think, and this is entirely hypothetical, what happened to the Curialessen Conclave is only a fraction of what could happen here.”

“Yeah… that's fair,” he says, flashing her an apologetic look. “But I feel like those wizards just summoned something they weren’t expecting to fight. They were summoning and fighting those things pretty regularly by the look of it but this… hidden seals across the Planes, a blood seal older than written history, country sized sigils… this is all deliberate. Someone or something went to a lot of trouble putting all this in place.”

A moment of quiet passes between the two.

“Anyway! We have time for investigations still… I don’t suppose you picked up any new songs on your trip home?” The monk cocks an eyebrow and gestures towards the stage.

“I may have,” the bard replies coyly. “There was one I performed for the Inner Court that I am particularly proud of.” She puffs up and sits up a bit straighter. Looking over to the stage and then back to Markas, Sheryl asks, “Should I?” A mischievous grin starts to spread across her face.

“I think it would be rude not to!”

“Well, when you put it like that,” Sheryl grins, picking up her harp and heading towards the stage.