Wraithvine learns that Ma has the ability COMMAND. The power to order people to do things when done in a commanding tone of voice, and they seem completely unable to disobey.
From this: @internutter/challenge-03305-i017-one-arrow-no-problems -- FightingFit
Wraithvine was drawing glowing runes in the air even as ze descended the stair, weaving hir memory of the event into the runes with the other hand. An Elf's natural grace saved hir from a far more ignominious descent. Kevin was left far behind as ze used Cloud Step to get to the place where Ma Oxbrydl was still grumbling about the youth, these days.
If one listened to Ma Oxbrydl long enough then she was, by the power of inference alone, older than the universe. Wraithvine knew this to be factually untrue.
When ze landed, ze had a reprimand on hir lips. "Do you have any idea," said Wraithvine the Eternal, "what you just did?" It was long association with Ma Oxbrydl that made hir automatically cast a protective shell around hirself after that.
Ma was busy with her handicrafts bag under one arm, a Goblin under the other, and a megaphone in one hand[1]. If circumstances were otherwise, Wraithvine's immortality may have been sorely tested. She glared at hir and said, "You're lucky I can only do that once a day. I usually saves it for stroppy people." The implication that the besiegers had not been 'stroppy' was more alarming than it should have been.
"Then I am grateful indeed that my parents taught me manners as a tichling," said Wraithvine. "You just used a spell known as Undeniable Authority. It's usually a gift from the gods... yet you don't seem to bother with them."
"Don't bother with them? I prefer to just not bother them at all." Ma put Venin down and said, "You go find someone to heal that foot of yours and mind your Ma in future."
Venin, who had seen everything, saluted and said, "Yes'm." She favoured one leg as she headed for Hodlvale's clusters of healers. Or someone to carry her the rest of the way.
Wraithvine invoked Ease of Burdens to make her path easier. "Whether you bother the gods or not... they have evidently decided to bother with you. Have you ever set foot in a temple? Seen if any voice calls to you?"
"Got more sense 'n that," sniffed Ma. "Don't bother the gods and they won't be bothered about you, I always say."
Of course. Of course the forces of Destiny had to make things difficult.
Those whom the gods would send mad, they said, would first be made important. One old fool and a pack of delirious teammates out to balance the scales of the world.
Ma Oxbrydl was proving to be a hefty thumb on one side.
[1] Mothers and Primary Parentals alike always know how to carry at least three things whilst traversing difficult terrain.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / sirylok]
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