Chapter 45: Chapter 045 – Unspeakable XVIII

Elat was the first face the two of them saw in the morning. Teyva gave the big man a delighted punch on the arm while Azrael did her best to remain stoic and demure. Teyva gave the two of them some space, though, and hung back while Azrael made an effort to walk next to the object of her interests. Teyva wasn’t going to tease her this time, well, except for the amused looks she shot her when Azrael looked back to check and see if Teyva was still there or listening in on their private conversation.

By the time they arrived at the round-a-bout and the misshapen tower that belonged to the wizened elder, they had made their way through at least a half dozen groups of friendly faces. All of them offering various gifts in the form of food and simple sundries. The scent of spices and fresh meat clung to Teyva so thickly she was worried the Mockeries would get the wrong idea. That thought vanished when she saw the darkened shade of Elat’s green face as he stepped aside to allow Azrael to enter the building.

Azrael opened the door and Teyva dipped in ahead of her; “The hell did you say to him?”

“A few things,” Azrael rebuffed, “Nothing you wouldn’t say.”

“I’d say a lot of things.”

“Will you shut up and get in there? We’re keeping the Elder waiting.”

Teyva burst into laughter as she dipped her way into the tent. The host of mockeries in her satchel wriggling and writhing in anticipation. They sensed something was coming. Teyva ignored it and instead gestured for Nephral to take a seat nearby while the two women found seats in the floor pillows that had been set out by the old man for guests. Yol didn’t try to wow them with tricks and magic this time, he was sitting in a casual cross-legged position with a pipe in his hand and blue smoke billowing from his nostrils.

“Welcome back, cheeky witch,” The old man said, inclining his head to Teyva. “And to you as well, noble Azar,” He added with a deferential nod to Azrael.

“I’m glad to see you in good health, wily old coot,” Teyva shot back, causing Azrael to shake her head and cover her face with her hands.

The old man stared Teyva down, Teyva returned the stare. She’d dealt with far too much to let the piercing gaze of an old man make her feel small again. After a few heartbeats, the old man blossomed into a wide grin; “It is done then? You saw hell down there.”

“It’s done,” Teyva confirmed, “The Great Tree will recover and both the Wolves and the Wightlings will leave you in peace, so long as you keep your distance from the former.”

The old man raised his eyebrows; “The Wolves?”

“They were once the guardians of this forest, Honored Sorcerer, and the grove was their nesting ground,” Azrael said, “They were made aggressive when the grove was tainted.”

The Elder looked between the two women. By the look in his eyes, he figured they were not telling him everything but it was as much as he needed to hear. Either way, he took a deep breath and nodded, reaching behind him and snatching up a heavy-looking book. He held the book out towards Teyva who took it in her hands; “The people of this settlement are in your debt, Lady Akura and Warden Unabi.”

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The sea of prompts took Teyva’s breath away.

Quest Complete! [Horrors of the Green Sea] You have destroyed the Bound One and in doing so eliminated the Source of the Green Sea’s Corruption. The people of the Balthin Green Sea will never forget this debt. Reward: Experience, Variable Reputation Gain with Orcish Settlement, Achievement Special Objective Reward: Spelltome of Basic Sorcery

 

You have acquired: [Spelltome of Basic Sorcery] Skill Book, Rare Rarity A skill book used to acquire the basic knowledge of the skill [Sorcery]

 

Your reputation with the Balthin Settlers has increased from Neutral to Friendly

 

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