"We'll be going back the day after tomorrow, it's a rough journey to just stay two days," Marie says.
"Hmm, I had heard of him before. I'm glad he's been dealt with."
Her smile brightens a little at the news, "That's great, I was hoping to have some down time with you guys without all the crazy hectic wedding stuff going on. I'm just so happy you made it in time...I know, I've probably said that already...but it's still true."
"We are glad to be here, Arista," Marie responds.
"So, what do Wilk and Nerah think of Valwick? They seem to be having a good time." She points her face up at the sun as she smiles.
"Yes. It means that Greenwood isn't under anyone's control anymore. It's in better shape than most ruins I've seen."
"They're having fun, they're excited to see you get married. It's the first wedding they've attended, after all," laughs Marie.
"Ah...I think Valwick is growing on me. I have a lot of painful memories of Greenwood, a lot of fond ones too," Gerard says ruefully. "I think I'd rather try and move forward than poke in the past."
"Well, it's a testament to Greenwood that it's still in the shape it's in."
"That does make the trip more fun then doesn't it? Well, I'm sure they'll love all the food and cake after the ceremony even more then." She laughs as well before leaning back against the wall and allowing herself to relax. "I think I'm starting to feel better now."
Gerard pauses for a moment. "We'd better head back and let Elder Sister know what we've found."
Sienna returns to the front of the store, a bit cheerier. "Alright, I've got something now. Did you girls find anything?"
"Most of the ones I see are dresses and gowns. Maybe we can have something modified?"
"Yes, let's." Sādhanā says smiling. "I have to say, things are a far cry from our first meeting." she says glancing at the ranger.
"Yes, for the better, I hope," Gerard says with a grin. "That wasn't me...not really."
"Yeah, I'm a bit more fond of pants and shirts," Sienna says. "Last thing we need is for me to go running from or to something and falling on my face."
"Hmm. Red or Blue? or maybe purple?"
Sienna smiles shyly. "Maybe a blue."
Arista sighs and looks over at Marie, "I guess we better head back...I think I have a basket somewhere in my room. If you want me to we can stop by there and I can pile everything in it and walk back with you to the Common House. I wanted to spend some time with the kids today before I had to start getting ready for tonight."
Marie nods. "I can do your laundry over there then."
"Well I have to say the real you is far easier to get along with." she laughs, as they make their way back towards the town.
Cyna smiles back. "Favorite color?" she asks.
"I'm glad, I really am," Gerard says with a nod as they head back.
"I haven't had anything blue in a long time," Sienna replies with a nod.
Cyna drags out a long navy blue tunic with an elegant silver trim. "What do you think?"
"Wow! I like that!"
"Then it's good to have you with us, Gerard." Sādhanā says slapping the werewolf on the back in camaraderie.
"Then it's yours! Now let's find some flattering pants."
Sādhanā, Clara and Gerard return to Elder Sister, who is pleased with the news of Reinhardt's departure. She sends a few druids into the forest to protect it from further encroachments. "I will honor our bargain and bless the chestnut tree."
"Asha, can you put a hole in the pants I get? Tail, you know," Sienna asks, looking around at the leather breeches.
Gerard bows and bids Sādhanā and Clara a good day. "It was good to spend some time with you both."
"You as well, Gerard."
Arista and Marie head back to her room, where Arista piles a rather good amount of dirty laundry into a basket. It turns out to be a little more than she thought it was after all and looks at Marie, "Are you sure this isn't too much for you? I really don't want to impose on you, since you came all the way here for me in the first place." She looks a little unsure of handing over all of her laundry, especially since they came here for her wedding.
"I thank you Elder Sister, we will pick the spot to plant it. Please let us know if there is anything else you need us to do in preparation." Sādhanā says greatfully.
Though Harakhty had been playing detective all day trying to find his companions, he had little lucky. It wasn't until Arista had just headed back from the fort proper with her kin Harakhty was able to get a glimpse of her. And they're probably doing wedding preparations... I mustn't bother them.
However, he did run across Sadhana when he'd thought he'd struck-out. Approaching them, he gave Elder Sister a bow, and returned his gaze to the couple. "Shelyn keep you both," he greeted, happy to see the two doing well. "Arista's wedding is coming up. Seems to be a popular activity recently." Clara and Sadhana may have set a precedent. I hope Godrick likes doing ceremonies.
Unknowing of the faux pas he was about to commit, he cast a glance at Elder Sister. "It is good you are here also. I mean to ask the aid of our powerful warriors in cleansing this land of its taint." His eyes panned over to Sadhana. "Elder Sister says there are more of these shards, a link between them stifling the land with the vile necromancers at their control. Though we have encountered and destroyed some, others remain. But I will understand if you do not wish to help in this endeavor. You have already .... sacrificed much." Harakhty struggled to find the words. She did die, but didn't they all? It seemed only appropriate though to defer to her choice; she was not bound as he.
For now, he carefully avoided Clara's gaze. This will be hard on her, having Sadhana in danger. "I have been searching for Skaar also, his might useful, but he has vanished. Corda is beside herself, and we are no closer to finding him. Or Nicatha, come to think of it." Though with the amount of time it took me to find Arista, they could be right under my nose...
"I don't plan to set out until after the wedding. Some happiness will to much to steel my will for the path ahead."
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Sādhanā watches as Harakhty approaches. It was odd. Though she’d traveled with the vanara from the Icathia and he had been a part of their group from the beginning, she’d never actually held a conversation with him in depth. The cleric always seemed to be in the midst of carrying out some form of an agenda, often through subtle manipulation of those around him.
Though she did not always trust his motives, and knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that were it in the best interest of his people he would betray them all, a fact that he’d actually stated in that bizarre mid death state, she did consider him an ally, and somewhat trusted him to want what was best for them all.
Cocking her head to the side she studies the Vanara silently more aware than ever of the impact of a lack of communication of their motives. “There are indeed many of the shards left, each with the power to grant, dark corrupt gifts to the necromancers who have been choking this land. The blade I carry is forged for the purpose of destroying such artifacts, and I am sworn to Zahvroma itself to see it free of their influence.”
She smiles. ”If you’d be more forthcoming with the rest of us you’d already know that while we find our moments and our happiness when we can, enjoying the life we work to create, the lives we earn with our own blood, none of us will rest until the darkness that has held sway here for so long is put to rest. We are still preparing for Drago’s mother’s arrival, we wouldn’t leave the ones we love or the innocent to her predations when she seeks to strike at us, and we focus on Venicious next. In his tower might be the best chance to protect Zahvroma.” she says laying out the plans that had been formed over the past week.
”Where were you planning to strike out to? Were you planning on destroying the shards by yourself? We all work better together Harakhty, and that works best when we can trust each other with our goals.”
Reaching out to rest a hand on the vanara’s shoulder she looked him in the eye. ”You’ve made it clear that the safety of your people comes first, and in that I can’t fault you. But working together, we’ve already cleared the ruins of Ashford, broken dark bond to the Outside in those places we’ve been and made places once cursed possible to be inhabited again. Trust us all with your mission and we can help you create that safe settlement for your tribe here. The more good and decent people there are here the more we can crowd out the darkness.”
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Marie just laughs and takes the basket from Arista. Shrugging her shoulders, Arista holds the door open for Marie and then walks out herself. They head from the fort back to the Common House to try and find out where Andres and Lucco went with the children, not knowing if they are still at the beach or not.
"Haste will lead to our undoing," Elder Sister says, seemingly to no one at all. She bows to Harakhty, Sādhanā and Clara before excusing herself.
***
"You really think this is too much, Arista? I wash clothes for Lucco, Andres, Wilk and Nerah," Marie laughs heartily. "One day, you'll have kids of your own and you'll be wondering when the laundry ends."
"Let's not forget about the masks and strange altars, as well," Clara remarks. "Love, perhaps it would be best to gather tomorrow and find out a good time to leave. I know Arista will be preoccupied for the rest of the day and maybe tomorrow depending on her guests. After what happened in Ashford, though, we shouldn't exclude her from anything further."
The paladin sighs. "Anyhow, I'll have the new chapel for the Hospitallers to worry about. I was thinking about seeing if Alethiro would join us. We could always use another healer in our ranks."
"That's very true. Having a chapel and knowing that a number of capable healers are her in town will also make people feel safer. The people who've come here from danger or persecution elsewhere have been through enough. Any sense of security we can give them is a good thing."
Sādhanā nods in agreement with her wife's assessment. "I think you're right about us getting together to plan tomorrow. Maybe something a bit more informal like over dinner. Perhaps Drago's half siblings can join us as well."
Arista laughs light-heartedly with Marie, "Well you definitely have a point there. Kids huh? I'll have to admit, that's something I hadn't really thought about....but, seeing how cute Nerah and Wilk are...it's definitely something to think about for the future. Perhaps once we free this land a little more of the darkness that threatens it." She observes the people in the town around her and gets a thoughtful expression on her face.
Though Sadhana's remarks were direct and refreshing, they made Harakhty a touch uncomfortable at their flatly accurate appraisal - yet it was Elder Sister's nearly flippant comment that irked him. And yet this was a mission of the utmost importance, warden. No haste? Should I wait for the seasons to pass? The two women before him changed positions in priorities of trust with the words exhanged.
Subduing the annoyance with the retreating druid, Harakhty nodded to Sadhana after a moment. "You're right. Alone, I would surely fail. It is best to work together, but only if together we work; right now, it seemed your bond should be respected. Their wedding should be respected. It is not for me to set you to dangerous work during what should be one of the best days in your life." He paused a moment. "Please - it isn't I don't think you capable, but I am not used to working with others. When the church sent me on tasks, they were jobs done alone. Best unknown. There is some adjustment to be had - especially after our incident on our very first trip together on Rando's ship."
Respect and appreciation was everything in his tribe. Though he might come off as cold, Harakhty was worried he might actually have offended the woman. "As far as my mission? It sounds the same as yours. I want to restore the land to its former untainted state so my tribe may settle here in peace. I confess I'm a bit anxious because of the size of the job, but with powerful people like yourself, I know it can be done. Together. I'm just worried about time." He gives Clara a thoughtful look. How many years did she spend here? "Every day we wait is a day the news of our presence travels and lets the enemies prepare to defend against invaders - us. I set out with Skaar and Nicatha some time ago to investigate the ley lines of the land. The woman is a powerful mystic, and we were following the path until ... well, until we ran into Reinhardt." Harakhty scowled briefly. "He is a force to be reckoned with. I didn't even hear him until he was on top of us."
"But I did not seek to do the job alone. It is too large for me. I need your help. So I have come to ask you for it. And you, for I know it would be hard on you both." Harakhty expands his gaze to encompass the both of them.
"Drago's mother ... he seems to have a bit of back luck about him. But I am not much a fan of luck. Is she simply connected to him? Or the land as well? It seems more than a coincidence she would arrive here to see him when we have other problems as well."
Cyna finds a pair of black pants with laced sides, and a belt sturdy enough to carry a few pouches. "How do you feel about these?"
"Trust me, we greatly appreciate your respect for the time we take to be together. I believe that it's important to also take the time to enjoy the lives we work to create. It helps us not to forget why we're risking our lives the way we are." Sādhanā says quietly.
"As far as Drago's mother, it seems that she may have burned the link to get a pinpoint location on him. At least that's the impression I got based on what he said. And no it is definitely not a coincidence."
Sienna nods. "That'll work."
