<blockquote><div><cite>Kaelen wrote:</cite>"if my suspicions are correct, she is the archon responsible for saving all of us tonight."</div></blockquote><br/>The archon's name  has barely passed Kaelen's lips before the first rounds susurrous debate begins drifting from the ale tent's door. Sgt. Ananda ignores them for the time being, her attention focused tightly on Kaelen as she scrutinizes the ophiduan for even the slightest hint of deception. Her suspicious glare slowly gives way to stunned amazement, however, as she finds none whatsoever.<br/><br/>There's no mistake on her part, she's certain. Sgt. Ananda has dealt with liars her entire career, to the point that she can read their tells like a script. If Kaelen were feeding her bull, she'd know it in a heartbeat. But the ophiduan's body language doesn't even hint at deception; only genuine urgency and concern. Outrageous as it seems, there's no doubt that Kaelen is telling the truth...<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">... Maybe.</span>Sergeant Ananda's lips purse as she re-settles her incredulous stare into a more professional mask. It's still possible, and quite probable, that Kaelen is mistaken, or deluded after the shock of the invasion. There'll probably be dozens more "archons" in the coming days, brought forward by pious idiots and charlatans alike, all of which will have to be investigated on the slim chance of a real find. At least this one won't require much legwork...<br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Angel wrote:</cite>"So... Assuming you trust the word of your officers then can I leave?"</div></blockquote><br/>"You can leave once Adjutant Niberos is finished," Sgt Ananda replies with a nod to Alyssa. "Adjutant, finish with Ms. Celaire's questioning first, then get her out of here. And move that<span style="font-style: italic">thing</span>under cover before anyone else sees it. I don't have time to deal with another panic." After shooting a brief warning glance in Vanika's direction, she turns and marches swiftly after Dagnyr with a motion for Kaelen to follow. "Alright, let's have a look at this 'archon' of yours..."<br/><br/>Sgt. Ananda's double-timing brings her to Larynn's side a few seconds before Dagnyr, displacing Padma in the process as the elderly vanara scrambles to avoid being trod on. Her brusque behavior earns her a reproachful look from Padma, and nearly more, but a sound from the wounded archon steadies him before he can offer the Sergeant any choice words.<br/><br/>Like the ale tent bystanders before, Sgt. Ananda ignores Padma in favor of examining the wounded archon and her caretaker. Her gaze is anything but subtle, and it's a simple task to follow her attention; first to the prone woman's shattered blade, then to her scarred midsection... and a pointed glance at the glowing sigil on Larynn's brow, accompanied by a look back in Vanika's direction. If she makes the connection, she doesn't voice it; like Padma, she seems reluctant to break the silence surrounding the archon. From her expression, though, it's clear that she's thinking quite hard about something...<br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Spellcraft DC 15: Sgt. Ananda is activating a nutrion. Higher results may gives hints as to what type.</div></div></div><br/>From her resting point, the archon returns the gesture as best she can, examining the new arrivals as best she can through half-focused eyes. Despite her own rapt interest, Sgt. Ananda barely draws a murmur from the archon; something that sounds vaguely like "lawmaker?" Dagnyr, however, is an entirely different story. The moment her eyes alight on the paladin, she breaks into a beaming smile: not the forced smile she offered Larynn for reassurance, but one of profound bliss.<br/><br/>"Lightbearer," she whispers. "I can feel the queen's power, shining from your heart and soul. Even in this dark place, it is glorious..." The corners of her eyes shimmer with the hint of welling tears.<br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Dagnyr wrote:</cite>"I'm here to help, "I just need to check first - uh, you wouldn't happen to be under any protective spells that might bounce my healing away, right? If not I can get to work right away.."</div></blockquote><br/>"The light is my queen and savior," the archon says. "I would not think to shun her blessings. Please, lightbearer, do as you will." Her body... flickers for lack of a better word, and those gathered can feels the distinct sensation of something changing. Suddenly, the archon simply seems to be more<span style="font-style: italic">here,</span>as though she had been observed through clear crystal until just this moment.<br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">The archon's spell resistance is lowered. Spells can now be cast freely upon her.</div></div></div><br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Portions for Allie and lerkur will follow once they post!</div></div></div>