The Sanctuary was scrupulously clean, but falling into disrepair; even now, the rot was beginning to set in to this Territory. None of that seemed to matter to the old woman who entered the room, nodded her thanks and dismissal to the Priestess in attendance, and walked to kneel painfully before the altar at the Sanctuary's center.
In the depths of the abyss, cocooned by veils of Gray power, she was no longer old. Nor was she a careless girl in the first flush of beauty, but a woman in her prime, strong enough to fight or to heal. She glanced down at her hands - stronger than they'd been in years - and laughed quietly to herself.
The abyss revealss truth if you heed it, said a rolling, sibilant male voice from far below her.
She didn't look for the speaker; the faint hint of sound, of scales sliding over scales, was enough to tell her she'd found what - who -she needed. I halfway believed you were a myth.
I am not. But only the truly desperate seek me out. What do you seek, little Queen?
Safety. For my people.
The silence from below wasn't - quite - mocking.
I know there's no such thing. And I know - my daughter is a good Queen, and her daughter is likely to be the same. But we can't hold out against Dorothea forever.
One day Dorothea will fall.
But not before we do. We need - a guide. Some way to get through the dark times without being consumed as a people.
I can make a bargain that will give you what you desire. But you will not enjoy it, and you will not remember it.
If that's what must be done.
For the first time, she sensed something besides simple presence from the being so far below her: respect, and a distant sorrow. Everything has a price, little Queen. I wish that I could spare you this one.
When she returned to herself, the male presence with her was far different - the Warlord who had been friend, partner and husband for decades. He was already on his way toward her when she stood, tried to take a step, and swayed in exhaustion.
"Lia!" Red power flowed out to catch her and cradle her until he could reach her. "Are you all right? Did it work?"
"No. And yes." Everything had a price; when his psychic scent spiked with pain and sorrow, she knew he'd seen just what she had paid.
"Tell me it was worth it," he said, touching the shattered Gray pendant as carefully as if it were part of her. "At least tell me that."
"It was worth it. I don't remember everything, but the bargain will hold. No matter what, there will always be a Gray Lady in Dena Nehele."
