Hello, Everyone!
Last time, after Tesaya left Dynatos Perres’ office, our heroes talked about the Draconite and her Master’s demands. Mr. Perres alleviated some of their concerns, noting that the so-called ‘peaceful’ intentions of Trax’rion were, in fact, caused by his armies’ inability to invade Erathos during the coming winter.
They sent a message to Francesca Findabair letting her know about the recent developments, and, instead of sending back an answer, she teleported to the room, along with young Edmund Bright. The boy was really excited about Nurvureem’s sword and rushed out to get it.
Dynatos Perres led them through the big terrace door and into the yard. Edmund was already there and he was running towards the sword. When he reached it, he put his hand on the handle--it looked so small in comparison!--and started talking in a language Mary didn't know. She reached into her component pouch and touched her clay figurine, casting a spell to understand his words.
He was telling the sword a story, like a father dragon would tell his son. He told it about Imvaernarhro of the Star Mounts, about his might and his greatness. He told it about his treasure and his power, his knowledge and his flames.
“One day, the King made a sword, and here it is, in my hand,” he finished. “A powerful blade made by the Inferno. Now, it will bend to me.”
The sword slowly began to get smaller under his touch. It narrowed and slimmed, reached the size it was when Nurvureem’s human form wielded it, and continued shrinking even beyond that.
Mary looked worriedly at the soldiers that were guarding the weapon. Were they going to guess Edmund's true nature? Even if they didn't, seeing this magic could make them talk after a beer or two, and this could mean breaking the secret that was kept for so many years!
However, Francesca Findabair was there, just next to Edmund, making elaborate gestures and mumbling some unknown incantation. To Mary's Eldritch Sight, it was… nothing. The Mage was just pretending to cast a spell, so that it’d seem like it was her, and not Edmund, that was making the sword change.
After a few more moments, the weapon finally stopped its transformation and fit in the boy's hand neatly. It was long and thin now, with a leather-bound handle and sharp edges. It looked perfect for its wielder.
With a boyish enthusiasm, Edmund waved the weapon around and grinned happily.
"Now that this is done," Francesca Findabair said, "let's talk about the other state of affairs. There are thousands of elves fleeing towards Frinkeltong It's a pure wonder that almost all have managed to escape. It seems like they had been warned in time."
Mary felt a tinge of pride in her chest. Having Dorina save her family had managed to save so many more.
"However, the unicorns are dead, and the Mythalar is completely gone," the Mage continued. "The forest is going to burn for a few more days before it's completely gone."
"Can't we do anything to save it?" Mary said.
"Why? The ash will enrich the soil, and the trees will grow anew. It'll be whole again, in a hundred or so years."
Mary pursed her lips. A hundred years probably sounded like nothing to Francesca Findabair.
"The important thing right now," the Mage continued, "is to take care of the elves. Frinkeltong won't be able to secure food and housing for all of them which means that we might need to split their community and send them to different parts of the country. Zerakas tol will send out Devoted to protect the peace as much as possible.”
"We won't surrender Erathos to Tesaya and the dragons,” Mr. Perres said. "But everyone will have to do something to help. Pamagos will provide food for the refugees. Belfast must relinquish their neutrality, seeing that there's nothing to be neutral against, not anymore. And as far as Ekoba is concerned… well, I intend to send Elaria over there to lead the negotiations."
“The good thing is that we have time," Francesca Findabair concluded.
“How can we help?” Bruno asked.
“You've done plenty so far,” the Mage said. “While the times are still tranquill, you should hone your skills and abilities, so that you’ll be stronger when time comes for action.”
“L-lady Findabair,” Mary said. The Mage looked at her and she felt the blood rush to her face. The words got stuck in her throat. “I… saying that made me ask… I was wondering if you…”
“Mary wants to become your apprentice,” Aurum cut her off.
Mary let out a breath. She glared at the bard but nodded.
“Then I’ll be expecting you in Zerakas tol when you’re ready,” Lady Findabair said.
“That’s great, Mary,” Aurum said. “You’d be able to spend more time with Eddie as well.”
“With Edmund,” the boy insisted, his head high and his eyes twinkling with pride.
Aurum bowed with a grin. “Yes, of course,” he said. “With Edmund.”
Mary smiled to herself. It was good seeing the future Emperor stand his ground despite his usual playful behaviour.
“We’d need some new teleportation circle coordinates,” Bruno said, distracting her from that line of thought. “The one we’ve been using so far has been compromised.”
Lady Findabair asked for a piece of paper and wrote the coordinates of a circle.
“This will lead you to the library of Miirym,” she said.
Mary gasped audibly. A visit to Zerakas tol’s library was like a dream come true!
“Just be careful not to teleport during the dark hours of the day,” Lady Findabair warned. “Otherwise there could be… consequences. Miirym is very protective of her books.”
“Of course!” Mary exclaimed. “We’d never encroach on her hospitality!”
“Mary’ll have a great time there,” Agatha laughed. “That’s, like, her favourite thing, really. She could even get it on with this Miirym person.”
“They could become girlfriends,” Edmund chuckled.
Mary looked at her feet, feeling embarrassed.
“With all that said, it’s really time to get going,” Francesca Findabair said.
Edmund offered her a hand and they both went off in a flash of light.
That’s the end of this chapter. It concluded quite optimistically, didn’t it? I’m so glad that the rulers of Erathos are finally taking action. And, can you imagine? Mary is going to be studying with THE Francesca Findabair! I’m so excited!
Thank you all for reading so far. The next chapter is going to conclude our stay at Pamagos, as well as Arc 5 itself, but I'll take a short break before posting it. I'll make sure to give you a lot of unpublished art in the meantime.
See you soon!
Take care and be well!
(Also, here's a link to the Chapter Guide, the Glossaries (Part 1 and Part 2)
and the Map for the series. You're welcome!)
An important disclaimer: Mary Windfiddle's story is my notes from a D&D game turned into a narrative. All the worldbuilding and NPC encounters belong to our DM, and all the actions of the other main characters (Aurum, Bruno and Agatha) belong to my co-players. My contribution to the story is only everything Mary-related (actions, reactions, inner thoughts), as well as the writing itself.