"I am neither a worshiper of their faith nor a member of their kingdom; I dislike the wizards they allow to live in their city and disagree with the groups with whom they associate, and yet here I am. It is I who am the fool apparently."
After about an hour Thamolly and Nisoru seek you out and invite you into an anteroom that looks like it has seen little use in recent years. There are a few small portraits on the walls that after a moment Parker recognizes as former Grandmasters of the Knights. All four of you are there but Ari has been apart from the rest of you for most of the day.
Thamolly says: "My friends, you find yourselves in unfamiliar territory. No one here is your enemy but very few are your friends. Arion is in the same situation but his position is even more precarious as only King Oliver and Lord Wintersend among his friends wield any power. In time others who know and respect them will learn the truth of what has happened but until then they will watch and see how Arion acts. We all must be very careful not to make him seem uncertain or unknowledgable.
His pronouncement has split the council. They will obey but there is no time to be certain that their subordinates, who they would send out, can be trusted. Of those of us who Arion can trust, most of us are associated with the Knights or the hierarchy of the Church of Stasis, who the army will distrust and may delay following orders. It is unlikely they will act in opposite the orders but if they are with in their rights to demand confirmation from the council.
This leads us to you. Parker and Ari are bound by loyalty to follow Arion, that was a very well said and nicely timed speech Parker, but you Rubius and you Asinjin can leave at any time. If you wish to help Arion and stabilize the Kingdom then this is, hopefully a small service."
