Poking at the Ashes

[Glenn]

One of the major problems with losing a diplomatic center to strange and mysterious firebombing is that it became damned difficult to contact anyone who used to reside there. For the most part it hadn't been THAT difficult. Most people were staying somewhere in town. It was actually moderately beneficial to have so many people hurt by the flames. There was at least one person from each delegation recovering at the Remedium and they generally knew where their people currently were.

Sometimes, though, even that only got you so far. "So far" in this case meant that Glenn Burnie had talked to a member of each ambassadorial delegation except for that of the Thesshol... achem, except for Burel's and they were proving rather irritating to find. The best he had to go on was to send a missive to an inn called the Plowman requesting a meeting and then wait. So that is exactly what Burnie did. He wasn't nearly as good at waiting as he used to be.

[Vanidor]

Truth fully he wouldn't have to wait too terribly long for an answer to come his way. Christoph was actually residing here, and would come out as soon as the request for a meeting would come forth.

He would stride out from an upstairs room, one of five it would seem, clad in a pair of wide-legged trousers with a wide cloth sash around his waist. The shirt was snug fitting, minus sleeves, it would seem, exposing his arms. The whole ensemble was in dark shade of long dried blood and black. Except for the sash, which was white, and had a curving dagger tucked into the folds.

A soldier would shift from the wall as he headed for the steps, though the man would wave a hand to send him back to his place.

"Ah... Ah. Master Burnie. Welcome to the new Embassy. At least until we can rebuild, hm?" To the last step, and a motion for the man to join him at a table that was set into a corner snug. "Join me? I was about to break my fast for the day. Unless your task for the day requires brevity."

While he motioned, he would wait for Glenn to make the move. There wasn't anyone else in the common room other than a pair of soldiers sitting by the hearth, and the innkeeper leaning against his empty bar. They could talk wherever he wished.

[Glenn]

Burnie was dressed nicely this morning, dressed like an official looking to meet with an ambassador, despite the sword at his side. It might have meant he was visually out of place in many taverns in the area. He didn't seem too impressed with Christoph's shirt or at least what was left of it, but then, he wasn't here to be impressed with the man one way or the other.

"New embassy." A slight smile as he worked that thought out. Then, a nod. "I imagine politics would be more to the point if all diplomatic meetings happened in taverns." And more enjoyable if they were over breakfast. The once-mapmaker would nod again and head towards that corner table, taking his time at it. Apparently, brevity wasn't an issue.

He'd sit down. No hand had been offered or extended but it didn't seem a slight so much as an oversight. "I'm glad you already have rebuilding in mind, as I am glad to see you well despite the incident." On to business then. He had the time to waste but that hardly meant he wished to waste it. "First, if you don't mind, a personal question. Lamai Carver. Does she live?"

[Vanidor]

Christoph would send a glance towards the innkeeper. "A full plate of the scones then, Master Frewin, and an extra cup for the tea." A glance towards Glenn as he moved along in the wake of the other man. It almost seemed as if he -floated- his way along, the way those wide legs swished along the ground.

"He gets some rather fascinating blends, really. From down in Trae Kelsa somewhere, though I have never pressed to ask. Some secrets, hm?" That as he settled down, a hand reaching to rub at the back of his neck. "Yes, rebuilding. It is the proper thing to do, yes? We cannot allow people who would resort to such tactics even the briefest of joys with such destruction."

"As for Lamai..." Christoph pursed his lips, leaning back into his chair and waiting as the plate of scones would appear at the table. "... She was at the embassy at the time of the attack, or so one of the Squires believe. They do not believe she made it out... Nor, however, can I say that I found any... remains."

[Glenn]

"No tea for me, thank you." He would tolerate the stuff when absolutely necessary but it brought forth too many unpleasant memories for him to drink it when it wasn't. "Have you ever been to an Underdark tea party? No? I wouldn't suggest it. I'm trying to remember if we have any indication that your father had. Records from that time are spotty at best and for some reason Helstone never seemed to want to say much about it when I spoke with him on the matter. I can't hardly blame him." Still, it wasn't that tea party, but lingering memories of how he could once enjoy tea through Rhaena Olwak which really stung. "I'll just trust you on the man and his blends. Probably for the best." Any secret Glenn Burnie took an interest in didn't stay secret for long. Or at the least, there would be a path of annoyed people left in his path towards finding it.

Just what happened to the embassy would be tabled for a moment for this personal matter. A thin frown came over the young man's face. "Do you have reason to think she was there at the time? I saw her briefly. I was under the belief that she rarely left your residence without accompanyment given her ailment. Is any such potential accompanyment unaccounted for as well?" Remains? Reports from the scene stated that the fire had been unnaturally hot. Remains might be nothing more than ash. "When it comes to Miss Carver, there are ways that we might be able to tell for sure, but I would not use them lightly. I can make no promises." He would rather she be found alive, of course, like Ymir, no matter what his teacher might think.

[Vanidor]

He poured himself a cup of tea, the contents steaming slowly from the mouth of the cup. His lips compressed once again, silently accepting the comments about tea and it's certain... effects. He knew quite a bit about what had occurred during that time. He drank the tea almost because of that, really. It was a way of remembering what could be.

"Lamai... can be rather willful, disease or no. Just because I strongly recommended that she not walk or travel about the province without escort or assistance, does not mean that she truly listened to the idea." He plucked the cup up, blowing across the surface, and then taking a slight sip. Still over warm, but at least not enough to burn the roof of his mouth.

"If she is alive, then she will certainly turn up in time. If she does not... then I will pray to the Gods to ease her soul. And then destroy utterly whatever person or creature set flame to the Embassy. Simple as that, hm?" There was a sort of... feral glow behind those placid eyes as he glanced to Glenn. A sort of connection to the father that had died so infamously. "But it is as it is, for now. What method were you suggesting, by chance?"

[Glenn]

There was quite a bit Glenn didn't know about that time, despite his best efforts. Really, for the most part, Kerrak was a mystery to him. Ariane was his best way of learning about the man and she rarely told her narratives chronologically, especially when they were about someone, especially when it all ended so tragically. Myrken devouring another soul... and due to magic at that.

Oh. How to find out of Lamai still lived. "Given Miss Carver's power, there are ways. I worked with her for a time to deal with some problems of my own, so I have some direct understanding of it." Patient. That was what she called him and the thought of that lessened his frown just a little. He wasn't the sort to feel unconditional fondness just because someone might be dead. "Perhaps I know someone who can help." It wasn't exactly a big secret or really, any secret at all. That Glenn Burnie was close to Rhaena Olwak was public knowledge and one such as Cristoph would know of the veiled girl's abilities. "... but I make no promises, just that I will do what I can and let you know what I might learn."

Now then, on to more important matters. "I've been to each ambassadorial staff. Unsurprisingly, Derry blames you and yours, despite the glaring logic suggesting otherwise." That it was glaring logic at all was Glenn's opinion and not any official position of course. "That the entire row was targeted is telling, but both witnesses testimony and how the fire spread outward seem to point towards your residence being a central target." It wasn't quite in the middle of the embassies on the street either, so a blanket xenophobic attack, while possible, may not have been the most obvious answer. "Your thoughts?"

[Vanidor]

"We are a troublesome people, Master Burnie. There are quite a few people who would likely see us removed from the place they have decided to squat." Another sip of his drink, draining the cup and setting it aside. A napkin next, and then a scone to be placed upon it. The man looked at the pastry for a moment, considering, and then raised his eyes once more.

"Several people, really. It is a convenient location to attack, and would certainly have thrown many plans upon the table into chaos and uncertainty were I to have perished in the flames. As it is, several documents we had not yet archived in Meadowford was lost, so there will be more negotiating the prices for the sale of the upcoming harvest..."

Christoph rolled his shoulders. "One other thing, though. The Duke was threatened some small while back. Ordered to turn himself in by some nameless functionary that I doubt anyone has ever heard of. I certainly had not, at least until the event was mentioned. Said he was going to declare war upon Burel, or something of that manner. We did not consider it a credible threat... But ah. How does one man declare war on the head of a nation? Now? Who can know."

"This is Myrken. Stranger things have happened, and often times without any reason."

[Glenn]

Glenn could think of a few people who would want them gone, yes. Really, they had a rather large province to begin with and they were expanding on top of that. Of course, he didn't mind a few for diplomatic purposes but this was something else entirely. Still, he wasn't about to firebomb them. There were limits. Leaving a friendly scar on the face of their Duke about satisfied his need. He just wish he still had the scar he earned that day. Damned thing to lose.

Though, given the way Cristoph was going on. "Well, allow me to express my relief for all of Thessilane that you were not lost to the flames." Of course, Burnie occasionally felt the same way about himself and Myrken Wood, especially lately when it came to how disorganized the place had been in years past.

"It would be impressive if some nameless functionary could engender destruction on this scale." It was agreement, on both levels for in Myrken, such things could be imagined. "Whatever the case, someone seems to have declared war on far more than one nation."

[Vanidor]

"Quite so. Quite so. I cannot recall the name of the man in question, I will have to inquire with the Duke. I am certain he will have no issue with giving you whatever information you require in order to pursue whatever beast caused this calamity. Whatever resources you will require, of course, we will give what we can."

Christoph pushed the platter of scones towards Glenn, motioning a hand towards the sweets. "Any assistance you can lever towards discovering the status of Lamai I would gladly accept, and would be indebted towards you for it, hm? Please, have a scone before you go, Mistress Frewin makes them rather well... I am afraid I have put a little bit on since I started coming here for meals, instead of staying in my office." And it's only been a few days since the attack! The food must be rather excellent here for that to happen.

[Glenn]

Burnie seemed a strange combination of slim and muscular. Really, there was next to no bodyfat anymore, not after the last five months. Every part of him had to be sleek and functional now. Usually he hid it behind baggy clothes but today he had to look professional. Despite that, he was eager for one of those sweets. He would eat it with a gracious grin and nod. "My thanks. I suppose the bright side of all of this is that you are better able to provide patronage of sorts to one of our local artists," for certainly Burnie appreciated such baking as an art.

Certainly, Glenn was glad that Cristoph hadn't risen to his dubious statement about the man's own safety. These days, even at his best, such things occasionally slipped out. Best to keep this amiable though.

"Please do send along what information you receive. In return, I will send word of anything we learn..." A slight smile, even as the young man rose. "And, of course anything I learn as well," for there was a distinction, "though I can make no promises except for in the attempt."

[Vanidor]

Christoph would make a general shrug of his shoulders. As if saying that things would work out as they would, just without saying it directly. "We will do as we can, of course, Master Burnie. I hope to stay here another week or so, before we start rebuilding what we can on scene, if that is all right with the Governor?"

A slight smile, then a nod of his head. "Until then, have a good day."