Irondil
Night had fallen several hours ago, but still the Map Warden worked at his desk. In front of him was the map of Bakersfield, a small village but rather popular with the little band that had formed around the Mountain. He grimaced and stuck the tip of his dagger on the town's marker. But then immediately pulled it out and threw it at the far wall. It bounced off the hard wood and onto the floor. Something had been there. Hadn't it? A flash of pale flesh, of a dress or old ratty robe?
The Warden shook his head and stood from his chair. I'm seeing things. This Baker nonsense is messing with my head. He'd better respond soon. Realizing just how tired he had become, the Warden left his office and made his way down the second floor hallway, intent on his bedroom.
Brook Khidpuh
Faeden fought down the scream that had nearly escaped from the knife glinting and slicing the air as it flew her way. Her limbs trembled as she pressed herself into the wall, aware that she had phased halfway through it in her panic.
She didn't know what had possessed her to come here. She was a ghost, wasn't she supposed to do the possessing? Well, if she knew how to do that, anyway. The little ghost silently opened the door and watched the Warden making his way down the hall, and she flitted down the stairs, letting out a tiny yelp and cursing lightly as she stumbled the last few steps. She hated that after all this time, she still hadn't mastered hovering. The spirit silently berated herself. She wasn't brave enough to do serious snooping; if she was a better ghost, maybe she would make herself invisible and steal important papers to give the others, but she wasn't a very good ghost, and that wasn't why she was here.
Her foxes.
A week or so after Sweeventide, she had gifted the Map Warden with a pair of foxes. After the recent events, she worried about them. She was unsure if she should take her gifts back from him, but even intimidating people bent on world domination must have hobbies, right? Maybe he was taking good care of them.
She cringed at the squeaking and screeches they made, hoping they wouldn't get too excited to see her. They might blow her cover; meeting the Warden after what had happened on the mountain might be... Awkward, to say the least.
Irondil
The Warden reached his bedroom door, but stopped before entering. A noise. A terrible sound like the screeching of a tortured child. Something had stirred them up in the next room over. Did he have a visitor?
Warden tightened his lips and walked the other way down the hallway until he reached the furnace room of the castle. Inside the yips and screams were loud and growing even louder. Yes, there was someone in there other than the foxes he had been given. And he had an idea of who. Maybe he had not been imagining things in his office.
Brook Khidpuh
"Shh, sh sh sh, it's alright, I'm here," she soothed the animals as they cried from their place, tied to a post. "Hush now, little ones. It's alright."
Faeden came near to the foxes, kneeling and allowing them to clamber over her and bury their pointed snouts into her chest and hair. She looked them over nose to tail. Their fur was lackluster, and judging from the size of the fire and warmth she could actively feel the poor things must be overheating. They weren't... starving, but they had most certainly not been this thin when she had last seen them. What were they even being fed? Their eyes were not as shiny and bright, either, and they seemed... too excited to see her. They had too much energy, even for foxes.
Worry bit at her. They couldn't be happy here.
"Do you need to be taken back?" she asked in a hushed voice as one bit and played with her hair, and the other curled into her neatly folded lap. "I could take you far from here. We don't live in the stone cottage anymore. That tree that I found, in the forest, it's grown so huge! I managed to build a little house around it. You two might have fun with all your friends and family, right? Or is the Warden good to you? Does he play with you? Mm, I don't think so. What was I thinking, giving you both to him..."
She froze for a moment. Had she heard something? No, just the thud of small paws upon the wooden floor. Right?
Irondil
All in one movement Warden threw open the door and loosed a spell from his hand. The spirit was thrown back and bound to the furnaces behind her by some unseen power. But the Map Warden's face was impartial. He looked from the now cowering foxes to the ghost child, and scoffed. "Domulvmin. For what reason have you entered my castle unannounced?"
Brook Khidpuh
Faeden gasped as she was thrust against the furnace, unable to move no matter how she might struggle. Terror lit in her eyes at the prospect of being trapped. Trapped... trapped in a room like this with nothing but the angry eyes of her keeper upon her. Her breathing stopped and the absence of a pulse roared even louder in her ears than one may have.
He asked you a question. Answer it, before you are punished further!
Breathless words tumbled from her, as she tried to remember how she was supposed to speak before lords and nobles.
"S--Sir! Forgive me f-for entering your d-domain, but I- th-the foxes, that I gave you, they-- I w-was worried, my lord, wanted to see if they were alright!"
Why was she talking like this? Wasn't this the same man who had threatened Mister Ollie, the man she had threatened back in the middle of her cold fury? She had- she had dealt with people like him before. In another time.
"Speak only when spoken to. Those of dignified birthing have no desire to associate themselves with a street rat in ribbons. Remember you place, -"
Irondil
The Warden snapped his fingers and the spirit was released, but the room around them warped into a nothingness of shadow and shimmering, prismatic light beams. It was only the two of them. No fire, no foxes, no floor or walls. Only the illusion he had built for them. He did not normally show his sorcery to the people of this world. It was not necessary, nor would there normally be any profit from it. But this thing, this abomination of life needed to know. It needed to know what it was up against. By the Lady of Twilight no undead would tread on his land without facing consequences.
"I don't believe you. Stand. Or float, I don't care. Now, tell me what you have come here for or you will be locked in this pocket of void for eternity."
Brook Khidpuh
Shivers wracked her frame as she forced herself to do as she was told. Where were they? What was this? He was capable of all these feats? Did they only apply to the undead like herself, or could he do this to anyone? Would he do it to Mister Ollie?
Fear gripped her, its cold clawed hands reaching into her chest.
"B-b-but, my lord, I s-speak the truth! S-- surely you have seen the numbers of foxes n-near my home? I thought you might like a pair, f-for the holiday, I just, I just worried about them!"
Only then did his words fully impact her. Faeden's eyes widened at horror at the thought of being trapped in an empty, lifeless place again.
"N-no, no, no please, p-please sir, don't leave me in here, not for speaking the truth to you, p-p-please!"
Irondil
"They are not your foxes. You gave them to me, did you not? I still do not understand why you did this. Or how. My wards against the undead continue to fail me." His eyes narrowed, and as they did the room grew darker, yet the beams of colored light grew stronger without lessening the gloom. "How did you get past them? What kind of sorcerer were you before your soul was dislodged from your corpse?"
Brook Khidpuh
"A g-gift, sir, they were a gift!" she babbled, the dark pressing down on her causing her stomach to clench. "I only worry about their wellbeing!"
She stumbled to a halt in her words, unsure of what his meant.
"W-wards? I've always come and gone here as I pleased, without touching any of your belongings. B-before your declaration, that is. When I thought you were-"
The ghost cut herself off before she made what would very much be a grievous mistake, and reconnected the thread of her sentence to another seam.
"I am n-no sorcerer, my lord, my life was taken from me on my wedding day. I d-don't, I don't remember very much of that life aside from being the prize of a nobleman. I was called 'street filth' and 'rat in ribbons'! I w-was no socerer."
She scanned his face, desperately willing him to believe her. She couldn't remember much of her life. She hoped that wasn't what he needed to let her go.
Irondil
The Warden's red eyes glowed with the intensity of the Nether. Something flashed in the room, so quick that it was almost impossible to see. Then it appeared again, just as quick in another corner of the room. Again and again the image showed itself and vanished across the darkness. And then it appeared one last time in front of the spirit, the mangled and contorted form of her old body.
It disappeared once again, only to be replaced with the severed heads of several people the Warden knew she would know quite well; a black haired boy, a blue haired girl, a learned but youthful face of a librarian, and the disgusting leaking face of a witch. The heads began to circle the spirit, closing in on her and laughing in the voices that belonged to the true heads.
Warden smiled at the sight of the little undead abomination crouching and cowering in fear. And when it collapsed to the ground, its translucent knees brought to its chin, he waved his hand. They were in the furnace room of Femelv'Girn. The foxes were now fast asleep, like nothing had happened. "Leave."
Brook Khidpuh
Tears spilled unbidden, and if she was alive she would have vomited. Faeden's form blurred as cold took her over and the edges of her vision darkened, on hands and knees on the floor and too frightened to so much as gasp for air. The images would not leave her head. The faces would not leave her mind. She couldn't forget them, they were forever burned there, the blood, the sounds, the faces, the laughter, the tears spilling like rivers off her face.
She couldn't move.
She was paralyzed.
Suddenly, dying to Dresden seemed much, much more preferable.
Black pooled around the whites of her eyes, her pupils shifting to red, but all that came out was a small, choked whimper. She shook so hard her form appeared to be clipping in and out of reality. There was nothing she could say. Nothing she could do. The Warden's warning to her swam through a thick haze of noise that the phantom images still caused, ringing in her ears. But she couldn't move.
Irondil
The Warden groaned at the sight of such a pitiful thing. He grabbed the spirit by the hair, intending to thrust it out the door of his castle. But, it was a strange feeling in his grip. It was not the same as the ghostly forms of elves and men from his homeland. This spirit was different. It was more solid, more...connected to the world. "What are you?" he growled, pulling her up so her frazzled eyes were directly aligned with is. "Is this the work of that Mountain? What binds you to this world, Spirit?!"
Brook Khidpuh
Faeden screamed when she was grabbed. She couldn't help it. His enraged eyes, inches away from her terrified black and red ones, bore into her like the chancellor, the way he would look at her before she was beaten within an inch of her life. He even spoke the same. Her throat worked furiously to produce sound other than the foxlike whimpers that squeezed their way out.
I don't know what you're talking about!
Let me go, let me go, let me go, please, please!
Can't breathe going to die again someone help me oh gods someone help me-
None of the words came out, and instead she screeched. A burst of cold white flame exploded between them, and Faeden rocketed away, crashing into the wall and falling to the floor. The foxes had woken up and were making a terrible, frightened din, and the ghost managed to tear words from her throat in a rasping scream of terror.
The world was dark around her, and her body had nearly become invisible. The tears obscured her vision so that the Warden was nothing but dark blur with glowing red eyes. This. This was so, so much worse than she had ever imagined things could go.
Irondil
Disgusted, the Warden threw the ghost back onto the floor. "Fine. I am a benevolent lord. Say your farewells to the foxes and leave my castle. If I ever catch you here again, I will slit their throats and deliver their skins to that little shack outside my boundaries. Do you understand me, Domulvmin?"
Brook Khidpuh
She slid across the floor, barely managing to choke out her thanks. She was dizzy from fear, threatening to simply collapse on the ground. But that would spell certain doom. The foxes whined anxiously as she collected them into her nearly invisible, shaking arms, and they slipped through her a few times before the spirit collected enough of the shattered shards of her sanity to hold them. Her vision spun as she forced herself to stand with them and face the Map Warden.
A spark of rebellion from her time as the chancellor's accessory lit somewhere inside her trembling form, and she dashed away as fast as she could manage, the foxes still in her arms. The leather leads snapped and whipped back to the post as she fled.
Irondil
Irondil closed the doors to Femelv'Girn behind the ghost and the foxes after they made their escape. Once he was certain there was no one around to see, he let the false emotions vanish from his face to reveal the true fear that he had been hiding. As quick as a fox he dashed to the secret room and threw open the trap door. The advanced wards were still there, untripped and untampered with. The ghost had not found it.
A shudder ran down the Warden's entire body. He had hated doing all of that to the spirit. No one deserved to be tortured, not even the acusred undead. But no one could be allowed to stop him, not now, not after all the planning. All he needed now was allies, and if he had to sacrifice the little ghost child to save the world, then he would do so.
Just after the Map Warden sent books to many Stor’Sweev’s residents, claiming himself as Lord of the world, people gathered at the Academy to discuss about this situation.
elf - Baker
DresdenG - Professor Grinstead
TheJKWolf - Mit
LexiDriftander - Ollie
jordan.nova - Edomie
MonsterTeeth - The Wraith
Brook Khidpuh - Faeden
---
elf
Baker let out a deep breath as the Academy came into view. He hadn’t waited for Edomie and Oleander to return to her cottage before heading off to where he hoped Professor Grinstead might be. Please, be home.
He looked behind him at the two who had trekked with him on their urgent journey, the Wraith and young Mitt just behind. “We’re nearly there.” Baker said, pointing to the Academy, the large glass dome of the build visible above the tree tops.
The book Edomie had received earlier that day was tucked into his vest pocket, the small volume weighing heavily on his mind as he continued onward with renewed vigor at seeing their end goal in sight. I hope we can find some answers, if not... Baker shook his head. It was too soon to be thinking like that. He had the others to think of.
MonsterTeeth
Monster ducked through the short, strange green trees with what could be called a wince, trying not to touch any of the vegetation any more than they had to. The building ahead - the Academy? - belonged to a knowledge-holder. Hopefully she would know what to do about The Threat.
The thought prompted another teeth-gritting, her hair lashing behind her in aggravation for a short moment. They knew the Warden didn't favor them, they'd had to figure that out eventually, but... well, she had hoped they were the only one. If he was coming for the children-
"Will the Profezzor know... what to do... do you think?" they hummed. It took more effort than they would like to keep the buzzing growl out of their voice, but as a protector-provider they needed to keep calm and serious. Or at least seem it.
elf
Baker paused a moment, hand resting on the rough bark of a tree as the Wraith’s question was posed. He turned slightly back, his voice low. “I hope she can help. But I won’t lie to you,” Baker resumed his quick pace toward the Academy. “I don’t know that any of us know what to do at the moment.”
Baker pressed onward, ducking below the lower branches until the wooden door of the Academy entrance and veranda were before him. Baker didn’t wait before sprinting the last few meters forward, knocking hard on the door.
“Professor! Professor are you home, it’s urgent!”
DresdenG
The Professor looked up at the sound of a knock on her door, eyebrows raised. She knelt beside a box on the floor, a book in her hands that was open to the first, infuriating page. Pushing herself to her feet, she tucked the tome beneath one thin arm, straightening the pale green scarf around her neck before moving to the window beside the front door.
Baker...and the Wraith? Her forehead creased with concern as she took the stone steps in two strides, pulling the door open. She regarded the two of them in silence for a long moment before stepping inside and motioning for them to follow.
She pivoted on one foot and, assuming they'd followed, offered a nod to the Wraith and extended her hand to Baker in greeting. "Urgent, you say, Mr. Baker?" she asked, tilting her head to one side. "You look as if you've been on quite the hike. The classroom is just this way, if you need to take a seat before explaining the situation." She glanced up at the Wraith again. "As well, the ceilings are higher."
MonsterTeeth
"... pleaze." It was interesting how short everyone was, but buildings built for their comfort was not the most fun. They ducked through the next door and straightened up gratefully.
elf
Baker shook the Professor’s hand, but quickly pulled the small volume from his vest pocket, his voice once again low as he watched the Wraith exit to the classroom.
“We may have a major problem on our hands; one I’m not equipt to deal with. I was hoping you would be able to shed some light on this.” He took a deep breath, steadying himself as the adrenaline from the hike began to wear slightly. “Others should be coming along soon..”
DresdenG
The Professor clasped her hands behind her back and nodded, taking in the information. Her dual colored eyes examined the book in Baker's hands.
She let out a small, thoughtful grunt and turned without a word, following the Wraith into the classroom and beckoning Baker to follow.
"Sit," she directed him in a short, curt tone, nodding to one of the chairs beside the bookshelves at the back of the classroom. She glanced up at the Wraith, satisfied to see the being seemed more comfortable in this space.
Hands still clasped behind her back, Dresden leaned against one of the shelves. "A major problem, you say? Either of you care to...elaborate?"
MonsterTeeth
Monster growled, unable to keep the sound caged anymore. "Threat," they hissed, barely remembering to use the bulky common language. Again, their hair writhed behind them before settling, quite a bit more slowly than before. "The Warden... wants kontrol." Her hands twitched ever so slightly, wishing more than she would like to detail that she could end the threat quickly and quietly.
the children what would he do to the children delightful sweet Edomie that brash brat Plum poor Olli little cousin
The way the note had been written was so... soft? Kind? Even? They didn't have the words for it, but it rubbed them the wrong way and their ribs practically shook from the force of their growling. With a shake of her head, she tried to ground herself and calm down. This wasn't dignified or honorable.
elf
Baker sat heavily in the seat, leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he held the book tightly. The Wraith was right, but as to this sudden change on the Map Warden’s part, Baker could only begin to fathom why.
“This book was left at Edomie’s cottage, along with a trident banner. The same at Wraith’s home... I haven’t found any such thing near my home. The Warden states that he is taking control, and we...” Baker paused, staring into empty space as he realized that he had found no such note himself. Why not me?
“We are to be his subjects. I sent Edomie to find Oleander and to bring him with her as soon as she found him..”
I only hope that wasn’t a grave mistake.
DresdenG
The Professor listened to the Wraith's words, watching as the creature rippled and growled with what appeared to be barely contained rage. The feeling was mutual. Her gaze slid to Baker while he added to the story, and she answered his words with a ponderous nod, reaching under her arm and withdrawing a small book similar to the one Baker held. She looked between Baker and the Wraith, eyes flashing. "I received such an...announcement, myself. Suffice it to say I'm as displeased as you are. Especially so if the others are dealing with the same." Her fingers tightening around the book. She'd thought perhaps it was only sent to the residents of Foxwood.
Edomie... Her heart twinged with worry, wondering how the girl was handling all of this. It pleased her to hear that she would be heading this way. Her hand drifted to the pouch at her side, feeling for the stone. The one which could let her know if anyone in the realm was in trouble. She hoped it would remain silent.
"The acolyte may be...hard to persuade. When did you send her to fetch him?"
elf
Baker let out another deep breath, resisting the urge to tap his foot with nervous energy. “I sent her just before heading here.”
jordan.nova
"Aaaaaaauntieeeeee!" Edomie called loudly as she approached the Academy. She hadn't let go of Ollie's hand since they'd left the castle, half dragging the poor boy along with her. The nice green spirit had followed them from the castle, watching over their trek.
She hadn't bothered trying to find Baker or wait around for him to find her. She probably should have, but after the castle--
"Auntie!" Edomie called again, her voice pitching. She jumped up to peer in the house windows, spotted nothing, so she dragged Ollie around the large structure towards the classroom entrance. "Auntie, are you home? Where are you?"
LexiDriftander
Ollie followed in a somewhat disoriented state, very nervous about this confrontation.
He...he still felt like he hardly knew some of these people...and...they would ask questions.
He really didn’t want to talk about it.
MonsterTeeth
Monster tilted their head to the side suddenly before looking toward a nearby wall. "Edomie," she murmured. The child was here... and from the feel of it, Olli had come with after all. Now it was even more important that they calm down - it had taken so long for the children to not fear them, it would be awful to have to do that again.
elf
Baker’s head jerked up at the sound of Edomie’s voice, standing quickly to go to the door. He’d been on expeditions with the girl before, but never before heard her call like that.
DresdenG
Dresden straightened, her head swiveling as she heard Edomie's shouts. Her heart fluttered as she followed Baker to the door, her brows furrowing as she craned her neck to see out the tall windows of the classroom.
"She made good time," the Professor murmured, a hint of pride in her tone.
jordan.nova
Edomie threw open the classroom door and stumbled inside so fast she nearly ran straight into the others crowded around the door.
"Auntie!" she cried, relief seeping into her voice. She threw one arm around Dresden to embrace her in a tight hug without relinquishing her grasp on Ollie's hand.
Brook Khidpuh
Faeden waited until the others had gone in, before softly floating in as well. Her eyes stayed on Dresden the whole time, and the axe, where was the axe, she wanted it as far away from her as possible. The room was filled with people she had either just met or only seen once or twice, and she decided to shuffle behind the Wraith, whom she had interacted with before, and hoped might offer some protection. She shuffled in without a word and hunched defensively behind Monster, hoping desperately that none of her foxes had followed.
LexiDriftander
Ollie stood awkwardly off to the side while Edomie hugged the professor. He refused to make eye-contact with her, still feeling rather unsafe around the woman. A quick glance at the other occupants of the room made him even more uneasy. Baker was nice, sure, but they'd never really had a conversation. Miss Wraith was an entirely different story. He still got chills just looking at them, but...they seemed to like him.
He couldn't tell. He had no idea how to tell if people liked him.
So he stayed silent and tried to remain unseen and unheard. Much like his time back at home, he realized, before his parents had deemed him to abnormal to keep around anymore.
DresdenG
A sharp exhale of relief left the Professor when her eyes fell on Edomie, and she welcomed the embrace, wrapping both sinewy arms around the girl and pressing her nose against those vibrant curls. She stayed there and took a deep, grounding breath.
She opened one eye to peer at the boy attached to Edomie's other hand.
The acolyte. Looking pale and sick as ever, his shifting posture and downturned gaze made the hairs on the back of Dresden's neck prickle. She knew so much and so little about the boy. She felt that she knew his deepest secrets without knowing so much as what he liked to have for breakfast.
Not that she cared to know him. She wished to stay as far away from him and his cursed mountain as possible. Sweev only knew what he got up to in that castle.
But, as Edomie had seen fit to entangle herself in this 'Oleander's' life, Dresden had to adopt other tactics. Learn about him. Study him, his curse, and be available to help if it came down to it. To keep Edomie safe and happy, her friends needed to be safe and happy as well.
Though truth be told, the Professor found this boy to be a lost cause.
"Edomie. You made it," she murmured, drawing back and resting her hands on Edomie's shoulders. "Are the two of you--" her eyes flicked to the ghost as she floated in behind them, taking up quiet residence near the Wraith, "three of you all right? I heard you also received missives from the Warden?"
Having Faeden here made things...interesting. She would have to tread carefully.
MonsterTeeth
Monster looked down at the spirit behind their legs, wondering what in the room made her so fearful. There were no threats here. Still, children fear and it is the duty of the adult to help them learn to feel safe. So they made no motion to move her.
jordan.nova
"We saw Warden!" Edomie shouted, anger and stress flicking over her again as she jerked back from Dresden's embrace. She yanked her wild curls out of her face and a few fell right back between her eyes. "He was up in Ollie's castle. We chased him out and he still came back up there to yell at us."
LexiDriftander
"I pushed him off the mountain," Ollie said, somewhat dazed. He narrowed his eyes as he remembered it. "K-" He retracted his statement a heartbeat too late, leaving the first phoneme hanging in the air. For reasons he couldn't yet explain, he decided now was neither the time nor the place to bring up Kaithol.
Brook Khidpuh
Faeden's head jerked up so as to look at Ollie.
"Don't blame yourself. Please. You were only defending yourself, right...? I don't know what he's planning, but it... it can't be good. He... expected us to react poorly. He... he wasn't surprised, when I did the same thing. He deserved to get thrown off that cliff," she added with a hiss. Her fists clenched, as did her jaw, and the temperature in the air dropped just slightly.
"I used to think that he was wise and brave and kind. But the only person who threatens a child is a coward. He's a coward! What kind of peace does he want? His peace? Order? The only people who want "order" want to control those they see beneath them. Threatening someone like you, what have you ever done to hurt him?"
Faeden let out a tight breath. "He's trying to scare us with ominous words, so that we feel like we have to go to him... I'm scared, b-but now? I'm angry, too! No one threatens my friends!"
She suddenly seemed to realize her outburst, and upon seeing the sets of eyes trained onto her, snapped her gaze back down to the floor. She'd said too much, she'd said too much, she was to be seen and not heard. Faeden gripped her staff and twisted it nervously.
MonsterTeeth
Monster bent a bit to "pat" the spirit's head, hard claws and harsh skin passing right through but the intent had to count. "Threatz... mmm... not taken lightly," she breathed. They swayed a bit, trying to remain stoic and calm just like the protector-providers they remembered, a soothing but serious presence. She cut her gaze to Olli. "Well done... mwnesser... to protect zelf... and otherz."
They knew he was after "order" - a disguise for "control" - but if he had said anything specific while speaking to the children, the better they would prepare. Pearls and these diamonds the overworlders loved so much were only so useful with no plan. "What... did he zay... do you know?" they asked the three.
DresdenG
Dresden let Edomie move away without resistance, folding her arms over her chest to listen more properly. The girl was angry, and rightfully so. Auntie would listen as long as there were things Edomie had to say.
They saw the Warden, did they? But they were here, now, so it turned out all right. Best to stay quiet and listen to them rather than let concern overtake her.
One delicate eyebrow raised at the acolyte’s statement. She didn’t think he had the fortitude to do such a thing. Surprising, and not a wholly pleasant surprise.
Before she could think on that too long, the ghost girl let out a torrent of words, some of which resonated with Dresden’s feelings toward the Warden. She watched the girl, doing her best to focus on the here and now, and not when Faeden had first entered the Academy. That night was one Dresden would prefer to forget.
The Professor’s eyes traveled from Faeden as she quieted, sliding over to Mit. The Ender-kin had, so far, remained quite silent and watchful. As Monster spoke, the Professor shifted her gaze to them, and nodded at the their final statement.
Yes...what did he say to them, up in those towers? This would no doubt be important.
TheJKWolf
Mit tagged along after Baker read to her the content of the book-present - or maybe not a present, as it seemed - from the Map Warden. The one looking similar to her was here, too (name, name what was their name?) and Mit couldn’t help but be drawn to them. They felt like they could make it alright, for some reason.
Getting to the Professor’s house, Mit stayed in the background while listening to the conversation going on in front of her.
So the Warden wanted to be on top. And wanted them to be his subject? Mit could only agree with the others in the room; It wasn’t anything to support. Mit spent most of her life alone, doing what she had to to survive and then things she wanted to do - not what anyone told her to do. Even in this weird community she found herself in, she did what she wanted. Sure, not trying to harm anyone but nobody was looking over her shoulder giving her rules on what to do or build.
New people arrived. Edomie she knew. Edomie was nice, if a bit skittish around her. The others… Maybe? She thinks she saw some of them, but she couldn’t place any names or places linked to them. Mit wished Sweev was here. The Goddess would be able to cue her in.
Mit drew back a bit more in the room while tuning in back on their conversation. She narrowed her eyes when she listened to the way the Warden acted towards them. Her eyes glided over to the spirit. She was right. Mit didn’t like the way this Warden thought of scaring and controlling them.
Mit caught herself tapping her fingers on her sword, waiting for the response to the question the Wraith asked the three.
elf
Baker had leaned against the door frame of the classroom once the two younger members and the ethereal being had burst in, but the relief he had felt had all but immediately been replaced with dread. The Warden had been there, and waiting from the sound of it.
Baker focused best he could at the flurry of new information being made known to all of them, a dangerous mixture of anger and fear building inside of him. No. No time for that. Focus!
The Wraith had asked what they needed to know, there would be time for blaming himself later for not going with Edomie, even if the outcome brought them here.
"You've all been very brave," he made sure to look at the ethereal form of Faeden, who was most certainly included in his statement. His voice turning softer as he looked at Edomie and Oleander. "But Wraith asks a good question, please, tell us what you can remember."
jordan.nova
Edomie tugged Ollie closer to her, so she could press against his side. "He was after Ollie. He's mad about the mountain and Kai- Kaithol." she hardly whispered the name, somewhat afraid the being was more likely to listen if she said his name. "He thinks that's why we're undying. That the mountain curse brought us here and it's keeping us here. 'Kaithol is a sham' he said. We can't trust him."
Her eyes flicked sympathetically to Ollie. "I don’t like Kaithol. But, that's not what the curse is. I've always been undying. And if he wants to stop us from tethering and undying..."
Edomie's voice lodged in her throat. She wondered, for just an instant, how long she had left.
She shook the thought off, and her gaze returned to Dresden in a pleading way. She knew things about this world - more than Edomie could ever hope to learn from her. "He said 'the dragon Sweev has lost its power'" she repeated the best she could recall. "He wouldn't listen that this world answers to Sweev - he thinks it's all his! Just cause he showed up at the mountain first, when nobody else was here. But-"
Edomie's eyes drifted to the floor. She found herself repeating Alastair. "The world has its order. Intruding doesn't make you belong."
Brook Khidpuh
Faeden felt comforted by the Wraith's precense, and flattered by Baker's words. He had looked right at her when he said that... he was including her! She found it hard to meet everyone else's eyes, but for a different reason now. she bit down on her shy smile, and grew serious again, piping up in a quiet voice.
"He said that... Sweev lost their power...?"
She ducked behind her staff, as though that would hide her. The others had already covered it. They all knew each other and what they were doing. Why was she even here? She couldn't overthrow anyone or stop a warrior, she was just small and scared and wanted to get out of the Professor's line of sight and back to her foxes and-
And then she looked at the others. They were scared too. Even Miss Wraith, who looked calm but sounded determined, had an underscore of worry in their voice.
"Why does he want to do this...?" she whispered. "We're not his servants. We're not going to be. But... what can we do?"
LexiDriftander
"I pushed him off the mountain," Oleander mumbled to himself. Honestly, he couldn't remember much else about the conversation, save for...
Warden thinks this is MY fault.
He stared down at the place where his hand connected with Edomie's. Slowly, he unlaced his fingers and pulled away from her.
It very well could be his fault.
jordan.nova
Ollie's fingers carefully unwinding from hers seized Edomie's attention, and she turned - confused - when he stepped back from her.
"Well, he needed to get pushed off a mountain," she said firmly, angry all over again. She took a step back to stand beside him, but folded her arms over her chest instead of reaching for him again. "I would've shot him if you hadn't got him first."
MonsterTeeth
It took quite a bit of Monster's already fraying will to not reach out for her little cousin, turning the reflexive reach into a weird aborted shrug.
don't touch him don't touch him you'll hurt him don't touch him
"It waz well done," they insisted, bending at the knees to be at least a little closer to his height. "Edomie... haz it right. He wouldn't leave... it waz needed."
That being said, to hear the Warden's words was... interesting. The overworlder godling Sweev, a dragon? Hardly. They were kind and quiet and unobtrusive. But that they were losing their power... well, Monster had seen proof of that in their own words, that was a point hard to argue.
Still, none of it told them what they would need to know, and from the seat they had now taken on the floor they started to quietly seethe. It would be so much easier on everyone if they could just get rid of him but they couldn't that's not how things work here and you don't even have any information be quiet and listen.
So aggravating.
DresdenG
The Professor cocked her head as she took in the new information from the three. She remained quiet, her expression calculating. The note about Sweev being a dragon intrigued her. Was it true? As far as the Professor knew, no, not in so many words. However...Sweev losing their power? Well, perhaps the Warden knew a little more than she'd originally given him credit for.
And that concerned her.
She met Edomie's pleading eyes and longed to have all the answers. To instill peace. To lay out a plan of exactly how they would take care of this problem.
The fact of the matter remained, however, that she did not know what to do.
Not yet, anyway.
She followed the interchange between Edomie and Ollie, eyes flicking between them, picking up on body language and filing them away for later. She watched the Wraith, and then took a long, deep breath, letting out slowly before she finally spoke.
"The Warden is out of line, I believe we can all agree on that. This is true for reasons deeper than mere offense on our parts." She began to pace the classroom, arms still crossed, tapping the fingers of one hand against her bicep. She continued in cool, factual tones. "Stor'Sweev has existed for thousands of years. This landmass alone has known the rise and fall of many civilizations. Some peaceful, some violent. All of us are but a smudge in the pages of history."
She looked up and around the gathered individuals again. "The Warden has no more claim to this land than any of us do. The fact he is trying to rise above his station is, frankly, unacceptable. If we hope to keep him from getting what he wants, we must present a united front in resisting his efforts."
The Professor paused in her pacing and sighed again, pressing her lips together for a thoughtful moment. Much as she hated to admit it, no one alone could make this work. Scattered, separate efforts would not succeed. This was not something any one of them could do on their own.
"This meeting is the beginning of something very important, where I believe each of us will play a vital role in crafting a solution."
TheJKWolf
Kaithol? Curse? Mit internally shook her head. There was a lot of stuff going on that she didn’t notice. Well, it wasn’t something that affected her so far, so no wonder she hadn’t noticed.
More importantly, the spirit talked about Sweev losing their power. That was concerning; she would have to ask them about it. Maybe there was a way to help. But for now they had to concern themselves with this Warden.
Looking over, she nearly had to smile when Edomie showed her courage. It was good that she knew how to defend herself; all of them. Mit could only agree with the Wraith, it was needed.
Mit listened to the one they call a Professor, agreeing with what she said, too. Mit was also quite impressed in the way this Professor could use her words; Mit would never been able to say it like that. But she also didn't think it to be as much of a problem as its made out to be. They were in the majority after all.
“Well.” Mit opened her mouth for the first time, voice rough from rarely speaking. Mouthing the word first she continued: “He is one. We are many. Get him away from us and this land if he doesn’t stop.” She patted her sword again, looking at each person in the room. “Got some armor and weapons ready to use at my base.”
elf
Baker couldn't help but give a small smile as Mit spoke, his own hand and mind wandering to the weapon currently strapped to his leg. This was going to be difficult, and in more ways than one.
The talk of Sweev losing it's power was disturbing to him. He wouldn't admit to the current group that he didn't quite regard Sweev as a deity, but he did respect it. Having been aided more than once by it's power.
Oleander... the boy, heavens above hadn't the boy been dealing with more than his own share of ordeals since his own arrival here? Baker didn't know how to react to the boy, but he did his best to treat him the same as he had before.
It also seemed time to make something else known, something Baker hadn't been intending on announcing until a later date. But time was now of the essence.
"I may not have weapons, but I have a ship. Some of you have been there already, it's not complete, but it's ready to fly. And if need be..." Baker gripped the butt of his gun tightly. "Can be equipt to fight as well."
Though I hoped it never would need to. Not like the... Baker's brow furrowed, the thought stopped, the rest of it slipping away like a fish in a stream, leaving only a rapidly fading ripple behind.
Brook Khidpuh
Faeden jolted when Mit began to speak. She hadn't noticed the enderkin standing there, and her words filled the ghost with a sense of dread. She didn't want any fighting... but what would happen if they didn't? The Warden would simply have his way, and then it would be terrible for everyone. He had no right to do this, and he was going to be reminded of it. She gripped her stick, tapping it lightly against the floor. If the Warden dared threaten her friends again... he would get what was coming to him, and she would be there to meet him each time he rolled off his bed.
Baker's words pulled her from her morose thoughts, however. Faeden peeked out from behind her staff and Monster, unable to contain herself.
"Your boat can fly?! Like the ones in that other world we all went to? That's... that's amazing! Does the Warden have a ship like that? If not, wouldn't we already have the upper hand?"
She paused, leveling herself.
"I'm not very good at making weapons," she mused, "but if any animal supplies are needed, or food, I can provide those. I also could make a few potions, though I'm not the best at those... I'll do whatever I can to help!" she asserted, trying to sound brave and confident like the adults.
LexiDriftander
Oleander watched the others quietly, listening to their plans with half-interest.
It did make him angry, what The Warden was trying to do. He'd just started entertaining the idea of staying on this world. He liked it here. Why was The Warden trying to take that away from them?
It had something to do with Kaithol and, by default, with him.
elf
Baker's heart cheered some at Faeden's remark about his ship. The mention of this other world bringing back Mit's mention of an... End? "It can indeed." Baker replied. "As far as who else has one, I know of no others. Not in this world at least."
jordan.nova
As Mit and Baker spoke up about armor and weapons, Edomie's heartbeat quickened - a cold dread creeping up from her toes. Gradually, and then all at once, this didn't feel fun anymore. She'd gotten so used to everyday adventures with her great team. The sort of game she'd always wanted to play a part in.
This didn't feel like when they all rallied together to fight a dragon. Going off on a dumb quest just for the thrill and the togetherness of it. Every team fought a dragon. There was always a dragon.
This felt like several moons ago when an angry spirit no one could name had crept in and started picking their world and their homes and them apart.
"We're going to have to fight him," she finally managed to say aloud, her voice straining on the realization. "He's going to ruin everything."
MonsterTeeth
Excellent. A fight, the one thing Monster knew that they had. But... they weren't just an unheard-hand anymore. They couldn't just slip away, do what needed doing, and come back. Especially considering they weren't home.
these overworlders and their stones and blades and strange concoctions and whatever that thing was at Baker's side that he put his hand to instead of his sword when someone startled him
And the confidence. They may not have been a leader for long, but they knew no one was that confident without some kind of secret. There wasn't enough information.
When in doubt, then. "We zhould... watch him," they hazarded, looking to the knowledge-holder for guidance. "Prepare to fight... but pay attention... to hiz actionz? I can... gather. Kouzinz would be glad... to help."
Their tone went low, not quite threatening but nowhere near as light as their usual speech. "They don't like... hm... librarian taught the word "prezumptuouz". Warden wants to kontrol? Thinkz he kan... order uz?" They grinned wide enough to show their oral membranes. "Kouzinz won't like that... any more than I do."
DresdenG
The Professor continued to pace and listen, her brow furrowed in her usual, thoughtful crease. She paused beside Edomie when the girl spoke. Her downcast eyes moved the Professor to reach out and put a hand on her shoulder.
As the Wraith spoke, Dresden wrapped her arm about Edomie’s shoulders and drew the girl close against her side, if she allowed it.
Nodding at the end of the Wraith’s statement, the Professor looked around at all of them once again. Particularly to Mit, as the Enderkin had chosen her few words carefully, and Dresden wanted to be sure she took them into account.
“You are correct in a way, Mit,” the Professor began, “He is but one man. As far as we know. Apart from anything else, we must remember that he has been here a long time. Long enough to have an army stowed away, somewhere.” As much as the thought unnerved her, she felt she had to voice it. “We don’t know what he has at his disposal. The Wraith is right. We must watch him, while we also prepare for a fight. I agree that it will likely come to that, history shows us time and again the way these conflicts play out.”
She looked over at Edomie and gave the girl’s shoulders a gentle squeeze. “We won’t let him ruin anything,” she murmured, the sharp, authoritative edge leaving her voice for a moment, “Not if I have anything to say about it.”
Directing her attention to the group again, she raised her voice back to its usual volume. “Now, in the interests of organization, I propose we meet here again in a fortnight, barring further unforeseen developments. Those who have volunteered to gather weapons, supplies, potions,” she looked pointedly at Faeden for that, “or prepare their airships,” a nod to Baker, “please do those things as soon as possible. It is likely we’ll need them. But, in either case, the effort won’t be wasted.”
She paused for a moment, weighing a thought before continuing. “Be watchful. We don’t need him to know we’re organizing. And...one more thing. Everyone here did receive a message from him, didn’t they? Please speak up if you did not.” Her eyes narrowed, and she waited.
jordan.nova
Edomie gratefully accepted Dresden's embrace, tucking herself into her aunties arms and wrapping one arm around her waist. "What's... what do you mean a fortnight?" she murmured awkwardly, tilting her head up to Dresden.
Brook Khidpuh
Faeden bit her lip and ducked her head down when the Professor looked at her. Yes. She could help, even if just a little bit. She stood a little straighter and hovered off the floor again.
"The Warden came into my house while I was there and simply put his banner down, while I stood there. I don't..." her nose wrinkled at the memory.
"I want to remove it," She huffed. "And I want to check on my foxes."
She realized with a start that she was maintaining direct eye contact with Dresden, but after an initial glance away decided to hold it, and lifted her chin with newfound confidence. Maybe it was because of the Wraith standing near her.
"I'll do whatever I can to help."
MonsterTeeth
"Fortnight iz... fourteen rotationz," Monster said after a moment's thought. She stood, careful not to disturb the small spirit behind her with the ebb of her hair. Fourteen rotations... Hm.
They didn't feel comfortable leaving Edomie alone that long. Ollie yes - he'd already proven he could handle himself, and with the Mountain Brat's eyes firmly on the Warden right now he'd have to be safe. Faeden had unexpected force behind her and a willingness to use it, Plum the same. But Edomie... Edomie could fight, but had trouble recognizing... well, trouble.
"Will ztay with you... kome back with you," they decided. "Zafezt that way. And not far... from Meherristess." Especially not with their new wings - even watching over Edomie, they would be more than able to gather useful things for their village.
elf
Baker clenched his teeth as the Professor finished speaking, but his grip on the gun fell away. I shouldn't have expected any less from the Professor, very little escapes her notice.
Waiting until the others had filtered a little further away, Baker patted Edomie on the head and gave her a small smile before giving the Professor what he hoped was a knowing look. "Professor, I would like to speak to you about another matter. If you have the time?"
LexiDriftander
Oleander watched the others with glazed eyes, pondering what had happened.
He wasn’t afraid of the Warden, he was more afraid of what could happen to his friends. Well.
He glanced around the room. Most of these people were merely acquaintances. He caught sight of Edomie snuggled up next to the Professor and was surprised to feel a pang of jealousy.
She was probably safer off with her, anyway.
Silently, Oleander slipped toward the door, and out of the classroom.
TheJKWolf
Listening to the others reaction, Mit withdrew her hand from the sword. She couldn’t help but stare intrigued at the Baker - arming the airship? That would be a sight to behold. She would love to be on it when it's ready.
She looked over at the spirit who seemed startled by her. Didn’t she notice Mit was here? Well, it was nothing new that people were surprised by her. Still, she nodded approvingly when the spirit offered their assistance. Mit could see she was afraid, but still she would fight. She could respect that.
Mit continued to listen to the people speaking. Yes, watching the Warden made sense. This was something she could get behind. And during that she could prepare some equipment for them. She had her eyes on some new potion-recipe she wanted to try out that could help them.
The meeting seemed to come to an end, only more so when the Professor proposed to meet in a fortnight. She should probably write that down so she wouldn’t forget. She still had trouble with reading and writing, but she got better at it and with one motion, Mit took her book out, writing some notes down. She stashed the book back while letting her gaze wander over the group, watching Edomie hug the professor and the way the Wraith easily conversed with them.
They seemed so close with each other. Mit had noticed through the whole meeting the bonds these people had made while she was still, like always in the background. Maybe if she gave them a lot of armor and weapons they would let her in.
Absent Minded she watched as the one they called Ollie slipped away. It probably didn’t matter too much if those people liked her or not. She doubted she would stay for a longer time. At some point, she will move again, as she always did - nothing ever kept her tethered to one place.
Mit stood up, waving goodbye to the group. “See you soon.” Then she took her leave, using the wings to get her off the ground and towards her base.
jordan.nova
Edomie flinched closer to Dresden when the Monster spoke directly to her, an old anxiety striking her heart. She swallowed hard pushed it back down. Monster was not a scary, looming, terrible ender. Well - she was scary and looming. But not terrible. She was... actually very sweet.
Edomie nodded gratefully at Monster, meeting her gaze intently. They could hide at the cottage. A neediness in Edomie wanted to curl up in the bright blue room Auntie had made her upstairs. But, no, that would look like organizing with Monster there too. Cottage it was.
When Baker stepped over, she smiled warmly at him, brightening at the familiar pat on her head. His words to Dresden sounded... secret. She didn't want to eavesdrop, so with one more goodbye squeeze she pulled away from her auntie and reached for -
...where was Ollie?
Edomie's eyes flicked around the room, concern twisting in her stomach as she watched Mit also take her leave. Had Ollie... left? He hadn't said goodbye. She... hadn't seen him.
Edomie headed for the door as well, crossing her fingers she could spot Ollie's bright coat in the woods. She hesitated in the doorway, waiting politely for Monster to follow her, then ducked out of the classroom.
LexiDriftander
But Oleander was nowhere to be seen.
Brook Khidpuh
Faeden watched the boy... Ollie, creep closer to the doorway, eyes never leaving the girl and the Professor, before he practically ran out. Something in Faeden's heart tugged painfully and she wanted to go after him, to talk to him more, but she held herself back, convincing herself that now would not be a good time.
Faeden noted the enderkin watching everyone's moves. She seemed... friendly. Faeden could swear she had met them before. She would make note to bring her a cake when all this was said and done. If it would be a possibility in the near future... the little ghost shuddered at the thought. Mit then left, and Edomie and the Wraith were about to leave, and Faeden felt dread claw at her stomach with the thought that she didn't want to be alone with the Professor if she could help it. They weren't.... enemies, not anymore, but the past wasn't one to just let itself go, even if the Professor was nice enough to try. So she mumbled something to the remaining adults and floated out the doorway, her eyes glued to the floor.
On her way out, she cast a forlorn look at the recently disturbed patch of grass. Her hands twisted about her staff. No. Not right now. It wasn't the time. A little moan escaped her trembling lips, and she dashed back to her cottage.
MonsterTeeth
Well. There was the flinch they'd expected from Edomie. It was progress, but it still hurt. But... no, protect. If the Warden showed up at Edomie's house, they would be ready.
Monster followed Edomie carefully, trying again not to either leave scorch marks or bash their head on the ceiling once out of the classroom. Thinking on it again, they ducked their head back into the room for just a moment and looked around. They had noticed Olli slipping away, but not what had driven him off... Unsatisfyingly, they still didn't see anything.
... should go check on him later. They turned and, fed up with the cramped ceiling, flicked a pearl out the open door to the outside.
DresdenG
Dresden caught the knowing look from Baker, his words tickling a thought in the back of her mind. But she would wait until he could tell her what he was thinking before drawing too many conclusions.
She felt Edomie flinch into her, and she glanced between the girl and the Wraith. There was nothing for this group to be frightened of from Monster, the Professor knew, but she was also keenly aware that Edomie had many fears of her own. History which contributed to these compulsive responses.
As the Wraith explained a fortnight, Dresden nodded and looked down at Edomie with an encouraging smile. "Thank you, Wraith," she spoke softly, her eyes not leaving Edomie even as she addressed the Wraith, "I can think of no one better to watch over her."
In the final hug, she wrapped her other arm around Edomie as well and pressed a gentle kiss on top of the girl's head. "Be safe," she whispered near her ear before letting go, and watching the two exit the classroom.
Once everyone had taken their leave but Baker, the Professor's rigid shoulders slumped slightly. She strode to the student entrance, poking her head out to make sure everyone had fully cleared the area. Then she closed it, turning back to Baker and indicating the small reading nook at the back of the classroom.
She took a seat, leaning forward and perching her elbows on her knees, lacing her spindly fingers together. She fixed her eyes on Baker, her mind racing. This whole situation had the potential to get out of hand if they couldn't keep a lid on it. She worried that numbers wouldn't be enough of an advantage. They needed something more, but what? She could not say.
"What is this other matter, Baker?" the Professor finally broke the silence between them, tilting her head to one side. "You seem troubled."
elf
The leaving of the others, and the visually relaxing of the Professor eased some of the tension Baker had been feeling. Taking a seat opposite of Grinstead, Baker's hands fiddled with each other before he settled them together in a firm grasp.
"It's about the messages." He finally managed to say. He felt the tightness in his chest as he prepares to lay open what until now had been privy to a few people... One of whom now may be a threat.
"I received no message, no banner. I was with the Wraith when they found theirs. We had run into Edomie on our way to Bakersfield, but we didn't stay long. You know the rest of her part." Baker bowed his head. Why was this so difficult!
"I.. Fear the Warden may see me... My machines and I, as a threat."
DresdenG
She watched him closely. His posture, the fiddling of his hands. Her mind tugged at the possibilities of what he might have to say, but she could only wait for him to speak.
Her heart skipped a beat when he revealed he had not received a missive from the Warden. She sat back in her chair, regarding Baker with inquisitive eyes. She could hardly contain the smirk pulling at the corners of her mouth.
“Why does a lack of proclamation from him make you believe he sees you as a threat?” she questioned, “Would he not want to dominate you all the more, if so?”
elf
Baker pondered the question, looking at the Professor quizzically. Truth be told he'd not considered any other option besides those of ally or enmity. It seemed logical to him that to have no call of serving under him meant that he was to no longer be here at all. Although, where such stark black and white thinking had come from Baker could only guess. "It had not occurred to me to think of that as an alternative..."
He leaned back in his seat, hands resting lightly on his legs. The near whisper of something tugging at the edge of his mind. "Somewhere along the line, I came to an understanding that it was the law to either serve or to be done away with. It seemed the way of things."
Baker decided to take a chance. "The Warden, knows something of me that you don't. Edomie does as well in fact, though she may not know the whole story. I.. don't like to make it common knowledge. When I arrived here, in this world... I was a blank slate. I remembered nothing of where I had come from, nor of who I was or where I belonged."
He continued, looking the Professor in the eye. Trying his best to gauge what he had told her so far. She appreciated the truth it seemed, and he was only just beginning.
DresdenG
The Professor’s thin eyebrows raised, dark red lips pressing together in a tight line. A blank slate...I’ve not learned as much as I’d like to about world jumping, but as far as I know that isn’t normal.
“Oh?” she responded, finally, her eyes glinting with interest. “This is news.” She crossed one leg over the other, leaving her fingers together over her knee. “Please, elaborate.”
elf
“I will have... bouts, one might say, of lost time now.” Baker continued. “Minutes or even, hours of time I cannot account for. I, don’t know what it is I do during this time.”He realized he’d been fidgeting with his hands again, and stilled them, interlacing them together.
“The reason for these, however, is in the one thing I know that the Warden as of yet does not.” Baker didn’t even realize that a slight smile now tugged at the corners of his mouth. “That I have remembered now how I came to this world, and what I was before.”
DresdenG
She continued to watch him with keen eyes, her focus flicking between each shift in posture, every change in expression. The Professor didn't need to ask him to go on. The urging in her eyes, ravenous for knowledge, said it for her.
She tapped her index finger on her knee and waited.
elf
The look on the Professor's face was incentive enough for Baker to continue.
"I came here during a skirmish, between the ship I served and a group seeking to board us. It was during one of my flights that a storm that I was hit by lightning."
Baker paused, he'd expected the same jolt of fear to come as when he'd last been nearly struck again when traveling with the others, and the Warden. But Baker felt an odd sense of calm in telling the tale.
"I wore wings, very similar to the ones I have here. But they did not come with me. How I survived the strike I cannot begin to guess. But the last clear memory I have before waking up here, was the sensation of falling through the air and into the sea below... I had been a third mate, and a good shipsman from what I can recall."
Baker stopped, and watched the Professor's face. He'd laid out what he currently knew.
DresdenG
The Professor tilted her head thoughtfully at the conclusion of his statements, turning the words over in her mind. She knew of the existence of air ships and the like in theory, but they were certainly not a common site at Haversmith. The inner workings of such things remained a mystery to her, and it pleased her to know she'd found a colleague in Mr. Baker.
Surrounding herself with people who could do things she could not was a favored pastime.
"I see," she responded with a nod, "You've had quite the revelation, then, recently. You seem to be taking it in stride, though. It's commendable." She reached up to tuck a stray strand of her hair back into the bun at the nape of her neck. "All the accomplishments you've made at Bakersfield, and you hardly remembering who you were?" She let out a breath and sat back in her chair again. "Thank you for sharing something so personal with me. I do not take it lightly."
She let the silence hang for a moment before continuing. "It's very good for all of us that you are building your ship, and that your village is so fortified. We may have urgent need of it, and your talents, in the coming weeks."
elf
Baker smiled a bit bashfully at the comment of what he'd been able to build.
The mention of urgency however, brought him back to all of this.
"I only hope that all of it won't be for naught. I have no wish to lose the possibility of aiding everyone here, with the ship or my skill. But I cannot begin to guess the Warden's plan for me."
DresdenG
At his words, the Professor's lips curved into a catlike smile. It looked too wide for her thin face. She leaned toward Baker, uncrossing her legs and resting her hands on her knees. Her eyes sparked with...excitement?
"I can," she whispered, a conspiratorial undertone lacing her words.
elf
The smile on the Professor's face, the look in her eye. She knew something. Something Baker hadn't probably even begun to consider. His own voice dropping low as he spoke. "Tell me."
DresdenG
"Oh come now, Mr. Baker," she crooned, smile unwavering, "Why do you think the Warden didn't send you a message announcing his authority? You're right to say he's noticed your machines and your talents. Anyone would be a fool not to, and the Warden is no fool." A soft chuckle bubbled up from the back of her throat. "But he doesn't want to destroy you, no. Don't you see?" She rubbed her hands together, leaning in closer.
"He wants to recruit you."
elf
A wave seemed to wash over Baker, realization and curiosity intermingling. Professor Grindstead had opened up a proverbial third door that Baker hadn’t even thought existed.
But even with the new door, new questions arose. “Recruit me?” Baker’s voice was hushed, the new possibility turning over in his mind. Then the strike of a single thought. “I could never betray all of you for my own safety, Professor. Unless... you have more in mind?”
DresdenG
She shook her head. "Why do you think I asked if everyone had received a missive?" Her voice quickened, echoing raspily in the quiet of the high-ceilinged classroom. "This is perfect. This is the key, you're the key, Mr. Baker. Don't you see? He'll ask you to join him and you'll say yes and then--and then we'll be able to get the information we need. We'll know what he has at his disposal because you can work with him and you can tell us."
She paused and leaned back, tilting her head thoughtfully once again. "You can lie, can't you Mr. Baker? It wouldn't do to send a spy without a pokerface."
elf
Baker straightened in his seat, something in him was growing--and this time he wasn't afraid of it. For the first time in a long time, Baker felt he finally had an advantage. Over what, he wasn't entirely sure, but for now at least he had something the Warden didn't know, and that made all the difference.
And this time I'm not alone.
A glint came into Baker's eye, a secretive sort of smile crossing his face as he spoke.
Thrusting out of the ocean, the great trident spire reached into the sky. Inside sat the dark elf on his throne, thinking, wishing, dreaming. Where was Baker? Was he not coming? Was all that a waste of time?
Irondil - The Map Warden
elf - Baker
---
elf
Baker landed a short distance away from the last place he knew the Warden to be. His castle.
Baker stood just on the edge of the trees taking a deep breath. The Warden's arrival had been unexpected, putting Baker off kilter. Not what was needed when the Professor, and unknowingly--the others--needed him to find out what the Warden was planning. He hadn't dared to go to see Grinstead for fear the Warden may be now watching him even closer. Baker ground his teeth together as he steeled himself. He'd never encountered this to his memory. Memory. A laugh it would seem where all this is concerned. Warden had put him off his game.
Time to repay the favor.
Striding boldly up to the front door of the place, Baker knocked a bit louder than he typically did. "Ahoy! Warden! Are you home?"
Irondil
A voice not belonging to the Warden or anyone the man would known rumbled through the castle. "The Lord of Stor'Sweev sits upon his throne. Follow the signs. Enter the Trident." Slowly, the doors of the castle opened without help from any seen servant.
elf
Baker stepped back, the smile gone and replaced with a look of great concern. But the steel deep inside remained as he slowly lowered his eyes back to the door. This was more what I expected of the man.
Slowly Baker entered the open the door of the castle, his hand slowly sliding to be nearer his gun. And stepped inside.
Irondil
The sound of the welcoming spell startled the Warden to his feet. The dim light of the blue flames that sat atop his thrown casting his shadow against every wall of the throne room. "He is here," the elf said to himself. "Finally. We can move things along."
elf
The inside was... Not what Baker had been expecting. Until the other day the Warden had been distant and aloof, he'd figured his home would be much the same. But appearances can be deceiving.
Baker followed the signs that led to what the voice had called the 'Throne Room'. The name leaving a poor taste in Baker's mouth. His wings folded but not locked, Baker's hand never left it's gentle hover over the handle of his weapon. Up the stairs he went, a definite chill in his blood as he came to the last stairs before the throne room.
Irondil
Someone was walking up the stairs of the spire. The footsteps were slow, yet heavy. It was him. When the mustachioed man appeared at the throne, the Warden put on the same friendly, warm, and false smile he had the last time they had met. "My good friend. I can not tell you how much it means for you to visit my home. I've...I've been dreaming about that little spot. That place I want to build my home." The blue fire rustled above him. Yes, I've been dreaming of that too. "You look well, Mr. Baker! Fine contraption you've got on your back."
elf
There it was, the smile of someone who isn't quite telling everything. Baker couldn't help but get an eerie feeling from the blue fires crackling above the massive throne.... and indeed, it was a throne. But the time of timidity was done. Grinstead had put her trust in him, and he'd be damned if he would betray that.
"Warden!" Baker replied, in a cheerful tone, a smile of his own quickly coming to his face. "I must admit I wasn't even sure I had the right castle at first. It is as you said, sadly empty." He motioned to the wings he had still secured to him, "A gift that I had the pleasure of modifying to better suit my needs. But let's not talk about that right now. I've come to give you an answer about what we talked about before." More you than I, but not the point.
Baker's stomach knotted as the lies began to come out of his mouth. He could lie. But it didn't mean he enjoyed it. "I would be more than happy to have you as a neighbor." He declared. "I have but one small word of caution for you however."
Irondil
Warden's thick brow lifted, but his smile did not waver. "Oh?"
elf
"Don't build too near, as you know Bakersfield has a tendency to drawn undesirables when new things occur. I wouldn't want to wish that on my newest neighbor." Baker smile settled to a friendly look, then something he personally needed clarifying on came to mind.
"I... appreciated the flowers you brought, I didn't recognize them. Where did you come by them?"
Irondil
Warden no longer needed the false grin, but kept it regardless. It was best to stay consistent at this point. "I was thinking about that patch of sand just across the river north of the town. Far enough away from the danger, yet close enough that I can visit all of my friends with relative ease." The Warden waved his hand and an entire rosebush appeared in his grip. "I am an ally of Life, Mr. Baker. And you are helping me live mine, now. Thank you." He handed the man the bush.
elf
Baker wasn't unused to seeing magic. He'd seen since day one of waking up in Stor'Sweev, he'd seen some of the others use it around him during battles and in improving their armor, weapons, and whatever it was that Plum got up to. But to have it performed in this manner in front of him, and suddenly be holding it, it took more will than Baker realized to stand rooted where he was.
The Warden has magic. Magic! That can't be the focus, information--GET INFORMATION. Put him off guard, come ON man!
"Oh, no.. no Warden I cannot accept." Baker looked over the rose bush with what was only half pretended nervousness. "I, I greatly appreciate your kindness but I cannot, you are a good man and a friend but I am afraid that's all."
Irondil
The rosebush disintegrated into shadow and nothingness. "As you wish, my friend. Thank you again for giving me this permission. I will let my architect know straight away that he can begin!"
elf
Baker stared at his now empty hands, a feeling and a tingling in his mind as the bush had faded away. Vanished. Slipping through my fingers...
Baker heard the words of the Warden, his control as nonexistent as it had when he had been at Bakersfield. I've learned nothing.
Baker's head ached, weather from the fear or the odd light in the room he wasn't sure. He needed to leave, but he couldn't just walk out. He had to remain the idiot he was turning out to be despite his efforts. "I.. yes."
Irondil
"Wonderful, wonderful. Now, I know you must have had a long trip here, Mr. Baker. But I have to get a few things ready. Please, make yourself at home here at Femelv'Girn. I'll be gone for a few hours. A day at the most." The Warden started down the stairs of the Trident, his gaze not leaving the man.
elf
Baker hadn't turned around yet, there was a decision to be had. Leave and be done with the man.... or stay, and see what I can find. Baker took a breath to calm himself, before turning and replying. "That is most gracious, I may rest a short while before flying home. Thank you."
Leave... Baker smiled. Leave so I can see what more you're hiding.
Irondil
"Just... be careful while you're here my friend. There have been a few snoops and I've had to implement some...safety measures. And if you see that blasted spirit within my walls, tell her I'll be coming for her beasts." And the Warden descended the stairs and vanished into the castle proper.
elf
As the Warden left his sight, Baker stared hard into the empty corridor for a moment, waiting to see that the man was truly gone. And shook.
Baker took his goggles off his head, running a shaking hand through his hair. This was not what he'd bargained for. This wasn't--Spirit
As quickly as it had begun, the trembling stopped. The knot in his stomach slowly replacing itself with a heat that threatened to rise to his chest.
Spirit with beasts.....
Faeden.
His hand still in his hair, Baker gripped tightly as the fog in his head cleared away and for the first time that day clear thoughts ran through his mind.
Baker waited for a few moments before quietly descending the stairs. He may not know Faeden well, but he heard what the girl and the others had said at the meeting. End all with myself. This is about them.
And Baker began to see what he could find in the Warden's castle.
