His whiskers twitched upward in a semblance of a smile. It sounded like a prayer, or a toast. Both, perhaps--which would have been more amusing still had Archimedes any knowledge of the origin of the leopard's chosen name.

"May they last an eternity," he agreed softly.

He sat back.

"I intend to find others of like mind. You might join me, if you wish, or go your own way until then. Those who can find and create such substances, or offer... other services. And those who can serve as guardians for the rest. We will create a civilization to our tastes," he added. "A place where we might all gather in safety."

He paused, then, to hear what the leopard had to say to this: if Bacchus were in agreement, he'd go on, speaking of the rest of it.

Archimedes paused to think this over, peering for a moment into the middle distance. As he began to speak--his words thoughtful and considered--he moved back toward his Charger.

"A good plan. Likely best if it is not where we gather, too, but then--more than one garden would be wise... yes? In case one is damaged, somehow," he mused. It was mostly an idle thought--a vague and generic one. "Don't put all your eggs into one basket," that sort of thing. He hadn't actually ever gardened in his life, so he wasn't one hundred percent certain that it applied, but it seemed like a good idea.

"Perhaps it is best that you seek your plants, and a place to plant them. When you are ready, I think a good place to meet--somewhere quiet and hidden--would be the tunnel with the river in it. Do you know the one-? It is short, rocky, and links the room with the palace with the snowy, mountainous one."

They could discuss more there.

"I will bring whoever else I find." Like a cowboy about to ride off, he climbed atop his Charger's head, turning to Bacchus. "It has been good meeting you, Bacchus. But before I go; do you have any questions?"

They could cover that; and then they could go their separate ways, with any confusion neatly cleared up.

Archimedes considered, and at length he offered a nod.

"All wise points. It may do to consult with the others I might find. If I can find some of like mind, perhaps you can work together, but... In the meantime, your last question lines up quite neatly." He almost smiled--he had a feeling the cat would like his answer as to directions.

"To get to the tunnel in question, you merely need to go that way-" (and he nodded off toward Tunnel B) "-until you find the snowy tunnel. It's wide, craggy, short. Head through there and you will find yourself in a cave that--ahh, if you've never seen it, it's my delight to introduce you to it even if only by spoken word. Immense, lit with shimmering ribbons of lights in the sky, with towering mountains. Stick to the right-hand wall and, eventually, you will find the tunnel to which I refer: short, with flowing water. But do take the time to move on from there, and visit the cave just beyond. I suspect it will be exactly what you need in terms of... gardening," he added.

No, he doubted they could base themselves there--but so close to the place he had in mind? It already held magnificent gardens, fields, and rivers. He had no doubt that not only would this particular leopard enjoy Cepheus, but he might find it a comfortable place to plant his deadly garden. He wouldn't mention the glorious palace, the amenities available... let them be a pleasant surprise to Bacchus.

"Visit there, before we meet. Then you can tell me what you think." There was amusement in his tone, but it was good-natured: he was somehow sure the leopard would enjoy the place.

Archimedes dipped his head and turned.

"Until then," was his mild-mannered response.

With but a thought, the Golden Charger lurched smoothly into motion, scales rasping quietly across the rock. The rat--perched astride its head--probably looked rather odd.

But it was an easy way to travel.

One down, he thought to himself, an ear and half his mind on Bacchus behind him. He'd need to plan quickly, now, rather than hoping for fate to dump more allies in his lap. He'd need to seek them out, mold them where needed, and gather them together.

Then, they'd see where their legacy would lie.