Fantasy Primacy [Closed]

[cleopat]

They weren’t far at all from the inn Tamsin decided on to gauge how things were in Ritherhithe. If she was lucky, she would stay there for at least a few days while performing. If she wasn’t, then she would be right back on the streets, looking for another place willing to deal with a bard.

But then Varick might not be able to see you perform again.

They didn’t get much further before they were interrupted by a man seeking Varick out. For the creature in the sewers that he mentioned, but had no idea what it was. And Tamsin was quite content in not finding out for herself what that creature was. Sewers smelled horrible anyways.

“If you need me to go, my inn is just right over there,” Tamsin said, sensing the urgency in the man and his desire to talk to Varick alone. She didn’t want to go, but Varick’s reason for being in Ritherhithe came before escorting her to the inn. It was a part of his job.

Even if she didn’t want it that way.

But the other guy really looked like he didn’t want Tamsin there at all.

~~~

If Drazhan may have been more observant in his company, he may have noticed that Kirsikka didn’t quite seem as into the tour as he might have expected. He expected that she would be fully immersed in what he had to show, given her background with the elves and their people.

Instead, she changed the topic, once again asking if he wanted to leave. He thought he made it clear by now that he was seeing things through, even if maybe he did complain just a little about the nastier parts.

Really, he should have a right to.

“If I didn’t know any better, I would say you’re actively trying to get rid of me.” A light jest, but in a way, not really. He noticed the pattern. It wasn’t subtle. “And I don’t want a disguise. I don’t want to cover this handsome face,” he said with a grin.

The mere thought of going a day without looking like a Primal didn’t totally disgust him. What would that be like? To blend in and mingle with the common folk? To not immediately be hated because the color of his eyes betrayed who he truly was?

But then, where would the excitement of life be?

“I already told you, I’m staying.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Tamsin wanted to leave. Varick didn’t blame her, honestly, but he was somewhat enjoying making this aide squirm. “No, you’re okay, Tamsin. Who knows – you might get a song out of this,” he grinned, not a kind grin, at the aide, and waited for him to continue.

The aide did not look appreciative of this at all. Nonetheless, he sighed, and said, “All we really know is there is a…a creature in the sewers. We don’t know what it is, but we’ve had reports that it sings or – makes some kind of sound. Others have heard it – children, and men. Women seem to be drawn to it, and only at night. It’s not been heard in the day.”

Varick was, of course, tallying things up in his head. He knew of plenty of alluring beasts. He was friends with a siren, after all. “You said a sound. There aren’t discernable words or a language anyone recognizes?”

“No – no one’s mentioned words.”

Varick nodded. Also not unusual. Somehow it was sounds more than words that were alluring. He’d heard mages talk theories about this, too – the reason so many used gestures or incantations was more for the vibrations. That the words matched up with what they were trying to do, mere coincidence, or so some thought.

Not to mention popular sayings like music taming beasts.

Sound had power.

“Have your governor get me a room at an inn. I’ll meet them there. You can find me here to let me know where I’ll be staying and where I can meet them,” he noted.

The aide scowled, but nodded, and turned on their heel to head back.

~***~

Why was Drazhan so resistant to leaving?

It was baffling, in so many ways, for so many reasons. Kirsikka knew he thought her plan was fairly batshit. He’d already gotten in trouble with the law. The gold wasn’t worth it. He shouldn’t have any sense of loyalty to her. ‘Of course, neither should you.’ No, she wouldn’t call it loyalty so much as she would call it responsibility.

She got him into this – why the hell wouldn’t he let her get him out of it?

“Since the day you realized what this would involve I’ve been trying to get rid of you,” no reason hiding it when he pointed out the pattern, “Then it was because I knew you were a mercenary, and I knew how high my bounty was. Admittedly, it’s an alive bounty which is why many people fail.”

That wasn’t the first time she had been in cuffs. She hadn’t learned blood was a good lubrication from theory only. It was a miracle she didn’t have permanent scars on her wrists. “Your betrayal was inevitable.”

Except, he hadn’t.

She liked that less. “You didn’t, though. I suppose the reason is obvious…the Council of Light took enough from you.” Sophia. The name repeated again and again but she didn’t name it aloud. “If that was enough…you would have been at war with them long before meeting me. There’s no reason for you to stay. The gold isn’t worth it. You know by now you’ve severely undercharged me.” Was she going to pay more? No, not if it made him turn away. “I don’t understand why you’re staying.”

‘This doesn’t end well for you.’

Everyone died.

Everyone betrayed her.

Drazhan seemed like he’d be on the dying side, now.

 

[cleopat]

Tamsin bit back a smile - at the sake of the poor aide, who was on the receiving end of Varick’s attitude. It was a little funny, the way the aide squirmed in the Primal’s presence, but she wouldn’t dare to giggle at him. That would be a little mean.

And she wasn’t a mean person.

Once he left, Tamsin turned towards Varick. “Women drawn by a sound? Seems like I shouldn’t leave the inn at all at night.” She didn’t like the idea of potentially being unwittingly drawn to the sewers to become whatever monster’s midnight snack.

She wouldn’t have any reason though to leave the inn after her performance. Afterwards, she normally ate dinner, then headed back to her room to relax and sleep. If she left a window open, could she be drawn to the sound that way?

Tamsin started walking her horse to the stables. “Do you have any idea of what potentially this creature could be?”

~~~

Why was Kirsikka so insistent on getting rid of Drazhan?

“I’m starting to get the impression you don’t like me.” That was nothing new for him. Many hated him for the simple fact he was a Primal, regardless of his current affiliation with them. Others didn’t like him because of his current profession. It was hard to trust a mercenary when they could be so easily swayed by coins.

And he did love his coins of silver and gold.

But why would she hire his expertise just to get rid of him? It was baffling to Drazhan. And she expected a betrayal. Typical. Too typical.

Kirsikka certainly wasn’t pleasing to him in the moment the more she spoke. He looked away, not daring to think about Sophia and her painful last moments as Kirsikka mentioned the Council of Light. “Yes, I am realizing that I’ve severely undercharged you.” That much was obvious.

The simple escort trip turned into something much more.

“Maybe I’m staying because despite how ridiculous and dangerous this mission of yours is, it’s one that I want to believe will actually work. I may hate most of the people on this continent, but that doesn’t mean I want suffering to continue. Besides,” he shrugs, “Primals often don’t live that long. If I die on this mission, then I would have died the way intended for me.” Even if it was something he had actively avoided for the longest time.

Sometimes fate was a bitch.

 

[Lucyfer]

“No, you shouldn’t,” Varick agreed as he followed Tamsin so far as the stables, knowing he’d need to at least temporarily put his horse up until the aide came back with proper summons for him from the governor. He didn’t think they’d mind too much, although the stable hand looked at them askance. He just tossed the lad a coin and he looked the other way to let them into the stable on their own without help.

“There’s plenty of water-based spirits that lure in people to drown. Usually it’s men, or else it’s not exclusive,” he could think of several creatures around waters that just lured men. The few that catered to women weren’t likely to be in a sewer.

That was true of the ones who lured men, too, though.

“Location is a bit…strange.” Varick admitted, “Even in a town like this, there’s cleaner water that’s populated often enough to lure those traveling nearby. A sewer…someone knows what this is. Someone locked it down there.”

Locked.

Yes, Varick imagined someone really did know what it was, and hadn’t killed it for some reason. Which likely meant it was a curse of some sort. That was at least his area of expertise. “I don’t think it’s a typical monster. I think it’s something cursed, and someone here knows about it, and they were covering it up. Of course, they can’t for much longer.”

So they were going to be desperate.

That was good coin for Varick…if he wanted it. That always depended on the curse.

~***~

If only Kirsikka could claim she didn’t like him. That would be significantly easier than that realization that she didn’t want him to die. She didn’t want this to part on bad terms. Everyone else she’d bothered to know had fallen into those two categories – betrayal, or death. She didn’t want him in those numbers.

It seemed better to assume he was somewhere else, far away, and not dead.

Better than watching him die.

Better than him getting fed up and betraying her.

‘Don’t believe in it! I’m insane!’ She wanted to scream it. ‘Hate everyone! Go to another continent! Go somewhere they don’t know you. Just…go.’ The thoughts screamed and Kirsikka balled her fists in frustration. If she lashed out about Sophia…. ‘But you wanted this to be a good ending.’ His life seemed more important than that.

But she couldn’t.

“I don’t want you to die.” Kirsikka finally said, “You can’t seem to get that through your head. You didn’t want this life. You didn’t want this death. Just – this will kill you. Being around me, will kill you, and I can’t take it anymore.” That hadn’t been meant to slip, “Everyone dies, or they betray me, and I can’t have it happen anymore.”

He was just supposed to be a damn mercenary. Someone who didn’t know who she was, someone who got her from one side, to the other. That was it. This had been simple. In theory. Theory rarely played out so easily.

She should have known that better than anyone else.

Her posture slumped. She sighed, unballed her fists, and put one hand to her forehead, “I’m so tired.” She combed her fingers back through her hair, forced herself to negate all the words, to straighten up, “Never mind. Fine. Come along and die.” And she turned to head away, back to the Healing House, because where else?

Heal.

Talk to their damned leaders.

Leave.

With the fucking idiot Primal.

 

[cleopat]

Tamsin frowned as Varick began to tell her his thoughts about the situation. She walked over to an empty stall and began to take her packs off of Luna, giving the tired horse a much needed rest for the evening, and probably for a while.

The idea of someone cursed and locked down there unsettled Tamsin. It was just a horrible fate, to be living that way. To not be able to help what you were turned into and forced to be a monster.

Maybe Tamsin had a bleeding heart, but she felt immense sympathy for whomever it was cursed and locked down in the sewers, if that was indeed the situation they were facing in Ritherhithe.

“If it is indeed someone cursed, I hope you’re able to save them,” she said. Tamsin walked in the direction that led out of the stable and towards the entrance of the inn. “That just sounds like a terrible fate for anyone, regardless of what they may have done.” If the person was cursed because they invoke the ire of someone. Or did something unsavory.

No matter, Tamsin didn’t want to believe anyone should accept such a fate.

~~~

Kirsikka was battling a lot more than just the Council of Light. It was obvious she had been battling these thoughts for a long time now, that she had been bottling her emotions up until she released them finally, and at him.

He stayed silent for a moment, watching as Kirsikka began to walk away. Back to the Healing House. Drazhan felt immense pity for her, but he wouldn’t tell her that. Hint at anything similar to that. He had that feeling she would reject anything dealing with pity, maybe even get angrier, and he didn’t want that.

She needed something else.

With a sigh, Drazhan walked in front of Kirsikka and turned around to stop her. Silently, he wrapped his arms around her in an embrace, something she needed, and something he hadn’t given in years.

He wasn’t the hugging type.

“Well, I refuse to betray you, I guess I’ll just have to promise you that I won’t die.” A foolish promise. How dangerous was his life before Kirsikka, and now only twofold because he was a wanted man?

 

[Lucyfer]

There were people who deserved their curses.

There were those who were only cursed because of someone else. Revenge curses. Those, he felt some level of empathy for.

There were also those who really didn’t deserve it. Varick didn’t find much of those. They usually fell into the latter two categories. Did he tell Tamsin about the rapists cursed by the ones they raped? Or the murderers cursed by their victims? Did he tell Tamsin of the enslaved finding power by cursing loved ones of their enslavers?

Of genocide?

No, he realized as he sighed out his hatred of humanity once again. Let her think it was mages who were spited by something petty, or thieves stealing bread for their family who got cursed by someone greedy. Let her think it was nothing so bad as all that. “Yeah. We’ll see.” He would end it one way or another.

Whether he saved the person or not was debatable.

He followed Tamsin into the inn, since he intended to wait there to be called upon by the governor, but he gave her length when she stepped in, so it wouldn’t appear like they were together. That should make it easier for her to get a room, and he’d just wait in line to get a bit of ale and wait.

The innkeeper did look to him first, but then right to Tamsin. Varick’s length seemed enough. “How can I help you, Miss?” the innkeeper asked politely, though her eyes did shoot back up warily at Varick…who continued to stand further back and just look around.

~***~

Kirsikka was about to rage at Drazhan when he stopped in front of her, digging her heels in to order him to move, rather than go around him. That would have been the wiser thing, of course – just go around.

Neither occurred. She didn’t gather her senses and just go around, nor did she get a word out, before Drazhan suddenly grabbed her. No – hugged her, rather, though that took a moment to register that it was a hug and not being grabbed.

She froze.

‘What.’

She felt her brain shutdown against warring desires – to push him away, or to grab him tighter. Felt a terrible anger as he said he wouldn’t die, knowing he was lying, certain he was lying, and hating him for the lie. For trying to give her something to hold onto, when she knew he was just going to slip through her fingers, too.

But at the moment…he was there. She hadn’t even realized when she brought her hands up and felt the fabric of his shirt slide between her fingers as she gripped the back of his shirt in her fists. As her arms had crossed over his back to keep him close. “You’re an idiot,” half a laugh, half a sob. She was trying not to cry. She didn’t want to cry.

Of course she couldn’t be sweet about this. She still had her defense mechanisms to try not to get attached, no matter how hopeless that was now – how out the window when she already said she didn’t want him dead.

 

[cleopat]

Tamsin understood why Varick stood back, and she didn’t glance back at him as she approached the innkeeper with a bright smile on her face, even if it didn’t reflect her thoughts from the previous conversation. “Hello! I was hoping if I could help you. You see, I am a traveling bard, and not only am I in need of a place to stay, I am also looking for a place to perform tonight, maybe even for the next few nights.”

“A bard…” the innkeeper trailed off warily, as if unsure of how she should answer. She knew the types of people bards could be, but they could also bring in good money if talented enough.

“Yes! How about I give one performance tonight, and we can discuss further on rooms, meals, and future performances after you see if you liked it.” Tamsin was certain the innkeeper would like her performance. She had to be confident, even if sometimes the words of people like Erik got to her a little too much.

The innkeeper thought for a moment, then shrugged her shoulders. “Why not? It’s been a few weeks since we’ve been entertained here. So you’ll need a room here as well?”

Tamsin nodded. “I don’t know for how long yet. But a room, a hot meal, and a bath.” She was certain she reeked of horse and who knows what else from her journey.

~~~

Drazhan expected several things. Maybe yelling. Maybe slapping. Maybe scoffing and Kirsikka stepping out of his embrace to continue forward. He didn’t expect the reality - her returning the embrace while desperately holding back her tears.

“You wouldn’t be the first one to call me an idiot,” he chuckled, gently rubbing her back. Sophia called him one on several occasions, albeit lovingly. Varick called him one numerous times, no doubt a mixture of affection and attempting to get Drazhan to better at Primal training.

What a disappointment he turned out to be.

Pushing the memories aside, he returned to the present. “Come on, why don’t we get back to the Healing House and rest up before that meeting.” He wouldn’t be the one to break the embrace. Drazhan didn’t know how much Kirsikka needed this hug, so he would allow her to dictate when to move forward.

And besides, he was enjoying it. She was soft and warm, and her scent filled his senses.

 

[Lucyfer]

The Innkeeper was, thankfully, willing to negotiate. “Well, I imagine you will need those now. So, we can get payment for tonight cleared away at full price, and then see how your performance goes and negotiate future payments. How does that sound?” She’d then run off the price, and let Tamsin consider it, before shifting her attention to Varick. “And you?”

“Just a meal and a table, and I’ll be out of your hair when the governor comes calling.” He answered simply, the last bit added to make sure he wasn’t turned away. Sure, many people disliked their politicians, but often not enough to actively thwart them. Especially where a Primal was involved.

That was always dangerous.

“Fine,” the Innkeeper agreed, “It’ll be a silver, and I’ll get you some food and ale.”

Varick stepped forward to set the silver on the counter, before he’d walk to his table, and await the governor’s call. No doubt, Tamsin would be gone in her room by then, cleaning up, and he’d see her…sometime.

He hated that the thought was a sad one, but he would come back to see her performance, and offer a more…proper farewell. Depending on how well he read some of the signals, it might end up being a morning farewell, but nonetheless…a farewell.

~***~

It didn’t surprise Kiriskka at all that Drazhan had been called an idiot. Probably several times. And he was still so damn young. That probably played into his idiocy – played into more reasons for her to want to shake him off. He was too young, far too young, to be preparing to die like this, for her stupid, batshit, plan.

A stupid, batshit plan she believed in wholeheartedly and couldn’t turn away from. Not for anyone. Not for anything. Not for some stupid Primal she met not long ago who decided to try and be a rock in the midst of a raging river.

He mentioned going back to the Healing House, and she hummed agreement, but didn’t move. She didn’t actually want to go back, of course. There was a terrible impulse to ask him to stay, a terrible memory of that first hotel room, but that wouldn’t be fair to him. Or to her. It’d make it all messier. All worse. She’d resent him in the morning.

One stupid little touch and she was a mess of memories and wantings – even if she couldn’t have what she wanted.

She took her time to regroup all the same. Let the trickling tears dry up enough. Her face might still be red, but the tears would be done with, silent as they were, before she pulled away from Drazhan and wiped her face with her sleeve. “All right,” she said, “I probably need more sleep.” She absolutely did not, but she definitely needed to get away from…this moment.

 

[cleopat]

Tamsin was hoping they could negotiate that night’s pricing in with the performance, but she wouldn’t be terribly upset about it. The innkeeper was open to future negotiations, and she had a place to sleep, and a place to play. She fished out her coins and placed them in front of the innkeeper. At least she was getting a bath.

She stepped off to her room, after getting a key, to put her things down, and while the bath and hot water was being set up, she went back to the main area to see Varick once more before they separated.

But hopefully she would still see him at least once more, when he came back for her performance.

Tamsin spotted Varick. She plopped herself down next to him, a small grin on her face. “I had to come see you before you left. Even if I do see you tonight, it didn’t feel right to just go on up to my room without saying goodbye to you first.”

Just…in case. Just in case something happened, and they didn’t see one another. But she truly, deeply, hoped that they did.

~~~

Drazhan allowed Kirsikka to hug him, to lean on him, to touch him for however long she needed to. And he remained there for her without a side comment or any inappropriate joke that he may have thought of.

For the moment, he would be that rock she needed while she worked through her emotions.

When she finally pulled away, his hands skimmed over the fabric of her clothes, and one hand reached up to push back a strand of her hair. He wouldn’t dare comment on how she had been crying, something he thought wasn’t even possible for her. But despite her attempts at proving she didn’t have feelings, she still did. She was a living being with anger and tears and frustration.

And she needed to rest more, because feeling so much at once could tire out a person.

“Yes, you do need more sleep,” he simply stated as he began to lead back the way to the Healing House. “I’ve always learned that those moments when I insist I don’t need rest are the times when I need rest the most.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Varick was brought a warm meal, and a drink, which he enjoyed while waiting for the governor’s aide to return. At least he could admit the food was better here. No doubt, more access to spices and variety helped that. He wouldn’t give all the credit to the cooks – cooks in small towns could be just as good, they just had access to fewer things.

He didn’t anticipate seeing Tamsin again, but it seemed as soon as she unloaded her things, she came to see him rather than wait for her bath to be finished up. He nodded as she took her seat, smirked a bit as she commented on saying goodbye.

She really had gotten attached.

“Well, you’ve said it now,” obviously, “you can go away guilt free to get cleaned up for your performance. You have gold to make. I don’t think they’ll pay as well for a bard who smells like horses,” he couldn’t help the bit of tease. She didn’t really. The scent didn’t stick to her quite like it did to him at times, though he did bathe enough that he didn’t reek of it too often. Monsters could find someone who reeked of horse.

Horse was tasty.

That was when the aide came back, of course, interrupting any conversation they could have had, and approached the table. He eyed Tamsin a moment, before just accepting her presence and saying, “The governor will see you now. A room has been bought for you, and they are waiting for you there.”

Shame it wasn’t this inn, but Varick hadn’t expected that. He nodded and rose, glanced down at Tamsin, “Goodbye, Tamsin.” It wasn’t meant to sound so final. He owed her another visit, and yet, it did.

He didn’t correct the sound of it as he walked out with the aide.

~***~

Kirsikka followed, pushing her mind as far as she could from that terribly vulnerable moment. From the tears. The frustrations with him. Not that she’d be able to forget it in the morning when he was still tagging along, but that was a problem for later. A problem for the day he inevitably died and Kirsikka froze the entire world because she couldn’t fucking take it anymore.

It was fine.

She was fine.

She only hummed, disagreeable, at his comment on needing sleep, unwilling to agree that she needed it right then, even if she was going to get more of it in the damned Healing House with its particular scent. “I’ll keep that in mind for you,” at any rate, that was useful information.

Even if it was also true of her, and they’d learned that the hard way with the rakshasa. She didn’t intend to have them learn it again. “Later,” she said, “I do want to know what happened to Sophia,” it wouldn’t be a pleasant topic, “I haven’t known the Council of Light to kill senselessly. Not that I wouldn’t put it past them, but….”

Usually, they had reason.

“If you’re staying…I need to know just how personal this is. But not now,” she’d dealt with enough, and he’d dealt with enough, “When we’re on the road again.”

 

[cleopat]

Tamsin’s smile now felt forced, and disappeared completely when the governor’s aide came back. She knew what that meant. “Goodbye, Varick,” she said to an empty table, after the Primal had left. With a heavy sigh, she stood back up and headed to her room.

The bath was ready and hot, so she couldn’t waste any time in disrobing and enjoyed the water while she could, before it got lukewarm. After the bath, she dressed in a dark green dress and made herself look presentable, as if she didn’t just spend the last few days on the road. Rouge applied, hair down and brushed, Tamsin finally looked the part of a bard performing in the city.

She just hoped that the people would like her. And she hoped for the appearance of a certain Primal she had somehow allowed herself to get attached to, knowing it was only a temporary thing.

But she was going to look for him. Hope that he was there, and that they could get in a few more words before the night was done. Maybe even something more for one night.

No, that’s just false hope.

With a smile she didn’t quite believe, she headed downstairs with her instruments. After a brief conversation with the innkeeper, Tamsin headed toward a table near the front of the room, one of the few empty tables left. Like before, she opened her performance with a melody on the fiddle, to gather everyone’s attention.

~~~

“And you’ll keep it in mind for yourself,” Drazhan corrected the stubborn woman. He was fortunate that she wasn’t fighting him on resting now, but he knew she would in the future. And in the future, it may be harder to get her to actually rest.

Of course, all that depended on how long it would be until the end of her mission, whether it was a success or a failure.

Drazhan merely hummed in acknowledgement as Kirsikka stated they would talk about Sophia later. He had no intention of talking about his past lover, or her untimely death at the hands of the Council of Light. Especially to Kirsikka, someone he couldn’t even fully trust now.

It would be too painful, and too unnecessary. No, he wouldn’t do it. But she didn’t have to know that now. Drazhan was only concerned about getting her back to the Healing House. “Sure, on the road.”

They approached the Healing House. Drazhan turned toward Kirsikka, “I’ll be nearby if you need anything.” Either the house he was staying at, or wandering about in the vicinity. “Please, do get some rest.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Varick met with Governor Roulde in the hotel room that had been purchased for him. The man was nearing the end of middle-age, and though not gaunt, the stress of the situation showed itself in gaunt-like features – sunken eyes, pockmarked cheeks, and a certain stretched nature to their skin.

“It started three months ago,” Roulde explained, “I didn’t think much of it at the beginning, I didn’t know much of it. Some woman going missing was worth an investigation, of course. More, more investigations. Then the rumors started of the song, and bodies started to appear at the sewers…the missing women…,” Roulde swallowed. “I don’t know what it is.”

“Nor do I,” Varick said flatly. “Most creatures that hunt by sound, wouldn’t waste their time in a sewer. What else happened three months ago?”

“What else? Why should it matter?”

“Maybe it does. Maybe it doesn’t,” Varick said with a shrug, “I’d even say go up to five months ago. Anyone go missing?”

Again, the governor seemed confused by the question, and shook his head, “No one I know of,” he clarified, and though Varick felt there was definitely more to the story…he also thought he believed Roulde’s ignorance. Most of those aware of someone missing, or someone cursed, didn’t phrase things that way. They’d just say ‘no’ outright. “Why?”

“Well, I’m not saying it’s not some monster, but most of those things I don’t know immediately tend to be some curse. So usually, someone in the area was cursed and went missing. Even if no one went missing, there’s other clues in events. No well issues?”

“No,” Roulde shook his head, “Again, not that I know of, I don’t keep track of every dry well in the area,” he confessed, “Such things don’t reach my attention.”

“Mm.”

“Can you help? What’s your price?”

“I’ll get back to you on price,” Varick stated, “Right now, the room. Once I have a better idea of what I’m looking at, I’ll quote you a price and name what it is. That way you can decide to pay me, or shop it to someone else.” Which rarely happened, and usually when it did…they came back for Varick.

So, Varick spent the next few days investigating the sewers, going in them during the day, and even at night. He never heard the song. He never found heads or tail of something other in the sewers. He talked, mostly to women (though also to angry men who were upset with him trying to talk to the women) about what rumors circulated in their groups, and finally stumbled on something of interest.

Two merchants were engaged to be married after an incident (pregnancy, of course). All had seemed well, when the woman had a miscarriage and died, and her soon-to-be spouse vanished in distraught grief.

The merchant’s family left not long after. Some assumed the missing merchant simply went ahead of his family to set things up for them in another town. Others assumed he was dead by suicide at the loss of his love. There were a wide variety of tales about his fate, too, though those seemed the typical two.

No doubt, why it wasn’t a scandal to Roulde, and Varick felt he had his lead if this was, indeed, a curse. Pregnancy was always something of a…potent situation, Varick had noticed. And it was only a month later the stories began.

The third night, without finding anything in the sewers, Varick finally decided to take a break at the inn to try and clear his head a bit – and check that Tamsin had gone wandering into any sewers yet.

~***~

The road, unfortunately, would offer too many opportunities to talk. Enough, Kirsikka figured, to get Drazhan to talk. And if he wouldn’t, she could still abandon him at any time. In theory. She was failing to do so despite making it clear she wanted to. It was unlikely she’d do so when abandoning him could mean leaving him to die.

A problem for later, and for now, she did believe him.

Even if she knew exactly how enthused she was to talk about anything relating to Mont Pellinor or Dravon. Which was not enthused in the least and she would be tempted to freeze anyone who brought up that name.

How much she and Drazhan had in common was also not something to consider, as she accepted his words of being near, and refrained from rolling her eyes at his suggestion to sleep. At least some semblance of normal was returning with her exasperation. She barely offered him a ‘good night’ before turning back into the Healing House, getting a bit to eat, to drink, and then resting, rather fitfully.

The warning of the ice didn’t leave her subconscious.

She continued to see everything as a frozen hellscape, and she woke with it etched into her mind as if it had already happened.

But the room was warm.

There was greenery.

And the strange voice, humming? Singing? That sound -- it was gone, too, even if it had been sadly beautiful.

‘No one has that sort of power, least of all you.’ No matter how special she was, that sort of thing she dreamt of, was impossible. ‘Maybe.’ There was a darker part of her that wanted it, that part which empathized with Drazhan on hating everyone and everything at times. But it wasn’t true, and she knew it.

She pulled herself together, dressed in some of her cleaned up clothing up, found breakfast, and received the official summons to meet with the leaders while trying to get food down. She didn’t feel all that hungry in spite of everything, not an unusual feeling after not eating for several days, even if it ought to be the opposite.

Survival mode was a strange thing.

Kirsikka went along willingly enough, into a large, open space that Kirsikka recognized as a sort of mix between a holy hall, and a throne room. Fae politics were different, blending these kinds of things was natural – as natural as the light filtering between the branches of the many trees that wove together to create the canopy roof above them.

Kirsikka probably should have bowed as she stepped to the throne, but she didn’t. She only inclined her head, noted the central throne was empty at the moment, and greeted those already present with a simple, “Lords and Ladies of the Seasons.” For some reason, they liked to divide their courts up into seasons, and so, too, their nobles.

Kirsikka wondered if the Winter Court might rule in her situation, or Summer. The Summer Queen was at least notoriously merciful.

Drazhan, of course, was also informed of the meeting by Zinnia and said he could attend – but it wasn’t necessary. He wasn’t the one somewhat on trial for freezing part of the forest, after all.

 

[cleopat]

To my lover I doth do say
Farewell, you hath wondered astray​

The third evening, Tamsin performed in front of a healthy sized crowd, many of whom were drawn in by whispers on the streets of the beautiful bard with the angelic voice at the inn near the canal.

Of course, she thought the whispers were greatly exaggerated, as they often were by people passing along messages, but she couldn’t complain. The first night rewarded her with a discounted room for the week and a free hot meal. The second night brought in a bigger crowd and better tips - enough tips for her to stay at the inn another week if she so chose.

The third night? Well, she may have to negotiate the room situation again. She weaved in between the tables while her fingers strum and plucked on her lute. A few hands tried to get grabby, but she swiftly maneuvered away from the drunken fools without missing a note.

A smile and a wink made men think way beyond their reality.

Every night, Tamsin kept an eye out for Varick, and every night, she grew more disheartened that he hadn’t shown up yet. Although he didn’t specifically say he was going to be back the first night, she had hoped he would. She would hold on to hope though that Varick would keep his word and show up one night to watch her.

That third night was her lucky night. She spotted the Primal from afar as she made her way back to the table she claimed for her performance. “You have been the most wonderful audience! Remember to toss a coin if you can, and if you want to hear me again, I’ll be back tomorrow evening.”

After collecting her tips, Tamsin packed up her instruments, safely stowed away her coins, and made her way over to where she spotted Varick. “I was wondering when you were going to show up.”

~~~

Drazhen watched Kirsikka disappear into the Healing House, and once satisfied that she wouldn’t make some grand escape, he walked away, keeping his word to stay near for a while. He wandered around, ignoring the looks he received despite being there several days now. He wouldn’t blame them. Not only was he a stranger, a newcomer, but he was also a Primal.

Stares were something he got used to long ago.

Eventually Drazhan went back to his temporary home. He and his host conversed lightly over a shared dinner, which was the elf’s way of ensuring there was peace between them, before he went to bed.

He didn’t dream of Sophia, but rather his dreams were filled with a white-haired maiden whose hair turned into the loveliest shade of red.

In the morning, Drazhan was swift to get himself together. He dressed in a pair of clothes that the elves had graciously washed for him, ate breakfast (his host was already out of the house for the day), and received the summons to meet with the leaders from Zinnia.

It was stated that it was optional for him to attend, but Drazhan felt like he must. For Kirsikka.

He arrived in the space shortly after Kirsikka did. The building wasn’t quite like anything he had seen before, with nature and architecture seemingly blending together to create the grand hall where they were summoned.

Drazhan only inclined his head at the elves present, and bothered to say nothing. How many of them would understand the common tongue? For now, he thought it best to be quiet unless directly spoken to.

 

[Lucyfer]

It seemed Varick caught the tail-end of Tamsin’s performance that night, which was something of a disappointment, but not entirely. It did mean he’d get to speak to her some, sooner than expected. It also, hopefully, meant the bar would start clearing out. He didn’t much appreciate the looks he was getting.

Less so when Tamsin joined him.

He shrugged at her statement, “I’ve been busy,” obviously, “still haven’t found the monster, but I’m more certain it’s a curse. A man disappeared shortly after the woman he was marrying miscarried. There always seems to be power around pregnancies,” why, he couldn’t precisely say, other than it was bringing life into being.

That was a powerful creative action.

Now, whether it was that woman or child that cursed him was another story. There could be jealousy involved that killed the woman and cursed the man. Scorned women had a reputation for a reason, but Varick tended to think the worst.

A chair was pushed back, harshly scraping against the ground. A tall and broad man approached the table, and let his fingers touch the top of it when he was near enough, “You a little lost there, Primal?” The man asked Varick, not at all friendly.

Varick looked up, expression bored. “No.”

“I think you are,” he went on, and Varick noted he wasn’t actually drunk. So he was just an asshole, then. Great. “See, this is the part of town for people who work hard, and contribute to society. Not the part of town for people who infest the world with monsters.”

“You have me mistaken. I kill monsters.” Not that this was an uncommon sentiment. His home had been destroyed on those grounds, and they never quite faded. People who feared the greedy, or were greedy themselves, assumed the Primals put monsters into the world to make some extra coin. Claimed the problems hadn’t been this bad, until Primals came around.

Maybe they were right.

Maybe they weren’t.

Varick had a penchant to think there were less problems when there were more Primals, but what did he know?

~***~

There were some brief greetings, all in Elfish, until a woman finally stepped to the central throne, dark of skin and hair. Her attire, however, was all quite contrary, and Kirsikka knew it was indeed to the Winter Court who stood in control that day.

She took her seat calmly, crossing one leg over the other, and resting her hands upon the throne’s arms. She took Drazhan and Kirsikka in her easy, warm gaze, but her words were as icy as could be despite that, “Kirsikka, you have destroyed a part of our forest. It will take centuries to fix.” She spoke in the common tongue, perhaps aware enough that Drazhan couldn’t speak Elfish, or perhaps assuming none of them could.

“In case you were not made aware, I was captured and I needed to escape.”

“We have been made aware. We were not certain you were aware of the damage, but if you know your power, it seems you have chosen to use willfully, and cause an unnecessary level of devastation, which is a far different crime than being unaware.”

Kirsikka sighed, “I understand I had different options than what I took. The forest was not my top priority, and admittedly, I was not aware it would be centuries of work.” This wasn’t exactly a common occurrence, or else Mont Pellinor wouldn’t be A Thing. “However, beyond my selfish desire to escape, I have an unselfish reason to continue my activity beyond your forest and in Pomachion.”

“Please. Elaborate.” The Queen did not sound as if she was going to be impressed by any reasoning.

And Kirsikka knew it was entirely possible she wouldn’t be. What did she have to lose? ‘Nothing.’ And that always made her dangerous. “Do you know the story of the White Sun?” the Queen stiffened. The answer was yes, then, so Kirsikka continued, “I know that entity is in Pomachion. I am going to find it, and I am going to stop the influx of monsters before it gets worse.”

The Queen’s gaze was now studious, but Kirsikka held it as best she could with just her single eye. The other was still covered, of course. No point in wasting time with having it uncovered when all it saw were blurs. Her gaze briefly swept over towards Drazhan, “Is this true?”

“You cannot be humoring—” the King of Spring started, but the Queen of Winter held her hand up, and he fell silent, though was obviously fuming.

 

[cleopat]

Varick hadn’t apparently found the creature yet, but he’s been busy with searching for the story behind the cursed monster. “A man disappearing after a miscarriage? That just sounds awful.” Maybe the parents of the woman cursed him? The woman herself? Either way, it was such an awful situation, that Tamsin didn't want to dare think about it too long.

And she didn’t have to, not before they were rudely interrupted by some asshole who wanted to throw Varick out simply for being Primal.

Against her better judgment, Tamsin stood up from her chair and faced the much bigger man. She couldn’t just let him insult Varick!

“Go mind your own business elsewhere, just like we were minding our own.” In hindsight, maybe she should’ve stayed silent and let Varick deal with the guy however he normally deals with them, but she wasn’t known to be quiet.

“Run along little songbird, or you can come join me and my friends over here, away from this Primal.”

His smirk resulted in her scrunching her face in disgust. And she hated being called songbird.

~~~

Through the hearing, Drazhan was sure things were not going the right way for Kirsikka. To him, it seemed the elves were more than pissed at her and the destruction her powers caused. And why shouldn’t they be? Centuries to regrow was a damn long time, even for Primals and mages.

But something seemed to shift, and the next question was directed at Drazhan. He saw this as an opportunity to alter their minds and see that Kirsikka only had good intentions the entire time, and without those intentions, both of them may as well be dead.

“She’s speaking the truth.” There were some murmurings that quickly abated. “She initially only hired me to help her get through the forest to Pomachion, but things turned south when we encountered the people hunting her.” And now he was stuck with her, unless he wanted to assume a new identity, free from his Primal characteristic.

A chance he would turn down every time Kirsikka asked him. Despite not explicitly hunting monsters anymore by profession, he still wanted to see them gone. See a more peaceful world where people don't have to cower in the night.

Sometimes seeing a certain reality meant freezing a few forests in the process.

 

[Lucyfer]

Varick tilted his head a bit as Tamsin rose to his defense. Quite literally, stood up – not that she was the least bit intimidating, but it was still not a sight he saw too often. He sighed internally. Now she was going to get herself in trouble, possibly lose paying clients, all because she defended a Primal.

It was clear she didn’t care for this man or his nicknames, though. “If she wanted to sit with you, she would have.” Varick pointed out, calm as ever, “Are you the owner of this tavern?”

“No, I—”

“Then you don’t get a say in who stays, or who goes. If you have an issue, bring it up with the owner to kick me out,” which then, yes, he would leave, “Seems like they don’t mind much. They served me,” he lifted up his pint of ale as a sign of that.

The man reached forward to knock it out of his hand and spill it.

All he did was hurt his hand, as Varick gripped the pint firmly so it didn’t so much as move under that stupid attempt, and he stared the man down as he drew his hand back, shaking it out, realizing he made a mistake – one that only made him look dumb. “Yes, well, maybe I will have a talk about who they choose to let in here.” Varick didn’t believe he would when he stormed off, and once he was out of earshot, he did sigh.

Sipped his ale.

He hated people. “You don’t need to do that. It’s a risk to your profits.”

~***~

“You did not tell Drazhan what you were doing?” The Winter Queen asked.

“You have no idea how high my bounty is,” Kirsikka said flatly, “I don’t tell anyone who I am or what I’m doing unless I have to. I don’t even look like…this,” she lifted a hand to the long hair and brushed a few strands out. Gods, it had been a while since she’d been herself for this long. Shame it was wounded and at the mercy of fae.

“The White Sun is a myth, a fable. There is no need to pursue this any further, she’s clearly deluded.” The Spring King finally interjected in frustration. “What does it matter if she is seeking some fanciful thing?”

“Your Grace, with all due respect,” there was little respect in the Winter Queen’s tone, “you are the youngest of us, and your opinion in this matter is not desired.” Perhaps Kirsikka was younger, but she understood. She had seen something to make her understand. “Why are you so certain it is Pomachion?”

“Besides the obvious?” it was overrun with monsters. The Winter Queen found no humor in that statement, and was silent, waiting for the actual answer. “I’ve read hundreds of stories from across the world. They all indicate this entity was sealed, and the direction points to the edge of Pomachion, far Southeast, or an island not far off the coast.”

“How do I know you do not intend to release it?”

“I don’t know, can you read minds?” Not the most diplomatic answer, Kirsikka admitted to herself. “Because I could have come up with a better lie that didn’t mention the White Sun at all?” That was the other suggestion, although maybe she couldn’t. “As much as I hate everyone in this world, I still have to live here, and I’d rather not live in the world the White Sun would create, Your Grace.”

“You really do not care anymore, do you?” There was some amusement. Some pity. “I believe you. If you wanted us all to die, you would have already tried. Very well. You can continue, we’ll move you further into Pomachion, but you will report back with your findings. I can show you how to—”

“Use a mirror, send messages back and forth,” Kirsikka filled in. “I’m already an expert, thanks.”

No, not a single fuck was given in front of royalty.

 

[cleopat]

Tamsin glared at the man as he left, a bit happy that he looked foolish trying to knock Varick’s drink out of his much stronger hand. She sighed, and sat back down. “I know you’re used to it, but I just can’t stand seeing anyone treated that way.” And Varick most certainly did not deserve to be treated in any such way. He was saving lives, damn it! Not creating monsters!

But the stupidity of people always amazed Tamsin.

“If I get into trouble, then I guess I’ll just find a different inn,” she shrugged, as if it was such an easy thing to do. Maybe for some bards, like Erik, but she still had to prove her worth. She was lucky some inns even allowed her to perform just once, regardless of compensation.

But Tamsin always did her best to remain cheerful and optimistic of the situation. It’s what her parents would’ve wanted.

She looked around, noticing a few more glances in their direction after the interruption. “Maybe it would be wise to go somewhere more private, though.” Before anyone else decided to grace their presence with some attitude towards Varick. “My room is available.”

~~~

Drazhan remained quiet throughout the proceedings. Anything he may have wanted to say was useless, as Kirsikka seemed to have some things handled. To a degree. There may have been times where he wanted to slap a hand over her mouth and harshly whisper to her to rethink something she was going to say.

But in the end, the Winter Queen was on their side, which surprised Drazhan. He thought Kirsikka’s callous attitude would put them all at odds, but maybe there was some amusement? Pity?

He wouldn’t be surprised by either one.

“Thank you,” Drazhan said, hesitating as he was unsure of how exactly to address an elven queen. He recalled how she addressed the Spring King earlier, and decided on that, “Your Grace.”

“We appreciate the trust you are putting forth in us in completing this journey and to destroy the affliction that has ravaged our lands.” He could’ve sworn he heard a scoff coming from the Spring Court, but he ignored it. All that it mattered, it seemed, was the approval of the Winter Queen.

 

[Lucyfer]

Varick still didn’t want Tamsin to have to go searching for another job. He figured she was doing quite well here, given she had been here for a few days now and didn’t appear to be suffering. At least he assumed as much, and the jealous gazes told him plenty were contributing to her monetary gains for indecent reasons.

Not that he could really blame them. He might have tipped extra in their shoes, too.

As it was, he didn’t need to. He got an invitation right to her room, which caused him to raise a brow. Well, he knew he wanted to offer a proper goodbye, if they were of the same mind as to what a proper goodbye was. He knew this could also be an innocent offer, but his instinct suggested he find out.

So, a bit of a smirk tugged onto his lips. He wouldn’t dare look over at where he felt all those glares coming from, men ignorant to what she’d just offered, of course, using their looks as an excuse. Or a legitimate reason. “Sure,” he agreed, “it’s a bit of a walk to my inn and they won’t let me take my ale out of here,” he rose, and made a gesture for her to go on and lead the way.

He would absolutely follow her back to her room and see if this night had some interesting things in the cards for him or not.

~***~

The Winter Queen seemed amused enough by Drazhan to let him accept her trust without interruption. Not that he said anything offensive, it was just amusing to her that the Primal who seemed dragged into this was willing to accept his task so easily! What an odd one! Then again, weren’t they all?

“We’ll scry a location and send you tomorrow with supplies. I hope that timing is not terrible?” The Winter Queen asked.

“Depends, do I have a place to stay besides the Healing House?” Kirsikka asked.

“Of course, you can stay with Drazhan any time.”

“Does his host have another room available?”

“Another…oh! You two aren’t together?”

Kirsikka palmed her face, “No, we aren’t,” and she wasn’t doing that again.

“You two would be adorable together,” the Winter Queen noted, as if Kirsikka gave a damn what she thought, “Well, no, I suppose you’ll have to stay in the Healing House then, we didn’t make additional arrangements for you.”

“Fantastic.” Kirsikka sighed, “Is there more to discuss or am I free to leave?”

The Winter Queen made a dismissive gesture, “You’re both free, go have fun~.” As if fun could be had anywhere here while waiting to leave. Well, it probably could, but Kirsikka wasn’t inclined to go out of her way to find it.

 

[cleopat]

Tamsin may have been oblivious to what Varick was thinking as she invited him to her room, but she wasn’t so oblivious to the jealous glares and stares she received. She was a pretty woman in a slightly revealing dress, this she knew.

She always had to keep an observant eye out for anyone whose intentions to her were less than pure. Or at least, less than what she wanted. She wasn't some innocent flower, but she also didn’t fancy sleeping with just anyone who was even remotely kind to her.

But Varick? She wouldn’t complain if the evening took them that far, as memories of their sparring lesson flooded her memories. Of how strong Varick felt over her, with her wrists in his grasp.

Tamsin picked up her instruments and led the way. “It’s up on the second floor,” she mentioned as she walked them down a hallway and up a flight of stairs. “There’s nothing terribly special about the room, although it does have a good amount of space in it, and a view of the town center.” That had been nice, as Tamsin always does enjoy a good view.

Like the one right behind her.

Approaching the room, she unlocked the door and led him inside. “And here’s where I’ve been staying, and will hopefully stay a while longer.” The bed was big enough for two people, there was a small table where Tamsin placed her instruments, and the window, as she said, had a good view of the town center of Ritherhithe.

~~~

Drazhan could’ve groaned at the insinuation that he and Kirsikka were a couple. Not that he wouldn’t complain over a night spent with her, as he recalled the one night they shared a bed, but they weren’t anything more than travel partners, now stuck together by circumstance.

Stuck together until they saw the end of the creation of monsters, or until one of them was dead. Whichever came first.

With permission to leave, Drazhan turned and walked out of their meeting hall. He nearly wanted to grab Kirsikka and drag her out before she could say anything more that might anger the elven royalty, but he didn’t. He just waited for her to follow him outside before he said anything at all.

“Well, that went well.” No sarcasm laced his words, as indeed, it had actually gone well in their favor. “Though, I would be wise to try to not say anything that may anger them next time.” Not that the Winter Queen seemed terribly angry by any of it, but it was clear the other elven monarchy did not hold that same sentiment.

“But if you are tired of the Healing House, you are more than welcome to stay with me,” he said with a sly grin.

 

[Lucyfer]

Varick stepped in after Tamsin opened the door, glancing around. It was a fairly good room. They clearly had decided Tamsin was worth giving that bit of extra space for – and the view. Varick preferred no views, but he wouldn’t fault Tamsin for liking a view. It did get boring without one, but Varick preferred that. That didn’t stop him from moving forward to look out the window, though.

It wasn’t too busy right then, of course.

“They gave you a nice room. You must be doing well by them,” he noted, stepping away from the window and moving towards the table where Tamsin was setting her instrument down, intentionally close as he set his pint on the table, “How long are you planning on staying here?”

With the ale set down, he allowed his hand to rest on the table and he leaned on it, “Or are you still figuring that out?” he knew she’d move on. She would get enough funds here, and make her way to the next town, big or small – but no doubt, always towards a larger one, eventually. That was where the money really was, after all.

Not that he was thinking of another, ah, farewell of this degree. He knew that didn’t work out. But at least he could come see her again if she was here for a while. Not that he knew how long is own mission was going to take – but still.

~***~

Thankfully, Kirsikka didn’t say anything else, and followed Drazhan out. His mini-lecture earned a frown. ‘And how many years of experience do you have with elves?’ To be fair, Kirsikka knew she was rude. She also had little to lose, and the elves knew that, along with how powerful she was.

Of course, he had to add in that flirtatious offer of his, causing her to sigh. Yes, she was tired of the Healing House. The fact she hadn’t at all forgotten the previous night of accursed vulnerability wasn’t lost on her, either. She absolutely wanted to wake up in arms again. His arms, someone else’s arms, she wouldn’t have been too picky after being reminded of how that felt.

Was she going to do that?

Of course not. She was going to sabotage herself very easily: “As I told Malina, I’m loyal, Drazhan.” It was stated bluntly. Yes, she knew Dravon was dead. She knew Dravon wouldn’t have minded if she moved on – hells, in their tiffs and on-again, off-again, romance, she had been with others to spite him.

But it was different when he was dead, in a way she hadn’t yet truly come to understand. Even if Dravon would have understood and encouraged her…that didn’t mean she was ready, and a little bit of being touched starved wasn’t soon to change the mental component.

 

[cleopat]

Tamsin shrugged. “Maybe I am doing well. I certainly have enough coins now to stay here for at least another week.” Maybe a slight brag, but that was unfortunately how people in professions like her gauge how well they’re doing. By how many coins they earned a given night. “As for how long I’m planning on staying here,” she shrugged, “still figuring that one out.”

Most of the time, she took each day one at a time. She didn’t know when she would move on yet, nor did she want to anytime in the next day or so. She wanted to relax a bit, build up a small savings of coins, and then go on to the next town while living off of what she earned in Ritherhithe.

Tamsin didn’t move away as Varick got near. She didn’t feel threatened by his presence at all. In fact, she found it rather soothing. Soothing in the fact that should anything come through the door and threaten them both, he would be there to protect her.

Maybe she was just dreaming big. Up in her fantasies too much as a poet and lyricist.

“What about you? Do you know how long this mission of yours is going to take?” The main reason she asked him up to her room. To talk about his own mission in private. Right.

~~~

Drazhan raised his hands in defense as she told him off. He expected something similar for an answer, that she wouldn't come to bed so easily with him. And he didn’t want her to come to bed with him if she was having doubts due to an old flame.

He knew what that was like. He had years to overcome his own hesitation to move on after Sophia. But in the end, he knew she wouldn’t want him to mourn her for eternity.

Life goes on. Especially for a Primal.

“I understand,” he said sincerely. Drazhan lowered his hands. “But you can’t blame a guy for trying,” he added with a smirk.

It was no wonder Drazhan was used to getting slapped in the face by women, just as much as he was used to them succumbing to his charms. And Kirsikka was pretty, no matter which form she assumed.

He still preferred her current natural one, but since he didn’t know how attached she was to other, disguised form, he wouldn't say a single thing on the matter. Never comment on a woman's appearance. Life is much safer that way.

“What are you going to do today?” He reached up one hand to scratch the back of his head. It was still early in the day, and he was beginning to feel antsy. Yearning to get on the road again, but they had to wait. Curses.

 

[Lucyfer]

Tamsin didn’t step away, which was a positive sign to Varick, even as their conversation continued to flow naturally about coins. He grunted his acceptance of her rationale, that the coin had been good and continued to flow. He didn’t know what the ‘norm’ was for a bard, or how long it took to dry up. He knew there weren’t many stationary bards, so he imagined it must dry up.

People became too accustomed to their presence.

It wasn’t a novelty worth spending coin on anymore.

“Mm. No. I have ideas. No more than a week. Fairly certain of that,” he knew where to look, after all. Soon enough, he’d know how to find it now that he had some ideas swirling in his head. No, it wasn’t going to try and lure him, but it would try to lure other women, and he would narrow down the major spot it worked from soon enough. “I have an idea of where it likes to lure, so I’ll just haunt those areas for a bit.”

Which, he should tell Tamsin about.

That’s why he reached to caress her arm, and use that caress to gently guide her towards the window, and point outwards, letting that hand move to her back, keeping her close, as the other gestured, “You see the town square. You want to go a bit west from there, and you come to a bridge through the town. It’s there that seems to have the most stories, so I wouldn’t go that way. It’s still in a major part of the town."

Still around shops, homes, and eateries. That was how it could easily hunt. People forgot there was a problem in their need to get home. Or knew how trafficked the area was, that they knew it couldn’t be them, next.

It also wasn’t the only place, but Varick would bet it was the place the fiend would return to while Varick was here.

~***~

‘I could.’ Kirsikka wasn’t in the mood to blame Drazhan for it, of course. Irritating as he was at times, he wasn’t…negatively irritating. Honestly, he was too positively irritating, which in a way was significantly worse…but also harder to get rid of. More necessary to get rid of, but that was besides the point.

It seemed he had little to do, which was no surprise. There wasn’t much for either of them to do here, but wait. “I’m going to go see about making some potions for the journey, and check our supplies.” She didn’t know what survived, what didn’t. Their horses, of course, but Malina had likely stripped their packs of some items. Not all – the packs were useful to carry stuff, and she was likely confident enough to assume they wouldn’t be escape.

Kirsikka knew all of her transformative potions were gone. She also knew they were useless until she could find a new form to take. An elfin form wouldn’t help her any. They weren’t able to move easily through the world.

There was a form in her mind, a brunette woman with a lovely voice, but she didn’t know where, or why. Only that she knew the voice and face from the dreams that kept flickering in and out when she exhausted herself. Perhaps it was another form she was destined to take, but she doubted it.

So that potion was out, but a few to speed up healing wouldn’t be bad, since Kirsikka wasn’t a natural healer. That was, in fact, more on the fire side of magic ironically enough. Not completely, healing bled into plenty of aspects, but Fire was a major aspect of it, the warmth and the speed tied together.

Probably another reason she was healing so slow. ‘Won’t heal.’ Right. It wouldn’t matter how many potions she made, she wouldn’t heal – but Drazhan would. “I can give you a list if you want to go barter for ingredients, or charm some others.” Why did Primals always return to ingredient fetchers?

 

[cleopat]

It seemed that Varick also wasn’t sure how long he was staying in Ritherhithe, but Tamsin doubted he would be there as long as she was. He even had ideas of where the creature liked to lure, which was one step closer to figuring out the monster and the curse behind it.

The curse brought upon by a horrible miscarriage.

Tamsin didn’t step away as Varick touched her arm, and she easily followed him as he guided her over to the window. When he gestured out, she leaned into him slightly, to see better of the direction which he spoke. “Oh, I know what area you’re talking about.” A well populated area, it was one that the innkeeper suggested for her to check out.

And so she did. “I’ve been that way during the day. There’s a fantastic little bakery there.” And she frowned to think of any she may have seen over in that section of town could’ve been the monster’s next meal. “The creature only lures at night, right? I’ll be sure to avoid the area until the creature is taken care of.”

There were other areas of the town she could explore during the day, while she waited for her evening performances.

~~~

Drazhan certainly wouldn’t complain over what Kirsikka planned to do next. It would benefit them on their journey to be fully stocked up on potions and supplies, since those have no doubt dwindled, even before they were captured by Malina and her forces.

And helping her by fetching some ingredients would certainly pass the time, time otherwise spent doing nothing, and finding something to do. “I can do that.” And it would prove him useful, to gather important ingredients that they would inevitably need out in the dangers of Pomachion.

Dangers beyond Malina, who no doubt still searched for them in that area.

“Depending on how long the list is, just give me a few hours, and I’ll have everything you want.” He was good at fetching things. Maybe it was the Primal training in him that he would never be able to get rid of. Not that he wanted to, it still came in handy in his mercenary jobs.

Being a Primal is something that will never leave him, and a grim reminder was forced onto him every time he looked in a mirror.

 

[Lucyfer]

Tamsin leaned in, and so he let his hand stray down from between her shoulder blades to about midback, not venturing further as she adjusted to her look outside. And the touch. “Is there? I’ll have to make a note to speak with the bakers in that area,” just in case they knew a bit, or if they were losing business.

Hopefully, they’d be willing enough to speak with him if it was going to help solve their problem. “Right now its only confirmed at night. I wouldn’t say day is completely safe.” Some fiends would hunt by day if they were starving. He’d heard strange tales of vampires trying, lurking in buildings and sprinting in sunlight to try and avoid death.

Those poor souls.

“Don’t worry, soon you’ll be able to go anywhere in town you want,” he promised, “although I am liking your room.” Mostly because she happened to be in it, currently. Still, the transition seemed appropriate enough for a non-appropriate suggestion.

Or a very appropriate one. They were two adults who could consent, after all, and he wasn’t trying to be so subtle it all went over Tamsin’s head. “I wouldn’t mind staying the night here,” a very non-subtle suggestion, but he should be blunt. He wasn’t trying to trick her into sleeping with him, after all.

~***~

Naturally, Kirsikka sent Drazhan away with a list, somethings she didn’t think would be difficult to find, others she doubted even his abilities to dig up – but it was worth a shot while they were here. Elves did tend to have more of this kind of stock around. Still, if he turned up with a unicorn horn, she’d be more than a little surprised.

Then she set up an area to work not too far from the healing house, and used what vials Malina hadn’t taken away from her, to start the process of preparing potions. Drazhan brought back ingredients to further that, and she worked with what he could find, making notations on the bottle so she’d remember what each one was, and then packing them back away.

Some would need to sit for a bit before they’d be ready, but that was all right. They didn’t need any of them immediately, and so as evening began to fall, they split, Kirsikka to the Healing House and Drazhan to his host’s house. She’d done a bit of explaining of what she was doing, but not much.

Really, anyone could make a potion. That was the only point she wanted to make. It didn’t take magic to make a potion, although it did help when she needed to quick-freeze something, or heat it up. Not that she was using any fire magic.

The evening passed, and she woke up still mostly blind in one eye. The centaur informed her of where to meet the fae to gather what supplies had been arranged, and be moved from their current location, so she took her horse to the pond, and did indeed find the Queen of Winter there, with a fancy new mirror.

“This will be of use,” the Queen said, offering not one, but two pocket mirrors to Kirsikka, as well as rations, “We know what happened with the other one. Try to show some restraint.” Kirsikka rolled her eyes.

‘If you knew, why were you going to show me?’ Perhaps it was only a recent discovery. Nonetheless, she took the mirrors with a, “Thank you,” before putting them into Zephyr’s pouch. “Is this pond unprotected?”

“Protected,” she answered, “but the mirrors are connected here. You can use them if you need to return.”

Kirsikka nodded. That was good to keep in the back of her mind.

As Drazhan arrived, the Queen greeted him as well, before turning to the pond – and opening up a portal to Pomachion, quite a bit further in, to one of its bodies of waters. “I do not know the situation out there,” she admitted, “but this lake is still here, and I pray you will find nothing harmful immediately,” but it was out there. They all knew that.

“The sentiment is appreciated. I’ll let you know what we find as we go along,” Kirsikka agreed, before leading Zephyr to the portal, and through it.

 

[cleopat]

If Varick wasn’t sure that even the daytime was completely safe, then Tamsin would heed his word and avoid the area for a few more days, until she received word that the monster was gone. It made her a little sad to think of that little bakery with the sweet treats she won’t be able to spoil herself on for a few days, but it would be worth it in the end.

For everyone.

The conversation and the tone easily shifted into a more pleasant topic. She was well aware of what Varick was insinuating, and while her cheeks flushed, she wouldn’t allow herself to stutter or fluster. Tamsin looked up at him, turning her body so that her hand could graze the hand that was just on her back.

“I wouldn’t mind if you stayed the night here.” Tamsin had shamefully been thinking about sharing a bed with him for a few days now. Why not indulge for one night, when they are both two sober, consenting adults? It would be a nice farewell, even if she does see him one more time after that night, after he has gotten rid of the creature in the sewers.

“It can get chilly at night.” Ritherhithe was a far northern city, and not even the shelter of the inn could fully keep out the chill as winter approached. “It would be nice to have someone who can keep me warm tonight.” Tamsin stepped away, only to move from the view of the window. She moved backwards, slowly walking towards the bed.

~~~

With the list in hand, Drazhan set off to find everything that he could. Most of the list was do-able, but there was the odd item here and there that was hopeless in an elven city. A unicorn horn? He didn’t even think he had ever seen one in person before.

Nevertheless, he delivered what he did find to Kirsikka, including one item that even he was surprised to find. After the delivery, he stuck around to help out in whichever way he could, but they ultimately split when evening came. It was time to get some much needed rest before they continued on their perilous journey.

Morning came, and his host informed Drazhan that Zinnia came by to let him know where he needed to go, where to meet up with Kirsikka and to portal out of the elven lands. He grabbed his horse and met up with Kirsikka and the Queen of Winter at the pond. He nodded a polite greeting to her, not callous enough to snub the Queen after all she had done for them. To allow them to continue their journey without any punishment for what had happened in the forest.

Drazhan watched as a portal opened before his very eyes. Seeing it before did nothing to quell the slight fascination he had with the magic behind it. “Thank you, for your help,” Drazhan said before he followed Kirsikka through the portal and onto the other side. His hand remained tight on the hilt of his sword, in case anything immediately started attacking them.

So far, they were in the clear.