Erol's Death

General Summary

We returned him to the mage's quarters. Jduji was uncharacteristically quiet. Zbedi anxiously hovered around us, offering no help. ...I know I shouldn't judge. I was no better. What could I possibly do to help that she couldn't? Nothing. I'm not a doctor. None of us are. In the commotion, Davina and Octaviu had left us. I was... Pleased, to see that Dinu had not. He was remarkably calm. Dinu asked to examine Master Erol, and Jduji quietly allowed him. He traced over his arms and veins, silently examining the places the smokey tendril grabbed the master. He told us he believes a drain life spell was used over him. "If there's anything else you think you can assist with, let us know," Jduji said, his tone grave. He nodded, and told us what to do to ease Master Erol's pain. Dinu attended to the master's physical wounds. Zbedi, Jduji, myself, and the others set to following his instructions...
"I found this strange goo by where that portal closed," Octaviu's voice spoke in my, and presumably all, our minds. I'll admit my heart lept that some new discovery came from this... But I quickly snuffed that thought out. This was not the time for study, as much as I hated it...
As the night drew closer, Erol told Jduji and Zbedi to leave him. They protested, of course. "Please, I must speak with them alone," He told them. 'Them'? He looked to me, "Perhaps it would be best... If the rest of your companions were here?" "Ah..." He knew. Blast. "Of course," I nodded, and summoned the others over our connection. They said they would be here shortly. Master Erol watched with confusion. It wasn't cleared as Davina and Octaviu arrived. He spoke again, "I have not long but I cannot overlook the strangeness of what just happened. You must tell me the truth." My eyes fell to the floor "Rianemi, I know you. You're not a very good liar." "That hurts, Master Erol," I said, trying to hide how fast my mind was scrambling. I would definitely have to reexamine my self-assessment skills when this was over.
"I'm telling him-" I said through the connection. "...It's probably for the best," Dinu replied. "All good here," Octaviu said. Davina said the same.
Alright then. He's not long for this world. He deserves the truth... "It was not a whole lie- we did meet a god. That's probably not the best place to start but..." I trailed off. My words were failing me. "It's an interesting place to start a story, for sure..." His brows raised, as if telling me to continue. I told him what happened, from the beginning to the end, every detail and point that came to mind. As I spoke, his eyes widened, he sat up more, and his face lit up, switching between wonder and bafflement and disbelief with every new detail given.
"Remarkable.. Truly..." He paused in thought. He told us of his fears for Sewca, and his concern of what he's seen and what that means for the town. "I have something I should likely tell you as well. I am... breaking a confidence to share it with you," Master Erol said, his gaze sharp, "I have been training to be a member of the Quarum." The... Quarum? I wouldn't imagine he would... I just nodded. "I have not even been taken in confidence, but, when I have been training, I... hear things. Through doors and whispers... I should not be telling you this, but there is..." He trailed off, searching for his next words, "...A deep problem with magic itself. These sorts of portals, this is not the first time this has happened. Something to do with our magic usages has been calling these portals to us. The council has been calling for magic restrictions and such with no real progress... They know of it, but cannot do anything to stop it." He shook his head before continuing, "But this gift you've been given... You have the ability to stop this. If you do return, and I feel you should, let them know you have the ability to heal the tears." I nodded, but did not swear to him yet. He took note, but didn't press me. I needed to think.
"Would I have seen what you have seen..." He hummed, falling back in his bed.
"Maybe this is the first time... We're not sure if anyone else can see these," Davina said, as she removed her bandana, revealing the hole. "I cannot see anything," Master Erol said, a curious frown on his face. "That's a relief..." I played with my bangs.
"Now then, I think I need some rest..." Master Erol closed his eyes. "Of course," I bowed, before standing quick again, "Please do not share anything with the others." "Of course, you have my word... Just heed my words, please," Master Erol said. I believed him.
As we opened the door, it became obvious that Zbedi and Jduji were trying to listen in. These doors are thick. They wouldn't have heard anything of use, I'm sure. Jduji went right back to Master Erol's side, but Zbedi was slower. I shook my head at her. "Listening in - I thought you were of higher breeding than that, Zbedi?" I cooed. A low blow, to be sure, but she would go for the same. She had gone for the same, after all. She glared at me, then hurried into Master Erol's quarters. I set up in the libary again, thinking. Not for long, of course. Octaviu came and said wanted me to look over the 'goo' he found, while he went to get a bone examined. I didn't ask questions, and I was curious about the liquid... I took it to what passed for the alchemical quarters off the library. Looking at it, it became clear that 'goo' didn't do this substance justice. It seemed to switch between gas and liquid at will, just as the tentacles from the portal had. Fascinating. I fired up the alembic, and took several samples.
After working for some time, Davina's voice came over our connection "Rianemi, you were hurt far worse than I was, you need rest. Go to sleep." I didn't acknowledge her, I was far too busy... Well, I was. Now all there was to do was to watch the pot boil, as my master would say... So yes, I went to sleep shortly after. Not because she told me to, of course. It would be ready in the morning, and me watching it would not make it go any faster...
I awoke well rested, but murky on the night before. I knew I was plagued visions of a woman, standing with my companions in a darkened void. Her presence was calming, but something was wrong. She wanted something of me - of us - but what, I do not remember. Before I awoke, we made a deal- "I will give you three days, and we will meet again." She had said, her voice kind but firm. Nothing of value was promised, that I knew, but it was a deal nonetheless. I was sure we'd see her again. I did not trust her, despite how warm she spoke. The thought of seeing her again filled me with dread.
As I dressed for the day, I was hit with a wave of anger. Indignant anger, at one of our own. Ya'rubu. It didn't take a master to piece together why, either. I might not have fully remembered what happened, but I know him to have some piece of that dream. Cursed Nurehetics.
And as I fumbled with my boots, I knew what we had to do. And it was 'we' in this case, of course. The others were there. They might remember more. We would have to discuss it, preferably after I attended to the 'goo'. I wouldn't be able to approach Ya'rubu with just a half remembered dream and anger. No, I needed more...
I was startled from my thoughts by Zbedi pounded on my door. It happened over the night, she had said. Master Erol had passed. Oh god...
We gathered in the courtyard around the mages quarters. My boots remained unlaced. I stood by Zbedi and the other mages, watching as Jduji took to the front. He opened his mouth, but no words escaped. He glanced down, then tried again, his voice somber, "Last night, um... Master Erol succumbed to his wounds and he... Passed on." And there it was, just hanging in the air. Sewca remained quiet, waiting for his next words. "...I'll be trying to fill his shoes," He said, "-and we're going to redouble our efforts, so that this outpost represents the will of the council."

Report Date

08 Jul 2023