After switching back to female-form and recharging from the available hog stock at Castle Sturmandrang, Nicora feels quite refreshed. There's no pain or even lingering soreness after the previous night's exploits as Alptraum. Mave was still in need of a bit of recovery, but didn't want to admit it.

The Yodhinala hadn't been too keen on detouring to see Dr. Twig originally, but now it put them within a more comfortable flying distance of the capitol, Justininople. That meant only a single night 'roughing it' before reaching the city and getting a comfortable room at one of the many inns (having an actual choice of inns was somewhat novel after all of the one-tavern towns). It also meant that the last leg to Blackshire could be traveled by train!

Blackshire Station
A wooden and brick building stands alongside a cleared road cutting through the woods and fields. The road is unusual in that it has two metal rails running its length, mounted on wooden planks that are spiked to the ground at regular intervals. The building alongside the rails is surrounded by a raised platform a few feet off the ground, with steps leading down to ground level, and a building in its center -- one part looking like a small storehouse and shed with a small water tower nearby, and the other looking almost like a pretty little townhouse, but with facades in both front in back, and with wide windows facing the track, revealing a lobby inside. A woodcut sign decorated with flowery designs identifies the building as "Blackshire Station", and a big sign next to the rails bids those coming that way, "Welcome to Blackshire".

"That was entirely too noisy," Mave complains once they exit the train. "It was much smoother than a carriage though, and the stench was not as bad as that of a dray animal on a hot day. I shall place a curse on whomever was sounding that horrible steam whistle though, if I find out who they are."

"I did suggest you stuff some of your spare clothing in your ears," Nicora notes as she exits the train, then lifts out their meager travel bags and hands Mave's to her. "We will be riding the train again soon, after a small matter is tended to here. An old promise must be kept."

"We should acquire some soft-wax as well for proper ear-plugs," Mave notes, and looks to the road leading to the village proper. "What do you need to do?" she asks.

"Return a stolen necklace to the Duchess," Nicora notes as she reaches into her cleavage and pulls out the sifrian dream-crystal necklace. "There should be a candle-shop in town where wax can be purchased if you wish to deal with that."

"Very well," Mave says, taking her travel pack and staring towards the village. "There should be an inn. Will you be spending the night with the Duchess?"

"Not as far as I know, so I will likely need board too. I cannot see why I would be requested to stay there," Nicora explains as she puts the necklace into one of the robe's pockets. Easier to explain than where she was keeping it.

"So, you do not have an intimate relationship with this Duchess or her staff?" Mave asks in an almost teasing tone.

"Of course not. I don't have many intimate relationships, regardless what you may thing," Nicora notes rather stiffly.

"I will protect you from any well-built, amorous farm boys who take notice of you then," Mave promises. The village square is visible ahead, along with the Blackshire Inn. There aren't any exploding, steam and smoke spewing machines crashing around this time, however.

"How kind of you," Nicora notes as she starts towards the town and the square. "And you should be aware, the sheriff of this town does not care for anyone from Babel."

"Describe him?" Mave asks. At least she's dressed in her traveling clothes and not her robes.

"Vampiric Eeee, male, red eyes. Wears spectacles," Nicora explains. "He treated me very poorly when I was here last. I was blamed for every odd occurrence."

"Where you to blame for every odd occurrence?" Mave asks with an arched eyebrow.

"You're certain?" Mave asks, before stopping before the inn. "I will secure us lodging. How long should I wait before worrying about your safety?"

"I'm certain. If I do not return my midnight, come looking. I will send word if plans change," Nicora explains as she starts to walk away from the inn. "I trust you will keep yourself out of trouble. The food here is decent from what I remember my adoptive parents and Hexen telling me."

Mave takes Nicora's bag as well, so the woman is more free to fly if wants to. "I'll trust you not to get into any trouble then," the Yodhinala says, with a completely straight face.

"I never get into trouble," Nicora replies with an equally straight face. "Good day to you."

The white Eeee performs a shallow bow, and then hauls things a few steps towards the inn before a Khatta lad hurries out to help her.

Even with the worst of the damage from the Upheaval undone in the area of the keep, there is still the playful Sylvanian mist to contend with. It reduces visibility to only a few dozen feet, while rendering anything beyond that as shadows. It also messes with sound, to some degree. As she walks, Nicora gets the sense that she's being followed.. possibly by someone dragging a corpse along the ground.

"If you intend to mug me, hurt me, or otherwise inconvenience me, I request that you get it other with," Nicora finally says to the person apparently following her. While she sounds unconcerned about it, her hand has moved to the dagger at her waist, just in case.

A shadow on the road behind her resolves itself into a hunchbacked, raggedy looking Skreek - who appears to be hauling a corpse in a canvas sack over one shoulder. At least.. it's the right size for one. "Ahhh, fair lady," the rat notes. "Ysnor is muuuugger; Ysnor is a... lover!" The Skreek then has to stop to laugh at his own joke, before coughing up a blob of phlegm. After wiping his mouth on his sleave, he asks, "And what might yoooou be seeking this eve, at Blackshire Keep?"

"An audience with the Duchess Eve," Nicora says a bit stiffly, her chin held slightly up and her jaw set solid. "The matter is private and will only be discussed with her."

"Private? Private?" Ysnor asks, dragging his load as he waddles up for a closer look at Nicora. "I don't reck' you. And I have a gooood memory for faces. S'pose I should announce you then, eh?"

"I am Nicora, here on behalf of Alptraum of Draco County," Nicora says by way of introducing herself as she watches the strange (relatively) skreek. "On a matter left unresolved for several years."

"So.. who stole it?" the Skreek asks, more conversationally this time, since he's starting dragging his ominous sack towards the keep again.

"A savanite, who was then betrayed by a necromancer named Dack. Alptraum dealt with the necromancer and bade me to return the item for him, as he has not had the time to return here," Nicora notes as she walks along with the weird skreek.

"Spotties are usuuually well-behaved, 'round here," the Skreek notes, as the shape of the castle begins to loom through the mist. "The Duchess doesn't get many visitors lately. You like potatoes?"

"No, I do not care for potatoes. Sorry," Nicora notes, "And this one was not. Her name was Autumn-Storm. Alptraum took pity on her."

"Hmmm," Ysnor mutters. After a moment, he asks, "Not even sweet potatoes? Only, see, I have a lot of potatoes in this sack, on account of the Duchesss deciding to try an all-tater diet for some reason."

"I do not need to stay for dinner. I do not wish to be a burden," Nicora says politely. As for asking why anyone would want a potato diet, well ... she's learned some tact to not question the eccentricities of nobles.

"The pie diet was more interessssting," Ysnor notes. "If only because she'd get sick faster. She should be puttering about in the garden this time o' day." The drawbridge is clear ahead, leading to the familiar big wooden doors.

Nicora's brow arches at this information. Her head shakes slightly, but still she says little. "Will you introduce me, then?" she asks.

Propping the giant sack of (apparently) potatoes against the stone arch of the door, Ysnor fishes out an oversized ironwood key and unlocks one of them. "Just follow my tail, and it will guide you true," the Skreek promises. A tall order, since his tail is clearly broken in several places and tends to zig-zag around.

Nicora solves this by taking hold of Ysnor's tail in her right hand. "If he makes any sounds of pleasure ... I might be sick," she thinks.

"Just scream if it snaps off," Ysnor says, and pushes the heavy door open. Surprisingly, Nicora can hear a noise coming from within that sounds like.. puttering. Putt-Putt-Putt puttering.

"Are you always this disturbing?" Nicora asks the skreek. Her ears flick at the odd sound. "No, it couldn't be..." she thinks.

"I do my best, misss," Ysnor says, with a hint of pride. As he leads Nicora to the balcony overlooking the enclosed garden, the source of the sound becomes apparent: some sort of small steam engine, tended to by a Titanian.. child? It's hard to tell age when they get so big. A hose runs from the engine to a truly horrific looking pair of pruning shears, which seems to have teeth spinning past on a chain on each of its jaws. Holding this, barely, is the Duchess Eve Kurai, wearing a blue dress with lots of petticoats and lace and puffy shoulders, along with a heavy leather apron and oversized gloves. She seems to be trying to catch an animated vine with the chainsaw-clippers, but just can't seem to move them fast enough.

Nicora blinks a few times at this sight. She can't help herself and actually watches this go on for a couple of minutes. Eventually, though, she decides she had best interrupt and introduce herself. "Ah, hello?" she calls out into the garden. "I have a small matter I wish to discuss with you, Duchess Blackshire." The Eee hopes the girl doesn't startle and hurt herself with that monstrosity.

"Eeep!" the girl cries, startled, and nearly drops the Death Shears. Disaster is averted however when several of the vines grab the device before it can drop, and carry it off into the background where terrible noises emanate from afterwards. "Oh, hello!" Eve says, waving back. Then she takes off the heavy gloves and waves again. "I'm the Duchess! What is this small matter?" she asks, then turns notices Ysnor and says, "Baked potatoes, Ysnor! With lots of cheese and bacon, and none of the green stuff you tried to sneak in before! I wan't something you can light on fire and throw at a monster so that it sticks and keeps burning, got it?"

"Yesss, Misstress Kurai," Ysnor says, and wipes a small tear from his lazy eye. "She's coming along, finally. Didn't even say please this time. Ahh, they grow up so faaast."

"She is insane," Nicora decides, then has to shake her head to brign her focus back. "A small matter from several years past. You had a necklace stolen by a savanite named Autumn-Storm. An Eeee by the name of Alptraum promised to recover it. Though it has taken years, he is a man of his word and done so. He asked me to return it to you as he is unable to travel at this time," she explains. The 'Yodhsunala' reaches into the pocket of her robe and pulls out the faintly glowing crystal necklace for Eve to see.

"Oh wow, that's pretty," Eve says, and heads up the stairs, lifting her skirts. Behind her the Titanian is in a tug of war with the foliage as he (she?) pulls on the hose in an effort to recover the pruning shears. "It's mine you say?" Eve asks. She looks a little more mature now.. but is still just a teenager, after all.

"That is my understanding," Nicora says, "It has something to do with dreams. If you do not wish it, I can return it to Alptraum. He is only trying to honor his promise." She holds it out so the Duchess can see it up close.

"Oh, I remember this!" the girl says excitedly, holding her hands cupped underneath it. "I had a lot of these, and I gave them out to.. well, to the dreamers."

Nicora releases the necklace and lets it fall into the teenager's hands. "I am not familiar with the dreamers, unless you refer to the ritual that occurred years ago that caused so many problems," the Eeee admits.

"Oh, I don't know about that," Eve says, clutching the jewel to her chest in glee. "But I could watch them sometimes! The magical talking fish told me to find the best dreamers, because I was a special dreamer myself!" She then seems to realize what she's saying, and in a more calm, forced-mature voice notes, "Ahem, that is.. in a dream. I don't talk to magic fish when I'm awake. That would just be weird."

Nicora's right brow arches. "Indeed it would. Talking to spirits should be left for dreams or to those qualified in dealing with them," she agrees. "Alptraum did wish to apologize in person for it taking this long to return. He was caught up in unpleasant events elsewhere and only recently returned to Sylvania to finis tracking down Dack. He is no longer a threat to these lands. I am sure that will please you."

"Who was Dack?" Eve asks. "And does Alptraum want a reward? We've got lot of old stuff here."

"Dack was a necromancer who stole it. He desired to use it to resurrect Dagh. As for a reward, he made no mention to me of requiring one. It was more an .. act of honor," Nicora explains, feeling a bit odd at referring to Alptraum and honorable in the same sentence. "But, it is possible there is something that may be useful to him or Draco County. What would you be willing to offer?"

The kitten thinks on this. "He wore.. a big hat, I think, didn't he?" she asks. "We've got hats. And weapons that don't scream. Well, not much. And there was a staff that turned into a serpent when you threw on the ground, but it escaped through a hole. Does he read?"

"He used to wear a hat, yes," Nicora agrees, "And yes, he does read. I am not sure he would care for a screaming weapon or a serpent, though. He has many problems with reptiles as it is."

"There's a library here," Eve says. "Lots of books on magic and stuff, but the ones on monsters have really bland woodcut illustrations in them. Does he like monsters? They have those in Draco County, don't they?"

"He has to regularly deal with monsters, so that might be useful," Nicora has to concede. "Do you know what types of monsters the books cover?"

"Lots?" Eve suggests. "There's a whole shelf of them. From Apparitions to... Zzzzz-something."

"Anything dealing with Shadow Dragons, curses, or other such things?" Nicora asks. The poor Eeee's brow seems to remain constantly arched.

"Dragons, yeah, and maybe Shadows.. uh," the girl taps the glowing crystal against her forehead in thought. "There are like a million kinds of dragons you know. We used to have one, but it flew away. It had three heads... I barely remember it now."

"Well, may I see this library, then?" Nicora asks before Eve manages to drag her into her particular world of sanity, or lack thereof. "Or if that is too much trouble, I can leave. I do not wish to be a burden and my task has been completed."

"Oh sure, follow me! Mind the flowers," Eve says, leading the way back down the stairs. "Ysnor!" she yowls. "Serve us in the LIBRARY! The lower one, next to the dungeon and the pit trap, but not the one with green carpet that moans when you walk on it!"

"Yes, I have met a woman more insane than I am," Nicora decides as she follows along behind the teenager. Her ears and eyes flick about as she does, indeed, try to mind the flowers. She saw the pruning equipment, after all. She also can't help but think Phlagaea would love a moaning, green, carpet.

Did that sunflower leer at her? Nicora follows the kitten into the main hall, past the kitchen (where Ysnor argues with the apparently Titanian chef that baked potatoes aren't smashed) and past well appointed laboratories and studies and even a conservatory, where an ornately carved harp with a human-shaped resonating bar seemed to follow them with its head. Stairs followed, going deeper into the bowels of the castle (and bowels they smelled like, the remnants of swamp still clinging to the stones). Finally, after a bizarre series of turns and apparent dance steps across the flagstones (which the Khattah may or may not have been making up on the fly) they arrive in a dingy, dark well of a room. Eve lights some lamps, revealing walls covered in shelves, full of books and other strange artifacts.

The walk finds Nicora quiet and her expression rather solemn, as befits a death priestess. She walks along with ehr hands folded together and hidden within her robe's sleeves. Her ears and eyes, though, do remain attentive to her surroundings as she takes in the oddness of it all. Nicora once thought Draco castle was strange, but it is downright dull in comparison. She even does the dance across the stones when Eve does, because she learned a long time ago about traps ... and that it is always better safe than sorry. When at long last they reach the library, Nicora's head bobs once. "A truly eerie library. A perfect place for tomes of lore and ancient artifacts of unimaginable power and terrible curses," she says in an almost approving tone. "You must be proud of it."

"It makes me sneeze," Eve notes, as she blows dust from an open tome on a reading pedestal, and then her eyes light up. "Oh wow, I thought I'd lost this," she says, picking up a strangely twisted glass tube. It looks like a condenser, but loops around and through itself like it was trying to be tied into a knot. "My favorite drinking straw! And yeah, this is a pretty good library. Did you know my great-great-grandpa was the Champion of Nala who defeated the Necromancer King? Or was it my great-great-GREAT-grandpa.. I think it might been both. Anyway, they were really great mages." She points to a shelf of books, with a plate affixed labeled Kaijin and a second shelf next to it labeled Kaiju. "Monster books are here. I forget which is monsters and which is demons."

"Ah, then he may have also dealt with the Shadow of Amena," Nicora notes as she goes over to the self with the plate name of Kaijin and starts skim-reading the titles for anything that sounds even vaguely interesting.

The books have names like; Lesser Demons of Nordika, Summoning Demons, Banishing Demons, Lust Demons, Demonic Hybrids and then a series of books dealing with each Sphere of magic and the demons specific to it.. including Shadow Demons and Shadow Men.

Nicora's brow goes up (again). She pulls down the book on Demonic Hybrids first, then the book on Shadow Demons. She starts leafing through the book on hybrids first, seeing if anything stands out as tries to skim-read here and there.

The book seems to have different classifications of hybrids, based on just how prevalent the demonic aspect is. At the bottom end are, unsurprisingly, vampiric Eeee of the glowing-eyes variety. They fall under inherited demonic hybrids. There are also sequential hybrids, where the same demonic energy (or entity) shows up within a bloodline, often skipping generations. The Bloodfur Demon and Amenlichtli are sited as examples of this!

Another part deals with bonded hybrids, where a mortal and a demon fuse together or otherwise enter a symbiotic pact. There are a large variety of these sort, rated by how in control the demon is versus the host.

Nicora's head bobs slightly at this. She actually checks for any references to the Barsunala in the book now (by way of seeing if it has an index or a table of contents!) She also looks for any mention of dangers of a symbiotic relationship, either short or long term.

The dangers listed vary quite a bit, from 'no danger to host' to 'will ultimately consume them' the more the demon is let free. Many entries seem to cite other works, credited to.. Azrael! There is listing for the Barsunala under the odd heading of 'Situational Symbiosis and Mythology' - which basically states that beings like the Barsunala manifest according to a specific set of circumstances the match legend or myth, and may not be demonic manifestations at all, but some different form of attachment.

Nicora closes this book and decides to see if she can take it and read through it on their trip since she'll have the time. Next she starts looking through the book on shadows by checking its table of contents and index it it has one, and anything specifically related to shadow dragons or shadow dragon possession.

While there isn't anything directly related to Shadow Dragons, there are plenty of entries for encounters with Shadow Men and shadow demons - which are linked to mythical shapechangers. Apparently, those possessed by shadow demons could vary their form.. so long as they did it in the dark. In the light, they would be trapped in their current form, but their cast shadow would betray their true form.

"Huh, not quite the same condition I have seen," Nicora mutters to herself as she reads. Still, the shapechanging part is interesting, so she closes that book for further research as well. So now it is time to peruse the Kaiju shelf ... and Nicora does so.

Here are the books on dragons, organized by subsections like Chimeric, Cthonic and Essential. Half the titles seem to deal with alchemical uses for dragon parts, and the other half for information on the dragons themselves. Shadow Dragons of Legend is in the Cthonic section.

Nicora snags the book on legends and immediately begins flipping through it. "I bet Melusine is mentioned, as well as Murivan," she thinks, and curious if she'll learn anything more than she already knows. And more t the point, if it will scare the crap out of her.

There are listings by name, along with an introduction on Shadow Dragon origins. The language is.. dense and archaic, hinting at the age of the book.

The page for Muriavin begins ominously with a list of aliases: The Defiler of Harmony, Lord of Shoggoths.. and King Nightmare, written out as Alptraum Rex. The entry beyond said little about the dragon's personality but a lot about his proclivities, including an extensive list of destroyed communities and defeated heroes, and graphic descriptions of the victims that he left alive - at least temporarily, their bodies so twisted that they only ever survived long enough to tell the tale of what happened. One town's population was converted into trees made of meat, covered in eyes, for example.

Nicora's ears twitch. "How ... delightful," she finds herself thinking, along with thinking she was an idiot for fusing with the monster, even if his mind was gone. It also doesn't make her feel much better how he was named. Her claws tap on the page, then she flips to look up Melusine, fully expecting to be another horrible entry that will chill her blood.

Melusine has a list of damning names as well: Queen of Exile, Opener Of The Way, Eater of Souls, Bane of Night, She Who Walks Through Mountains, Cave Terror.. and The Dark Seductress, The Great Corrupter, Goddess of Traitors. Her list of destruction goes on for many pages, and that doesn't even cover her exploits in recent centuries, or her containment by the Draco family.

Nicora closes that book and puts it with the other two. She'll read that later. Perhaps when she feels the need to commit suicide, or worse. "I would like to borrow these on behalf of Alptraum," she asks Eve, "And one more thing, do you know if any books here speak on a blade capable of killing the great Demoness herself? Or blades made by the Aelfin?"

"Oh, like the Sword of the Necromancer King?" Eve says, stretching as she wakes from a quick nap. "We got rid of that. But there should be a book somewhere in here on enchanted weapons and.. uh.. which Great Demoness do you mean?"

"The one from Aztepa," Nicora answers as she starts searching the shelves for books on enchanted weapons.

The rest of the books aren't so neatly organized, but one with a silvery dagger inscribed on the spine catches Nicora's attention. "Ohhh, her," Eve says, crinkling her nose in disgust. "I don't know about that. I think Jynx said he found a secret stash of books somewhere, written by Phelix the First, having to do with all that Nala and Amena stuff, but I don't know where it is."

Nicora pulls the book with the silvery dagger on its spine. "Is this Jynx around? He may be interested to know Nala is ... active again. Somewhat," she remarks as she opens it to see if it has a title. "Thankfully, Amena is not."

The language of the book is unfamiliar, but there are plenty of illustrations - including one of the familiar flower-hilted form of the Light of Nala, and another of a just a handle and guard for a dagger, with a sort of hazy notion of a blade sketched in.

"Do you know what book this is? Nicora asks Eve and shows her the book un the lagunage unknown to her.

"Uh.." Eve says, as Ysnor arrives with a covered platter. "You potatoes, Mistress," he announces, and sets the platter on a small side table.

"Thank you, Ysnor," the Khattah girl says, then looks at the book once more. "It's got rune-thingies like the Necromancer King's sword had on it. So.. maybe Aelfin?" she suggests, before drifting towards the platter.

"I would like to borrow this as well," Nicora admits, "And send them back to Draco county. And perhaps I will just read quietly for a bit while you eat. I do apologize for taking up so much of your time."

"You don't want one?" Eve asks, holding out a dish with a large potato on it. It's split open, gushing steam and buried in cheese and bits of bacon. "They're really good!"

"No thank you, cheese does not agree with me," Nicora says politely as she returns to the stacks to see if she can find any books on curses, or the Angels of history. "I hope I am not keeping you from your husband? Would he not wish for one of those?" she asks.

"My hus-" Eve starts to say, then bursts into laughter. "Oh! I'm not even dating anyone yet, ma'am!"

"Truly? A noble of your age and beauty is often married by now. That is most unusual," Nicora notes as her claw clicks slowly over the spines of books as she title-skims once more.

Curse-lore has a shelf to itself, but most of the books seem to deal with witchcraft-based curses, although there's a small book included with the symbol of the Sphere of Chaos on it as well.

"I don't think there are any young men my age," Eve admits, sitting down to attack her potato with a fork.

"This is normally not a concern with noble marriages. It is quite common for a young woman to marry an older man," Nicora notes as she grabs a witchcraft-based curse book and flips through it for curses regarding intimate relations. The College considers priestesses little more than witches, after all.

There are.. several rather horrific curses, many of which might make even Phlagaea blink. Aside from the ones involving intimate parts rotting away, talking or worse, are a few lust curses. These focus on making the victim full of desire at all times, but unable to reach release or transforming pleasure into pain.. and one rather unbelievable one that causes teeth to grow..

Nicora's eyes go wide. She carefully closes that book and puts it back on the shelf. She also can't help herself and ends up wiping her hands absently on her robe. "Okay, now I shall have nightmares," she thinks to herself. "You truly have had no one even attempt to court you?" she asks, trying to not sound too grossed out by what she just read. She goes back to looking for a book on the Angels.

"Well, some poodle guy tried once I think," Eve notes. "I never got to see him, just heard Jynx yelling like you wouldn't believe."

Another shelf holds books on Sylvanian lore, legends and fables, including what might be an actual Sylvanian bible.

"A poodle? I could imagine the yelling, I think. Poodles are vile creatures," Nicora notes as her search continues. Her claw taps the spine of the bible and she pulls it off the shelf to look through. Specifically, she's looking for associations of the Angels to Nala, the light, and similar things.

As far as the Angels and Saints go, the book mainly lists the appropriate prayers and what to use the icons for. Nothing at all about curses, of course. No mention at all is made of the Light of Nala or the Necromancer Wars - the book hadn't been updated since then, or else the religion just isn't very history-oriented. It doesn't even talk about the origins of the Angels.

Nicora closes the book and slips it back on the shelf. "Do you have any experience with Aelfin weapons, Duchess?" Nicora asks, remembering she did comment on the sword of the Necromancer King.

"Well, great-great.. that is, Phelix the First and Second collected them," the girl replies, her chin caked in cheese sauce - but not a drop spilled on her dress. "I guess they were really popular with Necromancers. If there was a book, it would probably have been by the display cases and junk in his old study."

Nicora takes out her dagger and while holding it by the blade, shows the hild to Eve. "Have you ever seen this illustrated before?" she asks the teenager. "It is a recovered Aelfin weapon. I am researching its history."

The girl looks, but then shrugs. "I dunno," she says. "Looks Aelfin, but I don't know what any of it means."

Nicora puts the dagger away and collects the couple books she decided to borrow for the trip. "May I see this study you speak of? If not, that is understandable, I do not wish to cause you any problems," she tells the khatta.

"Sure, Jynx isn't here to complain about it!" Eve says, her eyes actually lighting up a bit at the suggestion. She wipes the cheese from her chin and heads out, telling Ysnor to clean up.

Nicora, feeling moderately evil for some reason, leans over and kisses Ysnor's cheek before heading after Eve.

There's a clatter of a dropped platter behind them, as Eve leads Nicora back up to the main floor, and into the tower. The room she opens up is clearly used as an office now, with a big roll-top desk and a chair with wheels on it (probably some Titanian innovation). Much of the room is filled with cloth-covered display cases though. "Here it is!" Eve announces.

"It is surprisingly clean," Nicora observes as she steps lightly into the office. She reaches over to one of the covered displays and asks, "May I?"

"Jynx makes Ysnor clean it," Eve says. "Ysnor hates cleaning." She steps up next to Nicora, and nods - but doesn't touch the covering herself. Probably for reasons of plausible deniability.

Nicora, being a guest who will not likely come back, lifts up the cover so that she can see into the display case.

There are definitely shapes in there, and some plaques. It's hard to say what sort of weapons they may be though, given the lack of light and odd tinge to the glass itself.

Nicora frowns. "Can you get me a candle, Duchess? I will look for a latch," she says.

Eve fetches a candle-lamp for Nicora. With more of the case uncovered, it does look like there's an oily stain on the inside of the glass. But there's also a latch, and the top of the case is hinged.

Nicora carefully releases the latch with her claws. The oily stain is worrying, to be certain ... so she opens the lid slowly so that she can peek in. Something might jump out, after all!

What comes out is a smell... sort of. It's something sensed by the brain and not the nose - an actual scent of evil. It reminds her a bit of the smell of the black blood from the times she kept the dagger slotted for too long. Nothing else oozes out, at least.

"Oh, phew," Eve complains, holding her nose with one hand and the lamp with the other.

Nicora's lips draw back and her eyelids visibly twitch. "Definitely necromancer," she confirms as she opens the case the rest of the way so she can see what is inside.

Inside, the once red velvet is now mostly black, but the weapons that rest on it look brand new. The first is a short sword of sorts, but curved in a wave so that it looks like an oversized ritual dagger. It has Aelfin runes embossed into the silvery metal of the blade, and a black hilt and guard. The pommel is carved into the shape of an avian skull, beak pointing down. The plaque lists a 'Baron Sturmvorus' as the original owner. Next to it is something like a scimitar, but with serrated edges and odd grooves in the blade. There's a distinct bat motif to the hilt and guard. It once belonged to a 'Lord Rust - Vampire' according to the plaque.

Curious, Nicora eases her right hand into the case and waves it slowly over the weapons. Mainly to see if she can feel the shadow react to any of the weapons inside; as if they had once touched the Shadow of Amena. "I find it odd the Aelfin would support Necromancers," she comments.

"Maybe they just liked to make magic swords and didn't care who used them?" Eve offers. The blades seem to humm slightly when Nicora's right hand comes close to them.

"Do you feel brave?" Nicora asks Eve and tilts her head to look at her through one eye.

"W-what do you mean?" Eve asks nervously, holding the lamp a little closer so she can clutch it with both hands.

"I feel a humm from these blades. I am curious if you do too. It would require placing your hand in the case like I am," Nicora explains, "But, I can understand if you do not wish to. This is not entirely safe to do."

"I don't feel anything!" Eve insists, without even trying to reach in. "The big sword would scream for blood when you touched it. I'm not touching these!"

Nicora draws her hand out, closes the case, and secures the latch. As she puts the cover back on, she says, "Calm yourself. They will not hurt you. Thank you for showing them to me." She steps away from the case in question and moves to the next. Like before, she eases the cover off to see what is inside.

This one has only a single weapon in it - a folded scythe. The imagery carved into it makes Mort's macabre tool look like a party favor. Eve makes a disgusted noise and turns away from it.

Nicora almost wants to touch it ... but draws her hand back, closes the case, and replaces its cover. "It is covered again," she tells Eve then lightly touches her on her should. The Eeee moves on to the next case to see if they just get more and more vile.

The last case has a collection of smaller weapons - a few daggers, and some hooked blades that look like they'd be used for butchering meat. But all of them have black hilts, and the Aelfin markings on them.

This case gets the most inspection from Nicora. She looks for any that bear a hilt similar to the one she carries. "Evisceration blades," she explains to the young khatta. "Vile devices used for unholy purposes."

"Ewwww," Eve comments. The dagger blades look remarkably similar to the 'exorcism' dagger hilt that became the spirit dagger. They have engraved symbols that are different, however.

"None of these bear the same markings as the dagger I discovered. But then the blade I carries was not used in necromatic rituals; it was for severing the ties of ghosts to this world," Nicora explains as the case is latched and the cover returned. "Were it my choice, all of these would be destroyed immediately," she adds. It's now time to go to the desk to look for a book that perhaps cataloged known types.

The desk is covered in business papers, charts and tables of numbers and other railroad-related information. No books, though.

Portraits of Kurai ancestors look down from the walls, but there are no books laying out to be found. Eve follows along behind. "What are you looking for?" she asks.

"Books that have cataloged and translated the runes," Nicora explains, "Or books on The Light of Nala itself and its associations with various lands. The Light is rumored to be active again."

"You mean the sword?" Eve asks, and looks around. "There was something in here about that, I think." She glances to the one uncovered and empty display case, with the plague reading: Sword of the Necromancer King.

"Or any books on the Shadow of Amena," Nicora adds after a moment of thought. "That unholy artifact has thankfully been destroyed." She walks over to the empty display case to see what it may say.

The case is.. empty, with just the velvet that the sword once rested on inside, and presumably the elements of the stand underneath.

Nicora opens the case anyway and puts her hand inside. The palm of her right hand just barely touches the velvet.

"There is nothing that remains of it," Nicora concludes and lifts her hand out. She's about to close the case ... then decides to try something. She takes her dagger and sets it in the case, just to see if anything happens.

It does look nice in the velvet - black on red. But it made an odd sort of sound when she put it in there. The echo was soft, but it was there. And the base of the case is a bit thicker than it needs to be.

"Did you hear that?" Nicora asks. She crouches down and feels along the base of the case, looking for small cracks she can hook her claws into.

"Hear what?" Eve asks. One of the decorative carvings slips a bit under Nicora's claws, revealing the edge of a hidden drawer.

"There is a drawer here, Duchess," Nicora explains. She gently hooks her claws on the edge and tries to pull it open.

It squeaks a bit, but comes loose and slides out. There are some ancient looking notebooks along with another book marked with Aelfin letters.

"I believe this Jynx may be happy that these were found," Nicora notes. She retrieves her dagger first, putting it away, then carefully lifts the notebooks out along with the book and takes them to the desk.

Eve sets the lamp down, and lights the reading lamp. "They look old," she points out.

"They are old," Nicora confirms. She's careful to only use her claw tips to try and turn a page. The less she touches them, the less chance for damage.

The parchment is brittle, but the first page of the notebook is written in elegant script, revealing the title: The Swords of Life and Death, a translation by Phelix Kurai.

Nicora actually sits down in the desk char and begins to read. This is as close a clue as to the origins of so many things as she has ever found. Well, save what creatures such as Azrael and Melusine have told her, anyway. "Please have a seat, Duchess Eve. I will read this aloud. This is your home, your book, and thus your knowledge to learn. I am merely a vassal for communicating it," she explains, her voice at least taking a softer edge to it. "History should never be forgotten, after all."

It took awhile to read through Phelix's translations, which often required the Aelfin book to be open alongside to reference drawings and diagrams. The author of the book is an Aelfin named Soltiil, which Phelix notes means 'Gifted With An Eye For History' in Aelfin. But it's apparent that Soltiil was more of a swordsmith than an historian.

Soltiil set out from his homeland in Ur in search of the fabled Light of Nala. He first went to the Temple of Nala on the Gigi Coast, where the sword was supposed to sit - but of course it was gone, taken centuries before by a Champion. He learned there that it was believed to have been lost in Tizhar during a great battle with the forces of darkness.

Nicora uncovers something a bit shocking: it was Soltiil who discovered the sarcophagus of Amenlichtli within the ancient, haunted wasteland, along with the Light of Nala! Unable to move either item, he recorded as much detail as he could about them, including detailed drawings. He also determined that the crystal within the base of the sword was of Sifran origin, but not like other examples he'd seen. Setting up camp between the two artifacts, he had disturbing dreams in which he gained insight into the origins of the fabled weapons: The Light and the Shadow.

Following the clues in his dreams, Soltiil tracked down the location where Muriavan the Shoggoth become the Shadow of Amena, somewhere in the forests of Kroz. Compelled to dig, he recovered many crystals that were once part of the Shoggoth, and used them to create the Vampire Pantheon - the series of evil weapons filling out Phelix's collection. He used his insights from studying the Light of Nala to embed a crystal into each weapon, which would allow the wielder to literally drain the life out of their victims to enhance their own, or to use for other purposes - such as animating the dead, including the body of their victim.

The final entry speaks of the man venturing to Sylvania, on the advice of a Krozite prince named Dack. Phelix writes that since the Necromancer's had the weapons, they probably also had Soltiil lead them to Amenlichtli's sarcophagus. Phelix concludes by saying he intends to retrace the Aelfin's steps to find the Light of Nala.

Nicora takes several hours to read through this information, mainly because she's making her own condensed version of the translation to take with her when she leaves. It would be off if she stopped to think about it, with how serious she looks as she makes notes, but the information is important. "I think the Lord of this castle will be glad to see this notebook. It is quite enlightening on the artifacts. I can also offer some hope in that closure can be brought; the Shadow of Amena is now gone. The Light was recovered from its resting place and is now being well-protected by a new caretaker. It will return to where it should be," she explains to the probably-bored Eve as she finally sets aside the quill she had been writing with. "A journey full-circle."

"What?" Eve asks, blinking. "I wasn't asleep! It was just a Khatta-nap," she immediately claims.

"But does this mean you know how to get rid of those nasty things?" she asks Nicora a bit timidly.

"You receive an F for failing to listen to my lecture," Nicora deadpans as she rolls up the notes she took. "Possibly. I know who can extract impurities from the crystal remnants. It may help in making them safer. But ... it is not something I can attend to right now. Should I survive my trip, I will return to collect one to take for experimentation. That is, if permitted of course. Should I die; hm. I should write up instructions to be sent to you in case of that eventuality."

"Oh," the girl says. Even she must know something about Babel. "Don't drink the water there," she advises.

"It's just general advice whenever you're going to foreign lands," Eve says. "Because the gunk in their water is different from the gunk in local water, so you can get sick."

"I was born there, but ... point taken," Nicora agrees. "There hasn't been any new news of activity there, has there?"

"No-oooo," Eve says, squinting at the ceiling in concentration. "Sylvanians don't really like Babel, frankly, because of the war. If not for that war, we'd still be a recognized nation and not a 'wilderness area of Gallisia' as I've heard it put."

"Most people don't like Babel, and the reputation was well-earned," Nicora notes as she rises from her chair and goes back to one of the cases. She lifts the cover off so that she can take another look and see if she can spot the crystal.

The crystal must be embedded in the hilt, but Nicora can feel where it is by panning her right hand over it.

"Must be in the tang," Nicora concludes after waving her hand over it. "Simply put, Duchess, all of these weapons were made from fragments of the Shadow of Amena. Not pleasant." She closes the case back up and replaces its cover.

"Well, they look pretty nasty too," Eve notes. Ysnor appears at the door, and clears his throat. "Duchess, your riding instructor is here," the rat says. "You need to get changed for your drokar lessons."

"Ah, and that must be my request to leave. I appreciate your hospitality, Duchess. You have been most generous to my inquiries and curiosity. Thank you," Nicora says as she curtsies in her robe to the young Khatta.

"Okay okay," Eve says, flapping a hand towards the servant. "Thank you for bringing back my necklace, Mistress Nicora," Eve says, curtsying to the priestess. "I have to go put on my funny pants now. Nobles are supposed to know how to ride and all... but the saddle and the way drokar moves make me feel a little funny.." she notes, then turns and flounces out of the door. "Ysnor, see Miss Nicora safely back to town!" she says in parting.

"Then you must not ride side-saddle, which is very improper for a lady," Nicora notes as Eve leaves. "May you have a good lesson, Duchess." The rat merely gets a look that includes a raised eyebrow.

Ysnor stands hunched in the doorway, and tries to smile up at Nicora. "Is there anything more I can do for you, before we leave?" he asks, waggling his eyebrows.

Nicora seems to consider this. "Unfortunately, no," she decides. "I have too many things to tend to."

With a sigh of disappointment, Ysnor shuffles towards the main doors of the keep. "This way, Mistressss," he says.

"Sorry," Nicora says as she collects the books she requested to borrow, then heads after the rat. "You should find yourself a good skreek companion. I hear the women are quite wild."

"None in town, I'm afraid," Ysnor says, pulling the heavy door open. "Would you like me to carry those books for you?"

"I would appreciate it greatly," Nicora agrees as she offers him the books. "And do not feel so bad, I turn you down for your own safety. I am cursed."

"Because you're a Death Nun?" Ysnor asks after closing the door and taking the books. He leads the way across the drawbridge to the town road.

"For various reasons," Nicora notes and waves her right hand a bit vaguely. "Is the current Lord a hunter of evil things like his ancestor was?" she asks.

"Lord Feli is.. more of an accidental adventurer," Ysnor states. "Although I hear he has done his share of smiting dark forces."

"Ysnor cares for the castle, Mistress," Ysnor claims. "The Lord is off with his Grandmother though, so may be the 'sidekick' at the moment, heheheh."

The Yodhsunala hehs at that. "Do you see much companionship at the castle, Ysnor?" Nicora asks.

"I serve," Ysnor says. "It is much better now that the place is no longer flooded and the Lord and Lady have moved in."

"Ah, then you do not wish to be introduced to a Priestess of pleasure," Nicora concludes as the pair walk. "It is probably for the best."

The rat gives Nicora a sidelong glance, but doesn't reply. The town is ahead, beginning to emerge from the mist. "Do you have a room at the inn, or will you be taking the train?" he finally asks.

"We have a room at the inn. Rooms, most likely," Nicora concludes. "We need a night's rest before resuming our travels tomorrow."

"Good, it is best not to travel after dark," Ysnor notes. "Are you going to bless the cemetery?"

"I have not considered doing such and the town has not asked me to," Nicora notes as she looks about, "But I suppose I could. Would it be appreciated?"

"If it keeps the ghosts from complaining on holidays, it will be, hehehehe," the hunchback notes.

"You still have issues with ghosts? Mm. I will do what I can, then, when the procession is high and the fog settles in," Nicora promises.

"I'm sure the Sheriff will be willing to escort you," Ysnor declares, as they reach the inn.

"The Sheriff? He does not care for my order," Nicora notes, though not unkindly. She actually opens the door for Ysnor and offers, "After you. I would appreciate you taking the books to my room."

The inn is smoky on the first floor, and dark due to the stained wood. The crowd is small yet, but it's easy to spot Mave at a back table.

"Follow me," Nicora tells the skreek as she makes her way towards the table. "The delivery is complete and it came with a reward of information. All very useful. How have you fared?"

"The beer here is watered down more than usual," Mave notes, looking over Ysnor.

"We are also the only guests," the white Eeee notes. "I reserved one room, unless you would like a private one for yourself?"

"This is Ysnor, a castle servant. He helped carry the books they loaned me," Nicora says by way of introduction. "This is Mave, the woman I mentioned earlier." As for the question, she adds, "One room is fine."

Ysnor sets the books on the table. "Is there anything else you need from me, Mistress Nicora?" he asks. For some reason.. he doesn't ogle Mave!

"Is there anything you wish of us?" Nicora asks the skreek. "You have been helpful and kind; that should merit some sort of reward."

"Merely put in a good word about the Duchess should you encounter any young, noble Khattas," Ysnor says with a wink. "That should be reward enough."

Nicora dips her head slightly. "I will do so. Thank you again, Ysnor. May your life be long and fruitful," she tells the skreek.

"Did you bite him, or will you be going without blood tonight?" Mave asks Nicora.

"What a strange person," Nicora notes as she finally takes her seat. "Did anything else happen while I was busy?"

"No, this seems to be a very dull place," Mave notes. "Nobody has approached me."

"I could tend to you tonight since we are sharing a room," Nicora offers as she looks around the bar. "I am surprised we have not been greeted by the local sheriff, but that may be for the best. I do have one more job to tend to before we leave as well. Ysnor asked me to bless the cemetery."

"The last time you visited a cemetery, you returned with a Shrine Maiden," Mave notes. "What do you think you will find this time?"

"I expect to return with nothing," Nicora notes. "Is my company so bad that you desire additional companions?"

The white bat grins, and says, "I am disappointed that no strapping young farm lads have shown up. So if you happen to come across one, think of my needs - that is all I can ask."

A few more people trickle in, greeted by Madame Garou. Not all of them are locals, apparently; some people do just stop at Blackshire for meals and such before the long rail-ride through mostly uninhabited land.

"I am not good enough for your needs?" Nicora asks, her brow arching a bit. She offers the books she borrowed, Sylvanian bible included, to Mave should she wish to peruse them.

Mave immediately begins leafing through the bible. "There is the issue of your curse, which spoils things a bit," the priestess notes, as she browses through it. She then grins and looks at Nicora, saying, "Sunala is the Angel of Mercy here, among other things. Did you know that?"

"I did," Nicora says and bobs her head. "And my curse only affects me, not you," she points out, then shrugs a bit. "What else does it list?"

"Guardian of the Grave, Destroyer of the Undead and.. Protector of Children?" Mave recites, looking a bit surprised at that last one.

"She is a practical one," Mave concedes. "Everyone needs to die, after all. Are you hungry? You could do your trick if you want to hide your tastes, but I understand there is a vampire family in town."

"Yes, the sheriff," Nicora notes, "I suppose you are suggesting that I visit them for dinner. It may be necessary, since I probably need an escort to the cemetery."

Mave turns the bible towards Nicora, and points to a blessing of consecration for graves. "You might want to study up first," she suggests.

Nicora snorts slightly, though she does take the book for review of blessings that would be appropriate for a Sylvanian graveyard.

Most of them start out fine, speaking of peace and protection - but turn a bit cursewards by the end, listing all of the horrible things that will befall those who desecrate the grave, including being haunted, never sleeping well again and having their bodies wither until they become ghouls.

"So, all in all, a typical ritual about death," Nicora decides as she rereads it several times to make sure she retains some memory of it before she closes the book. "Will you come with me or do you wish to relax here?" she asks Mave.

"Follow you into a den of vampires, hmmm," Mave says, seeming to think it over. "I somehow doubt I will be made welcome," the Yodhinala admits with a sigh.

"I will see to you later, then, if nothing better presents itself," Nicora offers Mave. "It will just be you experiencing Inala's blessing rather than you sharing it with me. I am sure you would survive," she adds as she stands up from the table and takes the bible with her.

"I am always careful," Nicora claims as she curtsies to Mave, then turns and heads towards the door.

Once outside, Nicora's memory guides her. Blackshire village hasn't changed much.. except that the shutters are not automatically closed as she walks past, even though evening is settling. The building show some signs of repair and improvement as well - a sign that the railroad is bringing them some prosperity. The Sheriff's cottage actually has a sign out front reading 'Sheriff', and the familiar black figure of the man is leaning against the wall, puffing at his pipe. The glowing embers match the glow of his eyes, as he watches Nicora approach.

Nicora approaches with her chin held firm and walks with unspoken pride as she approaches the sheriff. Once she is within a few feet, she curtsies. "Good afternoon, Sheriff Darken," she says politely, "I am Yodhsunala Nicora. I am passing through this county and after a visit with the Duchesss and her servants, was lead to believe the town desires its Cemetery blessed to ease the uneasy spirits. I am here to offer such a service. There is no fee."

"Harumph," the man goes, as he caps his pipe. "Very vell," he says. "I cannot zay I agree with all of the Duchess' notions, but I vill not argue the zmall thinks. Vait here." He then enters the cottage and closes the door behind him. From a window, a dark face with curly gray hair watches. His wife? Daughter?

Nicora dips her head politely to the face in the window, at least showing she noticed.

The face quickly vanishes, and the door reopens. The Sheriff emerges, wearing his coat and wide-brimmed hat which serve as his uniform of office - probably in the same way that witches wear pointy hats. "Follow me, pleaze," he says, and starts striding off towards the woods, where the cemetery sits on the edge of the village. "Vhere are you comink from, if I may ask?"

"Most currently, Draco County," Nicora notes as she falls in step, pacing herself so that she's a foot or so behind him, "I have been assisting the county with minor issues involving the undead."

"Minor issues?" The sheriff asks, turning his head just a bit. "Vhat is a minor issue involving zhe undead, hmm?"

"A single zombie or the restless spirit of an old lech is not a major issue," Nicora points out. "A nuisance. The days of armies of the undead are thankfully long past."

"Not long enough," Darken notes, as the they reach the edge of the cemetery. An iron fence has been added, along with a locked gate. Nicora can feel the iron if she stands too close. The sheriff opens the gate, and holds it for Nicora.

"Thank you," Nicora says. She dips her head to him, then walks through the gate, quickly thankful to be past its presence. "Have you had any recent issues with the undead here, or has it been quiet?"

"There are always spirits makeenk noise on the holidays," the sheriff notes, closing and locking the gate behind them. He leads Nicora to one gravestone in particular, where time has eroded the words away. "The Lady in Red," the man says. "She prefers Candlemas, and vails for her lost love."

"Do you know who her love was?" Nicora asks, "For often the simplest way to quiet such a spirit is to reunite them, or bring something of theirs as an offering of peace." After a few seconds of looking at the worn stone, she opens the old bible she carries and begins flipping pages. "And forgive the comment, but a lady was watching me at your house. I hope I did not frighten her. If I did, please offer my apology to her."

"My vife is very shy," Darken notes. "Nobody knows who the Lady in Red vas, only that she is the oldest grave still marked."

"Well, I am sorry for scaring her," Nicora notes. She takes a step back from the sheriff now and stands tall and straight as she prepares to bless the cemetery.

"Those who have left this life, I come to you, a humble Daughter of Mercy, to help guide you to the peace you could not find in life. Lo, your spirits be restless for you feel you left too soon, too many things undone, but such is not the truth. All comes to the Goddess of Mercy in time. Be not troubled by such minor things you left behind; they too will join you in her bosom and soon swim in the everlasting sea," Nicora recites firmly, chin held high. "And Goddess, guardian of the Grave, please bring your blessing to this forgotten place. Show them your light so that they may finally come to you. Bring your peace to this sacred place." She flips a page and it's here her voice grows more serious, "And for those who transgress against the sanctity of death, show them your anger. Let those who dare transgress against you become that which they try to make. Let their flesh rot and their spirits fester until they are but the ghouls they seek ... and once they understand true torment, let your claw

let your claws rend them apart as the blasphemy they are, sending their foul souls unto oblivion. I ask this of you my Mistress, your humble daughter, Nicora." It's now she drops to one knee, head bowed. This is for dramatic effect as well as to hide the fach her eyes are twitching a bit because her butt burns. She can practically feel the flesh of her tail writhe and twist, perhaps even taking on a wraith-like form at times.

There's a rumble to the ground.. but not a physical one. Perhaps the blessing really had an effect! But there's no way to really know until the next Holiday comes around. "Very nice vords," Darken comments. "Do you really believe them?"

"Such is not a polite thing to ask of me," Nicora notes as she rises and closes the book. "Why would I have asked to do this if I did not?"

"I don't know vhat your reasons might be," Darken admits. "Forgive me my zuspicions. It is my job to be vary of strangers."

"I am used to it, but it does not make it any easier to bear. I am pleased to be of service to you," Nicora says. "We may leave at any time; I have done what I can."

"Zose in Kurai Town burn zhere dead," Darken notes as he reopens the cemetery gate.

Nicora twitches at that. "Understandable, given the fate of this land, even if I cannot condone it," she notes as she walks through the open gate. "I can only pray for a day such will no longer be necessary."

Locking the gate behind them, Darken actually grins. "More vork for you if zat happens, eh?" he says, almost in jest.

"It is not work, it is duty," Nicora notes, simply, and folds fingers over the book she carries.

As he leads the way back to the village, constantly looking from side to side and even upwards, the sheriff asks, "Long vay from Draco. Goeenk on a pilgrimage?"

"In a sense. Making sure some ancient artifacts that are partially responsible for the events here are dealt with properly," Nicora explains as she walks along with the sheriff, "And the train is the fastest route to Chronotopia to catch an airship."

"Ah, you must haff far to go zen," the man notes, apparently escorting Nicora back towards the inn. "You should take precautions - it is not safe for a woman travelink alone."

"I travel with one other," Nicora admits. As they approach the inn, she notes, "I also carry a secret which is unusual for one of my order. I am like you, a vampire. Forgive me for asking this, but is there any possibility of sharing a meal with your family? Most travelers are not ... comfortable around vampires, assuming we are the undead as well."

The sheriff narrows his eyes for a moment, and then says, "Vait here, and I will haff somethink brought to you. My vife and I have already eaten today."

"If you wish. Do not trouble yourself on my account, however," Nicora says, looking as if she took no notice to his suspicions.

Nicora shakes her head, then turns and heads back into the inn. "Not a trusting man, the same as I remember," she thinks, not at all surprised with how that went.

The tavern is slightly more lively, in that people are actually eating. The specialty of the day seems to be.. sausage-stuffed baked potato, aka "The Duchess's Slipper"... which doesn't make much sense as a name, really. The table Mave occupied is empty now, so she must have gone upstairs or left to explore the town.. the latter seeming unlikely.

Nicora goes to a table to sit by herself for a bit and order a beer. She could use it as her mood has once again slipped into a more morose state. "The potato was probably named that because she slipped on one," she decides after thinking about it to keep from feeling rejected again.

The Jupani hostess brings Nicora a leather tankard, and asks if she'd like to try a potato, when a hooded figure enters carrying a cloth-wrapped bundle. The faint glow of red eyes can be seen under the hood, as the figure looks about and finally fixes on Nicora.

"No, thank you," Nicora tells the hostess as she lifts the tankard from the tray. As the hooded figure approaches her, she nods once politely to her as she tries to make out if it is the sheriff or his wife.

From the long dress, it is most likely Mrs. Darken. The woman sets the bundle down on the table and takes the extra seat. "My husband mentioned zhat you might be hungry," she says, her accent slightly less thick than her husbands. She unwraps the bundle to reveal two fresh, warm blood sausages. "Zhey might be a bit spicy," she says apologetically.

Nicora actually smiles slightly. "I am. Thank you, Mrs. Darken," the Yodhsunala says. She bows her head briefly, then lifts one of the sausages to her mouth and bites deep, drinking the contents within.

The flavor is very different - the filler this time isn't meat or fat, but sweet potato! There must have been a spectacular potato harvest this year. It gives the blood a certain tang, which underlies the pepper that is the predominant spice.

Nicora is delicate about it, and proper. She puts it down before speaking. "A pleasure to meet you, Kirsch. I am Nicora," she says to the other woman. "I am sorry for causing you and your husband concern. I could see his distrust of me readily enough. I am not here to cause any harm; I am passing through. I promise I will be gone in the morning and cause no problems."

The woman smiles and shyly asks, "Could you describe some of zhem for me, vhile you eat?"

"As you wish," Nicora answers and takes another bite before she begins describing places she has been. She speaks of Rephidim, its crazy streets, bazaars and of the some of the shifty citizens. She does leave out the part about being chased, at least. She speaks of the pakbot and its tales of ghosts, then of the gigi choast and its strange felines. All her stories leave out the bad aspects of the experiences; she paints them as curious places full of unusual people ... not the near deathtraps they actually were. All of it is mixed in with polite eating, of course, to allow the woman to digest the information.

Kirsh's face seems to light up more and more as she hears the tales, and she even pulls back her hood to reveal her gray curls. When the meal concludes, she thanks Nicora for regaling her. Most of the guests of the tavern have left by then, and one couple seems a bit upset about something, looking around, but eventually gather up their bags and head out before it gets too dark, likely off to catch the last train.

"You are most welcome," Nicora says as she reaches over and lightly places her hand over Kirsch's for a few seconds. "Let me also say, the road can be amazing to see ... but the home has beauties of its own. I envy that you have a place of your own, peace, and a handsome man to share it with. Do not let my tales dim the wonderful things you have," she adds. "Thank you for the food and company, Kirsch. May all your days have moments of happiness."

After the vampire woman leaves, Madame Garou hands Nicora a key to her room. When she gets to the door though, she hears an odd sound coming from it.. purring! Opening the door, she finds Mave being 'groomed' by a large Savanite man, while another younger looking one sits on a chair and with wide eyes. "There you are," Mave notes. "They came in carrying some couple's luggage. See, I got one for you too!"

Nicora blinks several times at this, then steps through and closes the door behind her. She eyes the younger one for a couple minutes, probably making him rather uncomfortable because she never breaks the serious expression on her face. She lifts her hand and curls her fingers, enticing the savanite to come to her without a word. Probably to his surprise when he does get close is that she then signs, "Undress and then attend to me." She spreads her arms, her lips quick in a slight smile ... and she waits.