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thefugitivemango · 3 years

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Tower Ascendance - Part II

[[ Co-written with @sylaess & @kidcatgemini / @codegemini ]]

[[ Part I ]]

~*~

Sylaess felt rooted for a moment, staring at the lone wisp that stayed with her. She’d been so deep in thought, she’d missed the sounds. The signs. It had been quiet for too long. It felt like her heart had plummeted through her chest and into the floor, an impressive feat, considering the incessant hunger for power. For sustenance.

Such as it was to be undead.

“...We need to run. Don’t fall, don’t lag. Don’t stop to fight. Fucking run.”

Her voice was oddly calm. Flat.

Both swords were in her hands, but she didn’t move yet. Pulling on a quick set of runes, a rapidly modified spell that she wasn’t sure of--

It worked. It was fragile. But it worked. The spirits nearby fled before them in a wave, suddenly. She was pushing them. Well, it was more like suggesting a direction, but it worked nonetheless. Her skin felt tight across her skull, teeth clamped in concentration.

Still, that single wisp stayed.

The elf swore softly at it.

Argonas wasn’t in the habit of running from fights. His grip tensed, tightening around the handle of his hammer. As Sylaess, Sinafay, and the host of wisps all made haste down the stairway, Argonas held. What mattered was getting them out, after all. Self-preservation wasn’t his highest priority here.

“--Go, I will buy you the time you need, and meet you down there!” he instructed, once Sylaess and Sinafay were too far to intervene.

“Argonas--”

But it was too late. He already careened ahead of them in a show of protective light. Thankful he had that blessing, but now more concerned than ever at their chances of escape, Sylaess grit her teeth, slamming her blades into their sheaths hastily.

He charged up the stairs, hammer and shield at the ready-- that’s when he laid eyes on the Tarragrue. Impossibly massive, brimming with a blazing core and adorned with plated spikes. Its eyes pierced into Argonas’ soul, filling his mind with thoughts of dread and weighing his heart with despair! A creature of nightmare, through and through! It let out a booming bellow that shook the tower itself before lunging for Argonas!

But the Draenei was undeterred! The Light was with him! Luminescent wings sprouted forth from his back, as his hammer was charged in holy Light! The shimmering of a divine blessing glistened across his broad-shouldered form! He met the Tarragrue’s charge with his own, crying out final instructions to his beloved and friend!

“Follow the Light runes!”

*BAP!*

A streak of radiant gold and purple flew back down the hallway, cascading down the stairs like a tumbling boulder down a hillside. Argonas slammed into a wall, then skipped over the stairs’ railing, flopping like a ragdoll as he smacked into one side, then the other, of the open spiral staircase Until finally, he fell flat on his back at the very base of the stairs-- right in front of Sylaess and Sinafay. He should have died, were it not for the Light’s blessed protection of his mortal form.

Dazed, but unhurt, he quickly scrambled to his hooves, and cleared his throat.

“... I have decided that I should lead you to the exit. This way!”

“Honestly, I do not know what I expected,” Sinafay sighed, but then couldn’t help but crack a smile despite the situation, “Good to see you have not changed, My Love.”

She reached down to help him up… only to remember that she couldn’t even do that as her hands moved right through. They may as well have been on two different planes of existence.

“Quickly!” She urged, as the entire room seemed to shake under the behemoth’s steps.

“You fucking idiot, don’t stop to chat it up!”

“Whatever you do, don’t stop running. It knows we’re here now.”

The thin elf raced forward to haul on his shoulder. Pull the behemoth of a draenei into a run by sheer will alone if she had to. But she was unnaturally strong.

“This is not the time for heroics. Time to run like the little bitches this place made of us.”

Those onyx eyes glanced back sharply at the incoming absolute marker of death. Felt it again. That sudden grip of fear down to her core. Had she seen this thing before, then? She certainly had heard it.

Her breath caught on it. It was one of those premonition feelings that had a habit of coming back to bite later. That was not what she wanted right now.

Argonas had learned his lesson. He kept running, looking back only to ensure the others were keeping pace. He was moderately fast, for a Draenei weighed down in so much plate armor. Practice. His shield kept affixed to his back, hammer in his hand. The other hand reached out, causing the Lightrunes he’d left behind to emit a resonant glow. In such a dark and dismal place, the glowing runes weren’t hard at all to spot.

The Vindicator led the group further down the tower, each new twist in the corridor looking no different than the last anymore, save for the runes. They were helpful… while they lasted. Had they missed one? Taken a wrong turn? Argonas slowed for the sake of searching, before grunting in frustration. He then stopped. The trail had gone cold.

“Either they could not endure the dark magic of this place… or the corridors changed too much.” he reported, frowning. “We cannot go back the way I came in.”

As far as they ran, however, the sounds of the massive Tarragrue still echoed intensely from behind them. Argonas looked around, formulating a plan as quickly as he could. The room they had stopped in had several cages and chains, but little else. The left-side wall wasn’t constructed, but sheer stone that extended several meters up. But it looked as if it terminated at a certain point before the high half-cavernous ceiling-- a faint, ominous glow highlighting the gap.

It was something, at least.

“Stand back!”

He set for one of the nearby cages. A massive one, that could very easily contain him behind the dense, sturdy bars. A length of chain remained affixed to the base of it, coiled in a semi-neat pile beside it. He sheathed his hammer to his hip, and squatted down before the cage. He grunted, gripping the heavy cage tightly as he hefted it up off the ground. He swung it slowly, left. Then right. Then left again with more momentum. Right, and up slightly. Left, leveling out. Again and again as he swayed with the momentum.

The monster’s footsteps echoed louder and louder, drowned out only by its angered roars.

Argonas kept focused. The momentum built with each swing, until he finally brought the cage fully around himself. Once, twice, three times, spiraling in almost a dance with one hoof rounding about the other.

Then released! The cage flew up in a steep arc, sailing up the height of the stone wall. It smashed through the gap, lingering a moment as it teetered… then grinding against the stone as it slipped behind it. A brief moment of silence, then a thunderous crash reverberating through the floor beneath them. The chain, of course, followed, now dangling straight up the wall.

“Climb! Quickly!” Argonas ordered, taking a brief moment to catch his breath after the exertion.

A very brief moment-- the Tarragrue had begun descending the winding stairs that led to their chamber!

Syl turned her back on the chain for a moment, squaring off with a small crowd of spirits and fragments that followed after her like a lost bit of cloud. She bared her teeth slightly, looking for one. That one.

Sinafay had no issues climbing up the chain. Her ethereal form was as light as could be with no mortal form to weigh her down. She made it to the top long before the other two, only to freeze as she saw what lay next.

“I swear on my undying breath if you do, I’ll--”

A wisp burst past her, following Sinafay up the chain almost amicably. Sylaess’ teeth clenched so hard it was audible. It wasn’t clear if she was angry or simply upset at this point, but it sure stirred up the party she collected. Those black eyes turned on Argonas.

“Up. Now. Please.”

Another chain, much thicker than the one they’d climbed, attached to the wall she stood on and led upwards to a cavern entrance. Below was nothing but hot lava. Even as a spirit, she could feel the heat rising from it, and was more than aware that it would burn her just as badly as any mortal.

“I desperately hope the two of you are good at balancing,” she called over her shoulder.

A small hop down and she landed at the base of the chain. Keeping her determined gaze focused on the mouth of the cavern, she began taking careful steps towards her goal. One hoof at a time.

"--Light help me…" the Vindicator muttered under his laboured breath.

Running, heaving, climbing, all had worn him out to no small degree. And now a chain bridge suspended over a lake of lava was their only way forward? The heat was sweltering; already he could feel his armor starting to conduct the heat. He couldn't endure it for too long.

Hastily, muttering, he began to strip off his plate. Shoulders, gauntlets, chestpiece… grace and leg plates too. It pained him to abandon his Vindicator's plate, but it had to be done. He stripped it all, down to his cloth pants and a few leather straps on his arms. Chest bare, runic scars glistening from perspiration.

Unceremoniously, he left the lot of them in a heap atop the wall, before venturing out towards the chain bridge.

With no actual memory to tie the fear to, it was easier to digest as unfounded. Push aside.

Sylaess hauled herself up the chain with a lot more ease than she had anticipated. Maybe it was the pressing threat of the Tarragrue, maybe it was the hint of hope at escape. Either way, she didn’t really dawdle when her feet slipped once.

Up over the edge, she had to blink and ... wait, what?

Argonas dropping his armor was not what she’d have put a bet on for sights to see on the wall. Gods. Sinafay had stopped halfway up the chain to look over her shoulder at the other two. To her, Argonas stripping down was a treat, and her tail swayed a bit wider as she couldn’t help but take it all in. He’s certainly been working out more since Argus… and her first time actually -seeing- the Fel scars from their torture at the hands of the Sagerei. Sylaess, on the other hand, blinked, looking away for a moment. Then the realization hit her. Lava. Fire. They were considerably high up, too; as if it weren't a harrowing enough situation.

Oh, are you fucking kidding me?

Argonas swallowed hard, taking a wary step out onto the broadside of the giant chain links. One hoof, then the other, doing his best to keep his eyes on the other side. His goal. His--

His misstep.

His hoof scraped the metal link as it slid off to the side of it. His balance lost, he toppled. Quickly as he could, he gripped onto the upright link beside him to keep from falling over, but only managed to hook an arm over it. He gasped, the heat making him sweat. His sweat compromising his grip…

"We are most assuredly talking about this later!" Argonas blurted out, scowling.

Sylaess’ hand brushed over one of the hilts jutting above her shoulders lightly, almost lovingly, in distraction. Her runes again glimmering to a dull roar. Icy wind rushed down around her and fled, leaving her glittering in tiny crystals. Sporadic, sure, and melting. But they helped negate the oppressive heat. Breath in. Sigh out.

“Okay.” Another exhale, slowly. She drew the rune in the air at her side.

The wisps and spirits recoiled--but were yanked in a moment. Some of them disappeared.

The elf became ever-so-faintly translucent. Hazy, even. Something about it didn’t work right. She stepped onto the chain, light as air. Stalked her way up to Argonas and reached down to draw him back up with unnatural strength. “Don’t ask, just go. And don’t you dare zap me right now.”

She breathed the words, drawing the second rune. Drawing him into the shell of the spell. wraith-walking was a little awkward when you were already in the Shadowlands. What realm were they side-stepping into? Who the fuck knew! But it was better than a hot dip.

As much as he appreciated the assist, this coercion-- and possible sacrifice?-- of souls expended in order to phase him into a more spiritual state was NOT something he was okay with! It stood against everything he had cone here for; to save souls, not cause them further anguish. Or worse.

Survival, however, took the forefront of his mind. His instincts. Escaping was paramount. Getting them all free of this accursed place was a mission of such importance that, while he wouldn't admit aloud, allotted for no small degree of concession of his morals and principles. Acting now. Justifying or reconciling later.

Syl merely affected a grunt in response. Not looking forward to that conversation.

Behind the wall, the Terragrue roared, once more filling their senses with fear, even knowing it could no longer reach them.

“Keep going!” Sinafay encouraged, having managed to complete her trek and reach the mouth of the cave, “Do not look back!”

Being phased into a spiritual state was mildly disorienting. The Vindicator’s body felt lighter, yet somehow it dragged as if he was pulling it through water behind him. It served its purpose though, keeping light helped keep him balanced. He crossed the chain along with Sylaess and Sinafay without any further trouble.

"I did not come from this way… I am unsure where to go from here." he stated his disclaimer. "But now we are safe from that thing."

The Tarragrue roared, as if in response to his statement.

"... for the moment."

“I can ask in a few minutes, but I suggest we find a way down. That’s all we can do.”

The phase shift of wraith-walking left her and she sagged a bit harder than she thought she would. Blinked dumbly. ‘Oh for the sake of being undead, you’re dropping the ball hard, Syl. Some undead strength,’ she mocked herself viciously. ‘You even sure this is real?’

Her legs jellied as she lumbered forward a step or two. She reached out for the cave wall and promptly fell over. Graceless as before. Maybe she had been using too much, drawing too much power from a dry well. Maybe she was just damaged. Then again, withdrawal was a hell of a ride.

It was an odd sensation watching the world’s axis shift from horizontal to vertical. A resigned sort of acknowledgement somewhere far from personal came to her. Thoughts drifted away in a fog as she had another seizure. The tremors stiffening her body to the point of joints creaking alarmingly and armor scraping the stone in a high-pitched whine. Her jaw was clenched hard enough to make a cracking noise.

The wisp settled on her temple, flaring slightly. At one moment, you could swear you could see the vague outline of a face in it, but it wasn’t strong enough for that.

#character stories #Warcraft #Sylaess Chasewind #Sinafay #Argonas the Ironclad #Shadowlands #The Maw #Torghast #TARRAGRUE #Draenei #Night Elf #Death Knight

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codegemini · 3 years

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Tower Ascendance - Part I

(( Story co-written with @argonas / @thefugitivemango and @sylaesschasewind / @sylaess . @avehi-the-adamant and @grakkar-gorefang for character mention ))

~*~*~

Argonas grunted as he tore the pointed edge of his tower shield from the now-lifeless Mawsworn Shackler-- nothing inside its sundered armored chest plate but ethereal smoke. A hollow suit, at least now. He strapped his shield back to his arm, before continuing towards the next stairwell. Up again. Up eternally, it seemed.

Avehi had made good on her word, and brought both him and his Soulbind Grakkar to the Maw. For Argonas, it was the second time-- third, if when he died counted. Such was the case for the only other time Grakkar had been here; the memories of it shaking him to his core. And being soulbound to him now, to Argonas’ core as well. Grakkar needed help and guidance more than Argonas did, for now.

While Avehi and Grakkar ventured off to recover the misplaced souls of the Lightbound-oppressed Orcs, Argonas entered the infamous Torghast. All evidence outside pointed to Sinafay-- and possibly Sylaess-- being captured and taken here. A possibility that haunted him after last seeing Sylaess in Bastion; with the upset in the Maw upon their entry, the Jailer’s forces were especially active. It was only a matter of time. Time Argonas had hoped to beat, but now it seemed more like a time he had fallen behind.

There was no alternative-- he had to get them out.

No two floors of this place were identical, it seemed. Similar in design and structure, but the layouts were… winding. Confusing. Almost random. It was easy to get lost, Argonas figured out early on. To remedy this, he began leaving “breadcrumbs” to help guide him back out if needed. Light-suffused sigils etched into pillars and gates that-- for lack of originality-- translated to… breadcrumb. Simple, but effective.

Of course he met resistance at every turn. Swarms of Mawsworn sentires, and their ghastly metallic beasts. A hulking armored monstrosity that thankfully he had managed to topple off a ledge. Occasional distant clankings and unholy screams that echoed through the tower suggested the monster was still falling, even now.

But as he came upon a crossroads, he found himself unsure. The stairs both led upwards, one banking left and the other to the right. Into differing chambers, it seemed. He knelt down, brow furrowed, as he etched another “breadcrumb” into the ground. Then, still kneeling… he prayed.

“Light, guide me…” he muttered softly, clearing his mind and focusing his thoughts on Sinafay.

Nothing. Nothing sprang to mind. A simple choice, but one that could either lead him closer to his beloved, or even further away. The Light urged him onward, but he couldn’t feel one way or the other. He grunted in frustration.

“Give me a sign!”

--A streak caught his eye, a soft chime faintly heard from its direction as it darted past him. He turned, shield up just in case it was unfriendly-- like everything else in this accursed tower. But as he focused, he recognized it. A wisp? Here? It zipped to and fro, before ascending the left-hand stairs. Drawn to something, perhaps. Argonas sighed. It wasn’t exactly a sign from the Light, but it seemed a sign, nonetheless. He took off after it, eyes peeled and wary for wherever it may lead him…

~*~*~

“...So then, not only did he convince her to become a Vindicator, but then actually started -dating- her. So, of course, I tried to act supportive, but I was very upset over everything… not because I was jealous… Perhaps a -little- jealous… but you understand how awkward a situation like that is, yes?”

As a spirit, Sinafay's use in the tower was limited, so she decided to give Sylaess something to focus on to keep her present. And what better subject than to catch her up on everything she had forgotten? The whisps appeared entertained as well, floating about the shaman’s spectral form as she recounted the stories from Pandaria to Draenor. Anything was better than focusing on the horrors of the tower. It certainly kept her own spirits up as they started going down yet another spiral stairway. How long had they been wandering through this place? Weeks? Months?

“So she and I got into an argument, and—“

She cut herself off as Sylaess’ ear twitched and the elf suddenly stopped cold. That was usually a sign that she sensed something and they had to be careful. The Draene took on a defensive position, eyes locked on the downward staircase.

A light illuminated the stairwell as a whisp flew up to meet them. Loud clanking could be heard approaching behind it.

Sylaess held a breath. It wasn’t a conscious thing. Her blades were in hand, black eyes sharper than obsidian as she stared down the hallway. Leather creaked softly in her palms as her grip shifted. One. It sounds like one.

But how big is this thing?

The dizzying chatter had indeed kept her from mostly slipping into those delirious states. Seizures, well, blessedly there had been only a handful more. She couldn’t recall what had triggered them. Damn, it actually sounds large.

She set her jaw and let the breath slip past her lips slowly. Carefully. Runes blared to life along her blades.

Slowly, up her armor as she charged forward. Surprisingly quiet, but nowhere near silent, the elf practically leapt down the stairs, blades ready and magic held back by a thread. It was always more effective to go in blazing than it was to reserve yourself, she found, in Torghast.

That way, if you lost, you know you gave it everything.

The Death Knight’s runic blades clashed against Argonas’ shield-- or rather, the protective barricade of Light that emanated from it, surrounding his entire form. He shoved back reflexively, tossing Sylaess from him before readying a counter-attack. Until he recognized her, of course. He stayed his hammer swing, for the moment.

“--Sylaess!” he exclaimed, in an odd mix of excitement and scolding. “Thank the Light I found you!”

Sylaess remained a little apprehensive. She lowered her sabers after they bounced off the shield of Light brightly, shoving her back a good step, the sudden redirection of force jarring up her arms. A thin frown as she stood staring at him.

Could they use the Light, now? Was it another illusion?

The wisp flitted into her face, obscuring her scrutiny. Drawing out a sigh. A cacophony of advice hailing from nowhere and everywhere in her head. “Okay--Okay. Enough. I got it. Fuck.”

She grumbled quietly--well, quietly enough.

“Argo!” Sinafay felt her heart skip a beat… or at least, whatever the spectral equivalent to that was.., at the sound of her mate’s voice.

It felt so long since she’d last heard it, or gazed at his battle worn face. She smiled brightly at him as she skipped down the stairs to meet him, a multitude of wisps following behind her. This time, she resisted the urge to leap into his arms, lest she pass through him again and go tumbling down the stairs. Instead, she stood by where Sylaess landed, weary but well, despite their time in the tower. Her tail swayed eagerly behind her.

“Ah, Sina, my beloved! It is both a joy and a pain to see you like this!” he stated, first and foremost-- in a rather rehearsed tone.

But given he had thought of nothing else than this moment of reunification, it was to be expected that he started running lines in his mind for the occasion. That didn’t make the words any less sincere, however; seeing his mate like this was an odd mix of comforting and sorrowful. The comfort of course coming from just seeing her again, and knowing she could be saved from this place. Sorrow, though, with all the memories he still carried about losing her in the first place. And living without her ever since.

“Argonas. Do you have any idea how to get out? I’m absolutely fucking sick to death of having my ass kicked.”

Syleass’ tone was soft, but the gravelly, ruined sounds of her voice were an interesting counterpart to the gentility. Still, she sounded just as exhausted as her weathered frame looked. And out of patience. If this was another illusion, so be it. The souls did not think it so, but even they could be wrong.

The tone carried a strange desperation from her that Argonas hadn’t heard or experienced since the Exodar.Though even this was different. Weary. He didn’t think Death Knights could get tired. But then… this was more of an emotional weariness, by the sound of it. He nodded quickly to her, both to answer her question and convey appreciation for sticking with Sinafay through this madness.

“Yes!” he stated, proudly. “--I mean… hopefully. I have been leaving small Lightrunes along my path here. But this tower is ever-shifting. The way out may not be the way I came. Though I think we should try, nonetheless. We must get out of here, and reconvene with Avehi and--”

“Were you able to find a vessel?”

He stopped himself short, eyes darting to Sinafay. Perhaps leaving the detail about his Orc soulbind was prudent, for now. More prudent still, leaving out the fact that the Kyrians only gave him and Grakkar one Soul Vessel. To share. Poor Sinafay would have to ride out of this place in the company of Light-only-knew how many Orc souls Grakkar managed to recover. He didn’t know the mechanics, exactly-- would they even notice each other in there? He hoped not.

Either way, a bridge they would cross when they got to it.

“--and another we brought.” he explained, vaguely. “Another Avehi agreed to ferry back out of the Maw with us. The vessel is with them. I did not want to leave them without it in case I did not escape this tower. But once we do, we will all escape the Maw!”

Thankfully for Argonas, Sinafay was only half listening to his words, once again entranced with taking in the sight of him.

“Well, hopefully there’s plenty of room in there. I think a few souls are looking to escape with us.”

Some of the wisps had already begun gravitating around the Vindicator, seeming to take comfort in the Light aura he surrounded himself in. Something a living mortal might miss, but obvious for spirits like herself to make out.

One wisps curiously remained by Sylaess. Sinafay tilted her head slightly at how odd it was. It must have had some form of connection to her. Unfortunately, Sinafay only now realized how little she knew of Sylaess outside their interactions together.

She opened her mouth to ask, only for a loud roar to ring out and startle everyone. The entire tower seemed to shake as a behemoth form began making its way down the stairs, towards the group. The wisps began to flutter about in a panic, and the sound alone caused Sinafay to tremble.

“Fuck,” she whispered as she backed away down the stairs and towards Argonas. She knew what it was, even though she didn’t exactly know how. Knowledge to all the spirits trapped in the tower perhaps, “The Tarragrue…”

Wide eyes turned to her mate, fear in her gaze, “Run… we cannot fight this one…”

~*~*~

#{Story Logs} → “The pleasance of our fairytale”#{Argonas} → “Only a few find the way”#{Sylaess} → “You’re thinking about something and it makes you forget to talk”#{Warcraft Verse} → “Either it brings tears to their eyes”

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chaotic-axeolotl-moved · 5 years

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Lr jevil: *hears *MONSTER ft.GUMI english* play in the distance*

Lr jevil: "gumi time"

#existance is pain #legs rhymes with leggs #rskl #lightrune #lightrune jevil #deltarune au #vocaloid #gumi megpoid #gumi #vocaloid gumi #meme

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keladryhawklight · 3 years

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Until We Meet Again

01 Feb 628

It was time. Now was the very moment that she had been dreading since their arrival in Cindervale some days earlier. There was a lump that was near impossible to swallow as she regarded the tiny face that stared up at her. A pair of inquisitive violet eyes stared back up at her, taking in this person so much bigger than she, who held her so close. Wisps of tiny blonde hair peeped out from underneath the swaddling holding the tiny child safe and cozy. A stubborn chin, so much like her fathers was set, seeming to know what was to come. A soft hum escaped her and she sang softly to her daughter.

Make me a channel of your peace.. Where there is hatred, let me show you love.. And may you never feel injury, o Light, Keep her from injury.. And if there should be doubt, I hold true faith in you, my Light..

Make me a channel of your peace, my Light.. Where there's despair in life, please show her hope.. And when the darkness looms, make known your might.. If she knows true sadness, bring only joy..

There will be a miracle, if you believe.. Tho hope is frail, my daughter yours can't be killed.. The Light will show what miracles you can achieve.. Those you'll know when you believe..

As she sang, she shifted back and forth, moving to a the table beside their bed. Upon it, there was a small bundle. Wrapped in a soft blanket embroidered with silver moons, the bundle was just as small as the child she held close. Her heart was breaking, as she turned to look up at her husband; he had been such a rock for them both while they had recovered and gotten used to their little family unit. But now, now even she could see the barely held back veil of sorrow in the light of his eyes. He had been quiet, working through the difficulties that came with this farewell, she knew. She could not fault him in the slightest.

Her feet carried her around the room, her body swaying gently as she held the tiny bundle close to her. As she neared the desk where a small envelope sat waiting for the Marshal's eyes, she opened a small music box. The soft melody of the familiar hymn she had been humming filled the air. From within the music box, a pair of magical figures moved through the motion of a romantic waltz together. It was her and Sandor, their likenesses enchanted into the box by Toby, shortly before his departure into the otherworld they now found themselves bound for. It would serve for Talithe, in the event they did not come back. At least she would know one day who her parents were. "My smallest love," she whispered down to the baby. "My Talithe."

Talithe Celine. Talithe for the heavens, and Celine for his own mother, taken from him too young. Sandor's little Tali, so he was wont to call her when she found them cuddled up in bed.

Alfred was there with them, another constant since their arrival in Cindervale the day prior. His attentions were constant; he was all knowing it seemed, about their needs before they even realized that they needed them. In him, the Marshal had a treasure. The man was truly a lightsend as they adjusted to their new roles as parents, and prepared for their journey. But now, she found she had no real words to speak how she truly felt to the man.

"Alfred, she will be alright?" Kel queried softly, dragging her gaze from their daughter to the manservant. Anxiety burned in her chest. The world was a terrible place and they.. they were going worlds away for the rest of their family. What would come of this world while they were gone, she had asked herself time and again. Nobody knew where they were bound. None of her brothers, her sister, nor her own mother would know. The only person with the knowledge was her protector, the Marshal Edain.

"Yes. Lord and Lady Edain have a woman here in the Vale for her to stay with. She has no children to call her own, but a heart waiting for a child to hold close for some time. She shall not want, nor shall she be alone," was the stoically said answer. Alfred knew they were both anxious, and afraid for the world they were leaving their child in. "Cindervale will keep her safe, Lady Brightmaul. Of this, you can be certain." It was true. She did know that, rationally. But her heart still worried nonetheless. Sandor came near, weapons and armour buckled and ready, his eyes heavy. It was time. Her gaze drifted back down to Talithe, and she took that second, that moment to commit each tiny, fragile feature to memory. Her eyes, her nose, her chin. Her tiny hands, and tiny toes. This little daughter of theirs who had changed their lives forever, simply days ago. She pressed a light kiss to Talithe's forehead, allowing her Light free to bless the child. It was her strongest blessing, her strongest protection, and her strongest will that she imbued into the light-magic. "Now," she whispered softly after a moment, swallowing the hard lump in your throat. "Go to your father, for he too would like to say a goodbye."

To him, Talithe went willingly, staring up at the man who shared her features with nothing less than adoring curiosity. Kel's lips quirked as she watched the pair. Like father, like daughter. Talithe had charmed him just as easily as Duke had. He was so extraordinarily gentle with her, but it was the love in his eyes that said it all. His own gruffly spoken prayer was as pained as hers, his voice shaking with that same pain they both tried hard to mask. His Light was warm as it joined hers, imbued with the strength of a fathers protective light. It danced through the room as he blessed Talithe as well. In his grasp was a chain, upon which dangled a delicate maul carved with Lightrunes. It had been imbued with the deepest of his own Light-strengths, and would no doubt bring some relief to their child, for even Kel herself could feel Sandor in the metals of the chain, the soft ridges of the hammer. Like her musicbox, he had left a part of himself with their own, so that if the worst should happen, she should not be alone. That was an unbearable thought. The worst that could happen, and she found herself reaching out to lightly stroke Talithe's forehead at the faintest inkling of it. The worst. It was something she found herself terribly afraid of, now that this tiny being had joined them. But it was something she had steeled herself for. Her reasons for going were the same as they had always been; the 47th were now her family too. It was inconceivable for her to let them face the vast otherworld alone. Talithe.. She swallowed heavily, the image of Talithe in Sandor's arms blurring heavily as she was struck by a swell of emotion. Talithe would be loved. No matter what happened, Talithe would be loved. And that was the most they could do, to ensure the safety of their daughter, while they looked after the rest of their family. She felt wetness on her cheeks, but could do naught to stop the tide that swelled.

"Alfred," Kel murmured softly to the manservant. "Please give.." She paused, looked at the floor and swallowed heavily. A moment passed where she could do naught but wrestle with the tears that filled her eyes. "Please tell your Master that I am forever in his debt for his generosity. He has given me something that I can never repay him for, no matter how long I pledge myself to the Regiment. And for what he has done, I am eternally grateful." Alfred nodded, his voice quiet, "I shall pass along your words of thanks, Lady Brightmaul." He said nothing to her tears, for he doubted there was little she could do to stop them anyways.

"My love," Kel murmured as she looked up at Sandor. "It is time to say goodbye. It is time for us to go."

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