One could imagine Iji's slight surprise when the Tarnished he had expressly told not to enter the Caria Manor appeared beside his mistress not less than one day later.

In all honesty, he believed the constant hail of glintstone arrows along the main road would prove enough of a deterrent. Most of the time, it was. And if that wasn't enough, the veritable mountain of corpses in, out, and around the manor drove the point home.

Then again, that really only applied to people with any kind of sense. The many piles of bones littered throughout the manor shared a common trait—they had let their pride, madness, or some conjunction of the two lead them to believe they could conquer the dwelling of what was once the most esteemed family of sorcerers in the Lands Between.

There was an argument to be made that the Carian Royal Family remained the most accomplished in the modern day, despite Rennala's regrettable spiral into insanity and Ranni's relative inaction, but he digressed. Primeval sorcerers slinked about still, but not even their forbidden sorceries could compare to the majesty of Rennala's night. Biases aside, anyone short of a demigod should not have made it well within the manor, much less to Ranni's Rise. Especially a Tarnished.

Yet, there he was. Standing before him as he had done so not longer than a day ago. Only, he was a mere projection this time, thus he could not express his surprise in-person.

"My thanks for answering thy summons with such haste," Ranni spoke to her three longtime associates as a projection from her chamber. "I would take this opportunity to introduce a most capable warrior entering my service. A Tarnished, of whom Grace yet guides."

From beside Ranni, the Tarnished bowed his head. Iji had not heard the man speak throughout their prior meeting; so it was that the Tarnished's introduction was the first time Iji received his voice.

"Hello. I have no name—you may call me whatever you prefer. I hail from a home beyond the Lands Between. May the fruits of our labor benefit Lady Ranni."

Not much one for words, the Tarnished. His voice was heavy and gruff, though Iji believed it a result of a lack of use rather than his natural sound. True to that sentiment, he heard the subtle clearing of a throat from the Tarnished once he finished.

In truth, he didn't much fit the image of a Tarnished. While he was certainly far-removed from a mark-free visage, the man's face conveyed a lack of experience, at least compared to other Tarnished Iji had come across in his time. His attire was less armor and more a hodgepodge of cloth wrapped for comfortable travel. More room for the multitude of weapons, perhaps, but Iji would have been lying if he didn't believe the Tarnished to look a little out of place.

However, he was clearly no squire, evidenced by how far he had come in such a short amount of time. There was a look to the man's eye that betrayed his age. In any manner, far be it for him to judge anyone based solely on appearances. Humans, as Iji had learned, could wield forces of destruction and death far more effectively than most monsters. Perhaps there was more to this Tarnished than meets the eye.

Iji made to reintroduce himself, but he was surprised to see Blaidd beat him to the punch. "Ah, long time, friend. Blaidd, if you've forgotten. Glad to have you in the service of mistress Ranni."

"Thou art acquainted with the Tarnished?" Ranni inquired, both sets of hands folding nearly atop her lap.

"You could say that," Blaidd answered. "He helped me... settle an old score, so to say. Very helpful, and strong of arm to boot. I daresay you've made an excellent choice, Ranni."

"It is good to see you, Sir Blaidd," the Tarnished politely bowed again. He certainly was stiff, this one. Blaidd would work on fixing that. "You as well, mate. No need for formalities, I assure you. You're well and proper in my book."

"It pleaseth me to see thou's accepting of our newest ally," Ranni's doll body smiled. "It hath been a passing long time since a newcomer entered my service, after all. Such natural trust will go a long way toward the success of our cause."

Her gaze turned to Iji. "I believe it was thou who informed me prior of a wandering soul entering the manor. I take it thou hast acquainted thyself with the Tarnished, also?"

"Indeed," Iji rumbled, closing his book. "A word of introduction, once more. Again, I am Iji. The Carian royal family's dedicated blacksmith, and Lady Ranni's war counselor." He made to apologize next. "My apologies for the misleading words of warning. I never imagined that an audience, let alone service to Lady Ranni was in your fate. I, for one, should have seen it, but I did not. Do forgive me, my fellow. Let us give all that we can of ourselves. Together, for Lady Ranni."

The stranger forewent a response this time, allowing for Ranni to speak once more. "Two of my vassals, already well met. Thou art more cordial than anticipated, Tarnished." She turned to the final image in the room. "Am I to surmise thou hath exchanged pleasantries with Seluvis as well?"

"Goodness, no," the sorcerer quickly denied. "However, Blaidd has been more than willing to tell me all about you, Tarnished." The way Seluvis spoke the word made it sound more derogatory than anything. Iji's expression remained neutral, but Blaidd visibly rolled his eyes. "I am Seluvis, preceptor in the sorcerous arts. I much doubt you will be able to assist me in my endeavors, so I ask that you please make yourself useful in other matters."

The Tarnished ignored Seluvis. A wise decision, in Iji's mind. Best not to entertain the man's ego, as Iji had quickly learned throughout the years. Though they worked well enough as a team, Seluvis often felt like an outsider to the bond that he, Ranni and Blaidd shared. Considering the man's temperament, it was for the best.

"I welcome you once more into my service, brave Tarnished," Ranni moved on. "These three in my service will guide thee in thy duties. Take from them what thou will. Heed not their peculiarities; feel secure in gaining from them what advantage thou canst. I am sure the others will be doing just the same."

"Peculiarities," Blaidd sniffed. "You wound me, Ranni."

"'Tis Blaidd's character you will need to endure the most. Forgive mine asking of such an arduous task." Introductions and light jesting over, Ranni quickly returned to relevant matters. "Nevertheless, I would ask for your time in assisting Blaidd to begin thy service. I would have thee join him in searching for the hidden treasure of Nokron, the Eternal City..."


"You will find Blaidd in Limgrave, within the Mistwood Ruins," Ranni explained from her chamber. The projections had vanished, and the Tarnished prepared himself for the trip back to Limgrave, per his new directive. "I imagine he eagerly anticipates thee. How long since Blaidd hath made merry with anyone beyond those in my prior service?"

"Regardless, do not take my jesting to heart. Blaidd can be blunt, and honest to a fault, but he is beyond capable in battle, and loyal to those whom he trusts. 'Tis my belief thou would make a most indomitable and well-disposed pair."

He nodded. Appearance aside, Blaidd seemed well-intentioned enough. His skill had been on display plenty during their bout with Darriwil. In any case, it would prove useful to have someone at his back after an extended period of traveling alone.

Still, there was another thing he needed to know. "And what of you?"

"Hm?"

"What will you be doing?"

"So you are capable of questions," Ranni smiled. "If thou art curious, worry not. For I am not one to leave her subordinates slinking about the dark for a purpose known only to I. I shall remain here, for the most part, readying final preparations whilst you and Blaidd search for Nokron's hidden treasure. Before long, I shall soon enter a long slumber, and it will be some time before I wake. This doll's body is not without its hindrances..."

"Preparations for what?"

Her smile grew. "My trek along the dark path, as I hath mentioned prior. Should thou's task be completed, it will be of much help toward that end. Alas, I must take preemptive steps to ensure I am prepared for such a journey."

The Tarnished's gaze fell slightly, recalling the words the witch spoke upon finding her here. "To rid the world of all that came before..."

"I wonder, if thou would determine my goal a fool's errand. Or if second thoughts cloud thy mind?"

"No," he replied instantly. His words were unyielding, voice firm and resolute. It surprised Ranni a tad, but she would be lying to herself by saying it did not please her. She angled her gaze to peer up at the moonlit sky from the window in her chamber.

"Take heed then, Tarnished. Thy road ahead will be unlike anything thou hast witnessed before. You would go against the order of this very land—incurring the wrath of the Golden Order and beyond. Death awaits thee at every corner; or perhaps a fate even worse than death. All for mine own schemes, which seeketh to divest the Lands Between of the influence of the Outer Gods." She paused, returning her eyes to the Tarnished. "Knowing this, would thou still follow me, and help deliver me unto the road only I may tread?"

Without hesitation, the Tarnished warrior fell to a knee in reverence, bowing his head. "I would."

"Then so it shall be. Rise, dear warrior." He complied, returned to his feet before his superior. Her doll's smile had returned. "Admittedly, thy motivations confound me, Tarnished. Devoting thyself to one such as I, after but a few brief meetings. What would push thee to such action?"

This time, the Tarnished remained silent. Ranni did not know if he himself did not know, or if he simply chose to keep his reasoning a secret. He had claimed that he had merely stumbled upon her rise by happenstance, uncaring for the cursemark upon her discarded flesh. She was no fool, and thus would keep an eye on the Tarnished who had so eagerly joined her cause. Though his talents were commendable, his goal was yet clear to her, enigmatic as he was.

For now, however, he posed little threat. Even less so should his intentions prove loyal to her. Regardless, Blaidd would be certain to deal with him if it came down to such. Such was her confidence in her longtime shadow.

"Thy secrets are thine own to keep; as such, I will not press the matter. Such topics prove irrelevant shouldst thou completeth thy task." Not all men were so telling in their ambition. There was admiration to be found in such, Ranni believed.

She delivered unto him a final word of parting before he left. "Even so, thine odd fixation on me aside, a reunion we hath shared still. Mayhaps fate designed such an encounter. Though I most despise the aims provided by the Order, if such a meeting were a byproduct of their machinations, then I would permit such." Her hands laced before her. "For all we do is for the coming Age of Stars. That notion, you would do well to remember, Tarnished."

Though the Tarnished remained silent, he nodded in affirmative. "Go then, converge with Blaidd, and find that which I seek," Ranni commanded. "I have high hopes for thee. I look forward to the good news when I arise." He rose and exited her chambers, beginning his trek down from her rise. Not before Ranni heard the faint echoes of a final word from him as well.

"Your will be done, my queen."