This night, even Sister Stoutstorm takes a watch. She sees that the tent she ordered for Kara has been taken down, and Ava walks around. Ava stops when she sees Sister Stoutstorm approach; she quietly says, “Good evening, Sist…” Sister Stoutstorm holds up a hand to silence her, “Call me Elra, girl.” Ava says, slightly emboldened, “Then call me Ava, Elra.” Elra smiles at the bravery; few would be as bold as her, “Well, Ava, you truly are Kara’s pupil. I see something troubles you.” Ava looks at her, confused; Elra points at Dawnbreaker, “The way you keep fidgeting with that maul, looking at it, tracing the runes. Something is bothering you.” Ava spins it expertly, “Persi enchanted Dawnbreaker. He said the enchantment would die with him. It’s almost gone; soon, it will be just a maul.” Elra holds out her hand. Ava hands Dawnbreaker to her. Elra tests the weight, “Dwarven made by a master crafter. There’s nothing normal about this. Let me ask you a question. If you answer me honestly, I’ll enchant it in Flamegarden.” She hands Dawnbreaker back to Ava. Ava says, “I’ll do my best.” Elra asks, “Is Kara the girl who sacrificed herself to save this world fifteen years ago?”
Ava looks at Elra for a while, thinking how to answer this, “I’m sorry, Elra. Myths and legends, you know as well as I do, there’s some truth in them all.” Elra’s eyes narrow, “Okay, then tell me this. How did that maul get its name?” Ava smiles, “I named it after Kara. She thinks it’s corny. She is my Dawn. She found me, she showed me to the light, and gave me a purpose to live when I only wanted to die.” Elra says, “Bring it to me when we get to Flamegarden. I’ll have my Sisters go to work on it. Your loyalty to her speaks volumes.”
Elra walks off. Ava stands there for a while, wondering if she accidentally said something she shouldn’t have, repeatedly replaying the words in her head. Ava jumps when someone touches her shoulder. Shae says, “It’s Shae’s watch. Ava can go to sleep now.” Ava smiles at Shae and walks over to Chomasuke. Shae looks in the direction Ava was staring, trying to see what Ava was looking at.
At dawn, Ava tells Kara about her conversation with Elra. Kara says, “I’m sorry, Ava, I didn’t think about the enchantment Persi placed on Dawnbreaker; I’m sure Elra will enchant it for you.” Ava asks, “Aren’t you concerned about what she asked?” Kara shrugs, “She’ll come to her own conclusions. I’d prefer not to have Sisters fawning all over me. I’ll tell her eventually. I’ve made plans.”
Aran is getting his warhorse ready, “Aran.” Aran jumps and spins around. Sister Stoutstorm is standing not more than two feet away, “I’ve noticed you admiring Trident.” Aran asks, “That’s his name?” Sister Stoutstorm says, “Her name. I’ve noticed you admiring her. How would you like to ride her?” Aran beams, “Yes, of course. Could I?” Sister Stoutstorm says, “Absolutely, and maybe you can answer a question for me? By the way, I’ve seen your dedication to Kara and Ava. You can call me Elra.” Aran continues to stare are the triceratops. She asks, “How did Kara come to your Nexus?” Aran says, “Oh, that was, ah, well, I wasn’t there then. I didn’t get to Nexus until about seven or eight years ago.” He looks at the triceratops like his hopes and dreams are riding away. She looks at him and Trident, “Come to the temple’s training ground the day after we get to Flamegarden. I’ll get her to let you give her a run around the grounds.” Aran finishes prepping the warhorse, gives it a pat, and then goes to find Kara. He finds Kara with Ava and Sylnoa. Ava is practicing with Misery, while Kara is practicing with Dawnbreaker, “KARA.”
She completes the movement and stops so Aran can approach, “What’s up? Do you want to give it a try?” Aran looks at Dawnbreaker, “Nah, I’ll stick to stick to mace and shield. Sister Stoutstorm told me to address her by her given name, Elra, and offered to allow me to ride Trident if I told her the story of your arrival at Nexus. I was so excited I almost let it slip… But I told her you were already at Nexus when I arrived. She said she’ll still let me ride Trident when we get to Flamegarden.”
Kara pushes Dawnbreaker into his hands, “When you use heavy weapons like this, you can’t swing them like that little mace.” Aran looks insulted, “Hey, my mace isn’t little.” Kara smiles at that, “With this, your body becomes part of the weapon. You become part of the balance.” Aran sits his shield down and the mace on top of it, “Aren’t you worried?” Kara shakes her head and picks up the mace and shield, “I’ve got it covered. Go over there next to Ava; don’t imitate her moves; adapt them to Dawnbreaker.” Kara starts a movement with the mace and shield, which makes Aran look like an amateur. Kara spars against both Aran and Ava. Aran says, “I thought you said you don’t know much about shield work?” Kara shrugs, “I don’t. I’m no master like Camiella, but I sparred with her daily and oversaw training for new Guardians. I prefer Misery.”
Sister Stoutstorm sounds the horn to get ready to move out. They swap their weapons back and take positions. The day is cloudy and cool. A brief stop is called in the early afternoon to eat and care for the mounts. During the rest, Elra approaches Kara. Kara breaks Elra’s train of thought, “It’s nice of you to offer to re-enchant Dawnbreaker for Ava and Aran; what can I say? He’s been so infatuated with Trident it’ll be like a Winter Solstice morning to see him ride her.” Elra says, “It’s the least I can do. They are nice kids who are wholly dedicated to you. So, you are Ava’s dawn.” Kara laughs, “After arriving here, I could feel the calling of The Dawn Bringer in Ava. So, when I had recovered enough, I woke her up one morning and took her out for her first prayer. She said it was the most enlightening experience of her life when the dawn sun broke, and the first rays struck her.” Elra says, “She watches your every move and listens to your every word.” Kara smiles and says, “It’s a long story.”
Elra says, “I don’t mean to hammer you with questions, but you said when you recovered after arriving. What took so long? It seems like a healing spell, or potion should have had you back up and going in no time?” Kara looks at Elra, thinking of how to word the reply, “When Nexus was attacked, I could see that our plan would either work or fail. I asked Elirae to lend me her strength and let me buy the time needed by sacrificing myself. I don’t know what Elirae did, but I was able to stay in my angelic form much longer than I should have. I was stronger. Even the Girdle of Trials became stronger. But when it ended, it felt like I was as weak as a newborn kitten. I don’t remember much of it. I was in bad shape. Persi carried me for miles to get to Everwind. Healing magics had a far reduced effect on me. A price must be paid when a goddess lends her power to you. Mortal bodies are not built to take on that much.”
The following two weeks on the road pass, with Kara spending the days riding beside Elra and talking to her about the formation of The Sisters of Veleris and what Flamegarden is like. Without letting more information out, Kara probes for details about how the city expanded so quickly. Elra explains that there are minerals and other components that can be found there for alchemical formulations and how the Alchemical College grew. The Temple of Bahamut was already there, and she saw an opportunity to build a Temple of Veleris and form the Sisters. She teaches Kara about the Sisters and how most of them were subjugated in slavery, brothels, and other pleasure houses, how they are a symbol of not only freedom but a symbol to those who would harm women. Now, those who would commit evil against women know that when the Sisters of Veleris turn their eyes to them, justice will follow swiftly. Shae spends the days riding with Lines and learning about Raventh. The evenings are spent sparring, with Kara demonstrating various forms to Aran and Ava.
The day before they arrive in Flamegarden, Sister Stoutstorm calls for a halt in the late afternoon; the temperature has dropped. Rain is on the horizon. She orders tents set up, as few as possible, and set up close together. Kara asks Elra, “Where do you want us?” Elra says, “In my tent, with me. There’s plenty of room.” Chomasuke curls up in a corner, and a Sister starts to say something; Ava tells the sister, “Kara, Sylnoa, and I will sleep here with Chomasuke, so she isn’t taking up any more room.” Ava smiles at the Sister, “She’s like a warm blanket.” The Sister seems satisfied with the answer and returns to assist with the camp. Sylnoa looks at Ava, “Sleep on the marrowfang stalker that tried to eat me?” Ava laughs, “If she had tried, you wouldn’t be here. She was playing.”
Kara breaks Sylnoa’s worry by asking, “Can you see memories I don’t know about?” Sylnoa looks at her, “What do you mean? Like memories, you’ve blocked?” Kara shakes her head, “No, deeper. Like memories Azura had when she wore me? There were times she locked me in the dark when she wore me. Like things she didn’t want me to see.” Sylnoa gives Kara a worried look, “We haven’t journeyed into a memory where she was “wearing” you. I don’t know. What is it like to look into the mind of a god?”
Kara snaps at her, “Azura is no god. She is an overpowered succubus, an evil thing that loves to torment and tor…” Sylnoa hugs Kara, “I understand. We can try, but I don’t know what we will see. What if we wake up something, something that should be left sleeping? What are you looking for?” Kara says, “With my brother forming new cults, I worry Azura may have a new colony. I worry that she’s looking for a new avatar.” Sylnoa releases Kara, “If you discover she is?” Kara says, “We stop it.” Sylnoa gives her a confused look, “How, we raid it like yours was? We walk in and tell these people the truth, who probably won’t understand, much less believe you. I mean, what if we walked into your village before the raid, talking about devils and war and murder?” Kara sighs, “I get the point. If she is, though, I can at least warn Elra, Arden, and Narcelia.”
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Sylnoa says, “Let’s rest tonight. We’ll be in Flamegarden tomorrow, then we can talk about it. Tonight, I’ll show you a memory.” Kara says, “I’d like that.” Sylnoa says, “You and Ava have shared so much with me. When Sasha comes into me, I feel what she feels for you. Wow.” It’s time for you to look into me.”
After eating rations, Sister Stoutstorm breaks out some weak but flavorful mead and passes around cups of it. Once everyone has a cup, she lifts her cup, “To those no longer with us. To The Wandering Mountain Trading Company for protecting those refugees. To Dame Cinderblade, Avallie, Aranark, Lines, Sylnoa, Shaedove, and especially Sir Persival Lonepeak.” Sister Stoutstorm holds her cup up, as does everyone else. Everyone downs the cup in one drink, per dwarven tradition. Afterward, Elra and a Sister walk over to Kara and the rest, “Everyone, this is Sister Maen.” Everyone nods to Sister Maen. Sister Maen has dark red hair, similar to Elra’s, but her eyes are orange, an odd color. Kara looks at Elra. Elra says, “Sister Maen is one of my most trusted, best-trained Sisters. I’m sending her to Port Summereach.” Kara says, “We’re…” Elra says, “I’m sending her, whether she travels with you, follows you, or what. I’ve given her the order. If you want to get to know her, it’s up to you. If you want to throw rotten vegetables at her, so be it. She’s going.”
Sister Maen bows to everyone, “I’m honored, I hope to be…” Aran says, “No offense, Sister, but I…” Kara says, “We would be honored to have your company. Have a seat.” Shae scoots aside to give Sister Maen room to sit between her and Aran. Outside, it starts raining.
Elra walks back over to the other Sisters as Sister Maen sits down. She gives an unnerving smile, showing teeth, which she holds way too long. Shae asks, “Can Shae call Sister Maen, just Maen.” Sister Maen looks at Shae, still smiling. She shakes her head, “No.” Ava asks, “Are you a cleric of Veleris?” Sister Maen shakes her head, still smiling, “No.” Ava says, “Then what are you?” Sister Maen continues to smile, “Sorceress.” Aran says, “Could you stop smiling like that.” Sister Maen’s face goes blank. She removes a Bag of Holding from her waist, “This was your friend’s. We placed his items inside.” Kara picks it up, reaches in, and turns it out. Everything Persi owned comes out. Kara picks up Camiella’s Cloak of Protection.
She looks at Shae, then hands it to her. The symbol of Galathor fades, and then the symbol of Raventh appears as the cloak changes colors to a dark gray. Everyone watches it do this with some awe. “Okay, I was not expecting that. Maybe there’s more to that cloak than just being a Cloak of Protection. This reminds me. Here, make room.” She takes out her portable hole and unfolds it. She points at the display cabinet, “Shae, look in there. You will see a holy symbol of Raventh. It’s yours; don’t touch anything else in the cabinet.” Shae climbs down into the portable hole, opens the cabinet, and sees the holy symbol, along with other necklaces, rings, holy symbols of different gods, locks of hair, tiny dolls, and an assortment of items people many carry with them. Still, she touches and removes only Raventh’s holy symbol, then climbs out.
Sylnoa feels Kara slipping into a memory; she kisses her cheek and snaps her back, “Thank you, Sylnoa.” Sylnoa smiles at Kara, “Sooner or later, we will have to discuss that.” Kara looks at her, then at the cabinet, “Later.” Kara closes the portable hole and then looks at Sister Maen. “Sister Maen, since you’ll be traveling with us, I want you to hold on to Persi’s bracers. You may find them useful.” Aran asks, “Are you sure about this? I mean, we don’t know her.”
Kara looks at Sister Maen, “Elra trusts her. I trust her. Sister Maen, tell us about yourself.” Sister Maen looks at each person, then very flatly says, “I’m Sister Maen. Sister Stoutstorm found me as a baby in a gutter in the Flamegarden slums. Sister Stoutstorm raised me and taught me. I love Veleris, but I can’t feel Veleris, if that makes sense. I do, however, have a talent for magic. So, I do my best.” Aran asks, “Why do you smile like that and talk weirdly?” Ava punches Aran’s shoulder, “Hey, that hurt.” Sister Maen says, “Interacting with others is difficult for me. Expressions, the words to please others.” Kara says, “You’ll fit in just fine. Relax.” Sister Maen returns to that strange smile and leans back, trying to seem comfortable but looking rigid.
Everyone looks through Persi’s stuff. Most of the items he used have lost their enchantments. They find small beakers with liquids and pouches with ingredients. Ava looks at his book of formulas. Just like Kara’s journal, the pages seem endless. The book doesn’t look thick, but there must be thousands of pages of notes and equations, all in his handwriting. The third book she picks up is his journal, “I’ve arrived at Nexus. My parents said the Princess was excited…” She closes it. Shae asks Ava, “What upsets Ava so?” Ava wipes away some tears, “This is his journal. He started it the day he arrived at Nexus.” Kara says, “I never saw him write with a journal. I didn’t even know he kept one.” Ava says, “That means it was private to him. Maybe, after we get home, we can find his family and give it to them.” Sister Stoutstorm walks back over.
“I’ll have Sisters on watch all night. All of you can sleep if you want. How’s my little girl getting along with all of you?” Sister Maen says, “I’ve been accepted into the group.” Elra looks at Kara, “How’s she doing?” Kara says, “I think she’ll fit in since she has to travel to Port Summereach anyway.” Elra says, “Good, good, she has a way with people.” Aran shakes his head, “Yeah, that she does.” while looking at Sister Maen. Ava looks at Sister Maen and asks Elra, “I don’t mean to talk about you, Sister Maen. But how does one who can’t feel Veleris’ touch become a Sister?” Elra says, “Well, she’s what’s called a Divine Soul. The magic comes from her, not Veleris.” Kara says, “Mother, I mean Queen Cinderblade is the same. She uses magic that seems divine, and that comes from within. My brother, Donjo was the same. He could heal on a level that would make any priest jealous.” She looks at Sister Maen, “I look forward to our travels.”
Elra thinks about Kara's words, “Donjo, I know that name. Where did I hear it? Damnit, now I’ll be up all night thinking about it.”
Sister Maen maintains that creepy smile. Aran says, “Ava, Lines, Shae, and I will also be on watches tonight.” Sister Stoutstorm nods to him, “Very well, I’m going to turn in. I hope you don’t mind snoring. I’m told two dragons fighting is quieter than I am.” Kara says, “You won’t bother me in the least.”
When they get ready to sleep, Kara asks Sylnoa, “How do we do this.” Sylnoa says, “I’ll connect us, but instead of me being in your mind, you will be in mine. You’ll see surface thoughts. Just let them pass. When I go to sleep, you’ll be in my dreams while you sleep. It may be a little weird.” Kara asks, “Why are you doing this? Is it to show or teach me something?” Sylnoa says, “No, not really. I’m in your brain all the time. I’ve told you about me but never showed you. I can’t guarantee what you will see, but don’t let it bother you. I have a hard time controlling my dreams when I sleep. That’s why I meditate sometimes, but in this case, I want you to see my dreams without me scripting or controlling them.”
Kara smiles and lies back on Chomasuke. As Sylnoa closes her eyes, she feels strange, like she’s somewhere she doesn’t belong. She sees Ava laughing and Aran scowling at something. She gets a brief image of Chomasuke tearing into her, but that quickly ends. Sylnoa opens her eyes, “Sorry, she still scares me some. I’m trying to force myself not to be afraid.”
Kara lays down next to her and starts stroking her hair, “She opens her eyes and sees what looks like a very young Sylnoa sitting on the ground playing with some dolls. She is talking in different voices, a different one for each doll. She looks around and sees other elves, all with blonde hair and bright green eyes, glowing with auras of various colors, except when they look at Sylnoa, they all change to an angry, red color. A beautiful blonde elf walks over to Sylnoa, kisses her forehead, and then enters a shop. Kara feels a warmth from the elf woman similar to what she feels at dawn when she prays. As much as she loves her mothers, Vala and Elyslynn, she’s never felt that with them. She looks familiar for some reason.
When Sylnoa’s mother is out of sight, some other elven children walk over. They, too, have those angry, red auras. A girl about Sylnoa’s age squats down in front of her, “Can I play with you?” Sylnoa smiles at her and hands a doll to the girl. Sylnoa says, “That’s Mifty.” The girl looks at the doll and then makes up a voice, “I’m Mifty, I’m a little crossbred bitch.” Then she breaks the doll in half, stands, and steps on it. Sylnoa never once looks shocked or sheds a tear. The children run away, and then a boy stops, picks up a rock, and throws it at her. It misses her head by a hair. Sylnoa, still smiling, picks up the pieces of the doll and then quietly sits outside the door. Several adults walk by, glaring at her. One, a female elf, says, “Go someplace and die, you crossbred little bastard.” Kara feels chilled when she sees this elf. Somehow, she looks familiar, too. Sylnoa does nothing but smile at them. Her mother comes out with a pale and a few fruits and takes her hand.
Next, Kara sees they are far enough away from the village that they can no longer see or hear it. Her mother stops, then kneels in front of Sylnoa; she hugs her, “I’m so sorry, Syl. I know you don’t like going to the village. I can’t leave you at home alone. Let me see.” Sylnoa pulls the doll out, and her mother says, “Oh, Mifty. I’ll heal her when we get home. Okay?” Sylnoa nods, still smiling. The house is beautiful, with flowers everywhere and a garden. Inside are two rooms, a living area, and a sleeping area.
Kara opens her eyes to Ava, nudging her, “It’s almost dawn.” Kara looks at Ava, “Already?” She doesn’t feel Sylnoa’s mind anymore. Kara touches Sylnoa, and her eyes open, “Oh, morning?” Outside, it is cold and wet, but the rain has stopped. The three find a semi-dry place and sit on the tailgate of a wagon. Even though it’s nearly impossible to see with the fog, Kara feels Sylnoa’s hand tighten on hers when dawn breaks, and Elirae’s warmth courses through her. Ava goes back inside, where it’s warm after prayer. Kara asks, “That warmth I felt when your mother kissed you?” Sylnoa smiles, “That’s true love.” Kara thinks, “I feel the same when I’m with Sasha and when I’m with my children, too.” She asks, “Your experience with the villagers that hated you? How did you survive with those thugs?” Sylnoa nods as she says, “Not much bothers me. I can’t let it. Hateful thoughts from others may give me headaches, but it’s their loss; they will never feel warmth; everything to them is cold.”
Kara remembers the first time she saw Sylnoa after the fight at Crossroads, “What did my aura look like the first time you saw me?” Sylnoa says, looking at her, “Like you may kill me. But when you spoke to Sasha and calmed down, it changed. However, when I pulled you out of that nightmare, I thought I was dead. The aura you had then was the aura someone gets when they are going to kill. I thought that was it. I hoped I would see my mother. Then, in an instant, I saw the real you.” Kara puts an arm around Sylnoa and helps her off the wagon, “I’m glad you stayed, Sylnoa; now, if you keep letting Sasha suck my face through you, I may fall for you.” Sylnoa laughs, “You’re a bad girl. I will tell Sasha.” while somewhere inside, a faint glimmer of hope dawns. She blocks off that thought before it grows.
Still pondering what she saw in Sylnoa’s dream, “Now I know she is a Silent Star half-elf. I wonder if I should tell her that I am Silent Star, too? Alhindri was Silent Star and barely escaped with her life.” She thinks back to when she first arrived at Nexus when one of the Chain Breakers brought a Silent Star elf to Nexus. “What was her name? She wanted to return because…” Elra sounds the horn to move out, snapping Kara out of her thoughts.