Speak with the elves.

The calming taste of Sen-nu's own brew on your palate soothes your body and mind. You can taste the love and care put into perfecting its taste and scent, and the feel of it in your mouth. Anubians are demons known to hunt those unfortunate enough to stray alone in the desert at night. They're strong, terrifying creatures, with hands and feet like that of a wolf, and a pair of bodies impossible to escape from. Their apathetic expressions have led people to believe that they feel no emotion whatsoever.

What you've learned is that the world is complicated. There are feral, deadly, evil creatures out there, but even demons aren't always what they seem. You've only met a couple anubians in your travels, and have only become close to one, though interestingly enough, you've yet to run into an anubian who matches the negative descriptions you've been given.

You'd rather not. Though she doesn't show it on her face, she cares much for you, but you're also aware of what she's capable of doing. That goes for plenty of residents of Castle Phoenix anyway. You have both a high succubus and a high vampire living within these walls. In some ways, Demon King is still an apt title given the number of demons who live alongside you. Of course, that title never referred specifically to demonic creatures. It's just another generalization.

Yaera Tedrilui, travelling archpriest, takes a calming sip of the coffee remaining in her cup. As she lowers it back down, she breathes long through her nose, enjoying the scent of the demon's brew, and as you lock eyes with the woman, you remember and appreciate her wisdom. This isn't just a powerful adventurer, but somebody with a great understanding of the world. Her place is by the side of people, not in the spotlight of fame. She doesn't flinch at the presence of Sen-nu behind the counter, nor the drink she prepared for everybody, despite her divine appearance and holy power.

"Amara has told me much as we caught up over delicious slices of honey cake. You have been busy," says Yaera. Her gaze remains locked upon you to a degree that leaves you warm in the cheeks. Many thoughts are behind her eyes, though with your Kitty Sense, you mostly detect a deep affection and appreciation for all that you've done for her daughter. "In such a short time in our world, you not only have come farther than most do in the span of their lives, but my dear Amara has exponentially grown in your presence. There is something about you, Kyle, that inspires those around you. Most who try to climb the steps as quickly as yourself perish in the process. Now as I look to you and the others, I can already see you catching up, despite my years ahead."

Meanwhile, Amara seems overjoyed. Not only is she able to spend time with you in a cozy café, but the woman she respects more than any other has returned again. You can spot her kicking her feet under the table.

"Not without struggle, that's for sure. We just do our best. One day, I'd like to not worry about some big bad guy out to destroy me or the world," you reply.

She looks concerned for a moment. Slowly, her lips turn back into a warm smile, and she reaches out to place a hand upon your cheek. "Do not worry. I am very aware that your time here has not been easy. I did not mean to suggest otherwise. You are always trying to hard that I worry you may not be saving enough time to rest. Given all that has happened, you likely have a lot of... stress that needs relief."

The other seat beside you scoots closer. It's enough that Amara can reach over and wrap her hands around your arm. "Do not worry, mother," she says. "I will make sure he relaxes enough."

"You are not exempt from this either, sweetie. I know how hard you are trying too, and your mother does not want to see you burn out. All right?"

"Yes. Of course," she says with a nod.

Yaera slides her fingers down over the ample mounds behind her dress. The material looks so soft as her hand caresses, or perhaps its her skin--somehow even softer than the fabric it touches. She looks to you with a gentle glow in her cheeks. Then her eyes shift to Amara. "You will make mommy worry if you push yourself too hard."

Amara's grip on you tightens. "I promise I will not! And Kyle will be hear to protect me regardless. I will be safe."

The sound of paws and claws tap along the wooden boards of the café floor. Sen-nu--both of her bodies--makes her way around from behind the counter, across the room, and to the opposite side of the table. The three of you currently sit rather close together, especially Amara who has nudged herself nearly up against you. The anubian pulls up two seats to face the rest, and the bodies sit together in tandem.

After taking another sip from your cup, you speak. "This really is delicious, Sen-nu. You're not going to have any yourself?"

"I've drank more than enough in my trials to better the brew," says the one to your right. "But I'm glad you like it."

Yaera places down her drink, and then lays her hands politely on her thighs. "With all pleasantries out of the way, I am afraid I have come bearing ill news, and I did not come here just to visit. Something quite terrible has happened, and I need the aid of a trusted ally."

"What's wrong?" you ask with concern. Your eyes turn to Amara. From what you can garner, she was aware this was coming, but you don't think she actually knows the details of the situation. Sen-nu merely looks back to you--face blank. With the bond you've formed with her, you can still tell she's troubled about what's to come, even if others can't tell.

"Kyle. Any of you. What do you know about the story of Vorlek the Warlord?"

You look to the others, and then back to her. "Does this happened to be a legendary figure to the hobgoblins in the mountains?"

Her eyebrows raise. "You are full of surprises."

"Don't get too excited. I unfortunately don't know the story itself."

"There is not too much to tell. A long time ago, a mighty hobgoblin brutally subjugated armies of creatures deep in the Western Pecho Peaks. They say he was as powerful as, and feared like, a malevolent god. Vorlek was his name. This part is muddy, though tales tell of heroes that rose up against him. Monsters, most likely, such as other hobgoblins, bugbears, and the like. He was sealed away right in the middle of their homeland, by a spell that could only be released if three keys were united there."

Shit. So I guess that happened somehow. Does she know that?

Yaera continues. "I tell you this because one of the keys was stolen almost two weeks ago now. Few knew this, but it was being held deep in Silverleaf. I do not know who would have anything to gain from the liberation of Vorlek when his own people were supposedly the ones who sealed him, but there was much destruction, and the culprit escaped with her prize. Unfortunately, I do not know where the other keys may be located, but as swift as the wind, we must located them and protect them before they can be found."

"... About that," you say with eyes to dark drink remaining in your cup. You look slowly up to meet her gaze, and you can tell she already has grown troubled by your reaction. "The good news is that, to my knowledge, Vorlek has been slain."

"This is why I have come to you." She places a hand upon yours and scoots her seat in closer. Slowly, the crushing wall trap of two elves is closing in around you. "Tell me all you know."

"From what I've been told, he was already freed, but immediately killed by Xavex the Evolving. Some kind of ancient, powerful creature who feasts on others like him to grow stronger. He would have been the only one to gain anything. The monsters in the mountains wouldn't want Vorlek back, the dwarves underneath definitely wouldn't, and nearby cities would be summoning their own downfall. The only being who would not only want him back, but would have the strength to achieve this goal, would be Xavex, and for the express purpose of the warlord's demise. Another win for the Hunter of Souls. Tell me, Yaera. Who led the charge in Silverleaf? Did anybody get a good look?"

"I do love when you say my name," she coos.

"Answer the question," both Sen-nus say in unison.

Yaera puts a hand to her lips. "Oh dear. Yes, of course. The elven guardians feel great shame for this, but the imprisoned Witch of Decay succeeded in a plotted escape along with enough undead to surprise and overpower those tasked with keeping relics like the key safe from theft. The means of protection were not elaborate, as none were to even know it was kept there. Nobody knew of it, nor should any have desired it, so it was sadly stolen more easily than it should have been. Somebody told the Witch of Decay about this key. And from what you have explained, that somebody was surely Xavex. I have heard the name in old stories. Truthfully, I was not sure if he was real or not."

"Then where were the other two keys?" Amara asks.

The door swings open. Boots step across the room. A dark cloak billows back in the wake of the woman's quick movements. With one eye covered and hair up in pigtails, it can only be your spymaster Lynx, dressed as she often does, in a tube top, shorts, and tall striped socks. She'd look like an edgelord dressed in almost exclusively black and red if she weren't also short and adorable. With a gloved hand up in the air, she calls for everybody's attention as dramatically as possible, even purposely casting open her robes as if a spotlight would cast down from the ceiling and await her monologue.

"The key... was in the Oraang Desert!" she announces. Then after waiting, she crosses her arms over her chest and looks rather proud of herself. "Word just came in. A temple was raided, though nobody seems to know what was taken, or what it was for, beyond housing miscellaneous relics. Thing is, nothing was taken. Nothing except for one unreported trinket. It also lines up with Lady Tedrilui's story. Time-wise I mean. I have a feeling all three of the keys you were talking about were taken simultaneously. This was a calculated assault."

"How long were you waiting out there to make an entrance like that?" you ask.

"You're not allowed to ask me that."

You look to the others. "We need to make sure everybody is okay, both where the Witch of Decay attacked in Silverleaf, and this temple in the desert. People could need our help. On top of that, there might be trails to follow."

"Mmm." Yaera nods, and with a warm smile, she looks past you to her daughter. "I enjoy the reminders of why you love him so deeply. I would have come to no other ally in this time of need. This was a wise decision. I did already plan to convince you to follow me to Silverleaf in two days time. There we would investigate. However, I think we need to think this out further than that. I did not expect you to know so much more about this, but I am happy that you do."

"We need to split up," says Lynx. "Just like they did. Check out all three key locations at the same time."

"But we only know of two," Amara responds.

Yaera catches you thinking deeply to yourself and places a tender hand to your head. She runs her fingers down through your hair, and then touches a thumb to your chin, nudging your attention over to face her directly. "You have thoughts on this. I can tell. Please share."

You take hold of her hand. As you bring it down to the table, you squeeze it tight. "Just an instinct. See, this bandit chieftain wanted to talk to me. She has a lot of influence across the free cities. I should speak with her regardless, but she might have information on this. So I was thinking that if we're splitting up, I should take a group to Tanver's Crossing, and then two other groups investigate the other locations at the same time. Kinda risky, and I only have the one Arcane Eye if I want to scry on the other side, but... I also have some powerful allies."

"You do not distrust them. You simply care deeply for them," Yaera says. "I think with how connected you all are to each other, it will be as if you are right there beside them, and vice versa."

You stand from your seat with hands flat on either side of your half-finished cup of coffee. "It's settled. I'll create three teams, and in two days from now, one will be sent to this raided vault in Silverleaf, the other will head to the temple in Oraang Desert, and I'll take mine back to Tanver's Crossing to meet with Monarch and see what else we can learn. I'm also the one that can easily make it back anytime I want, so if we learn something there, we can act on it right away. I'll spend the rest of today sorting things out."

"Dear me. He is even more handsome when he speaks with authority," Yaera says. "That is your preference as well, right, my dear Amara?"

"M-Mother! That is a weird thing to ask me right in front of him," Amara replies with pink in her cheeks.

You look to Sen-nu. "Thank you again for the drink. It makes me happy to know you've found something you enjoy doing. I look forward to the opening of this place. Actually, it's so soothing to be in here. Do you mind if I use it to get some stuff done?"

The dogs' tails wag. Though they seem to show no expression otherwise, you can see a hint of colour in their faces.