{-Kaylin-}

Her skills were born out of necessity; it was easier to do something herself instead of making someone do it for her. She hated it, really. It reminded her of the future she would’ve had, if the gods themselves didn’t have other plans…

Somewhat satisfied with her work, Kaylin set aside yet another coat. It would be done once she tried it on and made some minor adjustments accordingly. She likely could’ve spent much longer staring at it—the stitching her mother taught her, the pattern itself something of a family heirloom. Luckily, though, she got distracted by the others returning.

“Did it go well?” she prompted. She couldn’t help but focus all of her attention on Rennyn—she still wasn’t quite ready to trust him on his own again. “You didn’t run into any trouble, did you?”

They didn’t look like they had but, well, it didn’t hurt to ask.

Rennyn shook his head. “No, it went pretty well. They didn’t need to go far and we didn’t encounter anything while we were out there. We did talk about something else, though. The others want to talk to the goddesses again.”

Noa added the reasoning, “We wanted to see how much they knew about what we read in the library. It probably wouldn’t hurt to ask them if they know of anything else that could help us, too.”

“We could probably go now, if you think it’s urgent,” Kaylin said after a moment’s consideration. “As long as someone can find a map of the surrounding area, at least. We’re going to need to find a river.”

“I think I saw one posted near the commission board,” Seldir said. “I might be able to ask the innkeeper if he’s got any spare ones, too.”

After Rennyn gave a nod of acknowledgement, Seldir went to talk to the innkeeper.

Rennyn then turned his attention back to Kaylin. “How are you doing with those coats? I don’t think we’re going to be able to spend too much longer without them.”

“Yours and Noa’s are finished, I’m nearly done mine, and I’m going to get started on Lyrei’s,” she responded dutifully. “I’d be able to work a little faster if there weren’t any distractions, but I guess I should know better than to think that’s going to happen…”

“Well, what does it take to summon the goddesses?” Lyrei prompted. “I could probably do it, then we can just tell you what they said when we get back.”

“I think it’s… going to be a bit more complicated than what you might be imagining. They taught the method to me specifically, I’m not even sure if it’s going to work with someone else. Though, if anyone else could do it, it would be you, given your previous connection to spirits…” Kaylin ultimately shook her head. “I’m not sure if it’ll work, so it would be better if I just came with you from the beginning. At least that way you won’t all have to make the trip twice.”

A moment later, Seldir came back with a small, folded sheet of paper. “The innkeeper let me borrow this map of some of the surrounding area. I’ve already looked at it and it seems like there’s a river not too far from here, but I don’t know how big it is. Do you still think it could work?”

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“It should,” she confirmed. “Let me just gather up a few things and then we’ll be ready to go.”

…

She was actually more focused on repeating all of the things that had to be done than she was on finding this river. She assumed that Rennyn and Seldir had it covered, and guessed that Lyrei and Noa’s conversation was mostly to determine exactly what they wanted to ask. Kaylin figured that the only role she’d have to play, at least directly, was performing the ritual.

And that’s exactly once she did, once they got to the river. She went through the motions, muttered the prayer, and watched as the water and mist took the shape of two familiar forms.

Dalleira looked between all of them and smiled. “Ah, it seems that you’ve found all five of those with our blessing. That’s good—you’ll undoubtedly stand a much better chance against Dhymos, when the time comes to finally face him.”

“Is there something you need, children?” Elidia prompted.

Noa and Lyrei looked between each other, before the former stepped up and asked, “Do you… know what happened to us? What happened that the three of us weren’t able to join Rennyna and Kaylin, I mean…”

“And, before we get distracted, I wanted to ask about Dhymos’s minions,” Rennyn remarked. “They have the powers of spirits—do you know how that’s possible?”

“Oh! If we’re all asking questions,” Lyrei said, “I’d also like to know whether or not I can do these rituals. Kaylin didn’t know if I could or not, since you just showed her, but I’ve got a connection to a spirit.”

Kaylin wanted to sigh at the blatant lack of restraint and respect, but the goddesses didn’t seem to mind. In fact, they… almost seemed to grow softer smiles. Like people watching a puppy chase its tail.

Did they find this… cute?

“One question at a time, children,” Dalleira said gently. “Hmm… which one to answer first..? Probably the shortest.” She looked at Lyrei. “Yes, child, all five of you should be able to contact us. You all have our blessing—that’s the only thing that matters. In fact, it might be better if you all know, so that you can contact us whenever you need.”

Kaylin, then, gave the mumbled remark, “I can show all of you what to do once we’re done here.”

“As for your first question—the one about how you came to be separated…” Elidia shook her head. “It seems we know nothing more about it than you do. All we know is that Dhymos was able to pull you away from us. The extent, the means, and the consequences of such an action are some things we don’t know, aside from what’s apparent. As we’ve mentioned before, Dhymos has severely weakened our influence. I’m afraid that that’s about all I can say on the matter.”

“What about Dhymos’s minions?” Rennyn questioned. “Do you know anything about their powers..?”

“You said they had the powers of spirits, correct?” Dalleira considered the implications for a moment. Then, she shook her head. “I… don’t know how such a thing is supposed to be possible. Dhymos has changed many things, but the fundamental differences between humans and spirits shouldn’t have been one of them. Perhaps things are not quite as they seem, or… this is just another gap in our knowledge. Unfortunately, however, I believe that’s all I can truthfully say.”

“If you’re looking for advice on fighting them, however, there might be something I can add,” Elidia said thoughtfully. “The powers of spirits—they’re meant to be wielded by wise and careful individuals… individuals whose rough edges have worn into fine curves by the river of time. Human minds, however, do not last long enough to be polished as finely. Take this as both a hint and a warning—humans are easy to tempt, their rough edges snagging effortlessly against anything that brushes against it. You may either use that to your advantage… or they can use it to their advantage. It all depends on how willing you are to smooth out the edges, or to be mindful of where you might snag.”