Shadows Rise and Shadows Fall - Chapter 3
Shadows Rise and Shadows Fall - Chapter 3
OOC Notes:
Exp from Chapter 1 and 2 is 4050. Exp for Chapter 3 will be forthcoming.
Loot:
The booty from the githyanki task force:
3 sets of +1 full plate
3 +1 greatswords
+2 full plate
+1 flaming/+1 shocking two-bladed sword
Gauntlets of ogre power (+2)
+1 unholy silver sword
+3 full plate
Ring of protection +1
Staff of Necromancy
Ring of protection +2
Cloak of Charisma +2
+1 driftmetal breastplate, (25% chance of effective vs incorporeal atk, +1000gp)
+1 greatsword
+1 composite longbow (+5 str)
potion of bull strength
potion of bear’s endurance
potion fo haste
This Week’s Adventure:
Aran’gel told me that there were perhaps ten thousand githyanki in the attacks. It has been difficult to get a count due to their mobility. The main offensive has been underway for a week, and preparations likely longer. The interdiction on planar travel only started within the last 48 hours. Currently they are not sure who is responsible, how they did it or why. The Gith have attacked mainly in the northwestern areas of the Flaness. The south has been left untouched. Near Brindinford there have been reports of holes punched to the shadow plane, but they are not conventional portals. It seems connected to Rauxes, but little more is known.
Of course the “northwestern area of the Flaness” made us all wonder if they were looking for Ruun-Khazai. But I keep telling myself they would have no reason to look for it nor know it was here.
The Swiftrunners had been dispatched to deliver ther reports, and two of them went to the command post that we were heading for. The brig floated slowly, letting the mounted troops keep up. The battle left us only with the healthy and the dead – any injured elves were healed by Dravot’s attentions. The progress was slow as the horses picked their way through dense forest, but we would reach the command post by dinner.
Scorch proceeded to analyze the brig, making various comments about the work and spellcraft. He trapsed all over the ship shouting loudly about planar mechanics and the ship slipping into the astral for a while. Then when he was in the power room he suddenly he went silent. He came back on deck and his face had lost some of its color. In a low voice he said “Do you realize the level of skill necessary to make a ship like this? Only the most talented spellcasters could manage it.”
I looked back at him blankly, not understanding.
“Don’t you see? The Lich Queen of the Githyanki! She consumes her people before allowing them to become powerful enough to make something like this.” The habits of the Lich Queen were well known to anyone who traveled the planes – when a githyanki reached a certain power, his soul was consumed by the Lich Queen, lest he become a threat to her. I had known this for some time.
“So who made the ships?” I asked.
Scorch’s answer was quick. “Either someone else made them, which I highly doubt. Or a githyanki made them after he was consumed.”
Dravot had an immediate realization. “Of course. That explains it. The mage on the other brig – he must have been undead. He was too far to detect the taint but I’m sure of it now. Their army includes undead more powerful than the Lich Queen allows the githyanki to become. This is not good at all.”
When searching the brig for useful information, we found nothing but food. Of course most of it couldn’t be called “food” by conventional definitions but it was there to be eaten. Some of the stranger stuff would be poisonous to primers, and poisonous to the githyanki. It seemed to be food native to Limbo.
I asked Scorch “So who isn’t it poisonous to?”
He said “Slaad.”
Wonderful.
After we had traveled for a couple hours, I had the sense that we were getting closer to elven patrols. Sure enough, out of the clouds came a wing of hippogriff cavalry. Aran’gel fired a signal arrow and the team flew by and waved us on with a cheer at the captured brig. After their withdrawal, a set of three copper dragons came in. I was surprised to see them so openly but glad at the same time. Two of them peeled off to resume the patrol, while the third one plunged straight towards the deck, changing to a human form moments before landing. With a small thud, the Anvil landed on deck and greeted us.
We spent some time updating each other. He told us that Chavram’s army has managed to liberate Geoff and the giants are defeated or driven back. But the army itself is now missing, having completely vanished. Again. There was some reason to suspect that Chavram may have captured another binder from the Barrier Peaks. The rest was mostly known to us already, but confirmation is always welcome in such uncertain times. After a time, Anvil left to attend to other matters, and left one of his cousins, Cauldron, flying escort with us so as not to alarm anyone.
As the sun started setting, we came over a ridge and saw the command post. It was no mere field camp – there were some twenty to thirty thousand troops by my quick count. Most were of Celene, but there were banners of the Uleks and a least a division of Nyrondese guardsmen. Aran’gel pointed to an apparently empty hilltop as the location of the command post, and we brought the brig in nearby. There was a great deal of silence as the brig passed overhead, but welcome cries as the elven troops returned with us.
We wasted no time heading for the tent where Onselven had set up command. After stepping through the illusion covering the hilltop, we saw a tent seemed completely unsuited to life in the field, except that magic had made up the difference between ornamentation and durability. Our group with Aran’gel and I in the lead went straight inside without waiting for any kind of announcement. Inside were a group of generals clustered around an enchanted map. At the head was Onselven, carrying a different staff than usual. The map had markers on it indicating where victories, defeats and uncertain battles had taken place. There were three of each so far. Interestingly, our fight was the first one to occur even remotely close to a body of water.
I ignored protocol and broke into the discussion as I walked up, asking what the situation was. Onselven started with the basics, saying “Kayleigh. It is good to see you. Your timing could not have been better.” There were some nods among the generals at that, except for one who was staring a bit. Of course I can forgive him – it was my father.
I beamed at him “Hello Father!”
He just stood a moment, taking in his daughter who seemed so different. “Have you grown taller, child?”
I just laughed. “No Father.”
“Changed your hair, perhaps?”
“No Father.”
“Perhaps something…. “ and he just trailed off. Aran’gel meanwhile was rolling his eyes a bit.
I couldn’t help myself and quietly said to him “Listen, I’ve had to deal with your familiy all this time, I’m sure you can manage mine for a bit.” Then I got to enjoy the people pretending not to have heard that, since it’s not something many would say so casually. I looked over to Onselven to please tell us what had been going on and he obliged.
Onselven decided to reign things in a bit. “You have been in the Queen’s mind, but not in her eyes, if you take my meaning. However she did know of your return. You and your friends encountered the most violent of the ambush attacks, but it was not the only one. At most they have fielded only one of the dreadnaughts in any other encounter and we have had great difficulty with just that. As for the battle you joined, I suspect they were trying to kill Aran’gel. We can imagine no other reason that they committed two of those creatures.”
Interesting. Onselven went on to discuss the various aspects of the attacks – always hit-and-run, never near water. And without any apparent conventional objective. It’s more like guerilla warfare than anything. I continue to wonder what they are here for.
I asked if we could speak privately for a time, and Onselven obliged, dismissing the generals and the staffers. We told him of the ShadowTaker and the infilitration and agents. He said that they have suspected some people for some time but did not know who they were working for. He was also troubled by the marionettes. Bolo took time to Commune with Nature and scan the area for unusual presences. He found two entities in the camp itself. It was troubling news, but we lacked the proper spells to ferret out these intruders. It would have to wait til the morning.
But Bolo also discovered an incredibly powerful fey presence five miles to the north. While he went to investigate, Scorch and Valanthe took some time to check on the progress of Scorch’s guildmates. We split up for a time, and I stayed with Aran’gel and Onselven to discuss matters in detail.
Scorch and Valanthe had an interesting trip I learned later. While progress was going well on the guild activites, there were other problems. Valanthe was keeping an eye out for the Burning Skin, but instead discovered a creature called Esphathat - some kind of gibbering demon. Valanthe’s shadow blast once again was used to incredible effect, and they destroyed it handily. I’m not sure if this was some left over servant of the ShadowTaker or something else entirely. I was worried for a minute about them being attacked when alone, but then I realized who I was thinking about and that they could easily take care of themselves.
It was Bolo’s journey that proved to be more… I don’t suppose I really have a good word right now. It was a half hour or so after he left that Bolo called out to me on the scale, saying I should come there. Someone wanted to talk to me. He gave me quick directions and I set off in the air to where he had gone.
I landed in a quiet clearing that seemed worlds away from the conflict so close to it. Bolo was there, with another elf.
Or not an elf. Not quite. It took me a moment to realize the creature was a Leshay. I had never seen one before but I was sure just the same. I said hello and just as Bolo was introducing the creature, he slowed then stopped completely. I turned back to the Leshay, who just looked ever so slightly confused, and then I turned my head farther, knowing what would be there. And I wasn’t disappointed.
Olidamarra.
The rogue pulled out a bottle of wine and then, with a gesture of “Stand back and watch this!” proceeded to hang the bottle in mid air.
Just above Bolo’s head.
The Leshay was still uncertain why Olidamarra was here – he clearly seemed to know who it was, but had no idea what would make him suddenly show up. But Olidamarra was ready, and let time resume, and the bottle promptly bonked Bolo on the confused pate. Not really understanding, but not really needing to, he picked up the bottle and rubbed his head while he poured himself some wine. It seemed Bolo couldn’t perceive the rogue, and I was just trying not to laugh too much. Bolo wasn’t sure what was happening but he decided to leave us to our business and went off with the wine.
I turned to the Leshay, trying something less than my best to avoid giggling at Olidamarra. I wasn’t sure who this being was or if it was just an excuse of Olidamarra’s, but the way the Leshay was reacting made me believe he was a distinct and powerful entity of his own.
Trying to muster some reason, I said “Hello. You wished to speak to me?”
He looked serious again. “Yes I did. I wanted to discuss…” and then he gave up and wheeled on Olidamarra. “Look, can you just piss off?”
I giggled. And I knew what the answer would be.
Olidamarra said “Hm…let me see... um… No. Just pretend I’m not here. Go ahead with what you’re doing.” And with that he offered me a glass of fine wine. And I took it – I could tell I was going to need it.
The Leshay gave up and just went on, trying his best to ignore the antics. “As I spoke to your companion, you have received one of the Marks. I see it has supplanted your Nock. It is past time you move on. You are more than a simple Champion now, and it is no mean feat to be a ‘simple’ Champion. If you are to protect your people, you must become something more. The Marks are a … a remnant of my people. You need to tap into your inner power. You need to become one with the weapon you wield if you are to deal with the abominations you have encountered of late. Within the borders of our lands I can sense anything that happens. And I felt the… things that the gith brought. We drove them out because of their dalliances in such matters. But now they have brought those things here and they must be removed.”
At once, I both knew and did not know this elf. I felt as one with him, empathized with him, and completely believed him. But I was at a loss as to who it was in a more conventional sense. For now though, I listened as he went on.
“I am not sure what moves the Githyanki. I sense another hand behind them. How convenient that all these things should come together at the same time. Some hand moves these things – a hand that does not like to be seen.”
I felt an idea in my mind and spoke. In looking back, perhaps it was unwise to do so in front of Olidamarra, but on the other hand I’m not sure anything is hidden from him anyway. “The Demon Prince of Deception has had a hand in some matters, in ways we have not fathomed. There is no reason to suspect him, but your description fits him all too well.”
He paused and thought on that a moment, perhaps exploring the idea. He was intrigued but it would need to wait. He turned to other topics. “I shall tell you what I told young Brandybuck – the seals on the Primals are weakening. Some of them will break. I am not sure what will happen then. The Primals predate even my race. Only the dragons remember. But they passed the lore to us and us to elfkind, but things become lost, and history forgotten. But the dragons know. There is one, the oldest of their kind, called The Silverring. He knows. He can tell you which of the Primals will be… well perhaps not allies, but of diminished threat. You must seek him out. He may be troublesome… he is a silver after all.”
I took a sip of my wine and replied casually. “Oh he is well known to me.” Then I corrected myself “Well, perhaps best to say he is known to me. One of my kind could likely never truly know him well. But I have had dealings with him. He will help if he can.”
The Leshay was surprised that I not only knew of the Silverring but spoke of him so casually. Olidamarra was just plain amused but kept fairly quiet, even during the serious bits. The Leshay went on. “The Primals are not good, they are not evil, they are beyond such concepts. They are… prime. They are pure in their way, but they could destroy us. Not all the primals will be unsympathetic to the world as it is now. There may be ways other than violence but I cannot say. Also it is possible that they could be… not so much destroyed as dispersed. But it would take a fantastic effort. One which you are not capable of unless you grasp the power you contain, the possibility that was sown within you. “
“I called you here to grant you a boon. You have brought things back to the prime, to the true world. Things that you have considered I think to use as part of your power. I caution you: Do not use them. I have brought you a gift that is more appropriate.” With that he handed me a branch. The branch looked as if it had just been cut from the tree, and the wood still felt alive, and yet pulsed with a power I have rarely seen. I held it a moment, then looked at the Leshay. He was right – we had picked up a significant amount of vitaesis and isometril, and I was planning on using them in the crafting of a new bow. But this…
He explained “The First Ash asked that I give this to you. It is of the First Ash. The World Tree. Imbue it with your power. Learn well the lessons you need to craft it. This can craft the finest bow that will ever have been made, for no other wood exists like this wood. Wood from the first tree that ever took root on the prime. When you have forged your weapon, keep every last shaving, every piece. I would prefer you return them to me so I may seed them around the One Ash. Or if for some reason you cannot find me, give them to young Brandybuck and let him plant them as he sees fit. But they must not fall into improper hands. If you use those things from the other places, make only arrows from them. Never use them in the bow. You may put other items of this world in the bow, but they must be of this world. Anything else would dilute the power. Make the bow here, in our lands, and it shall serve you well.”
He had said what he came to say. Done what he came to do. He waited, knowing I would have questions. I phrased my first carefully.
“You have given me a gift beyond words. You and the World Ash. But I know it is no ‘gift’. It is a tool. Something that I may protect our people. And with it I shall. But you…while I feel I know you, at the same time I must ask. Who are you?”
He smiled. Olidamarra jumped around and raised his hand, shouting “I know! I know! Pick me!” We ignored him. “I am Solostarn. I am the first Champion. It was I that passed the potential of the Champions on, spread the seed if you will. I have gone beyond that now, but I still have limitations. I am sworn by duty to this land, bound to it. Not the way the druid would think but it a way not entirely dissimilar. It is why this concerns me so. The death of ten, a hundred, a thousand elves is no great moment to me. But the Gith… they anger me. There are too many events too close together for mere conincidence. Since I know it is of interest to you I should mention – I know the animus passed through near here briefly. I know not where he went. He was heading towards the mountains, bringing all manner of unnatural beast with him but I cannot say if he came out on the other side.”
“When the time is right, seek your Queen. She will take you to the binder. It will unlock your power for you. There may be another way, but I know that one will work. Because when you see through the binder, when you sense all of Celene the way your Queen does, that which is inside you will be brought forth. You cannot be a Champion of your people until you feel all of your people.”
I looked at him and softly asked “Did you walk this path?”
“Aye, I did, long ago." I couldn't even guess at how long, but it was some comfort all the same.
"It is time for me to go. Should you need to speak to me, come to this place and linger for a time, and I will know. I will offer what knowledge I can. Within Celene’s borders I know much. Outside, I am more limited. You should understand that you have exceeded all but a few of your fellows. Few have reached these heights. You and your friends are beings of… concern to greater powers. One day, if you survive the journey, you may learn to summon energies from your soul. When you do this, you will have no need of the items you craft, though they will always hold some power. Each of your companions was chosen by the dragons for a reason. I’m sure now you can see why.”
Indeed I could. I was strangely quiet in that clearing. I can’t say why. It wasn’t awe, though I had no end of respect for the first Champion. Perhaps I knew I just needed to listen. But he had spoken, and I had marked him well. I knew what I had to do. Even so, I found knowing that he had walked the path before me to be of comfort.
Of course there was still Olidamarra. Why, one wonders. I wondered. And I asked. “So what brings you here?”
The rogue was oddly evasive, even for him. He rambled on through unconnected thoughts. Or they seemed that way, but there was deep meaning behind that chatter. “Oh I wanted to see the fireworks, but I guess I’ll just have to wait until you reach into the binder, and grab the djinn by his willie or whatever happens. Did you know I can see, oh, thirteen days into the future? But did you know I can’t see the exact future?”
I just waved my glass absently at him. He was going somewhere while trying to sound like he was saying nothing, and the best thing to do was let him. He spent several minutes rambling about a “causality loop” illustrated with a charming example of smacking Bolo on the head.
“Let’s say I know someone is going to smack Bolo in the back of the head. And I tell you. So what do you do?”
I just looked at him blankly and he quickly went on “Ok let’s just pretend you’d stop them rather than just point and laugh. But now you stopped them and it didn’t happen, so what did I know about the future?”
I didn’t quite follow him but I understood just enough to realize that if he told me the future, I could change it and then he’d be wrong. Add in the fact that all the gods can see ahead and it gets complicated.
But he wasn’t done. “Let’s say Orcus comes to the prime….”
I stopped him. “Orcus?!? Is Orcus coming to the prime??”
“Erm…no…um….I meant… uh… Pelor! Yes. Let’s say Pelor is coming to the prime. I never said Orcus. Not me. Didn’t happen. And of course, it may or may not even happen.”
“Oh of course,” I replied. “Pelor. Got it.” This was bad. Olidimarra was worried. Worried enough to take action that was probably not within the rules of the game somehow. But I got his hint well enough. Or at least I think I did.
Bolo had returned but couldn’t follow the conversation at all. He finally asked what was happening, and I remarked that Olidamarra was here.
“Here?!? EEEP!” he squeaked. And Olidamarra saw his chance. He appeared before Bolo as a thirty foot tall divine being, power shining forth from all around him. The great masked face laughed and called down “BOLO! RECEIVE MY BLESSINGS!” And then he took his finger and put it in his mouth and made sure to roll it around so it was good and wet. And then he took the great finger, and as Bolo stood motionless, stuck it in his ear.
And wriggled it around. Then with a crack of thunder, he disappeared.
Even Solostarn laughed at that.
Bolo was stunned and reeled. His mind was clearly overwhelmed by the shock of the “blessing”. I supported Bolo and sat him down. Solostarn just bowed and I smiled back at him, and mouthed a silent “Thank you”. The first champion smiled and faded into the woods.
Bolo took a minute to regain his wits. I asked him what happened, and he started rambling quickly, starting from when he first came to Solostarn. I had to hold him stead at times because he was dazed and his animated story almost took him off the rock a couple times.
“He told me he came for two reasons the Primals the seals are weakening he said I had to bring all the druids to me and I said to me? and he said not all of them are destroyed you see some were not part of the councils and they live on druids are an independent lot you know he said I must seek the council of the First Ash it will help me call them.”
Bolo just kind of kept nodding and nodding, somehow getting stuck there. So I asked “What was the second reason?”
“Oh! He asked how long I was going to limit myself the Mark of fire and all of them they’re of his people he said I can tap unseen forces. What was I waiting for? That’s what he asked me and I said… well that is to say… well eventually I just stopped saying and did it I suppose. I felt the power flood into me, the warmth, the green.”
I was just happy he was recovering enough to put pauses between his sentences.
“But I have to be careful – I can’t lose myself. And then I called you.”
“Let’s get back to camp,” I said. “It’s been a day of discovery. For both of us.”
While we were off with assorted elder beings, Dravot was having an encounter of his own. It seemed that everyone was taking their chance to talk to their agents. Several humans had approached Dravot asking him to lead a service for the faithful. Dravot’s light shadow was somewhat disturbing to most folk, but the faithful took it as a sign of divine favor. And they were not far from wrong. Dravot was also approached by another man. He wore penitent’s robes and no shoes, but even the lack of wings did not prevent Dravot from realizing it was Aylwn, the solar with whom he had often talked.
“Events are in transition,” he told him. “You have inadvertently set off a chain of events which are… difficult. It has not come to war yet. But it may. The interdiction on travel violates… well not precisely ‘laws’ but there are certain tacitly agreed-to rules that the greater powers, such as our Lord, obey. Certain lines have now been crossed. The only deities allowed to function for any length of time on this plane are the ones that are native to the plane. When a god reaches a certain level of power, they must leave. That is why Iuz has not increased his power – he fears he will be removed. But our availability will be somewhat constrained in the near future. I shall aid you when I can but you cannot directly communicate with Pelor now. Should you have need, contact me and I shall serve as your conduit.”
Dravot nodded taking this in. It did not shake his faith at all – indeed I would guess it just reinforced it.
“We have an agent in Tu’Narath,” Aylwyn added. (It is a githyanki stronghold I learned later.) “When I gain further knowledge of Zera’s brother, I will advise you. I do not expect he is in immediate danger. He will most likely be held prisoner until the Lich Queen can turn her attention to him. He is a soul powerful enough to warrant consumption eventually and then be turned into something foul. I shall do what I can to make sure this does not come to pass. While the Githyanki are concerned here, I do not think Zara will be in danger. But if you turn them back, then his need will be more urgent. Consider this well. For now, I shall be your conduit. Should you need to call one of my brethren, seek only those slightly less powerful than I. The higher host cannot aid you, not now. We stand on the head of a matchstick.”
Dravot asked the most immediate question “Who is responsible for the interdiction?”
Aylwyn thought carefully. “I suspect there may be more than one being. One who caused it and one who enacted it. I don’t think they are the same. I think a Prince of the Abyss cooked up the plan but another is executing it. It’s all part of some plan. You may have been used to remove the ShadowTaker from the board – one less piece in this bigger game.”
Dravot just sighed. He hated being used but he couldn’t regret destroying the old worm. The solar continued. “You may find in the days to come that the divine gifts you request may be modified. We may grant you something that may prove necessary in what comes.”
Aylwyn’s tone grew even more serious, if that was possible. “I must caution you. We may soon be forced to do something in the near future that may be startling. If such a thing occurs, understand that everything will turn out for the best. Trust to faith. There is a plan. I should also warn you – you may receive other kinds of visitors. They may try to threaten you or convince you of other things. They may seek to tempt you.”
Dravot offered his thanks for Pelor’s blessings and said he would be ready to do Pelor’s will, whatever it may be.
Night came, and we enjoyed a fine dinner. It’s not that the food was exceptional – it was army food after all. But it was home. It reminded me of the Hateful Wars, and though there is little I look fondly on from those days, the companionship of my people is one of them. We ate with the officers in a large mess tent, and it was a somewhat festive evening. After all, there was a major victory, there were tales to tell, and fallen heroes to celebrate. It was a homecoming in a way I wouldn’t have guessed. It felt real and honest and simple, and I enjoyed every minute of it. The troops of the various armies had a wide range of reactions and it was fascinating to watch. Aethramyr is a folk hero among the elves – he was recognized and saluted by everyone who passed him. And well they should – he is worthy of their respect. The humans were equally overcome by Dravot and Thorkeld and Zera. To them, he was Pelor’s will made manifest and I don’t doubt that’s true. Bolo… well nobody was sure what to make of him. He looks like an elf, but doesn’t quite act like one. Even with his eccentricities, there was one or two who approached him. Perhaps they seek to follow the old path as he does – the old religion is strong with the elves. Scorch was viewed with a mix of awe and confusion. So many mages had blown themselves to bits that I think some people half expected Scorch to implode at any moment. But I did catch him and Onselven chatting in a corner at one point, animatedly discussing some magical property or another.
Valanthe was hardly noticed at all. She moved among the crowd without drawing a stare or comment. It’s not that she was unseen – more that she was just unnoticed. People’s eyes seemed to gaze past her, not noticing her at all. She was becoming more like a shadow in that respect all the time. I would have preferred to seen her have her cheers, but I suspect she was more comfortable this way.
And as for me, I have never seen a night like this one. Everyone knew who I was, and it was in a way unsettling. (I began to see why Valanthe was enjoying her anonymity.) There were cheers and toasts, and the troops were saluting or bowing any time I was around. I held no military rank, but it didn’t matter to them. Even my father seemed a bit overwhelmed by his daughter. He just was acting a little oddly, even earlier in the command tent. I asked him what was wrong.
“Well, I guess it’s not every day I dine with The Queen’s Arrow.”
I blinked. Twice. “Excuse me?”
“That’s what they’re calling you dear. The soldiers, the bards, the courtiers. You’ve got quite the reputation, and after today’s battle, well....”
“The Queen’s Arrow?” I asked, not sure what to think. Well, I guess it could be worse. Sounded nice actually. And it wasn’t as if I didn’t have enough other things to worry about. “But Father you seem uncomfortable with all this. I didn’t ask for it – I just did what needed doing.”
“Oh no, my dear, don’t misunderstand. I’m very impressed with you, and very proud. You’ve advanced the family’s military tradition beyond anything I might have imagined and still maintained your independence. Not to mention our reputation for… unpredictability. I couldn’t be more pleased. Your mother… well she worries about the path you’ve taken, but she would never say so.”
I nodded “Well tell her I’m well and I miss her when you see her. And what about my… relationship with Aran’gel? Are you content with that as well?”
He stopped for a moment and didn’t know what to say. Carefully he finally said “Well, I suppose it’s not something I would have expected, but I can hardly say he’s a bad choice. If it makes you happy, then it makes me happy. You know among all the other things you have done (real or not), you have brought the Queen and her son back together. Do not underestimate the worth of that. It means more to a parent than you can know.”
“Yes, well they can both be rather stubborn. It only took a few wars to bring them to terms.” I giggled and we went to lighter subjects.
After dinner, our group separated to various quarters that had been provided. The humans from the Uleks were honored to have Dravot among them, and the rest were put in assorted tents. I was fairly sure I’d find hospitality in Aran’gel’s tent while we were here. Not a terribly private setting but better than nothing.
When we were alone, I told him of Solostarn. It was the first chance I’d had since returning from the clearing. The news stunned him into near silence. He knew the stories of the First Champion but for me to have met him…. I told him what Bolo told me of his conversation with Solostarn about the Primals. It was disturbing news, and something he should know.
I showed him the branch from the First Ash. He held it in his hands, but didn’t know what to say. I told him of the path before me, and his eyes looked upon me in a whole new light. I decided I didn’t entirely approve of this stupor, so I kissed him to get his attention back. That worked rather well. But there was another question.
“Tommorow,” I told him “I plan to go to the palace, as Solostarn said. I must cross this threshold. I was hoping you would come with me.” I winced a little – I wasn’t sure how this would go over.
He just laughed. “I would be happy to. My mother and I have come to terms, thanks to you. She accepts you, you know. In many different ways.”
“Well it’s about time,” I said. “The two of you can be so stubborn.”
He laughed again “Oh wait! There was something about a pot and a kettle…what was it….” I threw a pillow at him, which seemed an appropriate answer. “But I have one condition,” he added. “If I go with you, I will have absolutely positively NOTHING to do with the ‘fey mysteries’.”
I laughed. “Done!”
And we enjoyed some quiet time together.
At least until later that night. Valanthe awakened us over the scales (for those that were actually asleep at any rate.) She had found a dead body, freshly murdered. She had managed to tail the killer for a moment but it was a shapeshifter and managed to lose her in the thousands of troops around the camp. Surely the unnatural presence that Bolo had detected. I was becoming more and more glad that he had the wisdom to commune with the area. In the morning, when we had the right spells ready, we would deal with this intruder.
And then I would return to the palace, and become.
