>>6177177“The Tristain d’Rusalka that I know would find it much more enjoyable to prove that he could shatter my defenses with his strength alone.”
You smirk. Maybe she had a point. Or maybe not, and this was her way of trying to convince you of the idea. Still, you could appreciate her forwardness in how she spoke to you. Very few would have the gall to make the claim she just had. She was certainly deserving of some encouragement, even just for being one of your trusted party members.
>“Very well. I look forward to seeing you grow stronger, Adeline.”“Lord Tristain.” Adeline says, seriousness suddenly present in her voice. “There’s someone up ahead.”
As you enter the lush patch of green, drawing closer to a refreshing body of water, you find that there is in fact someone sitting there. You must have initially mistaken them for a giant rock or boulder of sorts, because as you draw closer, you can now make out a massive figure peering into the water. It was a woman, at least over six feet in height. Even squatting down, she cut an impressive shape. She did not turn around to acknowledge you or Adeline’s presence. Instead, she continued to squat there and stare down into the blue water, even as the two of you drew up next to her.
>“Uhh…hi.” You offer.“Hello.” The woman says, never looking up.
>“What are you doing?”“I threw my axe in there.” She says, pointing into the water.
>“What?” You squint your eyes. “Why?”“Lady of the Oasis lives there.” She says. “Legend says if you offer the oasis an axe, she’ll appear and offer you an even better one. So I’m waiting. Been a while though…”
You peer down into the water, but are unable to see anything. There was no axe, and there was certainly no woman down there either. The stranger finally deigns to look up at you and Adeline. As she does, her eyes widen in something resembling recognition.
“Hey…” She starts slowly, pointing a finger at you. “You’ve got an axe too. Maybe you should try it?”
You grimace. Was everyone in this desert insane? Your axe was quality, Castle Rusalka forged steel. None of the weapons you’d seen so far here in Morfis could even compete. You’d had it for quite some time, and knew it like the back of your hand. The smoothness of the handle, the sharpness of the heel, and the tiny little “E” engraved into the head, signifying the initial of the castle’s blacksmith. What sort of madman would you be to toss such a masterwork into the water?
Then again, when in Morfis…
>A): Toss the axe into the oasis. If nothing happens you can always make Adeline retrieve it.>B): This is madness… 