"My last count was around Seventy. I really hope I don't need more than that."
Looking at Sadhana and Clara Arista has an idea, "I think I actually have an idea of how to deal with this. If we want to truly protect this town, then we need to do it with more than just our swords." Borrowing a small pouch from Michael she counts out five hundred gold and places it in the pouch. She then hands the pouch to Clara, "Here, take this for the Hospitallers. That should help with the cost of materials and other things that they will need. I have to go see Godrick. We'll see you two in front of the fort in a couple of hours." Turning to Michael she nods, "Thank you Sir Andimus, it has been a pleasure getting to know you. Stay well, and be safe." With that she takes Alethiro's hand and heads towards the Paladin's Barracks to see Godrick.
Walking into the Barracks she greets the Senior Paladin, "Good day to you Godrick."
Clara takes the pouch and ties it to her hip. "I'll see them right away."
The paladin then turns to her wife. "Then we can go to the beach."
"Good day to you, Arista," Godrick says, strolling around the paladins' barracks. "How can I help you?"
She looks at him for a moment and smiles, "Well...actually I was hoping we could help each other. Since this seems to be our base of operations, I was hoping that we could help with Valwick's continued progress." Looking around she realizes that this would not likely be the best of places to discuss such matters. "Do you think we could go back to your office? I need to go over some things with you."
Godrick nods and leads her and Alethrio inside. "So what is it you have in mind?"
"All right love, lets go."Sādhanā says with a smile.
Clara stops at the Hospitaller's bungalow and leaves the pouch of gold with Magda. "Find whatever workers and material you can afford with that, it's a gracious gift from Arista."
She then takes Sādhanā's hand and walks to the beach with her. "The longer this trip gets delayed, the more I'm thinking of convincing you to stay with me...but I know I can't."
"I wouldn't bet against you love." Sādhanā says with a loving smile. "You have me heart, mind, body and soul. But everything we're doing is for all of us love. The idea of what could have happened on the beach the other night if they'd just attacked the two of us...that's what drives me to make this place safe. Safe for you, for us...." she says looking into Clara's eyes.
While the others spend time with their significant others, Drago decides another hour with Elena couldn't hurt. The Dhampir began looking for her, when he heard the distant voice again. "Come to me." He could clearly tell the voice was feminine in nature. His gaze drifted towards the north. Why is she calling me? And who is she?
Keeping himself productive during their delay, Harakhty decided it best to make sure they were ready for the extended trip. Taking his crossbows, he prowled outside Valwick in search of fish and game that would be consumed by them over the coming week.
Taking his catch back to Hadrinn's, he offered the owner a portion of the meat in exchange for its preparation. "I never learned how to salt or smoke meats," he confessed.
Elsa, with a sack of fresh vegetables, rounded the corner of a building and ran into Drago, causing her to drop her parcel. "Sorry, I didn't..." She started to say, but her words froze in her throat when she say whom she bumped into. Instinctively, the young sorceress took a step back, "Oh, h-h-hello." Is all she managed to squeak out.
Snapped out of his semi-trance, Drago knelt down and started picking up the food. ”My apologies, I should not have been standing there.” Handing the sack to the young Half-Elf, he asked, ”You’re Alethiro’s sister, correct?” Seeing her slightly trembling, the Dhampir added, ”You can relax, I’m not going to hurt you.”
Taking the sack, apprehensively, ”Yes I am.” Taking another step back, ”My name is…Elsa. Sorry, but I have to go.” Quickly, she turned and ran back to her Uncle’s place.
Drago sighed.
The dwarf takes the proffered fish and game that Harakhty brings to him. "Salting is easy, you can hardly go wrong. The aim isn't for flavor, just to preserve. However, a light dash of salt with other methods of cooking is a wonderful thing."
Hadrinn puts an arm around the vanara and leads him outside. A small circle of stones and a small spit are set up just around the corner of his shop. He skins one of the rabbits Harakhty brought back and takes a decent-sized stick. Holding up the rabbit to illustrate, Hadrinn puts the stick through the rabbit and sets it up on the spit. "You always want to make sure that your meat is on there evenly, otherwise it won't cook right or you'll end up with a bit of it getting burned."
The dwarf lights the fire in the cirlce of stones, then operates the spit, letting it pause for a few seconds as he turns it. "You wanna give it a little time to cook, let the fat drip off and the meat get a little darker. You can't let it sit too long, or else you'll have cold raw bits with your nicely cooked parts."
The dwarf stands as he takes the rabbit off the spit. "I thank you for the gift and I hope I taught you something as well. Spits are easy to set up and not too hard to operate."
Godrick nods and leads her and Alethrio inside. "So what is it you have in mind?"
Arista looks at Alethiro and then back at Godrick, "I sold something to Michael and was thinking about how best we could serve this town. Since being here and seeing the lives that thrive here, we have come to think of it as home as well and want to do everything we can to protect it. I realized that we have been asking much of you and the other Paladins lately, and need to do more than just go out and fight. So...." She pulls out the pouch of money that Michael handed her and counts out five hundred gold. Laying it on Godrick's desk she smiles at him. "I thought if we started sharing our profits from adventuring that the town could better defend itself. With more income you can afford more guards and supplies to build better and more effective battlements." She shrugs her shoulders, "I love this town and the people that I have come to know that reside here. I want us to do everything possible to see that it flourishes."
Stopping for a moment she tries to control another surge of emotion as she feels it building up in her again. Once she feels she has herself under control she looks back up at Godrick, "I was also wondering if it would be possible to start some kind of bank where we can save money? We can't always carry everything we find around with us, and would like to set up an account where we can start to save some of the money until it can be used, or is needed. I was thinking maybe if I left what we wanted to save with you, that this evening when Divitia and them are awake you could talk to her and see what she thinks about setting up some kind of bank?"
Reaching into her pouch again she counts out one thousand gold and sets it on the desk, "This is what I would like to leave with you for safe keeping, if that's alright with you?"
Godrick smiles at Arista. "I had been fearing this day, when interest rates and the dark arts of bankers had crept upon our shore."
He laughs momentarily. "I can get you a banker, if that is what you desire. Halfpocket, Asha, Michael and the others have expressed an interest in developing some trade, so your money shall go to good use. As for your guardsmen and battlements, it shall be done. I appreciate what you are doing. I think all of Valwick does as well."
Godrick lays a hand on the aasimar's shoulder. "You had best get going before too much longer or you won't have any daylight to travel by."
She nods at him as she places one hand on top of his and her other in Alethiro's hand. "I know....we have about another hour before we have to meet in front of the fort. We were giving Kierk time to repair our weapons and armor. I don't know why I didn't think of it until today....there's just been so much going on lately." Letting go of Alethiro's hand for a moment she wraps her arms around Godrick and gives him a hug. "Thank you....for everything. I will be praying for Valiwick and everyone here while we are away. Stay safe, and be well." With that she nods and gives him a slight bow as she turns to leave with Alethiro.
As they walk back out of the barracks she looks up into his face, "So...we have about an hour before I have to leave. What would you like to do?"
The Elf thought for a bit, then responded, "I think a nice hot bath one last time before you leave might be nice."
She smiles at him and leans her head against him as they walk back to the fort together. "I think that sounds like a wonderful idea"
Getting back to her room, it has an unusually clean appearance. The bed has been made, there are no dirty clothes on the floor, her clothes are hanging neatly in the closet, and her bag is packed and sitting next to the door. Going to the little table she picks up the Jasmine soap that she had left and turns to Alethiro, "Is there anything that you need from your room before we go to the bathing room?"
"No, not really."
She nods her head and smiles, taking his arm she walks with him to the bathing room. She starts filling the tub, then goes to the bench and starts taking off her things. Leaving only the emerald pendant on around her neck she goes to Alethiro and kisses him before going to the tub and slowly lowering herself into the warm water.
The group gathers at the forts, tearful and heartfelt goodbyes are made as Arista, Harakhty, Drago, Sādhanā, Cyna, Sienna and Ylrhea depart from Valwick. The noonday sun brings welcome warmth as the autumn clouds dissipate for a while. Taking their time, the pass through the abandoned village, now called Priroda, which is occupied by the Green Circle. The crops growing here seem to be progressing nicely, the druids being quite careful to develop them.
Beyond, the plains are clear, a brisk breeze running across the drying grass. A sea of green-going-brown spreads before the party as they leave the last of civilization behind. Several miles away, the distinct and foreboding peaks of Vencious' domain appear as vague phantoms against the azure sky. It will be hours yet before the party reaches the base of the mountains.
She waits for Alethiro to join her, while starting a nice lather with the soap. Once he gets in she leans back against his chest and sighs, In about another hour we'll be leaving here....lets make the most of this time that we have together." Turning around in the tub to face him she wraps her arms around him and pulls him close to her, kissing him passionately.
As they made their way towards the mountains, Drago couldn't help but feel an irresistible pull on his mind. The voice within still calling, "Come to me." It wasn't Aliethia or Chalandra, yet it seemed...familiar to him.
With nothing to hold him back, Alethiro returned the passion with some of his own. Soon, the mists began to swirl within his mind.
As they kissed Arista poured all of herself into that moment, wanting to give him all of herself so they would both have something to hold onto during their time apart. Even though, no matter how long they spent in each others embrace, it would never seem like enough time. So...they would make do with the time they had.
As Arista felt him give way to his desires she responded in kind, and all too soon it was time to finish their bath and get dressed.
Once dressed, Arista let him brush and braid her hair one more time before she put the silver head band back in it to hold back some of her bangs.
Once ready she turned to him, tears in her eyes. "I'm going to miss you so much...but you'll always be with me. I love you so much Alethiro."
"And love you, my Anar Lòtë."
Wrapping her arms around him she holds him for a few minutes in a tight hug before releasing him again. Wiping her eyes she looks at him, "I'm sorry...I've tried to be strong...but I'm just me, and just me is having a really hard time right now. Let's go back to my room and get my stuff before I turn into a bawling mess. I don't want to break down in front of everyone." Taking his hand and giving it a squeeze she heads back to her room to grab her bag.
Once she has her bag they head over to see Kierk about her sword and shield. She double checks to make sure she has everything before strapping her sword onto her belt, then puts the shield into her bag of holding before turning back to Alethiro.
"Well, that's it...I think I'm pretty much ready to go. Let's walk back to the fort and wait for the others." She takes his hand in hers as they head back to the fort together.
As they walk along the beach Sādhanā stops and takes Clara into her arms, sitting as they stare out into the ocean. "I've had people say that my arms were made to wield a sword, that it comes so naturally it's as if it were their purpose. In truth, I was starting to believe it myself. But now I know their purpose. To hold you. There's nothing in this world that feels more right than having you in my arms Clara, and right now, before I go to fight again, I just want to sit here with you, doing what I'm meant to do." As she wraps her wife in her embrace she kisses her softly.
The sight of Priroda's progress makes the Anizari smile. Already the development there was not only a sign of hope and rebirth, but a portent of a better future for all of them. The coming year would bring crops, trade and continuing growth of her home, and knowing the part sh continued to play in that made the personal sacrifices as worth it as they could be.
As the group takes a brief halt looking out onto the open plain she speaks up. "Ok, now that we're away from any civilization and there's no risk to any innocents, the first order of business is for me to destroy the mask. I was thinking about something though. We don't know if the other necromancers can sense when one of these is destroyed, or where. I was thinking to head a few miles in the wrong direction before destroying it, setting it up as if we're moving on a different target before possible drawing someone's attention."
Arista nods her head, "Yeah....there's no telling what those things are capable of. Heading in a false direction might not be such a bad idea. We don't have to go way off course, just give the impression that we are headed a different way. I'll just feel better once we're rid of it."
Harakhty bowed in respect to Hadrinn. "It seems there is always more to learn. With teaching each other, we become stronger."
*******
As the group departed, Harakhty gathered a half-pound of rabbit from his bag for each of them. "They say the foot of a rabbit is lucky. But I prefer a full stomach to fickle chance. Hadrinn prepared this rabbit - may you find it delicious. It certainly smelled that way when he was showing me how."
The inquisitor listened to Sadhana's plan. "Very clever. I hadn't thought of that." She has a good head on her shoulders. I wonder if it was the same in her old body?
He cast his eyes skyward, looking to predict the days ahead.
As Oblivion's sharpened edge connects with the mask of dragon scale and talon, the mask explodes into colored light.
A grey tint pervades the vision, light reflecting in streaks barring most of the scene. Yet, you see a pale woman clearly, her beauty unremarkable but a mask gripped in her right hand.
"A litany of sins recorded for all time, until the fires of the Hells swallow us all," the woman says. "Limited to sights and sounds, but a fair witness nonetheless."
"Have you been amassing a fair amount, Alice?" a male voice asks.
"No, Vass, I've been studying, talking and listening to it," Alice replies sourly. "I want this thing destroyed and out of my life. It wakes me with whispers and has even started pervading my dreams."
"Ah, well, perhaps you should give it to me," Vass says, his voice almost eager.
"Have you not learned your lesson? The fact that Nethys tore out your eyes should have been enough."
"I was close...to divinity...I shouldn't be discouraged because of jealousy."
"You are a fool, Vass," Alice says, placing her mask on a desk. "These masks will be your undoing and come into the hands of yet another fool. I'll set sail for Icathia in the morning. Good-bye, Vass."
"Have a good voyage."
"Is that all you have to say?"
"I have your mask now. Nothing else need be said."
"So...you felt nothing after all?" Alice asks, drawing a dagger. "You...used me?!"
"No hard feelings, Alice. It was merely business."
Alice drives the dagger into Vass' chest, a spray of blood obscuring the vision now. "Rot in Caina, Vass."
"I think not, Alice," Vass replies, his hand reaching for the woman's hair.
She nimbly moves back. "I see. Given up your soul then?"
"Just about...just about."
Afterward, Harakhty looks to the sky. A day of rain seems to be on the horizon.
Who are those people? Regardless, it seems destroying it was the right choice.
The vanara puzzles over the vision a minute. Nethys taking exception to these people - too close to his status? Divnity? Hmm. He turned to the others. "Do you knew who they were? Alice and Vass?"
Vision notwithstanding, Harakhty was not as phased as would have been earlier seeing such a sight. With death, destruction of a shard, and homesickness behind him, he was more stoic now. Yet the implications were clear: Destruction followed in the wake of these devices, these people. I just hope it doesn't follow me as the prophecy said.
After the vision, Arista feels a little dizzy and has to sit down for a minute. "Whoa...those sure aren't getting any nicer are they?"
"Not really, although it seems like we at least know that Nethys doesn't favor the knowledge these masks offer either." Sādhanā says glancing at Harakhty."They offer power and deliver destruction."
"Are you ok Arista?" she asks her friend, "I forget that you haven't had to deal with as many of these visions as the rest of us yet"
While holding her head down between her legs to try and get her bearings she holds a hand up and waves a little, "I'll be alright...it's just a little...disorienting, that's all. That one made me feel a little sick I think. I just need a couple minutes, I'll be fine." She takes a few slow breaths and wills her stomach to calm down.
After a few more minutes she stands back up, a bit shaky but seemingly alright. "Okay, I'm fine, it was just a little dizzy spell is all. Let's get going, I don't wanna waste all day sitting here."
Ylrhea points back toward the mountains. "Don't feel bad, Arista, I'm still not used to seeing things like that."
"Arista is right. We should get moving; there will be rain tomorrow." There would be plenty of time to ponder the vision on the way. To be caught in a storm out in the open though - not ideal.
"So, Harakhty..." Sienna started. "I'm curious about something. I know another vanara and she's about as pleasant as a cactus. Is that a common trait among them?"
She smiles and nods her thanks at Ylrhea for her understanding. Arista smiles but says nothing at Sienna'a comment as they head Northwest towards the mountains.