Security Upgrade

It is early in a wet, gray, damp afternoon, and most people respond to the wet and the damp by going inside and taking their arguments there. Today is no exception, and so the arcanist's hall is a noisy place indeed. Most here are comfortable and of varying levels of good humor, and the odd demonstration of some arcane theory poofs or crackles or sparkles - or fizzles, depending on the caster - here and there from one of the many small groups in the room. Seldan, amid his usual shirt, trousers, and open-front robe, is wrapped in a sturdy traveler's wool cloak over a much thinner but finely-crafted silk one of midnight blue, and has a hand on his taller companion's shoulder, steering him inside. "I ought to see Mother today, for a time," he's saying, more than a touch of guilt and maybe something else hiding in the words. Dark circles and a certain pallor suggest that sleep was not his last night, but he seems to be focused enough.

Malik is in rare form as well. The hard edge on the wizard is nowhere to be seen today, and he looks like he had even worse sleep than Seldan did. He's quiet, letting himself be led inside, not even attempting to fight or make some side comment about the Arcanists. If anything, he barely acts as if he cares at all. But he gives Seldan a nod, and a bit of a smile. "I think that she would like that." And then, almost an afterthought, "I suppose I should too. I owe her an explanation."

Verna can be found where likely expected: within the converted "visitors' lounge" created for some of their more recent, and more priveleged, guests below. She is likewise occupied as one might expect, currently perusing an old tome.

Seldan nods slowly to Malik's comment, steering him into the visiting lounge that Verna created. "As do I, and much more. I must see to her as well." Once everyone is inside, he closes the door behind them with a quiet, authoritative *thump*. "Mourner Verna, have you some time to speak?" he begins, without preamble.

Malik takes the offer first, sitting down quickly into one of the chairs. At Verna's comment, he smiles a bit. "Would that things were ever that simple." It seems that he's content to let Seldan explain precisely what is going on, though, glancing at the paladin as he reaches out to take the man's hand, giving it a light squeeze.

"The tidings are mixed, Mourner. Yes, the tower has been thrown down. Salina's double has been slain, and prisoners are either rescued, or beyond all suffering." Seldan shakes his head slowly. "She escaped, and so is our hunt not yet complete." He squeezes Malik's hand in return, a ghost of a smile touching his features. "The demon is also still around." Another squeeze on Malik's hand. "We were ... paid a visit yestereven, and so now do I seek your assistance."

Verna frowns, though the expression quickly turns to a scowl. "Mixed tidings, indeed. I fear that my plan to entrap or delay the fiend was nowhere near as successful as intended. I further regret that it may only have enraged him further. He vowed consequences," she looks between them, "and it is not difficult to presume upon whom he might invoke such. How can I assist?"

"Keeping the bastard from being able to just step in through the front door would be an excellent start," Malik says, voice flat. "Knowing that he can walk in whenever he chooses isn't a comfortable thought." He glances down at the ground. "I'm tired of us being the best source of entertainment for bored immortals."

"There were indeed consequences, though we may have mitigated the worst of it. Still is it as Malik says." Seldan nods in agreement with the wizard, and the two's hands remain joined. "We seek assistance with magical defenses on our home."

Verna nods, her scowl fading. It even goes so far as to cross into the upward side of neutral. "I can likely aid you both in that endeavor, and would be pleased to do so. The same adjurations that could have trapped him could similarly bar him entry, at least in the context of extraplanar travel. Such would not prevent physical entry, though would make it decidedly unpleasant for him, or others."

Malik considers it. Looking to Seldan, he says, "Unpleasant is better than nothing. It might make him angry. But we would get warning, so that we might better prepare next time. A decidedly potent alarm system sounds appealing, to me." And then, back to Verna, "Though I've no doubt that such measures require a few rather costly ingredients. What would you need?"

"Seldan pushes that stray lock of hair out of his face again, wearily. "Mal, I would ban all extraplanar movement within the house. I know that this is inconvenient, and yet do I think it necessary. I would also see all doors magically sealed at a word of command. What say you?"

Verna waves a hand somewhat dismissively at Malik's question. "The ingredients are more than what is found in the average pouch, but they are not exorbitant nor difficult to acquire. Incense and herbs, primarily. I know of other enchantments that would secure the interior quite well, but their duration is more finite once activated."

Malik leans back in the chair, considering first Seldan's offering, and then Verna's. Looking to Seldan first, he's quiet for a moment, but gives a reluctant nod. "Just remember that it also means that we cannot escape, if he forcibly enters," he tells Seldan. "We would have to run first." And then, back to Verna, he asks, "What would you recommend? Demons are not my area of expertise." Though it seems that he's quickly learning.

"I do not confine my thinking to demons, Mal. A means of preventing scrying within the space would also be helpful," Seldan points out. "Since she yet lives, I expect an attempt, sooner or later. Still is your thought of swift departure well-taken. I would also hear the Mourner's thoughts." He, too, turns his gaze on Verna expectantly.

"It would prevent a rapid escape, yes," Verna confirms, "as it blocks all travel within or into, indiscriminately. It will cause any of differing moral fiber than the invoker great pain and possibly death, if they are not keyed to the effect with a passphrase. While I believe that enough to preclude most unwanted guests, the one particular fiend has proven unnaturally resilient."

Malik nods. "It sounds like it's the safest bet. Even if it means walling ourselves in, should he come through. We'll simply have to be fast. Or charming." He laughs, a bitter thing. He looks to Seldan, considering, and then back to Verna. "If you're willing -- then I agree."

"I am. I can conjure walls, at need, though I have mastered only the ice wall and the force wall." Seldan also nods to Verna, although the mention of being charming draws a wince from him, and lowered eyes. "Perhaps, over time, may we add to such defenses."

Verna nods. "No option would ever be unalterably secure, but a strong deterrent suffices in most instances. As you noted, you may add additional precautions as you deem fit. Still, I do not suggest making yourselves to be prisoners in your own home, no matter how pleasant the company may be."

Malik considers the options. "He has a point," he tells Verna. "Right now, anyone can come and go as they please. See what we do. Hear what we say. As has been shown before -- nothing is safe from those that can send their senses wherever they wish. Or simply appear in the area where we should be safe." He's quiet at that, looking to Seldan. "What say you? What should we do? The mourner makes a good point as well. Making ourselves prisoners will avail us little."

"So she does," Seldan answers, steadily, looking between then both. "A protection from scrying, and a protection from extraplanar travel, save for perhaps one space within? Will that suffice, without leaving us prisoners?"

"To clarify," Verna notes, "my concern was more of mindset than fortifications. I presume that you desire peace of mind and not an impenetrable fortress from which you never venture. That said, a point of rapid egress is a wise idea and an untouched room would suffice."

She considers. "How large an area do you wish protected, and what other safeguards might you desire?"

"It is in my mind that the forbiddance, and a magic that forbids scrying within the space, shall suffice for magical protections," Seldan offers, looking at Malik. "The physical measures suffice well enough for the doors and windows, and I would not have an anti-magic field defeat all measures."

Malik nods, considering it. "The alcove," Malik says. The small, outdoor shrine they've set up in the garden. "It should suffice well enough for those purposes. As to other means -- I agree with Seldan, I think. Enough to be secure, without tying our hands overmuch." Though at the question of how large an area they wish protected, Malik takes out a piece of paper and charcoal, making a hurried sketch of their residence.

Verna glances over the sketch briefly. "Protection against scrying, or even casual eavesdropping, is also possible. It is normally short-lived, but can be made indefinite with the additiona of diamond dust. Unsurprisingly, this adds some notable expense. How soon would you like the desired measures added? I would not be surprised if there is some measure of urgency."

Seldan starts, then stops himself, and looks over at Malik, eyebrows raised. "A safe night's rest is worth near any price, Mal. What think you?" He turns back to Verna. "Tell us what is required, and what the cost would be, to do as you describe?"

Malik nods, agreeing. "I think that best, yes." He looks down to his coin pouch, then back up at Verna. "DIamond dust is expensive, but I think not difficult to procure, if one has the gold, yes? Let us know what you require, and we'll see that you have everything you need. And," he adds quickly, "something for your services." A beat. "Thank you, Mourner."

Verna lifts a gloved hand in halting. "My services are provided at my discretion, and at a rate of my choosing. In this instance, you need not be concerned of said rate. The diamond dust is not difficult to acquire, but somewhat expensive. I expect a dozen hundred platinum's worth, more or less, would suffice."

Seldan lets out a low whistle, then shakes his head. "Such a sum will we require for the fight against Salina., at least for now." He eyes Malik worriedly. "Perhaps it will suffice us to begin with the forbiddance, for now, and see about the other when our gear suffices to withstand her."

Malik winces a bit as Verna mentions the price. He glances over to Seldan, seeming to consider it. "I -- think that I could come up with it, if we end up requiring such. But it would be a hard press," he sighs. "I think the paladin is right. For now, let's ensure that none can enter without our knowledge or permission. How to keep them from viewing -- is another matter entirely. One that we will have to address at a later time, I fear."

Verna lifts her hand anew. "In that case, consider the costs a wedding gift... or, if you prefer, a loan. I hapen to hold a sizable collection of diamond dust. Its use was intended to trap the fiend, but I was never able to bolster the spells to permanency. Thus, it sits, unused. We would not wish to waste materials, now would we?"

Seldan's eyes go wide at the offer and proposal, color rising in the alabaster skin. Instead of lowering his eyes, though, he turns the wide eyes on Malik. "But ... that there be a need for a wedding gift, there must be..." -Now-, he lowers his eyes, the color deepening. He does not pull away, though.

Malik's eyes widen as well, blinking a bit at Verna's offer. "I -- Mourner," he starts, "the talk of a wedding was a bit of necessary deception on my part, I fear. I think it was the only thing that might have gotten through to her, at the time. I had to get her away from Seldan, and to get Salina's attention on me." He colors a bit too, looking at Seldan's reaction. "In truth, we've discussed nothing of the sort. I'm sorry. I should have clarified that sooner, rather than letting you believe a falsehood."

"Ah," Verna nods. "A loan it is... and you now both have me quite intrigued with your plans to... confront Endless Winter again?"

All trace of openness and anything else vanishes from Seldan's demeanor as if sucked into the void at the mention of going after Salina again. "Yes, it is necessary, but ... there is much work to be done ere that will be possible. We must first locate her, no small task."

Malik looks up, coughing. "Thank you, Mourner. As far as confronting Endless Winter again -- if the demon is to be believed, she will be rather difficult to find," he agrees, nodding to Seldan. "It seems that we've missed some rather obvious clues. Somewhere." Apparently not so obvious then. "I think that the real fight is only just beginning." Which is a terrifying thought given that some of them barely survived the last fight.

Verna nods once more, her expression returning to neutral. "I will focus upon hardening your abode, then. However, if there is any way I might aid in the other endeavor, please do not hesitate to ask. I could not locate those within the tower, previously, but, as you noted, I do not expect her to be located any easier even without its protections."

"We may well find ourselves in need of your help, Mourner. There are things that we do not yet know nor understand, and a sober pair of eyes will be welcomed." Seldan seems by now to have recovered his equilibrium, and most of his steady gaze, although he gently squeezes Mal's hand again. "Scrying upon her will not be easy, but we must learn where it is that she is likely to have gone, and to do that, we must understand more of her."

"Possibly," Malik says. "But if she holds true to form, then she'll look in upon us sooner, rather than later. Looking back at her shouldn't be difficult, once she's opened the channel. Until she realizes, and closes it once more. But it might be enough. If we prepare wisely." Looking up at Verna, he gives her a soft smile. "It seems that I'm in your debt again, Mourner. Thank you. For helping us. It's an unexpected kindness."

"You are both most welcome," Verna returns. "I do my utmost to aid others, though, despite my duties, I would much prefer such aid to not always be in the form of funerary rites nor attempting to reclaim them from The Lady's Hall. The living are far more adpet at conversation, which is a boon, at times."

That, at least, is enough to get a light laugh from Seldan. "The one ghost I have encountered is not a conversationalist, that is so. I am pleased to have your help, and I, too, am in your debt. If there is aught we can do in return...."

"Just because they're dead, does not make them magically any smarter." Malik gives the briefest of side-eyes to Seldan's sword, already starting to feel a bit better now that they will have -some- defenses from the demon and other imminent threats. Given his commentary, he might just be starting to come out of whatever funk he's in.

Verna made have made the jest, but she doesn't join in the mirth. Instead, she looks from one man to the other, and back. "If you are both indebted to me, there is one demand that I would ask of you both."

"Speak." Seldan's response is immediately, and he sits up and leans forward, listening.

Malik, as well, sits up a bit straighter, nodding. "What would you have us do?" he asks of her.

Verna adds a gloved finger to follow her gaze, pointing likewise to each, in turn. "I expect that you both survive beyond the resolution of this, so that you might hold more proper conversation and introductions with your mother. Not to mention arrange for her more proper accomodations. She cannot well remain forever, and she deserves far better than I can ensure she receives here."

"That do I understand most clearly, Mourner, and very much agree," Seldan nods, immediately and without hesitation. "It is my intent to see her healed and restored, and returned home to Bryn Myridorn. Father has not yet shown himself, but his letters say that he grows impatient."

Malik looks at Seldan. "Is that -- wise?" He glances between the pair of them. "If the fae is not dead -- your mother is still in danger. We cannot send her on such a journey. Shouldn't we ensure that she's protected some other way, until that time?"

"I did note resolving the current situation, first," Verna offers to Malik in assurance... or perhaps to clarify and/or remind Seldan. "In the interim, I can tend to you home in the immediate future."