Wishing Henri an excellent night of rest, Xizoh collapses into the bed, frustration and paranoia giving way to rest. For a moment, his shadow begins to grow and enlarge, before the half elf fades to sleep.
Getting up, and quietly leaving the room, the young doctor notice's Dara's exhausted appearance. "You do seem a bit wore out."
Alaina enters the tavern just behind Cel and spots Dara having a dawn drink. That's unlike her.
"What's wrong?" asks the Wolf with concern.
Dara looks up at Cel, Xizoh, and Alaina. "Well..." she takes a deep breath like she's preparing to say something, just as Archana walks up to the bar. Dara's eyes flick to Archana, then she says, "I didn't sleep much. Just a nightmare." She takes another sip of ale.
"Oh," Alaina says knowingly.
Xizoh notices Dara looks pale, drawn, and tense. In Xizoh's experience he has seen people use alcohol to self medicate for psychological trauma, and he knows it does not work on any timescale longer than a couple hours. He thinks this time of year there might still be wild lorezuria growing, a white flower with calming properties he could use to make a tea.
Cel thinks Dara might be more willing to talk to just her friends without Archana or others in hearing range.
"Can I get you anything? Maybe some breakfast?" he says eyeing the drink.
"Good idea," says Alaina. She takes Dara's mug and chugs the remaining ale. "Let's get some food."
"Hey!" Dara objects to her cousin's theft.
"Meat, bread, and eggs? Or something finer?" Archana asks.
Elioden tilts his head and puts on a mildly confused expression. "Why they are the illustrious heroes of Southtown of course! Well at least that's what Furler has been spreading around; he was escorting them earlier. I was trying to get their story to make a ballad, but they were tragically close lipped about the whole affair."
Henri settles in for the night in the bunk across from Xizoh, feeling strangely more at ease with his expanding shadow than she ever had at home. "G'night Doc," she murmurs before nodding off.
In the morning Henri joins the others, approaching the bar with a yawn. "Yes, food. The less fine, the better."
Archana begins pressing something glowing behind the bar. "I think I take your meaning. Got a journey ahead of you today then, yeah? Will you be needing provisions?"
The guard frowns. "I'm disappointed, Aubergine," she says. "Well, if you happen to hear anything about why they're in town, I'd be interested." The guard flashes her platinum coin again before pocketing it.
"Take care now," she calls behind her in a light tone as she leaves.
Elioden finds her farewell vaguely threatening.
Cel rumages through his pack, "I could use some more trail rations I think. Do you you have anything like that?"
Henri nods in agreement with Cel: "Jerky, maybe some tack. Berries. Something that'll last'd be useful." Bags persist under her eyes from somewhat restless sleep, haunted by nightmares that only just flicker at the edge of her memories. "And maybe a drink'd be nice. Coffee?" She pulls a cigarette from a pouch in her belt and lights it sleepily.
"Aye, I have some decent rations," Archana keys something else in behind the bar as five plates of food flash up onto the counter filled with warm eggs, bacon, and bread. A mug of coffee follows shortly after.
"If you'll be needing horses there's a place down the road that'd give you a good price," Archana hands out the plates and gives the coffee to Henri.
"Who said anything about needing horses?" Dara narrows her eyes as she picks at her food.
Archana shrugs, "If you're packing food to last, sounds like a long journey."
Cel takes a deep breath in with the plate. "This is great! And thank you for offering the rations, how much do we owe you for those and breakfast?"
"Three silver each for the breakfast, five copper for the coffee," Archana says. There's another flash of light behind the bar, and he sets a newly appeared canvas bag on the counter. "This here's three days worth of decent rations for five. A gold and five silver for the lot of it." He slides the bag toward the party.
Anyone who picks up the bag of rations feels that it weighs about fifteen pounds. Anyone who looks inside sees it is filled with dried fruit, hard tack and jerky.
"If you do get horses, you should be able to pick up some oats there," Archana adds.
As they eat, the party notices they seem to be the only tavern customers awake at dawn. Outside the windows they spot the movement of people heading up the street, most wearing the colors of the Kinghaven guard.
The Wolf hungrily finishes her food. "Where is everyone?" She asks as she hands her room key back to the innkeeper.
"Oh, the Prince is arriving soon. I expect the usual early crowd is busy making ready," Archana replies.
Cel digs through his pack a second time, "Um, I don't really have the spare change, I'll just pay a gold for my breakfast and part of the rations. You're welcome everyone!"
At the comment about the crowd Cel leans in to Alaina and whispers, "We should slip out soon if everyone's distracted right? Should we go wake them up?"
Alaina nods and whispers back, "It's a good idea to leave now. I think we have everyone," she looks around to make sure Xizoh, Henri, and Dara are still present.
Alaina fishes out two gold and a silver from her coin purse and slaps them on the bar counter. "This should cover the rest. Everyone ready?"
"Er, what was that you said about where to get horses?" Dara asks Archana.
Archana smiles. "Just head down this road," he points to the left of the front door. "Take your first right, and it should be on your left before you get to the main road. The place is called Hennesy Stables. Ask for Juliana. I think she may have a mount that suits you," he says to Dara.
"Thanks," Dara mumbles.
"You may need to wait for the Prince and her detail to pass before the main road clears out," Archana advises.
"We don't take up much space, even with horses," Alaina says.
"Aye, but they close the roads when the King or Prince are riding through," Archana says.
"All this bloody magic everywhere, you'd think they could just teleport," Dara mutters.
Archana shrugs. "I figure it's as much about being seen as anything else. Think of it like a parade."
Giving Dara a gentle pat, Xizoh adds, "If you want, I might be able to find some plants to help you sleep."
Nibbling at breakfest and washing it down with coffee, the doctor fishes out a gold coin he flips to Alaina. "Let me help with my share." Under his breath, he adds, "Yep, nothing I love like teleporting."
"No, I..." Dara begins to object to the doctor's offer, then says, "Actually, I'd appreciate that. Otherwise I might not sleep again." She stares back down into her empty mug.
Cel gets the impression Dara is holding back something that's weighing on her heavily.
Alaina catches Xizoh's coin and tucks it into her coin purse. "Thanks, Doc." She elbows Henri gently in the ribs, impatient to leave. "You coming?"
"Yeah yeah, you know I’m always ready Red,” Henri grins despite her tiredness. She finishes her breakfast and hands her room key to Archana before stowing the bag of rations in her Bag of Holding.
Dara and Alaina put on their cloaks and shoulder their gear. As the party prepares to leave, Dara slides Archana another ten gold. “I do appreciate your help,” she says softly.
Archana winks at her. “We need to stick together. I wish you safe travels.”
------
The door of the warm King’s Quay opens to a crisp late autumn morning. The last leaves on the trees are deep shades of red and gold, and the overnight dusting of snow is melting in the sun. The party sees smoke coming from the chimneys of the smaller houses and smells woodfires burning.
Following Archana’s directions, the party walks at a brisk pace towards Hennesy Stables. Almost as soon as they leave, they spot a raven perched on a house near the King's Quay that caws and flies away in the direction of the castle as the party passes.
The party sees people trickling out of homes and shops and walking toward the main road well before the main road comes into view. As they approach the stables, the party sees the main road is lined with a cheerful crowd. Most onlookers are applauding a procession of Altiendel soldiers riding on horseback toward the castle in shining armor. At the center is a young elf with dark eyes and a noticeably human element to her features. She is smiling and waving to the crowd.
Alaina whistles. “I guess that must be the prince.”
Henri recognizes that is indeed Prince Andreanna Ellenorah.
Oh Produs’s mighty hammer. Dara suddenly stops in her tracks, looking pale.
“What is it?” The Wolf, alarmed, looks around for enemies.
“No, it’s not -” Dara waves for Alaina to stand down. “There’s no danger.”
Alaina relaxes a little, still concerned. “Then what?”
“I think…” Dara stares at the procession. “I think someone killed the prince.”
Alaina points to the prince riding down the road. “That prince? In.... the future?”
“No. Yes. I don’t know!” Dara doubles over, cradling her head.
“Whoa, hey,” the Wolf puts a steady hand on her cousin’s shoulder, looking fearful. “Doc, is there something wrong with her?”
“I’m fine,” Dara says quickly, rising. “I’m fine. I just need to get back to the castle and warn them.”
Alaina looks down the road to the bridge toward where her father was last seen, then back at her cousin. “Hells,” she curses under her breath. “Fine. Let’s be quick about it and maybe we can still get out of here before the chaos is done,” she says, sounding like she doesn’t believe it’s likely the party will leave unnoticed if they return to the castle first.
Xizoh can see Dara is extremely distressed, but she does not otherwise look ill to him.
Shaking his head, Xizoh takes a moment to carefully inspect his friend. "Physically, your cousin is fine. Seems like she could use something to destress. If anyone sees wild lorezuria growing, a white flower, please let me know." Thinking you can see the future is a classic delusion, I'm surprised no one reported this in the military.
Cel comes over to awkwardly put a hand on Dara's shoulder and pat it an unnecessarily large amount of times, "Are you sure you're fine? You don't look fine. Maybe we shouldn't leave yet, let you get some rest and find another way out of town."
"Thanks Doc, but I'm fine," Dara says shortly, starting to march toward the castle. She irritatedly slaps Cel's hand away after the first few pats. "I don't need to rest! I know what I saw."
"And what was that, exactly?" Alaina asks, hustling to keep up.
Dara takes another few dozen hurried steps before answering softly, "I’ve been having dreams. Nightmares, really."
Alaina says, "You’ve had those for years. Ever since…"
Dara winces. "Korgan’s death, yes." She takes a deep breath. "Lately they’ve started… showing me things. Horrible things that have turned out to be real. I’m… not sure how."
Henri notices Dara keeps her eyes very focused on the road when she says she's not sure how. Henri think that Dara has at least a vague idea.
Cel thinks Dara isn't sharing everything about her dreams.
Xizoh gets the impression Dara is holding back something about her dreams.
Cel frowns with concern after Dara slaps his hand away, "Dara, why are you keeping things from us?! We might be able to help you!"
Elioden blinks awake and eyes the late morning sun. He rolls over and goes back to sleep.
Dara grits her teeth. “Fine. I think he is summoning me somehow when I’m asleep.”
“He?” asks Alaina. “He who?”
Dara doesn’t answer and avoids Alaina’s eyes.
“Is it a dream, or is it real?” the Wolf presses.
“I don’t know.” Dara’s hand unconsciously touches her face where he struck her. “It feels real.”
Walking quickly at the edge of the crowd along the road, the party gets closer to the castle gate and the press of people thickens. The parade of soldiers is still passing by, and the party can see the Prince on her horse on the other side of the castle gate.
“Later,” Dara dismisses the conversation sharply as two elves start walking beside the party, talking amongst themselves.
“You’re damn right later,” Alaina says, unwilling to give up on the subject.
As the party comes up to the gate, Guard Ines spots them. “Hey, it’s the Southtown heroes! Welcome back!” she waves to them. “You need to get through? Here, I’ll send y’all by,” she ushers them through a reinforced side door with a wink.
If the party skirts the parade and approaches the castle at the same side door they exited from, they see it is guarded by a tall elf in an Altiendel military uniform.
“We’re, uh, here to see Major Kijel,” Dara says to the guard.
She looks surprised. “Now?”
Dara nods, looking troubled.
“Follow me,” she ushers the party through the door and leads them back down the same opulent hall. The corridors and rooms are empty now with most of the castle's occupants outside to view or march in the parade. The party hears nothing but the echo of their footsteps.
The guard stops them at a thick wooden door. She knocks, and a thin sheen of glowing magic ripples at her touch.
Henri recognizes this is a protective barrier that can be spelled to only allow certain beings to pass.
“Is it urgent?” Major Kijel’s voice calls.
The guard looks to Dara, who nods. “Yes, sir,” the guard replies.
There is a long pause before the major says, “Very well. Enter.”
The guard swings the door open and ushers the party through. The room is large and grand as the hall with marble walls, but without any windows. It is lined with elegant wooden bookshelves filled with leather-bound books, scrolls, artifacts, and instruments, and dimly lit with glittering magical lanterns that cast dark shadows on the ceiling. There are several well-made oak desks with oil wells, feather quills, and neat stacks of books and papers.
Major Kijel is alone inside, standing next to the largest desk and looking calm and collected in their dress armor. The party sees several large maps spread out on the major’s desk, along with a few small tokens of Altien’s symbol.
You notice the a large drawer of the major’s desk is still slightly open, leading you to think they may have hastily put away at least part of whatever they were working on before the party entered.
“Yes, I’ve been expecting you,” Major Kijel says smoothly, betraying no surprise. “Please leave us, Sergeant Klingemann.”
Sergeant Klingemann nods and shuts the door behind her.
The tiredness drains back into the major’s face as the door closes. They put a hand to their temple and sigh. “Okay, let’s start from what in Altien’s good name you’re doing back here.”
“Someone will kill the prince!” Dara blurts out.
Major Kijel immediately tenses. “What?”
“I saw it - don’t ask me how. In her room, someone she knows kills her with a spell. I… I remember she was surprised.” Dara looks pained.
The major blinks in surprise, then nods calmly. “We do have protocol in place for threats of death. She dislikes it, but we’ll post guards in her room. We’ll also double the number on patrol, switch assigned partners, and conduct an immediate Truth Test, starting with whoever is on duty tonight.” They begin to flip through a ledger.
Henri knows a Truth Test is a truth spell used by the Altiendel government and military, activated by a tattoo that all who serve Altien must agree to wear. She remembers her parents tried to convince her to get one as a ‘show of good faith’ to the Coy family.
“Oh.” Dara says. “...That’s it? You’re not going to ask me anything else?”
Major Kijel shrugs. “If you’re right, we’ll find the culprit, and if you’re wrong, no harm done. Unless you have anything else to add, you may go with my sincere thanks.” They look up from the ledger to give Dara a discerning look. “Maybe one day you’ll tell me how you came upon such information, but if you leave now you may still make it out of town largely unobserved. If that is still your intent.”
“It is,” Alaina says firmly. “Thank you, Major.”
There’s a sudden knock on the door, and it swings open before anyone can answer.
“My illustrious friends!” Terry exclaims delightedly, striding into the room as the door slams behind him. “You’re back!”
“You do not have permission to enter, Guard Furler.” Major Kijel says in a tired and annoyed voice. “But while you’re here, you can be the first to undergo a Truth Test. I see you were on guard duty tonight.” Without looking up from their ledger, they gesture for Terry to step closer to the desk.
Terry’s smile falters and he stops. “What?”
“We’ve reason to believe someone is plotting an attack on the Prince. Come on now, we don’t have all day,” Major Kijel beckons more urgently.
Terry throws his head back and laughs. “Oh, you’ll have to tell me how you knew!” he says to the party, wiping a mirthful tear from his face.
Elioden wakes to three loud thumps on his door. "Oy!" Archana calls from just outside the threshold. "Get yer lazy bum out of bed, oaf."
Elioden knows Archana never comes to his room unless he has important news to share.
Elioden groans but swings his legs out of bed. He wraps the blanket around himself for modesty, shuffles to the door, and opens it a crack. "This better be good."
Archana shoos Elioden back and steps into his room, shutting the door firmly behind him. "Produs's forge hammer, put some blasted clothes on, lad," Archana grumbles.
"Listen, it's about those tunnels you asked me to keep an ear out on. It sounds like there's been a lot of military activity happening at the water pumps nearby."
Elioden already knew this.
"I'm sure you already knew that," Archana grins, "But it might interest you to know that the good Major doesn't."
Elioden knows that Major Tai Kijel is in charge of the Altiendel military activities in Kinghaven and the supervisor of the Kinghaven guard. If something is happening without their knowledge, it's probably unsanctioned and illicit - a potentially damning sign of corruption of the military's power.
Elioden stands absolutely still for a moment before attempting to grab Archana and kiss him. "Haha! I knew it!"
He ignores both the fallen blanket and any reaction Archana might have to spin around and start hastily dressing. "I knew there was something rotten going on! No other explanation for-"
His frantic motion stops abruptly and he turn a head to look at Archana again. "How do you know the Major doesn't know?"
Archana clocks Elioden squarely on his right ear. "Get that thing out of m'face!"
Archana swats Elioden away. "Off with ye! Hells boy, I hope you ask the people you take up here permission first." His expression is fierce, but his tone is amused.
Archana grins. "They didn't say it outright, but it weren't so hard to figure out. Nobody pays much mind to what the barkeep hears when the drinks are flowing," he chuckles. "There's a group of the Guard that have been taking great pains to make sure they're scheduled on shift together and hide their long hours in the tunnels. A few seemed fairly high up - I'm sure there must be some underlings involved who aren't in on it."
When Archana mentions long hours in the tunnels Elioden immediately thinks of Terry Furler and the guard who approached him last night.
Still looking pointedly away, Archana adds, "Your Abbhen friends left first thing this morning as the Prince arrived."
Cel fixates on the drawer, almost too much for him to resist his curious nature. He tries really hard to pay attention to the conversation and only catches bits and pieces as he tries to inconspicuously crane his neck to see more. That is, until he catches enough of Terry's words to interpret it as a confession of a plot for murder. "What?! You...you're going to...you just admit it like that?!"
“Great. Just great.” Henri pulls her collar up and her hat down as the party passes the parade of soldiers, but she stays close behind Dara.
“Are you injured?” Xizoh asks with concern when Dara reaches for her face.
Dara looks surprised and pulls her hand away. “No, I think I’m okay. It’s strange, when I’m near fire it feels hot. It feels so real, but I’m not sure it is.”
-
When Terry enters the room Henri says, “ألتين، بعقب، عن، أداة تعريف إنجليزية غير معروفة، المكنسة, not you again.”
Altien's ass on a broomstick
Terry rolls his eyes at Cel’s question with a sigh. “Which one of you insipid halfwits warned of an attack on Her Majesty?” Terry asks.
“I did,” Dara growls.
“The surly, cretinous dwarf. Curious,” Terry remarks. “Did you make a contract?”
“Don’t you dare speak to her that way,” Alaina readies her shield, clearly looking to fight.
“Terry,” Major Kijel says in a warning, parental tone. They hold up a hand to Alaina. "Let's everyone calm down."
Cel reacts to Alaina readying her shield and takes a deep breath in. The wind currents begin to swirl around him and he settles into his practiced shooting stance. He doesn't release with Major Kijel's warning, but he is ready to fight if this escalates further.
Elioden flashes Archana a grin, ignoring the ringing in his ears. "I'm sure the Abbhen lot would be good for a distraction, but I think I can talk to the major quietly even without them. Solve this whole thing quickly, with no one the wiser!"
He finishes dressing, putting on his adventuring gear rather than entertaining clothes, and hurries out of the inn.
"You're just going to walk into the castle?" Archana asks. "Hey!" he calls after Elioden.
Elioden makes quick time through the crowd toward the castle. He finds friendly guards who have heard him play. They are eager to do him the favor of slipping him through the castle gate just as the last of the Prince's parade passes.
From past visits to the castle, Elioden knows the major is likely to be in the military administration room. He finds the outer door to this part of the castle unguarded, which he finds odd for a day when the Prince is visiting.
If he proceeds through the door and into the castle, he sees the corridors and rooms are empty with most of the castle's occupants outside to view or march in the parade. After a minute of walking toward the administration room, he hears someone coming. If he slips behind a statue or tapestry to avoid conversation, he sees it is one of the Altiendel soldiers under the Major.
If he lets her pass and proceeds, he reaches the administration room. If he opens the door to let himself in, he sees Major Kijel standing beside their usual desk in their dress armor, looking concerned. He sees Terry Furler is there, looking bellicose for a change. The Southtown party there as well, and Elena and Cel look ready for a fight.
“Terry,” Major Kijel says in a warning, parental tone. They hold up a hand to Alaina. "Let's everyone calm down."
The door swings open again, and the bard from the King's Quay enters, wearing adventuring gear instead of his performance clothes.
"And now the bard too." Terry sighs dramatically. "All of you fools will have to be silenced to clean this up. What a mess."
"Try us, دودة" Henri draws her pistol.
Worm
Xizoh readies his chain.
"Terry, be reasonable and come quietly." Major Kijel says calmly. "You’re going to fight all of us by yourself? The Southtown heroes? You’re going to fight me?”
Elioden's jaw drops. "Furler?! You did something worth fighting over?!"
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Letting his shadow start to grow inky and unnaturally dark, the healer snarls. "There's more to us than your damnable song says."
Terry laughs. "I never said I was alone…”
The lights flicker and dim as a chill sweeps over the room. Shadows start to bleed down the walls from the ceiling.
Cel doesn’t know what the shifting shadows mean, but he gets the feeling it’s not good. He doesn’t get a good read on Terry’s CR, but from his experience with Captain Vazquez he would bet Major Kijel’s is at least a 10.
Elioden immediately fears these are like Shadows he has encountered before in the deep abscesses of the mountains. He knows they are extremely dangerous and sap the strength of their victims to breed more shadows. He also knows they are incorporal and best fought with magic or positive energy.
Elioden can see that there’s clearly more to Terry than he’d thought, but he doesn’t get a good read on the extent of his power. In order to summon shadows, he would bet at least a 5. Elioden knows the major is at least a 12.
The shifting shadows remind Henri of a story elven children used to tell to scare each other about evil shadows that lurk in the darkness waiting to drain the life from their victims.
Henri guesses Terry must be a caster of some kind, probably at least a CR 6. From what she knows of Major Kijel she would guess they are CR 13.
Xizoh doesn’t know what the shifting shadows are, but he senses they are malevolent. From the way the major’s face twists in abhorrence at the sight of shifting shadows, Xizoh is fairly certain the major would not hesitate to strike him down if they see he is attached to Anathema.
Xizoh guesses Terry’s CR is about a 7, and from his experience with other Alitendel officers, the major must be at least a CR 11.
Major Kijel draws their sword. “How in Norah’s foul stench did you slip Shadows past our wards?!”
“You arrogant fools only see what your precious Altien deigns to show you.” Terry sneers. He speaks to the shadows descending from above, “Kill them.”
“My dear Major, it’s so nice to see you wearing the gold command stripes our squad gave you.” Terry says sweetly, waving a hand.
Major Kijel’s sword falls from their hand and they sink to the ground, clutching at their throat.
Xizoh gets the impression this is some sort of illusion magic compelling Major Kijel to perceive they’re being strangled.
At the same time, Dara starts glowing faintly blue. “Uhh…. guys?” she stretches a luminescent hand out in front of her.
Meanwhile, two formless shadows glide silently closer to the party in the dim light.
Elioden growls at the sight of the shadows, his humor gone. Those do not belong.
He channels power to his voice and sings an ancient tune, the words echoing slightly. "PÆGA, moonlighter, smote the night, mortal champion of spirits!"
While Elioden sings he stalks towards Terry, drawing his sword and letting soft moonlight flow into it.
Cel extends his inhale allowing himself to feel the pain of it, and exhales with all of his force...
Cel's blast tears through the shadow close to Xizoh. It looks much more ragged, but Cel notices it doesn't seem as damaged as he'd expect. He thinks his blast was strong enough to push the thing back, but he sees it doesn't work.
S1 -0
S2 -14
T -0
"ثلاثة أجزاء المياه قطعتين الباردة، كثيفة وحادة," Henri says as her revolver starts to glow and runes burn brightly on its surface. She fires the gun at the shadow next to Dara. With a bang, her revolver blasts a burst of icy, compact snow through the shadow, tearing a hole through the middle of it.
Henri is pretty sure that shot should have killed the thing, but it still floats closer to Dara, silent and menacing. "Oh f*ck off," she prepares to fire again.
S1 -10
S2 -14
T -0
Dara glows even brighter and starts to look fuzzy around the edges, like she's disappearing. "What is this?" she sounds panicked as she looks through her hand at the approaching shadow.
Alarmed, Xizoh steps closer to her and tries to diagnose what's wrong.
Xizoh can't see any sign that this is internal to Dara, and it reminds him of the way people glow when they use transportation orbs. He suspects someone else is trying to use magic to teleport Dara somewhere else.
"Someone's trying to orb you!" Xizoh shouts to her.
"Oh no," Dara turns so pale Xizoh can tell even with her glowing.
"No. No way." The Iron Wolf grabs on to Dara, holding both of her hands. "I won't let them."
For a moment it looks like Alaina is grounding Dara, making her more solid. Then Alaina starts to glow too.
Across the room, Major Kijel struggles against an invisible force around their neck.
Terry laughs. A moment later, his face twists. He grunts a sharp word and points at Elioden. A jet of violet light shoots from his fingers and strikes Elioden in the shoulder.
"Oh I think I'm going to enjoy this, Aubergine," Terry says jovially.
Meanwhile, Dara and Alaina are growing more faint.
"I can't go back there. I can't," Dara looks terrified.
"I won't let anything happen to you," the Wolf says to her cousin, squeezing her hands tightly. "Hold on to me."
As Dara starts to reply, they both disappear in a twinkle of light. Dara's bow and bag land on the floor with a clatter.
Robbed of their prey, the shadows turn toward those closest to where Dara and Alaina were standing a moment before.
The shadow near Henri envelopes her. It feels like it's draining something vital from her - she feels immediately much weaker; tired and dizzy.
Cel dodges the shadow closest to him.
A blend of fear and anger takes hold of Cel's body, this time he inhales and does the most intense Valsalva he can before letting go...
Cel's blast completely dissipates the shadow, leaving no trace of it behind.
S1 -10
S2: super super dead
T -0