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"You must be Razum-dar," the Psijic repeats, and this one composure slips, and he hisses slightly because what is the point of trying to be a so-secret clandestine operative when random Psijic monks recognize you at first sight? It is vexing, but Raz is nothing if not well-mannered, so he bows politely and says, "At your service. And if I must be Razum-dar, who must you be?" Unperturbed by this sally, the Psijic merely bows and says, "I am called Celarus the Loremaster, for I know many things."
"So it seems," this one says. "Is one of the things you know how I can quickly return to Alinor? Because Raz is not here of his own accord, and urgent events impend on Summerset." Celarus nods and says brusquely, "I can help, but first we have an emergency here on the Isle to attend to. I was looking for Oriandra Attus, but you will have to suffice because I need aid—my mystical skills are not the sort to enable me to handle a renegade Sload on my own."
Raz nods and says, "This one is not exactly a battlemage, but he will do what he can. Where is this renegade Sload?" Celarus turns, beckoning Raz to follow, and says over his shoulder, "This is not just any renegade Sload, this is Q'fura the Pendulous, a most dangerous mage. The creature is below, in the Dreaming Cave beneath the tower's foundations; how it got there I do not know, but if it opens the Void Gate and admits the hordes of Oblivion, I fear for the world itself."
"This one must confess that does sound like an emergency," I say, padding along behind him as we spiral down into the depths. "What is our plan?" The Loremaster, short of breath, replies in a wheeze that makes Razum-dar wonder if these Psijics get enough exercise. "I will distract Q'fura with dazzling but probably ineffective spell-casting. While its attention is on me, you will approach the creature by stealth and commit some nefarious act upon its person." This one smiles and says, "Raz admits, you do know a few things."
We emerge into a large subterranean space centered on a large portal device this one assumes is the Void Gate. The place is weirdly lit by sheets of crackling magic reflecting from a whirlpool of light within the portal, so we can clearly see a corpulent Sload beyond the gate weaving a barrage of spells—and alas, it can see us. So much for stealth! It flashes a dire effulgence at us, and Celarus erects a ward barely in time. He also casts a spell on Raz a moment later.
Dual-casting is impressive, but there is no time for compliments, as Q'fura casts a volley of frost darts. This one dodge-rolls, but not quickly enough to avoid them all—surprise, the ones that hit Raz pass right through him! Razum-dar looks at himself and sees he is all shimmery and ephemeral. It is a good look, but Raz isn't sure of its duration, so he hastens to get behind the Sload while Celarus makes ineffective attacks. On the way, Raz has a thought, and draws out Seht's blue-globe device.