#asua

The news of the way north hadn’t changed much, it was what was going on in Vabbi that the Order was mostly concerned about. The majority of forged and awakened forces were converging on Kodash Bazaar and the Order predicted it was only a matter of time before they clashed. But in the meantime the way north to the Bone Wall was being patrolled by a skeleton crew (I still don’t know if that was a pun or not) of awakened and also the normal wildlife. Basically if we wanted to get out, now was the time.

Sahil lead us back the way we had came, through the Sulfur Quarry and Acrid Springs until we finally made it to the clean waters of the Spillway. Even with the skimmer’s clean air aura it was nice to be able to breath normally again. We made it through the hidden gap in the Bone Wall and returned to the Riverlands. I was kinda sad to have to drop the skimmer back off at their ranch, but we had only borrowed them for the journey, they weren’t ours to keep. But we did have our new jackals the djinn had given us. At first glance they could be mistaken for basic sand elementals but just a few minutes of interaction show that jackals are so much more. The influence of Abbadon has been scrubbed clean by the care and patience of the djinn and jackals are now intelligent and loyal creatures. Now I wonder which is more dog-like, the jackal or the raptor.

Tarnn and I were able to really stretch the legs of our jackals as we raced across the sands of the riverlands, though the blinking is going to take some practice to really hone. Sahil also recovered his raptor from the skimmer stables and opted to join us back to the temple. His family is of course in the Crystal Oasis, Khalida being at the temple and their parents in Seeker’s Village just outside of Amnoon, and he was thinking of taking some time to visit his loved ones.

While we were resting at the camps in the shadow of Augury Rock, Sahil asked me if I was going to be studying weavering in earnest. I certainly want too, I’ve just been constantly on my toes since coming to the Crystal Desert, but I will never pass up an opportunity to learn more about the elements. And I will finally be able to put the sword skills I’ve been learning over the past few years to some good use. Tarnn surprised me by adding that he was thinking of talking to Kahlida about scourge magic. He wasn’t giving up his firebrand studies but apparently what happened at the Lair of the Forgotten had struck a chord with him. I never thought Tarnn would be interested in necromancy but we had also never considered that school of magic to have protective properties. How exciting! And he’s no stranger to brand new magic, he’s picked up a few tricks back when I was dabbling in mesmerism after all. I know he can do it.

It was while the three of us were talking that we felt it, and by we I mean the entire camp. Every single one of us, even that cub Flint, stopped what we were doing and looked to the southeast in silence. The horizon beyond the brand, likely Vabbi, was lit up with electrical storms and the feeling of magic around us grew heavy. It was like when we had seen Balthazar only on a much more immense scale. Did the forged and awakened meet head on like the Order of Shadows predicted? I wouldn’t think they would cause something like this but I can’t imagine what else it would be.

I have no idea how long the camp watched the storm on the horizon, it felt both long and short by the time the skies cleared and the magic subsided. The feeling was like an eclipse that had just finished. The camp was a murmur of confusion and Sahil pulled Tarnn and myself aside, whispering that we should get to the temple as soon as possible. I don’t know what he knew, he is on speaking terms with the Order of Shadows after all, but I can’t argue the need to be safe behind stone as opposed to flimsy tents. So we mounted up and headed north before anyone asked us new comers any questions. I just hope those seeking ascension will be safe, at least Augury Rock could provide some form of shelter if needed.  

Zephyr’s Trace was just how we had left it, though the villagers and visiting Tyrians were in more of a tizzy than usual. They all had felt it too but we didn’t slow down enough to talk to them until we saw the temple in the cliffs. The priests and Priory magisters came out to greet us, the former to inquire on the journey and the latter to unload their newly acquired scrolls. We were questioned about the magical energy, apparently they had not known about the storms on the horizon. But the temple had news for us, apparently that energy had something to do with the commander. Of course, it seems like if anything odd happens you can find the commander at the heart of it. Apparently they are expected in Amnoon by airship soon but the Priory is already taking all kinds of readings. I’m sure it’s very interesting but after two back-to-back courier assignments I just wanted a nap.

I woke up hours later feeling mostly refreshed. Khalida told me that Sahil had left for Seeker’s Village while I was sleeping. She seemed a little grim and asked if her brother had said or did anything odd lately. I told her about the rush to get to the temple, but that was really about it. It’s not like I know him all that well. She seemed a little grim but deflected my questions, changing the subject to saying that Tarnn had spoken with her. She is willing to take him on as a student and won’t force him to abandon his firebrand studies. I’m glad for it, honestly this firebrand discipline is pretty perfect for Tarnn but its lesson plan is geared towards humans, not asura, so no wonder he’s been getting bored easily. Khalida will be able to adapt to an asura’s quick mind without having to worry about other students getting left behind.

I found Tarnn outside making introductions between his wolf Valor and his new jackal. They seem to be getting along but I have a feeling poor Valor doesn’t quite understand why this wolf-thing doesn’t smell normal. My raven Stratus is adapting to the jackal thing by pretending it’s not there, I’m sure he’ll come around eventually. Since I was awake, Tarnn and I decided to practice some more with the jackals, leaping and blinking in the cliffs above the temple. It felt really nice to do something fun and relaxing for a change. We threw some name ideas around. Tarnn likes Arkose for his and I’m thinking Silica for mine. Or maybe Caeli? Cirrus? I’ll have to think about it.

We made it up to the top of the cliff above the temple and the view was incredible. You could see the entire Crystal Oasis all the way to the glittering sea. Tarnn had heard that the commander had returned to Amnoon and there was a party there for them. The whole Priory team was talking about it apparently, about the commander and the death of Balthazar and everything. I’m sure there is a huge story that we missed while running back and forth across the Crystal Desert, but I’m mostly glad to be back and maybe I’ll be able to return to caring for the refugees like I was originally assigned.

But then it happened.

The electrical storms we had seen on the horizon were suddenly above us and a great shadow with huge wings was in the air, flying south. As it passed the magic grew so thick you could almost taste it and you could see branded crystals erupting in its wake. That was Kralkatorrik, it had to be. Tarnn and I turned our jackals back towards the temple, ready to accept any direction the Priory sent us in.