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-----Andra looks deeply at the mage, her dark eyes catching a glimmer of the torchlight. Her husky voice is heard through the veil covering her face. "We follow the Lady of Darkness, Noctura." Her voice almost seems to hold a sense of pride.
-----Thalog opens his eyes and stares at her. For a moment, his usual demeanor of coldness is replaced by a look of pity. Then it vanishes as he shifts his stance leaning heavily on his staff. He then continues dryly, "Why is it you dress in this manner? These are not the raiments of the followers of nightmares."
-----Andra blinks and straightens, seemingly towering over the mage. "It was the plan Evlor gave to us. Evlor and the rest of us were to be here to receive what was taken from the fools in the area. He was also to keep the curse on the animals to keep the locals frightened. We wear these clothes in case we are discovered."
-----"To maintain the illusion that the followers of the mad god are behind this," Thalog muses. "But surely this was not just strictly for the purpose of robbing people, was it? Was there another purpose to this ruse? You mentioned ‘Evlor and the rest of you were to be here’. Under whose orders were you to be here?" Clearly, Thalog’s excitement begins to show.
-----Andra looks around suspiciously at the others and then stares back at Thalog. "I don’t . . . know," she answers slowly, "There are others in one of the villages."
-----Thalog looks around at the others as if trying to piece everything together. Glancing at Sarah, he asks, "Did you find anything interesting on that scroll?"
-----Shadows crossing the entrance tunnel to the cave tell everyone Sol is outside on guard.
-----"Hmmm", says Zentil looking at the items on the table. "I'm not exactly a skilled appraiser." Zentil spends a moment looking closer at some of the pieces of jewelry. "Maybe if Thalog or Sarah could detect any magic on this stuff. It all just looks like jewelry to me. Might bring a good price though".
-----"Not on that one, but the other one you might want to take a look at when we get out of here." Sarah then looks at Andra, "What made you do it?"
-----Andra glares back at Sarah, "Who are you to ask? Are you trying to judge me? Don’t you know Noctura wishes to bring the darkness to all?"
-----Raven steps forward, "Did any of your people have anything to do with a small keep being attacked? You mentioned your leader's name is Evlor, where can we find him? I want to hear about this darkness thing from the horse's mouth."
-----"Fool, Evlor was here and you fell for his deception! Did you not feel his dark power? Remember how some of you cowered before him?" Andra sneers at Raven from behind her veil. The woman’s anger appears to grow.
-----Thalog interrupts, "Now Andra, look at me." After a few more attempts at coaxing, the woman tears her eyes from Raven and looks at Thalog. "It’s all right," he says soothingly to her, "no one here wants to provoke you. We’re all interested in what you can tell us."
-----The mage then half turns to the rest of the group, "I remember a few days ago there was a humanoid we wished we had asked more of before it met its demise."
-----Thalog then turns back to Andra. "So that was Evlor," Thalog says, "that passed by us before the others began to run outside?"
-----Andra much calmer now slowly nods at Thalog. "Andra, was it a plan of Evlor’s or anyone else’s you know to attack a small keep not far from here?"
-----"I know nothing of that," comes the stern reply.
-----"Very well," Thalog says looking at his companions, "any other questions?"
-----"Just one more thing," Sarah says. "She should turn out her pockets and pouches and hand over everything she’s carrying now. We don’t want her magic spreading."
-----Raven puts a hand on one of his swords when the woman sneers at him. Raven moves closer to Thalog and whispers in his ear.
-----Thalog faces Andra and looks into her eyes. Blandly he tells her, "Andra, I really need to see your sword. You can trust me and I need to know I can trust you. Can you hand it to me?"
-----Without blinking, the muscular woman draws her long sword and hands it to the mage. Slightly startled by the quick response, Thalog then asks, "Are there any other weapons you have on you?"
-----Andra looks at the mage who is trying to balance the weight of her weapon in his hands. "No," she answers simply, but obediently.
-----The others can see Sol back at the other side of the cavern listening to the conversation.
-----"May I see any pouches you carry on your person?" Thalog continues, "I want to make sure there are no items you carry that may cause harm to you."
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