Oath-Graven Diamond:Act3
Mercuryday, 11th of Ascending Wood, RY 768[edit]
What a party! The past were spent in preparation for last night's soiree, buying clothes and perfecting disguises. As usual, the strongest lies are 90% truth; high society was introduced to Oath-Graven Diamond of House Cathak, a wyld hunter on the trail of Cathak Suraga! I will have to grow more used to this life of lies and deception; were it not for Almun's timely intervention, I believe I'd have been caught out more than once. The Fox's disguise was incredible! I'd have never known it was he had I not seen him step out of the dressing room. Even his voice seemed different! He and I arrived shortly after Eino did. I somewhat envy Eino his success last night, as he had already engaged in conversation a lovely Haltan woman. She did not react kindly to me due to my Realm disguise; I do hope she will be less prejudiced when we meet again as friends. In any case, I engaged the attention of a most beautiful ambassador of House Cynis, though her constant stream of innuendos became tiresome after a time. I'd have not minded spending the night with her, but as it was she proved most evasive. She did seem concerned about the Grand Vizir and his brother, however. I shall resolve to keep an eye on them. The party took place in a most appropriate setting; a first-age observatory of some sort, with a massive orrery slowly rotating overhead. The walls, the orrery and all were of translucent, milky glass. Beautiful. The building felt familiar in the same way my companions do; perhaps it was once important to me. My previous existance? Such concepts seem blurred anymore. We spoke at some length with the famous and infamous Cathak Cal. I sympathize with his plight, I suppose, disgraced much as I was, but an old hunter would make a dangerous if useful contact. Almun also tried to make a firedust deal with a guild trader--one he has no intention of honoring, I understand--but the trader suddenly rushed away for no apparent reason. What a strange man. I returned to my lady for a time, but then Almun apparently picked a fight with the Second General of the Tri-Khan! I fear I will never understand the Delzan. They stepped outside, taking half the party with them. Almun put on a great show; I could see that he wasn't fighting at his full capacity, even discounting his obviously supernatural powers. Though he eventually triumphed, it appeared that the General was a far stronger fighter and that Almun won thanks only to his powers (as the dragonblood he appeared to be). Then, as the duel ended and the combatants headed off for a drink together -- again, strangeness -- we smelled a foul stench and discovered that the ambassador from Gem, one Sardonyx, had summoned a group of demons in the main room! I reached behind a pillar to hide it from sight as I summoned my glass blade from Elsewhere; I knew I had not the unarmed skill of either Almun or the General. I knew also that I must be cautious in my use of charms under the eye of all the Realm soldiers; any hint of my true nature would undoubtedly provoke them to attack us as demons as well. But why would Sardonyx call up these foul beasts in the midst of a party? Surely not just to assassinate someone..! <To Be Continued>
