Shadows of the Setting Sun (Main)

[Esbilon]

"The tribe is not very large," Zoya says, "if someone can keep an eye on the elementals and make sure they do what is needful, we can have the people here healed before we leave tomorrow. It will require working through the night, but that hardly seems like an insurmountable task."

With that she goes to the side of the river and begins preparing the ritual for summoning a Sobeksis.

 

[jaydude]

Random Word Sherwood Teh Frixz
Makuro frowned at Aeliena and Sigrdrífa. Even if she sounded more concerned about personal glory than the bigger picture, he couldn't begrudge the Icewalker for not wanting to stick around - like him, she had no ties to these people - but just what was going on within the Evervictor's mind? Why was she acting like everyone - including the stricken Icewalkers - had travelled a great distance to be here? Why did she think there were bakers and brewers to be found in this wilderness? And did she just wave to a rock within the river?

To say nothing of her ignoring his role in taking down the corruption that had infected the river spirit.

Spoiler: OOC

Presumably, Makuro's seeing Aeliena's Derangement in action for the first time here.

At least Tyree was around to speak sense, he thought, giving her an appreciative smile before he turned back to Aeliena. "Do you see anywhere we're likely to find alcohol, healers, or priests other than Zoya?" he asked, sounding slightly irritable at the nonsense coming from the Solar's mouth. "As for the disease, yes, we managed to obliterate that thing, but I for one don't know whether or not that was a source or a symptom of it. Tyree's right; we might as well investigate the matter while we're within this area, either on the way to or back from Marama's Fell."

He then gave Sigrdrífa a little smirk. "Who knows? The source might well be a disease spirit the size of a fully grown mammoth. They're sometimes known for being that big when they represent a particularly potent sickness. A foe worthy of legend, no?"

"The tribe is not very large," Zoya says, "if someone can keep an eye on the elementals and make sure they do what is needful, we can have the people here healed before we leave tomorrow. It will require working through the night, but that hardly seems like an insurmountable task."

With that she goes to the side of the river and begins preparing the ritual for summoning a Sobeksis.

Makuro nodded. "I can take the first watch." he said.

Spoiler: Makuro Stats

Essence: 1
Personal Essence: 16/16
Peripheral Essence: 31/38

Committed Essence: 5 (Hundred Rings)

Willpower: 6
Join Battle: 7
Health Levels: -0, -1, -1, -2, -2, -2, -2, -2, -2, -4, -4, -4, Inc.
Resolve 4, Guile 4

Attacks
Hundred Rings (13 Withering, 10 Decisive, 14 Damage, Overwhelming 4)
Unarmed (14 Withering, 10 Decisive, 9 Damage, Overwhelming 1)

Actions
Rush: 7 dice
Disengage: 10 dice

Evasion 5, Parry 6
Soak/Hardness: 6/0 (Buff Jacket, +3 Soak)

 

[WlfSamurai]

End Scene

Do not respond. A new scene will open soon to respond to.

 

[WlfSamurai]

Scene 4

The icewalker refugees have settled back into their shanties. Small cook fires burn as what little provisions they have left are warmed. Those who are sick are tended to by any who are still well enough to do so.

Clearly, this sickness is not spread through the air or by simple contact. Among the camp, those who are not yet sick don’t seem to follow any sort of pattern or reasoning. Those who are sick, you find out, were directly attacked by plague-walkers.

Zoya, you spend the afternoon preparing and casting your ritual. Your drawn out runes and patterns on the ground begin to glow with Essences when you begin drawing power from everything around you. The final motion you make is to dump water into the center of the shape you have drawn on the ground.

The water begins swirling, like the scale model of a hurricane. Then it expands into a larger shape, tendrils of water splitting off and surrounding the rest like a cage of liquid. Then, the water falls away completely, no longer suspended.

What’s left is shaped as a man made of flowing water. But his head is that of a crocodile. As soon as he appears, he goes to a knee as the binding of the ritual pulls him down and wraps him in Essence. The Essence explodes off his body and dissipates. He stands and, without saying a word, looks to you, Zoya. After looking into your eyes, he nods, turns, and goes about his work.

That first evening, not all are healed as hoped. Out of the five “healed” of their sickness, one dies in the process. As the plague is removed from her body, it takes her soul with it. Left behind, her body withers into a decaying husk.

That night, you all sit around a campfire near the camp. Ranna sits with you. Haze and Aaki are there too.

The Elemental, bound to the camp until his task is complete, sits and meditates quietly.

“Thank you again for all this,” Ranna says.

Esbilon Epiphany Rykon Sherwood , D. Rex Random Word Teh Frixz jaydude

 

[jaydude]

Makuro just gave a little smile. "Thank whatever gods you worship that we happened to be passing through this region." he replied quietly.

"Earlier, you mentioned fighting with plague-walkers whom you mistook for the Mammoth Tribe. Do you have any idea where this battle took place?" he then asked, remembering how Zoya had asked that question just before the appearance of the corrupted river goddess. If they were going to investigate the matter of this plague alongside the events of Marama's Fell, they might as well try and narrow down the investigation area.

Spoiler: Makuro Stats

Essence: 1
Personal Essence: 16/16
Peripheral Essence: 36/38

Committed Essence: 5 (Hundred Rings)

Willpower: 6
Join Battle: 7
Health Levels: -0, -1, -1, -2, -2, -2, -2, -2, -2, -4, -4, -4, Inc.
-0: [_]
-1: [_], [_]
-2: [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_]
-4: [_], [_], [_]
Resolve 4, Guile 4

Attacks
Hundred Rings (13 Withering, 10 Decisive, 14 Damage, Overwhelming 4)
Unarmed (14 Withering, 10 Decisive, 9 Damage, Overwhelming 1)

Actions
Rush: 7 dice
Disengage: 10 dice

Evasion 5, Parry 6
Soak/Hardness: 6/0 (Buff Jacket, +3 Soak)

 

[Sherwood]

Tyree is hesitant to relax too much; the threat of more of these plague infected spirits or people out there is just too great. Instead, she does her best to keep watch, prowling around the perimeter of the camp, watching carefully for any signs of trouble.

 

[Random Word]

As Aeliana goes in search of libations Sigrdrífa looks distastefully at the dismal weather, the haphazard collection of lean-tos filled with plague victims that passes for a camp, and this strange scaly-headed demon conjured forth by the Sorcerer. She leans in and kisses Toun, "I tire of sleeping outside in the rain. I will make somewhere better for us to sleep. Perhaps not god-worthy, but I'll see what I can do."

She sets out for the far side of the bridge. Her shield-ramp-palisade is almost half a lodge by itself, so she uproots it from the ground and uses it as a plow to level a large section of earth beside the road, gathering more trunks from the surrounding woodlands to build a second wall, planting both in the earth and leaning them against one another to erect the shell of an A-framed lodge large enough to accomodate a dozen, packing the walls with sod torn from the ground in sheets for insulation, and covering the floor with thick rugs of woven river rushes. Weaving those used to be so boring and take forever but now they practically weave themselves, the reeds drying to just the right moisture level as they pass through her almost imperceptibly fast fingers as easily as settled thread. She adds a firepit with simple covered chimney to protect it from the rain and builds herself a roaring fire.

She surveys the product of twenty minutes of hard labour with satisfaction, but realizes with annoyance she could be set upon in the night, and so carrying over her shoulder a huge bundle of all the larger branches of the trees she has uprooted she walks around the perimeter planting them in the earth to construct a wooden palisade, packing it with earth until she deems it sufficient to slow down plague walkers. She returns inside to roast one of the deer she killed during the day's march (and made Afureru's soldiers carry), smoking the rest. There won't be much food to be found deep into a shadowland. Then she flops down beside the fire with a contented sigh.

 

[Rykon]

With the circle at large tending to the affairs of the White Elk, Toun turned to Sigrdrifa and smiled from the kiss. No doubt she'd done honest and hard work already this day. With the quick work at the pyre, the fox god found the prospect of her next construction curious. For as long as he knew his beloved, traveling together like this was a first and her diligence thus far had only provided further proof of her worthiness. "Hmmm, I am still me beneath it all, darling Sigi. Though I take the mantle seriously enough, I'm content to make my home right here." He replied, pointing to her heart. He briefly embraced her, passing on a blessing for her efforts.

As for the warrior of the Snow Fox tribe himself, he was better off plying what talents he had to another task. His shape blurred and rewove into an eagle taking off from the ground with a single determined beat of his wings. From above he scanned the tundra, looking for the telltale signs of large animals in the area. From ground level, tracks were quick to fill with rainwater and obscured from sight as dribbling currents rippled over all of the ground. Not quite so easily from higher elevation. Depth was far easier to interpret and large beasts worth the meat and hide left deep impressions in the softened soil. Once he discovered his mark, a large Mammoth still bearing both tusks, Toun dove down. Overhead he'd reweave his form again to draw his blade and sail downward on saturated air to pierce the creature's spine with a gleaming silver Daiklave.

Though his lover's work displayed more care, skill, and overall effort, surely a new bed fur and fresh meat to cure for the road would make a suitable gift to hold the elements at bay. By the time the Snow Leopard finished her project, proud enough of a hard day's work, Toun set a cart bearing the corpse to the side of their lodging and took the moment to join her by the fire. "This is very well fortified for so short a time love. Staying warm I hope?" He offered as a greeting, removing his coat to dry by the fire. He set the Daiklave aside, leaning up against the structure she'd built. "Eh, I'll have the troops deal with skinning and butchering. Surely there's enough meat to spare to be worthy pay." Toun said idly, looking at his kill. "The skin and bulk of the cuts are still yours though." He stepped over to sit behind Sigrdrifa and share what warmth he could in a satisfied embrace. "Thanks for all of this by the way. It's nice to have a place to come back to again."

 

[Esbilon]

"You're welcome," Zoya answers Ranna with a tired smile. The summoning has taken more out of her than she had expected, but it is done and she can leave these people healthier than she left them.

 

[Sherwood]

After spending some time prowling around the perimeter of the camp, Tyree finally comes into the common area and sets herself down in front of the fire to warm herself. It is one thing to say you are a child of the North, and are naturally resistant to the cold, but great Luna it gets cold out there! She looks to the others and says, "I looked around out there for any signs of trouble, but spotted nothing so far. Even so, we shouldn't let our guard down."

 

[jaydude]

Esbilon Sherwood WlfSamurai
Makuro gave an approving nod at Tyree when she got back, then looked at Zoya.

"Get some sleep. I'm sure the rest of us can keep an eye on things here." he advised her, figuring that whatever his issues with Solars, the Whitewall Zenith was owed a bit of a break. As he waited for Renna to answer his earlier question, he cast a look around, wondering where the other Celestials of the group might be.

Spoiler: Makuro Stats

Essence: 1
Personal Essence: 16/16
Peripheral Essence: 33/38

Committed Essence: 5 (Hundred Rings)

Willpower: 6
Join Battle: 7
Health Levels: -0, -1, -1, -2, -2, -2, -2, -2, -2, -4, -4, -4, Inc.
-0: [_]
-1: [_], [_]
-2: [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_]
-4: [_], [_], [_]
Resolve 4, Guile 4

Attacks
Hundred Rings (13 Withering, 10 Decisive, 14 Damage, Overwhelming 4)
Unarmed (14 Withering, 10 Decisive, 9 Damage, Overwhelming 1)

Actions
Rush: 7 dice
Disengage: 10 dice

Evasion 5, Parry 6
Soak/Hardness: 6/0 (Buff Jacket, +3 Soak)

 

[D. Rex]

Afureru had kept to herself tonight. Spending most of her time seeing her men do what they kept up with their regular duties. Then moved on to grooming the nameless beast. It was a ritual that still felt odd to her. Caring for something. It was awkward. Even now she felt like she was going about it mechanically. But she was trying. She wanted to try. It took a while, getting tangled clumps of mud from its fur was as fruitless as ever but she did it anyway. Filing small jags from its talons so they wouldn't snag or crack. Even checking its mouth to make sure that no bones had gotten lodged in its gums.

By the time she was done, she was about as dirty as the tyrant lizard had been. And now it was laying down, looking like a snow bank if its chest was not heaving from the deep breathing of sleep.

Finally, she peeled off her armor for the day, tossing it to the ground without ceremony. Without the warmth of the thick buff jacket, she could feel the cold much more noticeably. But she didn't mind it too much. At this point it felt refreshing.

Dragging it behind her she made her way to a campfire that had been left unattended. A kettle of something beginning to boil over. Idiots just leaving food unattended. Thats how camps catch fire. Oh well, her food now.

Poking at it with a stick, she discovered it to be some kind of tubers. That would do just fine. Recovering a simple dented tin plate from her saddle, she served herself a helping. They were a bit overcooked at this point, oh well. She wasn't a picky Eater. A bit of salt and it would be a veritable feast.

 

[WlfSamurai]

Haze and Aaki slip into the A-frame common hall that has all but appeared out of thin air. Aaki settles into his bedroll near the fire and stares into the flames. Processing the day’s events.

Haze seats herself next to Zoya. She has a hard time finding words to speak with the Solar. But, eventually, she manages to ask what’s on her mind.

”How…how did you know to summon…” She says and then turns to point at the meditating Elemetal outside in the rain. “That. Have you seen it before?”

Makuro, Ranna follows you inside the structure Sigrdrífa built to answer your question.

“Yes,” she answers. “It was two days north-east of here. I’m not sure exactly. We ran. For as long and as hard as we could. I think the only reason we got away was because we ended up splitting up from the other half of the tribe.“ She looks down into the dirt and draws some shapes haphazardly with a stick in it. “Who knows if they’re okay. I hope they did better than we did.“

 

[Esbilon]

"In books," Zoya answers Haze. "Due to their power, they're a fairly popular and well-studied species of elemental, even if they are naturally more common in the south-east far from here."

 

[Teh Frixz]

Aeliana, The Evervictor

“And that’s why it’s imperative to allow a for a society to engage in blood sport, what I’ve been calling the Arena. It’s an expression of the physical of creation, when perfected, it begins to achieve understanding of its place by witnessing the Powers of the Solar, the Celestial, through the glories of Victory. And what better way to witness that glory first hand than by conversing with the Evervictor? Myself? So if you are willing and unafraid, take up your worship of me as your conduit to something greater. What say you?”

Grand Speaker Kalleste would have been proud at how well his words flowed from her mouth, Aeliana quite chuffed at her conversion rate this evening. She’d spent the greater part of the night distracted in discussion over her divinity and the purpose of her Cult, but it had borne fruit as several prominent members of the local council had seemingly latched onto the concept so strongly that they had little to in response.

Aeliana proceeded to nod once to scraggly bush she’d been speaking with for the last half hour before moving on to explore more of the city before her. It really had been lovely, feeling the heat of the Sun pressing down on her bare shoulders but after a few steps toward the nearby distillery, Aeliana felt a sudden chill.

Clouds overtook the sky, blocking her connection to the sun, and rain began to fall. An unnatural chill in each drop. Aeliana stuck her hand out to catch a handful of the icy rain when she looked up to see the world melting away around her. The sea of shops and crowds of potential converts looked like a painting doused with water. She dashed forward, trying to grab at the people in an attempt to stop them from wasting away.

Nothing was there. Just empty space. The colorful warm world was disintegrating into cold, icy blackness. Aeliana gripped the sides of her head trying to hold the colors. When she opened her eyes again, she was now in the far North. Where she’d been the whole time? The day suddenly felt like a haze, like waking from a dream and being unable to hold onto the threads of memory.

Aeliana stared at the nearby bush, hoping for a response. When only the branches shaking in the wind turned out to be the only response, Aeliana sighed, upset with herself.

The Grand Speaker had been right, she’d fallen into another moment of bewitchment. She’d must have been in doubt of herself, or worse, broken his trust and committed one of the Sins he warned her of before taking this trip. The pleasurable enjoyment of the day drained out of her, leaving a thick stone of guilt in her stomach. She’d have to put on quite the show to atone for this.

Aeliana dropped her gaze from the bush and began the walk back towards camp, much quieter than when she had left. Eventually finding herself in the A-Frame, saying nothing as she went about finding a place to sleep.

 

[WlfSamurai]

The evening proceeds without incident. Eventually, everyone settles down in the respective places: you all in the shelter Sigrdrífa fashioned for you. Ranna and what's left of her tribe in their hovels and tents near the bridge.

The next morning finds Aaki and Haze making breakfast while the Elemental goes about its work. This time, all five recipients of the Elemental's Charm are healed. The begin to improve moments after.

Ranna approaches you as the morning wears on. "At this rate, we might be in better shape in a few days. Zoya, we can't thank you enough. And we're indebted to you. We'd like the chance to repay that debt. A few of us were discussing last night and, once we're well enough on the whole, we'd like to accompany you all. On your journey. Would you have us? I figure we'd catch up after you leave and we rest up. We have some good trackers, so finding you wouldn't be a problem. What say you?"

 

[jaydude]

Random Word Rykon Sherwood Teh Frixz
Makuro gave Aeliana a slightly concerned look when the southern Zenith entered the shelter, but he made no comment.

When Ranna and the others offered to join them, the Changing Moon's eyebrows rose in pleasant surprise for having won such goodwill, though truthfully he was a little hesitant to bring them along, what with the dangers they might run into at Marama's fell. He kept silent though, seeing as Zoya was the one who had been addressed, but he also looked towards Toun, Tyree and Sigrdrífa, wanting to see if any of them were considering weighing in. From what he understood, the other two Lunars planned to set up a dominion of sorts, and Sigrdrífa was more likely than not to stick with Toun. A handful of grateful tribesmen seemed like an okay starting point.

Spoiler: Makuro Stats

Essence: 1
Personal Essence: 16/16
Peripheral Essence: 33/38

Committed Essence: 5 (Hundred Rings)

Willpower: 6
Join Battle: 7
Health Levels:
-0: [_]
-1: [_], [_]
-2: [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_]
-4: [_], [_], [_]
Resolve 4, Guile 4

Attacks
Hundred Rings (13 Withering, 10 Decisive, 14 Damage, Overwhelming 4)
Unarmed (14 Withering, 10 Decisive, 9 Damage, Overwhelming 1)

Actions
Rush: 7 dice
Disengage: 10 dice

Evasion 5, Parry 6
Soak/Hardness: 6/0 (Buff Jacket, +3 Soak)

 

[Teh Frixz]

Aeliana, The Evervictor

The dreams of the Evervictor were quite often wild and extremely vivid, sometimes undistinguishable from her own reality. All the same things would be there, Sun high above, sand below, blood cooking under the shadowless glare, crowds cheering and the smell of food vendors hocking their plates. Only it would be a bit more jumbled up in her dreams, absurd even. Her opponents would be shades of colors, the arena inside out and upside down. It wasn’t unenjoyable, just a welcome distraction as the mind made sense of the chaos of her life.

Tonight there was no dream. There wasn’t even a release of unconsciousness. She’d made herself a comfortable enough nest of blankets and pillows, but she couldn’t sleep. Eyes shut, unmoving, Aeliana spent the night fighting herself. She tried counting, tried praying, tried relaxing each part of her body to the point of feeling the muscle in her chest contract with each beat of her heart, able to feel the pulse in her toes. Her body might have been asleep but her mind was active.

The soft patter of rain did little except remind Aeliana of how little time she’d have to enjoy rest if she did manage to fully fall asleep. The rain slowly let up and became a silent drizzle in tandem with the rising of the Unconquered Sun. She felt his light penetrating her eyelids and with a sigh, she admitted defeat to herself and began to stir, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. Some victory that had been.

The others had also taken shelter in the structure generously provided, Aeliana blinking and taking in the surroundings of the morning. Makuro slipped to the forefont of her thoughts, his watchful eyes falling on her a few times last night, now putting his sight onto Ranna and her request to follow the Circle into the Fell.

He was right to watch and listen and judge. Was their endgame worship and service or were they using her group to piggyback their way to another goal?

Aeliana yawned loudly, lurching the rest of the way up to announce herself. Time to put on the show.

She was responsible for how she felt getting out of bed, even if she was still tired, she’d consciously choose to be happy and to enjoy the gifts of the day. Half stretching and half walking, she approaches the focused Aaki and Haze, squatting down beside them.

“And we have our first meal of the day underway! No less exquisite than the meals provided back in Whitewall, as any food not prepared by yourself is, without a doubt, the greatest meal in exsistence!”

Aeliana smiles and rests her hands on the nape of both their backs, leaning down to inhale the smells of their cooking but just ending up far too deep inside personal space.

“If you are both willing to keep cooking, I’m sure I can scrounge up more food to feed at least the beings inside our wonderful shelter? I would hate to see anyone miss a meal before we return to travel. What best way may the Evervictor serve you, mortals?”

 

[Esbilon]

Zoya is taken aback by the tribesfolk's offer and seems somewhat flustered as she answers, "um, I greatly appreciate the offer, but you do know that we are going into the Fell to fight the undead, don't you? This is a dangerous trip for mortals and we already have Aeliana's forces with us. I'm honored that you would go, and you are welcome to join us, but we are going into danger and terror, and no one will think less of you if you choose to go your own way."

 

[Random Word]

Sigrdrífa looks up at the terrible wound in the mammoth's back where Toun struck it down from above and grins. "Show-off. I love it. Thank you. No, I want to leave tomorrow, and the mortals will take days to butcher this properly. I'll do it - give me that holy sword of yours for a minute." She grunts in surprise at the weight as she hefts it, impressed Toun wields it so casually, but that will help with cracking bone and tearing sinew. She sets to work immediately, peeling hide from flesh like fruit rind, separating muscle from bone with precise incisions, prising the ribs open to get at the viscera. Twenty minutes later she has dozens of metres of sinew curing into rope over the fire and is mashing together by hand the fat, excess meat, and berries into bars of pemmican sheathed in intestine, dried by the time the bars leave her fingers to join the growing pile. By the time she's done there are only neatly piled bones and those elements of viscera that she does not know how to turn to some useful purpose. The tiny amount of salt in her bag goes a miraculously long way in curing the massive hide, a process she completes in minutes instead of weeks, and after cutting it into useful segments she wraps one around the pemmican, reinforced with bone to make it easier for the soldiers to carry, and - after washing herself off in the river - another blanket sized segment around Toun, pulling him towards her with a smile.

"Now I'm keeping warm."

When Aeliana wanders in late that evening she looks too tired to be dangerous, and so Sigrdrífa pays her little mind. She rests her head on Toun's lap beneath the mammoth-skin blanket before the fire. With all their new travelling companions gathered around the flame in the small lodge, it was easy to forget she wasn't home.

--------

The next morning she rises, breaks her fast quickly on the leftover roasted meat from the previous night, and gets ready to depart. As Ranna makes her petition and Zoya demurs she sighs at the distraction, "They were already dead, Sorcerer. Much as it discomfits me, your scaly-headed demon has saved them, and now their lives are yours. If they wish to die in battle, let them, but I will not slow down for them."

 

[Esbilon]

"I am stopping no one from dying in battle if that is their wish," Zoya answers Sigrdrifa with an edge to her voice, "I am merely making sure they know what they would be walking into. I have seen the horrors the Fell may hold, and no one should face those unaware and unprepared." Standing up and looking the other in the eye, she continues, "and I do not appreciate your tone. You know my name, Sigrdrífa, so use it! I am not some nameless, villainous sorceress out of your legends, I am your companion on this journey, and though our backgrounds are about as different as can be in the North, I thought we had come to some amount of understanding, was I wrong?"

 

[jaydude]

Upon hearing the edge in Zoya's voice, Makuro slowly and discretely moved away from the gap between her and Sigrdrífa, lest one of the two women suddenly attempt to close it with hostile intent.

Spoiler: Makuro Stats

Essence: 1
Personal Essence: 16/16
Peripheral Essence: 33/38

Committed Essence: 5 (Hundred Rings)

Willpower: 6
Join Battle: 7
Health Levels:
-0: [_]
-1: [_], [_]
-2: [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_]
-4: [_], [_], [_]
Resolve 4, Guile 4

Attacks
Hundred Rings (13 Withering, 10 Decisive, 14 Damage, Overwhelming 4)
Unarmed (14 Withering, 10 Decisive, 9 Damage, Overwhelming 1)

Actions
Rush: 7 dice
Disengage: 10 dice

Evasion 5, Parry 6
Soak/Hardness: 6/0 (Buff Jacket, +3 Soak)

 

[D. Rex]

"Our pace is already slowed down by my band. We all have been okay with this so far, so it would only be fair to expect them to keep up with the other mortals in our presence. But I agree with Zoya in that they should be made aware. It is better the cowardly stay behind, as them breaking ranks at the first sight of the evil to come will only hurt us." Afureru said, with little care about the rising tension. She sat wrapped tightly in her thick wooly coat beside Makuro who was now scooting away.

Afureru did not mind. They were not in the courts of a city, manners were non essential and fights and arguements between kin was something she was used to and expected. Nothing like a little blood shed among friends to help wake one up in the morning.

"They are swearing to you, Zoya, as far I can tell. But if you wish it, I can see them integrated into my army or as their own unit under you. Either way, I can help see them prepared for the Fel."

 

[Random Word]

Sigrdrífa, seething, rounds on Zoya, "You think they're stupid children? Most of their tribe was just devoured by the horrors of the Fell. An understanding? I understand you consort with demons, and I saw you steal that woman's soul last night. Is there even anything left of the others, or are they just empty shells? If you did that to my people, I would st-" Her jaw snaps shut, that unfamiliar sickness in the pit of her stomach returning at the thought of striking Zoya down. Staring into those bewitching eyes it's so hard to remember why her anger is justified and Zoya's isn't. Why she shouldn't be doing absolutely anything to placate her. She tears her eyes away forcefully, crossing her arms and avoiding Zoya's gaze. "I would... would stop you. Somehow," she finishes lamely.

"I only tolerate you because..." She feels a rising panic at the realization she has no idea why while in Zoya's presence she can't seem to remain angry about acts the Shamans have always taught her are unnatural transgressions against the Spirits. She flails about wildly for a way to rationalize her behaviour, rekindling the guttering flame of her anger and glaring defiantly at Zoya, "Because I need to watch you to make sure you don't do something worse!" Yes. Right. If the Sorcerer tried to do something really awful, then she would be able to break this enchantment. To... stop her. She'll work out the details later.

 

[Esbilon]

Anger, sadness, and an exasperated need to explain to Sigrdrifa how she is factually wrong war inside Zoya. I the end she takes a deep breath and reaches out towards her, but closes her hand and pulls it back before touching. "I... I'm very sorry you feel that way. These people asked for my help and the best I could do was summon an elemental to heal the sickness. I will swear any oath you want that no souls have been devoured by me, the spirit, or anyone else to the best of my knowledge. Should this happen to your people, I would respect your wishes."

She takes a step back and looks down at the ground, "but since you do feel that way, perhaps I should return to Whitewall."