>>6186354Your friends are still discussing with each other, sharing congratulations. You wold love to share in the pleasant moment, but it’s almost time. Your skin prickles with the heat of the Sanction. A red burn is starting to appear on the entirety of your body, like when you were a child and fell asleep under the summer sun.
It will probably grow to a painfully stingy sensation, but that’s beyond your worries for now.
As for the cameo—
If what you saw was the truth, and there is only truth coming from the Sun-Birther, then Bragia Lacresta was the one who fashioned this cameo. With her own hands.
Depicting herself, though. Perhaps it was a gift to Candeloro?
Or perhaps something else.
You will ask Master when you come back — but still, the thought of bearing something that was fashioned from her own hands sends a ripple down your spine.
For now, Her sun is slowly falling towards the horizon, lengthening the shadows and carrying the day with itself.
Soon the stars will come out, and it will be too late for any musings.
You reach for your underwear and your armour, starting to put it back. Blood taints the fabric red, and as you latch the ceramic plaques on your chest and back, you have to wince at the slight burst of pain.
No matter.
This too shall pass.
You finish slipping into your armour and take out your sword.
“Let’s go,” you tell the others. Willow flinches, as she also finishes setting her armour back. You notice a small pile of empty vials of sacred oils laying at her feet.
“It’s time, isn't it?” She asks with a dry smile. “It’s time.”
“Yes,” you agree. Why the hesitation now? “You forgot to latch those up,” you tell her, noticing how the right side of her torso armour is laying open.
“Ah, yes, but…” she kneads it, an expression of pain appearing on her features. “I think something broke here. From before, when the— the copper wrapped around me. If I pull it too tight it hurts like a bitch.”
Unsure what dogs have to do with it, nevertheless, you can’t let something like that slip.“Ask Soralisa to give it a look. Soralisa?” You turn to check on her, but Willow pulls on the latches and closes them.
[cont.]
