The Adventure

Gevin heads to the nearby stream to grab some fresh water to clean Etta's wound. He bends over to put some in his waterskin. Startled by his reflection he drops his waterskin and it flows down the stream. A red eye.... I've got a red eye. He thinks, his mind now racing. Am I a monster? A million things go through his head. Suddenly it makes sense. He knew Reina's name suddenly. Does that mean she has power over him?

He needs time to think this through. With too many questions, he just sits down, not returning to camp.

Etta has no objection to setting up camp, but they have to finalize their agreement with Reina before letting her go. So while Gevin does his own tasks, she helps patch the witch's wounds...reluctantly, and letting Reina do most of the work, as Etta can't quite bring herself to behave nobly and altruistically to her former foe.

Etta: "There. We've done the best we can. Time must do the rest. Now: this so-called Malkath's Vestige."

A heavy sigh from Reina. Perhaps having seconds thoughts? But then: "You're right. It is time for your...tutoring. Listen carefully...."

Reina details about twenty chants that aid in utilizing the gem's power. Everything from controlling other beings to firing magical bolts to implanting corrupting magic in others. But she stresses that the chants only trigger and focus the gem.

Etta practices as Reina teaches, until she's certain the witch has fulfilled her end of the bargain.Reina: "An expert could, I believe, use the Vestige's power without any chants, and without suffering fatigue. But I only reached the intermediate stage."

Etta: "What is this Vestige, exactly? How did you acquire it? And what were your goals? And the mask? You've told us nothing about yourself."

Reina: "And I plan to keep it that way. Our deal did not include my life story. You must be content with unanswered questions."

Etta: "Tell me something. It seems you were ill-treated. If there's a greater evil out there, I need to know. Protecting Rackon's Bluff is our responsibility."

Reina chuckles: "And do the citizens of the Bluff respect your contribution, or see you as a non-Thalken outsider? You see, my quarrel was with the Bluff itself...like you. Yes, while I wielded the gem I could read the surface thoughts of you and Gevin. I know your hidden rage and frustration; I felt the same. The Bluff broke me...though others will argue I broke myself...."

She shakes her head: "It matters not. My path has changed, and I will say no more. Let me go, as promised."

Etta opens her mouth to argue, then mimics Reina's sigh. It wasn't the ending she'd hoped for...but on the other hand, she felt it was time to end this.

Etta: "Fine. You're free to go. I would say good luck, but such words would probably sound insincere."

Reina: "I understand, Etta. But you've spared my life, when you could've slain me with a single thrust of your dagger. That's certainly the equivalent of good luck. And rest easy: I have no intentions of forsaking my vow. If I do, you should know, if you still wield the Vestige. My fate will be terrible if that happens, believe me."

After a last look at the staff and gem, Reina hobbles away. She gets on a game trail heading southwest, and is soon lost to sight.

Reina has been defeated, and has sworn to change her ways. Etta and Gevin have possession of Malkath's Vestige, hopefully allowing them to undo Reina's mischief. And once they (or someone more experienced with magic) master the Vestige, Rackon's Bluff will be even better protected.

Etta still has plenty of questions, but the answers will have to linger for now. Tonight, they can bask in their success, and then head back home.

But where was Gevin? He'd been gone a long time....

Using her newfound knowledge, Etta tries to use the Vestige to cleanse herself of any ill effects.

After what seems like an age, it feels like something is draining out of her. A few seconds later, she feels normal again; no more troublesome magic within.

If it weren't for my leg, I'd be able to prance about like a pony. But this took forever. Reina was right; the chants help, but practice is still needed. And Gevin is still out there somewhere....

Gevin returns after what seems like ages. He had gone to get water and some more herbs, but is empty handed when he gets back. When questioned about what happened all he says is "I'm tired. I need sleep." And so he begins to set up camp.

One of the first things he notices is that Reina is no longer there. It didn't surprise him. The witch didn't strike him as the social type. Heck he wasn't interested in talking to her anyway. Let alone the fact that she did this to him. This red eye. Part of him had considered killing her at night in hopes of undoing this curse now bestowed upon him.

Was it his own mind thinking? Or was it the gem's influence? He didn't know, but something inside him kept him from blaming the vestige. Possibly that was also the vestige protecting itself. No matter right now. He decided to deal with it later.

"Good night." He simply told Etta as he turned on his side and tried his best to sleep at least some.

In the morning Gevin feels a bit better. "Sorry about last night, Etta." He tells her as they pack their things. "I went to the river and saw the red glow in my eye. It frightened me. Still does actually. I don't know what it means. Am I cursed? We won't get another chance to kill that witch." He sighs, uncertain about his fate.

In any case, they decide to return to the bluff now that the threat was dealt with... sort of. The mood is not as festive as it should be after completing such a vow. For Gevin it has brought on new kinds of worries. But an Ironsworn perseveres.

On their way back to town, Gevin and Etta decide to revisit the camp where they saw the broken guarding the backpack. The broken are nowhere to be seen, but that backpack is still sitting in the same place as before.

With caution, they approach the bag and snatch it to gain some supplies for their journey back. However, opening the bag reveals an unwelcome truth. Aside from some useful supplies, the bag contains items that are marked with a symbol.

"Etta, look at this." Gevin says. "These items have a Thalken symbol." As a descendant of Rackon Thalken, Gevin knew the symbol well. Though he was not a Thalken by name, the blood ran through his veins. He had had lessons about the history of the village and everything that came with that. Good and bad.

"Do you think someone got ambushed and stolen from? Or perhaps this camp was made by a Thalken." It was unclear why a backpack with of Rackon's Bluff's supplies was all the way out here in the wild. As Gevin looks around, it's not impossible for the camp to have been made by a Thalken. Some of the techniques used were similar to that of the village. But then again anyone could use that style. "We should tell the elder about this."

With new knowledge they continue on to the Bluff.

Etta feigns interest in the "Thalken evidence." There's no way of knowing how the pack came here, what the symbols truly mean, or what the Thalkens and/or the Broken had planned.

I shouldn't be so dismissive. This could be important. But that vision the glimmer showed me...and talking with Reina...and Malkath's Vestige...I've enough on my plate, without worrying about some convoluted Thalken plan.

Once they resume their journey, Etta moves closer to Gevin, putting the Vestige within his reach. She doesn't want him to think she's claimed it for her own. Though she does enjoy the power coursing through it....

Etta: "Gevin, what you said about being cursed...I don't think you need to worry. Reina explained much. Using her teachings, I'm almost certain I cleansed myself of any magical corruption. I can teach you what I've learned, or I can simply try to expel any dark forces from you myself. Just let me know."

She leaves it at that. She doesn't know why Gevin wouldn't want to be exorcised...unless he's too far gone already?

No, that's a ridiculous thought. He's just overwhelmed, probably, and fatigued from our mission. In time, he'll come around....

And so their journey continues....

---

They make it back to the Bluff as the sun is setting, so most of the villagers are either already home or heading there...or heading to the longhouse to drink, cause trouble, and perhaps find romance or lust.

Their arrival causes quite a stir. Their fellow villagers pepper them with questions, and both of them answer as best they can. Many comment on Malkath's Vestige...too zealously for Etta's liking.

I can already see people covet this red gemstone. We can't let its seductive power tear the Bluff apart....

On the other hand...why not? But she pushes this villainous, ungrateful thought aside....

They eventually make it to Caldus's home. The elder eagerly invites them in, and shoos away the other villagers. After offering them food and drink, he sits, and waits for Etta's and Gevin's tale.

Both Ironsworn take turns detailing their adventure, with one offering up details if the other forgets something. Caldus's mood becomes almost cheerful as they talk...until they discuss their showdown with Reina.

Finally, the story is told. There's a long pause as the elder looks at them sternly.

Caldus: "It's certainly impressive that you've retrieved this so-called Vestige, and seemingly ended the threat to the Bluff...but you let that vile woman escape? How could you be so stupid?!"

Etta's face reddens, and she has to stop herself from whacking Caldus with the staff: "We've explained that in detail, old man. Reina's knowledge would've been lost, if not for our efforts."

Caldus: "You think calling me old wounds me? I may be old, but I know how to handle witches such as Reina: by destroying them. I don't care what duplicity she used, or what vows she made you utter. Suppose she breaks her vow of innocence, finds some other artifacts, and assaults us again? The blood of the dead will be on your hands, Etta Karl and Gevin Obrek."

Again, Etta has to stop herself from doing or saying something she'll truly regret. She glances at Gevin and waits for him to speak.

Maybe he can make this ancient dolt see reason. Or will he bow under Caldus's pressure? What will I do then?

And what about the pack with the Thalken symbols? Will Caldus tell us anything if he knows, or brush us "failures" aside?

On the way back, Gevin dismisses Etta's offer to rid him of his curse and the red eye that comes with it. But at this point Gevin is too caught up in everything that happened to make a decision. "I appreciate the offer, Etta. But I want to see what elder Caldus has to say first." He tells her. "Messing around with this vestige might cause more trouble than it cures."

He wasn't sure if it was true, or just a trick of his mind, but to Gevin it seemed like the red eye enhanced his vision in the dark. If he switched between his left and right eye there was a difference. Not anything grand, but just barely noticeable. He started to wonder if the vestige's power was in any other way helping him. Perhaps it wasn't such a curse after all.

---

"Elder Caldus, please." Gevin said, literally standing up for Etta. "Etta does not deserve such accusations. I was the one sent to complete this task. I will take responsibility." He says with confidence. "Did you not once tell me that an ironsworn's best property is compassion?"

"We have the vestige and Reina's word. I believe that is enough to keep the Bluff safe." He realizes that he's back-talking the village elder and sits back down as to not seem too rebellious."That being said, I think we may have other things to worry about." He grabs the backpack that they found on the road and opens it for Caldus. "We found this out beyond the clearing in a camp that was set up by someone who knows our building techniques. Or at least makes their homes very similarly. What do you make of this?"

They've barely returned, and the elder is already tossing another quest at them, one meant to prove their worth.

As if we haven't already done so! We were both injured and altered, yet this fossil remains unimpressed!

She clenches the staff tightly and focuses her anger, causing the Vestige to flicker. Hopefully this gives Caldus pause.

Etta: "I am indeed up for this quest, if Gevin is. If we return hardened, as you put it, perhaps we'll receive a warmer welcome."

Caldus chooses not to respond directly to this barb: "I'm glad to hear it, Etta. But the Vestige...will you be taking it with you?"

Etta: "I will. I'm the only one who has any idea how to manipulate its power. Gevin doesn't yet want to learn. Leaving it here would likely cause problems."

Caldus: "How so? You don't trust us to manage such an artifact? If you teach myself and the loremasters, we'll be good stewards. The Vestige seems like an incredible tool. The enemies of the Bluff would quail, if we used its power cunningly."

Etta: "Again, no. Unless you're demanding the Vestige. That's another matter entirely...."

Caldus thinks long and hard about this, but finally sighs.

Caldus: "Fine. Keep it...for now. You'll need it on your quest...probably more than we'll need it here."

Etta: "Thank you, elder. Before we move on, I have some questions. As we told you, Reina mentioned a connection to the Bluff, but never gave us details. Do you know anyone by that name?"

Caldus: "You should have interrogated her more thoroughly...but we've already argued this. Give me a moment to consult with my records."

He pulls more books down from his bookshelf, and flips through them. They appear to be genealogical records, organized in a way that allows Caldus to find what he's looking for fairly quickly. He reads some entries several times, then speaks:

Caldus: "The books record two Reinas. One was a weaver. Got married, had four kids, died aged 70, about 30 years ago. Doubtful it's your Reina, for the other entry is far more interesting."

"It says there was a Reina who lived here roughly 100 years ago. Not a Thalken; her family name was Ulster, and they were from the north. Apparently beautiful, but vain. Then something happened to her. The entry says she 'looked into a pool of unknown power and origin.' It destroyed her beauty; it seems her face became a horror to behold, but the rest of her body remained unaffected."

"Reina left, and was never heard from again...until now, apparently. Reading between the lines, it seems the people of the Bluff weren't as compassionate regarding her situation as they could've been."

Etta: "So that's why she wore a mask, and why she attacked the village! Vengeance for being treated like some...some gruesome leper. But 100 years ago?!"

Caldus: "You said Veyla, the Waking Mirror was her patron. Or so she claimed. If she was aided by a deity, many things become possible."

Etta considers all this. It was certainly strange to attack a village for something that happened there a century ago. That amount of rage and hate seemed ludicrous. On the other hand, suppose Veyla had manipulated Reina? The Goddess of Transformation could've strung along Reina for decades, until finally somehow putting Malkath's Vestige in her grasp.

A lot of unanswered questions...but Reina is gone now, and if she keeps to her vow, we'll never see her again.

Etta: "What do you think of this, elder?"

Caldus: "I admit, it gives me a new perspective. I don't condone Reina's actions...but we cannot allow indifference, hypocrisy, and foolishness to alienate our friends and family. I don't want to see more Reinas created because we didn't support someone when they were suffering."

You're a hypocrite yourself, you fucker. You can't even apologize to us. All you can muster is some general statement about acceptance....

Etta, with a bit or sarcasm: "Hmmm....interesting thoughts." Turning to Gevin: "Well, are you up for this quest, Gevin? And if so, when are we heading out? I suggest we at least rest tonight. For my part, I expect to get piss-drunk at the longhouse in celebration of our exploits."

Gevin: "I accept this quest to find out more about what it means to be an Ironsworn. But I have to ask, did you do this once, Elder?"

Caldus: "Yes, long ago. The symbols on the page denote landmarks. I remember this one was a rock that resembled an eagle up high on a cliff. The others are long gone from my memory."

It's not clear whether Caldus is telling the truth about forgetting the landmarks or not. Perhaps this is part of the test.

Gevin takes parchment and a quill to make a copy of the map.

Gevin: "Very well, we'll figure it out. Now what about this backpack and the camp? Is this not a more pressing concern?"

Caldus: "Hard to tell at this point. Not everyone who grows up in the Bluff stays there for life. It's possible that another village created that camp as an outpost. It could even be a nomadic group. All I know was it wasn't anyone from here, unless it was done without consulting me." He pauses and considers this. "I will ask around. When you return I will know more about it."

Caldus: "I suggest you both get enough rest to gather your strength for the next journey."

---

After leaving the elder's abode, Gevin exchanges thoughts with Etta. "I don't think you did the wrong thing letting Reina go. Elder Caldus may not have done so, but you are not him. If it wasn't for your compassion, I would have been on that mission alone and possible would not have made it back." He puts a hand on Etta's shoulder. "Thank you."

"Now, how about we get a stiff drink?!"