Satisfied that the village is in good shape, Mr. Whiskers goes to the inn and rents a room.
He eats his normal light meal, and retires slightly early that night. As he curls up with Nivean, his mind is full of worries about what has become of his warren over the time he has been gone. I only intended to be gone a few years. By now the warren has no doubt moved, and it will take some time to find it. It might be easier to find some of the Shoanti and ask them about it.
When morning comes, Mr. Whiskers prepares himself for a day of travels. I am going to want to get better winter gear. I don't really need it, but where I'm going people are more comfortable meeting strangers if they are properly dressed for the weather.
While breaking his fast downstairs, he asks if the inn can pack him something for the mid-day meal. "I'm not certain where I will be at that time. I plan to take a quick trip and return here. After that, I will likely take a much longer trip."
He checks, but fully expects that Einar is sleeping in.
He then follows the trail they took so long ago into the border woods. Once out of sight, he changes himself and Nivean into hawks appropriate to the area and enjoys the flight to the lodge.
When he gets to the lodge, he slowly circles it once to look it over. He then lands at the front door and retakes his normal form before knocking. I think this should keep Erlis from scolding Lieutenant Reynold too much.
He then waits and listens to the hurried response he expects from within.
"So Gamma knows that he is another self. But even though he is another self should he not also be allowed to walk his own path since he is a thinking, reasoning being of his own right?" Baknarla asks.
Crummock nods.
"After a fashion... that is certainly true. He is an aspect of me, never changing, always true to precisely how he was when he was Created. He can't walk his own path, because that is literally impossible; he is part of me, which stands apart."
"We believe that no one should claim what is the life path another should walk. If he wishes to join our tribe - it should be a decision he makes out of his own free will, and not because another asks him to do so." Baknarla replies. "We would appreciate the aid he can give - but all gifts must be freely given, and not given because they were forced."
"Twin adlets may be bonded to each other - some say they share the same soul - but it does not give them a right to decide what their sib should do."
Crummock frowns thoughtfully.
"I hear what you are saying... I don't think that it quite applies to this situation, but I appreciate your point of view. Let's see if we can clarify things..."
He then turns to Gamma.
"Gamma, do you have any objection to helping Baknarla's tribe to the best of your ability, providing what aid you can, in my absence?"
Gamma quickly replies:
"No, Alpha."
An older, slightly wrinkled and stouter Ten-Penny passes Mr Whiskers a Doner Kebab for the journey.
Flying in as a hawk, he sees that where the sentinel lodge used to be is now a a stone fortress, with a well inside. The interior has also been revamped, having several stone buildings. Mr Whiskers can also see Sentinels keeping watch in the watch tower. There are several owls flying in the air, but they do not bother Mr Whiskers and Nivean, as they are both hawks.
He also sees on the training grounds, despite the early hour, Erlis, with some grey in her hair, but still looking good, is drilling some of the new recruits, getting them to do a forehand strikes on pells using a glaive.
As Mr Whiskers knocks on the door of the biggest stone building, he hears the sound of an alarm and the sound of many booted feet. Erlis, in the training grounds, yells out, ”Recruits, we've got company! Arm yourselves, and follow on me!”
Then he sees an owl fly out of the window, and back into the window again, and the door opens. In the room, he sees four Sentinels taking cover behind tables, the chairs being hastily kicked aside, with their bows drawn, aimed at him. Another two Sentinels have their longspears pointed at the door, and the door opener, is a woman in short cropped brown hair, with a morningstar in one of her hands. ”Who are you, and what is your business here.” She challenges Mr Whiskers.
Just then, Erlis shows up from the side with her recruits. ”Stand down, Sergeant Cassidy. He's a friend.” She commands, and the Sentinels within the Hut lower their weapons. ”Mr Whiskers – I haven't seen you for 20 years, and you suddenly show up! And you don't look any different from the day you left - like Lieutenant Reynolds had described. What happened to all of you?”
"Then we welcome you to the Frostwolves," Baknarla replies to Gamma. "What would you consider as suitable accommodations?"She asks Gamma as she starts showing him, and Anastasia around the now cleaned-up Ivoryglass.
As they enter the castle Baknarla bringing Crummock up to speed with Triaxian affairs. During the Winter years - White dragons tend to rule the drakelands - Yrax is gone - but it does not mean that another White Dragon Warlord or band of white dragon warlords will not take his place. During the summer years, the White Dragons go into hibernation, and the red dragons become the primary forces ruling the Drakelands. It will take quite some time to subjugate the Drakelands.
Taslune adds that if they need supplies, or additional troops - Commander Pharamol may be willing to send some Dragon Legionnaires to aid their cause.
Baknarla on the other hand, favours uniting more of the Adlet clans - collecting them from over the Drakelands to overthrow their White Dragon Warlords.
Smiling, he mentions "It was a surprise to me when I found out how much time had gone by."
He knocks on the stonework. "You've been busy with the upgrades! You also look to be keeping yourself in excellent shape."
With a chuckle, he admits "Given the surprise that I evidently gave your Lieutenant Reynolds, I thought it only right I come out here and visit."
"Mind if I come in?"
"Please, be welcome."Erlis orders Sergeant Cassidy to take over the training of the recruits, while she personally shows Mr Whiskers around.
"You see, shortly after you left, the winter storms stopped. Then we were sent a raven with a message tied to its leg, complimenting us on our bird-watch - by someone named Jairess, with her flock of ravens from the other side of the 'Winter Portal', asking to join us, saying she had a letter of introduction by Crummock addressed to Cadence."
"Sure enough this slyph with a her flock of ravens starts passing through our patrol area. And shows up at the fort one fine morning. Cadence helped her get settled in, where she told us about how she got here."
"I had a patrol sent out to check for the winter portal, but found only the abandoned camp, where we brought the bodies of the former Sentinels back and laid them to rest, here," She gestures at the graveyard.
"So the winter portal was gone-but how about the remaining creatures left behind? We had to take care of them as well,which we did."Erlis explains as she shows Mr Whiskers around.
"There's the bird feeder," Erlis gestures with several poles with hooks and meat dangling from them, as well as a half-filled trough of grain, surrounded by a veritable lot of ravens, crows, owls and hawks. "And that's Hakon" She beams at an impressive looking eagle which makes a piping noise at her as she passes, then returns to his meal.
"We had a tower built for Jairess," Erlis gestures at a High tower within the fortress, "Since she has a preference for heights. She's sharing it with Belephiel and Tinawen."
She winks at Mr Whiskers, and whispers conspirationally, "All crazy bird people."She adds as an afterthought, "Jairess is a good healer though."
"Anyway,everyone here has to earn their living, so Jairress's flock of ravens was mostly divided between the Sentinels - since Ravens don't usually flock here, so a flock of ravens would draw unwanted attention."
Erlis points out another building, "We even have our own Wizard here. Just in case problems of magical nature crop up."She frowns. "I really should talk to him if we can do something about people teleporting into Heldren, since not everyone teleporting is friendly."
"The stables are over there," Erlis gestures at another building.Inside the stables, instead of horses are Elks. "Tinawen said they wanted to stay with us."
"I suppose free food and lodging was the draw."
"Anyway, we did a pretty good job cleaning the place up, and this area still needs a protector, so we started hiring out escort services to merchant caravans once summer came back. One thing led to another, and THIS" Erlis gestures at the fortress proudly, "Is the result"
Mr. Whiskers follows along, admiring the changes that had been made.
"Crummock had told us of Jairess, but I didn't meet her. I wouldn't mind speaking with her and the two fey later."
When Erlis mentions wanting to protect against teleportation, Mr. Whiskers says "That can be difficult and expensive. There are substances you can mix into the walls to prevent teleportation. There are also some strong spellls that can prevent it. The simple and inexpensive defense is to not allow someone into an area and make sure there is nothing memorable about the area."
Smiling, he says "That doesn't work so well outdoors, but it could probably work for guard towers. When teleporting, you need to mentally picture your destination. If there is nothing memorable about it, the chances of ending up at the wrong location are much higher."
"If you want, I could probably spare a little time speaking with your wizard about this. What is his name?"
---
When Mr. Whiskers is introduced to Jairess, he complements her on how her ravens had helped the lodge. He will try to talk to her and the two fey at the same time.
Eventually he transitions the conversation to why he wanted to speak with them.
"Pardon me for asking this, but do you know how I might make contact with Queen Titania? I would like to arrange an audience with her. It is nothing that has to happen immediately, but I'm hoping that she or one of her court could offer advice on how to return spring to Irrisen."
Erlis opens another building, a stone hut. The room is lined with bookshelves stuffed full with books, and has an alchemical work bench with various alchemical supplies on it.
An elf in wizard robes is reading a book with his raven, titled, ”Let it blow: A Guide to the biggest, baddest explosions in the universe”
”Eladil, this is Mr Whiskers,”Erlis introduces Mr Whiskers to the elf. Eladil rises out of his chair gracefully, ”Oh I haven’t heard your name around before, so you must be the one responsible for the latest ruckus.”
”So why have you come to see a wizard?” He grins at the joke.
Weak Conjuration Aura
Weak Divination Aura
If a standard action is used, he has 4th level spells.
Mr. Whiskers gives a traditional eleven greeting, and then said "Only for the best of reasons. Curiosity."
Smiling, he says "Elris mentioned having a wizard to help here. Evidently my arrival has caused your next project."
He pauses for dramatic effect.
"I hadn't thought about the stir it might cause teleporting into Heldren."
With a chuckle, he then admits "I did think about my arrival here though. No teleportation involved, but they did ring the alarm for me."
Jairess is a pale, waifish woman, her hair waving in a nonexistent breeze, clad in white leather armor that looks like it is her second skin. Tinawen is currently asleep, and Belephiel is a miniscule, green-skinned humanoid, with a pair of dragonfly wings sprouting from his back.
Jairess nods at Mr Whiskers compliments on her ravens, ”I’d be happier if they did not have to be sent out, but I understand that everyone must earn their keep in the community. Since they have watchful partners, they are as safe as they can be in this world.”She answers.
Belephiel nods gravely at Mr Whiskers’s request. ”It can be done- but we need to send word to her heralds. Jairress – could you make the Call?”
”I could, but I need a name to Call – I can only call outsiders.” Jairess replies. ”Besides, I need to prepare the Circle as well.”
”Call Eplyx the air elemental and ask him to bring word to Ravathiel that Mr Whiskers seeks audience with Queen Titania on how to return spring to Irrisen.” Belephiel says, after some thought.
No Auras.
Also 4th level spells
”I would have thought it was a trait natural to cats. I did not know it extended to ratfolk as well.” There is an amused twinkle in his eyes as he says that.
”What project?” Eladil looks at Mr Whiskers with his head cocked. ”Oh. Teleportation. That’s a major pain in the @rse.”
He gives a shrug, ”The magic of teleportation is mostly beyond me. I might manage a hop or two but it is severely limited in distance.”
He furrows his eyebrows, ”Now I could set alarms on the area, but Heldren is too big for me to cover permanently. Not to mention with all the wildlife around to trip it, none of us would be getting ANY sleep. If you have any suggestions, my fellow arcane practitioner, feel free to give them.”
"Hopefully this will go better than our first meeting. The Queen commented on how I stank of winter at that time."
Looking to the two of them, he asks "Would either of you have advice for me? I want to be properly respectful."
Jairess takes her leave, then returns an hour later, bringing Mr Whiskers and Belephiel into her workroom on the top of the tower. The room itself is painted silver and the furnishings are in white. At the centre of the room is a sky blue circle, and a sapphire has been laid at the side, outside the sky blue circle.
Jairess takes her seat, cross legged, then begins to chant. Mr Whiskers recognizes it as Lesser Planar Ally spell.
” Servant of Queen Titania, Eplyx the Child of air, I, Jairess Sonn, beseech thee to favour us with thine presence.”
As she intones the words, a small air elemental appears in the circle. ”I answer. Why have you called my name?” Eplyx asks.
”All yours.” Jairess gestures at Mr Whiskers. ”State your request, and I will furnish his payment and he can be on his way back to the First World.”
"It is also a trait of any successful arcane practitioner." Mr. Whiskers points out.
Shaking his head, Mr. Whiskers says "You are quite correct, all of those would be problems with the normal alarm spell. I suppose you could make a variation of the alarm spell that triggered off teleportation."
He then mentions some of the principles that could be used, based off contingency and invisibility alarm. He is quite willing to talk shop with the wizard. He includes a few details of how teleportation is different than dimension door.
Before leaving, he does apologize again for the way he caused all the fuss by teleporting in like that.
"I am called Mr. Whiskers. I seek another audience with Queen Titania or one of her subjects. I seek advice on how to return spring to Irrisen."
I do hope the subject makes up for who is making the request.
”I do not know how to return spring to Irrisen – but perhaps another may be able to help you. I will carry your message to Queen Titania’s ears as swiftly as I can – I cannot answer for her – for I am but one of her Servants.” Ephlyx answers, then reaches out an airy digit towards Jairess.
”That will be sufficient.” Jairess hands over the sapphire, and then the air elemental vanishes.
Belephiel remarks after the air elemental has gone. ”Time passes differently in the fey realms then ours. It may take a while before we hear a reply.”
”True that.” Eladil acknowledges the hit. ”But being too curious without studying the principles involved generally leads to disaster.”
”Creation of new spells?” Eladil frowns. ”Iffy business. I’ve heard of people being blown up when the research went wrong…”
"Maybe sometime in the future..." He adds as an afterthought.
"Yeah maybe you should teleport outside town rather then in the middle of it."
"I must admit, I've never done spell research myself. I do like to understand the principles, but have not had an opportunity to apply them in that way."
With a chuckle, he admits "Yes, that part I had figured out. I had been away from civilization for too long, and did not think things through. I guess I'll have to figure out what to do if the destination is a large city though."
Smiling, he says "Always something more to learn!"
”Large cities are usually more open about teleporting. Probably because they have more resources they can call upon, and bring to bear to deal with a threat if need be,” Eladil points out.”The only problem is if you land on someone while teleporting in.“
"Yes, always there are things to learn. The only time you stop learning is when you're dead."He pauses for a moment, "Or maybe not even then. I've always wondered what the Afterlife looks like, but not ALL that curious about it, if you get my drift."
Winching slightly, Mr. Whiskers admits "Yes, I've had some experience with time flowing differently." I would rather not repeat it either.
"I had only come to see if someone could help me make the correct contacts. I had not foreseen such a prompt and direct response. My original plans were to return to Heldren for at least a short time today."
He ponders a moment, then says "I suppose I could just teleport back, talk to the fellow, and pop back here. I think if I ask Erlis first, she would probably allow me a location not too far that wouldn't cause so much alarm."
Guesturing to where the sapphire had been, he asks "Is there some way I can repay you for this?"
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Cadence listens to Einar's mad rush of words, holding his hand all the time. Triaxus. Twenty days becoming twenty YEARS? She sucks in her breath. If he goes there without you... You'll never see him again. If you go with him, you'll never see this place again. Never see your family. Never know what happens with them. It's a one-way ticket."
But if you don't take that ticket, will you be looking back for the rest of your life, wishing you had?
Then she reaches out and touches his horns. "Such a journey you've had. It's not fair that you learned all your wisdom in such a short time, when my path of learning took two decades." She grins. "But then again... Maybe it's a good thing you're such a quick study. It would have been a true tragedy if you were gone for twenty of my years without learning anything."
"You've learned that revenge reaps bitterness, but that building something brings joy. You've found the place where you can make a difference, and where people need you." Cadence takes a deep breath. "I've found that I can make a difference too, but I haven't yet set down roots anywhere else, and the roots that I had here... They've grown more tenuous every year. Erlis has her own militia. Freya is the town wi -- er -- herbalist. Even George has grown up. They don't need me like they used to."
She looks at Einar. "So... Tell me. Do you think your terrible and beautiful planet might have need of a Pathfinder Lodge?" She laughs. "I have no idea how we'll report, but exploring and cooperating... I think we could manage that."
"You don't have to repay us for the sapphire. Sentinel funds."Jairess answers.
Erlis agrees that if Mr Whiskers teleportation some distance from the Sentinel Fort or Heldren, to let the birds pick up and bring reports, he will not cause alarm.
Mr Whiskers teleports back to the outskirts of Heldren then strolls back to Heldren, where the town guards salute him as he approaches.
So I wonder where Einar is?
Mr. Whiskers checks the inn first, then if he doesn't find him there wanders the town looking for Einar.
Mr Whiskers finds Einar and Cadence in the orchard!
Smiling, Mr. Whiskers approaches the two.
"Here you are! I've been wondering where you wandered off to."
With a nod of his head, he says "Good to see you again, Cadence. You look to have done well while we were gone."
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"Crummock is a gnome?!" She blinks. "What? How...? His own demiplane?" Then she notices the jug. "Plum wine, please."
Then she thinks a moment. "But if there is a time dilation where a day on Triaxus is a year here... Surely we have time to say goodbye to my family and maybe exchange vows before them? If you are asking me to leave with you forever... Could we have my family at our wedding?" She glances at Einar, pleadingly. "We can do something short. We can do something soon. But I want them there."
Then she notices Mr. Whiskers. "Mr. Whiskers! Just in time to be a witness!" She kneels down, holding Einar's hand. "Einar, traveler of the planes, slayer of dragons, friend to the weirdest big gnome in the universe and a rather stalwart ratfolk, will you marry me?"
Chuckling lightly, Mr. Whiskers looks at Einar and waits to see how he will handle this challenge.
Perplexed, Mr. Whiskers says "Why don't I just send you to Triaxis when the time comes? I should be able to do that."
"I still have a few things to do on Golarian. If you are willing to have the wedding here -- on Golarian -- then I would be happy to stand as your best man. I am sorry, but I will not be joining you on Triaxis. "
"I am currently in the process of planning a trip to Irrissen. I also want to find my people, see how they are doing. Then there is the trip to the elven kingdom of Kyonin. I still haven't seen much of this world."
Cadence returns to their family home informing a surprised Beatrice and Alfred that Einar just proposed to her.
”Well – you've been waiting for him for 20 years. If he's remembered you all this while, he can't be too bad a guy, can he?” Alfred says gruffly, with a good-natured twinkle in his eye.
”From what I remember, he was a rather polite strapping lad. And he promised to take care of Cadence. I always thought that was so sweet of him.”Beatrice has a smile on her face.
”You know, Dorja and George have already settled down and have children, we were wondering when it would be your turn...but I suppose these years you only had him in your heart?” Beatrice asks Cadence.
”Now if only you could convince Erlis to settle down...that helion.” Beatrice grumbles.
”Yes, so when are you going to tell it to the rest of the family and invite him over?”Alfred asks.”We could buy the house at the end of the street – that way both of you wouldn't be too far apart from us.”
Dorja on hearing the news, volunteers to make Cadence a full length rose-detailed dress wrapped in its own translucent frost pattern cape, with a plunging back, out of the finest knitted wool. She says the dress will take her about 3 days to make.
Erlis says she knows a picturesque waterfall in a forest clearing not too far from Heldren where Cadence can hold her wedding. The forest clearing itself is fairly large, and can hold a large number of guests. She will ask some of her Sentinels to decorate the place before the day itself. She also wants to order a device that can instantly capture pictures from alkenstar - so she can take pictures of Cadence's wedding. Unfortunately, THAT will take about a month to arrange.
Beatrice helps search for the necessary supplies for an outdoor wedding, as per Cadence's request. Tengezil the gnome carpenter is wiling to make chairs for the wedding – but doesn't have enough wood – it'll need to be imported from Katheer – and will take a week to arrive.
Vivialla says she does not have a big enough pavilion to accommodate all the guests and provide shelter if it were to rain on that day – the finest silk would be from Oppara – which is also a week away by caravan. Even so – she would need Tenegezil's help for the wooden framework on which the silk coverings would stretch.
Erlis, Dorja and some of Cadence's female friends in town volunteer to be bridesmaids for Cadence, and to plan the trials - where Einar and Mr Whiskers have to go to Cadence's house with gifts for the bridesmaids and pass the trials for them to win Cadence's hand.
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Cadence hugs Beatrice and Alfred. "We won't be settling here, though I hope to spend a month or so before I leave. He wants to go back to the life he made for himself on another world. I want him to be the man that he is when he is there. Mom, Dad... If I go... If I do this trip, it's kind of a one-way journey. There's a time dilation effect out in Triaxus. If I go... I'm not coming back each year for the harvest festival. I'm not coming back ever."
She looks at them with tears in her eyes. "You've gotten to see us all grown. This month, I want to hold on to you as hard as I can... And then, I'll need to say goodbye." She squeezes their hands. "He offered to stay for me. But if he stays, he can't be the dragon slayer. He'll be just another tiefling... not fully trusted. Not fully at home."
She takes a deep breath. "There will be work there for me too. I'm going to found a Pathfinder Lodge out there, and help him with his mission. Mom, Dad... I'm sorry that this cannot be easy, and that I won't be close. But I think this is the path I need to take."
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"But why, Cadence?" Beatrice asks, hurt evident in her eyes, "You were just back and now you say you're going to leave us forever?"
"Heldren knows what you've done for us. Never have we thought Einar as another tiefling. He's a hero who saved us all. And we'll make sure everyone who comes to Heldren know of it too."Beatrice declares. "Balanar will sing of his bravery and Valor in the Silver Stoat - so that generations to come will hear of his deeds."
Alfred hugs Beatrice's shoulder, offering comfort as he gives Cadence a sad smile. "Heldren may give him the heroes welcome he truly deserves, but that cannot be said about the rest of Golarion. And you know as well as I, that fledged chicks will leave the nest, to spread their wings into the skies beyond. If that is what you truly desire, Cadence, you have my blessings. Even if we will never see you again."
The day dawns bright and clear and Mr Whiskers and Einar show up early in the morning to win Cadence over from the bridesmaids. Erlis proclaims the first trial is for Einar and Mr Whiskers to do the following pose while one of the Sentinels with artistic talent draws a picture of them.
The next trial is for Mr Whiskers and Einar to dance to a peppy dance tune while wearing a duck hat in their skivvies.
The last trial is for Einar to sing a song to declare his love for Cadence.
Then they demand gifts from Einar before allowing him through the gate to claim his bride.
Mr. Whiskers immediately insists that he take the upper position for the pose. I do not want to be crushed by Einar!
Being so much shorter, his paws end up on Einar’s lower back.
During the dance, Mr. Whiskers hums a tune to himself as he dances. He manages to make it look cute.
"That's really thoughtful of you, Einar, there's always too many things to do and too little time."Alfred gratefully accepts the gift.
"Thank you, Einar. The winters can get very cold sometimes, here."Beatrice thanks Einar.
"Thanks Einar. I'll pass the boat to my girl. She'll love it! " As he accepts the ring, he grins with his eyes twinkling with amusement. "This will be very helpful indeed. I'm the town locksmith." When he notices no one looking, he gives Einar a surreptitious wink.
"Oh the doll is beautiful! I'll put it up in the shop, so everyone can see it!" Freya exclaims. When Einar passes her the glasses, her eyes widen in delight, "I've always wanted a pair of these! This way I can see who needs my help most!" She gives Einar a hug around his shoulders in appreciation.
Erlis grins at Einar. "You know me best. All these years, no one ever gives me weapons as presents."She sighs theatrically. "And I have to go get my own."
Then a glimmer of mischief enters her eyes, "Do you mind?" She asks Einar. She excuses herself to go outside to do a glaive drills then returns, her face exuberant."The balance is excellent and the edge is as keen as the north wind. I'll keep her on me."
"I dub thee Lightning."She says as she runs her finger across the flat of the blade.
"Yes, I am where I've always wanted to be."She answers.
"Yeah, let's have a drink. To your shared future!" And everyone drinks up.
When the drawing is complete, the artist, Roxanne, a young woman with short red hair shows the picture to Einar and Mr Whiskers and the other bridesmaids triumphantly, "Ta-da!"
"Cool, wot? Now all we need to do is to get the mass production going!" She gives both Einar and Mr Whiskers a mischievous grin.
"Hey, you two aren't bad dancers."Erlis whistles appreciately. "Cadence! You picked the right guy!"
"Well, that was highly entertaining, so yes, you can put your breeches back on."Erlis announces with a grin.
"And you sing like a bard too! I didn't know you had so many hidden talents!" Erlis exclaims.
"Oh..if only my boyfriend could sing that well," One of the bridesmaids sighs enviously.
Einar passes his ioun stones and they let him through to Cadence.
Cadence, Einar, Mr Whiskers, her family and extended family , and about half the town gather at the clearing at the base of the waterfall. The place has been extensively redecorated with bouquets of wildflowers, and Tenegzil's chairs have been placed neatly in rows across the clearing, giving making way for the guests.
At the other side of the clearing is a large Pavillion for the guests to retire to. Delicious smells waft from the pavillion.
Barid, resplendent in his robes of green and gold is waiting for the couple, next to the pool of water at the base of the waterfall. The guests take their seats, then Cadence and Einar stand before him. He then begins address the congregation.
”Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. “
”The union of husband and wife is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given each other in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God. “
”Into this union Cadence Anakevo and Einar Bjornson now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not be lawfully wed, speak now, or else forever hold your peace. “
Then he begins to address to Cadence and Einar, ”I charge you both, here in the presence of God and the witness of this company, that if either of you know any reason why you may not be married lawfully and in accordance with God's Word, do now confess it.“
Then he turns to Cadence, addressing her,”Cadence Anakevo, will you have this man to be your husband; to live together with him in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful unto him as long as you both shall live? “
”I will,” Cadence answers.
Then he turns to Einar, addressing him,”Einar Bjornson, will you have this woman to be your wife; to live together with her in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful unto her as long as you both shall live? “
”I will,” Einar answers.
Then he addresses the congretation, ”Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage? “
”We will.” The guests answer.
Einar faces Cadence and takes her right hand in his, then says, "In the name of God, I, Einar Bjornson, take you, Cadence Anakevo, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
Einar and Cadence drop hands. Cadence then takes Einar's right hand in hers, then says, "In the name of God, I, Cadene Anakevo, take you, Einar Bjornson, to be my husband, to have and to hold form this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
Then Barid joins Cadence's right hand to Einar's right hand, saying ”Now that Cadence Anakevo and Einar Bjornson have given themselves to each other by solemn vows I pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the name of the God.”
”Those whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder. “
The congregation echo, ”Amen.”
Barid then directs the congregation to sit, and Einar and Cadence to kneel, then blesses them both, ”God bless, preserve and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that you may faithfully live together in this life, and in the age to come have life everlasting. Amen.”
Then he addresses all gathered, ”The peace of the Lord be with you always.”
Einar and Cadence then face each other and Barid speaks, ”Cadence and Einar, having witnessed your vows of love to one another, it is my joy to present you to all gathered here as husband and wife.” He then turns to Einar,”You may kiss the bride.”
Cadence and Einar kiss, then return to the seats and the party begins. Tenegezil sets up an impromptu stage, with Balanar providing musical accompaniment for all the guests to dance.
At the end of the wedding celebration, Lieutenant Reynold passes Mr Whiskers a letter. "Shadow said I should pass it to you, and you alone."
Queen Titania has agreed to grant you audience. Meet me at the toadstool ring outside Heldren at noon tomorrow. - Ravathiel.
Mr Whiskers eventually gets Einar and Cadence transported to Triaxius and meets up with Queen Titania. She showed him that beginning to ending the endless Winter in Irrisen lay within an ancient, icy necropolis known as the Veil of Frozen Tears. He knew, when he gazed upon its image in the scrying pool, that it was fraught with unseen perils, and was something he could never do alone....
Einar and Cadence return to Triaxius, Ivory glass, joining Crummock and Anatasia. Their dragon-kin are still there, trying to clear the land of the remaining cronies of Yrax. Taslune even remarks that their quest took a remarkably short time, not even a day!
The entire castle is treated to welcome feast of wolliped kidney, frost crawler liver, ursikka eggs on toast and crispy fried Frost drake wings. Einar, Cadence and Crummock unite the Adlet clans scattered throughout the Drake lands and spend some time subjugating the whole of the Drakelands and manage it after some bloody fighting with various white dragons(with Anatasia providing support with her healing magics to the army) , finally bringing the centuries long conflict between the Skyfire Mandate and the Drakelands to an end.
Upon their victory, Commander Pharaoh wastes no time in establishing a trade route between the Drakelands and Spurhorn, providing ores from the Pharaphet mountains and wood from Treehome in exchange for Alkhut blubber and Frost crawler hides.
Come summer, some of the dormant red dragon warlords rose, and tried to organize a rebellion against Einar and Cadence, but failed to overthrow him. They thus established their power over the Drakelands, bringing a lasting peace to the continent.
Cadence founds a pathfinder lodge at Ivoryglass, and through the years, many of the Dragon Legion join the lodge eager to explore the continent and make studies of its flora and fuana.
The plum blossom is still open, with the plum blossom on the door so the party can teleport in at any time.
The shop is now run by a pair of centaurs, Merianna and her brother, Como under Gurra-gurra’s supervision. Gurra-gurra lumbers out of the preparation room on hearing Merianna greet Mr Whiskers. Gurra-gurra has grown older, and wrinkles on her face. She has also put on weight and has a round belly. ”Mr Whiskers!” She goes over to give him a bone-crushing hug, ”I haven’t seen you for 20 years! And you don’t look a day older! So has your quest been successful?”
Merianna's brother, Como, briefly sticks his head out of the preparation room, then hides back into the room like a turtle into his shell. Gurra-gurra apologies, saying that Como isn't very good with people, but is a talented potion maker.
Jadrenka asked to be freed from Baba Yaga’s service. She then set herself up in Katapesh as a fortune teller. She has earned quite a large following from the nobles in Katapesh, and has a nice tower built for herself. A short haired half elf with golden eyes, who introduces herself as Marislova, serves as her secretary. She thanks Mr Whiskers for helping Jadrenka attain her freedom, saying that they’ve made up and she’s been a lot easier to live with these days after not being cooped up in Artosa.
Mr Whiskers realizes that when Marislova says Jadrenka has been more easy to live with..its in more ways then one.
Nadya and her family moved to live near Ringerr in the fishcamps. They have been helping refugees from WhiteThrone settle in, or be smuggled out of Irissen, when the refugees from WhiteThrone stopped coming after 5 years. She never figured out why. Thora and Mierul didn’t stay with her long, being called on Pharasma’s business, and Orm along with his sister, with his oversized dog that he named Snow. Messages of their adventures generally come by animal messenger – ravens, and Nadya puts out a bird feed to reward the messengers. Nadya does not know where exactly Thora and Orm are – she suspects they have been deliberately vague about their locations in case the animal messengers are intercepted. Morjoli settled down in fishcamps and provided Nadya and Ringerr lots of babies to play with. Ringerr passed away two years ago in his sleep.
Thora and Mierul, with their brother Orm joined an inquisitor of Pharasma, Zakath and are busy with their one party crusade in laying undead to rest and getting rid of Winter Witches who have been trapping souls for creation of constructs. Yet for every Winter Witch they put down, it seems two take her place..it’s rough work, trying to stay one step ahead of the authorities. They don’t expect they’ll be able to beat the odds forever – they’re philosophical about the matter – knowing that they’ll have done some good in Golarion before they see Pharasma. Though the recent destabilization in Irrisen’s poltical structure and disappearance of many Winter Witches has made their lives easier.
Princess Cassioche lost about half her administrators overnight, and struggles rule the nation and maintain the status quo. The aging King Svenin Blood-Eagle has taken the opportunity to launch an attack on the destabilized nation of Irrisen with his champion, Hestrig, who is rumoured to have the powers of a White Dragon. After several years of bloody fighting – they succeed in reclaiming the lands Ulfen ancestral lands taken by the Winter Witches long ago. Whether they will manage to hold the lands remains a mystery…
Artosa lies abandoned, with many of Baba Yaga’s servants choosing to go with her and leave Golarion. Nearby monsters have taken Artosa as their den, swearing fealty to no one and generally attacking anything that comes in their range.