Dionysus Leia leads the way across the crowded grounds.

Arlie_B ok, he tries detecting dream magic, sees that it fails, and drops the spell.

Dionysus Leia says, "From what Arsul said, it'd probably be up there," she points at the high boxed seats of the Arena, "Which means getting past the crowd, into the Arena, and through to the other side."

Dionysus Arlie knows that there are fast steeds to get in the stables that'll make it easier and quicker to get there

Arlie_B "... in fact, we had to steal some horses to make it to our match after being lashed by some ogres." Arlie leads them to the stables.

Dionysus Leia and Magnum follow. Leia rolls her eyes. There's more in these stables than horses, but most of them are privately owned.

Arlie_B How long would it take to get to our stables? Too long? Arlie stops a stable boy. "Hey, we're the Sound and the Fury, and we need to borrow a horse, quickly!"

Dionysus He rushes and brings horses.

Dionysus Your stables are with everyone else's.

Dionysus The stables are near to where you'd need to enter the actual Arena anyway, so it's not too far out of the way.

Dionysus Well, you have fast horses now.

Arlie_B anyway, we ride to where Avery should be. Is there an entry way there, or am I misunderstanding the layout of the Arena?

Dionysus There's intricate hallways leading through the arena's underbelly, but almost all are big enough for horses--they drag animals through them all the time.

Dionysus These will lead to the northern end of the Arena quickest, which will be where you go up the stairs to the box seats.

Dionysus On the north end, the Imperial Boxes are.

Arlie_B "Oy! Clear the way! Coming through!"

---

Arlie_B "There is a good chance that Avery has been compromised and is under Conell's control. Talk to Rumbleford when he's out of his trance and see if there are ways we can find out."

Dionysus Klaus nods, "Yes, sir."

---

Dionysus A green eyed Venuvea walks down the hall, greets the two men outside Gryfyn's door, then walks in.

Arlie_B using some fire magic, he'll take a bit of cloth (bedclothes, if he can), scrawl a message to Jack and Tomerane, and give it to Morgana.

Dionysus So he makes his finger a pencil by having it form soot on the tip and writes on some cloth?

Arlie_B yes.

Arlie_B or sears the cloth.

Dionysus Morgana takes it and flaps off.

Arlie_B "Find Jack, give him this." The message reads. "Gryfyn looks like Venuvea. Avery should follow Roberto if he leaves. Jack, make sure she's ok."

Arlie_B ok, can I get close to the door and listen to their convo?

Dionysus Roll rogue again

Dionysus Gryfyn as Venuvea: "...Remember, only strike at the others if you are sure it can be covered up during the attack. The longer they think the temples are behind this and not us, the better."

Dionysus Till: "This can be done."

Dionysus Roberto: "We're not simple, Prince. We can handle this. I think they suspect us anyway. They gawked at us in the yard."

Dionysus Gryfyn: "No matter." You hear nothing for a few moments, then from Till: "You are sure?" Gryfyn: "Yes."

Arlie_B then that's time to go. Hold.

Dionysus Okay

• Arlie_B tries to will the Toy, without talking, he pulls it out and points to Ushy's room, and pantomime's Qualla's stage act. Hopefully, the Toy goes back to Ushy's room, produces a record of a comedian's performance, and starts playing it unnaturally loud.

Arlie_B He sneaks the opposite way.

Dionysus You start hearing Comedia Dell'arte routines a few moments later.

Arlie_B I seek out Morgana or the others.

---

<Arlie_B> Sue might be able to read,

<Arlie_B> "Thank you for absolving me of guilt over killing you should it prove necessary."

<Sue> There's definitely a moment of bittersweet tension between them.

<Arlie_B> you can tell he doesn't want to do it, and it'd kill him, but that he's been aware of this outcome for quite some time. You can measure the relief as his some tension that's been in his face for ages sags.

<Sue> Sue's emotional response to Arlie's tell is desperate, mad hope. He was frightened before calling this meeting, and no less so after.