#windmaedchen-ozaiah

[afkj-morgan]

"Morgan... I was wondering... when is your birthday? And how do usually celebrate it?"

Ozaiah slows down behind him, as they return to Glowhaven after a day at Morgan's make-shift morgue near Halia.

Eh. Why would it matter? I don't celebrate it anyway. Life's tough as it is, I don't need a reminder that I've also grown older.

... you're not wanting to plan anything, are you?

[afkj-morgan]

"Morgan... wait."

Ozaiah approached the necromancer from behind just as they had turned to go their separate ways for the day.

"I wanted to tell you something. It's nothing ... special, but to me it's my most precious memory."

"When the Wailing Oak trapped me inside, I prayed to the God of Death. He would surely not leave me to my certain doom but... he didn't respond. And I was certain he would never again answer my calls. But then there appeared someone else, who wasn't going to let me die in there. You." As Ozaiah spoke, her usually dull eyes lit up and a rare warmth settled upon her face. She held her staff tight and close, not because it was important to her this very moment, but to keep her planted on the spot rather than lunging into Morgan's arms.

"I know I didn't exactly impress you on that day... but your determined face, and tight grip on my wrist, and reassuring words when you pulled me out from all those cadavers... it all remains edged in my mind. I am so glad you were there. And I hope you will always be there. And ... I want to be there with you, too."

(@windmaedchen-ozaiah)

*Morgan leans towards her, his hand firmly gripping the staff she holds to support his weight.*

I left my best impression on that day? Not perhaps when I fought Azora? Or Salorei? Or when I summoned those souls for the Wildborn ritual? Hey, I even bathed for you once.

You're right, it certainly didn't feel like you were particularly grateful for my efforts at that time...

... but you kinda made up for that ever since.

And you know what? I always suspected it wasn't exactly just the Tree that called me, but you.

I am not gonna lie - I shall take that as a sign, that all my hard work's gonna pay off one day. And you better be there to witness it.

[afkj-morgan]

// Many hours later, long after the sun had set, Ozaiah returns to the same small yard she had visited in the afternoon. 

It was pitch dark. Only the small flame of the lantern  illuminated the area around her with soft green light. In the far corner, where the table should be, the corpse was still laying, now quietly. And as she approached, she saw that fabric had loosely been wrapped around it.

She shook her had in disapproval. Somehow she expected greater care of a man working with the dead. Bodies left out in the open should at least be properly wrapped and secured. But no point lamenting that fact. It was not her responsibility.

Ozaiah stepped closer but shortly before the table, she was suddenly and forcefully stopped in her motion. 

"Hgn", she moaned, as she tried to keep her balance.

Her feet were tied to the ground. A faint magical circle glimmered beneath her on the ground. With effort she could adjust her position within the circle, but stepping outside of it was impossible. She sighed deeply.

"You again."

*With some effort, Morgan gets up from his comfortable position on the floor just to the side.*

Yup. I knew you'd return. *He yawns* And here you are.

*He drags himself over and positions himself again between the captured guest and the body behind him. He lazily leans against the table's edge.*

What do you really want from the bodies? You're no relative, you don't appear to be a scholar, and stealing from them isn't on your mind either. So what is it?

[afkj-morgan]

// Some time before Merlin returns from her visit to the Wildborn (and her introduction of the latest member to the Arcane Council to Morgan)...

On her way, Ozaiah did wonder why there were several souls collected here. This place was far from Halia's graveyard and unlike other areas, people didn't frequent here. When she entered the small yard, she understood why. The corpses were laid out along the far wall, covered in cloth. The stench of death was mixed with camphor, emanating from another corner of the yard. Only three of the dozen needed her help, quietly whimpering as they waited for their salvation.

A single man stood by a table on the other end of the yard, bend over yet another corpse. That, too, needed Ozaiah's attention. But for now, the ones just ahead of her first.

She approached quietly, only the faint tingling of the bells on her staff announced her arrival. The soul noticed it and it began to groan.

"I am here", she whispered and she stretched out her hand to gently tap the wrapped body of the dead man. With a relieved hum, the soul finally detached itself from the body and ascended to the skies, returning to the Tree of Life.

Ozaiah extended her hand again, and brushed the feet of the other. That soul, too, reached the skies and disappeared from her view.

She took another step, now turning to reach the corpse on the man's table... (@windmaedchen-ozaiah)

Hey, what are you doing there? Don't touch them. If you are looking for a specific one, just ask.

[afkj-morgan]

The air and mood in Halia was tense. Walking through the streets painted a doomed picture. There were still enough resources to sustain the army and population by a minimal degree, but the fear of running out, unable to secure food, gnawed at the minds of the people.

Ozaiah could not fully perceive the souls of the living, but she could see the signs of those who'd be unfortunate enough to die improperly. There were many here in Halia. Even though she was aiming for a nearby town now, she foresaw more work waiting for her here soon.

When she strode towards the city gate she noticed the figure in black by the side of the small plaza in front of it. It was him again. His back was turned, as he seemed fully engaged in conversation with a hooded blonde woman. A towering guard stood by their side. 

She was on the other side of the road and decided to ignore his presence. Keeping her eyes on the road and fields beyond the city gate, she moved across. Just for one moment did she stop to gaze up onto the gate. 

But just when she was about to take her next step, a shuffle next to her drew her attention...

(@windmaedchen-ozaiah)

Ah, you are still here? I would have expected you to be on the graveyard, not within a lively city.