Post by SummerCrow on Jan 2, 2015 2:32:47 GMT -6
You give Mary a nod, and she reaches into her cloak. She withdraws the second copy of Goetia, handing it to Praven. He looks at it questioningly, then opens it and begins to skim it. His eyes darken. "How... Where did you get this?"
Mary sighs. "There were some summoners working with Horatio. Most of them were using eclipse tomes, but one of them had this, as well."
"This shouldn't exist," Praven says gravely. "I don't know how this is possible. Our order has protected the last known copy for over two centuries..."
"So, maybe there's another surviving copy you didn't know about?" you ask. "And it there's one copy, couldn't it be used to make more?"
"Maybe," Doran explains. "But it is extremely powerful magic, not something that just anyone could make."
Praven snaps the tome shut. "We send mages-in-training out on journeys of self-discovery every year, and none have ever reported encountering this magic. Why would it appear now...?"
"Mystery after mystery..." Doran mutters. "We discover how the dead are walking - a demon lord's been summoned. Then we learn how the enemy managed to summon the monstrosity. And now we're left wondering where they obtained this tome."
"Could there be more of them?" you ask. The prospect of someone else summoning another demon is terrifying...
"I have no idea," Doran tells you. "But I intend to find out."
"I'll offer what help I can," Praven promises.
Doran nods appreciatively. "I'll speak with Saul and Paen, as well. I'm sure they'll be willing to lend a hand."
"In the meantime, I'll seal this away with the other," Praven tells you. "Unless you think it more prudent to simply destroy it?"
Doran thinks for a moment. "No, we may be able to find a clue if we study it. To that end, can you leave it with me?"
Praven hesitates, then slowly hands over the Goetia. "Very well. You've earned my trust. Swear to me you'll keep it out of the wrong hands."
"I'll protect it with my life," Doran promises.
The sound of flapping wings draws your attention. Glancing towards the sky, you can barely make out the outline of your four fliers returning. For a second, it seems they're going to fly past you. Doran pulls out a fire tome, creating a small flame. The leader - Rain, judging from the mount - swoops down. Jayce and Cynbel scramble out of the way as she sets down. The wyverns circle again, searching for a clear place to land.
Rain climbs down from her pegasus, then turns to help an exhausted-looking Drake down. Despite Rain's attempts to heal him, he still appears quite badly wounded. Harrow and Saul rush over to offer him some help, but Drake shakes them off. "No, I'm... fine. I just need some rest," he says.
Harrow's tail wags slightly. I'm just glad to see you're alive," she tells him. "We were getting worried when you didn't come back."
Drake's lips curl into a tired smile. "It was a tough fight."
"We found him half-dead, washed up on the beach," Rain explains. "It's a miracle he didn't drown."
You want to ask Drake about his reaction earlier. The way he flew into a rage and attacked the dracozombie... You wonder if they knew each other. But with Drake's temper, you decide it would be better to let him come to you if he wants to talk.
Drake blushes a bit. "Um... Thanks..." he spits out. "I know it was a risk, coming back for me."
When you look over at Paen, you notice Holland glaring daggers at Doran. "I thought you said she was scouting ahead?" he accuses.
"I never said 'ahead,' just that she was scouting," Doran corrects him.
Holland glances down at Drake, then sighs. "Well, all's well that ends well. I swear, though, some day her kindness is going to get her killed..."
"Did you have any trouble?" you ask.
Rain shakes her head. "We saw an enemy patrol, but they didn't seem to notice us. Still, it seems they're looking for us..."
Paen slams his fists together. "Not giving up so easily, eh?"
"I guess we're not out of the woods just yet," Cecil says.
"I wish they'd just let us go," Jessup says worriedly.
"We'll be OK," Syrene assures him.
"We didn't save the world to die here," Jayce adds cheerfully.
Cynbel pulls Doran aside. "Let me see your maps," he demands. Doran complies, and Cynbel starts tracing a route. "This road here should be best. Quickest. It should take you back into Carcina in before tomorrow night. I doubt they'll pursue you far past there."
"You're talking like you aren't coming with us," you point out.
"I'm not," he states simply. "I'm still a knight of Meridia, after all. With our council dead, we're going to need to re-establish our government, fix the chain of command... We've got a lot of work to do, and someone needs to tell these fools that their little rebellion's over."
"You're going to fight them alone?" you ask, incredulous.
"Fight?" Cynbel asks. "Of course not. Yell at, berate. Intimidate, if necessary. But I've seen enough of my countrymen's blood spilled for one lifetime."
"I understand the feeling..." Harrow sighs, her tail between her legs. "I wish you the best of luck."
"Thank you. Truly," Cynbel tells her. He pauses, trying to work up his nerve. "And what of you? Where do you intend to go?" he finally asks.
"I... don't know," Harrow admits. "I've no home to return to."
"You aren't returning to Terranus?"
"My home was with my pack, not in some country," she explains.
"I see... Then, perhaps you'd like to stay in Meridia?" Cynbel asks hesitantly.
"With you?" she asks.
"Well... Yes, if you wish." Cynbel rubs the back of his head, looking away awkwardly. "I've grown fond of your company, and I'm sure I'd miss it. Though, I must warn you there are hard days ahead."
"I... see," Harrow says. "I suppose I could stay for a while, at least."
Cynbel smiles. "I'm glad to hear it."
The pair continue to stand awkwardly for a few seconds, unsure what to do or say next. The silence is broken by Haley stifling a giggle.
"Er... Right, then! We should be on our way!" Cynbel announces, turning bright red as he remembers everyone's presence. "I wish you all luck on your journey home." He starts to mach back the way you came, very quickly.
Harrow starts to chase after him, her tail wagging happily. She turns back for one final wave. "Farewell!" she calls, disappearing over a hill.
"Well, then. I suppose that's our clue to get moving, as well," Doran announces.
------------------------
The trip back to Carcina is tense. You find a thicket and manage a few hours of sleep, but not as long as you wish. "There'll be time fer a proper sleep once we're back home," Rosalin keeps reminding everyone. No one complains, they just keep marching. Riding Marth, you keep a close watch towards the rear.
Along the way, Dan decides to walk for a few minutes to give Shard a break. Paen strikes up a conversation. "I've been meaning to ask you, Dan. What do you think about me?"
"Hm?" Dan is taken aback by the sudden question, but recovers quickly. "I think you're strong. Reliable. A bit single-minded at times, perhaps. And you don't seem to much care what people say about you, which may be a blessing or a curse, I suppose."
"I do care what those close to me say," Paen corrects him. "And I meant how you thought of me as a ruler."
Dan considers the question more thoughtfully. "You rule the same way you fight. You do what needs to be done, even if it's not popular. I hear plenty of grumbling over some of your ordinances, but it usually goes away pretty quick. I'd say most people would have a few complaints for you, but nothing serious. Most people seem pretty satisfied."
"And you?" Paen questions.
"And me," Dan answers simply.
"I'm sure to catch Hell over turning Sefa into a sanctuary for laguz one I reopen court. And I'm sure plenty of people will be upset if we start getting buddy-buddy with Valeria. The lordlings, most of all. But so long as the commoners are happy, I can live with their yelping."
"People will appreciate it someday," Dan assures him. "Bad blood fades slowly, but making new friendships should help the problem."
"Well put."
-------------------------
The attack you keep expecting never comes, and you cross the border without incident shortly after sunset. You march another hour, then make camp for the night. Early in the morning, your sentries begin raising an alarm. You groggily reach for your axe, staggering out of your tent into the cool night air. You expect to find Meridian troops nipping at your heels, but the alarm is coming from the other direction. Instead of the bright red of the Meridian army, the approaching troops wear the black armor of Carcina. The troops just keep arriving. The commander explains that the Risen attacks suddenly stopped. Reports started to come in of Risen tearing each other apart. Every fort in western Carcina with strength to spare had immediately started to organize troops, and within 24 hours a host 300 strong was ready to rescue their king, with more troops to follow.
Paen orders the troops to escort your group back to the nearest fort, and to spread the word to other groups. More messengers were dispatched to Valeria, all bearing messages written by the archbishop himself. "This war is over. All troops, stand down and await further orders."
-------------------------
END OF CHAPTER 23
-------------------------
Mary sighs. "There were some summoners working with Horatio. Most of them were using eclipse tomes, but one of them had this, as well."
"This shouldn't exist," Praven says gravely. "I don't know how this is possible. Our order has protected the last known copy for over two centuries..."
"So, maybe there's another surviving copy you didn't know about?" you ask. "And it there's one copy, couldn't it be used to make more?"
"Maybe," Doran explains. "But it is extremely powerful magic, not something that just anyone could make."
Praven snaps the tome shut. "We send mages-in-training out on journeys of self-discovery every year, and none have ever reported encountering this magic. Why would it appear now...?"
"Mystery after mystery..." Doran mutters. "We discover how the dead are walking - a demon lord's been summoned. Then we learn how the enemy managed to summon the monstrosity. And now we're left wondering where they obtained this tome."
"Could there be more of them?" you ask. The prospect of someone else summoning another demon is terrifying...
"I have no idea," Doran tells you. "But I intend to find out."
"I'll offer what help I can," Praven promises.
Doran nods appreciatively. "I'll speak with Saul and Paen, as well. I'm sure they'll be willing to lend a hand."
"In the meantime, I'll seal this away with the other," Praven tells you. "Unless you think it more prudent to simply destroy it?"
Doran thinks for a moment. "No, we may be able to find a clue if we study it. To that end, can you leave it with me?"
Praven hesitates, then slowly hands over the Goetia. "Very well. You've earned my trust. Swear to me you'll keep it out of the wrong hands."
"I'll protect it with my life," Doran promises.
The sound of flapping wings draws your attention. Glancing towards the sky, you can barely make out the outline of your four fliers returning. For a second, it seems they're going to fly past you. Doran pulls out a fire tome, creating a small flame. The leader - Rain, judging from the mount - swoops down. Jayce and Cynbel scramble out of the way as she sets down. The wyverns circle again, searching for a clear place to land.
Rain climbs down from her pegasus, then turns to help an exhausted-looking Drake down. Despite Rain's attempts to heal him, he still appears quite badly wounded. Harrow and Saul rush over to offer him some help, but Drake shakes them off. "No, I'm... fine. I just need some rest," he says.
Harrow's tail wags slightly. I'm just glad to see you're alive," she tells him. "We were getting worried when you didn't come back."
Drake's lips curl into a tired smile. "It was a tough fight."
"We found him half-dead, washed up on the beach," Rain explains. "It's a miracle he didn't drown."
You want to ask Drake about his reaction earlier. The way he flew into a rage and attacked the dracozombie... You wonder if they knew each other. But with Drake's temper, you decide it would be better to let him come to you if he wants to talk.
Drake blushes a bit. "Um... Thanks..." he spits out. "I know it was a risk, coming back for me."
When you look over at Paen, you notice Holland glaring daggers at Doran. "I thought you said she was scouting ahead?" he accuses.
"I never said 'ahead,' just that she was scouting," Doran corrects him.
Holland glances down at Drake, then sighs. "Well, all's well that ends well. I swear, though, some day her kindness is going to get her killed..."
"Did you have any trouble?" you ask.
Rain shakes her head. "We saw an enemy patrol, but they didn't seem to notice us. Still, it seems they're looking for us..."
Paen slams his fists together. "Not giving up so easily, eh?"
"I guess we're not out of the woods just yet," Cecil says.
"I wish they'd just let us go," Jessup says worriedly.
"We'll be OK," Syrene assures him.
"We didn't save the world to die here," Jayce adds cheerfully.
Cynbel pulls Doran aside. "Let me see your maps," he demands. Doran complies, and Cynbel starts tracing a route. "This road here should be best. Quickest. It should take you back into Carcina in before tomorrow night. I doubt they'll pursue you far past there."
"You're talking like you aren't coming with us," you point out.
"I'm not," he states simply. "I'm still a knight of Meridia, after all. With our council dead, we're going to need to re-establish our government, fix the chain of command... We've got a lot of work to do, and someone needs to tell these fools that their little rebellion's over."
"You're going to fight them alone?" you ask, incredulous.
"Fight?" Cynbel asks. "Of course not. Yell at, berate. Intimidate, if necessary. But I've seen enough of my countrymen's blood spilled for one lifetime."
"I understand the feeling..." Harrow sighs, her tail between her legs. "I wish you the best of luck."
"Thank you. Truly," Cynbel tells her. He pauses, trying to work up his nerve. "And what of you? Where do you intend to go?" he finally asks.
"I... don't know," Harrow admits. "I've no home to return to."
"You aren't returning to Terranus?"
"My home was with my pack, not in some country," she explains.
"I see... Then, perhaps you'd like to stay in Meridia?" Cynbel asks hesitantly.
"With you?" she asks.
"Well... Yes, if you wish." Cynbel rubs the back of his head, looking away awkwardly. "I've grown fond of your company, and I'm sure I'd miss it. Though, I must warn you there are hard days ahead."
"I... see," Harrow says. "I suppose I could stay for a while, at least."
Cynbel smiles. "I'm glad to hear it."
The pair continue to stand awkwardly for a few seconds, unsure what to do or say next. The silence is broken by Haley stifling a giggle.
"Er... Right, then! We should be on our way!" Cynbel announces, turning bright red as he remembers everyone's presence. "I wish you all luck on your journey home." He starts to mach back the way you came, very quickly.
Harrow starts to chase after him, her tail wagging happily. She turns back for one final wave. "Farewell!" she calls, disappearing over a hill.
"Well, then. I suppose that's our clue to get moving, as well," Doran announces.
------------------------
The trip back to Carcina is tense. You find a thicket and manage a few hours of sleep, but not as long as you wish. "There'll be time fer a proper sleep once we're back home," Rosalin keeps reminding everyone. No one complains, they just keep marching. Riding Marth, you keep a close watch towards the rear.
Along the way, Dan decides to walk for a few minutes to give Shard a break. Paen strikes up a conversation. "I've been meaning to ask you, Dan. What do you think about me?"
"Hm?" Dan is taken aback by the sudden question, but recovers quickly. "I think you're strong. Reliable. A bit single-minded at times, perhaps. And you don't seem to much care what people say about you, which may be a blessing or a curse, I suppose."
"I do care what those close to me say," Paen corrects him. "And I meant how you thought of me as a ruler."
Dan considers the question more thoughtfully. "You rule the same way you fight. You do what needs to be done, even if it's not popular. I hear plenty of grumbling over some of your ordinances, but it usually goes away pretty quick. I'd say most people would have a few complaints for you, but nothing serious. Most people seem pretty satisfied."
"And you?" Paen questions.
"And me," Dan answers simply.
"I'm sure to catch Hell over turning Sefa into a sanctuary for laguz one I reopen court. And I'm sure plenty of people will be upset if we start getting buddy-buddy with Valeria. The lordlings, most of all. But so long as the commoners are happy, I can live with their yelping."
"People will appreciate it someday," Dan assures him. "Bad blood fades slowly, but making new friendships should help the problem."
"Well put."
-------------------------
The attack you keep expecting never comes, and you cross the border without incident shortly after sunset. You march another hour, then make camp for the night. Early in the morning, your sentries begin raising an alarm. You groggily reach for your axe, staggering out of your tent into the cool night air. You expect to find Meridian troops nipping at your heels, but the alarm is coming from the other direction. Instead of the bright red of the Meridian army, the approaching troops wear the black armor of Carcina. The troops just keep arriving. The commander explains that the Risen attacks suddenly stopped. Reports started to come in of Risen tearing each other apart. Every fort in western Carcina with strength to spare had immediately started to organize troops, and within 24 hours a host 300 strong was ready to rescue their king, with more troops to follow.
Paen orders the troops to escort your group back to the nearest fort, and to spread the word to other groups. More messengers were dispatched to Valeria, all bearing messages written by the archbishop himself. "This war is over. All troops, stand down and await further orders."
-------------------------
END OF CHAPTER 23
-------------------------
