Sapphire:Sessions:20161022
Shawna informs the high priestess of Santash of the evil cult she and her companions had fought in Digger's Vale.
Two of Rory's Kids trot up to Chalker to inform him that Spirit of Many has made port. The Copper King is overseeing offloading and warehousing of the ship's cargo. Chalker sends the kids off with a message to request that Rory and Captain Torr join him at the embassy later on.
Ahn-Lee, in disguise, emerges from the Temple of Zeph. He relates that he had killed a male vampire that came from a bale who was operating as a rogue assassin. Of the five people who had accompanied Ahn-Lee, three of them are dead. Ahn-Lee assures Chalker and Shawna that the vampire had been beheaded.
The group takes their usual table at the busy Boar's Head. Chalker to Sybonne: "I hope you've reconsidered your quest for these icons." Sybonne: "Yes, I have." Chalker: "Now that we have them all, I'm kind of fuzzy on what we want to do, or how we activate them." Shawna: "Since it's never been done before, we'll just make it happen." Branamin: "Is this something we want to discuss right here at this table?" Everyone else: "No."
The group converges on Branamin's lab, where Trace joins them. Trace says the eagle is "active" and the scarecrow is "altered". The eagle seems to represent a magic/militaristic plane.
The First Chosen Roo appears and Branamin asks her, "Will you show us how?" and Roo replies "No." Shawna: "I await... but not long."
Ahn-Lee hands Chalker a list of 20 bale names representing 10 sets of twins. Chalker briefly summarizes his experiences in Yavelin (now called Caladon), a country once enslaved by bales. Chalker and his companions had sparked the rebellion that united the humans and goblins of Barshar City to liberate themselves from the bales.
Branamin has prepared his lab so that the icons can be safely hidden there. Shawna emphasizes that everyone else who is pursuing the icons will know they are in Sapphire. Shawna will sleep in Branamin's lab tonight. Chalker and Sung go to the embassy where Rory and Captain Torr await.
On his way to his own quarters, Ahn-Lee doubles back and confronts a young man, Terry Coleson, who claims he is looking for someone to help him. "This professor at the University needs to go away." Suddenly Terry faints and Ahn-Lee feels a chill.
Shawna dreams of legions of armored troops passing in review, a "glorious, impressive sight."
The next morning, Feast Time 30, Shawna remains asleep while Branamin goes to the market for fresh bread and butter. He returns and leaves some of the food for Shawna's breakfast, then goes back out to help sick and crippled people.
Chalker has breakfast with Sybonne and Sung. Chalker: "I'm sure we're going to be attacked today. Sung, you get to stay with me." Sybonne can anticipate attacks and has "minor" offensive and defensive spells, so Chalker tells her, "You're gonna practice on the job." He presents her with a sheathed silver knife. "You have one week to prove that you're needed here, or I'm going to put you on my ship and you'll be Ship's Mage. I prefer to keep you where I can watch you. Last night we were in the presence of all the First Chosen."