RP:A Shadowy Correspondence

Summary: Khitti sends Magik the details regarding the mission to the Demon Archipelago and also feels compelled by her emotions to tell Magik about the possibility that Quintessa was involved in the corruption of both the Xalious Tree and the Eternal Druid's Tree.

*~~The entire letter is written in Khitti’s signature purple ink, though her handwriting is a bit shaky, as if she were in pain. The letter is a couple pages long and tear stains seemed to have found themselves on the second page. It’s sealed with purple wax and left on the table near the sushi in the Syndicate headquarters, with the letter M on it. ~~*

Magikrios,

I apologize as this letter is going to be… lengthy.

First, I’ll start with the “good news” and by “good news” I mean the news that really isn’t so great, but is actually better somehow than the other thing I’m going to inform you about.

The “good news” is that we know where we’re going. It’s called the Demon Archipelago and is southeast of Rynvale. There are no actual demons (as if we really needed something like that to begin with) but the place isn’t a pleasant one. Someone both Lionel and I met recently, a woman named Rilla, risked her life to do a solo scouting mission to the archipelago. Being a vampire, it was safer for her to go than I, though I’m well aware of that fact that she is not invincible--I certainly was not when I was one. During the course of her mission to a place in the archipelago called The Cave Of Regrets, she was teleported several times to other places in Lithrydel and Rynvale, both legs and a arm was broken (though I was told this by the healers at Vigilanti Semper and not by herself; I don’t blame her, I would’ve done the same thing), both times she tried heading there, she left from the west and ended up somehow at the southern end of the archipelago immediately, ending up at the Cave of Regrets before seeing anything else. I’ve included a map of the entire place. From it, you can see that she should have found the island of Arrogance first, having come from Rynvale. It always brought her to the cave, however, each time she did go back. That place specifically is where we aim to go. It probably sounds ridiculous, but… I have a bad feeling regarding that place. There was some concern of course, about whether or not Lionel would be there, but I’m certain he is. In one of the many history books about him, there was a story about him going to this archipelago with someone named Aeryn.

To get there, we’ll be taking three different ships: my husband’s ship, The Tranquility; another Catalian vessel called the Maighdean Mhara; and one of Iintahquohae’s family’s ships. Each ship will have a small party of each of us; those groupings are something I will pass along soon before the date of the mission. I left all the books and maps and whatnot at Vigilanti Semper, in northern Venturil, in case you want to look it over for more information.

The “bad news”... is rather difficult for me. I have reason to believe that Quintessa was behind the attack on both the druid tree in Kelay and the Xalious tree. About a month or so ago, she was forced to come to my home to talk to Lionel, my husband Brand, and I about an attempt she made on the druid tree around that time. She was stopped by the grey-haired warrior, Krice, initially. A second time she went there, Lionel found her, after he’d been informed by Krice of the attempt attack, thus leading to the talk with the three of us. She spoke of making a pact with some Great Insectoid in an effort to get the ability to defeat the drow matron, Gevurah D’Artes. The two have had an ongoing feud since their match at the Redskull Trophy Ring in Craughmoyle and instead of coming to people that she knows would help her, she instead turned to some unknown eldritch being. The assailants that attacked both trees wore masks: a comedy mask, a tragedy one, and an orange one. I believe Quintessa was behind the tragedy mask. This person used the black tides, ie: my magic speciality, that I personally taught to her. And despite being told that it could be a bad idea to use her verbal incantations, she inadvertently outed herself by doing so during the second attack. I do not know who the other two assailants are.

I have taken steps to remove her from a position of power in the Warrior’s Guild, moving her a step back from Lieutenant to Soldier--all I have to do is finish the paperwork. I would do the same in Necromancer’s Guild, but… I’m not quite sure how the other Provectus Malus, Bradyn Mahara, would feel about that. It’s not that he particularly likes her (I don’t think he likes anyone really), but… some people in that guild are rather, erm… dark natured, to put it nicely. She will still serve on this mission to the Demon Archipelago, but she will no longer be allowed to control teams of guildmembers as she had before.

I have not seen Quintessa since that night. I don’t know where she is. I… I had to use my light magic against her. Dark magic can only fight dark magic so much and I felt it was the only way to put a stop to her madness. She could be anywhere. She could be dead. I…I don’t know what to do. I know she’s got her own dark way of doing things, as we all do, but… I didn’t think she’d betray me like this. She’d become like a daughter to me, Magik. I took her under my wing, taught her what I know so far about the black tides… I helped to save her from death after a rather violent fight she had with Karasu. I don’t know what to do...

They still succeeded in her attack, of course. And those idiots in the Mage’s Guild still intend on holding the yearly ball there, in that spot, despite the fact that bodies littered the area around the Xalious tree just the other day. I will not be there, though I had intended on going originally. Like many others at the site of the attack, my wounds were numerous and grave and if it had not been for my tikifhlee’s speed, I would not have survived the trip home to Cenril.

If you go to the ball and she shows her face there, keep an eye on her. I’m desperately hoping that I’m wrong about this. She did say that if she didn’t eliminate the trees, others would take her place. I want so badly to be wrong.

I do not pray often to the gods that I work with, but I am now, in hopes that it wasn’t her.

-- Khitti

*The SoS symbol appears on the closest wall or door holding a letter between its fingertips.*

Khitti,

I don't know where to begin honestly. Let's start with Lionel's situation. I will be sure to stop by the tower and do more investigating and studying to get more familiar about where we are going. I promise to give you my very best to get your brother back. As for Rilla..*a small black handprint is colored next to her name*.

It is very heartbreaking to hear of your suspicions about Tessa, let's not write her off just yet. Removing her ranking was the right thing to do, in my opinion. I have always looked at her as a child that needs some directing at times and I have tried to do that when necessary. You know how teenagers/young adults can be. I will try my best to be at the Mage's Ball and I will absolutely be on the lookout for her. There may be more to the story than what has unfolded. Like you, I also pray to the gods that she was not involved.

Be strong, Khitti. Lives are at stake here. -M

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RP:A Shadowy Correspondence