Fantasy Farewell to Kings: Elide’s Tale

[A Play On Words]

She nodded quickly, as a few people were already looking at them oddly. Whether it was her eye or her hair, it made her uncomfortable. Elide grasped Bart's hand once more, staring down at her feet as they walked.

 

[Jodyguru]

Bart bought them a pair of matching wooden medallions. They were carved crosses with oldspeak written into them. They were replicas of the ones worn by paladins during the cursed days of vampiric rule. The runes said “Vile Darkness Shrinks at My Light” something Elide felt the possessed sword would chide.
Bart sighed. “I’m getting low on money. Might be a good idea to find some work while we’re here.”

 

[A Play On Words]

She frowned at the wording, but shrugged it off. Eli turned to Bart before nodding. "Yeah- we do have some time. It would be nice to set ourselves up a bit," Elide smiled

 

[Jodyguru]

Bart nodded. There was much work to be done in the city. He’d have to find the Wolfhead guild somewhere here. Then there was Elide’s search for a crystal orb. He’d follow her anywhere she desired.

 

[A Play On Words]

"What should we do first?" She asked with a happy smile

 

[Jodyguru]

“Aren’t you interested in finding a crystal orb here? I bet those maidens that Fred mentioned would know how to help you.” Bart was guessing, but if there was something to be found here, someone who deals with the public constantly would be a good person to ask.

 

[A Play On Words]

Her eye lit up. " Oh yeah! Where do you think we can find them?"

 

[Jodyguru]

Bart shrugged and started heading south. “The guy said south church. Let’s start there.”

It didn’t take long to find the church. There was a man in armor shoving peasants away from the building, saying things about how the healers are busy and they need to leave. The doors were open, and inside was a hooded figure sitting on a bench, looking down at the floor. Listening closely, it sounded like they were gently sobbing.

Bart decided to stay back, just because he was a big brute who didn’t want to upset the person.

 

[A Play On Words]

Elide glanced inside before quickly walking towards the figure. She placed a hand on their shoulder, kneeling down to match their height. "What's wrong?" She asked in a gentle and soothing manner.

 

[Jodyguru]

A woman lifted her head and looked at Elide with wet eyes. “Mitra has abandoned me. I cannot use my healing to help these poor people.” She started sobbing more into her sleeve. In the church were a few people recovering from sickness and injury. The other maidens have already left, not taking their useless sister with them, for what purpose does a Healing Maiden serve if they cannot cast?

 

[A Play On Words]

Eli bit her lip before looking back at the girl. "What if someone could help heal them for you?" She murmured softly

 

[Jodyguru]

The woman shook her head. “My sisters already did that. They called my faith weak and insinuated all sorts of horrible things. I’ve never sinned my whole life, I cannot fathom why darkness surrounds me now.”

 

[A Play On Words]

Elide connected herself with the aether, still keeping a hand on the woman's shoulder, trying to identify the source of her problems. Elide had never heard of magic just dissipating like that, there had to be a reason why.

 

[Jodyguru]

The aether didn’t tell her much aside from the woman’s feelings of abandonment. Unfortunately the will of the gods was something the aether couldn’t sense.
The woman looked up and saw Elide staring off in an unsettling way.
“You... have you come for healing as well? I’m sorry to say that I cannot help you. You can try to find a more useful maiden in the city.”

 

[A Play On Words]

"Um- no, I cannot be healed... Did you do something that might've upsetting the gods?" Elide asked, trying to calm the woman down, but also trying to force away the woman's questions about herself.

 

[Jodyguru]

The woman became more upset. “No! I’ve long embraced the light that Mitra gives. Her work is good and necessary, without it we wander in darkness like sheep to be slaughtered. I’d do anything to escape this darkness!”

“You can start by quitting the tears.” Bart said from the doorway. “You can’t do anything about it just sitting there and crying about it. You’ve got two good legs and two working arms.I know guys less lucky who never let a thing bother them, so cut it out!”
The woman looked up with a bit of clearance in her eyes.
“Yes... perhaps that’s what I need to do. Mitra is punishing me. I’ve been too dedicated to the light, too focused on one thing in my life. I need... I need to change.” She looked over at Elide and Bart.
“I apologize for this. Thank you kind stranger and angry man.”

 

[A Play On Words]

"I hope Mitra forgives you," Elide smiled as she rose to her feet

(Sorry my dog decided to walk across my laptop )

 

[Jodyguru]

The lady wiped her eyes on her sleeve and nodded. “She will if I can show myself true to her... my name is Leona. You said you don’t need healing. Perhaps I can help you another way? Do you wish to pray at this church?”

 

[A Play On Words]

"Actually... Well we're looking for an orb... It has magical properties, and we were told we could get information here," Elide explained

 

[Jodyguru]

Bart entered the church. “It’s made of crystal, maybe the size of an eye?”
Leona nodded like she understood what they meant.
“I’ve read about crystal therapy. They can be used to bring sight to the sightless. Is that what you seek? Have you lost an eye, Miss?” She held a hand towards Elide, looking to sense the injury within her. Instead of sensing that, she got a strange magical property from her that seemed unusual. She poorly hid her surprise.

 

[A Play On Words]

Elide gulped and wrapped her arm around the girl's and yanked her towards an unoccupied hallway. "You cannot say anything about this to anyone. What I'm going to show you might haunt your dreams." Elide said hastily.
She glanced up at Bart, still unsure if she should follow through or if it would put them in danger.

 

[Jodyguru]

Bart watched the door. He’d knock the girl out if he had to keep her quiet. “It’s not that bad, honestly. She’s a little dramatic.”

Leona was a little scared, after all these two just pulled her away from anyone who might overhear them. She swallowed hard, thinking what if this is the purpose that Mitra has given her.
“Oh, okay... if you say so.”

 

[A Play On Words]

Elide sighed and unwrapped the bandage, revealing her eye. "This is why we need it." She explained, pointing to her blackened eye.

 

[Jodyguru]

The eye pulsed and purple scars surrounded her eye. The woman covered her mouth with absolute shock.
“This... I felt a strange magic before. Poor thing... you were branded by the abyss, and now you seek to contain its power?”

“That thing causes her to pass out when she uses her magic.” Bart said.
“What? That isn’t right.” The woman inspected Elide more carefully. The scars were very old.
“Oh no, you poor dear. You didn’t accept this brand willingly. You were young, very very young. I know what troubles you.”

“Leona! Where did you run off to?” A voice hollered. It was the armorclad man they saw outside.

“I can’t say any more. If anyone sees this, you’ll be executed as a Nightkin, a traitor of light. Please be careful, and Mitra bless you.”

 

[A Play On Words]

Elide winced as the woman inspected the mark she was ashamed of. When she heard the voice, she jumped and instinctively rushed to Bart's side, but calmed down after realizing she wasn't in huge amounts of danger. Elide nodded at Leona's words. "Thank you, for you help" Elide murmured softly.