In response to Brishen's stated desire to have a word with Thath before he heads for the far-flung territories of Saskanar, she has been escorted to his chambers in one of the outlying towers of the Palace. His "chambers" cover quite a bit of ground, worthy of a building all their own, mostly devoted to libraries, waiting rooms and studies, filled with Thath's attendants … some of whom are now preparing to move, while the others are preparing to be reassigned to Thath's successor, once he should be named.

A quiet Naga with scales either painted or naturally tinted a crimson red escorts Brishen into a circular chamber with walls that are obscured by latticework tangled with wrapping flowered vines. A gushing fountain in the center of a rippling pool is in the center of this chamber, with apparently randomly-placed benches radiating outward.

This would be, it seems, Thath's idea of a waiting room.

Brishen stares at the fountain, hesitantly, her hands clasped neatly in front of her. After being present for both Thath's demotion, and his plans to engineer it, she's not entirely certain what to think of the former Advisor.

The Naga slithers away, leaving Brishen quite alone in the chamber. The chamber's ceiling is open to the sky. Clouds drift lazily by, making the noon-time sun "blink" on occasion. If not for the serious matters at hand, the susurration of the waves in the pool, the trickling of the fountain, the light rustle of leaves as a breeze stirs about the chamber … it would be rather pleasant, calming … but in the quiet, Brishen's keen ears can detect voices. Muted, yes, but just beyond one of the vine-covered dividers, someone is conversing in hushed – but agitated – tones.

Brishen stands very still, only the slightest tremor of her ears betraying her attentiveness. She keeps her eyes fixed on the fountain.

The conversation goes on. From here, it's impossible to make out what is being said. But then, eavesdroping in the Palace could be a risky undertaking, if one were discovered. The clouds drift silently on by, an especially large one moving into place to cast a longer-lasting shadow across the chamber.

Brishen glances up, moving with the cloud's shadow as she sits at the edge of the fountain, reaching down to trace circles in the pool. An ear swivels slightly, fixing on the conversation. You're supposed to be here. Just stay calm…

The noises of the fountain drown out the sounds of the conversation entirely, now that Brishen is sitting right next to the pool. Still, no one has come to fetch the Heroine of Babel, the Bearer of the Cure. Maybe it'll just be a little while longer…

Wonderful. Well, at least you can't hear anything now. The erstwhile heroine looks down at herself in the pool, slumping ever-so-slightly.

Some more time passes. It's not evident when the conversation stopped or drifted away, but a hunched-over bat in a heavy coat cuts through the chamber, stopping only to jerk his head in surprise at Brishen … then marches the rest of the way, leaving the room with much haste.

Brishen blinks. Uh-oh. She stands, trying to catch a glimpse of Thath.

Sure enough, Thath appears. He looks as calm and collected as ever, quite unlike the quickly-departing Eeee. He glides into the chamber, coming from the same opening between the vine-covered partitions. His gaze glides over toward Brishen, and his mouth forms a thin smile. "Good day, my lady. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visitation?"

Brishen smiles hesitantly, taking a few steps forward. "My lord… I'd wished to see you, before… "

Thath nods. "Well, then. I am at your disposal. It will be a while yet before my ship is ready to leave. How may I help you?"

Brishen clasps her hands neatly in front of her, her chin lifted slightly as she looks up at the tall bat. Her voice is soft as she squeaks, "I was impressed, my lord, by how you spoke earlier… "

Thath raises an eyebrow. "Thank you. Of course, sacrifices must be made for the greater good."

Brishen looks down at her hands. "That's where I'm confused, my lord. Were you not to only suffer a small loss?" She smiles hesitantly.

Brishen turns to look at the fountain. "Much of what happens here is so new to me." She brushes a lock of hair from her eyes. "When I was small, I'd always dreamed of what life was like inside the Palace."

Thath says, "I am content. Once this is all over with, I will be forgiven, and will be reinstated to the Palace. And all those loyal to the Sabaoth through this time of turmoil will be richly rewarded."

Brishen nods, smiling. "So much is happening. But I know the Sabaoth will make the right choice."

Thath brushes Brishen's shoulder with a wing. "You have done much for the Sabaoth. Support him and encourage him to press forth with this bold move, and you will be recognized for your valor. Your family might even be granted nobility."

Brishen's eyes shine as she turns towards Thath. "The wishes of children can come true, then?"

Thath smiles. "Of course. And you will be a prime example of that. A living testament to future generations. I dare say it won't be long until ballads are composed to celebrate your achievements already. In fact, they may already be in circulation."

Brishen dips her chin, her smile growing radiant. "Ballads. I feel too small to be a subject of song and legend."

A polite laugh escapes Thath's lips. "Please. Such modesty is unbefitting you. You are a heroine. That is well established. You may feel small, but the size of your deeds are what everyone will measure you by."

Brishen bows politely, bright brown eyes twinkling merrily. "To hear this from you is a great honor. And it's good to know that soon I'll see you again."

Thath smiles thinly. "Well … how soon remains to be seen. Very well then. Is there anything else?"

Brishen shakes her head. "No, my lord. I'd only wished to say farewell to you before you left."

Thath bows. "And farewell to you, Lady Brishen. And at any time, you are welcome to visit my estate. My servants produce the most succulent fruits in all Saskanar, and – as 'unrefined' as the country might seem to those accustomed to the city – we are not short on luxuries."

Her smile is radiant once more as Brishen looks up at Thath. "It would be wonderful." Fruit?

Thath nods. "Now then … I suppose I should look after my luggage to make sure it isn't misplaced. It wouldn't be proper for me to come back for anything left behind, after all." He doesn't smile with this, however.

Brishen bites her lower lip, nodding.

And then, with another nod of farewell, Thath turns about, his still-regal robes (even if they are not as fine as his apparel worn as Chief Advisor) sway behind him. He does not walk away, however. Rather, he snaps out his wings, braces down slightly, then alights upward, flying through the open "ceiling".

Brishen blinks, craning her neck as she watches Thath launch himself into the air. Wires… If only I could have trusted him.

Brishen shrugs inwardly as she turns, and walks from the waiting room. Still, you shouldn't be surprised. He'd planned the whole thing after all.

On the way out of the chambers of the Chief Advisor, there is nothing to oppose the young Eeee … until one of the bats walking past stops and reaches out, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Wait," he says, in a rich, melodic voice. "You're Lady Brishen, aren't you?"

Brishen turns abruptly, the hem of her dress whisking around her ankles. "Oh!" She blinks, taking a deep breath to calm her suddenly-frantic heart. "I am."

The handsome bat looks down at Brishen, smiling. There's a very lean look to his features, the sort of look of one who has been so distracted as to miss a few meals. There's also something vaguely hungry about the look in his eyes as he looks into Brishen's eyes. "I would like to hear you sing," he says. "I understand you are possessed of remarkable talent, but no training."

Brishen's eyes get big as she looks up at the oddly-familiar bat. "I… I can sing. A little."

"A little?" The bat smiles. "You must be the one. I hear you are terribly modest. Well … are you busy? Perhaps you would care to join me for a drink."

"I… I suppose I could." An ear flicks as Bree looks around. Watch it. You don't know him from S'lezan. And they both share a similar look.

With a predatory grin, the tall bat takes Brishen's arm in his own. "Very well then. I know a perfect place overlooking the garden." Considering how many gardens there are in the Palace, that hardly narrows it down.

The tall, lean, handsome bat leads Brishen not all that far away, out onto a platform that overlooks yet another one of the many gardens in the Palace, this one dominated by flowered shrubbery that has been shaped to resemble various beasts of the Ashdod Territories, intermixed with a maze of small canals that ferry water about the artificial clearing. He pulls out a chair for Brishen at a marble table sitting out in the middle of nowhere in particular.

Brishen nods, smiling hesitantly. The nature of her dress is such that she's not able to walk quickly, her steps short and measured. "I… I'm afraid I don't know your name."

"That is all right," the bat says. "I have no need of a name any longer. I don't exist." He smiles mysteriously … or in what is probably meant to be a mysterious way. It comes across as mildly secretive, but mostly smug.

Brishen settles down on the offered chair, smoothing an errant wrinkle out of her dress, then reaches up to tuck a lock of hair behind an ear. Her fingertips brush along a bone hairpin, tucked unobtrusively within the ivy that entwines her hair. "I've never met someone who didn't exist."

The tall bat takes his seat, and smiles as a darting lizard-like Shiga zips up with a tray with a couple of cups of a pink translucent drink, which he sets down quickly – without spilling a drop – and darts away before he can be thanked or criticized. The tall bat casually takes his glass. "Well, I can understand that. But enough about me – "

One of the larger channels of water heads to the side of the terrace, and plummets over the side. It drops a 3' wide section of water down; at the distant lower levels it has turned into a fine mist that rains down on another garden, but for a good stretch it maintains it's shape as a falling curtain of water. An Eeee glides towards the channel, landing in it with a splash, on an oblong board about the size of his torso. He balances, wings spread out, as the current takes him close to the edge, "Okay… this time I go as far as the screaming lady."

Now, how did that shiga know to be here… Brishen tilts her head a little at the splash, and turns to look. "What?"

The tall bat frowns distastefully at the interruption, but takes a small sip of his drink to hide his expression.

The Eee on the board turns his head. It's Reico! A flash of recognition appears on his face, "Hey! is that you BreeeeeEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeee?!!!!!… " The courier drops over the side.

Brishen stares distractedly. "The screaming la – " Her eyes widen, "Oh, wires!" Her drink, and companion are utterly forgotten as she rushes towards the edge of the garden. "Reico?!"

He flaps up to the edge as Brishen reaches it. "Whoa, Wires. Lost my board. Hope they're looking up below."

Brishen crosses her arms, blowing at a lock of hair that tumbles down to tickle her nose. "And just what are you doing?"

"How you doing, Bree? I haven't seen you in ages!" Reico smiles, coming in to land. "Drop surfing… everybody does it. Well, back home."

A few shrieks of alarm can be heard from the next tier down.

The somewhat wet courier holds out his arms, doing a wave motion. "You know, you take the board and let the water push you down, and swoop out before you face into the ground."

Brishen hmfs, raising a brow. "I'm obviously missing something really exciting." She grins, though, and casually tugs the other courier away from the garden's edge. "It's good to see you too." It's about then that she remembers the tall Eeee. "Oh! Reico, I'd like you to meet… Um." She looks back towards the table.

The tall Eeee is still at the table, and patiently sets his glass back down. He waves lightly, a bemused look on his face.

"Did I like interrupt a dinner party or something?" Reico asks with a worried tone. He brushes his hand through his windswept hair, and adjusts his damp (and worn) clothes. The courier looks questioningly at Brishen, "I can zoom, if I'm in the way."

Brishen loops an arm around Reico's waist. "Oh, no! You're just in time."

A furtive-looking Shiga darts out, and places another glass on the table, filled with a pinkish liquid. The tall bat looks as if he might have been about to mumble some sort of excuse, but then smiles as he sees the new glass (and the departing Shiga), and gestures toward another chair. "Please. Join us, won't you?"

Brishen steps between the tall Eeee and Reico for an instant – Just long enough for the other courier to see her eyes grow very serious. Then, she smiles, and settles down on her chair.

Bree's glance confuses him momentarily, then Reico slips into the offered chair, rocking from side to side while he adjusts the seat and his place on it. Once his perch has reached some sort of harmonious convergence with the space around him, something only he can tell, the wet courier settles and reaches for the glass. "Thanks. Don't want to miss a do."

Brishen scoots over and embraces Reico distractingly. "So… Is drop surfing anything like face diving?"

Brishen's smile grows faintly shy as she looks over at the tall Eeee. "Reico and I have known each other for a long time."

Reico enthusiastically returns the hug, "Yeh, but it's wetter, and faster. When you're face diving you don't have the water pushing you beyond your air resistance."

Focusing on the tall Eee, the wet courier blurts suddenly. "Woaw, turbulent. You look just like Abednego bar Abbas. You know, the opera singer, but he's room temperature now. Must storm looking like a dead guy eh?"

Brishen blinks.

The tall bat frowns at Reico. "Ah. Interesting company you keep, Lady Brishen," he says, turning away from the wet Eeee.

"Oh, sorry guy. I guess a lot of people bring that up huh? Didn't mean to offend." Reico glances over at Brishen, one of his ears twitching.

Brishen mmfs, squeaking a little at her now-slightly-damp dress, and nudges Reico under the table. She casts a polite smile at the tall Eeee. "You'd said you wanted to hear me sing?"

"No … no offense taken," the tall bat says not very convincingly. He looks as if he's about to say more, but smiles and looks back to Brishen. "Yes. I would very much enjoy that."

Brishen lets herself giggle quietly. "I'm afraid I'm a better singer than I am a composer."

The tall bat smiles fangily. "There are many accomplished singers who would do well to admit that."

"She's got a great voice, you should hear her on her days off." Reico says, nodding in agreement.

"Well?" offers the tall bat, looking back to Brishen. "Perhaps a sample? Possibly just a few notes. The acoustics leave something to be desired here, but … " He shrugs.

A slender hand reaches up to brush a lock of hair from her eyes. "A few notes." Brishen bites her lower lip, thinking, then smiles. "I know!"

Brishen takes a deep, long breath, and honors the tall Eeee's request. At first, it's hard to say if the clear sounds are from distant bells, or the chime of glass in distant banquet halls. But soon, it's clear that the sound is more immediate. She closes her eyes as her voice drops lower, growing gradually more audible, until, at last, she holds the lowest note she can muster. Like wind chimes, her voice dances amongst the flowers of the garden.

The tall bat smiles, resting an elbow on the table and setting down his glass. He closes his eyes as he listens, evidently enjoying the 'sample'.

Brishen smiles as she grows silent, a few quick pings at nearby walls presenting the illusion of her song being momentarily joined by others. Shades of voices.

Reico is uncharacteristically silent and still as he listens to Brishen's song. His ears are spread wide, with his wings curled slightly behind him, helping to echo the sound back so he can appreciate it. His eyes show a merry bliss as he listens to the solo.

"That was beautiful," the tall bat whispers, slowly opening his eyes. "You truly have the voice of an immortal."

Brishen dips her chin, giggling faintly. "An immortal?"

"You're really good Bree," Reico adds, looking at his glass, "Well, what he said."

Brishen wraps her arms around herself. If her ears weren't black, she'd be blushing furiously.

The tall bat sips a little more at his long-neglected glass, then says, "But, of course, if you are to pursue a singing career, you must learn to PROJECT. To perform for guests at a table or in a small room is one matter. To perform for an audience in an amphitheater is another."

Brishen's eyes grow wide. "To an audience?" She looks at Reico, then back at the tall Eeee. "I'd never thought about singing in front of people."

Reico nods, leaning forward to look at Brishen. His wings fold fully, "Oh yeh, you should. Its just wasted when you're singing in the clouds."

Brishen blinks at Reico, "I… I guess."

The tall bat nods. "Yes. I think you could go far. In fact, you could even sing the Tales of Remembrance for the Sabaoth himself, perhaps." The Tales of Remembrance. Not something spoken of in common circles, but it carries a certain weight of legend. It is said that the Sabaoth, though he has lived for over two thousand years, has the most skilled bards in his empire sing ballads, recounting history of long-forgotten times … not to REMIND him of anything he might forget, mind you … but simply to bring it to full life again.

It's a hazardous job, however. Accuracy is tantamount. A Singer of the Tales who omits or adds or switches even one word is subject to execution on the spot.

Brishen's ears dip slightly. "Me?"

"Oh wow Bree, that'd be gales of honour… and stuff." Reico's eyes widen in fascination as he considers all it would mean.

The tall bat smiles. "Well, you never know. There are many possibilities. After all, you meet at least two of the requirements. A Singer of the Tales is always female … and is always beautiful." His eyes twinkle, as he hides his expression again with a sip from his glass.

Brishen clasps her hands together in her lap, trembling slightly. "It'd certainly be… " She raises a brow at the tall Eeee, almost giggling. "It'd certainly be a great honor."

The tall Eeee smiles, then slowly stands. "Well, let us consider that, then. I shall be seeing you about the Palace, I am sure. But – I hope you will forgive me – I am afraid I must be going now." He bows, dipping low, and taking Brishen's hand, kissing it lightly. "It has been a pleasure, Lady Brishen."

Brishen squeaks, looking down at her hand. "It was a pleasure to meet you as well."

Brishen smiles. "A Singer of the Tales. Apparently it's my day for childhood dreams."

Reico stands, knocking his chair over as he does. He bows, "Its been great to meet you… uh, guy. Thanks for the drink." His wingtips flutter.

Without so much as a farewell or another acknowledgment of Reico, the tall bat takes his leave, strolling away, soon disappearing away from the pleasant little spot.

Brishen waits, straining her ears until she's sure she's alone with Reico in the garden, then turns and hugs the wet Eeee tightly. "I have had a really weird day. Wires!"

Looking at the effect of hugging a wet Eeee on the dress, there's little doubt that Brishen's clothiers and hairdressers will make SUCH a fuss when she gets back inside.

"Bree," the other courier turns towards her, pulling his chair back up. He folds his hands on the table and speaks with an almost alien seriousness. "You gotta try. This is like the biggest dream wind, you only get one of these in your life. It'll… it'll just take you up, right up there. Way more than a courier. You have to open wings and catch it."

Brishen nods, almost imperceptibly. "I know… It's just… I have to do it, if the chance is there, but it still scares me."

"You work up to it, you don't try skinning the face on your first drop. You can do it, that song… it was like… " Reico looks out at the garden, his wings lifting in a gesture that doesn't help him find the words he wants, "… that was you. That was amazing."

"It was a full force five," he adds, smiling, finding just the words he wanted.

"I know… I know. I'll talk with our nameless friend again soon." Brishen smiles weakly, hugging Reico. "If you think I can do it, I will."

Reico returns the hug, brushing back the always wandering lock of Brishen's hair. "You can do it, no question."

Brishen's wings flutter slightly as she tries to fit her jumbled thoughts together. Soon, she just gives up, clinging to the wet bat. "Where've you been? I waited for you in the garden, but you never showed up."

"I tried to come, but I got taken to another Question thing. I told them I had important business, but it was a no fly zone." Reico holds the smaller courier, "they wanted to know about my parents, and who I knew in Rephidim. It was a major downdraft. I didn't get out of there till the sun was coming up."

Brishen slumps. "Question?"

Reico nods, "Yeh, like my job and my fly buddies. They wanted to know how I knew you. Do you know what's going on Bree? Everyone is in such tight formation here."

Brishen bites her lower lip. "I'm not sure." She grins weakly, "Most of the time, I'm in my room, being attended upon by legions of servants." Slender fingers, each graced with a well-manicured nail, wiggle demonstratively.

"Oh Spikes! I'm getting your sails soaked." Reico says, pulling back as the delicate fingers bring his attention to the wet mess he is making of her dress. "You're like this major lady now, I shouldn't hug you when I'm all grody."

Brishen hmfs, wrinkling her nose as she looks down at herself. "I'll have a hard time explaining this." She grins, shrugging. "It doesn't matter, though. I'm glad to see you."

"Yeh, it's great. I'm doing a few light lift things, but nothing special. So most of the time you've been in a room?" The courier's ears flick, as he looks inside, "I'd be nosing into walls after a day. Think you can sneak out for a fly? There's all these amazing drop points on the tower, and no one using them."

Brishen grins cheerily. "I don't know. I've never asked anyone if it's okay if I fly around, and most of the clothes they put me in aren't exactly made for it." She smirks, gathering her dress up a little. "See?"

"Oh, but it's really flash. You're like a float on parade day." Reico grins, stepping back to look the whole dress over.

Brishen nods ruefully. "I'll see if I can find something that'll let me fly without embarrassing myself."

"Wow Bree, you're here to stay." He whistles at the full sight of his friend's apparel.

Brishen crosses her arms. "Why am I suddenly a goddess?" She tilts her head a little. "It's the hair, isn't it?"

Reico shakes his head, waving his hands up and down. "It's the hair, It's everything! You should see the colours. It's like… I'm looking at you now, and theres no way you'd fit in the courier box back home. You're to big. Singing for the Sabaoth, or with Abednego, if he wasn't like dead, that I can see, but not going back."

For a long time, Bree just stares at the ground. Then, she squeaks. her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll talk to Abednego, or his ghost, or twin, or whoever he is. But… "

Brishen looks up at Reico. "I miss you. I haven't seen you more than twice since I got here."

"Hey, Bree… I'm here. I figured they were keeping you busy or something… " He looks around the garden, his wings opening, then folding up again. "… I mean, I didn't think you'd want me up here."

Brishen wilts. "Please… Don't ever think that… "

Reico steps forward, scooping his arms around the smaller bat, and opening his wings to encompass her, "It's okay, Bree."

A severe-looking Eeee warrior walks up. "Pardon me, Lady Brishen … but perhaps you should come inside. You might catch a cold out here … wet like that." He frowns disapprovingly at Brishen … then even more so at Reico.

Brishen wilts even more, glancing at Reico before placing herself between the rather damp bat, and the warrior. "That might be a good idea. I'm starting to feel rather tired."

"Hey, I need my goodbye kiss," Reico leans forward, to brush his muzzle against Brishen's. The kiss is a quiet whisper that she barely hears, "There's a ledge, three stories down near the waterfall. I'll wait there every morning." He quickly pulls back, and grins at the warrior behind her.

Brishen's eyes twinkle – just enough to let Reico know she heard him. She hugs the wet courier tightly, then turns towards the warrior. For the first time in days, there's a bounce to her step, if only a little bit. It wouldn't do, after all, to make the warrior suspicious.