SOLDIERS, SCHOLARS AND SPIES
Summary: A month later, Risen are appearing in Lychcroft Mere. The Vigil and Priory have arguments, but luckily the Tassof girls are on hand to be spectaculary surprising. Oh, and Fiona forgets that nobody knows that sylvari are 'byproducts' of Mordremoth... oooops...
Chapter one: The Priorities of the Vigil
Author's Notes:
Alright, this hasn't been done before... not in this story, at any rate. But I have not got any feedback on whether you want me to go details with the so-called 'Renown Hearts', so I won't, because it'll take a long time, and because I want to get to the good stuff of the storyline, which is the reason I'm writing this in the first place. So. Time-jump to... you'll see.
And also, sorry for posting so late, but Falcon... apparently wants to copy me? And is writing a we-got-pulled-into-Tyria, only different. Anyway, he's horrible at spelling, grammar, and the general rules of writing. So he forced me (not really, but still) to sit down and correct everything he did using the awesomeness of Google Docs.
Anyway, go read Falcon's fic. His account name is Falcon Swiss. It won't be out for forever, because I keep refusing to correct his stuff in favor of this, but... he's on my fav authors list (he's my brother, of course he is even tho he hasn't posted anything yet...) so you'll find him here. It'll have the same style of writing as this, just because I like fixing things properly.
EDIT FROM THE FUTURE: First of all, Falcon never got around to writing his fanfiction.
Second of all, this, chapter fifteen, is now chapter one of Book Two of the Tassof Series. If you're here, you read chapter fourteen's author's notes, and know what I am talking about. If not, go back and read them. They're at the top of the story. So, hello chapter one!
If you are new to this story, and have not heard of Tyria's Real!? then go read that. Otherwise, you will be terribly confused.
Okay, here's the story now:
The few weeks after the discovery of the sisters' parents' graves are relatively quiet - at least, relatively, for adventurers like the twins and the children. Tiffany and Fiona set out to explore Queensdale and Kessex Hills - or, the southwestern half of Kryta - in preparation for the Risen invasion of Kryta from the south, due to Kellach's being a fool. Ayla and Mat go with them, of course, and occasionally Katherine would come.
At first, they avoid any areas south of Triskell Quay when Mat and Ayla are with them, but as they discover the areas where Risen aren't a threat yet, they roam freely, helping people who need it.
The fact that Mat and Ayla are quite capable of doing the less dangerous tasks allows Tiffany and Fiona (and Katherine, on occasion) to focus on the hostiles of the area, and they explore lots of ground each day. Tiffany and Fiona find a place that 'sings' to them.
"It must be a... place of power," Tiffany observes. "Want to try for that signet?"
"Of course," Fiona shrugs. "I'm only power-hungry, is all," she says, grinning. "Magical power, to be exact."
"Fi, doesn't that amulet hold a ton of energy?" Tiffany asks.
"You're right, that should work. And it probably would, if we had any idea how to activate it."
"I get the feeling that power is meant to stay there," Deborah says thoughtfully. "I mean, it probably would have been used by now if it were meant to be used."
"Yeah, that makes sense," Tiffany frowns thoughtfully. "The idea of extracting the power just doesn't feel right, you know?"
"Yeah. Power from magical locations it is!" Fiona says, nodding.
After two or three weeks of this, Tiffany and Fiona are enjoying traveling and helping people, and teaching Mat and Ayla things. Mat had gotten quite proficient at throwing stones, and aiming correctly, too. He is now practicing on a moving target, and with a sling, succeeding most of the time, as well. He carries a small pouch at his waist, and tries to kill any stray bird or rabbit that crosses the group's path, as practice. Ayla is okay with the stones, but not as good.
Occasionally, Tiffany and Fiona return to the bandits hideouts in Shaemoor, and quell the bandit population there, and anywhere else they discover a hideout, effectively granting the Seraph a chance to focus on the centaur war, rather than street crime.
While the cause of the Screaming Falcon's effective death remains unknown, Deborah has rejoined the Seraph as a regular soldier, and although she doesn't patrol the areas she used to, she is assigned duty as a 'free helper', which is basically just what Tiffany and Fiona are doing, plus Seraph authority. She remains heavily interested - and investing a lot of her time in - the search for clues as to why, as she and the Captain have agreed the centaur ambush was highly suspicious, given the information they know.
The Tassof family and Tangwen visit every few days (and the boys drop in every night, generally at different times), which keeps the two girls cheered up considerably.
"I don't know what we'd do if Tangwen and the rest of them didn't visit all the time," Tiffany tells Fiona one day. "At home, I'd jump every time the door opened if I hadn't seen Tangwen for over a week."
"I remember that," Fiona nods. "I'm glad they visit too."
The Tassof Team, as they come to be known, are very famous in the areas they roam, defeating centaurs, bandits, krait, skale, Risen and other things, besides just generally helping out.
One day, while the Tassof girls are in Garenhoff - in the southeast corner of Kessex Hills - getting supplies (Tiffany had seen arrows for sale that were sharper and had barbed heads), a messenger approaches Deborah.
"Sergeant Tassof, Captain Thackeray has requested your presence," he tells the group, holding out a letter.
Deborah steps forward and takes the folded bit of paper. "Thank you, Corporal Jaheim. If you are returning to his office, do you mind telling him I'll be there quickly?"
"Yes, Sergeant," the soldier salutes and disappears in a blue puff of smoke.
Tiffany grins and nods at Fiona with an expression that clearly says 'that was so cool.' Fiona smiles back. Deborah doesn't notice, frowning.
"He says he discovered important information... he doesn't want to disclose the matter in a letter... well, I should be off, girls. Behave yourselves, don't take Mat and Ayla to places with Risen or krait, and don't let any innocents die from the said monsters."
"Of course not," Tiffany says, pretending to look insulted. "I'd never let someone die just because we weren't there in time, or any nonsense like that. You know we went out of our way to memorize all the waypoints. And we're not little kids, meaning you don't need to be babysitting us."
"Just saying," Deborah says, waving and vanishing with another blue cloud of magical dust.
The sisters continue their trek through Garenhoff, buying and selling and trading around the small town.
"Alright, Tiff, want to take on that krait den near Triskell Quay? Mat and Ayla are away, now's the best time."
"Sure. Overlake Haven?"
"It's the closest," Fiona shrugs.
Both girls reappear in Overlake Haven beneath the waypoint. As they head out, they wave to a few people they know.
"Where's Ayla?" a young girl asks them.
"He's not here today, sorry, Kari," Tiffany replies. "Her mother wanted her to do school today, but maybe she can come up tomorrow,"
As the two leave the haven and turn west, they settle into a light jog, progressing in companionable silence.
"Alright, underwater gear, ahoy!" Fiona says. "Boy, this trident is heavy."
"This is the first time we've been in water, I'd expect you to say that," Tiffany says dryly.
"So, Tiff, what happens to your underwater pets? I mean, they don't just stealth and follow you around on land or anything, right?"
"Not unless they're amphibious, no. Beorn is amphibious, as are drakes. A couple others, too. I suppose that if I charm, say, a shark, it'll stay in this body of water or any that he can access from here, and I'll only be able to call him if he can get to me."
"Would be nice if they could, like, teleport or something."
"There are underwater waypoints, but... only a few. Like, maybe... two? That I know of, anyway. But Beorn is my primary companion - 'sides you and Deborah, of course - and he can go in water, so we'll be fine. I've also got Chevy."
"You named your pet drake Chevy? What's this, a play on American Pie?"
"Sure," Tiffany shrugs. "He breaths lightning, I could name him anything."
"And you chose Chevy," Fiona says flatly.
"Yep. Let's go kill some krait, free some quaggans or something," Tiffany says cheerfully.
That night, when Deborah gets back home, she was thoughtful.
"What's the matter, Debs?" Petra asks her.
"Captain Thackeray wants to me to investigate the Screaming Falcons' 'untimely demise' as he put it," Deborah says, fiddling with her fingers. "He gave me a couple of ideas, but as I was actually one of them he left the decision up to me as how to pursue the knowledge. I liked his suggestion of talking to Captain Tervelan, though, and so I went to Eldvin Monastery. He didn't seem at all happy to see me, but later on in the day - after I'd helped fend off a centaur attack - he told me there was a centaur camp to the east I can check out. I'll go there tomorrow."
Tiffany glances at Fiona. Fiona raises her eyebrows back at her.
"Deborah... how will finding that out help anything? You were just ambushed, right?" Tiffany asks carefully.
"You weren't there," Deborah says quietly. "They charged out of the trees, shouting and screaming. They... we couldn't pin their tactics. They were sidestepping our every move, they were much more coordinated than anything I've ever seen from a centaur, and the noise they made prevented our commanding officer from communicating the retreat effectively." she shakes her head. "It was obviously planned, and me and Captain Thackeray want to get to the bottom of it."
"Good for you. If you need it, we'll be there when you go for the centaur camp."
"I'd appreciate that," Deborah nods. "I lost some good friends in that ambush."
Tiffany grimaces. "We'll be there if we can, Debs."
Fiona nods.
The next morning, at breakfast, a letter arrives:
Countess Anise
Summoned to the Throne
Heroes of Shaemoor, Tiffany and Fiona Tassof:
By the Will and Command of Queen Jennah of Kryta, you are hereby formally summoned to attend the royal presence. Make all haste to her throne room in Divinity's Reach, and you will be welcomed there. Until next we meet, may the Six Gods watch over you in all things.
—Countess Anise
Tiffany, upon seeing the letter, racks her mind for how to react - you don't just get a formal letter summoning you to the Queen's presence without some sort of reaction. She settles upon being totally gobsmacked.
"Fiona... we've been summoned to the Queen's throne room immediately..." Tiffany says, staring at the letter.
Petra almost chokes. "You've been what?" she demands when she recovers.
"We've been summoned to the Queen..." Fiona says faintly. "Why do you think?"
"I must say I have no idea," Tiffany says flatly. "It's been, like, a month or two since we did all that stuff with the Shining Blade. If she wanted to contact us about that she'd have done it then, not now."
"You should go do that," Deborah tells them. "I'll deal with the centaurs and Tervelan on my own."
Tiffany looks at her incredulously. "You think we were considering not going? The Queen's summoned us! I mean - " she pauses, struggling for words. "What Krytan wouldn't?
"Countess Anise says 'make all haste', I'd assume that means... as soon as possible." Fiona says, catching herself before she said 'ASAP'. She grimaces at the things she needs to watch for.
"Let's go then. I'm done eating, personally," Tiffany tells them. "Beorn! To me!"
The two disappear in a puff of blue.
"Your Majesty," Tiffany says in greeting. "Countess Anise, Captain Thackeray. I was summoned?"
"Indeed, and I'm glad you're here, my friend." Logan tells them. "Kryta needs you once more."
"You know we love helping," Tiffany tells him. "What's the problem?"
"There's a swamp in southern Kryta called Lychcroft Mere. The area's been hit hard by our war with the centaurs." Logan tells the two. "Most of the lumber there goes to build catapults and defenses, so it's common practice to use strips of marsh moss instead of firewood on cold nights. However, the Seraph have brought me recent reports that Risen undead—servants of Orr—have been seen in the swamp. Many of them."
"We have encountered them, too, Captain." Tiffany answers. "Just not in so great numbers as you describe. People who live there are in danger - even normally. Me and my sister have tried to cull their numbers, but they just keep coming." The unspoken 'is there a plan?' hangs in the air.
"The three Orders of Tyria are pushing to be involved but can't agree on a plan." the Queen says. "While they bicker, my people are at risk. I have summoned you to act as Advocate of the Crown. I want you to meet with the orders and take charge of the situation."
"You'll be dealing with the Vigil, the Durmand Priory, and the Order of Whispers." Logan informs them. "All three specialize in fighting Zhaitan and its minions."
"You will have the full authority of the crown to handle this situation. If you accept this task, both of you will have equal authority, and I would advise you to consult each other before coming to any decision that needs to be made. Will you accept the task?"
"We will, Your Majesty," Fiona replies.
"We're honored to serve Kryta and our queen," Tiffany adds.
"Thank you."
"If... if I may ask, Your Majesty, why did you choose us?" Tiffany asks tentatively.
"Logan and the Countess Anise speak highly of you. I am confident that you will protect the people of Lychcroft Mere."
"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. Is there anything more we need to know about Lychcroft Mere?"
"Lychcroft Mere is at the very southern point of Kryta," the Queen replies. "You'll be meeting with the Orders at the tradecamp south of Viathan Lake. I am glad to see you are gathering as much information as you can before you begin."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Tiffany repies.
"You mean Ireko Tradecamp? Me and Tiffany know the place," Fiona nods. "What about these Orders - the Vigil, the Durmand Priory, and the Order of Whispers?"
"The Orders study the Elder Dragons." the Queen replies. "So long as they stay out of politics, I allow them to operate in Kryta. Is there one in particular you want to know about?"
"I've heard of the Vigil and the Durmand Priory, but I've never heard of this Order of Whispers," Tiffany says.
"I have seen their agents working for the good of Tyria, and while I may not trust them, I recognize their contributions."
"We'll do our best, Your Majesty," Fiona tells her.
"I'm glad you are here, Tiffany, Fiona," Countess Anise tells them. "It is imperative that you resolve the situation in Lychcroft Mere. Lives depend on it."
"Thanks for taking on this problem, friends. I know you'll do what's best for Kryta." Logan tells them. "Village children go into the swamp to get firewood. If the Risen are in there, do everything you can to get theose innocents to safety."
"Children? With Risen in the area?" Tiffany says, alarmed. Logan only nods.
"Good luck, both of you," the Queen says. It is obviously a dismissal, and Tiffany and Fiona leave the throne room.
At Ireko Tradecamp, the girls wave at villagers happily. Tiffany smiles as a small child runs up to an older woman and presents his math trick.
As they enter a large-ish tent, the two girls see three people standing around. Tiffany can tell who is with which Order by their uniform - even if she hadn't already known who was who.
"Finally!" says whom Tiffany knows to be Josir. "Thank Dwayna, you're here. I am Scholar Josir, of the Durmand Priory. We've been expecting you."
"You're here to make decisions, and that's exactly what we need," says a shorter man - Ihan.
"For once, Ihan's right about something. I'm Hiroki, a crusader with the Vigil." says a woman dressed in silver and black.
Tiffany grimaces at the obvious quarreling between the Orders - she'd been used to them at least trying to get along, before she'd been pulled into Tyria.
"The Risen forces are active in Lychcroft Mere," Hiroki continues. "There are missing villagers - mostly children. We've got to get soldiers in there! The Vigil has a squad standing by. They're ready to sweep the area on your signal. Just give the word."
"I'm sure that both of you can see that such an approach could only cause more problems." Josir says placatingly. "The Durmand Priory has a wondrous device called the "Mortis Verge". We believe in using intellect to fight the dragons. Saves on manpower, you know - and we have achieved some marvelous advancements."
"Your device is theoretical!" Hiroki accuses. "Untested! You want to risk children on that? Vigil steel is tried and true."
"Crusader Hiroki. Scholar Josir." Tiffany begins. "While the device may be untested, the Durmand Priory is rather well-known for its brilliancy with new inventions, and their effectiveness."
"But - " Hiroki tries to protest.
"We're not saying that the device - the Mortis Verge - is a viable option," Fiona interrupts. "As you said, it is untested, and we shouldn't risk children on such a device. Once proven, however... what did you say the device did?"
"It allows the holder to easily distinguish between the living and the Risen undead - and also confuddles the undead, making it harder for them to find you," Josir says promptly.
Tiffany frowns. "Even if it does work the way you say, after being tested, there is still a chance the undead will the find the person holding it. For now, I believe that the best option lies with the Vigil's plan - what say you, Fiona?"
"I don't object," Fiona says, shrugging. "Although, a wise plan might be to use both - the Mortis Verge, while not tested, could still aid the Vigil's troops, and the children."
"I don't suppose you have any objections to working together?" Tiffany asks.
"Not at all, Advocate," Josir assures them.
Hiroki gives Josir a sharp glance before she, too, says she doesn't mind.
"Let's do it, then!" Tiffany says, clapping her hands once. "Unless, of course, the Order of Whispers has a plan?" she asks, turning to Ihan.
"No. We brought this to the Queen's attention, but we'll leave the frontline fighting to the others."
"Undestood," Tiffany says cheefully. "Let's go!"
"Lychcroft Mere is a dangerous place, even without the undead swarming about. I hope you're ready for it." Hiroki warns.
"Thank you for your concern," Fiona replies.
"I'll have the Mortis Verge on hand soon," Josir tells them excitedly. "Meet you at Shadowheart Site."
"The Vigil will meet you there, as well," Hiroki nods to the girls.
"Glad to see you two," Hiroki greets the two. "I wish I had better news, however. We've got a problem."
"Let's hear it," Fiona prompts.
"The Vigil squad sent to meet us had been overrun during the initial sweep of the swamp. The area's crawling with hostiles. The children are still out there, and now my soldiers are in jeopardy as well. It's down to us."
"Don't worry, Hiroki, we can handle ourselves in a fight," Fiona says, hiding a smile. "Let's go rescue your soldiers, and go find those children."
"Your courage does you credit. Vigil soldiers are well-trained, dedicated, and determined to defend Tyria. You'd fit right in." Hiroki informs them. "If my squad followed protocol, they'll have dug in to wait for reinforcements. We'll need to look for a makeshift bunker."
"Then that's what we'll do. Josir, you have the Mortis Verge?" Tiffany nods.
"Rest assured, Advocate. It's right here. And it's effects work in a comfortable radius, so only one of us needs to hold it."
"Great. You do that, the three of us will focus on the heavy lifting," Fiona instructs. "Let's go."
As the group makes its way through the swamp, the undead seem not to notice them.
"It's working!" Josir says, obviously happy.
"The undead don't gather like this without cause. I can only imagine what horror was behind this." Hiroki says worriedly, scanning the area for signs of a makeshift bunker. "Hurry, the children are in grave danger."
"It's hard to believe anyone could survive here for long," Josir remarks.
"There!" Hiroki says. "They've dug in there."
"Let's go rescue them, then," Fiona says matter-of-factly, heading that direction.
"Crusader! Thank the Pale Tree," says a sylvari that Tiffany knows is Tactician... somebody. "We're over here!"
"It's good to see you're still alive, Sarrena," Hiroki says. "What's the status of your troops?"
'Sarrena,' Tiffany notes.
"We found several children hiding in the swamp. As we were helping them, we were overrun. We dug in here to repel an undead attack." Sarrena reports. "It's not going well, Crusader. The Risen have pinned us down and inflicted heavy casualties. As the commander of this unit, I take full responsibility."
Tiffany blinks, before sighing and sending a look to Fiona that clearly says 'when will I get over this crazy fascination with the word 'commander'?' Fiona shrugs back at her.
"Remember your oath, Sarrena. Your soldiers swore to protect the innocent, and that's exactly what they did." Hiroki tells Sarrena. "We are the light in the darkness. The soldiers in your command died with honor."
"What do we do now, Hiroki?" Josir asks. "Head back out of the swamp?"
"This isn't over yet, Josir," Hiroki says, her eyes flashing. "Not while there are still people lost in the swamp out there. The mission will go on. The children are our top priority We'll hold off the undead, and when their lines break, we'll get the children to safety. Tactician?"
Tactician Sarrena turns and begins barking orders at some of the other Vigil soldiers.
"We'll take the center," Hiroki tells Tiffany.
"I can send scouts looking for other children," Fiona offers. "Due to the fact that they are illusions, the undead shouldn't notice them."
"That's great, but can they defend the children they are rescuing?" Hiroki asks sharply.
"Of course they can," Fiona says easily. "They're my main defense."
"You do that, Fiona. But stay here and help us defend the children already here, yourself."
"Got it. I won't be doing as much as I could, normally my illusions wouldn't speak and I generally filter out the sensory input, but I'll do my best."
"What's wrong, little one?" Vigil soldier asks a child as the squad prepares to defend the site. "Scared, or just green?"
"And what, pray tell, is wrong with being green?" Sarrena demands. Tiffany stifles a giggle. Sarrena is a sylvari.
"Uh... nothing, ma'am. It's just a turn of phrase."
"Turn your "phrase" to battle, soldier!" another recruit admonishes. "Here they come!"
"Alright, we've got this," Tiffany grins evilly as Fiona dispatches a couple clones to rescue any remaining children.
Tiffany draws the attention of any passing Risen with her bow, shooting one here and there and drawing them close to her. Beorn runs off out of sight, diverting more undead to her. Hiroki's blade flashes out and she is killing the Risen with the ease that comes with years of experience. Fiona is throwing a couple energy balls here and there, but overall is mostly focusing on her clones.
When a large amount of Risen are centered on her, Tiffany shouts for Hiroki to move out of the way. "Back! Back!" she shouts, swiftly dodging an undead sword. She tumbles out of the ring of undead surrounding her, and rains arrows down on the group, before dropping her bow and darting forward with her axes. Soon, the Risen group that had attacked them is decimated.
"Is anyone hurt?" she asks.
"Incoming! Incoming! Too many to count!" shouts an asuran Vigil soldier.
"You're a big help. What kind of asura can't count?" another soldier scoffs.
"Ready your weapons, not your sarcasm!" Hiroki snaps. "You heard the soldier, incoming!"
Much of the same continues for the next fight, and the next.
At last, the undead fall back.
"The undead are falling back!" Tiffany says, keeping her eyes peeled.
"This is our chance to get the children out. Soldier, what's Tactician Sarrena's status? Is she badly injured?"
"She's conscious, Crusader, but in a rough shape." the soldier reports. "I'm no expert on sylvari, but it looks pretty bad."
"Leave me. I'm not afraid to die." Sarrena tells them, sounding as if she was anything but. However, her next words actually seem to calm her. "I gave my oath."
"The Vigil doesn't leave anyone behind, Sarrena. You don't have permission to die, do you hear me?" Hiroki says sternly.
"I hear you, Crusader. And... thank you."
"We can go out the way we came in. Move fast, keep the children together, and don't stop unless you absolutely have to. Fiona, did your scouts find any more children?"
"A few, yes. But that's all. They're on their way back home."
"Vigil! Move out!" Hiroki commands.
"And stay close to Josir, so the undead won't attack," Fiona advises, seeming to re-focus on the goings-on. "The children are safe, Tiff," she adds.
They make their way swiftly out of the swamp, the undead basically ignoring them.
"Magnificent! The Mortus Verge worked!" Josir beams. "Perhaps not perfectly, certainly, but better than I had hoped!"
"This is why we didn't totally rely on the device," Hiroki reminds him.
Tiffany sighs.
"I can't belive we made it out. Sarrena, you're hurt," one of the Vigil observes.
"Don't worry about me. The children - "
"Worry about both," Hiroki cuts in. "Do what you can for her wounds, Owt. We'll carry her if we have to."
"Your quick thinking saved these children," Sarrena tells Fiona happily. "The Vigil could use a soldier like you two."
"Thank you for the compliment," Fiona replies. "Are you alright?"
"What? Oh, my wounds? Yes, I'll heal, thank you. We sylvari are a hardy race, even if we don't look like it."
"I'm glad you'll be alright. Get some rest," Fiona advises.
"You're my new hero!" a little child tells Tiffany. "I used to like the Seraph, but after I saw that man with the undead - I don't like them anymore!"
"Whoa, there," Tiffany cautions. "What Seraph?"
"The bad man in the swamp! He was wearing Seraph armor, and muttering to himself, and he was really scary. I think the undead came to talk to him."
'Oh!' Tiffany realizes. 'That must be Kellach... but the Seraph really are good people...' thinking quickly, she tries to reassure the child. "What's your name?"
"Benny," he replies.
"Well, Benny, I don't want you to repeat this to anyone, but that Seraph is possessed. All the Seraph except for him are good guys, but you are right, that one is bad."
"I won't tell," Benny answers with wide eyes. "You sure the other Seraph are okay?"
"Positive. Remember, Logan Thackeray is the leader of the Seraph. You really think all the Seraph are like that?" Tiffany asks.
"Really? One of the members of Destiny's Edge?" Benny asks, wide-eyed.
"Yep."
"I guess the Seraph can't be bad, then," Benny decides.
"Good for you," Tiffany smiles at him.
Hiroki approaches Tiffany. "Without you, Advocate, my soldiesr and these children would have been lost. We all owe you our lives."
"It was my honor to fight with the Vigil," Tiffany replies.
"And thank you, Advocate, for ensuring all the children were found," Hiroki says, turning to Fiona.
"It was the least I could do," Fiona replies. "It's not like I'd have just left them there or anything."
"I'm just glad that both the Vigil squad and the children are safe." Tiffany tells Hiroki.
"We're safe, but I must make sure the healers tend to Tactician Sarrena's wounds. Luckily she's a sylvari."
"What do you mean?" Tiffany asks, puzzled, her mind racing as she wonders what it could mean.
"Sylvari aren't affected by Zhaitan's corruption like the other races," Hiroki explains. "Where we come back from the dead to serve Zhaitan, they simply die."
'Oh. That.' Tiffany thinks, feeling stupid. 'Of course that's what she was talking about. Of course, Tiffany Tassof, a commoner, wouldn't know that, so...' "I've never heard of such a thing," she says carefully. "That's amazing... anyone know why?"
"It's a mystery, even to the scholars of the Priory," Josir inserts.
"Personally, I think the godess Melandru created the sylvari to fight by our side. They certainly are a blessing." Hiroki continues, ignoring Josir.
"Well, that's certainly - " Fiona starts, before Beorn jumps on top of her. "Hey! Beorn! Stop that!" after Beorn stops, she turns to Tiffany. "What'd you sic Beorn on me for?" she asks, mildly angry.
"Think, Fi," Tiffany says, tapping her temples.
'I was just going to say that the Melandru idea is better than the fact Mordremoth made the sylvari...' Fiona thinks confusedly. Tiffany raises her eyebrows at her sister's puzzled silence. 'It's a well-known fact by now... oh wait...' Fiona's eyes go wide, and she nods at Tiffany.
Tiffany represses a snort and shakes her head. 'Way to go, sis, a month and a half in and you almost spilled our one secret...'
Hiroki and Josir are looking at them confusedly. Tiffany sighs. "That's certainly an interesting insight," she tells Hiroki.
Hiroki looks at Tiffany and Fiona puzzledly. "There's a meeting of the Order's representatives in the Salma District later this afternoon, to discuss the Risen problem."
"We'll be there, Hiroki." Tiffany tells her.
Hiroki nods and turns away to ensure the children each get to their own homes.
Tiffany sends Fiona a look that clearly says 'we're going to talk.'
"Let's go home and tell Petra and Andrew - and Deborah, if she's home - what the Queen wanted us for?" Fiona asks quickly.
"Come on, then!" Tiffany agrees lightly. Both girls vanish in a puff of blue.
"Oh, you're back!" Petra says, when the two enter the inn.
"No customers today?" Tiffany asks.
"It's a slow day, plus it's the middle of the afternoon. Most people are off at work or something," Petra shrugs. "Not much use for an inn at daytime, you see."
"Of course," Tiffany says easily. "Now, where's Andrew? And is Deborah home?"
"She got back a bit ago, fuming about how Captain Tervelan was a traitor. I don't know what she's talking about, but I know Tervelan was the commanding officer of her area. She's in her room."
"I'll go get her," Fiona volunteers. Tiffany's sharp glance follows her to the doorway. 'Don't let anything slip, Fi...' she thinks with a sigh. "Andrew's in the cellar?" she asks.
"Yeah. You can go get him?"
"Okay. Andrew!" she hollers.
Petra rolls her eyes.
"You're back?" Andrew asks, coming up the stairwell.
"Yep. Wanna hear what Queen Jennah wanted?"
"Sure. Slow right now anyway."
"Slower than usual, or what?" Tiffany asks. "You both keep mentioning it."
"Nobody's here, Tiffany. There's usually one or two," Deborah says, entering the room. She seems slightly grumpy.
"So there is," Tiffany says cheerfully. "So, Fi got you up-to-date in half a minute or should I give you the long version?"
"Please," Deborah snorts. "She didn't even spare me the short version."
"I'll give it to you, then," Tiffany says mischeivously. "the Queen made us her representatives in dealing with Risen activity in Lychcroft Mere. You know the place?"
"That creepy swamp? Of course," Deborah says. "Can't say I'm surprised that's the first place the Risen make their appearance, it's near the only pass southward, and it's already creepy."
"So, the Queen made us her representatives, and we had to decide whether to rush in the swamp with a bunch of soldiers to rescue the children who were lost, or use an untested device and sneak them out. Guess which we chose."
"Soldiers?"
"Mainly, yes. We did have the Mortus Verge with us, for added protection. We defied expectations and did both. Yay us." Tiffany says dryly. "We saved the children, and later, there's a meeting just down the street with all of them to discuss the Risen menace in southern Kryta... Now, Deborah, what's your story?"
"Y - you can't just leave us hanging like that!" Deborah sputters. "The Queen made you the throne's representative? Why?"
"Why?" Tiffany repeats, amused. "Well, apparently Captain Thackeray and Countess Anise spoke highly of us, or something of that sort. Although, where they'd get the idea to give us that high of a recommendation... " Tiffany shakes her head.
"Now, tell us what you did, Deborah." Fiona repeats.
"Fine, fine," Deborah says, rolling her eyes. "So, first, I met up with 'Captain' Tervelan's 'squad'," she makes quote marks in the air with her fingers on 'captain' and 'squad'. "to take out the centaur camp. He only sent an old friend of mine - Bigsby, I think I mentioned him?"
"You did," Tiffany nods. "He's the one who wasn't part of the Screaming Falcons, right?"
"Right-o. Anyway, we were both understandably angry at the 'Captain', but we went ahead anyway. We defeated the centaurs, and I found an old journal, listing survivors of the ambush. Now, 'Captain' Tervelan had said there were no survivors - save me, obviously - but we know definitively that's not true, and this notebook is proof. I'd had my suspicions, especially after meeting the chap, but now I know Tervelan's a traitor, I just wasn't sure how. So I came back to Divinity's Reach and told Captain Thackeray about it, and we went to go confront 'Captain' Tervelan. He ordered the Seraph around to kill us - kill Captain Thackeray, like that'd work," Deborah snorts, " - and some of them listened, and some didn't, and we defeated the ones who did, and went after Tervelan. He eventually gave up, and we took him prisoner. He confessed he'd sold out Falcon Company because of - because of political intrigue!" Deborah clenches a fist. "That utter traitor! Captain Thackeray put him under arrest, and then we went to tell Queen Jennah that Minister Arton was pulling his strings, and put him under arrest. And then I came home."
"Captain Tervelan sold out Falcon Company?" Tiffany asks, angered. Of course, she already knew this, but... "Why would he do such a thing?"
"Oh, the usual rubbish. 'Oh, there weren't enough supplies for my troops. Sacrificing them got the attention I needed to supply the rest of my command, the loss of Falcon Company is acceptable, because the rest of the country is safer...'"
"Yeah, that's rubbish," Fiona agrees. "I mean, that's what asking is for..."
"Well we've got nothing to do for fifteen minutes until the Orders meeting," Tiffany says. "Want to organize a neighborhood 'Monster Deborah' game? Or, we need to give it another name..."
Author's Notes:
How do you like it?
I seriously feel like I rushed the whole 'dead parents' episode...
And in case anyone is curious, I'm going to be mainly focusing on the storyline. Most of the exploring and 'doing hearts' is going to be in time-skip fashion, like at the beginning of this chapter. I also hope I put in a reasonable amount of time. Four to eight weeks sounds reasonable to me, although I seriously hope it fits in to the whole 'levels 1-80 occupy one year of in-game time' thing that seems to happen. If it doesn't work out, I'm not going to bother changing everything, I'll just pin it on the fact that they've changed stuff.
Also, I'm honestly terrified. How am I going to do Destiny's Edge? It's honestly too OP to have them get together at first meeting just because Logan thinks things over, I mean really. So how am I going to do dungeons?
Dungeons'll be hard just because they're mostly DE-oriented, and I don't know how I'll handle having both me and Tiff remain inconspicious and let them work out their differences. It's not like we could push them together with words, they'd realize what was going on and that's not good because... well, it wouldn't work. It only works if they don't know what's happening. So me and Fiona'll have to just stay out of the spotlight. Or something.
I asked Fiona for permission to have her representative in this story slip up about the Mordremoth thing, and she honestly would have said that, irl. That's because she doesn't know that nobody knows about Mordremoth, but since she's terrifyingly versed in lore (honestly, every time I talk to her about anything not related to this fic, she groans and waves me off with a 'yeah, yeah, yeah, guild wars, blah blah blah, not again, go away' or some variation thereof. Except she'd be utterly awed and behave mostly like in-fic Fiona if it actually happened, so... whatever. (No, whatever you!)
Long A/N again... oh well.