While Maggot and the Evil One move off together, Alasdair moves apart from the group on his own. He removes his armor, pieces by piece and then draws his sword, laying it gently on the floor before him. After a moment he bows his head and begins to pray to Odin for guidance. He seeks the All Father's wisdom about the circumstance surrounding Cor. He seeks guidance on how to find his lost comrades. About all, he prays for the safety of those still remaining, and the spirit of Cor that lies trapped inside his corrupted body.

After Algrek had told his story Maggot smiled, "A very interesting story, if it is ok with you, may I repeat such a captivating story at a later time and place." Maggot spoke in a voice that could be openly heard by any who wish to hear. He told a few stories of the outside world and the goings on there of. He knew his audience was less than an up standing citizen of the world so Maggot's stories were geared toward keeping Algrek's attention.

After some time Maggot spoke in a hush tone, "Algrek, it seems that two of our party are not among us. Now if you know where they might be and hold such information from the rest of your party. It might be construed as you braking your word. You see even though your hand did not harm the two missing your hand or in this case word might have kept them from further harm." Maggot leaned back and smiled, "But that is only a thought from a crazy old man." Maggot sipped from his wine as he gave Algrek time to ponder his words.

As Algrek looked up and was about to make his mind known, Maggot stopped him, "There is something I must let you now. Lets just say I have a problem with being honest at times." Maggot smiled and continued, "You see those two over there. They are good and can be trusted to do what the good do. They are bound by years of training and breeding to be what they are." Maggot then leans back, "You, it is true that I do not know your whole story but you are evil. Either by training, environment, or breeding your are what you are. With out them you would not be and with out you they could not be." Maggot offers more wine, "Now myself and some of our other party members do not live by such rules. We have no such bonds on our lives. We live day to day, hour to hour, moment to moment. Why I tell you this? I can not answer at this time for I do not have one." Maggot moved to his feet and with the help of his staff he looked at Algrek, "Shall we look for the missing two of our party so you may meet them?"

"Of course you may tell the story but do not blame me is the hearers boo you for wasting their time." Algrek listened to Maggot's hushed words and answered in kind. "The pact I made was that I would not actively seek harm to any of you, passively is another story. Very similar to how your healer purposely skipped over me. I do not know what happened to the other two ut will assist if I can for the more of us the better our odds of getting out of here. It is true that I have standards that govern my actions. Without law there is chaos. I simply belive that the law should benfit the strong and powerful and not be a shield for the poor and weak to cower behind."

Cynil walks over to Conall and lays her hand gently on his arm. "Come with me, it is time to eat and rest some while we can." She guides him to a places to the side where the others have sort of gathered separating themselves from the evil Cor.She takes out trail rations for both of them and water. She passes him the trail rations and eats her as well. Cynil lent him her quiet support. She knew he was torn apart by what had happened to Cor and dealing with the evil entity that was the antithesis to all Conall stood for.

"Conall I know this has been very difficult for you to deal with. It must tear at you greatly. Cor has been like a mentor to you and sertainly a friend as well. You have shared so much together and serve the same Deity."

"I pray that Odin will give you the guidance and wisdom you need to do what is right."

Conall followed Cynil away from the group. He needed time to be away from everyone else... He just couldn't handle everything. And Cynil offered him a way to get away from it all. One the he desperately needed.

He quietly enjoyed the food and drink, trying to take it all in. Cor was gone, now there was Algrek. Conall did not like it, but he was going to have to be okay with this... For now at least. But Odin would not like it. How could Odin let this come to pass? One of his most devout servers were now gone. And not just gone, but posessed by an evil. But somehow, this had to fit in to his design.

"Cynil... Thank you for always being here for me. I need you now more than ever to provide me with some insight, and help me stay strong. Thank you for being everything that I wanted. I can't thank you enough."

"I know you will try to do all that is right for Odin and for your friends as well as best as you can. That is what I love about you." Cynil leans against Conall's strong body and offers him a warm hug. Pick your watch I will take the one after you. Let the others know. Right now I am going to rest and pray for those who are still alive and those who are gone or missing.

After healing Haila the elf gave the woman a knowing smile and turned from her. The others were already making ready for rest and she thought it wise to do the same. Siréne glided away from Haila to an area of the room where she could rest and study without interruption. Cynil and Conall had moved to a space away from Algrek, Maggot, and Alasdair. The enchantress took a seat somewhere in between both groups, just close enough to be able watch and listen.

Once seated she began to leaf through her spellbook to find what magicks would be needed in the new day.

Althena watched quietly as her companions prepared for bed and could not believe what she was seeing.
Maggot in conversation with a now evil Cor, Alasdair the one true love of her long long life moving away from her without a word to be seemingly by himself. Siréne resting in a corner alone, leaving not only Haila by herself but seeking to put distance between her and the party. The only normal sight it seemed was that of Conall and Cynil each resting in the others arms.

However none of this was the worst of her concerns as the party seemed to be totally uncaring as to the whereabouts or fates of Kenji and Ulthok!!. A glance at Alasdair by himself not seeming to notice her and as a sharp stab of pain hit her in the chest she had had enough.

“I cannot believe you people!! Here one of you sits and converses with a thing of evil as if on a Sunday picnic. This same evil that killed Rayne and then tried to kill us, yet now you Maggot sit with him and Talk.”

For a moment it seemed to all as if she were about to bring her crossbow to bare on the now evil cleric, but with great effort stopped herself from doing so........

“But that is not the worst thing, none of you, I repeat none of you, seem to give a holy damn as to what has happened to two of our party, two very much needed party members and friends, Kenji and Ulthok.
Don’t you care what has happened and that they might need our help or have all of you fallen under the influence of that thing that used to be Cor!! Kill it I say right now, right here!!, we can carry Rayne with us till we find a way out, I know you mages have some way to preserve her. But if that's not going to happen at least get off your asses and start looking for our two missing friends and for god sakes someone cover Rayne as you all just left her lying there in her own blood.”

With her angry words spoken she moved towards where last the party had seen the disappearing legs of the rogue Samurai and began searching for any clues. It was obvious to only the most stupid that none of the party, except perhaps Cor who was no longer a member of it, would get any sleep for the moment.

(DM OOC: OK here’s this weeks post. As there were a few seriously unanswered questions and from your posts no one was really trying to answer them I thought I would use my beautiful NPC to bring them to light . Nice to see everyone posted as we only have the 6 of you at this time. Next post, next Sunday hope to see you all posting.)

Maggot heard the sudden upheaval of the Lady Althena. When her rant was done and she was searching Maggot stood, “Well you argent little spoiled royal brat! The lost two of our party are not forgotten! Those who use the arcane arts are trying to study. Such is their ways and I am sure they are looking to the arts for ways of searching for the missing two. Your own Alasdair was trying to commune with Odin form the looks of it. I am sure to seek guidance in this time of unease. And that probably does not sit well with her Ladyship because he did not run to your apron strings for comfort like some child who has fallen and skinned his knee. As for our little Sunday picnic. One day is like the next down here. It would also do you some good to watch and learn from your father while he is in court when we return form our journey. I have taken up the task of being the envoy between Alasdadair and Algrak. You see my path in life allows me to break bread with any whom I need to at the time. Algrak and I know that when our relation comes to an end it will not be a pretty on because it is his way to weed out the weak and poor. It is others way to defend the weak and poor. It is my way to find peace so the weak and poor do not live in a time of constant war.”

Maggot then offered his hand to Algrak, “To your feet, we have to look for two of our own.” When Algrak was standing Maggot turned and addressed all in the room. “This is Algrak, he who prays on the weak and poor. Show no weakness and you need not fear him. Break your word and you need fear Alasdair the Found, he who leads us. Algrak is one who walks among us now and should be shown all the healing and aid we can give him. That is the ways of the rights and good, for we protect the weak and weary. Who are we to argue the will of the Gods? For the gods have written it and it has come to past.”

Maggot then looked toward the lady Sirene, “If you have any healing that would aid Algrak before you meditate for the evening it would be well received and go along way in mending the bonds between the group.” He then bows low, “I will also stand by while you do so if it would make the Lady feel more at ease.”

As the gaze of Alasdair falls upon Maggot their eyes lock, “At least the leader has returned.” With that the old man bows in respect.

"If you only want to wait 4 hours I would suggest not waiting at all. That amount of time is insufficient for users of arcane or holy magic to restore spells that takes 8 hours. Just a suggestion of course."

Alasdair Comes out of his trance as the his love and Maggot begin to raise their voices. "I apologize my Lord, but I must remedy this, else there may not be anyone left here to carry out your will."

He raises his head and bounces his voice off of the nearby wall.

"That is enough!"
"Maggot, outbursts like that will not help us." As both Maggot and Althena go to speak up he turns to his love. "And neither will yelling and accusing." Now he turns to face the group as a whole.

"We have found ourselves in a situation that none of us have dealt with before. We have been forced to make arrangements that would be beyond belief in any other circumstance. Honestly, it appauls me that our predicament has taken this turn, yet it has. And I, for one, do not question the will of Odin. We cannot change the hand that the Fates have dealt us. We can only do the best we can with what we have been given. Understand this, all of you. I have given my word of honor to Algrak. You all understand what that means. He may be evil, but for now he is our ally and we must treat him as such. Failing to do so weakens out team as a whole. In this place, weakness is not something we can suffer long."

He pauses for a moment, ensuring that he has the attention of everyone and driving his gaze into the eyes of each one in turn (Algrak included)

"We have ten minutes. That is how long we can wait before our seach begins for our lost friends. I suggest you each search within yourselves and find away to get a handle on this. We have no other option. Rest as you can, and prepare yourselves."

"Althena, if I might have a moment..."

He pulls his love off to the side and speaks in tones meant only for her ears.

"My love, no one here has forgotten Kenji or Ulthok. But we have just been faced with one of the darkest decisions of our lives. It takes some time to deal with that. Maggot has only now returned to the land of the living. We are weary, and we cannot go charging off blindly. Althena, I love you, however I bear love for my comrades as well and I am responsible for all of their lives. I will not send them into the darkness without a light to guide them."

He stops a moment putting a hand on each of Althena's shoulders.

"And as far as Algrak is concerned, it pains me incredibly to tolerate his presence. You know me better than anyone else here. You should know that. But he is right in one thing, we will need every sword and every spell at our disposal to succeed here. And as long as his body survives, we have a chance to find a way to recover Cor. As it stands, I have given my word that he will not be harmed by our group for the time being. That means I must protect him as I would any of the rest of you, even if it is from each other. Should he break his oath, it is Conall's right to bring an end to his existence. It will be a swift, and just end, but only if he breaks his word, for I will not break mine."

He steps back a moment. "Althena, I love you." And then he returns to his meditations.

A few minutes later he mumbles a closing prayer and begins to don his armor once again. When he is ready, his trusted sword strapped to his waist he addresses the group again.

"I hope we've all found our way. It is time to begin our search. The last I remember seeing Ulthork was about the time Algrak arrived." His eyes drift to the fallen cleric. "This is not meant as slander against you, merely an observation that perhaps the same event that made your escape possible affected his disappearance." To the rest of the group once again: "And Kenji... when was the last anyone saw of him?"

(OOC: Stupid deleting of posts... I hope this one holds the same feel and such as the first one... I think I remembered most of what I said... generally at least.)

Cynil felt a bit guilty at Althea's words. She knew tht her mind was not on those they had lost mostly because she didn't know under what ws the circumstances of their disappearance. She had been more focused on the living and the circumstances she had woken to after she had been out of what went on. Not lot of guilt but enough.

Cynil stands. "I have a shape that might help us when you are ready. Blood hounds can follow almost any trail and that is what I plan to change into Just let me know when you are ready to search for them."

Alastair is right also, we have not forgotten them we re just getting to a place where we can focus on the fact they are missing. I am sorry to say I have no knowledge of what happened to them at all Hopefully some of you have that knowledge you can share with all of us to helps us narrow the search.

"Did either of them leave the room? I know Kenji was staring at one of the mirrors? Did anyone see him move or disappear into the mirror. Where was Ulthok last seen at? I wish I had some of those answers but it ll happened after I was affected by those magical cockatrices."

"The doors remain closed so it is unlikely anyone went through them. We can search this plane but it is just as likely that they were taken to an alternate plane. Such has happened before." Algrek began to search the room for any clues as to the whereabouts of the missing.

The elven enchantress slammed her spell book closed, with the constant noise there would be little chance for proper study. Her gaze moved through the room finding each of her companions making ready to search for those missing. They would have little luck in that end, not without the aid of magic.

With a sigh Siréne stood and glided over to where the others were gathered, "Might I suggest we revisit this search after we have rested. It seems rather unlikely that either will be found without magical means, and that would necessitate rest and preparation."