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Alchemy Chambers

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The Aurelians liked things warm. Sitting further from the fire was no bother, really. She could see perfectly well, and even if the room was still a bit warm, there was no reason to fret. It was just like summers always used to be. As for the tea? That posed a different problem—a frustrating one at that. Tea was supposed to be hot, yes, and though steaming was too much to handle even before her change, she had at least been able to comfortably handle a cup with it. It was fortunate that she could levitate it as an alternative, yes, but the fact that it was a necessity to do so? Embarrassing, really. Who couldn’t hold a warm cup of tea? What kind of animal couldn’t enjoy a warm cup of tea!

With no input to offer on the matter of the gem or its inscriptions, all she could do was sit there. She gazed longingly into the cup floating above her hand as she listened to Eris and Nathaniel speak. Of course, the Lead Sage must have gotten the very same impression. Or perhaps it was something else. They departed, and Nesna was left with Lady Rovella. A heavy silence intervened as the other sages’ footsteps grew fainter. At last, Lady Rovella breached it with some minor pleasantries. Even if it was apparent that it was just some idle talk for the sake of formality alone, there was no fault in it. After all, did formality and decency not still have a place?

And so it was with some cognitive dissonance that Nesna perked her ears and soon picked up on a conversation meant to be private. The mention of Lady Rovella alleviated some of her nerves about doing so. It was merely advanced knowledge she was picking up; not anything so scandalous that it would be her secret to keep for some time yet. And besides, the most exciting part of the whole affair in the moment wasn’t, in the end, the gem or its mysteries, but the implication of the breadth of knowledge Lady Hightower must have held in her library. As her mind began to race, Nesna’s smile grew then flickered. Oh, how Lady Rovella must have been composing some remarks on the apparent dullard sat before her. She was looking to be some vapid drifter with only a sense of propriety and nothing more in her eagerness to listen to other conversations than her own—not the keen and useful aspiring academic she’d be better served presenting herself as. And how could the Lady come to see her in such a light if she did not more politely devote herself fully to their conversation? How she’d bungled these finer points! Goddess above, she was rusty and inattentive.

It was fortunate that the others were in a hurry to return.

“Bless you, my Lady,” she replied, “There’s no need.”

“I already look forward to it!”

But if only the cheery tone could have remained! It seemed Lady Rovella was a critical sort indeed—much to Nesna’s dismay. Scarcely had Nathaniel been here longer than her, and already the Lady seemed prepared to cast aspersions. Inauspicious. At least it did come to seem that she intended, in some roundabout way, to be helpful. If only she were better suited in temperament to offering impromptu advice. Soon after, another apparent sage entered the room. Lord Galahad, he was. She’d been halfway to rising from her seat when he commanded Nathaniel not to bow. Was informality truly so normalized here, that most elders save the most abrasive not plainly expect the respect they were due? And what a shame it was, that she would be given a chance then and there to consider the matter—for it seemed to her that Lady Rovella would have preferred not to engage in much further conversation.

But if she was a sage, did they not share some things in common? A keenness for the arcane, perhaps? It was worth trying.

“My Lady…if I might venture to inquire on…a matter which has been of keen concern to me for quite some time?”

A raised eyebrow beckoned the proper question.

“What have the finest minds of the land made of the Blight in these past years? I’m afraid I’m woefully underinformed on the matter…”

Mentions
Nathaniel @Echotech71, Eris @The Muse

Nathaniel Stormlight

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Location: Alchemist chambers.

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Nathaniel followed the elder sage down the corridor, the back of him faintly illuminated by candlelight that was across the stone wall. There was a bit of unease in his chest as he followed the sage; the only sounds made were their footfalls and Osiris’s cane. ” Excuse me, Lord Galahad.” Nathaniel spoke up. He knew he got the sage's attention as he saw the elder's head twist a fraction, waiting for his question. ” Where are we going?” he asked, almost unsure about asking. ” Patience, young Stormlight.” A warm chuckle erupted from the elder as he continued walking.

The duo arrived at a door, one similar to the one that Nathaniel entered with Eris not too long ago. With his free hand, Osiris gripped the brass knob; if the cold metal bit into his wrinkled hand, Osiris didn't respond to it. The tumblers of the door made a loud clunky sound as he twisted, then gently pushed the door forward into the room. Faint light and warmth emanated from the hearth, greeting the two as they entered. Nathaniel closed the door, the tumblers that locked the door clicking back into place.

“I came for you once I caught wind that you were here, in this tower.” Osiris softly spoke while turning, there was a new thing in his eyes, something that Nathaniel hadn't seen in the elder. Hope. “Has…Has there been any word from your sister?” Nathaniel just looked at Osiris, a twinge of guilt slapped him across the face. He wanted to lie to him, but he couldn't do that, not to Lord Galahad.

“Unfortunately, there haven't been any sightings of Isabelle since she disappeared.” Isabelle Stormlight, to most of the other nobles of Aurelian society, knew her as the eldest heir of House Stormlight. To this elder standing in front of Nathaniel, he was her mentor and she was his ward. A deep shuddering exhale escaped the elder as he slowly slumped into a worn lounge chair, a chair that Nathaniel remembers being in Aurelia when he lived there. “I prayed that there would have been word of her.” Osiris finally spoke as sadness was wrapped around his words. ” I assume that with you being here, it means that you are here to take her place, no? “I wouldn't even know where to begin. Isabelle had researched magic anomalies; she theorised that perhaps the blight was a powerful magic anomaly.” Nathaniel opened his coat, pulling out two journals: one with a brown leather cover and another with a black one. Both books looked worn as if they were opened and closed at least over a hundred times.

When Osiris saw the books he held down the well of emotion that surged as his eyes were fixated on the black one. “That journal, that was the first journal I gave her. As she started being my ward.” Osiris slowly rose from his chair to take the black journal, his hands trembling from the emotion that he felt. Memories flooded into him. A young girl with brown hair that was loosely tied up, her eyes bright blue like sapphires, was ready to learn. Now standing in front of him was her younger brother, a boy who had often spent most of his young life hiding behind his mother's skirts, or his older sister's.

Osiris paid attention to one of the windows as he looked out of it, watching the moonlight catch the snowflakes that drifted over the rest of the snowy landscape. ”I was never meant to be here,” Osiris quietly said, catching Nathaniel's attention.

“I was never meant to be given this opportunity to become the second.” his attention went back to his chair and the desk that was next to it. “When this task to research a cure for the blight was put together, I was almost ready to retire. To live my twilight years. Originally, the role of Second when this was still in the developmental stages was to be Isabelle; unfortunately, her disappearance made them desperate. The closest that they had to a second to help young Hightower was me.” his eyes locked to Nathaniels. “I was a little unsure about it, but it was something that I could do, not for my pride as a sage, but for my ward.” Both men smiled at this. “Finish the job that she never gotten the chance.”

”What shall I do with this book on magical theories that could be linked to the blight?” Osiris’ attention shot to the other journal in Nathaniel's hand. “I'd suggest giving it to young Hightower, but she left in a hurry. But I've heard rumours of you two being rather close, even dancing sweetly together.” Osiris mused as if he saw them do it personally. Nathaniel went a little red of embarrassment, grateful that he had his face covered by darkness that the light couldn't touch. “I jest, now off with you, I would like to reminisce." he said waving him out of the door. “Yes Lord Galahad. And thank you.” Then Nathaniel left, leaving the elder on his own.

It wasn't long before Nathaniel found his way to Eris’ work station, he grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill with ink, writing simply.

This journal has some theories on magic anomalies that could possibly be linked to the blight, figured it would be a good idea.

Nathaniel.

Osiris opened the first page of the journal, the first page, the only page in his own penmanship. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue. Underneath his words to Isabelle was her own response to it. I will. Minutes past into what felt like hours it was only a lower class sage came across Osiris in his study fast asleep with the journal resting on his lap.

---

Mentions. Eris @The Muse

_{Location: Desmond's warehouse
Interacting with: a large chunk of wood}

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Once the tree had been felled, the giant called Ivor and Valthyr each went their own ways again. There were tasks to attend to and while the druid really enjoyed the idea of a marvelous, super-sized bonfire cheering up the people, he also had a special 'customer' of sorts to cheer up. Or rather: He had promised her something special. Valthyr now counted on the merchant Desmond sticking to his word and giving him shelter for as long as it would take for the tree-house to grow. Hopefully nobody had trampled that down that while it was still tiny and its owner absent...!

A pair of men unlucky enough to encounter the druid on the open street while he was looking for a favor opened their eyes wide when they saw the large chunk of trunk that needed to get to the warehouse. Ivor was busy with the big rest, so this little transport had to be arranged a little more suited for ordinary people. That meant rolling it over the snow. A horse would have been able to drag it, but the bitter cold made the effort of prepping and hitching it up less appealing than the more intensive alternative. Good thing that Valthyr could not exactly count himself to the small and lithe kind of individual himself.

The warehouse was large, dark and unheated. The wind pressed against the large roof high above the druid's head and the timber groaned here and there from time to time, giving the repeated but nontheless false impression that he was not alone in here. Truth be told, it did make him a little nervous initially no matter what the mind said. The maze of crates and shelves in all of its vast lonelyless would have been a very good place for another murder in town, so Valthyr couldn't help but twist his head more than once upon a particularly suspicious sound. He needed to concentrate on the work ahead, even if that would make it even more easier for anybody to assault him from behind.

The large chunks could be removed by the power of the same magic and patience he had already executed in the forest, but the nitty gritty details required a much more traditional approach using a wooden hammer, a chisel and a small saw. All items could be found here (at the expense of a yet unknown, future customer who would pay the full price for items that had been already used once perhaps!), but time would have to be taken from the night.

And so he was, laboring away at Sya's future piece of furniture and with only candles surrounding him in a huge, empty building full of crates and potential murder weapons.

Aurora Halliwell

Eye of The Beholder
Aurelian guards

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Arriving at the Aurelian guardhouse, Aurora started searching for someone she recognised. When she spotted the Aurelian guard captain she had met on her second day in Dawnhaven, she quickly made her way over to him. As she approached, she called out, “Captain Lockwood, I have the potions, bandages, and other remedies you requested.” Upon hearing his name, the captain turned and noticed Aurora approaching. He said goodbye to his subordinate and walked toward her. “Ah, Miss Aurora, it’s nice to see you again. Thank you for creating and bringing me the items I requested,” he said, taking a breath before continuing. “However, you didn’t need to bring them yourself; I was going to have a guard pick them up.”

Upon hearing his words, Aurora smiled and replied, “It's okay. I was out delivering items to Mr Hawthorn today, so I decided to bring the ones you requested as well.” She placed the woven basket she was carrying between them, moved the cloth covering it, and revealed the potions, salves, and bandages he had asked for. Taking a breath, she continued, “I will be able to create many more once my new home is repaired. But will this be enough for now?”

The captain smiled and said, "Yes, this is enough for now. I noticed that our supplies were dwindling, but this will suffice until you get your business up and running." He gestured to a small building on the left and added, "If you would follow me to that building over there, it's my office. You can place the items inside, and I can pay you." Captain Lockwood then walked with Aurora to his office. With the sound of both the captain's and Aurora's boots crunching on the small amounts of snow that managed to lie on the floor. Guards who were bustling away their duties. When she passed, some of the guards greeted her in various ways; some offered warm smiles in this frigid area. Some gave a small nod as a way of saying hello. One female guard gave her a wink.

Upon entering the building, he proceeded to his desk and took a seat. While he rummaged through the drawers, Aurora approached the desk, set the woven basket down, and began to unpack the items from inside it. No sooner had she started than she placed everything from the basket onto the captain's desk. “There you go, Captain. This is everything I created.” The captain replied, “Ah, so what tonic and concoctions are here?” The captain asked as his gaze shifted to the basket. “I don't want to give my men something they don't need and waste resources.” Aurora simply nodded; it wasn't an outlandish request.

“Yes, of course.” Aurora picked one of the many bottles, the label faintly seen in the candlelit area. “These are the main sources of the order. Cold-resistant tonics. It'll stay in your system until you well, Aurora struggled to finish the sentence. “When it's passed through your system.” leaving it at that. The captain nodded along with her train of thought. “Excellent, these will be put into storage with the others. Thank you.” The captain pulled out a different bottle, one that was a lot smaller in size compared to the previous ones, with a different label. “And this one?” He asked as he inspected it.

“That is a contraceptive tonic.” Aurora simply said. With that, the guard simply put the bottle back in with the others. “The other large quantities of bottles that are the same are vitality tonics. To help the guards maintain the necessary vitamin intake.” “Praise the sun goddess.” The captain gave a little smile. With a click of his fingers, two guards who were standing on the edge of the room came forward, picked up the basket and left the building.

The captain opened a drawer. Pulling out a small satchel of coins, a small jingle. “Here is your payment. Are you sure this is enough for what you have brought us?” Aurora smiled, took the bag, and said, “Yes, Captain, this is sufficient. Thank you for your business. Don’t hesitate to call on me again. Goodbye.” The captain nodded. “Of course, Lady Aurora.”

Aurora stepped out of the building, the cold air brushing the strands of hair that had fallen from her braid. She smiled as she set off on her journey back to town. While she walked, she carefully tucked the coin purse into her bag. She remembered that she enjoyed her previous visit to the shops and felt there was still so much to discover. Spurred by excitement, she decided to take her time wandering through the bustling streets. After her stroll, she planned to return to the inn, where she could unwind and enjoy the rest of her day in comfort and peace.

For the briefest second, shock and concern flickered across Flynn’s face as his eyes fell to Daphne. By all accounts, she’d been one of the more pleasant Lunarian’s he’d dealt with. Hearing such a boorish, impulsive threat from her would’ve ranked low on his list of expectations.

Gadez, on the other hand…
Flynn’s expression hardened, eyes shifting back to the blond — his “brother.”

Every word the man spoke dripped with utter hubris. Baffling, but expected. It was clear that the man believed he held the key to all of life’s mysteries, if only the rest of them were clever enough to understand it.

Ahead of Flynn and Amaya, the knights subtly shifted. Eyes locked on Gadez, blades poised, waiting for a command. The air grew heavier, pulled taut as the Prince quietly considered the man’s question.

On some things, he and Flynn could agree. The clergy was a threat. And apprehending him could waste valuable time in pursuing Aliseth, who, at the moment, posed a much greater danger. But, for all Flynn knew, Gadez was stalling — buying Aliseth time to escape through the back of the unfinished jail. Because, of course, Gadez could never be bothered to respond to a simple question with a straight answer.

“Enough.” Flynn finally said, voice low but sharp. “You threaten regicide and presume I should let you walk free?”

Green eyes narrowed, Flynn’s frustration began to bleed through the widening cracks in his restraint. “For someone who has the answers for everything — can't you see that we aren't chasing prophecy? I am doing quite the opposite by being here at all.”

A sharp voice in the back of his mind scolded him for wasting breath — and time. Gadez didn’t deserve the dignity of a reply, and time was a luxury they didn’t have.

Flynn’s gaze shifted to the knights, leaving no room for another lecture. “Secure the—”

A blood curdling scream ripped through the air, echoing from within the prison. Flynn stiffened, hand tightening around the pommel of his sword, eyes snapping to the jail door.

Ice bloomed across the earth.

Frigid and consuming, winter stretched through the courtyard, consuming whatever it could reach in a thick layer of crystalline white. In an instant, it climbed up, up, up the legs of all who stood there, encasing them up to the knee. In the center of it all, Amaya stood frozen. She alone was untouched by the eruption of her wild magic.

She’d been a still figure as the scene had played out, words filling the air, covering her like a blanket of snow. But her mind had raced, her heart had pounded frantically as each movement of those around her, each new declaration, new action, had trapped her. Amaya’s eyes never left the quiet prison door — until Daphne had ordered her to stay protected, to flee, before casually speaking of her own death as though it was a foregone conclusion. It was too familiar, an echo of a nightmare she was still living through.

‘Your Highness, run!’

A spray of crimson painting the snow with death and iron.

Fear so potent, she could taste it.

Another corpse laid atop a cold table, cloaked in black.

Another piece of her heart, beautiful and precious and vulnerable, stepping forward to place himself between Amaya and a whispering threat.

A scream — an anguished, dying wail that she’d hear in her dreams over and over again, tearing through her flesh and bone like fangs, until it pierced her heart.

But this wasn’t a dream. Amaya was awake. And death was all around her, coating her world like ice.

---

_{Interactions: Dyna, Ranni @Queen Arya, Daphne @PrinceAlexus, Gadez @Dezuel}

_{Location: Outside the Seluna Temple → Walking back towards town}

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“Then go with them. Until our next meeting. Ensure you remain safe.”
Céline watched as the man departed, almost gliding along the snow with each footfall. The way he left felt almost eerily similar to how he had arrived. Silent, like a wraith, making his presence known only when necessary, then vanishing without. Orion was no specter, however, ghosts did not take the time to show where life was being built, did not worry about the safety of the living, nor offer endorsements to live in their community. Yet the others around her now seemed to be wary and apprehensive while he remained, was there another side to the calm and collected man she had experienced?

“Then it seems you’re with us now,”

Elara’s voice cut through Céline’s thoughts, suddenly realizing she’d been staring off for far too long. Her eyes found the handmaidens, “so it would seem,” she nodded, smiling. Upon mentioning the guards Céline turned towards them, a pair that seemed neutral towards her, at least enough to not register her as a threat. Céline made a point to bow her head towards them both, “I know I’m not your intended recipient, but I want to thank you for your vigilance and protection as we journey back.” Both the guards outwardly remained hard and on edge, but inside she could tell they had softened a little.

All words said, all pacts made, the group began to move off in formation. Elara led them, with Céline herself and the other handmaiden, Ramona, flanking on either side. The guards fell in a few paces behind them, close enough to respond to threats, while giving ample space so as not to cluster the women. The path they had chosen was different from the one she had arrived on, and though she would have loved the opportunity to witness the moon-kissed lake again, she wondered if the others would have been able to appreciate it as she could?

She looked at Elara first, somewhat similarly composed to Orion, careful with her emotions, but there was pain embedded within cracks. Given her recent trauma involving the knight Sir Abel, it was only a wonder that she hadn’t completely broken down yet. Then again, if she was a handmaiden to the princess herself, maybe Elara didn’t have a choice. Ramona on the other hand, her apprehension remained, almost intensified in a way. Céline had wondered if it was just Orion causing stress, but maybe there was something else on her mind?

In an attempt to distract and maybe even connect, she started conversing, more addressing the group as a whole rather than any one person. “Orion was very kind in showing me your developing town. I can see it being a thriving community, with all kinds of people living in it.” She paused letting the thought linger a moment, “I’ve only been here a..short time now and don’t really know much of Dawnhaven. You’ve lived here for some time now, yes?” Her eyes fell on Elara first, “What do you enjoy about the town, about living here?” Then Céline’s gaze went to Ramona, “What have you experienced here that you wouldn’t have dreamed of having back home?”

The other handmaiden almost seemed to shift back slightly, hiding herself behind the white haired woman. Céline smiled softly, somewhat remorsefully, she couldn’t help how people felt about her; how afraid they felt. The emotions were palpable, and they sent her stomach turning as she put a hand to her mouth, covering it. She hadn’t noticed it before, but this fear somehow felt different from what she was normally accustomed to. Most people often felt afraid for their lives, a raw emotion of self-survival, to get away from the monster, the corruption. However, it almost felt like she was afraid of being discovered, like someone guarding a well kept secret.

Regardless of the intent or reason behind the fear, she wanted to just ease the people around her, so she could go a few steps without feeling the need to regurgitate. “It might be unusual to ask, but if I am going to be living here, helping people, I want to know more about this place, about the people living in it, and the lives they lead. I want to know them all, the commoners, the nobles, the servants and the soldiers,” she glanced back, a small smirk, “I’m open to your opinions as well, good sirs!”

---

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_{Interacting with: Elara @Qia and Ramona @enmuni}

---

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_{Location: Aelios Temple}

---

---

For a long moment, Eris could only stare. Eyes wide, cheeks burning with a heat impossible to hide, she struggled to keep pace with the Lord’s flood of self-praise and boasts. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came. Inwardly, she winced.

This felt like some kind of cruel joke, or perhaps a nightmare of her own making. Staring at Ayel’s naked form before her, she wasn’t entirely sure that it wasn’t. She had known him to be... eccentric, but to hear him speak so freely of his own grandeur and her supposed fortune to receive his hand was something else entirely.

She supposed some women in the capital might think themselves lucky for it.

They’d be the talk of Aurelia, indeed. Her father would be beside himself. Giddy at the thought of a Hightower matched to a Raunefeldt. Such a union would raise both families' influence to glittering heights… and her own reputation to scandalous depths. Her mother would pity her, but remain silent.

Her brother would laugh, she thought. Or worse, lecture her on how far Raunefeldt coin could further their research and insist that he could find use for a brother-in-law with closeness to the Prince.

The image of sharing a household — a life — with Ayel sent an involuntary shiver crawling down her spine. She fought to keep it from showing on her face.

“My Lord,” she began softly, the corners of her lips curving into a delicate, practiced smile. “I… I am truly overwhelmed by your graciousness.”

She hesitated, then carefully removed her hands from her pockets and smoothed them over her dress. Slowly, she bent in a deep bow, training her eyes on a dark spot in the floorboards as she forced the words free from her throat.

“It is no small thing to receive such a proposal from a man of your station. I am… honored that you would think of me so kindly.”

Her tone was steady, her expression the picture of courtly composure, but inside, her mind raced for a way to redirect the conversation before he mistook her politeness for acceptance.

“However," she continued quickly, her voice light and apologetic as she rose upright, her eyes finding his through the dim lighting. “You’ve endured quite an ordeal, and I cannot in good conscience make so significant a decision while you are still cold and no doubt shaken from this encounter.”

Her gaze flicked toward the guards — an escape.

“Perhaps,” she said, inclining her head toward the man standing at the far end of the hall, “you might fetch Lord Raunefeldt some proper robes and a coat. The guest wardrobes should have something suitable. We can hardly send him home in such a state.”

The guard hesitated, exchanged a glance with the other, then nodded and disappeared down the corridor.

Eris turned her attention back to Ayel, offering another faint, patient smile. “You see, my Lord, I only wish to give your most generous offer the full consideration it deserves. Surely, such a noble union is not something to be rushed.”

Her phrasing was deliberate. Gentle, deferential, but intentionally noncommittal. She knew the way his ego worked; to deny him outright would likely wound his pride and invite a tantrum. Better to placate him with the illusion of progress. For now.

“Let us first inform the Prince of what transpired here,” she continued, folding her hands neatly before her. “Ensuring Dawnhaven’s safety — and yours — must come before all else. Then, once this matter is resolved…” She offered a graceful dip of her chin. “…we may speak again.”

A quiet shuffle echoed down the hall as the guard returned, carrying a neatly folded set of guest robes, simple leather shoes that looked better suited for the barracks, and a thick guard’s coat. Plain, but warm.

Eris took them, then stepped aside and extended her arm in offering, careful to avert her eyes from Ayel’s unclothed form. “Here, my Lord. These should suffice until you can return to your manor.”

Her voice remained measured and kind, but her body angled subtly away, leaving him room to take the garments without further impropriety.

In front of her, the other guard — Kale — turned and took the clothes from her. Eris stiffened briefly, then let her hands retreat back into her coat pockets as he entered the High Priestess’ chambers. His dark eyes narrowed on Ayel as he extended the clothing toward him, gesturing with a curt nod for the Lord to take them and leave.

Eris, meanwhile, held her position by the door, her expression composed, though her thoughts tangled beyond measure. With everything that had happened this morning, and now this… her head ached.

“Please,” she broke the silence, her gaze fixed on the floorboards, “give me but a little time to consider your… generous offer.”

She drew in one slow breath, then another. “Let us be certain the temple is secure, my Lord. The guards will scour the area and alert the others of what happened here.” Her eyes lifted to the guard in the hallway for silent confirmation before she added, softly, “I must attend to some other matters here first, but I... I will let you know when I have made my decision at once.”

---

_{Interactions: Ayel @Dezuel}

Daphne

Jail

Jail Jam jamboree with the Spicey Squire.

Daphne was honestly way over being thrown at by a wall of word salad she could hardly make sense of in real time. If she sat down and worked it all out it would make sense but this man threw so many words at her so quickly her brain was melting into soup, no soup would be warm and she was feeling a distinct chill. It was cold soup.

Not a warrior? A lot of words, all the fuss between them, the church, the prophecy and such? Her mind was doing its best to process everything as she concentrated on the main threats and priorities. Daphne knew there was stuff between the two but this was stupid, why did the Prince not just tell the guards to take this guy out, he was a bloody monk not a soldier, he was a talker.

“You, you might win once, twice, but no one can beat multiple enemies. You're a man, unarmoured. Back down, we have you at least 5 to 1, armoured against you. Dying is shit, so let's not have to. Drop the sword, don t be a hero, heroes live short lives." Daphne remained on guard but tried to switch tactics and maybe hope he would be …anything more than a straight up fight. They had enough kinds of enemies outside trying to kill them alongside the weather.

Then she felt the cold dig deeper, the cold was rising and her footing was …oh for the moon goddess sake, why had the morons not pulled the bloody Prince back or the Princess.? Her footing was not moving, her foot was not bloody moving as she felt her movement crack against the ice.

Did Daphne tell them how it was, yes. The bloody idiots were the reason she was now fighting at a disadvantage and backed against a wall with a dangerous threat and they had not done the bloody jobs. “YOU. had one job, get the bloody Royal wards out of the combat zone first, by the goddess, a squire trained by a former queen's guard and know that.” Daphne tried to break the ice that had spread.

“The goddess tests me today. I just wanted to get a cute woman breakfast.” Daphne leaned down very slowly to smash the ice with the pommel of one of her blades, the ice was not strong but her speed was greatly limited by the ice, Lunarian or not, it was like glass. Speed was great but speed on ice would be more dangerous to her and others than Gadez.

Rising slowly from her crouch with a deliberate adjustment to balance and moving with a slow, sure footedness, keeping her eyes and blades on Gadez. Her eyes glittered purple and gave a slight glow in the light as her abilities ran closer to closer, having to dig much deeper and took a step back to get more distance from the accursed runes.

If I get something decent for once, and then get killed because of these sun baked morons, I'm gonna be haunting these bastards. Daphne thought scornfully. “By the blessed Moon Princess, get safe, you're very pretty i admit, but very taken, please go get a hot meal and keep warm, safe while we resolve this mess. Find lord or Lady Coswain if you have to. They have a nice room at the eye.” Daphne tried a softer angle, any Angle really, to even find an exit or sign of an exit from this mess she was dead centre of. Though she never kept her eyes off Gadez.

Really the Princess was pretty, but very much not in Daphne status and B, she liked shorter Blondes it seemed.

“You want words or swords Prince Highness? Orders?" Daphne asked as she padded softly and cracked the ice below her boots moving with a surity only a native Lunarian had.

MENTIONS
@Dezuel
@c3p-0h

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_{Interactions: Dyna, Ranni @Queen Arya, Daphne @PrinceAlexus, Gadez @Dezuel}

Gadez raised his head and gave Daphne a glare in contempt, his blue eyes narrowing and his facial expression growing far more grim.

"You are but a little pup, what could you know of what a -human- could do? Haven't you already realized that Aelios was struck down by a mortal hand? I am just stricken with grief that it were not by mine." Gadez said in a manner of certainty, after all he had his reasons to. All signs were pointing towards the same direction. Which all the more made him determined to leave and continue on the path he had trodden for so long, things had just recently began to get interesting. This was what he had trained all those years for. For the final battle. What was now before him was not it. He couldn't allow himself to die just yet. As appealing as death were to him to be rid of the disgusting world he despised, he still had that one link to it which he could not destroy with all of his power.

The stone.

The precious stone.

Alchemy was all about mixing of two things. The stone had gold in it too. But of a purer kind. That was why he had to let it go so many years ago. A true warrior keeps his heart hidden from view and reach, no matter how painful or damning it is. Then there was fear. Fear which often kept people alive, but this was another kind of fear. What if the stone did indeed possess the power to rip the darkness from his heart? He didn't want it to. It was all he had besides the stone itself.

Cymbaline wouldn't have approved. He knew that. Despite her being gone from the world, she still lived in his memories and she had left her mark upon the stone. It had filled him with as much dread as pride when he had laid eyes upon it after such a long time. The warrior-monk didn't want to kill Flynn nor Amaya, nor the foolish squire, neither the hornclad girl or her pious twin. The guards? No. Not even them. He had not even killed Aliseth.

They were all players in the grand play. The play which would decide the destiny of the world. Without Flynn and Amaya, the blightborn sanctuary would fall, and any hope to save the world and bring ruin to the old kingdoms would vanish. The odds of success were not high, then again, if he wasn't the kind of man who could make the impossible possible, then whom would be?

'Cymbaline. Watch over me. I will make certain the world that I leave behind shall be one where our precious gem can shine. I will be with you soon enough.' He thought as his attention moved over to Flynn.

"Can't you tell that I am already free, Red Star. Besides I don't do threats, I deal only in promises. I have the answer you are looking for, but it isn't the answer you want... in order to remove the blight forever you must wipe out all magic from this world. That means you have to destroy the divine and all the afflicted will in the same moment be destroyed aswell. This is Auric and the clergy of Aelios true goal! The target is upon Seluna's back! If you don't like that plan, then you may consider mine... or the one I mentioned within the cell. You know of what I speak..." Gadez smiled in an almost sinister way, his hair flickering in the wind. No doubt they would try to capture him. He couldn't allow that to happen, neither could he allow himself to kill them all. So he had to use all of his power and subdue all of them. There was no reason to hold back. Just as he was about to channel his magic and unleash it with all his might, a scream was heard. It came from the jail or so he believed.

The scream had caught him in a bad moment, as he began to mentally work on what had happened. That scream likely belonged to Aliseth. The wolf.

He had intentionally taken his dear time in keeping Daphne present, stalling the boy from attacking him or any other action. Gadez had seen them make the warding that would draw magic away, he had felt it affect him too. Yet the blightborn had not been as affected, as he had managed to kick open the door and free him. However the scream did confirm something. The blight were of a stronger raw kind of magic. Aliseth had inflicted some injuries to his own form aswell, he wasn't aware how well the blightborn was able to feel his own body. But the warrior-monk quickly summerized that the warding had prevented Aliseth from regenerating or have the raw magic holding his body together to work.

That was his final song. A death song. Had his words dug so deep into the boy it had driven him to self-reflection and then giving up on his existance? Or were it that he realized he were trapped? No matter what it were. He was likely dead. Deader by now. Seems he was the one who dallied after all. Oh the irony would have made him smirk, if he didn't feel… compassion. In the same moment as the scream had been heard, the temperature had shifted and ice began to crawl up the legs of those present. The source. Gadez eyes quickly darted to Amaya. She were the only one not affected. She had reacted to the scream by unleashing her power so recklessly?

There were two kinds of people. Those who wielded the power, and those who were wielded by the power. She was surely not in full control.

The show of magic was impressive. To the point it made him draw some dangerous conclusions. The boy. The wolf. He was a blightborn able to alter his shape and perhaps he had intended to don Amaya's face for his own, had he not been previously hindered by the monk himself or by those guarding the princess. But perhaps he did something to her. Why else would she have such a reaction? And one which was so very… instinctual. She had felt his death? Had he bonded somehow with her.

What if.

What if…

That is where Seluna is hiding… in a mortal. It would make sense. Amaya was from Lunaris and from their royal family. The ideal host body. Someone who is at the forefront of the search, yet protected by the very son of the mortal enemy. He had to give the winter goddess credit where it were due. If this were the case, then she was indeed crafty. But if he had seen through the guise, then had he surpassed the divine? The very thought made him feel empowered. He had always believed in humankind. His goddess were not Aelios nor Seluna. It had been that mortal woman which had made his aspirations waver. The magical outburst of ice and snow had however come as a blessing.

He was a wielder of fire magic and also telekinesis.

"...and that's my cue to bid my leave! Princess you have my gratitude!"

Gadez didn't wait, he made his butlerlike bow, then he opened his eyes wide and channelled his telekinetic magic out from his body and shattered the ice around his legs, not enough to send shards into the others present, but enough to free his legs. Soon after he summoned his fire magic to his hand and hurled it! Not towards Flynn. Not towards Amaya. Not Ranni. Not Dyna. Daphne? No. Not even the guards. His target was much lower on the list. The ground itself.

A large lash of fire slammed into the snowy ground before him with such intensity it caused the snow and ice to become steam, giving him a perfect opportunity to leave. He smirked and quickly began to run in the direction towards the Selunite shrine. In the worst case he could get out on the frostmoon lake. However he did toss glances behind him, expecting that at least the champion of Aelios would give chase. Good thing he still had his cloak for some bullfighting, would the need arise. The others were clad in much metal, there had been a good reason he only wore a breastplate and some minor plating at his boots and bracers.

Temple of Ayel Aelios

Overwhelmed? Of course she was overwhelmed, who could stand in his magnificence and not feel insufficient. It was likely the reason for his bestest of friends being in a sour mood at times. But could he truly be blamed for invoking feelings of envy in a prince? It wasn't he who made that flawless face and complexsion, it had been crafted in every detail by Aelios herself. He was certain of it. Like with everything else. The goddess had after all given him the biggest thinking capacity among all mortal men.

Then it occured to the nobleman. But what about women? He was -only- the smartest of the men. It meant there had to be a very clever female to rival his own intellect. Lady Hightower! Of course! Aelios had guided him to his missing counterpart, no wonder she was in charge of the blight research. But then it also meant that... he too could solve the blight issue? He could take all the glory himself. But wasn't that greedy? There were after all limits to pay attention to.

It was at least worth some consideration later. But research seemed so dull. Eris was feeling honored and was bowing her head to him. Was it courtesy or was it...worship? Could it be that Eris was submitting herself before him and felt unworthy. Well... perhaps she was unto something, but Ayel knew that the other choices were abysmal in comparison. His thoughts instantly wandered to Nathaniel's older sister. He felt a chill traverse down his spine, or was it because of his lack of clothes? Then Eris had even showed concern for his wellbeing and state of undress. She had chosen her words well. It had even caught him, a man who was priding himself on being aware, well and everything else.

Then she did something else which made the nobleman stand with his mouth opened. She commanded the useless guard as if she owned him. She had been tutored in commanding the witless! It dawned on him, but then again this was Dawnhaven, so perhaps that was it. That with all of his various skills and hers, they could make Dawnhaven i to a potential future destination for rich and proper Aurelian's. Where they could go through the 'Raunefeldt' tour, seeing where he himself lived, his friendship with the royals, how he- well they saved the world by solving the blight issue. Then the great evolution wall where every still charity-ill person could see that Lunarians indeed are mountain apes.

There was no shortage of vision, perhaps Aelios herself was waiting to have him get the real prophecy vision later!

"You are absolutely right, Lady Hightower, we must not rush things through, his highness had that happen with him and look what it has done to him." Ayel stroked the ruffle at his neck, well... he imagined it was still there at the very least.

Eris voice once more broight him out of his blissful self-admiration, but again she was proving him right. She was good. She was showing him as much thought as....as... had anyone ever shown this much care about his wellbeing? He thought of Flynn. No. Not him. Anora? Not her neither. His mother? Not even his mother had shown such... His eyes widened. She loved him! Well... the more he thought about it, he was irresistable. But still... that some other being besides Aelios herself would care so much about him to even rival his own care for himself. He felt that he was at a loss of words. He had even forgot the guards even existed. This woman must have been made by Aelios aswell to be his companion in his quest to ascension!

They were even in her temple, it was as if they were married already! Then she commanded the rude guard from before to personally repent by handing him over some clothing. The clothing was plain. Not appealing for a nobleman of his stature, which was high both literally and figuratively. But when he saw the glare in Kale's eyes, he felt so satisfied he just had to take the attire, after brushing it where the filthy commoner had held it.

Ayel offered a smile in mockery and satisfaction, his wife-to-be had commanded the lousy lowlife and he had obeyed. Perhaps she could even command the barbarian army to undo itself over a cliff?

"Ah! I shall personally inform his highness about all these things, you have my outmost..." Ayel swallowed as he begun to dress in his borrowed attire, it were as if the word itself hurt his throat and soul. "Gratitude." He said in a low voice.

"Yes, yes of course." He said, not quite hearing everything which Eris said as he was recuperating from giving her his thanks. If he would ever have to show the same kind of gratitude to Flynn's barbarian wife, he would likely throw up. Wait a moment? What had Eris just said?

Consider? Decision?

He blinked.

Surely she had not meant she needed time to consider his generous offer of marriage? Ayel gave a soft chuckle to himself as he reflected on it. No. That was definitely not it. She was absolutely smitten with him as much as himself, she was likely refering to considering which dress to wear and deciding on a date for their bonding ceremony. As she was a fellow noble, he could trust her enough to not make an awful choice, despite knowing his input would make everything better. But as she was his wife to be, she clearly must have felt insufficient in his presence and wanted something to put her own mind at.

Ayel nodded to himself in agreement, it was very seldom he disagreed with himself anyhow. But he was once again pleased that his powers of deduction were transcending that of normal noblemen, he had the gift of foresight and had such a great way in understanding women. When he finally snapped out from himself, he realized that Eris had already begun to walk. He straightened himself and raised his eyebrow in his usual arrogant manner, before adjusting his attire, and following a distance behind Eris to leave the temple.

@The Muse

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Location Eye of the Beholder.

---

Evelyn smiled as she listened to what Persephone had to say, not wasting a moment to listen to her words. In truth, she had a point, mostly due to a small growl coming from Evelyn's stomach. She blushed momentarily. When was the last time she ate? Likely back at her place before she left. It wasn't long before she got herself something to eat as well. She grabbed a nice hot pie, and a little cake with a half-cut piece of fruit on it.

With a knife and fork, she carved a piece out of the pie, and steam escaped the pie as the pastry section was cut open. Evelyn couldn't help but let out a pleasant sound as she chewed. This is really good. she thought as she dabbed her lips self-consciously that her face would have little drops of gravy that could fall on her outfit as she got ready to embrace her companion with more conversation, about their homeland and how they both preferred having outfits that could be both stylish and practical. “I agree wholeheartedly.” Evelyn mused, “We should ask the royals if we could allow the change in the uniform to be both stylish and practical.” She giggled at the very thought of it. Of course, she knew it wouldn't happen. She knew protecting people's lives was more important than looking fashionable. When Persephone mentioned that she was no hag. Evelyn agreed, “Correct. We are fine ladies.” before she took another bite.

Upon Persephone mentioning Orion, Evelyn choked on her food; instead of reaching for her glass of wine, she went for a glass of water. A few gulps and she was able to. She sent a small prayer up to the goddess that she wasn't taking a sip of wine; otherwise, she would have spat it out in sheer shock. When Evelyn composed herself, her eyes locked with the woman opposite her. It was clear she was quite observant. When Persephone went into the details about how her husband and Orion helped fight a blight beast with some others, she thought of how Orion would be so strong and how he'd just jump in to defend someone who couldn't defend themselves. Her spine straightened as a jolt surged through her body, with her thoughts going to Orion and only him. That's enough wine.

Then the topic went back to her work, thank the Goddess. Evelyn straightened in her seat, “While I've never had the honour to work on garments for the royals. I've assisted in making garments for the upper class of our society, a few dukes and duchesses.” She took another bite of pie while Persephone spoke. “That's very kind of you Persephone. Just because we are away from our old homes and families, we need to do our best, that we can do here.” she frowned at herself, almost sure that what she just tried to say made no sense.

Evelyn flushed ”La-lady Coswain!?” she squeaked to the older woman's bold question of her having a handsome knight. Evelyn gaze faulted, “No there isn't.” She wanted to lie, or say that it's a private matter, but it would be a pointless lie. She had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from saying something stupid,

She's not pretty enough,

she's not smart enough,

She's not good enough.

She took a deep breath to calm herself, praying that the conversation would shift. Her wish came true as Persephone mentioned why she was her. “Supply corruption?” she asked raising an eyebrow, “Most of our supplies that we get delivered here are quite limited. Do you know what sort of goods you were after? I could see a couple of the folk that handle deliveries loosen their lips for a little bit if you offer them a little bit of coin on the side."

---

Interactions: Lord and Lady Coswain @PrinceAlexus
Mentions: Orion/Onion @Qia

---

---

_{Location: Seluna Temple}

---

---

How long had it been? Ten minutes? Fifteen? No… Twenty?

Kira blinked, tearing her eyes down from the night sky. She lifted her hands from the water, examining the gouges she’d carved into her own palms on the walk to the temple. The bleeding had stopped. She barely even felt her fingertips. Or her limbs. In fact, her entire body felt numb, and yet…

No shivering.

She’d been submerged in ice water for more than twice the time she’d ever been able to endure as a human. Calm. Unmoving. The instinct to seek warmth was barely a whisper in the back of her mind. The transformation had made the cold more than tolerable. Almost irrelevant.

Despite all the ailments this water was said to heal, Seluna’s sacred moonwater could not have purified her. She had known it wouldn’t. Seluna had never been the most giving of the Goddess’, even in the best of times. But a small pang of disappointment lingered nonetheless. Something inside had quietly wished for it, despite knowing.

But the waters had always offered calm and clarity. And it had given her that, at least.

The panic had subsided. The anger curled inward, compressed into a small, heavy — manageable — knot in the center of her chest. She could breathe again.

She looked up through the open dome once more, watching large snowflakes steadily descend into the temple.

The prayer she’d begun before she’d entered the moonpool was unfinished. The final words danced at the edge of her tongue, but she forced them down.

Her fiery eyes narrowed on the moon’s light beyond the clouds. In the capital, she would have been forced to finish the prayer before being allowed to rise from Seluna’s waters.

She would not finish this ritual.
Not anymore.
It was no longer hers.

Feeling a tingle run down her spine, Kira glanced at her pile of clothing and weapons. The Lunarian guard was close now. She could feel his approach — she’d been aware of each and every step he took toward her.

Bracing her hands against the pool’s rim, she pushed herself out of the water. Sitting on the stone edge, she let the water rush off of her body and puddle onto the temple floor.

Behind her, the doors creaked open, but she didn’t turn to see who’d entered. She already knew. If not for their bond, then for the singular heartbeat that accompanied his arrival.

“Oh! Are you alright?”

She cringed, glaring down at the rippling moonpool. The tight ball of anger in her chest flexed.

“I was worried, I thought I heard.. Well, I think I did.. I—”

“Stop.”

And he did. His stammering. His fast approaching footsteps. He froze mid-stride in the center of the temple.

She sighed heavily. “You are incessant, aren’t you?”

Slowly she stretched her neck from side to side. Rolled her shoulders. Stretched her arms and her fingers. Then, when she felt feeling in her legs again, she stood.

She half turned, meeting his dark eyes, filled with concern — or perhaps horror. “Relax.” She murmured with a half smile. Bending, she gathered her pile of belongings. “Grab me a towel, hmm?”

She quietly padded to one of the pews, while he obeyed and began to move again — finding a nearby supply nook. Silently, while she rang out the wet ends of her hair onto the ground, he brought a towel.

As she dried herself, his lips parted. She felt his mind searching desperately for words. Thoughts slipped away before he could latch onto them. She nudged them further out of reach.

“Listen.” She draped the towel over his shoulders, then stepped into her undergarments and her pants. “You’re assigned here now. At the temple.”

“But I—”

Something slipped through. A stronger emotion, enough to let him speak. She extinguished it.

“Beg your commander to put you here. You’re devoted to protecting the Priestess now.”

He didn’t respond. She gave him a faint closed lipped smile and pulled on her shirt.

“You’re deeply devoted to the faith. Even if you weren’t before, now you are. Study. Assimilate.”

She tugged on her boots, propping one muddy shoe onto the pew as she slid a dagger into it.

“The Commander will—”

“Switch assignments with someone else. I don’t care how you do it.”

She met his gaze as she secured her second dagger at her hip. He blinked, frozen again.

“At the end of each day, you’ll report what you’ve seen to me. Or—” She shrugged on her coat, feeling the weight of Sya’s alcohol still in her pocket. “I will take it from your mind myself.”

Stepping closer, she placed a delicate hand on his cheek. “Understand?”

The response took a moment.

A few breaths passed between them. His heartbeat thundered in her ears. For a moment, she considered sinking her fangs into his throat again. But it was too soon. She’d kill him. And now — he had a use.

He nodded. She smiled.

“Good boy.”

With a harder than necessary pat to the side of his face, she turned and left him there in the temple. Held in place by their bond, he would remain. Praying. Acting the role. Until she loosened her grip enough for him to think on his own again.

Pushing open the heavy temple doors, Kira stepped into the falling snow and raised her hood.

It was time to go home.

Lord and Lady Coswain

The Eye

Bar side chats

Persephone was enjoying herself to be honest, a little intrigues, teasing, social intelligence and learning about the various ways that Dawn Haven worked and its little aspects that helped you decode its hidden stories and secrets. AND yes… her husband was right, she did need to eat. “Oh I agree, designed by men… we could be stylish, warm and show authority, designed by a grey man with a grey mind.” Persephone said with mischief, she was entirely beaten out of her by the pressured weight of serving in the king's realm. “Luckily my rise came with coins to commission items.” She was a Lady of a house, even if not the grandest of them, she would be unable to hide that.

She was not trying to infiltrate… Just building connections was as natural as breathing. “The eyes cooking.. surprises me, for such an outpost.” Persephone admitted.

Persephone was observant that it was her job and what she was good at. Yeah, she did tease the woman but not too much, and too far. “To Home, even in ice and rock its home.” She said raising a glass letting her have her thoughts, Orion hit something but let the woman have her privacy. He was a blight born but she was no fool, he had a certain… air of authority about him regardless. She was not sure if he had it before? But he had it now.

“Cold nights miss Evelyn, the odds are in your favour. Nice warm human heater, and the bonus's.” Persephone said with another shine of mischief, it would be easy to find a handsome man if she was so inclined.

Persephone paused and took a drink looking about the room casting a glance as she waited for the letter and her and Syas fallout to hopefully drop a bucket of shit on Ayels head. Really… he deserved it so much. “How Interesting, you obviously keep an eye open. And a little adventurous spirit. Do not risk yourself though, passive only. No need to get too involved.“ She paused before stretching and signing a note to add to the list of their expenses at the inn. “It was a bit fuzzy at first, anything easily moved, without much special requirements. Mostly essential goods and survival related. They were smart to not take stuff that was too high profile and easily mixed and sold on. Watch posts were paid off and people were lifting from winter stores.. They regret that now.” She finished and turned a little more serious.

She kept her tone quiet so others did not hear them and had an eye about the room as they talked. Ironic. An eye at the eye. “Be careful, just be natural, nothing crazy.” She said and said more loudly.

Persephone went back to a topic that sounded a lot more normal, a lot less intrigued. “Oh you should join me at the bath houses some day, Temple or not…hot water is soothing muss Evelyn.” She sounded entirely social and like that noble lady she was also. Her eyes glittered with a knowing look, Persephone was perceptive and more than a little able to be tricky..

Mentions
@Echotech71

Daphne

Infimary

Mye head hurts... Alot.

Daphne head felt like a drum had been beating on it and then an ice troll used her as a punching bag. She did not remember much why and her eyes hurt to even open them at the present, barely able to register her limbs as she began to feel she had least got all her limbs intact.

The last she recalled was gadez, his talking, her swords. The jail then a wall of heat and nothing else. Everything else went blank and even that was fuzzy and like looking through fog. The sounds about her did not make sense and it smelt of potions… people, and like when she got hurt in training.

She barely cracked her eyes open before closing them and curling into the tough blankets, it took several minutes and blinding mental pain before she could look out fuzzily to see an infirmary still foggy. She must have really taken a heavy hit to end up here. Gear laid before her and someone had removed her outer armour already, under layers and a blanket keeping her warm near a brazier.

…

Meanwhile outside.

Hearing the news made his blood thunder, it was a dangerous job but this stank of rank amateur hours. A man escaped the guarded bloody jail , beat the anti magic wards… his squire. Oh this was personal, she was of his household and this Gadez, he had beaten his Squire but he was a far more experienced soldier and much more refined I using his abilities. Daphne was still mastering hers fully, he had no such issue.

He had seen her carried into the hospital, she protected the Royals but what the hell? Did they have any sense of danger? "I want that man's head, find the fucker. Lords fucking luxury, that sun shaggers head is mine." Lord Coswain growled great sword out and resting in his hand having picked up a additional weapon from their cart. A one handed warhammer rested at his hip and a brutal short hand axe on the other side instead of his normal daggers.

…

Meanwhile Daphne was trying to force her brain to at least be able to get up, her first attempt after the blast of fire had resulted in blinding pain. She had definitely hit her head and recalled the ground had likely been frozen hard near the jail. Armour as great at taking some of the energy out of an impact but it did not remove the fact you still got hit, she was alive but wow did she feel like a troll punched her.

“You alright Pri….” Daphne said half as her violet eyes scanned the room remembering she was in hospital and the others had likely got out or been far further away from the blast that had taken her out. That much was clear. If she had stepped into him she would likely be worse off.

“Oww…” She had tried to lift her head again.. she probably would be here for a few hours till she could stand up without falling or so without help.

“Bloody shoddy Aurelian jails.”, Daphne grumbled as she got uncomfortable in the rather spartan conditions, Inn or not…Sya really had made the most out of a bad situation and the Eye was remarkably comfortable for such a far flung outpost. Honestly, right now she was bloody hungry too… She had been heading for a meal when she planned to leave and walked into that mess…

Why was it always Daphne?

Why?

Her stomach grumbled as the Squire sighed. Insult to injury.

---

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_{Location: Alchemy Chambers}

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---

Stepping into the Alchemy Chambers, Zeph scanned the room for the nobles they’d left at the door. Strangely, two seemed to be missing — Hightower and… that other guy he hadn’t bothered to remember the name of.

His gaze settled on Nesna, assessing. The warm glow of the hearth’s firelight illuminated her, the soft golden hue almost making her greyish skin tone appear more human than she was. Nearer to the flames, the older Sage who’d healed up his wrist was in the middle of speaking to her. Penelope’s dark eyes flicked past Nesna, landing on the two guards as they entered, though her voice didn’t falter.

“…our dear King didn’t deem it worth the resources until it was far too late,” she said, tone steady as her attention returned to Nesna. “We know the blight rises from the earth itself, but we’re really just beginning our research. We’re here to find out why it’s happening.” Her gaze shifted to Nesna’s wings, curious but cautious. “And how people like yourself managed to survive it.”

Stepping forward, Zeph picked up his pace to pass Charlotte. Purposely drifting too close, his shoulder brushed up against hers. With a gentle push of his elbow, he nudged her just off balance enough to force her to stumble sideways and out of his path. Shooting her a sidelong glance, he smirked, then continued ahead as though nothing had happened.

“We're hopeful that the interviews the Prince holds will help us to find a common denominator between you...”

Stopping in front of the hearth, Zeph extended his hands out towards the flames and exhaled with relief, letting the warmth settle back into his bones. After a few breaths, the silence that had fallen over the room became noticeable. When he glanced over his shoulder, Penelope was staring him down with an expectantly arched brow.

“Oh…” He gave her a sheepish smile before turning to address the room. “Perimeter looks clear.” He reported, tucking his hands into his coat pockets.

Hearing approaching footsteps, Zeph’s gaze shifted past Penelope, finding the male Sage as he emerged from a dim hallway. His eyes tracked the man’s movement as he continued, “There’s damage to one of the outer walls, though. We should let Azkona know. He’ll have it fixed up in no time… after he’s done huffing about it, anyway.”

Penelope let out a long, weary sigh, rubbing her temple but saying nothing more.

Zeph’s lips twitched upward as he turned his attention back to her, then settled onto Nesna once more. Taking a small step back, he angled himself to better see Nesna’s wings as the fire cast them in light. He leaned in, invading her space without seeming to notice, his head tilting with quiet curiosity.

“Stitching still looks good,” he murmured, inspecting what he could in the subpar lighting. “The opening for your wings… seems to be holding up well.”

He was opening his mouth to ask whether she’d found the local tailor to make adjustments to the rest of her clothing when the entry door swung open. An Aurelian guard stepped inside, snow and mud covered boots thudding against the wooden floors. He scanned the room, and Zeph’s brow furrowed at the tension in the man’s posture.

“Apologies for the intrusion. Is Lady Hightower in the building? I’ve an urgent message for her.” the guard’s gaze swept the room, lingering on Charlotte for a brief moment.

Penelope’s expression sharpened. “No. Can I take a message?”

“There’s been an incident at the jail with a blight-born. Suspected to be the one responsible for the attack yesterday. Sages are needed. There are… remains." The guard shifted, visibly uneasy. “If Lady Hightower isn’t here… what about her second? Lord Galahad?”

Penelope nodded once. “I’ll fetch him.”

With a swirl of robes, she vanished deeper into the chambers, leaving the others standing in the flicker of the hearth’s glow.

---

_{Interactions: Charlotte @SpicyMeatball, Nesna @enmuni, Nathaniel @Echotech71}

_{Interactions with: Sya at the end
Location: Desmond's warehouse, on the roads of Dawnhaven and the Hot Springs}

The night's progress did not make the warehouse any less spooky than the first impression it had given, but after a couple of minutes had passed, Valthyr hardly noticed anymore. There were other scary things to deal with: How to carve out what should become a highly irregular piece of furniture suited not to an ordinary human's butt, but the very curved and irregular body shape of a half snake, half human user that would be Sya. There were several requirements that the druid needed to consider:

First of all was shape. Something that was just flat would maybe work for the lower body, but weight distribution would be a lot better if he'd make it longer and more curved so to force less deformation and increase the surface area. The same held true for the backrest. Maybe something like a front-rest would be better ? Like people sometimes turned their chairs around to put their hands onto the top of the backrest. Well, if Sya wanted that, she could do that anyway as well perhaps.

Second was surface quality. Ordinary people often wore thick clothes and had decent body fat around their butt, but what about... scales ? Were these even real scales or something different that only looked like it ? Valthyr could only speculate and decide for the safest option there was. Making the surface as smooth as possible and literally cutting corners was a good thing this time. The idea of treating the wood with oil crossed his mind, but again, that could be done later on still and he was not familiar with the mostly Aurelian oils around here. Hopefully this tree's wood had not so much of a tendency to splinter and leave behind tiny wooden needles that could puncture her anyway.

On the plus side, he was pretty sure that Sya didn't weigh that much, so sturdyness was not a major concern. Then again... it would be in the Eye Of The Beholder. From what he had been able to find out about that place himself so far, it could be rather turbulent and reckless, too. What if some drunken asshole would kick it around for it would not be useable for him most likely, but just occupy space ?

Last but not least, there was the factor of time. He had made a promise and didn't want her to wait for weeks. So candles were set up quickly, a set of tools that was more proper than the bare rock he picked up the forest found and magic let go off to remove the coarse bulk of the massive wooden block efficiently. It was pretty cold and the chill of standing naked in the forest had not yet entirely let go of the druid, so the imagination to try and feed the removed (and all of a sudden halfway rotten) scraps into a small fire made right on the ground was tempting.

Unfortunately, Desmond might not have approved of all of his goods having that smell of dried and smoked food attached to them. Not to mention the hazard of accidentally burning down the whole place.

Wood was a major material for the druids Valthyr came from. With the proper knowledge and some, let's say, non-standard processing and treatment, it could replace stone and even metal in a surprisingly large number of applications. So it was pretty hard to find any of his kind who hadn't learned at least a little bit about working with a saw and a plane. Valthyr made a mental note about asking this Flynn guy whether he could grow an Anzanica-tree here. The perfect plant to make arms and armor from, but it really didn't get along very nicely with most other plants because they had a tendency to be a little toxic. Wait... he should ask to grow an entire forest of them, around useless man's residence! If the noble would try and burn it because leaves fell onto his property...

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Valthyr had no idea about how much time had actually passed. Under any normal circumstances, the fact that there still was nothing but darkness not shining through the fine gaps in the wooden walls would have given a decent hint, but without the sun it said nothing. As the flow of work started to recede, the druid slowly noticed just how drained he felt. Would Sya even recognize him as him as he still wore one of Ivor's furs and was not really shorter than the blightborn ? And where was she ?

The dark rings around his eyes made a pretty stark contrast to his bright red hair, so much so that one could think he had been beaten up after his disappearance at the hot springs. The druid's back felt somewhat stiff from all the bending and standing all the time and his mind felt like a sponge after having turned that corner of the warehouse into a ritual circle. The best idea probably was to carry the finished product straight to the Eye. If Sya wasn't there, he could still at least just topple over and start sleeping on a warm, comfy ground.

He didn't knock at the door, he just bumped it open pretty hard so it would stay open long enough to carry the chair in. Also he just wanted the warmth to surge over his tortured body. Yet the lamia wasn't here according to a bunch of lone patrons still idling around here. So maybe she was still in the hot water ?

Could use some of that as well to wash off the dirt. Hopefully there was a guard or so he could ask to watch him in case he'd fall asleep in the water and start drowning! So the druid trundled on through the snow at more of a snail's pace than ever before albeit he had left the chair in the inn. He had spotted some sort of second way directly to the springs upon his first arrival, that was the approach he was going to use.

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"Sya ? Are you still here ?" Valthyr's hoarse voice reverberated through the area seemingly out of nowhere as the amount of condensed steam blocking everyone's sight had only increased.

Sya was in the hotter area, water was hot steaming as rocks also were hotter than other areas of the baths. The heat warred against her blight born nature, but others pulled her towards comfort in the heat, the water and had found a spot that…suited…mostly enjoying the heat of the ground vs water alone. Sya was unsure how anything worked but Sya just had to do what she could….

Sya was lost in her memories of a past life, a past Sya and a past place that lay deep within the blight. Auralia that had let her people die… They lay far below an ancient golden monastery close to the sea. And now Sya was in Dawn haven, her eye had tears from the peacock and her mind's memories forced to surface as her tail floated and drifted on currents. Regardless of her … anger she could only only take so much before she broke.

She really wanted to have shattered his ribs like a bird's wings but.. she had restrained that drive and sudden aggressive instinct. No, Sya was no monster. She was Sya… Sya could get even… with her mind. Ayel had forced her…into this hole…damn bloody peacock would be banned forever, and any of his kin for the next 10 generations from anything her family if she had one owned.

“Urgh… why does the Prince even tolerate him…” Sya wondered, his claims of being so close to him were really not looking good on Prince's reputation. How could he claim to welcome blight born and allow that? Sya was no Prince so who knew what went on in the Royals heads. Maybe they had the same problems. Maybe not.

Sya was napping for a few minutes letting hot tea soothe her and laying against the soothing heat, blue scaled tail glittering and drifting in a gentle heat current having found a comforting spot to rest and bask in the rock's steady warmth. Her big eye was closed and mind half soothed into rest but Sya was alert enough when an unknown time later she lifted her head at a noise and her name.

“I isssss here… but vhere ..am vi...now.” Sya said as she rose, her voice coming from a direction, but heat rendered her heat sense blind and her superb eyesight was limited.

However Sya felt a little cheeky, her old self, a little more like Sya so she got up sliding out the water and moving silently, based on noise. Barely making a sound she let bright blue scales flash in the light before vanishing as she circled in without making a sound. Sya did this a few times knowing the person she was playing with and at her close distances her heat and enhanced vision began to work more efficiently Sya despite the fact it caused a head ache, switched and used both senses before appearing beside him out the mist with a mischievous look. “Good Vegg Valthyr, Hello, I am in fact Sssssya.” She exaggerated the S and pouted. Being a little over 5 foot at Valthyr … was really damn tall she hugged his waist instead of anything else. He had given a good impression on her when she met him.

“Small, vot even reach vour cheek…. Or shoulder. Live Blight. Not get a inch.” Sya said as she planned to kiss his cheek but could not even reach his shoulder. She had to even back up a little to see him as she moved round, having mastered going backwards with no apparent motion visible to Valthyr.

“Vou want to join me? Protect from bad egg… ve have tea… You cannot vood forge…vy chair? Or you hide vrom bad egg with rot yolk like ve.” Sya said honestly rather than hoping to have a big man about to make her feel safe. bit like she felt when she preached near her fathers forge. Only one trader had tried anything to her and he was met by the eyes of a tall, muscular blacksmith with narrowed eyes, a heavy hammer, broad shoulders, hands and arms that made most men look like children. He gave Sya the price she damnded… if only to leave their very very quickly…

“I know im ….. me….now…” Sya said with a frustrated flick of scales and a down cast look but hooked her upper arm practically around Valthyr's wrist to lead him to her little spot she found. Ahe could reach him better when they sat down.

...

Mentions
@Fetzen

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_{Location: Aelios Temple > Hot Springs}

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Eris kept her expression composed as she and Lord Raunefeldt walked down the hall, leaving the High Priestess’ chambers behind them. The two guards remained near the room, already speaking in low, urgent tones about calling for reinforcements to investigate the alleged “break-in.”

Good, she thought. Little of Ayel’s story made sense to her, but she wasn’t about to question him directly. Not without evidence of what had really happened. Not when her energy was already running dangerously thin.

As they entered the central chamber of the temple, she stepped aside and inclined her head toward him with practiced diplomacy. “Thank you again, Lord Raunefeldt, for your… patience. I greatly appreciate it and I—”

Mid-sentence, a thought struck. Frazzled by Ayel’s forwardness, she’d completely forgotten to ask something.

Eris blinked and immediately turned toward the hallway, then paused. “Forgive me. I need to speak with the guards. Be well, Lord Raunefeldt. May Aelios guide you safely.”

Before Ayel could respond, she pivoted, her boots tapping swiftly against the stone floor as she returned to the two guards who were now forming a barricade at the High Priestess’ doorway.

Kale straightened at her approach. “I’m sorry, Lady Hightower, but we can’t have you back here.”

“I apologize,” she said, lowering her voice. “But have either of you seen the innkeeper today? I heard she was headed this way. Or the High Priestess? Do you know when she’ll return?”

“I saw the innkeeper head out to the hot springs a while ago,” Kale replied, glancing at his counterpart who simply shrugged and shook his head. “Haven’t seen the High Priestess since this morning.”

“Thank you.” Eris glanced briefly past him into the dark of Tia’s room. “Please let me know what you learn about the break-in, when you can.”

Kale nodded once, then flicked a subtle look down the corridor, signaling that it was time for her to move on. With that, Eris slipped away.

In the temple’s center, she paused at the eternal flame, letting its sacred heat seep into her. Quietly, she whispered a prayer for strength, then crossed the chamber and pushed open the side door that led to the back of the temple.

Warmth met her immediately. A dense wave of steam rolled from the springs, curling around her face and loosening the tension in her shoulders. A small blessing.

For a moment, it almost felt peaceful.

Her gaze swept through the drifting fog, finding the familiar alcove at the top of the steps leading into the private baths. Instinctively, she slipped her hands into her pockets, fingers finding the hairpins Tia had left behind. She recalled sitting there with the High Priestess — Tia’s quiet guidance, the push to investigate the blight-born’s blood…. but how had she known?

Hearing a faint echo of voices coming from below, Eris stilled. For a moment, she simply listened, trying to pick out each word and voice. How many people were there? Who was it? Were the tones happy? What was she about to walk into?

To her dismay, she was unable to decipher much.

Mindful of the slick stone, she began descending the large steps toward the lower springs. Sya’s voice reached her first. The northern Aurelian wilds cadence was unmistakable.

As Eris drew nearer, she spotted Sya’s silhouette through the steam. The form of a half-snake, half-woman was difficult to miss, even blurred. She was speaking to an exceptionally tall man, wrapped around him, and beginning to lead him… somewhere.

Eris’ curiosity flickered, but she kept it tightly contained, careful not to let it show in her expression as her gaze flicked between the pair. The man looked… imposing, to say the least. But if Sya was comfortable with him, then he was likely safe… right?

Her stomach tightened as the steam parted, her eyes finding Sya more clearly. The innkeeper’s new serpent tail gleamed, damp from the springwater, coiled where legs should be — where they had been only mere weeks ago.

Eris swallowed.

She’d always hated snakes. Their movement, their eyes, the way their tongues flicked. In Aurelia, many carried venom potent enough to kill. And yet Sya…. was Sya. Gentle. Warm. Earnest.

She remembered her own reflexive flinch when she’d first seen Sya’s second transformation. The way Sya’s expression flickered painfully at Eris’ speedy retreat. And the short letter Sya had written afterward, so soft and kind. Just as Sya had been from the moment they met in Dawnhaven, just over two months ago.

“Sya…” Eris called softly, slowing her pace, her gaze flicking briefly to the stranger then back to her friend. “I’m sorry… I hope I’m not interrupting something?”

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_{Interactions: Sya @PrinceAlexus, Valthyr @Fetzen, Ayel @Dezuel}