Post by Wixspartan on May 7, 2022 10:37:02 GMT
Written with the excellent help of stephena and Gerhard
Silvia and Gerhard walk quietly through the evening streets of Daring Heights from Portal Plaza to her house. Gerhard is the first one to break the companionable silence.
“So, you bought a house..? You must be doing well then, Silvia”
She smiles wistfully.
"I wish, it's a loan from the bank in Port Ffirst, just wanted a place to settle down in for a while you know?"
Gerhard chuckles, watching his feet as the two walk.
“It’s been a while since I felt settled. I’m glad you’ve found your own space. And with Sorrel! Last I saw you two together it was when that awful spirit was taken out of her.”
"Oh right yeah! A... lot has changed. Technically she doesn't live there but when she's not in the temple she's at the house. We're um, close these days, at least that's how I feel, I can't speak for Sorrel in any capacity haha, such an independent woman after all."
Gerhard looks over, raising an eyebrow.
"She's at the house whenever she can be, huh?"
He cracks a grin.
"Sounds like you might know well enough how she feels then."
She blushes and elbows Gerhard lightly.
"Shush you, none of your business..."
She sighs and chuckles.
"Speaking of which, how have you been Gerhard? Any... news on the mark on your arm?"
His hand reaches up, subconsciously rubbing at the line on his forearm, hidden under layers of clothing. He sighs, eyes downcast.
“Some.”
“I found him, you know. Henri.” Gerhard mutters as he casts a sideways glance.
Silvia stops walking.
"You found him? That's good news no?"
Gerhard sighs, running a hand through his hair.
“Found him, yes. But also found what was keeping him. Have you heard of The Infinite Staircase?”
"Heh, surprisingly yes, from Jaezred, from you. I was part of the discussion surrounding the reason he asked you about it."
Gerhard looks confused for a moment before he puts the pieces together.
“Oh! Don’t tell me you were the one he was trying to help? Did you rescue your friend from the Hells?”
"I was one of the people he was trying to help, not the main one though, she was more... urgent. Shit I need to talk to her about how that went actually."
“Ah.” Gerhard replies.
“Well, I’m sorry I couldn’t have been more help. But for better or for worse I haven’t heard The Call in weeks.”
"Interesting, anyway sorry I interrupted, you were saying."
“Oh, right. Henri.”
Sticking his hands in his pockets, Gerhard hugs his cloak tight to him.
“The Staircase, the one Jaezred told you about, it’s got a… resident. And if you walk those Stairs, he may decide that you’re worth keeping.”
Gerhard blinks, staring at the sky.
“Of course, he maintains that his travellers can leave whenever they like!”
He looks back to Silvia. His eyes, redder now, are almost pleading.
“But if he could leave, why did Henri go back? Why didn’t he come home with me?”
She pauses, unsure of what to say for a moment.
"Perhaps he has found something worth looking for, something worth running from your friend just to find and bring back to them."
Gerhard wipes his eyes.
“Maybe so. I hope so, at least. But it doesn’t mean I won’t keep trying”
He runs a finger below each eyelid.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to just.. unload. I haven’t spoken to many others these days”
"I feel your pain friend, I was the same for a long time, I still am sometimes. We're almost home, I'll let you in, take a seat and I'll find the bottle of whiskey I know Sorrel keeps somewhere."
She pauses again.
"Keep trying Gerhard"
The rest of the walk is relatively quiet as they come to the house.
Gerhard looks over his shoulder as they approach the front steps.
“Nice location, Silvia,” he says, eying the temple nearby.
She winks.
"Thank you, it was a deliberate choice don't worry."
“Is Sorrel home this evening?”
"Let's see, she's been... busy recently, as have I to be honest."
She pulls a set of keys out of her bag and unlocks the small door. Gerhard seems to think.
“Seems there’s a lot of that going around."
Silvia leads Gerhard into the small but cosy house. In the kitchen/main room is a table with two chairs, as she walks in Kela happily bounds upstairs to go sleep, and Silvia smiles as she watches the small fox go. She turns again to Gerhard.
“Take a seat, make yourself at home, you can hang your coat and such up on that hook.”
Saying this she throws her own travelling cloak on a hook and moves up the stairs, coming down a few minutes later with a rather nice looking bottle of whiskey. She goes over to a cabinet and pulls out three glasses before setting everything down on the table and taking a seat.
“She’s not home, must be busy, she’ll likely be back soon though, unless the temple needs her for the night. Drink?”
Gerhard steps in, following his host and looking around at her new home.
"It's cosy in here," he says, as he lays his pack on the floor beneath the coat hook.
He shrugs off his silver longbow, thumbing a mote of red Kundarian dust from the tip, and leans it against the wall. Shrugging off his cloak causes a few scraps of parchment to slip free, and he scrambles to collect them all.
"Sure, a drink wouldn't go amiss."
She pours three glasses and takes a sip, attempting to put up a strong face at what is admittedly strong whiskey.
"Neat bow, new acquisition?"
"Mm!" he vocalizes at the question, mid sip. He turns to look at the bow, leant against the wall.
"Yes, that's the - wow, that's strong - that's The Call. A gift, from some fellow travelers of the Stairs. It's what lets me open up these gateways onto the Staircase."
He turns back to Silvia.
"At least, it felt like a gift at the time. Nowadays I'm not sure what to think of it. But, it got me to Henri once. Mister made sure of that. And next time, I intend to be ready."
"Mister? Sorry, I might have missed something, is that the person who controls the stairs then?"
"Oh, right, sorry! Yes, Mister is the one keeping travelers on the stairs."
"I see. So tell me Gerhard, have you spoken to your friend since... well since he left for the stairs? Asked him about why he's there y'know."
“Henri? Yes, I spoke to him.. but he’s under the influence of the Stairs. Of Mister. He wants nothing more than to travel them, to walk from plane to plane and see all there is…”
Silvia's face becomes more serious.
"His mind is not his own then? Interesting.."
“Well, he isn’t the Henri I used to know. At least, not fully.”
"Maybe he's changed by himself. Or maybe something has changed him, who's to say. You want my advice? Find him again if you can, talk to him, see what he wants and if you want him back try and give it to him. Or, barring everything else, maybe you'll have to let him go, but I have hope that it won't come to that Gerhard. You know what, I've been through a life and a half over the past decade, but somehow things always seem to work out close to fine in the end."
“Maybe. Thank you for your advice.. I appreciate it.”
Gerhard leans back in the chair. He takes in the room, and looks back to Silvia.
“You’re right though, this is pretty close to fine. How have you been? Last I saw you there were substantially fewer shadows.”
She chuckles and her dark eyes wander around the room.
"Well, what a story that is. I found out the source of my powers, the black snake that took my being as its own, the cause of my curse and my blessing. A green dragon by the name of Kurtz that has been corrupted by the Shadowfell. I have.. spoken with him since, we have discussed our relationship and in the process I have met some interesting individuals such as Delilah, you may have met her before, although I will leave her part in the matter out of this discussion. Anyway, long story short, the black thread is gone, along with the imps. My soul is bound now to the claw of Kurtz."
Saying this she extends her hand into open air and shadows coil around it. Suddenly a large black trident forms in her hand, its tip reminiscent of the claws of a dragon.
"I am Silvia, the Fifth Claw of Kurtz, or at least that's how I like to call myself, he barely pays attention to me these days, far too preoccupied by his own business.."
Gerhard looks the trident up and down.
"That's an impressive weapon. A green dragon, corrupted by shadows... I suppose that explains your sidebar earlier today?"
"Yes, I was... contacting him, at great risk. I shouldn't have done it but I did because I was frustrated, an error I know."
Gerhard nods in understanding.
"I know the feeling. I'm guilty of a little recklessness, too."
He runs a finger along the rim of the glass.
"It sounds like we both have ties that bind, hmm? Shadow dragons, though..."
He pauses before continuing again.
"This... Kurtz, right? This Kurtz, I hope he will be good for you. Or, at least, not too bad a curse."
"He's been... there for my whole adult life, I still don't know how to feel about him really. And then there's the whole thing with Sorrel. She's.. beautiful, and wonderful and so many good adjectives but I don't know, it feels like there's more I could be doing to help her and I'm just not. I'm not there Gerhard, she's doing her things and I'm doing mine, I'm worried she's going to get hurt. She's stronger than me but that doesn't mean she doesn't have to deal with shit externally and internally y'know?"
Gerhard wears his empathy on his face. It sits low and comfortable, and he gives Silvia a small smile.
"It's like you said. Somehow, things work out close to fine in the end. You'll always be doing your own things, that's only natural. I think what counts is that you're here. That matters more than anything."
She smiles faintly.
"True enough.."
Gerhard raises his glass.
"To.. let's say, to those we wish we could give more to, hmm? To Henri, and to Sorrel, and to all those for whom we wish we could do more."
She grins and raises the glass.
“That’s a good one, yes. To them.”
"And to you, Silvia. It's been.. good, to talk about these things. To get them out in the open."
He sips.
"Can I help you, at all? I know very little about... shadow dragons, but I'm not a bad shot if you need a pair of eyes to watch out."
She seems to genuinely consider this.
"If I need it, I'll try and find you friend, and the same goes to you, I'm not always able to be found but you're always welcome round this house and if I'm here I'll help with whatever you need me to."
“Thank you, Silvia. Just follow the bits of parchment floating around and you’ll find me” he says with a laugh..
There is a scratching at the door as someone tries to fit keys in the lock. The scraping is loud but brief then three heavy knocks on the door echo through the tiny cottage. Silvia freezes and nods sternly at Gerhard before quietly moving to the door.
“Who’s there? The only person who’d want to speak to me this late would have keys. Who are you?”
"Silvia, it's me, it's Sorrel," Sorrel's voice is broken and almost unrecognisable.
"Please can I come in?"
The door bolts open. Silvia goes to embrace Sorrel immediately.
“Come in, you sound terrible. Gerhard’s in the kitchen as is a glass of whiskey.”
Sorrel falls into Silvia's arms, heavy with exhaustion, and for a second her weight overwhelms the young warlock. She rights herself, holding onto the wall, and looks into Silvia's eyes. The darkness and despair are palpable.
"Whisky would help," she's forcing her casual reply but her half smile is deep and genuine.
Silvia simply nods and half carries her to the chair.
“Gerhard as you can see she’s back, we’ll have to postpone the philosophy. Now tell us what’s going on Sorrel, I’ll start cooking some food you look shattered.”
Gerhard, having risen to his feet along with Silvia, settles back in, sliding the third untouched glass towards Sorrel.
“Are you okay?”
“Tricky day, to be honest,” Sorrel says after hurling back the whisky.
“I don’t know how much you know about the blades and the ash and Shar and Selune? I know a lot of people have been caught up in it…”
Silvia crosses her arms and leans against the doorframe to the main room of the house.
"Nope, nothing. You tend not to talk much about work and I tend not to ask. I don't think context is too vital unless you believe it is, I cannot speak for Gerhard here but I only really have one question, how do I help?"
Gerhard nods in agreement. Sorrel stares into space for a little too long, then her eyes focus back into the room.
"Long story short I have to go to Hell, which is not ideal," she scratches her chin thoughtfully for a second.
"The fiends that have kidnapped the high priest of the temple of Selûne have marked me, Zola, Marto and Velania with these brands," she hauls off her jerkin to expose the patterns scorched into her spine and ribs.
"They seem to be able to get into our dreams, either through these or something else, and these are some form of scrying tool. So presumably they'll be ready for us."
She slips her jerkin back on.
"The guy we're working with likes small teams so instead of a regiment of paladins we're taking a crew of five or six to Phlegethos, the fourth level, the realm of fire and pain. But on the upside I have a charm that slightly reduces damage, so it's not all bad."
She pours another whisky and inhales it, savouring the delicate notes of rum and caramel.
"So it's not an obvious win, as far as I can see, but you never know," she shrugs.
"It's kind of a mission from the goddess only we seem to be fucking it up. Any and all suggestions gratefully received. And food. Probably food first. Six days of forced marching and a battle with fiendish killer scorpions take it out of you."
"Wait six days?! Sorrel holy shit we need to get you fed properly. Tonight we'll have some more stew and tomorrow I'll roast some chicken. And, and, I don't know, we'll find something else as well but it'll be fucking nutritious and tasty and-"
She stops and sighs.
"You're going to get hurt again aren't you?"
"And not in a good way," Sorrel tries not to meet her eyes.
"Sorry Gerhard, rude of me. How's the - I'm going to get this wrong, I heard about from Kavel but things have been so busy... Infinity Stairs? It's tricky when your minds being blown by two insane and apparently unrelated concepts at once. Unless the stair is a short cut to Hell?" she perks up hopefully.
Gerhard listens intently as Sorrel catches him up. He frowns slightly at the mention of Marto and Zola, and that frown deepens with recognition at the sight of the mark decorating Sorrel’s skin.
“It’s okay, Sorrel - there’s no need to apologize.”
He looks over at Silvia, her exclamations of concern filling the room. His gaze turns back to Sorrel and he sighs.
“The Staircase… you’re the second to ask me about walking its steps to Hell recently. But I’m afraid I might have to disappoint you: it Calls to me, and I don’t have much say when. And even though I’m doing the walking, I don’t think it… cares much, about the destination I have in mind. It pulled me to Hell once, but I think that’s only because it wanted me there.”
Gerhard leans forward, “But I’m there, if you need me.”
Sorrel clasps his hand in the warrior's grip.
"Thank you Gerhard," she places her other hand on her heart.
"I am honoured by your offer. But this is a journey to Hell to make amends for my own error. I cannot ask you to put your very soul on the line when you have unfinished business in your own heart."
She gives a small, guilty smile.
"When I heard two voices in here I took some precautions and heard a little of what you said. I apologise, but as these fiends can change their shape I needed to be sure. I have not seen you since we hunted for Kavel's comrades, and I do not know Henri but I know the cry of a heart in pain."
She drains her glass.
"But a noble offer demands an honourable reply, and I promise you that - if I return from Hell and you need my bow - I will be there."
"Well, even if Gerhard's not coming you can't stop me coming too Sorrel. For once I feel like I can actually help you here. I may not know much about Selune, and I only know a little more about fiends, but gods be dammed I can at least hold my own in a fight. When do we set off? And from where?"
Sorrel's face crumbles.
"I knew you were going to say that," she sighs.
"You remember that day lying in the field when you took my hand? I said I would fight devils in Hell for you. It was supposed to be that way round."
Silvia does not smile.
"Well it's not, you're letting me help you just this once. Just this once I'm going to be useful here and not just your ward. Let me help Sorrel, please."
Sorrel smiles.
“Ok but only because I can keep an eye on you and stop you falling through the roof. But listen to me,” she reaches out towards Silvia.
“The Jackal - long story, you’ll meet him - says we will all be at risk of betraying the thing we most love. If you come you have to promise - you will kill me if you have to. Unless you swear that oath I will sneak off in the night.”
Silvia remains straight faced, although it is clear she is rapidly thinking.
"I swear as Silvia, the Fifth Claw of Kurtz, that if the situation ever arises that you have fallen to darkness and there is no way back, I will be the one to end your life forever. Now, you and Gerhard finish that bottle, I'm going to cook and think."
Gerhard, having not realized he was holding his breath while the two others spoke of oaths and bonds, breathes out. His eyes, flitting between Sorrel and Silvia, come to rest on the bottle between them, and he pours another round. Sorrel smiles gratefully, hurls her glass back and stands.
“I interrupted your conversation, and I think I’m close to passing out, so let me leave you to finish. I’ll sleep for four hours and then I’ll eat everything in the house,” she smiles at Silvia, then turns and bows low to Gerhard.
“Comrade, I wish you luck in your fight and my bow is yours should you need me. I hope I am right to consider you a friend.”
She straightens up, puts her hand over her heart and smiles.
“At your service and your families.”
She heads to the door, almost trips, holds onto the doorpost for a second and is gone. Gerhard whispers to himself as Sorrel leaves.
“Good luck”
As Silvia cooks, Gerhard withdraws one of his cleaner pages of parchment, a small vial of ink, and a quill. He sketches the two, Sorrel and Silvia, their hands clasped across the table. The concern on Silvia’s face, her quick calculations, he rubs in, the ink smearing slightly, capturing a moment in time. Sorrel, her eyes tired, but precise, staring into Silvia’s own, awaiting an answer.
He finishes the brief recording, but instead of finding a pocket he finds a space in Silvia’s home, leaning it up. A memento. He rises and follows Silvia to the kitchen.
“How can I help?”
She sighs and doesn't look at him.
"Carrots, they need chopping but... I have four hours, it can wait, you need to get some rest your self friend. Don't worry about me or Sorrel, she's been through living hell and she's still alive and me, well, I have a knack for staying alive despite almost dying many times."
She finally looks up and gives a faint smile.
"Was good meeting and working with you again after so long Gerhard, sorry I dragged you into this conversation, I was just planning on having a nice catch up over drinks."
Gerhard returns the smile.
"It was good seeing you, too. Let's make sure it happens again, hmm?"
He moves towards the door before turning back.
"Good luck. With Hell, and with each other. And.. hold on to each other. Tight."
And after grabbing his few things by the door, he's gone. Silvia stays up all night cooking before heading to bed herself. She takes a moment to watch Sorrel's face as she sleeps and smiles before lying down next to her, she knows she will still be asleep when Sorrel wakes up, but at least she'll have a good meal, a home for now, and some time to rest..
Silvia and Gerhard walk quietly through the evening streets of Daring Heights from Portal Plaza to her house. Gerhard is the first one to break the companionable silence.
“So, you bought a house..? You must be doing well then, Silvia”
She smiles wistfully.
"I wish, it's a loan from the bank in Port Ffirst, just wanted a place to settle down in for a while you know?"
Gerhard chuckles, watching his feet as the two walk.
“It’s been a while since I felt settled. I’m glad you’ve found your own space. And with Sorrel! Last I saw you two together it was when that awful spirit was taken out of her.”
"Oh right yeah! A... lot has changed. Technically she doesn't live there but when she's not in the temple she's at the house. We're um, close these days, at least that's how I feel, I can't speak for Sorrel in any capacity haha, such an independent woman after all."
Gerhard looks over, raising an eyebrow.
"She's at the house whenever she can be, huh?"
He cracks a grin.
"Sounds like you might know well enough how she feels then."
She blushes and elbows Gerhard lightly.
"Shush you, none of your business..."
She sighs and chuckles.
"Speaking of which, how have you been Gerhard? Any... news on the mark on your arm?"
His hand reaches up, subconsciously rubbing at the line on his forearm, hidden under layers of clothing. He sighs, eyes downcast.
“Some.”
“I found him, you know. Henri.” Gerhard mutters as he casts a sideways glance.
Silvia stops walking.
"You found him? That's good news no?"
Gerhard sighs, running a hand through his hair.
“Found him, yes. But also found what was keeping him. Have you heard of The Infinite Staircase?”
"Heh, surprisingly yes, from Jaezred, from you. I was part of the discussion surrounding the reason he asked you about it."
Gerhard looks confused for a moment before he puts the pieces together.
“Oh! Don’t tell me you were the one he was trying to help? Did you rescue your friend from the Hells?”
"I was one of the people he was trying to help, not the main one though, she was more... urgent. Shit I need to talk to her about how that went actually."
“Ah.” Gerhard replies.
“Well, I’m sorry I couldn’t have been more help. But for better or for worse I haven’t heard The Call in weeks.”
"Interesting, anyway sorry I interrupted, you were saying."
“Oh, right. Henri.”
Sticking his hands in his pockets, Gerhard hugs his cloak tight to him.
“The Staircase, the one Jaezred told you about, it’s got a… resident. And if you walk those Stairs, he may decide that you’re worth keeping.”
Gerhard blinks, staring at the sky.
“Of course, he maintains that his travellers can leave whenever they like!”
He looks back to Silvia. His eyes, redder now, are almost pleading.
“But if he could leave, why did Henri go back? Why didn’t he come home with me?”
She pauses, unsure of what to say for a moment.
"Perhaps he has found something worth looking for, something worth running from your friend just to find and bring back to them."
Gerhard wipes his eyes.
“Maybe so. I hope so, at least. But it doesn’t mean I won’t keep trying”
He runs a finger below each eyelid.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to just.. unload. I haven’t spoken to many others these days”
"I feel your pain friend, I was the same for a long time, I still am sometimes. We're almost home, I'll let you in, take a seat and I'll find the bottle of whiskey I know Sorrel keeps somewhere."
She pauses again.
"Keep trying Gerhard"
The rest of the walk is relatively quiet as they come to the house.
Gerhard looks over his shoulder as they approach the front steps.
“Nice location, Silvia,” he says, eying the temple nearby.
She winks.
"Thank you, it was a deliberate choice don't worry."
“Is Sorrel home this evening?”
"Let's see, she's been... busy recently, as have I to be honest."
She pulls a set of keys out of her bag and unlocks the small door. Gerhard seems to think.
“Seems there’s a lot of that going around."
Silvia leads Gerhard into the small but cosy house. In the kitchen/main room is a table with two chairs, as she walks in Kela happily bounds upstairs to go sleep, and Silvia smiles as she watches the small fox go. She turns again to Gerhard.
“Take a seat, make yourself at home, you can hang your coat and such up on that hook.”
Saying this she throws her own travelling cloak on a hook and moves up the stairs, coming down a few minutes later with a rather nice looking bottle of whiskey. She goes over to a cabinet and pulls out three glasses before setting everything down on the table and taking a seat.
“She’s not home, must be busy, she’ll likely be back soon though, unless the temple needs her for the night. Drink?”
Gerhard steps in, following his host and looking around at her new home.
"It's cosy in here," he says, as he lays his pack on the floor beneath the coat hook.
He shrugs off his silver longbow, thumbing a mote of red Kundarian dust from the tip, and leans it against the wall. Shrugging off his cloak causes a few scraps of parchment to slip free, and he scrambles to collect them all.
"Sure, a drink wouldn't go amiss."
She pours three glasses and takes a sip, attempting to put up a strong face at what is admittedly strong whiskey.
"Neat bow, new acquisition?"
"Mm!" he vocalizes at the question, mid sip. He turns to look at the bow, leant against the wall.
"Yes, that's the - wow, that's strong - that's The Call. A gift, from some fellow travelers of the Stairs. It's what lets me open up these gateways onto the Staircase."
He turns back to Silvia.
"At least, it felt like a gift at the time. Nowadays I'm not sure what to think of it. But, it got me to Henri once. Mister made sure of that. And next time, I intend to be ready."
"Mister? Sorry, I might have missed something, is that the person who controls the stairs then?"
"Oh, right, sorry! Yes, Mister is the one keeping travelers on the stairs."
"I see. So tell me Gerhard, have you spoken to your friend since... well since he left for the stairs? Asked him about why he's there y'know."
“Henri? Yes, I spoke to him.. but he’s under the influence of the Stairs. Of Mister. He wants nothing more than to travel them, to walk from plane to plane and see all there is…”
Silvia's face becomes more serious.
"His mind is not his own then? Interesting.."
“Well, he isn’t the Henri I used to know. At least, not fully.”
"Maybe he's changed by himself. Or maybe something has changed him, who's to say. You want my advice? Find him again if you can, talk to him, see what he wants and if you want him back try and give it to him. Or, barring everything else, maybe you'll have to let him go, but I have hope that it won't come to that Gerhard. You know what, I've been through a life and a half over the past decade, but somehow things always seem to work out close to fine in the end."
“Maybe. Thank you for your advice.. I appreciate it.”
Gerhard leans back in the chair. He takes in the room, and looks back to Silvia.
“You’re right though, this is pretty close to fine. How have you been? Last I saw you there were substantially fewer shadows.”
She chuckles and her dark eyes wander around the room.
"Well, what a story that is. I found out the source of my powers, the black snake that took my being as its own, the cause of my curse and my blessing. A green dragon by the name of Kurtz that has been corrupted by the Shadowfell. I have.. spoken with him since, we have discussed our relationship and in the process I have met some interesting individuals such as Delilah, you may have met her before, although I will leave her part in the matter out of this discussion. Anyway, long story short, the black thread is gone, along with the imps. My soul is bound now to the claw of Kurtz."
Saying this she extends her hand into open air and shadows coil around it. Suddenly a large black trident forms in her hand, its tip reminiscent of the claws of a dragon.
"I am Silvia, the Fifth Claw of Kurtz, or at least that's how I like to call myself, he barely pays attention to me these days, far too preoccupied by his own business.."
Gerhard looks the trident up and down.
"That's an impressive weapon. A green dragon, corrupted by shadows... I suppose that explains your sidebar earlier today?"
"Yes, I was... contacting him, at great risk. I shouldn't have done it but I did because I was frustrated, an error I know."
Gerhard nods in understanding.
"I know the feeling. I'm guilty of a little recklessness, too."
He runs a finger along the rim of the glass.
"It sounds like we both have ties that bind, hmm? Shadow dragons, though..."
He pauses before continuing again.
"This... Kurtz, right? This Kurtz, I hope he will be good for you. Or, at least, not too bad a curse."
"He's been... there for my whole adult life, I still don't know how to feel about him really. And then there's the whole thing with Sorrel. She's.. beautiful, and wonderful and so many good adjectives but I don't know, it feels like there's more I could be doing to help her and I'm just not. I'm not there Gerhard, she's doing her things and I'm doing mine, I'm worried she's going to get hurt. She's stronger than me but that doesn't mean she doesn't have to deal with shit externally and internally y'know?"
Gerhard wears his empathy on his face. It sits low and comfortable, and he gives Silvia a small smile.
"It's like you said. Somehow, things work out close to fine in the end. You'll always be doing your own things, that's only natural. I think what counts is that you're here. That matters more than anything."
She smiles faintly.
"True enough.."
Gerhard raises his glass.
"To.. let's say, to those we wish we could give more to, hmm? To Henri, and to Sorrel, and to all those for whom we wish we could do more."
She grins and raises the glass.
“That’s a good one, yes. To them.”
"And to you, Silvia. It's been.. good, to talk about these things. To get them out in the open."
He sips.
"Can I help you, at all? I know very little about... shadow dragons, but I'm not a bad shot if you need a pair of eyes to watch out."
She seems to genuinely consider this.
"If I need it, I'll try and find you friend, and the same goes to you, I'm not always able to be found but you're always welcome round this house and if I'm here I'll help with whatever you need me to."
“Thank you, Silvia. Just follow the bits of parchment floating around and you’ll find me” he says with a laugh..
There is a scratching at the door as someone tries to fit keys in the lock. The scraping is loud but brief then three heavy knocks on the door echo through the tiny cottage. Silvia freezes and nods sternly at Gerhard before quietly moving to the door.
“Who’s there? The only person who’d want to speak to me this late would have keys. Who are you?”
"Silvia, it's me, it's Sorrel," Sorrel's voice is broken and almost unrecognisable.
"Please can I come in?"
The door bolts open. Silvia goes to embrace Sorrel immediately.
“Come in, you sound terrible. Gerhard’s in the kitchen as is a glass of whiskey.”
Sorrel falls into Silvia's arms, heavy with exhaustion, and for a second her weight overwhelms the young warlock. She rights herself, holding onto the wall, and looks into Silvia's eyes. The darkness and despair are palpable.
"Whisky would help," she's forcing her casual reply but her half smile is deep and genuine.
Silvia simply nods and half carries her to the chair.
“Gerhard as you can see she’s back, we’ll have to postpone the philosophy. Now tell us what’s going on Sorrel, I’ll start cooking some food you look shattered.”
Gerhard, having risen to his feet along with Silvia, settles back in, sliding the third untouched glass towards Sorrel.
“Are you okay?”
“Tricky day, to be honest,” Sorrel says after hurling back the whisky.
“I don’t know how much you know about the blades and the ash and Shar and Selune? I know a lot of people have been caught up in it…”
Silvia crosses her arms and leans against the doorframe to the main room of the house.
"Nope, nothing. You tend not to talk much about work and I tend not to ask. I don't think context is too vital unless you believe it is, I cannot speak for Gerhard here but I only really have one question, how do I help?"
Gerhard nods in agreement. Sorrel stares into space for a little too long, then her eyes focus back into the room.
"Long story short I have to go to Hell, which is not ideal," she scratches her chin thoughtfully for a second.
"The fiends that have kidnapped the high priest of the temple of Selûne have marked me, Zola, Marto and Velania with these brands," she hauls off her jerkin to expose the patterns scorched into her spine and ribs.
"They seem to be able to get into our dreams, either through these or something else, and these are some form of scrying tool. So presumably they'll be ready for us."
She slips her jerkin back on.
"The guy we're working with likes small teams so instead of a regiment of paladins we're taking a crew of five or six to Phlegethos, the fourth level, the realm of fire and pain. But on the upside I have a charm that slightly reduces damage, so it's not all bad."
She pours another whisky and inhales it, savouring the delicate notes of rum and caramel.
"So it's not an obvious win, as far as I can see, but you never know," she shrugs.
"It's kind of a mission from the goddess only we seem to be fucking it up. Any and all suggestions gratefully received. And food. Probably food first. Six days of forced marching and a battle with fiendish killer scorpions take it out of you."
"Wait six days?! Sorrel holy shit we need to get you fed properly. Tonight we'll have some more stew and tomorrow I'll roast some chicken. And, and, I don't know, we'll find something else as well but it'll be fucking nutritious and tasty and-"
She stops and sighs.
"You're going to get hurt again aren't you?"
"And not in a good way," Sorrel tries not to meet her eyes.
"Sorry Gerhard, rude of me. How's the - I'm going to get this wrong, I heard about from Kavel but things have been so busy... Infinity Stairs? It's tricky when your minds being blown by two insane and apparently unrelated concepts at once. Unless the stair is a short cut to Hell?" she perks up hopefully.
Gerhard listens intently as Sorrel catches him up. He frowns slightly at the mention of Marto and Zola, and that frown deepens with recognition at the sight of the mark decorating Sorrel’s skin.
“It’s okay, Sorrel - there’s no need to apologize.”
He looks over at Silvia, her exclamations of concern filling the room. His gaze turns back to Sorrel and he sighs.
“The Staircase… you’re the second to ask me about walking its steps to Hell recently. But I’m afraid I might have to disappoint you: it Calls to me, and I don’t have much say when. And even though I’m doing the walking, I don’t think it… cares much, about the destination I have in mind. It pulled me to Hell once, but I think that’s only because it wanted me there.”
Gerhard leans forward, “But I’m there, if you need me.”
Sorrel clasps his hand in the warrior's grip.
"Thank you Gerhard," she places her other hand on her heart.
"I am honoured by your offer. But this is a journey to Hell to make amends for my own error. I cannot ask you to put your very soul on the line when you have unfinished business in your own heart."
She gives a small, guilty smile.
"When I heard two voices in here I took some precautions and heard a little of what you said. I apologise, but as these fiends can change their shape I needed to be sure. I have not seen you since we hunted for Kavel's comrades, and I do not know Henri but I know the cry of a heart in pain."
She drains her glass.
"But a noble offer demands an honourable reply, and I promise you that - if I return from Hell and you need my bow - I will be there."
"Well, even if Gerhard's not coming you can't stop me coming too Sorrel. For once I feel like I can actually help you here. I may not know much about Selune, and I only know a little more about fiends, but gods be dammed I can at least hold my own in a fight. When do we set off? And from where?"
Sorrel's face crumbles.
"I knew you were going to say that," she sighs.
"You remember that day lying in the field when you took my hand? I said I would fight devils in Hell for you. It was supposed to be that way round."
Silvia does not smile.
"Well it's not, you're letting me help you just this once. Just this once I'm going to be useful here and not just your ward. Let me help Sorrel, please."
Sorrel smiles.
“Ok but only because I can keep an eye on you and stop you falling through the roof. But listen to me,” she reaches out towards Silvia.
“The Jackal - long story, you’ll meet him - says we will all be at risk of betraying the thing we most love. If you come you have to promise - you will kill me if you have to. Unless you swear that oath I will sneak off in the night.”
Silvia remains straight faced, although it is clear she is rapidly thinking.
"I swear as Silvia, the Fifth Claw of Kurtz, that if the situation ever arises that you have fallen to darkness and there is no way back, I will be the one to end your life forever. Now, you and Gerhard finish that bottle, I'm going to cook and think."
Gerhard, having not realized he was holding his breath while the two others spoke of oaths and bonds, breathes out. His eyes, flitting between Sorrel and Silvia, come to rest on the bottle between them, and he pours another round. Sorrel smiles gratefully, hurls her glass back and stands.
“I interrupted your conversation, and I think I’m close to passing out, so let me leave you to finish. I’ll sleep for four hours and then I’ll eat everything in the house,” she smiles at Silvia, then turns and bows low to Gerhard.
“Comrade, I wish you luck in your fight and my bow is yours should you need me. I hope I am right to consider you a friend.”
She straightens up, puts her hand over her heart and smiles.
“At your service and your families.”
She heads to the door, almost trips, holds onto the doorpost for a second and is gone. Gerhard whispers to himself as Sorrel leaves.
“Good luck”
As Silvia cooks, Gerhard withdraws one of his cleaner pages of parchment, a small vial of ink, and a quill. He sketches the two, Sorrel and Silvia, their hands clasped across the table. The concern on Silvia’s face, her quick calculations, he rubs in, the ink smearing slightly, capturing a moment in time. Sorrel, her eyes tired, but precise, staring into Silvia’s own, awaiting an answer.
He finishes the brief recording, but instead of finding a pocket he finds a space in Silvia’s home, leaning it up. A memento. He rises and follows Silvia to the kitchen.
“How can I help?”
She sighs and doesn't look at him.
"Carrots, they need chopping but... I have four hours, it can wait, you need to get some rest your self friend. Don't worry about me or Sorrel, she's been through living hell and she's still alive and me, well, I have a knack for staying alive despite almost dying many times."
She finally looks up and gives a faint smile.
"Was good meeting and working with you again after so long Gerhard, sorry I dragged you into this conversation, I was just planning on having a nice catch up over drinks."
Gerhard returns the smile.
"It was good seeing you, too. Let's make sure it happens again, hmm?"
He moves towards the door before turning back.
"Good luck. With Hell, and with each other. And.. hold on to each other. Tight."
And after grabbing his few things by the door, he's gone. Silvia stays up all night cooking before heading to bed herself. She takes a moment to watch Sorrel's face as she sleeps and smiles before lying down next to her, she knows she will still be asleep when Sorrel wakes up, but at least she'll have a good meal, a home for now, and some time to rest..