#etheriana

More ointment was applied to her face. Not that it really stung anymore, but it helped to remove the burn damage from the Forged earlier. Though she could have left it alone to have a temporary look of pure fear amongst those that would stand against her. No, best not to risk an infection or worse.

What Etheriana had told her earlier had rang true. For every act of evil by those that adhered to Balthazar, she would have to do two acts of good. To atone for what she had done and to show hope for those that may have lost hope. The ears from the melee also served as a good reminder of what would await her if she reneged on her word. The new additions from the bandit ambushers would be a good starting addition as well.

The evening sun shone brightly on the snow of the Shiverpeaks. And as her fellow comrades were busy consuming their dinner, Tracy eyed the horizon, as if on guard for any threats to return. Of course, this was all justifiable, given her encounter earlier today. Some sylvari with the Zaishen had slaughtered a fellow adherent of Balthazar. And this rose as she proclaimed herself to be proclaimed she would slaughter all who followed his path, whether it was ten or ten thousand.

Writing up two copies of the same letter, Alexandria had to choose her words more carefully than usual. Too much information and too many would take an interest in why she was looking into the subject of liches. Too little, and likely her inquiries would go ignored either out of irritation or annoyance. Tapping her pen against the table, she did her best not to think of how irritating the night of the Founding Celebration had been.

It was bad enough to hear that a lich was posing a threat to the Refuge, a place several of her friends and loved ones called home right now. The night was made worse by the presence of Cecil Saville and being unable to take the opportunity to cut his throat and get justice for his crimes against her and her family. Just the thought of him set her irritation off enough to ignite her pen, which melted in the air as she tossed it to the floor.

Watching it warp and crumble to ash, a deep sigh left her lips. Fetching another pen, she turned her attention to the parchment in front of her.

Lady Etheriana, she wrote to start the first. Evienne, was the recipient of the second.

I will not take much of your time, but I have an inquiry to make as I pour over old tomes. Many of these tomes make multiple mentions of the most well researched Nightmares from the Mists, and even some of the stronger entities that draw upon the power of the Mists. However, there is one that I have always been curious about and was hoping I could gain some information on.

What do the Zaishen know of Liches? Such as the one who attempted to open the Door of Komalie hundreds of years ago. I occasionally stumble upon mentions of them, but they seem to lack any details on how to defeat them, or even the general wards one can build against them. If there is nothing to know, then I will live with that burning curiosity, but I figured if anyone knew, it might be you.

Sincerely, Magister Alexandria LaCoria-Eskara

“Yeah, there is no way they’re both going to buy this… oh well…” preparing the letters for delivery, she sealed them with her personal seal.

The Marquis was back. It wasn’t that it was new news, after all his spirit had emerged from within her after regaining its strength, but after that, nothing more had been heard from or seen of him. Then while she was sitting in the sun, looking over a few Seraph and Ministry Guard reports, his voice had echoed in her mind.

If it hadn’t been for Renita mentioning the return of her nightmares, his sudden appearance would have surprised her more. Thankfully she had been able to keep her composure, until he mentioned what she was wearing. Simply the idea of him being that close and undetectable scared her.

From there she decided that a visit to Malevolent Etheriana was in order; if the woman had been able to decipher anything from the Margonite tome that she had sent, it would grant her some peace of mind.

Per usual, the Sylvari had been less than forthcoming though. Etheriana was more than willing to divulge that she had already learned a great deal from the tome. Evienne had been correct in her assessment that it was a records book, but the records within were far vaster then anyone would have expected.

Upon the revelation that demonic spells were fully outlined within, Alexandria had begged Etheriana to give her the translation. Perhaps some of those vile spells would have the power to damage the Marquis more than her magic. But keeping true to her stubborn oath to the Zaishen Order, Etheriana had denied her request.

Alexandria relaxed, the stone supporting her as she lay back against them, most of her submerged beneath the steaming waters of the Zelechor Hot Springs. With their upcoming vacation Mirex had been spending more time on duty, wrapping up paperwork on her current assignments. Alexandria had the luxury of only one case, and being one of several working on it, and so she had slipped out to Wayfarer Foothills and to the hot springs.

Sitting on a rock near her head was her constant companion, her journal. The leather bound book sat untouched by the water, with several pieces of parchment sitting on top of it. Giggling as she blatantly admired three Norn women on the other side of the water; she froze a section of water in front of her, creating a small floating table for her to work on. She had several letters to write and now was as good a time as any to do it.

Her first letter was to the now Lieutenant Myra Llewellyn.

Myra,

I got news this morning of your promotion and I just wanted to send my congratulations. It might be silly, but I’m very proud of you and I’m proud to be able to call you my friend. I hope we’ll be able to get together soon, though next week Mirex and I will be taking a small vacation to the Bazaar of the Four Winds. Regardless, I wish you the best of luck with your new position as your friend and fellow servant of Kryta.

Love, Alexandria LaCoria 

Grabbing a small tube from her satchel she pops it open, revealing the ruby red lipstick inside. Applying it, she kisses the parchment, leaving her lip prints on the letter. With practiced skill, she folded the letter into a paper bird and enchanted it with air magic. Within seconds it flapped its wings and took flight. Her next letter was to Etheriana and would arrive to the Sylvari at the same time as a package was delivered to her current residence.

Lady Etheriana,

I hope you get this and the package I’ve sent to you soon. I was hoping to speak with you personally, but Alraune informed me that you were on assignment. What I have sent you is from the depths of the Priory library and the only clue as to its origins was a single name scrawled on a piece of parchment inside. As you are the only living being besides possibly Alraune who may be able to interpret Margonite, I ask for your help. The only warning I can give is that one other person I have consulted with has stated this is similar to a records book they once saw, so whatever you do, please do not utter any of the translations aloud. I will be out of the Reach next week but will be back the following.

Sincerely, Magister Alexandria LaCoria 

Again, she folded the parchment and it too took flight. As she prepared to write her next letter, she was temporarily distracted by a boisterous Norn man approaching the three women. Like all Norn he bellowed his great deeds and acts of heroism, but the giggling of the women deflated him and his ego quicker than he could retreat back to his group of friends, all of whom were laughing at him. Laughing, she returned her attention to the last letter she needed to write. 

Renita, 

I’m so proud that you’ve begun using your magic to make your life easier. I didn’t believe it when I heard that you had been seen marching to Taiel’s house with a flesh golem carrying boxes of your stuff in tow. Anyway, I was hoping to be able to see you and check up on you before Mirex and I left, but I have a feeling that probably won’t happen. Maybe we’ll see you two at the Bazaar and if not, I’ll bring you back something cute. 

Love, Alexandria LaCoria. 

I don't know what Etheriana is planning on doing exactly. Honestly, I've spent so many years having people train me in how to solidify my mental defenses that I'm worried that by having her help me, it might harm me more. I know that you can lower them for those you want to allow in, but how do you relax around the second most terrifying person you know?

Part of me still wonders why such a high ranking agent of the Zaishen Order has been living in the city. But, I suppose that's just me trying to rationalize some anomaly and avoid thinking about what's going to happen. However, I am going to remember her... because she deserves that.

Rebekkah Griffontamer was one of the most amazing women I've met in my life. Like most Norn she carried herself proudly, even when something went wrong she had a way of finding the honor in it. She was an incredible Necromancer, she could control Shadow Magic like no one I've ever seen in my life. As far as mentors go in the Priory, I couldn't have asked for a better one. By the time I joined she was twenty-nine and had been with the Priory for nearly ten years.

But most importantly to me, she was my first lover. I don't mean just physically, though my mind often wanders to those nights. For those who know me, they know that I have a horrible tendency to fall for a cute girl rather quickly, but some small part of my brain keeps me from becoming consumed by it.

Rebekkah though, was different. It was during out third assignment together. We were hiking to a remote location in Brisban and we were ambushed by Inquest. We managed to fight them off and find an isolated camp, but I had also taken a nasty blow to the ribs.

She was gentle, for some reason people think that Norn are a people incapable of that, but that is far from the truth. I remember her holding me that night, I had never felt so happy, so content, so accepted. Part of me wishes that we could have stayed there forever. Perhaps then she would still be alive.

A few teardrops fall onto the page as a soft knock on the door breaks the silence. Slowly the door opens and the face of a young woman with pinkish hair pops in.

"Alex, are you ready?"

"Yeah," Alexandria nods as she closes her notebook. "Alraune... if something happens, make sure this makes it back to the Priory."