[08.11: Anabasis]

[Mirrors into a Dark Soul]

Sunao Sugata, trainee Executioner of Holy Mother Church, watched as the last of the locals fell asleep, the fire in the longhouse still crackling away in its hearth. She'd missed out the earliest parts, where the scary magus Captain and the Mage Association Lord had done their thing, as Ciel made Sunao 'learn' to stand guard. All while the two soldiers and the other witch went through the creepy little village ensuring that everyone slept through this and didn't remember it all. It still made her uncomfortable, especially after the nightmares of the End of the World as she'd grabbed those of her schoolmates and dragged them, often kicking and screaming, to safety.

This whole world….'plane' as the captain called it…gave her that sicken feeling, and the bits she'd listened to as she'd 'joined the party' didn't make her feel any better. Even with the first opportunity to eat and drink, in a proper shelter, if you could call creepy old medieval house proper anyway, it wasn't encouraging for the blonde teenager. Sister Ciel was unbothered by everything, and more annoyed at Sunao for not being, in that unhelpful way her teacher could be when she got serious minded. Yes, training helped take her mind off the nightmares…but it wasn't a good solution either. Sunao knew that. Even if she didn't know how to handle it right now.

Captain Outis sat down at one of the tables as the last of the people, the owners, or at least 'senior peasants' of this building were put to bed, sleeping walking them there under the Magus El-Melloi's direction, leaving only their group in the small area with tables and chairs. Or stools and crudely erected table-things as Sunao saw it, almost not wanting to sit on it, but making herself as their team leader motioned them to do so. Even the two rangers, Eric and James, came back in as the Magus team did something with birds and tripwires earlier in the night. She was fairly sure it was near midnight by now as she sat, accepting the bottle of beer she asked, nervously, for, along with a plate of food from the magic bottomless backpack the magus captain had.

"Was it really necessary to give them alcohol?"

"No" she heard the captain reply to Sunao's teacher as the magus, disguised as an orc, continued to take out various items to feed them all "But it doesn't hurt to be a bit subtle about it, and it is much easier to sell a story of a drunken night if one actually was drunk. Especially considering the culture we just heard described, and the general ruthlessness of its overlords. Not only does it ease these folks' pain for one night and day…but it makes a cover story so much easier"

"Indeed" the other magus the El-Melloi agreed accepting a small kettle that he moved to heat over the flames of the hearth "Far too many magus opt for brute force on clearing scenes…"

He glanced over at Sunao's mentor "As do some Executioners too I've found, and for here it is a negligible cost to achieve our here don't you agree?"

"Perhaps I do" Ciel agreed in that grudging, I'm not happy at your efforts Sunao, tone but sitting down as well, hands together on the table as she turned her attention to the magus captain "But no matter the opinion of the effort…we should discuss the findings more importantly"

"Yes" El-Melloi agreed from the fire "Those"

Sunao took a sip of her drink, glad that Weryl, the engineering boy who somehow had three girlfriends, sat beside her with a plate of food. The others were either too scary, like the Captain, or to focused, like Ciel and the two soldiers, to deal with when Sunao needed to a little 'down time'. Even just for a few minutes. He was the closest in age to her, and the most….normal…despite him seemingly coming from a fairly backwards place it sounded like. They could complain about the insane pace and energy everyone else in the group seemed to have. Like she felt like voicing now, albeit on the new crazy horrors attacking her "Soo….we are in an evil isekai novel?"

Ciel frowned at her, making an exasperated sounding breath "Children and….no, it is more Lord of the Rings"

"The movie with the short gay…."

Sunao shut up as her mentor glared at her, already dreading whatever lessons were now being planned out….assumed they survived all this. The boy beside her stepped in to 'save' her momentarily at least, sighing tiredly as he munched on bread, cheese, and some sort of dried meat "The world is ruled by an evil god, right? And evil priests everywhere being…evil"

Captain Outis nodded "Essentially, though I doubt many of them actually consider themselves actually at this stage of the game. You heard the old dudes, they remember a time before….spoken of by their fathers and grandfathers, along with the fact literacy is a crime punishable by death…"

She watched him sighed and shake his currently hot-human face in annoyance or anger "I'm almost contractually obligated to hate them all based on my own faith, but, after what we've been told…the Evil Overlord won at least three, four, generations ago. Won and proceeded to wipe out the old culture in the all the ways that actually matter"

"There is still supposedly still a resistance"

The captain gave a tired snort at Sunao's words "There's always a resistance when the oppressor is as petty and oppressive as this place is. They are petty bullies often enough, and leave people in some areas no choice but to resist and die…or submit and die. It's the control apparatus is so all pervasive that it can stomp down when idiocy causes such eruptions"

He then let out an unhappy sigh "Which is our problem, said….evil priests being evil as Weryl put it. Literacy being outlawed prevents effective resistance against a creature like that…"

"Because a magus must study" Lord El Melloi noted "Which means books, which means the basics"

The captain nodded at the other man "Partly. It eliminates the base you'd need to even oppose something like this Izzy"

"Not using the real name, are we?" she asked, interrupted, the blushed "Sorry"

"No, it's a good question" the captain replied waving it off as the El-Melloi began to mix tea of some sort in the kettle he'd setup "I don't think it'll call out, but we're best not taking chances, even if that name is likely used tens of thousand times a day here. Understood?"

Sunao nodded as the others did the same, or voiced agreement, before the captain continued "That being said, our choices are this spot out to sea, or trying for the nexus that are likely still in those few lands still resisting the Evil God of Corruption, or in the wilds. Either way our main problem are the priests, or his more powerful servants"

"Not the local magus?" Ciel asked calmly "Reasoning?"

"Oh, they could be a problem, but I'd reckon the ones that would be a problem fall within the range of higher up servants of this Izzy" the captain noted "His whole modus operandi is, effectively, devouring magic as much as his servants can manage, and blood sacrifices probably to feed souls or blood magic to him. No, magic users serving the likes of that will be powerful, dead, or extremely weak. Especially with the whole literacy being illegal part. A few very power naturals or geniuses, but people forget numbers come from a culture for it….unlike the priests who sound like they are everywhere, ARE clearly empowered, and also trained. Also potentially watching for runners from villages. Just. Like. This"

Sunao furrowed her brow, Ciel looking at her expectantly "The….disappearances the village elder referenced?"

The captain nodded "Rare, uncommon, and clearly fisherman going out further than the small crappy boats they're allowed get out. There's a watchtower lighthouse place a few miles out that'a'way" he gestured through the wall "…which would be about stamping down on smugglers to any resistance I imagine amongst the villages around this here shore. This village should be smuggler central….but it isn't, and neither are the nearby villages"

"We have to head to the city and contact…a pirate prince as it were" the El-Melloi murmured "Which, with the behaviour of the overlord's forces…"

"Is going to be unpleasant, yes" the captain huffed back in annoyance "Very much so I expect as we need to enter the local city and get a boat there. It'll be fun times, yes. So, I suggest we all get a good night's rest, let the false memories take their place amongst the villagers, and then we plan our trip to this Baden's Bluff and then next round of getting a ship when we get there…"

Sunao listened to the final bits, which weren't much use as they were allowed eat and drink, getting a rest after hard days travelling here, and more ahead. Despite that, and being away from the few people left alive that she cared about…Sunao was almost glad of the exhausted sleep that greeted her. There was no thinking about monsters murdering her schoolmates, or hordes of vampires, or even the dangers on the ship they'd warned everyone about. Where she was, well, it was scary too…but it was something she could, physically, punch if need be. And the company, strange as it was…was calming somehow as sleep claimed her….

--

[08.12: Anabasis]

[Bluffing in the Bluff]

"We stink of fuckin fish"

"I'm aware Eric, you've mentioned" I replied, again, as my eyes gazed upon the large city looming ahead, it's walls rising up to the sky, with an ominous feeling coming from within "But in-character now if you please…we'll be soon at the gates"

Walking all this way had been…as fun as I'd remembered such things being to be honest. It dragged things out over two days, a snail's pace really. All because we needed the illusion of such normality, and getting horses was beyond us right now. Not beyond the draft horse drawing the rebuilt wagon we'd purchased, legitimately despite it being junk, from the poor souls in the fishing village. The old nag was probably closer to an actual lose, but the creature's best days were behind it already despite our potions restoring some measure of health and vitality to the mare. The illusion was needed, and a wagon was the least things a bunch of 'traders' would have in this part of what was called Erenland.

I'd interviewed the people of the village, in-depth, about cultural mores and traditions, and how the local garrisons worked after all. At least what they had known of such thing to ensure they stayed alive when they sold their produce, or, when under pressure, made to sell it the city themselves. They were about a week's journey away, so I'd risked a teleport to an abandoned farm many miles closer to the city using sneaky methods I knew. If anyone tracked us, it's lead back to a long since burnt out farmhouse as the start point and, hopefully, reduce capacity to pick one of a half-dozen fishing villages. None of who'd remember us if investigated, despite our store of fish and other goods in the wagon and packs we carried.

Or packs that three of us carried, as I had to play half-orc bastard fighter due to weapons being, by law, kept out of the hands of the non-Shadow worshippers. For good reason really, considering the fact resistance was seemingly still a thing around these parts, but it meant my outfit was mildly barbaric, with crude items proclaiming loyalty to Izrador hanging around my neck and armour. Half-orc, half-dorn, all nothing it would proclaim to the world according to the old men who'd been charmed to answer. A bitter, angry, half-breed, born in one of those friendly ways of occupation, but loyal, as all were expected to be, to the Shadow from the North…

Despite that very likely not being the case most of the time I expected as our 'caravan' trudged towards the approaching city gates. We'd minimised magic usage for all this, instead relying on artifice as it was known – the arts of disguise based on simpler, more 'real', things, albeit with a little fake skin and the like to make some look older. Like Debbie who'd gone for the older woman look, and, technically, led this band as my….aunt, with Eric and Sister Ciel as my armed 'support' with the false signs they were allowed such things. It was the easiest way to hide the fact that Debbie's shadow-magic was…hard to hide entirely, but, this way, we could pass her off as 'blessed' by Izrador or some such bullshit. Or at least we were about to find out now as we came up to the gates, four orcs sitting around bored like at the entrance, with more on the ramparts.

"Wha' fuck ya bringing 'ere?"

…as expected, it wasn't a dialect of orcish. More…

I kept my eyes glaring back as he stomped towards Debbie on the wagon.

…a distant, and twisted, sort of an elven sound dialect it *felt* like as the lead warrior, the leader of this little band, stomped forward, glaring down a human guardsman who was also here with two others. Not a good sign that, as it might indicate factional struggles that'd make double bribes necessary, or hint at concerns over smugglers and the likes of what we were. My hand stayed near my blade hilt, watchful for any sign we needed to start fleeing and throwing around contingencies, that ominous pressure from within the city grating on me even here.

"Trade milord" Debbie replied like a grizzled, perhaps bitter, woman "Fish and goods and other things fer de cityfolk an' our lords an' masters. An' our tithe fer ta' Shadow from ta' north. S'can look, we nuffin ta' hide from servants off'in ta' Great Shadow"

A hand came towards me, a shove as the warrior stomped forward, glaring at me contemptuously "Out me fuckin' way clanless!"

I'd stepped back and out of the way before he made contact, a simple manoeuvre, and getting a glare for that before the warrior did as I'd half-expected "Oi! Shrog! Yujhk! Get here an' look!"

'Because better they get stabby-stabbed if there are things under that trap?' I mused as I stood waiting, glaring back at their glares, none of us making any effort to stop as the wagon was quickly checked, and a 'toll' paid over. This was less hostility than standard bored minions behaviour, attempting to bully 'lessers' and then being wary when encountering passive, but assertive, resistance like this. Much as I disliked it…they were vaguely recognisable as tribal orcs in that behaviour, just like the human watchmen were too in the form of thugs in chainmail rather than actual soldiers. With others arriving, and us looking poor, they hustled us in fairly quickly I found, all things considered.

'We're rushing this too much' I knew as we entered, walking through the streets in search of a factor to sell these things too, the markets existing even in a Dark Lord's victory. This was a massive city by the local dimension's terms I suspected, especially in the wake of the destruction rumoured to have taken place in the rest of Erenland across the sea. That was why I was risking this – we had a better chance in fitting in here than in any other rumoured location. Still…this wasn't familiar, and, whenever the fuck we got home, I was writing a fucking guidebook for my crew, and training, for what to do/what not to do in the likes of this place…

'Smash and grab Kalum, smash and grab. No long term goals. Just get through this dimension and then through the next' was my reminder to myself as Debbie did the talking and I stayed on edge. I'd prefer to do that, but that would be a red flag most likely, and standing out was best not done. There were Guilds here at least, for good or ill, and that was the first step towards getting access to a ship as we bribed, weakly, yet another person merely to get sales of our junk at a reasonable price. Everywhere was corruption here it seemed, and….

'That'll be a problem'

…up on the towering spires was an abomination. Thank the Boss not a real dragon I realised, or an actual Dracolich as I'd originally feared as the thing flew over the city to the spire it now rested on. It gave off that horror effect after all, but it was some sort of wyvern I observed carefully as people around us shivered in fear and avoided looking at the thing. This whole place felt horrid anyway, not unhallowed ground, but the leakage you'd 'feel' and 'see' around such spots. Everyone was bothered by the creature, and the 'temple', as we made our way through the city and began to actively dispose of our 'produce' in a visible manner, then finding an inn for the night…

"You take us the nicest places" Lord El-Melloi II murmured to me over his tankard as we sat at a table at the rear of the 'Beggar Bowl Tavern' as it was called "There are many ships to choose from in the docks at least"

"Aye, that it seems, but getting' aboard may be less easy than we would like" I replied, my voice just as low as we all sat at the table, ensuring words weren't heard, or lips read easily. The way this city was…it was far too easy to make a cultural fuck-up, and there was simply too much suspicion and watchfulness from everyone for my liking. Still, the fact there were trade ships…meant we could book aboard, do some 'charm' and then divert course to our needs, and make everyone forget dropping us off "Feeling okay?"

He nodded "As much as can be"

Sister Sugata gave an awkward nod, hurriedly drinking down the 'grog' after mixing in some our own cleaning mixture to ensure it was drinkable. Her and Weryl were the hardest hit in many ways by the effects of the….Black Mirror as the locals called it. Not in terms of being drained, as it was more a background, mild, irritant, but by the nasty feel of things. Me, Debbie, Waver, and Sister Ciel had gotten such exposure to similar before, and Eric and James were neither mages nor clergy, so just got the 'wrongness' feel about this whole plane of existence.

"Barkeep and the serving girl have been trying get a read on us and one of the other tables" Sister Ciel interjected, looking unconcerned as she drank down a gulp, eyes carefully tracking everyone in the room I expected. I didn't nod, fingering at the plate of food.

"Are we standing out?"

"No, it does not appear so" she replied softly "It appears to be simply a nosey barkeep, but this city…eyes are watchful everywhere we walk"

"I gathered as such unfortunately" I replied trying to make it look like I was only sullenly drinking and generally avoiding looking at anyone in the tavern itself "We shall be on our guard and attempt the docks for a ship on the morn…"

--

[08.13: Anabasis]

[Elves are always trying to put down hardworking orcs]

Turning from Areala Duelhe, loyal wood elf of Aradil's Eyes, to Arla Dell, Erenlander, and madam of the Tussle House was time consuming. Sometimes Areala went very, very, long periods of time without ever being the wood elf, and it felt forced now, like it had tonight when she had risked Areala's appearance as sometimes it had to be done. Even just to remind herself who she actually was. Even it also served to ensure eyes did not turn in Arla Dell's direction as, Delilah, her double, had performed her task, retiring for feeling unwell, after arranging some new flesh for one of The Shining Court's more obnoxious aristocrats.

Not that even dear Deliah was aware of her true nature, just that it was another night where Arla Dell needed to plot, or simply avoid dealing with the scum. Which was why Areala shed her clothes like snake shed its skin as soon as she entered her hidden room from an equally secret tunnel that old symbols hide from all eyes. Storing them within that hidden alcove and gazing at herself in the mirror as Arla again came into being, a far more lustful, beauteous, and human, form in her mind. Hiding it, hiding the weak, but very subtle, power and artefacts that made the uncomfortable changes to sensitive ears, was unpleasant as always, but…it was soon done.

Done, and allowing Arla Dell to exit that alcove, then exit into another hidden area, ensuring noting was out of place as she gave a careful scry of her 'domain'. Then waited till her double returned, hearing the expected report as the girl undressed from the Arla disguise, beginning the much hard, magicless, task of washing the false colour from hair and skin. It seemed she had been correct in the nature of the so-called knight, and Arla had just the boy for the Shadow worshipping deviant. Devin could ferret out information in time like the good little boy she'd trained him to be.

"Excellent Della" she instructed the girl as Delilah prepared to bath and soak "Rest up, now I must see to the rest of the night's business"

"Thank you, Mistress" was the tired reply as Arla moved, opening up the shelving unit door and exiting out into her brothel's lower, private, storage area. It was both frustrating, and amusing, having to wait and listen for a report on your own actions Arla had discovered over the years. Baden's Bluff was a city of lies and plots….

Arla couldn't help but smile as she walked through the halls of her domain. The night had begun, and several of her girl's and boys were already in the throes of false lust within those halls, or departing with guards to parts of the city. All part of her own lies and plots, often out for their own skins, but feeding her information for the game…and for her Queen of course. That was important to remember even if her Lady was less enthused over recent years than in those first few decades. Even despite Arla being so much better at it now.

…and she loved it. Even if it was hard at times. Events were in motion tonight after all, and she had been as careful as possible to ensure nothing tracked back to her as the Baden's, the true ones rather than the Bastard's Court, did their thing. If all went well…it would never be noticed. Just as it would be ideal if Tomas Baden remained unaware of her own knowledge of his little funding operation, and hopeful limiting of the Avenging Knives efforts. That part of the Erenlander resistance had been too active of late, getting too big for their britches as Erenlanders would say. A little setback and some deaths would remind them to be more cautious in their efforts against the Shadow.

Young Roslin was waiting, hidden and coiled, in the room as Arla had expected, barely visible as she opened the door careful. Then closing it just as careful as the sounds of lovemaking next door easily overrode their whisper low tones "What news my dear?"

With the slashed face, petite frame due to the hunger of childhood still showing, and her general personality, Roslin just wasn't suited to more standard work in the brothel. Oh, she'd tried 'being tied up' but Roslin had flown into a rage by all accounts, wriggled free, and started kicking the fellow at that stage before her temper had calmed. Neither had trying her as 'Mistress' type as her youth ruined the effect…for now. Arla might reconsider it in few years, assuming Roslin survived that long as an agent, after all the efforts she'd put into the girl "The drop said yes, a channeller. Said the word was given. Burnt it as you said Milady"

'Indeed, that woman reeked of the Shadow, even if well hidden' Arla thought on Areala's findings on the group her contacts at the tavern had pointed out. Someone's something considering all the efforts being made in the few days since they'd arrived, all very quiet and secret-like. No interest in her girls, or boys, and almost never breaking group neither 'Cabal? Devout? Whatever. They are a nice distraction at least'

"Hmm, that is a concern" she voiced sitting down and pouring a glass of wine "They are being watched?"

"Think so Milady" Roslin replied not moving from her spot, squatting down like some sort of feral cat…as bloody always. The girl was an excellent sneak thief but was just so…jumpy really "There was Legates an' orcs about the Docks when they departed the tavern. They're trouble just like you thought"

Arla nodded "Hmm, just so my dear, just so. What was the passphrase?"

She knew it already, as Arela had put it there, in code, but she gave the impression of listening, nodding and then allowing her little violent kitty to return to the streets. Likely to spy on the docks Arla imagined as she closed the upper floor window, quietly returning to think on matters. Despite that foolishness of wanting to observe such arrests, or occasionally use such distractions to 'liberate' nearby homes and people of their valuables, Roslin was shaping up well for what work she did. Mayhap even some bladework in a few months, should such blood need to be spilled and a target the girl would find acceptable arrive before Arla Dell's vision.

'Because they always seem to appear ever few years' she thought silently sipping her wine and beginning to review the ledgers. Such things were troublesome, but vital, as the Shining Court were incompetent at times, and killed you for being literate. Yet expected some degree of recording keeping in this pig-numbers madness they insisted upon so they could collect their taxes from her girls and boys. That hateful symbol in the corner of the ledger making it 'legal' and 'acceptable' even in the eyes of the dumbest of filthy orcs…

Areala winced as a wave of pain washed over her, staggering up to stand in shock, eyes to the window…

Even with the crude glass and steel window closed she could hear the sounds of an explosion distant, feeling the lash of a channeller wielding…

She froze at the feeling. At the flare of power…

Arla didn't even feel herself moving, rushing to the window even as she heard the screaming roar of that monstrous Fell Drake across the city. Her superior elven hearing picked up the startled curses from next as even the lesser non-Fey blooded felt…whatever it was...wash over them all in a wave. Her hands opened the window on instinct…

It had been SO LONG since she'd felt such as this…

Explosions echoed out from the docks…

Areala Duelhe gasped as a pillar of light flashed where her eyes tracked. Something….wrathful and roaring like an orc hitting her almost. The monstrous Zaindal, that horrifying Fell Drake, was roaring in the air above her, a swooshing rush of air as she felt the beat of rot-infested wings. Yet her eyes were on that Light, a blasted, an orb, flashing upwards to the black and cloudy night sky. Something…something…like music…

Or chanting?

Or war….chants…..were….

Then that blast of light faded at the docks…but exploded in the sky from that golden sphere, illuminating the city and monstrous winged shadow charging to battle. Lines began to etch themselves in the sky, burning molten gold, forming curved lines, then symbols as Light poured unto the world as Areala fell to her knees. Aradil wasn't here, but it felt…it felt…

Symbols and a circle burned the world. Burned the darkness away as Zaindal was illuminated, roaring to the sky as wings and rotten flesh seemed to steam as the city was woken. Arla hear bells and explosions, the sounds shouts and screams filling the air as the wavefront of energy wash over her, driving away even the feeling of the Black Mirror, of the ever-present Shadow. War burned into her world as her blood felt like it was boiling…

--

[08.14: Anabasis]

[Kyrie Eleison]

Things had been going so well

But, as I'd expected, the rushing and hurrying had gotten us found out…or, from the looks of it, mistaken for somebody's minions or spies. What was most rage inducing was that we were but hours away from sailing away from this cesspit of a city on the ship behind us. Our 'trade goods' were already aboard, and we would have been up that gangplank in short if not for the arrival of a contingent of orcs, city watch, and a bunch of swaggering asshole clerics. Behind me I could sense the unease of the not-pirates on the ship, who were likely looking at being arrested as well…

'Ya'know' I thought to myself coldly in the moment in time, hardening my heart 'If this was a less evil for the lulz culture I'd consider diplomacy. But they aren't. They're clearly going to torture and then kill us, even if we are entirely innocent'

Deborah was flailing as threats were issued at us…

No. Not threats. Demands. Statements that we would surrender. Sneering contempt eager for resistance as they shouted at the ship.

To my right Sister Ciel had moved, imperceptibly, ready for violence, her 'apprentice' Sister Sugata doing the same on my left as they grasped my body language and hand signal. I let Debbie beg a moment longer, then dropped the ignorant idiot act as I silently cast my contingency, having it on a 'hair trigger' as some would call it. The last few days had been stress, stress, and more stress. Now that all seemed to dissolve away, or turn into focused rage as my eyes moved over the ranks of degenerate fuckheads they called orcs here, and the bunch of scumbag clerics here to arrest us, striding forward. The only reason they hadn't grabbed Debbie yet was her retreat back as we'd discussed, and the 'van' of them was awaiting the surrounding of us all probably…or for the ship to show resistance.

"I'd stop right there my good clerics" I spoke, loud and clear, voice infused with power, hand on the hilt of my blade as my mind frantically incanted the giant flare I was about to throw up "These matters do not concern thee, and are not in thine interest to challenge us, nor in that of your Lord Shadow's"

That gave them pause a moment, the senior cleric pausing, hand up in a gesture that likely meant 'stop' judging by the halting of his group, though they were spreading out for a fight. In the streets other shadows were moving in alleyways, as behind me Lord El-Melloi II and Eric were 'seizing' the ship as Weryl fell back towards the gangplank, flanked by Eric's other ranger, James. The human, the lead 'Legate' spoke, eyes narrowing "Now, that is interesting…I do believe you will have many questions to answers"

"You wouldn't like the answers, and I speak as one of faith, just as you are" I stated coldly, imperiously, as hazy memories of an orc named Karguk would have done "Let us pass, recompense can be give in gold or gems if that is the need…"

"Arrest them" was my answer, along with a dramatic gesture with a hand…

'Well. Fuck you. God. Fucking. Wills. It' my mind clicked, gears turning, a gunshot igniting, the words coming out of my mouth even as my blade slide free of its sheath "In His Name, Burn the Unholy"

Turning arcane magic to divine, from more 'neutral' to 'holy' was costly, but I was what I was, and now, here, I accepted what I was. A Priest of the Shrouded Lord of Nishrek. One who had avoided his duties at times. But, now, the fires of battles had come and a blast of golden hued energy ripped out from me, blocking the arrows and bolts about to be released even as my false armour 'melted' away, just as it did the clothing of the two Executioners of the Catholic Church. In it's place they're 'true' armour flowed into being, armoured murder nuns as I saw it, and my own armour came true in that of a priest of a War God. My walking cane sword, unlocked in it's true form of a bastard sword, ignited with holy flames, burning white hot in the presence of such corruption. Such unholy wickedness.

Eyes burning molten gold, holy light fighting back the horrid feeling of this unholy place, I commanded my soldiers into battle "Sisters. No mercy"

We were linked here and now, the Prayer, the Battle Meditation as others called it, igniting as we all understood our purposes. Debbie breaking contact, her magic flaring as she shielded herself in shadowy energy, while James and Weryl drew hidden guns. But, most importantly, Sisters Ciel and Sugata…moved…those Holy Blades coming hands from…

That odd variant of a bag of holding they seemed to have in their nun sleeves. One in each hand, and then four 'Black Keys' went flying as one particularly aware warrior, one of the priests, charged at me. The four blades hit four targets behind that charging man, my own blade moving unnaturally fast to deflect his wild swing, my hand gesturing as I strode forward…and smashing a fist of air and holy energy int the human's chest. I didn't stop to watch where he impacted as I reached into my armour and drew forth a small fortune's worth of crystalised magic. Months of effort and storage, combined with vast quantities of gold spent in Sigil….burned away in a battle like this.

We'd need it I knew as I went to one knee, praying, the blade towards the ground, my free hand burning scroll and gems for energy. My God was not here. But we Clerics of the Shrouded Lord were oft sneaky, unhanded, fuckers by design or necessity. Even without His Presence, or His Power…I knew how to MAKE His Presence be felt by mortal hands. Mystic Theurges understood that. Power could be Power, even if the sources were different….

The reason why was already erupting in the sky, a wave of Shadow and Horror washing over the city as, before me, shielding me, two nuns slaughtered a dozen me in so little time even as gunshots echoed out. We need power, they needed the boost as well. This was a city steeped in defeat and awash in the unholy tides of corruption. War and Knowledge would burn that corruption clean. No 'Mirror' of the Corrupt would drain this magic as I worked the Will of God upon this land. With a last prayer, a last word, the concentrated Belief and Holy Energy exploded upwards into the gloomy night skies…and then exploded. Etching itself into the cloud cover with golden light that burned away all Evil and Corruption with a Rune of Purification, encased in the Sigil of the Shrouded Lord.

Night turned to Day. Orcs screamed as the Truth was revealed to their eyes. My Patron was an Orcish Racial Deity, even if Half-Orcish truly, and the Shadow burned now. Revelation Burned. And they screamed all across the city. Some before us falling to their knees and covering their eyes in agony as the Light of God burned wrathfully upon this city.

Terror gripped the hearts of the weak willed humans who served the Shadow. Two nuns, followers of another faith, were now empowered even if they were of that different faith. The Shrouded Lord and his ilk had long worked with the agents of other Gods and Goddesses, and they slaughtered them with Holy Blades now as chaos engulfed out foes. That rune was massive, a giant flare into the darkness that would blind any scrying, even that of Gods in this great region…simply because EVERYONE would feel it in the coming days and weeks. But, here and now, it gave us strength as the giant undead wyvern screamed in agony, rotted and corrupted flesh erupting into flame and smoke as it was Purified.

"Please…please…" the cleric of the Shadow before me begged as I strode forward. Judging her unclear. Unworthy. She had the blood of hundreds of innocents on her hands. She had never given mercy. So, she was granted none. My fiery blade moved, and her head flew as I lashed out with telekinetic slams into the chaotic mass of enemies even as the drake charged towards me, the source of its pain…

A mistake as I jumped and rolled out of the way as dozens of it's own supposed allies were engulfed in poisonous, noxious, fumes as it came down, 'charging' up the street from the sky above…

Fire ignited around me, my free hand wielding and directing it shield myself as the two nuns moved up the rooftops in easy bounds. They had trained, and had fought, vampires and other such as became the distraction for the beast, then anvil that it struck it. Those Black Keys were blades of purification, and they flew now, empowered by holy light, on currently hallowed ground, impacted the wings of the great beast on either side in unnaturally precise unison. To the people of this wretched city that watched…they seemed to dance and spin in the air with unnatural grace, even if their 'battle dresses' did show more skin than I'd expect for such holy, and dangerous, work. Even if it carried holy tattoos on those bits of bare flesh.

But what mattered to me as I strode amongst the surviving in infantry, wielding blade and holy fire, was that the overgrown wyvern smashed into the ground, into a warehouse behind, and to the right, of me. Pinned down by those holy blades as the more experienced of the two women landed upon its head, one hand raised up as she spoke in Latin, words of holy power.

I only listened to the ending as the surviving enemies broke and fled as their monstrous champion was finally sent to its final death, and we could now flee to the ship, and to see. It was quite impressive really to watch an undead 'dragon' just burn like smoke beneath that blue haired woman's invocation…

"Kyrie Eleison"

--

[08.15: Anabasis]

[Sailing under a burning sign]

--

[Trader's Journal: Day 2522]

[Current Dimension]

Evil God Ruled Dimension Zero-One we'll go with for the moment. Shadow from the North? Best not to use the actual name.

[Current Location]

As sea, aboard the good ship Galantril the Whore. Because of course shit went wrong, and now we're fleeing the scene of a crime as it were.

[Trading Report]

Technically we have ship now, and a small, threatened or mind-controlled into compliance, pirate crew.

Also spent a gods-damned fortune worth of tools, energy, and reagents in the escape. I'll do a count later, but it's a lot to form that Rune.

[Diary Entry]

Well, things went badly. Yet again. This is what we get for rushing I expect.

Maybe we let something slip?

Local power plays and politics that grabbed us?

The nature of the ship we were getting on?

Whatever. It doesn't matter now, just the consequences matter. First of which was creating an empowered Rune of Purification, a Holy Symbol, over the local city. How long it'll continue to burn I've no idea, but from our point of view it'll burn in the heavens long enough to hit us from even godly attempts at scrying us. Frankly I'm surprised that the local over-deity hasn't done just that – the sky still burns with the sigil on the horizon, even hours later now. Sure, it'd be costly to break it in terms of magic, especially quickly, but apparently, it's going for the slow approach. Either aware of the 'flare' it might emit on violent breaching, or other reasons I don't know.

No matter. We're on a time limit now even if that ritual work will block sight for a time either way.

I've sent an update to Tirdelk's team with magic, and he'll update Kara and Quinn. Yeah, I'm sure she'll be delighted by this little disaster. Right. Can't focus on that, same as I can't tell you, future-me, over much about this situation. Suffice to say more intense training is needed to handle situations like this. Still, we worked well with the two nuns and the magus while in combat when everyone was forced into it due to the enemies trying to arrest us. Executioner Ciel is very powerful, be aware of that, and we need to consider if we need a memory as this experience might be useful to maintain.

Also, to explain the crew of this ship. Yeah, crew of ship, yes, them. All the ships in harbour fled, but, well, wiping minds could easily get them all killed here, so choices are being offered. To not remember, to simply flee with piles of gold, or to join my crew. Which leads me to some other considerations, along with more revealed information on the possibility of using the ship we've got. This portal maybe at sea rather than on an island, there's a whole set of rumours about ships having gone missing there. Problem? Maybe, maybe not, we ship now after all. And, for safe keeping from the League, and as a contingency for the Chance, my traders pack has a small spelljammer core that could be installed with some time and effort. Certainly, be small and underpowered enough to function with cracks in reality – maybe. I'm improvising as we go, and I don't like that.

Debbie and I have been discussing it, along with where to drop off crew that don't want to take the journey, and we're winnowing as we go. Those with families are doing that, but most of these are young, pirate, sorts, and not the most honest. Which is probably more honest than many here, but about half will depart I expect. That's fine, it still leaves near a half-dozen willing at the moment. See, that's the issue, good or bad, people and a ship – time to make use of them if it's thrust into my responsibility. Always forward.

--

[Trader's Journal: Day 2526]

[Current Dimension]

Same place. Not for long hopefully.

[Current Location]

Local. Nexus point. At sea.

[Trading Report]

We've a sailing ship. I'm renaming as Kara and M'gann would object to any ship bearing the name 'Whore' I imagine. Hold is full of a usual medieval level world mix of dried food stuffs, alcohols, and a compartment of hidden weapons. Common enough, even under dark lords.

[Diary Entry]

Okay, bizarre, but the purification sigil is still up, still burning, but it's clear we're being hunted. Actively hunted. Controlled birds, a live wyvern, and attempts at magic, I think. Thankfully lots of ships fled that harbour, and we've moved fast, and sactively cloaked ourselves at three stages, along with false trail illusions on two. It's exhausting on Debbie and Lord El-Melloi II, but I need to recover and be ready to breach-point soon, so I've avoided doing such efforts. That and ensure a functional 'small helm' installation, very crude, very, very, crude, I'll admit. But what can I do?

I've setup the Celestial Etherscope and plotted our course here. Breach-point is at sea, or, well, a combination of at sea and amidst some small islands. It moves for want of a better word. So, we're heading through – but not before I communicated the plans to Kara through the goblins. Then teleported the goblins here with a very, very, expensive point-to-point teleport that cost both of our parties hard bought and created scrolls. This dimension does not like teleportation.

Even if it does, it's done. Kara and Quinn are deploying another team to secure the 'base camp' in this dimension, and I'll need my support team. With everything that's happening I worry we'll need them, and it worries me we'll lose contact with my family now. If we hadn't triggered the arrest attempt. If. If. If. If.

Too many of those ifs really. I could write a book on it. But it has to be done, that was the whole point of this operation. After all I just set off a magical purity nuke that'll purge any Orc viewing it of Shadow corruption as the locals would view. Not that many would change I expect, but it could explain some things about the slowness of dealing with it. No matter. Getting out of here now. Goblins on deck, and the next dimension is visible now. Not as Black in 'colour' terms, and magically it's….less horrible feeling?

It's always hard to explain, and it's best not to keep detailed records as we well know. There's a sea on the other sea, near a shoreline. Within swimming distance I'd estimate, and the breach-point is big enough for a small, fast, low bottomed vessel that's like an evolved cog, or maybe a near-like carrack-like vessel. No guns of course, but the spelljammer helm functions, though I haven't tried it out on flight, or the other spell-usable abilities. Improvising. It's a nightmare, but, work with the tools to hand. Weather is getting stormy here, and that's likely deliberate. Magic as one said. The Shadow in the North at work. It's weird really – it's like the most minimal divine effort really. Bizarre as said.

No matter. We have a Door. We're passing through, and the sea looks to be quiet. May our God be with us.

--

[Trader's Journal: Day 2527]

[Current Dimension]

Unknown for now.

[Current Location]

Anchored off an island near breach-point. Finished with spell to hide it.

[Trading Report]

N/A

[Diary Entry]

Don't know where we are yet, but scans seem to place it as more 'normal' than horrific starting point, and there is no divine cage on this world. No way to large scale breach though, so can't bring the ship through unfortunately – assuming this place turns out to be safe. Which is, as always, debatable. Where we are now is fucking cold, snowing now as the etherscope does it's thing and I start the process of figuring out where we are, and where we go next. Bright side it we might have another breach-point already, maybe, we shall see. Just need to get a handle on where we are. Sooner I can back to Kara, the better. We all feel the same way, save for different things being wanted back 'home' I think.

Anyway, for now I think we're in a cold place, there's snow on the island, and maybe ruins, but I've no intention of investigating them if we can avoid it. I've six crewmen to integrate, and a new dimension to found and accessed. For all I know is that this plane is magically active, and the general background air and sea are 'normal' by human/earth standards. So, within another day we'll sail this ship towards where we need to go, if we can detect such things. Now though I best return to those studies, and have yet another meeting with my teams of 'planeswalkers' as it were.

--

[08.16: Anabasis]

[Captain of the Ships]

--

[Trader's Journal: Day 2536]

[Current Dimension]

Don't know for sure. Save that it's not good.

[Current Location]

The good ol' spelljammer Mystryl the Mysterious Muse, at sea, off the coast of some landmass

[Trading Report]

None, we've no one to trade with. Just supply usage and burning energy and artefacts like water in a desert it feels like.

[Diary Entry]

We've been nearly a week at sea. Named the ship. Moving 'unnaturally' fast with magic. Made the spelljamer moderately tolerable to 'live' aboard. Have supplies.

That's about the good news really. Yup. It's been a busy few days, even if nothing technically is happening with us in terms of the locals. Don't even know who they are. Just they aren't human or orc, are a humanoid species, a very large one, and this planet is in the midst of full-blown daemonic invasion. Now, I can't confirm this obviously with our rather limited path and no idea of what the world looks like, but I know what daemonic energies feel like, and the celestial etherscope has what are likely breaches into some version of the Abyss if I'm reading it correctly. That's without considering the wash of energies going through this world's 'weave' or 'winds of magic' as people would view it.

But we *have* seen what are clearly flights of winged daemons, and what tiny fraction of the lands or distant ships we've seen hints at something along the lines of things in motion. Obviously, we're going absolutely nowhere near any of that. My compass is very much away from such dreadful routes, along with the limited held of my Monitor derived sensor tool. So, we've been cloaking the ship, and generally keeping watch in shifts for either the local species vessels, or said creatures of an abyss. They reek of evil, destruction, and chaos, even at the distances we've seen. Not the local species feel much better, but, well, they are clearly mortal, and have some sort of divine magic to maybe track us if we mess about. Not tech advanced from what we've seen, but they are at gunpowder levels it looked like from that sailing ship yesterday.

Beyond that I've been teaching Debbie and Weryl what I can about Planeswalking through a tool basis, as sorcery wise it's a matter of years. But it needs to be done. We're a day away from the next dimension if the 'compass' is correct, so one hopes that's the endpoint and we can get the Carrier and Kara through safely to a new dimension. Not that this place or the last clearly count even if they could reach here. So, let's hope we've better luck next dimension.

--

[Trader's Journal: Day 2541]

[Current Dimension]

New messy place we can't bring the Chance through too.

[Current Location]

Our small spelljammer, after flying about fifty miles, now back on the sea. Saltwater this time.

[Trading Report]

N/A

[Diary Entry]

No idea what happened here, save this place is, barely, human or orc habitable. Thankfully we have the minor helm installed and magic to ensure we've an air bubble to breath. Maybe it's inhabited, I don't know, I'm not looking hard. Our goal is straightforward, and we are hurrying to a prospective breach point as, fucked as this world seems to be, it is dimensionally active. Also, potentially undead. Not really high levels of necromancy, but I don't like the feeling of a location we sailed passed that first night. Still, barely habitable doesn't mean the seas beneath us aren't filled with seaborne murder beasts.

As proved yesterday. So, wards up, watch shifts continuing.

We've been training our new recruits, and by 'we' I mean Eric and James as teaching magic and advanced combat moves by us mages or the nuns would be rather pointless and dangerous. Teaching them how to point and aim and have trigger discipline is much easier shall we say, and it keeps the goblins distracted. Oh I don't like Munvee, the Bard if you must know. The bardiest goblin bard that ever barded. She's already slept with people that were afraid and/or disgusted by her not long after we hired them as new crew. Bored bards are dangerous bards, so I'm not complaining of her banging two human males as long as work is done. It's just very annoying. Along with the singing.

Fine. I'm a grump. I just want to see my family again and make sure their safe.

This is taking so fucking long and every where seems to be messed up in this multiversal cluster.

We are never, ever, coming back in this general direction and we are erasing every thread, so some greedy moron doesn't try such things in the future. Bright side is that find the exact breach-point from the Bleed is beyond impossible without such coordinates.

To the next door. To the next frontier. May our God be with us.

--

[Trader's Journal: Day 2553]

[Current Dimension]

Eureka!

[Current Location]

Same ship place, same ship hour. Trapped aboard a small carrack with fucking singing goblins.

[Trading Report]

N/A

[Diary Entry]

Blessed be the Boss's Name. We have hit paydirt in terms of a potential dimension. Passed through a portal, then into a nexus point, and then was directed here – and we are in a dimensionally active planet as best I can tell. One sufficient to summon through our monster of a cargo hauler!

Yes, yes, indeed, and it's a living planet from the few hours we've been here. Magically active, though beyond that I can't really say without more study. This isn't exactly on the 'good' dimensions neither, but nothing is showing up as spectacularly red flag as it did in every other fucking dimension we've been hitting lately. I'm not touching comments on luck, but, damn have we had a few bad dice rolls to get here. Odds are it'll be hidden horror central…

No, I should not be instantly negative. Investigate. Ensure safety.

Then we do our exhausting beaconing in the mothership when we find a suitable location. We've hit a location that we can bring the damn thing through, and, if all works out, we get time to recuperate. This is an active world, alive, with lots of magic, but no signs of electronic systems. So, there's that. We saw settlements off on a coastal shore after all, so if we're doing anything like bringing the carrier through it'll be out at sea I think – I think we've a large ocean where we are, based on flying the ship up, high into the sky, and seeing what we can see. While invisible of course. And using anti-scry wards. Because if you're going to be a flying wizard ship, then be an invisible flying wizard ship!

There's land to the west and north, and lots of sea to the south and east, though I didn't risk going up all the way into the atmo just in case we over strained the spelljammer helm. Or our magic. Like your supposed to spend way more time installing and fine tuning than I've been able to do, and I'm no Cassius. Sailing a spelljammer of the dimensional variety when it's an old sailing ship is a friggin nightmare let me tell you.

Thankfully Kara and a real ship soon! Yay!

--

[Trader's Journal: Day 2554]

[Current Dimension]

Less Eureka, more 'better than where the Carrier is' basically.

[Current Location]

Well out to sea, in the midst of a long, drawn out, complicated, spell casting,

[Trading Report]

N/A

[Diary Entry]

Don't know the story with this dimension is, but the energies are 'tipping' as it were. It's a nexus point, but its in flux, albeit very active, SOMETHING is going on here. It's 'darkening' for lack of a better word when I study the etherscope and my own magic 'touches' the plane. It's one of those Moments of Destiny things you can feel in magic, in Divination. There's a lot of energy here – but it's not memetic, and there aren't vast fleets hovering nearby, and it's better than the dimension with the tentacle stars that eat your mind and soul. So, yeah, pulling the Carrier through immediately.

Simply because we are far, far, far, out to sea, and there's nobody to see on the horizon at what I'd call a dormant but viable dimension breachpoint. Sure, it's underwater, but that's fine, the ritualwork is taking place on the ship and the breach can be below us in the depths of the ocean. Part of the summon is ensuring we don't create a tsunami when the giant city ship breaches in fact. Buffers are nuisance to plan out when the other side will only get a point-to-point scroll of only the most basic 'Get ready. Follow' instruction. The joys of planeswalking – you can't communicate, not in any meaningful way.

Then, once the Carrier is through, and we reboard the Chance, I'm activating my contingency spells and activating cloak and seal spells set on our path. Also wiping the details of the where and how from my mind, even if not the dimensions. Just the breach-points. That's enough. Knowing what we've learned is important, and just the specifics of how, when, and where we breached is all that matters.

I pray everyone is safe in our long absence. The hour approaches. See you soon future-me.

--

[08.17: Anabasis]

[Home sweet home and nobody's crazy!]

"Well, well, look what the cat dragged in"

"And hello to you too Babs" I greeted Barbara Gordon as I descended the gangplank from the sailing ship after it being teleported aboard the Carrier's 'landing deck' as it were, just beside the vastly larger Fortune's Chance that towered over it, as well as the 'Star Trek' ships further in the 'distance' of the bay "It's been a very long month let me tell you"

"Yaaaahhh" she drawled, arms folded across her chest, dressed in the 'League Naval Uniform' for this "It's only been a few days for me…oh, wait, no. I just can't remember stuff apparently. Woke up this morning and remember weeks have passed"

"Well, we all agreed to it for valid reasons" I pointed out as the rest of my 'crew' met the welcoming party, Chao Lingshen almost tackling Weryl in an animesque fashion, the goblins stampeding towards the Chance with worlds about 'real booze' "So ya'll don't crazy, or I. Kara's…"

"Kara's fine, she's waiting for you…after we talk shop Boss man" Babs groused back poking my stomach with a pointing finger "What's this about magic nuking cities? And why do we have new crewmembers that were pirates?"

I sighed "I didn't 'magic nuke' a city as you put it…its things went a bit pear shaped in an evil dimension, and we had….leave. And we took the helpful pirates with us. With their ship"

"Umm-hmmm" was the response as she frowned at me "Will we be followed by this….evil dimension whatever?"

"No, I don't think so" I answered with a shrug, sighing "Not the portals will be viable now since I've triggered the contingencies, so nothing ever follows us. Ever. Not from where we've been"

"Yeah…it's just…" Babs muttered, then shook her head "This has been stressful"

"Don't I know it. Has there been any trouble since we've been gone"

She gave me a blank look "Those bits that we remember are fine, but it's not exactly fun reading short, vague, sanitised, notes for yourself, about stuff you did but can't remember, either. Nobody's ill, and nobody cracked under the pressure, but we have to be careful with the refugees as they were sheltered, time thing aside. Jenny and Jinx have fit in relative well, and we've kept them, and Kara, and M'gann, and Courtney, away from viewings. Kara's pissed over that by the way. She complained it's like I'm going senile briefing her. Asa's been busy, but only minor things. All checks are clear…if annoying"

I nodded "Yeah, it would be frustrating I imagine. Thank the heavens we've got clear of that particular nightmare alley. The Carrier's submerged?"

"Deep underwater Captain" was the response to that "Big ocean, deep ocean, doing scans just as we speak. I know what I'm doing"

"I know you are, it's why Kara had you run things when she couldn't risk the bridge" I answered with a relieved smile as we walked back towards the Chance "We'll rest up here a little here while we do those scans and plot out our course"

Babs nodded, relieved "That's…good, even with everything. Everyone needs to recover from….mind-fuckery as you would put it"

That was fine with me as our conversation moved to more mundane matters of the food supply, along with the engines and fuel supply. Recharging in the nightmare dimensions hadn't been a thing, so 'resting' the Carrier as Jenny Quantum put it was also a good idea. In truth it was more I was eager just to NOT be insanely stressed out for a few days while we hid under the sea and got our bearings once again. That and catch up on where we were with our refugee population, and, most importantly, on ensuring my family were getting the treatment that they needed. It was the same for the rest of the crew clearly enough, even while we did the selective 'forgetfulness' in regards our dimensional breaches.

The feeling aboard the Chance, along with Bab's words as she guided towards my rooms, made clear that was a good idea as well. People were tired, and the journey home still had quite a ways to go. Things had gone well…relatively, but that wasn't something we could keep up if more problems arose. Despite my urge to get home as fast as possible, the fact was that such things were usually a bad idea as the recent 'pathfinding' had taken a lot out of us. And gone badly wrong in terms of stealth. That was important to remember I noted as I came to my door, opening it…and Babs mock-shoving her way ahead of me as I sighed and shook my head in amusement.

"Ta-da! I have found the wicked wizard!" Babs announced as I stepped through, seeing Kara standing at the door, smiling but giving me a serious look "He has come to steal away the poor maidens"

"Hmm, has he" Kara murmured stalking forward, M'gann rising up where she was laying on the bed, smiling happily and waving as she moved to get up. Both had visible bumps on their bellies already, but I put that aside as I was embraced in a crushing hug by the blonde beauty before me "About time you got back buster! You had me so worried!"

I embraced her back "Me too….Gods me too"

Jennifer Morgan came out from where she'd been studying, dressed in her 'sorceress of skartaris' outfit, and looking relieved as she quietly bowed, hands clasped together before her as Babs made gestures with her hands towards me and Kara "Now kiss!"

"Oh, shush you" Kara grumped back as we held each other, eyes closed and enjoying the moment "We'll do more than that later"

"I didn't get a hug" Babs mock whined as myself and Kara half-broke out embrace, ignoring the red-haired Batgirl as I moved my hand to Kara's belly.

"Everything's okay?" and then looked to M'gann who was fidgeting nearby, just standing an arm's length from us. Kara was motioning her to come in, and I brought my arm out as well "Both of you?"

M'gann hugged back eagerly, a three-way hug, Kara letting out a contented sigh "We're both fine…I think. We did all the things you and Asa laid out, and we feel okay"

She made a face "Beyond some annoyances"

…and then was embraced from behind, sides being poked by an amused Barbara "Group hug!"

Kara gave a snort of amusement "Such as that one"

"Boo! Where you be without me!" Babs huffed back with a grin, breaking contact, and walking backwards with an exaggerated salute "Or me without you two…and memory stuff. Anyway, back to sailing the ship! Now be bold children and do your evil wizard and blonde damsel thing!"

"Yes Babs" Kara replied smiling, relaxing into my shoulder "Whatever you say Babs"

M'gann meanwhile was more standing into me, hands bringing mine over her t-shirt covered belly, smiling awkwardly "Can you…can you check with the magic…Asa says, but…"

Kara sighed "Megs worries, and you'll be doing your magic thing first magic man. After you rest, and we rest…Jennifer, you can go back to your studies or bed, or watch a show with us. Whatever you want"

"Thank you Mistress" came back from the white haired woman "But I will retire and leave you and Master undisturbed"

'She still won't stop that. Oh well' I thought on Jennifer's response but focused on carefully reaching out to feel the wards on first M'gann's, then Kara's, bellies as Kara said something to the retreating form of the sorceress prisoner turned maid. Then forced myself to stop as Kara did that annoyed lip thing and poked my back "It feels grand…but I'll wait till after we've rested"

"Good" Kara murmured "I heard things…got messy?"

"Yeah" I admitted "But we got through it….I'm just glad to be back"

She hugged me back "Me too, that right Megs?"

M'gann hummed in agreement, breaking off a bit and sitting on the edge of the bed to allow me and Kara hold each other. This was nice. I hadn't realised how much I needed this. Needed just the simple comforts…and looking forward to sleeping in a real bed again…

--

[08.18: Anabasis]

[R is vital to any planeswalker in training]

Gloria Amelia Frederickson, the White Sorceress of the Justice Alliance Youth, hummed contentedly as she slid under the covers, amused as Weryl failed to wake up. He'd arrived back here an hour ago after all the briefings and magical testing so Amelia (she disliked being called Gloria except by those close to her) wasn't surprised he was already in bed asleep after Chao and Courtney. It was amusing though that he barely stirred from his slumber as she decided to slide up against him, arm around his chest and head on his shoulder. Exhaustion seemed to be his primary state after his journey, and she'd offered to take care of him while Chao and Courtney worked their shifts and saw to Courtney's medical.

'This is nice' she thought with a yawn, unusually having time with 'their boy' as it were, and her own exhaustion taking hold already. Weryl was nice. He felt nice, his magic signature cold…but a comforting cold order for her own powers, and Amelia closed her eyes and allowed herself enjoy it, and the peace and quiet of a Chao and Courtney -less room. Amelia might prefer Chao physically, and lust on Courtney just a little, but they were both so loud and bossy at times. Weryl was so much quieter and relaxing to be with, and Amelia was shocked at how delighted she was that he was back, and that alone time was actually a thing. Alone, quiet, time that was so wonderful…

Snnnnnnnrrr

Deet-deet-deet

"Hmm?"

Amelia blinked her eyes with a yawn, snuggling up against warmth, confused a moment till her eyes cleared and she grasped the time on the clock. Hazy memories informing her where she was as her pillow snored softly against her, and that several hours had passed already. The alert on the clock indicating that she'd have to stir from her in an hour…probably. With a gesture with her fingers Amelia cast her magic to change the time on the clock to her actual time to get up…which was farther away than this. Damn Courtney forgot to change the times she thought with a soft groan and closed her eyes…

…shifted in place. Opened and closed her eyes with another yawn…

…any moment now…

…yep, any moment sleep would come…

Amelia huffed in annoyance as she opened her eyes, seeing only a few minutes had passed…

Closed them again. Snuggled up…

…one sheep, two sheep, three sheep…

Opened them again with a mutter…

"What..are…you…doing…" came the soft murmur from beside her, and she let out an overly dramatic sigh in response.

"Can't sleep" she responded, then rolled over to straddle Weryl, who emitted a groan at her antics as Amelia settled on top of him, arms folded across his chest, chin on her arms as she gazed down at his pale skinned face, eyes blinking at her with a yawn "Missed you"

"Haaaa….izzat so?" Weryl muttered sleepily, looking at her, arms rising up and rubbing Amelia's sides, clearly thinking about shoving her "Since when?"

"Since you abandoned lil' ol' me with Bossy and Bitchy"

The funny thing was…she had, badly. She and Weryl were friends, but he also felt like the competition at times in their little group. The bizzarro 'don't look, don't learn, memory wipe time' situation had really hammered home that she, and the group dynamic, really needed him in their life. Not even from the stress on the two others she loved, but from the fact…everyone on the ship was stressed, and Weryl was a good influence on all of them, even herself Amelia had realised. From a bit of fun…this had become her life, and she deeply wanted that, even with all the dangers it brought.

He frowned at her in the darkness, curious "Gloria, since when did you prefer me over Chao? And why are you, ya'know?"

"Don't you want a pretty girl seducing you?" she asked backing with amusement, because it was fairly clear to her, he wasn't exactly unhappy with her presence "I'd like a pretty girl doing the same for me, ya'know!"

"That I do know" he replied to arms around her now and clearly admitting defeat "Hence, why…"

Amelia gave a snort of amusement "I told you. Can't sleep. Missed you. Me and you, the sane, quiet, and relaxing part of soon to be polygamous marriage"

Weryl sighed "Is…that supposed to be a proposal?"

"If you want" she answered with a yawn "It's more the truth, even if not official yet. My way of saying I am really glad you are back. We missed you. I missed you"

"Really?"

"Well, you still hog too much of Chao's time, and you're not exactly what I'd call my choice in a lover" she teased back now "But, hey, you complete us! Absence, hearts, fonder, all that stuff. Also, the freaky forgetting stuff. You're like my big comfy teddy bear in making all that fear go away!"

He gave her a huffy look and she grinned back "Oh thanks"

"Heh heh, I know, I know" Amelia offered back sliding her arms down to his sides, letting her rest closer to his face, and generally being amused at their nearness "But, serious, are you okay? Things were stressful here, and yours was…more actively dangerous, I guess? We just rested about, doing nothing and then forgetting we were doing anything other than nothing"

"It was more than that, and you know it" Weryl muttered back, and she gave a weak smile in response, then a genuine one as he held her "I was worried too. For all of you. It was scary out there, but I was more worried about what happened here, or if we failed"

"Ahhh…even me, hmm?"

"Even you, though the response is…ah…unexpected" he admitted, then patted her butt "Now, get off, you've had your fun. I know you don't want me that way"

Amelia pouted, holding on tight as he moved to roll her off of him "True maybe, but, no, I'm not…teasing ya'know"

She pressed on as he sighed, accepting her presence and listening at least "I want to make this weirdness work, an' ah know me and you…aren't natural as it were, but, ya'know dynamic duo. Black Mage and White Mage, Chocolate and Vanilla…"

Weryl groaned "Really, that's…"

"Oh, shush you! This place was freaky, even if can't remember half of it" she pointed out, rising up to straddle him, using her hands to point at him, and count off the madness "There's you and Coutney and Chao, and then me and Chao. We are sticking together, and you are stressed, and so am I, and ah've been avoidin' stuff…an' I'd much rather make the effort when Chao isn't tryin' to give me advice during embarrassin' stuff"

He gazed up at her, admiring her body apparently, but also a curious look "You really did worry, didn't you?"

"Yeah" she answered, looking at him downcast "Yeah…they're…and you…we're family now, an' all ah is seem to compete with ya fer her attention"

"Oh. I never noticed"

"Sarcasm will get ya'nowhere" she smirked back pointing at him and wagging her finger in mock sternness "So, I'm thinkin' we try one ah' them tantric rituals…"

--

[08.19: Anabasis]

[Behold! The Armies of the Enslaver conquer!]

--

[Trader's Journal: Day 2563]

[Current Dimension]

Again, can't tell you future-me. It's dimensionally active on a planetary level. Less so on the great scale beyond sensors indicate.

[Current Location]

Under the sea, you and me, under the sea…

[Trading Report]

Beyond some fishing via means of teleporting in sea water during arrival, that's a no. We have spent time working our little carrack, Our Lady of Mysteries, so, there's that to count, I guess. Still medieval but repairs and simple cannons are nice additions, along with better sails and finetuning the helm. Weryl and Debbie are working on it for the experience, so that's a plan.

[Diary Entry]

Ah, it's good to be back, and everything is, mostly, okay. Lots of very stressed crewed, and even more stressed refugee city, but, hey, it could have been worse!

Spent time with Kara, and M'gann, pregnancies going well, even if both are stressed themselves, and Kara a little mad over being kept out of the bridge during the crazy-horror dimension. I did not realise I needed the rest as much I did, apparently sleeping for fifteen hours. But I am rested and refreshed, showered and fed, so I'm taking time to 'relax' with my writings and then maybe a bit of study and training with my apprentice – who's also stressed. Still Azula stayed sane through the whole nightmare time, so that is a good sign of her mental resilience.

Overall, we've a few new crew members to induct, and meetings with our Magus 'guests' tomorrow, but, for now, we count this a success. I'd actually note that we've started training Weryl and Debbie in Planeswalking 'basics' and 'tools' over coming weeks, basically, because we need someone who can go a dimension ahead that isn't me or Quinn. Quinn because these are magic heavy dimensions, which would be bad unleashing him into, and me because I need to allocate time here as well, and extended 'short' journeys like this – they aren't ideal for my family are they, now?

Also, this world is magically active. Very, very, magically active to put it simply. Also, very dimensionally active – yet also not? That's only with passive sensor readings since we've arrived, as we were more focused on stealth as it were. A few days here though has indicated a lot of high-level spell casters, or at least very active arcane and divine communities with high-level ritual-work. That's a concern obviously, let alone the fact we managed to get access to this place at all indicting something/someone ensuring this planet can get a lot of major access dimensionally. We've two of the Monitor drones up playing satellites, taking the slow, very hidden, route around the planet to get a sensor scan and down-map look on where we are currently.

For now, though, Slán.

--

[Trader's Journal: Day 2564]

[Current Dimension]

Same place. Magically active near-earth world.

[Current Location]

Deep under the ocean on said earth-like planet.

[Trading Report]

N/a

[Diary Entry]

Well, figured out why this place seems to be dimensionally active. It's being invaded. Least this time it's not daemons I suppose. Though, in fairness, goblins under their gods and with spelljammers are bad enough by most standards. So, staying hidden is a thing. But.

There's a distress signal out there. An arcane runic call for help. I don't recognise it, or who put it up, but it is recognisable for what it is – an SOS as it were. Not in the area of the invasion force, for now, but yeah, I can guess why its up. There are dimension blockers up around where the largest concentrations of armies and ships seem to be, at least judging from the drone's camera feed, so that could be a problem for some without access to Monitor tech to help out. To investigate?

Well. That's another question entirely. I *do* recognise at least one of those banners from close up sat-feed on a large sailing ship in the sky. It looks like a variant of Khurgorbaeyag's holy symbol, and a similar 'feeling' at that. I don't know, but I'd suspect a variant pantheon, or some alternate world pantheon faction. Or I'm completely off the mark, though the fact there's a highly organised force of what look like goblins and hobgoblins invading tells me I'm partially on the mark. So, yeah, want to stay away from that merry band of friendly followers of the slaver god.

Now, that was the main focus during our 'survey' yesterday, mainly as the largest energy signature, and the fact other 'energy signatures' had defences up, barriers and anti-scry wards what not. Illusions too, as I'm pretty sure there's towns or cities where on spot of massive forest is. But, yeah, invasion force over what looks to be a massive dimensional breach along with towns and cities. Of course, satellite images and maps could tell us the wrong thing, and they are really allies coming to relieve whoever lived there or whatever – assumptions are dangerous things after all. But not making educated guesses is even more dangerous as it were. Kara and Quinn agree with the caution thing, but we need to get past here as well, and that means tracing out a route and then heading through. Space is 'Aetheric' here, and this planet is the epicentre of the dimension's 'doors' I'm inclined to think.

That why've decisions to make, and that means getting information to make informed decisions. Plus, we'd be better off resting while we can rather than blinding trying to jump forward and either attract attention from a force like this, or, worse, heading into their territory. So, in strict terms, not much has changed in terms of what our plans were. Sort of. Now can see/guess what the tipping point was/is/going-to-be here. It also means we'll be on something of a time limit if we've got dimension travelling ships and armies in play. Still – rest first and then decide what to do later as Kara says. This is a case of being cautious and careful.

--

[Trader's Journal: Day 2566]

[Current Dimension]

Invaded magical place.

[Current Location]

Under the sea, with fish for tea.

[Trading Report]

N/a

[Diary Entry]

It's been a busy two days, hasn't it?

There were a number of deaths amongst the refugees, but, that's outliers now rather than a standard and as best I can tell the situation has stabilised to something resembling normal society. A weird, camp-like, one, but it's civilized enough to actually have a primitive economy of sorts that keeps everyone busy. Useful too for us, just like it was back with the Federation. Lorelei is contented with current progress, and there hasn't been any plotting against us. Against us, not amongst themselves. That seems to be common thing, and probably for the best as she put it. I agree, if they are bust plotting against each other, they aren't trying plot on how to steal the ship and fuck everything up.

Beyond that it's been rather pleasant, training with Azula, and then a few hours with Weryl and Debbie also, has been good. Feels worthwhile, and it is more pleasant than recent weeks have been. I think we all agreed on that merry little fact. Kara's put me on 'recreation time' after all, so, yeah, I count training with my apprentice(s) as part of that set aside time. Yes, I do. Compared to the other stuff it's very relaxing, and, funnily enough, people don't like to interrupt my 'blowing stuff up!' practice. Funny that.

Largely since when I get back to the room Kara and M'gann seem to have created an unholy alliance between themselves to ensure I don't do anything while in the room. Fine, fine, mayhap I am stressed and handling it poorly, but things still needs to be done. Quinn's been doing scans with his team, and the 'Arcane Research Team' has been helping, and it's generally in line what I'd expected, was concerned about. Dimensional invasion with lots of magic on planet, and not much in the rest of the star system. There is a ways out-dimension, but we'd be best investigating, and the general agreement is that we at least approach and contact our would-be SOS sender. Without giving away the fact of the Carrier of course. So, we'll decide on a course of action at an officer meeting later. Now, my two 'warden' ladies are demanding movie time.

Slán for now.

--

[Interlude – Matriarch-Captain Alyaer Maeani]

[The broken amongst those about to be broken]

Alyaer stood on the deck of her ship, hands on the railings and looking out over the sands of the stretching out around them, glad of the shelter of the mountain to their starboard. Personally, she hated the heat, the sand, and this plane was particularly unfortunate in that she couldn't even wear her normal, heavier, clothes. Wearing light, almost revealing, clothes was almost painful for the dark-skinned elven woman between her normal distaste for the sun, along with the mental pain on scars, tattoos…and memories. She did at least get to wear her, slightly too big, feathered tricorn cap over her long silver hair…

'Gods, but for some snow' she thought to herself gazing out at the local elven buildings, the sun shimmering off them, but more importantly the blonde haired, light skinned, elven girl climbing up the rope ladder as nimbly as ever. Her sneaky little Stelae, though the girl was being forced to play diplomat, or spy, as the guardian she'd put her crewmember came up behind her, his hand giving a 'all clear' gesture half-way up. Alyaer sighed, enjoying the breeze that blew in from the mountains behind them, taking away some of the oppressive heat felt here on the deck. Keeping creature comfort spells down to a bare minimum was vital for both stealth and security, but it was frustrating as well as her moved to touch the far-seeing device on her belt, then decided against it. Instead focusing on her pale skinned 'House' member.

"Any change?" she asked, not expecting anything of the sort "Or were they rude to you as well?"

"Oh, I am the right skin colour as they see it Matriarch" the girl replied coming up to beside Alyaer, then leaning back against the railings "They are very nice to me. Proper elf and all that"

"I imagine so" Alyaer agreed with a faint nod. It was grating at times, but it was perhaps moreso here. The Drowsussu were viewed with fear and hate, with good reason often enough, due to their history, or their alternates history more often. Here though it wasn't distrust of that sort…just the local elves were arrogant, and dark elves weren't truly a factor to care for as more than 'not proper elves' essentially. Despite her position, her proven power, and her ship, the local nation of 'Nepthys' were beyond condescending. It was even more grating when she was the one trying to save their damned children and youth "Was there news?"

"Gallia's fallen…or turned vassal I believe. Bidashal is alive, but he's injured, and I do believe he'll want to meet you later" her subordinate replied softly looking at the mountain and deck behind Alyaer "Our old master came with a new addition of a personal slave-fighter. A young dragon-rider…who is Princess of that human kingdom, and he and his warriors had…something there. I do not know what, but it was clearly enough to buy loyalty of some sort"

Even at the mention of her former master was nearly enough for Alyaer to resist standing at attention, even all these years later. Vrondregeg Vedrani…

She sighed "That's nearly all of them then. After the example of that floating island….they'll be moving against the locals soon"

"Our hosts think they have a chance"

Alyear nodded sadly "Yes. They do think such. They don't"

Stelae gave an unhappy snort "No, they don't. They don't understand your warnings Matriarch. They barely think of the humans as above the level of cattle in many cases. Seeing the human nations fall…is nothing"

"Not that any of those nations were very impressive of course" Alyaer noted clinically as they'd watched the arrival of Clan Vedrani's House soldiery and fleet. Her old master had skilfully taken whatever Planeswalker had opened the Breach into this land to train and brainwash, while vassalizing the first nation after crushing its military, and then enslaving the ruler. Though leaving it intact and waiting to see how the locals did in response…to their detriment. As best Alyaer could tell the humans nations were hereditary sorcerous nobility, and it really hadn't been hard over recent months for the Vedrani to simply vassalize those kingdoms, or simply eliminate the nobility entirely. Breaking them up. Dividing allegiances. Ensuring a productive conquest. All so very…bad memories…

She shook her head "Well, it'll be these lands next, and we already know how that will end"

"Shame, they have nice wine" Stelae mumbled "So…what we are doing Matriarch?"

"For now, you'll talk and wander about as usual for the next few days. Keep being friendly, and we shall see can we save any when the times comes" Alyaer answered shaking her head stepping back from the railing "Now, go, get something to eat and be at ease. Bath yourself too, that sand gets everywhere"

Stelae gave a formal bow "As you command my Matriarch"

'Matriarch? What a joke!' came unbidden to her mind once more, the ghost of a whisper. She had been a Matriarch…once, a lifetime ago. Of a Great House as she'd thought of it, of a Great City, of a Glorious Matriarchy. Till they'd provoked battle with the wrong Empire, and then a proud so-called Matriarch had been broken and tamed by Master Vrondregeg's sire, then refined by him. Till she'd betrayed what little of her nation that remained…

Because they'd been doomed anyway, yet had been too blind to see it…

All for the greatest of cruel mercies – freedom as a reward. Her freedom, her ship, her family…as it were. Even three 'decades later' as the goblins saw it Alyaer couldn't step in front of her old master without feeling like a naughty little girl about to be reprimanded by her mother or elders. Escape, she had to escape, but they didn't know the dimensions well enough, or weren't strong enough to flee the other Houses that might take them should they evade House Vedrani's reach in these lands. Even the 'Free Lands' where she would, if she could, rescue some of these poor souls rejected them, harshly, for what they were. For what she had been. Years had slipped by and yet here she remained. Trapped. Still feeling that collar around her neck like a ghost.

'Later. Think of your Duty to the House. To your crew' she reminded herself. It might be a bizarre thing compared to what she had once headed, but her crew of ex-slaves were hers, many by blood, all by loyalty, and she *would* see to their well being as she strode over the deck towards her cabin. Her son was standing there, staff in hand, and giving her a smile, then a little wave "Greetings Mother! I come bearing news!"

"Hmm, do you Riksufr?" she answered back to her slightly taller wizard child. His human blood had shone through there, along with, for a drowussu, unnaturally fast learning and mental development. Alyaer wished she knew who the father had been, beyond the mocking 'Royalty on both sides, all making a fancy fucking slave' he'd gotten as a youngster. Sadly, all she had for him was her blind and deaf screams from nightmares, and thanks to whatever Gods had granted her his skills in the end "I hope not ill news?"

"No, perhaps not, or perhaps it is. It is important news though Mother mine"

She nodded, gripping the door to her cabin and unlocking the defences with a mental command "Enter then you insolent little brat and tell me"

The cabin, like many things on her ship, were a little larger than a drowussuu ship would have been, and the design plainer than would be. It had been a human ship once, then a goblin raider, before the battered wrecked had been granted as part of her 'reward' for her…betrayal. They'd, she'd, done everything they could to make it their home, filling it up everywhere, but it still had that slightly too big feeling at times due to being shorter by nature than humans. Not that her tall for an elf son cared about that, the little brat "So, what is it?"

"Our beacon has been answered"

She gave him a bland look, and he sighed.

"By something other than threats to murder, castrate, rape, or enslave us. Someone is being polite. Someone is willing to discuss terms"

Alyaer blinked, then slowly sat back into the chair behind her desk "It's…been years"

Riksufr nodded, free hand outwards in a gesture of 'what can you do' perhaps "Perhaps, but, it is what it is. Mayhap a trap, but worth investigating I believe Matriarch"

It was. It most certainly was worth such….

--