Tehr's trip through the marketplace was pleasant.  He almost stopped Blondie and hopped off as he passed a stall that was selling roasted almonds covered in a honey glaze.  The smell made his head whip around and start drooling.  Despite the apple in his stomach, it growled at the scent and he found himself unable to resist.  Turning Blondie about he rode up to the stall.  The hawker was a young teen boy, voice cracking and hair held back with an old rag.  Tehr saw the boy's father, or so he assumed, working a small roaster behind the stall with a sleepy bored expression.  He took a paper cone of the sweet treats and pressed five coppers into the boy's palm, almost double what the asking price was.<br/><br/>As Tehr rode towards the palace, he devoured the treat, reveling in the hot glaze and way the nuts retained the warmth of the roaster.  It put him in a fantastic mood that completely dismissed the sense of dread he felt about having to deal with the assassin from yesterday.  The guards at the gate were beginning to recognize him, though they were often different, he was becoming a regular enough fixture to be noticeable to some.  Though he admitted he had not taken the time to know any of the outdoor guards, a task to large for him to manage.<br/><br/>He ducked into a privy once inside the palace to make sure no honey still adorned his lips or finger tips before heading to the Archmage's rooms.  But the sound of a woman's voice gave him pause, and he paused to peer through the crack in an open door.  He was glad that the remaining taste of honey and almond was on his tongue, because otherwise the vision he was presented with would have turned his mouth sour.  He listened just long enough to see the mage reaching for the wanton woman, and moved on.  The corruption of house Dale was intense and immediate.  He considered for a moment what the likely hood was that they as a house would know about the failed assassination attempt from last night.  He had to grant that it was possible, and in fact probable, that house Dale had spies inside of the palace.  But Tehr had hoped that they had caught any leaks before they could make their way to Dale.  It was possible that Janne's seduction of the mage apprentice was simply another of their plots and not connected to the poison.  But Tehr couldn't count on that.<br/><br/>He hurried to the Archmage's quarters and entered after a knock.  Though his pause may have been too short because he was taken by the man's unique appearance.  He immediately felt guilty for not waiting for permission, as he was so distracted by what he had seen.  The archmage's appearance was unique and certainly spoke of magic, from this world or another he knew not well enough.  But as the archmage reached for the mask, Tehr held his hand out.  "Wait," he said,  "You don't need to cover your face for me if you don't wish."<br/><em><br/>"Master ir'Wynt. I am pleased to see you enjoy continued health. I have something for you." He moved to a nearby chest, opening its lid after tracing his fingers along a bizarre rune on its surface a certain way, causing the glow to dissipate before he even touched the latch on the chest's lid. That done, he reached inside to pull out a set of three items, placing them before him. "I called upon your presence originally at the hopes you might answer me something. It seems to me that you carry a hint of the same aura as these... objects. All of these objects were recovered by a group of students unearthing some lost ruins in the mediterrean. They believe they are from the Isle of Circe. They are older, more primal than the more 'civilized' magic, and my collagues seem stumped. Still, their aura is not unique, not lost in the modern age now is it?  Would you study them for me, and the others? If you can uncover something about them, you would be rewarded for your findings."</em><br/><br/>Tehr inspected the objects and said he would, though he would like to take them with him to his workshop at home for study if possible.  Though he gave them an examination before he dismissed them, eager to give the mage any answer before moving on from the topic he'd brought up.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">ooc</div><div class="spoiler_body">spellcraft result = 23<br/>https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=57031<br/><br/>I figure that he'd be able to give a MUCH better result if he had time to study them in detail  (IE if he could 'take 20' he'd get a 34 total) and maybe even a bonus if he had his own workshop with notes, tools, etc for a bonus.   But 23 probably will do for a quick examination.</div></div><br/>When the archmage brought up the Alchemist, Tehr felt somewhat over his head and admitted it.  "I don't know why a poisoner would be a necessary evil, but I admit that I don't know the full situation.  If this news hasn't been brought to the queen yet, I shall inform her by your leave.  If for some reason you rather keep this quiet, I will respect that, though not be terribly pleased about it.<br/><br/>Tehr sighed, "It seems I have unloaded many of my secrets upon you, but this next one concerns you directly.  I worry that your apprentice is plotting against you.  As we speak, Janne d'Dale is seducing him in his room.  I heard a snippit of their speech, but know that she wants him to turn against both the queen and yourself.  I heard mention of stealing some item from you, though I know not what.  I dared not tarry too long for fear of discovery.  Maybe if you were to scry...."<br/><br/>Tehr shook his head, it wasn't his place to tell the archmage what to do. "In any regard, my spells are fresh for the day and I would be glad to assist you if you require it.  Otherwise I shall do my best to identify these items as soon as I can.  But I should go make myself available for the queen, much needs to be done."