Ameiko obliges Flori's request, cooking up a tasty meal for everybody. Your friends listen to the rousing tale of adventure with rapt attention, and at its conclusion, Relisha presents Suishen to Ameiko. Her eyes widen and she gasps.
"It is my honor to be in your presence, Amatatsu Ameiko," the sword proclaims. "I see the glory of your illustrious ancestors reflected in your countenance."
Ameiko chuckles. "He's a flatterer, too! Thank you for finding him Relisha. But I think you should continue to wield the blade. If you were truly as fierce with it as the others say you were, then I will need you to keep me safe on the journey to come. So, uh, go on. Stand up!"
She helps Relisha to her feet then, on a whim, leans forward and kisses the tiefling on the forehead.
A very-unpaladin-like giggle slips from Relisha's lips and her hands fly to cover her mouth in embarrassment. She bows again to Ameiko.
"Anything for you, My L... Empress. My life is yours," she stutters out before moving away from the center of the group.
For the first time, some clicks in Kitasai's brain. His head tilts slightly to the side as he narrows his eyes in intense observation, looking between Ameiko and Relisha and then back and forth between the two.
Leaning forward to his sister, he covers his hand and whispers in her ear. It's clear that this is a new revelation, as he speaks quickly and with a sense of urgency.
Ameiko covers her mouth to stifle a giggle before replying to her brother.
Ahreni watches the conversation between brother and sister and a smile curves across her lips. At least someone recognises the situation. Perhaps something will come of it this time - they both deserve happiness.
With the satisfaction of someone who sees things unfolding as they ought she moves away a little and takes a seat, staying out of the way.
"Oh my dear Relisha..." Sylyn says with soft glee, looking to share a grin from ear to ear with Flori, but discovers she happens to be standing next to where Ahreni is sitting instead. Staying in the back of the group to pepper people with arrows seems to have bled into social situations as well.
But with that logic, why is Ahreni here.
For a moment she considers leaving quickly, having never been on great terms with the 'mother' of them. Probably because Sylyn is a bit of an ass, a trait she understands completely and can do nothing about, and Ahreni seems to have something shoved...
'FOCUS!' she snapped at herself, realizing she is staring at the other woman and also realizing there is something she wants to ask.
"Um... Ahreni? Do you mind if I sit?" at the acceptance, she sits and looks over at Relisha, before turning her attention back to Ahreni "How do you do it? I mean I want to fall so far into someone like she has, but that Doubt in my head... about how they age and how I age just keeps bumping around until I need to get out. You... you've lived so much, how have you... um... you know... found..." 'gods spit it out girl!' Sylyn's inner voice suddenly sounded very much like the woman she was sitting across from "...love?" her bright green eyes sprakle with an intense desire to have an answer.
"Search your feelings. If you believe there to be a spark, ignite it. Each day we are pursued by unknown foes and we are charging headlong into unknown dangers. Live each moment to the fullest as if it were your last."
After a brief pause he adds "I can also tell her there is nothing to be found in you and set her on her way should you prefer."
Kitasai stands back up besides his sister, focusing on Relisha with his gaze, studying her. His face remains void of outward emotion, a blank expression on his face.
Unaware that her love life is being debated and discussed, Relisha moves over to sit next to Ahreni.
She turns to look at the elf.
"By the blood I've spilled and the pain I've endured, I believe I have earned my place in this group. And I believe that I have earned the respect that should follow. To be treated as a child is demeaning and I've endured enough of that to last me a lifetime."
She looks away again.
"I am an imperfect vessel for the Dawnflower's divine gifts and I make no claims otherwise. But I will deliver them as best as I understand them."
Relisha comes over before Ahreni has time to answer Sylyn's question. Which is good because the ifrit has turned strawberry red and the air around her is starting to be painfully hot. "Oh, you need a moment to chat, looks private, I'll leave" she blurts out quick as spit. "forget about that question please." she whispers to Ahreni and then leaves quickly so Relisha can get whatever off her chest that she needs to.
Ahreni was just gathering her thoughts to answer Sylyn, on a topic she never thought they'd be discussing, when Relisha charges in to set off another conversation Ahreni wasn't expecting. She listens to Relisha's complaints in silence and then bows her head slowly.
"You are right Relisha, and I must apologise." She says slowly. "I am much older than you and I have become... impatient over time." She reaches out to place a hand on Relisha's. "I respect you greatly Relisha. I hope that you would know that by now. For all that you call yourself an imperfect vessel you are one of the strongest people I have ever met. The only one who would match you would be your mother-in-law, if things go well."
She smiles slightly at the widening of the tiefling's eyes. "Age has some benefits. There is little in the ways of courtship I have not seen at one time or another. Another is perspective. I may think I am right too often, but at least I can recognise when I'm not. Relisha..." The aasimar pauses. "I am sorry, for how I acted. You were right, I was rude and insensitive, but please consider what I said. Your life means a great deal, both to Ameiko and to all of us. There is only one of us who can take others pain upon themselves. Kitasai and I are only to fight as we do because we know you are there to support us. To close our wounds in the heat of battle. You are a worthy wielder of Suishen and you are becoming a fine warrior, but we have many who can fight with a blade. There is only one of us who can bring the rest of us back from near death. If you are hurt Relisha than we need you to think of yourself first." Ahreni's gaze is clear and forceful. "I will never speak of it again if you wish Relisha, but promise me you will remember."
------------------------------------------
The aasimar waits for fifteen minutes before following Sylyn.
"It is an interesting question." The aasimar says, sitting down beside the archer. "In short, yes, I have been in love. It was a long time ago, seventy years ago now, in Minkai. As for how you know..." Ahreni smiles, an expression that is rarely seen on her face. "I am sorry to reuse the cliche, but you simply know. As for age..." She pauses for a long time. "When you meet the right person you don't think about it, because it simply doesn't matter. They're right and that's all there is to it."
She pats Sylyn's shoulder gently. "I hope that helps Sylyn. I'm sorry I don't have the answers you want, but if you want to talk about it further I'd be happy to. It's a long time since someone actually talked to me about this sort of thing."
Meanwhile, Sandru and Ulf speak at length about acquiring the guide's services. After several long minutes, they shake hands, and Sandru turns to you with a grin. "My friends, we have a guide! It will take a few days for us to make the necessary preparations for the journey over the Crown of the World. I suggest you take care of anything you need to here in Kalsgard and enjoy the last bit of civilization we're apt to see for quite some time. The Path of Aganhei awaits--and past that, Tian Xia and Minkai!"
Sylyn stays quiet during the advice, eyes widening a little at the smile, returning her own, just a little more shy than normal. "Flori and I talk about it all the time, but the more normal aspects of it. I tried to talk about the not normal part with Shelau once but she shifted it to goblin hunting almost before I could finish my sentence. So..." her eyes look to Ahreni "... thank you" she says, softly (which is extremely rare for the ifrit).
Ahreni's gaze is clear and forceful. "I will never speak of it again if you wish Relisha, but promise me you will remember."
Relisha gives a small nod. "Thank you for speaking to me as an equal. I will consider your words." She looks away again and then across the campfire to where Ameiko and Kitasai are still chatting together.
"Is there really ...? do you think there is any chance that ...?" She takes a few slow breaths. "Is it an impossible dream, Ahreni?"
"Is there really ...? do you think there is any chance that ...?" She takes a few slow breaths. "Is it an impossible dream, Ahreni?"
"Why should it be?" Ahreni replies. "You are an attractive young woman, who has already proven her loyalty and devotion several times over. That sort of dedication has a way of winning people over, and over the course of her life I have watched Ameiko with many people. She is the definition of open-minded. Do not fear that she will reject you because of who you are. Be open with her and trust her to do the same to you. Now I must go and have a similar conversation with Sylyn."
Ahreni leaves, muttering something like 'have I become approachable suddenly?'.
Sylyn stays quiet during the advice, eyes widening a little at the smile, returning her own, just a little more shy than normal. "Flori and I talk about it all the time, but the more normal aspects of it. I tried to talk about the not normal part with Shelau once but she shifted it to goblin hunting almost before I could finish my sentence. So..." her eyes look to Ahreni "... thank you" she says, softly (which is extremely rare for the ifrit).
"That sounds like Shae." Ahreni says with a smile. "She has lived longer than I have but she... guards her heart closely. Or she has as much romantic experience as your average oak tree, but I don't judge." She winks at the ifrit, the hint of mischief unusual in the usually collected samurai.
"Forgive me Sylyn, if you don't want to speak about it, but you intend to age slower than others? Should I take that to mean that you are other than human? I had assumed that your pyrotechnical abilities were a focused form of magic..." She trails off, inviting the younger woman to continue the conversation if she wishes.
"I... you don't? Um..." Sylyn surprised blubbers for a moment before steadying herself.
She starts to fiddle with her cup, looking down in thought "For some reason I thought it might have come up before between you and Shalelu. She suggested I not bring it up around the 'normals' in case there was an unexplained fire and some idiot decided to blame the ifrit..." she looks up quickly "That's what I am. 'A little fire in our blood to go along with the hair', Dad would say. Shalelu kept me away from town until I could keep my 'emotions in check, as she would say."
A soft smile breaks through her awkwardness "Failed there quite a bit, but I did stop setting things on fire unless I meant to."
"You overestimate how close Shalelu and I are." Ahreni replies taking the revelation of Sylyn's heritage in her stride. "We talk occasionally, but not often enough that she'd casually spill a secret that belongs to someone else." She pauses. "If you'd like I can show you calligraphy sometime. It's not for everyone, but I find it very soothing so it might work for you if you ever need a way to 'keep your emotions in check'?" She grins. "And besides, you can just write rude things about people and as long as they don't read minkaian they'll never know!"
Sylyn laughs, her normal loud one, but then adds a quieter "that would be nice."
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Flori makes a point of hanging onto a couple of keepsakes from Ravenscraeg, adding them to her collection of treasures. She is extremely excited about the prospect of crossing the Crown of the World, but not so excited as to forget the practicalities.
She lays in a large store of warm clothes, fluffy socks, extra furs, mittens and just about every other form of clothing she thinks might be required. Sylyn may have her own fire to keep her warm but Flori is well aware that she is human, and one who doesn't like the cold and damp at that!
Thus, when they set off, Flori has claimed about half a wagon for her gear and spends most of her downtime burrowed right into a mound of warm clothes, reading contentedly.
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Kitasai takes some of newfound wealth and goes shopping. In addition to the standard gear they will need for the added cold, he finds a nice magical belt to enhance his agility.
Afterwards, he seeks out Relisha so that he can investigate the subject of her interest in his sister. Kitasai plans to approach this subject with supreme guile and tact, so when he finds her in the common room he walks up face to face and looks her in the eyes with a stern expression as he says "You like my sister."
Relisha's eyes widen at Kitasai's statement. While true, it feels like an accusation and she's not sure how to handle it. Her first response is to deny it, but realizing that she hasn't been as subtle about her feelings as she thought she was, she sighs.
"Yes, very much so," she says, looking down at her feet. "However, I have little faith that those feelings would ever be returned. Even so ..." She looks up at him with a new hope.
"I would like to ..." she begins, but hesitates. "Is there something that Ameiko really likes? A treat? Pastry? Wine? Candy? Something that she wouldn't normally buy for herself, but really enjoys?"
Kitasai listens to Relisha stumbling and awkwardness only to have her asking him for what she likes. He keeps his voice soft and his arms folded across his chest, answering very matter of factually without much emotion as he simply states what he knows. "Her flower is the Morning Glory, but I do not know if you will find it here in this barren wasteland. She also lives for works for art, the more exotic the better. She is keen to wine and treat, a true connoisseur of all foods, though slightly biased to those from our homeland. You could also try-"
The monk pauses midsentence, closing his eyes and letting his tensed body relax. He keeps his eyes closed for a few awkward seconds before opening them and unfolding his arms from his broad chest.
"We are here today because my sister seeks adventure. Tell her tales of your bravery and her eyes will light up and all barriers will fall."
Like he had done a few days ago, he places his hand over Relisha's heart and says "It is confidence in our bodies, minds, and spirits that allows us to keep looking for new adventures. Follow your heart, little one. Do not think of what will not happen, believe only in yourself and what will happen."
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Having never really been bothered by the cold, Relisha only makes a token effort to collect gear for herself for the expected environment.
She does, however, spend a inordinate amount of time searching - and finally finding - a pair of very cozy, fur-lined gloves and boots. She arranges some custom stitching on the edges of each that match the patterns engraved in the hilt of Suishen, assuming them to be the Amatatsu family emblems.
The evening before they leave, Ameiko finds a small bundle in her wagon containing the gloves, boots, and a small book. The book contains illustrated tales of adventure.
And a note.
'I hope that some day I'll be able to tell you tales of my heroic exploits. When I have some to tell. Until then, I hope you enjoy these stories.'
Below the note is a haiku in clumsy kanji characters.
Longing for your gaze
my breath is held in your hand.
Heart forever yours.
Ahreni purchases the basics for the trip, including warmer clothes (and a spare set when she realises that Relisha is too love-sick to do a proper job) and a supply of parchment and ink blocks. Since it will freeze regardless she saves time buying it in solid form.
The other major investment is a climbing kit and set of spiked boots. Having crossed the mountains once before in bad weather without proper preparations the aasimar remembers the importance of the small things - like good grip and carrying your own rations.
Sylyn buys nice bundly clothes that make her look like a big ginger bunny. And anything else her survival training has taught her that will be important to survive the trek.
Late in the night on the eve of your departure from Kalsgard, there is a knock on the door to the wagon where Relisha is staying. She opens it to reveal a grinning Ameiko standing outside, wearing the new gloves and boots.
"I, uh, just wanted to say thank you, Relisha. For the gifts. They're perfect! I couldn't have asked for anything better. Thank you."
A gust of icy wind blows past, and the Tien woman wraps her arms around herself, shivering slightly. "Brr! So cold out here! Do you, uh, mind if I come in?"
The tiefling nods wordlessly and steps aside to let the woman in. She quickly glances around the small space to make sure there's nothing utterly embarrassing out in the open. There's a heavy blanket on the floor with her copy of The Birth of Light and Truth open to a passage she was studying. In the center of the comfy space is a small brazier with glowing embers. She quickly adds a couple of lumps of coal to it.
Moving her backpack off it, she sets a small stool in the middle of the space before stepping back awkwardly.
"I'm ... I'm glad you like them, My Empress," she says, looking down with a flush on her face. Her eyes look back up, though. She notes the tiny flakes of snow that have caught in Ameiko's eyelashes.
She really does look like an empress. The fey empress of a kingdom of ice and snow. So beautiful.
Ameiko sighs and rolls her eyes. "Come on, I told you to stop calling me that! I'm just Ameiko."
She cocks her head at the stool before moving it back to where it came from. Then she sits cross-legged on the blanket and pats the spot beside her, inviting Relisha to sit.
"So... I, uh, I liked the poem you wrote as well," Ameiko says, looking up with half-lidded eyes and a coy smile.
After discussing travel plans for the next day with Sandru, Kitasai returns to his own wagon to find Ameiko missing. He moves from wagon to wagon, banging loudly on the door with his meaty fist. In an unusually loudly voice for the soft-spoken man, he shouts "AMEIKO. ARE YOU IN THERE? IT IS TIME FOR BED. WE HAVE AN EARLY DAY TOMORROW. YOU MUST REST NOW!"
"I ... I'm glad you liked it," Relisha replies as her blush deepens. Unsure as to where to look and what to do with her hands, her eyes move down and she picks at a loose thread at the end of her sleeve. To her dismay, the seam rapidly begins to come apart. She frantically shoves the thread back and tries to conceal her mistake.
"I've been reading some poetry in that style, but I'm not sure if I got the beats correct and my calligraphy is atrocious." Finally looking back up, she meets her companion's eyes.
'She's actually here. She's looking at me and I don't know what to say.'
"It would be my pleasure to write more poems for you, My ... um ... Ameiko," she says. Unbidden, a laugh of joy bubbles out of her when she calls her love by her name. "I ... uh ... there's something that ..."
Any further statement is interrupted by a fist banging on the wagon and loud words. With a start, the tiefling jumps to her feet and her hand is reaching for Suishen before she recognizes the monk's voice.
"Um, yes, he's right ... Ameiko. You should be well rested for the journey."
Ameiko's smile widens when Relisha finally meets her gaze, but the smile fades once Kitasai interrupts. "Alright. We'll continue this conversation later, then. I'm looking forward to it."
Without preamble, she leans forward and presses her lips against the tiefling's...
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A soft squeak is Relisha's only response and it's quickly muted by soft lips on hers.
She's manufactured so many scenarios in her head about kissing Ameiko; Different places, different moments. But never in her wildest imaginings does the woman kiss her. She stiffens. Never having actually kissed anyone before, she's unsure what to do. But the sensation of warm, soft, moist lips on her own slowly settles in and her body responds even without her directing it.
Oh, yes, it responds.
Someone, somewhere, moans.
She turns her head slightly and presses back. 'Gods! Why don't people just do this. All. Day. Long. Her hand moves up and cups Ameiko's cheek and she waits for time to stop. It should stop. It has to stop. This has to be the climax of her existence and it would be incredibly disappointing if time was rude enough to continue on past this one moment.
Someone is still moaning.
Time, however, does continue on regardless of her desires. The lips leave hers and they're touched by cold air. Her eyes blink open. She doesn't remember closing them. The cold never bothered her before, but the missed warmth on her lips is wrenching.
It then finally sinks in what just happened. Her hand slaps over her mouth in embarrassment. "I'm so sorry," she says. "I shouldn't have just ... I should have asked ..." Her eyes drop down to the rough blanket. "I'm sorry."
"What?" Ameiko asks, bemused. "You're apologizing for me kissing you? It's okay to enjoy things, Relisha. It's okay to have love and happiness in your life. Just... don't overthink things, yeah?"
The tiefling looks up at Ameiko through her lashes and a sheepish grin slowly appears on her face. "So it would be okay if I ...?" she says before slowly leaning in and claiming the woman's lips again.
'Oh, gods! It's even better.'
She pulls away and giggles. "You ... uh ... should probably ... um ... Kitasai will worry."
Leaning in one last time for another quick follow-up peck, she stays close and looks her love in the eyes. "You are so beautiful," she says softly. Reluctantly she stands and offers the woman her hand. "Would ... uh ... would it be okay if ...? Could I walk you to your wagon?"
Ameiko takes the offered hand. ”I’d be delighted. Let’s go.”
Once at Ameiko’s wagon, she leans in for one last quick kiss. ”Good night, Relisha. Let’s do this again another night, when we’re not so busy. Next time, I don’t want to be rushed.” She brushes the tiefling’s face before heading inside.
Chapter 3: The Hungry Storm
11 Neth, 4711 AR
The agents of the Five Storms in Kalsgard seeking Ameiko Kaijitsu have been thwarted, and the caravan has set out on the long frozen road to Minkai—the Path of Aganhei—to claim her birthright. Your new guide, Ulf Gormundr, promises to lead you through landscapes more desolate than any you have ever known, yet at the end lies the promise of justice for the Kaijitsu family, and fortune and glory in a realm unlike any in Avistan.
You departed from Kalsgard and traveled through the Thanelands of the Linnorm Kingdoms before following the line of the Stormspear Hills to reach the taiga and tundra beyond the Stormspear Mountains. At that point, the two Avistani ends of the Path of Aganhei (the western route from Kalsgard and the eastern route from Icestair in the Realm of the Mammoth Lords) join together to cross the Rimethirst Mountains. It took more than a month to reach this point, traversing over 1,100 miles of icy terrain. Now, you stand at the edge of Golarion's Arctic Circle, poised to enter the Crown of the World.
"It is going to be very dark, and very cold from here on out," Ulf says grimly. "We have over 3,000 miles to cover to reach Tian Xia on the far side of the world. It's hard to say which will be more treacherous--the terrain or the creatures that call this place their home. If anybody is having second thoughts, now's your last chance to turn back."
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"You know... you have a point." Sylyn says with mock weariness "We did just travel a month to get here, all the while you've been letting us know how dark and cold and monster-filled and desolate and... well other things." she pauses, whispering quickly to him "I did love the story about the yeti and the frozen hole though, I will never forget that one." she collects herself and continues "NOW it all sinks in and we should just turn around and go home. Anyone agree?" the bundled red hair looks around "Anyone?"
Once at Ameiko’s wagon, she leans in for one last quick kiss. ”Good night, Relisha. Let’s do this again another night, when we’re not so busy. Next time, I don’t want to be rushed.” She brushes the tiefling’s face before heading inside.
A giggle escapes the blushing paladin and a silly grin is evident on her face all the way back to her tent where her holy book is pushed aside in favor of doodling bits of poetry on scraps of parchment.
~~~~~~
"I go where my empress goes," Relisha declares, either ignoring or not quite getting Sylyn's sarcasm.
"No-one is turning back now." Ahreni says with a sigh, this is a conversation that has been had before. "Now how about we keep moving before we all freeze to death?"
Flori, whose cheerfulness and enthusiasm has so far survived the cold and monotony, claps Ulf on the shoulder. "Look at it another way Ulf. We're only 3,000 miles from Tian Xia! From an entirely new world! This is amazing. Why on earth would we turn back now?"
Ulf grunts and shrugs off Flori's hand. "Alright. Let's do this thing, then." He gestures to Sandru, who shakes his reins. The oxen pulling the wagons strain against their yokes, and the caravan gets under way!
As you descend the northern flanks of the Rimethirst Mountains that form the frontier of the Crown of the World, you enter a rugged hill country. Ulf explains that the blustery, wind-carved badlands and folded hills of Urjuk were once home to a collection of giant realms, before their inhabitants relocated into the mountain peaks to establish grander lodges or migrated farther south into warmer lands.
After four days in this harsh terrain, a towering frost giant emerges from the hills to block your path. The giant is elderly and seems extremely frail, though icy magic dances on his fingertips, and a hulking winter wolf beside him seems hale and healthy.
"I am Kjaerulff, spirit-guardian of the ancient giant-kings!" he declares in a hoarse and rasping voice. "Why have you violated the sacred lands of the giants? Leave at once, lest the spirits of the valiant dead rise up to destroy you!"
"We are travellers, seeking to pass the mountains to the lands on the far side." Ahreni replies, moving out in front of the caravan to speak with him. "We mean no disrespect to the giants or their valiant dead. If you will allow us to pass we will make whatever recompense is suitable. You could even travel with us for a time, to ensure that we do not act in a way that is unpleasing to your ancestors."
"No! If you will not turn back, then you will face me in glorious combat!" the ancient giant rasps! The winter wolf snarls and licks its chops!
"We're not turning back... cause we already had that conversation you see... so Glorious combat it is!" the fiery archer pulls back two arrows in quick succession, both of which erupt in flame as they streak toward the giant.
The giant cries out on pain as both flaming arrows strike him. In response, he conjures a ball of ice and snow and hurls it at Sylyn! The winter wolf bounds forward, exhaling freezing mist on the front line!
Looking up at the giant, Kitasai assumes his fighting stance and says in a hardened tone "Unfortunately for you, the glory will be ours. It is not too late to yield."
He then launches into a series of jabs and kicks at the big guy.
"You're throwing a Snow--mmpftll" Sylyn starts to mock his choice of projectile until the massively packed ice encrusted BIG ball hits her and shuts her the hell up.
With blood dripping and the starting of a big ole bruise, she concentrates and fires two more arrows back at the frozen turd.
Ahreni is taken aback by the giant's cavalier attitude to life and takes the full blast of the wolf's breath.
Shaking the cold off she leaps forwards and cuts at it.