Arlie_B "I have your Sword. Everything is under control, you've probably heard it all from Jarod."

Arlie_B "The assailant got away."

Dionysus He nods, "Hand me my Sword."

• Arlie_B gives it to him.

Dionysus "And stand back."

• Arlie_B stands back.

Dionysus He takes it carefully, then waits... and nothing happens. He sighs in relief.

• Arlie_B notices he was holding his breath and releases it. "We know who it was and what he was after."

Dionysus "Report."

Arlie_B "His name was Avery Jericho, Prince of Nightmare. Apparently he's with the group rampaging about the Summer Country."

Arlie_B "I stabbed him, but some Queen of Nightmare stole him away."

Arlie_B "And Damon, he's after Aurelia's child."

Arlie_B "Aurelia's pregant with Nightmare's child."

• Arlie_B moves to sit down on the bed.

Dionysus "Jericho? Aurelia... The Father of Nightmare?"

Arlie_B "That's the one. Remember the attack on Merukis that I told you about? With the Enders? He must have taken her then."

Dionysus He sighs, "That explains what Marilyna said. Damn her."

Arlie_B With this and Jack seeing the Mother of Wisdom, the Father of Stories contacting me, and the Mother of Music thanking us on the sail

back, the Gods seem to have a keen eye on us.

Dionysus Was that supposed to be in quotes?

Dionysus He sits up a bit, sheathes his sword in a nearby scabbard, which instantly shifts to a fine scabbard as a Gift enters it.

"Keep her safe as you can."

Arlie_B yes.

Arlie_B "I'll try, between Sue and I we did ok."

Arlie_B who was the "damn her" directed towards?

Arlie_B could I tell from the way he said it?

Dionysus Marilyna

Dionysus "I can't think straight, right now. Resisting the power of a Gifted Sword isn't something I'm up to at my age."

• Arlie_B snorts at that. "Why back in the day, we resisted Gifts every breakfast. And we liked it."

Dionysus "And walked across the Island Bridge just to get to work in the morning."

Arlie_B "Through the blizzards and the snow. While walking the Morags on leashes."

Dionysus He laughs, "And Atanaxans chased us the whole way."

Arlie_B "These kids today..."

Arlie_B and he breaks out laughing.

Dionysus He laughs with you.

Arlie_B "Rest up big guy. You have to look big and scary on the 'morrow. Tell Ranna I said hi."

Dionysus "I will. Give Merian my best when you see her. Tell her we're too old for bad blood, even if she isn't now."

• Arlie_B smiles at that. "If she lets me get a word in, I will."
• Arlie_B moves to leave and closes the door.

Dionysus He falls back asleep as you leave.

---

Arlie_B To Damon. "Sue knew about the priests. I never told him."

Dionysus "I've heard. I dealt with those who told him."

Arlie_B "Understood."

Arlie_B "Our choices are raiding a hostile mage or fighting a Morag. Do I have permission to ask the mages for some help?"

Dionysus "You don't need permission."