Infab
The Demon Fanatic
2
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Fantasy Terrorchild: Awakening
- Thread starter K0mori
- Start date
Breadman
Big loaf supreme
1
joshuadim
the writer
2
turtwigwins
Member
2
Damian0358
Roleplaying Procrastinator From Elsewhere
2
bat_hacker
Junior Member
2
hardcore.munchkin
Professional hater
1
Full Truth
New
K0mori
Servant Supreme
Option 1: 2 Votes (29% - Range: 1-29)
Option 2: 5 Votes (71% - Range: 30-100)
Fae Roll: 49
For a moment, Embryx says nothing, as if she's not sure if you're joking or not. "Oh," she says, mildly disgusted.
"Yeah," you agree.
She rubs her eyes. "...You know, I've heard about this. My mother told me once that in Aelesh, they don't treat 'marriage' in the same way that they do in most places, and that I might actually have some half-siblings out there through my father that I'll never meet. It's why you see so many half-elves, but half-drow are so rare. We all get bored of our lovers if we live long enough," she says, bleakly, "but the elves still hold marriage sacred. They'll get hitched with humans or halflings, or even goblins, and have three, four, or five partners that they accompany unto death... The drow stick with each other, instead, but fooling around is always on the table."
You tease her a bit. "Oh, is it now?" you say.
"Tsh," she laughs. "You know what I meant - just the drow in Aelesh. And there's tons of elves out there that don't hold anything sacred, either..."
You chuckle a bit, happy to see that she's not as offended at Sharyx' gesture as you feared she might be. "Well, it's good to know that we're on the same page when it comes to relationships. Although... If I really turn out to be divine, I might just live forever; you don't know."
She smiles. "Well, then I'd have to find a way, too." She takes your hand and you cuddle up with her for a quiet moment. The rest of your allies are outside the door, chattering away as they eat, but you both choose to ignore them for a while. "...I'd have really liked to have been a noble, though," Embryx suddenly says. "After the way my mother treated me, I'd go out of my way to find her, just to throw it in her face."
"Yeah, but then you'd have to deal with being my side girl, technically speaking."
She rolls her eyes. "As long as it's only technically true - but I think it's a pretty good bet that you wouldn't let her touch you, even to hold your hand. You haven't suddenly developed a taste for creepy, have you? Or should I start dying my hair black and talk like I've been awake for three days straight?" she jokes, imitating Sharyx's droning voice.
You break into proper laughter. "Hells no; it was bad enough having to be in a room with her alone - although Nytha did barge in right when Sharyx decided to pop the big question. But, another thing-" you point out, "if you were a noblewoman, you'd have to deal with politics, too. Maybe you'd have to take a wife of your own that's not me, or even a husband..."
"Noooo!" she playfully cries out as she reaches for her boots. "Not a husband! ...Oh, would you like a sandwich, my lord!? Gods, I could never... I could never!"
You take out the Pandemonium Door while you wait and observe its increasingly ominous red glow. You wonder how much brighter it can become, and more importantly, how much time you have left to reach Zuklanar before you miss your chance. "...In all seriousness, she had another reason for asking me, too," you say, meaning to steer the conversation back to reality. "She wanted me to bring divinity to House Valghemora for its big revival, and be a sort of High Priestess."
"For what, Syrith?" Embryx replies, still snickering at the ridiculousness of the entire conversation to that point.
You hesitate. "...For both of us - Syrith and me."
"For both...?" she repeats before shaking her head and looking back at you a bit uncomfortably. She takes a breath and gives you a serious look. "I'm not saying it's a good idea, but if Sharyx becomes Queen of Aelesh, she'd actually be able to do that - to make a whole church from the ground up."
You shrug it off. "Yeah, but so could Silanae-"
"No," Embryx interrupts. "Silanae hasn't even revealed to the world that she's one of us, yet. But you know Sharyx is going to wear her allegiance with Syrith on her sleeve from the moment she walks across the border into Aelesh. She already wants all of Sonnamille to know who she is and why she's doing all this; it's not like she's subtle... By the end of this week, the story of the last Valghemora is going to be spread halfway around Gondia."
You think you understand where she's going with this. "So... Silanae is going to need a while before she can pull the mask off, and even then, Turadal's a big place. It's not going to be easy for her to bring all of it under Syrith's control. But Sharyx is making it clear to everyone that Syrith is taking Aelesh for her own."
"More like retaking it," Embryx replies. "There's always been rumors about the Valghemoras, you know - like how they've been in the Eldest's pocket all through the centuries. And you've heard how drow girls supposedly turn out to be witches more often than other races, right? Well, over there, there's a whole thing among the people about Syrith... They don't worship her, but they sorta feel like she's more vilified than she ought to be. And some of them think she might actually be a drow, you know, if we could only see her true face. But then," she adds quickly, "if you revealed yourself as a witch, even under the old regime, they'd still put you to death."
"Why?"
Embryx shrugs. "I guess the Valghemoras were trying to keep up appearances. But if Sharyx wants to tell everyone, 'listen, the rumors are true - Aelesh is a land of darkness and witchcraft, and Syrith is our god...' I think she'd find a lot more followers on day one than you'd expect."
"Well, shit," you reply. "...Do you think I should reconsider, then?"
You had meant it as a serious question, but Embryx guffaws at you. "No! Gods, you're really never certain about anything, are you?" she jokes.
You laugh again, relieved that you won't have to seek out Sharyx and apologize to her for rejecting her offer. "I guess not," you admit. "...Do you think she actually dyes her hair?"
Embryx starts to answer that she was only talking about what she'd have to do to imitate the princess when opens the door and jumps. "Eeeh!"
Sharyx is standing outside the door, looking deeply wounded. "I-" she stammers, "I'm sorry I misunderstood you, Terrorchild... I came here to say that Seith and I will be departing shortly for Mardenaal. I don't wish to interfere with your meeting with Calypseae..."
You wonder how long she was standing there and how much she heard. Despite the way you and Embryx had been mocking her appearance, her voice, and her overconfidence, Sharyx seems to be holding in - or maybe even internalizing - all of the insults for your sake. She clearly doesn't want to do or say anything else which would degrade your opinion of her any further.
"If there is one final request I can make - and I know... I know it is far above me to ask you of anything at this time, and so I apologize - but Seith has requested that I inquire as to the future of the changeling. We would like to take her with us, see to restoring her mind, and giving her a place within my kingdom."
A1. Leave and Take Corrinth - It's a surprisingly convenient offer. With both Sharyx and Corrinth out of the way, you could make faster progress to Ellifarre, you imagine, and you could simply reunite in a safe city in a few days with proof of whether or not Seith can cure you. "Alright then," you reply, "but I want to see Corrinth's madness cured when I arrive, if you expect me to help you take Aelesh, later."
A2. Just Leave - "You can restore her mind after we reunite in Mardenaal. I want to be there and see the ritual firsthand, and if it works, then I'll consider helping you in Aelesh down the line," you reply. There's no way you're going to allow Corrinth out of your sight. You know exactly what will happen if you do: she'll escape, maybe with a newly sane mind, maybe without, and on the road to Mardenaal she'll ambush you again. You won't have it.
B3. Request to Stay - You can't believe that you've been embarrassed by this girl twice in one day, but you don't want to send her away like this. You worry that the coming monarch of Aelesh will harbor a resentment toward you, and even worse, against Embryx, who might someday want to return to her homeland. Moreover, you don't want to miss the chance to see Seith's magic in action, and possibly even have the fae influence removed from your mind. "...No. I want you to stay with us," you reply, reluctantly.
B4. Apologize - "...I'm sorry you heard all that," you reply awkwardly. "We were just having fun; don't feel obligated to leave."
Option 2: 5 Votes (71% - Range: 30-100)
Fae Roll: 49
For a moment, Embryx says nothing, as if she's not sure if you're joking or not. "Oh," she says, mildly disgusted.
"Yeah," you agree.
She rubs her eyes. "...You know, I've heard about this. My mother told me once that in Aelesh, they don't treat 'marriage' in the same way that they do in most places, and that I might actually have some half-siblings out there through my father that I'll never meet. It's why you see so many half-elves, but half-drow are so rare. We all get bored of our lovers if we live long enough," she says, bleakly, "but the elves still hold marriage sacred. They'll get hitched with humans or halflings, or even goblins, and have three, four, or five partners that they accompany unto death... The drow stick with each other, instead, but fooling around is always on the table."
You tease her a bit. "Oh, is it now?" you say.
"Tsh," she laughs. "You know what I meant - just the drow in Aelesh. And there's tons of elves out there that don't hold anything sacred, either..."
You chuckle a bit, happy to see that she's not as offended at Sharyx' gesture as you feared she might be. "Well, it's good to know that we're on the same page when it comes to relationships. Although... If I really turn out to be divine, I might just live forever; you don't know."
She smiles. "Well, then I'd have to find a way, too." She takes your hand and you cuddle up with her for a quiet moment. The rest of your allies are outside the door, chattering away as they eat, but you both choose to ignore them for a while. "...I'd have really liked to have been a noble, though," Embryx suddenly says. "After the way my mother treated me, I'd go out of my way to find her, just to throw it in her face."
"Yeah, but then you'd have to deal with being my side girl, technically speaking."
She rolls her eyes. "As long as it's only technically true - but I think it's a pretty good bet that you wouldn't let her touch you, even to hold your hand. You haven't suddenly developed a taste for creepy, have you? Or should I start dying my hair black and talk like I've been awake for three days straight?" she jokes, imitating Sharyx's droning voice.
You break into proper laughter. "Hells no; it was bad enough having to be in a room with her alone - although Nytha did barge in right when Sharyx decided to pop the big question. But, another thing-" you point out, "if you were a noblewoman, you'd have to deal with politics, too. Maybe you'd have to take a wife of your own that's not me, or even a husband..."
"Noooo!" she playfully cries out as she reaches for her boots. "Not a husband! ...Oh, would you like a sandwich, my lord!? Gods, I could never... I could never!"
You take out the Pandemonium Door while you wait and observe its increasingly ominous red glow. You wonder how much brighter it can become, and more importantly, how much time you have left to reach Zuklanar before you miss your chance. "...In all seriousness, she had another reason for asking me, too," you say, meaning to steer the conversation back to reality. "She wanted me to bring divinity to House Valghemora for its big revival, and be a sort of High Priestess."
"For what, Syrith?" Embryx replies, still snickering at the ridiculousness of the entire conversation to that point.
You hesitate. "...For both of us - Syrith and me."
"For both...?" she repeats before shaking her head and looking back at you a bit uncomfortably. She takes a breath and gives you a serious look. "I'm not saying it's a good idea, but if Sharyx becomes Queen of Aelesh, she'd actually be able to do that - to make a whole church from the ground up."
You shrug it off. "Yeah, but so could Silanae-"
"No," Embryx interrupts. "Silanae hasn't even revealed to the world that she's one of us, yet. But you know Sharyx is going to wear her allegiance with Syrith on her sleeve from the moment she walks across the border into Aelesh. She already wants all of Sonnamille to know who she is and why she's doing all this; it's not like she's subtle... By the end of this week, the story of the last Valghemora is going to be spread halfway around Gondia."
You think you understand where she's going with this. "So... Silanae is going to need a while before she can pull the mask off, and even then, Turadal's a big place. It's not going to be easy for her to bring all of it under Syrith's control. But Sharyx is making it clear to everyone that Syrith is taking Aelesh for her own."
"More like retaking it," Embryx replies. "There's always been rumors about the Valghemoras, you know - like how they've been in the Eldest's pocket all through the centuries. And you've heard how drow girls supposedly turn out to be witches more often than other races, right? Well, over there, there's a whole thing among the people about Syrith... They don't worship her, but they sorta feel like she's more vilified than she ought to be. And some of them think she might actually be a drow, you know, if we could only see her true face. But then," she adds quickly, "if you revealed yourself as a witch, even under the old regime, they'd still put you to death."
"Why?"
Embryx shrugs. "I guess the Valghemoras were trying to keep up appearances. But if Sharyx wants to tell everyone, 'listen, the rumors are true - Aelesh is a land of darkness and witchcraft, and Syrith is our god...' I think she'd find a lot more followers on day one than you'd expect."
"Well, shit," you reply. "...Do you think I should reconsider, then?"
You had meant it as a serious question, but Embryx guffaws at you. "No! Gods, you're really never certain about anything, are you?" she jokes.
You laugh again, relieved that you won't have to seek out Sharyx and apologize to her for rejecting her offer. "I guess not," you admit. "...Do you think she actually dyes her hair?"
Embryx starts to answer that she was only talking about what she'd have to do to imitate the princess when opens the door and jumps. "Eeeh!"
Sharyx is standing outside the door, looking deeply wounded. "I-" she stammers, "I'm sorry I misunderstood you, Terrorchild... I came here to say that Seith and I will be departing shortly for Mardenaal. I don't wish to interfere with your meeting with Calypseae..."
You wonder how long she was standing there and how much she heard. Despite the way you and Embryx had been mocking her appearance, her voice, and her overconfidence, Sharyx seems to be holding in - or maybe even internalizing - all of the insults for your sake. She clearly doesn't want to do or say anything else which would degrade your opinion of her any further.
"If there is one final request I can make - and I know... I know it is far above me to ask you of anything at this time, and so I apologize - but Seith has requested that I inquire as to the future of the changeling. We would like to take her with us, see to restoring her mind, and giving her a place within my kingdom."
A1. Leave and Take Corrinth - It's a surprisingly convenient offer. With both Sharyx and Corrinth out of the way, you could make faster progress to Ellifarre, you imagine, and you could simply reunite in a safe city in a few days with proof of whether or not Seith can cure you. "Alright then," you reply, "but I want to see Corrinth's madness cured when I arrive, if you expect me to help you take Aelesh, later."
A2. Just Leave - "You can restore her mind after we reunite in Mardenaal. I want to be there and see the ritual firsthand, and if it works, then I'll consider helping you in Aelesh down the line," you reply. There's no way you're going to allow Corrinth out of your sight. You know exactly what will happen if you do: she'll escape, maybe with a newly sane mind, maybe without, and on the road to Mardenaal she'll ambush you again. You won't have it.
B3. Request to Stay - You can't believe that you've been embarrassed by this girl twice in one day, but you don't want to send her away like this. You worry that the coming monarch of Aelesh will harbor a resentment toward you, and even worse, against Embryx, who might someday want to return to her homeland. Moreover, you don't want to miss the chance to see Seith's magic in action, and possibly even have the fae influence removed from your mind. "...No. I want you to stay with us," you reply, reluctantly.
B4. Apologize - "...I'm sorry you heard all that," you reply awkwardly. "We were just having fun; don't feel obligated to leave."
hardcore.munchkin
Professional hater
B3
Infab
The Demon Fanatic
B4
Breadman
Big loaf supreme
A2
turtwigwins
Member
A2
bat_hacker
Junior Member
B3
joshuadim
the writer
B4
Damian0358
Roleplaying Procrastinator From Elsewhere
B4
Apologize
New
K0mori
Servant Supreme
Option A: 2 Votes (29% - Range: 1-29)
Option B: 5 Votes (71% - Range: 30-100)
Fae Roll: 88
Sharyx stares, her expression inscrutable. "...I would prefer to regardless," she finally replies.
"No, please stay," you halfheartedly insist as frustration wells within you, and you curse yourself for not being more careful to this point. While her personality leaves a lot to be desired, Sharyx is far too valuable to whatever Syrith has planned to be cast aside; the princess will obviously be playing a crucial role in the Grand Design, going forward. For you - the girl at the heart of said Design - it means that Sharyx will probably be meddling for years in your life specifically... just as Corrinth has done.
It would do everyone some good if you made an effort to not foster resentment with the future Queen of Aelesh - especially Embryx.
Speaking of which, you look to her and see her flushed and ashamed. You realize that Embryx hadn't just insulted Sharyx' appearance, voice, and behavior, but she did so while rationalizing and even lending credibility to her plans. She had done it so effectively that you had even second-guessed yourself, so if Sharyx heard the entire conversation, she would know that you and Embryx were dismissing her plans - not because they were unworkable or because they would intrude into your love life, which you both had conceded they wouldn't - but rather because of the exceptionally shallow reason that Sharyx is "creepy."
From what you know about Sharyx, she spent the last half-century in an isolation so lonesome and miserable that she surrendered herself completely to evil acts and ambitions in hopes of finding her proper place in the world under the watch of a goddess that actually cared. Even if she's a princess in fact, in truth she was as much a pauper as you were, growing up. Yes, her preconceptions about what Syrith, her chosen, and the coven would want and expect of her were completely off-base, but with time and exposure, perhaps you could guide her. You recall also having very different expectations of what Lythrefang is when you were first inducted, and even if you feared the coven for the same reason that Sharyx gravitates toward it, the solution is probably the same - time and teaching - if you're willing to provide it.
Your arrival probably felt like the summation of all her prayers come true. How then, should she feel to discover that Syrith's chosen just doesn't like her, after all she's done to her family and the community in which she lives to seek her approval?
You sigh. "Listen," you begin anew. "You and I are very different people, Sharyx. My life would fit in the last third of yours, and while I've been traveling a lot and learning everything I can, it's all being piled up on top of a peasant's upbringing," you explain, endeavoring for the first time to speak from the heart to her. "I couldn't learn from my family what you've learned from yours; I wasn't trying to become anyone's royal knight. I don't know what Aelesh is like, Embryx is the only drow I've ever been friends with and she grew up in Turadal."
She gives a silent nod, not yet understanding your point, but recognizing your intent and having the patience to allow you to finish.
"...I'm going to say and do things that'll seem shortsighted, and ignorant, because I only know what I know. That's why I've been afraid ever since I killed Diala; I don't know if I have the skills and the knowledge to even manage the Mardenaal Pact, and then you come along and tell me you want to make me a queen in a country I've never been to, and the figurehead of a new church... I know we made jokes about you, and that was wrong of us, but the truth is that even if Syrith puts us in the position that everything you said in the kitchen is possible - I just don't know if I can handle it. I've been hoping for a simple life, someday."
Her eyes widen. "I-" she says as Seith and the others behind her begin to gather to listen to the conversation happening in the doorway. She shakes her head, determined to ignore their nosiness as she holds back tears. "...If you would only teach me how to be a great witch, and how to better serve the coven, I could teach you anything you want to know," she pleads. "I can wait until you're ready, Agranne. I've waited fifty years for the truth, fifty years for anyone to stand by my side without a reason to lie like they did... I want to take my rightful place on the throne of Aelesh, but even moreso, I don't want to be alone anymore."
You look to Embryx. She looks nervous, unsure if you'll reject Sharyx again, or over-correct for your prior behavior by agreeing to everything. "For what it's worth," she says to Sharyx, "I was just trying to make Agranne laugh. Your, uh, proposal made her super nervous."
Sharyx nods, looking ashamed as well.
"...I'll teach you about witchcraft," you volunteer. "But I won't promise you the rest - not yet. If you can wait until I'm ready, then you'll give me more time to decide whether there's ever going to come a day."
Gratitude washes over her. "Thank you," she says, giving a deep bow. "I won't disappoint you, sister."
"These are Turadalian coins," she says. "I won't be able to exchange them until the border's reopened. Why don't you just keep it, and in return, never, ever come back here again? I felt sorry for you when I left Mardenaal, but I shouldn't have. Everything seems to be working out in your favor..."
You cross your arms. "I'll put in a good word with Callypseae for you," you reply, tartly.
"Hey Nytha," Embryx adds with a sinister smile, twisting the shaft of her war scythe between her palms: "if you'd spent the last two years finding a voidsinger to fix Corrinth's head instead of hunting the fae like they're vermin, we wouldn't be here right now. Or better yet - how about the last twenty years?"
Clearly hurt by the blame set at her feet, Nytha flushes in anger. "I thought they were a myth."
"Well," Seith interjects with a chipper smile, "good job getting to the bottom of it. Now you can spread the word!"
Nytha grits her teeth. "The others will kill me if they know I housed a- Eek!" You quickly turn back to see that Corrinth has sneaked up on Nytha and given her a hug from behind. The towering elf looks down, below her arm at the changeling leaning out from around her back, like an adult would look at a child. "Wha- what are you doing?"
"I promise I won't be back," Corrinth says, her voice full of childlike innocence that still unsettles you, "...but it was good to see you one more time, Auntie."
You look to Kulka, the only one who could have allowed Corrinth to do this, and find her looking out a window as if she hadn't been paying attention, a self-satisfied smile on her withered lips.
1. How Do We Convince Callypseae? - You look to Kulka for a bit of guidance. "So, Kulka," you start, "how do you think this is going to go?"
2. How Do We Fix Corrinth's Mind? - You decide to ask Seith about the actual process of singing to the void, to better understand what you're working towards.
Option B: 5 Votes (71% - Range: 30-100)
Fae Roll: 88
Sharyx stares, her expression inscrutable. "...I would prefer to regardless," she finally replies.
"No, please stay," you halfheartedly insist as frustration wells within you, and you curse yourself for not being more careful to this point. While her personality leaves a lot to be desired, Sharyx is far too valuable to whatever Syrith has planned to be cast aside; the princess will obviously be playing a crucial role in the Grand Design, going forward. For you - the girl at the heart of said Design - it means that Sharyx will probably be meddling for years in your life specifically... just as Corrinth has done.
It would do everyone some good if you made an effort to not foster resentment with the future Queen of Aelesh - especially Embryx.
Speaking of which, you look to her and see her flushed and ashamed. You realize that Embryx hadn't just insulted Sharyx' appearance, voice, and behavior, but she did so while rationalizing and even lending credibility to her plans. She had done it so effectively that you had even second-guessed yourself, so if Sharyx heard the entire conversation, she would know that you and Embryx were dismissing her plans - not because they were unworkable or because they would intrude into your love life, which you both had conceded they wouldn't - but rather because of the exceptionally shallow reason that Sharyx is "creepy."
From what you know about Sharyx, she spent the last half-century in an isolation so lonesome and miserable that she surrendered herself completely to evil acts and ambitions in hopes of finding her proper place in the world under the watch of a goddess that actually cared. Even if she's a princess in fact, in truth she was as much a pauper as you were, growing up. Yes, her preconceptions about what Syrith, her chosen, and the coven would want and expect of her were completely off-base, but with time and exposure, perhaps you could guide her. You recall also having very different expectations of what Lythrefang is when you were first inducted, and even if you feared the coven for the same reason that Sharyx gravitates toward it, the solution is probably the same - time and teaching - if you're willing to provide it.
Your arrival probably felt like the summation of all her prayers come true. How then, should she feel to discover that Syrith's chosen just doesn't like her, after all she's done to her family and the community in which she lives to seek her approval?
You sigh. "Listen," you begin anew. "You and I are very different people, Sharyx. My life would fit in the last third of yours, and while I've been traveling a lot and learning everything I can, it's all being piled up on top of a peasant's upbringing," you explain, endeavoring for the first time to speak from the heart to her. "I couldn't learn from my family what you've learned from yours; I wasn't trying to become anyone's royal knight. I don't know what Aelesh is like, Embryx is the only drow I've ever been friends with and she grew up in Turadal."
She gives a silent nod, not yet understanding your point, but recognizing your intent and having the patience to allow you to finish.
"...I'm going to say and do things that'll seem shortsighted, and ignorant, because I only know what I know. That's why I've been afraid ever since I killed Diala; I don't know if I have the skills and the knowledge to even manage the Mardenaal Pact, and then you come along and tell me you want to make me a queen in a country I've never been to, and the figurehead of a new church... I know we made jokes about you, and that was wrong of us, but the truth is that even if Syrith puts us in the position that everything you said in the kitchen is possible - I just don't know if I can handle it. I've been hoping for a simple life, someday."
Her eyes widen. "I-" she says as Seith and the others behind her begin to gather to listen to the conversation happening in the doorway. She shakes her head, determined to ignore their nosiness as she holds back tears. "...If you would only teach me how to be a great witch, and how to better serve the coven, I could teach you anything you want to know," she pleads. "I can wait until you're ready, Agranne. I've waited fifty years for the truth, fifty years for anyone to stand by my side without a reason to lie like they did... I want to take my rightful place on the throne of Aelesh, but even moreso, I don't want to be alone anymore."
You look to Embryx. She looks nervous, unsure if you'll reject Sharyx again, or over-correct for your prior behavior by agreeing to everything. "For what it's worth," she says to Sharyx, "I was just trying to make Agranne laugh. Your, uh, proposal made her super nervous."
Sharyx nods, looking ashamed as well.
"...I'll teach you about witchcraft," you volunteer. "But I won't promise you the rest - not yet. If you can wait until I'm ready, then you'll give me more time to decide whether there's ever going to come a day."
Gratitude washes over her. "Thank you," she says, giving a deep bow. "I won't disappoint you, sister."
---
Having patched things up with Sharyx well enough that you can all travel together again, you soon learn that Nytha will arrange for a covered wagon to take you and your new circle to Eliffarre incognito. You attempt to repay her for the help and the food you stole, but she seems unhappy to take your money.
"These are Turadalian coins," she says. "I won't be able to exchange them until the border's reopened. Why don't you just keep it, and in return, never, ever come back here again? I felt sorry for you when I left Mardenaal, but I shouldn't have. Everything seems to be working out in your favor..."
You cross your arms. "I'll put in a good word with Callypseae for you," you reply, tartly.
"Hey Nytha," Embryx adds with a sinister smile, twisting the shaft of her war scythe between her palms: "if you'd spent the last two years finding a voidsinger to fix Corrinth's head instead of hunting the fae like they're vermin, we wouldn't be here right now. Or better yet - how about the last twenty years?"
Clearly hurt by the blame set at her feet, Nytha flushes in anger. "I thought they were a myth."
"Well," Seith interjects with a chipper smile, "good job getting to the bottom of it. Now you can spread the word!"
Nytha grits her teeth. "The others will kill me if they know I housed a- Eek!" You quickly turn back to see that Corrinth has sneaked up on Nytha and given her a hug from behind. The towering elf looks down, below her arm at the changeling leaning out from around her back, like an adult would look at a child. "Wha- what are you doing?"
"I promise I won't be back," Corrinth says, her voice full of childlike innocence that still unsettles you, "...but it was good to see you one more time, Auntie."
You look to Kulka, the only one who could have allowed Corrinth to do this, and find her looking out a window as if she hadn't been paying attention, a self-satisfied smile on her withered lips.
---
Soon, the wagon - property of a local merchant - arrives and all of you aside from Stalna climb into the back, leaving Nytha looking exhausted and miserable from your presence. Your horses are tied up to the front of the animal team and soon you depart Afaeanon. With things moving again, you're eager for a change in subject from the matters you've been discussing all morning.
1. How Do We Convince Callypseae? - You look to Kulka for a bit of guidance. "So, Kulka," you start, "how do you think this is going to go?"
2. How Do We Fix Corrinth's Mind? - You decide to ask Seith about the actual process of singing to the void, to better understand what you're working towards.
Infab
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turtwigwins
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