Over one and a half "spheres" – the thirty day intervals between "holidays" based on the twelve Spheres of Magic that Caroban mages use for their calendar – have passed since Elise confronted Yffryn regarding her undisclosed substitution of the counterfeit amulet. During that time, the acting Dean of Dreams has taken advantage of Elise's offered help in studying the dream "realm" of the Seven Sisters. However, observation has been of limited value, since the poodle has had no dreams of the Eeee goddesses since.

Examination of Envoy's dream state has proved a good deal more interesting, as the Aeolun-cum-Avatar's dream life is vivid and compellingly detailed. Her dreams have a clearly magical connection, although exactly how has been difficult to determine. Unlike the trials of Inala, these are more "dream-like" in the sense that the Exile's actions in them are seldom informed by her waking-world life. While in them, she shows little to no awareness of the concerns of her conscious state – instead, she moves smoothly through the often intricate and elaborate stories and scenarios that populate her dreamscape.

Some of these seem to be based on Inala's Paradise, while others appear inspired by Envoy's own life experiences. They vary widely in content and form – some following narrative patterns like a mystery or exploration adventure, others more free-form, like a picnic or day at the a carnival, and still others taking on an erotic bent – but all follow logical and consistent "rules" – as opposed to typical dreams which are typically only a nonsensical jumble of sensations and memory fragments strung together in haphazard fashion.

On Mind 4 (Harvest 20 by the Rephidim calendar), the research efforts get a serious boost when all of the comatose dream mages on Caroban suddenly awaken. No immediate explanation is forthcoming, but it is a cause for celebration nonetheless.

On Mind-to-Life, the High Council receives a letter which offers one explanation: in it, the High Princess of Babel apologizes for the actions of some of her subordinates in instigating this unfortunate ritual, and thanks the College for notifying her of its existence, since until receiving their letter she had no knowledge of such an event. According to the missive, as soon as she was able to locate the mages in question, she terminated their ritual and has executed those involved. She further offers her well-wishes for Caroban and hopes that they would not let this sad incident mar relations with Babel.

Most of the College Esoterica staff takes this letter with a lump of salt, and few find it wholly convincing. Yffryn doubts that the ritual has even been terminated, much less that the High Princess was unaware of it until the College's missive. Still, tentative, and gradually bolder, experiments with dream magic show that it is now working normally, at least on Caroban. That Elise remains untroubled by the dream realm starts to seem unusual, though not very, since she's several times gone for thirty or more days without dreams in the past. Envoy's magically enhanced dreams continue unabated, nonetheless, and their non-lucid state persists even to the extent of affecting the dream mages who enter them on the occasions where this is tried. Both Envoy and Elise remain under observation, and on the evening of 13 Illusion, they dream…

The relative sizes of the statues vary. Where the statue of Inala once stood is now a larger-than-life statue of a gorgeous-looking Envoy, leaning against one column and stretching an arm across to the other in a sultry pose – and, incidentally, blocking the way through. The place where Barada's statue would be … has collapsed entirely. None of the figurines is ankle-high anymore – they've all (save for Barada) grown to at least shin-height, and the differences between them are almost inconsequential.

A white poodle dressed in the armor and robes of the Temple stands amidst the crossroads, swirling fog playing at her feet. She finds herself staring off at the path of Gorphat, uncertain for how long she has been doing it. Like many experiences within the dreams time seems blurred, though she recalls the reason for her observation. "It is not time?" she asks the emptiness, not completely certain as to who she might be speaking to.

The statue in Inala's archway blinks, and then steps out into the ruins. "Oh, hi, Elise! Time for what? Hey … Barada's gone!"

"Time to g- … Gone? Wait … Envoy? Or … " The confused poodle shakes her head as if snapping from a daze, and immediately turns around towards the source of the voice to look at the statue come to life, then to the fallen Barada statue, and back again.

Envoy smiles and nods. "Yes, it's me. I think I've gotten Inala to turn down the rapture effect, so let me know if you feel better than you should." Looking over the remains of the youngest Sister's statue, she adds, "Darn. If it had been one of the other realms, we might have been able to see what happened. But someone must have figured out how to deal with the challenge properly."

"So it is you? Well … I will take your word for it. For now," says Elise. She shifts her gaze to the broken statue and cocks her head to the side curiously. "Properly, you say? I was not aware there was a proper way to handle these challenges. I had assumed them all cursed, tainted by the goddesses that control them."

"Well of course, 'properly'," Envoy says, but whether to Elise or to the air isn't clear. "Barada is now … er … free of the Mages' influence. At the very least. I'm sure that breaking the realms away from the Crossroads is what Morpheus really wanted … probably. I just don't know how it was done or who did it."

The Gallee puts one hand on her hip, the other resting on the pommel of her sword. She taps the pommel with her fingers, looking skeptical. "That is wonderful for Morpheus, though I wonder about the effects of a free Barada on us … or rather, me, given your … condition. I suppose we could journey there and try and discover what occurred, though I do not presume to think that do us any good. It is, after all, the path of secrets. I am skeptical if Barada would be inclined to share."

Envoy winces briefly at something. "Inala doesn't care for any of this, I think. But even She has to acknowledge that Her will was influenced by outside magic," she says. Again, it's not clear if she's talking to Elise or to someone else.

"Well I can tell you I am none-to-thrilled about it myself. But if there is a manner in which we may end this, then perhaps we should investigate. However … I did not plan on taking the path of Barada," Elise says.

"Barada's path is gone," the Aeolun points out. "I had planned to visit Gorphat's realm, to try and find Reynard. I'm not sure if I can take any challenges or tests there, however."

"Well … that is in league with my objectives, then. I had planned to step forth into the realm of Gorphat when next I dreamed, and this works out. Very well." The poodle-woman begins walking towards the path alone, then pauses, looking back. "Mm, well … if it is indeed you … then I would be pleased if you would join me … Mage? Envoy."

The Aeolun nods and follows along towards the archway. "I've never really been sick before. This could be educational."

"I think I will mostly just observe though," Envoy adds, frowning a bit. "I don't want to upset Inala."

"Sensible. No need to rile she who holds you in her sway," comments the Templar.

Envoy blinks at Elise's comment. "She doesn't hold me," she asserts. "Not anymore. I still have things to learn from her, is all. She's let me dream. Really dream, not like what we're doing now."

The winds of the dream realm shuffle the fog and silt around, the starlight's gentle glow bathing them. On the breeze through Gorphat's realm, a lonely musical note sounds, prolonged for several moments, until interrupted by a twang, like a snapped string.

Elise continues walking, nodding as she goes. "Interesting. It is good to know she does not manipulate you, at least. Before I could not know; you were so very strange … madness or manipulation, I could not tell." She pauses, ears perked at the sound. "What make you of that noise?"

"It certainly sounds like a lute," Envoy says. "I couldn't hear a whine following it, though. And Inala does try to manipulate me, of course, through positive feedback."

"Well then. If Reynard is this way … then that would be a good sign." Again the Templar begins into the realm of Gorphat, slowing so Envoy can catch up. "Come to think of it, why would Reynard be here? I do not recall him remaining anywhere for long, and certainly not in places we were not."

From the realm of death, a colder wind comes closer, and an unearthly scream comes with it, chasing them along their way towards Gorphat. As Elise passes through the archway to the Disease Goddess's realm, the echoes of the scream fade out and die.

Envoy clears her throat, and rushes to catch up. "Well, during Inala's final challenge, he sort of got … noticed. She sent him here." Looking back over her shoulder, she wonders out loud, "Why would the dead scream? What could possibly frighten or hurt them, after all?"

Elise frowns, looking downward, brows creasing. "Noticed? Ah … I understand. How unfortunate for him, but it gives me another reason for being here." She shakes her head. "I think perhaps that scream was a … warning – for me."

The Aeolun covers her muzzle to smother a giggle as she catches up. "A warning? Inala says Sunala just likes being melodramatic."

As they advance along the path of Gorphat, the gray ground gives way to muddy dirt, and an unpleasant odor wafts up from it, mixing odors of decay, feces, and urine. Insects buzz over particularly unsavory objects scattered along the path ahead.

Envoy pinches her nose closed and steps carefully. Her newfound ability to feel delight also means she can experience disgust as well.

"Yes, a warning. Sunala said to me the second time I perished, that should I enter her realm again … I … I will not leave it," answers the Gallee. Quickly she lifts her left hand off the pommel of her sword and tries to pinch her nose. "Ugh." Her ears lay back, and she looks vaguely pained.

The hunched forms of small animals – vermites and other scavengers – creep around some of the mounds, sniffing at them and poking among some to forage for themselves, as they reach the foot of the mountain, and the path starts to climb. Stunted, twisted trees cling to the slope, along with weeds and various unhealthy-looking shrubs.

"Do you think Gorphat would take offense if tried a little Earth magic on the flora?" Envoy asks, sounding a bit nasal due to her pinched off nostrils.

In response to the all the more obvious foulness around her, Elise pulls up the hood of her cloak, further drawing herself away from the filth. "I do not think you should attempt to change her world to be any less … disgusting. To improve it would be to remove corruption, and opposed to that which she stands for. It may well draw her attention and her wrath, which can only hinder our attempts here," replies Elise.

"Okay," Envoy agrees, and begins to study Elise's and her own clothing for signs of rot or other organic deterioration.

While Envoy examines their clothes – which look dirty around the hems, but not yet decaying – from around a bend in the path, Elise catches sight of a small Eeee dressed in tattered clothing. The bat bends quickly to impale one of the vermites on the road with a knife, then stuffs the still-wriggling body into a bag, looking around for another target.

"It is good to hear you as the 'you' I know, Envoy. I have been worried. That you fare well brings me relief," mentions Elise over her shoulder. When she looks back, she catches the sight of the small hunter, watching it. "We have company … "

The Aeolun peers over Elise's shoulder. "Better be cautious. It could be a civil servant, or some other type of infernal creature."

The batling stabs at another vermite, but this one escapes. The young Eeee's nose wrinkles, then she looks up to see Envoy and Elise approaching. With a squeak, the tatter-clad child abandons her hunt, though not her catch, and darts back off the path, climbing up the slope and amongst the twisted trees.

"It would seem then that it – she – has no intention of dealing with us. Though I worry as to where she went, or what she is up to. If there is one … there may well be more." She continues to watch the little Eeee retreat up the mountain, still walking forward and occasionally looking to the ground to be certain she doesn't step in anything.

"She seemed pretty healthy," Envoy comments. "At least, as far as running goes."

A nod from the poodle. "Though she may well be, I would prefer to keep any such persons or creatures at a distance. They are native to this place of decay." A glance is cast about the landscape. "We are not."

The batling vanishes out of sight beyond the ugly brush and trees, and the vermites she had scared off return to their carrion piles. One of the vermites approaches Elise, squeaking and chittering.

The Gallee stops as the vermite approaches her, and takes a step back. As she checks for a path around it, she draws her sword and makes ready to use it, should the creature approach further. "Are you immune to the effects of the other goddesses?" she inquires of Envoy.

Envoy leans down a bit to get a closer look at the chatty vermite. "Hello?" Looking back up to Elise, she says, "I don't know, really."

The rodent hesitates at the pulled blade, and retreats at the query from Envoy, skittering down the path until it careens into some kind of lump, which it burrows into and out of sight.

"Well then we should assume you are not, and I suggest you be quite careful. You may be as vulnerable as me, and I doubt Inala would be terribly thrilled if you caught a pox. It does so ruin the appearance," she warns, watching the vermite flee, and resuming her course.

"Ugliness is essential to beauty," Envoy says, straightening up and following the poodle again, "if only to provide contrast."

As they continue, they come to a break in the path, where it forks into three separate junctures. A motionless, hunched figure sits beneath a tree at the intersection, a cup dangling between limp, bony fingers, flies buzzing around it as if the creature were already dead – which, perhaps, it is.

The Aeolun can hear a faint chuckle emanate from the poodle woman. "I do not think Inala would champion the idea of her avatar being ugly, however. Then again perhaps she would; it provides, as you say, contrast," Elise comments.

"Do you have any coins?" Envoy whispers to the Templar while eyeing the cup held by the creature.

Envoy abruptly takes on an almost palpable glow, her fur and mane shining with new luster, and the hunched figure shifts, tilting its head to look, and then shying away from the avatar, wings rustling as it lifts one to shield its face.

"A beggar, you think? I save my charity for larger, more effective works than direct donation … But I will check," she replies. Standing in front of Envoy and thus unable to see her change, the Templar searches herself for some money while keeping a careful eye on the beggar. Her sword has remained drawn and serves as an unspoken threat as she checks her coinage.

"I've never seen that reaction before," the Aeolun whispers, noticing the beggar's reluctance to look at her.

A search of her purse determines that Elise, as is typical for her in the waking world, is amply supplied with shekels of various denominations.

Elise tilts her head slightly and pulls forth twenty shekels' worth of currency. "That is odd, I would have assumed he was reacting to me but he is not … " Her words abruptly pause as she moves to hand Envoy the money, brows raising. "Ah … you are, glowing. Literally, Envoy."

The palpable glow fades almost as soon as Elise mentions it, though the poodle remains with the distinct impression that the Exile isn't normally this … pretty.

"Oh, it must be Inala then," Envoy says, looking at herself. "I hope it doesn't make the locals feels worse."

Forgetting herself and the coins for a moment, the Templar looks in awe at the Exile, expression changing from the stern one previous. "I do not mind," she says, though it sounds like she's not quite paying attention – obviously distracted in her staring. "This is for you." She offers the coins.

Taking a few steps back, Envoy looks at the offered coins. "For … me? Don't you mean to give them to the beggar, Elise?"

With Elise between himself and the Exile, the beggar lowers the raised wing and peers around it towards the poodle. One eye is swollen shut, while the other squints, leaking rheum from the corner.

Elise blinks and rubs her head carefully, still holding the sword. "Yes … that is correct. Excuse me, you are … oh, never mind … " She turns from the avatar and takes a few steps closer to the beggar, tossing a coin. "Excuse me, sir. For the offering of a few coins, would you be so inclined as to tell me about these three paths?"

The bat raises his cup with an arm that trembles towards the coins, nodding his head at the poodle's inquiry. "'ll 'elp you," he says in a rough, growly voice, then chuckles, the sound turning to a cough. "Least, 'll tell you where the paths go."

"You will forgive me if I do not approach. Your … obvious affliction gives me reason to remain where I am; forgive me." Elise holds her hand out, showing the coins for a moment, before closing it and nodding to him. "Explain and I will leave these where you can gather them."

The beggar laughs again, a hoarse, wracking noise. "Oh, y're no fit servant for my Lady, if'n a poor creature like me might fright you. Leave the coins, now, if you fear to 'proach, then 'll tell you what I know."

Envoy arches an eyebrow at the beggar's remark.

"I will leave half, then, and judge the worth of your information from there … " After placing an uncounted amount of coins, roughly half, on the ground, Elise pulls back near Envoy and whispers to her, "I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to hear we are unfit as servants here."

"She only mentioned you, Elise," Envoy points out. "Apparently it's the show of reluctance or fear of disease that counts against you."

Elise frowns at Envoy's mention. She shifts her face away from the beggar so as to hide her expression in the shadows cast by her hood. "Well … I will consider that, then. I … I am not one to desire disease … though, I cannot let that hinder my reasons for being here," she tells the Exile in whisper.

The beggar lurches forward to scoop the coins, along with a goodly amount of dirt and other refuse, into his cup, then with some difficulty hunches back into his place beneath the tree. "How d'y wish to serve the Goddess, your ladyship?" the bat says, giving another hacking laugh. "I see one path already's not for you. This road … " He gestures to the left. "… is for those who want to gain my Lady's favor by welcoming her Gifts." He smirks.

"That would … um, be correct, yes," agrees Elise. She shifts slightly, tightening and releasing the grip on her blade. "And the others?"

"This path … " The bat gestures to the right. "… is for those who wish to share my Lady's presents with others. And this one," he continues, pointing to the path that goes straight past his tree, leading off behind him, "is for those who would ask my Lady to take her Gifts away from them."

A nod from the noblewoman. "I see … A moment, please." Turning her attentions from the beggar to Envoy, Elise tilts her head. "What do you think? We have choices, one of which makes no sense to take. Either we become the bringers of disease or we become diseased ourselves."

Envoy says, "Or we ask to remove disease. I don't know which one Reynard would be in. Can you ask if he's seen a fox minstrel?"

"Well, we are not diseased. I fear the goddess would become annoyed if we chose that path, as what I was told by a Eeee while awake is that she may become vexed if someone asks they take her touch from them. It could be much worse than either other path," mentions Elise. Once again she faces the beggar and nods to him, asking, "Have you by any chance seen a fox minstrel? He is rather easy to spot, quite a foppish fellow. And prone to lyrics that in themselves can be painful."

The Eeee squints at her, then laughs again, exposing a mouthful of crooked teeth. "Oh, the fox! Well, your ladyship, that'll cost you extra."

"Of course." Again the poodle digs in to her purse and gathers forth some coins, steps forward to place them, then draws back.

After snatching up the coins, a task complicated by his wheezing laughter, the breathless Eeee settles back again, taking some minutes to catch his wind again and recover himself from the exercise. At last, he speaks. "Your ladyship may not rec'nize that fox if you see him again," he begins, warningly. "My Lady is most fond of him. She keeps him close to Her side, for as generous as She has always been with Her Gifts, She has rarely been so blessed by one of Her Sisters with a present." His one eye closes in a leisurely wink towards Envoy. or perhaps it's just a long blink.

Envoy hmphs. "She didn't give a thank-you gift in return."

"Come visit Her, my dear," the beggar says, grinning broadly at Envoy, "and She'll be most happy to show Her appreciation."

"I imagine we can reach him, and there for your goddess, by any of these paths, then? I would assume all roads of disease lead to her," asks Elise as she glances between the two others.

To Elise, he nods his head. "They do."

"What sort of gift?" Envoy asks, curious.

Having nothing more to ask at the moment, Elise rests her sword on her shoulder and places her free hand on her hip, idly looking back and between the path left and the path right as if considering them carefully.

"The path of servitude might be the safest," Envoy suggests. "At least, it doesn't immediately imply you'll be diseased."

The beggar starts counting out the coins into his palm, rummaging through them, ignoring Envoy's query and the further conversation between the two.

"Also … we should keep in mind that not all diseases are physical in nature," the Aeolun points out. "You could get away with just schizophrenia or fear of heights or nymphomania or something."

"I concur. And if the disease extends into life, then I am certain Caroban is well prepared. I warned them against such things, though it has been awhile. Very well then … the path of the plaguebringer then?" Elise looks to the Exile for agreement.

Elise adds, "And yes, but let us not consider it too carefully … Or at least hope we are the bringers of something mild."

Envoy wrinkles her nose. "Maybe the penitent path would be better. You don't have any diseases that you know of, unless nobility counts. Shouldn't be too hard to ask that you not be afflicted with any."

"Oh, my mistake. I assumed that is what you meant by service. I suppose it is my mind that service is in action," she admits. A nod, and she shifts turns towards the middle path. "Then let us continue on our way with haste." Before moving too far, however, Elise places the remaining coins on the ground, the rest of what was offered, and continues on.

Envoy nods and follows along.

As they walk down the central path, they come to a small temple set astride it. At the entrance stands a tall female Eeee clad in loose folds of cloth, vaguely evocative of bandages or robes, from head to toe. Only her gaunt nose protrudes as she speaks. "Where do you go, petitioners? What do you seek to be cured of?"

"I'm just here on a social visit," Envoy says, smiling to the Eeee.

Upon arriving at the small temple and being questioned, Elise stops, inclining her head to the priestess though uncertain if she can be seen. At least, she imagines she can be heard. "I seek to be cured of chance, as I am … escorting the Avatar of Inala, and unworthy of such attentions," she answers carefully.

The visible nose wrinkles at Envoy's answer, then turns to regard Elise with eyes shrouded by cloth. "Cured of chance?"

Envoy whispers to Elise, "Do you mean uncertainty?"

"Yes, chance is a disease. By chance, one can be struck by lightning; by chance, one can be noticed and gifted when one is merely the escort. This cannot be, as I do not belong. I am the escort, and I am unworthy of being Gifted," replies Elise. Nodding to what Envoy says, she adds, "It is as the Avatar informs me. Uncertainty. I must not be gifted, for I am unworthy, being merely the escort."

For a long time, the priestess stands, still, seeming to regard the poodle with hooded eyes. "Do you mock my Lady?" she asks, at length, suspiciously.

"Such a thing would be unwise in the extreme, and make difficult my escorting duties. By asking that I go unnoticed, ungifted, I request no effort. For I am unworthy. The Avatar wishes to proceed and I must make provisions that I am not distracted from my duty to her," answers the poodle. "To accept would be to be distracted. I do not accept, I am the escort, I merely do as instructed."

"So you wish … nothing at all … of my Lady?" the priestess asks, again after giving careful consideration to the poodle's speech.

Elise turns to Envoy, as if deferring to her. "Do you approve, O Avatar?" she inquires.

"She wishes not to be unduly noticed," Envoy explains. "My … attendants … are not to attract more notice than myself. It would be unseemly."

The poodle woman inclines her head to Envoy, and turns back to the priestess. "It is as the Avatar wishes. The Avatar is the sun, I am merely a shadow cast by her radiance. I am unworthy of notice," she explains in turn.

"She's good at carrying things too," Envoy adds, trying to be helpful.

The priestess wrinkles her nose again, then bows low. "Very well. You may proceed through the house." She steps to one side of the door, allowing them to pass her.

Envoy nods and smiles to the priestess.

Elise glances to Envoy, then after a moment gives her a short military curtsey, before looking back. "The Avatar is … too kind to me. I thank you for your cooperation, and may you bask knowing that two powers draw so near to you. Avatar, we have been given clearance, and we may proceed. I will proceed and herald your coming … " Another curtsey is given to Envoy, and the 'escort' begins in to the house.

Envoy wonders to herself if Elise has to act like this for her Ambassador as well.

Inside the house, Eeee in various states – from apparent health to evident late-stage disease – wait, seated in rows of wooden benches on either side of the main pathway. The central aisle leads to the opposite side of the house, where another cloth-wrapped priestess stands before a door leading out of the house again. Stationed at intervals along either of the walls are four priestesses before doors that lead to other rooms; from what Elise can tell, after seeing one door opened and closed before a supplicant, at least that one leads to some kind of bath.

Once inside, Elise stops, and assumes a rigid position of attention. She tucks her sword under her arm as if it were a rod held by one of the trainers from the Academy, perfectly horizontal, and keeps her free hand at her side. "Hear me, O dwellers of this place, and know the Avatar of Inala comes. Know well to keep your distance, and look upon her with all the awe she is due," the noblewoman announces.

Envoy tries not to blush as she enters behind Elise.

The priestesses, as one, frown at Elise, looking angry, and the supplicants to Gorphat twist uneasily on the benches, glancing to the poodle, then back to the doors that they wait before. The priestess at the far end calls out, in a voice that carries without being a shout, "This is the House of Gorphat! She alone will be honored in this place! Let not your Mistress presume too much on Gorphat's benevolence, herald."

"Forgive me, priestess, for my pride in my Mistress," apologizes Elise the herald. She bows to the priestess and the steps to the side, letting Envoy walk in.

The Aeolun steps up and bows to the priestesses. "We are honored to visit the house of Gorphat."

Looking a little mollified, the priestesses incline their heads in return. The far priestess answers, "And as your Mistress honors Her Sister, so do we honor you. You are granted passage through this House, and may continue on your journey." She moves, opening the door behind her, to show the path as it continues.

Envoy gestures for Elise to lead the way, and smiles to the various worshippers seeking treatment.

Without completely lifting her head, as if ashamed or unwilling to lift her gaze and look upon Envoy or the priestesses, Elise begins on her way out ahead of Envoy.

As Elise reaches the midpoint of the temple, one of the supplicants from the pews, a female Eeee with emerald green eyes, suddenly launches herself towards the poodle's feet, collapsing at them with her hands around the Templar's boots. "Oh, please, great lady! Please, help me!" she pleads.

"What is this? You would think to delay our passage with your … " For a moment Elise does not seem to be able to continue, tilting her head and looking at the woman's eyes curiously, before continuing. "You would think to delay the Avatar?! Mistress!" She pulls herself back from the grasping Eeee, looking to Envoy and the to the priestesses. "I … Your will, Mistresses?"

Envoy blinks. "She must be confused, Elise, and mistook you for a Priestess of Gorphat."

"Please, your ladyship!" the woman says, remaining on the ground, her knees beneath her and her head and arms against the ground, prostrate before the poodle. "It's not for me! It's for my son! The priestesses said Gorphat would let him go, but only if another took his Gift."

"And you are here to take his Gift?" Envoy asks the kneeling Eeee.

"Then … " The poodle looks down, and gestures the Eeee away. "Do not plead at my feet, for I can do nothing for you and am unworthy of the thought that I am a priestess or the Avatar, induced … " Her words cut short by the request, Elise can only look between the people gathered in askance before, seemingly unable to hold back, she inquires as to the nature of the woman's troubles, "The Avatar requests you speak, though in all humility I tell you we are not of this house … "

The woman looks up at to Envoy, and her green eyes are filled with pain. "I already have it," she says, her voice soft. "But my son … he's just a little boy… "

As if to punctuate her words, a young bat – no older than seven – sidles to the edge of the seat. He coughs, then kneels down next to the adult Eeee, patting her arm. "Mommy?"

Elise, after the young Eeee appears, looks away in a direction no one is standing, after taking a few steps away. Resuming attention stance she remains there removed, not looking.

Envoy blinks, and chews on her lip briefly. "I cannot change your situation, or interfere in your covenant with Gorphat. If the Gift will take you soon, then perhaps the Priestesses can look after your son."

"They said if someone else would take it, they would free my son of it," She pauses, sitting up enough to pat her son's hand soothingly, then gives the same wracking cough her son had. "Please," she says, looking again to Elise, green eyes begging. "I know you're not sick … and I know that Inala would not permit Her own to be so taken. But you… "

"What is your son's Gift?" Envoy asks.

The Templar remains silent, though her ears perk slightly to show she is in fact listening.

"Consumption," the woman whispers, as if saying it louder would make it somehow even more real.

The Templar casts her gaze skyward, inhaling deeply before letting it out slowly. The grip on her blade noticeably tightens for the moment, straining, before she just shakes her head. "I … do not have the luxury of indulging my sympathy. Away with you, and may … may The End come mercifully to you both," she says quietly. Almost immediately after, she nods to Envoy. "We should go, Avatar; we have lost time in this."

Envoy nods to Elise, and then whispers to the mother and child, "I am sorry that we could not help you, but you may visit Inala's realm when next you dream, if you wish, to forget for a time the hardships of life."

The mother circles her arms around her child, and sobs brokenly at their words. "Mercy, lady, please," she repeats, though to whom it's not entirely clear. "Please … he's just a little boy… Just a little boy… "

As they walk away, the child tries to console his parent, patting her shoulder awkwardly with one small hand. "It'll be okay, Mommy. Don't cry."

"We will speak on your behalf to the Goddess," Envoy promises, and gives the mother a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder.

Elise walks from the where she had been waiting and proceeds out the door, not checking to see if Envoy is following or not.

Envoy follows after the poodle at as dignified a pace as she can.

After the two exit, the priestess closes the door behind them, finally shutting out the sounds of the tormented mother. The path ahead is as bleak and sordid as the one behind, littered with insect-riddled carcasses.

Outside, Elise has stopped several paces on to the path, gazing off towards the mountain top beyond. She runs her free hand through her hair, and says nothing when she hears Envoy approach behind her.

"There's nothing you could have done, realistically," Envoy says to Elise. "Even if you took the Gift, and the Life Mages cured you, the child's life would not likely have been spared. The lower levels of Babel are rife with disease."

"I know," says Elise very quietly. She lets her hand fall and just shakes her head. "I cannot help everyone, after all. There is only so much one can give of oneself … after all … yes?" The words come bitter, and with a sigh. She draws up her hood and nods again.

"Perhaps Gorphat will help them, if we ask," Envoy says, trying to sound optimistic.

Another nod. "Perhaps." And the poodle shifts her sword to rest on her shoulder, saying, "Come, there is much to travel, and we should not remain to be delayed any further. We must proceed regardless."

Envoy grins. "Lead on, Escort."

Elise shakes her head. "As you will, O Avatar," she replies. Without further word the poodle begins off on the path.