Nodding slightly, Conall subtly expressed his agreement, " Such are the times that we live in. Were these conversations the least bit productive, I might partake but wherever Allarick and that corpulent leech that clings to his ass is concerned...it's always the same old rhetoric. "
"Vesirick, you cannot be serious, "the host of the party, Lord Roland spoke up, " really? I think that's a little extreme for such a trifle. My condolences, but a pearl necklace is hardly a loss. Money can be replaced. You should hear the stories I've been hearing from the south. I've heard reports of a group of hostile mages , highly organized even, attacking military outposts and robbing merchant caravans bound for the capital and...Allar. I should say one might ought to be far more concerned about that." The large, typically jovial man put forth.
"Yes, but how do we know that all of these vagabonds are mages, "Lord Griswold interjected. He was a short, frail old man with thick, round spectacles perched at the edge of his absurdly long, hooked nose and he had an enormous white mustache that wiggled comically with every word spoken. "They could be simple dissenters. It isn't as though this hasn't been an issue before."
Roland Delgrin nodded, "True, but the eyewitnesses claim these thieves were wielding magic." He adjusted his belt," And many of these merchants and supplies were in fact being taken to churches."
Conall clinked his glass against Katahnia's and downed his drink in a single gulp. Too bad there wasn't something stronger served here. He would have liked to get drunk enough to not care what these people were saying.
"Indeed, and it's only a matter of time before they grow bolder and start taking their aggression out on the faithful." A noblewoman added with a sniff.
"They ought to be put in their place," the man next to her agreed. "A pity the Grand Duke is so...merciful, bless his soul. Were it up to me, I'd lock them all up so they couldn't be a bother to the good people of Connlaoth."
Griswold wiggled his enormous mustache and eyebrows and snorted, "Oh that's preposterous! Do you realize how many mages live here? Where are you going to keep them locked up? How ? There simply aren't enough Mordecai to accomplish such a thing and do you really think that people will just stand for that? You , sir, are a fool."
"Any Mordecai is worth well worth more than ten mages whom are powerless." The other man snorted at old Griswold, "If they don't like it, their wretched kind can go to Serendipity for all I care or Hyoite. This land belongs to Ansgar and his children. "
Others murmured in agreement.
"and anyone that thinks otherwise is a heretic and a traitor." The man continued.
Roland tapped his glass with a spoon, "Gentlemen, settle down please. There's no need to speak of one another with such venom. Opinions can be expressed in a more civil manner or you're welcome to escort yourself to the door."
Conall poured himself more to drink and leaned in close to Katahnia to whisper, "See what I told you? Arguing in circles. Completely unproductive." He started drinking again.
