Back again

The trip back to the city is quiet, with Sarah and Cassie carrying the stretcher. You definitely get some strange looks as you enter Thalberg, especially with Rahu behind you. He isn’t recognized, but a being of his size doesn’t go unnoticed. Still, you’re known enough that no one questions it, and you make your way to the Gitanna compound without incident.

Naturally, word of your arrival traveled faster than you did, so by the time you arrive, you find Lira, Victor, and Amara waiting for you. Amara is the first to react, her eyes going wide at the sight of Rahu. The earth spirit tries to speak, but nothing comes out, as she drops to one knee. Victor and Lira look at her in confusion, until Rahu speaks.

“Please, Amara. I require no obeisance. Stand. I am not what you remember.”

Victor helps her to her feet, and looks at Rahu, eyes narrowed. “Who are you? And where is Samus?”

Amara answers for him. “Love, this is the Great One. They’ve succeeded.”

Rahu shakes his head. “No lofty titles for me anymore. I am simply Rahu. The being you called the Great One is gone, reduced into what I am now.”

You speak up. “There’s a lot to tell. Can we gather in your dining hall, Lira? We need to get Victoria into a bed.”

Lira blinks. “That’s Victoria? I…yes, get her settled, and come into my home. We clearly have a lot to discuss.”

With that, you head into the guest quarters. You take the opportunity to clean yourself up and get changed, as Kaeli and Cassie get Victoria settled in a bed. Her status is unchanged, and Kaeli asks to stay and watch over her comatose friend as you meet with Lira. Cassie stays as well, while Sarah and Alex both wander off immediately, Sarah taking your armor to the forge, and Alex declaring that she’s bored of talking, and going off to do…something. She doesn’t say what, but she promises not to cause too much trouble.

The rest of the group heads in, finding Lira, Victor, and Amara all waiting. You sit down at the table, and without preamble, you tell the story of the past couple days. Naturally, you omit the more intimate moments, but all the important events are explained. When you finish, it’s Victor who speaks first.

“As always, the impossible is made easy. At some point it stops being luck and becomes a talent, Nicholas.”

You shrug. “A bit of both. Regardless, I can tell you that Niran is struggling to even maintain his hold on the capital. The fighting continues there.”

Lira nods. “That tracks with what my spies have found. The border cities are throwing off the influence of the capital, much as we have. I’ve sent messengers to those cities, asking them to join us, and I expect we’ll hear a positive response soon.”

Rahu shakes his head. “That’s good, but Niran is the threat. As long as he lives, his influence will grow. This isn’t a fight you can win with allies and armies. The only path to victory lies through him.”

You look at Rahu. “So what do you propose?”

He thinks for a moment. “We need to move closer to the capital. If we could even cut the distance in half, I could easily transport a large number of people to and from there. It would make everything much easier.”

You chuckle, thinking of the village you stayed in on your flight from your imprisonment. “I may have an idea where we could set up.”

Melora, quiet until now, smiles at you. “Thinking of paying Addie a visit, are we?”

You shrug, smiling. “We know we’re welcome there. I wouldn’t say no.”

Nadia looks a bit confused. “Who is Addie?”

Ferra speaks up. “An innkeeper that master seduced when we freed him from prison. She is nice, if a bit odd.”

You shrug. “Saying I ‘seduced’ her is a bit harsh. It was a mutual thing.”

Victor laughs. “Right. And that’s why we stayed three nights instead of one.”

Rahu interrupts the banter. “All that aside, it’s not a bad plan, especially if you have a good relationship with this innkeeper. I say we make a forward base out there, and plan our next move.”

You nod. “That I can agree with, but one thing. We can’t leave until we know what’s happening with Victoria.”

Melora nods as well. “I agree. We can’t just leave with her like that.”

Rahu shrugs. “Very well. As I said, you’re in charge here. Now, if we’re finished, I would speak with Amara. It has been a long time.”

As the two of them begin to talk, you get up from the table and head out. Ferra, Nadia, and Melora follow you, and when you’re outside, you sigh. The events of the past few days have finally caught up to you, and you’re ready for a breather. You look at the girls, and smile.