The Calm

After escaping the Gravesworn, the dragon Ophelia offers to take the heirs anywhere they wish to go. They decide to return to Colline, wanting some time to recover before their final strike at the cult in Soleilae.

Despite finding the place ransacked, they determine it is safe to rest there. Mariks overhears Ophelia and Thorn bonding, with Ophelia offering to teach Thorn how to eventually learn to take a humanoid shape. And upon Xanthe's watch, she finds the Kuotoa known as Ker, who had taken shelter her after speaking with Captain Moreau. Ker admits she heard members of the cult, saying they were returning to Cielmir.

During breakfast, Ophelia speaks about her time in Ederia, regarding how the last time was during the fall of the Dragon's Triarchy. She acknowledges that sibling rivalries caused many problems in Ederia's past, but believes the heirs might be able to choose a different fate for themselves.

During some downtime, Via speaks with Xanthe, admitting that she often viewed Xanthe as more of a mother than Circe, and presents her with a magical charm bracelet to thank her for her support over the years.

Meanwhile, Cailynn, Marik and Edwinn purchase supplies in town before speaking with Maywen, a follower of The Great Elk. Cailynn learns of her love and connection to Kaeleth, how they have been following his trail in the hopes that he will return home, believing him to be a kind soul surroudned by bad influence. She gives Cailynn a repaired amulet for her to give to Kaeleth, as reminder that he will always be welcome home should he choose to return.

As the heirs gather again, Xanthe proposes that she reaches out again to Mephisto, wanting to speak to Elendara's soul, believing that she might know of the traitor's identity in the Ederian council. The group is cautious, but decided it is worth the risk.

Edwinn, after some prodding brings up the events of the Scorched Sepulchur once again, believing that the heirs acted with brutality and haste. There is much pushback, mainly from Cailynn as neither side seems willing to budge. Breakign the tension, Via suggests they return to the matter and invites Edwinn out on a walk, where she acknowledges that she doesn't disagree with Cailynn and doesn't understand Edwinn's point of view. Edwinn believes that as heirs, they need to be better when it comes to how they treat their enemies. Via acknowledges that they are nowhere close to common ground, and each sibling must respect each others' decisions.

Xanthe reaches out to Mephisto and creates a deal with him. For each question that Xanthe asks Elendara, she must promise one year of service to Mephisto after her death. Xanthe agrees, but uses leading sentences to get Elendara to share what she knows, while asking very few direct questions. Everytime it seems she becomes close to revealing the traitor, there seems to be a block where she starts to repeat herself. Via steps in and helps Xanthe with her magic, pushing Eldendra to give the name of the agent that works for Mephisto....

Raynere Falkrest