With Ren still missing the group finishes business at the inquisitors office, Cei finding Berrick guilty of heresy and sentencing him to holy re-education through building a school and lute lessons by Bartholomew when we get to White Hall. A veiled kindness with how many people he owes money, disowned him and the alternative of being light at a pyre for heresy.
Cei informs Inquisitor Fauxe about her decision and
inquires about his satisfaction in North Wall, looking into an idea of opening
another office in White Hall to assist or train new inquisitors. He would
greatly appreciate the help, and assured Cei she had good meaning ideas and
plans but offered advice. Mainly to gather the appropriate people before you go
to far in introducing her ideas, moving through the ranks as quickly as she has
could garner enemies below and above. To not trust blindly, “what is said in
the houses of the holy isn’t as holy as we would like it to be.” Cei seems
annoyed at this advice, just assuring that she knows that getting her promotion
and those who have given it to her may only see her as no more than a piece on
the board of their game.
Following a quick stop at the Inn to send a letter up
to the tower requesting an audience for Cyrus and Lyra to see Valen to ask
about the copper construction of the book cover, and the Karid archon spoken
about.
Then head out to the Musetti estate to both look for
the book left at the house, and to inform his father of the ruling and
punishment Berrick will receive. We are
welcomed in after a short wait outside. Cei asks Lord Musetti for his
endorsement of his sons sentence and relocation for holy re-education; his only
question was how far away it would be that he was sent. When hearing it would
only be a few days he agreed but would have preferred he would have been sent
further away; he signs the deal. Cei asks about an the book which had been
noted as heresy that was left at the estate, Senica shows us where he burned all
possession including books, clothes, lute etc.. He sold any gold and silver. In
the bowl is a lump of copper, the once interictally woven cover to the book we
were searching for. Cei prays and finds a dweomer of magic in the metal, very
faint in its presence. We take our leave.
On the way back to the inn we run into Ren and Abelard.
They appear tired, and battle worn. When asked about where they had gone Ren
just mentions he went to look at a monastery, it was a waste of time and he didn’t
want to talk about it. Lyra puts her hand on his shoulder welcoming him back,
as she does she senses his growing anger and anxiety; he smells of blood both
his own and an beast, though he has since washed he was in battle in the last
day. We head to the Inn, what is to be discussed is best to be done out of ear
shot.
Stryker greets Lyra at the door with a note attached,
following giving him some treats for his good work she collects Cyrus to read
the note.
“In acknowledgement of your new friendship Valen has
agreed to a meeting on the morrow. Adeptest Pryelight and Custos Windshadow are
invited to the sanctum at 10 bells. Meet at the bottom of the 10 000 steps at
10 bells.”
Inside the Inn Cei introduces Ren to Berrick, giving hi
an update on the mission of heresy she was sent here for. Berrick introduces
his girlfriend as Lady (not a lady) Berniece, Bartholemew takes them away to a corner of the
Inn and begins to teach Berrick the basics of the lute. Ren questions Cei in having charged the man
for Heresy for telling a story, making a song. Is that what we are doing now? Abelard
mentions that he has heard a similar story from a holy man of the Bastenric
people. A different name given to one of the archons, believed to be Karid.
Abelard mentions he believed him to be telling stories, but embodied the
teachings and belief in Aeo. Its takes him a minute to recall the name, unsure
of the spelling he mentioned the name was pronounced “guy-reese.”
Cei continues to tell Ren of what has happened in his
absence, wanting to know more about the book, Lyra meeting with Valen and assuring
that nothing will happening if does not wish to meet, wanting to look into his
eyes and see if the Karid people follow Aeo, if so she will defend them. Lyra
reminds Cei that the Karid are creations of Aeo, suggesting that they should
been seen not separate from him or us. Through out the conversation and even
before this Ren is sullen, withdrawn, and adversarial. When Cei pushes to see where
Ren has been, and what happened to him. He gets up and storms away, clearly
stating he doesn’t want to talk about it.
Cei’s attention switches to Abelard demanding to know
what happened. Abelard wishes not violate his comrades trust, but agrees to
tell his side of the story leaving out Ren’s. They traveled to a monastery
which houses an old warriors retreat, monks and warriors who have grown tired of
endless battles stay and take care of each other there. Abelard had known one
of the members so agreed to go with Ren. When they arrived they were greeted
with the monks preparing for battle. They had been attacked at the end of every
month for the last, a group of Carnacks accompanied by a massive dire wolf. A
large mange creature covered and scars, cuts and glowing red eyes. When Cei
asked about if it felt infernal Abelard mentioned it had the taint of evil. No
sense of higher intelligence, they all act like beasts.
Clearly frustrated Cei snaps back at Abelard for
leaving and for the danger he and Ren found themselves. Turning to leave to
talk to Ren, Lyra catches Cei offering to talk to him; pointing out how
entangled the two of them are and the state Ren finds himself in. Cei agrees that
it may be better for Lyra to go check on him instead.
Cei arrives back to Abelard and Cyrus discussing what
Cyrus had discovered at the tower about vampires. Abelard brought forward his
own experience with his family, and that he may be the person who has the most experience
killing vampires on this aerdine. Cei mentions to Cyrus that Lyra might need his
help and takes his leave, as he does he is warned by Abelard to treat Ren with
delicacy and not push him at the moment. Cyrus relays this to Lyra, she assures
him that she knows how to handle this with care and asks him to bring food and
water to the room.
Lyra knocks on the door. “go away Cei!”
“its not Cei, I sent her away. Its Lyra”
The door poke open a crack. “What do you want?”
“To tell you something I learned at the tower.” The
door stays where it is, but Ren shortly replies “Okay, tell.”
Lyra begins to tell Ren about clarity she received
about the night she disappeared from camp, waking up away from the group. We
knew it was magic, and that I was flying but Arch mage Jocasta was able to
clarify for her. She stops the story long enough to ask if she could finish
inside the room instead, hesitantly Ren opens the door letting her in. She
continued to tell him that it was a magic that is found from her family, skin shifters,
the ability to change shape into an animal.
Ren questions if she had told Cei, and why she has told
him. Questioning whether she should ever tell Cei as there are somethings we
will eventually have to be charged for, that at some point we will pass the
line where someone above Cei will decide our fate. Her thoughts are not her
own. Encouraging Lyra to hide this and hold the power inside. Though Lyra did
speak of how Cei has earned her trust, how she had previously assumed any
purifier would try to kill me, she may not trust any institution blindly but
she feels Cei will grow and she trusts this group. Ren warns he doesn’t know
this new Cei, he knew her when they were younger but doesn’t now what she would
now with her new masters.
Lyra speaks to Ren about Valen who they met at the
tower bar, that she would be seeing them again tomorrow and would be making sure
their comfort came over answers and be given full choice. She asked why he left
the tower, and what happened to him hoping to know more of him disappearing. Ren
became engulfed in sadness, the inescapable kind that goes to your core, so
powerful Lyra can feel it. He asked not to talk about it, explains how tired he
is and though she wants to know more about it she leaves it for now, Cyrus
knocks with food and water, leaving it at the door he goes to join Bartholomew.
Lyra bring the food in, Ren hold the door open asking her to leave him alone.
Lyra sits next to the food on the floor and begins eating. “you should probably
eat something.” Saying nothing else she sits in silence. Following a pause Ren
sits behind her, only touching his back to her, and starts to nibble on the food.
No words are spoken and they fall asleep back to back on the floor.
Elsewhere in the Inn Bartholmew and Berrick have spent
the night playing lute, and drinking ice wine with Berneice and later Cyrus.
Barthlomew got slightly worse over the evening, but Berrick go better. By bed
Cyrus guided the incredibly drunk group to bed.
Cei finds Abelard in his room, sparks fly both literally
and figuratively. (more notes from Cei)
The next morning at 6 bells Cei brings food to Ren’s room
finding them asleep slumped together on the floor. She softly touched each of
their shoulders, Ren wakes with start while Lyra wakes slowly and starts eating.
As Cei tries to ask how he is doing, Ren apologizes for his actions the night
before, assuring that he is just tired. Though his apology is quickly accepted,
and assured they are his friends and can meet him anywhere he is at; when Cei
tries to ask about what happened he shuts down, asks to be alone and this would
pass. He appears pale, clammy, exhausted, and ill-tempered. As she pushes he
exclaims, “for what its worth dam your god.” As he said it his eyes dart around
the room, hearing something that is not there.
“Ren do you hear something?”
“I am just tired. I’ll be fine after sleep, I just had
a nightmare. All we have done is just kill and fight and I am exhausted”
Can I just see what is happening for you? With permission
Cei casts a spell to detect magic and look at the energy Ren exudes. She find
out that he has a raw spiritual energy that come from him, however what caught
her attention was an aura of necromancy and enchantment from his belly.
After again asking what happened Ren moves his tunic to
show a large unhealed gash across his belly. He looks around the room again looking
for something. “I have been injured before, worse even, Leave me be, I am so
tired.”
Cei kneels down beside Ren’s bed, holds his hand in
hers. “Who do you hear?”
Barthlomew comes to the door, hung over and looking
rough. Looking at Ren he come to the end of the bed, taps Ren’s foot. “You look
rough as me.” “I need to borrow the copper, just for a few minutes” he assured as
Lyra began to argue she needed to bring it to Valen.
Cei continues to show concern for Ren, and Bartholomew hands
him a potion to help heal. It had no effect on the large wound or his
condition. When Cei mentions how ill he is looking, he looks around again.
Murmuring to leave him alone, he is just tired.
Lyra sends a small mouse with a message to Cyrus to
come now and grab Abelard. They come a few minute later, Abelard appears tidier
then yesterday. In his full armour, he has cleaned his beard, with a fresh rose
places on his armour. Cei demands to know what caused this wound, Abelard
maintains its not his story, however Ren answers the Dire Wolf. Looking again
around the room once more. “leave me alone.”
“Did you heal it Abelard?”
“Yes it had no effect.”
Bartholemew begins to play his lute- the mood feels
lighter, the moral boosts in the room.
“who do you hear Ren?” Cei asks again
“Callie. Its always been Callie. Not just today. But
since the day we left.”