From Judgment to Passage

2nd of Hakim, 242 AC — Duaday
 
I ended my trance today with an unnatural weakness. If I recall correctly, it has lingered ever since that Echo struck me at Makan Alrrara (the plaza in Karam). The others seem unharmed—were they never touched? Or is it only I who reacts so strangely to its mark?
Yuri left Tesarim with the Austerlitz, like a bouquet of white lilies. Was it intentional? A quiet gift after remembering Katalina, perhaps leaving them an animal companion for comfort is a lovely gesture? Whatever the reason, it was sweet. I feel for Frederick, who cannot remain with his family under the weight of this accusation of murder… he deserved that time with them. By Balthaday at the latest, I hope we all regain space for our private matters. Lalique surely misses me already.
 
We met Alizée before the Court. At the open hall of the Xundeva Chen Court, we were greeted by a cold dwarf who seemed to share a past with her. He led us to Hadiyah Flamescale, a brass dragonborn who took up our defense. His bearing left no doubt of a military past—shoulders square, chest firm, posture sharpened by years of discipline. I cannot help but wonder: will my own body language ever feel loose again? Hadiyah explained the customs of the court. Across the grounds lay a binding of Truth. Our judge was Zsetszathuss al-Ssahn, a yuan-ti pureblood, graceful in both presence and movement. Our accuser, Yasmin djinnborn with hair like a crown of ice, stood in the chamber as well. There were also folk of Karam, those we had helped, and even the Sixfold Shadows. Strangely, even that vain, well-dressed half-elf spoke on our behalf. Our innocence was proven. Huzzah!
 
Our next step was to seek Helios. The way was not easy—only through Alizée’s name and reputation were we shown the path through a labyrinth of bridges to his tower. Once there, we shared tales and symbols. One story, of a carp, consumed much of our time. Yet when we finally revealed the arabesque knot to him, Helios told us where the next assassination would occur. Time slipped from us. Yuri still went to his stonemason’s course, and so we arrived too late to save the families of Karam. The Separ Talsam and the Order of the Vigilant Eye were already there, but even they had come too late. Aura and I managed to keep Lady Malechin alive for only a breath longer. Her last wish was for her children’s safety. If only we had been faster… I could have stopped it. These souls deserved a rightful transition. Dibarra must answer for his crimes!
At the arabesque knot under window of the Malechin familie, we found the passage into Dibarra’s realm.