Elijah and his companions have turned in for the night at the Wyrmwood Wayside Inn, a structure that looks like two or more inns – at least one of them of diminutive Aelfin construction – merged together, with some more construction here and there to bridge the two, and a bit more for good measure. Watches-Quietly – a "Savanite" baggage-carrier for the group – is sharing one room with Srinala, a blind Eeee born or made in the likeness of Sunala. Bhuz, who parts way with the group here in order to stay by the waterways, has a room to himself. Elijah and Inri – an older Savanite – share the last room. As per the traditional arrangement, Inri gets the bed, and Elijah gets the floor … though a bedroll, spare blankets and pillows make it less harsh than it might sound.

The inn has been packed, due in part to the blockage upstream that prevents the full-size barges from being able to make it through, until it can be cleared … and in part due to the upcoming holiday, and all the people from outlying, nameless settlements that have come in to the largest town in the area (which isn't saying much) for the Harvest Tide feast and celebration.

Even the remaining Aelfin-sized rooms have been taken by those of larger stature, and the common room downstairs has cots and bedrolls laid out for those too poor or too late to get a proper room. Due to popular demand, despite the nocturnal habits of some varieties of Eeee, it has quieted down throughout the inn at a fairly decent hour.

However, it's not at a decent hour that there comes a rapping at the door to the room where Elijah and Inri are staying.

Having two children and learning to take naps on the battlefield have made the Vartan a light sleeper and he blearily looks up from his spot on the floor as he hears the knocking. Elijah nudges Inri's mattress a bit to get her to wake up as well. "Yes? Who is it?"

Inri jolts up, one pair of arms grasping the edge of the covers, the other pair of arms pushing her up, and the other pair of arms signing, "What? What? Where?" in a flash, while she's still adjusting to the waking world. Meanwhile, a voice on the other side of the door mrowls, in an Olympian accent, "The lady wishes to see you, Elijah."

"Ah. Give me a moment to clean myself up and I'll be out in just a moment." He pats Inri's shoulder. "Sorry for waking you. I was worried something had happened. Go back to sleep."

Inri seems all too willing to do just that, as it doesn't look like she's quite wrestled herself free from Dreamland just yet anyway. She nods, and finds the presence at least to tuck her extra arms underneath the covers, just in case the visitor is rude enough to step inside once the door is opened. From the door, there is a murring, "Certainly."

Elijah quickly scrubs his face off to wake himself up the rest of the way and gets dressed. After a quick check in the dim light he quietly eases himself out of the door. "Thank you for waiting. I did not wish to meet your mistress with my feathers sticking backwards."

It is, presumably, the same green-eyed feline, Kagesa, that spoke to Elijah earlier, and she is wearing the same strange garb. She inclines her head, then wordlessly walks down the corridor toward the stairs leading to the common hall – and from there, the exit.

The Vartan follows after, just as wordlessly. He's careful to try and step over the sleeping folk who have rented out spots on the floor.

Kagesa seems terribly nonchalant about the whole thing, padding silently along, and at last reaching the door, which she swings open. The door creaks open, but doesn't prompt any visible reaction from those sleeping on the floor or hanging from the rafters. The dark feline glances furtively out onto the street, then steps out, padding toward the dark barge that the Vartan had labeled as being sinister earlier.

Elijah's feathers bristle a little at the sight of the ship, but beyond looking sinister it's not done anything… nor has the occupants of it done anything to make him feel threatened. For now he continues following behind the feline, albeit a bit uncomfortable with the silence.

The town is not completely dead at night. The flutter of bat wings can be heard, along with the high-pitched ringing sensation of Eeee using their sonar for flight in the dark. A shadow can be seen intercepting a flying insect, but there's no indication that any of them are paying any undue attention. Kagesa walks on up to the barge, which seems far more ornate than a mere transport would require. A gangplank is laid out, flanked on either side by strange chimerical, gargoyle figurines with feline characteristics blended with any number of other features. The liquid sky of Shabar reflects in the windows of the craft, and on polished chitin fixtures. Kagesa crosses the deck, then approaches a cabin, and opens the door. The darkness inside is more than would be explained by the fact that it's night, given the ambient lights present along the docks, and the light of the Procession. Even if not for just this visual cue, Elijah's finely tuned senses pick up active magic within.

The Vartan tenses a bit more, feeling a momentary pang of suspicion that he's walking right into a trap … but these people did not approach him, he went to them – and they have no plausible reason to even know his true identity enough to want to seek revenge. He's obviously uneasy, but doesn't run screaming or charge in on the attack just yet. Instead he keeps his brisk pace with Kagesa and keeps himself tensed and ready in case something decides to happen.

Kagesa pauses at the door, standing to one side. It is a curious door, without any visible handle on it, but she had put her hand upon a fancy design on the face, and grasped it as if grabbing into the wood like a piece of clay, then slid the door to one side and released it. In fact, closed, the door wouldn't necessarily register as a portal upon casual observation. She stands to the side, looking at the Vartan expectantly, and then she breaks the silence with a whispered, "She is waiting inside."

Elijah nods and enters, his hands unconsciously balling into fists as he ducks through the door. "I hope it is not an insult to say that this secrecy un-nerves me a bit," he mumbles a tone above a whisper.

Kagesa only inclines her head in response. As the Vartan steps inside, it is perhaps not terribly surprising when all sound from outside abruptly shuts off. It seemed quiet before, but he is suddenly more conscious than ever of the sounds of the night … the sounds that aren't here. The smell of the river … that isn't here. The slight rocking of the barge in the water. The chill of the night air. He does, however, sense solid flooring under his feet, and the sensory deprivation only lasts an instant as he finishes his step forward. Then, it is as if he pushed his way through several veils, and into the vibrancy of sensation again. He is in a chamber of rich design and ornamentation that seems more a temple than someone's private quarters, what with the incense and the figurines, and a heavy tome on a pedestal. Or … a mage's laboratory. There are no windows, and a tangible barrier of blackness hangs like a curtain in the direction the Vartan came from.

There are cushions on the floor, much in the fashion of Himaatian seating, though there are not the customary treats one would expect by way of legendary Himaatian hospitality. As for the hostess, it takes a moment for the Vartan to realize that the other "curtain" hanging in front of him, across the room, is indeed an actual curtain. There are more candles behind it, and the shadowy form of a reclining figure – presumably feline – can be made out. "Welcome," the voice murrs, in an accent that seems possibly Olympian, but possibly with something else thrown in as well. Thank goodness, it's not Aeztepan, and the language is Standard.

The Vartan shakes off the tingly sensation on his skin, imagined or otherwise. He's grown accustomed to the feeling of Inri's spells, but this one leaves him with a new sensation that is familiar yet different somehow, like two people cooking the same recipe. "You have beautiful quarters, Madame. Are you a traveling mage? Fear not, I'm not as xenophobic about magic as most of my brethren."

"Obviously not," the feline purrs, "or you wouldn't have come in here unarmed. I'm rather impressed. Most who pass through the curtain the first time end up stumbling. You didn't even break step." The silhouette shifts. "And, as you might guess, yes, I am a very experienced mage in the Sphere of Shadow."

"If the need arises, I can defend myself with my hands well enough. But I did not think that marching in here with a sword in each hand would be a good way of showing you my good intentions." He bows a bit. "May I ask what your name is, Madame?"

"It may sound pretentious and overly secretive of me, but for now, please just think of me as the Lady of Shadows. 'Madame' would be sufficient," the feline purrs.

"May I ask what the need for such secrecy is, Madame? I do not fault you for it, but I admit to concerns as to its nature." Elijah clears his throat. "I simply do not wish to find that I have aided a criminal or consorted with a wanted person. Until you give me a reason to assume otherwise, I shall take you at your word, whatever your reply may be."

The feline laughs, sounding delighted at the question, then she purrs, "No, there are no warrants out for me with any authority on Sinai, and you are not making yourself a criminal for associating with me. I simply prefer to keep a low profile. Most people would not even give any notice to my vessel, but you appear to be resistant to Obfuscation. I have reason to distrust certain elements within this region of the world - particularly the Babelite portion thereof."

"That, Madame, is something that we have in common then. It is an apt reason and more than acceptable." The Vartan relaxes somewhat. "I take it that your servant told you of my recommendation of traveling to the Sanctuary of Amber in search of knowledge?"

"Correct," the feline purrs. "For what reason do you make such a suggestion?"

"Because it is the best place I know to seek knowledge. Usually when someone tells me that they search for something as vague as 'knowledge', the truth is that it's some deep personal matter, perhaps even spiritual. It is why I go there, and I would trust the advice given to me there more than any wise man or library anywhere else on Sinai." Elijah clasps his hands in front of himself. "I also believe that the Star brings people across my path from time to time so that I can offer guidance, if only a small nudge in some direction. I got such a feeling when I spoke to your servant."

The feline makes an amused-sounding purr. "Ah. So you believe that your deity has guided me here. Very well, then. What guidance does your Star have to offer me at this moment?"

Elijah shrugs. "I am not in a state of constant communion with the Star. It may be that I am wrong about many of my encounters, but until I finally see the Star and can ask which ones had his hand in it I shall never know for sure." He shifts from hoof to hoof. "As for myself, I cannot offer guidance on a matter that I know nothing about. Perhaps if I knew something of the question you were seeking to have answered, I could be of more help."

The feline's silhouette nods. "Well then … you have obviously been here for some time. Where were you when that storm hit, on the … ah … the Rephidimites would celebrate it as 'Guy Fox Day'. Did you notice anything peculiar about the storm?"

"I was in a cave seeking refuge from the storm." He taps his beak. "It was most assuredly magical. I would daresay it was supernatural, considering the things I witnessed that night."

"That would be because it was supernatural. Things are changing in Sinai," the feline purrs. "You have surely heard about priests and priestesses, and their claims of abilities to work miracles. Perhaps you may even consider yourself a 'faith healer', for all I know. A great portion of the time, when the people ask for miracles, they are told that it is more blessed to have faith, rather than to ask for signs … or else their priests are charlatans, and perform tricks, or utilize the Spheres and call it a 'miracle'."

"But that seems to be changing," the feline continues. "Respectable people make claims of 'miracles' that defy accepted rules of magic. And I am not only speaking of the Seven Sisters, though they are the most dramatic example. I'm talking about claims of 'First Ones' being sighted, of old and dark gods stirring and causing trouble for mortals. Decades, centuries … and so many strange things are happening over the course of but a few years."

Elijah's head dips. "I have heard small bits of such things, but only in instances such as the Seven Sisters or the false Star the Savanites claimed was coming for a time. I always assumed that when the Collegia claimed neutrality and retreated to Caroban that the practice of unsanctioned magic was becoming more widespread and was showing up in the form of false miracles." He works his jaw back and forth, pondering. "Do you claim to know some other cause for such a thing?"

"No, I do not," the feline purrs. "I claim only to wish to learn more - to see if there is indeed some underlying trend that might be of concern. That is why my next stop was to be in the Hekoye Nations. I wished to see if the cruel god of the Hekoye was purportedly making his presence known again."

The Vartan's eyes light up. "Who is this?"

"Shung Matu," the feline replies. "A'Natur'Matu," she says in a relatively rougher sounding accent. "It means, 'May Matu Turn From You'. Their god is a 'trickster' in a sense much like Barada. Mortals rarelysurvive his pranks whole and unharmed."

Elijah taps his beak again. "Madame, I am as interested in seeing this as you. But may I suggest an alternative to waiting here amidst the bats for the river to be cleared away?"

"And that alternative would be to travel to the Sanctuary?" the feline murrs.

"Correct. If we travel well together, I would not mind joining you on your trip to the Hekoye Nations if you will have me." His wings rustle. "I do not know if the new Champion has the sight of his predecessor, or even if he would see us, but if this has ever happened before on Sinai, records of it would be there."

"It sounds reasonable enough," the feline purrs. "I suppose I could manage a detour across land, since we are on the edge of Shabar regardless. I am presuming that you know the way?"

"Yes. I have journeyed there before." Elijah dips his head again. "I have three companions with me, two Savanites and an Eeee."

The silhouette nods. "Have you transportation arranged for?"

Elijah shakes his feathers out. "I do not know if there is transportation there beyond walking. If there is, I have not found it as of yet."

"Part of my barge may be used as a wagon, then," the feline purrs. "I shall have beasts acquired for the land journey. If half of what I hear of Shabar is true, I do not think you would truly wish to hazard it by foot."

"I am not rich by any means, but I will be happy to contribute a few coins to help you with this." The Vartan rattles his purse. "My porter is Watches-Quietly; I am also protecting a Savanite named Inri, and the Eeee is named Srinala."

"Srinala?" the feline echoes. "You are certain of that name?" The faintly amused tone of the purr has gone away in an instant, and she sounds quite serious now.

Elijah inwardly curses himself for letting the name slip, but also figures that she would have found out eventually. "Yes. She was to be sacrificed in the cave. My… porter stopped whatever was intended to happen and she awoke."

"Srinala do not wake," the feline says, no less serious than before.

"You seem to know a bit about them. I know that something unexpected happened, and now Srinala hovers in between two worlds." He sighs. "What can you tell me of Srinala?"

"'Srinala' is not so much a name as a title. It is a blending of the Eeee words for 'life' and 'death' – 'rinala' and 'sunala'. That is, 'the state of being', and 'the state of not being'," the feline lectures. "Srinala indeed hovers between two worlds – the living and the dead. She is seen as an intermediary of sorts between the two realms of the living and the dead. The birth of a Srinala is considered a miraculous occasion, and tradition holds that she is born from nothing at all."

Elijah frowns. "I do not believe that. I believe that something is forcing images into her head while she sleeps. What confuses me is that when Srinala awoke she could talk, and although blind made claims to know what I looked like. I had been led to believe that a Srinala was a baby that would have been born dead, but was kept alive through magic … a shell with no soul. Yet she feels, she gets upset, sad, angry. She is like a girl taken out of a fairy castle for the first time."

"Then you are confused about this for the same reasons I am," the feline purrs. "It is as you say – a Srinala is but an empty shell, and should not be getting up and walking about, let alone speaking – unless it is with the voice of a conjured spirit of the deceased. And even that does not extend to movement. It would be considered a break of the 'blessing' of Sunala, for the Srinala to actually get up and move about. That would be to step off of the line between the living and the dead, which the Srinala are believed to rest upon, until at last they succumb to mortality like anyone else."

Elijah looks around. "May I sit? I think we've just gained something important to discuss. Do you know what would happen to her if her existence became known to anyone loyal to the Seven?"

"You may sit. If you have need for refreshment, I shall have it brought," the feline says. "As for what would happen to her, it is not to be known – It would depend upon what they believe her to be. If she has the appearance of a Srinala, but walks, they are likely to think her a renegade Sunala," and here she uses that subtle "almost lower case" pronunciation, "who has left her place. Likely, she would be seized and taken to the nearest Temple of Sunala, and perhaps sent on to Babel to be dealt with as they see fit."

"However, if she is indeed an awakened Srinala," the feline adds, "they would likely discover this. That is, if that is the case. Does she appear to be the image of the idols of Sunala?"

The Vartan eases himself down on the floor. "Yes. She has no pupils in her eyes, black fur and white hair, and also has tattered wings. She has repeatedly asked to go to Babel, and repeatedly I have denied this out of fear of what will become of her. Do you know if there have ever been tales of an awakened Srinala before and what became of it?"

"No," the feline says, "Sunala does not die, and a Srinala does not awaken. There are many discrepancies within the tales of the Seven Sisters, but regarding Sunala, there are certain absolutes. For a Babelite to tell a tale contrary to their core doctrine earns that Eeee a visit from the Yodhsunala – the Daughters of Sunala."

"Would they kill her?" Elijah's tone darkens a shade.

"That is uncertain," the feline says. "There is no precedent. It is entirely possible that a hot-headed priestess might deal with the matter on her own, deeming the Eeee some sort of impostor. Or it is conceivable that they might simply send her off to Mount Sunala to be groomed as a priestess … or that they might herald this as some sort of miracle that shows the superiority of their goddesses. There are no rules that would apply here."

The Vartan sighs. "So she would be either a sacrifice or a tool; neither sound appealing to me. I do not trust her completely, but whatever forces are being used on her are out of her control I think. My biggest question is how she came to awake fully able to move and speak and understand what everything was around her."

"Under what circumstances did she awaken, to your knowledge?" the feline asks. "Perhaps there are clues that I could make some sense of."

Elijah rubs the back of his neck. "It was an illusion play. I almost wonder if the storm was designed to drive someone into the cave to make a sacrifice for Sunala. My porter was drawn in as well, but when put at the point to make the sacrifice, she chose to take her own life instead of murdering the Srinala. It broke the illusion and the spell faded. The cave had Life Magic runes all over it, and once the illusion had fully faded she awoke."

"She did not truly take her life, obviously," the Vartan adds.

The feline nods. "Obviously. As for the runes, some servants of Sunala and Gorphat practice a form of Life Magic … unsanctioned by the College Esoterica, naturally. Life Magic is necessary for the sustenance of a Srinala. If a Srinala were in Rephidim, they have access to technologies that might be able to sustain her life, but her muscles would atrophy from disuse. The Eeee are not terribly concerned with this, since the Srinala has no need for them, but it makes her look less appealing … and Sunala is nothing if not vain."

"I wondered about that part. She is not very strong, but she also is not much of a burden. I am a father and have had experience with children." He scratches at his neck again. "She acts vain, but it's a polite sort of vain, more like a display than any true vanity."

The silhouette nods again. "Well, that would certainly rule out the possibility that you have Sunala incarnate on your hands." It's hard to tell whether there's a trace of humor to her voice as she says this. "So far, what you have told me – aside from the central fact that the 'Srinala' has awakened – does not seem inconsistent with happening upon a remote Srinala hold. There are few villages who have their own Srinala – only those that are large enough to have a Life Mage serving as their priestess … or, further out from Babel, priest."

"What is the point of a Srinala? It would almost seem to be better to keep a preserved corpse in the village for all one does." Elijah scrawks.

"First of all," the feline says, "it is quite likely that there are several preserved corpses about, serving that role, rather than the genuine article. But that said, the Srinala serves a purpose, given the proper miraculous occurrences. The Srinala is an empty shell, making it easily possessed by spirits lacking a body."

Elijah's brows knit together. "Could she have been possessed?"

"The Srinala cannot move," the feline adds, "but it can speak, and it can listen. Under the guidance of a priest or priestess, a petition can be made to Sunala, so that a departed spirit that has not yet been consigned to oblivion may communicate with the living, through the mouth of the Srinala. And, yes, 'possession' would sound conceivable."

Elijah shifts nervously. "Her heart beats, and I have not seen any of the usual signs of possession. Usually there is degradation of the body. Would it be possible to force a child into a coma upon birth and make a Srinala in that manner?"

"That is the likely origin of a Srinala. Life Magic is used to sustain a Srinala," the feline says, "but it could also be used to create one … or a Sunala instead."

"I do not put any credit in claims of Srinalas materializing out of thin air," the feline adds. "Maybe these days, such strange things can happen … but that would be a very recent and surprising development."

"Will you be comfortable traveling with her? I have been with her for over a week now, and she has not harmed anyone." The Vartan shifts his wings. "What she truly needs is a doctor. She is blind, flightless, and can barely lift a feather. But that may have to wait."

"Comfortable? I would be uncomfortable passing up such an opportunity. I am hoping that this will prove to be most fortuitous," the feline purrs. "Alas, I cannot offer much in the way of medical attention. That lies outside of my area of specialty."

"You are a shadow mage, correct?" Elijah ponders. "I know of someone who is attempting to learn how to use magic with words after only using dances all their life. If you could offer assistance in this, it would be greatly appreciated."

There is an amused purr, and then, "A Savanite shamaness, I am supposing. This is making it easier to understand why you would seem so well accustomed to my craft. I am willing to consider the notion. I have taken apprentices before."

"None of us are what we seem, but you will probably learn that soon enough by traveling with us. I will allow my companions to reveal their secrets if they wish to. We are not dangerous, nor are we criminals … but we are on something of a journey of self-discovery, and in starting that journey we all left our names behind us and took up new ones. Whether we keep them at the end of the trip or take up the old ones again is still left to be seen." He smiles. "I will enjoy your company. Will your servants be traveling with us as well?"

There's another amused purr. "Intriguing. You might say that I am on something of a journey of 'self-discovery' as well. And, yes, they will be joining us. I do not travel without them."

"I just wished to make certain." Elijah tilts his head at the silhouette in the curtain. "Are you Himaatian? I have heard that some of the most exotic women are kept in places where they cannot be seen. I just find it a bit odd talking to a shape behind a curtain."

"No, we are from Olympia, though our cultures are obviously in many ways related," the lady purrs. "And most of the time, you will be talking to one of those traveling with me. I do not often take visitors, for I highly value my privacy, and spend most of my time in solitude. I shall be making exceptions, if I am to teach your companion, obviously."

"What can you tell me of the one I will be instructing?" the feline adds.

"Her name is Inri. She … by outer appearances she is a Savanite, but because of circumstances that I do not feel comfortable speaking about outside of her presence, she is capable of speech. She also has three sets of arms, but keeps them concealed." Elijah works his beak as he considers adding more. "With the exception of my children, she is the greatest treasure in the world to me. Although we are of different kin, I see her as another daughter or a sister. If you trust me, then you should trust her as well."

The feline turns again. "Inri." She nods. "That is good and well, then," she says in a sober voice. "I shall have arrangements made to acquire the beasts to pull the wagon, and then we will set out at first opportunity, unless there are matters that you must attend to before departing Wyrmwood."

"Considering how this place is going to get crowded very soon with far too many Eeee for my current tastes, I am looking forward to leaving at the soonest opportunity. I only need to get some fresh supplies, and the Inn can manage those just fine." He lets his breath out.

"Very well, then," the feline says, "you can probably use the remainder of the night to catch some sleep. Have you any other questions for me?"

Elijah pulls himself up. "I believe I am finished. Thank you for seeing me, Madame."

The silhouette head inclines. "When you leave, walk through the barrier backwards. You will find it less disorienting than if you were to turn around on your way out."

"Thank you for the advice." He starts stepping backwards. "Oh! And in case your servants did not tell you, you may call me Elijah." He bows and exits backwards through the doorway.

"Pleasant dreams, Elijah – " the Vartan hears, just before the voice is snapped away by silence and darkness … and then, it is replaced by the sounds and smells of the night, which seems more alive, more real, more vibrant than he realized before. It seems so hard to classify it as a quiet night by any means. Even so, the whisper of Kagesa seems to boom by comparison. "Did the Lady find favor with you, Elijah?"

The Vartan winces at the seeming loudness of the voice. So this is how the Eeee feel. "I believe so. I think we'll be traveling together starting tomorrow. I should go and let my companions know."

Kagesa inclines her head, and slides the door closed, securing the handle back in place with a solid clack.

"I will see you in the morning, Kagesa." He bows in response and then heads back to his room.

The Vartan is not halted on his way back to his room. Inri is still there, quite asleep, when he enters again, though she stirs momentarily to lazily peek askance at him, then closes her eye again and drapes an arm over half her face.

Elijah kneels down next to the bed and nudges Inri's mattress again. "Hssst, I need to tell you of a new development. We've gotten some new traveling companions."

Inri begrudgingly opens her eyes again, adjusting to the dim light made even more dim by the filtering through the horn windows. She signs a "Go on?" with her free hand.

The Vartan decides to drop to handsign as well since there could be Eeee ears listening. "The Kattha I met last night introduced me to her mistress. she is a bit mysterious, but I do not think she is dangerous, although she is hiding something and did not show me her face. She explained better to me what a Srinala is, and is going to provide us with a cart to travel to the sanctuary in. She is also a shadow mage, and I asked if she would be interested in teaching you. The ultimate decision is yours, of course, but it may prove useful."

Inri raises an eyebrow. She clears her throat, then, in a raspy morning voice, starts to speak a reply … but is stopped when Elijah puts a hand over her mouth and then taps his ear.

The cheetah runs a hand over her face, clearly having forgotten that she doesn't have sound wards in place in here. She tries again, this time in sign, "I could do to brush up on technique. That was something that Khoman did not provide. In any case, I trust your judgement. Did you learn anything particularly enlightening about Srinala?"

Elijah responds, "I learned they are not supposed to wake up. We both suspect that she was forced into a coma at birth which might explain why she's not an undead creature. And I think the chamber we found her in was made for the sole purpose of sustaining her."

The cheetah nods at Elijah's words. "But is there any idea about who she is?" she signs.

"I think she is a mage from Olympia. I know she is on a quest to sort of find her identity, and is also curious about the growth of occurrences in the appearances of supposed 'gods' throughout Sinai as well as 'miracles'. The rest, I don't know. She would not give me a name, and I only spoke to her through a veil. I know she is someone with a similar interest to ours, and a fellow pilgrim of sorts. Plus, she appears knowledgeable. If she turns out to be dangerous, I will deal with her, but I saw no signs of such." He signs in reply.

Inri nods. "Perhaps I can learn more, if it is necessary."

"Do you know anything about this talk of all these gods making appearances and miracles happening? I got little news in Rephidim since I kept mostly to myself." Elijah settles down on the floor to get comfortable.

Inri signs, "There have been reports of the priestesses of Babel being able to work miracles … purportedly more than just hedge wizardry. Given the nature of the Seven Sisters, I would just call it sorcery."

The Vartan nods. "What kind of miracles? Raising the dead? I'm not too sure what would constitute as a 'miracle' in the Babelite pantheon.

Inri signs, "No, more along the lines of instantly striking someone dead, causing someone to break out in boils, causing large crowds of people to writhe in ecstasy and break out in spontaneous … unsuitable behavior. When I say 'miracle', I do not necessarily mean desirable things, but to the Babelites, what matters is that this represents power."

Elijah shivers. "Star save us if our travels ever actually take us to Babel. Although I must confess I have a lingering desire to snap the High Princess' neck after what she did to Boghaz." His hands twist in his final signs to emphasize his point.

Inri frowns. "Don't sign like that. She deserves it, surely enough, and someone might just have to do something like that … but … " She frowns and shakes her head.

The Vartan hangs his head. "I am sorry. Her betrayal angers me a great deal, and during the war the anger was the only thing that kept me alive. Part of this journey is because I have not been able to let go of it as I should. Against her, against the Temple, and a dozen other enemies either made up or real."

Inri puts a hand on the Vartan's shoulder. "I understand. You'll pull through it." She smiles. "I know you."

Elijah sticks his tongue out a little. "I hope I can live up to your confidence in me. Getting you back was the most soothing balm my anger has felt in a long time though. I am happy to have you traveling with me."

Inri smiles. "And you may never quite know how much of a relief it was when I was able to find you again – and be accepted."

"It wasn't easy. I know I was harsh, but I had to test you. But nobody knew of the name I gave your husband except you. I never even told the children. And you remembered the feather. I sensed your honesty, and traveling with you had helped confirm my hopes. You are not exactly as I remember Third-Vision. She was like forged iron shaped into a beautiful weapon. Strong and elegant … but you are like that weapon aged and tempered by battle. An imposter would have tried to come to me pretending to be exactly as I remembered you. But you are older and wiser, as you should be." He smirks and slumps a little. "I miss Master Nicodemus. The hardest part is knowing that I must be a strong man. I have nobody to fall back upon for fatherly advice except the Star. That has been the most difficult lesson for me."

Inri signs, "That is not quite true. You have been a marvelous teacher. You've done a phenomenal job in raising Pouncer and Enos. You seem to have a knack for becoming a father or a big brother to most anyone you meet along the way who hasn't already a niche of his or her own. You've encouraged people to grow, to become stronger in their convictions … and collectively, perhaps they can help you in turn, when the need arises."

Elijah's ears blush on the insides. "I am no judge of myself, and I certainly do not feel as great as all that. But it warms me to hear it nonetheless. I think the heart of my problem is that I do not have any straight direction anymore. Ultimately, I think that is what I truly need, and it's what I hope to gain at the Sanctuary of Amber. At first I thought of going there and demanding to know why so many people had to die during the war and why the Temple abandoned us … but I know the answers to those questions already. My true question is, 'what now?'. The Knights are retreating to lick their wounds, my children are growing up to the point that if I spend as much time with them as I did when they were smaller I will end up smothering them, and the Shoppe just about runs itself these days, not that I had any great desire to be a merchant with all of my time."

Inri nods. "If that is your wish. I am not so certain why you should feel compelled to ask them such things. It does not seem the thing that a prophet tells a pilgrim. If anything, he gives the pilgrim a riddle or a question rather than an answer, in the hopes that the pilgrim comes to the answer himself. But then, am I not on the same journey? I will not be surprised, though, if they simply send me off on a new quest to search further for my answers."

"In all honesty, I would not mind a riddle as my answer so much. My biggest concern is my role as a knight. Am I dishonoring them and the name of the Champion of Shadows if I choose to strip off my armor and travel the world for a time? When would it be right for me to take up the helm again? Or after building up so much anger against the Temple for what happened during the war, am I even worthy of it anymore?" The Vartan shakes his head. "It is why I miss Master Nicodemus. I no longer have anyone to go to and ask 'is what I am doing right?' like I once did."

Inri just nods solemnly, unable to come up with any answers for the Vartan for the moment.

Elijah smirks a little bit. "You see why I wish to speak to the wisest man I know about the matter, now? I do not wish to stop being the Champion of Shadows, but I also do not wish to find myself unable to do the very thing that I took the armor up for if I wear it. I wish to protect that wish I love."

Inri nods. "I understand. It is not easy to make a commitment, when you do not know if that which you are committing yourself to will be the same in the years to come … or if it was ever what you thought it was when you made your commitment."

"I am not fully comfortable as Elijah, mind you. I feel naked at times without a robe or the armor in public, and I feel as though I am not being quite honest in this masquerade of brown dye. I am a knight, even without the armor. I can feel it inside of me. This disguise feels wrong in a way, like wearing clothing that you've outgrown." The Vartan shrugs again. "I am a picky old bird who cannot make up his mind, I think."

Inri smiles faintly. "Don't be too hard on yourself." She yawns and stretches. "In any case, you're doing something about it. A fair deal more than many people do. Maybe we'll find some answers – or some really good questions – soon enough."

"I should let you get back to sleep now. Thank you, again, for your company. This road would scare me bald if I had to take it alone." Elijah starts to get his bedroll ready.

"May your dreams be pleasant," Inri wishes, then lies back down and draws the covers over her again, slowly closing her eyes.

Elijah buries his face in his arms as he stretches across his spot on the floor. ( The second person to say that to me tonight. I wonder if it might come true… ) He yawns and closes his eyes.