Beneath the Bloom

The heirs fight against the cultists and drakes, with several of them struggling as it was their first real battle. However, the tide soon turns in their favor and they are able to slay the cultists and drakes. They attempt to take one alive, but he downs a poison vial and takes his own life, leaving the heirs and Raynere alone.

Upon further investigation, Raynere declares that drakes shouldn't be here due to the cleansing that took place after the Dragon Triarchy. As Sentinel, his duty to the realm overrules his duty to protect the heirs. He takes half of the soldiers and follows the trail left behind by the cultists, hoping to find where they came from and learn more information.

The heirs all try to unwind after the battle, but Via is struck with the worst nerves. Wanting to go home and fearing for her life and those of her siblings, she attempts to try and see the future by taking Xanthe's dagger from her choosing ceremony. Upon returning to Xanthe, Via is unable to hide her emotions from her older sibling. She doesn't tell Xanthe any specifics, only offering up that there were many bad omens to be seen.

Xanthe alone now, hears something and looks around the camp, but is unable to find a source.

The heirs travel to Rosemont and meet the mayor, who offers up his own abode to the heirs while they work on the crisis. The heirs send official letters to both houses, urging them to keep their troops in check as further violence would not be tolerated. The heirs also decide to travel down to the keep that Xanthe learned about, hearing that bandits have recently taken up residency within.

Marik speaks to Xanthe and Cailynn, hoping to get them to leave Via and Edwinn out of their competition for the throne as much as possible. However, harsh words are exchanged between all three of them, and the divide only continues to grow between all the siblings as Via and Edwinn decide to officially take part in the competition as well.

The heirs travel to the keep, using Willow (Via's familiar) in order to turn into a rat and send it to spy on the keep and learn what it can. Upon reaching the lowest levels, Via is able to overhear a blue tiefling speak in vague terms about a plan that took place at King's Crown, and saying that they should avoid the Greycoats. Before more can be learned though, the tiefling sees Willow and Via magically calls him back. The bandits send out a patrol from the keep, and the heirs begin to retreat back to where they left their horses.