Session 7: To reconcile self or him?

Atka flipped through the journal briefly as she nervously waited for the message to come back from the Mage's Guild. She thought about what Nomad had said to her about not wanting to involve her in his battles, which is why he wouldn't show his face to her... and she had thrust him so deeply into hers without much thought of a consequence... Focusing back on the journal to rid herself of the sadness, she resumed waiting. Angus had graciously agreed after his successful trial to get in touch with his mentor, Delgin Quik. She really hoped he could help protect her from becoming like Mamnen had become...is becoming? She thought about trying to hide herself to ensure no one could help Mamnen identify and seek revenge/vengeance on her for his death, if he had died. He must've died. She held his corpse. But to hide herself truly would be so incredibly difficult: she had these horns that really helped her to stand out...that and how to hide in dreams?
 
Angus came to her after a while and said that they could go meet with Delgin. He knew to ask if she wanted Illidrex to come along. Atka played it cool and said, "If he wants to come..." Angus just replied "Yes, I'll get him." He saw right through her. Still a terrible liar, she thought of herself. Illidrex, Angus, and she did all go to Mount Waterdeep's edge. Just seeing it so close again gave her chills about that day.
 
After being led in, Delgin was quick to meet. Angus and he embraced. Atka relayed her story and concerns about becoming more like what a devil might be like, succumbing to intense feelings and eventually the dreams about her brother. Delgin was quick to confirm that perhaps, yes, Mamnen was still alive, and that she should seek him out and attempt to reconcile and save him. She, taking the knowledge of staying in control and not succumbing to temptation, thanked Delgin. Angus and he resumed catching up while Illidrex and she looked on.
 
Suddenly, Angus took out his weapon and placed it on his lap, very stoic. Illidrex coaxed it out of him that he was feeling a certain "foreboding" and they all might have to leave. Atka placed a hand on her abdomen to feel something, anything from those and did feel a distinct hole in the pit of her stomach, as though nervousness or fear gripped some of who she knew.
 
Upon arriving back at the Wandering Spirits, Atka saw Nomad praying and decided to wait patiently before approaching him about news of Mamnen. A crowd of her comrades formed around him: Angus, Kal, Orion... after some intense discussion she couldn't hear, things lightened up and she figured she could approach. She sat down and revealed Mamnen being alive, the dreams about him, what Delgin had said, and eventually, even around those who didn't really know--thank goodness Illidrex had shown up!--told them all about Ire Mennith. Kal seemed to recognize the name, stating he was a "trickster" devil. That was an interesting description pulled right from the journal. Why or how he knew that, Atka would have to explore later.
 
Nomad had stiffened, she noticed, after the mention of Ire and seemed to grow defensive or angry (to her) when she had said that she had been considering summoning him to make a deal to help her mother. Nomad firmly lifted his visor, displaying his face for the first time. Atka just stared and took it all in. He told her never to mess with this devil, that she reminded him of someone he cared for, and if she (that person) had ever been in this position, that is what he'd want her to know. Atka reassured him she was far too scared to go through with it, but her brother may not have been.
 
Nomad went on to tell everyone that it wasn't there only issue. That he had found out some things from his contact about the Black Network and the Stone of Galore. He stated that they knew where to start looking for this key, if it is a key... Atka immediately asked, "Do the people who are otherwise looking for it know that Renaer doesn't have it?" No confirmed answer. Her heart raced, she thought of Renaer being alone and at risk, having to later possibly bring Dagult bad news...
 
An explosion interrupted the conversation from just outside the door, one that shook the walls and rattled the windows... What in the Nine Hells....?