Lines walks up, and Aran puts a hand on his chest to stop him, “Nope, you don’t want to go in there. They’re all crying and talking. Let’s get something to eat. Hey, I know. What were talking to the Crownsguard mages about?” Lines smiles, “We are exchanging spells from our spell books. When it comes to spells, the more, the merrier. Plus, look what I got.” He pulls the tip of a bottle out of a pocket in his robes. Aran says, “Is that what I think it is?” Lines nods, “There isn’t supposed to be any out in the field, but one of the Crownsguard mages sneaked it out.” Lines squeezes Aran’s arm, “Let’s go have a few sips. But we can’t let anyone catch us.” A voice behind Aran says, “What are Aran and Lines doing?” Aran jumps, “Hells, Shae, don’t do that. Aran and Lines were talking, Shae.” Shae smiles, “Why are Aran and Lines not going in the tent? Are Ava, Kara, and Sylnoa still busy?” Aran shakes his head, “No, they are all crying.” Shae runs for the tent. Aran tries to grab her but misses so badly that Lines has to catch his hand to keep him from falling over. Aran says, “Food now.” Aran and Lines run off.
Shae runs through the tent's flap, “Why are Ava, Kara, and Sylnoa crying?” All three stop and look at Shae. Ava starts softly laughing between the tears, then Kara and Sylnoa join in. Shae looks behind and around her, “Shae doesn’t understand.” Kara says, “It’s nothing and everything, Shae. Kara, Ava, and Sylnoa have had really bad things happen to all of us. It’s difficult to sort them all.” Shae squats down in front of Kara, “Shae has had bad things too. But Shae doesn’t cry.” Kara takes Shae’s hand, “You’re one of the strongest people I know, Shae. Promise to never leave me and always be my protector.”
Shae smiles and, in the blink of an eye, has a dagger out and slices the palm of her hand, “Shae swears a blood oath always to protect Kara.” Kara reaches for her to stop her, but it’s too late. Kara and Shae both feel chills as the oath becomes real. Kara says, “Shae, you shouldn’t. Dammit, I shouldn’t have said that. What the hells was I thinking.” Ava and Sylnoa turn to look, and both say, “What?” Kara takes Shae’s hands, “Does Shae realize what Shae has just done?” Shae looks nonchalant and nods, “Shae swore a blood oath always to protect Kara.” Kara shakes her head, “Shae, you just bound yourself to me forever.” Shae smiles and nods. Kara says, “Shae, this is more than just swearing an oath as your people would. Your soul is now bound to my soul.” Kara smacks her head with the palm of her hand as glowing runes appear on the ground around them, then vanish with a bright flash.
Ava says, “Wait, does that mean what I think it means?” Kara nods, “Yes like Camiella was sworn to the Cinderblade family. Like Cyndra and Rinwauld are sworn to me. Except we made sure their oaths were carefully worded. Shit, Shae, Kara loves Shae very much, but the way that was worded. Shit.” Shae continues to smile, “Shae is not worried.” Kara says, “We need to go see Sister Stoutstorm.” Now Shae looks worried as her mouth drops open.
Kara stands, takes Shae’s hand, and walks toward the tent door. Shae tries to resist being pulled. Ava says, “Wait, all someone needs to do is swear an oath to you.” As Ava and Sylnoa stand to follow. Kara shakes her head, “No, the Cinderblade family is divine, as part of the family, especially with me carrying a Cinderblade baby and me being immortal.” Kara puts her hand on her stomach, “We can ask or command someone to swear an oath. We must be specific with the wording. If they do so in blood, it becomes a pact divine.” Sylnoa says, “Shit, Shae.” Shae looks at Sylnoa, Ava, and Kara, “Shae doesn’t want to see Sister Stoutstorm. Shae doesn’t want to be in trouble again.” Kara stops and hugs Shae, “Shae isn’t in trouble; if anyone is in trouble, it’s Kara.” Shae cries, “Shae doesn’t want Kara to be in trouble either.” Kara looks at Shae, “Shae, we need to find a way to end this oath without “breaking” this oath.” Shae cries, “Why?”
Kara says, “Shae if you break this oath, a creature from your worst nightmare will come for you. Nothing will stop it. It will go through anything and anyone that stands between it and you. It will take your soul and feed on you, destroying you forever.” Persi steps through the flap of the tent, “Wait, what? Did I miss something?”
Kara explains to Persi what just transpired. Shae says, “Shae will never break the oath.” Persi asks, “Tell me, word for word, what was said.” Kara repeats what she and Shae said, then looks to Ava and Sylnoa; Sylnoa says, “Yeah, that’s pretty much it.” Persi stands there thinking, “Shae, if Kara dies… Shit.” Shae starts crying, “Shae is sorry.” Persi says, “I don’t know what this truly means. Sasha would be the one to ask about binding contracts.” Shae wipes her eyes on Kara’s shoulder, “Yes, Shae would like to ask Sasha, not Sister Stoutstorm.” Ava says, “She did give a new meaning to “ass chewing” while you and Sylnoa were out.” Kara looks Shae in the eyes, “Okay, Kara will think about it, Shae. Kara needs to see if there is a way to end this pact.” Shae smiles. Persi asks, “How do these things always happen to us.” Kara says, “Welcome to my life.” Persi says, “I heard everyone crying here, and I just came to make sure everything was alright.”
Sylnoa moves in front of him, looks up into his eyes, and innocently says, “It’s a girl thing. Do you want to hear all about it?” Persi quickly says, “No, never mind.” Ava stands next to Sylnoa and puts an arm around her. “Sylnoa, can’t you see the strong man was rushing to our rescue?” Kara pulls both of them from Persi, “Okay, enough tormenting Persi. Let’s go see what needs to be done around here.” Persi looks at Kara with a very “Thank you” expression.
Outside again, with her head not swimming, Kara can get a better picture of everything. Flamegarden was running a real exercise with the Crownsguard and the Sisters of Veleris. Kara comments, “Flamegarden must have grown a little.” Persi says, “From what Sister Stoutstorm says, it’s a thriving city. The temple of Bahamut is the main temple, but the Sisters and the Temple of Veleris are a close second and the main supporters of the city. They had twenty Crownsguard and seventy Sisters, plus their support out on a mock support drill. Thankfully, they weren’t far away. They immediately responded when Arden asked them to come to our aid.” Kara says, “Wow.” Persi says, “At least three hundred raiders hit Crossroads.” Kara steps back and looks at him in disbelief, “Around two hundred, and your brother came in our direction. The rest spread themselves out, chasing refugees in the other directions in case we went one of those ways. Forces from Cragcall hit the raiders that came in their direction. We don’t know about the rest.” Kara asks, “How did these raiders get such numbers?”
Persi says, “I asked the same question. Sister Stoutstorm thinks someone high up in the Empire is shielding them, giving them refuge somewhere. She clarified to me that that is their problem, not ours. Oh, Sasha contacted me.” Now Kara looks more concerned. Persi says, “Don’t worry. I told her as much as possible and that you were fine. This time, she didn’t hit me a second time; she tried you first, then Sylnoa.” Kara asks, “Did she say anything of home?” Persi shakes his head, “Kara, I feel they are in worse shape than she’s letting on.” Kara says, “I figured that out a while back. I didn’t want to worry her, but I couldn’t help myself when it came to telling her the complete truth. She won’t lie to me but won’t tell me everything if she thinks it will worry me.” Persi says, “I get the feeling she will try again tonight. I think this problem will require more than a Sending.” Kara nods, “Well, until then. Everyone spread out. Help where you can. Shae’s with me. Literally.” Shae jumps over next to Kara, “Shae can do this.” Persi says, “Ava, stick close to Sylnoa. I’m sorry, Sylnoa, but you were unconscious until an hour ago, and you don’t have the recovery abilities Kara does. I don’t want you straining. Shae, don’t let Kara do anything strenuous, either. I’ll find Aran and Lines and make sure they aren’t getting into trouble.” Everyone splits up according to orders.
Persi finds Aran and Lines sitting under a wagon, singing, “What are you two doing?” Aran looks through Persi while Lines holds up a cup. Aran looks at Lines, puts his finger to his mouth, and very loudly says, “SHHHHHHH, Perri, Paar, Preu, fluck it. He might hear us.” Lines smiles and drinks the contents of the cup. Persi grabs a bottle beside Aran, sniffs it, and recoils, “Great, just great.” Aran looks at Lines, moving his head back and forth like he’s trying to focus, “Fluck, I thunk he heard us.” Persi looks around, then reaches down and tries to pull them up, gives up on both, and pulls just Aran up, “Come on. We’re going to the tent.” Aran looks at Persi strangely, “Tha tent? Oh, bthut I don’t likes men.” Persi looks at Aran disgustedly, “Not that you idiot, I need to hide you before a Sister sees you. Now come on.” Persi leads Aran toward the tent, then Aran looks back at Lines and starts yelling, “Hey, Lineths.Halp. I’m beingth kids nappers.” Persi says, “Shut up, you fool.” Lines starts laughing uncontrollably. When Persi looks in the direction of the tent, two Sisters are standing in front of him, “Well, shit.”
The Sister on the left, a muscular half-orc that probably outweighs Persi by a hundred pounds, says, “What’s going on here?” Persi looks down and shakes his head, “They found some booze and, well.” The Sister on the right, a prim-looking human with long brunette hair, says, “We need to get them out of sight before Sister Stoutstorm sees them, or they’ll be shoveling holes and filling them with their puke.” Persi looks up, “Really?” The half-orc Sister quickly nods and grabs Aran, “Hey, oh, Hey, you kinda cute. Howbout a fluck?”
Lines lies back under the wagon, cackling out loud. The human sister says, “Maybe they need to.” The half-orc Sister starts dragging Aran while the human Sister and Persi pull Lines from under the wagon. Lines is dead weight and still laughing uncontrollably.
Persi pulls out an elixir and pours half into Lines mouth and the other half into Aran’s, “This will take a while, and it won’t save them from the hangover, but it will speed up the sobering process.” Aran says, “Buth Ima halfing funs.” Persi throws Lines over his shoulder and follows the half-orc Sister with Aran. The half-orc rounds a tent, stops suddenly, and then pushes Aran back, causing Persi to run into them nearly. She points at Lines and grits out, “Shut him up.”
She puts a hand over Aran’s mouth as the human Sister clamps a hand over Lines’ mouth. They hear Sister Stoutstorm approach, talking to someone and explaining the logistics of moving this many people this fast. Then they hear Kara: “I can’t thank you enough, Sister. Arden spoke very highly of you. We were originally going to bring Pim to you, but then Sylnoa uncovered what kind of monster he was.”
The half-orc Sister drags Aran while he struggles and pushes Persi and the human Sister around the tent. Sister Stoutstorm says, “I know circumstances would have prevented it, but I wish you had. Nothing makes me happier than ensuring the guilty are properly punished for their crimes.”
The human Sister backs into Shae, “Shae thought,,,,” Persi clamps his hand over his mouth and starts shaking his head no at Shae. Shae looks at Aran and Lines, then mouths, “Oh.”
Kara and Sister Stoutstorm stop, and Kara loudly says, “Shae?” Shae vanishes from sight, and then they hear Shae from the other side of the tent: “Shae is here, Kara.” Sister Stoutstorm says, “Quit roaming off, girl; where were you anyway?” Shae says, “Looking at some sneaky mice.” Sister Stoutstorm says, “Damned pests, at least we’ll be out of here tomorrow and on the road to Flamegarden.”
The three walk off, still talking; Persi and the Sisters get Aran and Lines into the tent, “I don’t understand why you helped, but thank you.” The human Sister says, “We know how she can get, trust us.” The half-orc Sister says, “We think your group has been through enough and needs to blow off some steam. Keep them quiet until they sober up, and you should be fine. But if you do get caught,” She leans down nose to nose with Persi, “you never saw us. Understand?” he nods.
Ava helps some servants load heavy crates, much to their dismay, while Sylnoa watches. Ava says, “Thank you for trying to help.” Sylnoa says, “Trying? I think we made progress.” Ava stops and looks at her, “What do you mean?” Sylnoa says, “You said the words at the bottom of that image thing said something about remains in a ziggurat.” Ava nods, “Yeah, and?”
Sylnoa says, “Every ziggurat that’s been found here has been related to evil in one way or another; most of them have been linked to the undead.” Ava jumps down from the wagon in front of Sylnoa, “Are you serious.” Sylnoa nods, “I thought you knew that.” Ava shakes her head, “Kara probably doesn’t know that either. I’m not from this world, and Kara has been away for fifteen years.” Sylnoa says, “We can try again.” Ava says, “I would like that, but the Princess may be Scrying us soon. You need your strength for that, for Shae’s sake.” Sylnoa nods, “You’re probably right. As soon as possible, though.” Ava says, “It feels like Kara and I are bouncing you back and forth. Helping her, helping me. I don’t want you to feel like we’re using you.” Sylnoa holds her hands up and shakes her head, “No, I like doing it. Those idiots I was with before used me like a tool. I can’t fight anywhere like you guys. I like feeling needed and being useful. Plus, we have an idea of what you’re looking for, so we have a good place to start now.” Ava hugs Sylnoa and makes her grunt. Then, she returns to loading crates and barrels while servants ask her not to, and Sylnoa sits and watches.
Aran and Lines are awoken to blast waves reverberating through their bodies, the pain hitting like lightning bolts. Both sit up, holding their heads as Kara bangs Dawnbreaker into Misery, “There they are. Our two drunk hooligans.” Sister Stoutstorm comes running in with a great ax held in both hands, looking for an enemy. Kara says, “Sorry, Sister, taking care of some wayward children.” Sister Stoutstorm looks at Aran and Lines and gets a big grin, “Let me know if you need any advice.” Aran and Lines look from Kara to Sister Stoutstorm, with their hands trying to hold their brains in. Kara yells at Sister Stoutstorm, “I THINK WE’VE GOT THIS. BUT I’LL LET YOU KNOW.” Sister Stoutstorm laughs, “WELL, YOU HAVE FUN.” Aran covers his mouth and starts to heave; Sister Stoutstorm yells, “OUTSIDE, YOU PUKE IN HERE, AND I’LL MAKE YOU EAT IT.” Aran runs out, followed by Lines. She yells, “IF I STEP IN IT, I’LL MAKE YOU EAT IT.” She winks at Kara and then walks out.
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Persi comes running in, “What’s going on.” Kara looks at him, “Did you know anything about this?” She holds up an empty bottle. Persi looks outside to make sure Sister Stoutstorm is out of earshot, “I helped them back to the tent.” Kara says, “I don’t mind them drinking a little, but they are wasted.” Persi asks, “Did you not try a little drink now and then?” Kara says, “I got hammered nearly every night to help me get through the Nightmare Curse. I know what it can do. I don’t care if you get buzzed and let go a little. But they are falling down, wasted.” Persi looks at Shae. Shae shakes her head, “Shae said nothing.” Kara looks at Shae, “You knew too?”
Shae shrinks back. Aran and Lines come crawling back on their hands and knees, and Ava and Sylnoa run in and nearly stumble over them, “Hey, what the hells?” Ava exclaims. Kara says, “They were wasted until I removed the alcohol from their systems. It doesn't do anything for the hangover, though.” Aran says, “was. why is everyone yelling so loud?” Kara bangs Dawnbreaker into Misery again, and Aran and Lines collapse, holding their hands over their ears. Kara says, “Both of you sit up and listen.”
Gingerly, they sit up, squinting; Kara says, “This happens when you drink too much. EVERYTHING GETS VERY LOUD. This is the last time either of you or anyone in this tent gets hammered until we get home, or I say otherwise.” Persi says, “Maybe it’s not so bad. We’ve been through a lot.” Kara says, “Yes, we have, and there is a time and place to let go. Out in the field is not, with the Sisters is not one of those times. What if they insulted a Sister?” Persi kicks at the same pebble Sister Stoutstorm kicked.
Kara says, “No, please tell me they didn’t.” Aran and Lines look confused, “No insult was taken, and I will not say who they were, but some people helped me get them here. They even said the same thing I did. You put me in charge. Trust me, they are paying for it now, and it won’t happen again. RIGHT?” Aran and Lines shake their heads. “There, see.”
Kara nods, “You’re correct. You’re in charge. Being in charge means you take full responsibility for those under you.” Persi holds his hands up. “So, if Sister Stoutstorm returns, you’ll accept whatever punishment she deems necessary. Right?” Persi says, “Well,,,,” Kara says, “That’s part of being in charge.” Persi says, “Then yes, I will share any punishment they are given.” Aran says, “Wait, Persi didn’t.” Kara snaps at Aran, “It doesn’t matter. Persi is in charge. If you got drunk and were run over by a wagon or spooked a horse and were killed, part of the fault falls on him.” Lines gets on his knees and prostrates himself.
Kara looks at Lines, “So, Lines, what is the punishment for disgracing yourself in front of a representative of your goddess?” Lines says, “Banishment, eternal damnation. There is no excuse.” Kara looks at Persi, “You prepared for that?” She looks back at Lines, “Get up; I forgive you this time. It doesn’t happen again. CLEAR?” Lines stands up as ordered. Kara leans Dawnbreaker and Misery against the tent pole and walks out of the tent, followed by Shae, “You’re in charge, Persi.”
Sister Stoutstorm stands off to the side and falls in alongside Kara. When they are away, she says, “You have earned my respect. That’s one I’ll have to remember.” Kara shakes her head, “It just pisses me off, Sister. I used to drink a lot. But the circumstances were different. When the circumstances changed, then I got the drinking under control. Trust me, I like having a good drunk. But never,,, Shit. I don’t know. I apologize to you. You saved our asses, and this is how we repay you.” Sister Stoutstorm looks around at all the other Sisters watching, “If I find out who helped them, they will curse the day their mother plopped them out.” She looks at Kara, “Between us. It’s not so bad, and I don’t think they’ll be drinking anymore soon. You can dine with me, come on. It won’t be any better than anyone else is getting, but you can cool your head.” Shae silently sighs.
Persi sits down, Aran leans back and sighs, and Lines remains standing. Ava shakes her head in disgust, “You guys.” Persi says, “It’s my fault. Sit down, Lines.” Aran asks, “What did we do? I know we got drunk, but I,,,” Persi says, “The Sisters frown on getting drunk, not the drinking part, just getting wasted. You insulted a sister and asked her to go,” Persi looks at Ava and Sylnoa, “and find someplace to have fun. Using not-so-pleasant words.” Sylnoa says, “Oh shit, and he’s still breathing.” Persi looks at Aran, “The only reason you’re still breathing is the fact that they understood what Sister Stoutstorm would do to you if she had found you.” Aran shakes his head, “I’m sorry, I don’t remember anything.” Lines looks like he’s about to faint. Ava says, “Lines, breathe. Kara forgave you.” Lines shakes his head, “Still, I disgraced her in front of her peers. She carries the grandchild of a Raven Knight.” Ava says, “Lines, one breath at a time, one day at a time. Don’t screw up again. Same to you, Aran. She won’t mention it again as long as you don’t repeat it.” Persi looks at them all, “No, she won’t mention it again, but she will hold me accountable. I am supposed to be in charge, and I let all of you go without setting any limits. I don’t know where you got it; it’s been done, so I don’t want to know. This goes for all of you. From now on, no more of that, no more going off aimlessly. We represent Nexus, and we represent the Cinderblade family. Is that understood? If you don’t understand or can’t do that, let us know if you want to leave. Everyone here is an adult. You can make your own choices. Shae is the only one who can’t leave because she is bound to Kara.
Aran and Lines look at Persi. Aran says, “Wait, what?” Persi says, “Kara said something to Shae in a way where she asked her to be her protector. Shae swore a blood oath to Kara before Kara could stop her.” Lines says, “That’s what I can do.” Persi snaps at him, “You’ll do nothing of the sort.” Aran says, “I still don’t get it.” Persi says, “The Cinderblade family is divine. If you swear certain types of oaths to divinity, it creates a binding contract. Shae didn’t realize she was doing that, at least not on that level. Shae was swearing an oath to Kara that is sacred to her people but thought it was still just a saying. But because Kara asked her to do it, it became something more. If Kara were to die, and Shae didn’t die with her, a creature would be released to destroy her soul. So, if Kara dies, the only way Shae can protect her soul is to kill herself.” Aran says, ‘Great, so she was already in a bad mood.” Persi nods. Sylnoa says, “Shae can’t kill herself. I’ve dealt with a couple of other wild elves from around here. All of them have the same belief. To kill oneself is the ultimate sin, punishable by eternal torment in the deepest pits of the Abyss.” Ava says, “This just gets better and better.”
“Maybe Sasha, I mean the Princess, can figure it out and give Shae a way out.” Persi shakes his head, “I’ve been thinking about it since I found out. I don’t see an out. I remember when Cyndra and Rinwauld swore their oaths. Big ceremonies were very carefully worded with specific outs for them. Each of them spent weeks memorizing every single word. Rinwauld even came to me and had me listen to her as she recited it repeatedly. She had such a hard time with it because she had to refer to herself in the first person.” Persi shakes his head, “They ended up signing a contract for Rinwauld to be on the safe side. Anyway, back to the subject at hand. I need to start acting like a leader, and all of you need to start representing Nexus. Got it?” Everyone nods. Persi says, “I need to hear it.” Everyone says, “Got it.” Persi says, “Everyone, go get cleaned up for dinner. I’ll meet you in the chow line, then we’ll all return here.”
Sister Stoutstorm waits for Kara and Shae to sit, but Shae squats next to one of the support poles in her tent, “What are you doing, girl? Get over here and sit down.” Shae carefully sits in a chair next to Kara, never taking her eyes off Sister Stoutstorm, “I won’t bite you; quit looking at me like I’m a dragon.” Kara says, “Sister…” Sister Stoutstorm says, “Call me Elra.” Kara nods, “Elra, I guess Shae got off to a shaky start with you. Shae is one of the most honorable people I know. She was looking out for Sylnoa and me.” Elra glares at Shae, then smiles, “I know, I just like giving people hard times. Relax, Shae.” Shae breathes out. Elra snaps, “Did I tell you to breathe?” then laughs when Shae jumps.
Elra says, “I have to ask, why are you two attached at the hip?” Kara grimaces, “I screwed up on this one.” Shae says, “No, Shae is the one that screwed.” Elra and Kara laugh at that statement. Kara shakes her head, “No, Shae. Kara is the one who should have known better. Kara screwed up. We’ll find a way out of it. Then you can keep your oath as you intended.” Kara looks at Elra, who is now staring inquisitively, “I asked Shae to be my protector forever. She swore a blood oath to me before I realized what Shae was doing.” Elra kind of nods and shakes her head, “Yeah, and? You’re leaving me hanging here.” Kara says, “My wife is the daughter of Raven Knight Thalos Cinderblade. Meaning I’m a member of a divine family. That, and I’m immortal, too.” Elra says, “And you’re carrying a baby that is part demigod. Oh my.” Elra rubs her forehead, “What will you do about this?” Kara sits back in the chair as two Sisters enter. Shae recognizes them as the two that helped Aran and Lines. They sit out food and pour water and juice for them.
Kara says, “I expect Sasha to contact me tonight with a Scying. Sylnoa will host her. I’ll tell her what happened. I hope she isn’t too mad at me. If you think what I said to them was memorable, you haven’t heard an ass-chewing from her. Anyway, she deals in contracts, like I swing weapons. Maybe she can find an out after she cools off and finishes chewing me out. I hope.” Elra asks, “If she can’t, how does this contract end?” Kara looks at Shae with a worried look, “If I die, Shae has to die with me or kill herself. Otherwise…” Shae starts to tear up. Kara stands up, moves behind Shae, bends down, and wraps her arms around her, “It will be okay, Shae.” Elra says, “Or an Inevitable is released to enforce it, and more after that if required. Then her soul will be destroyed so it can’t break another contract.” Kara nods. Shae continues to cry. Kara hugs her tighter, “It’s going to be okay.” Elra says, “You don’t know, do you?” Kara looks at Elra, then at Shae, “Know what?” Shae starts shivering, “Shae, everything will be okay. I’m going to be fine; you will be fine.” Kara looks at Elra, “I don’t know what’s wrong. I’ve never seen anything bother her.” Elra says, “You’re from the Swift Water Tribe, aren’t you, Shae?” Shae nods. Elra sighs, “Her people’s core belief is that if one takes their own life, they will be punished eternally in the Abyss.” Kara stays where she is and holds Shae until she settles down, “Shae, Sasha is a genius. She will figure it out. Stop worrying. Eat, please.” Shae takes a bite but says nothing.
Kara sits back down. Elra asks, “What are your plans to get home? If teleport magic weren’t so wonky right now, I’d have one of the mages send you to Roguehaven, and you could be on your way.” Kara asks, “Any idea about what’s going on?” Elra shrugs, “I hate to say it, but it started when your home shot across the sky. Anyone that tries to teleport either gets thrown back out, and I mean thrown, or they go off to some random place. It’s like chaos has opened its eyes and is staring at us.” Kara looks concerned, “We did open a massive portal in the atmosphere. A ripple in space-time. Could that have caused it?” Elra says, “I’ll get some Sisters on it, and we’ll see. On with your plans.” Kara says, “Oh. We’ll go to Port Summereach, catch a boat, and then sail to a port across the sea. From there, we’ll head home.” Elra leans forward, “There’s got to be more than that. Why did you choose this route? I can see it in your eyes.” Kara sighs, “A few reasons—first, one of our people. The daughter of my best friend was in Everwind. She’s like a daughter to me. When I went where she should have been, she had already left, chasing Nexus. I thought she may have taken this route.”
She looks at Shae and takes her hand, “Second, this route felt right. Third, I was told that the southern route has seen a lot of giant activity lately.” Elra nods, “That’s true. I’ve been getting reports for months.” Kara continues, “I didn’t feel that Aran, Ava, and Persi were ready for that. Plus, I’d never have met Lines, Shae, or Sylnoa. Fourth, and this was probably selfish of me. About sixteen or seventeen years ago, I was sent on a mission to root out some kobolds from some ruins, kind of, along this route. It turned out that those kobolds were just interested in collecting books for their master, a peaceful green dragon named Sydra, The Seeker. I traded her something personal to me for this.” Kara wills Em to reveal the Girdle of Trials. Now Elra leans forward, “Wait, you traded with a green dragon for a Girdle of Trials? That wasn’t just a crazy story?” Kara says, “What?” Elra says, “Nothing, go on.”
Kara shrugs, “She was delighted at the trade. I had no idea what I was trading for; I only knew I saw the holy symbol of The Dawn Bringer inscribed on it.” Em hides the Storm Girdle. “Later on, some others, trying to allow Tiamat into the world, murdered Sydra to steal her soul for the ritual, or so I thought. Recently, I've learned that there is an excellent chance Sydra is alive. I have to find out; if my journal is there, maybe it can help me.” Elra looks at Kara very closely, “Cult of Tiamat, you say? A dwarf was here not two days ago telling me tall tales about a legend. I chased him out. Now I know for a fact that Tiamat did try to enter our world some fifteen years ago. I also know that Shadowbel sent an army to support some adventurers to stop her, but one of those adventurers didn’t return because she sacrificed herself to save our world.” Elra stands, walks around to Kara, and leans over her shoulder. Kara sits up straight, “I built the Sisters based on the courage and sacrifice of that girl, much to Arden’s protest. He hated her for some reason he would never tell me about.” Kara says, “There’s always some truth to myths and legends. Arden loves me.” Elra sits back down, “You’re right about both. He couldn’t shut up about you.” Trying to get Elra’s focus off her, Kara asks, “Tell me about this girl you built the Sisters on?”
Elra gets a big smile; even Shae smiles when she does, “Well, all I got was secondhand accounts, and I’ve collected them from across the Empire and have heard a few tales from the Dynasty. But she was a follower of The Dawn Bringer, like you. She never thought about herself, always giving her all to others. Everything she earned, her time, her thoughts, everything always without considering herself, was given to others. In every city she passed through, she would spend time with the orphans and the downtrodden, never treating herself to anything. She would give it to the poor for nothing if she had good food; she would give it to the poor and scavenge. She would never allow others to suffer on her behalf and wouldn’t hesitate to place herself in harm’s way to protect the helpless. When she was in Everwind, she ran off alone to save some children who strayed from the orphanage and were nearly killed searching for them. Ultimately, she didn’t hesitate to throw herself against The Dragon Queen.”
Kara says, “She sounds amazing, and it’s a great Legend to hold your Sisters up to. I remember hearing stories about a Cult of Tiamat when I was here. At Nexus, we focused on retrieving artifacts that we could use to fight against the horrors of the Far Realms. I don’t see how anyone could live up to everything you describe.” Shae says, “Kara is..” Kara kicks her under the table. “ouch.” Elra says, “Well, I believe every word of it. My Sisters believe it. Unfortunately, the only real record of her exists in Shadowbel. I've always wanted to see her statue in the Royal Court, but with the tensions as they are, I have no way to get to it yet.” Shae rubs her leg; Kara pats her hand and mouths, “Sorry” Kara stands, “I can’t thank you enough for your hospitality, Elra. I also can’t thank you enough for coming to our rescue. But Sasha could try to contact us anytime, and I want to be near Sylnoa when she does. So, I must beg your forgiveness and ask for your leave so Shae and I can return to our tent.” Elra stands, “Of course, good luck with your Princess, and may your ass not be. No, that doesn’t sound right. May she not chew you up and spit you out.” Kara holds Elra’s hand for a second, then leaves with Shae.
The tent is empty when they return, except for Dawnbreaker and Misery. Shae rubs her leg, “Why did Kara kick Shae?” Kara says, “Kara apologizes to Shae. But things could get weird if the Sisters discover Kara is that girl.” Shae’s eyes widen as Kara realizes what she just said, “Forget what Kara just said, Shae. Please.” Shae is trying to find words, pointing at Kara at the sky, but can’t find the words to talk, and Kara is trying to calm her down when everyone else walks in. Ava looks at Shae and Kara, “What’s wrong with Shae? Did you break her again?”
Kara looks at her with a condescending look, “No, I, shit.” Ava says, “No, shit, you did it again. Shae’s broken?” Kara says, “No, she just found out. Elra, I mean Sister Stoutstorm. Shit. Is anyone outside.” Aran looks outside, “No.” Kara continues, “Sister Stoutstorm built the Sisters based on my “Legend,” whatever in the hells that is. She told the story of what I did when I lived here before coming to Nexus. I forgot that Shae didn’t know and let it slip.” Shae is still trying to find words, pointing at Kara. “Someone try to calm her down, please. Before she blurts it out, things will get weird around here if the Sisters find out who I am. Gods above, why would anyone build a culture around my life?” Sylnoa puts a hand on Shae’s back, “Come on, Shae, let’s sit down and tell me why Swift Water is called Swift Water.” Shae asks her, “Why does Sylnoa think Swift Water Tribe is called that? Isn’t it obvious?”
Kara sees Lines staring at her open-mouthed and realizes that Lines didn’t know either, “Shit!” then she hears Sasha’s voice in her mind.