Harakhty shrugs as Corda tends to the ill man. "To be honest, I didn't know if you'd be back yourself, Skaar. This is a dangerous land. I hope they return, but I dare not await the hour."
"Have you had encounters with any of the necromancers before?" Sādhanā asks Umina, noticing the scar. "I'd rather they notice me, it keeps their focus off the people who can't fight back..or those with more important work to do."
As Alethiro joins them at the table and they sit down to talk and drink, Arista takes the wrapped object lying on the table and pulls it closer to her to get it out of the way. She watches Alethiro as he talks with Zeph and takes her time with her drink. He's changed so much from when I first met him. Not so much of the anger and hate he displayed before, I wonder how he's handling everything. Hmmm...I guess time will tell. Maybe we'll get a chance to talk again before going back to the fort. Maybe I'll even get to see Marie and them again for a moment before leaving...
Arista seems a little lost in her thoughts, but as the last few thoughts come across her mind a slow soft smile comes to rest on her lips.
"Well, this one time they told me that unless I kept this brooding stranger alive my own destiny would be foreclosed. That was rather awful," Nicatha says with a hint of a smile.
"What has happened, son of Chalandra? What spirit bothers you?"
Drago couldn't help but chuckle at Nicatha's remark to helping him, but is was short lived. With a serious look, he simply replied, "Alexandros."
***
"Ju'ok Kalokh," Umina says simply and puts her hand over the scar.
***
"No, good elf," Zeph tells Alethiro. "Just the passing of another month and the signs of winter coming. Perhaps it would be better if there were something to punctuate these long spans of peace, but I am glad to take it when it comes. Most monsters are less active during this season, but there are more stirrings to the north during this time, where it is cold nearly year round."
Ylrhea watches Corda and her companions. "Can he be helped?"
"I....I don't know. It looks like a potent Black Lotus extract, but it's not acting quite right. I can tell you with certainty that it is a natural toxin, I'm just unclear what it is. What wounded him?" Meanwhile, the young Witch wracked her brain for anything she could think of.
"Well that's good to know. What's up north? Another Necromancer?" Alethiro asked. The Elf couldn't help but give Arista a look, as if to say, "I'm here, if you need to talk."
Sādhanā's eyes narrow slightly. "That's the name of another of them? I understand if you don't want to talk about it, but anything I know about the necromancers gives me another weapon to take them down." she says quietly to the other woman.
The gnome sighs. "I wasn't there. I just returned to Zahvroma myself. Apparently, he and his companions were fleeing from something or someone when it happened."
She points out the oread. "Korburn doesn't know and he's been by Sathorn's side the entire time. Korburn also doesn't know much about plants, but you seem knowledgeable enough."
Ylrhea reclines against the wall, something weighing on her heavily.
***
Umina harumphs slightly. "Ju'ok is one of the Thirteen, but his designs are for the land itself. He rules one of the larger northern territories. Within his borders, there is a desert, a jungle and a tundra, all within walking distance from each other. I don't know what his ultimate goal is, but he frowns on interference..."
***
Zeph looks at the elf a moment before somberly answering. "The dead and the dying. The vampiress, Chalandra Skorzeny, occupies the northwest region of the land, splitting it between herself and her vassals. Slavers roam the northern mountains. Then you have the creatures that do not sleep in winter. Thankfully, they stay north."
"I don't know if that makes him the most or least dangerous of them. We might need to build momentum before facing that one. One way or another we're going to interfere with him eventually."Sādhanā says resolutely.
" How has it been here for the past...month?"
As Zeph and Alethiro converse, Arista eventually comes back to herself. She acknowledges his look with a slight nod of her head and a smile. She closes her eyes for a moment and reaches out unconsciously for his hand, lightly squeezing it for a minute or two before letting go and putting it back on top of the wrapped item in front of her.
At mention of the northwestern region she looks back up at Zeph, a thoughtful look in her expression.
"What was that about the north? I'm sorry, I guess I got a little caught up in my own thoughts there for a bit. Would that be close to the same area that you were talking about before? The area in which they lost my brother's tracks?"
Realizing that she is now sitting fully forward in her seat, Arista leans back and shakes her head sighing. She takes another sip of the ale that's been sitting in front of her, rubs her temple for a minute before putting her hand back down and letting out a sigh.
"Well....I guess at this point it wouldn't much matter. It has been at least five hundred years, as far as any of us can tell, since I walked in this world. Even if he had been taken....by something or someone, surely he wouldn't still be living? I...I just don't know if I can even think about that right now. There are so many things happening...and it's happening too fast...."
Arista just stops talking, realizing that she just can't seem to find the words to say what she wants to say she simply looks over at Alethiro. Her eyes are wide and round, confusion and anguish clear in them as they shine with tears she will not shed.
An idea occurred to Corda. Turning to Oread, she asked, "You don't happen to have any samples of plants from where you were staying when he got poisoned, do you?" Then turning to the Gnome, she queried, "What's wrong little one? You seem a little distraught."
At the mention of the name Skorzeny, Alethiro's jaw clenched. Drago's kin? Feeling the rage within him begin to build, he was about to leave when he felt Arista's hand on his. Looking into her eyes, his fury quelled at the sight of her unshed tears. Turning to Zeph, he asked, "When you say vassals, what exactly do you mean?"
"No," Zeph says calmly. "Your brother's tracks led to the northeast. But don't lose hope. If you've survived this long, perhaps he has too. Anyhow, I need to take a walk."
The old aasimar finishes his tea and stands up, creaking and groaning. He makes a polite nod to Alethiro and Arista before making his way out the door. He stops at the doorway.
"Her vassals. Those who serve her and her perverted dream of a dead world. Ixen and Alexandros are the only two I've heard of. Yet..."
Zeph looks at the sky. "There are whispers that she has allies beyond Zahvroma."
***
"Quiet," Umina says, grateful for the change in subject. "As it usually is when Forgefire comes in."
She leans against the wall of the open forge and looks out of the cave. "Unless one of those necromancers has plans, it'll be quiet for the next few months as the weather cools. Perhaps there will be a goblin raid or two..."
She speaks as if this were just they way things are, as if it were no more than a seer forecasting the weather. No fear, just expectation. Umina seemed almost bored with it. The Anizari close her eyes for a moment then turns her gaze to Sādhanā.
"So I suppose you'll go back to your fort then. Tomorrow?"
"Nothing save this new lieutenant's badge," Ylrhea says. "As grateful as I am that Drago saved me from that Skorzeny b@@+~, I didn't want to wander back into a war where my friends are still dying. Yet, I still have a score to settle. Responsibilities aren't really my thing. I prefer to be afield."
Korburn shakes his head sadly. "No, it was not on our minds as we were leaving the fortress. Marcus had a head for those things, but our commander, Sienna, and some adventurers left to find him a month ago."
At this point, a stately elderly female of indeterminate race walks into the room. "Vanara, I believe you have some figurines of ours."
"Yes. It feels like I've only been gone four days but it turns out that it's a month. I can only imagine what our friends and loved ones must be thinking. Hopefully the rest of the Green Circle group took word back."Sādhanā says looking slightly troubled. "You think you'll be safe here?"
"Yes," Umina says, a slight hesitation in her voice. "When you first came, I was wary. I didn't want to be drawn back into the Anizari's crusade. And, perhaps, in time, you'll learn what that actually is. When you left...I felt longing for the first time in years. My mind doubts my heart. My heart desires you, Sādhanā, but my mind wonders if I am playing into their hands."
"A month? You mean he has been like this for a month?" Looking at the stricken Elf, "Amazing, quite the resilient fellow isn't he? Well without samples, I don't believe I can concoct a proper antidote. I can try and keep him from getting worse, but I'll need those plants to cure him. Hopefully your companions retrieved a sample." With that, Corda left to retrieve some herbs and her cauldron.
Once back at the shop, she began to gather the items, while at the same time she said to Skaar, "Sorry sweetie, I'm going to have to postpone tonight’s festivities. The Gnome's companion is in pretty bad shape, and I might need to be at his side for a while to keep him stable." As she headed for the door, she kissed the Orc and said, "I love you." With that, she returned to a sick Sathorn.
Arista drains the remainder of her ail and nods to Zeph as he walks away.
"Thank you Zeph...for everything. I will try to keep what you've said in mind. Maybe things will sort themselves out somehow while on our journey."
She looks back at Alethiro, "I know this must be very difficult for you right now....I think we should go find the others before I'm tempted to get another drink. We need to all get back to Godrick and the others at the fort. There are things I need to say, some memories that came to me while we were in that awful place. You think it would be alright if we stayed here one last night before heading back? I'd just like a chance to tell my family goodbye before we leave....I'm not sure when we'll be back this way next or where our travels might take us."
She starts to stand but stops and puts a hand on his shoulder. In an uncharacteristic move on her part, Arista takes Alethiro into a light embrace before letting him go and standing up next to where he sits. She smiles at him and offers a hand.
"Thank you for being here for me....it hasn't been easy. I'm sure your sister knew how much you loved her, she was very lucky to have you. How about we go find the others and make plans to get back to the fort?"
Even though the storm in her eyes has seemed to calm, there is no mistaking the tremor in her voice. Even through it all, she still smiles at him and lightly squeezes his hand in hers reassuringly.
Alethiro finished his wine and returned Arista's hand squeeze. "Yes, let's find the others." Standing up, he offered her his arm. "Shall we?" The Elf as well was having an emotional reaction, but to hearing the Skorzeny name. It was all he could do to keep the rage under control, but Arista's presence somehow helped. Why is her being next to me so calming?
"Curious. I can see why you would find that disturbing. Would you like me to investigate the nature of this link? Would you like to see it severed or somehow made to be under your control?"
Skaar frowns and grumbles unhappily but nods in agreement.
”Do what you gotta do to help ‘im. Just remember, a man’s gotta eat”, the big orc says while sending a knowing glance Corda’s way.
Being someone that doesn't usually drink, Arista found his offered arm very helpful. Ugh...I should have stopped after one. Theron was the drinker, not me.
Taking his arm she lets him escort her back to the others. She looks at his face on their way back and notices that all too familiar look in his eyes.
"Alethiro, try not to think on it too much okay? Let us just concentrate on getting back to the others for now. We can deal with everything else as it comes. It will all work out. I promise."
She gives his arm another soft friendly squeeze as they make it back to the caves.
Sādhanā remains silent for a long moment, processing both Umina's and
Oblivion's words. Running a hand through her hair she exhales, a long
deep breath out.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't very attracted to you because I
definitely am. But... I have someone who I think I may be falling in
love with back home." Home. I haven't called any place home in
years
"She's been through a lot and she's very special to me, I died once
and she mourned me even though we barely knew each other...I...I could
never do anything that would hurt her."she says, her usually
strong voice holding a slight quiver of emotion.
She looks at the blacksmith, locking eyes with her. "Don't doubt
yourself. The Anizari didn't send me here, and I was as surprised to
meet you as you were to meet me. Surprised and pleased. If there's one
thing I can promise you, it's that I will never be a part of any
manipulation of you."
Drago pondered his response, "Under control would me preferable I think. This isn't the first time something like this has happened. Years ago, when I killed mother, she took up residence inside my mind. Later she was extracted by a Goddess and returned into existence. If I can somehow learn to control it, I could keep mother and him from returning ever again."
The Elf turned to Aasimar, "It's fine Arista. I acknowledge the rage is still there, but it holds less sway than it used to. It always seems to when............" He looked into her eyes, "You're around." The look on his face indicated that he regretted the words as soon as he said them.
A puzzling illness. A mysterious smallfolk. A strange land. Harakhty had to admit: For all the adjustment it took getting used to the city, it had a certain rhythm to it. Here, the meter was quite unpredictable. Shadowing Corda as she went about her tasks, he thought better of questioning their clients at the moment.
"Here, let me carry that," he offered to Corda, seeing her move to gather her things. I might even learn a thing or two of alchemy in the process.
"Why thank you lil' `Nara, that would be appreciated."
She pauses for a moment as she gazes back into his eyes. So very close... As they stand there so close together she leans in slightly and smiles warmly at him.
"It's okay, I understand how you feel. I'm glad that I can be here for you, just as I am happy to have met you and the others. Since we have met...you have always been there for me when I needed someone and that means more to me than words can say. You, Alethiro Milocathe, are a wonderful person. Don't ever forget that....or take for granted what you may mean to others."
Before stepping back, she places a light kiss on his cheek and smiles at him while putting her hand back in his.
Alethiro touched his cheek before taking her hand. He could feel a sort of warmth wash away any residual rage he feeling. I feel...... Continuing on to the cave, he said, "I have not felt this way for a very long time. I had almost forgotten that I could feel like this."
Umina looks back into Sādhanā's eyes. "I understand..."
She laughs unexpectedly. "It's not like we've known each other for that long, right?"
Umina presses her lips softly against the magus'. "Maybe in another life..."
"Hmmm? What has you under that impression?" Harakhty seemed to know nothing about figurines.
"It is a bad idea to start off our acquaintance by lying, Harakhty Suntooth," the woman says. "I would have hoped that you would at least asked my name first, instead of immediately becoming defensive. Those figurines belong to the Green Circle and they are enchanted so that we may locate them. I would prefer to be polite about such things instead of going into the fort and taking them without your knowledge. Who knows what else I might find?"
Her tone is firm, yet kind.
"I'll see what I can come up with."
Arista nods her head in understanding at his statement. She seems to smile as she looks at the ground as they walk.
It is very...strange to me as well. I have never felt this way before, so I'm trying to understand what it is. I went from having a family, friends, a life and purpose, to...having nothing. It happened in the blink of an eye, as it would seem to me anyways."
She pauses for a moment, unsure of whether she can continue or not. She tries to control her voice as memories of her life before seem to engulf her all at once. Eating with her family, laughing with her older brother over something silly they had done, walking out on the field of battle for the first time with her big brother by her side.
Arista smiles hesitantly as something wet slips down one of her cheeks. She looks up then at Alethiro, something like surprise mixed with happiness on her face.
"Then, there was you...and your friends of course. You brought me back into this world and showed me that it's okay to live in it. You have known plenty of loss as I have, maybe it's time...to know of other things."
Her words echo the naivete of someone that is still innocent and untouched by the true nature of the world.
"What do you mean by 'other things?'" Alethiro asked with a puzzled look on his face. What is she driving at? His eyes then went wide as a thought occurred to him. She can't mean, that, could she? Looking into Arista's emerald eyes, he said, "Arista, I......I don't think the time is right for that. We haven't gotten to know each other very well and I do not wish to ruin what it is we do have." Taking both of her hands in his, he continued, "And for me, there is a vow that my order takes when we become priests. 'Never shall I take into my bed another, unless that other is my betrothed.' So you see........dearest, I am bound by my faith to not bed any woman until she is wed to me. And I do not believe you are ready for such commitment as of yet." While his demeanor was calm, the Elf's eyes betrayed how much pain and guilt he felt at giving her such news.
Arista blushes and sobers somewhat at his statement. She shakes her head slightly and smiling at him, takes one of her hands from his and places it lightly on his cheek so she can look directly into his eyes.
"It's alright, you don't have to explain anything to me. I would never ask you to go against your beliefs, but that's not quite to what I was referring. Your friendship means far too much to me to rush into things like that. I know that I'm still young and have yet not the experience that others might, but I also know that my heart tells me that I feel something for you. What that is exactly I'm not completely sure yet."
She pauses as she tries to find the words to express feelings that she has never had before.
"I meant that since we have both already experienced so much loss and pain that maybe it was time for us to try and find some happiness. To take comfort in the friendships that we have. Just hear me and know, there is nothing that could ruin what we have. There is nothing you could say or do that would change the way I feel about you, or cause me to lose the respect that I have for you and what you believe in. I'm here for you, in whatever way you have need of me. Just as I know that you have been, and will continue to be there for me. Like you have been since the beginning."
Smiling she takes her hand away from his cheek and puts it back over his hand.
The Elf closed his eyes as she touched his cheek, feeling the pain and guilt melt away as she spoke. Once she removed her hand Alethiro spoke, "You are truly a remarkable woman, Arista." Resisting the urge to kiss her, he turned and continued walking to the cave, his hand in hers.