Chapter 16

The Group Decides to go to Westbridge
The next morning, Minerva sits at the meeting table, reading files as she waits for others to arrive.

Oren walks in soon after, and she smiles at him. "Good morning."

"Hi,” he answers cheerfully.

"You sleep well?"

He nods, giving her a kiss.

Eliam arrives soon after, pouring himself some tea. Oren smiles at him, putting his arm around Minerva's waist.

Minerva sits back in her chair, then cuddles into Oren's arm. "Good morning, Eliam."

Oren leans in to kiss her again, and she leans away, giving him a look. "Oren," she says, "Eliam's, like... right here."

"Oh! Sorry, I forgot my bag,” Eliam says quickly, picking up his tea and leaving. He carefully closes the door behind him.

"A lot of people don't... find it comfortable to watch their friends make out," Minerva says after he leaves.

"I bet he doesn't mind,” Oren shrugs, "but okay..."

Minerva smiles mischievously. She glances at the door. "But... we're alone now, though," she says, leaning in and kissing him.

Things progress... Minerva and Oren begin making out without losing any clothing. Minerva's hair gets mussed and both become rather breathless when Anna innocently turns into the doorframe and catches them.

She sees what they're doing and they notice her arrive.

"Um. Ahh... oops. My apologies, I uh... didn't... know,” she says awkwardly.

Oren hesitates, giving Minerva a curious look.

Minerva reddens and coughs. "Ah... ahem. yes." She pulls away. "Hello, Anna. D-did you... find your way around all right?"

"Um...I think so. They showed me to a room to use, thank you.  Should I come back or...?"

Oren gives Minerva a hopeful glance.

"No, please. We should get started." Minerva straightens her hair with as much dignity as she can muster.

Oren sighs, slipping his arm back around her. He leans back, waiting for the meeting to begin.

---

Later that morning, Anna sits off to the side. Eliam and Gwen eventually arrive, but Elise never shows.

"Anyone know where Elise is?" Minerva asks.

"Her staff is upstairs,” Oren confirms after casting bloodhound, “so she probably didn't leave."

Eliam nods. "We can check up on her after the meeting. Weird, though; she doesn't normally sleep in."

Minerva nods. "It's not like her to be so late, no... I guess it's okay. I'll fill her in later. We should figure out our next steps.”

Oren sighs and stands up. "Are you going to find her?" Minerva asks.

"Uh... I give Eliam my proxy. I'll be back."

"Thank you, babe," Minerva says, before turning back to the meeting. "What's our plan?"

---

Oren goes to his room, finding the vial of blood labelled with her name. He closes his eyes, and tracks her down to a quiet room at the end of a long, winding corridor. It's low traffic and seems to be scarcely used.

He walks down the hall. Elise sits in a small wooden chair. Her hair is disheveled and her expression is sombre. She offers a faint hello when she hears Oren enter.

"Hey, come on, we're going to leave soon," he says comfortingly, walking closer to fix her hair.

She shakes her head, making it hard for him to take her hair initially. "I don't think I should go," she says.

Oren sighs, taking her hair and braiding it. "Why?"

"Gwen trusted me and I hurt her really bad. What if I do it again? Or hurt you next? Or Minerva? Or anyone? I don't think she wants to be around me right now."

"Who cares what she wants? We all just have to pretend to get along until we save the world. She can be mad later."

She turns slowly until she's looking at him, causing him to lose his grip on her hair. "Are... are you pretending? That you like us?"

"Not really, but Gwen is kind of awful sometimes. I don't know if I like her." He smiles. "Don't tell anyone I said that, okay?"

Elise claps her hands over her mouth. "I... Why would you trust me?!"

"Um... I don't know,” Oren shrugs. “It doesn't really matter. She probably already knows that. Besides, she doesn't like me at all."

"I don't think she'll like any of us at this rate," she says.

"Don't worry about toffs like that liking you, they only care about themselves,” Oren smiles. “She only pretended to like Eliam because she wanted to be queen. She only pretended to think he'd make a good king for the same reason. And she doesn't like 'commoners' so we didn't have much of a chance impressing her in the first place, right? So don't worry about it, mo stóirín."

She wavers. "B-but we... we traveled together for so long. And we went together to Fallowfield when you and Eliam were away, and had such a wonderful trip, and she was such a good friend to me..."

He musses her hair. "Maybe, I'm sure she can be polite and friendly. Maybe she's not so horrible. I don't know. But if she's mad at you just try to stay out of her way so we can get through this."

"That's my point," she says, "if I stay here for a while, I'm out of her way."

"I mean what did you even do? Tell someone something about her that's true and a little embarrassing? You drank my blood without asking and I got over it. I summoned that demon and nobody even cared! Nobody even asked me about it, which is actually kind of weird. Everyone just moved right on and let me off without any reprimand..." He trails off, and shakes his head. "You can't stay, my master wants all of us to be there."

"Do you think she'll forgive me?" Elise asks in a small voice.

“Sure,” Oren shrugs, leading her by the arm back to the meeting room.

---

"I guess... Westbridge, next?” Eliam suggests. “Settle the matter of Gwen becoming a Child?"

"Gwen, are you okay with this?" Minerva asks. "It's a lot of responsibility to take on, but it might be the greatest thing that's ever happened to any of us. Or at least, to me."

Anna raises an eyebrow.

"I don't know anymore,” Gwen slurs quietly.

"What's holding you back?" Minerva asks.

Gwen shakes her head. "The fact that I keep putting my trust in people in this group, and always seem to be deceived. Why should I believe that this will work, or won't end up hurting me?"

Anna and Eliam both look away, uncomfortable.

Minerva seems somewhat taken aback. She skips over the larger point for the moment. "Eliam, what do we know about this wizard's plan? Does it seem sound to you?"

He nods. "I think so. I believe he certainly has the magical capability to pull it off, if nothing else. Some of the magic he had there was astounding. I wouldn't consider him a friend or anything, but I do believe he wants to defeat Kunalchusi as badly as any of us, and has the ability to help."

"Gwen," Minerva says, "I have to believe that we're all on the same side. You've seen Kunalchusi and the power he possesses. You know what he's capable of. Would you be satisfied letting him roam the land, slaughtering unchallenged?"

"How's that any different from now?” Gwen asks angrily. “The Rorgh has been doing that for years. I didn't see the Lyriad stopping them from killing everyone I cared about."

Anna frowns. "Just because people haven't been fighting back doesn't mean we shouldn't. I saw what you did at The Grainhouse. It was incredible! We could help so many people."

Minerva leans on the table. "The Lyriad didn't stop them from killing my mother when she sacrificed herself for me, or from killing my father in front of my eyes. That doesn't mean we give up and let them take more from others." She closes her eyes and leans back. "We need to end Kunalchusi," she says. "I hope you can at least agree with us on that."

Gwen looks away silently. A few awkward moments pass. Oren and Elise arrive.

Eliam greets them both with a smile.

Elise is utterly silent and completely awkward as she enters the room behind Oren._

Oren stops, and leans down to her to whisper. "A dog walks into a pub with his arm in a sling and he says.... I'm lookin' for the man who shot my paw..."

The corners of her mouth tug upwards; she tries to hide it for fear Gwen will see her laughing. She worries of the impression it will make if she's so happy the day after hurting her so badly.

Oren sits down, slinking his arm around Minerva again.

"We're just discussing where to go next,” Eliam says cheerfully, motioning to the seat next to him.

"The tower near Westbridge, right?" Oren asks.

"Hello again Elise,” Anna says as Elise takes the seat between her and Eliam.

Elise smiles. "H-hello, Anna."

She lets the smile fade quickly as she scowls at Eliam as he musses her hair.

He smiles at her sheepishly and turns back to the table. "Ideally, Westbridge, yes. But Gwen is trying to decide if she'll accept the wizard's offer."

"It's a big choice," Minerva says, "there's no questioning it. But it's also one that needs to be made sooner than later. Gwen, how much time do you feel you need to make a decision you are comfortable with?"

“I don't have an answer to that,” Gwen answers.

"Why don't we go there and let him explain what he's going to do?” Oren suggests. “She can make a decision when she has all the facts. There's a few other things we have to do there anyway."

Eliam nods. "That sounds reasonable enough. Is that okay with everyone?"

"So we're going? Good,” Oren says as everyone nods. "Can that Louis guy drive us, do you think?"

"Yes,” he answers. “Anna, would you like to join us? Never know what we'll run into on the way, and we'd appreciate the help, just in case."

"I'd be honored to help however I can,” Anna answers.

"Alright, let's go,” Oren says, standing quickly.

"Let's take some time to pack and prepare,” Minerva says. “We can leave at first light tomorrow." She looks at Oren, noting his expression. "Did you want to leave immediately?"

"Why not?" He shrugs.

"Is everyone set?" she asks. The group says yes, and they gather their things and leave for the docks.

The Group Rides a Boat
The group meets Louis at the river and loads onto his craft. He seems miffed to be putting down his book, but joyful enough once he takes the helm.

Oren takes a place at the back of the boat, using his magic to speed up the ship. It moves slightly faster.

The party wanders about the ship. Every so often, two of them come face to face for a brief scene.

Eliam approaches Louis.

The grizzled captain nods approvingly. "You seem like being on land has served you well," he says.

"It's been a nice few days! Thanks for taking us along,” Eliam says cheerfully, putting his arm around his waist.

Louis barely reacts to the arm. "I travel these waters more than the fish. Company is always appreciated on a sailor's lonely days."

"Of course. You know, we'll be in Westbridge a few days... and there's really not much to do there. Maybe I can visit you?"

Louis smiles, his calloused hands gripping the wheel firmly.

---

Minerva bumps into Gwen.

"Hey," she says. "Want some company?"

"Not really, but I expect you'll stay regardless,” Gwen answers.

"Ah," Minerva says. "No, that's quite all right." ---

Elise bumps into Oren.

"Oh... hey," she says. "Thank you... for all the things you said before."

"Don't worry about it,” he says, mussing her hair.

She smiles despite herself. "Why do you do that?"

He shrugs.

"Oren," she asks, "am I... a bad person?"

"Maybe, but you're not as bad as some people,” Oren points out.

"O-oh..." she says. "I... I see." --

Minerva runs into Elise on the deck. "Hey... you doing okay?" she asks Elise.

Elise shrugs. "I think... maybe? I dunno. I'm just... dealing with some things."

Minerva sits down and puts a comforting arm around her. "Oh? What's on your mind?"

Elise shakes her head. "I just made some bad choices when I was upset. Oren helped me... a little."

The Lyriad head smiles. "That's good. What did he do?"

She stares into the sky. "He helped me see that I'm somewhat of a bad person, and that that's okay."

"He what." ---

Minerva walks off. Elise gets up and bumps into Eliam. "Oh. Hi, Eliam" she says.

"Oh! Hey, Elise,” he answers cheerfully.

"Hey, listen... um... I'm... I'm sorry. For... a lot of things," she says. "I was... totally out of line, to you and to Gwen both. And I apologized to her but I think you deserve to hear it again."

"What? Hey, you don't have to apologize. Everyone says stuff they don't mean. And I said I'd cover for you; I meant it. But... why were you so upset?"

"You... made it sound like I don't belong. Like I was weak and useless and... crazy. And I guess I felt like... you thought you'd be better off without me."

"I... I don't think that about you,” he sighs. “Honestly. I mean, you've proved yourself as a pretty good healer, right? And your powers have been useful. Like, remember when we were in the woods, and you listened for people following us? You probably saved us from a few ambushes."

She falls silent and stares out over the waves for a moment. Then she says, "It's... hard to have friends when you've had this hearing your whole life. I'm kind of... still learning how to do it. But thank you for not giving up on me."

He goes to muss her hair, but stops himself, smiling at her. "We're all the Children. We're in this together! And you've gotten a lot better at talking to people since when we first met you. Don't worry about it."

She smiles. ---

Anna passes by Gwen.

Anna smiles. "Hello Gwen."

"Hello. How are you finding the Lyriad? Everything you hoped it would be?" She asks bitterly.

"It's an interesting place. Flawed, maybe. But interesting. I was wondering... Would you give me lessons in swordsmanship sometime?" She asks, looking embarrassed.

"I'm not sure how much longer I'll be around here, nor do I think my skills would transfer well to your style, but... maybe,” Gwen offers.

"I'll take maybe. It might be different, but that would surely help me learn."

---

Anna leaves Gwen and steps up a few steps towards the helm. She meets Louis.

"Hello Captain."

"Ah, Anna," he says, a smile playing on his face. "The circus girl, yes?"

"You got it. Trapeze artist, trick shooter - I do it all!" She says, doing a small twirl.

"Trapeze?" he says. "You avoid the ground as much as I. Such hands were meant to grab the life before you and chart its course yourself. Take the wheel, girl, and sail!" Louis lets go of the wheel and gestures for Anna to step forward.

She nervously grasps the wheel, looking terrified. Anxiously, she looks back at him as he goes back to his book. Eyes wide with terror, she keeps the ship mostly on course, though it begins rocking unsteadily.

---

Minerva passes Eliam. "Hey, Eliam."

"Hey, Minerva!" He waves at her.

"Hey, um... I feel like I am super behind on stuff. Gwen seems really salty and Elise is definitely out of it. Do you know what's going on?"

"Oh! Er... yeah, but it's... not great,” he admits. “I was telling Anna the story of our adventures in Thirshalon! It was going pretty well until I got to the part where Elise left. I guess she was listening in, and she got pretty upset, and sort of... blurted out that I'd slept with Gwen? I told her not to do that, and she got pretty upset... I don't know why Gwen is so upset, though, unless she found out somehow.

"By the way, she's pretty... open about telling people about the Noctyr stuff. Even strangers. I'm not sure if uh... is that okay?"

Minerva draws a slow breath. "The Noctyr thing is fine. It's over now and it's not like they're real here. And anyone who is threatening to us likely wouldn't believe her. As for Gwen... that explains some. Ladies of her station wouldn't... want that reputation."

"Yeah... damn,” he nods. “But Anna seems nice. I don't think she's the type to judge or spread it around more. And hey, on a lighter note... you and Oren, huh?" He grins.

Her cheeks tinge pink. "Yeah... that's been nice." She leans against the rail and looks out at the water. ---

Minerva smiles at Eliam, pats him on the shoulder, and leaves. As she walks around the deck, she goes to pop in on the captain's wheel, and sees it being nervously gripped by Anna.

"Ah. I wondered why Louis was on the deck reading. How you holding up in here?"

"Not... great. I have no idea what I'm doing and we're definitely all going to die,” Anna announces.

"A...are you okay? Do you... want me to take over? Or get Louis? Or tell Oren to slow the ship down?"

"Yes. Yes. No. Maybe? Whatever ends with me not holding this."

Minerva pats her shoulder. "I got you, Anna. You did good. Here," she says, taking her place at the wheel. "You leave this to me."

"Thanks..." Anna trails off, relieved as she curls up against the railing.

The ship suddenly begins to sail a little more smoothly. No one had even realized it was rocking, but Minerva's hand seems to settle it down.

---

Elise walks around the deck and stumbles on Louis, reading quietly. "Oh. Hello," she says. "How's your book?"

Louis doesn't look up. "It is the seventeenth time I've read it. This is easily my eighth-favourite reading of it. The weather is much nicer." He runs fingers over his stubble. "There is something beautiful in the way it describes a woman learning of true, lasting love for the first time."

"I-is that so?" Elise says.

"Yes," he says, standing and yawning. He stretches, then tussles her hair. "Perhaps one day you will learn of it, little one."

Elise looks grumpy. ---

Anna moves away from the wheel and onto the deck. She bumps into Oren.

Anna looks somewhat uncomfortable, but relaxes a bit as he waves at her. “Ah.... hello, Oren.”

"Hi.”

"Minerva said you were...making the ship speed up? Is that something you can do?"

"Yes,” he answers, gesturing at the wake behind them.

"You seem... busy,” she says haltingly. “I'll leave you to it." ---

Anna leaves Oren and stumbles into Eliam back up on the deck.

"Eliam! Hello."

"Oh, hey!” He smiles at her. “Enjoying the trip?"

"Other than the part where Louis said some crazy stuff and then made me drive for fifteen minutes, yeah. Gwen even said she might teach me about swordsmanship!"

"He made you drive?! And that sounds great! She's really good at fighting. ...You've never been to Westbridge, right?"

"I don't think so,” she says. “Maybe in the area, but not inside."

"You're really going to like it, then. Oren showed me the tower the wizard lives in and it's amazing, if you thought my story was fantastic. The library inside is bigger than should be possible, and he has a table magicked to conjure a full meal the second you sit down!"

"Wow- real magic like that? This wizard must be amazing. And he taught Oren?"

"Yup! Explains a lot, really. Oren downplays his abilities, but he can do some pretty amazing magic,” Eliam explains. “He's good with divination in particular."

"What he did at The Grainhouse was a little scary, to tell the truth,” she admits.

"What do you mean?"

"When he grabbed that guy and held him in the air and then slammed it into the ground? I get fighting... self defense, or defending others. But that felt kind of... cold."

"Oh... maybe. I think he does get... carried away with that stuff sometimes. But he doesn't mean to!” Eliam insists. “He's really nice." ---

Minerva shouts down at Louis. "Louis! Hey, Louis! Come up here!"

The captain, book in hand, climbs up to the wheel.

"Can you take this over for me?” She asks. “I need to go find my dear boyfriend for a word."

"Ahhh, yes," he says. "Affairs of the heart. I would be happy to assist you with this."

"...Right," she says. "Thanks." Minerva steps away from Louis, wondering how much of the novel he sees in real life. ---

Eliam leaves Anna and walks around the boat until he finds Oren.

Oren waves excitedly as he sees him walk over, and Eliam returns the gesture, taking a seat next to him.

"This is amazing! We're going to get there in no time,” Eliam grins. “Way better than paying for a boat."

Oren nods. "It's a good thing he was willing to take us. Hey so, you know Elise told Gwen that she told you and Anna about you and Gwen sleeping together- right?"

"I... wait, seriously? Why?!” Eliam asks, looking exasperated. “I told her I'd cover for her!"

"She was crying and freaking out,” Oren explains, “and Gwen was really really mad..."

Eliam sighs. "Minerva and I were thinking Gwen found out somehow. I can't believe she'd tell her herself. Is that why Elise was so distraught when you got back?"

"Yes, I think so. She was saying she's a bad person or something, I don't know,” Oren sighs. “I wish everybody could just stop hating each other and get along for another month. Once that demon is gone they never have to see each other again if they don't want to."

"Yeah. We're so close to beating Kunalchusi.”

"I bet Gwen is just sad because her girlfriend died. Maybe that's why she's so mean and drunk?" Oren asks.

"Oh... she'd mentioned she lost someone. I'd noticed the drinking this morning, but... I doubt she'd want to hear anything from me about it,” Eliam looks out at the water, thinking. “She does have a hard choice coming up though, I guess." ---

Elise stumbles into Anna. "Oh... hello, Anna."

"Hello again, Elise. Enjoying the ride?"

"Um... yes... after a fashion." She clears her throat. "Can I just... I'd like to say... um... I'm just so sorry for everything. For dragging you into that, and being so... awful and making you feel like that. We're really... not like that. Everyone is usually so kind. I'm... very ashamed."

"Oh, Elise... please, don't trouble yourself. The best any of us can do is learn from our mistakes and move past them. We all make them."

"You're very kind. I hope to give you reason to justify that forgiveness and kindness," she says. ---

Minerva steps toward the back of the boat. Eliam stands up as she approaches them, and heads to the front of the ship, leaving them alone.

"Hey, you," she says to Oren. "Seems pretty peaceful back here."

"I guess so. It's kind of nice,” he smiles.

"Yeah..." she agrees. "Hey, listen... Did you... tell Elise she's a bad person?"

"No?” He says, beckoning her to sit next to him. “I think she asked me if she was, I don't know what I said. I think I said she isn't that bad. I mean, bad is sort of relative I guess. She's sort of spoiled I guess, but she's not like... a murderer..."

Minerva sighs. "Oren. When a friend asks you that question, the answer is always no."

He gives her a serious look. "What if she is bad, though? It won't help her to lie."

"Even if the answer is yes, the answer is no," she affirms. "If they're really your friend, they won't be that bad a person that you won't already be helping them.”

He shakes his head. "If Eliam had called me out on the stuff I was doing in Thirshalon, that demon wouldn't have been released."

"Okay, true," Minerva says, "but let's... make sure we can handle ending Kunalchusi before we know if releasing him was the best possible move. If he ends up destroying half the world, maybe another option would have been better."

"I don't think it was a good move,” Oren clarifies. “I wish he had stopped me. If he hadn't been so kind to me, he might have prevented it. And if Heather had disciplined Elise, she might have been better equipped to deal with her emotions, and know how to control her temper. Being too nice to someone isn't the best way to help them.”

"Yes, but agreeing with them that they're a bad person when they're grappling with having done something wrong and trying to make amends doesn't help, either," Minerva says. "I don't think it does, anyway.

"Would you consider going to Elise and telling her you thought about it, and you think she's a good person after all?" she asks. "I think it would make her feel a lot better."

Oren sighs. "All I said was that maybe she is a bad person, but she's not that bad. But if it makes you happy I'll go talk to her." He stands up, and the boat immediately begins to slow. "Are you going to spoil our children? I hope not."

Minerva sits in quiet silence, cheeks flushed, searching for words that never come.

He kisses her cheek, and leaves to find Elise.

---

Gwen stumbles across Louis.

Louis feels the ship slow. He withdraws his book while the river is calm and reads with one hand.

The cover looks familiar to Gwen. It seems like "One Still Night," a romance novel set in the plains around Fallowfield prior to the Elyde takeover.

"Have you read anything else by her?” Gwen asks as she leans against the side of the ship, not looking away from the water. “It's a favorite of mine, but her latest is really good."

He smiles. "I rather liked 'Whispers on the Wind,' but I think 'When the Walls Fell' was her best one."

"I don't think I've read that one,” she half smiles. “Would you let me borrow it? Oh-" she digs around her bag, pulling out Meet Me By the Beck. "I can trade."

He switches books. "By all means. The theme of forgiveness that runs through this story is one of my favourite devices in her work. I hope you find it meaningful."

She smiles at him and opens the book, reading quietly.

---

Gwen sits reading on the deck. Elise approaches.

She stands silently for a moment, unsure if Gwen even knows she is there, or if she's ignoring her willfully.

Finally she moves closer and says, "Gwen. I'm sorry, but I'm going to talk to you. You can hate me if you want. I know I'm a bad person."

"You can spend your life hating me, and I'll bear that. Just... don't let that stop you from doing what you need to do to help save the world. The threat of Kunalchusi is real. Please. When we went to Fallowfield, you chose to help save the world. Don't let one mistake by one... idiot change your mind. Put up with it- with me- a little longer."

Gwendolyn closes her book, still looking out at the river. "Before we left for Fallowfield, I was lost. Alone. You helped give me purpose again. And...the trip there, it was nice. I was finally feeling normal again. I was so happy to actually find a friend in the group, after Eliam..." She sighs. "I'm so hurt because I care about you. I don't hate you, and I'd like nothing more than to just let this drop. But I can't. I just can't understand why you would say those things, after I was one of the few who believed in you."

Elise nods. "I can't give you an explanation beyond what I have. I did something awful, and wrong, and horrible. I made a mistake. I can apologize again and again and try to rebuild what we had before, but I can't do it until you're willing to try with me. People make mistakes, Gwen. Me, too. And I'm sorry, so, so sorry. But I can't do more than that."

Elise leaves Gwen.

---

Eliam bumps into Gwen as he walks.

"Hey, Gwen! How are you?" He asks, smiling somewhat awkwardly.

"I'm assuming you already know,” she says plainly.

"Ah... yeah. I'm... I'm sorry about how that went,” he says. “I hope you won't hold it against Elise too much."

"You know better than anyone else here what that could mean for me,” she says, frowning. “I don't want to have this held over me for the rest of my life."

He nods. "I spoke to her and told her not to tell anyone again. She seems sorry enough for her actions. ...I don't think Anna would tell anyone else, for what it's worth."

"And she might not. Or she could get upset again, and spill any number of secrets she knows with her powers. Remember Agrilodo? It's hard to trust her when it keeps happening."

"Yeah... I know,” Eliam sighs, turning to leave. “I'm sorry." ---

Oren stumbles upon Gwen as he walks the deck.

"Hey, how are you?” He asks, walking up next to her. “Feeling better?"

"No, not really."

"That's too bad. Are you excited to see the tower? It's really tall...”

"Excited? It's hard not to be, I suppose. But between the letter, and the Earth powers...I think I'm mostly just nervous,” Gwen admits. “I'm sure the tower is quite nice, though."

"There's a lot to see, and a garden, and the window... you're really high up so you can see all the fields and the river,” Oren explains happily. “But we'll translate that letter first thing, don't worry. It won't take long. I wish I spoke the language better, but I only know a few things. We didn't speak it all the time, really. Just little bits."

"Thanks, I really appreciate that,” Gwen smiles. “A garden? I'd like to see that. I really miss the one from Fallowfield... it was so peaceful. What was your favorite part of it?"

"Um... I don't know,” Oren answers, looking awkward. “There's a pond with bright orange fish in it. And a path and plants and a greenhouse, um... And... I like the pond I guess?"

"That sounds nice," Gwen says, closing her book and turning to him. "Can I ask you something?"

“Um... yes,” he says nervously.

"Do you feel any kind of... connection, to the water? I've wanted to ask Eliam, but I'm not really sure how to bring that up. I'm not really sure what aether is."

Oren thinks for a moment, and nods. "Aether is like... Magic, and time and energy, it's all the other spiritual stuff you can't really see. It's what the maker breathes, like air. Um... But yeah, maybe a little. I don't really think about it, but I like the river. I feel a little safer near it since I know I can use the water to protect myself if I need to. But I think with needing to drink and bathe, most people interact with water on a regular basis and probably enjoy it. It's hard to tell whether or not I feel more connected than a normal person... At the judgement I meditated next to the river and touched it and jumped in and I think that helped me control it better, but I don't know why. It probably has to do with the aether and the ley lines and being in sync with all of that... Does that make sense?"

"I think so, thank you,” Gwen smiles. “I suppose, then, you don't know if Votig had any sort of connection to Earth."

"He was a dwarf from the mountains, so maybe he liked rocks,” Oren shrugs. “He liked ale and punching, and he hated elves and Marblearm. I don't really know that much about him, honestly. He didn't really go on about himself much... He wasn't vain like that.  But I guess he might have been a little like earth.  He punched me once- not in purpose- and it felt a bit like getting hit with a rock."

"I see. It is a little interesting how you all seem to... act similar, I guess, to your element. Minerva and Elise, especially."

"I don't know what you mean, I guess Minerva is impulsive and Elise... stares at clouds,” Oren sighs, thinking. “But I'm not like water... I don't think so. Eliam isn't really like aether either."

"Minerva seems very...intense, and passionate, and Elise is quite, well, airheaded,” She explains. “You always seem very calm, but Asle Lenor shows you can bring destruction, like a fierce storm at sea. Abrupt and deadly,” she shrugs. “Maybe I've been reading too many romance novels, I don't know."

He stares at her. “...Maybe. Eliam is a very powerful mage. And aether is tied to magic, so... maybe that's something?"

“Maybe,” she smiles.

---

The boat nears Westbridge. Oren finds Elise at the front of the craft.

"Oh... hello, Oren."

“Hey, come here," He takes her hand, leading her across the boat. "Okay, so Minerva thinks I made you feel bad or something so you're goin' to help me make her think I'm a nice guy, got it? Because you're a good person who helps her friends, right?" He smiles at her.

"I... wait... are you..."

Oren stops. "Hm?"

"Are... are you... trying to make me believe I'm a good person by helping you convince Minerva that you told me I'm a good person?" Elise asks.

Oren stops and thinks, and looks at her awkwardly. "W-wait, okay, so... you're... going to help me... and she'll think I told you you're good,” he smiles. "But you are good, which is why you're going to help me. Okay?”

Elise walks back slowly to the front of the ship, thinking carefully.

"Wait,” he says, following her.

At the bow, she turns and says, "I... I don't think that's... how convincing someone they're good is supposed to work. And you already told me I'm kind of a bad person, so... I shouldn't... do this. Right? I... did I do that right? Was this a test? I shouldn't help you, because you think I'm a bad person so I shouldn't do what you want."

"Listen, don't be so upset all the time,” Oren says. “And don't be upset because of Gwen. It doesn't matter that you told anyone, there's no secret Eliam can keep for more than a week, Anna would have found out anyway. And Gwen shouldn't have told you anyway. It's a saying, right, 'there's no secret if three know it' ...Right?"

Elise stands on the bow of the ship, facing backwards. Oren is looking at her, but his gaze is drawn toward the horizon. Over her shoulder, in the direction of Westbridge, thick black smoke is billowing into the sky.

He moves up, pushing her aside distractedly as he stares frantically into the distance. Where the tower should be, there is only smoke and empty sky.

Ignoring everyone, he rushes to the back of the ship, thrusting his hand into the water. His eyes glow blue as the waters churn and the boat moves quickly towards the shore, screaming up the river to Westbridge and the source of the smoke.

The boat races closer toward Westbridge, blackened smoke continuing to billow into the air. Minerva anxiously bites her lip as she looks toward Oren to see his reaction.

Minerva walks a little closer to Oren. "Um... Is... is that... normal?"

"No..." he says quietly.

Upon seeing the smoke, Gwen goes downstairs to prepare her weapons. Anna follows suit, loading her pistols and affixing her bandolier.

The boat pulls smoothly into the dock.

"The way they talk of the wizard, for something to actually manage to attack his tower..." Gwen trails off, her face grim as she watches Anna make her last preparations. "It might be Kunalchusi."

"That seems... not good? Can bullets hurt a demon... snake... thing?" Anna asks.

"Not even the Children could hurt him, when we faced him in Tezef,” Gwen admits grimly. “But even I could hurt his aspects, in the fight after."

Upon pulling into the port, those party members on the deck can see across the river toward where the tower stands... They see the ruins of rubble scattered on the ground. Mystical flames of black and purple cover the gardens which once surrounded Adani's home, and thick smoke reaches so high it seems like it could touch the skyglyph.

Elise's hands are pressed to her mouth. She takes in the sight silently.

Wordlessly, Oren frantically jumps off the ship and walks quickly to the bridge. The others follow close behind.

Louis calls down from the helm. "You're not really going there?"

"Of course we are. This is his home,” Gwen calls back, looking somewhat taken aback.

Louis nods. "Safe travels, then."

"Elise, do you hear anything?" Gwen asks as they near the tower.

Elise closes her eyes. "Some chanting. Sounds like spells? There's some heavy breathing, but nothing distinct."

"Nothing else? The townsfolk aren't helping?" Eliam asks.

"Sounds like we should hurry?" Anna says, as Oren leads them to the gate.

A figure comes moving out from the smoke. It is Adani.

The wizard is firing spells backward into the smoke. Flames and blasts of air erupt from his hands.

Oren rushes to him, but Adani waves a hand back. "Stop, Oren! Stop! Come no closer!"

"It's okay,” he says as he ignores his directions, tending to his wounds. A wide, translucent appendage snaps out from the smoke and smashes into Adani. He flies backward, his body slamming against the fence connected to the gate. He crumples heavily to the ground.

Oren moves to defend him, as Gwendolyn rushes to heal him. Eliam faces the smoke to halt the creature's assault, and Anna moves to cover him. The appendage retreats into a massive figure that is moving forward, revealing itself from the smoke. It is another aspect of Kunalchusi, this one larger and more ominous than the ones faced in Tezef. It is more snakelike, its body seemingly made of the cosmos, itself.

=== The Battle at the Tower ===

Eliam steps back quickly as the monster crawls closer.

As Gwen heals Adani, his eyes flutter open slightly. "...Oren? Oren..." Adani gasps. "Chest pocket. Left side."

Oren shakes his head, helping him stand. Together, they limp to the gate.

"Oren," he gasps again. "Chest pocket."

"Later,” Oren says quickly, carefully trying to avoid the Aspect.

The Aspect slithers forward.

A massive, whiplike appendage emerges from the Aspect's body. It snaps forward to swipe at Eliam.

Eliam is smacked across the torso with the appendage. The spot where it has connected feels like it is tingling ever so slightly after the attack, as though something was held back.

The appendage slips back into the Aspect.

The Aspect's eyes flash. Its catches Oren in its vision.

A magical aura erupts forward from the Aspect to Oren, but it fizzles in the air when it gets within five feet of him.

Gwendolyn moves between the aspect and the rest of the party, raising her shield to defend them as Oren and Adani move behind her. "Go! I'll keep it distracted."

The Aspect's tail lashes out at Gwen, trailing a toxic magical aether behind it, but Gwen easily avoids the assault.

"I hope this works..." Anna says to herself, aiming carefully at the Aspect's eyes. It blinks furiously, attempting to dull the pain.

"Nice work!" Eliam calls out, healing Adani as Oren escorts him to the others. Together, they begin to hobble towards the boat.

Minerva sends flames rocketing at the Aspect's head, following Anna's lead. It snarls as the flames land.

"What happened?" Oren asks, once they're a safe distance away.

Adani's breathing has grown stronger. "The beast attacked the tower. Wards were useless. I've never seen anything like it. Please. Chest pocket in case I die."

"But you're not going to die, we're going on a boat,” Oren explains, shaking his head.

The Aspect advances, but its path is blocked by Gwen, Anna, and Minerva.

The Aspect swats at Gwen. The appendage lands a heavy blow.

The blow stings after contact. Gwen feels like she has been shot and set aflame, though she has not.

The Aspect's Vision locks onto Eliam.

Eliam's body freezes in place momentarily as the magical aura bursts forward and envelops him. It does not fade as it had for Oren. It tears through his body and burns at his essence.

Gwen's sword slashes out at the Aspect and it hisses in pain.

The Aspect's tail lashes out at Gwen but she blocks it easily.

"Gwendolyn!” Anna yells. “I'm going to throw something at it in a moment! Shield yourself!" She shoots once more at the eye, allowing the others time to move away.

Eliam attempts to retaliate, his firestorm going wildly off course and harmlessly mingling with the black and purple flames behind the Aspect. "I'll be fine I think, focus on Adani!"

Minerva's attack on the Aspect misses and she withdraws, heeding Anna's warning.

Making sure Adani can support himself, Oren casta a veil of darkness, obscuring the Aspect's face.

"We brought Gwen back, like you said. Sorry it took so long,” Oren tells Adani casually, trying to hide his concern.

The Aspect goes to move, but Gwen remains in the way. It lashes out at Gwen, barreling into her and pushing them both closer to the water. It leaves the wall of shadow as it does so.

Gwen's brute strength allows her to force the Aspect back with the flat of her sword; she turns it and cuts the Aspect at the end of the attack.

The Aspect's tail lashes out at Gwen, and this time her proximity leaves her little chance to avoid it.

Gwen's armour glows and shimmers from the spot the tail has contacted it. Magic explodes inwards from the armour on Gwen's body.

Anna lights a grenade, throwing into the shadows the Aspect was pushed back into. From the darkness comes a piercing screech, followed by hisses as the artillery connects.

Eliam backs away, struggling to move. He attempts to heal his wounds.

Elise summons the wind to try and knock the Aspect prone. It proves too large for her to handle at the moment, however.

Minerva unleashes her flaming daggers and scores minor damage on the beast's tail.

"I'll be right back, keep going," Oren says, motioning to the boat. He skips down to the bank of the river, placing his hand into the water.

Spears of ice fly from the river, impaling the Aspect's body as it crawls back out of the shadows once more, its eyes destroyed. The Aspect's appendage appears from its body and it slaps out at Eliam.

The appendage strikes true. The blow leaves a tremendous stinging pain, and Eliam feels as though he has been burned, shot, and exploded. The pain seems to be muted somewhat by the loss of the eye.

Eliam inches back, struggling to remain standing.

"Catch up with the others! Make sure they're ready to leave!" Gwen shouts, touching the gate. "Holy Maker, protect Your Children from this vile beast. Bless this land, so that those who oppose You cannot come near."

Gwen consecrates the gate, attempting to prevent the Aspect from passing.

The Aspect pokes at the sanctuary curiously with its appendage. It recoils from it and does not move.

Anna nods, throwing a vial of acid at the Aspect. It hisses furiously at the unexpected assault. Anna begins to laugh wildly.

Eliam finds his footing and staggers back, desperately trying to reverse some of the damage done to him.

Gwen draws back slowly, maintaining her defensive position against the aspect and readying herself in case it breaks through the consecrated ground.

The aspect's tail tests the sanctuary and manages to break through.

The tail slaps at Gwen successfully.

She shrugs off the blow, turning to see Oren beginning to manipulate the water. "...We should go."

Anna ignores her, laughing as she draws another vial. She throws it at the Aspect, and it explodes on impact. The Aspect's tail severs from the main body, and dissipates in wisps into the air.

Eliam continues to move back, steadier this time. His magics flare to life, surrounding him in an incomparably bright aura. The Aspect hesitates.

Eyes glowing, he raises a single hand to the Aspect, fingers bent as through gripping an object that no one can see but him. Eliiam twists his hand clockwise, and reality seems to swirl around the massive snake. Colours and sights blend and mix and fade until nothing remains but the black fires of what once was, raging on the ground beyond.

Oren's water douses the flames. His magic coats the ground, and where once the fires raged, now there is a stillness, and a calm. Oren's magic rejuvenates the ground, and the seeds of some of the flowers begin to grow again.

The Group Tries to Repair the Tower
Adani blinks at Oren. "H-how...? I knew... you were a Child, but..."

"What?" Oren blinks, stepping away from the river. “Are you okay?”

"H-how are you... so powerful? All of you?"

Oren looks around, trying to think of an answer. “Oh, I think she uses grenades...”

"Well... we're the Children!" Eliam announces cheerfully, coughing slightly as he continues to heal his injuries.

Adani reaches into his pocket. "You amaze me, Oren. Truly. I never imagined..."

Oren shrugs. "I didn't even do anything, they did all the fighting. Um, that one is Gwen..." he says, pointing to her. He notices Eliam struggling, and steps closer to him to help. He winces slightly as Oren begins doctoring, but accepts the help.

“Are you okay?” Oren asks. “I saw you got hit by that eye blast thing.” He pulls Eliam into a hug. “Don't get so hurt next time.”

Eliam returns the hug. "Same goes for you! I really don't want to get hurt again, though."

Adani withdraws a large metal bracelet. The bracelet has two holes (in addition to the space for the wrist to fit through) on top and bottom.

Oren nods and moves away from Eliam, turning to see what the wizard took out of his pocket.

"Oren, take this," Adani says.

He does so, looking perplexed as he turns it over in his hands.

"Insert the orb within the bracelet. It will absorb the power of the Child,” Adani explains. “Then the bearer, if they be not a child, may wield its power... for a time, anyway."

"Should she do it now, or wait until we're about to fight him?" Oren asks.

Adani seems to shrug. "I cannot tell if the effect will last for an hour, or a day, or a year. Or more. It is certain, however, that you will want it at a critical moment."

Oren nods, pushing it into Eliam's hands. "You give it to her. The last thing I need is Gwen thinking I got her jewelry..."

"I'd be more worried about Minerva thinking you got her jewelry,” Eliam laughs, “but okay."

"That's even worse,” Oren nods. "Oh, uh... this is Elise," he gestures to her, "And that's Minerva. That one is Anna, I don't really know her though. "

"Ah," Adani says. "You were a great help, young miss," he says to Elise. "Thank you for your curative arts."

Elise blushes slightly. "It was nothing, really. You're welcome, though."

"Anna's great, though! She uh... really seems to like fighting a lot though, huh?" Eliam asks, looking at her with some concern.

"I guess so..." Oren says. "...Is the tower really messed up?"

"That monster blew through every ward I had ever set," Adani says sorrowfully. "A lifetime of research and materials, gone within five minutes."

"Maybe we can fix it..." Oren says hopefully.

"Is the town okay? No one was hurt?" Eliam asks.

Oren walks away to the rubble of the tower.

Adani seems to nod. "I believe so. It seems to have come directly here. I believe my travels and studies into ways to make a Child may have... ah... drawn its attention."

"Well... hey, that's a good sign, right? Means we're on the right track to beat that thing,” Eliam grins at him, before leaving to speak with Gwen and Anna.

Adani hobbles to the ruins and lays a hand on them. "The beast destroyed even the magics of the tower. All that the Maker is, this Kunalchusi is its opposite."

"Well, it's okay... Eliam can just reverse time on the tower and fix it. ...Right?" Oren asks.

"It lives to destroy," Adani muses. "Its very nature is deconstructive. It ruined the wards effortlessly. It ruined the magics that worked on the tower easily, and with those gone, the building was just... stone and wood."

“Well... at least you're okay,” Oren smiles.

Adani reaches out and pats Oren's hand with his own. The wizard's hand seems more worn and wearier than Oren remembers. "And you, my dear boy. And you."

"Um, I'm sorry I left. And it took so long. But everyone is slow and they were fighting about something stupid. I'm glad we're here now."

"What matters is you are here, and you did what you set out to do. The rest are details," he replies.

---

"So...are you really sure you even need lessons?" Gwen asks as she walks over to Anna.

"Um. I think I've got bombs figured out. That was expensive."

"I'm sure the Lyriad can cover expenses. That was amazing,” Gwen smiles.

"Thanks! What did you do to the gate?"

"And if not, I can. Oh, I kind of... prayed to the Maker, and He sealed the gate so it couldn't leave. It wasn't really me,” Gwen explains.

"Well, it was impressive that He heeded you. What exactly was that thing?"

"An aspect of Kunalchusi. We fought something similar in Tezef, but this was much stronger."

"Well, I hate it,” Anna says curtly.

"Is that why you were laughing?" Gwen smiles.

"Um, I think I got a little carried away,” Anna says bashfully. “The explosions are... exciting."

"Well... they really kind of are."

"What's the deal with the other guy?” Anna asks. “Oren's dad?"

"His master, I think. Still, he raised him."

"What happens now?"

"I'm not really sure,” Gwen says quietly, looking at the ruins of the tower.

"Are you okay?” Gwen calls out, as Eliam walks over and greets them. “You took quite a few hits."

"Ah, yeah... Oren patched me up a little. But that was... definitely a bit closer than I'd have liked, yeah. Oh! I have good news, though,” he smiles, handing out the bracelet for Gwen to take.

"That's good. Is Adani alright?" She takes the bracelet cautiously, looking it over. "What's this?"

"Yeah, he's looking a bit better. I think he'll recover. He said that's the item that will let you have the powers of the Child of Earth, if you want it. He said you just put the orb in one of the holes when you need them... though he doesn't know how long you having those powers will actually last. I'm sure you can ask him more about it, if you'd like. He seems like he doesn't need time to recover or anything"

"It's a little worrying, that he doesn't know the extent of the magics he created himself,” Gwen says, pocketing the bracelet. "But I think I would like to speak to him, yes."

"He seems very powerful..." Anna adds.

"No kidding! It was actually kind of impressive,” Eliam smiles.

Gwen leaves to speak with the wizard, and Eliam and Anna follow.

---

Minerva joins the group gathering around Adani.

"You six," Adani says, "I have never seen anything like you. That was remarkable."

Oren nods as Adani begins his speech, taking Eliam's arm and dragging him to the ruins of the tower's door.

"It still was too close,” Gwen answers. “And that wasn't anything near the strength of Kunalchusi."

"That creature... there are more of them?" Anna asks, looking distressed.

"Yes..." Adani says. "Kunalchusi, itself, is a deity on par with the Maker. Defeating it would be impossible without the Children's power. We have to believe that with the power of five of them, it can be done at all."

"But you don't know how long I will have the power of Earth,” Gwen says simply.

"You encountered others, I believe you said?" Adani says. "It stands to reason that Kunalchusi can birth aspects of herself whenever he wishes. Perhaps she destroys part of herself and sets them loose upon the world.

“I do not,” he answers Gwen. “Even with my, forgive me, rather prodigious talent, we are dealing with magics far beyond what mortals were meant to tamper with. These are primordial aetheric forces. This is the realm of gods. Who can say for certain?"

---

"Okay, so, if you reverse time on the tower you can fix it, right?" Oren asks after leading him to the tower.

"I... I can try,” Eliam says, sounding uncertain. “Do you think that's possible?"

“Sure,” Oren nods. "You said you wanted to try it, this is the perfect chance. You just erased that snake, you're the most powerful mage of all time. Maybe you're a wizard now, too. And you can definitely reverse time."

"I mean... it's worth a try!” Eliam says confidently. “Me, a wizard though? Could you imagine?"

"Definitely wizard material, you can do it,” Oren nods, putting his hand on his shoulder.

Eliam closes his eyes and lays hands on the tower. He channels his magic... but nothing happens.

Oren smiles reassuringly, and Eliam tries once more.

"Then...you also wouldn't know how short it could be, either. It could be minutes, or even seconds,” Gwen tells Adani. “How did you come across such knowledge? Even the Church could only guess that the Children were anything but a fairy tale. Why not try and make something more permanent?"

"You can do it,” Oren tells Eliam as the spell fails again. "Just concentrate."

"Right, yeah..." Eliam says distractedly, manipulating the aether once more.

Eliam's magic focused, and a massive welling of aether upsurged through the land. Without warning, in the briefest of instants, an explosion of aether radiated away from Eliam. The bard disappeared in an instant as the wave of magic poured over the party.

He disappears.

Oren looks around anxiously, and scampers back to the group, shaking the wizard's arm. “Um.”

"Um. Did Eliam just.. .disappear?" Anna asks, looking back at where he was.

Adani, about to answer Gwen, whips his head around. "Oren? Oren! What did your friend do?"

"He... uh... he was trying to reverse time,” Oren explains.

"...Why?!" Adani asks.

"...To fix the tower,” Oren answers simply.

Adani's face softens. He sighs deeply. "My dear fool boy. What's done is done. Our eyes need face forward, not back."

"What does that mean? Where did he go?" Oren asks, looking concerned.

"Gwen, I'm sorry. Your question is valid. I have studied magic for more years than any of you have been alive. You must trust that I have some understanding of how magic... flows. How it functions. We are working in hitherto unknown realms but the fundamental physical laws that government magic must still, on some level, apply."

"Where's Eliam?" Oren asks again, before Gwen can respond.

"Has he controlled time before?" Adani sighs.

Oren nods slightly. "He can stop time."

Adani considers Oren's words. "If he has ... affected the flow of time before... and he was attempting to reverse it... hm. Where's Eliam? That may be the wrong question, my boy," Adani says slowly.

"What?" Oren asks, starting to panic. "So.. you.. did he go back in time? That's the opposite of what I wanted. ... maybe he can bring the tower back with him."

"It is one possibility," Adani says. "Though not the only one. He may have gone forward. He may have frozen himself in a single instant in time. It's impossible to know."

Minerva puts a hand on Oren's shoulder. "Hey. He's resourceful. He'll be okay."

"What?" Oren asks, looking at her. "No... he's missing, he could be anywhere, can't we help him?"

"Have you ever seen or done anything like this?" Gwen asks.

Adani shakes his head. "Manipulating time? Never. I thought it to be one of a very few impossibilities."

Oren walks back to where he vanished, looking around anxiously. He casts bloodhound desperately, but sits down defeated when the spell has no success. Minerva walks over to him, and puts a comforting arm around his shoulder.

Gwen looks back at him and leans in towards Adani, lowering her voice. "...What if he's just... gone?"

Adani sighs. "Honestly, Gwen, I do not know. I had thought five Children to be necessary..."

As the group discusses Eliam's departure, Minerva turns to say something to Oren to comfort him. She opens her mouth... and disappears as well.

Adani notices and snaps to his feet. "Oren! Get over here."

He ignores him and stands, looking around for some trace of what took them.

"Oren, what happened to the girl?" Adani snaps.

"She disappeared,” Oren explains, looking concerned.

Elise asks, "Well, it happened to Eliam, too, right? So w--" She vanishes.

"If you were anyone but Children..." Adani's voice trails off.

"What should we do? Are they okay?" Oren asks.

"All of you, listen," he says, beckoning for the party to come near. "This may be a blessing or a curse depending on how you handle it. We will have to operate on the assumption he succeeded, or he banished you all from existence. I believe we should assume the former since we can make a plan around it."

"Um. What is happening?" Anna asks, concerned.

"If Eliam did make it back to the past, before the tower was destroyed, there is a chance you're all caught up in his magic. You're disappearing, one by one, to wherever he went. His magic control is too unstable to control it comfortably," Adani says.

As he finishes, Gwen disappears.

Oren nods. "Well, it can't be deliberate if she vanished before I did."

"We're going to go back in time?" Anna asks.

"Yes," Adani says. "How far, I do not know. But it is vitally important that you. Not. Be. Seen. Especially by me," he says, looking at Oren.

Oren nods. "Um... why?"

“Time will fracture if you introduce a paradox, such as by meeting me before we are supposed to have met," he says. "Or by meeting yourself," he suggests.

Anna disappears.

"Ok, I won't meet myself,” Oren nods. “Myself isn't very social anyway..."

"I keep certain wards active on myself, Oren, and so his magic didn't affect me. But you all... you have a chance."

"...What should we do?"

"If you travel to a time where the tower stands... go to the fifth floor. Where you've never been,” Adani explains quickly.

"Oh... okay,” Oren nods. “I can try to save some books or something..."

"You will find syphon panels where I charge the tower and the wards with my magic. If you charge the tower with the Children's power, the wards will have the Maker's blessing. Kunalchusi's destruction will not work on it. Oren, if this works... You can save our home. Go back. Do not be seen. And most of all--" Oren disappears.

The Group Goes Back to the Tower
Eliam appears in the same spot he was moments ago... or years from now. The tower stands proudly, reaching into the sky. There is no sign of Adani.

He steps forward, and knocks on the door of the tower, but there is no answer.

Minerva appears.

"Wh-what. What... Eliam?!" she stammers.

"Um... well, the good news is, the tower is fixed, I think,” he smiles.

"I... I can see that. ...How?"

"Oren and I figured, if I can stop time, maybe I can reverse time! It makes sense, right? So we tried to sort of... bring the door back? Or something? I didn't really have much of a plan, but... hey, the tower works again!"

"...Reverse... time? But then where are our friends?" she asks.

"That's... the part I'm worried about."

Elise appears, wide-eyed and white faced. "What?!”

"Okay, this is... this isn't too bad, right?" Eliam asks.

"Where are we?" Elise exclaims.

"That is a super good question," Minerva answers.

Gwen appears.

"I think a better question is when are we,” Eliam sighs.

"W-what just happened? Eliam?"Gwen asks.

"I... think we might have gone back in time. Or maybe forward, if the tower's fixed eventually,” he shrugs. “Could be either one."

"Y-you can fix this. Right?" Minerva asks warily.

"I'm amazed I could even do it at all! This is amazing, right?! I didn't think it would actually work, or that anything would happen"

Elise exchanges a look with Minerva.

Anna appears, the shock causing her to fall. "Ow."

Gwen quickly goes to help her up, and Anna smiles at her. "Thanks, Gwen."

"You're welcome. Are you able to walk?" Gwen asks.

Oren appears. He looks around, and upon seeing Eliam, rushes forward to hug him. “You're okay!”

“And you...” he continues, moving away from Eliam and patting Minerva's shoulder.

"I am!” Eliam says excitedly. “And you are too. I don't know what happened. I mean, I didn't think anything would happen, but I guess it worked? And we're in the past? Or maybe the future..."

"I'm going to go ahead and not read too much into this," Minerva says dryly to Oren.

"Huh?" Oren says, confused. He steps over to hug her too.

"Never mind. Does anyone know anything about... this?” she asks. “Anything?"

"Is my master home or... when is this?" Oren looks around at the trees, trying to estimate what year they're in.

"If this is the past, we could fix everything! Choozy, the Elyde, I don't even know where we'd begin,” Eliam says.

"We...we could warn Fallowfield,” Gwen says

Oren walks around the tower to check the stables. The land he remembers them being on is empty, and he returns to the others. "This is a while ago, I guess."

"Right before we dissapeared the Wizard say we needed to be really careful, and we shouldn't be seen,” Anna warns Eliam. "Something about a...pair of socks?"

"I mean... we could be careful,” he shrugs. “Change things without being noticed, I'm sure."

"If we see someone we know, or ourselves, something bad will happen,” Oren explains. "A paradox is really bad."

Minerva asks Anna, "Did he give us any other advice?"

"He said we should go to the fifth floor,” she answers. “Someplace special, and use a... syphon panel? Something about your powers charging it."

"I wonder if I'm in there? Maybe someone should go ask what year it is in town,” Oren suggests. “Not Eliam."

"Why not me?"

"Because you met the mayor and Brie, right? They might be there."

Eliam nods.

"Do you think anyone is home?" Minerva asks, looking up at the tower.

"The horses aren't here,” Oren shrugs. “Neither is the stable, which is weird. It was there when I got here 15 years ago, so it's before then, I guess?"

"I've never been to this town, before. I could go,” Gwen offers.

Elise nods. "That would make the most sense."

"I can go with you,” Anna says.

Oren nods. "Just ask what year it is."

Gwen and Anna Mail a Letter
Gwen and Anna head into town.

"This is...a very strange situation,” Anna says after they get out of earshot.

"It is... I know we aren't supposed to be seen, but..." she looks back, worried. "Maybe we can send a couple letters..."

"It seems like an opportunity, right? But... I don't know,” Anna sighs. “Even Oren thought it was a bad idea and he usually seems to be okay with any means necessary."

"Because it doesn't concern anything of his,” Gwen says bitterly. “He was fine reversing time to fix his home, right? Why shouldn't we get a chance to fix ours?"

"True... I could protect the circus. You could send a letter to your church..."

Gwen nods, smiling. "But maybe we don't mention this to the others."

Anna and Gwen arrive in town. There are a few townsfolk nearby on the street. A group of children play nearby.

"What do you think?” Anna asks. “We can't just ask what year it is, right?"

"That'd be a little suspect. Maybe we can find a newspaper." Gwen looks around for some sort of bar or tavern where one could be found, but sees nothing.

"We could ask about the tower, just to see what information we can get,” Anna suggests. “Just travelers, etc."

As they approach the bar, there's an old man on the porch out front, rocking slowly. He sips from his beer and eyes them both as they approach. "You're new," he comments.

Gwen nods. "Hello, sir. We're traveling through, looking to meet with the wizard. Would you happen to know his whereabouts?"

His jaw works slowly as though he's chewing something. He pauses. "He comes and goes. Could be back next week. Or tonight. No one ever really knows."

"Thank you,” she smiles. “It's rather strange to see a town without the Rorgh. Is it because of him?"

"He helps," the man admits with a bit of edge to his voice. "Not much here, though. No real reason for orcs to show up here, I say."

"I suppose. Thank you for your time.” Gwen leaves, but turns around after walking down the steps. "I'm sorry, would you happen to have the latest Siraj Tribune? We've been traveling for some time now, it'd be nice to catch up on current events."

He snorts. "There's one from last month in the garbage beside the building. Don't usually get that many current papers from Siraj. Too far."

"Anything printed locally?" Anna asks.

He reaches down and tosses her a local newsletter. "Not much in it that'd be of interest to travelers. Enjoy." It's a single paper, printed on two sides.

Anna looks it over, and finds the date: 13 Alrai, 7375. Gwen looks over her shoulder, and her face falls as she reads.

The old man catches Gwen's face. "Hm? What's eating you?"

"It's...it's nothing,” she says, composing herself.

"Thank you,” Anna says, crumpling the paper and putting it in her pocket.

"Where to next?" Anna asks, as they continue on down the road away from the old man.

"We could try to send a letter, but this far back... Prilla wouldn't be Holy Seat.”

The two continue onward to the postmaster's office, and let themselves in. There is a man inside in a dark red uniform. He's packing envelopes into boxes. "Hello? Can I help you?”

"G-good day,” Gwen greets him nervously, nodding at Anna after she sees paper and pens available. "Yes, I'd like to send a letter. Do you deliver to Fallowfield?"

"Oh, yes, certainly," the mail clerk responds.

Gwen nods, and takes the items she needs to write a note. Her hand shaking, she writes it out, and she scans it quickly before holding it out to Anna. "Do you think this is fine? It...doesn't give away too much. I think." Altrustus Genevere, This letter bears the utmost importance to the future of both Fallowfield, and Iquai. You must insure it reaches the hands of your successor, and no one else. You mustn’t give this knowledge to anyone else. On 7 Lora 7430, The Children of Destiny will arrive at the Church, and the day following an army of terrible strength will come for them. While they escape, the Church and all the followers of His faith are destroyed, leaving Iquai in despair. It is paramount that they be warned, so that the faith allowed to continue. Please give this letter to your successor upon her being chosen, and I beg you both to help the followers escape. All non essential should be able to be discreetly evacuated on the Seat of the Sea, through the secret exit in the Holy Seat’s room. There, they can be shuttled to the Oberle vineyard, where they will be safe. It is of utmost importance that they stay hidden from all until the time is right, and above all else, do not let the Oberles know of this plan.

"It seems okay to me,” Anna shrugs. “No idea what will work or not. It's dice either way."

"It's worth a try. I don't think I could live with myself if I didn't."

The mail clerk hands Gwen an envelope. She puts the letter in and pays him the fee. The Mail Clerk takes the letter and deposits it in the appropriate box. "Thank you," he says.

Gwen nods, and leads Anna outside the building, taking a deep breath. “Back to the tower?”

"Seems like a plan to me."

Oren Translates a Letter
At the tower Oren wanders idly to the gardens, Eliam walking beside him. "I don't want him to see me through the windows..." Oren explains, pointing to the tower. He takes note of an empty area where, in his time, a greenhouse stood.

"Was there stuff already built here when you were a kid?" Eliam asks.

"Yes, nothing really changed since I arrived."

"Okay... well, we know we're at least 15 years in the past, then. Probably more."

Oren nods, and sits down by a small pond filled with fish. He puts his hand in the water, and cautiously pets one of the fish as they swim by. "I wonder how we're supposed to get inside... if it's warded, and I'm not here, I can't open the door."

"Maybe I can disable it?” Eliam suggests. “I can try, at least."

“Maybe."

Eliam walks to the door, and puts his hand on it. He casts a spell, but it fizzles, and the door remains closed.

Minerva walks over. "What's the plan--- oh."

"He's going to try to open the door, I guess,” Oren explains.

Eliam shrugs. "Maybe we can take some more books? I have the ones you gave me earlier," he nods at Oren, "but we could get more that look useful."

Eliam attempts to disrupt the ward on the door. There is a crackling, a sparkling... then the ward seems to flash, and the door slips open.

"No, we can prevent the tower from being destroyed. He told me how. ...You took the books?" Oren asks. "You weren't really supposed to do that, but I guess it's a good thing..."

Eliam smiles at him as he pushes the door open. "I have the ones on magic you gave me! And that... other one."

The door opens. The frame of the door, where the door latch sits, is blinking softly as the ward fails.

"That was easy,” Oren smiles. “Good thing you got so much practice at the Patriarch's tower."

He enters the tower, and the otehrs follow suit. "So this was your home?" Minerva says, astonished. "It's incredible..."

"Yeah, well... this was before I got here, so not really,” Oren shrugs.

"Maybe some of the stuff is still here, though! Like the table, that's really amazing,” Eliam says excitedly.

Oren nods. "Maybe..."

He goes to the apothecary room, and pulls out a pen and piece of paper. He quickly writes a note: Mr. Pender, If you are reading this- please don't come inside yet. It will cause a time paradox if you see me. Just wait a little while. Oren crafts his note. It is beautiful, articulate, crafted. His eyes travel over it, pupils adjusting to the light in micro-instants as his mind races with the possibilities that this one moment of alteration could cause to the time stream. He finishes his final word, and his hand moves a line down to sign it. The tip of the quill an inch from the page as he goes to begin the O, Oren's heart beats furiously in his chest. A sudden shock runs up his spine and he draws his hand back as he realizes the paradox he may have just avoided. Oren sets the quill delicately upon the table and sits back. A gentle sigh escapes him. Truly, in this moment, he has just saved the world.

In years to come, Eliam would tell the tale to others: how Oren boldly traversed the currents of time with him, surfing along the flow of the fourth dimension; how he came face to face with a familiar and yet strange world; and how, at the critical moment, he chose the right path by instinct and preserved all life on Sylvatir. Oren, the hero, who single-handedly defeated the scourge of time.

He places the note on the door, and closes it behind him as he leaves to explore the tower with the others.

---

Minutes later, Elise welcomes Gwen and Anna at the door. "Welcome back," she says. "Did you learn anything?"

"Yes,” Gwen nods. “The year is 7375."

"The town exists,” Anna adds. “I'm not sure how large it was before but it's pretty small now"

"At least there's no worry of us running into our past selves,” Gwen smiles.

Minerva nods. "That's...good to know. At least we have our bearings now. Nice work, both of you." She smiles. "Good job not messing up all of time!"

Gwen gives Anna a quick look as Oren impatiently leads everyone back up the stairs.

"Yep,” Anna says simply as the others leave them.

As they stop in the library. Eliam begins to look over some of the books. Oren gives him a knowing look, stopping him before he can pull any out of the shelves. Minerva pats him on the shoulder. "In fairness, any books you take means Oren might lose that knowledge since he's not here to read from them."

"Yeah, don't take any,” Oren nods.

“Yeah... it won't hurt to read them though, right?” Eliam asks.

“As long as you put them back...” Oren says. “I don't want to forget how to do math or something.”

“I will, don't worry!” he assures him.

Gwendolyn finds Oren once she joins them, getting his attention. "Do you think there's time, to translate the letter? We don't know if the tower will actually be repaired, or not, when we get back..."

"Um.. I guess. We're not really in a hurry..." he leads her down the rows of books, to a shelf containing several dictionaries. He pulls one down labeled Gaelic.

He takes it to a nearby desk, and sets to work deciphering the note. Gwen periodically peeks over his shoulder to determine how far along he is.

Oren begins work on the letter, but the symbols begins to fade, shift, and shuffle as he begins to work.

He translates, "Gwen, it's important that you kno-" but suddenly his eyes lose focus, or the letters themselves change? Something... is weird.

He looks at Gwen. “Your letter's broken.”

He starts again.

"Oh, that's strange..." she says.

The letter, once it is translated, reads: Abigail, excellent work. Your next mission will take you north. Beware the Oberles. Their role in this is still unknown. -- Holy Seat Genevere.

"I don't know what this means,” Oren says, passing her the translation. "Wasn't he the Holy Seat a long time ago?"

"Yes... before Prilla..." Gwen says confusedly, looking worried.

"How old was your girlfriend?" Oren asks, smiling politely. "If she was going on missions more than 25 years ago?"

"She was younger than me."

"Oh,” Oren says, wandering away to check up on Eliam. He finds him in a chair, a pile of books on various types of magic next to him as he nervously scans through them. Quietly, Oren picks up the discarded books and places them back in their rightful spots.

"Just make sure you don't mess the books up,” Oren sighs. “I don't think there's any time magic..."

"That's... well, that's still alright. I'm sure I'll figure out a way to get us back!" Eliam smiles at him.

Oren nods, and leaves him alone. He grabs Minerva and drags her to the study, pulling her to a large window.

"What's up?" she asks.

Wordlessly, he gestures outside.

She looks out the window but her brow is furrowed. "I... don't get it. What's wrong?"

"What? Nothing's wrong."

"Oh," she says. "Sorry. Just... too focused. This... was your home, wasn't it? It's beautiful."

He nods, looking slightly nervous.

Minerva says, "We have to keep climbing, right? What's higher up in the tower?"

"Um... upstairs there's bedrooms... do you want to see that? I wonder if my room still looks the same... What do you want to see? There's a lot."

"Everything!" she says. "But... maybe first we should try and do that thing the wizard told us to do. Find the panels. Do you know where they could be?"

He nods, taking her hand and leading her upstairs.

---

Gwen takes the letter, and panicking, puts it away in her pocket. She quickly goes to find Anna.

Anna stands nervously at the entrance of the library, as though trying to understand how this many bookcases could fit into the room despite its outside appearance being smaller. Gwen immediately takes her arm and pulls her out of the room.

"What's wrong?" Anna asks, concerned.

"I... I think I messed up,” Gwen explains. “I had... I had a letter from someone from the Church, and... it's... it's different."

"That might be good? I mean, you were trying to change things."

"You're right. I mean, I was... but I just wanted to save them. To save her... Not. Not change everything,” Gwen begins pacing. "The letter doesn't mention me... it wasn't to me anymore."

"That's a pretty big difference,” Anna says. “A pretty weird diff... uh, look. I'm sure it'll be okay. We'll be able to figure it out- it's not like you disappeared when you sent the letter!"

"I mean it's...it's not sent, right? Maybe we could just go get it back."

"We could. It's only been an hour - even if it's been dispatched, we could catch it,” Anna says reassuringly.

Minerva calls back to everyone from the stairs. "Hey, guys! We're going up to find the stuff Adani said. You might want to come up here!"

Anna glances at Gwen. “Want to try and undo it?”

"Yeah...yeah, maybe we should."

“We can just retract the letter. If it's been sent we'll be able to catch it,” Anna explains. “They only need the Children to charge the glyphs anyway- they don't need us for this bit."

"You're right. Let's go,” Gwen smiles.

As everyone goes up the stairs, Minerva calls back down. "Gwen! Anna! Come on, let's go!"

The two exchange a look, and go downstairs, away from the others.

The Children Solve some Riddles
Oren, Minerva, Elise, and Eliam climb the stairs. They arrive in a room with five other stairwalls. Two go down. Three go up. There is a framed letter on the wall amidst them. If you are reading this, then I trust you. Or you're a thief. If the former, welcome. If the latter, I'll find you. Don't worry.

I spend my life dedicated to magic. But magic is mostly bangs and colours and things to impress the common folk. I have lived my life believing in logic. Beyond here, logic reigns.

If you seek something beyond these stairs, know that your way will be barred unless you are clear of thought and careful of choice. Beware, those who seek to brute force their way forward... "This was definitely written by my master,” Oren sighs.

He takes the others down the leftmost staircase, leading them down the foundation.

“Where are Anna and Gwen?” he asks.

Minerva turns around curiously. "I... don't know.”

Elise turns. "I'll go check for them."

"That's a good idea. Go find them,” Oren says, shutting the door behind her after she leaves. “Probably for the best if she's not here, it does say to be 'clear of thought and careful of choice.'"

"What does that even mean, anyway?" Eliam asks.

"I'm not really sure, but it doesn't sound like her, does it?"

There is a door which is locked tight. It is held fast behind a magical shielded lock. Eliam cannot access it to depower it.

The lock requires a four-number combination to open.

Each position appears to accept any number from 0 to 99.

There are four clues arranged in left to right order on the wall beside the lock.

The clues appear to be arranged in the same left-to-right positions as the four places for numbers in the lock.

Each clue reads the same at the top: Identify the odd number out.

CLUE ONE: *5 7 9 11 13*

CLUE TWO: *1 8 27 64 83*

CLUE THREE: *45 63 81 73 54 90*

CLUE FOUR: * 4 5 7 8 10 11 12 13 14*

“9?” Eliam says uncertainly, reading the first clue.

Oren nods, and enters 9, 83, 73, 12.

The lock spins... whirls... and opens.

The door swings wide.

There is a golden plate on the wall behind the door. It has grips to grab on to which jut out from the centre.

Oren touches it.

It feels warm to the touch. It seems to be drawing on something within him. Oren focuses his magic and channels aether into the foundation of the Tower. The Maker's energy courses through it.

The Foundation is secure.

Gwen and Anna Make a Holiday
Gwen and Anna return to the postman's office.

"Excuse me, sir. I think the letter was a mistake,” Gwen says. “Would it be possible to have it returned?"

The mail clerk says, "Well, certainly... How fast are you?” He asks, and Anna leaves the office quickly to find a horse. “The boxes I was packing were for shipment today. They were loaded onto a boat about half an hour ago. They're sailing toward Siraj as we speak."

"Siraj? That wasn't even in the right direction,” Gwen says.

"Things get sorted and then sent from the main office," he says.

Gwen nods politely and rushes outside to meet with Anna. “He said the letter was put on a boat to Siraj.”

"Damn,” Anna says. “We can try to find a horse, cut it off before it reaches the riverbend..."

"We can try,” Gwen nods.

A ten minute search yields a pair of horses near a stable.

"Got any cash” Anna asks. “Better to borrow than to steal, I think. We don't want to do any more damage."

"May we borrow your horses?” Gwen asks, as she approaches the farmer working at the stable. “We only need them for a short time, but I'll give you double their worth right now and a promise to bring them back."

The farmer looks at Gwen strangely. "Let's see the money, he says.

Gwen pulls out twenty gold, and holds it out to him.

The farmer's eyes bulge. He reaches his hand out, shaking. "T-they're yours."

Gwen and Anna mount up and ride.

Gwen mounts her horse and flies like the wind. The hooves of her steed beneath her seem to make music as she travels. Anna keeps fairly good pace behind her but slips further and further back. Anna makes it to the edge of the port as the mail ship is sailing away. She spots a bridge at the end of the harbour which the ship must pass. Without even a moment's hesitation, she steers her horse at full speed toward the bridge. The ship reaches it just as Gwen does. The knight pats the beast's mane, allowing some of her divine faith to pass on to it. She orders the horse to jump, and full of faith in her, it leaps off the bridge, and lands squarely on the deck of the mail ship.

The captain drops his pipe. "W-who are you?"

"My name is not important; what is is the mail you received from Westbridge,” Gwen responds. “Something was sent by mistake, and I need it back. Please."

The captain just kind of lamely points in astonishment as this horse just chills on his deck. Gwen finds and retrieves the letter.

Gwen gives it one last look and sighs, tearing it into pieces. She drops them into the water.

Years from now, on the 13 of Alrai, Westbridge still celebrates the Lady's Leap Festival, where children are encouraged to gather on the Westbridge and plunge into the water to stave off the summer heat.

Gwen looks at her original letter, and sees that the message is returned to normal.

The captain lets Gwen back off on the shore.

“That was a hell of a jump,” Anna says.

"I didn't know I had it in me... the letter returned to normal, though. I think everything is fixed," Gwen smiles. "Thanks, for the help. I'd say I owe you one, but... I think I owe a lot more than just that."

"I'm sorry the plan didn't work. I don't want to say this is for the best but...who knows what could have happened. Maybe we should get back?" Anna suggests.

"I think you're probably right. Do you think they noticed we left?"

"Probably, but I'm sure it'll be okay."

“Yeah,” Gwen nods, leading them back to the tower.

The Group Solves More Riddles
Elise meets the others back at the stairwell room. "Um... they're... all gone." "Gone? What do you mean?" Eliam asks. Oren rolls his eyes.

"They're not anywhere in the Tower,” Elise explains. “They just bailed."

"I gave Gwen that weird note of hers, some message from her girlfriend,” Oren sighs. “But I guess she dragged Anna off to do whatever girls do."

"I... what? They wouldn't do that. I mean, I know for sure Gwen wouldn't just up and leave in unfamiliar territory. Maybe... they're in the town? Shopping or something?" Eliam suggests.

"Where is there to shop?” Oren asks. “There's just a few places like a baker and a grocer, that sort of thing. Unless there used to be. They're probably somewhere making out, who cares."

"Them? You think so?" Eliam asks.

"Maybe? She said she likes girls,” Oren shrugs.

"As long as it doesn't get in the way of stuff, I guess. I guess we don't really need them for this...” Eliam sighs. “Well, maybe for a little help on the puzzles, but you seem to have it handled."

"At least they can't get pregnant,” Oren says, leading them to the next set of stairs.

The four ascend to the roofing panel.

There is a door with another lock. Rows of numbers are written on the door, with a blank row below to insert numbers.

The numbers read: 1 11 21 1211 111221 312211

The lock combination is the next row in the sequence.

Eliam enters 13112221. The lock clicks and opens smoothly.

The door opens wide.

“Good job,” Oren smiles.

"Thanks!" Eliam smiles back proudly.

Inside there is another golden panel just as the last. Eliam activates it.

Minerva smiles at Eliam and says, "I'm impressed, Eliam! That was so fast."

"That's why I'm the second in command, I guess!"

"Yeah,” Oren nods.

"Uh... of... what?" she asks.

"The Lyriad, obviously,” Eliam says as Oren leads them to the next staircase. "And our group, I guess... though really I'm more the leader of that."

Oren rolls his eyes. "Votig was the leader, none of us are."

Minerva draws a sharp breath, holds it, lets it out slowly, and says, "You... um... hm..."

"He can't really lead anymore, though,” Eliam shrugs.

"Yea. Maybe we should go visit him while we're here?" Oren suggests.

"Oh! I didn't even consider that! He's probably alive, right? Maybe we can recruit him."

"I don't know, would it mess things up if we did that? And Minerva is the leader of the Lyriad, and since that's what we are it means she's our boss,” Oren points out. “But you're definitely the second in command."

Minerva says, "If you really want to take on more responsibility in the Lyriad, you can start looking over briefings with me," she offers.

"Well... of course. I assumed I'd just grab them and read them over when we got back."

"You already know everything about it, and you're really good at business stuff. Maybe you can make the Lyriad more profitable,” Oren smiles.

"Absolutely! I'm sure I'm the most qualified for it. It shouldn't be hard to fix things up."

“It's what Votig wanted,” Oren nods.

The group heads up to the room that houses the Ward controls.

There is an inaccessible door with a lock that cannot be reached. Beside it in the wall is what looks like a small copper horn. Below it is a tiny plate that says, "Speak here."

There is a framed letter on the other side of the door.

Oren rolls his eyes and reads it.

Speak the password to proceed.

My first is in mouse, but not in hose. My second, in ached, but not in chose. My third, in argue, but not in acute. My fourth, in rabbit, but not in brute. My fifth in each (and each in all).

“Magic?” Oren says into the horn.

There is a clicking sound behind the horn. The door swings open wide.

The golden plate is affixed to the wall beyond.

Eliam charges the wards.

The wards are secure.

As the group returns to the stairwell room, Gwen and Anna return to the Tower.

Elise tilts her head. "Where were you two?"

"Town. We forgot something there,” Anna answers quickly.

Minerva frowns a little. "I was worried. Just let us know next time, okay?"

Eliam nods. "We're trying to charge the tower wards, but they're locked behind some puzzles."

"Sorry. When we realized we hurried,” Anna explains. “Puzzles?"

The group walks up a set of stairs. It leads to a room with a protected locked down. Near it is a scale. Next to the scale is a large glass vase marked "5" and a medium-sized glass vased marked "4." There is a fountain continuously pouring water on the wall nearby.

There is a sign beside the door: "The scale requires the weight of a large glass vase and 3 liters of water to unlock. Any more, or any less, and... well... just be exact."

Oren fills the 4L vase. Using his magic, he splits the water in half, then splits the water outside of the vase in half again.

The large vase now has 3L. He moves it to the scale.

The scale clicks, and the door swings open wide.

A plate rests beyond. Oren charges it.

The enchantments are secure.*

"That was amazing! Good job,” Eliam says.

"I think I cheated,” Oren replies.

Minerva nods. "Your control really has gotten astonishing. Way to go, Oren." She kisses him on the cheek quickly and walks down the stairs.

"Hopefully the next one will just require a big fire or some air,” Oren says, as they continue on.

The party arrives at the last room at the bottom of a set of stairs. They seek to reinforce the walls.

There is a shelf on the wall next to a protected door. There are seven glass vials. Each contains a colourless, odourless liquid. The vials are magically sealed so as to shield the liquid within from spells.

There is a long letter on the wall next to the vials. The vials are all in a row.

If ye seek the path beyond, Listen, traveller, and respond. Aether works its magic here, Woven through the entrance near.

Vials resting on the shelf May grant ingress unto thine self. Only one amongst the seven Can lead you to the tower's heaven.

Seek thee the brew of Animate And fiendish monsters thou’ll create. Discover still the Poison vial And collapse upon the tile. Further, to thine consternation: Is the brew of conflagration. Only one amongst the set Is safe when liquid to door’s met.

To aid ye: merely these clues four Which may see thee through the door. First, of each the choices wrong, Only two vials here belong. Second, the ends of thine great plight See life on left and death on right. Third, as what is made can die, Death and life beside will lie. Last, the flames together nestle In the “sum of seven” vessels.

Solve this puzzle, if ye can, Uncork the vial with thine hands. Spray the liquid on the door And proceed forevermore.

Elise steps up to the letter and looks up and down the row of vials.

She taps a few of the lines and reads them to herself over and over. Finally, she says, "Hey... 'Second, the ends of thine great plight/See life on left and death on right.' What if that means the vials on the ends of the row...?"

"Stand back..." Oren says, grabbing the sixth vial.

"Good luck..." Eliam says.

He unstoppers it and splashes the liquid on the door.

The liquid bubbles up and down the aether that protects the door.

The aether coalesces into an enormous spectral guardian!

The Group Fights At the Tower
Gwen rushes forward to cover the others, attacking as she does so. Her severe assault explodes on the guardian. Her power overwhelms it and causes it to fall against the wall.