"Extremely simplified version, Thorin, but yes." Sera's deadpan expression and raised eyebrow shut Thorin right up. Settling back, all eyes turned to Violet. "Maybe you should elaborate?"
Violet nodded, sipping some light cider. "Silver had to turn back because he couldn't sneak through the masses of Iron Ring camping out. I mean we should have figured it would take time for them to scatter, but still. Once we got into Albridge, we found out the hard way He had been there. And, um... Still was, the very hard and... painful way." Looking away she sipped her drink again- trying to wash the memories away for a moment.
"What do you mean, you found out the very hard and painful way?" Silver's eyes narrowed, digging his talons into cracks between his scales.
"Man, you should have seen it- one moment we're looking at the flayed remains of Dar. Poor guy, there was blood and stuff everywhere; skin piled up in his lap, charred flesh smell in the air. Twisted work, surprisingly clean though. Except for, you know, all the char marks. Next thing we know, we hear this dripping and like... sizzling. Look up, and there's this charred genasi standing behind Violet. Impaled her on a steaming sword and everything! It was wild! 'Course, I imagine Violet didn't like it much- the muffled screaming pointed to that, so..."
If looks could kill, the stares from Asriel and Thorin would have been seriously wounding. However, the ones Jordan got from Silver, Violet and Sera would have annihilated him a few times over. Not that he was unaccustomed to such things.
"Jordan... You are such an idiot sometimes." Sera could only shake their head in amusement, after a particularly hard facepalm. The strange choices one made, all in the name of love...
"What? All I did was explain what happened! You're welcome!" Sera let out a gentle sigh. They couldn't tell if Jordan was being sarcastic or sincere. It didn't matter either way.
"Sera, Violet... Is this true?" Silver turned his glare to Sera who merely nodded. Looking at Violet, she shrank under his gaze. He was less than amused with this turn of events.
"...Jordan is right, yes..." Looking to Sera, as if in silent appeal- the ranger's shake of the head meant she was on her own. Violet sighed, closing her eyes. "Before we had a chance to look around... A hand clamped down on my mouth, then I had a sword that was super-heated shoved through my damn chest, alright? That was how I found out He was there." Opening her eyes again, she reached for Sera's hand under the table- and grabbed it.
"How did you make it through? And why was I not there?!?" Silver looked disturbed by the news. He hated when others got hurt. That was his role. It hurt Violet, and she swear she could read his thought: I should have been there... I failed them. None of therm should have been hurt. A thought very similar to the hin, which led them all here...
"Just how did you manage to defeat him?!?" Thorin looked surprised at his own question. Rightfully so- the trio who went were the more... Not fragile, but less armoured. Easier to injure.
"What did you do to not break under emotional pressure?!" Asriel looked shocked.
Sera instinctively wrapped an arm around Violet's shoulders. Knowing full well this next part was going to be difficult to answer, the storm genasi offered silent support. Violet ran a hand through her hair. Taking a deep breath, she spoke. "We made it through... with great difficulty. Leviticus is- was- not a force to be lightly reckoned with. There was a point it was just... Myself and Him. Past and present colliding into one very... emotional, and dramatic moment." Here she paused.
"...So what changed?" Curiosity dominated the room, spear-headed by Asriel's question.
"...You did." Violet's voice was subdued, barely able to be heard.
This threw everyone into a state of confused shock. All of them looked to each other, then back to her. "What? But I was not there?"
"Yes, that is correct. I... This will sound strange, I must confess. Despite doing the best we could, there was a point I was alone. Portals to… somewhere hot tore the room asunder. Jordan had been brutally cut down, Sera impaled on a wall." Jordan nodded in agreement; Sera sighed with a reluctant nod. "Leviticus cornered me; I had no way out. For a moment, all I could think was 'This is how things end.' We would all die, or I’d end up His again. Then I heard... well, you, Asriel. 'What a terrible way for your story to end. You should write a better one.' And I know this sounds strange... But you were there. Thorin and Silver were too, lending strength and support. You were reminding me I'm a lot more capable now. And that..." Here she started giggling a little bit. "That I'm pretty good at showing everyone who the boss is, so why stop now, do I really do that?"
"Yes." Four voices- and Sera's board held up- caused the whole group to dissolve into laughter. Camaraderie, pure and sweet, washed over them all.
Asriel couldn't repress the slightly wicked grin as they all calmed down. "Is that why you ran up to me, when you got back? Because I was your... saviour?"
"...Yes." Face flushing gently, most everyone laughed to see Violet getting flustered. They already felt teary again- emotions had been running high lately.
Sera tapped Asriel on the head with their board, holding it up with a stare. "Go easy on her- the moment was trying, and it did save us all."
"So, how did it end?" Much as Thorin enjoyed the camaraderie, he wanted to know.
"With this." Jordan pulled a jar out- setting it on the table. Pale ashes, sprinkled with crimson-amber embers, gave an almost aethereal beauty to the strange sight before them. "Everyone, this is Leviticus Emberstride, The [Former] Blood Angel Of Karameikos. Say hello, if you wish."
"Hello." That got everyone- Violet included- laughing again. Violet took the jar and put it away.
"Enough about us and our Battle Of the Strikers- we can tell the tale in full later on. How have things been here in Highdell over the last two days?"
"Silk smooth. Silver, Asriel and I here kept busy with overseeing restoration efforts. Tightening up some of the soldier's training, restoring the chapel. Fixing up The Silver Nail, restoring it for whoever takes over next. Sounds like we should have been with yeh though" Thorin grinned.
"You think?" Sera's deadpan expression and slightly raised eyebrow got even more laughs out of them all. As the group settled, Sera shook their head. The things I have to deal with...
So there is warmth and light hidden underneath that darkness and ice, after all. Asriel couldn't help but smile a bit. Watching the violet-haired Hin laughing. It was good to see a real personality breaking through in that enigmatic soul of hers- maybe they could forge a friendship of sorts yet. But before he could say anything, he was interrupted.
"You know, we never did get to that elven encampment. Maybe we should go there and see what's what?"
"That does sound like a good idea. We should leave, before we're stuck outside overnight."
For the six, the easiest thing to do was follow Sera's expert skill through Highdell Forest. While they could take roads to get them somewhat close to where they were going, having a ranger on hand made the direct path less arduous. Woodsinger Camp, their destination- cut off for the Battle Of Albridge, now the destination for inquiring minds. Travelling through the woods, Sera and Violet realized they were not alone- silent eyes watched from the trees, coming and going. Curious to know who these newcomers were. Eventually the group came to a point they could go no farther- the trails were too confusing, even for Sera. They looked around, sighing- the scribbled something down, holding the board up for all to see.
"Can't tell where to go from here. Looks like every direction is a viable one."
"Damn... What do we do then?" Everyone shrugged, lost in thought.
"...Remind me why we we're doing this again?"
"Because I'm curious to see if anyone from either the Peachtree or Appleseed Clans made it here. Zenric said it might have been possible, but he didn't know."
Sera nodded, looking around again. Lost in thought. One of these paths has to be the right way to travel... But I can't quite tell which it is...
"We wondered when you arrive." A new voice cut the silence- and an elf stepped forward. Blonde, pale, almost as tall as Sera- amusement crossed her face as she stepped into the clearing.
"You knew we were coming?"
"Yes. Word travels fast in these parts- you're the one who broke the black cloaks. Come, I'll show you the rest of the way." Turning, she disappeared down a path diagonally upper-left. "Your ranger is good at what they do."
Sera tipped their head to one side- Violet could see the smile in their eyes.
~
True to the elf woman's word, they were rather close. Just a bit off course, and only fifteen minutes' walk away. Woodsinger Camp was a nicely cleared out area, nestled deep in the southwest part of Highdell Forest. Within this clearing, several nomadic tribes could be seen- caravans and tents scattered about the clearing. Many pairs of eyes fell upon the seven walking in- but the elf woman paid them little mind. Eventually she stopped. "I believe that's the one you want."
"Thank you, it was rather kind of you to come for us." Smiling with a nod, the woman walked off.
Approaching the caravan group, it looked... rather odd, contrasted against the rest of them. Smaller than the rest- not just the number of carts, but the physical size too. Just as they got close, an older Hin woman stepped out- with the distinctive scent of peaches in the air, drifting over the six. Violet's eyes went wide- this was no ordinary woman. Immediately Violet recognized the older woman for who she was- the Peachtree Baker. Safe and sound in Woodsinger camp, thankfully- but the positions between the two made the younger bite her tongue and hide.
The older woman looked to the group coming. Smiling at them, she made herself comfortable in a chair. "Good afternoon, youngsters. You look like you've sought me out for something."
"You could say that, yes. Are you... from one of the clans?"
"I'm afraid I don't understand the question."
Asriel rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry, Thyiatian is... hard."
The woman smiled, spying a familiar streak of purple tucked away in the crowd. "And who might that be, hiding among you?"
"That would be Violet, she... Violet, come here. This will be easier, if you talk." Gentle yet firm, Asriel pulled Violet into the front. She scowled, yanking her arm back- then waved gently to the older Hin. He could only shake his head in amusement.
"You need not be afraid, yallarie. You're safe to speak freely."
"Thank you..." Violet rubbed her arm gently. "What my friend here meant to ask is if you're part of the Peachtree or Appleseed clans... Though I think it's safe to say, I know the answer."
"I believe you do. What news do you bring from the clans?"
"We've driven the Iron Ring from the area. The Blood Angel has been slain- if you need proof, I've got the jar of ashes." Violet smiled, a bit nervous as the woman shook her head gently.
"Keep them, dear. One day you will want them so he may return. Or perhaps decide to simply cast them away. For now... Tell me, young one- what name do you go by?"
"Violet... And these are... my friends." Violet paused- last time she said that, it ended poorly. After a beat, she spoke on. "These are the brave souls who came with me- Asriel, Silver, Thorin, Sera and Jordan." Each waved at the mention of their name, before Violet spoke some more. "We managed to rally Tor's Hold, the Reedfoots, Albridge, Dardun and... Part of what we had to do was unite the Peachtree and Appleseed Clans. By now, the bodies have been removed from their posts along the north-bound road from Dardun to Albridge."
"Unfortunate we lost so many- and in such a horrific manner, no less." Violet clutched her sling hand, thinking about the bodies hanging along the road. The older Hin sighed. "Tell me, who is currently in charge of the clan?"
"The Granny from the Appleseed Clan. Nobody was sure if you were safe, or..." Violet let the thought hang in the air, not daring to speak the words aloud.
She nodded. "You've braved much, facing the shadows of the past, Violet. You and your friends have done much to save us all from a terrible fate. May I see your sling?"
Not daring to refuse, Violet handed it over. The woman quietly examined it- and smiled again. Wordless, the older Hin woman disappeared inside, humming quietly a moment- a song that was unfamiliar, but delightful to all ears. All six could see the woman put Violet's sling into... some kind of oven? Jordan's eyes went wide- that was an artifact. Asriel was also in shock- Immortal magic was extremely rare. The two of them shared a look. Just were they contending with here?! Soon enough the Baker came back with the sling. As she handed it back to Violet, Jordan touched it... Only to find his fingers frost-bitten. Asriel tried- same result. Even Silver tried to touch her sling- he too, wound up frost-bitten. How the Ice Lizardman suffered but the hin didn't, was a complete mystery. Thorin and Sera- seeing how the others ended up frozen- declined to touch.
"Why is it so bloody cold?! It came from an oven!" Jordan- like everyone else in the group- simply couldn't understand what was happening.
"It did." The Hin's smile told Jordan no answers would be forthcoming. She turned back to Violet, who was admiring it- the new design, and the scent of frozen peaches clinging to it. "There you are- fresh from the oven. Enjoy the denial, dearie."
"...Thank you very much. I will." Wrapping her sling back around her wrist, Violet smiled softly. Taking the path back through the forest, she left them to their mysteries. Sunny skies greeted the group emerging once again, reflecting the much brighter attitudes and sunnier friendships, closing this chapter of their lives. Leviticus and Nazin couldn't hurt anyone anymore. While the Iron Ring still thrived, a victory was attained. Eventually they would fall- one step at a time. More of her former Owners were out there- and Violet (with the help of the others) would find them, one day.
But for now... She felt free. A feeling she hadn't experienced in a very long time.