Ylrhea nods. "Sure, I'll chip in."
Though the historian seemed open about his experiences, his mind spoke relatively free of bias. Morseo than I was when I met Skaar.
Harakhty then had one final topic for the man.
"In our investigations of the necromancers, it was learned they had ties to an ancient dragon. Do you know anything of it? Whatever information you could provide may be helpful in unraveling the mysteries of this place and setting it to a more livable area."
"Thank you. We can look tomorrow, Michael should be recovered by then." Cyna says as they walk.
"You mean we're gonna run around in the morning willy-nilly again?!"
After several moments of silence, Drago asked, "So, what do we get for Arista and Alethiro?"
"Hmm, you like to pose tough questions. You hardly know either of them, so I wouldn't get too personal."
”I see no sin in a devout man wanting to aid his god in any way possible, even if only to avenge him, but you’re right we do have Arista’s and Alethiro’s wedding to look forward to. And that is a very good thing.” she says with a smile, squeezing Clara’s hand.
”We did want to keep you appraised of what happened today though. We managed to garner quite a few supplies, which is good, but that was the least of what happened. In Ashford, when we’d had the battle against Reinhardt’s people there was an old temple, one old enough that Clara doesn’t remember ever seeing it unsealed. We’d managed to open it, finding figures the The Green circle says we can use to reactivate a form of mystic barrio over the land. Anyway, there was a door in the basement that we weren’t able to open then. Turns out Ylrhea was able to get it open and inside we found some sort of a prison. The chamber was some kind of cell, designed to keep some sort of shadows inside. We fought one and destroyed it.” she glances at Clara in that moment, a feeling of pride and safety seeping thorough the bond.
”But to others escaped,a dn when we got out, Skaar and Nicatha, who were watching the cart, had vanished. It’s possible the shadows may have been drawn to Nicatha, Ylrhea says her magic is similar in nature.”
Of course, didn't you have fun last time? I suppose if you want to sleep in Ylrhea and I could have the day to ourselves, Right?
"W-What are you trying to say?!"
Ylrhea grins. "Mmhmm, we can go ahead and do that."
Zeph looks at Harakhty. "It's been said that the dragon, Malfeliax, devoured the soul of Aroden to become a god himself. It was Malfeliax who shattered the Shard of the Sky, devouring a piece of it. If peace is ever to come to Zahvroma, the dragon must be slain. While short steps can be taken to mitigate the corruption in this land, there will always be a dark specter over our land as long as Malfeliax lives."
***
Godrick nods. "My mother spoke of the ancient curses of Zahvroma. While I cannot offer much advice, since I did not learn much about these curses, all we can do is remain vigilant and seize any opportunity to find Skaar and Nicatha."
"Nothing. Just that if it's too much for you, I'm sure we could manage."
"Er..."
"Yeah, we'll have lots of fun and maybe I can show you some of my favorite spots around town, Captain. They're very private."
"Sh-shut up, Ylrhea!"
With a tinge of red Cyna tries her best not to laugh and ruin the gag."I'd like that. I think Sienna already showed me around to all of her private spots the other day."
"Bet they're not as good as mine," Ylrhea says with a broad grin.
"Alright, knock it off," Sienna says, her fist clenched tight and a vein bulging in her forehead. "We can all go together."
"You're right. On the subject of curses though there was also some sort of altar to a god of Madness and Chaos from way before men walked the world. Clara blessed it with holy water while I severed the connection to the Outside. It felt a lot less ominous afterward. You may want to send someone to confirm that the desecration has been broken. If so it would really help with eventually having people inhabiting Ashford again in the future," Sādhanā says thoughtfully.
"Nah."
"I'll send some men after the wedding," Godrick assures Sādhanā.
"What does Malfeliax get out of tethering himself here? Surely with his underlings losing their grip, he doesn't effect the region he once did. Is he bound to the land?"
"Alright, knock it off," Sienna says, her fist clenched tight and a vein bulging in her forehead. "We can all go together."
Cyna laughs openly now. "Go where? To see Ylrhea's private spots together? It'll be a grand adventure won't it?"
"That would be great. The other major event of the day happened while were were in Greenwood, a man calling himself the Grave Merchant came into the abandoned settlement on a wagon pulled by a golem made of corpses. He had undead with him and apparently had done regular "business" there in the past. He tried to add us to his collection so we ended him. I shudder to think what might have happened if he'd set his sights here and encountered some poor refugees outside of town." the magus says shaking her head.
"Then it's good that you went out today," Godrick says. "I am sure the Necromancers are not the only ones that we need to be wary of."
***
"Perhaps he did not know what would happen when he swallowed the piece of the Shard. But he cares only for himself. The Thirteen are merely pawns in his game," Zeph answers.
"To do the shopping," Sienna answers, exasperated. "Then the wedding. Ylrhea can keep her private spots to herself...or show them to Drago."
"I'm over that, Sienna. You'll have to try harder," the gnome says, collecting her belongings.
"True. Well, we just wanted to keep you apprised of what's been going on since this morning. It's been a long day and I'm sure we can all do with some relaxation."
Standing, she clasps Godrick's forearm. "Rest well Godrick, when the time comes, if at all possible, we will bring Aroden back, and if not, we'll make sure his beloved land is freed of the necromancers and everything else that would dominate it. Good night."
"Perhaps he did not know what would happen when he swallowed the piece of the Shard. But he cares only for himself. The Thirteen are merely pawns in his game," Zeph answers.
"What does one do when one's pawns disappear?"
"Try a different strategy," Zeph answers, finishing his tea. "Oh, it looks as if Umina left. Perhaps I should get to bed."
The old aasimar creaks and pops as he stands. "Thank you for the conversation."
***
"Good night, Ladies Risbane," Godrick says with a smile.
After regaining control of her lungs Cyna says. "I think that's enough teasing for one night. You two are too much for me I think."
Cyna wraps her arms around Sienna's waist while Ylrhea gathers her things. She whispers into the sorceress's ear. "Besides, I've got plenty to explore right here."
"How are we...not in front of the G-N-O-M-E, I hope?" Sienna whispers back.
"I'm sure we'll find time tomorrow, until then..." Cyna leans in and gives Sienna a quick kiss.
The Ranger releases her partner and says. "How's the packing going? Ya need any help?"
"I think...I've got...it," Ylrhea says, cramming her stuff in her backpack with a book in between her teeth.
"Well love, let's head back and get our stuff for a bath." Sādhanā says slipping an arm around Clara's waist.
As Sādhanā and Clara head back to the fort, they run into a woman wandering about. "There you are. I've been looking for you."
Umina manages to smile as she sees the couple, but her eyes tell a different story.
"Ah, hello. Do we know you?" Clara asks, concern emanating from her.
"No...well, Sādhanā and I have met...in Malwen," Umina says, hesitantly. "I'm Umina, Malwen's blacksmith."
Cyna walks over and grabs the book from her friends teeth, giving it a quick look she says. "Alright then if you can manage, let's get back to the fort and unpack."
"And an Anizari..."
"Umina, hi. Did you come in with Arista's family for the wedding?" Sādhanā asks in surprise.
"Yeah, I think I'm good," Ylrhea says, as she points at the book. "Goblin dictionary, pretty handy."
Umina nods and pats Hope. "Thought they could use a little protection."
Cyna blinks confused. "Really? I haven't seen a goblin in ages and I don't think I've ever needed to communicate with one."
"I got that while adventuring with Drago."
"Did it come in handy?"
Ylrhea thinks for a minute. "Umm, I think it did."
"Around here that's always a good idea. Love, this is Umina. She helps protect the people of Malwen. Umina, this is my wife Clara." Sādhanā says.
Clara extends her hand. "It's good to meet you."
"The same," Umina says, giving Clara's hand a good squeeze. "Um, can we talk, Sādhanā? Privately?"