Geras Chapter 29: Familiar Faces

Zoe walked swiftly through the night streets cursing to herself. She should have kept her mouth shut. Livia had surprised her with her willingness to talk. Gods, how stupid. Zoe had felt so shocked and betrayed at the warehouse. She made massive leaps to unfounded conclusions, all the while allowing her distrust and anger to sweep her own guilt under the carpet.

Things were so much easier when she didn’t care what anyone thought. She had managed alone for so long, staying closed off and keeping life simple. Hot tears sprang to her eyes.

Maybe I’m just not built for friendship. I’m not made to be on a team. I’m meant to live alone and die alone.

Thoughts swirled in her head, cutting her soul into ribbons. She pressed herself forward, desperate for the cocoon of her boarding house room.

* * *

The morning sun shot bright rays through the window, warming Zoe’s cheek. She sat up and took a deep breath. The intense emotions of the evening had passed and she was left with a mild embarrassment.

Last night was a cluster. She was no closer to understanding Livia’s ties with the Stonefalls, beyond the observable family relationship. The meeting had ended in disaster before it could even begin. Caelynn in danger, again for Dawn’s sake, and who the hell was this Lady of Black Glass? Zoe flopped back on the bed in exasperation. Another name to add to the list.

Zoe found her satchel half kicked under the bed from where she had dropped it the night before. She dug out her journal and opened it to her recent list of loose ends, chewing the tip of her pencil with furrowed brow. For once, this incident didn’t seem to connect back to the Cult of the Dreaming One. That was a nice reprieve.

“What is going on with Livia? Stonefall family member? Active?”

Well, there was one way to resolve this. Livia had seemed willing to talk. Zoe sighed, logged her notes from the night before, and got ready to shower. There were several errands to run today.

* * *

The air was damp and heavy as Zoe made her way to Rand Headquarters in search of Livia. She rubbed at her temples as conflicting thoughts yanked her emotions back and forth. She felt her body heat with anger at Livia’s possible split loyalties, followed by a cold spike down her spine as she remembered her own secrets. Why was it so easy to judge others for her own failings?

* * *

Zoe stopped at a corner stand to purchase a hot cup of tea to counter the dreary day. Her eyes drifted to the Boggensberg Chronicle, and she dropped a few extra coins into the shopkeeper’s outstretched hand. Tucking the newspaper under her arm, she cupped the tea in both hands, warming her fingers as she made her way to the Swiftguard Headquarters.

Unable to find Livia, Zoe sat on a bench in a hallway to finish her tea and wait. She skimmed the headlines of the paper for anything of note. There had been an uptick in gang violence in the Dock District. That seemed in line with the tensions discussed the night before and typical Moran power plays. They were constantly on the lookout for small time smugglers honing in on their turf.

Zoe found herself disgusted by the reports from Morindar. A Merchant’s Guild was helping rebuild the city after the attack, some group called the Tapestry. The article neglected any mention of the Razorlord or any sort of larger crisis. Sources pinned the attack on eidolon extremists, and all eidolons in the city were now being closely watched. The worst lie of all was that it claimed Evervault was “undisturbed”.

Towards the end, the author, Panana Pillwickle, seemed to express some doubt in the story she had been fed. Zoe folded the paper and sat staring at a mural on the wall. She supposed they couldn’t just send the nation into a spiraling panic by telling the truth. But the blatant lying did not sit well. War always came with propaganda, but this was too big of a threat to try to brush under the rug.

Zoe shook herself out of her deep thoughts and made another pass through the building in search of Livia. Coming up empty again, she wandered into the Hall of Records. With nothing better to do, why not take a peek at her file?

* * *

She instantly regretted the idea. Her face burned hot and her throat tightened at the sight of Raphael’s handwriting. While it was no surprise that he had vouched for her to become a Lantern, seeing his words of belief written tangibly on the page shot pangs of loneliness through her. She missed the feelings of trust and openness she had felt on those long nights around the campfire. Her fingers went to her pebble necklace from Mei, reaching towards the only other time she had felt such connection. And now, both of them gone.

Wiping her eyes on her sleeve, she continued skimming the file. Her time at Miss Lissie’s was referenced as proof of the potential to be a solid agent. They were also well aware of her mind magic, as noted by Sammy’s hand. It was seen as an asset and there was no mention of where it may have come from.

Returning the file to its drawer, Zoe let out a heavy sigh.

Enough of this emotional melodrama. Where is Livia?

She decided to make one more loop through the building to search for the elf.

* * *

As Zoe searched the building, she saw Livia’s familiar silhouette stepping through the halls toward one of the building’s side exits. Zoe paused, her resolve wavering for a moment. There was still time to turn back and avoid the awkward conversation. Her hand drifted to Raphael’s bracelet, twisting it on her wrist.

Trust your team. He’d said it multiple times.

With a sigh, Zoe spurred herself forward to catch up with Livia before she left the building.

“Hey.” Zoe’s voice cracked as she spoke slightly louder than necessary. Clearing her throat, she attempted to recover. “Hi, uh, I’ve been looking for you. I was hoping we could…” She searched for the right word. “Debrief. After yesterday.”

Livia startled just slightly, she then scanned the hallway for any prying eyes or ears. She sighed and nodded as she said, “Yeah sure, but let’s go somewhere private if that’s okay.”

Zoe led the way to an empty conference room where they could talk undisturbed. She closed the door behind them, flipping the lock to ensure their privacy. Walking to the opposite wall, Zoe cast a small spell around the room, adding a few sparkles for decoration.

“Gowron has some good ideas every once in a while,” Zoe quipped awkwardly. “Anyone trying to overhear will just listen to static.” She crossed her arms and leaned against the wall, giving Livia the space to begin.

* * *

So many thoughts raced through Livia’s mind, but the biggest was, Is it safe to tell the whole truth?

Livia sighed. It would have to be if she was going to be able to stay here and live the life she wanted. Livia glanced around at the sparkles and chuckled a bit nervously. She closed her eyes, took a breath and exhaled.

“Okay, so I want to start off by apologizing for being so cryptic yesterday. Therien…he’s…” She took another deep breath. “He’s…uhh…my brother.”

Zoe raised an eyebrow and nodded slowly. “That tracks,” she said with a shrug. “There is certainly a family resemblance. So Varriis…” She let the name hang in the air questioningly.

Livia sagged a bit in relief. Based on her reaction the previous night, Livia was expecting Zoe to try and chop her head off for sharing blood with the Stonefalls. “Yeah, Varriis is my father. I was actually on my way over to their headquarters just now to check and see if he’s okay.” Livia suddenly realized how suspicious that may sound, and quickly said, “I want to be very clear! I didn’t join the Swiftguard to infiltrate anything, so no need to try to gut me! I didn’t love the way I was raised and what I was trained to do. I left home because I wanted to do some good in the world. I’ve been trying to get my brother to leave as well, but he won’t budge. And I can’t seem to fully commit to hating my father even though he can be an ass. I’m kinda hoping I can change their paths, but I might be hitting my head against a wall.”

Livia’s shoulder slumped downward as she caught her breath.

Zoe stared hard at the wall, chewing her lip. She said nothing for several moments, digesting Livia’s words. Her face revealed nothing, and her attention seemed to be a million miles away.

With a deep breath, she met Livia’s eyes and said flatly, “I get it. I don’t like it, but I get it. We don’t get to pick our families.” Zoe’s nose crinkled at the final word. “Would you like company? If nothing else, this trouble with the gangs has ripple effects throughout the city. I’d like to know what’s going on.” Her face turned sheepish. “And, uh, I’d like to know that you’re okay. You know, you and your dad.” Her eyes darted around the room awkwardly.

Livia relaxed. She could tell Zoe was being honest, however awkward as it might be. “Yeah company would be nice. I’ve never gone to headquarters with anyone from outside the family, before but they shouldn’t fight me on it. We’ll just have to make one little detour first.”

* * *

A bell rang as Livia opened the door to the White Lotus Tea Shop, one of a few locations across Truwell. Livia met eyes with one of the patrons, who was sitting at a table for two in the corner. Zoe instantly recognized him as Benedict Blackedge, her client from Woolspring. She remembered Livia calling him “Uncle”, and became curious how he fit into her family dynamic.

“Livia, my dear!” he said as the two approached. “And, forgive me for forgetting your name, but you were part of the Swiftguard team that helped me a month or two ago.”

“Zoe,” said Zoe, introducing herself simply.

“A pleasure again, to make your acquaintance,” said Benedict. “And don’t worry, Livia. Inside the box here are chocolate chip scones.”

“Uncle…I…”

Benedict’s face changed from joy to concern as he listened to Livia’s tone. “I should’ve figured you didn’t call me here for a social call. What’s wrong?”

And so, Zoe pulled up a third chair and Livia told him quietly what happened the previous night.

“Is there anything you know of here that could help him recover?” Livia asked.

Benedict dipped his chin in thought. “Hygardian intelligence agents developed the soul knife techniques because they were so difficult to heal from, but I’ve heard of herbs and recipes that have been documented to help treat psychic wounds. Dreamshrooms and Pixies’ Poppy come to mind, but I’d have to observe the patient to…” Benedict paused mid-sentence. A tired smile crept across his face. “That’s why you asked me here, right?”

Livia nodded. “I know you’d rather drink straight otyugh saliva than get involved with one of the gangs, but he’s my father…”

“No need to convince me,” Benedict said quickly. “Just lead me to him.”

* * *

The Stonefalls’ hideout was in the Dock District. The warehouse was nestled in between that of two legitimate shipping companies and officially belonged to “Jade Corp”. Only a very few people in the know knew its true purpose.

Upon seeing three individuals approach, the guards tightened, ready to fight. However, as soon as they saw Livia’s face, they promptly relaxed and allowed all three inside. Livia led Zoe and Benedict to an office on the second floor. A bed had been moved in, lying on which was an unconscious Varriis. Therein was sitting at his bedside, and could only merely turn his head to Livia, Zoe, and Benedict as they entered. The former cold and calculating gang leader now just looked like any other vulnerable hospital patient.

“Therein…you remember Benedict Blackedge. He’s going to give us a more detailed diagnosis,” Livia explained.

Therein nodded, but Benedict couldn’t help but clarify, “I’m an alchemist, not a doctor. My knowledge in diagnosing is sorely rudimentary.”

“I’m sure it’ll be more than what we’ve been able to determine so far,” Therein admitted.

Benedict nodded, and crouched by Varriis’s bedside. After a few minutes, Benedict shook his head and turned to the others in the room.

“This…his injuries are severe. They’re far beyond my medicinal scope. I fear there’s only one individual I can think of that could give us a treatment.”

“And that’d be…?” asked Livia.

“Finn Mediani. Husband to Welola Wenrich.”

* * *

Shadow was sitting on a bunk in the barracks, twiddling his lockpick set as he practiced on a cube with a complex lock. His mind was replaying his conversation with Livia after Zoe had stormed off the previous night.

The two had been walking back to the barracks when Shadow had broken the tension.

So, he said casually, things got pretty intense back there. You seem to know a lot about some of the players and…other things. Anything I should know about? You know, cause if I’m gonna have your back, it’s helpful to have all the pertinent information.

Livia scanned for listening ears. Seeing that the coast was clear, she said, I couldn’t turn down Therein’s request because…the Stonefalls are my family.

Shadow nodded. I thought there was a family resemblance. Anything I can do to help?

Uhh maybe… said Livia. I plan to check in tomorrow morning to see if my father’s better. I can let you know if there’s anything to do after I see them. Say, do you know how to get in touch with Caelynn? I’m worried about this Lady of Black Glass.

Shadow shook his head. No…I think she and Mu stayed with Gowron. I trust the three of them to stay safe.

Suddenly, the lock clicked, and the cube folded open.

Trust.

The word echoed in Shadow’s mind as Zoe and Livia entered the room.

“Oh, hey guys! What’s up?” asked Shadow cheerfully.

Zoe snapped her fingers, surrounding the three of them in a cloud of static noise.

Shadow’s eyes narrowed. “Ah. That kind of conversation, huh?”

Zoe nodded and picked up the cube Shadow had set aside and reset it, pulling out her own lockpick set to practice.

“My father isn’t doing well,” Livia explained. “I asked Benedict, the alchemist that I worked for, to come assess his condition. He said that Varriis’s wounds were beyond him, and that the only person that can help is Finn Mediani.”

“Welola’s husband,” Shadow sighed with resignation. “Guess we need to go talk to her.”

Suddenly, the cube clicked open again. Shadow raised an eyebrow as Zoe tossed it back to him.

“Not bad,” said Shadow. “Where did you learn that particular skill?”

Zoe shrugged. “Old friend.”

“Perhaps one day you can introduce us,” Shadow replied with a smile.

“Perhaps.”

* * *

Shadow, Livia, and Zoe went to the Smitten Kitten in the Glamour District. Shadow instantly recognized Garth, who was standing at a host’s podium by the entrance. Shadow extended his fist for a fist bump.

“Ah, Mr. Shadow,” said Garth, returning the bump. “I didn’t see that you had an appointment today.”

“I don’t. Kind of an urgent thing,” Shadow replied.

Garth nodded. “Understood.”

He led the three to a stairway down in the back. Zoe hesitated for a moment as she saw Shadow leave his rapier, bow, and quiver on a weapon rack next to the top of the stairs. Seeing that Garth would be there to guard them, she reluctantly left her own sword and mandolin. Garth looked expectantly at Livia, who rolled her eyes. It took her a few minutes to draw out every hidden knife on her person. Then, the three descended the staircase into Welola’s meeting room.

Like the first time they had met her, Welola was sitting on an armchair on top of a platform, allowing her to look down on anyone that had come to meet her. On either side was a halfling thug armed with a crossbow.

Welola smiled upon seeing the tabaxi and said, “Ah, Shadow! To what do I owe the pleasure? I didn’t expect you to see you again so soon.”

“Seems we have an issue we need your help with,” said Shadow. “Varriis Stonefall is in pretty bad shape from last night and it seems the general consensus is your husband is the only one who can help him. Can you help us?”

Welola crossed her legs and brought a knuckle to her chin. “Now why would I want to help him? If you recall, he’s one of my rivals in this game.”

“True,” said Shadow, “But wouldn’t it shift things if he owed you one? Not to mention that his removal from the game board would shift the balance considerably. And not in a direction you’d like.”

“A decent point,” Welola said with a smile. “Dowager Moran isn’t committed to keeping violence out of my neighborhood. Perhaps the Stonefalls could be leveraged into a more…constructive asset.” Welola paused for a few beats, and finally said, “Fine.”

She pulled an amulet out from under her shirt. Set in its center was a small green spell gem. Welola whispered into it, and the gem began to glow brighter. She set it on the chair’s left armrest. Suddenly, a flickering full sized image of a young-looking halfling man sprung into view. He had wide, brown eyes that glistened with optimism, and a caregiver’s smile practiced to put others at ease. He wore a necklace with dinosaur’s teeth, a common token worn by halflings with ties to the tribes of Toleca.

“Yes sweet pea?” Finn asked sweetly.

Shadow turned to Zoe and mouthed, “Sweet pea?”

Zoe’s frown tightened. She was doing everything she could to avoid bursting out with laughter.

“Apparently Varriis’s condition has worsened,” Welola explained. “Your expertise has been requested.”

“Ah,” Finn replied, turning to the others in the room. “Have any of you seen his condition? Can you tell me about it?”

Livia nodded and explained in depth what Benedict had said. Finn nodded as he listened.

“Yeah, sounds serious alright. Psychic wounds are no joke.” His eyes grew distant. It was obvious that he had seen many cases like it in the past. “Unfortunately, I’m not sure I can help. It sounds like you need brightwater, which is extremely rare. I used the last of it in a mixture for a Kolvikan noble woman. I can certainly point you in the direction of someone who may know where to get some though. Have you heard of the Open Hand Monastery in Jorunfell?”

Zoe and Shadow perked up.

“Yeah. We’ve both been there,” said Zoe.

“You’re going to want to talk to Norric,” Finn explained. “Feel free to drop my name too. Tell him he still owes me a Harmonies rematch one of these days.” Finn’s eyes softened. “Sorry I can’t be of any more help. I wish you the best in your efforts.”

The three thanked him and turned to depart. As they ascended the staircase, they could hear Finn say to Welola, “I’ll see you for dinner tonight, honey. Be safe.”

Then, his hologram leaned in and gently kissed her cheek.

* * *

Livia, Shadow, and Zoe each stopped by Sammy’s desk to sign out winterland gems, frosty blue spell gems that would protect them from the cold. They boarded the spark rail to Kolvik, choosing to sit in a regular booth. Shadow was surprised at how comfortably all of them could sit together. He was used to traveling with Aza or Mu, who almost needed a whole side to themselves. Then, something about traveling to Kolvik sparked a question.

“I wonder how Fenix is doing,” he pondered aloud.

“Whose that?” Livia asked.

“Fellow Swiftguard,” Zoe explained. “Might be Mu’s brother. Who knows?”

“Brother?” Livia asked. “So he’s an eidolon?”

“No, no, an orc,” Shadow laughed. “Kolvik was his home. I went there with him once. He had a budding romance with one of the women there. Probably has been spending time with her.”

“Oo la la,” snorted Zoe.

Shadow looked out the window and his tone grew more serious. “I hope he’s doing okay. I know he didn’t take his defeat from Winkam too well.”

“He fought Winkam too?” Livia asked.

Shadow nodded. “He was with us when we went into the Mistland. Winkam broke both his weapons, so I think part of why he went home was to get them repaired.”

Livia nodded, remembering her own encounter with the Razorlord. Even Pax’s magically augmented sword did little against his adamantine armor.

Suddenly, to break the tension, Zoe said, “Would you like to hear a story?”

“Sure!” Shadow said enthusiastically.

Zoe’s energy shifted. Her voice brimmed with charisma. With a smile, she said, “This one was always popular with the littles at the orphanage.” She strummed a soothing cord on her mandolin.

Once there was a little old man who lived by the sea. He had lived there for many years and was very happy. Each day, he rowed his little boat out from the shore and cast his net into the waters. Some days, he caught many fish and would rejoice in his good fortune. Some days, he caught no fish and would rejoice in his good fortune for he had potatoes to eat from his garden. Whether he was eating potatoes or fish, his belly was full, his heart was grateful, and, so, he was happy.

One day, he went out to fish and his net became very heavy. He pulled and he pulled and finally tugged the net into the boat. He quickly unwrapped the net to see his catch. There, sitting angrily, was a merman.

“What have you done, silly old man? What is the meaning of this?” the merman said.

“I am very sorry, friend! I was simply trying to catch some fish to eat. I did not mean any harm to you,” the little old man replied.

“This is a very silly way to catch fish,” chaffed the merman. “It is much easier to swim and catch them. Only fools bother with a boat and a net. Come let me show you.”

So the merman taught the little old man to swim and dive and catch fish with his hands. For weeks they practiced and became good friends. The merman swam through the water with the grace of Umberlee and caught fish with ease. The old man struggled in the water but was grateful for his new friend and the merman’s willingness to teach him. Everyday he came home sore, salty, and without any fish. He began to grow resentful of the potatoes in his garden and longed for the taste of fish.

One morning, after many weeks, the merman showed up on the beach to find the old man joyfully eating a freshly roasted fish.

“What joy! You finally did it! All our hard work paid off! the merman exclaimed.

“Yes, friend. Come, sit and eat with me,” the old man said. The two friends sat and ate until their bellies were full.

“So tell me, how did you finally catch the fish?” the merman asked.

“Well,” the old man said. “I woke up and began to prepare another meal of potatoes. I have always felt so happy eating them, but today I felt angry. I have not felt angry in many many years. So I sat down and thought about when I feel happy. And do you know what I realized?”

“What?” asked the merman.

“I am happy in my boat. I am happy casting my net. I am happy eating fish when I catch fish and eating potatoes when I do not. I am not happy swimming in the salty water pretending I am something I am not,” the old man replied.

The merman slumped his shoulders with shame. “I have caused this. I have made you angry and unhappy,” he said.

The old man smiled and shook his finger. “I am not done,” he said. “I am also happy to have a friend and to no longer be alone. I am happy to share my beach with a friend.”

The merman brightened. “I am happy to have a friend, too,” he said. He paused for a moment, and then asked, “Can you teach me how to cast a net?”

The old man laughed merrily. “I will if it makes you happy. But I would be content to cast my net while you swim the waves. Then we can share our fish together.”

“That sounds very good,” said the merman, smiling at his friend.

And so they did.

Zoe strummed the last cord and turned her head. Livia was asleep, her head leaning against the window.

“She’s been through a lot,” Shadow said. “That was a really good story. Did you make it up yourself?”

“Years ago,” Zoe said, thinking of Miss Lissie’s orphanage.

* * *

After departing the train near Kolvik, the three hiked for a day and a half to the Open Hand Monastery. Although they were protected from the cold due to their spell gems, the journey was still less than pleasant. The Monastery was just as Shadow and Zoe remembered. The two stone front gates had the painting of a yin and yang on it, and a robed eidolon stood guard with a metal staff outside.

“Greetings,” said the eidolon. “May I ask what business you have at the Monastery?”

“We’re here to see Norric,” said Zoe.

“One moment please.” The glow faded from the eidolon’s eyes. After about a minute, the soft glow returned. “Please enjoy your stay.”

The eidolon pressed a button on his forearm and the two gates spiraled open. Livia’s eyes were wide as they entered. She’d heard about the Monastery before, but seeing it for real was something else. It was filled with a warm, golden light, and despite the frigid conditions outside, the inside was teeming with plantlife.

“Ah! Our friends from the Swiftguard!”

The three turned to see a head monk, a humanoid with bovine features and kind, wise eyes.

“Norric,” Zoe said with a nod.

“I see you’ve brought someone new,” Norric said, smiling at Livia.

“Livia Blackedge. It’s a pleasure,” Livia said.

Norric bowed. “So what brings you here? Don’t tell me the Cult is up to no good again.”

Zoe sighed. “They are, but that’s not why we’re here. We were directed here by Finn Mediani. He told us you may know where we can acquire some brightwater.”

Norric’s lips tightened. “Brightwater, huh? I’m afraid I can’t help you. Brightwater is created on certain days of confluence, when the border between our realm and the realm of Faerie grows thin. I gather as much as I can, but I have none right now and the next confluence isn’t for a while.”

“Please,” said Livia quietly. “There must be somewhere we can get it.”

Norric stared deeply into Livia’s eyes. After a moment, he took a deep breath and said, “There’s one place you may be able to get some, but it’s dangerous. Probably fatal.”

Shadow snorted. “Hasn’t stopped us before.”

Norric smiled worriedly. “A day’s travel from here…there’s a cave the Feyfolk call the ‘Tomb of Air and Darkness’. You can feel the fey magic coming from it, but none who have entered it have returned alive.”

Zoe crossed her arms. “We’ll take our chances. Not our first time fighting the fey, and it certainly won’t be our last.”

Norric nodded. “I hope for your sakes you’re right.”

* * *

The three followed Norric’s directions. The cave was off the main path through the mountains, and well hidden by the terrain around it. Inside was pitch black, and there was a chilly presence about it that pierced the protection of their spell gems.

Zoe extended her palm face up, and a small globe of light popped out of it. Shadow took the lead and Livia stayed behind as they stepped into the cave. Although the first thirty feet were cramped, the small tunnel soon opened into a massive icy cavern. The walls were a breathtaking shade of blue. A bridge of snow and ice extended over a bottomless abyss below, and the three carefully moved across it.

The cave’s path reached deep into the earth below. Eventually, the three opened into a final room, which featured a towering altar with stone steps reaching up toward it. The altar was covered in carved inscriptions that looked like a series of interconnected, stylized knots that had a familiar jade glow. Zoe carefully approached first, ascending the staircase slowly. At the top, she saw that surrounding the altar was a five-foot-wide indentation, nestled inside of which was a black coffin with the lid pushed to the side.

Before Zoe could consider what may have been inside, a drop of water splashed onto her shoulder. She slowly looked up, and saw, encased completely in transparent ice, was Fenix staring down at her.

“What in the Hells…?” Zoe said.

Suddenly, three icicles grew around Fenix’s imprisoned form and launched down toward her. Zoe leapt backward as they planted themselves where she stood. The three forms morphed into imp-like elementals, mephits, the same kind of shape as the creatures she and Shadow had fought in the Spotlight in Belleclair.

Rising behind the altar was a 10-foot-tall crystal figure of a woman, with eyes burning a cold, blue light. Blades of ice erupted from her body at odd angles, breaking off as they grew too long. Her limbs crackled as she moved.

“Is that what was in the coffin?” Zoe asked.

“What coffin?” Shadow asked.

The crystal maiden lifted her right hand and a shard of ice darted out from her palm toward Zoe. Zoe drew her rapier and parried the projectile, dodging the claw of one of the ice mephits. A second mephit’s claw reached for her, but she didn’t have time to dodge. Luckily, Livia threw a knife encased in crackling, magenta energy flew past her into the creature’s head. Zoe watched its orifices explode with magenta light. When it fell, its body exploded into icy shrapnel. Luckily, it had stumbled back far enough to where Zoe was clear of the explosion.

The crystal maiden lifted its left hand to fire again, but Shadow was already on the move. The tabaxi fired his grapple cord into the icy ceiling and retracted it, lifting him toward the maiden’s hand. Before she could fire another dart, the tabaxi’s rapier plunged into her forearm. Her arm exploded with radiant light, and the crystal hand fell and shattered on the ground. As it reformed, Shadow flipped in the air and landed on the other side of her.

The two remaining mephits charged toward Zoe, but she had already reached behind to her mandolin. With a strum of a cord, a sonic boom thundered out and shattered the two creatures.

The crystal maiden turned to swipe at Shadow, leaving it open for Livia’s next attack. Livia threw two more knives crackling with magenta energy into each of the maiden’s legs. As they exploded, the maiden’s torso came crashing down.

Zoe aimed her mandolin’s headstock over her shoulder, the red light of her inferno gem aimed at the maiden’s head. She strummed a cord, and a furiously blazing bead of fire embedded itself on target. The following explosion melted the crystal maiden.

“Well…that wasn’t too bad,” said Zoe. Then, she heard a crack from above. The ice encasing Fenix melted quickly, and the form of the orc warrior dropped from the ceiling toward the ground. With unexpected grace, Fenix flipped in the air and landed on his feet, cracking the ground underneath him. He fell to one knee panting.

Meanwhile, Livia circled around the altar to where the crystal maiden’s body had melted into a pool. The water glowed with the same magic she’d seen from Caelynn, so Livia quickly collected some in a vial. She knew she’d gotten the brightwater her father needed.

“Fenix!” Shadow called out. “You’re alive!”

Fenix fastened the two ends of his naginata together and pressed the blunt end to the ground to help him stand. “Shadow…Zoe. You’re…here.”

“Fenix?” Livia asked, returning to the others. “The guy you mentioned on the train?”

Shadow nodded.

“The question I want to ask is what are you doing here?” asked Zoe with her arms crossed.

“I…I was guided to this place by a vision,” Fenix explained. “I returned to Kolvik to repair my weapons…maybe even discover a way to make them stronger. My father led me to a site sacred to our people, where I acquired this.”

Now that he had regained the strength to stand, Fenix unfastened the ends of his naginata to reveal a blue spell gem embedded in the middle. It reminded Zoe of the power of her inferno gem, but suffused with ice magic instead.

“So you got here and…” Zoe said, trying to keep the story moving. She was afraid she knew where it was going to take her.

“I…my vision was about a Lady, a fey trapped here. She said if I freed her, I could gain the power I needed to confront Winkam again. Since I met her on hallowed ground, I thought it was safe. Apparently, I’m a fool.”

“A Lady, eh?” Zoe asked.

“The Lady of the Crossroads,” Fenix elaborated. “But what was in the coffin, the seal, was no lady. It was a knight, masculine in shape, that wore black armor. I tried to fight him, but his speed was beyond my sight.”

“He didn’t kill you though,” Livia observed.

Fenix shook his head. “No. He parried one of my blows, but before I knew it, I was confronted by the crystal maiden. She imprisoned me above. I think I would’ve died on the spot were it not for the protection of the spell gem the Lady gifted me.”

“An enigma, this ‘Lady of the Crossroads’,” said Zoe. “Ah, well. Let’s get out of here.”

* * *

Fenix accompanied Livia, Shadow, and Zoe back to Kolvik, but did not travel with them to Rand.

“I’ve found peace at home here,” Fenix explained. “Besides, from what you’ve told me, Winkam isn’t afraid to attack cities. I feel I need to be here to defend Kolvik should he attack.”

After riding the spark rail back to Rand, Livia offered to Shadow and Zoe to go home. However, the two friends wanted to make sure Livia delivered the brightwater safely. The three entered the Stonefalls’ headquarters in the Dock District.

Livia ascended the stairs to Varriis’s room. As she approached the door, Benedict said rather loudly, “Livia! I…!”

Livia looked to Benedict, who had wide eyes, and then turned to look inside Varriis’s room. Varriis was unchanged, still unconscious. Standing at his bedside was an elven woman, blue sparkles around her right eye and wavy, light brown over her shoulders. A longbow and quiver were on her back, and she met Livia’s eyes.

Shadow and Zoe caught up as Livia said, “Benedict...I recognize her. Why is she here?”