Zellara explained how her spirit lingered after Gaedren killed her and explained that she was the one who asked Alexander to keep her presence a secret. One by one, each of his companions came to accept that they had spiritual aid and didn't hold it against the warrior for keeping her a secret. The group became more interested in the threat that Korvosa faced, even though Zellara herself was vague on the matter.

"That's why I asked for Alexander to gather everyone," Zellara said as she finished her explanation. "I hope that a harrowing could help reveal more details of the battles to come."

"Are we sure that a harrowing will work?" Falenas asked. "What of the last one performed, when we all met? It wasn't like it was entirely accurate."

"How so?" Viera questioned with a frown.

"Does no one remember how the past reading didn't really apply to us?" Falenas pointed out.

"I've been thinking about that, and from what I've read, the reading of the past could mean more than just us, but rather other events that align with our fate," Griffin suggested. "And there was some truth about the harrowing reading of the present and the future. Are we not all together now?"

Falenas shrugged. "I suppose there's no harm in another harrowing then?"

"Should I be here for this?" Verik questioned with a frown. "I still feel out of the loop."

"You'll catch up," Viera assured Verik. "If you truly mean to fulfill the path the Temple of Sarenrae has set you on, then you should be willing to help."

Zellara nodded in agreement. "Any help against what is to come is needed and appreciated. Alexander, I will need you to be my hands."

"Of course," Alexander said and grabbed the harrowing deck attached to his belt.

Under Zellara's careful instruction, Alexander shuffled the deck. It was a slow process given that he wasn't experienced when it came to dealing cards in general and the spirit had to step in more than one to point out how to improve on his shuffling. When Zellara was satisfied, she motioned for Alexander to set the deck down on Griffin's deck and take out nine cards for the group to choose.

Alexander recalled that the first step of a harrowing was the Choosing, which would help determine their individual role in the events to come. Falenas picked his card first, followed by Griffin, Takota, and Viera. After a moment of hesitation, Verik stepped forward to pick his card. At Zellara's urging, Alexander also selected a card as he was not only just the harrower but involved in the harrowing itself. The card he drew depicted a rugged man with a red beard.

"The Mountain Man," Zellara whispered to Alexander. "Fitting for someone of your strength."

"Thank you," Alexander muttered quietly.

"I drew the Sickness," Griffin announced to his companions. "That certainly doesn't bode well for me, does it?"

"It could be a sign that you will fall sick but at times it could be a sign of great health as well," Zellara informed Griffin.

"You should be glad that you have me around then," Falenas chuckled and placed his card on the desk, revealing a man with literal fire for hair. "So is there any symbolism for me or am I going to suddenly combust?"

"You won't but I think its meaning does apply to you," Zellara explained. "The Brass Dwarf is a perilous risk taker."

"I suppose joining everyone again instead of focusing on my work is a risk," Falenas said with a smirk. "I can agree to that assessment."

"My card is some sort of hunchback with a man on his back whipping him," Verik revealed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"If that is the Teamster like I suspected, I imagine that you are a man who was shaped by society. Whether it's the city of Korvosa or something smaller like your family, whatever shaped you was an external force."

Verik nodded and remained silent in thought, giving Viera a chance to speak up. "My card shows a lion in a desert."

"That would be the Desert," Zellara said with a frown. "I'd rather not speak more of it. Hopefully, it won't come up in the actual harrowing."

Viera frowned back. "That does sound concerning."

Takota placed his card on the desk and Zellara took the chance to explain what it was. "The Waxworks. You may be a hard worker but there are some tasks that might be too much for even you. If it comes during the harrowing, it could be a good or bad omen depending on its placement."

Takota gave a silent nod, accepting the explanation, and crossed his arms. Zellara understood that the Shoanti wanted to continue with the harrowing and gestured for Alexander to shuffle the Choosing cards into the main deck. Afterwards, he placed nine cards carefully down on Griffin's deck, forming three columns. He recalled that each column represented the past, present, and future. With Zellara nodding in approval, Alexander flipped over the three cards on the left.

Everyone's eyes turned to look at the top card, the Sickness. For his part, Griffin simply smiled.

"It makes sense," Griffin admitted. "It wasn't so long ago that I was confined to my bed, sick with filth fever."

"Everyone becomes sick at one point," Falenas pointed out. "It doesn't take a fortune teller to reveal that."

"As a Choosing, there is more to explain of your role," Zellara said, ignoring Falenas' criticism. "Something in your past has prepared you for what it is to come and it will play an important role. I'm just not sure what that will look like."

"What about the other two cards?" Verik asked, gesturing to the cards depicting a serpent with colorful wings and a knight kneeling before a throne.

"That would be the Winged Serpent and the Empty Throne, both of which have different meanings based on their position," Zellara continued with her reading. "The Empty Throne could be a sign of good fortune or ill tidings from the past."

"Not a word from you, Falenas," Viera warned quietly and the elf shrugged.

"As for the Winged Serpent, it could represent knowing when to act or failure to recognize that moment. We should continue with the present. If you would, Alexander."

"Of course," Alexander said and flipped over the next three cards.

Of the three cards he flipped, Alexander recognized his own Choosing on the bottom of the column as well as Takota's choosing above it. In addition, the art of the Foreign Trader was familiar when it came up during the group's first meeting.

"This is proving to be an exciting harrowing," Griffin said with a grin. "Three Choosings."

"And a true match, which I will explain last," Zellara nodded at Griffin. "The Foreign Trader represents an informative pact. It could be the members of the pact that you'll come to oppose."

"That doesn't tell us much," Falenas said with a sigh.

"Other than that we may face multiple factions in battle," Viera said, shaking her head at Falenas' disbelief. "What of the Choosings?"

"Takota, I do apologize, but where the Waxworks is placed doesn't bode well for you," Zellara told him with a frown. "It's a sign of helplessness, something which you'll have to overcome on your own."

Takota grunted and glared at the spirit. "I am not helpless."

"But the-"

"I. Am. Not. Helpless."

Repeating his words one by one, Takota shook his head in disappointment. He doesn't give Zellara time to explain herself more before opening the door and leaving the room, slamming it shut. The group could only look on in wide eyes with Duke, who was curled up in the corner to rest, raising his head at the door slam. Griffin stood up from his desk, and with cane in hand, walked over to the window. He was careful to keep up his limp in the presence of Verik.

"You just had to tell him he was helpless," Falenas said, not hiding his anger at Zellara.

"I meant it as no insult," Zellara defended herself. "It was what the harrowing told me."

"Could the harrowing be wrong?" Viera asked.

Alexander shook his head. "I don't think it is. When I went to retrieve Takota, I learned that he's struggling with learning how to use a crossbow. He's been frustrated with that part of his training with the Sable Marine Company."

"I was there too," Verik said, quickly taking Alexander's side. "Anyone would feel helpless if they couldn't use their weapon correctly."

"If only he didn't join that company," Falenas sighed quietly.

"Should we go and check on him?" Viera suggested. "I'm worried for him."

"As am I but I can see him leaving the manor already," Griffin told the others and turned away from the window. "Takota's dependable. He'll sort through his problems on his own. In the meantime, Zellara, you suggested that Alexander's Choosing was a true match."

"Indeed it is," Zellara nodded and turned to face Alexander. "You are strong but the enemy that you face will be strong as well. I can.. I can see a glimpse of it now. A dark abomination that shouldn't be in this city."

"I see," Alexander said, processing the information. "When it comes to it, I'll fight if needed. I won't fall so easily."

"And if possible, we'll have your back," Viera added. "Shall we move onto the future?"

With no objections, Alexander flipped over the last three cards. The top card depicted a mighty blue dragon but it was the other two cards that drew the group's attention. The middle card was Viera's choosing and the final card at the bottom was Falenas' choosing.

"This is unlike our previous harrowing," Viera gasped. "Five Choosings spread throughout the harrowing."

"Alexander's terrible at shuffling the cards," Falenas bluntly stated. "There really is no other solution."

"If that's the case, where's my card?" Verik asked, unable to hide his disappointment.

"I'd be glad to not have attention on myself in the harrowing, Verik," Griffin smirked. "It could mean danger."

"The Tyrant certainly does mean danger," Zellara said, her eyes going wide. "It is a true match. I can tell there is some sort of diabolical presence influencing your enemy's movement. They will bring great pain if left unchecked. I fear what Korvosa may face even more."

"What of my Choosing?" Viera asked, motioning to her card. "You didn't want to talk about it before but we don't have a choice."

Zellara sighed. "Viera, in your future, I see you undergoing a journey. It shall be bleak and you'll encounter many difficult obstacles. If you do succeed and make it to the end, you'll be a different woman than you are now. Whether that is good or bad, I cannot say."

"Whatever journey that comes my way, I will walk down my path with Iomedae's blessings," Viera declared, unflinching despite what the harrowing has foretold.

"You don't have to do it alone either," Griffin offered. "We'll be there for you."

"I wish I could accept that but it's my Choosing," Viera said with a remorseful frown. "It may be a journey that only I can go on."

Griffin looked down at the ground, unsure of what to say, while Falenas crossed his arms. "Shall we finish this harrowing?"

"Of course. Falenas, like the Brass Dwarf, you will encounter great peril, but we do end on a good note. The Brass Dwarf is a sign of resilience and sturdiness against what is to come. You will hold your ground and play a key role in defeating the threat."

"Intriguing," Falenas said without emotion. "We'll see if it comes true or not."

"The harrowing is completed. Alexander, you can put the cards away."

Alexander nodded and grabbed the nine cards to put with the rest of the harrowing deck. With the harrowing completed, Zellara faded away, although the warrior felt her presence in her cards. Truth be told, he wasn't sure what to make of the harrowing. Certainly, it did spark more emotion from his companions than the previous one. If the events were true, it meant that they would have a more involved role to play facing the threat lurking in Korvosa's shadows.

Regarding his own Choosing, Alexander wasn't sure what to make of his fate. Although he was far from being a great hero, he knew that he was capable of holding his own in a fight. With his flail in one hand and his shield in the other, he had taken down foes ranging from Gaedren and his gang to the undead creatures lurking in the Dead Warrens. Yet, it wasn't doubt that he would win against the abomination that was on his mind, but if he even wanted to. It was his goal to get the group together for the harrowing and leave them united against the threat so that he could take care of Silana. He hated the idea of being dragged away from his family to a fight that could leave his daughter an orphan.

Griffin took another glance outside the window and sighed. "It's getting late. I imagine we'll need to think over the harrowing. I'd like to catch up again tomorrow if possible."

"I'm sure it'll be possible," Viera said with a smile. "We'll be watching Tiran compete tomorrow. That might be as good of a time as any."

"That sounds like a good plan," Alexander agreed. "I need to pick up Silana from her tutor before it gets too late."

"Then it's settled," Griffin said. "I'll see everyone tomorrow."

Alexander left the study and headed downstairs along with Viera, Verik, and Duke. Stepping outside, he could tell that the sun was starting to set. He didn't like how much time gathering everyone took but couldn't help but feel relieved to have his friends back, even if it meant they had to face some villain hiding from sight. Viera yawned loudly and Alexander glanced towards his friend..

"Be sure to get some rest tonight," Alexander reminded Viera.

"I will," Viera said and tapped her chin in thought. "Would it be a bother if I stopped by your house tomorrow? We could head to the tournament together."

"That wouldn't be a problem at all," Alexander said with a nod. "Silana will be happy to see you."

"And I'll be happy to see her as well," Viera smiled. "Have a good night, Alexander."

Viera stepped away, heading toward the direction of the Pantheon of Many, while Verik looked around. "So, when am I going to be introduced to the masked man? Indigo, was it? I feel like if I'm getting involved in this, which really, is a lot to take in already, I should get to know everyone."

"I imagine that he'll introduce himself to you one day," Alexander noted and found himself frowning. "Verik, does something feel strange to you?"

"Strange?" Verik questioned with his eyebrow raised.

"It feels like we're missing something."

"Like the masked man?"

"No, not Indigo," Alexander shook his head, and then, as the idea came to mind, he snapped his fingers. "Falenas!"

"The elf?" Verik blinked in confusion. "What about him?"

"He didn't come outside with us," Alexander looked over his shoulder to confirm that the manor's door was closed. "He's still inside and hasn't left."

"Is that odd? Couldn't he be checking up on Tiran?"

"Tiran's asleep already."

"Do you think that Fal is up to trouble?" Verik asked.

Alexander considered the question for a few seconds before asking. Truth be told, he didn't know too much of the alchemist's past and what his drive was other than to run his clinic and store. Yet, he believed that he alone couldn't get into any trouble.

Griffin, on the other hand, was more likely to take some sort of action, and if he wanted Falenas for help, they could be working together on something.

"Verik, I'm going to leave you here with Duke to keep an eye on the manor while I pick up Silana. When Falenas leaves, take note of where he's going and try not to be seen. If he isn't heading toward his clinic, follow him and I'll catch up. If he is heading home, then come by my house."

"What's going on?" Verik asked, concerned.

Alexander shrugged, not having an answer. "I don't know, but if something does happen, we need to be ready to help."


A/N: I always find the harrowings to be difficult to write about but I hope this does a good enough job. Once again, I've exceeded my daily word count goal, and not only that, this chapter brings the story up to 10,000 words. I'm already a fifth of a way through with NaNoWriMo and we're only on the third day!

It's good I'm making this level of progress because it's likely that I'll be too tired tomorrow to write another chapter. Instead, expect a chapter the day after tomorrow, and based on my notes, I imagine that it's going to be a big chapter as well as a plot point from Edge of Anarchy will finally be adressed.

Until next time.