The Wheel

Slowly, the wounds that were left over from the time being captured and forced by the Kossith to torment those closest to her stopped festering and began to heal and close. There were things she could not forget, and things she would struggle to forgive herself for even if all subjected to Chalraith’s cruel theater let bygones be bygones. But life had stopped feeling like a liminal space between unpleasant memories day by day, and Freydis no longer felt so compelled to hide from those who had endured with her out of shame. 

Part of her felt gate shame for what she had done to the creature before them... well, if you could even call them that? Maybe a construct would be more applicable. It was a pale imitation. "It's a construct," but it was definitely modelled after someone but long story short, despite her attempt, it wasn't Lyra, no matter how it looked. What would her friend think of her? After everything, it wouldn't be far-fetched to think Nyla had lost herself if they knew the truth. Trying to recreate your wife's departed soul was as crazy as it sounded. "It is very zealous at its job. I made it to protect myself." an while it brought relief it also brought worry.

Nyla's eyes looked like a deer trapped in headlights as Agnes teased her. Mouth slightly agape as the other read her like a book. "Well... if I'm honest, you're not my usual type. But I've only really been in one relationship before, so I wouldn't really call it a type." But if she really looked back to her youngest of days, there would be a pattern. "It seems that both of us have a habit of attracting danger, so I can't expect you to come to my rescue."

How was she meant to say that something had changed on the kossith ship without causing more concern, guilt and pity. “It’s been sometime since the hollow, my magic, my soul has changed.” Hopefully that would be enough to not make the other feel guilty. “Talisa has been very generous with her time with me.” She had grown a fondness for the steel dragon. “I’m grateful that you both came, I saw you there as well in your pink glory.” She been so focused on trying to change the subject she forgot to hide her ring of the damned.

How was she meant to tell Agnes who it was modelled after after what they shared recently? “You’re foreboding and ethereal also.” Nyla was really hoping the other wouldn’t question it’s appearance more, though it was far to detailed to be someone she had never met before. Agnes was silly either with what she had said before she wouldn’t be surprised if Agnes already knew that it was Lyra. “I feel safer knowing they are watching over me but their not need in here.” She was safe with Agnes, if anything she was nervous as to what questions will come out of her lips.

“We came from Borderreach,” Talisa explained. “It isn’t far, you’re closer to home than you probably realize.” Of course, internally Talisa would pretend that she had completed some hero's epic to make it to the shores where Nyla and others were currently being recovered from, but the truth of it was that they had landed in the Queenset isles. “Eterna wouldn’t be difficult to get to. Or its standing stone, if you want to land in the city and use it for us to approach the Moongate.” It felt prudent, wise even that she offer Nyla options. But when push came to shove, would she allow Nyla to dismiss her for the evening for privacy? A protective streak flooded Talisa’s chest far deeper than anything the Steel had ever felt toward the precious items in her hoard. 

"Sweetheart, we can go to the closest settlement," she didn't want to burden Talisa more than she already had and while she was sure the other would argue on that point, it just felt unnatural for the soul seer to be the one in need of aid. Nyla wanted to be away from this beach, wanted to forget what happened on that vessel. She wasn't sure how her own soul had changed from what had transpired; part of her didn't want to know. And on top of it all, she still had this cursed ring on he finger.

The island was not to Talisa’s tastes and she did not want to linger long. Regardless, she allowed Nyla to extend the embrace as long as the Elvhen woman pleased. When the Steel dragon because a little more aware of herself, she loosened the grip she had on Nyla–it wasn’t like anyone was coming to take her from her. Not now at least. 

She’s doubted that the other knew just how thankful she was for them it wasn’t the small things she had brought with her but the caring to come find her without someone having to ask. Showing up, reminding her of why participating, caring was important. Oddly out of character she took aid that was offered, something that she didn’t widely accept just off anyone. “Where did you come from? We shouldn’t go to far. Knowing you, you probably didn’t fly at at a steady pace.” She didn’t want talks to over extent herself when they could just stop for a night. Part of her hoped that a certain someone was waiting for her but then again Nyla had just disappeared was the other even worried she had been captured had she even noticed? Either way it didn’t matter did it? She had Talisa, Fyren, Freydis, she already had one grate love of her life how selfish was it to think that she might get a second.

Her shoulders fall in relief at the reassurance that she had not destroyed their friendship beyond repair. It would take some time to ensure her transgressions had been truly forbidden, but she is more than willing to put in the effort for Nyla. 

"It is a bad habit of yours... putting feet in your mouth." She tried to joke to break the awkward tension that was between them. After all it wasn't all Lailani's fault, Nyla had been obsessed with her business. She loved the level of control she had over it, not to mention the vast amount of gold it had brought her. "I would love to walk." Being trapped on that ship had brought a fondness for being able to wander freely.

"Agnes?" Deja's whole posture changed and she squints in suspicion before she looks to Nyla again. "Dark hair, pale skin, likes to hold hands?" The woman was downright ethereal in nature, spoke wisely, as far as Deja was concerned, Agnes always seemed to have it all figured out. She was another woman she aspired to be like, someone who'd been a pillar of support. And two pillars? Meeting each other? Interesting, interesting.

"Do you know an Agnes?" What were the odds they were thinking about the same woman? "Likes to hold hands?" Nyla hadn't noticed that part, but maybe that was because it was naturally occurring. "Has a fey named flounder? Wears these dress that kind of pushes everything up?" Deja had listed so much that matched Nyla had little else to list about the woman. "Sounds like we are on about the same person. How did you meet her?"

She had forgotten that Nyla knew Draconic, the language that should have been Talisa’s most natural and native tongue. But it hadn’t been–Fyren had needed to teach her after they had established a new life for themselves in the Silverlands years ago. Talisa had learned quickly, the language coming to her naturally as if the knowledge had existed within her from the start merely waiting to be unlocked by even the simplest of catalysts. It was strange to appreciate hearing the language roll off of Nyla’s tongue, but degree by degree Talisa continued to make progress in moving from being deprogrammed from her early life being conditioned and indoctrinated in Aetherian ideals to neutrality to siding with Draconic kind–and caring about Taravell more widely. 

Nyla didn't want to let go of Talisa, even though the grip was tight around her, even though her ribs hurt from the pressure. This hold she would bear any pain to stay in. There was a loyalty Talisa was displaying, one that she hoped she could mirror if the time ever arrived. A soft smile appeared as she saw the snacks from a pack the other had brought with her. There was a question of where those went when she was in her dragon form, but that could also wait to ask. Nyla got her arms stuffed quickly by Talisa's presents. "Have one with me... Flying must be hungry work." Nyla was already trying to split one of the fruits in half so she could give a half to Talisa but with the waterskin in her hands, it wasn't an easy task. Juice from the fruit ran down her fingers as she extended a hand to Talisa. Looking around it seemed as if Talisa hadn't come alone; she could see Fyren pink form and ships in the far distance heading their way. It made it easier to give Talisa her answer, knowing help was coming for the others. "Yes. Please take me away from here."

Nothing was simple aboard the ship, everything more easily said than done. For as long as Freydis had held out, every moment felt like a punishment, and while it made it difficult for her to blame others who folded easily or sooner she could not help but to have grown to fear them. But no puppet attached to Kossith strings would speak as Nyla did now, Freydis was sure of that. She struggled to her feet, her eyes on Nyla’s face but still unable to meet her eye–the Elvhen had done more than fate could dare to demand her, had started a ripple that would turn into a riptide under which Freydis was suddenly certain the Kossith and their ill intentions would drown. Nyla had done her part. Freydis would step up now. 

Nyla could have argued that protecting her was something Freydis couldn't promise. Something she knew the other would beat herself up over if she broke it. But now wasn't the time to disagree or give the other anxieties. So she would stand behind the other, allowing freydis to protect her. "I have freed Nik and Celaya already. I think we should help the other witchers first." Their anti-magic would prove useful in freeing everyone faster. Only a few steps forward in the direction of the others Nyla spoke but didn't turn around to meet Freydis eyes "Thank you for believing in me... even if I think it was misplaced. It helped." Nyla had lost her biggest supporter hundreds of years ago and only now did it seem her confidence was crawling slowly out of the pit it had been hiding in.