But I must say, we have been so focused on getting here, but I am not sure I know any of your objectives once we are in the tower.
"My studies face increasingly diminishing returns as my knowledge surpasses that of my peers, both current and past. Inside The Tower I hope to find the knowledge I need to more effectively observe and define the nature of existence, to discern the architecture of reality.
"I don't believe my goal conflicts with whatever yours or the Twins' may be. Given our amicable working relationship thus far I've assumed we'd continue to collaborate once inside The Tower, at least until we've acclimated to the new environment.
"As for Gavin, I suspect I'd have some difficulty in parting from his company even should I wish to."
"Of course we'll collaborate once inside the tower" Lyra looks a little put out that it was even suggested. "WE'RE a team! And... yes, I'll do my best to use my mind instead of my mouth." she looks at them and decides "My goal is the answer I need for us both to be alive, well, and separate. I assume you all could have guessed that, but it is better to be out in the open about it. So no I don't think that will conflict with any of yours."
"Right you are there my friend. " Gavin chuckles.
"As for me, I recieved a vision in a dream. A man standing alone, surrounded by shadows of evil. Overwhelmed by the forces against him. For weeks the dream plagued my slumber." Gavin goes on, sipping a bit of tea.
"When the Witness passed through my village, I knew my path was beside him. I can't say I'll be able to hold back the dark, but he won't be alone. When we met Lyra and Seth, I knew that we could help each other. Protect each other." the old man's warm smile suggests he doesn't mean combat.
"When Fenrick found us and I emplored him to travel with us a ways, our little band felt complete."
"I knew little about the Tower before meeting the Witness, but my path is with him, as his path is into the Tower. None of us are beholden by any oaths but our own, but none of you will ever be unwelcome at my side."
”Excellent. I realize we’ve been so focused on completing our attenuation that we’ve failed to discuss our plans for after our success. I’m pleased to know we were all thinking much along the same lines regarding our collaboration.” And to know at least you, Pigeon, are interested in discovering the truth behind the condition you and your brother seem to share.
”Unless we have more to discuss, I suggest we sleep and wait to make more concrete plans regarding our trip to Corryn in the morning - once we see what effects our latest attenuation has on us.”
I am glad I understand our goals more. I believe this is the path that Pharasama wants me on. People die everywhere and deserve proper respect even if their bodies are hard to reach. My job is to help those hard to reach souls on their way.
The night inside the mirror passes uneventfully, and the Seekers wake in the morning rested and refreshed, and fully in touch with the power of their attunement.
When everyone is ready, The Witness translocates the party to Corryn. Somewhere relatively inconspicuous and clear of traffic. I should have rented a room for the month before we left...
"Allons-y!"
The Seekers grasp hands and the Witness, once again, pulls them quickly through the void. As the world comes crashing into view, they find themselves standing in the alleyway next to Maheem’s Exotic Hardwoods, the very same alley from which their journey to the Anchors began.
After a quick look around, Gavin sets to the task of liquidating the gifts from Celthorax.
The market district of Korryn is larger (by far) than most of the towns the Seekers have visited on their journey to the Anchors and the only stumbling block Gavin faces in selling the goods quickly at a fair price is the multitude of distracting aromas wafting out of countless food stalls.
Gavin completes the sale of the extra goods the party has acquired, sampling the food venders along the way. Once back with the others, he disburses the proceeds.
"How long do we have before new Tran?" Gavin asks the Witness.
When he is sure about how long they will need it, Gavin rents them rooms at an inn near the Tower.
Gavin makes his way to the center of the city to find accommodations near the Tower. Along the way he discovers myriad stalls and stages that have been set up for the New Tran celebration. Some of them are already in use, selling souvenirs and snacks or hosting performances by singers, musicians, dancers, and acrobats. The closer he comes to the Tower, the more swollen the streets become with visitors and revelers.
It seems that the priest has underestimated the popularity of the festival and, after a bit of searching, he learns that all of the inns near the Tower have already rented out all of their rooms.
The Witness attempts to find someplace safe to use the mirror; perhaps he can rent a closet, or space on the wall of an upscale inn.
Gavin will help try to secure a good, safe spot for the mirror at a fine dining establishment.
Gavin has no difficulty securing a good, safe spot for the Witness' mirror on the wall in the Towerview Bistro, an upscale Vitolian restaurant just south of the Tower.
While we are wondering through what feels like festival grounds, Fenrick keeps his ears open about any rumors of the other seekers who might be joining us tomorrow.
Seth loves rumors. Lyra knows for Him it is like a persistent inch that feels beyond satisfying when you scratch, and never goes away. So she find a darkened alley, shifts and then Seth is talking and chatting away with everyone he meets focusing on any news about the seekers. Focusing his humble wit and down to earth appearance on women whenever possible.
Staying close to the Twins and Fenrick, Gavin picks up a few supplies while they work the crowds.
Fenrick learns little of value from his mundane and magical attempts to gather information about other Seekers that have arrived for the festival. Seth, on the other hand, not only picks up a lead about another group but is able to quickly follow it back to the bistro where the Witness' mirror hangs. At a table on the patio he finds two beautiful Atlaean women enjoying their lunch. Both have straight black hair that hangs past their shoulders, vibrant purple eyes, freckles, and softly curving figures. One wears a traditional Atlaean outfit (a bodice over a frilly shirt, a knee-length skirt, and knee-high wool stockings) and carries a katana. The other is clad in a polished mithril breatplate with a brightly colored songbird (the symbol of Shelyn) inlaid on it's chest in semi-precious stones and carries a rapier.
"Greetings fellow Seekers," the unarmored woman says with a smile to Seth and those with him, "my name is Eider Montoya, and this is my sister Eskarne. We didn't want to bother you while your friend was doing whatever it is he's doing inside that mirror, but we were hoping to meet you all before tomorrow."
The younger looking (and seemingly more impulsive) sister rolls her eyes and clarifies, "she didn't want to bother you... I didn't think you'd mind."
Her older sister chuckles softly and continues, "In either case, it's a pleasure to meet you, though we haven't gotten your names yet?"
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Gavin gives a bit of a bow and addresses the two ladies.
"I cannot imagine a time when the company of other seekers would bother us, especially those as lovely as you ladies. I am Gavin Soleques, servant of Saranrae, connoisseur of teas, and taster of pastries. This is Seth Posfurore, Lover of intrigue, Keeper of secrets, and Protector of Pigeons." Gavin says, waving a hand at Seth.
"The large man at the bar asking about stronger coffee is our good friend Fenrick Ebbewl, Servant of The Lady of Graves, Bane of the Unliving, and Champion of a Pure Heart." the old man says, with a wave at the bar to Fen.
"Our mage friend, in the mirror, would be pleased to meet you, I am sure, but I have tasked him with crafting me a trinket, and that may take him some time. We are pleased to make your acquaintance." he concludes, returning the smile.
"Oh," the armored woman replies suddenly sitting up quite straight and rigid, "I apologize for my sister's informality. I am Eskarne Montoya, servant of Shelyn, connoisseur of music, and taster of men. And this is Eider Montoya, lover of beauty, keeper of erotic art, and protector of me."
The older, unarmored Eider sighs and shakes her head. "Please don't mind her," she says warmly to Seth and Gavin, "her tongue is quicker than her manners. We are pleased to make your acquaintance as well. Do you have any particular plans for tomorrow that we should know about?"
"Hi" Seth gives a bow with a nice smile "It is a pleasure to meet people with such delightfully intriguing titles, on top of two who saved so many people." straightening, he answers "We plan to stay together and do our best. Just as we have done to this point. Did you like the body of light mimicking everything and taking all?"
Once the mirror has been placed and its spot paid for, The Witness enchants it with the assistance of his metamagic rod. He asks Gavin to purchase him an arcane scroll of the spell true form from his share of the earnings before stepping inside and setting to work on creating the priest's desired magic item.
Once the item has been completed, he reads through several of his scrolls, committing the spells to memory.
"Saving people? Some sort of rescue? Sounds like a fine story, one we might all share over dinner?" Gavin suggests.
"These two are the famous Montoya sisters unless the rumored descriptions are wrong." Seth tells his friend "Eider the greatest sword swinger of our age coupled with Eskarne the delight of the goddess herself. We are in the company of legends, Gavin, Legends." he smiles, with the appropriate friendly awe. "I've collected many tales about you, though I think Eider, you are supposed to be eight feet tall in some of them. I'd love to hear them for your own lips." his way of agreeing that dinner would be lovely.
"Did you like the body of light mimicking everything and taking all?"
The sisters shoot a glance at each other at Seth's mention of the body of light and then Eider softly replies, "We prefer not to speak of such things, particularly in public."
"I've collected many tales about you, though I think Eider, you are supposed to be eight feet tall in some of them. I'd love to hear them for your own lips."
"She was!" Eskarne blurts out with a giggle.
"It was only the only time," Eider explains with a chuckle, "and she did it too me."
"She needed to attack over a wall," the younger sister offers with a smirk.
"It is not my preferred way to fight," the older sister adds, "it feels so clumsy..."
As the laughter subsides, Eskarne looks up at Seth and announces, "I'll have dinner with you, sure."
"We will have dinner with you all," Eider clarifies. "Did you have a time and place in mind? Open tables seem to be in short supply these days..."
Seth follows the back and forth, watching and appreciating the laughter, banter, and sheer loveliness of the two women. "Hmm... you are right about table spaces" Seth contemplates for a moment "A picnic then? We've been wandering about and have seen many gardens we could rent for an evening, and which will be private enough that my big mouth won't get me into any more trouble."
"A picnic? How rustic," Eskarne answers, "It'll be like we're trekking through the wilderness again."
Eider smiles and adds, "given that we're about to enter a Tower that we may be spending the rest of our lives in, dining outdoors seems like a lovely idea. If you gentlemen are making arrangements for a suitable location, we can arrange for the food. We're staying at the inn next door; you can leave word of where and when to meet you at the desk once your arrangements are made."
Working from the options Seth gives him, Gavin chooses an estate near the Inn the ladies are staying in and makes contact with the staff.
Seth recalls a nearby neighborhood, just north of the Market District, where a number of very successful merchants live. With Fenrick hanging out at the Bistro to keep an eye on the mirror, Gavin and the Crow head there to see what arrangements can be made. After a brisk stroll, they select a property with a modest pavilion next to a serene pond, surrounded by well-manicured gardens as their first choice. To Gavin's delight, they discover it belongs to a Vitolian importer whose business includes not only wines and silks, but some of the finest teas in Cardriss. After a delightful conversation, the man not only offers the free use of his pavilion for dinner that evening but sells the priest a crate of tea at cost.
They take a detour back to the sisters' inn to leave word of the time and place for dinner before returning to the market. There, Gavin is easily able to find the scroll the Witness requested, a bag of holding, a traveler's anytool, crafting supplies, and some under-ripe fruit.
At the appointed hour, the Witness emerges from his mirror and the Seekers make there way to dinner. As they turn up the path to the garden, a carriage arrives, followed by a covered wagon. Eider and Eskarne step out of the carriage and approach their fellow Seekers; behind them, half a dozen servers emerge from the back of the wagon carrying baskets, trays, and crocks. The women smile and exchange greetings with the four men as they make their way to the pavilion. Within a few minutes, a beautiful spread of pastas in various sauces, fresh bread with seasoned olive oil, lightly grilled octopus, braised lamb, and fine wines (both red and white) is laid out before them, and the servers return to the wagon to await the call for clean up.
"What a lovely spot you've found for us," Eskarne remarks earnestly.
"Yes, thank you," Eider adds as she pours herself and her sister some of the white wine. Reaching for one of the hunks of bread she offers, "please, don't be shy; help yourselves."
Gavin wastes no time diving into the meal, sampling all of the fares, but going back for more bread and lamb. Between bites, he tries to find the balance between inquisitive and intrusive.
"I am new to learning about the Tower, what have you ladies heard about what waits inside?"
The Witness casts a simple spell in front of the meal... before sampling bites and sips of all the food offered.
"Do you know of any other Seekers who have completed their attunements?"
"Practically nothing," Eider informs Gavin when asked about the inside of the Tower.
"I think its a staircase to the gods," Eskarne answers. "I've always had a special connection with Shelyn--we both have, really--and I think we'll climb the Tower and meet her face to face. Then, who knows? Maybe she'll make us angels and we'll travel the planes as her champions..."
The older sister smiles warmly at this response and softly adds, "well, we've heard that maybe this could be the case, but I certainly wouldn't call that something we know. As I'm sure some of you know, while some priests preach this view there is no established religion in Cardriss that proclaims it to be true."
"She thinks that if it was true someone would have come back as an angel or whatever and let their church know," Eskarne answers with a slightly mischievous grin, "but I keep telling her that once we become angels we'll have more important things to do than come back here and try to convince a bunch of old priests that we were right." As she finishes speaking, she looks quizzically at the Witness casting his spell, but doesn't try to stop him, or ask what he's doing.
When the wizard asks about other Seekers, both sisters smile and Eider answers, "I think we know all of us now. We completed our attunement about five years ago and since then we've mostly just been waiting for the New Tran, and trying to keep an eye on who might be joining us."
"We've done some good too," Eskarne interjects, "you know, fought monsters that were terrorizing villages, shut down a cult, that sort of thing. Eider always insisted we stay out of politics and wars and whatnot, though."
"We have tried not to exert too much influence on the world," the older sister explains, "nor to reveal too much of what we gained from our trials."
Fenrick sits at the bistro with the mirror, sipping at his last chance of fresh coffee for who knows how long.
Fenrick introduces himself at the meal, but for now is quite to listen to what they say and scrutinizing it to make sure they arent lying.
"Any unscrupulous souls? Anyone we might need to keep an eye out for?" Gavin asks about the others.
When he hears of the ladies speculation about meeting Shelyn, he smiles.
"I hope you do get to meet Her, but even if you don't, there will be opportunities to serve inside, I am certain."
When he is done eating, Gavin has a cup of tea and listens to the rest of the conversation.
Both sisters seem truthful in what they are saying. Eider has a moderate aura of good. Eskarne has overwhelming auras of good and law .
"Unscrupulous is such a subjective term..." Eider replies seemingly trying to weigh her words carefully.
"None of them are evil," Eskarne states more frankly.
"Haedron is a loner, and a pragmatist," the older sister continues, "he's not mean-spirited or malicious but I'm sure he'd do things to survive that neither of us would be willing to. Jabari and Inaya are of the Mbala, so they have a different sense of ethics than we do... and if a dispute arose in the Tower that could be dangerous."
Seth delights in tasting each item, slowly savoring each yummy nibble.
"Hanging around a pragmatic loner, haha, wonder what that's like!'
Gavin says with a possibly wine influenced chuckle and a glance at the Witness.
"These Mbala folk sound like they are quick to mix force with negotiations, but I have been honing my skills in that area for some years now, and I welcome the challenge."
Done with the meal and with a big day ahead, Gavin suggests they wrap things up and retire for the night.
"Excuse me a minute.
Allons-y!"
The Witness teleports away...
The Witness teleports to the street in front of the Tower, and investigates whether he can enter the Bookkeeper's "lobby" and look in the Book of Exit.
Haedron Gentz, while lacking the pure technical skill that Eider possesses with a blade, is among the most lethal warriors in Cardriss; and, he seems to have a knack for getting into places that most people couldn't.
Jabari is a totem warrior and transforms, partly or fully, into a couple different animals that he has a mystical connection with; and his companion Inaya is some kind of shaman who draws magical power from nature and the spirits that they believe inhabit it.
As if to prove Gavin's point, the Witness randomly vanishes from the dinner table, only to return a few minutes later with no explanation.
When you explain that you wish to see the name in the exit ledger, it answers, "Aleksandir Tchoelek is the single name in that ledger."
The women both seem a bit disappointed when the aging priest suggests turning in for the night, but Eider graciously answers, "of course, we should all be well-rested for our big day tomorrow." She signals for the servers to return and within a few minutes the tables are cleared and the Seekers are all heading out of the garden. "Haedron plans to be the last to enter tomorrow," the older sister offers, "he said something about not wanting anyone breathing down his neck while he's working his way up. And Jabari and Inaya want to go first."
"We were going to go first, so nobody was in our way while we climb to the heavens," Eskarne interjects, "but Eider wouldn't fight Jabari for it, even though she definitely would have won."
"Nothing is definite in battle, dear little sister, you know that," Eider reminds her sister with a warm smile, "besides, there are enough faces in my gallery as it is." Turning her attention back to the men she continues, "Anyway, our plan--until you arrived--was to enter at midday, to leave a healthy gap between ourselves and the others... but we're willing to be somewhat flexible, if you know when you'd like to enter?"
"We hadn't discussed it, or even considered it, I suppose. Until today, I had no idea how many Seekers would be entering. We've no great need for personal glory, indeed, keeping as low a profile as possible would be ideal." Gavin seems to think out loud.
"I suppose about an hour after midday would be an ideal spacing, if the others agree."
Seth settles into light flirtations back, being so close to their goal without zooming all over the world with barely a rest has left him a bit worn. So the attention of a beautiful woman, good food, and entertaining banter has him feeling better than he has in a long time.
"Yes, glory is not the point. You go first, we'll follow shortly after."
”If you don’t mind being an hour behind us,” Eider answers, ”then we have no objections to you being an hour behind us.”
”Why don’t we all go together?” Eskarne blurts out.
”Our goals are not completely aligned, dear sister,” Eider explains, ”I suspect our new acquaintances will be spending more time investigating than we plan to.” Addressing the men again she says, ”thank you, gentlemen, for a lovely evening. We wish you safe travels tomorrow.”
”Yeah,” the younger woman adds, ”and if the stairs don’t lead to the heavens, maybe we’ll see you inside.”
"The idea of meeting you both again inside is one of the most compelling arguments I've heard for entry." Gavin smiles.
"Thank you again for a lovely meal."
Once back in the mirror, Gavin turns to the Witness.
"What was that business popping out during supper? Did something happen? And as for tomorrow, should I be prepared for anything specific? Or just do my best to anticipate everything?"