Sina puts The Butcher of Arx by M. Rubino (4/19/1012 AR), a water skin filled with holy water, bearing a symbol of a wave and cloud, and a gilded, hooded lantern lit from the Eternal Flame of Lagoma in a standard adventurer's pack made of oiled canvas.

Dianna drops an orange backpack with two pockets.

Dianna takes an orange backpack with two pockets.

Sorrel gets deeply red dyed hood lined in fine red seasilk and fastened with a long aqua lace, deeply red dyed full cloak marked with a Thrax serpent on the breast, deeply red dyed bodice laced up the back with long aqua laces and marked with a Thrax serpent, deeply red dyed floor-length skirt tied with long aqua laces and marked with a Thrax serpent, deeply red dyed twisting pair of arm wraps, deeply red dyed pair of gloves that rise up the arms gracefully and deeply red dyed pair of knee-high boots with long aqua laces from deeply red dyed backpack.

Sorrel puts an utterly warm seatouched wool blouse in faint rainbow ombre, rainbow brocaded luxury silk trousers lined with soft wool, an eight sided star pendant with a rainbow of gems, an ebony silk cloak with a brilliant rainbow brocade lining, an explosion of rainbow feathers somehow fashioned as a hat, and handsome pair of knee-high exotic leather boots in deeply red dyed backpack.

Lucita gets a beaded pouch with a butterfly motif from a subtly textured sturdy yet lightweight trail pack.

Lucita puts a luxurious pale sky-blue seasilk dress with a split skirt in a subtly textured sturdy yet lightweight trail pack.

Lucita puts a pair of dainty pale sky-blue slippers with gold embroidery in a subtly textured sturdy yet lightweight trail pack.

Lucita puts a lined pale sky-blue seasilk triangle-shaped shawl in a subtly textured sturdy yet lightweight trail pack.

When last our fair group of intrepid adventurers were together, they had started out at Drummond Field, exploring the winding tunnels below, excavating the skeletons of the fallen, collecting the various vials of 'specimens' that had been collected in that closet of horrors. After finding a tunnel that stretched for several miles, they emerged at the base of a Lighthouse, finding the remains of those corrupted animal servents and collecting a stygian skull filled with an unknown liquid and adding it to the collection of artifacts they have discovered.

There was a sense that their collection was not yet complete, that there are more artifacts waiting to be found before any attempt at destroying them will bear any true fruit. Given some time to heal and regroup, it is a refreshed group that gathers, armed with a map of several locations and with clues to help guide them: Gloria, Horth, Temple of Risia. Vellichor, Tenny, Uppers. Mangata, Cliffborne, Windshore pennisula. Lagoma, Junea, the Lighthouse. Petrichor, Falchier, Drummond Field.

Jayus, Mantu, Gallery of Stone. Gild, Petra, Knights Rest Inn. The Sentinel, Berberi, Justicar Flats.

Miranda has joined the heroes with the varied artifacts as an extra! Extra set of eyes, extra set of ears, extra sword. Whatever. When she joins up, she's put her hair into a long braid down her back and tucked beneath her armor, a gloved hand rests on the pommel of her sword and she has a lantern with Lagoma's flame within, carried with her, among her other things. This spring day promises beautiful things and Miranda's expression is pleasant and confident. "Greetings," she offers to those present. Her entourage mostly consists of guards, Juana, and Brenlin, but they will not be trudging onward. It's above their paygrade.

"Cross the names on the list that we've already explored," Amund suggests, after wiping his blade clean of the oil he uses to maintain it. He has also brought a shortened scythe for this particular onslaught, one made of rubicund, given the red-orange polished sheen on the surface of the blade. He's got a vial of oil, two vials of holy water, three torches, four lengths of rope of different sizes and makes, and last but not least, a bottle full of whiskey.

Thea has joined the group today in her leathers. She comes prepared with her weapons and medicines, but really that's about it. Thea has already treated a majority of those present, her gold-flecked green eyes looking at them one-by-one. "Good day,"she offers with a smile, making her way toward them.

Lucita's leather armor makes a raspy sound as she removes her trail pack, adjusts one of the straps after checking to see how the contents are traveling and replaces it. She checks to see her little bottle of holy water in the padded pouch is intact. Her glance slides around the group gathered, lingering a moment if any seem to make eye contact. Golden and Gunther are with her, highly trained guard dogs. She smiles gently, feeding them a snack and letting them handle whatever doggie business dogs have to do and then to sniff around a little to get used to the scents of others they have yet to meet. "How many places are left to explore?"

As per usual, Sorrel seems fairly nonchalant about the idea of fighting evil. Wearing bright red with aqua sea serpents on it, she's honestly difficult to miss, and she's got a couple of swords strapped to her back. And in her sword belt at her hip. Really, she bristles with weaponry. "Someone just tell me where we need to go," she says lightly.

It is not at all unusual to find Sister Dianna Godsworn (nee Mazetti) wandering about the city with two men at her side, but we are hardly in the city, this time. Nonetheless, Dianna makes her way back to the meet with the group with two older men - both dressed in armor, though one (the shorter) is certainly dressed with better armor than the other. Dianna beams and talks casually to the two, speaking to the shorter man: "So, Aera, Fio can make us anything we need! You did bring your knife set, didn't you, Fio?" Dianna asks the taller man. She, too is dressed in armor - but leather armor, as she wore the last time. She does, however, carry with her a new, bright orange leather backpack, filled with 13 half-bottles of holy water (one blessed at each of the shrines) and tokens from each of the shrines, as well, if they are needed to invoke the gods more personally. Fiorenzio, Dianna's personal chef (and possibly her bodyguard, or so it might seem by the way he watches so easily over her?) strides with Dianna and Sir Aerandir, easily grinning. "Of course, Dianna. I've brought everything to make a feast, if you wish, even."

Once again, the Archscholar joins with the other intrepid adventurers as they seek to follow the trail of items the Butcher has left in his wake. She wears her exotic leather armor, and has the alaricite blade Brixeur'Ame at her hip. Her armor has been repaired or replaced where necessary, still bearing the interlocking circles symbolic of the Faith. Her arm is mostly healed now, hidden beneath her gauntlet. She has her backpack with her, along with her various and sundry adventuring gear. She also has most of the items they have collected, including the lineage charts, journals and other documents, the seven stygian coins they found, the stone they found in the home of the Tenny twins, and the various other items they collected from the gruesome closet, though she's given the stygian cat skull to Dianna, since her pack is getting a bit full! Sorrel should have the maps.

When Amund suggests crossing the places they've already explored off the list, Sina nods to him. "So far, I think we have explored the Mangata location, Petrichor of course, and the home of the Tenny twins. This lighthouse must be Junea, Lagoma." She glances up at the weathered ruin. "So Gloria, Temple of Risia sounds like it should maybe be next?" she suggests, glancing to the others.

Sina adds, "And we haven't even touched on Jayus, Gild, or the Sentinel yet. We've got a lot of work to do yet," she finishes quietly.

"Anything, hm? Perhaps he can concoct the dignity I seem to have misplaced," Aerandir remarked in light, jesting tones, brows furrowing after a moment at his own remark, "What do you think dignity would taste like?" This he seemed to ask of both Dianna and Fiorenzio, an all too curious tinge to the question posed. As others came into sight, the swarthy warrior sobered up fully and inclined his head in curt greeting to faces both familiar and strange, taking his time in studying the assembled with a pair of piercing grey eyes, only one matter taking precedence for him in the moment, "Greetings, one and all. I am Sir Aerandir Elensar of Southport, Knight-Errant of the Crown, for those of you that I have not met. 'Tis good to see you again, Sir Amund."

Miranda chuckles faintly at Sorrel's words, nodding a bit. Agreement. Point the way! Still, she is, for the moment, just happy to wait for someone to direct them. Given a moment, she will also introduce herself to Aerandir because she's met everyone at least once, if not more. "Lady Miranda Rubino... for at least another week or so. Maybe two." She chuckles and shrugs, glancing to Thea and adding, conspiratorially, "I just have to show up at the right place and on time." She winks at Thea before looking back to Aerandir. "Well met, Sir Aerandir." She nods her head to him.

Lucita says, "I'm Baroness-regent Lucita Saik from Saikland Greens. A pleasure to see everyone here and ready to deal with this." She says softly as she settles her gear in place. "Ready when the rest of you are. I'll follow your lead."

Thea smiles a bit at her cousin,"Of course." She waits patiently, not introducing herself, she already knows everyone for once.

"Lady Miranda will soon be a Mazetti, Aera; and I'm to marry her to my cousin, Lord Marzio," Dianna beams happily, then re-focuses on the group, greeting everyone as she is wont to do - with kisses upon cheeks for all... except, yet for Amund, with whom she is not /quite/ yet familiar enough. She does, however, smile fondly at the other knight and introduces Fio. "My chef, Fiorenzio, has joined us this time, to ensure we eat well... and to throw knives, if necessary," Dianna smirks up at the tall, handsome man of piercing ocean-blue eyes. This godsworn certainly feels more ready to meet their enemy, this time, and has brought protection in the form of human, glaive, dagger and various spiritual accoutrements. She allows Sorrel and Amund to take the lead, as it is, of course, quite sensible.

Cross referencing the map to the written names of the locations visited, they can organize the items recovered with known locations and narrow down those not yet visited: The Lighthouse along the gray river, with the stygian cat skull. The Tenny house in the Uppers, with the odd stone found there. The collection of specimen jars found under Drummond Field. Windshore peninsula has a mark on the map, the sight of the first attempt at cleansing, though there is no artifact in their possession from that place. This leaves Justicar Flats, the Temple of Risia, The Knights Rest Inn and the Gallery of Stone to be discovered. There are, conveniently, four marks shown on the map. All reside within a few days journey from Arx. One X is located on the island just north of Brighthold. Another, beyond the Gray Forest's edge to the northwest of Leaholdt. The third and furthest is located in the mountains between Pridehall and Cedar Vale, the fourth is to the north of Bastion.

"It makes the most sense, to me, to go to Brighthold, firstly," Dianna suggests, looking at the marked map, "As it is closest. From there, we can easily make the circle 'round here..." Dianna draws a circle from Brighthold to Leahold, then to the mountains and finally to Bastion. "And we are, at no time, so /very/ far from Arx."

As Aerandir joins them, Sina turns her gaze to him, and offers him a nod of the head in greeting. "Sir Aerandir. It is good to finally meet you. Sister Dianna has so many good things to say about you," she says with a brief smile. She gives a nod to Miranda as well, and then to Thea. "I'm glad you're all here." She gives a smile to Miranda, and adds, "Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials." Her three Templars are with them as well, as they always are, ready to defend the Archscholar. "Is there anything here at the Lighthouse which might give us a clue as to where to go, I wonder?" she asks, glancing around. "Or do you suppose the trail went cold here after we found the... cat?"

"Likewise, Sir." Amund says to Aerandir, nodding a greeting to Dianna, and then to the others. The former Sword of the Telmarch is a reserved, taciturn individual, and it shows as people start making formal introductions. He's far too busy tending to his own business, in a way. Writing down a few things in a leather-bound notebook once he has counted his inventory.

Miranda just nods to Sina with a warm smile in thanks. To Dianna, she kind of ... rolls her eyes good naturedly. She lets the others fuss over where they go and how they manage this trip, she waits patiently for now.

Thea exhales,"Honestly, the Mazetti's keep taking my cousins,"joking of course. Meanwhile, she listens on where to go. She was only asked, the others know more of course. Thea is only here as a guest at this point.

Sina glances to Dianna, and gives a little shrug and a smile. "Brighthold seems as good as any place to start, as far as I'm concerned."

Passage to the island is an easy thing to secure. The end of spring means relatively calm seas, and the island is only a few hours journey from the port of Arx. Once passage is secured, the trip itself is easy as can be. Within a few hours, they are disembarking in a much smaller trading port, the locals are curious about the fine lords and ladies and what they are doing in such a relatively pastoral place. Still, more than one merchant seems keen on acquiring some Arxian coin, a small mob of vendors swarming, each hawking some hand crafted wares.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Thea before departing.

Miranda is in heaven, once they're on the boat. A short jaunt over water is still a trip over water and it seems to do Miranda's already happy morale some good! Once back on land, she enjoys the lovely view, but still follows the others as they lead them on. Miranda occupies her time with bodyguarding the group, mostly taking up a position near the back to make sure everyone is safe and no one is surprised by overzealous merchants, for example. She's ever polite to those just trying to make a coin or two, but still firm. She is also a somewhat quiet traveler. Not a lot of chatter from her, but she will talk when spoken to.

Thea inhales the salty smell of the ocean once they are on the boat. This--this is the smell she loves most as she watches over the others. Once on solid ground, Thea lifts her eyebrow at the merchants, eyeing them closely but keeps her words silently.

Lucita spends time doing what any busy person does the hours on a ship, chatting to her fellow travelers, admiring the view, reviewing her notes, and, of course, grabbing a nap, the survival tool for any adventurer, eat and sleep whenever possible for no one knows how long before one can do that again.

Dianna checked charm + empathy at difficulty 35, rolling 4 higher.

The boat ride is comfortable enough for Dianna and Fio, but nothing truly extraordinary. The pair chat in low tones, Dianna presumably bringing him up-to-speed on all that they are searching for.

The merchants, however, bring Dianna back into her element: People! And people who /want/ something! The lovely godsworn Mirrormask smiles charmingly, chatting with the merchants and attempts to gauge which of them might be useful to talk to and find the family they seek on this little island.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Thea before departing.

Sorrel ends up buying a bottle of alcohol and some sort of boat toy from a couple of the merchants, smiling pleasantly and being generally good natured about spending silver to boost the local economy. She casually starts up a chat about local landmarks.

Amund just waits in the back as the merchants swarm the group. Occasionally he might look into buying foodstuff as supplies, however. Silver is passed here and there so that he's told about any odd occurrences in the island. Like disappearances.

Sorrel's generosity is appreciated and several of the locals seem excited to talk up their town to the famous Thrax Princess.

Lucita uses her own methods to make amicable contacts with the merchants. She simply sings a few popular ballads and one of the latest popular songs from Arx, talking between songs and asking of any strangeness, oddities, odd behaviors and such when the conversation lets her very very discretely edge such questions into the flow of song and conversation.

Lucita checked charm + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 53 higher.

One of the silk merchants (oooh, yay! SILK!!) seems interesting to talk to and obviously wishful to help - even despite Dianna's obviously genuine interest in his wares. She smiles warmly and moves aside with to talk, Fiorenzio lingering protectively near - but that man's smile is so disarming that there is nothing but a pleasant conversation struck between the beautiful godsworn and the silk merchant. "I wonder if you might know of a few families," Dianna gently speaks, her peaceful demeanor apparently affecting the conversation positively. "My name is Sister Dianna Godsworn, and I've need to bless them." Dianna lists the names of the four families she seeks, awaiting some hint of recognition.

Miranda lets her gaze linger on those she's watching over, but also up and to the buildings and above their heads a bit. Even on the merchants and people nearby. Her gaze loses focus a bit, as if she were terribly distracted. Except, she seems focused, looking about for.. something.

Miranda mms softly, coming up to Dianna whilst she's schmoozing. She murmurs quietly to her and then move away a moment.

"Trini will love these, don't you think, Fio?" Dianna asks her tall, older companion with a pleased twinkle in her eye as she fingers the colored silks the merchant she speaks has. "Have you any in aquamarine? Or turquoise? Either that or some pretty shade of pink," Dianna requests kindly. "I'll take three bolts of whatever brightest colors you have, and three more of the palest - though not white. Hilja has plenty enough of white," the godsworn smiles to Miranda as her almost-cousin comes by. "Aren't these silks just lovely, Miranda?" Dianna coos, kissing Miranda's cheek sweetly and gathering the woman closer.

Thea walking about, quiet. She looks at what the merchants are selling, nodding here and there. She is not the schmoozer like her cousin and the rest are, but she can pretend and smile. Fake it till you make it, right?

The silk merchant, Riana, listens to the offered names, Horth, Petra, Berberi and Manatu and does not seem to recognize any of them. "No such families that I've heard of, Sister. I can ask around? But I've never heard those names before."

Sorrel's groupies are all a flutter, eager to talk up the various locations on this small island. There's a lover's point, a Tamary falls, a rock that looks like a rooster. It's actually a younger person, mid-teens or so that finally says, "There's those ruins at Horto Crag? Those are pretty neat." The young man's mother, a baker, rounds on him and says in a shrill tone, "Abson Fetherfot, WHAT have I told you about going THERE! Your father's brother died there! It is *dangerous*! You're not too old for a hiding young man!"

Miranda nods to Dianna, looking over the silks and reaching out to touch them. "Lovely indeed," she agrees. A smile to her cousin-to-be and Miranda says, "Of course, what do I know? If it's soft and pretty, I don't care if it's even in fashion." She chuckles.

"Yes, please do?" Dianna Godsworn requests Riana as she overpays by a quarter more the cost for the six bolts of silk and Fio accepts them. "We shall come around again before we've left your fair island, and I'll seek you out, if that suits you?" With a smile and a quiet prayer to Gild on behalf of the kindly silk merchant, Dianna curtsies, Fio bows and Dianna guides Miranda with a grin over to Sorrel and her groupies.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Thea before departing.

"Ruins, huh? Ruins of what, Abson?" Sorrel wonders curiously before putting a hand lightly on his mother's shoulder. "Goodwoman Fetherfot, I hear that your baked goods are most excellent. Would you be willing to provide some good hearty loaves to my party?"

As Lucita sings those popular ballads, more and more of the locals come to appreciate the dulcet tones. Several wipe away tears from the stirring beauty of the Saik Baroness' voice, and that means there are more present to overhear the chiding of Goodwoman Fetherfot. "Oh, come now Gilda. The old temple isn't that dangerous. Your man's brother was an idiot and a clumsy one besides. Your boy's better than he ever was." This from another merchant, a butcher by the look of him.

Lucita sets her mandolin aside and gives a soft smile as she listens. "I bet there are some stories about that place." She says in an inviting tone but primarily at present listens.

Other people do the talking. Amund is browsing wares, exchanging some silver for a basket of apples. He offers one for each of the party. "Big ripe ones, haven't seen this kind before this further south. Was a steal, too." And he's eating his apple, afterward.

Leading Miranda closer to Sorrel, Dianna leans in to brush something off of the Princess' shoulder and smiles with a twinkling smile at the butcher. "Where is the temple?" the charming godsworn ask him. "I have such a profound interest in the histories of temples, goodman. Fio, see if the butcher, here, has any cuts of meat we might wish for supper?" Charming, so charming is Dianna Godsworn. And beautiful. She releases Miranda's arm and waits, gazing with those softly-alluring amber eyes rather non-committally, but quite enticingly, at the butcher who's spoken.

Miranda looks a bit like she has no real idea what to do with the crowd of folks. Honestly. She watches them, smiles gently, but lets the more famous of the group ... and more charming... deal with the locals. She takes the chance Dianna gives her, upon releasing her. to step back and just watch everyone.

Dianna checked charm + seduction at difficulty 15, rolling 72 higher.

Thea steps over to her cousin quietly. I mean--she's not exactly sure what's to be done, so she is content to keep an eye on safety for now.

The Butcher blinks at Dianna, clearly taken by the godsworn's demeanor. He blinks and swallows tightly, clearing his throat a few times, his hands clasping together as he stares. "Ah, I'm sorry, what-what was it you were asking for my la-- sister?" His brows lift, and he shakes his head as if to clear it of the fog that she's created. "Uh. You mean the temple? Oh. It is an ancient place, a desserted ruin near Horto Crag. I can show you how to get there?"

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Lucita before departing.

"Yes, please, would you be so kind?" Dianna smiles to the butcher, sauntering over unhurriedly. "So very good of you, goodman." Dianna glances back to the group and smiles, tilting her head faintly before chatting idly with the butcher she's enticed to show them their way. "What's your specialty?" Idle chatter, ingratiating constantly, with an easy-going way is probably the best manner to gain what one wants from a man, Dianna knows. Slow and steady. She does not wait for her group to follow, presuming they'll take her - and the butcher's - lead.

Lucita quietly listens to a message that simply says they enjoyed the song. She grins, nods her thanks and looks toward the others. "Might be best to go along while we have a guide there. Things look busy and don't want to hold him back from it too long."

Miranda just shrugs to Thea a bit and picks up the rear. Yup. She's here, just following along and watching their backs. She smiles here and there, but leans in to whisper a moment to Thea and then gives her a bit of a wry grin.

"S-sure. It's uhm, that way." The butcher points northeast, and starts in that direction. "It's a bit of a walk, but not far. A half hour through the woods, near the coast. It's an old place. Hasn't been in use for a couple hundred years. It's really broken down, it has a bad reputation, really, most people avoid it, honestly."

"What kind of bad reputation?" Amund asks of the butcher once he's finished his apple, considering the man. To the group at large: "We must make preparations and go there now."

Miranda wonders, "Why do people avoid it? Is it dangerous?"

Dianna pauses easily to smile at the man, apparently not /overly/ worried. She smiles to Amund and nods gently, then again catches the butcher's gaze, attempting to bring the conversation back to one of a merely casual nature, such that Dianna and the group can adequately suss out the danger by his expressions.

"There are old stories about it being cursed. It was a shrine to someone, a temple, really?" The butcher says to Miranda, "But the stories go that it was actually a place of death. A place that stole the lives from those who took shelter there." The butcher tries to answer everyone, though his attention lingers mostly on Dianna. "It also has a lot of broken flooring, people fall and hurt themselves."

Lucita listens carefully to the butcher as they walk along toward the temple. "Thank you for taking the time to warn us of that.

"I thank you, we'll be very careful," Dianna soothingly speaks, her gaze lingering on the butcher's eyes. "My chef will have placed an order with you that we will retrieve when we return; will you keep it fresh for us, please?" Dianna slips too many coins into the butchers hand and leans to bow her head to him and offer him a quiet blessing.

"Oh, oh yes, absolutely. I hope you like lamb. I do a lot of mutton and lamb..." The butcher is distracted, talking to Dianna about meat. As they walk, the woods begin to thin as the ground underfoot shifts to an increasingly steep incline. The treeline is visible up ahead, bright light breaking through the dimness of the wooded canopy.

Whispers to Thea, the cousins clearly conspiring mischief and other silliness, when Miranda grimaces mid-whisper. She reaches up to rub at a temple, then glances around as they walk. Her eyes squint, narrowing as if the sun were too bright or her head hurts something fierce. She swallows a bit, looking somewhere between confused and ill.

Thea frowns at her cousin, clearly understanding. She stays close to her, already preparing for danger,"Miranda---"patiently waiting for her speak.

A conversation about the qualities of lamb and mutton - and how much Dianna does, in fact enjoy it, they walk through the woods.

(more....) The godsworn murmurs quietly to the butcher and then lifts her gaze to look deeply into his eyes, she smiles softly, and glances askance at Thea and Miranda when she hears the tone of Thea's voice. Gently, Dianna places a hand on the butcher's shoulder and thanks him for his guidance, then sends him with a kiss upon his cheek along his way. "Do be careful on your way back, goodman? We shall see you soon, I'm sure."

The treeline falls away, leaving the group at the foot of a crag, ontop of which is the ruins of a temple. Sword-shaped columns are broken, but still recognizable, a fallen statue of Gloria toppled, lichen growing over her upper torso and head. Large portions of the roof have collapsed in, the whole place has a dank, abandoned aura to it.

Miranda keeps up with everyone.. well, she slows slightly, but not enough to be a hindrance to the group. She rubs at her temples, then glares about, stubboringly before looking.. down. She speaks softly to Thea, murmuring to her a moment, but not saying anything out loud until she mutters, "We must be close."

As Dianna dismisses him, the butcher's lips curl into a smile that grows more and more sinister the longer it is on his face. His features seem to slough aside, as if whatever under the surface is slowly being revealed. His humanity sliding away, face growing gaunt and his eyes darkening as he begins to laugh, a horrible, cackling sound.

Miranda stops just before the treeline stops and grimaces, wincing in the bright light and turning from it a moment. She puts a hand to her eyes as if the glare of the sun was painful. THen she slowly turns back and stares at the ruins and breathes out, "Oh ... Gods." Then, hurriedly, "Stop."

Miranda glances to the butcher and looks him over, shivering at the laughter and.. more.

Dianna pauses, noting immediately the change in his face. Immediately, instinctively, she grabs her glaive from her back and brandishes it, swiping at the man. She will kill him, if she can - being so close... and angry.

Dianna wields a diamondplate glaive set with mirrorsilver and sapphires.

Moonlight slithers free from its scabbard as the butcher reveals himself into /the/ Butcher. Amund points the alaricite to the man's misshapen head as his free hand reaches into his bag, for a vial of holy water. "You may think it was a bad idea for us to follow you here," he adds, to the butcher, "but it is far worse an idea for you to show us the way."

Thea halts her feet and looks over at Miranda, then the Butcher turns--Gods! Thea had already begun reaching for her kopis the moment Miranda started feeling her things.

Dianna checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 29 higher.

Thea wields Skystrike, the finely crafted diamondplate kopis.

Miranda wields Kindling, an alaricite curved sword.

The godsworn's glaive /would/ have killed him easily - except that it passes with a sharp /SWISH!/ -through him-. A ghost. An apparition. "SHIT," Dianna swears, catching herself quickly and steadying herself.

Miranda has a delayed reaction of sorts, pulling out her own weapon and trying to shake off the sensations she's enduring. She puts her lantern down and opens it, sliding her blade into the flame and speaks, softly but audibly, "Lagoma, hear my plea, bless my sword with your flame that it may strike true." She then looks up at The Butcher.

The image of the butcher, now gaunt, eyes dark sockets with dull blue sparks for irises. His mouth is elongated, the teeth looking sharpened, skin gray and translucent, his coloring fading to transparent as that glaive passes through him, revealing him to be either an incorporeal spirit or simply an illusion. He looks to Amund and says, "I have shown you nothing you would not have found. But in truth, I have no fear of you lot. You think you know what is going on... but you are ifnorant. You have already made a fatal error."

"Well, that's lovely. What fatal error have we made?" Sorrel inquires of the illusion as she stands with her hand on her sword hilt, glaring at him.

"Mm." Amund presses his thumb into the side of the lid of his vial, tossing the holy water at the ghost. "I don't have time for your gloating. Go away."

The young Malvici stands, kopis ready as she eyes the apparition? Spirit? What the hells is this?! Thea watches, unflinching.

Blades do not work - but Dianna had /kissed/ his cheek... so something of him has resistance, absolutely. The former glaivedancer spins away in an attempt to get out of reach and, meanwhile, drops the glaive to the ground and unsheathes The Queen's Blade - a dagger she borrowed from the Shrine to Death. And kneels, invoking a prayer to the Mother while Fiorenzio, her chef-bodyguard, moves quickly to stand between Dianna and the butcher.

Dianna wields The Queen's Blade.

"Do you think me a simpleton to fall for such weak tricks, Princess Sorrel, Bladesong? You think because your voice is blessed by the gods that you cannot lose? You think that their grace is your own? You are nothing to them. They use you for their own ends. Your glory is not your own, but theirs. You think you are so precious? You think you are loved? You are a hammer to them, nothing more. They love you no more than a bird loves their talon. You are nothing. No one. Your glory is borrowed." With that the spirit looks to Miranda, "You stole from me. Do not think I have forgotten. Your acts will not go unpunished." He looks to Lucita and stares at her. "I have no idea who you are."

Sheathing his sword, Amund regards the spirit for a moment before he goes on his way, toward the abandoned temple. "Ignore it. It's stalling us. We can't be party to its own designs on our destruction."

Miranda takes out her vial of mangata water and pours a little of it over her blade, now esposed and free of lagoma's flame, "Mangata, bless my sword twice, so that it will strike true." She closes the vial and it is put back into her pouch and the lantern is closed for now and held. Miranda looks up at The Butcher and lifts a brow. "Stole what? I have nothing of yours."

"Brenlin was to be my vessel. A charming lad with a face to win the trust of lovely ladies..." The butcher cackles again, "To taste their sweetness before they scream."

Thea lifts her eyebrow at the Butcher, at his words and scowls at that. She remains at ease though, but not before muttering,"Too and for you then,"looking at Amund, she tells him,"So we keep moving, yes?"

And there, that is 'why Brenlin' answered. Miranda snorts, "As I said, I have nothing of yours. You are but a lowly thief, stealing that which you cannot have." She glances to the others, "The whole place is corrupted. Not just the ruins, but everywhere. It's why I couldn't distinguish earlier... This is like being in the Wastes."

Miranda amends, "Only more irritating with Mr. Comedian here." A nod to The Butcher.

Lucita has been walking along with the group, hanging back somewhat with Miranda. She has a hand on the hilt of her dagger, ready to draw it if needed. With a little blink she spots Miranda's action and quickly removes the dagger and slides it under the drips falling off Miranda's blade. "No need to waste it." She says pragmatically.

"Yeah, whatever. At least they picked me, you loser," Sorrel retorts to the apparition, walking away to follow Amund in the direction he's processing in.

The ghost begins to laugh again, though there may, MAY be an edge of anger in it as it fades from sight. The temple is up ahead, a bit of a climb up. It was a large building once upon a time, many many years ago. It has eroded with rain and storms, plant life chokes once clean lines. The entryway has an inscription above the lintel, that is hard to read, but a few words can be made out 'Fo... he... eart.. of Gloria'.

Miranda eyes the ruins, her expression wary. Still, the damned Butcher needs to be dealt with and she draws in a breath, almost steeling herself for the task. Ugh. Corrupted lands. She rubs at her head and proceeds on. Right. To the temple. She follows along, having warned folks... for all the good it will do. Damned corrupted places. Swell.

Dianna's prayers are over, and the blade is blessed. She rises, glancing around and finds... the apparition is gone. Her gaze shifts over this area before, carefully, she rises, taking her glaive with her and catching up to Lucita. "Baroness," Dianna asks, "I have a blade from the Shrine to Death... a dagger - but you are more skilled with them than I. Take it - and, if you see fit, use it, please."

Thea offers her cousin a brief smile. One that reads--I got you! She steps with the others as well, keeping a close eye on their surroundings.

Dianna checked perception at difficulty 30, rolling 18 lower.

Dianna checked perception + survival at difficulty 30, rolling 17 lower.

Miranda checked perception + survival at difficulty 30, rolling 45 higher.

Thea checked perception at difficulty 30, rolling 16 lower.

Thea checked perception + survival at difficulty 30, rolling 5 lower.

Sorrel checked perception + survival at difficulty 30, rolling 13 higher.

Dianna checked dexterity at difficulty 10, rolling 20 higher.

Thea checked dexterity at difficulty 10, rolling 22 higher.

Lucita checked perception + survival at difficulty 30, rolling 23 higher.

Miranda checked dexterity at difficulty 10, rolling 7 higher.

Sorrel checked dexterity at difficulty 10, rolling 26 higher.

Amund checked perception + survival at difficulty 30, rolling 18 lower.

Amund checked dexterity at difficulty 10, rolling 6 higher.

Lucita gives Dianna a soft smile. "Thank you. I'll use both!" And she holds one blade in her right hand and the Queen's Blade in her left, glance alert as she looks around. "Use care listening to whispers. They... can be dangerous."

Lucita checked dexterity at difficulty 10, rolling 4 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) at difficulty 10, rolling 28 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked mana(6) + brawl(3) at difficulty 10, rolling 49 higher.

Miranda checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 5 lower.

Thea checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 17 higher.

Dianna checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 4 lower.

Lucita checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 19 higher.

Sorrel checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 6 higher.

Amund checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 3 higher.

122 inflicted and Miranda is harmed for serious damage.

Dianna wields a diamondplate glaive set with mirrorsilver and sapphires.

As the group approaches the temple, there is a sudden screed of malicious laughter and a gust of wind that carries a cold, sharp stench of death. Those in the path of it, Dianna and Miranda get battered, the latter lifted up off her feet.

Sorrel wields Resonant Edge, a lightly curved diamondplate saber.

"To the left of the entrance!" Sorrel cries out worriedly, her sword now in her hand. "A pit trap! Be very careful. This place is dangerous." She glances around as she makes her way in, looking for something to attack. She lifts her voice in a hymn to Gloria.

Following the troop, Miranda grimaces as she manages whatever she's feeling. Sensing. Everything is corrupted she told the group. She spies the trap of spears ahead, the blackened tips are hardly friendly and inviting. But then she grimaces as she feels some sort of pain and her head bows, her free hand lifting to go to her temple as if she could do something about the sudden pain. She starts to dart to the left, ducking as if to miss a blow. And then she arches forward, hit from behind and is airborn and then flies right into the very trap she was trying to avoid... She cries out as a spear pierces her body, through her diamondplate vest at her lower abdomen and out the back through her side on the left, holding her sort of sideways, but face down there. Her right hand holds a deathgrip to her sword and she seems frozen a moment before she lowly hangs there, impaled.

Thea is a lot of things, but stupid she isnt. She begins to step after Sorrel until she hears--Miranda? Thea swiftly turns and rushes over to her cousin,"Miranda!"gold-flecked green eyes taking in the sight before her.

"Let's get you out of there. Sister Dianna, please start asking Gloria for her blessings in purifying this place once sacred to her. I think I heard Sir Preston call it a Canticle of the Arts once." Amund tries to take care not to have Miranda impaled once again upon the stygian tipped spears, glancing around carefully as he tries to extract her from that death trap.

Lucita studies the area carefully and reaches out one hand. "Wait... wait... look over there... see how the ground is disturbed? It is a pit, the top of it looks different just a little. Don't you think someone dug it? I never heard of ... whatever... digging a trap did you?

Limbs and branches break in the great gust of wind, smacking into Dianna and scratching her face. No real damage at all, just discomfort - and disgust at the scent of death. Dianna does not see the trap - not until Sorrel calls out to watch out, not until Thea yells - and Dianna flicks her gaze to Miranda. ...There is no time, though, to worry over Miranda; that is why Thea has been asked to be here. Dianna inhales deeply and lowers to her knees, brushing clean a circular area upon which to pray, then removes her pack and takes a tiny vial from it. She sets the glaive by her side and, opening the vial, begins to murmur in a prayer, turning the vial upside-down to spill oil carefully onto her fingers. She dots the oil at her temples, dots it on the center of her forehead and on her chin, murmuring all the while in a chanting prayer. Dianna's demeanor, as she does this, is deeply focused, deeply religions - and deeply sober. The world is turning upside-down around her, but Dianna must remain focused to call upon the gods for help. And, at last, she closes the vial, puts it back into her pack and holds her glaive upright before her with both hands wrapped around the shaft, beseeching Gloria to bless her glaive, to bless this group - as she saw Archscholar Sina do. No, she has no guards except for Fio, who has withdrawn two chef's knives and stands before her. Perhaps he cannot save her, but he will try, should something attack her.

Dianna takes blessed oil in a tiny vial from an orange backpack with two pockets.

Dianna puts blessed oil in a tiny vial in an orange backpack with two pockets.

The laughter booms above them, and the voice snarls out, "Who laughs NOW you pathetic HUMAN?!" There is another cackle of laughter as he roars, "Stay here all you want! You will never find what is inside this place before I've killed you all!"

Miranda says nothing while hanging around the pit.. Ahem.. Then The Butcher tries to scare them all. "Still, breathing.." She manages to choke out. "You prick." Hah! Alive and kicking and dreading the moment that Amund will undoubtedly come to when he pulls her up off the (insert choice curse words to make a sailor and his buddies blush) spear she's impaled upon. Ugh. "Just.. get to it. Got a Butcher to kill. Maim." This to Amund. Yup. It's going to hurt, but she can do it..... right?

Rysen emerges at the entrance to the temple, a deep frown falling over his features as he hears the hideous peal of laughter and the booming voice. He notices Dianna, deep in prayer and starts to move toward her, drawing his blades.

Rysen wields Moria - a rune-etched bastard sword.

Amund checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 2 higher.

Boldly stepping forward, trusting that her friends will see to Miranda, Sorrel moves through the darkened doorway of the ruin of a temple, her evergreen eyes searching fiercely for a threat.

Sorrel checked perception + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 9 higher.

Sorrel checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 14 lower.

"Hey!" Sorrel yells from inside the temple. "Someone good with riddles! Come solve this puzzle at the altar! It's the Butcher's symbol, I'm sure of it."

Rysen grins wryly when he hears Sorrel, and remains where he is, senses alert, while Dianna continues her beseeching prayer.

Dianna checked mana + theology at difficulty 25, rolling 38 higher.

Lucita is unsure where she can most help, with Miranda, with adding prayers or with Sorrel. "I'm _not_ good at riddles and puzzles but I am good at singing and when we sing together it is stronger so I'll just stand here and stare at it and wait for someone that understands it to tackle this task.

Wresting Miranda free from the spears after some amount of effort, Amund heaves the Rubino out of the pit and on to the ground by it, looking over to Thea as he rises to his feet, glancing around while reaching into his bag -- grabbing another vial of holy water. "Stay on the floor," he tells the Rubino, "until Lady Malvici along."

Dianna's prayer continues in a steady, melodic rhythm. She sets the glaive before her knees and reaches into her pack, withdrawing, one by one, the 13 vials of holy water, setting them around herself - but only opening the vial for Gloria. Gloria's water is sprinkled on the glaive before it is capped; the prayer continues still. She beseeches Gloria, recalling : "Good goddess, we know the name of this one who has disgraced your holy place: Give us power to remove this taint, to cleanse this place, to bring honor and peace back to your temple, and remove the Baron Ruthas of Glenbriar from what is /your/ home." The prayer continues, Dianna's beseeching moving onward, and, one by one, Dianna calls to the gods, invoking their name to shield these people, to aid in blessing this place.

Miranda grunts and groans as Amund wrests her off the speak. She lets out soft pained noises as he moves her, even laying her upon the ground. Then he dares to order her to stay put?! Yea, ok. She's not an idiot. So she just takes in careful, shallow breaths, trying not to move herself too much. She looks up at Thea and says, "if you say one word of this to Dom..." the threat is implied. But it's done in good humor.

Thea rushes over to Miranda, kneeling next to her--already gathering her supplies. She begins assessing her injuries and exhaling,"They're clean, right through,"smirking at Miranda's words. "Let me just close those holes, yes?"getting right to work.

Lucita says, "Would you like me to sing a song for Gloria, Sister Dianna? The beseeching of prayers and singing seemed to work together at Setarco."

Rysen checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 3 lower.

Sorrel checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 19 higher.

Lucita checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 14 higher.

Amund checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 7 lower.

Dianna checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 0 higher.

Miranda checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 3 lower.

Reigna GM Roll checked mana(6) + brawl(3) at difficulty 10, rolling 42 higher.

Thea checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 3 lower.

105 inflicted and Amund is harmed for serious damage.

With a singular nod to Lucita as she chants, Dianna affirms Lucita's suggestion.

Sorrel checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 17 lower.

It is, apparently, Amund's turn. The moment he sets Miranda down, that wind is back, rushing against him and sending him tipping into the pit.

Rysen checked dexterity at difficulty 10, rolling 19 higher.

Groaning when his shoulder is trespassed with a spear, Amund lingers there for a moment, closing his eyes briefly. The pain is nasty, but he's writhing to try and wrest himself out of the pit.

Thea checked intellect + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 13 lower.

Rysen checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 37 higher.

Dianna checked mana + theology at difficulty 30, rolling 21 higher.

Lucita checked mana + performance at difficulty 30, rolling 24 higher.

With her prayer pausing, Dianna takes a book from her pack and gives it to Lucita. "Sing this prayer to Mangata, Lucita; ask that she fight this wind." Dianna turns as if nothing is going on, withdraws a mirrormask - not /her/ official mirrormask, but the one she wore the day she danced with Tehom. She places it on her head and her prayer changes. She opens the black, mirrored bottle and sprinkles it on her glaive, praying now to Tehom to favor her this day, to help her strike against the one who would be his - an abomination, as The Butcher is not chosen. She withdraws a black candle and a lantern with the flame to Legoma, lights the candle with it - and the flame burns an odd blue. She sets it to one side of her; sets the lantern to the other.

Dianna takes Mangata's Rites and Prayers from an orange backpack with two pockets.

Dianna takes a large mirrorsilver mask in the shape of a raven's head from an orange backpack with two pockets.

Amund checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 8 higher.

Sorrel checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 5 higher.

Someone wearing a large mirrorsilver mask in the shape of a raven's head checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 7 higher.

Miranda checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 6 lower.

Someone wearing a large mirrorsilver mask in the shape of a raven's head takes Lagoma of Light Flammas Lantern from an orange backpack with two pockets.

Someone wearing a large mirrorsilver mask in the shape of a raven's head drops Lagoma of Light Flammas Lantern.

Someone wearing a large mirrorsilver mask in the shape of a raven's head takes a pitch-black pilgrim's candle from an orange backpack with two pockets.

Someone wearing a large mirrorsilver mask in the shape of a raven's head drops a pitch-black pilgrim's candle.

Thea checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 0 higher.

Domonico checked dexterity at difficulty 10, rolling 41 higher. Domonico rolled a critical!

Domonico checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 13 higher.

Rysen checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 2 higher.

When a gust of wind sends Amund into the pit of spikes, Rysen sheathes his weapons and runs in the direction of hole, falling forward some few feet away, and crawling with relative speed on all fours to its edge. From a kneeling position, he holds out an arm to Amund and says, "Grab hold, Sir Amund," and pulls the knight free of the spiky pit.

Reigna GM Roll checked mana(6) + brawl(3) at difficulty 10, rolling 58 higher.

Amund takes hold of Rysen's arm, planting his foot onto the edge of the pit to hoist himself out. "It's stygian," he says, of the spears, climbing and rolling out of the pit. "And the fucking ghost is here, somewhere. Let's get inside, before it decides to attack again." Once this is said to the Crovane, the former Sword of the Telmarch rises to his feet.

145 inflicted and Miranda is harmed for severe damage.

Sorrel checked wits + riddles at difficulty 10, rolling 15 higher.

Lucita sings long and sings strong, passion and surity showing in her words. "Revered Gods, still the winds, lend your aid, help us bring clarity to turn the horrors were made. Help us to see what is true, and find our way safely to what we must do. " She flinches as Miranda and others are hurt but it seems to inspire her to sing stronger. "And cast your protection over those who are here in your name, to protect those who are being harmed or are the target of this foul thing.

Miranda gets up from the ground, slowly, blood on her lower abdomen over her vest and leaking towards her red greaves. She takes a moment, spies Amund in the pit and Rysen with him in hand. She tests herself a moment, nodding to Thea, "Well done. I feel whole." Then she takes that first step towards the temple... and the wind lifts her up and up and up! From about 30 feet up, Miranda's face takes on a 'oh shit' sort of expression, along with a grimace of disgust and ick. THen, suddenly, she free falls to land on the ground, outside of the pit (yay) but crumples down and just... doesn't move for a moment. Then a steelsilk clad hand moves... and there's a groan.. She lives!

"There's a blood crusted dagger here in the altar!" Sorrel shouts as she finally manages to get the puzzle together and the altar cracks open to reveal something nasty. It probably was the song that helped her. "Who's got the holy water? This thing is nasty!"

"Gods and spirits," mutters Rysen when he sees Miranda soar through the air, as Amund climbs out of the pit. At Sorrel's words, Rysen glances over his shoulder at Dianna. Calling out to Sorrel, Rysen says, "I have holy water, Your Highness!" He reaches into the leather holster at his belt to remove the canteen of blessed water.

Rysen gets Crovane Sigil Canteen from Holster of Knightly Necessity.

Domonico has been in reserve this time, a rearguard as it were before he sees Miranda get launched up and falls from too far up. "Gods damn it!" he growls as he moves in rapidly towards the downed Miranda, crouching low and protectively over her.

Reigna GM Roll checked mana(6) at difficulty 20, rolling 0 higher.

The ghostly image of the butcher reappears, standing in front of Dianna. Its jaw unhinges as it coils, roaring at the godsworn priestess, the sheer malevolence is terrifying. It is about to swipe at her, but something draws its attention sharply towards Sorrel, "HOW DARE YOU!" It turns, readying to charge into the Temple towards the princess.

Of course, he comes. No expression can be seen from the bird-like Dianna, mirrored as her face is, reflecting the Butcher's face back at him. She flicks her glaive to hold it in both hands - and, like it was feather-light and stronger than the strongest alaricite, spins in a fast circle, swiping the glaive at the Butcher's middle.

Someone wearing a large mirrorsilver mask in the shape of a raven's head checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 5, rolling 76 higher.

The mirrorsilver glaive finds a body, meets resistance, at last - but it is the resistance of a knife through softened butter - just enough that the Godsworn Mirrormask knows she has met her glaive with something. There is a look of horror that reflects from the raven's mask as her glaive rips through him and the Butcher of Arx looks down at the ground. "NOOOOOOOOO!!!!" he howls, the howling echoing through this place.

5 inflicted and Someone wearing a large mirrorsilver mask in the shape of a raven's head is harmed for minor damage.

5 inflicted and Amund is harmed for minor damage.

5 inflicted and Rysen is harmed for minor damage.

5 inflicted and Thea is harmed for minor damage.

5 inflicted and Lucita is harmed for minor damage.

5 inflicted and Domonico is harmed for minor damage.

Lucita is at the entry of the temple, whee she can see Sorrel and see Dianna and sing. She does not faltar as the 'thing' seems to head toward the temple and holds the two blades with the holy water on them before her though it is her voice and her words that seek to drive back and hold off the entity, trying to hold it back from Sorrel. As she continues her song, there is a feeling of something... coming into place, a sense of something powerful from Dianna, and a feeling of energy. She sings clearly and projects her voice to all of the party with whom she travels.

As that glaive cuts through the ghostly image, there is a surge of violent, cold wind that rips outwards from the point of the ghost's disapparation, slamming through each person there. It stings and steals the breath, but when it is over, this place feels... different. Quieter.

5 inflicted and Miranda is harmed for minor damage.

Miranda is pretty much just ... lying where she fell, Dom at her side protectively. She's made no move to move, though her eyes have fluttered open and closed here and there. Ow. Probably, moving is painful enough to be discouraged. Nothing is at an odd angle... outwardly. She concentrates a little on breathing, slowly, painfully. She lets her gaze focus on Dom's legs near her and then on the ground around her.

Someone wearing a large mirrorsilver mask in the shape of a raven's head sets the spear-side of her glaive on the ground beside her, truly a fearsome warrior - a shockwave rippling through her body as she stands - but nothing more truly affects her. The Godsworn Raven-masked Mirrormask turns her gaze, at last, to survey the scene and - firstly kneeling in prayer, says a blessing of thanks - to Gloria, to Lagoma, to Petrichor and Mangata, to all the gods - and, lastly, to Tehom. When the prayer is concluded, she rises again, removes her mask and attaches the glaive to her back, then steps to Miranda. She kneels, tenderly looking at the woman who is so deeply wounded, then turns her gaze to Thea. "Thea. How is she?" Dianna asks, her voice hushed and concerned.

Rysen's eyes are forced shut by the blast. He gasps for breath, his whole body shaking from the cold. His first exhale sends out a cloud of steam, and he glances back to Dianna, and then turns and rushes to the side of Lucita and Sorrel. "Is the dagger destroyed?" he asks.

Thea frowns at Dianna, taking in the scene before her,"She is--badly hurt,"kneeling near cousin. Her eyes again in the damage, lips thin.

Domonico is covering the fallen (ha ha) Miranda, whispering quietly to her as he keeps a wary eye out for any threats he can deal with personally but for now? He is close to Miranda and answers Dianna's question to Thea. "Hurt. Grouchy. In a foul mood."

The dagger remains, held by Sorrel, dowsed in holy water and still emitting negative vibes. This is most definitely one of the artifacts. One more thing to check off the list. One down, three -- or is it four more to go?

Dianna takes Lagoma of Light Flammas Lantern.

Dianna takes a pitch-black pilgrim's candle.

Dianna puts a pitch-black pilgrim's candle in an orange backpack with two pockets.

Dianna puts Lagoma of Light Flammas Lantern in an orange backpack with two pockets.

"Just grab the dagger. We need to destroy them all at once." Amund points out, pressing his hand against his shoulder. The pain throbs.

Dianna puts a large mirrorsilver mask in the shape of a raven's head in an orange backpack with two pockets.

"Let me carry the dagger, please. I will bless it; I have a way to keep it from harming anyone - in a pool of holy water, until the time comes," Dianna assures Sorrel. "I worry that it will not be safe with anyone but a godsworn.

Miranda smiles slowly as her eyes lose focus. "Land is clean again.." Her words are soft, whispered, and she drifts in and out now.