muldran

A few hours later, Snaeval was still tucked in his hiding place. Muldran had made it ridiculously easy to hide in this new place. A few strange whispering noises, and the creaking of the crystals as they expanded and contracted (almost like they were breathing) but it really wasn't so bad a place.

And that's when Snaeval listened in on another conversation...

Gorthyn: By the Virtues what is going on ?
Muldran Skully: Well..
Muldran Skully: I tried to craft a new Black Box...
Muldran Skully: To steal its properties to deaden the effects of blackrock.
Gorthyn: *shoots Mul a disbelieving glance*
Muldran Skully: Since people were being greatly affected by the voices and everything...
Muldran Skully: The original is... who knows where.
Muldran Skully: But!
Muldran Skully: I created this control box...
Gorthyn: Hmm
Gorthyn: *looks worryingly at the box*
Gorthyn: That one there ?
Muldran Skully: *nods*
Muldran Skully: I then thought that creating one box that mimics would be daft.
Muldran Skully: So, I split its power into five others.
Muldran Skully: A month or so ago, we went and I charged them with exotic energy.
Muldran Skully: And then some people decided to look after them.
Muldran Skully: So...
Muldran Skully: I was hoping those boxes would protect people individually...
Muldran Skully: And I could then combine the fields to protect *everyone* from blackrock!
Muldran Skully: *looks enthusastic*
Gorthyn: *clenches his jaw as he listens*
Muldran Skully: So I activated the control box last night.
Muldran Skully: But...
Muldran Skully: Don't worry.
Muldran Skully: Nothing happened.
Muldran Skully: Well, apart from this.
Muldran Skully: I must have made a flaw in the boxes.
Muldran Skully: *shrugs*
Gorthyn: Nothing ? You call this nothing
Gorthyn: *looks around himself, at the strangely altered building, aghast*
Muldran Skully: Well, this is a manifestation of the energy that got out of control.
Muldran Skully: But it didn't get any further than here.
Muldran Skully: With the wards and all..
Gorthyn: The wards are intact ?
Muldran Skully: Well, that is, I suppose the wards held when this happened...
Muldran Skully: Well.. Not any more.
Muldran Skully: The elemental stones need time to recharge before I raise the wards once more.
Muldran Skully: But if this effect had reached much further...
Muldran Skully: There would have been repercussions by now, surely.
Gorthyn: And you are confident that you would have noticed any such repercussions no doubt ?
Gorthyn: *snorts angrily*
Muldran Skully: Well..
Muldran Skully: I'm sure someone would have noticed.
Muldran Skully: *crosses fingers*
Muldran Skully: I should track down the people who took the boxes.
Muldran Skully: tell them that they don't work.
Muldran Skully: At least the one the Dark Lord stole won't trouble us anymore!
Gorthyn: *glowers*
Gorthyn: Ye think so eh ?
Muldran Skully: Ahem.
Muldran Skully: Well, I was worried a little bit by that...
Muldran Skully: But he's crawled off to his lair, and we have seen hide nor hair of it.
Muldran Skully: *looks back to the control box*
Gorthyn: *rubs his temples trying to remain calm*
Gorthyn: When ...exactly was the decision taken to undertake this...folly ?
Muldran Skully: Oh!
Muldran Skully: *beams*
Muldran Skully: I've been working on it for ages!
Muldran Skully: Let me see.
Muldran Skully: *thinks back*
Muldran Skully: A couple of months back was when I build the control box...
Muldran Skully: And then a week after that, we gathered the five minor boxes...
Muldran Skully: I needed to give them time to acclimatise, so it was always my plan to activate them around now!
Gorthyn: *Goes pale*
Gorthyn: Ye didnt see fit to consult with the Cardianls on such an undertaking ?
Muldran Skully: Eh?
Muldran Skully: Oh no, it was a personal project!
Muldran Skully: It wouldn't have affected the Corut!
Muldran Skully: Well.
Muldran Skully: it did this building.
Muldran Skully: But I'm sure there's been no harm done!
Muldran Skully: Back to the drawing board!
Muldran Skully: I'll have to find some other wya to help people
Muldran Skully: avoid the effects of blackrock
Gorthyn: *looks at Mul in stunned disbelief*
Gorthyn: I can think of plenty of effects this may have on the Court
Muldran Skully: Really?
Muldran Skully: *looks curious*
Muldran Skully: I can't think of any way this has affected us...
Muldran Skully: *frowns*
Gorthyn: Starting at the very least with the breach of security in this building
Gorthyn: Could bring the virtues know what to Rhovanion
Muldran Skully: Oh.
Muldran Skully: Oh yes.
Muldran Skully: Well...
Muldran Skully: *ponders*
Muldran Skully: Well, I'm fairly sure that...
Muldran Skully: I see your point.
Gorthyn: *fairly* sure ?
Muldran Skully: I didn't consider it would shatter the wards.
Muldran Skully: *nods*
Muldran Skully: With all due haste I'll work at repairing them.
Muldran Skully: It would be easier if Samba wasn't possessed by evil, but...
Muldran Skully: I can manage it in a few days.
Muldran Skully: We'll just have to... keep an eye on the place.
Gorthyn: Aye that we will.....
Muldran Skully: But yes, no other effects , though, you must agree.
Muldran Skully: But I'm just so confused as to why it hasn't made the voices stop!
Gorthyn: Erm Voices ?
Muldran Skully: Yes, you know.
Muldran Skully: The voices!
Muldran Skully: The ones that say "Hello Muldran!"
Muldran Skully: And "Kill them all."
Muldran Skully: *looks back at the box again*
Gorthyn: *nods slightly*
Gorthyn: Right....
Muldran Skully: But that's just the blackrock talking.
Gorthyn: *stares at the box*
Muldran Skully: *sighs*
Muldran Skully: Us mages...
Muldran Skully: Who grabbed blackrock when it began appearing...
Muldran Skully: Many of us are... affected.
Muldran Skully: Roxanne hears the voices to.
Muldran Skully: As do many others.
Muldran Skully: *sighs*
Muldran Skully: I've got to stop them, gorthyn.
Muldran Skully: They'll drive others mad.
Gorthyn: That I can believe
Gorthyn: *looks askance at you*
Gorthyn: These voices...affects only mages ye say ?
Muldran Skully: Yes, I beleive.
Muldran Skully: Although.. people who have handled blackrock may be at risk...
Gorthyn: Risk ?
Muldran Skully: *nods*
Gorthyn: *looks thoughtfully at the box*

Snaeval moved back against the wall and could barely cover his smile. Muldran had told two distinct versions of the story - and his fears - two different people. All it would take is a hint here and there to splinter the Court. And perhaps he could get a word to those who held the Boxes - and tell them that they were not all they appeared to be?

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