At the elderly Hoblins' question, my mother simply nodded in response. Her expression was now set in stony determination.

“Yes, High Shaman Gooblis!” At that Urana removed a small bag from one of the satchels on her work belt. The bag appeared to be made of black satin with a golden drawstring, mother began to tug on the edges of the bag and it steadily grew. The black bag went from fitting neatly in her palm to being as tall as she was and almost twice as wide. From it, she produced eight more sacks, all similar in style to the first.

She placed the smaller bags on the ground before the old woman, then proceeded to fold up the massive sack, causing it to shrink back to its original size before placing it back in her satchel. “I have already brought everything and anything you could possibly ask for, High Shaman Gooblis.” my mother said, inclining her head in a slight bow toward the other woman. The High Shaman stared at the offerings our mother had presented, her half-lidded eyes now widened as she observed them. She then cast her glance at our mother and her mouth widened in a wicked grin, it bore her teeth which seemed to gleam in the dim light of the lanterns that hung above us.

“You are forgetting one price you must pay.” The High Shaman's deep voice growled and she lifted one of her meaty fingers, adorned with rings and jewels, and directed it at Urana. She did not point to my mother's face, but her intent was clearly directed at her belly. A sudden uneasy feeling weighed down in the pit of my stomach. What was going on? What did the old woman mean by mother had to 'pay a price'? A price for what? I focused my attention on the old woman hoping to gain some clarity.

Inspection Inquiry

Failed

You are not high enough tier to Inspect this individual

While I wasn't surprised by my failed inquiry it was still frustrating. What was the point of this system if it didn't help me? My attention was drawn to my mother as she began to strip off her clothing, leaving her leather pieces and beautiful deel discarded on the floor around her. My brothers, the ones with Player Souls, all averted their eyes, most likely from a sense of embarrassment and modesty that lingered from their past life. Myself, Tamar, and Inash were not bothered, simply watching our mother in bafflement.

Once she was fully nude our mother approached the center of the yurt where the High Shaman sat. As she did so a table rose up from the floor, it almost appeared to materialize from the shadows themselves. The table looked to be made of a dark wood that was nearly black, unlike the red wooden furniture I had seen in our home. Its top was a heavy slab supported by four thick legs that were carved to look like Wargs sitting up on their hind legs, their snouts turned outward and skyward as if howling at an unseen moon.

When she reached the table our mother wordlessly laid herself upon its surface. As soon as she lay still on the table, the figures of Hoblin women all dressed in similarly ornate deel's and headdresses began to appear. They seemed to materialize from the shadows, drop from the ceiling above, or even emerge from cracks in the wood as if they were being born from the yurt itself. The figures began chanting, the same one I had heard when we first entered, but it was far louder now and even the drums seemed to increase nearly shaking the walls. The High Shaman stood and approached the table and gently placed her hand on top of my mother's.

“Urana, if you would allow us to correct it, you will not have to go through with this. As a silver of my own race, I can offer you this boon.” The old woman's voice was soft, almost maternal, she was clearly only speaking to Urana and I wasn't sure how I had even managed to hear her over the sound of the chanting. I didn't understand what was going on, who this woman was, or what she was going to do to my mother, but some primal part of me was screaming out one thing. Danger.

I desperately wanted to call out to her, to take her and my brothers and leave this place. I knew she had said not to speak unless we were addressed first, but this would have to be an exception. I took a step forward and opened my mouth attempting to speak. As soon as I did the old woman's eyes shot to me, she gave me a fierce glare and drew a symbol in the air with her free hand. My mouth instantly shut and I could not open it again.

You have been afflicted with: Sealed Silence of Zenith

Your resistance to a higher tier is zero

You are affected for 1 hour

You will not be able to make any sound or noise until this debuff runs out. Your mouth is also not capable of opening nor will your thoughts be heard by any familiars, bonds, Spirits or totems. Your body will emit no sound either, this includes internally.

My eyes widened at the notification, it was right, not only could I not open my mouth but no noise came from my throat, not even a whimper of frustration. I turned to my brothers and saw they also had confused and frightened expressions, some touched their mouths and others I could see working their jaws as their lips stayed sealed together. I felt a chill overcome me, like my blood was turning to ice in my veins despite the heat of the room, my skin prickled and my hair stood on end.

Whatever was about to happen there was nothing we could do to stop it. Malkadian grabbed my hand and I squeezed it. My brothers and I huddled close together and looked at our mother laid out on the table, discomfort at her undressed state was forgotten, overwhelmed by the uncertainty and creeping fear. We clung to each other, it was all we could do as we watched what was about to unfold.

“No, Gooblis,” Our mother spoke, her voice firm as she gazed at the old woman. “I am honored you would take this risk to offer me a boon to save me and Sadaash.” My brow furrowed at the mention of that name, she had said it at the checkpoint but it sounded familiar, I was certain I had heard it before today. Suddenly, like a puzzle piece clicking into place, I remembered where I had heard it.

The day we were born, both Mother and Deetra had said the name 'Sadash' and the realization struck me. Sadash was the name of our father. My head whirled, I couldn't believe I hadn't pieced that together earlier, my bewilderment was only compounded when I remembered how the Orcus at the gate reacted at the mention of my father's name. I had figured he was a warrior, but the fact that mere mention of his name made those towering men quake and retreat from their duties filled me with a sense of awe.

Why had mother not told us about him before? Not even his name? I thought back to the exchange at the gate, Unas had said we weren't allowed into the inner circle until the trials were over. What trials? Why did they keep us from entering this area? Was that the reason we never saw our father? My spiraling thoughts were cut off when I heard the High Shaman let out a weary sigh.

“Very well, if that is what you wish.” she gestured to one of the Hoblin women who stepped forward and presented a dagger that rested on a burgundy cloth. The dagger had a golden hilt that was forged to look like a snake was coiled around it, with the head at the top of the hilt and the snake's mouth gaping wide as it was spitting out the blade.

The blade itself was a silver blue color, with a wickedly sharp edge, and was curved to look like a fang that ended with a needle-thin point. The old woman took up the dagger and held it out above my mother, its point only a few inches from her bare stomach.

“I will grant this one mercy then.” I felt my heart hammering against my chest, my ribs felt like they would break from the force. I desperately wanted to scream but nothing came from my throat. The old woman looked at us and raised a hand. “Be grateful sons and daughters of Urana and Sadash, for this small kindness I am granting you.” At that I saw a symbol begin to glow before her outstretched hand, it looked to be made from countless interconnected geometric shapes, but I only saw it for a moment before it faded and a popup filled my vision.

You have been afflicted with: Controlled Sleep

Your resistance to a higher tier is zero

You are affected for 5 hours

You will not awaken until this debuff runs out. The caster can awaken the target at will.

My vision began to blur, darkness slowly crept in. I shook my head trying to fight it, but out of the corner of my eye, I could see my brothers falling to the ground unconscious. I couldn't fall asleep, I had to do something. I had to save my mother. I took a step forward and my body swayed and the room seemed to spin. I extended a hand towards my mother still laid out on the table, the knife still hovering above her. She turned her head to me, ever so slightly and I saw her face. It was a mixture of sadness and solum acceptance, but as I caught her eye there was something else, a warmth mixed with fiery determination, and all of it was directed at me.

'She's doing this for us,' was the last thought that passed through my head as the darkness took me.