Coming out of the Fog

[Liriel]

Liriel looks slightly surprised to be called 'Kayla', but responds quietly, still in perfectly-accented Sythian.  She continues translating as well for those in the mind link, unaware that the others can understand.

"I saw him when we went to get the arch to bring it to you, so you would be able to join him. "  She continues, giving her a quick description of him, supplementing her memory of the ghost on the island with that of the vivid picture from a short while before.

[Dalan]

The Empress takes to steps towards the Arch and stops.  She shakes her head and appears to be arguing with herself silently, shaking her head.  She takes another hesitant step toward the Arch.

She looks around at all of you suspiciously and advances closer to the arch.  Just in front of it she stops and turns to Hermila.  "You and your sisters may want to leave here very quickly."

She stares into the portal.  Her face quickly changes from a look of wonder into a mask of pure hatred.  "Silence you idiot!  I am tired of your lies and manipulations!"

She grasps her staff firmly, and throws it across the chamber as she steps into the portal.

The Staff bounces, and skids to a halt near the right hand wall.

[Gibreel]

"Careful" Gibreel says through the voice of his illusion spell, keeping silent himself. "The staff may be far from safe to pick up, so don't do anything rash."

[Robillard]

Robillard kneels down and picks up his sister, thinking they'll have to leave here very quickly.  He looks to the Staff with obvious longing, but with Lasa unable to get herself out of here he can't justify running over and picking the staff up.

[Scionist]

*As she moves towards the arc Gul begins to back away.  He watches to see if she comes out the other side while still backing away.*

[Rhade]

Rhade acknowledges the Empress' advisory with a slight tilt of her head.  She watches with curiosity at the Empress' actions, and seems to relax ever so slightly when the woman walks through the arch.  She remains rooted to her spot though, despite the warning, her eyes directed to the archway as if half-expecting the Empress walk right through it to the other side.

[Liriel]

Liriel watches, barely breathing as the woman seemingly argues with herself before finally entering the archway.  Unlike the others, she ceases to watch the archway, her eyes drawn instead to the staff as she takes several steps toward it.  

"It has to go in as well.  Otherwise this isn't over."  She continues moving until she stands over the staff, staring down at it.  She still holds Rithas, carrying him bodily with her as she glances down at her sword quickly and then back at the staff.

[Rhade]

"Hold," Rhade interjects, her gaze flickering over to Liriel.  "You seem to know more about what we need to accomplish than I.  Why is that staff important, and is it safe for you to take a hold it?  The Empress' state of mind was not entirely something I expected, and her last outburst makes me wonder if that staff could be the reason."

[Scionist]

*Listening to the talk about the staff he grimaces.*  

"Why not just kick the thing through the arch?  Then nobody has to actually touch it and it goes through."

[Swaniff]

Tolin takes a step to the side as if giving her more space, as the empress enters the archway.  His eyes bely a flicker of concern at the seemingly climax of events.  He too glances curiously at the apparent lingering staff and then looks at the others.

"I could just nudge it through with my mancatcher, that way, as Gul mentioned, no one has to physically touch it."

He looks at Liriel

"It does appear what Rhade says is true, you seem to have knowledge of these events, would what I propose with the staff suffice, if indeed it too must enter the arch?"

[Liriel]

Liriel turns to Rhade "I'm pretty sure it was the reason she was so odd.  And I'm also pretty sure it's not safe.  But it has to be done.  It's a powerful artifact that has to go through the arch to end this.  If you know a safe way to move it, then do it.  Otherwise I'll risk it to end this."

[Robillard]

Robillard struggles, doing his best to support the dead weight of his sister.

"It sounds a lot like the rod," he says quietly.

[Gibreel]

"If anyone has a summoning magic, or a spell of force that can transport it then bring it to bear. If not then we will simply have to usemthe mancatcher and transport it through the portal. Speak now."

[Saphire]

Carrus

 He watches the proceedings quietly, holding his breath, his hand throbing with pain from the tension of his tight grip on the hilt. His eye goes to the staff and he shakes his head.

 " No useful tricks in my bag just now. If all else, maybe we should try Tolin's suggestion."

[Lalina]

Krystal

"I will bear the burden.  The power of Kreaon will protect me from any harm."

She says as she steps forward, looking at Liriel before looking back down at the staff.

"If no one has any flashy ideas in the next few moments, I will bring it through."