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33.3 Successful Diplomacy

General Summary

Day 498

We move far enough away from the canyon that we feel safe sleeping and then fall asleep, exhausted.  

Day 499

In the morning I wake to the sound of many letters arriving, all from Tira and the delegation across the Barrier. Knowing that the letter birds can still fly through it is an enormous relief and I eagerly devour news of Doraal's healing, Tira's family's acceptance of her partners, my blood family, and the delegation's impact on the capital. Evidently Miriam and Hella have both made quite the impression and both are being guided along appropriate paths both in the academy and by Alwen.   I send of a brief note to Dendra thanking her for her work and assuring her of our success before turning to writing my responses. They are unfortunately quite brief as much of it should be revealed only to the Empress and there is simply no point in communicating small details across such a divide. At best I can reassure them that I have received their letters and we are well on our journey to Deldrin.   The rest of the day passes in silent travel towards Solace, my mind too full to be a good conversationalist. I have never heard of someone's face name changing but nor have I heard of someone whose work has changed so much as mine. I was once the commander of an enormous army that weakened our enemy anywhere I could find purchase - my name suited that. But the other names of my family, Shade of Towering Trees and Shadow of Ancestral Voices are not so work-dependent. I imagine Doraal would have to truly change his nature to sidestep the calling of his name. Mistress would give up spirit calling to slip out of hers. I wonder how far back the Empress knew that she would call me to do something so drastic that it might shape how I grow out of the name she gave me.   When we finally arrive at the gates the human guards greet travellers and explain the laws and customs of the city but one in particular has been glancing between us and a scrap of paper clutched in his hand. When we approach he clears his throats and recites nervously in elvish,  
There is always shade in our home and we share it willingly. Do you have any you seek?
  I have to smile to hear him speak, almost as well as Bran did when he first approached me in the Whitewater inn. Trillium thanks him graciously and we hear some of the guards bickering anxiously about this new elvish greeting they are expected to give out, but those who are hesitant are quickly overruled. The attitude of the city has changed as well and elves are greeted more as potential neighbours than obvious passers-through. It's a fine change to see.   Amytri, I realize, is still in Drognar at the summit and so we find rest at one of the local inns where the innkeep boldly asks all of the fae which season we might be so that he can show us to a room most comfortable to our preferences. It is a little rude, but understandable and I simply explain that we follow a different cycle and he's sure to see more fae of day and night sometime in the future. For myself, I request an elvish-sized room that faces the sunset and once I am ensconced I take the time to use the illusory charms Kaide and I created to hide my wings. I am not fond of being seen strictly as fae, especially with Trillium as the only one who appears elvish in our party. With so many new people on our path to Deldrin I think it will be best to present myself as an elf and then reveal the wings later since it seems easier for people to understand that as opposed to seeing me as fae and having to be told that I am also an elf.   While in Solace I also collect my tents from Ashwind and request that my dishware and banners be shipped back to Dreamfall.  

Day 500-503

We depart only a day after our arrival and take up four days of uneventful travel alongside some small lessons in arcane combat for Liliales and continued earth molding for me. We are rested and strong from our stay in the city but I still feel a cloud over my head as I try to decide how to handle Mec Ales and what I might be able to do for that place.  

Day 504

The most recent day of travel changes the mood as I sight a long train of pack animals up ahead and a familiar tall, loping figure alongside them. Dashing towards him, I spin in the air and shout a welcome to Rabiya, who laughs and happily greets us. Introductions arise and he is amused at how much my travelling party has changed since we last met. Indeed, now travelling with a sister, a niece, a sister-cohabitant, and a son is a far cry from my elvish and human family.   It is too early for either of us to reasonably camp but we settle down regardless to swap stories and share a campsite, both of our moods considerably lifted with each other's humour and laughter. Rabiya remarks to Liliales that it must be hard travelling with so many women and is taken aback at my son's protests that he's been a girl too before!   He takes in the news of my family members' crossing of the Barrier with the expected amazement and humour at me having dragons to call upon for such favours, and receives my assurances that I've sent word to his tribe with thanks.   On his part, he tells us that Haven weathered the storm well and was well-managed in terms of caps on food prices to keep people fed. As a merchant there were still many lucrative opportunities and he has done quite well for himself over the winter, though the journey back has been difficult due to mutated creatures from the leftover storm magic and many nomadic people having not survived the winter. His animals are overburdened for this point in the journey.   Also from Haven he has a gift for me from the Keeper of flame in the Church of the Candlemaker. Apparently my gift and letter were very well received and I have been given cones of incense and fine multi-wicked candles in return, along with a letter of invitation to visit. It almost makes me feel silly for having been so hesitant to meet Magdalena up North when she arrives.   We dine on preserved ocean fish, much to Kaide's delight, as I tell Rabiya all about the changed landscape around the Sea. He is delighted to learn about Solace and takes Liliales' advice that he might find newly woken fae in Dreamfall who would like to travel with him as guards in this dangerous lands.   Finally, when I remark that we are heading for Deldrin, Rabiya tells us of all the political unrest there. Apparently there has been a fire that destroyed the Temple of Mora and whoever set the blaze also tortured their priests. It has set off a chain of events in which members of the clergy are beginning to be unwilling to heal or tend to others, thinking themselves in danger, and so some of the elves are stepping in to heal others where the human clergy won't.   Supposedly the Church of the Candlemaker has been deemed innocent by magic that detected to mystic arts at play in the blaze, and the fire must have burned hot enough to turn the sand to glass beneath the Temple. All worrisome news to someone who has faced an Ingan before...   It will be 8 days' travel to Deldrin, so perhaps things will have settled by then.
Campaign
Morning Glory
Protagonists
Report Date
20 Mar 2022
Primary Location

Articles under 33.3 Successful Diplomacy


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