I'll put in a good word," promises René. "Lucius is doing some big magic thing at the School, and Lady Angela is doing some big priestly thing at the Temple. Once they're free, you can talk to them and we can work out a partnership." He raises his mug. "It'll be good to see you in action!"
"Good man, René. While you're at it, see if you can dig anything up on these "Devil Slayers". I hear they've been kicking up some dust. I can't wait to see me in action either… as I always say… 'Action is my business' … Are you going to finish that?"
For the past ten years, Martin has largely been on campaign in the “Darokin Crusades”, with much of his leave spent soothing his spirt in Corunglain (and occasional visits to Glantri City). While we know this resulted in a “broken contact” with the Hexarchy, this may have netted some resources or reputation among the fighting folk involved in and around the conflict.
While Martín is aware of Roland’s efforts to assemble his Grand Armée, he is hopeful that some of his unique contacts, and experiences might help identify capable, trustworthy (or at least dependable) parties or players and open inroads to an effective alliance.
Martin is greeted at the tower gate by Micheline's usual entourage of terribly handsome men, who escort the adventurer up a few flights of stairs to a brightly lit solarium. There, an elderly woman in vibrant silks sits at a round table, holding a cup of tea with hands adorned by many glittering rings. Her voice, however, is Micheline's familiar youthful contralto. "Hello, old friend!" she says cheerfully. "I'm pleased that you could join me for tea. I'm trying on a new face; is it to your liking?"
While Martín is taken aback by the sorceress’ aged appearance, he has seen many strange transformations in his journeys, and his own terribly handsome face barely twitches before gracing Michelinne’s withered hand with a delicate baciamano.
“Greetings my fair and far travelling lady. I am no stranger to the myriad transformations our bodies and minds undergo, especially those of us who court magic and treasure as our paramours. Whether changed by choice or the wiles of fate, your visage is no less beautiful than I recall. While I have less choice in the matter I feel like I have gained nearly as many wrinkles, and not a few more scars! The more important question, I suspect, is how your strapping young attendants are… responding?”
Casually dashing the proffered cup of tea into a plant, Martin fills the porcelain with a healthy slug of an effervescent spirt from a sideboard before sitting to nibble at a finger sandwich.
“It has been a long time since I saw the inside of this tower, and I fondly recall the strange journeys it carried us through. Of late, the spear of my fate has been planted in the Principalities. Many years of War in Darokin, and now a cold war at home with our infernal overseers. I am always pleased to receive your correspondence Micheline, but tell me, why have you invited me here today?”
