Chapter 2b: An Enchanting Offer

[Muskrat]

Pilgrim listens with interest, not entirely following the conversation, but aware that it potentially has major implications. He intends to ask Nickolai later who "The Circle" are, but he assumes for the moment that it is a group of sorcerers.

[Trogdor]

"I should like that very much, Esmeralda. I owe a great debt to Dr. Strange, and I would help him however I could. Barring that, I would help the world he is sworn to protect." Nikolai smiles and shakes his head. "But you're right. Ghede and Kongo are our first concern."

[Eanwulf]

Lady Esmeralda returns the Count's smile, concurring. "Yes, we should do this! I can make arrangements to travel with joo now if need be?"

[veritas]

Jack smiles at the enchantress.

"That would be greatly appreciated. I'm ready whenever you all are."

[Muskrat]

"Yes, let's go," says Pilgrim. "Do we want to head back to your place, Nikolai or go see if the others need help getting the book? And maybe while we're traveling, you can tell us what this Circle is--if it's something you're allowed to share with outsiders. I don't want to go prying into any sorcerers' secrets that aren't any of my business."

[Trogdor]

"I think we are best going back to the Excelsior Arms for now. We wouldn't want to interfere with the others. I can just imagine us showing up in the middle of them sneaking around." Count Tenebrous shakes his head.

"Lady Esmeralsa, as soon as you're ready to depart, I can bring us back to my temporary sanctum, where the others will meet us."

"In the meanwhile," he adds, looking at the others, the Circle is a group of some of this dimensions most powerful mages and sorcerers. I haven't had any real dealings with them, though I'm certain they knew of my presence here when I stayed with Dr. Strange. Their existence isn't so much secret as it is known to those who need to know. They are not a group to be trifled with, though their interests are generally limited to mystical matters. Of course, it's impossible to tell how the invasion has changed them."

OOC

I'm ready to teleport us all back to Nik's apartment whenever Esmeralda is ready.

[Eanwulf]

Esmeralda nods to Count Tenebrous and then begins to chant. A glow of purplish-white energy coats her body. The bruises that Lady Esmeralda sustained during the duel quickly fade and vanish. She then snaps her fingers and two armed members of La Mancha approach. Speaking briefly to the guards, the two men soon leave and she announces that she is ready to leave.

[Trogdor]

"Very well, then," Count Tenebrous says with a nod of his head. Then he raises one hand over his head and makes some mystic gestures with it.

"By fire & smoke, let my magic
move me hence -- instantly!"

As he speaks these words, a swirl of shadow curls around the four gathered heroes. And as it passes over them, it moves them from Esmeralda's hacienda to Nikolai's apartment.

"I'm afraid this isn't much to look at," he says to his guest apologetically. "But it is home." He smiles. "May I suggest we retire to the back rooms? We'll be much more comfortable there."

[Muskrat]

Hmm," says Pilgrim. "We didn't work out a signal for the other guys to say they were ready to teleported back. Do you have a magic mirror or something that you can use to see how they're doing--if they need any help, if they're ready to come back?"

[Trogdor]

"I could send my astral form out to look for them," Tenebrous replies. "But I have no way of easily determining where they are at this moment."