Dragonstone 24

Chapter 24
Arin, the Generic Elves, Samurai Chick and some mages are discussing matters. They reach the conclusion that Arin has been given a mission – given by who, no one bothers to ask – to find “the Jaded Soul.” They briefly discuss why the stone is called the Jaded Soul (maybe it's . . . a soul?) but reach no conclusions.
Samurai Chick throws out some more Gratuitous Japanese \~/ as she relates a belief from a country called Moko, northwest of Not-Japan, that someday a mage warrior-king will lead them to conquer the world, and he will be able to command dragons with a mighty talisman. They agree that this could refer to the Jellybean, and that it's bad.
Vanidar gets mad.
“Vanidar Silverleaf leaped to his feet and paced back and forth in agitation; he clenched his fists white-knuckle tight and and he shook his head in ire.”
He's mad because he's realized that he won't be allowed to go on Arin's Quest for the Jellybean. The rede, as everyone keeps calling it, says “take only these, no more, no less,” and none of the Generic Elves fit the descriptions. Therefore, Arin has to go alone.
As an aside, dictionary.com defines “rede” as “counsel or advice,” which does not seem to fit what we have here at all. Neither do any of the other meanings. But it's an archaic word that sorta vaguely relates to dream-messages (except not), so that's good enough for McKiernan! \~/
Vanidar helpfully recites the full text of the “rede” again, in case we've forgotten it in the past two pages.
But Samurai Chick reveals that – gasp – she is The Cat Who Fell from Grace!
Drinks: 2
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