4. The Desecrated Isle
General Summary
When Mirage led her newest companion away from its herd, she found Asmira absolutely vibrating with excitement.
"Aurian Horses Aurian horses AURIAN HORSES!"
Asmira gushed over Toby's build, his wings, the sleek contrast of his coat, the delicate way he pranced around them, but Mirage eventually managed to bring focus back to the present objective; they had to keep moving.
Not knowing exactly where Jadeira lived, Asmira had no geographic direction, so they decided to just continue moving along the outskirts of Auria, hoping to avoid population centres until they heard from her.
Descending to take advantage of the Misty Sea's perpetual fog in the lower altitudes, they flew through the day. As they moved, Toby got some basic training in being haltered, mounted, and stopping on cue, as well as other basics of being a mount. The Pegasus was, predictably, skittish and particular, insisting on deference. They attempted conversation, but without direction or contact, tension stifled most topics.
Eventually they found a place where they could touch down. A vaguely circular earthmote, grassy with a few boulders scattered across it, populated by small animentals.
But as they approached, Toby shied and a sense of unease crept over Mirage like a chill running up her spine. There was an unholy energy eclipsing the mote, and she noticed with alarm that the animentals were following them as they circled, their eyes glowing red like hot coals.
They alighted on the crescent-shaped sliver of earthmote that still held wholesome growth, and set up watches. But as the shadows grew, the "animentals" became agitated. Soon there was no holding them off. Between the two of them, they handily defeated the small but violent creatures. Mirage could see the footprints of something large in the desecrated space, but was reluctant to venture closer for more details. Eventually, the trio passed into uneasy slumber. In the morning, Asmira shook Marwa awake, sparking with excitement."It's Jadeira," she said, "She Sent to me just now, asking where I was. I asked her to tell me how to find her home - oh!"
The next message reached into Marwa's mind as well. A voice slightly higher than you expected, speaking quickly despite the constraints of the spell. She described the location of her workshop and home, and the route there via the Elemental Vortexes. But Mirage wasn't ready to join the highways of Auria just yet. Asmira advised her that she would have only 25 words, and she focused to fit all her questions into a single reply: "still tattood should I break off, if yes contact Julius Noor, lydias husband, tell him to meet me at the lake cabin" The response was immediate. "Please stay with Asmira. Disguise her if possible. She is valuable captive. Teeth won't stop pursuing. southern Mistral Reach Wizard tower may help for favour" An extravagant expenditure of Sending spells, Mirage noted, and began thinking of how to form her final answer.