After a night's rest in a guest room at the Inner Sanctum, Prince Shiahd bu-Ahlmarahat has been shown the way to the Map Room, where he may plot out his journeys through the surrounding region. It will involve some travel over water here and there to get to the lands that were once Stalwirland, and then making one's way across rugged ground, the roads haven long ago fallen into hopeless disrepair.

The false Prince, escorted by an attendant, enters the Map Room, giving a courtly nod of thanks to the servant. His fake mane has been re-glued, and his tawny fur dye fresh, just for caution's sake. The Khatta takes a look around the room, focusing on the maps, pondering where he should first take his journey.

An ink-feathered Korv is eyeing the map already, standing up on a stool for a better look. He quietly caws to himself as he thinks, tracing routes across the map with a bony claw-finger. His head is capped with a floppy beret, and he wears uncomfortable-looking oilskins to repel the elements.

The leonine Khatta takes a quick glance at the Korv, recognizing him as Killian Jarrel, one of the only avians that he's been introduced to thus far. He attempts to force back a grin at the bird's somewhat comical appearance, instead clearing his throat. "So my friend, what do you think?"

The map displays the areas surrounding Half Valley, with several marks made to highlight the routes to what was once Stalwirland. There are various names and dotted borders added to the map, perhaps indicating the old territories of the dead nation. Those of most prominence (with the most markings) are those with the most familiar names: Tectishire (and Inner Tectishire), Xanashire, and Gessershire.

An angular-looking Skreek with fur the colour of dark mud strides in. A fine zolk tunic and breeches contrasts sharply with the coat of chitin-chip studded leather he's wearing. He nods at Killian, and sticks a black-dyed ironwood thumbtack near a few others in Tectishire, grimacing as he does so.

Hunter Jarrel looks up at the prince, and head-bobs in greeting. "Grrrreetings, your MAHjesty!" he says in a near-trilling voice. "It WOULD seem that there are three VERY different places to choose from upon which to focus our respective SEARCHES." He picks up a stick and taps on the map several times, too quickly to really do much illustrative good. He narrowly avoids the recently placed thumbtack.

Jynx arches a brow, nodding to the multitude of tacks surrounding Tectishire, "That seems to be popular; why is everyone choosing that route?"

The Korv loudly caws, "As you can SEE *whackwhackwhack*, the likely places have been NARRRRROWED to these THREE fiefdoms! *WHACK* Xanashire, home of Falcon's Watch, the RRRRUINS of the old castle of King Xante!" He WHACKS closely to the thumbtacks. "TECTISHIRRRE! Home of all SORRRTS of trrrouble! Perrhaps my associate would RRRRATHER explain to the good PRINCE!"

The crow then hurriedly adds, "That is the place wherrre LORD Cal-DEHRRRAS! … used to live."

The Skreek crosses his arms, and looks the map over a little more. Picking a black tack from a border of Gessershire, he replaces it with a red one. "It's not at all popular, Prince Shiahd," mumbles the rat. "I've recently returned from an expedition there. I was planning on moving more deeply into Lord Calderas' old territory, but in the middle of the night, we were attacked. I couldn't tell who it was in the dark, or how many, but we lost five men in as many minutes of the fight, and I chose to withdraw."

A curious look crosses the lion's face, "Attacked? By the Star, who would dare?" Jynx's hidden fur stands on end yet again, as it has many times while at this place. The prospect of being attacked while falsely helping this society isn't a pleasant one. "Has anyone tried any of the other paths yet? I believe Lady Calderas is in Xanashire, correct?"

The crow trills, "There are many BRRRRRIGANDS in all of Stalwirland! To be attacked is not uncommon … " He head-bobs, then says, "And as for Lady CALDERRRAS … no one knows her location. There is only specu-LATION!" He whacks the table again, this time hitting Gessershire. He looks down, with a look as if he's suddenly remembered its existence, then caws, "Oh yes … and this is the THIRD! Nothing terribly special HERE … but it is where the trouble all BEGAN! Here it is believed the ARRRRTIFACT! … … of Calderas was first found."

The rodent's lips pull back into a vicious-looking snarl, sharp incisors leading off rows of jagged teeth. His attention is directed at the map, however, and his voice bears frustration, not malice. "Gah… it's anyone's guess, anymore. We've scoured Xanashire as well as we can considering the treacherous terrain, but with little luck as to her exact whereabouts." He indicates a pair of red tacks near a city labelled 'Falcon's Watch'. Two hunters disappeared here, that much we know. Considering how well-outfitted we all are, it's rare for that to happen. Their bodies were later found by their retinue, unlike the ones that disappeared at Gessershire."

"And you have no idea who is doing the killing?" The Khatta asks, "Surely, mere ruffians could not defeat the noble hunters!" He looks to the area of Gessershire, "Oh? What happened at Gessershire?"

The crow pats the Prince's back with a wingtip. "A whole WARRR! *kaw!* Therrre is where the ARRRRR-tifact was first found! *KAW!* But where it was first UNEARTHED … is but a pit now, I'm sure."

Jynx grimaces, it seems that regardless of which way he decides to take, they are all deathtraps. "Has anyone tried traveling through Gessershire during the hunt?"

"Ruffians are one thing, my Prince," mutters the Skreek. He checks to make sure Killian's not going to hit the map where he points before tapping Gessershire. "Rogues and brigands we have met and dealt with by the score. There are other forces at work, however. Thanks to our reserves of manpower and wealth, hunters have mostly avoided any serious threats to themselves, but neither have we made much headway in finding out what it is we're dealing with. Only a few hunters bothered with Gessershire, Prince, and they vanished without trace."

The crow nods in agreement with the Skreek. "Dashan and Krieg, I do BELIEVE. *KAW!*"

The rat nods curtly back, and falls to scratching his chin. "I think Dashan believed she could find information about the workings of the artifact… I don't know about that imbecile Krieg."

The Prince heaves a sigh of frustration, "It appears that we are at an impass then." He eyes the map again, trying to pick out a suitable area of travel. "My main concern is the Lady Calderas herself, and of course the artifact. You believe she is at this 'Falcon's Watch'?"

"That is my BEST guess," the Korv says, "though none have managed to pene-TRRRRATE the rrrruins! The surrounding COUNTRYSIDE is enough trouble. By the time we finish, we SURRRELY will have TAMED the whole land!"

The cat nods to the crow, looking intently at the two thumb tacks where Falcon's Watch is located, "Well then, I suppose I shall take the word of an honest crow! Falcon's Watch would seem to be the best destination for myself."

The Skreek shrugs, shaking his head. "What Hunter Jarrel says is true. We haven't actually seen her, so for all we know she could be chewing candied pala at a lodge in Sylvania, but our research and sources say that Falcon's Watch is the most likely place."

The crow gulps, then removes his hat and places it on his heart. "Nonetheless, we shall NOTIFY your next of KIN!"

The Khatta pops his claws, and blows on them for effect. "There will be no need of that, my good Jarrel. After all, we are hunters are we not? Besides, I shall leave the studying to the scholarly types," He grins toothily, "As for myself, I'd prefer to get my paws a bit dirty." He sheathes his claws back, holding the smug grin, all the time speaking a silent prayer to the Star that he's not making a huge mistake (or laying his act on too thick.)

The Skreek nods at the would-be Prince, and gives him a comradely pat on the shoulder. "You're a brave fellow, Prince Shiahd. The Society is the better for it. Perhaps your dynamic way of thinking is something to consider… we may have been too conservative so far. Just as you need initiative to hunt the cunning Shaja-Naja of the Pearl, so should we be bold and daring… not hide behind our retinues." This whole episode seems to get some cogs turning in the Skreek's head, as a contemplative look crosses his face.

"Daring runs in my line you see," brags the feline more in truth than in lie, "And we must be bold for the cause!"

"Hear, hear!" The rat smiles broadly. "In fact, I was about to ask you-… " He's interrupted as a somewhat beefy Khatta walks through the arch, and kneels in front of the Skreek. The rat gestures for the Khatta to rise, and he can be seen clearly… he might seem even… familiar?

The crow laughs, and hops down from his stool. "I THINK my next destination shall be … the KEG!" And with that, he waddles out of the map room.

Jynx eyes the large Khatta, attempting to remember where the recognition comes from. With a startled shake at the Korv's sudden outburst, the feline chuckles, "A good choice my friend, we will join you soon."

The name's almost there… right on the tip of Jynx's sandpapery tongue… started with a 'C' sound, didn't it? Hard C… it's… it's… aha! Kemper!

The leonine Khatta gives a bit of a start, it's thesame thug that attacked him and Eve in the alley! A bit of angry feline instinct rises up inside Jynx, and his fur stands on end, but he holds back the feelings, not wanting to blow his cover. He also attempts to keep some distance from the other Khatta, not wanting to be recognized.

"What news, Kemper?" inquires the Skreek.

The Khatta with the gut shakes his head. "Sir Oxmun is long gone, Mister Gnauh, and that black-furred devil we fought with has disappeared without a trace as well. It's baffling, sir."

The Skreek frowns, and taps his foot. "Consider yourself fortunate that the Prince here hasn't called for your empty head to be delivered to his summer palace."

Jynx thickens his false accent just a bit, "Yes, you should do better for your lord! Now what of this black Khatta, and Oxmun? What quarrel have you with them?"

Mister Gnauh's brow lowers over his cloudy brown eyes. "Aside from impeding your progress, Prince Shiahd, Sir Oxmun has been recognized as a conspirator against our Society. We know to watch for him, now. Once we find him, we'll deal with him properly." He shifts his weight from foot to foot thoughtfully. "The Khatta I know less about… "

"He fought like a feline possessed," begins Kemper, but he's quickly silenced by a glare from Mister Gnauh.

"Get out of my sight, idiot," Gnauh spits out, "and tell Ustich and Juhr to prepare for our next expedition. Your incompetance disgusts me."

The faux Prince gives a look of contemplation, followed by a chuckle at the Khatta, then shrugs, "I'm sure we shall deal with them in time, and I doubt they are any match for our Society." He grins. "Well, my planning is done for the night, at least in this room."

Kemper slinks away, his tail nearly dragging, and Mister Gnauh smiles at Jynx. "Very good. Before you retire to make your preparations, I have a notion you might find entertaining."

Jynx arches a brow, "Yes? I'm listening."

"Your ideas for going to Xanashire have been inspiring, and I have a hunch your instincts are fairly sharp," enthuses the Skreek. "So I've decided to dedicate my own party to the search for Lady Calderas in Xanashire. Now… I hate to brag, but I've done more than my share of hunting and tracking in my day… so how about a little matchup? A wager on who finds the Lady Calderas first, hmm?"

Mister Gnauh grins, a somewhat unpleasant sight. "Your instincts versus my field experience."

Shiahd crosses his arms, "A wager? Hmm, I suppose I could entertain that idea," the Khatta says with a grin, "What did you have in mind?"

The Skreek taps one of his gnawing teeth with the tip of a claw, pondering. "Hmm… money is such a boring ante… we've both got what we want in the way of material… so I suppose we'll be playing for the distinction of being first. The loser will have to acknowledge the winner when he returns with his prize in chain and shackles."

The already risen hair now sticks up so angrily that it hurts, and the Khatta fights to keep his composure. He gives a fangy smile, and a nod, "Agreed! Of course I must warn you, you have no idea of how much I wish to find the Lady… and the artifact of course."

"Of course," replies Mister Gnauh, turning to look the map over. "So do we all… and what better motivation do we have than friendly competition, eh?" His whiskers tuck back as he laughs to himself. "I'll be pressing toward Falcon's Watch first thing in the morning. May the best statesman win."

"As will I," replies the Khatta, "I would wish you luck, but I suppose I shall need all I can get!" He gives a jovial wink to the Skreek, really wanting to tear his throat out. "Now, I guess our business here is done; shall we join Jarral?"

Mister Gnauh grins jovially, completely oblivious to the tension in the feline. "Let's do."

Still inwardly fuming, Jynx allows the Skreek to leave first, then follows behind, making his way to the gathering hall where Jarral and a multitude of others await.

Early the following morning finds Jynx, the false Prince, preparing with his entourage for their journey. He brings the usual for himself and his troops: plenty of food stock, clean water, and of course all his baggage and excess weapons. Safely tucked away within Jynx's robes are both his obsidian and silver daggers, and in the bottom of one of his travel bags is his disguise makeup and mane glue. Spreading his guards out around to encircle his carriage – Khattas on the inside and Zelaks on the outside – and hitching some extra Dromodons to the rear of the retinue just in case, the Prince steps into his vehicle with a sigh. Giving the command to start off, he leans back, closing his eyes. Here I come Grandma; I hope you're ready…