The Last Light (The Wandering Inn, #5)

by Pirateaba

Special things should be special. It could have been the work of a god as well, of course. Immortal beings were all about important days and destiny. But in this world, such an occurrence would be impossible. Ivolethe knew this. The gods were dead. And they had better stay that way.

Oo

In service to Wall Lord Ilvriss.” Ryoka sat up at once at the name. Erin frowned. “Wall Lord—you mean that jerk I threw a pan at? Is he okay?”

:)

“Hey. You. Miss Human.” He’d already forgotten her name. Ryoka forgave him that; at the moment she couldn’t remember what the color orange was.

:)

cronies stirring up trouble again. I’m going to let the Human go, okay? And I’m taking my lunch break! Be back in an hour!” Relc helped Ryoka up and practically pushed her out the door. Ryoka heard a frustrated roar coming from behind her. “Damn it, Relc! Get back here!

Heh

The rest of Niers’ room was given over to a large amount of papers, most stacked with some degree of neatness, but giving the entire place a distinct impression that a tiny person had decided to camp out in the middle of a filing room. It was, Niers thought to himself, entirely appropriate. Not that the clutter mattered outside of the table; for a Fraerling, the dressing table itself was a gigantic bedroom, complete with treacherous drops several times his height he could throw himself off if he got bored of life. “Not that I’d die from the fall, even if I landed on my neck. And then I’d have to show up and teach those little leeches wearing a neck brace. Hah!

Oo

The door handle was far too high up for Niers to bother climbing and ruin his wonderf—his perfectly serviceable—his mockery of fashion that was a doublet. No, instead, he took a small ramp upwards towards a door set near the ceiling. Niers opened it, and began to march down the small stone tunnels illuminated by tiny mage lights.

Oo

and right now, ponderer of muffins. “I didn’t choose to dress up like this. Apparently, this is the current fashion from Terandria and all of Baleros considers this the height of fashion.” “Drab clothing and lots of lace.” The tiny Fraerling gritted his teeth as the Squirrel-woman held her muffin up to the light, studying it.

And he also agrees with her about the string

But he was experienced, high-level, and knew Foliana and Niers well enough to look closely at the table. He coughed. “Miss Foliana, if you’re here, I would like to know rather than die of a heart attack like my predecessor.” Grudgingly, she appeared, still sitting at her table. Peclir nodded and approached her.

Oo

The Sparklewing Bird ruffled its feathers in the morning air and cocked its head winsomely at Niers as he spoke. It pecked at the glass. He grunted and waved a hand at one of his students. “Marian. Get a bow and shoot that damn bird. It’s a hazard if there are any Fraerlings about.”

Oo

He felt a presence by his side and nearly spilled the chilled drink he was holding. Foliana appeared out of thin air, munching on a muffin. It was the same one Niers had seen at breakfast, he was sure.

;)

Niers and Foliana spoke as their guests waited for an opportunity to swoop in and engage one or the other in conversation. Not both; that was intimidating. And in truth, Niers was the desired person to meet. The infamous Three-Color Stalker was hard to recognize for many, and her reputation as both a silent killer and oddball preceded her. How Niers envied Foliana for that.

Heh

“Mm. Don’t care. Said it to be nice.” “Hah.” Niers filled his glass a third time. He sipped. Foliana sprinkled crumbs into his cup. After a while she spoke. “Still shouldn’t do it.” “Do what? Quit?” “Mm. Should stay here. Besides, you’re cursed.”

Oo

from a life spent stealing from students and living off of pilfered goods. And they were smart too, smart enough to avoid Peclir’s cleaners and not eat the poisoned bait. They were a breed of intelligent rats indigenous to any place with magic. Some kinds could talk. This lot were smart enough to have hollowed out a huge den in the woodwork, and had harvested wax candles.

Oo

She was making the hors d’oeuvres disappear at one of the banquet tables. He coughed as Peclir put him down and checked his notes. Foliana looked at him expectantly. “Word for word the exact same speech you gave last year. And the year before that.” Unashamed, the Squirrel woman scratched at her ears. “The same people keep coming back. I think they like the story. And he’s back this year. Mm. He probably eats muffins too. Don’t you think?” “On campaign? I doubt he would. From what I know of the man, he doesn’t feast himself and eats like his soldiers.” Niers had a hard time imagining Flos eating muffins in any circumstance. Foliana shrugged. “Mm. But when does the King of Destruction eat muffins, then? In bed? It’s important to know these things.” “Why? Are you planning on killing him?” “Very hard. But I could do it if he ate muffins. No one’s on their guard when eating muffins.”

She so nutty, I love her. ;P (pun intended)

In her nice, cool banquet hall which was now mostly empty, Foliana stood at one of the glass windows and stared out at the mock battlefield. It was swollen with people, over half of whom were onlookers fighting for room. Someone coughed behind her. Peclir came forward and Foliana turned. She had a muffin in her hands. It was several days old and stale as a rock. The [Chamberlain] eyed it but made no comment.

;)

“Mm. Nope. That’s the point.” The students were scrambling to withdraw and form a wall between them and Niers. Foliana saw Niers’ army running across the ground. She waited. “Big skill. Mm. Come on. Can’t win with [Vanguard of Terror]. Which one?” She peered at Niers. He was being carried by his command, rushing towards the enemy, fearless. Like always. It didn’t matter that he was in a mock battle. She heard his voice. “[Charge of the Strategist]!” There it was. Behind Niers, his army accelerated. Foliana heard a roar, and this time covered her ears and eyes. When she opened them, after the tremendous clash, she saw the other army running for their lives. [Actors] weren’t paid enough to fight that. She watched as Niers’ army joyfully beat the [Strategist] and [Tactician] students with their padded weapons. After a while, Foliana found the muffin she’d kept from breakfast a while back. She carefully chewed the very, very stale muffin. “Showoff.” Niers was standing on his pedestal, red coat ablaze in the sun.

;)

“Wullst, I am the [Lady] of this carriage, not you. If you would like to cross your legs, shave your beard, wear a pink dress and some rather uncomfortable undergarments, then you may sit in my place and dictate to me all the things I already know. I’ll even let you eat my cookies if you go that far. Until you are that committed, please do not presume to state the obvious.” Magnolia snapped at Wullst. The man paled and shut up. Magnolia eyed him, picked up another cookie, and bit into it savagely. She frowned as she chewed. “Plum. Ressa, were you behind this? Never mind. Wullst, I am not asking for your opinion. I am telling you that I intend to raise an army and march it south, to destroy this Goblin Lord. I have requested soldiers from you, and your oaths dictate that you raise the required force or provide me an explanation as to why you will not. Have you one?” “I do, Lady Reinhart. I beg your forgiveness. I received a request from Lord Veltras not two minutes before yours.

0o

“She pushed me! That maid—” “Good job, Ressa. Keep up! Aunt Cecille, wonderful to see you. Get out of my way. Young Wernel, I notice you have a sword. Keep it sheathed or Ressa will do something about it. Is that Damia I hear screaming back there, Ressa?” “Yes, milady.” “Excellent. Wonderful lungs. She screams like a banshee, which puts me in mind of my sisters. All four of them. Let’s leave her behind, shall we?” The two accelerated their pace, forcing Lady Cecille Reinhart to chase after Magnolia while venting her fury. “How dare you, Magnolia! Is this the way you treat—slow down! Where are you running to? You haven’t returned to your estates for years and—slow down, I said!” Magnolia did not slow down. She rounded a corner of the mansion, brushing past surprised servants, navigating from memory. Cecille hitched up her skirt and ran to catch up. “The rest of your family awaits you in the parlor. They are demanding—” “When aren’t they? I haven’t the time to deal with them, Cecille. Make my excuses if you want, but I’ll only be here long enough to grab what I came for and leave.”

:) She's an amusing bulldozer, as long as you aren't the one in her sights.

Magnolia slammed the doors shut without a word and continued downwards, her shoes clicking as they touched the cold stone flooring. Ressa was waiting for her at the bottom of the ramp and they proceeded past ancient murals on the walls, vistas of past triumphs and defeats—the history of the Reinharts. It was a very, very long passage because of that. The two women talked quietly as they walked quickly down the hallway, slowly descending further and further below the mansion. A ring on Magnolia’s finger began to vibrate as they walked and she took it off with a grimace. “I forgot it does that. What an unpleasant time I’m having, Ressa. First I have to see Aunt Cecille, and that spoiled brat of a son she has. Did you see the magic sword he was trying to show us?” “Just as well I kicked him as we passed. Otherwise I’m sure he would have followed. Your Aunt Cecille’s smart enough not to come down here, but he might actually try to accompany us.” “Did you? Ah, you’re too thoughtful, Ressa. And you got to shove young Damia. I envy you.” The [Maid] quietly smiled as she and Magnolia walked. She glanced over her shoulder, back towards the rest of the mansion. “The rest of your family won’t be happy about this. I’d expect the entire lot to be waiting for you when you’re done.” “They’re never happy, Ressa. And they probably never will be. So what? So long as I get what I come for, I’ll be happy enough to kick whomever I please afterwards.

0o

He was dead. He had died over three thousand and eight hundred years ago in this very room. But his memory lived on, as perfect a reflection of the soul as there was in this world. Regis Reinhart stared at his grandniece of countless generations with a frown of annoyance on his face. “You are impertinent, unruly, rude—which is still better than your cowardly relatives, I must admit. Do you know that they haven’t dared set foot down here since you left?” Magnolia smiled. “I didn’t know, but I’m not surprised. They don’t like being reminded that you’re here. The dead should stay dead in their eyes, especially if the dead know all of their mortal foibles and failings.” Regis laughed shortly. Yes, he was dead, but he was alive in this room. A miracle of magic, or rather, one specific kind of it. “You children. When did necromancy become such a horrific thing? When I was young, [Necromancers] were as valuable as diamonds!

0o

He reached out and grasped her by the arms, smiling down at her. She kicked him. “Enough, old man.” Regis’ face contorted and he grasped at his shin as Magnolia strode past him. His attendants hurried to his side as Ressa stood where she was. She knew better than to try and enter the armory. “Ungrateful wretch!” “We do this every time. Take what’s needed? Hah! The motto is ‘give more than you take’, you greedy fool. By rights I should walk out of here with a quarter of the contents of this armory in a bag of holding, rather than let you keep it.”

;)

Regis’ face purpled as he got to his feet. He roared, making his attendants clap their hands to their ears. “The Veltras? Those lowborn dogs want to steal glory and a march on our family? Why didn’t you tell me before? If you had, I’d have given you all that you asked without arguing!” Magnolia smiled sweetly. “Because now you’ll give me everything I asked for and more, grandfather. Or would you like Tyrion Veltras to be the one responsible for defeating both the Goblin Lord and this Great Chieftain?” Regis stared at Magnolia, eye twitching. Ressa saw one of the attendants—two of them, actually—giggling, and wondered if their long years of imprisonment here were bearable after all. She hoped so, for their sakes. As for her, Ressa looked at her mistress as she stared down her immortal ancestor. He glared at her, swore, cursed her mother and her mother’s mother, all of whom had dealt with him before, and then, surprisingly, smiled. “You’re an impertinent brat. You always were. I suppose this is why you make for such a good head of the family, though. It’s children like you who make me think we’ll take this continent yet.”

0o ... buy why? Why do you need MORE .... greedy bastards.

Izril had only one war. That of the Drakes and the Humans. Oh, and the Gnolls of course. The tribes were always an issue. And the Antinium, damn them! And if it came to that, the Goblins were a threat. But to Drakes, the threat had always been Humans. Always. They had landed on their shores millennia ago, and Drakes never forgave the land they had ceded to the Humans. Never. Terandria had politics. Rhir struggled for survival. But Drakes had a foe. Those damn Humans. It was more of a bad rivalry now, true, as neither side did more than send armies to the Blood Fields each year to kill each other. But give them half a chance and the Drakes would happily invade the north, while the Humans would do the same. That was why Drakes were ready for battle. And in Liscor, the council—a group of individuals who represented different facets of the city from the Captain of the Watch to the [Strategist] that was required by law to be present in case of emergencies—knew what to do. Or rather, they knew what they were supposed to do.

0o

Teriarch proudly stared down at the screen of the iPhone, which was showing a game and a lot of numbers. Cookie Clicker, the app, ran on as Teriarch gently tapped the screen a few times, watching cookies soar across the screen. He’d done it. He’d clicked the screen, bought many, many upgrades, and finally, become a lord of cookies. Teriarch had no idea what the strange confectionaries actually tasted like, but he was sure they were some sort of granulated sugar treat. He’d had similar substances over the years, even if he’d never had ‘chocolate chip’ cookies. And now he was producing so many! Teriarch was at the head of a virtual cookie empire that could literally bury his opponents live in cookies. He had enough cookies to fill the sea, to build himself a castle and army! He could do anything! He was a cookie god! The Dragon blinked at the tiny screen and then slowly rolled—or perhaps collapsed—onto his side. He stared at the screen. “I feel so empty.”

:)

Selys ran down a very long list of what was probably every major known species in the world. She had to take a few deep breaths when she’d finished. Pisces was looking even more irate now, but Ceria had noticed an omission in the Drake’s list of undeadables. “You didn’t have Lizardfolk on that list. Is that a mistake?” “Oh, no. The city’s fine with using their bodies, if you find them.” “How lenient.” Pisces was clearly agitated. Ceria traded glances with Yvlon. On one hand she understood the city’s desire for undead to be kept off the streets. On the other hand, a blanket ban against all undead was…reasonable. But Pisces was part of their group. She hesitated, unsure of what to say. Other adventurers were staring at their group, and most were eying Pisces with no small deal of hostility. The [Necromancer]’s shoulders were hunched. He was clearly aware of the staring and he seemed ready to snap. Ceria opened her mouth, unsure if she could defend him, when someone else leaned on the table. Ksmvr. He cleared his throat and gently snapped his mandibles together. “Miss Shivertail, may I state my objections to your restrictions on my fellow teammate?”

Good boy! :D

“Not I! I’m glad I don’t have to deal with a [Necromancer], let alone journey with one! Who knows if he’d turn me into a zombie after I died! Would you like that, Antinium?” There was a great deal of hostility in his voice, which Ksmvr seemed to completely ignore. The Antinium nodded calmly. “I would be insulted if he did not use my body.” The black-scaled Drake paused. “What? Are you insane? Why would you want that?” Ksmvr clicked his mandibles together. “Animating a fallen teammate’s corpse is the only sound tactical decision to be made in a combat situation. Or would you prefer to let your comrades lie where they fall?” Ceria found herself edging away from the Antinium a bit as he turned and spoke. She and Yvlon were biting their lips. Pisces was staring. Selys coughed gingerly.

:D Hive mentality, particularly as the know (?) about the soylent green factor ...

The Antinium turned, looking somewhat irate. “But that makes no sense. I object most strongly to this rule. Are you implying that my corpse has no tactical value in combat?” He leaned over the counter, addressing Selys directly. “I can assure you that my deceased form is quite operable in many situations so long as it has not been dissected, disintegrated, incinerated, consumed, possessed, liquefied, or—” “Alright, thank you Selys! We’ll be going now. Come on, Ksmvr.” Ceria dragged Ksmvr back. She desperately signaled to Yvlon, and the female warrior helped Ceria pull the Antinium to the door. Ksmvr was still trying to lecture everyone on the benefits of his corpse as a tool of utility. Pisces was trying not to laugh, and everyone was staring.

:D

He glared at Yvlon, daring her to say it. And when she did, Ceria was sure, Pisces would disappear. Yvlon’s gaze burned. She took a deep breath, opened her mouth, and—paused. She stared at Pisces and then to the surprise of everyone, shook her head. “I don’t hate you.” “What?” Pisces’ eyes widened. Yvlon sighed. “I don’t hate you, Pisces. I think you’re annoying, obnoxious at times, and certainly rude. But I don’t hate you.” That was the last thing Ceria had expected to hear. Yvlon went on. “I hate necromancy. I hate the undead. You—you wouldn’t be my first dining partner or choice for a teammate, but you I can live with.”

:)

“Nah, that’s…well, it might be. How should I know?” “You’re the half-Elf.” “So? That’s speciesism right there, Yvlon. You Humans think we half-Elves know everything about the wilderness just because we live closer to it. It’s all just snow to me.” “I see fur by the entrance, Comrade Yvlon, Captain Ceria.” “…That’s probably a good sign, Ksmvr. Does the fur tell you how many bears are inside?” “The report said three.” “The report was made by a [Hunter] who didn’t get within a hundred meters of the cave. We could be looking at only one very active bear. Or three.” “Or six.” “Six? Dead gods, Pisces, don’t joke!”

:)

“What? That’s how Calruz did things. Okay, maybe he had a bit of a plan—” “I will volunteer to be the first to charge in, Captain Ceria. You may assume from my cries for help or of encouragement whether the danger is—” “Shush, Ksmvr. Okay, let’s just…go in. I don’t think using an invisibility spell would help in scouting, Pisces. Bears have a good sense of smell.” “Agreed. I would not risk myself. Very well, but what about scaring the bears out with one of the devices we’ve received? That screaming monster lure?” “Eh. I thought close quarters would be better, actually. Hear me out. I can freeze part of the cave and make it so only one person gets through. Yvlon uses her shield and pokes the bear with her sword—” “Pokes?” “You know. Do your warrior thing. I’m not an expert! She pokes, Pisces and I throw spells and keep the ice barriers up, and Ksmvr shoots at the bear and takes over if Yvlon needs to fall back.” “One at a time. I like it. We box them in.

boxing in bears 0o ...

“Indeed. On that note Captain, I am about to dismember and then destroy the juvenile Creler. I would ask that Comrade Pisces help me in incinerating the remains. I also caution you all to avoid eating any part of the Creler. Its eggs may incubate in your body and hatch if you eat it.” The Antinium looked around in the sudden silence. He shrugged. “The Antinium have learned this to our detriment. Crelers are not a valid food source for this reason.”

0o

“It’s a Skill I got. It’s nothing to worry about, Ceria. I’m grateful for it, believe me.” “Tree shit.” “Bullshit, if you will excuse my language.” Pisces and Ceria spoke at the same time. They looked at each other, and then at Yvlon. “Pig shit. Bird poo. Squirrel feces. Lizard poo. Drake poo. Excuse me. I thought we were listing excrement.” Ksmvr came over, covered in Creler goo. He cocked his head at the others as they laughed. Ceria shook her head and then glared at Yvlon.

;)

He looked at the others and seemed to grow smaller. More hesitant. Ceria couldn’t believe it. She’d assumed Ksmvr was Level 20, at least! He fought like he was a veteran similar to any of the [Warriors] she’d met. Yvlon’s face showed the same amazement Ceria felt. The Antinium seemed to sense the other’s disbelief. He spoke quietly, suddenly, afraid. “Please do not eject me from your group. This is the only place where I have meaning.” The other Horns of Hammerad looked at him, shocked. Ksmvr, who hadn’t trembled when being bitten by Crelers, shook like a leaf in front of them. Pisces let go of Ceria to rest a hand on Ksmvr’s shoulder. “I doubt either Yvlon or Ceria would eject you from the group, good Ksmvr. I certainly would not, especially since you are the only one who listens to my advice. You are a valued member, and more so perhaps, given your potential to grow in strength.” “Yeah, what he said without the fancy words. You’re one of us, Ksmvr.” Ceria smiled at Ksmvr, and then fell over. The other Horns of Hammerad stared at Ceria as she lay on the ground and moaned weakly. “I think the poison’s getting to her. Damn Crelers are nightmares.

oh poor baby Ksmvr

There was emotion in the undead woman’s eyes. Hatred. Or—no, hatred was too strong somehow. It was more like disdain, the same look Ryoka had given the insect that crawled on her toothbrush yesterday morning. “You have taken us a long time to track down. A very long time, Ryoka Griffin. For that you will pay.” “Not too long. We’d have found her far sooner if you didn’t keep getting us lost.” The echoing, hollow voice that was somehow feminine came from the black skeleton. Ijvani. Ryoka saw Venitra’s eyes narrow and she glanced at her companion with irritation. “That was not my fault.’” “Was too.” “We found her. That is all that matters.” “Is that why you lied to our master yesterday?” “Be silent, Ijvani.” The dialogue between the two undead would have been hilarious if Ryoka weren’t so terrified. They spoke like—like bickering kids, or like two comedians doing a bad routine. She held her breath as Venitra turned back to her. The lips carved of bone moved like they were real.

0o

The Wall Lord began to stride towards Ryoka until Zel pulled him back. The [General] dragged Ilvriss towards a table further away. But that was what Ryoka needed to see. She took a breath— And Ivolethe slapped a hand over her mouth. “Wait, I said! The fates are not done with tonight yet.” Ryoka froze. Two minutes passed as she paused halfway out of her seat, and Lyonette waved her hands and tried to get Ryoka’s attention before giving up and placing a beef casserole in front of her. Ryoka ignored both. Her eyes were on the door. And then it opened— And Brunkr walked in. He’d come back from using the outhouse. Ryoka sagged. But then the Gnoll turned and held the door open for— Klbkch. And Xrn. The two Antinium walked slowly into the room and caused a hush of their own. They turned and Klbkch met Ryoka’s eyes. They found a table, sat. Now was the time. Ryoka’s heart was beating out of her chest. She could see Imenet and Regrika staring at both the Drakes and Antinium. Were they enough? They had to be. Here were legends from the Antinium Wars. They had to be— She didn’t want to die. Ryoka imagined a spell, a magical bolt blasting her to pieces, or Venitra just pushing her hand through Ryoka’s chest. She didn’t want to die, and she was sure she would. But they were here. They were going to hurt her friends. They’d sworn it. Venitra had. No choice at all. When Ryoka spoke, it was shakily, to Ivolethe, her friend, as the Frost Faerie hovered in the air next to her. “I’ll do ...

<3

“I see. They are glaring at us, Klbkch.” “Yes. I suppose we upset them.” “Our aim is not to upset them. I’ll try waving at them and see if it calms them down.” “Ah.” “Hmm. They really didn’t like that.” “No, they did not. Perhaps I should try, Xrn?” “I believe that would be most entertaining, Klbkch. Wave at Shivertail. Or better yet, buy him a drink.”

:D

He lay on the empty street, motionless. Venitra stood over him, shaking. She struck the lifeless body. Then she threw it against a wall. There was no voice in the silent street, only the crunch of heavy footsteps in the snow. Venitra picked Brunkr up and threw him again. He flew across the street and landed in a heap. Then Venitra gave vent to her fury. She stomped on the ground, pounded the walls, and kicked the motionless corpse, raging silently in the cold. Like a child. When she was done, Ijvani appeared in the shadows behind her. The black skeleton stared up at the woman made of white bone and at the body at her feet. “You did not need to do that.” She spoke cautiously and backed up as Venitra stared at her. There was blood on her body. Venitra spoke, her voice icy calm. “No one disgraces our master.”

Seriously, Az really is an idiot if he lets them rampage like this. All because they saw him loose a chess game. ><

“No, I mean, if it works, it works, right? And you put it over Bird’s room. I get that. But I just assumed it would be in the center, for uh, visibility, you know?” Pawn nodded thoughtfully. “A worthy idea. However, I elected to place the tower on that side in case you wanted another tower built in the future.” “Another tower?” “Yes. Perhaps one that is enchanted to throw lightning or hurl spells like the walls of Drake cities. Or if you wished to construct a fourth floor. Or mount a ballista on top. I am not aware of the methods with which to construct one, but the Antinium have our own plans for catapults we could share.” “A ballista.”

Oo

“No, Bird. You are free to sit in your new tower.” “You say that, but social obligations force me to drink with you. You explained this to me last week. This is a trap. I do not wish to drink but my status as ‘friend’ with you and Miss Erin prohibits me from refusing.” Erin started to laugh and covered it. Pawn opened his mandibles and sighed. “Bird, that is not…do I need to explain this to you again?” “Yes.” “I’ll leave you two to it! Pawn, come inside when you want to. Bird, you can sit in your tower if you want? I’ll tell Lyonette to send up a drink for you!” The two Antinium watched Erin walk into her refurbished inn. Bird waved as Erin shut the door and then turned to Pawn. “That was a considerate statement. Why could you not have made a similar statement to begin with?” “I didn’t say anything about you having to drink with me, Bird.” “You said ‘we’. We implies multiple people, which in turn implies me. You said it despite my use of a meaningful stare you should have correctly interpreted. This is very hurtful, Pawn. I wish to sit in my tower and you have disregarded my feelings.” Pawn glared at Bird.

I truly love the Individuals' conversation. :)

“Maybe. Maybe I could just run away. But—what then? Would I have a chance? Or would I be killing myself either way?” “Do you truly wish to know?” The Frost Faerie’s gaze was ancient. Ryoka nodded. Ivolethe closed her eyes, and then nodded. She flew up and Ryoka sat up in the snow. She watched as Ivolethe looked. She looked backwards, then forwards, and then through Ryoka. Ivolethe’s gaze traced objects that were not there. Her eyes were distant, aloof, immortal. Ryoka averted her gaze. Of all the things she had seen her friend do, this unnerved her the most. In that moment, she felt the difference between the two. Because Ivolethe was immortal, for all she behaved like a creature of this earth. And the undying look at the world as it truly is, as it will be, and as it was. Dust. At last, Ivolethe shook her head. She alighted on Ryoka’s palm and looked up at her. There was infinite compassion in her gaze, infinite sorrow.

:(

Pisces nodded, but didn’t pull back. He lowered his voice further. “I do not wish to tell you what to do. However. Perhaps, Erin, it might be better to…grieve. And let whatever you are thinking of go.” He was not prepared for the hand that grabbed the front of his robes. Pisces yelped and then stared at Erin. His face was inches away from hers. Erin stared at him. “If you know anything, Pisces, tell me.” He jerked back, brushing down his clean robes. He shook his head. Erin glared, but he kept shaking his head. When he looked her in the eye, it was with open honesty. “It is just a feeling. Less than that. I cannot sense anything about them. Anything at all. Rather, it is my instincts that prompt me, not magic. Just my intuition.” “What does it tell you?” Pisces hesitated. He turned his head and stared back at the common room. It was empty of course. But he still lowered his voice. “They frighten me, Erin. They frighten me terribly. And I do not understand why.” There was no confusing which ‘they’ he meant. Erin nodded.

:(

he’d asked her to explain herself while the others were exclaiming or asking if she was crazy. And when she asked for help, set the trap up—he’d agreed at once. He’d said yes, although Revi was throwing a fit and Typhenous said that it would ruin their reputation if Erin were wrong. But Ulrien had looked her in the eye for a few moments and then nodded. That was all. He’d trusted her. He’d said yes. And now he was dead. Erin looked at him, and then remembered Brunkr. Then she looked up and saw Regrika was laughing.

:( Jeebus the trauma of this place ...

Someone walked through the flames. A claw sliced through the second illusion of Imenet. Zel coughed and felt the fire and his melted breastplate burning his scales. They burned, like putting his claws on a hot kettle or a stovetop. He coughed, looking around for the [Mage]. “You may be right. We warriors don’t have the same tricks mages do. But we don’t die easily, either.” Ilvriss was cursing, raising one of his rings and shouting into it. Screams echoed from the burning building. Zel heard a child’s voice. He waited, his blood boiling. The Drake [Mage] reappeared at the other end of the street, no longer smiling. He stared at Zel. “…That’s cheating.” Zel didn’t reply back. He charged, and Imenet began casting spells at both Ilvriss and Zel. The night was full of death. Zel prayed the Gold-rank adventurers could handle Regrika Blackpaw. Imenet was far too strong to be merely Gold-rank. He had to hope that they could defeat her, Named Adventurer or not. He roared as he charged and Imenet’s eyes grew wide.

0o ... cheating ... really?

The Gnoll stared at him. Then she began to walk towards him. Bird loosed the arrow. It snapped as it struck her between the eyes. The Antinium paused. “Ah. I saw that happen earlier too. I woke up and watched the battle, by the way.” “You cannot harm me.” Regrika’s voice was arrogance, her stride lazy as she crossed the inn towards the Antinium. Bird nodded. “I noticed. This is my tactical analysis of what I should do in a situation like this.” His other two hands rose. They were holding something. A bucket. Bird hurled it at Regrika. She didn’t block it. The dark liquid splashed over her and Regrika stopped. Erin froze. She couldn’t see well in the darkness, but she could smell it. Bird turned. “That was feces from the outhouse. I gathered it. It is an antagonistic action meant to irritate. I am bait. The poo is not from birds, by the way.” He ran out the door. Regrika was staring at the excrement covering her body. She brushed off a clump, and then she went insane. “You have disgraced my image! You! I will kill you!”

Bird ... :(

The Small Queen regarded Imenet with a tilted head. She sighed. “You killed children and innocents with your spells. You, a Drake. I do not understand it. The Antinium are called monsters because we sacrifice our own. But we do not murder each other.” Both Imenet and Zel stared at her. Xrn turned her head away from the image of Imenet she was staring at and began talking to the air next to her. “My orders from the Grand Queen are not to use force unless attacked first. Especially not against groups like adventurers to avoid starting a war. So I will not cast any spells. Unless you hit me with one. Please, do.” The Drake shifted his grip on the staff. He didn’t move. Xrn nodded. Zel looked at her warily. If she wasn’t going to fight, but just stand there— Stand there. Xrn was speaking and staring at a blank patch of…nothing, although she’d clearly been addressing Imenet. She was staring at it intently. Zel’s heart pounded. He abandoned his position and charged towards Xrn. Not at her, but a bit to the left. At the patch of air.

<3

The world paused. Venitra turned and stared at Ryoka Griffin’s face. She saw tears in the girl’s eyes, an anguished face—and then a smile. Ryoka straightened. She looked Venitra in the eye and laughed as her hand bled and Venitra held her pinkie. Then she spoke. “What? Did ye think she’d really sit here and wait for death? More the fool ye art, then.” The girl blurred in front of Venitra. Her finger and body vanished. Something blue and indistinct hovered in front of Venitra’s face. She stared at it.

Ivoleth you are the best ....

“What the hell? What’s your head made of? Rocks?” She turned and ran, blurring after Ryoka. Too fast for the Runner to evade or outrun. Regrika was nearly on top of Ryoka when she heard a shout. “[Lightning Sprint]! [Triple Thrust]!” A shape moved past her, fast, faster than she was. Three spears seemed to appear at once, striking Regrika in the face, side, and arm. She turned, swung her sword. Relc dodged back again, panting. “Okay, seriously. I’m retired, you know? And this is a lot faster than I’d like. Can’t you, I dunno, bleed?” She snarled at him. Relc snarled back.

:D He's an idiot but occassionally very handy to have around. :D

This was how it ended. Ivolethe closed her eyes as Venitra swung Ryoka bodily into a rock face. The girl cried out. Venitra turned and beheaded one of the fearless goats that were trying to bite her leg. Her sisters floated in the air around Ivolethe. They chattered, some laughing, others mocking Ryoka. Some sympathized with the girl, others the undead bound by spells and loyalty to her master. Some cared. Others did not. But Ivolethe alone knew the scene below mattered. She alone remembered Ryoka’s name. She alone called her friend. But she had done too much. Too much. The rules had been bent, and trespassed in places. Ivolethe had done all she could. And it was not enough. “Sister, sister. Do not interfere. Our King watches. He knows!” One of her sisters, young and impetuous, cautioned Ivolethe. Another, old as time, spoke. “It is not worth it. Not for her. Not for a mortal.” All agreed. The Frost Faeries floated in the air, their transient forms of ice turning slowly to water.

:(

They could be broken, if you were willing to pay the price. She swept downwards. Hands grabbed at her. “Sister, no! Did you not say?” “It is not worth the cost! Not for a mortal! You said, you said!” “Yes.” Ivolethe’s voice was distant. She flew, ignoring the cries of her sisters, summoning the last of her strength. Her body froze, colder than winter. Her voice echoed. “It is not worth it. Not for what she is. But perhaps. For what she might become. And for one reason more. Because she is my friend.” She dove and the world froze around her.

<3

Ryoka stared up at Ivolethe as the faerie smiled down at her. A small smile. A friend’s smile. Then the air bent. There was wrongness here. Something had happened. Someone had broken a rule. The Frost Faeries flew around Ivolethe, screaming. “You broke it! The rule! You broke the rules!” Ivolethe stood in the air, looking down at Ryoka, her friend. She was smiling. She opened her mouth, and in that moment the wind ceased. The other faeries quieted, and Ryoka heard Ivolethe’s words. “Remember. Remember it all. This is truth. This is wonder. This is magic.” Then she leapt up. She flew towards the sky, laughing, daring her King. She cried out. “Blow winds and come, wrack! Lord what fools these immortals be! Come! Come and see what cold cannot freeze and winds cannot erase! I am no coward! Let the storm rage on! Let the earth hear my cry! I am Ivolethe! And I will not let my friend die!”

:( </3 ... true friends. :(