acatalepsy ▫ main

[thankfully the network is online, so he doesn't have to communicate his wishes in a string of hopefully sent emojis. instead, he can speak into the watch, calm, direct. not betraying the tiredness that comes from having just spent the better portion of a day, a whole night, and the entire morning on this project.]

Something relating to this supposed king was brought to my attention. There is a spell of great, ancient power written in the walls of his cell in runes. It's a very elaborate, highly dangerous form of teleportation, but there is a section that still eludes me despite my best efforts - the final outcome of the work. Unquestionably, if this can be figured out, we have a better chance of figuring out where in this ocean he should be.

A few more sets of eyes and minds should do the trick, if you understand things about arcane energies and magecraft well beyond your common tricks and illusions. I'd appreciate the help.

[there's half of a stifled yawn before the feed cuts out. he hadn't been able to stop, once he started - once Merlin actually got to work, he was going to get things done.]

[[ooc: plotting comment.]]

[A quick video update from the resident info-gathering nerds. Barabas and Maes appear in frame, in what looks to be the palace’s library. Barabas is the first to speak.]

It appears our communicators are working again. Everyone has seen the strange messages come through, I assume? Jumble of letters as they may be. [But by the grin that is threatening his face despite his best efforts to look serious.] I believe we’ve deciphered them, however.

[Maes, meanwhile, is also grinning. He’s relieved that the network is back up, but more importantly for once his research and library time has paid off. Of course, he has no idea what this message might MEAN, but it always feels good to be of use.]]

It wasn’t easy and figuring out what to DO with the message will probably be our next step. But, as we told you all back at the Temple, it’s important that we share information like this with everyone. [Maes glances at Barabas.] Do you want to tell them or should I?

[A quick nod of agreement, and Barabas glances down at where he’s clearly made some notes.] We’ve seen four separate messages, each a single line of letters. Thankfully, it seems all the letters were there, just not in the right order. Here they are, unscrambled:

[Quick flip to text.]

Do not kill him.
His people are dying.
They are the only hope we have.
Shatter the mirror and I can save him.

[And back to video.]

Anything else, Maes?

[Maes rubs at his chin thoughtfully]

Hmm. Well, while we’ve figured out what the scramble means, we have no way of knowing WHO this message was sent from….though I’m sure we could make a guess. After all, the Princess is still missing and she’s been described as pretty caring for others...but if it is her this just raises a whole slough of questions that we should consider carefully before we proceed with taking any actions.

[Namely any ‘killing’ or ‘shattering.’ After all, what information does this messenger have that they are giving warnings like this?]

Which means it’s also important to keep in mind that there are people who can access this network other than us.

[Barabas concludes on that comforting thought.] But it’s the best tool we have, so if anyone has any insight on the messages, let’s hear it.

[Maes nods. He knows all too well what can happen to someone sharing unwanted information on an unsecure line. Of course this memory elicits a frown instead of the feeling of victory of having solved the puzzle. So he adds.]

Or if you’re near the palace library we can always talk in person. Consider it our temporary HQ, since we’re no longer at the Temple with our office.