Room 528 - Friday night

[bruiser_in_pink]

After the party at Caritas, Molly and Karal walked back to the dorms together and up to Molly's room.

Karal said he needed to speak with her so once they were inside, Molly shut the door and gave him an expectant look. From the way he was acting, she didn't think it was bad, but she was dying of curiosity now.

[[OOC: For Karal who was modded

Comments

[vkandis_son]

Karal had been taking great pains not to let any of his nervousness about tomorrow show. As Molly shut the door, he nodded and clasped his hands in front of him. "When I returned from the trip to rescue Aravis, you were unhappy that I hadn't asked you to help. If there were something happening, not quite like that, but still important, would you still want me to ask you?"

[bruiser_in_pink]

"Of course!" Molly said, taking a step toward him. "What's going on?"

[vkandis_son]

He'd been wavering, but that decided him. "You recall I told you what was happening in my world, about the Imperials in Hardorn, and how my wish to open negotiations was what made Jarim call me a traitor?"

[bruiser_in_pink]

Molly nodded. "But, Talia and others fixed that; nobody thinks you're a traitor now."

[vkandis_son]

"No, no they don't. But what hasn't been fixed is the problem of the Imperials. Solaris' arrival has sealed their fate. No one on the Grand Council will approach them." He paused, trying to lay it all out in his head so he could explain. "Everything points to Hardorn being needed if a permanent solution to the mage storms is found, the people are still suffering as before." Karal rubbed his forehead and slumped to sit on the bed. "The past week, I have been watching their leader in a scrying stone, because if the Alliance won't go to them, then they need to go to the Alliance."

[bruiser_in_pink]

Molly sat down next to him and reached for his free hand. "Do you need to go talk to him? I am more than willing to go along as bodyguard," she said and then gave a small chuckle. "I could even get extra credit for one of my classes."

[vkandis_son]

The corner of his mouth lifted. "Altra is bringing him here, tomorrow at dawn. He says he can Jump him here, hold his magic and cast the tell-me-true spell on him so I can question him. Gavin has agreed to help, use his blaster to frighten him, but if you could help as well, if you could hold him," he said, wrapping his fingers around hers. "No one must get hurt, Molly, but I must speak with him."

[bruiser_in_pink]

Molly gave him a bright smile. "I can hold him. That is no problem at all."

[vkandis_son]

"Thank you." He leaned his head against hers and closed his eyes. "There is more. The reason I have to speak with him, if you wish to hear it."

[bruiser_in_pink]

"I do," she said. "I want to hear anything you're willing to tell me."

[vkandis_son]

"I learned many things while I was watching him. I learned that conditions in Hardorn are abysmal, far worse than anyone had imagined. I learned that Grand Duke Tremane, who is the leader of the Imperial forces, is to all appearances a good man and a wise leader, who cares not only for his men, but for the people of Hardorn."

He fell silent, opening his eyes to look at their joined hands. "I also learned, from his own mouth that it was he who ordered the assassinations in Valdemar," he said quietly, keeping careful control. "That is why I have to speak with him. I have to ask him why."

[bruiser_in_pink]

"Ulrich," Molly said softly. "Oh, Karal."

[vkandis_son]

He didn't look up. "I cannot invite someone I cannot trust to open negotiations with the Alliance. Someone who can just wipe people away with a careless word." He drew in a shuddering breath. "I have to know why he did it. There must have been a reason, or something I just..." Karal squeezed her hand tightly. "I have to know."

[bruiser_in_pink]

She covered their linked hands with her free one, hold his hand between hers. "Of course," she said.

[vkandis_son]

"Dawn. Tomorrow at dawn. We'll meet Gavin and go to the Preserve," he said, finally lifting his head. "And one way or the other, I will know."

[bruiser_in_pink]

"Okay," Molly said, nodding with determination to help Karal.