Siuil followed Arya and Io to the Glade, already confused. They had caught up with the Shining Blade and all the missing Chosen. Evennia watched as the Chosen sat around the campfire. Finally, one Shining Blade scout questioned, "I would not presume to question your wisdom, Evennia, but letting outsiders into our camp is a mistake."
"Markis, I would have them see the truth of things with their own eyes," Evennia turned back to them, and motioned to the Chosen who appeared to be able to move freely among the Shining Blade. "Arya Bladedancer, Siuil La Rune, family of Siuil, and Io Lukas, you see that we mean them no harm. I am sure you wonder at this. Tomorrow I send you to Saidra who will show the way to see who indeed actually means the Chosen harm. Let your eyes see the truth for what it is."
"If they are going tomorrow, Lady Evennia, allow me to go with them," Siuil gritted his teeth at the voice that again caught him from behind and he turned to see Lynn Matheri standing there.
Evennia lifted a brow, "Of course, Archmagus Majere."
Arya turned to Siuil, who only shook his head in confusion. When Evennia walked away Arya said, "Lynn, I thought your name was 'Matheri'?"
"It is in a way," answered Lynn. "Where I am from, Matheri is a translation of Majere. But I was born with the name Majere. I use Matheri to avoid attention."
"From who?" asked Io, suspicious suddenly.
"Various interested parties," sighed Lynn. "What business is it of yours?"
"I am merely assessing whether this deception could be a threat to the Guild, and to Ascalon in the process, Master Majere," answered Io. "As a fellow mage, I am also interested in what other surprise it might bring. So, is Lynn your real name, or does it also an alias?"
"It is my name, albeit a shortened form of it," answered Lynn. "My full name, if you must know, is Raistlin Majere, and Evennia is very correct in my title of Archmage. Where I am from even my colleagues fear me—and my power."
"Aren't you just full of yourself," mused Siuil. "Tell me, when I tell my daughter to take your life, will your ego serve as the target? If so, she could strike you from Old Ascalon were you standing in Lion's Arch so large a target it makes."
Raistlin turned around to face Siuil. "I have no need of ego," he retorted. "I merely state the hard facts of the matter. You have no idea who you trifle with."
"Indeed," Arya, who had been quietly listening to come to her own conclusion, broke it by pointing out, "Perhaps you should enlighten us lest I suspect betrayal. You have already proven that you're not exactly reliable by hiding the truth of your identity, how can I trust that you won't turn on us during this rescue mission of the newest Chosen in Bloodstone Fen?"
For a moment Raistlin seemed to consider this and he looked up and away as if looking up to the sky that could not be seen through the heavy green canopy of the jungle above. He finally looked at Arya and turned away to head to his tent, but he didn't actually walk away before responding with a simple, "You don't."
Io looked at Arya, "Where does he get off actually brushing you off like that?"
"Io, I am not familiar with the term used," said Siuil suddenly. "Are you familiar with the term that Evennia called him—Archmage…?"
Io paused for a moment, "A respectful term for the most powerful and experienced of mages."
Siuil watched as Raistlin disappeared into his tent and then Arya said, "What I don't understand is how he managed to be here before us… as if he was part of the Shining Blade far before we even suspected that the Shining Blade could be innocent. As if he knew."
"I get that feeling as well," agreed Siuil. "I hope it doesn't mean what I think it does."
"Nor do I," Arya sighed. "We've had to deal with traitors before, but to face him would mean bringing all of the Guild into the battle that would undoubtedly erupt. And I have seen enough of his power to know that many of us would die before bringing him down. No, we will watch, and wait. And if he does, we will unfortunately have to deal with him swiftly before he can raise his defenses."
Above Arya and Siuil, in the trees, Akara Nikhiora listened to the conversation below. Her eyes widened in alarm. She had always known that people tended to not trust Raistlin, but this level of distrust was new to her. She had to refrain from sighing in order not to alert the three La Runes, Arya, and Io that she was above them and listening. Once they moved she shimmied down and ran over and into Raistlin's tent.
The effect of entering the tent caused a bit of vertigo as through his magic, which he was steadily regaining control over since his old magic had been cut off and replaced with new magic. And so his tent was much larger and even contained separate rooms, seemingly a permanent structure, when outside it appeared small and inconsequential. She looked around, knowing him to be inside, but unsure of where exactly. Like his Tower, his tent had many rooms and depending on what he was doing he could be in anywhere within. "Majere!" she called, looking in the first, his bedroom.
Near silent movement behind her alerted her to his presence. She turned around and looked up at him. "I—" she stopped suddenly.
"What is it? You obviously have something to say," he lifted a brow.
"Your fellow 'Guildmembers' are planning to kill you if they even so much as suspect that you will betray them," she stopped again when he turned his back on her, almost stalking to the table in the middle of the tent. "You were expecting it, weren't you?"
"Yes," he half turned to her, his back to the entrance so that she saw his left profile while he seemingly stared off into space. "As usual, the masses react to the unknown with fear and violence. It was not unexpected. It never fails to amaze me that no matter where I go it is the same. They still react like little children over their corner of the sandbox, always killing when they think that another will take their corner from them."
He walked into his bedroom, leaving her in the common area, as she muttered, "What in the Abyss does that have to do with it?"
The jungle was as twisted as usual, but strangely enough Raistlin knew his way around it. More than once Siuil nearly walked the wrong way, and even more unusual, Arya almost took a wrong turn. It was during one of these that Raistlin turned to them and said, "It is this way."
Akara stopped walking behind Arya and followed Raistlin instead. Siuil frowned and shared a glance with Arya. Terrence, who was following, trying to keep their path out easier to find, said as he sent Cambe ahead. She came back, and they could hear voices. A group of centaur came around the path with Cambe just ahead of them. She sat down, and the centaur ranger looked at them, "Ah, I see. Greetings, fellow Ranger, I see your familiar is scouting. Perhaps we can help, yes?"
"We are looking for a group of White Mantle with some civilians," said Raistlin suddenly. "The civilians would not look as they were prisoners, but their lives are in mortal danger if they do not know it yet. Have you seen such a group?"
The centaur looked from the Mesmer to Terrence, the Ranger. "Well, Ranger, is his question yours? Is this group what you seek?"
"Aye," answered Terrence. "They are."
"And given this… mage's… remark, it would be your aim to rescue these 'civilians'?" asked another, one that appeared to be a shaman or monk of some sort.
"Yes," answered Arya. "My name is Arya Bladedancer, and these are my companions, Siuil La Rune, his brother Terrence, and the mages are Lynn Matheri and Akara Nikhiora. And behind me is… I'm sorry, I never caught your name…"
Siuil turned around, and his eyebrows lifted at the tattooed man that he had seen following at a distance with Akara. "My name is Ryniel La Rune, Siuil and Terrence are my older brothers," answered the monk with a slight bow.
Arya looked from Terrence to Siuil and back to Ryniel again, "Just how many of you are there?"
"Five," answered Siuil. "Terrence is the eldest, I'm the next eldest, Ryniel and his twin sister Yvonne are the next and then Calerien is our youngest. I haven't seen our sister or brother lately though."
"I saw them in New Ascalon," answered Terrence. "Yvonne lost her husband in the Searing, right Ryniel?"
Ryniel nodded, "She did. Calerien is still quite happily single. But then again, he's the typical Mesmer in that regard. I do believe that Yvonne's sons and daughters still live."
Raistlin wondered aloud, "And how many does she have?"
"Oh, Gods," Ryniel ran a hand over his bare scalp. "Well, she decided not to become a hero like the rest of us, and so settled down to marry. She moved out by Barradin's Estate, but that doesn't answer your question does it?"
Arya snorted. "Let me guess, at least as many as five, right?"
After a moment of thought, Terrence said, "Seven."
The centaur looked from one to the other and one said aloud, "I will never get the human habit of having as many children as possible to breed like rabbits… but you said you had a mission, yes?"
Arya responded, "Yes, have you seen such a group?"
"We did indeed," answered the Ranger of the group. "We can lead you to Bloodstone Fen, but after that, you are on your own to get down into the fen although we can give you a map and directions. But we will not aid you."
"Fair enough," said Terrence as they began to walk together.
A little while later, the monk said to Siuil, "You said you were Siuil La Rune, did you not?"
"Yes, I am," answered Siuil. "Why?"
"You may be interested to know that your daughter, Selena, has given birth to her son, whom she has named Salamar, two weeks ago tomorrow," answered the monk. "I was there to aid in the birth. Both mother and child were healthy when I left our encampment."
Siuil stopped in the middle of the path, and Terrence smiled while Ryniel said, "And so, there is now four live generations within our bloodline. The Gods be praised for our fortune!"
"I have a grandson?" whispered Siuil, and then he voiced it louder. "I have a grandson."
Rurik would have had a son to raise, he suddenly realized. But now Rurik is dead. And then the next thought made his stomach flip as he realized the full implications. Adelburn had a direct heir, a grandson, to lay claim to. Selena's son would one day be King of all of Ascalon. Arya murmured as if coming to the same realization, "Long live Prince Salamar of Ascalon."
The Ascalons of the group blinked, then their expressions drew grave as the centaur monk asked, "The prince? I do not understand?"
"Prince Rurik of Ascalon, the Crown Prince of Ascalon, married this Selena," answered Raistlin. "Now, with the birth of a son, the King's bloodline continues uninterrupted. If the King, Adelburn, died today this young Prince would be King while his mother would rule until he became an adult as Regent and Queen Mother."
The centaur Ranger let his head hang to one side, "But why be so far from Ascalon? Is Ascalon not far, far to the East and past the Shiverpeaks?"
"Yes, but a massive cataclysm called the Searing occurred a few years ago," answered Arya. "Our land was destroyed and our people scattered. Prince Rurik led us to Kryta and a living land to begin again. Then, we settled islands just south of Lion's Arch and they became New Ascalon, for a new beginning. The Royal Family still exists… but Rurik died just before we reached Kryta and did not live to see it. But, his wife and soon to be mother of his son, lived on and led us to New Ascalon in his stead."
The centaurs were silent for a while, "And now you wish to make Maguuma as your own?"
"Hardly," snorted Siuil. "It's beautiful and all, but all we wish is to rescue these Krytans and Ascalons that were kidnapped and return them to their homes."
The centaurs nodded and the Ranger said, "A worthy cause. These White Mantle constantly encroach and burn our forests. While all we can aid you with is being your guide to Bloodstone Fen, we will aid you as well in finding the most expeditious way back out. We know far better short cuts than the one you took."
"Thank you," said Terrence. "That is much more than we expected."
A few days later, they stood over the dank and dark place known as Bloodstone Fen. The centaurs moved back into the forests and they moved closer to listen in what was going on.
Arya and Siuil were shocked to see Justicar Hablion, the man who had originally allowed them into Lion's Arch when they first arrived in Kryta, step forward. Terrence whispered, "What is he doing here?"
Siuil shook his head in confusion, but he had a bad feeling about this. It appeared the Shining Blade had been honest in their dealings, but the White Mantle had not. Raistlin leaned in close as Hablion grew to a close and began to swirl his massive axe around, "Those Chosen are dead, we will not be able to get down there quickly enough to save them…"
For a moment, Siuil had been about to protest, about to tell Raistlin that Hablion had likely saved those Chosen, but when Hablion swung his axe in an arc and began to slice off the Chosen's heads where they knelt, blind-folded, on the top of the disk in the Fen, the protest died in his throat. Arya cried out as she drew her sword, "Lying dogs! You die today!"
She then began to run down the path to the Fen, not even bothering to be subtle. Terrence sighed as he told Cambe to follow their guild leader down as he drew his bow out. Siuil nodded to his brothers and ran full tilt down the hill through the foliage, sword drawn. Swinging once to his left, he sliced one White Mantle Ranger's arm off before he could bring his bow up to shoot Arya in the back. The fire of the Fiery Dragon Sword cauterized the wound, but the smell of burnt flesh hung in the air. Siuil kept running and he joined Arya in the valley, fighting to get to her side.
A short moment later, arrows from the trees began to rain down on the White Mantle. Siuil knew that the arrows could not be solely Terrence's, and his suspicion was confirmed when a centaur galloped into the clearing, joining Siuil and Arya in the fray. "I thought you said that you would not aid us?" shouted Arya.
"These scum have no honor," answered the centaur. "To strike down an unarmed and undefended foe is unscrupulous and disgusting to us. We fight with you."
This turned the tide of the battle, and then they stood on the disk. Arya said, sensing as she stepped on it, "It's got a magic dampening field—my magic is having a difficult time penetrating it!"
"Stand back!" called Raistlin, as he began to cast from just off the disk.
When his spell went off, and the bolt of lightning hit the closet White Mantle to him, killing him instantly, then it arced off her to hit another, then arced again until the magical energy ran out. Arya and Siuil moved in on Hablion, and then as Hablion cast a spell, he swore and glared at Raistlin, who smirked, "Come now, surely, you expected that. Here, now let me use it!"
A short moment later, Siuil could feel the healing energy surround him and the whole group. He was a little surprised to note that it had come from Raistlin, who had stolen Hablion's Heal Party Spell for a while. Now, without healing, Hablion fell quickly under their onslaught.
They turned to look at the Fen as the centaur and the members of the party who had hidden and attacked from a distance finally arrived in the small valley to also regard the truth behind the White Mantle. Arya swore, "Bastards. The whole time they were claiming that they were educating the Chosen, taking them to a better place. That they were 'Special', and instead they were slaughtering them as if afraid of them."
"They are afraid of the Chosen," said Raistlin. "They believe that the Chosen will bring down their Unseen Gods, believing it to be part of the Flameseeker Prophecy. Your Gods, for some reason, have been sending me on a merry chase about these so-called Unseen Gods."
As they walked away after the monks did the last rites and funeral rites for the fallen Chosen, Arya said, "Obviously, you know more about this than the rest of us."
"Unfortunately, yes," answered Raistlin, scratching his neck. "Back in Old Ascalon, I was asked to take a talisman, an Eldritch Sextant, to the Serenity Temple. The Krytan Ambassador had been handing them out as payment instead of gold, and Tydus thought it suspicious. He had every right to, I can see now, but then I didn't think anything of it. So I took the Sextant to Serenity. I had other reasons for going there, but this one was the more interesting."
"So what was so special about the sextant?" asked Ryniel.
"Priestess Rashenna could not tell much about it right away, and I unfortunately had other places to go to find out," said Raistlin. "But she did say that it was 'otherworldly', as if it didn't belong. Not even the holy relics, nor the unholy relics, had ever registered as such by her. She told me that she needed a few months of scrying and research in order to figure it out. That is all I know, but I had the sense that the Gods wanted me to know this."
"Why would that be?" asked Arya.
"Because we're not exactly from around here," answered Akara.
"No, we are not," answered Raistlin. "You could say that Akara and I are as 'otherworldly' as this Eldritch Sextant. So, in a manner of speaking, in some way, we are linked to this entire affair whether we, and you, like it or not. And I get the feeling that I was sent her in order to help you as a measure of penance in my case, and perhaps Akara was sent her to aid me."
They all stopped as they thought about it, "So… you're not from the Crystal Desert?" asked Siuil.
"Not even close," answered Raistlin. "I am not even from Tyria at all. I am from a world called Krynn. A world so different that our constellations are not even the same. At all. In fact, I suspect that Tyria is one of the stars among Krynn's constellations, and Krynn perhaps the same."
"I don't understand," said Arya, as she waved it off. "But I am sure that I will get you to explain it to me in detail, but later. Right now, we must get out of the jungle. Evennia told us to meet her in the entrance to the Henge of Denravi if we ever figured out the truth. Now that we do, I suspect that we must find her before the White Mantle do."
Finding Evennia was not the hard part. Evidently, a group led by Terryann and another member of the Guild, an officer by the name of Sansa Sorenson, together with Shala Jarias, Xiyra La Rune, Phaedra Firestorm, Mors Amatoria, and Leiknir Einarsson had opened the way to the Henge of Denravi and had entered it with the Shining Blade. It was now the new stronghold for the Shining Blade.
When they entered, Siuil looked around in the massive forest city and saw Terryann immediately as she ran to him. "Father!" she cried out as she hugged him. "Have you seen Selena and Salamar yet?"
"No, I just got here," said Siuil in confusion, then saw the son of Ventari as he galloped up.
"Greetings, Siuil La Rune," said Bentai. "Congratulations are in order, but I can see you have heard. If you wish I can convey you to your daughter's home here in Denravi."
"You don't have to," said Siuil. "But I would like directions on how to get there…"
The centaur snorted and hoisted him up on his back. "Hold on," said Bentai.
And before Siuil could say anything the centaur took off at a gallop. They ran through the city and it was actually almost a half hour of a full run before Bentai came to a stop at a look out far above the city below. A small, but well-appointed house, clearly meant for a small human family, sat at the end of the path. Siuil was aided to stand on the ground in front of the house and then the small woman came out. For a moment they stood and stared at each other. "Father…" began Selena with a small smile. "I'm glad you could make it here. But if you did so then you are as hunted as we all are by the White Mantle."
"Indeed," said Siuil. "But I don't care about any of that… I heard about Salamar. Congratulations. Now, can I see him?"
"He's sleeping right now," she said as she turned to lead him into her house.
Her hair was still long, and she still wore the finery that she had become accustomed to in Ascalon City when she had lived among the royal family after the Searing as Rurik's ward. A woman that Siuil did not recognize looked up from the kitchen. "Thank you Delei," said Selena. "That will be all for today."
"Are you sure, Lady Selena?" asked Delei.
"Quite," laughed Selena. "My family has arrived. Go on, my sister and cousin can help me out."
"Very well, my lady," the woman bowed and then left the house, walking back down the path.
"Delei is my hand maiden," explained Selena. "The people of New Ascalon felt that I would have need of one now, and so she came with me. The journey has been hard, but Delei stuck it out. She is a Chosen that the Shining Blade liberated."
"I see," mused Siuil. "Now that you are royalty, what now?"
"The centaur nations here are protecting me, and as hostage and ambassador I have learned much from them, and they of us," she said. "They are a tribal nation. This tribe is the largest and also leads a few other tribes. If they keep going, they will be a nation like that of the dwarves and of man. Bentai thinks it will come in a few human generations, but he wishes, now that he has come to be close to me, an alliance with Ascalon."
"And?"
"I promised nothing," she admitted. "I do not rule Ascalon nor do I wish to. I only can speak for New Ascalon. What old Ascalon will do is beyond me."
There was a moment of uncomfortable silence as Siuil realized that she was struggling with something else. As if it was distasteful to her, but as a ruler she had to consider all possibilities as potential allies, and that former allies could easily turn into enemies. "Father, we have seen that allies can turn to enemies as swift as setting sun, correct?" she began.
"Yes," and Siuil got the feeling that if she was uncomfortable with something then he might not like it at all.
"And that old enemies can turn into potential allies, as well," she pointed out. "Sometimes more slowly, but…"
"If it's about the Shining Blade," he interrupted. "Then I can understand how the White Mantle pulled the wool over all of our eyes. Your hunch was correct in not entirely trusting the White Mantle."
She nodded, but now he got the distinct feeling that it was something more, "What is it?"
"I have received an unusual ambassador, one that had come to meet with the centaur, but upon seeing me here and learning who I was he began to voice that if he had misjudged us, then perhaps it was possible that we had misjudged his people," she said, staring out the window.
"I don't follow," said Siuil.
She looked away from her window, "When he enters, keep an open mind. I was not expecting you so soon, and so he was supposed to be here and gone by the time I thought you would have arrived…"
"I don't understand," said Siuil, then a heavy knock sounded on the door. "Selena?"
"It is fine, he is expected," she said as she motioned him to stand back. "He will not fit in the house, but I will meet him outside. You are welcome to join me so long as you keep an open mind about this meeting."
Siuil swallowed. Selena opened her door. Siuil felt an instinct brought on by years and years of an almost never-ending war with the 'kind' this ambassador was. He gritted his teeth, but didn't move as Selena walked out to stand before the tall, upright Charr that stood out there. The Charr bowed, as did she. Then, a low, guttural that stumbled and stuttered over their language voice said, "Lady Selena of New Ascalon… I th-thank you for meeting with me again."
"Thank you for meeting with me, Gatanx Fireclaw of the Clan Fireclaw," she said.
Siuil stayed in the house, not trusting himself to remain very diplomatic if he walked from the house. But as the conversation went on, a far darker feeling descended. "You remember what we spoke of before?" asked Gatanx.
"I do, and I am curious on what you mean about a threat to both Ascalon and Charr alike far to the North of both our nations," she said.
Siuil blinked, but Gatanx continued, then sat down as well as he could. Selena looked back at Siuil, and Siuil grabbed two chairs from the house and brought them out, his curiosity suddenly piqued at the conversation. He offered a chair to Gatanx, who laughed in loud guffaws that almost echoed. "I cannot sit on such dainty creations, human…" he said. "But I thank you for your thought."
It took a few moments for Siuil to realize that the Charr had just thanked him, and he awkwardly said, "Yeah… uh… you're welcome."
"This is my father, Siuil La Rune," said Selena.
Gatanx, who was sitting somewhat like the felines of Terrence and Terryann's did, nodded, "Hello, Lord Siuil," the Charr sniffed at him. "Have we met on the field of battle?"
"Quite possibility," said Siuil. "Though I am sure we would have remembered each other…"
"I am sure as well, but your scent is familiar to me, Siuil," Gatanx mused. "But to continue, yes, for many, many years we have avoided what we call the Pit of Darkfrost. Then, creatures began to come from it. For a while, we fought back with all of our might, but soon we had no choice but to move south. For a while, we saw no humans. Truly, although I do not speak for other tribes of the Charr, my particular tribe had no quarrel with the humans we encountered. We even pursued trade… and for years the arrangement was good. The humans farmed fruits and vegetables and we hunted along side their Rangers."
"Are you saying that it was the humans that started the war with the Charr?" asked Siuil, shocked.
"Perhaps not Ascalons, but, yes, human steel did spill the first blood," said Gatanx. "Many of the tribes chose war over trying to figure out what had happened. Ours did not. We lived for as long as we could before the human war bands killed another villager in the crossfire when they attacked my people."
"Some of my brothers chose war, and they left to join the rest of the Charr in their fight," said Gatanx. "We, although we hated the cold, fled to the Shiverpeak."
"And now?" said Siuil. "Ascalon lies in ruin, brought about by a Searing called by Charr mages."
Gatanx turned to Selena, "And I am sorry for that. It saddens me to think that the village I defended since I was a cub now lies in ruins and on a scorched earth."
Siuil let the anger melt away as he saw the deep sorrow in the beast's eyes. "I believe you," he said, as surprised at himself as the Charr was at his statement. "Continue your tale, Gatanx."
"As I said, the first blood was spilled by humans in armor," said Gatanx. "We had thought it Ascalon armor."
"But?" asked Selena.
"It was not," growled the Charr. "Now that I have seen it again, I see it was White Mantle."
Siuil felt his stomach drop, as did Selena. "The White Mantle caused the war with the Charr and Ascalon? But why?" asked Selena. "What would it do?"
"It ended the Guild Wars," mused Siuil. "You were too young for that, but I remember the beginning. But I am beginning to wonder if it began something else, something the White Mantle was hoping would happen…"
"The Searing," mused Selena darkly. "They caused the Searing. I still don't understand why, though."
"That's easily understood," added another voice as Raistlin came out from behind a tree. "They caused the Searing, and the fall of Orr, to become the most powerful. Once its most powerful enemies were out of the way, including the Royal Family of Kryta and the Lionguard, they were free to spread their brand of religion. I would also suspect that they could be in league with the Stone Summit."
The Charr turned to the Mesmer, "He has a point, your Mesmer does."
Siuil took a moment to think about this, "If that is true, then something far more powerful is also behind the White Mantle."
Raistlin mused aloud, "It would explain quite a bit. But I get the feeling there is a big piece of the puzzle missing here."
"You and I alike," agreed Siuil. "Raistlin, as much as I am not sure I can trust you, I do trust in your insight. I have a feeling that we will need you in the future. I am willing to completely set aside my vendetta until all of this is over, if it ever is. You are a far better ally than enemy."
"But you do not forgive me for leaving you and Terrence for dead," said Raistlin. "Very well, I can understand that and respect it. I will not lead you as that is not my place here. But I will travel with you and aid your companions."
Siuil held out his hand and Raistlin accepted it for a few seconds before letting it drop. Siuil turned to Gatanx; "I think you have to tell one other of this. Raistlin, could you stay here with Selena while I go get Arya…"
Raistlin disappeared abruptly but a few seconds later, he, Arya and the other members of both Siuil's family and guild that had arrived were there. Arya was about to draw her sword when Selena stepped in front of Gatanx and cried out, "Stop! He is my friend. And the information he has will change many things…"
A few hours later, after Gatanx left, Arya, Siuil, Raistlin, and Evennia met near the spring in the Denravi Henge. "I don't like this," said Arya. "How do we know we can trust him?"
"I believe him," said Siuil, shaking his head. "I never thought I'd say that. But Gatanx seems sincere, and I have to admit he risked a lot to make it this far. I am guessing that he managed to speak to the dwarves, and the dwarves sent him here."
"And on the way here, he saw the White Mantle and made the necessary connection, given the intelligence of him," admitted Arya. "Damn, I should have realized the truth."
"We were all deceived by the White Mantle," said Evennia. "This only confirms how far they are willing to go for power and to spread their false religion about the Unseen Gods. But this Pit of Darkfrost concerns me."
Arya sighed, "As it does me, but getting there to investigate would mean traveling hundreds of miles into hostile Charr territory in order to get there. No, we have other things we need to do before we try to solve this. Now… what do we do about the White Mantle?"
"We must expose them," said Evennia. "Perhaps if we expose their lies and their deception, we can force them from Kryta. The people will then again follow the true Gods."