[Alliance] Chapter Five: Session Thirty-Four
Appearing Characters: Annibeth Lansing, Arator Windrunner, Arthas Menethil, Gilveradin Windrunner, Hedanis Poisonbloom, Jack Harper, Maraad, Remnii, Sally Mograine, Seria, Sigilith Avernicious, Tehd Shoemaker, Tomas Gray, Uther Menethil, Velameestra Windrunner, Victor Prestor
October 10th
Vel had brought the cultist to one of the rooms in the manor for interrogation, and he had settled into a seat to await the rest of the group’s arrival. Victor furrowed his brow as Vel spoke briefly with those gathered, and he mentioned he wasn’t sure how cooperative the man would be. Vel assured him he would be, and explained that she had managed to use her innate abilities to charm him, which earned a look of surprise from Victor and a nod.
Maraad seemed to be less keen on the idea, and he expressed that he did not like the notion of a man, no matter how corrupt he was, having answers pried from him because his mind had been influenced. Vel explained the situation during which she had found him, and that he was actively spreading the plague by injecting it into various animals. She could have killed him, but had decided to seize the opportunity to try and help more people.
Remnii said that she understood both sides to such a notion, but she agreed that it did give them the opportunity to get answers they otherwise wouldn’t, and she put a gentle hand on Maraad’s arm to soothe him.
They entered the study to talk with the cultist, and Vel explained that the other people with her were friends of hers. The cultist introduced himself as Jack Harper, and as conversational questioning commenced, he confirmed that he did in fact work for Heigan Capless out of Venetia, and he was part of Capless Feather Grains. There were a few groups of them present in Andorhal, though he didn’t know specifics on number as they tended to work separately while pursuing the same goals.
He specified that he wasn’t in direct contact with Heigan Capless, though there were points they touched base with him. As far as he knew, Lord Capless was still in Venetia, and he was happy to provide them with an address to his mansion and office, though specified that getting a meeting with Lord Capless was difficult–he could put a word in for them when he returned if they wished, but that didn’t guarantee anything.
He further explained that the need for grain in the wake of the war had given Lord Capless ample opportunity to grow his grain empire and Jack had high hopes that he would come into a promotion soon. During the explanation he mentioned his service wasn’t about the money that came with it, and he had genuine loyalty to the company. However, he seemed confused when they asked if there was a direct affiliation with the Scarlet Crusade, but he started to get more hesitant and dodgier as focus turned to specifics of the experiments.
He apologized to Vel, as he trusted her and understood the other people present were trusted companions of hers, but there were a lot of things that he wasn’t supposed to talk about.
Over the telepathic link, Uther mentioned that it wasn’t about money for Jack Harper, and he wanted to know what it was about. Vel relayed the question to the cultist.
Vel asked that if they spoke in private, if he would be willing to share some of Heigan Capless’s visions with her, and Jack considered before admitting that recruitment wasn’t really one of his responsibilities. But it would be irresponsible to not spread Heigan’s goals and visions to other people, especially someone as kind and understanding as Vel had been. He apologized to the rest of the group, as he understood they were trusted friends of “Zelda”, and Gil assured him a man could have his secrets.
The rest of the group backed out of the study and left Vel alone with Jack so they could talk more about the intimate details of whatever Heigan was trying to accomplish. He asked what she wanted to know.
She said that she was curious about what he was doing in Andorhal.
Jack explained that his cell’s primary goal was to enable, monitor, and ensure Lord Capless’s experiment continued apace. She had already seen the benefits that it had provided to the town in short order.
Vel asked for clarification that when he said “benefit” he meant the undeath, and Jack confirmed. He said it was easy for people to not understand such benefits, and he knew there was a sizable fear of the unknown, but it went beyond that. He said that those who had been enlightened of the goals and identity of Capless Feather Grains’s mission state saw more of what Lord Capless was trying to do. He said it wasn’t about creating undead or spreading the affliction, it was about the strength it created.
Vel asked if Lord Capless devised a way to stop the spread, and Jack replied simply that there was no reason to. Vel asked how the infection occurred, and Jack said he didn’t know specifics as he was not one of the people that created the plague in the first place, but he understood that it was transmitted through consumption or direct exposure. The serum he had almost injected her with was one, and the plagued grain was another. However, it could also be spread through the bodily fluids of the infected to ensure that it had a 100% success rate. If Lord Capless was to find those with a natural immunity to it, it had to be spread to as many people as possible.
Jack said that was just the first stage, and the exact process wasn’t known to him, but her surmised that in later stages of the experiment one of a few things would happen: those who had succumbed to the affliction would simply no longer see inoculated individuals as viable targets as they don’t prey upon one another. The inoculation would almost work as a badge of proof that they were worthy, stronger, and overcame the plague. If such a phenomenon didn’t happen, Jack assumed the necromancers under Lord Capless would simply be able to corral the undead and ensure they serve the purposes of the populace.
Vel asked if Capless Feather Grains was just the public face for Lord Capless’s vision, and Jack confirmed it was a public face and a very real organization, but the individuals who had been informed of the real goals behind it called themselves a few different things. The Damned was one of them, as they recognized that the public would condemn them if they learned of their goals. However, they embraced that hatred, as something wonderful was waiting at the end.
Vel asked how long Lord Capless had been working on such a vision, and Jack said it was long before the invasion of the orcs, as the invasion had simply given Lord Capless a convenient opportunity. With the fall of the vast majority of the Eastweald, there was a demand for grain, which gave Lord Capless the chance to start his early experiments.
Vel asked if Jack had more doses of the plague on him, and he confirmed he did. He had used most of them, but he was happy to allow Vel to take a look if she wished. When asked, he also clarified that they had brought the doses with them, as they were made in the restricted areas of Lord Capless’s lab. When Vel took a closer look, it became evident that it was an acute, concentrated version of what she had discovered in the grain.
Jack also said that Andorhal was the first direct delivery site from Venetia, though he imagined more shipments were being prepared, and grains would of course be shipped out from Andorhal in order to spread the plague even further. With each new strain, they could be improved.
Vel thanked him for explaining things to her, and he said that if there was anything else he could help her with, all she had to do is ask. He said he had to get back to his work before too long, but if she wanted to go to Venetia, he’d be happy to bring her and introduce her to Lord Capless.
Vel told him to take advantage of the refreshments and then returned to talk to the rest of the group about what had been uncovered, as she had been transmitting the conversation via their telepathic bond. Gil said that it was all absolutely insane, and Vel said that, unless anyone thought there was anything else that could be gained from him, it was likely the end of Jack Harper.
Victor agreed that the cultist had likely lived out his usefulness beyond rooting out the other members of his cell. Vel said that it was nearing time for her to eat again, and Sigilith could also use the added strength given how he had been surviving.
Gil asked Uther for his judgment, as Jack Harper had been operating in his lands.
Vel nodded and went to find Sigilith.
After Jack was taken care of, Vel and Remnii went to see Tehd Shoemaker, who had been left staring at a wall when he arrived. However, when they got to the door, they heard laughing. Vel and Remnii exchanged a look, and Vel knocked. She was greeted with an urge to come in, and they were greeted with an average-looking man with scraggly brown hair. He had a wild grin as he pointed at a lit candle. There were books strewn all throughout the room.
Remnii agreed they were very difficult, and she cast a sheepish look at Vel.
He pointed at the lit candle again. Vel looked at the candle, and then back at Tehd and stated she did not imagine he had lit it conventionally. Tehd confirmed eagerly and snapped his fingers, which caused the candle flame to wink out. He excitedly asked if the two of them saw that and then proceeded to light and snuff the candle over and over again with snaps of his fingers.
Vel asked if he had learned the trick from the books he was reading, Tehd confirmed and said she had incredibly interesting things in the manor. He had no idea where the books came from, or how the manor-through-a-hole-in-a-tree worked, but there was an incredible amount of interesting information to be found, even for someone who could only read half the words.
He pointed at a pile of papers.
Vel confirmed and Tehd expressed another excited shout of glee at being correct. Remnii leaned back and crossed her arms as she watched, quite amused by the exchange.
Vel asked what Tehd was planning on doing now, and he said he wanted to learn everything he could about magic because he had figured it out.
Vel offered to point him in the direction of some books of interest in her library and he said he would love that. He also wanted to learn more about the plague that killed him, and Vel said that was something they were all actively working on.
Vel then said it would be important to determine if Tehd was still contagious, and Tehd eagerly asked if he wanted her to bite something. Vel said they could likely test it on a rat or other small animal, and Tehd said he was more than happy to bite a rat.
Over a telepathic bond to Vel, Remnii mused that Tehd seemed to be taking it quite well, though she was concerned some of his sanity may have snapped.
Tehd squinted at them and asked if they were speaking telepathically. Remnii immediately started to laugh, unsure how to respond.
Vel agreed that was a great place to start, and she moved to take a brief leave as Tehd looked over to Remnii and excitedly thanked her for killing him. He said it was the best thing that had happened in his life, and he asked her to tell as much to the other cute elf Remnii had been with before.
Remnii said she would, and then explained she had come to inquire on how he was doing.
Remnii gave Tehd a quick medical once-over, and she was able to determine that he was in as good health as he could be for a man who was undead. When Vel returned, they were able to determine that it did not seem that Tehd Shoemaker was contagious any longer.
Tehd was also completely ecstatic about the realization that he no longer needed to sleep so he could spend his days doing whatever he wished as he pursued the secrets of the universe. He also shared that he was a terrible snorer when he slept, to the point that his last girlfriend broke up with him because of it, but now there wasn’t any more snoring, and Vel did admit that snoring required breathing.
Remnii said that if he needed anything further to let her know, and Tehd waved her off and expressed he’d love to hear more about her magic as well because he intended on feeding his newly acquired hunger for magical theory. Vel said she could show him to the mansion’s library.
However, after she dropped off Tehd, she noticed Uther was also in the study, his attention effectively transfixed on a map of the Eastern Kingdoms. Vel’s brow furrowed.
Uther didn’t seem to hear her, so she approached and put a hand on his shoulder to draw his attention. He started, and expressed that he hadn’t heard her approach. She acknowledged he had been focused.
Vel said she likely already knew the answer, but she wanted to know how he was feeling.
Uther sighed.
Uther’s expression shifted, as if a light bulb had gone off in his head, and he said there was something he thought he could use her help with. Vel asked what it was, and he said he may have had a way to stave off the Scarlet Crusade if they chose to return to Andorhal.
Uther explained it would likely need to take a bit of magic.
Vel nodded and said she thought that could be made to work, provided they were willing to listen to the king. Uther said that if they were unwilling to listen to the king, then there was going to be a fight regardless. Vel said she would coordinate with Remnii and they could see what they could do.
Uther thanked her and his expression shifted again, becoming more hesitant.
Vel’s own expression softened.
Uther choked slightly.
A small smile touched the edge of her lips.
They embraced each other.
Vel arrived at Hedanis’s room at the same time as Gil. Remnii had also manifested, and Vel knocked on the door and quickly got the invite to enter.
When they opened the door, visible, fragrant steam washed out, and they saw Hedanis inside, completely nude aside from an untied velvet cloth draped over his waist. Several of the mansion servants, which had taken their humanoid forms, were giving him massages as he leaned back on a bed of plush cushions. His hair was still wet from the nearby bath.
Vel sighed.
Vel raised an eyebrow at him.
Hedanis asked what he could do for them, and Gil asked if Hedanis wanted his wings massaged, as he imagined that they probably got really tensed up. Hedanis grabbed his cloth and covered himself as if they had just walked in on him. He wanted to know what Gil was talking about, and Gil once again mentioned Hedanis’s wings. Hedanis again denied the presence of wings and laughed as Gil commented that he wasn’t the first succubus they had run into.
Hedanis promptly frowned at him and said that, first off, he wasn’t a succubus. Vel asked if he preferred sayaad, and Hedanis confirmed that such a name or incubus was more appropriate. Second off, he wanted to know what was going to happen now, because even though he was in Vel’s manor, he could and would get out without a problem.
Vel assured him that she just had a few questions.
Vel asked Hedanis how long Hedanis had been living amongst the elves, and Hedanis countered that she seemed smart enough to know how long and illustrious his career had been. Vel confirmed she was familiar with his reputation, as it had reached Dalaran, and she knew he had been a performer for a few centuries.
Hedanis seemed to be quite tickled that she was familiar with him, and he confirmed he had done a few concerts in Dalaran, but it had been a bit as it was a bit of a distance. However, he quickly refocused himself and said he had been amongst the elves for at least a thousand years or so.
Gil asked him if he was rogue, and Hedanis wanted to know what that even meant. Remnii clarified that she believed Gil was trying to ask if Hedanis had a coven, and Hedanis laughed at such a notion. He said he’d never join a coven, as he didn’t want to take orders from anyone, and while he had debated starting a coven of his own he had decided it was too much responsibility.
Gil and Hedanis started to banter a bit about how Gil imagined that no one could handle someone like Hedanis. Vel tried to open her mouth a few times, but ultimately relegated herself to waiting until the banter was done before she spoke again.
When she finally got a moment, she asked if it was accurate to say that Hedanis was not involved with those that caused the invasion of Silvermoon.
Vel interjected at the start of another round to banter to ask Hedanis if he had ever maliciously harmed any of his fans, and Hedanis countered that he had no reason, because if he harmed them they couldn’t adore him any longer.
He flashed a look at Gil, and Gil countered that Hedanis was the one that came after him. Hedanis rebuked that he hadn’t come after anyone.
Vel and Remnii had been quietly assessing Hedanis the entire time, and they determined that there was no reason to disbelieve the man. Vel was also able to tell that Hedanis would have indeed tried to stop the invasion of Silvermoon… solely because it would have inconvenienced him. That was just the type of man he was, and ultimately, similarly, if anyone tried to attack him he was the sort that would try to run away first. He typically evaded conflicts.
Vel thanked Hedanis for being cooperative, and said that he was welcome to stay as long as he wished. Hedanis blinked at her and asked if they were even, and Vel confirmed they were.
Hedanis frowned.
Remnii also assured him that she had no reason to tell anyone he was there, and Hedanis squinted at all of them. He wanted to know why, as they had plenty to gain by trying to blackmail him.
Gil asked what Hedanis even had, and Vel shot a look at her brother as Hedanis immediately ruffled again. He countered he had plenty, including thousands of adoring fans and a sizable amount of money that was… presently squirreled away in a city that was occupied by orcs.
Vel assured him that she, at least, was not looking to gain anything from him, and when the invasion happened there were invaders and there were victims. She saw no reason to take advantage of someone that was also victimized by what the warlocks had wrought.
She then asked if he was protected from means to divine his fiendish nature. Hedanis frowned and said he hadn’t been able to devise an effective way to permanently do so, and Vel promptly offered to do so for him if he was willing.
Gil suggested that at some point in the future Hedanis could spread word through his “thousands of adoring fans” for them. Hedanis then looked over at Vel and wanted to know what she was going to say, and she simply said she was going to ask to pay things forward. Hedanis groaned and said he liked Gil’s suggestion better given it was less vague and “eugh” noble.
Remnii also said she wouldn’t mind speaking to Hedanis about how he had come to Azeroth, and Hedanis said that was going to cost her. Gil asked if he was still tied to anyone, and Hedanis then laughed and said that if he was asking about a warlock, none of them would have been able to handle him.
Remnii asked what Hedanis wanted for the story she desired.
Gil looked disappointed.
Remnii asked what brought Hedanis to Azeroth, and Hedanis explained he was born in Quel’thalas. He had never been to the sayaad homeworld, or the Twisting Nether. No one in the Legion knew he existed.
He said the circumstances of his creation were ones he was not at liberty to discuss, but his mother got into a great deal of trouble for it. Gil said it made sense someone has perfect as him had an unusual birth. Hedanis said that, once upon a time, there was a sayaad that decided to go her own way, and she went about it in an unwise method. Some very strong and dangerous people found out, and they made sure the mistake was corrected.
Remnii looked at Vel and Gil.
Hedanis said a few warlocks tried to tame him, but they got themselves killed, and being adored by thousands of fans ensured he was always well-satisfied. He tried to keep himself as unbound as possible, generally speaking. He had met other demons before for short stints of time, and it was useful to have some connections, but he had largely just been doing his own thing as it worked far better.
Later on, Remnii did mention some of the other demons she had met, at least selectively. Remnii mentioned Spinyl’s name, and he immediately looked at her, his focus suddenly keenly on her.
Remnii started to laugh.
Remnii said that she was available if he changed his mind, and Hedanis countered she’d be much better hanging with him rather than her. But he asked if she was involved in the Silvermoon thing, and Remnii said it was incidental, but not directly. Hedanis said Spinyl could have warned him.
Hedanis whispered it into Remnii’s ear.
Remnii turned Hedanis on his side.
Remnii said she could probably figure it out, and Hedanis took his normal form so that Remnii could work on his wings.
October 11th - October 13th
Andorhal was on lockdown, and the quarantine districts had started to turn. Screaming started to issue from them as those who had not yet turned begged to be released before the undead got them, but it was known they were only a little bit behind.
A large cordon of Scarlet Crusaders had arrived, demanding the gates be thrown open. Inquisitors, templars, and soldiers were ready to secure the area, and at their head was Sally Mograine. Riding near her was the Ashbringer.
The gates were closed.
One of the guards at the gate informed her that no one was coming in and out as an emergency situation had been called, and it was Lansing’s orders. Sally asked where Annibeth Lansing was, and the guard said that she was indisposed, but he spoke with her authority. The guard handed a missive to an archer, which was shot down to the Scarlet Crusade so they could read it.
The situation entered a tense stalemate.
Sally turned away and started to give orders to her people as the Crusade started to blockade the city.
Mid-day, the gates opened. But as the gates began to open, a small contingent of Lordanes rode out alongside king Arthas. It was a number of the town militia, disguised along with Arthas riding on top of Radiant, who was disguised as Indomitable. Uther, disguised, rode with the column. Remnii had put a [Foresight] on Arthas, and Uther also put [Blessing of Kings] on him.
Arthas was decked out in Uther’s old armor, and had the Libram of Justice and Light’s Vengeance on his person. As they approached, Uther reminded Arthas that he was the king and everyone present knew that they had to do what he said. Arthas admitted he just needed to know that as well. Uther assured him he had done this before, and Arthas prepared himself to meet Sally.
He rode forward.
Sally rode forward on a beautiful white mount.
Sally furrowed her brow.
Sally narrowed her eyes, and the Ashbringer said something quietly to her. Sally smiled.
There was a tense moment, but Sally turned her mount away. The blockade pulled back, but the Crusade had not yet left. Riders started to ride off west.
Vel threw her efforts into finishing the magic she had been working on, and she managed to complete them with a lot of extreme effort.
Gil tried to find some of the other cultists, and he was able to find a handful. Unfortunately, one of the people was directly administrating as he masqueraded as one of the priests. Gil had no option but to snipe him in the midst of a crowd. Meanwhile, Uther tried to avoid any breaches, and he was able to find several places that were a potential problem between guard posts and other concerns.
Remnii tried to calm and reassure people in the midst of the chaos using the guidance of the Light. Seria continued to hunt infected animals to try and stem the infection further.
Victor meanwhile posed as a mercenary and spread rumors that the Torchbearers had sent the aid to everyone. He was able to wipe out the group’s notoriety entirely.
As the pursuits came to an end, there was an unsettling calm as the screaming stopped in the quarantine zones. The last of the plague victims had been isolated, and had finished turning. The beasts of Andorhal had been checked, the cultists were slain or set to the rout, and the Crusade camped on the outskirts waiting.
Vel had put the finishing touches on the spells she had been pursuing, and should her hypothesis be correct, it may have been the answer she was looking for.
October 14th
Vel and Uther headed into the city. The streets were quiet, and many people had been moved. Those who remained were frightened and worried about what was going to happen to them. One child asked their mother when their father was coming back, and another person absently was beating their laundry wondering if anything mattered.
Vel looked up, and the first snowfall had started. It was thick and gentle as the snow smothered everything.
Vel and Uther made their way to the town hall. The door was being watched much more than it was earlier. A militia man stopped them, as the situation at hand was handled and the area was restricted.
The guards froze and looked at each other.
The guard looked at Uther again.
The guard led them in. One of the other guards called after Captain Gray, and the man assured him that he had a feeling they could help. He took his helm off, revealing a middle-aged man with graying hair who introduced himself as Tomas Gray. He explained he was in charge of the governess’s militia, and he confirmed Vel was right. They had confined the governess to her quarters along with some of the staff that had turned.
Vel asked what the names were, and Tomas said he could give her a list. None of the families had been told, but Lansing was still somewhat coherent. She had demanded they string her up so she couldn’t escape, but she had been giving orders through the door. It was grating hearing the sounds, but she was still in there and trying to look out for the people. All the orders were still from her, and Tomas didn’t understand how she was still more lucid.
Vel assured him they could help her, and Tomas nodded. He didn’t know how they learned any of what had happened. He asked if he knew how it spread, and Vel explained. Tomas said he would happy to take her inside in that case.
He revealed a small wound beneath his chain mail. Another member of the staff had got him, and he hadn’t been sure how to tell his kids. He had planned on stepping down that night, as he had felt fine, but he also knew that the infection spread quickly.
As they reached the door, they noticed it was bolted and barricaded. A few guards were present there, crossbows trained on it. Tomas told them to be at ease, and asked if the two would be okay. Vel said the dead didn’t target the dead, and Uther said he would handle himself.
Tomas blinked, but nodded. He pried off the planks, nodded, and cracked open the door for the three of them to enter.
Inside was a harrowing sight. There were a dozen people in the room. Servers. Maids. A few guards. They were in varying states of decay. They were prowling around, scratching at walls and cabinets, and crawling into various things as they tore the room apart. There were pieces of art with slashes across it, gnaw marks on table edges, and other destruction.
All their eyes turned on the group. With moans and hisses, they looked at Vel and started to move toward her. But as Uther entered, there was a flurry of mindless hunger as they started to make their way closer. They ignored Vel and Tomas with the presence of the living man.
The undead clawed at Uther’s armor and bit as his shield.
But then a voice rasped out: STOP!
All of the undead stopped.
At the far edge, in the mess of a canopied bed was the governess. She was restrained, her arms and legs tied to the bed posts. She had a noose around her neck, perhaps an attempt to stop herself from becoming something she couldn’t control.
Her body strained, her skin pockmarked with blemishes. Her body was trying to break free, but her mind was preventing herself. Vel saw dogged determination and rage and restraint in her eyes. Her glasses were broken and splintered on the ground not far from where she was.
Vel confirmed. Lansing demanded to know what Vel could do about the situation, and the vampyr said she could give Lansing control over her mind and body again. Fully. She just needed Lansing to trust her.
Vel nodded and took the spellbook off her hip as she approached the bed where Lansing was restrained. She opened the book and started to chant an incantation in quietish. It was a complicated incantation, but one that she could manage faster and more easily than most.
As she spoke, she lowered the spellbook onto the floor. The letters on the dark pages started to flare with pale, ghostly energy as she utilized her free hands to follow through the somatic motions. She reached into a satchel on her hip and pulled out an onyx gemstone, which she held in her palm as the magic started to channel into it.
Lansing was regarding her in what capacity she could, and as the magic materialized, a pale blue glue, much like the one in Vel’s eyes, also alighted in hers as a connection between Vel’s magic and the restrained geist was formed.
Her voice had an otherworldly reverb to it, as if it was echoed. She drew a claw along the surface of the onyx gemstone, and she plucked a cord of spectral thread from it, which she pulled and wrapped around one of the fingers of her other hand. She twisted the wrist of the hand that held the gemstone, doing the same thing with another of her fingers so that the cord was pulled taught between them.
Vel’s eyes flared a bright magenta as she started the battle of will with whatever force had been trying to erode the governess’s mind. At the same time, the color shift was mirrored in Lansing’s eyes, and she started to tug her hands apart, applying tension to the center of the spectral cord. The point of resistance similarly flared with magenta light, a physical manifestation of the fight that was taking place.
She jerked her hands apart, which snapped the spectral thread as the full extent of the magic was released. The ropes that had been binding Lansing to the bed posts broke, and Vel moved forward to catch Lansing as she fell.
A claw dug into Vel’s back as she steadied herself. As Lansing pulled away, she looked in disbelief.
She started laughing with a rasping laugh, as if her throat had been irrevocably damaged.
She reached down and picked up her broken glasses. She put them back on her face.
One by one, with Uther’s magic contributing to the force of the spell, they were able to liberate the servants. A wailing started to emanate. Some were fraught with a combination of anguish and joy, others were wordless, but Lansing was there and acted as a grounding force to them. She wordlessly held their hands, as she herself as she tried to figure out what this all meant.
But within a half hour, the door opened. And for the first time in a week, Annibeth Lansing emerged. She wore a cloak over her head, a scarf concealing the wounds to her neck and jaw. Behind her, the others emerged.
The guards were shocked and afraid. They readied their crossbows, but Lansing told them to wait, as they were alright. And everyone else would be too.
She pointed at Vel. The guards nodded and hurried away to comply.
The city was buzzing as the guards offered a reward for any sort of magic potential to help. Tehd Shoemaker was already there.
Though the sight of some of the people drew concern and fear, as the snow fell on the shambling undead in the quarantine zones, people gathered.
Tomas got Vel a list of all the names of those confined. They were given and copied to everyone, and everyone.
Vel walked straight into the center of the quarantine zones, alongside Annibeth Lansing. The undead there gave them no heed as Vel began to channel her magic into a central catalyst for all the gathered magic to be drawn to.
The ritual started to unfold. As she chanted, the same spectral strands materialized between the fingers of everyone that was present. Uther called to those nearest to him.
Those nearest to Uther nodded, and started to say prayers to the Light and words of plea for their loved ones to hold on. Gil doesn’t say anything, but his thoughts were towards what he could do to ease the bodily trauma that had occurred. Seria silently prayed to the loa. She knew that they were not the loa’s people, but they were her friends’ people, so she hoped that maybe that would be enough for them to send their aid, or give her the strength she could.
Remnii looked on, feeling the unsettling nature of a clear paradigm shift. But she called people forward with gentle hymns to try and bolster their resolve.
As the magic funneled toward Vel, she felt a conflux of arcane, death, light, life, and all manner of different magics. Regardless of the source, she felt it within her fingertips. Victor was here too, his magic chaotic and unpredictable, but it was something that was worth him putting the efforts into.
Plucked strings quickly joined the chorus of song and chanting. Sigilith used all his magic to try and help the people of Andorhal, even the man who threatened his life, who was now wandering mindlessly within the quarantine zone. Even Hedanis was there. It wouldn’t make sense for him not to help, and song was his domain, and he knew shadow magic well.
It was more power than Vel had ever held in her fingertips. Her hair and clothing was whipping around her. All the undead had started to gather around her, watching her like a flock of cats watching a curiosity.
Her voice held the otherworldly echo as she released the magic and the sound of names filled the air. One by one, the thin strings that had manifested snapped.
And one by one, lucidity returned to the undead. Their minds snapped back into clarity as a fog, green and viscous, was lifted from their minds–chased away by a cool winter wind.
The magic subsided, and Vel was surrounded by quiet and confused people. They looked around in shock and fear.
She called out, drawing their attention to her in the confusion.
Lansing stepped forward.
There was no cheering, but there was a grim acceptance. There was fear and uncertainty as to what happens next. However, those assembled looked to each other and gave each other a nod.
They were here.
Lansing turned to lead them out of the quarantine zone. The barricade was pulled back, and Vel and Annibeth walked out with a parade of hundreds. There was complete silence from the undead, their neighbors, and their loved ones.
Some of the undead stepped out of the crowd toward their friends and loved ones. The first thing that happened was the child Vel had heard asking about their father came running out. A man who looked to be one of the first to be confined kneeled down and scooped up his child with as much tender love as he could muster. The young girl shouted in excitement, regardless of what her father looked like. The wife stepped forward cautious, fear and confusion on her face. He reached out to her, but pulled a claw back. She gave him an uncertain smile.
More scenes unraveled. Some bore fear, others disgust and sadness. However, as the snow fell, they were given a chance to rebuild or build anew. But because of what happened here, they had today.
On the walls overlooking the Scarlet Crusade’s camp, Lansing and some of her guards gathered. Before long, Sally Mograine and her contingent approached.
The Ashbringer stepped forward, reaching for his weapon, but Sally put her hand out.
Sally turned and issued for her Crusade to move out. The Ashbringer stood for a moment, his hand lowering from his weapon. Sally called back to them, and they turned.
Vel and Uther had followed Lansing to watch, bearing disguises that were different from those when they had encountered the Crusade in the town square. However, there was a moment when Vel’s eyes and those of the Ashbringer locked for a long second. He turned away, but he looked back one final time before rejoining the Crusade.
