Xaltwind
The Irish Tree
Shadow Daedalus
BlazingBark
CitrusArms
Izurich
LiverisGood
MrSkimobile
SybenWhile it was true that a path to power was the only thing Einer sought in the Eon Tower, a different route to his room chanced Einer to the Tower’s greenhouse. The door was open, and the musician caught a glimpse of the verdant greenery within. It reminded Einer of the family garden back home. Tending to the flowers and the herbs was a welcome distraction to his shortcomings. The ingredients that the garden provided also helped Einer with his dishes.
His curiosity piqued, Einer decided to take a little detour from his room and into the Eon Tower greenhouse. Not out of pursuit of power, but of genuine curiosity stemming from happier days.
Einer would walk within the greenhouse for a moment until he heard a distinct humming sound. Happening upon an office, the wayward noble would see Bellum packing away as she prepared for the summit at Cambridge. It appeared that she hadn’t noticed him come in yet, but just as Einer was about to announce his arrival, he heard a familiar voice call out to him.
”Young son of House Devaron, I trust you’ve adjusted to life here well enough?”
Inquisitor Grisha had also made his way to the botanist’s office, making his rounds as part of the inspection.
”I had gotten to speak with the third son of the Wyland house as well, and I must say I was left with a rather strong impression of his character. In that regard, I am as well somewhat curious of your circumstances…”
“Bwuh?!” Einer almost jumped from surprise. Of all the people he could run into, it was the Inquisitor from the Church. The musician had to wonder, must his rotten luck follow him everywhere? “Inquisitor Grisha. I must admit, you startled the daylights out of me.”
Einer then cleared his throat to compose himself, using those precious few seconds to formulate an act and falsehoods should this Inquisitor pry. “So you have met Hector. A promising lad with one of those ‘gun’ weapons. I am not surprised that you found him noteworthy.”
“But you are here wondering about me, as you said. How may I satisfy your curiosity, Inquisitor?”
”I suppose the expected question, and most direct one, is to ask what made you abandon the capital and purse strength in a rogue band of magus.” Grisha said. ”Perhaps you’ve a similar tail as Sir Hector, seeking glory for your house?”
”Oh, howdy you two!” Rang a cheery voice. Bellum had finally realized that the two nobles had entered her atelier. ”Grisha, yer still as overbearing and charmless as you can be. I’ve told you about that.”
Grisha stared back in her direction, and seemed to make a small groan while shooting her a look. ”Bellum, I see you’re still as loud and belligerent as ever. I see your plants have been flourishing.”
Bellum squinted with a sharp smile, placing her hands on her hips.
”Of course, you’ll find my atelier is in tip-top form, Mr. Inspector.”
Einer would sense a strange tension between Grisha and Bellum, but it was different than what he felt when she engaged Childes.
“Ahem.” Einer cleared his throat to break the tension. He was still unnerved at how the inquisitor knew of his pursuit of power. Einer had not told anyone exactly on why he left. Fortunately, Bellum’s appearance shifted the talk and gave the musician some breathing space to form his response.
“It seems you two are already… familiarly acquainted.” Einer remarked on Bellum and Grisha’s ‘friendship’. “Let me introduce myself first to the lovely madam known as Bellum; I am Einer Devaron. One of the new Reavers of your Eon Tower. A pleasure to meet you.” The bard bowed at the botanist. “Your garden piqued my interest since it reminded me of my own back home.”
Einer then addressed Grisha. “Speaking of home, you are correct that I have indeed left the capital to improve the Devaron name. However, I am not exactly seeking power. I am, unfortunately, impotent in matters of combat regardless of my efforts so such ventures are a waste of my time.” Einer seemed to believe his own outright lies.
”Well by the stars! I certainly consider it a great honor to have my little garden compared to the estate of a noble house! Aren’t you just the sweetest thing!” Bellum said cheerfully.
”Indeed. She did always have a green thumb.” Grisha said. ”Your pilgrimage is understandable, it’s what most in your position would undertake. The same could be said of Sir Wyland. But…” He looked Einer dead in his eyes.
”You say you’ve given up on pursuing strength, yet you join with perhaps the strongest magus of the current generation? I can’t help but feel there’s a bit of context to be examined…”
Inquisitor Grisha’s precise and relentless questioning irked Einer and was starting to get on the bard’s nerves. Nevertheless, Einer maintained composure under Grisha’s pressuring eyes. “What context needs to be examined? I joined these strong magi as their stalwart support. I am a healer and warder of curses. While it is true that my fellow Reavers have their ways to mend wounds and dispel debilitating spells, it is not exactly efficient since they could be doing more important tasks in combat. And that is where I come in.”
“Granted, it is not the flashiest nor most recognized role so it would be difficult to make a name for myself doing it, but these are my powers. I can do little but accept that.” The exasperation was making Einer’s mask slip. “Does that answer satisfy you, Inquisitor?”
”Heh, it does boy.” Grisha replied with a smirk. ”Be at ease, it’s all business after all. In order to ensure relations between our respective factions remain stable, I need to have a good grasp of the way each of your minds work.”
”Ain’t no excuse to give the boy a hard time, Pensworth!” Bellum boomed. ”Now are we goin’ to do this or not?”
With a small sigh and a light chuckle, Grisha turned his attention to the Bog Witch and followed her into the inner workings of her atelier. ”Lead the way, Bog Witch.”
”I’ll you just like I tell Childes. You. Do. Not. Call. Me. That.” Bellum snapped ominously.
Their banter aside, Einer would perhaps sense an unnatural essence emanating from the plants further in. He would likely know this feeling, one that always made a person’s stomach sink. The disgusting aura of miasma was coming from somewhere within the atelier. Perhaps he would be inclined to investigate further?
But he did not do so immediately, Einer cocked an eyebrow first at the aura of the dreaded miasma. “Pardon my interruption, Sir and Madam, but… I feel something in the air.” The bard told Grisha and Bellum. “Something… quite vile. At least, something I was told was quite vile.”
Grisha looked at Einer, then at Bellum.
”Oh! He’s probably talking about my miasma plants. They’re just some samples I keep for study. Under careful isolation o’course!” Bellum replied.
”I would hope so.” Grisha said. ”I imagine you study them as a means of understanding how to better counteract its effects in advanced cases. Would I also be correct in presuming you’re working with Elaine in tandem?”
”You are correct, Mr. Inquisitor!”
”Decent to know you seem to have a solid grasp on things.” Grisha said, before he turned back to Einer. ”If you didn’t mind, Devaron, I was still curious about something. Earlier, in the way you spoke, it almost seemed like you have some type of lingering resentment toward your abilities. Does having the Light’s blessing and a Spectral voice not suffice for you? ”
Einer thought the presence of Miasma plants would be more concerning to a member of the church, but it appeared there was a deep pseudo-trust between the Inquisitor and this Tower. If only the same could be applied to the bard. “Wha– Lies and slander!” Einer cried out in false offense. “I am nothing but thankful for the abilities generously granted to me by the Light. Any resentment, if present at all, is something personal and should be dismissed immediately at all times.” The bard doubled down on his lies. “You may be Inquisitor of the Church, but don’t think I will not contact your superiors for your rather rude and uncouth behavior!”
“And what’s this about a ‘Spectral voice’? I cannot talk to specters or spirits if that’s what you mean.” Einer wondered if Grisha was talking about his Galdr abilities. If so, then Einer would be disturbed as to how Grisha knew about this. And second, Einer wasn’t interested in talking about it.
”Inquisitor Grisha! I said no to upset the poor boy!” Bellum quickly exclaimed.
”If he’s upset at simple questions, then there’s something that he himself needs to address.” He responded adamantly, taking note of the boy’s expression at the mention of his Galdr abilities.
”You say one thing, but your face says another. But, enough of that. I do think I’m satisfied with what Ms. Hawke has shown me today. Her agricultural research seems to be coming along nicely, and she appears to be containing these miasma-infected plants with complete efficiency - as they should be.” He said, making his way for the exit. Before walking out the door, he turned back at Einer.
”Young Devaron, whether you serve the Church, the Association, or even just your own interests, one of the most important things to have is a sense of honesty. If you can’t even follow something as simple as that, it will eventually put you at odds with those you ally with. That or you’ll lose sight of what you wanted in the first place. Good day.”
With that, he left the Garden Witch’s office, leaving Einer alone with Bellum.
”I’m sorry for that honey!” She said, putting a gentle hand on Einer’s shoulder. ”That man can be so caught up in his word, he tends to get inconsiderate, I swear!”
Einer was quite upset at the inquisitor’s intrusive interaction, but the hand from Bellum calmed the bard somewhat. “...Are all inquisitors from the Church like that? I suppose not, the other inquisitors I’ve met back home were… more pleasant.” Einer exhaled, returning to politeness. “My deepest gratitudes for sticking up for me, Miss Bellum. I appreciate it.”
The bard then sighed again. “I would have loved to speak more about your garden but I’m afraid Inquisitor Grisha has soured my mood and taken up my free time.” Einer lamented. “Still, I am glad to have met you, Miss Bellum, and be assured that I will pay you a visit soon so that we may have a proper conversation.”
“I must ask though, how have you been permitted to care for Miasma-laden plants? I imagine there is quite the story behind that.” Einer finished.
”Goodness! Well, yes indeed! I’ve approval from just about everywhere to care for these little buggers.” Bellum replied to the wayward noble. ”Y’see, Mr. Einer, it’s no surprise that miasma causes terror for most folks, and Mother Nature’s no expectation to that!”
”Plants become monstrous, vegetation withers, and lands become infertile. It’s downright awful! As something of a botanist myself, I’m currently studying ways to improve plant life’s resistance to the effects of the rot and maybe even give them a fighting chance against it. Thanks to that silly boy Arteus, my research has finally started to gain some traction!”
Bellum noticed that Einer still didn’t look very happy, no thanks to a certain inquisitor. She pondered for a moment, then perked up as something finally came to her. ”Just sit right there, Mr. Einer, and I’ll be right back!” She hymned.
She rummaged through her inner office for a little bit, eventually coming back out with a curious vial that held a strange plant in it.
imgur.com/yERQYl7
”Go on and take it, I insist!” Bellum said. ”I’m just a tad bit proud of this one! It’s a special plant imbued with mana that responds to its wielder’s sorcery, and can improve the effects of your spellcastin’. It can even protect ya in a pinch!” She said. ”That should help ya in case anything jumps off in Cambridge: you can never be too sure with these church folk always fussing around.”
With Einer deciding that he would rather spend the rest of his time alone while awaiting the trip to Cambridge, he would depart Bellum’s office with a unique item that would hopefully prove useful to him in the coming days.
His curiosity piqued, Einer decided to take a little detour from his room and into the Eon Tower greenhouse. Not out of pursuit of power, but of genuine curiosity stemming from happier days.
Einer would walk within the greenhouse for a moment until he heard a distinct humming sound. Happening upon an office, the wayward noble would see Bellum packing away as she prepared for the summit at Cambridge. It appeared that she hadn’t noticed him come in yet, but just as Einer was about to announce his arrival, he heard a familiar voice call out to him.
”Young son of House Devaron, I trust you’ve adjusted to life here well enough?”
Inquisitor Grisha had also made his way to the botanist’s office, making his rounds as part of the inspection.
”I had gotten to speak with the third son of the Wyland house as well, and I must say I was left with a rather strong impression of his character. In that regard, I am as well somewhat curious of your circumstances…”
“Bwuh?!” Einer almost jumped from surprise. Of all the people he could run into, it was the Inquisitor from the Church. The musician had to wonder, must his rotten luck follow him everywhere? “Inquisitor Grisha. I must admit, you startled the daylights out of me.”
Einer then cleared his throat to compose himself, using those precious few seconds to formulate an act and falsehoods should this Inquisitor pry. “So you have met Hector. A promising lad with one of those ‘gun’ weapons. I am not surprised that you found him noteworthy.”
“But you are here wondering about me, as you said. How may I satisfy your curiosity, Inquisitor?”
”I suppose the expected question, and most direct one, is to ask what made you abandon the capital and purse strength in a rogue band of magus.” Grisha said. ”Perhaps you’ve a similar tail as Sir Hector, seeking glory for your house?”
”Oh, howdy you two!” Rang a cheery voice. Bellum had finally realized that the two nobles had entered her atelier. ”Grisha, yer still as overbearing and charmless as you can be. I’ve told you about that.”
Grisha stared back in her direction, and seemed to make a small groan while shooting her a look. ”Bellum, I see you’re still as loud and belligerent as ever. I see your plants have been flourishing.”
Bellum squinted with a sharp smile, placing her hands on her hips.
”Of course, you’ll find my atelier is in tip-top form, Mr. Inspector.”
Einer would sense a strange tension between Grisha and Bellum, but it was different than what he felt when she engaged Childes.
“Ahem.” Einer cleared his throat to break the tension. He was still unnerved at how the inquisitor knew of his pursuit of power. Einer had not told anyone exactly on why he left. Fortunately, Bellum’s appearance shifted the talk and gave the musician some breathing space to form his response.
“It seems you two are already… familiarly acquainted.” Einer remarked on Bellum and Grisha’s ‘friendship’. “Let me introduce myself first to the lovely madam known as Bellum; I am Einer Devaron. One of the new Reavers of your Eon Tower. A pleasure to meet you.” The bard bowed at the botanist. “Your garden piqued my interest since it reminded me of my own back home.”
Einer then addressed Grisha. “Speaking of home, you are correct that I have indeed left the capital to improve the Devaron name. However, I am not exactly seeking power. I am, unfortunately, impotent in matters of combat regardless of my efforts so such ventures are a waste of my time.” Einer seemed to believe his own outright lies.
”Well by the stars! I certainly consider it a great honor to have my little garden compared to the estate of a noble house! Aren’t you just the sweetest thing!” Bellum said cheerfully.
”Indeed. She did always have a green thumb.” Grisha said. ”Your pilgrimage is understandable, it’s what most in your position would undertake. The same could be said of Sir Wyland. But…” He looked Einer dead in his eyes.
”You say you’ve given up on pursuing strength, yet you join with perhaps the strongest magus of the current generation? I can’t help but feel there’s a bit of context to be examined…”
Inquisitor Grisha’s precise and relentless questioning irked Einer and was starting to get on the bard’s nerves. Nevertheless, Einer maintained composure under Grisha’s pressuring eyes. “What context needs to be examined? I joined these strong magi as their stalwart support. I am a healer and warder of curses. While it is true that my fellow Reavers have their ways to mend wounds and dispel debilitating spells, it is not exactly efficient since they could be doing more important tasks in combat. And that is where I come in.”
“Granted, it is not the flashiest nor most recognized role so it would be difficult to make a name for myself doing it, but these are my powers. I can do little but accept that.” The exasperation was making Einer’s mask slip. “Does that answer satisfy you, Inquisitor?”
”Heh, it does boy.” Grisha replied with a smirk. ”Be at ease, it’s all business after all. In order to ensure relations between our respective factions remain stable, I need to have a good grasp of the way each of your minds work.”
”Ain’t no excuse to give the boy a hard time, Pensworth!” Bellum boomed. ”Now are we goin’ to do this or not?”
With a small sigh and a light chuckle, Grisha turned his attention to the Bog Witch and followed her into the inner workings of her atelier. ”Lead the way, Bog Witch.”
”I’ll you just like I tell Childes. You. Do. Not. Call. Me. That.” Bellum snapped ominously.
Their banter aside, Einer would perhaps sense an unnatural essence emanating from the plants further in. He would likely know this feeling, one that always made a person’s stomach sink. The disgusting aura of miasma was coming from somewhere within the atelier. Perhaps he would be inclined to investigate further?
But he did not do so immediately, Einer cocked an eyebrow first at the aura of the dreaded miasma. “Pardon my interruption, Sir and Madam, but… I feel something in the air.” The bard told Grisha and Bellum. “Something… quite vile. At least, something I was told was quite vile.”
Grisha looked at Einer, then at Bellum.
”Oh! He’s probably talking about my miasma plants. They’re just some samples I keep for study. Under careful isolation o’course!” Bellum replied.
”I would hope so.” Grisha said. ”I imagine you study them as a means of understanding how to better counteract its effects in advanced cases. Would I also be correct in presuming you’re working with Elaine in tandem?”
”You are correct, Mr. Inquisitor!”
”Decent to know you seem to have a solid grasp on things.” Grisha said, before he turned back to Einer. ”If you didn’t mind, Devaron, I was still curious about something. Earlier, in the way you spoke, it almost seemed like you have some type of lingering resentment toward your abilities. Does having the Light’s blessing and a Spectral voice not suffice for you? ”
Einer thought the presence of Miasma plants would be more concerning to a member of the church, but it appeared there was a deep pseudo-trust between the Inquisitor and this Tower. If only the same could be applied to the bard. “Wha– Lies and slander!” Einer cried out in false offense. “I am nothing but thankful for the abilities generously granted to me by the Light. Any resentment, if present at all, is something personal and should be dismissed immediately at all times.” The bard doubled down on his lies. “You may be Inquisitor of the Church, but don’t think I will not contact your superiors for your rather rude and uncouth behavior!”
“And what’s this about a ‘Spectral voice’? I cannot talk to specters or spirits if that’s what you mean.” Einer wondered if Grisha was talking about his Galdr abilities. If so, then Einer would be disturbed as to how Grisha knew about this. And second, Einer wasn’t interested in talking about it.
”Inquisitor Grisha! I said no to upset the poor boy!” Bellum quickly exclaimed.
”If he’s upset at simple questions, then there’s something that he himself needs to address.” He responded adamantly, taking note of the boy’s expression at the mention of his Galdr abilities.
”You say one thing, but your face says another. But, enough of that. I do think I’m satisfied with what Ms. Hawke has shown me today. Her agricultural research seems to be coming along nicely, and she appears to be containing these miasma-infected plants with complete efficiency - as they should be.” He said, making his way for the exit. Before walking out the door, he turned back at Einer.
”Young Devaron, whether you serve the Church, the Association, or even just your own interests, one of the most important things to have is a sense of honesty. If you can’t even follow something as simple as that, it will eventually put you at odds with those you ally with. That or you’ll lose sight of what you wanted in the first place. Good day.”
With that, he left the Garden Witch’s office, leaving Einer alone with Bellum.
”I’m sorry for that honey!” She said, putting a gentle hand on Einer’s shoulder. ”That man can be so caught up in his word, he tends to get inconsiderate, I swear!”
Einer was quite upset at the inquisitor’s intrusive interaction, but the hand from Bellum calmed the bard somewhat. “...Are all inquisitors from the Church like that? I suppose not, the other inquisitors I’ve met back home were… more pleasant.” Einer exhaled, returning to politeness. “My deepest gratitudes for sticking up for me, Miss Bellum. I appreciate it.”
The bard then sighed again. “I would have loved to speak more about your garden but I’m afraid Inquisitor Grisha has soured my mood and taken up my free time.” Einer lamented. “Still, I am glad to have met you, Miss Bellum, and be assured that I will pay you a visit soon so that we may have a proper conversation.”
“I must ask though, how have you been permitted to care for Miasma-laden plants? I imagine there is quite the story behind that.” Einer finished.
”Goodness! Well, yes indeed! I’ve approval from just about everywhere to care for these little buggers.” Bellum replied to the wayward noble. ”Y’see, Mr. Einer, it’s no surprise that miasma causes terror for most folks, and Mother Nature’s no expectation to that!”
”Plants become monstrous, vegetation withers, and lands become infertile. It’s downright awful! As something of a botanist myself, I’m currently studying ways to improve plant life’s resistance to the effects of the rot and maybe even give them a fighting chance against it. Thanks to that silly boy Arteus, my research has finally started to gain some traction!”
Bellum noticed that Einer still didn’t look very happy, no thanks to a certain inquisitor. She pondered for a moment, then perked up as something finally came to her. ”Just sit right there, Mr. Einer, and I’ll be right back!” She hymned.
She rummaged through her inner office for a little bit, eventually coming back out with a curious vial that held a strange plant in it.
imgur.com/yERQYl7
”Go on and take it, I insist!” Bellum said. ”I’m just a tad bit proud of this one! It’s a special plant imbued with mana that responds to its wielder’s sorcery, and can improve the effects of your spellcastin’. It can even protect ya in a pinch!” She said. ”That should help ya in case anything jumps off in Cambridge: you can never be too sure with these church folk always fussing around.”
With Einer deciding that he would rather spend the rest of his time alone while awaiting the trip to Cambridge, he would depart Bellum’s office with a unique item that would hopefully prove useful to him in the coming days.
~ Cambridge ~
Einer spent the rest of his free time in his room, observing the plant that Bellum gifted him. He wondered how exactly this little herb could help or defend him. Perhaps it was just as she said, enhancing his healing magics as long as it was around like a catalyst. With a sigh, the bard stashed the vial into the many pockets of his outfit. What better way to find out something's abilities than to take it to the field?
After the group had assembled, Arteus cast his spell teleportation spell. This wasn't Einer's first time with a teleportation spell, but it certainly wasn't something ubiquitous back home. Besides that, Arteus' spell had more... purple than what Einer was used to. Nevertheless, the spell went without a hitch and they were no longer in the Eon Tower.
Einer had never been to Cambridge, so all these banners on the stone pillars were new to him. The crests and the symbols were unknown to him as well. However, the mood in this place seemed a bit tense. Einer noticed personnel scurrying about frantically, but the group moved normally as if nothing was wrong. Of course, that didn't last long.
A crisis outside demanded the attention of the Church officials, leaving Alexandra to herd the Eon Tower into a large room to either await further orders or simply wait until the situation was dealt with. Some other magus also joined them, but Einer found himself staring at the ceiling while sitting on one of the sofas. He had immediately felt something darkly familiar when they arrived here. He thought it was nothing, but the news that someone had died made Einer believe that things seemed to be more serious than they appeared.
"I sense... Miasma in the air." Einer mused to everyone who could hear him mutter.