The Realm of Austur Episode 2: New Consequences

"Ahh so your coming," Baron said to Shalla. "Just out of curiosity, what changed your mind?" Baron asked Shalla.

Silver nodded, seemingly lost in thought. "It's funny how life works sometimes, isn't it? Does it ever make you wonder if there's something bigger? Something that's always planning, guiding you. I guess you could call it fate, but... I'm not sure. I think it's something else, something different. I asked dad about it a long time ago, to see if he knew, and he told me something interesting. He said the gods are merely caretakers. They aren't the puppet masters. I asked him what he meant, and he gave me this."

She withdrew an old pocketbook from a pocket in her leggings. The pages were small, but around a thousand in total, if not more, and the binding was a rich brown leather. The book was kept shut by a brown strap with a gold clasp in the shape of a leaf. It was obvious how old the book was, but also how much love and care had gone into it, both in the making and safekeeping of it. Silver handed the book to Elia, almost reverently.

"This is my father's notes on everything he's learned over his long life. The nature of the world, humanity, magick, his view on everything... In a way, I guess you could call this his soul. He's long since stopped keeping notes, but this is still very much how he sees everything.... He gave this to me for safekeeping some time ago, but I think you should have it. Most of the stuff in here I still can't understand, but you Elia... You might be able to decipher it. I know you'll take good care of it, just as you'll take good care of him."

"Of course," Silver answered happily. "Dragons happen to be the best errand girls, you know. Fastest too. What do you need?"

"Looks like me and you have a lot more in common then we thought," Baron mused. "Whether it was the fact you were an orphan or half breed, people still found a way to try and single out those that are different," Baron told Shalla. "Yet look how everything turned out for us," Baron said.

As Baron and Shalla were done talking Catie came to the porch her pink hair tied in a ponytail, her locket worn around her neck right next to the beast stone. Catie was wearing a teal dress shirt with a short skirt, and long leather boots. "I was hoping to see you alone when I woke up, but no you picked the one time to wake up early," Catie chided Baron. "Well Shallay are you coming with us?" Catie asked as her tail began to wag in anticipation for the answer.

"Yeah she said she would come with us," Baron said to the extremely happy Catie.

"Yay," Catie squealed as she pleased Shalla in a bear hug.

"Umm well I guess that's all of us," Baron said.

"Not exactly, we still have to wait for Serlen," Sam said.

"Oh right," Baron said sheepishly.

"Besides before we leave I want to head to the inn, might as eat and exchange info about this King person maybe any thing he has a chance to remember anything he might have forgot," Sam said.

"Good point," Baron said while everyone was waiting for Serlen to appear.

"Alright then," Barron said as he clutched the key in his hands and the letter he kept close to him.

The group headed towards the inn where they planned to enjoy one last meal before the big meeting.

Along the way they appeared to bump into a lady in her mid 30's, tall and appeared from the Alibab nation.

"Sorry miss you okay?" Baron asked the stranger he bumped into.

"The girls do not fall for you?" Talia asks. "I can not imagine why. Give it some time, you will grow into your attractiveness," she assures the teenager.

No waiting for a response, Talia slips to the side and begins to stroll casually down the street.  "Bounty hunters, bounty, hmm..." Talia thinks to herself.  "That certainly explains some things.  Those 4 stood out way too much in this village.  Perhaps it would be worth following them..."

Talia dips into a small space between two buildings.  After making sure no one is watching, she focuses her magic to alter her appearance.  Her skin lightens to a creamy peach color, while her black hair appears to recede into her skull.  It is quickly replaced with a short, blond cut.  Her chest shrinks, her features become more masculine, and she grows bulkier.  She changes the cut of her clothing to match her body's change.  Finally, she enlarges her short cape, expanding it into a flowing black cloak.  Where once stood a woman of Alibab now stands a pale, blond man.

Talia exits the alley, strolling back up the street, ignoring the glances she receives.  She stops in front of the inn to clear her throat, making sure to deepen her voice slightly, though still keeping it on the effeminate side.  She pushes open the door and walks in, confidently marching straight to the innkeeper.  "Hello," she says pleasantly in her disguised voice.  "I'd like some fresh vegetables and a pint of ale, if you please."  She reaches into a pouch and pulls out a handful of Cleatian money.

"...Right," the innkeeper tells her.  "Just a minute."

Talia moves to take a seat under the window with a clear view of the group of strangers.

And to think that I was worried that she would be unhappy with this news. I couldn't have been more wrong. I'm delighted that she's so eager to help. I think I'll ask to assist with finishing my dress. And if she'll stay long enough for the wedding, I'll see if she'll allow me to make her something nice to wear to the ceremony as well. I'm not sure what guests normally wear to Shiryuan weddings, but I'm sure it's not all that different than what I'm used to. I think Silver just really wants to be part of a fairytale wedding, so whatever I make for her to wear has to match up to that dream.

While Silver was happily running errands to pick up the materials Elia went back downstairs and into the main hall. Finding the way to the Hall of Memories open, she entered in order to find Vincent, intending to ask how the preparations for the ceremony were going.

"'Scent?'" Talia thinks to herself.  She looks more closely at the one who keeps sniffing the air.  "Oh, do not tell me that one has heightened senses.  Such a pain...  I could create an illusory scent, but that's such a waste of mana.  Much easier to use mundane methods."

Talia sits calmly, not showing a reaction to their conversation.  She waits until the innkeeper comes to bring her ale, then Talia suddenly distorts his perception, tilting his vision several degrees.  The man stumbles, and Talia jumps up to catch him, making sure to knock the pint all over herself.

"Oh!  I'm... so sorry, sir, I dunno what came over me," the innkeeper tells her.

"It is no problem," Talia tells him.  "You are OK, right?"

"Yes, fine, I think..." the innkeeper says hesitantly.  "I'll run fetch you a fresh pint."

Talia pats him on the back as he goes.  She returns to her seat, reeking of alcohol.  "Let us see if that masks my scent well enough..."