You've Got the Power to Know… (Velania, Zola & Jaezred)

(After Vignettes of the Season)

When Velania steps out of the temple to get some air, she is quick to spot two familiar figures, standing out from the evening crowd milling about in Portal Plaza. Her two friends Zola and Jaezred seem to be in the middle of an animated argument as they walk side by side, and she catches their words on the wind.

“…What do you mean you don’t know what it is or what it looks like? It was living in your house,” Jaezred says incredulously.

“Well, it’s been with us since I was a baby, I never thought to question it!” replies Zola.

“You truly never saw it when you or your mothers were feeding it? Not even a glimpse?”

“It was very shy, okay.”

Already conscious that she has heard more than her friends may have intended, yet compelled by curiosity, Velania makes a direct path toward them across the plaza. The moon is rising and she allows an aura of moonlight to strengthen subtly around her, helping to steer passers-by out of her way.

“My sister, my lord, what a lovely coincidence. I was just about to take an evening stroll. Are you both well?” she asks, with a smile that conveys both innocence and directness at once.

The two drow stop and turn to look at her with widened eyes.

“Hey, um… sister!” Zola gives Velania a hug, almost successfully hiding the awkward way she said the word. Whatever Velania reads into Zola’s discomfort, she keeps it from her eyes, and returns the hug warmly and affectionately.

“Quite well, quite well,” says Jaezred. “And what about yourself, venerable priestess? Oh, how is Goldskin doing?”

“I’m very well, thank you. Our golden friend? Well, he seems to be enjoying quite a bit of attention since your last visit. He’s… well… rather more of a hit with the congregation than I expected.” Velania shrugs wryly. “I had rather expected him to be a brief novelty here. But thanks in large part to the actions of Sod, our kobold refugee, he seems to remain a source of fascination for visitors.”

She gestures for them to walk alongside her. “Lord Jaezred, you don’t happen to have heard anything more about who he is? It’s still very much a mystery to me, and if he has remembered anything new, he’s certainly not sharing it.”

“No, I’m afraid not… Sorry, did you say he’s a ‘hit’ with the congregation?”

“Hmm… Well, it’s certainly not something I encourage, but people like to bring him gifts. He has a little stash of trinkets, now. I don’t suppose it’s doing anyone any harm, as long as visitors maintain a healthy perspective.”

“Stash of… trinkets?” Zola says.

Jaezred’s brows shoot up his forehead. “Really now? And, er, what does he think about the attention?”

“It’s no dragon’s hoard. But whether it’s a broken brooch or an old coin, as long as it’s vaguely gold-looking, people will leave it with Sod. As for what he thinks, we could go and ask him directly, if you like. But first…” Velania pauses, and looks at them both with gentle eyes, before settling on Zola. “I need to ask, sister. You’ve seemed so distracted, of late. Is there anything you feel the need to talk to me about?”

“Oh. Oh. Velania, there’s been so much that’s happened. We should really go sit—”

“How about we go to the temple?” Jaezred cuts in, a look of intrigue still on his face. “You two can catch up over a cup of tea, and whilst we’re there, we can take a look at Goldhead too.”

“Of course,” Velania replies. “Let’s get comfortable first.” She stares into space for a moment, focusing on sending a message ahead. Then she takes Zola’s arm and leads her two friends back to the temple.

---

By the time they return, an acolyte has discreetly roped off the side alcoves of the temple, so that the last of Goldbody’s visitors has filtered away, leaving him alone with Sod the kobold — who has managed to slip by the acolytes again — and his little pile of treasure. Sod is curled up asleep on the white marble floor with a little blanket over her. The “stash” has a few new additions today: a few trinkets and a small scattering of coins are laid out at what would otherwise be his feet. Someone has also draped an elegant length of cloth over his shoulders.

When the three arrive, Goldbody appears to be looking at Sod but he lifts his head to see who has walked in. In the evening gloom, the candlelight reflects off him almost magically, in flickering, glimmering patterns. Despite his grotesque-looking injuries, Velania always feels a sense of wonder and curiosity when she is with him.

Jaezred had begun casting the ritual for telepathic bond as they were walking to the temple, but standing before Goldbody now, he pauses in the middle of his casting to raise his brows and mutter, “Are you sure this is still the Temple of Selûne…?”

Velania frowns and rolls her eyes at him, almost as if she has anticipated the sense of judgement. “Is that some kind of dig that the Temple of Waukeen is supposed to be a couple of blocks away? I know what it looks like, Lord Jaezred. What would you have me do? Object to freely given donations?”

“It doesn’t look to me that Waukeen is the one being worshipped here either…”

“Jaezred,” Zola scolds him gently.

Too-easily riled, Velania had half-opened her mouth to object to Jaezred, but grins with relief when Zola does the job. He bows his head obediently and continues chanting arcane words under his breath.

Zola turns to the golden elf and smiles. Being mindful of Sod sleeping nearby, she whispers to him, “Hi, Goldfinger. How are you doing? Lord Jaezred here is casting the telepathic spell. You’ll be able to talk to us in just a second.”

“Sister,” Velania says quietly, “Lord Jaezred will be a while. Want to come sit with me while he creates the connection?”

“Of course, sister.”

She escorts Zola to a bench in a nearby alcove, cool and dark and flickering with candlelight. “The temple will be all but empty for the evening now,” she adds deliberately, as if to imply that they will not be disturbed, should Zola wish to open up. “So. It sounds like Lord Jaezred and you were in the midst of a disagreement…?”

“Oh, it wasn’t a disagreement. There’s this, um… thing that used to live in my house. We called it The Something; it lived under the stairs and it was very shy. It escaped somewhere when the house got destroyed and apparently it’s very dangerous? So Lord Jaezred and some other people are looking for it.”

“That’s… uh…” Velania blinks, trying to make sense of something so significant that Zola has dropped so casually. “What kind of thing is it? And is it something you want captured, or that people want killed?”

“I don’t know yet… It was completely peaceful when it lived with us so the news came as a bit of a shock. I can hardly believe it myself.” Zola shrugs. “Er, anyway, that’s not what I wanted to tell you.”

Velania nods, accepting Zola’s reasoning. After all, many of the wonders of the Feywild are beyond explanation to the Prime Material Plane, and it would be arrogant to attempt it. She simply says, “I’m here for you, sister. What is it that’s on your mind?”

“I met my father, my birth father. He told me more about my blood family. Since they sold me to Zarzuul, my parents used the knowledge and power they gained from him to build a noble house in Aeschira… Now it’s one of the eight great houses of the land. My mother is a matron mother, Velania. And I have a younger sister, a twin!”

Velania’s surprise is palpable. “That is incredible news, Zola! But I can imagine it is a lot to process. Firstly, do you wish to meet them? And would it be safe?”

“Safe? Oh no. My father tried to kill me. I can only imagine my mother will try the same.”

“I’m so sorry.” Velania purses her lips and studies Zola carefully. “The Aeschiran houses — I presume they are as steeped in violence as the Menzoberranzan ones, then. Can I ask you, though… do you want to kill them? Your mother and sister?”

Zola looks firmly into Velania’s eyes. “No. But I’m going to overthrow her.”

At the moment the words come out of her mouth, wisps of shadow fly into Zola’s and Velania’s ears. The spell has been cast.

Hello, Goldfoot! Jaezred’s voice sounds in all their minds. Enjoying your stay at the temple, I take it? Sure looks like it’s been a whole lot of fun for you.

The mangled head looks from Jaezred to the accumulated trinkets around the nubs of his legs before responding, the jaw still bobbing as if actually speaking. I’ve been completely swept off my feet.

You like the attention, eh? Jaezred glances down at Sod’s sleeping form, her chest rising and falling with each restful breath. And your new friend? Or is it worshipper?

The head tilts slightly. This feels like an interrogation?

No, of course not… I’m simply checking up on you.

Zola walks over to stand just behind Jaezred. Oh, so you and Sod have become friends? That’s very nice, she says.

He looks back to Sod before returning his gaze to the visitors. She has been… kind. Despite not being able to talk back to her.

What does she talk to you about?

Her thoughts… feelings… dreams… A little inane but sweet, in a way.

Zola raises a brow at the choice of word but says nothing of it. Jaezred continues, Are there others who come and speak to you like she does?

Some.

Really? Any juicy gossip you can share? He punctuates the word with a lurid bouncing of his brows.

Nothing of note for his lordship. Perhaps you have something to bring, though?

Me? Oh no, I’m afraid my life is as boring as an accounting book. But what about yourself? Any old memories surfacing yet?

I struggle to believe that, Goldbody says, looking at the tome of witchcraft in Jaezred’s hand again.

You seem to like my book quite a bit, Goldentoe… The drow holds it up and shakes it a bit. What’s on your mind?

Nothing. Just noting that someone who claims their life is boring has a very interesting trinket they carry with them. Ah, that does remind me — Sister, I’ve been meaning to tell you one of the acolytes has been sneaking alcohol in between sermons. They have a flask hidden in the alcove opposite here.

Velania walks to the alcove to locate the flask. She doesn’t retrieve it, but checks to confirm it is there. Thank you, friend. I shall take it up with them at our pastoral session this week.

Don’t be too hard on them… but if they do require extra duties as penance, I could suggest they help the little one. He looks back at Sod. She is being swamped with requests when I have visitors.

Of course, though I shall certainly treat it as a pastoral matter, not a disciplinary matter. In the meantime, do you have everything you need? How are you enjoying your location and the company in general? Please tell me if there is anything I can have arranged better.

Thank you sister, you are much too kind… If it would not be too much, I would appreciate some books to read.

Requests? Zola asks, her gaze likewise drawn to Sod. What kind of requests?

Velania nods to the question. Yes, what requests is Sod receiving that she cannot undertake herself?

There is a moment of quiet before Goldbody replies. Not so much she can not undertake herself. She is just very small and people have been gathering and asking her questions… wanting her to speak to me on their behalf. She looks a little overwhelmed at times with the crowd around her. Someone to corral them is what I was thinking… Organise them.

Velania smiles with the polite firmness of a headteacher. Of course. I shall encourage her to come to me if there is anything she cannot handle. May I ask — what kind of things do people wish to speak to you about? And what kind of responses does Sod give them?

It varies. Some people just want someone to talk to and seem to find me a good listener.

Being unable to talk back gives that impression, I suppose, Jaezred remarks wryly as he shoots Velania a smug, I-told-you-so look.

It does… Not everyone has such abilities as you. Speaking of, could I possibly ask a favour of you directly?

Only if you answer my previous question first: have you remembered anything of your previous life?

There is another pause.

Of course, I hadn’t realised I did not answer… Conversation is… sparse, you understand. Nothing specific — only flashes of colours, scenery… faces… Nothing I can place, however.

I’ve no doubt you are an excellent listener. Velania chuckles. And books? Yes, I shall ensure we have a podium and adequate lights set up.

Thank you, sister. I would very much appreciate that — especially during the nights.

Jaezred steps forward, plants his “cane” on the marble floor with a soft thud, and gets down on one knee in front of Goldbody, staring right into his malformed face. Come on. Nothing at all? Surely there is something you can describe, at least.

He stares back unflinchingly, his singular eye seems to be almost set in gold the way it is unmoving. As I said… Only flashes. Colours… places… faces. They are difficult to form in my mind, like looking at them through a fine fabric.

Try your best.

I have. I have had plenty of time to do just that.

After a long, almost discomfiting moment of unblinking staring between the two, Jaezred finally rises and steps back. Very well. What favour do you want from me?

I was wondering if I could take a look at the page you look at in that book when arranging our communication.

Jaezred’s mouth forms into a terse line. He looks at Velania.

Velania glances back at her friend and speaks to him privately. Lord Jaezred, it is your book, and I would never presume to offer it. Nevertheless, he is clearly highly curious and bored, and who knows, perhaps the magic is even something that makes sense to him.

If it does, then he may learn to cast it, even without a tongue or appendages. Are you certain about this, venerable priestess?

I do feel terrible for him. It is clearly a miserable predicament he is in, and would it not be an act of grace on your part to permit this?

Jaezred’s eyes flit back and forth between Velania and Goldbody, uncertain, until Zola lays a hand on his forearm and chimes in. Come on, Lord Jaezred, we can’t deny a man the ability to speak.

He takes a deep breath and sighs. Fine, they hear him say as he reopens the tome of witchcraft to the page and lays it down in front of Goldbody.

The eye watches Jaezred as he lays the book out and begins scouring the page almost frantically, covering every inch of it, lingering here and there before sweeping elsewhere. There is a long moment of silence where he does not speak, only looking, before returning his gaze to Jaezred.

And what does this mean? This lets you speak with me?

It lets the caster and a number of people he chooses to communicate in their minds, without need for a tongue or a shared language, over great distances, for an hour.

But how? And how far?

Jaezred tilts his head to one side in puzzlement. By magic? he replies in a tone that conveys the apparent obviousness of the answer. The people the caster chooses should be within thirty feet of him when he casts it, but once the connection is made, they can go as far as they’d like without breaking the connection, unless they travel to a different plane of existence.

But is it the words and markings that do that or do they channel it? Or is it the book itself that holds the power?

The power is mine. The words channel it, the writing in the book is merely a reminder, he replies without skipping a beat.

I see… That is quite the gift you have, and I suppose I should be more thankful for your help. Apologies if I seemed eager, I don’t often get the chance to speak.

Do you truly know nothing about magic?

I… feel like I do, but the book seems… incoherent to me. Thank you, however, for showing me. It has been most interesting.

Jaezred nods and picks up the tome. Well, if there is nothing else…

Wait. Goldbody pauses. No… Apologies, you must be busy. I was merely enjoying the change of pace.

No, please. My visits are few and far between, so now that you have the chance to, speak your mind, Jaezred says. Zola nods in agreement.

In truth, I do not have much to speak, only listen — I’d just like to hear more than only the local worries of the people who visit sometimes. You all strike me as well travelled and I had hoped you might have more for me… To listen to, I mean.

I would love to tell you a story or two — in song form, that is, Zola says, though Velania notices a hesitancy in her smile.

Of course, stories of local worries will only carry you so far. But Zola’s storytelling — and her music — are both a joy. Velania smiles at Zola fondly and she grins back. I would be glad to share more with you, although I don’t expect any of my news would be much more interesting to you.

I would always welcome your visits and stories, Sister. And… song would be a welcome change, but… Goldbody looks down at the sleeping Sod.

But? Zola questions.

He looks back at Zola. It might wake the little one?

Oh! Well, I mean I’ll come back when she’s awake. But if she’s asleep the next time I visit too, then I may need to re-hone my dramatic storytelling skills.

I don’t think you'll have any problems with that, Jaezred says dryly.

Are you trying to imply something, Jaezred of House Vandree?

No, my lady…

Thank you again for coming, Goldbody says. He looks to Velania. Sister, it is always good to see you.

My friend, I shall endeavour to ensure you are kept comfortable, and that Sod remains content to assist you — I can see it brings her joy to do so. We are still trying to find her home, and of course, help you recover yourself.

I fear her home is lost, Sister. She speaks of her nightmares with me and they all centre on her home trying to consume her. Like me, she may not have a home.

I am deeply sad to hear that — we can but hope to find her people. I have heard rumours in the adventuring community about similar shiftings of earth, caves disappearing, and the like. I believe there are some looking into that right now. I shall certainly let her know should I hear any further developments.

Yeah, so will I, Zola adds. She waves at Goldbody as the three of them turn to leave. Bye for now, Goldfriend. Be well.

---

“You and the temple have taken very good care of him,” Zola says to Velania.

“Yes, well… Interesting developments here,” Jaezred mutters, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. He glances over his shoulder, as if to double check that Goldbody is a good enough distance away so as to not overhear. “He was a spellcaster in life — I cannot prove it, but I am certain of it. I’ve seen that pensive look behind his eyes too many times in the academy of my boyhood. And I don’t think he was being entirely forthright about the flashes of memories. Now, the spirits told me that it was unlikely his memories would return spontaneously, but he has certainly gotten something back. I wonder if it was the piece of his body reuniting with him that had triggered it.”

Velania nods pensively. “You’re right, Lord Jaezred. There’s certainly more that he’s holding back, even if his memories are still vague. Since he is a guest, and, I suppose, still under my care, it would feel inhospitable to press him for more than he wishes to share. As you suggest, it does make sense that restoring more gold of his body might also restore his mind.” She chuckles ruefully. “Having him become a focus of visits, gifts, even worship, was not my intent, however. I merely wished for him to have things to occupy his mind. The same for Sod. Although I am pleased she has found a task she seems to enjoy, I must act to ensure they both retain a sense of perspective. Anyway…” She grins at Jaezred “…I do not mean to bore you with such administrative temple issues. Might I suggest we stop for tea in my quarters?”

“You know I am always up for tea, priestess.”

---

Co-written with Velania Kalugina and Anthony

Still 4000 gp and counting