Hazel
The food looks delicious, but who cooked it? Didn't the head chef die when HQ got attacked?
Alex
That is part of what James was busy taking care of—he has had to make a lot of new hires over the past few days, and screening for spies is no simple process.
Hazel
When is James going to join us?
Alex
He will dine with us after receiving Quartz's correspondence.
Burnon
Why don't I get ta eat tha same stuff as tha rest of ya?
Alex
You are a criminal and should be treated as such.
Burnon
That's bull and ya know it. Tha only reason I'm tied up and you're not is 'cause ya won tha war—you're no less a criminal than me.
Alex
...
Ruby
Where were we?
Ink
What was it... southern-most volcano in Auburn, the one along the coast?
Elmpar
Unk.
Ruby
Right! Yes, Unc. Apparently it got wiped off the map and no one's got a clue as to why or how.
Elmpar
I heard that a greater demon opened a hole to hell and the whole *darn* volcano fell right in.
Ink
I heard that the volcano was nothing more than an egg for the magma dragon which, after centuries, finally shattered its shell and flew away over the ocean.
Elmpar
Ink, the magma dragon is an old wive's tale to keep miners from climbing too high and falling down or in and you know it.
Ink
Every tale has an origin. Besides, no one who has gone up far enough to know the truth has returned alive, so there's no evidence that there isn't a magma dragon.
Ruby
I heard that the Children of the Red Star finally succeeded in performing one of their rituals.
Ink
Okay, our claims may have been a bit outlandish, but yours is just plain ridiculous.
Elmpar
Since when have those old robed saps done anything but disappoint their ancestors?
Ruby
Yeah, it's a silly claim, but I can't help but wonder how can a cult with no leader be so organized and unified.
Elmpar
Here she goes again.
Ruby
What, am I really the only one that finds it strange?
Ink
From what I've heard, the whole "organization" is nothing more than a glorified book club.
Victus
Do you believe these folks truly have the information we seek?
Fallus
Brother, at the very least they know more of our late father's friend than we do. Where else do we have to turn?
Victus
Fair enough. Any news on the recovery of the body?
Fallus
It was found last morning. Perfect condition, kept cold by his melting bed and tower postmortem.
Victus
The collection?
Fallus
Mostly accounted for, considering Jace's account.
Victus
And the library?
Fallus
A few of his and our later works sustained wanter damage due to lack of preservation magic, but even those were recovered in time to be carefully transcribed without risking further damage through Audiation.
Victus
Were all works truly recovered without irreversible damage to the lettering?
Fallus
All save for Father's last notebook.
Victus
How are you so certain that there is a last notebook to be missing? As far as I know, Father very well could have died after writing 177.
Fallus
Indeed, yet I would be more so bereft should it exist and fall into unworthy hands.
Carmen
...blasted that dragon to bits, BOOOOM! Everyone in the town was saved, and the heroes prepared for wherever their next adventure may take them.
Saol
But why did the dragon have to die?
Carmen
Well, the dragon was reaaaaaally evil, so it would've hurt people if it wasn't slain.
Rufu
But dragons are cool!
Carmen
Dragons are very powerful and dangerous, and whenever they live near humans there are more often than not many deaths and injuries.
Saol
But you said the horsie was okay!
Carmen
Saol, the... horse... uh... went back to the farm just in time! Because the horse was super duper fast, it outran the dragon's breath!
Saol
NNNfff... ...mmm...
Carmen
Aww, please don't cry! Shhh, shhh... it's okay...
Saol
nnFF... ... ...like the horsie?
Carmen
Yes... yes, like the horsie... ...you're both okay, okay?
Saol
Okay...
Alex
Harris, are you alright?
Harris
I'm fine, you?
Alex
I am doing well, though I am concerned about your mental state.
Harris
Why?
Alex
You do not seem well. If something is amiss, I can guide you to an empty ward and call for—
Harris
No, thank you, but I'm perfectly well.
Alex
Suit yourself.
Mei
Nawt, with all due respect, why exactly do you attend these gatherings? As High Priest of Nuntius Finis, have you no pressing obligations?
Dr. Daieng
The rest of the clergy does the majority of the work—the only parts of the job I must perform are the rites of the inner chambers.
Mei
If I may be so bold, is there truly anything of import within the inner chambers?
Dr. Daieng
I... will... not... say.
Mei
I apologize if my thoughtless query proved profane.
Dr. Daieng
All may be absolved when sin, as shall all, comes to an end. In the name of the messenger and the end, may your sins be forgiven on judgement day.
Mei
Thank you?
Dr. Daieng
Praise be to the forever 'fore and the eternal ever after.
Wev
Burnon, I do not recall asking for your motive behind joining the military. Was it the draft?
Burnon
Voluntary.
Hazel
See? I told ya he's plain crazy.
Wev
...
Burnon, what led you to volunteer for the army?
Burnon
I needed ta get money, though I regret it now.
Wev
What for?
Burnon
...
Wev
Ah, sorry for prying—that was insensitive of me.
Hazel
Wev, Burnon is a criminal and a prisoner of war and should be treated as such. Enough with the niceties and inquiries.
Wev
...
...He is concealing part of the truth, and I want to know what remains hidden.
Hazel
How could you possibly know that? He's been tortured and pretty much had his mind violated by Quartz, so what could there possibly be left to get from him other than a verbal account of what he's witnessed for the archives?
Wev
...
...No, you are right, Hazel. My intuition does not seem to agree with reason at the current time, and for that I must apologize.
...
Quartz
...
Burnon
Can I get a second serving? This is tha finest sewer slop I've had in weeks!
