A Veiled Journey (Part 4)

The root.

You are being lead by a group of Shadow Elves -- now more of them, yes -- out of the location you were in and further into the Forest of Whispers. The sounds of them seem to have dimmed as was stated so you need no longer stuff your ears. That's good.

Still, the Forest is not a 'welcoming' place. A tangible sense of sadness and loathing permates it, as if the trees themselves were twisted by them.

"You'll be the first non-Mul to see the way to the Root in some time. Congratulations on making it this far," he says, glancing back over his shoulder at you.

"It's the path to Lathtail," he explains.

It isn't too long before you see what he means. The Root is ... in fact a root.

... but it's massive. A massive and gnarled thing, twisted. A tree root, but one of *immense*, colossal size, for a tree that must be *immense*. The root, however, twists up into the canopy from where it emerges from the ground, almost as if the whole scenario is ... inverted?

It's only now, as they get closer to the root and the strangeness starts to become apparently, that Malik actually manages to look a little less dour. Reaching out, he laces his fingers in Seldan's, eyes flitting here and there as he just takes in the sights, a genuine smile starting to spread a bit. The wizard, for all his brooding, can still find wonder in the grand magics of the world, outside of the cities.

He gives Seldan a look, but whatever conversation passes between them is silent.

Seldan does not answer when addressed, so busy is he looking around at the ancient forest and its magic. When his hand is taken, he squeezes it absently, but does not smile. The sadness and loathing that permeates the place seems to have caught him, and ice-blue eyes begin to reflect that sadness as they walk. Taking his hand starts him out of it, but not for very long, and he seems - distracted. He does not speak to anyone, at least not aloud.

The Gobbo remains as close to the others as possible, just barely staying out of being underfoot.

As the root comes into view, she cants her head back as far as possible, peering up at length.

"Is this... the underside of the Tree of Life?", Acedia wonders out loud.

Zeke also keeps his silence, and keeps close to the others. The strangeness of the Root is in its way a perfect location for the strangeness of this trip. A fitting destination. They are drawn about by strangeness, and he does his able best to keep himself apart from it in his mind lest it consume his thoughts.

Serene, expression as grim as ever, perhaps even more so... there's a sense of being perpetually on guard that surpasses even her usual demeanor. Unsurprising, perhaps, considering the combination of her vocation and her birthplace.

"Could be," remarks the Shadow-Elf lancer to Acedia, casually, as a way to stoke speculation. He clearly enjoys it. Whatever the answer is, of course, he doesn't seem inclined to give more of it.

Still, as you approach a place in the root, a doorway seems to emerge from it, as if the wood itself is responding to your presence and peeling back to allow you passage into it.

"The way to Lathtail is barred to all without our permission. Fortunately, you've aroused the curiosity of one." He gestures inside with his lance.

"Enter."

For a breath or two, Seldan's expression goes faraway, in the way of one listening to a thing only he can hear. He seems to do that a lot lately. This one, however, is brief, and he nods. "I understand. You honor us with your assistance." His eyes go back to the enormity of the wood that seems to open for them. "Let us go." He steps confidently towards the doorway into the root, looking back to see if the others follow.

Malik almost seems to hesitate a moment, eyes still on the strange root structure, looking for all the world like he's about to ask for a few moments longer. For study. But as Seldan disappears through the door, he gives a little sigh, following along.

Acedia only pauses to listen to the Mul'niessa bid them enter, and she does so, following in Seldan and Malik's wake.

"This is one of those things that sticks in one's memory for the rest of one's life."

Zeke hums low in his throat as they approach the moving Root. It's a concerned sound, but not one that is concerned about their situation as it is about Seldan. The man is so deep in his own thoughts, in what is being said to him by the Veil that he seems lost in it. Zeke's eyes flicker back and forth between Malik and Seldan. If he were to guess, he'd say that the pair are also communicating, but that is often the way with those long engaged together as well. So perhaps it is his imagination. Still, he hastens his step somewhat nodding to Seldan as he draws closer to the other man. "Thisss one isss with you kin." A reminder that he is there should serve to bring Seldan forth from his mind.

"Indeed, it probably will," Serene remarks to Acedia as she follows the others into the depths of the root. "This is assuming they allow us to leave with such a memory."

You are ...

... inside a root.

Inside a giant root. Floating wispy lights pass by you, lighting the way. It's almost automatic. Despite how large it is here, one can not help but feel claustrophobic. It is easy enough to realize that sensation is not natural. It's a character of the place, as if the walls are deliberately designed to feel as if they're closing in on you at all times, even as you begin to take a zig-zagging course through what appears to be the interior of hollow, deeply gnarled roots.

The walls are black and decorated molds and fungus. They also glow.

The Gobbo looks to Serene and snorts, "Full of good news today, aren't ya?" She grins and shakes her head.

She looks to the path ahead. Her nose wrinkles as she takes a sniff at some of the molds and fungus. "Alive and dead at the same time, smells like. How far do these tunnels go?"

"Grateful am I for it, kin." For the first time, Seldan looks back when Zeke speaks, and offers him a brief ghost of a smile. His gaze finds Acedia and Serene as the two talk, something eerie in the look as it becomes increasingly lit by glowing fungus.

He is silent for a time, but blinks at lengths, again retreating into silence, again with that faraway look. Something else has his attention, and it is unclear what.

Zeke kept his eyes on Seldan, worrying once again as the man's eyes slipped into the middle-distance. Something was on Seldan's mind. Or perhaps more accurately - in it. Something that released him only for an instant and though Zeke was glad of that instant, his concern lingered.

GAME: Malik rolls Bluff: (9)+21: 30

Malik gives a look to Seldan, a warm smile coming over him as he steps a bit to the side, falling back. And to those paying attention, he moves a hand very slightly outside of his cloak. It might almost be seen as an accidental movement -- save for the quick flash of the mercenary signals: 'stealth' and 'follow', an indication to be ready to move when he moves, and to keep their eyes on him. There and gone again, hopefully in time for his friends to see it -- and the guards not to.

Serene offers just the slightest raising of an eyebrow, as if to as, 'How long have you known me?' Her attention swiftly returns to the surroundings, however.. one her her hands straying to her side, gauntleted fingers tapping out a silent rhythm upon the leather of her belt. Little indication is given on whether she understands, or even sees, Malik's motions.

"Come on, then," says the Lancer, cheerfully, seeming to mind his obligation. The other shadow elves present, all armored and armored, are ... gloomier. But that is the way of this place, isn't it? Whispers and gloom. A darkness fit for their name.

But that's when you see it. An opening in the root wall itself. The other shadow elves don't seem to notice it, just yet, but *you* do.

It's just ... /there/. An alternate passage rather than the straight ahead one you have.

Is that it?

Only Seldan, perhaps, knows.

This whole thing about bucking guards and escorts and making powerful enemies everywhere he goes goes against -everything- Seldan has ever been taught, and even knowing what the Veil's will, and by extension Eluna's will, is, the idea of defying it is enough to send a stab of conscience, of worry even, for his vows. Still - he must decide, and swiftly.

He takes the opening in the wall to the side, without apparent comment or signal of his intentions. Simply - vanishes into it, with only the briefest of glances backwards. This time, though, for those watching, he seems present enough. This is a conscious decision.

Malik, too, takes the opening in the wall, making the 'follow' hand signal once more. He doesn't look back, though, keeping his eyes thoroughly trained on Seldan -- and for reasons not the least of which is, if he takes his eyes off the man, he can't be sure that Seldan will still be there when he looks again. He simply has to trust that the others see as well.

Acedia blinks in surprise as Seldan simply appears to vanish, and only after a moment's hesitation, she sees the alternate passage. Her expression is one of confusion, but she, too slips into the side passageway after Malik, her eyes wide in the gloom. There are many questions that want to be asked, if her eyes are any indication.

Having noticed the alternate entrance before, it wasn't hard to estimate where Seldan had gone. Particularly with Malik and Acedia quickly following down the dark passageway. Zeke doesn't hesitate himself to follow in their wake. Barely catching Malik's handsign. At least this time its one that he's familiar with. Though his command of that language is somewhat limited.

Ah. The primary weakness of the adventurer. The road less traveled. Or, at least, the road nobody wants you to travel. Serene's tapping fingers go still, though remain at her belt as she, too, follows the others, stepping through the surprise passage. As she passes through, she half turns her shoulders so she can watch their hosts' faces, hoping to take note of when, or if, they take notice of their 'prisoners' detour.

...each of you duck into this secondary tunnel, yes, one at a time, and the shadow elves are only noticing too late as you've vanished. It's not like they weren't anticipating .. *something*, but it's clear that there's nothing they can do about it, no matter who was watching. Worrisomely, however, it's just *now* that you notice your magical items regaining their former strength. They had been suppressed ...

... and you hadn't even noticed.

The root's wall has sealed up behind you, leaving a downwards sloping, twisting path.

Seems you're wanted somewhere else.

Stjepan walks downwards, hunching a little. Nothing like enclosed spaces to make one feel bulky. He hunches over more and more as he walks onwards.

Still Seldan continues to walk in silence for a time, keeping hands and weapons close, although the realization that the magical items he wore had been suppressed brings a black scowl to his features. _Tricksters!_ The guilt surging through him at having given their guards the slip melts away, and he stops, raising a hand and turning to the others once they have gone a little ways.

"I must ask your forgiveness for the silence," he begins. "It is in my mind that we are now safe, for a brief time at the least. Long enough for me to explain myself, and it is in my mind that I owe your loyalty that and far more." He scans the group, counting heads. "We follow the path to the heart of this place, a place to which the mul'niessa have no path, the Veil tells me. Something is long-awaited, that we are to deliver, although I confess myself uncertain of what that is."

"Ask me what you will, while we have a few minutes. We have not long, and yet would I have you know what it is that calls me."

"I believe that we are too far gone at this point to do anything but follow the path that has opened to us.", the Gobbo says quietly, in reply to Seldan. "We have trusted and followed up to this point, though there are many questions. I can only guess that you are in conversation with the Veil this entire time, and so know at least what must be done, even if vaguely."

Acedia shrugs her shoulders. "I've watch you all on the verge of death at one point or another, and I've watched you grow. I've died, been resurrected, been to hell and back, and flipped all manner of evil the bird. I've never been more proud nor terrified to have followed in your footsteps. Why on Ea would I stop now?"

Zeke looks at Seldan steadily, nodding to Acedia's words. "Tell usss what you will Sseldan. Thisss one thinksss that the Veil isss meant to be in thisss plasce. That thisss... Root welcomesss usss for it. Thisss one can not be scertain, but thisss one believess were were led here with purpossse. You have never led thisss one asstray Sseldan. Trussst your faith, trussst your-sself."

Serene grunts quietly, upon the realization of the suppression of her armaments. "It was to be expected... graciousness ever plays second place to prudence," she says, then dismisses it. Then she levels her gaze upon Seldan. "Light willing there will be time to explain later, Seldan. There is but one path forward and we will walk it."

Stjepan nods slowly, bent over from the weight of the tree. "The way out is through. So, it this about redeeming these people, d'you think?"

Seldan's eyes close, and not for the first time lately, he breathes a silent prayer of gratitude for stout and willing friends. They snap open again, and focus on Zeke and Acedia. "It is even so. Yes, she warns me when there is need, although the conversation is not constant. She is formed of Eluna's will and Animus' spirit, and thus do I place my faith that her will is Eluna's will, a thing beyond my ken, and yet has She never led me astray." A small, but genuine smile for that truth curves his lips upwards.

"I know not, but I suspect that it is larger than that," he answers, his focus turning to Stjepan. He turns, then, continuing to walk, and talk as he goes, bidding them with a gesture to follow. "It is in my mind that the llyranesi displeased the Seeress, hiding behind magic, as a child in its mother's skirts when a stranger comes to the door. They are concerned only for themselves, and it is in my mind that their selfishness displeases Her, and is not Her plan. If they would survive what is to come, they must drop their isolation and unite, that they not find themselves alone in a world conquered when the Veil at last passes."

"The theory is sound. But remain wary... formed of Her will does not necessarily mean that the veil herself does not enjoy a will of her own," Serene advises, though showing no indication in doubt over Seldan's plan. "As for the elves, I only hope their sudden exposure to the rest of the world makes them better for it. It will be easy for them to learn the wrong lessons."

Malik seems to come back to himself, something about the root structure having caught the wizard's attention for a moment. Maybe in the selective transmutation -- or conjuration, maybe? -- that it seems to be using, the wizard's eyes practically full of arcane formulae, working out the various laws of magic in his head...

Serene's comment about the elves, though, gets a small shake of his head, mouth pressing a bit tighter. "Even if it is the will of the Veil, and not the Goddess," he muses, "the Veil requires help. It was, effectively, being held captive, and then against its will. Not that any of us are in a position to argue with Primordial Magics that are all but an extension of the gods themselves, any more than the leaf gets to argue with the river that carries it downstream."

Zeke chuffs lightly. "If the Veil can ssspeak itsss will to Ssseldan, and it did not wissh to be kept where it wasss... then there wasss little choissce. It isss asss Malik sssaysss. We are now but leavesss on the river, allowing the godsss to lead usss."

...down you go.

You have a distinct sense of travelling 'deeper', but it's ... less physical. A sensation, yes, but almost like you're out of synch with your own perceptions of your own movement. Ahead of you, a light. Raucous cheering. Laughter. Voices.

Finally, you find yourselves emerging into what appears to be a glorious throne room. Walls of pristine rose quartz, shaped and contoured as they rise above you to form elaborate arches. Murals, visible but indistinct enough to swim in your vision, sconces lighting the chamber with ethereal, golden flames. Elves everywhere, all around you, faces fixed towards golden throne that blazes with a life of its own, as if it were the sun. A figure seated upon it, but it's like the light falls *into* him, vanishing into a never ending black hole all the same.

This is Myn'Sandriel. Not the reality of it, no, but the myth. A projection conjured and held together by your own thoughts.

You know this, because walking beside you is another figure, a cloaked woman clad in shadow.

"It's not real. You mustn't think that its real. It is your vision, but it's His mind. At the center of it all, the one who has waited long. The one whose self-loathing exists in the heart of every Mul'niessa, the one who's hatred clouds the judgment of all, and the one in who's bondage we all labor."

"You must free him from the chains of the past. You must free them all."

"You must free Menesil."

-TBC