Wisdom of the Trees [Destyn, Sivan]

[Talisman]

Hin'tai'oth had spent the night in Sivan's garden, but that was where he wanted to be. He had thoroughly enjoyed the company of the spirits out there, and spoken to the bees for an hour once they had retired for the night, and then settled in the boughs of a tree. But when morning came and breakfast happened, he brought in some mushrooms from the forests beyond Kalzasi's city borders to help contribute to the meal, and if they weren't inclined for mushrooms, then they'd at least do well in their host's larder.

"This is a great help, thank you," Rath smiled at Sivan, looking over the map as the Summoner laid it out for them to look at. "Especially with the ley lines." It would be easier to connect them from one space to the other. The horned, diminutive woman with them was concerned about the risk Zaichaer posed, but on the other hand... it seemed they would have enough distance between them and the city proper. If anything, it might take a bit of hiding, but that was what a Rune of Masquerade was for. She sipped her tea, listening to the exchange.

As Destyn spoke, Rath listened, looking from him to the map. From what was known of the industrial region, he was not remotely surprised to hear that the place was poisoning nature and the air around them. They would have to see how much the Eclipse had changed the place, and it might be to their advantage. They would find out. "Right about there? That is a good place to start." The tanuki yawned from its comfortable spot by the stove, starting to waddle over. "No, you can stay here, you don't have to come with us," he looked amused as the pudgy raccoon-dog plopped back down where it had been. If it could be lazy, it intended to be lazy. Yesterday had been enough excitement for it, after all. When everyone was ready, they could head outside and Rath would begin. When they didn't know what was going to be waiting for them on the other side of the portal, he did not want to open it into Sivan's comfortable kitchen.

He was able to visualize the spot from the map and connect it to his past history of traveling, before he opened the way through slipspace to line them up with where Destyn had pointed. It would be easier to go make another one, but the first one to a strange place was always a little more challenging to get right. Where Sivan had gone first through the portal to the Valley, Rath went first this time in order to check for any hostile entities. A somewhat unhealthy forest - trees tended to absorb that which was around them, and these were no exception. He did not allow his expression to become as grim and dark as it might have been, but his hand came through the portal as he gave an all clear sign. Kimith nodded, and would help bring up the rear with the two Fae. Hin'tai'oth would stay close to Destyn to offer him comfort if he wanted it - they may have only have just met the day before, but this was a sacred task, and finding Destyn's kin was important to his new friend.

"Does this space look familiar?" Kimith asked Destyn, looking up at him, her awareness opened to for strangers that would not be pleased to see such a strange bunch here. It may have been some years, since they had been, but as Destyn had stated, so Rath had brought them. "May I ask how many of your family passed? It would help us find the right place if this is not it."

[Sivan]

Sivan smiled and nodded, acknowledging the thanks without disrupting the flow of what was becoming a mission. Thankfully, there wasn't anything bubbling in an alembic that needed tending just now, and so he could continue to be spontaneous for Destyn and for Laurevere.

His mouth silently formed 'Grauschweig' so he would remember where to mark it on his map. The map was not the sort one would purchase from a cartographer, but rather specific to Sivan's interests and his work with the Kindred of Zaichaer. Thankfully, it seemed to be just what Rath needed.

Relevant aid given, Sivan went back to playing host as they broke their fast and made their plans.

When the time came to go through the portal, he took his turn. Laurevere hung back with him while Destyn's new friends aided and abetted him. They weren't near the Grove; Sivan knew that much. The coven kept their environs harmonious, and they were farther from human habitations. These woods, it seemed, were taking longer to recover from the Eclipse, and perhaps even the rift that tore through Zaichaer before that, spewing Dread Mists and decay.

Perhaps it just needed time. The Zaichaeri were rebuilding quickly, but he gathered that they were rebuilding in a manner more sustainable than their forebears, although that might only be a mild correction in the grand scheme of things. In any case, he was likely here for moral support, so he was quiet and watchful.

[Destyn]

Destyn seemed like his normal, chipper self right up until the portal was opened and he could smell the place and see it. Like a plant absorbing toxins, he seemed to wither in response to it. His posture sank, his expression grew grim and the prolix fae went mum. He nodded. Familiar indeed.

"Thirty three." He answered tersely as eyes that tended to flit this way and that lingered upon the ground. "No... thirty two. I forgot not to count me." He amended, without his typical good humour.

He stood close to Hin'tai'oth, taking some small comfort in his presence, even if he wasn't taking advantage of anything more than his proximity. He might have been drawn to Laurevere's orbit absent his new fae friend, but the elf was not a consoling sort and Destyn would not turn his ill-ease to Laurevere's if such could be avoided.

Of course he didn't recognise this exact spot. It wasn't a familiar part of their trek and he hadn't memorised the surroundings just because a trauma took place there. Quite to the contrary, he tried to avoid thinking about this place. The smell, the dolour of the foliage that grew here and the dark spirits that thrived in this place. He was glad to have others to manage this better than he could on his own. He could answer questions as needed and guide them to the place without ever being alone. A provisional clan formed to tend to the final concerns of his original one, even featuring a few of the more lasting members of his found family. Perhaps they would all be closer after this.

[Talisman]

Hin'tai'oth didn't like this place either - it was not healthy, and it felt incredibly sick to hi in more ways than one. Those familiar with Fae behaviour could tell without having to even look at his face; his body language said it all. But he was here for Destyn, having formed a fast friendship with him based on delicious natural fruits and vegetables, plentiful buggies, and the baby tree. They had flown together, they had eaten together, and it was nice to have another Fae around. Hin'tai'oth tended to stay more on his lonesome, as was not uncommon for those of the Spring Court, but it was good to have a friend. "Gheibh sinn do chàirdean, a bhràthair. Cha bhith feum aca fuireach an seo, chan eil feum aca tuilleadh, agus cha bhith feum agadsa nas motha," he was hushed, his shoulder against Destyn's.

"Thirty-two," Rath echoed, looking around them. The greenlord would need to revisit this place later, perhaps with a friend or three, and see what they could do to help it along its way to being less polluted. Inasmuch as it would be easier to remove the source, that would not be constructive. Maybe discussions could be had. He crouched down, sinking his hands into the soil, even as the local spirits gathered around them - brought about by Sivan's presence, and Rath's. He greeted them warmly, and as Sivan could understand the tongue, he could follow along where most of the others couldn't. They were searching, he explained to the earth, for bones. Bodies, like the winged ones with them. Many of them, mostly in one area.

The local spirits would be able to help - this was their domain, and they would have a better idea than most. Kimith was listening along, the horned woman with the purple eyes looking through the forest around them. It was in their interest - all of them, really, knowing the xenophobia of Zaichaer - for this to be done expeditiously, and hopefully without any further bloodshed. The palarae was keen to be helpful, as the earth glowed around them for a brief moment, brown mixing with green around Rath's hands before the light went out. He stood up, rubbing the soil between his fingers. "They're feeling it out. Just give them a minute and we will be on our way once we have another direction," he explained to those who were waiting.

From the ground emerged a slinky body of stone and dirt, perhaps the size of a large house cat in length, though much skinnier. When it looked at them, it resembled more and more like a marten before their very eyes. It approached Destyn, looking up at him with eyes that looked like they were made of obsidian, sniffing at him, circling him and Hin'tai'oth, before taking off into the brush in a westerly direction, its nose back to the ground.

"This way," Rath set out after it - he wouldn't move faster than the group could go at a good walk; tracking it was easy enough for them - it left a trail of pebbles in its wake. Kimith would bring up the rear, and quietly disperse the pebbles to help dissuade anyone from following them, if hostile locals decided to come and investigate. They at least didn't need to worry about scrambling over brush and through thorns - branches and bushes made a path for them, making way for a relatively clear path for them.

When the marten stopped, Rath looked around the forest floor. There was hardly a clearing, and the air was thick with a metallic taste and scent - blood had been spilled here, those who were finely in tune with nature knew. Plenty of it.

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[Sivan]

"Thirty-two," he murmured sadly.

While he could hear and sense some of what Rath was doing, Sivan was largely present as moral support for Destyn. Laurevere was too, he thought, though he would likely say he just wanted to keep Sivan safe while in the wild. It was nice to have a good neighbor.

Lips pursed slightly as he considered the rock daimon, but he followed just as the rest of them did.

When the marten stopped, Sivan stopped short and Laurevere bumped into him. The elemental creature was terrified, though perhaps not everyone could sense it as it merely stood stock still. It took a moment for Sivan to suss what might have caused that fear. His first impression of the small clearing was understandable: the Metal and Water of spilled blood; the faint sweet scent of decay.

There, was more, however: the flora almost seemed to weep blood, and whether he sensed that through one rune or another, the others didn't seem to react to it. But he felt a tension within him, Exael alert to his opposite. There was a darkness clinging to this place and it was almost certainly...

"Infernal," he murmured.

Though he wanted to reach for his blade, he knew that diplomacy might prove the better part of valor.

"ځان راته ښکاره کړه، شیطانه." Whatever it was he said, it was stilted, formal, and grating, yet strangely melodic. His call to the tyran to reveal itself, spoken in the infernal tongue, made Exael scream in his head. But if he let Exael out, no doubt diplomacy would become impossible.

[Destyn]

Destyn hated this. He hated being here and everything in him wanted to leave, except for his sense of obligation, which was mighty enough not to let him ask for the others to do this on his behalf but in his absence. Consoling words compounded the hurt, more than easing it. When people expressed sympathy it validated his emotions in such a way as to force him to reckon with their veracity. This wasn’t just a bad dream he could push to the back of his mind. It was a true and terrible part of his story.

He crouched and extended his hand to the marten-shaped spirit, but the reprieve its appearance offered from his dark thoughts was fleeting. Soon it would lead them to the belly of the beast.

As soon as they reached the site, Destyn’s face contorted as if reacting to unseen stimuli. Immediately he was weeping. His tears, a waterfall, his knees unsteady, his heart forlorn.

“A Mháthair, tagaimid chun tú a shaoradh chuig an tsíocháin, faoi dheireadh…” He whispered hoarsely between his sobs.

“I do not wish to linger here. For our sake or theirs. Let us do what must be done and leave this place forever.” None present had heard Destyn’s voice so firm, so grave, or so deep in his chest. Crushed, he sounded almost formal.

Unwitting, in the midst of this gravity, his Emblem began to glow with Dawnfire’s light. Soon his entire silhouette was outlined, like the corona of a silvery eclipse and casting its argent glow across the most overcast landscape around them. Perhaps some part of him was calling to his god in his anguish, though no conscious prayer crossed his mind.

[Talon]

T A L O N

Grief presented itself on the periphery of his senses like the sound of falling rain. Petrichor drifted to his nose and at once he felt a gentle warmth well up in his chest. Talon looked up from his desk, pausing in his review of documents and matters of State. Aoren sat across from him revising patrol and battle plans for both the Sky Guard and the Dawnmartyrs. His gaze turned inward, feeling the distress flowing from one of his marked faithful. As soon as he felt the swell of emotions, beheld the soul that was tethered to his divinity, his expression softened.

Oh Destyn…

He remembered vividly the day that Destyn had landed on the sky ship, the loss of his family, the desperation with which he had clung to all that remained of a loved one. Talon set his pen down. Pressing the flat of his palms down upon his desk, he rose to his feet. Aoren peered up at him curiously. Across their Bond, he lent his bondmate insight. Understanding gentled Aoren's expression, he gave a silent nod before returning to the documents in front of him.

Talon moved, stepping between the realms material and aethereal not via the power of his Traversion, but guided by the link between mortal and divine. Between one breath and the next, he was walking through the quiet of his office in Kalzasi, then stepping into the hallowed fields of the Plane of Light. Bringing up a hand he beheld the glittering thread that represented the tether between himself and Destyn. He followed it, the corona of dawnfire's light serving as a beacon to him.

He walked, following that beacon, stepping across the threshold of his divine realm until his boots set foot upon the solid earth of the material realm. The light of his nimbus shone brightly as he returned to the mortal world. The silver feathers of his wings were wreathed in the flames of Justice. Dawn's rising light burned softly in his eyes. Hope emanated from him as an aura that made the nightmares at the hard edges of the world seem smaller and less frightening.

He stood behind the young Fae, wings spread around the weeping young man's form in a protective circle.

“Destyn?” His voice was soft, a gentle offer of comfort and support.

Off Topic

Talon has appeared in his Divine Form and has allowed his Divine Nimbus to cover an area of up to 100 ft. around them. Any who find it in their heart to have faith in him shall benefit from the effects of Awe and Confidence. Any who hold contempt for him or who view him as an enemy shall be afflicted with Terror.

[Talisman]

Horrific things had happened here - that much was clear, despite how unassuming the clearing was. Something sinister had taken root here, however recent that arrival was, it was hard for Sivan to tell.

Rath could sense it, too, though his head turned slightly towards Sivan as he spoke in the demon's tongue. Green eyes darkened as the marten scampered back behind Rath's legs. "Company." He murmured. The tyran would need to be dealt with before they could retrieve Destyn's family in a way that was respectful and proper. They may have been part of Aedrin's cycle, but there would be an art to the retrieval that required a delicate touch to be respectful and thorough.

"Am fear beag agam," the voice whispered in response to Destyn's anguish. It was faint, echoing on the wind. It receded, though, before he could really sit with the feeling of her presence. Something else was rising, pushing her away.

Hin'tai'oth nodded solemnly at Destyn's resolve. It would be best to retrieve the departed, prepare them, and head back to get the sapling. Kimith had already explained this place to him, and he did not like it - it rankled every sense the Fae had, and it bothered him in ways that rendered him on the edge.

Those who were not Summoners would start to taste blood in their mouths and smell it as easily as if there was a fresh wound in front of them.

It receded, though, as they were enveloped by the divine Light of Arcas. Rath turned, bowing his head and shoulders solemnly to the Son of Eikaen, while the more diminutive Kimith offered a curtsy. Hin'tai'oth, who had been close to Destyn, shifted away from Talon's sudden arrival, startled, his eyes quite wide. But the glowing silver Avialae seemed well-familiar with his new friend, and Rath and Kimith were not unduly concerned with this arrival, so he mimicked Rath's gesture.

Fortified, however, Rath returned his attention to the glade. On the far side of it, a pale humanoid figure was forming, pulling together from mist seeping from the ground. It was vaguely feminine in form, though it was slender verging on skeletal. What skin was visible through a ragged black dress had a ghastly pallor to it, and thin, mud-brown hair clung in mats to its head. White eyes that had no sign of irises or colour regarded the group, including the demigod who was now amongst them. The demon extended tendrils from the ragged hem, attempting to block the silvery light that emanated from the draegir. "ته له کوره لرې یې." When its mouth opened to speak, there were a great many jagged, bloody teeth, some of them absurdly long for their jaw. The demon offered a gaping smile that seemed to open half of its face. "ته ولې دلته یې؟"

[Sivan]

Almost as soon as he posed the infernal question, Destyn's prayers reached out and called forth a draegir. To protect himself, he lessened the acuity of his Semblance lest Talon's nimbus blind him once more. That might handicap him with the demon, but better handicapped than blind.

He couldn't be sure whether the demon was replying to him or to the draegir whose light it was trying to block out. But since he had engaged, he continued.

"We have come to aid one's filial responsibility," he said in the infernal. "We do not seek conflict, but we will not be dissuaded."

Having Talon on hand definitely gave them more bargaining power, and if it came to conflict, he could handle a tyran. With a draegir, it was no question.