>>5359365>>5359272>>5359244>>5359227>>5359158>>5359022>>5359007“What abilities did he use in combat?” you ask, keeping the frantic edge from your voice—you know he doesn’t have long to answer.
“He… Sword glowed… Seemed to be guided by magic. It struck… True…”
“Is that all?” you ask. “Merely a magic sword? You said you thought hew as a Paladin…”
“I had a charm on me… Mesmeric… He resisted…”
Yes, the diadem—your mother’s old diadem. The God of Knowledge told you it could grant clarity of mind… To benefit your brother if you can but seize it, and apparently to resist psionic effects. But you knew of that already. There must be more!
“What else?”
“Shield… Round shield, reflective… Armoured against…”
“Against what? Against fire?”
There is no answer.
“Against what?!”
Nothing.
“Dragonborn?”
“Superior One!”
You hear the cries of your retinue, as they finally locate this stygian shore which you have washed up upon. Davora pulls at the Cartographer’s gripping claws with her chain, pulling him along after him as she rushes to you and to the Silkscale infiltrator.
“Is it… Uh, is he…”
“Yesss,” you answer, in the tongue which she can understand.
Despite your assurances, the Herbalist second-guesses you, checking the fallen Infiltrator’s pulse and responses. Eventually, she concludes what you already knew—his spirit ahs passed. You say a prayer for him and rise, but Davora tugs at your soaked cloak.
“You are shaking,” she says. “Your body temperature is already so low… This can’t be good for you.”
“My internal fire will sussstain me,” you insist, pulling your cloak free. “Come, we musst leave thisss place. There isss much to sspeak with the Sserpent Priessthood about.”
“The, uh, what?”
You offer no answer, and the Herbalist raises no further objection, and well she might not. You are too tired—and, yes, wet and cold—to punish her impudence. In truth, you might even somewhat appreciate her continued concern for you, in spite of your last conversation. However, there is only so much you can tolerate, and your mind is elsewhere now. You give each other space even as you settle in for the last rest before your arrival at your home.
