Huntress, Warlock and Lictor.
Rehiza walked next to Miss Daisy, trying not to look in her direction, but the presence of the grim elf was like a thorn in the heel. "This woman is hiding something, something very dark, and I have sworn to stand against the darkness." But only what. In her opinion, Lady Cala was above all suspicion. A polite but not submissive aristocrat from a peripheral planet, raised from childhood to exercise power and lead people. At first she thought she might be the source of future trouble, and had even intended to go to Carurystal to find out more, but she ran out of time. Miss Daisy was not what she expected. an educated, but rather down-to-earth teacher of a highborn woman, and what she met was a person who emanated an aura of powerful magical power…and darkness. She also hid her face behind a holographic mask, and that never boded well. Not in that combination…
The streets of Saltmarsh were narrow and dusty, but oddly enough paved, They walked side by side for a long time in silence. It was quite crowded, the inhabitants of the capital tried to make it before the evening flight of flies. Miss Daisy walked confidently forward, and the passers-by yielded to her without a murmur. It came incredibly naturally to her, even the tall Vesk nomads kept out of her way. It wasn't what she expected from someone like that either.
- And how do you like Saltmarsh? - She finally asked, trying to smile with interest.
- Dusty, dirty hot... could be worse. But I've gotten used to the rain and the green of Carurystal, and I like it better," replied the grim Elf.
- Very different from where you come from? - Miss Daisy watched intently, but she didn't even slow down.
- What place are you talking about? Carurystal or my home planet? In both cases, the answer will be yes. the teacher replied sharply.
-Actually, where are you from? - Lashunti tried to keep her voice as gentle as possible.
- From Waldenese, but you probably know that, you finally hsd my dossier. - She stopped and turned to the Lashunti, looking at her with her piercing green eyes.
- Yes, it's a peripheral planet, isolated from the rest of the galaxy, inhabited by Castroval Elves who wanted to preserve their thousand-year-old culture and tradition. They reject most of advanced technology. Little else is known, only a few are allowed to visit it, and even fewer leave it. In a word, an extremely mysterious place. Perfect for someone who wants to hide their true origin. Rechiza said with a mocking smile. Miss Daisy answered her with a similar smile
- Yes, very convenient. To be honest, it absolutely doesn't matter what you think of me, any more than what I think of you. We both serve persons far greater than ourselves.
Rechiza frowned. "What does she know?
- I serve the Lord Admiral and you Lady Cala, I don't think you mean anything else. - she said without changing her expression.
- Indeed, and how could it be otherwise? - said elf and moved forward.
A few weeks earlier, Rechiza had entered the office of Liktor Janos di Vir. She stayed on the Dreadnought-citadel "Fading Sun", flagship of the Order. It was gloomy here, only a few lamps that perfectly imitated the light of torches illuminated the darkness of this room.
- I welcome you Rechiza, it's good that you arived so quickly - said the man with ebony skin, sitting behind a semi-circular red desk. His face was dotted with deep lines and numerous scars. Still, he exuded great strength. It was said that he once knocked down a Hezrou during a fight and survived an encounter with Marlith
- It is not proper to delay when Liktor summons you. - she bowed politely
- But you are not a member of the Order, though you are willing to cooperate with us. I have a task for you this time as well - he said and stood up, then turned his back on her.
- You were summoned here because of events that took place more than thirty years ago. Then the planet Minitar was attacked by an unknown enemy. It easily overcame the local, not very strong, defense, and would probably have subdued it if we hadn't been around. It wasn't an easy fight. We had to call for help from our dark allies, and only then could we prevail. I was then only a young knight who took part in this short war. Without false modesty, I will say that I showed great courage at that time, which was appreciated. But I'm most proud of the lives I've saved. One of them belonged to a little girl named Asindesa. - He turned sharply to her. - My adopted daughter.
- And the current Lady of Blades. - Lashunt asked quietly
Likor nodded and continued.
- She made a real career in the order. She fought for many years in the wars we fought. She became the embodiment of what is good in us, trying not to be infected by the darkness we carry. She faced the Swarm and the cultists, the most feared enemies you can meet. Now, however, he is going on a journey deep into the Ravaged Zone. And there she will meet those who attacked her planet.
Rechiza, stony-faced, listened to Liktor's word. While she disliked the ideas behind the hellknights, she respected Liktor and their goals often coincided.
- It is said there's a Swarm operating there? - she asked genuinely surprised. Janos di Vir nodded.
- That's what everyone says, but according to our information, it's not true. There is something different lurking there, though perhaps not so much. When we won at Minitar, we decided not to reveal what we know for now. It could cause chaos in the galaxy.
- And the Order can't afford that.- She smiled understandingly. -But now there were problems.
- It's more complicated. said Janos di Vir and told her about mysterious event and the plans to send The Research and Exploration Fleet.
She frowned as she slowly processed his words.
-So you think someone initiated the use of this weapon, and twice, but both times it didn't unleash its full power? You're implying they where the same beings that attacked Minitar.
The Lictor shrugged.
- Or it was used by someone who was defending themselves from them. We don't know anything for sure, so we'll send a small group of people ahead of us to find out what it really was like and what lurks there.
- And I'm supposed to be in that group? Do you suspect the activities of cults and Great Old Ones? - she asked with a sigh. „It's a matter for a pirate or someone from Starfinder socjety"
- Yes, we suspect everything and everyone. There is one more thing. As I mentioned, Lady Cala will be participating in the mission. I recently learned that Asindesa visited Castle Grayskull, Cala's ancestral seat on Carurystal, and was seriously injured there. However, during our last meeting, my daughter did not tell me anything about it.
- Do you want me to keep an eye on Lady Cala? she asked matter-of-factly. It was more suited to her abilities.
- Yes. Just remember, this whole trip smells bad to me. said the lictor very seriously.
The lashunt nodded, then asked.
- Ansindesa knows about these beings? - That they attacked her house - she asked, looking at Janos carefully.
- Yes, I told her during our last meeting. - he gave her the datacore - Here you have all the information we managed to gather about the enemy. And remember…
- Yes, I know, trust no one. - she smiled sourly. "Do you think why I'm still alive?"
Regaining her sense of smell was perhaps the most unobvious profit of what the Nyarlathetop had done to her. Over the decades of inhaling toxic fumes from factories or mystical decoctions, and several dark rituals and even a few less-than-successful experiments by Hordak, she had lost that sense. Now she felt the fullness of the flavors of the food she ate and the aromas of the teas she drank. She even accepted the stench, because the lack of a sense, even a relatively unimportant one, could exhaust mentally, distorted her perception of reality.
"How did she last there? With her keen sense of smell, the stench of the zone must have been unbearable to her. Or was she just used to it since she was a child? You can get used to anything. I know something about this." She thought as she walked beside Lashuntka. She knew she should focus on her companion, but her thoughts wandered to her dark past and the future she feared so much.
"And Rosie? What's it like to live in perpetual silence?" she thought. It is likely that her hearing also suffered some damage during her previous life. The girl was surprisingly nice and positive about the world. "If she had been cared for by someone like me… would she see so much good in others then?" She smiled grimly. Rechiza looked at her, frowning.
Something amused you? she asked rather sharply.
- No. I've never been a laughing person. The last time I smiled serenely was five years ago. Usually, when I smile, it means I have thought something very unpleasant. - she said without looking at the Twister.
- Unpleasant for you or for other? - Lashunti asked with amusement.
She smiled in response.
The Respite was in the center of the city, between the market and the spaceport. It did not fit into the local style of architecture. It looked surprisingly "Modern" and "Normal", although to her none of the buildings she encountered outside of her former home looked "Normal". Even the conservative architecture of Carurystal seemed strange and very different from what she was used to. On the other hand, she didn't travel much in her own world. Only in the last five years has she been able to fully experience the countless variety of cultures that could be born in an infinite universe. Though I'd rather not start exploring the wonders of the universe of waking up on cursed Aucturn before face of Nyarlathetop's avatar.
As they entered, she smelled tea. She liked that aroma. The interior was kept in cool colors. The gray walls were slightly shiny, and the tables were black and made of what was supposed to be wood, but was probably some kind of plastic. The main hall was hexagonal in shape. They sat down at the table and looked around. There were a few people who looked like local bourgeoisie and wealthy Shiren farmers. There were also a few Vesks who were clad in rather costly robes and a bit too ornate weapons. They ordered Ashrak
- Does anyone here look like a space ship's captain to you? - she asked, sinking into a chair. Even such a short walk in the desert sun could be surprisingly tiring.
- Not really, and for you? Lashuti asked.
- I used to know a captain... And he wasn't a man you would want to travel anywhere with. - she murmured, - Unless you like fire.
Ashrak has been brought. The drink was slightly tart, with a rather strongly perceptible aroma somewhat reminiscent of cucumbers. It was quite invigorating
- Because of this man you have to wear a holographic mask? - Lashunt asked innocently.
- I should replace it. No, that's not why. - she said, and immediately regretted her honesty.
- So it's some kind of failed ritual. - Rechiza asked over a cup of tea.
She wondered how to answer her and how much honesty she could afford, and whar that woman might know about the darkness with which she had made a pact.
- Oh, someone said something about a magical accident! - They heard an enthusiastic exclamation and turned around at the same time. They saw a dark-skinned elf with silvery hair. She wore a fairly typical wizard's robe with bare shoulders. Elf was smiling extremely enthusiastically. She had a bad experience with similarly smiling people. Silverhaired sat down at their table without asking and began to talk.
- I am Ireanis Toromach called the Silver Flame! Battlemage from Nantambu on lost Golarion! Dwarf tea! - exclaimed the elf and went back to the conversation - Unfortunately, the spell didn't quite work out and somehow it turned out that it threw me at Kesler just when they had a problem with ants or some kind of swarm and actually I was a bit lost in time because I was thrown some thousand years ahead and a thousand kilometers from Mwengi. But Bina and Igzar saved me. I mean Igzar threatened to throw me out the airlock if I started doing magic, but he was such a prankster. He probably wouldn't do anything to me. And then we were on Atraks and then we lived on Akiton and we traveled through this space for a long time because we have a spaceship and by the way, I work as a teacher teaching ... - she was saying, but Rechiza interrupted her.
- Wait, repeat what you said again?
- That I'm a teacher and a magic officer, but back to… - she continued, but this time Miss Daisy didn't let her go on.
- There is absolutely no doubt that you consider yourself an excellent teacher, but we are interested in the ship you traveled on. How is he.
- Metal. And cosmic. - Ireanis replied smiling broadly. Rechiza pursed her lips, thinking the elf to make fun of her or be an idiot. Well, to her, spaceships meant nothing but metal and space. And if this woman is from Lost Golarion…
- Where are you flying to and do you have seats available? - she asked slowly.
The dark-skinned elf confused was suddenly.
- Well, if you ask, we're going to one place ... But we have free quarters for passengers, only about that, you have to ask Bina. - Tea has just been brought to Ireanis. She took a sip and winced.
- But there's no rum here? What's a dwarf tea without rum! How am I supposed to do magic sober! - cried the elf.
"This can be a really long conversation." She thought and turned to the silver-haired girl, trying to focus her attention.
- And where is Bina? "How did Catra put up with those two for so long?"
Ireanis looked around in surprise.
- She was here somewhere. BINA! - She stood up and screamed across the room.
- Do you think what I think? That they are flying… – Laszunti asked. She nodded her head.
The silver-haired elf approached a woman who was talking to several expensively dressed Veskas. When Ireanis slapped her on the back, and she reached for her gun, the heavy pistol hanging from her belt. Then elf gestured ridiculously and pointed them. Finally, "Bina" got up and walked over to them, taking a seat at the chair that Ireanis had previously occupied.
- Hiya. I am Bina. You were talking with my friend and she claims that you said something about spaceships and if we had seats ... - asked the woman smiling friendly. She was quite petite, had burgundy hair and seemed to be quite a cheerful person, although she had dark circles under her eyes, probably from lack of sleep.
- Yes, we need a ship... The problem is where we're going. - she said slowly, looking at the woman carefully.
- Yes? The galaxy is immeasurable, full of terrible places, - Bina replied cautiously. She tensed, and moved her hand towards the weapon.
- You're right, we're headed there. - Rechiza said. She also looked ready to fight.
- Oh yes. It's a funny coincidence... So many people suddenly want to go to such a scary place. the burgundy-haired woman said slowly. Ireanis stood behind her. She no longer looked as harmlessly stupid as before.
"It was much scarier place than you can imagine. Although now ... we know so litle" she thought
- And indeed, it seems that we are all heading in the same direction, which makes our goals seem to converge. There were times when I worked with people with whom I had little else in common, and I always performed my duties well. My companion, as far as I know, is a specialist in fighting dark creatures, I ... apart from being a gifted sor ... Mystic, valued teacher and great expert in the art of gardening, I am also the guardian and steward of Lady Caly Grayskull. – she said calmly, analyzing her interlocutor and her reactions to her words.
- Besides, it accompanies us Arkan-tar, the archaeologist. Doctor Qin, Dilayla as our bodyguard and Rosie Pearl. intern. We're going to the so-called Ravaged Zone, and so are you. We are part of an expedition organized by Kemanis University. We are financed by Lady Cala Grayskull, in exchange for on profits from any treasures we find there. Lashunti said.
- Aren't you afraid of what lurks in the Zone? - Bina asked, raising an eyebrow
We all know that something happened there and since then this place has changed and it's not so dangerous anymore - she replied - Otherwise you wouldn't go there yourself.
Bina smiled quite warmly.
- Good point - she thought about it and continued - You know, we are actually also participating in an archaeological expedition, such a self-organized one. And we could use a doctor, a teacher, and an archaeologist. Listen, I'll show you our ship, and if you will like it, and my crew will like you, maybe we'll pick you up for a small fee.
- All right, we'll visit you in the evening, give me the coordinates - Rechiza asked, and the burgundy-haired girl gave them and left her the coordinates.
- Well, hello, see you tonight. she said and walked away with Ireanis.
- We did it pretty fast, don't you think? - Rechiza asked a bit surprised.
"Indeed..." she replied thoughtfully.
"And you're not surprised that she's glad she found a teacher?" Rechiza asked her
"No... It's definitely not that..." she looked at her anxiously.