RP:A Haunted Daydream

From HollowWiki

This is a Necromancer's Guild RP.


Synopsis: While discussing the flesh-bound book in the Destrier, the girls are visited by strange undead beings.

Date: Jan 12, 2018



Xalious Village

Celaeno worked her best outside, despite the cold weather making her silver joints freeze up without a constant warm aura running through them. Still, she found a spot outside the tower where the snow was thin enough to melt away, dry off, and lay her pack. Her robes were kept clasped tight against the breeze and her breath fogged with every exhale, flying off with the winds. She started to wrestle with the flap of her pack, a gust blowing it shut right as she got it open. She seemed to be looking for something in there, trying to pull it out.


Raevyn rode in from the east on horseback, looking like a confident and experienced rider when she slowed to a trot. She expertly maneuvered Tempest to the front of the tower and hopped down, not bothering to tie him up. At this point, she trusted him enough to not wander far- And even if he did, she had that interesting little whistle. Celaeno was spotted almost immediately, what with her dark robes standing out against the pale of the winter landscape. “Cela!” she calls out with a wave. As she was jogging over, Raevyn hit a small patch of ice and started to slip. At first she seemed quite skillful, managing to keep her balance upon one foot as she slid forward a good two or three feet. Yet skill would turn to bumble as that very foot caught a small bump and kicked out from underneath the frail woman, causing her to plant arse first into a patch of snow. Where she would normally be embarrassed, Raevyn instead broke out into a fit of laughter. “Damn it!” she called out with a smile. Uprighting herself, the young girl makes it over to the silver-handed elf without further incident. “What are you doing?” she asked.


Celaeno did tend to stand out among all that white, a dark splotch against the snowy landscape. Raevyn calling her name makes her slightly pointed ears and head perk up from her struggle against the environment with a wide smile. She waves, sunlight glinting off her gauntlet, only then the other budding necromancer slipped and slid in a display that makes the enchanter wince. She leaves her pack and rushes to meet Raevyn halfway, unfortunately slipping herself on a patch right before reaching her friend. If Raevyn stayed put, Cela would catch herself on the other woman's shoulders. "Treacherous terrain today...Attempting to set up a circle so I can enchant something."


Raevyn giggled a little when Celaeno also managed to slip; Toasty, gloved hands quickly snatching the woman by her waist as those metal appendages hit her cloaked shoulders. “Just a little.” she replied with a grin. “And what are we enchanting? And whom for?” Corpse-blues trail past the half-elf and over to where she had been sitting.’Do you mind if I watch, then? I’m not sure I’ve actually seen actual enchanting before. This could be a really great learning opportunity!” Before Celaeno could answer, Raevyn quickly added, “Oh. And… I need to tell you something.”


Celaeno wetted her chapped lips as she separated from her friend and gained her footing. "You might actually be able to help me. It's more in depth than I've tried since my gauntlets. They took several sessions, laid me up for a week afterwards." She wipes the excess snow off of her robes and trousers that blew on them on her way over. "Though now might not be the best time...I'm being a bit impatient, but it is somewhat of a surprise." She goes back and forth, being annoyingly vague for the moment. "I do have a little bit of news myself, nothing very life altering." She quirks her head to one side, measuring Raevyn's expression just in case something was wrong. One could never tell in those troubled times. "Would you like to tell yours first?"


Raevyn feigned a smile and dipped her head. “I would love to help you, especially if it’s something that might be draining on your ability.” The vague words and talk of surprise had the girl really curious, now. “Hmm? Surprise? I love surprises!” Though, this excitement faltered once she was offered the opportunity to explain first, “Well. As you know, there have been.. Attacks on various cities in this land. And there is a band of magii and warriors lead by this man, mister Lionel O’Connor. They’re a resistance force. A few night ago, I attended a meeting that they had called, moreso to see what was taking place. I didn’t really feel as though I belonged there. I mean, I’m not exactly the most gifted person. They spoke of something called the Shadow Plane. A place of darkness and danger.” Worry trickled over her features as she looked Celaeno over. “Anyhow. After leaving and before our little Larket adventure, I had an idea on how to help Lionel and his friends. It has to do with my Scythe.” The particular item of note was absent from Raevyn’s current attire- it would be assumed it was stashed in the Tower for safe keeping. “I think it can mask my ..I don’t know what to call it.. Scent? Aura? Whatever it is… from other dead beings. I’ve noticed an aversion toward me from some creatures in Vailkrin when I pass through with the scythe. I wrote to lionel about this ability, and suggested that if a magii could amplify its power, it could creature some sort of field to mask multiple people. So.. that if they were to invade this Shadow Plane, they could hide in plain sight and maybe have an advantage.” Raevyn shrugged, “Anyway. Last night, Lionel, his friend Esche, and Khitti showed up to the tower so that we could discuss the scythe. They really liked the idea, but they want to do field testing… out in Venturil. Which, I know is a dangerous place already. If the scythe works as intended, then.. They will want me to go with them into the Shadow Plane.” Raevyn bit her lip. She had been dreading telling Celaeno about this news, as she really didn’t want her friend to worry.


Celaeno 's eyebrows knit together, obvious worry in her face as she listens through the news, conflicting with a burdgeoning pride as she huffs and frowns. "I've heard of this Shadow Plane from Miss Khitti. And that scythe has always leaked an odd power, even to my dulled senses. What's in Venturil, though? It sounds familiar...perhaps from something I've read." The entire plan made good sense, and she takes her friend's hands, mustering a genuine smile. "See? You belonged after all. In a big way, by the sounds of it. If only they needed an enchanter's services I could follow you in without weighing everyone down."


Raevyn explains, “There are dark things in Venturil, the land between Craughmoyle and Chartsend, to the west.. Evil entities and spirits- Wraiths. Things that they want to test the scythe on.” The young necromancer felt a bit of relief when she saw Celaeno’s smile, her own hands squeezing those metal fingers in return. “Well. The resistance wants all the help it can get. Perhaps… you could come along sometime. I can… or even miss Khitti can.. Introduce you to the important people. I would love to have you come along with us if I had any say.” Finally she smiled. “We can speak to Khitti about it. She has her bakery opened now, so i think we’ll need to head out that way anyway.” Turning the subject toward her friend, Raevyn then asked, “So then... what is your news?”


Celaeno 's eyebrows go up as Raevyn describes the entities flocking around this city that they would test things on. She worries her bottom lip for a moment as she thinks over this. She hadn't braved things like that before, but she had been reading up on them. And if it was only tests, she would want to be there to help. She takes a deep breath and gives Raevyn a firm nod. "Aren't I always following you places? I did meet with Miss Khitti at the new bakery. She advised me about that incident and said we were still open to work there, despite her not being with the Necromancer's guild anymore. Not part of the news, but relevant, given yours. But it does sound rather necessary to help, doesn't it?" She snickers a bit as it turns to her bit of news, lifting her gauntlets for reference. "I found a smith who is willing to make me some vambraces for these in exchange for studying them. He had some very valuable feedback about my spellwork." Her eyes go big at the memory. "You should have seen his own arm! He made it himself and it looked like the real thing, only iron instead!"


Raevyn blinked when Celaeno relayed that she had already spoken with Khitti. Well then! That part was solved. This other news however, that was surprising. ...And something to celebrate about! “What? Really? That’s so great! I ean, that will be so helpful! It will be nice to have something more sturdy, hmm?” A beaming smile, a quick hug- A total showcase of support. “He made himself an arm?! That is very skillful, I would think. The entire arm is iron? I will have to some day meet this man!”” Her eyes dropped to Celaeno’s hands for a moment as she asked, “What sort of feedback did he offer? It sounds like he is a very wise man.”


Celaeno beamed as she squeezed her friend right back. "I still invested in some new leather replacements to help compensate in the meantime. It should help it stay a bit better for now." She glances down at her forearms, a giddy sort of excitement lighting up her face. "The surprise will also help, but perhaps we'll have to wait for better weather to unveil that." Cela did have a bit of mischief to her eyes as she glanced around the frosty area, and her pack where her enchanting circle lay. It would involve baring her arms, and she didn't want to lose those on top of her hands. "He said it was conservative, relying a lot on classical runes, but good for the resources I had on hand when I explained a bit more. He had a lot of negative things about the gauntlets themselves, being a smith after all, but they were the best I could afford and the smith I worked with did his best. I can't expect much better on those. It does make me wonder what else I could get in the future though..."


Raevyn playfully pouts at Celaeno, “Better weather? Well how disappointing! But, I can wait! I am excited!” A cold breeze slips through the area and the cloaked woman shivers a little, visible goosebumps beginning to crawl along her neck. “Classical runes? Hm. While he is opting to make you vambraces, perhaps we could look into getting you something better crafted? Something more modern and sturdy?” She was grinning at the thought. “Oh my! Something stronger with more powerful runes! Something that would be a force to reckon with!” Coming off like some sort of goofball, she cackles like a mad scientist. ‘Muahahaha!” She pulls her gloved hands away and adjusts her cloak as she tacks on, “That is, if you wish. I would be willing to help you fund this venture. If this man says they could be better, then we should make them better. You deserve the best.” Raevyn tosses Celaeno a wink.


Celaeno smiles at the thought, tucking her hands under her robe sleeves as the joints start to stiffen up again. She runs the warming aura through them and glances toward the tower. If enchanting wouldn't be happening, they should probably get inside. She giggles a bit at Raevyn's villainous imitation. "I agree, but there's a point of pride in making them myself. It involves studying new alphabets and testing new combinations! An exciting prospect, to be sure. As far as the material goes...that is something to ponder and ask about when I actually go to have the vambraces made. Perhaps something exists that both takes magic and is sturdy without needing so much magical reinforcement as silver." She thinks over this, her lips pursing as she signals for Raevyn to wait and trots over, more carefully this time, to fetch her pack from the cleared out area of snow. As she hefts it over her shoulders, she jerks her chin toward the tower. "I'll show you the surprise soon, I promise! Meanwhile, shall we go where it's warmer?"



The Dancing Destrier

Built against the rocky mountains behind it, The Dancing Destrier is a large inn. Double doors open to a massive dining area, often filled with magelings, villagers and visitors to the town, and even a few errant hobbits who have braved leaving the Burrows to live amongst the 'Big People'. Many wondrous smells come from the kitchen, where the barkeep's wife prepares exotic foods with ingredients given to her by mages, and recipes gained over a lifetime of meeting the strange patrons who come from all around to study within the Mage Tower or pay their respects to the Xalious Tree. The owner is a friendly man, with eyes that betray a fierce intelligence. Thin of arm and quiet of voice, he nevertheless emits the confidence which comes from those who have studied the arcane. A small fire burns without wood in the corner, but it is more a source of light than heat; kept alive by young pyromancers in the Guild as an exercise in control. There is always a student or two sitting in one of the high chairs which surround it, their features fierce in concentration. The entire building is made like the rest of Xalious Village: simple and sturdy, yet clearly built with the love and attention which can only come from the villagers themselves.



Warmth. Right! She had almost forgot. The young girl too leaves her position to quickly run over to Tempest, pulling something out of the saddle bags. It was black, soft, and folded, making it a bit hard to tell what it was. “I got something new today!” she said cheerfully. The item was unfolded to reveal a stylish, black, double-breasted trench coat that appeared to be made of some sort of wool. On the front were six, black, silver-trimmed buttons that ran up the front, three on either side. The collar was slightly high, and behind it, a hood that was was lined with some sort of fur. “Isn’t it lovely? It didn’t even cost too much! In fact, I snagged a bit of a deal.” She beamed brightly, lifting those frost kissed cheeks. As they started toward the tower, Raevyn instead would tug Celaeno by the elbow and into the nearby tavern. “Come, in here! I want cocoa. And it’s nice, I think you’ll enjoy it!” The door of the Destrier was pushed open quite casually, held to allow Celaeno first entrance while they spoke. “Well. We’ll find something! Hopefully this smith can teach you a few things that can help you craft something. I am very much happy for you! I really can’t wait to see where this takes you.” When they were finally in the establishment, Raevyn heads directly for the bar, calling out to Celaeno.”Get a seat by the fire? I will get us something to drink!”


Celaeno leaned forward to admire the coat and its winking buttons, her mouth making a silent “ooh” of approval as she studies the lines where the pieces had been sewn together. Raevyn herself received that awed look as the half-elf glances up to her friend’s face. “You haggled?! How? They always manage to talk the price up when I try.” As the human tugged her in a different direction, she nearly slipped again, but managed to regain her footing by grace of sheer luck. When the tavern came into view, she grinned, “I’ve been here once, though I admit most of my attention was on my work rather than my surroundings. I like their tea.” None of the staff seemed to recognize the half-elf as she came in, no warm greetings of familiarity. It had been awhile. “Oh, I did mention apprenticeships, but he doesn’t take on any. I’ll be happy for a few tips or tricks.” Cela made a beeline for the last open table by the hearthless fire, parking in the chair to the left of the flames and leaving the couple across from it open for the neophyte necromancer upon her return.


Raevyn giggled. "I think you're doing it wrong if they drive up the price, Cela. You'll have to come with me sometimes, I can show you the best way to do it!" The young necromancer grinned and stuck her tongue out, teasing her half-elven friend. Haggling was not something new to her, not in the slightest. She was often tasked with going to the local city and getting supplies for her family,so Raevyn had plenty of time to practice. Once the drinks had been ordered and paid for, she found a seat across from Celaeno and slid a hot steamy cup her way- Tea. "Well, maybe after some time he might warm up to you?" she said, continuing the previous conversation. "A few tricks could turn into a full time master and apprentice position. You are very much talented for what you've had to work with, and I think he would be remiss to look over this fact." Raevyn sipped upon her cocoa as she looked toward the door, as if expecting someone to walk in. There was a look of regret that flashed across her features as she quietly asked, "Have... you seen Baelok, yet? He was not around when i left this morning. And I have seen to telltale sign of him mentioned upon any of the local fliers."


“I have often wondered the at the mystery of haggling,” Cela mused as she taps her chin with her index finger, the silver clicking with every motion. She never enjoyed the shopping, always leaving it to her flirtatious sister or equally silver-tongued Papa. Her face lit up with a bright smile as the tea arrived with her friend and she snatched it up in both hands. “I will pay attention and see what I can do. He did seem a rather grumpy sort.” She lifted the cup to her lips, the porcelain not burning as it should for her artificial appendages. Her tongue, however, was still made of flesh with all of the requisite nerves and tastebuds. Therefore, when she takes that greedy first sip, it burns going down, enough to make her whole mouth numb as she gently sets the cup on the table and her face scrunches up as if she had drank hard liquor. After a gulp her tongue lolls out, a dark pink as she pants. “Thoo thoon…” Raevyn’s wayward glance toward the door had her eyebrows pinching together in confusion for a moment before the human’s question made the reason clear. She bites her lip as she shakes her head. “Unfortunately not. I have steered clear of Larket as well, though. Perhaps he’s hiding out somewhere until things die down. Lying low and all that?”


Raevyn grins at Celaeno when she mentions that the smith was rather grumpy. "Well, I'm sure that if you can woo Baelok, then this man should be putty in your hands." It was true, after all. Celaeno had made some sort of impression on the undead brute. On one who was always so angry and full of hatred, so resentful and bothered by everything. Of all those he had come across, Celaeno was the one that Baelok thought himself least likely to kill. She had a gift, apparently. When the half-elf spoke in an amusingly pained manner, Raevyn snickered to herself and stirred her cup, using the spoon then to scoop out a little cocoa and put it to her lips. She blew upon it gently before dumping the sweetened drink into her mouth to savor the taste. She tried her best to enjoy it, but that nagging sting of her guardian's disappearance could not be shaken. "Yeah... maybe.." she replied. "I'm sure you're right. I know he is plenty capable. Probably just wants to lay low until any bounties are forgotten about." Raevyn soon reached for her bag, of which she had sat upon the floor, pulling from it a familiar item wrapped in hide. She unbound the book and opened it, beginning to leaf through it. "So... about this... do you have any ideas on where we should begin? What we should do?"


“I bribed Baelok and grew on him, let’s be honest,” she snickered, though it had a bit of a breathy edge ot it, like the tone someone takes when reminiscing about a friend who’s gone away. She catches herself, though. “As I will continue to grow on him until he legitimately likes me.” Once Raevyn pulls out the book though, the familiar smell of that rotted animal hyde hitting it makes her nostrils flare. Her mouth presses into a line. It was possibly the only book she had ever looked at with hesitation rather than eager intrigue, despite how sure she was that there would be many things in there she could learn from, all of them unpleasant. Perhaps there was a little bit of intrigue...none of it eager though. She scoots next to Raevyn rather than across from her to better hover over her shoulder and peek at those pages. “Perhaps try to read the damned thing...excuse my language.” Despite the adjective being more or less true, in that case. “Hole up in a different library until we know what it says. It will no doubt take time to translate some parts unless you happen to be fluent in a few of those languages. Sadly I can only help with the common without reference. A certain someone didn’t bother to teach me his native language. I would say take it to Miss Khitti if she weren’t so...occupied what with being so far along.”


The pages were flipped one by one, slowly and thoroughly observed for anything that might even hint at that she was seeking most- A method of separation from the thing inside. Raevyn couldn't help but to linger on some of the more macabre images, some showcasing things that no mortal being should ever experience. One of these images just so happened to be of a man, a human most likely, suspended by hooks driven through the meat of his arms. He had been bifurcated up the his midsection with both legs held apart by iron shackles. Below sat some sort of cauldron in which his vital fluids drained into. It was hard to make out exactly what it depicted however, as most of the writing was in a language that Raevyn did not understand. "No, I think 'damned' is the right word, here. I mean... how else could you describe such a ghastly book?" Another page was flipped, and then another. Some of the common words were picked up now and again- Ritual. Blade. Flame. Souls. And while they were all interesting, without any sort of context, it just didn't make much sense. There was one repeating theme the girls might notice now and again, the presence of a weapon. A sword. It held the same design on multiple pages, most prominent on the page they had first seen days before where it was embedded in an altar, guarded by some sort of robed figure. "I think it might be in our best interest to scour the library for any books on other languages. Get as much reference material as we can. I... might try Bradyn again. See if he would be willing to search the restricted sections for something that might help with anything old. And...yes... I thought the same regarding Miss Khitti. I think she would be very helpful, but given her current condition, I would hate to impose."


The half elf’s stomach actually churned at a few of those images, and she sets her tea back on its saucer, no longer having much of an appetite for it. It wasn’t that she hadn’t seen quite a few dead bodies in her lifetime--young women in particular--but they were either freshly buried or simple kills, always left in tact. She’d never seen anything that mutilated or...inventive. Still, she observes as Raevyn turns through the pages, noticing the same bits about repeated words and images. The sword in particular reminded her of a far happier folktale told back in her homeland of a magical sword stuck in a boulder waiting for a rightful king. The story itself was gibberish, but the commonality did make it grab her attention. “Miss Khitti said that he was trustworthy, as was Mr. Lorkain and his assistant, also a Miss Rhaevyn. Oh, she also mentioned we both had positions there if we were still interested.” A hinting nudge of her elbow followed that before the topic at hand was returned to. “If this is something he made, it might not be a stretch that he had preferences for certain things. Fire and that sword being a couple of them. I’ll assume most practitioners of this craft have something to do with souls and rituals at least once in their lifetimes. Perhaps they were his usual tools or ingredients?”


Raevyn licked her lips as she continued to survey the pages one by one. There was just so much to cover! "Well, that is a relief at least. For the most part, they seem to be the sort that sstay to themselves and avoid much of the conflict of the city." The girl smiled then, as Khitti's message was relayed. "It is? Finally! Yes! I am more than interested. We will make it a point to go see her soon, togther." Those ghostly blue eyes narrowed with the lifting of her cheeks, a bit of excitement shown as the realization settled in. Finally! Work! She might be able to pay baelok back, should he ever show up again. Celaeno's observation was thought over, the pages flipping rapidly now as she looked for a better example of what her friend spoke. Eventually Raevyn landed on the best image she could find of the sword and studied it. A strange looking thing, really. The crossguard was in the shape of some sort of webbed wing, like those of a bat or a dragon. It was shaded heavily, possibly to showcase it was made of some sort of dark metal. The pointed end of the weapon itself seemed ordinary in shape, but it had some sort of dark shaded outline running along of both edges. The flat of the blade was slightly colored, and had several symbols decorating the entire length. "They might have been." Raevyn finally said, after some time in silence. "If something like this was a tool, do you think he would leave it behind? Or anything else, really. I mean... if we found this book, imagine what else could be waiting?" The necromancer reaches for her cup of cocoa and suddenly startles, those dead eyes now wide and glancing around. Should Celaeno follow suit and look where Raevyn was looking, she might see the same thing that troubled the girl. The tavern itself seemed dark and dusty, decorated with cobwebs. All signs of town's reisdents were now gone; And in their place, several undead entities, corpses even, sat in every available seat in the room. All of them had their eyes, or empty eyesockets for some, locked on the pair that sat near the fire. None moved. None spoke. They just seemed to stare in silence.


“I’m not sure any of this was ‘left behind’ so much as ‘forced to part with.’ Like the book. It’s true said being could have hidden it in that statue himself, but it could have also very well been taken from him and put there by others for safe keeping. This sword is possibly the same way.” She patted her friend’s shoulder, playfully eyeing her over as if taking measurements. “Besides, it doesn’t look like there’s enough room inside you for all of the artifacts and trinkets someone like that would’ve...acquired...” Celaeno trails off as she follows Raevyn’s gaze away toward the rest of the tavern. The runes on her right gauntlet flare brighter and she taps a few on her left that brighten in response. With a snap that small ball of fire writhes to life in her palm in response, ready to encircle them at a moment’s notice. Unfortunately the entire place seemed...rather crowded, including a series three, no four blocking their way to the exit. Celaeno scooted herself closer, putting that flame she wielded between her dearest friend and the small hoard. “Good day to the lot of you, though we were having a private conversation. How can we help you?” Her address of the undead had a dry edge, said in obligation to others prying themselves where they didn’t belong. The half-elf takes in the scenery, the sense of emptiness. None of the undead entities were standing over the freshly bloodied bodies of the townsfolk gathered the owner who used to stand behind the counter, at least not that spied from that once over. The place had been clean when they arrived, everything fresh from use as opposed to the dank, dreary environment that surrounded them, appearing abandoned for many years. An illusion? Or had they been...transported to a macabre mirror world while they weren’t looking? She risks a side glance over to her friend, checking for anything strange emanating from her. Raevyn’s safety was more important than her own, for sure, but part of her wanted to make sure she wouldn’t be stabbed in the back if a certain other had chosen a dramatic way to make his presence known. It wouldn’t do much good, given how she’d positioned herself, but at least she might see it coming.


Raevyn was scared, most assuredly. Yet, with an inner determination, she would show strength and fortitude against those ghoulish things that had now infested the tavern with their strange and unsettling madness. When Celaeno chose to question the gathered, she would quickly find that none made an indication to answer. They remained motionless, unspeaking, only to beset upon the girls their ghastly stares like some sort of collection of haunted dolls. Not really wanted to sit around in this tavern of the dead, Raevyn started to look for a way out. For all that she could see, all of the known exits had been blocked off by the corpse-like entities. They sat near every available window, stood near every door- the girls were entirely surrounded. Raevyn shut the book slowly and as she did so, the deafening silence would be interrupted by the sound of shattering glass. The noise was loud and startling, and it caused the pallid necromancer to turn suddenly toward the direction from which it came- the bar. She had expected to see some kind of more terrible being, but instead, she found only the barkeep and one of the servers. "Ah bloody hell! Gon' an' broke another! Get me tha broom wouldje?" The dull roar of conversation began to fill the tavern once more, and as Raevyn took a peek around the room, all of the corpse people were gone. The tavern was nice and eventful, and all of the patrons carried on in conversation like nothing had ever happened. "That... happened... didn't it?" she asked, Celaeno.


The half-elf was about ready to set something on fire if she couldn’t figure out what was going on. The flame in her palm grew accordingly, the runes that sustained it flaring brighter. Her eyes narrowed at the empty expressions on the corpses’ faces, mouth pressing into a hard line. Her focus had been so much, unfortunately, that the crash of glass from the bar, something mundane and simple, made her stumble back into Raevyn, the spell in her gauntlet fortunately snuffing out with Celaeno’s loss of concentration. Whether her friend caught her or fell back with her, Cela would groan and grit her teeth with a mumbled, “Fiddlesticks…” The pyromancy student sustaining the flame behind them, sitting nearby, glanced over and asked, “Miss, are you next? I’m starting to get tired…” Cela sharply shook her head at the stranger, leaving the student to sigh and continue to stare at his duty. Regardless of her positioning, she would take her former seat, peeking around one more time to make sure there wasn’t a return to that horrid landscape. “Yes, it did,” she replies to Raevyn’s question. If she found everything well...she zeroed in on that book, finding it closed and points. “I’m blaming the damned thing. Either an illusion or taking us to some sort of...other dimension temporarily or...something. Though...we should perhaps investigate that page again to see what else is with that illustration. It never did that before when you looked through it, did it?”


Raevyn had initially caught her friend, almost to topple herself had it not been for quick reflexes of hooking the heel of her boot to the leg of her chair. She held onto her friend tightly before letting go once Celaeno made indication to move to her former seat. "I think I would agree. Perhaps we should be careful when reading through this thing..." Raevyn quickly began to wrap the book up in the piece of hide in which they found it, tucking it away soon after. "It has never done so, no. I think, the next time we look at it, we should be somewhere more open. Somewhere we have an escape. That feeling of being surrounded... by so many.. my skin is crawling." Raevyn stood and gathered her things, a soft frown frormed as she looked to her friend. "I'm going to ride out to Vailkrin and see if I can find Bradyn. I want to see if I can find any answers as to what might have just happened. Given his position in the Guild, he might know a little more than we do. He might have some idea." The girl quickly leaned in and gave Celaeno a lingering hug before she checked to make sure she had everything she needed. "I will be back as soon as I can with news, whatever it may be. Stay safe... okay?" With a smile and a blown kiss, Raevyn hurries out of the tavern to her horse and rides off into the east toward the city of vampires.


“Yes, a good idea.” Celaeno sighed, glaring at the tome in question as Raevyn wrapped it up. Careful when reading a book should mean remembering to pause every few hours for food and sleep, not making sure there’s an exit just in case it decides to summon an army of undead. She rolls her shoulders, working the muscles that had stiffened up there from the almost-attack, or was it merely exposing something? The thing that throbbed and crawled more was her mind trying to figure through the mess as she squeezes her friend back. “You more. Avoid any skirmishes or rude fangs.” As Raevyn retreated out to Tempest, Celaeno audibly groaned as she pressed her cool palms into her temples. Too much happening and so little she could do to help. Her frustration draws her to yanking out her Minor Book of the Dead and resuming reading where she’d left off last, determined to progress faster.