Quoted By:
Come morning, Joannus is eating by the fire. Nothing fresh or fancy - plants, mushrooms, scavenged from the forest no doubt. You realize you are hungry as well, so you join her.
She doesn't look at you. You could attempt to read her, or say something to her now, but it might be wiser to leaver he alone until you have a longer moment together.
>Read your sister, but don't engage. (Insight, DC 12)
>Engage in dialogue with your sister. (Charisma, DC 14)
>Just focus on eating. There will be time later.
You can't help but feel a sense of unease in your throat as you look at her now. Even without the haze of exhaustion, by the fire in the gray light, she seems like an empty shell. You don't know how you can tell, but you just can. She's devoid of substance.
Your attention is taken by Ezmerelda. "We're moving today," she says. "We're on the Old Svalich Road - whatever you may plan to do, we may wish to part ways here, unless you mean to accompany me to this wizard's tower."
You ponder your options. "The road is safer together," you say. "And I know what I have to do. When I arrived in Barovia, I met a girl - Ireena, from the village - and promised Ismark, the burgomaster, to keep her safe. I've neglected that duty." You take a look at Joannus. She makes no attempt to comment or interject, and she almost seems to feign indifference as she catches your glance. What's her problem? "I may have just found my sister after all this time, and I have you to thank for that... sincerely... but it's looking like... we will need time to fully reunite."
Ezmerelda chews on those words. "Well, make your choice. I could certainly use your extra hands on the road, but you have relieved me of my duty to protect your sister - I have full confidence the two of you are safe together alone. Be aware, I did bring you back to life. Thus, whatever you choose, know that if you do not stay, I may call upon you for aid in the future."
You make commit it duly to memory, regardless of whether you mean to repay her - she seems like a formidable ally to have. She may well be among the worst person to be indebted to in this valley.
You return to your meal...
...
(cont.)
