Legend of Ransera

They turned down on the street where the sign to the shop awaited them, Rickter groaning off and on from the aches that still wracked his body. Certain parts still felt sore from the descent down the Astralar the other night, and dealing with a spider's antics didn't make things any easer for him either. But whose to say that the trip didn't end in success, since he did end up finding the flower that had been asked to obtain.

Telion had carried it the entire way down here, wearing the bluish-white piece with her tunic outfit, as it accented the teal cloak she wore around her shoulders. Rickter had worn a sleeved shirt with a woolen jacket over it, the fabric keeping him rather immensely warm as they walked to the shop. When they reached the doorway the wolf paused, letting Telion be the first to enter through the hold. The bard nodded politely as thanks before opening the door to the shop, nudging it wider for Rickter to catch as she walked inside. The wolf brought it to a close after him once he went in, his expression a neutral one now that they were both finally inside.

Too hot though. He needed to remove his jacket before going in to see Lyra, for the wolf didn't want to be teased about overheating in her labs or anything. "Here." Telion offered as she came around to his backside to help tug the jacket off his arms, seeing as how the shoulders and neck were one of the few places that still ached. While you could only see the glow of his runes through the shirt, it was the bruises found along his back and ribs one couldn't see. There was of course the light bruising situated on the side of his head, now that the cut above it had started the process of healing up.

"Thanks." He remarked to her with a bit of appreciation in his tone, taking the jacket and folding it over his left arm afterward. "Now, let's get her that flower."

"You betcha!" Telion cheered with a bit of enthusiasm as she turned, leading the way into the shop so that they could seek her out. "Lyra?" She called lightly as they turned the corner to start walking down the hall. "We've got a surprise for you!"

The first set of Grimore was complete. Lyra almost sighed in relief as she added the finishing touches to the faintly glowing book in her hands, closing its cover with a snap and a ripple of energy. The Circle was very particular about their products Lyra had come to find, and so she had taken the time necessary to ensure the quality was of the highest caliber. Three books sat on her workbench now, each a different color with intricate designs wrapping their covers. Inset into each cover was a gemstone, matching the elements of fire, water, and earth. These would go toward three of the higher-level Savants who were nearing their tenure. Perhaps it was a bribe, or an incentive, to keep these talents deeply entwined with the Circle and their politics. Or maybe it was simply what it appeared, a gift for 3 talented students. It mattered little to Lyra in truth. The Circle paid well for the products, and it gave Lyra herself an opportunity to try new things.

Picking up the three books Lyra carried them in her arms out of her workshop and into the main store, pausing to smile a small, welcoming smile, to the young Telion as she came around the corner.

"Wellcome, Si'fera." Her eyes fell on Ricky as he entered, and the smile slipped slightly, "And to you as well, Be'al."

Habitually Lyra opened herself to the symphonies, examining both Telion and Rickter curiously. Rickter was, as always, overly suspicious, though she could tell notes of tiredness in the form of slowed melodies, typically caused by constant or fresh pain. Telion seemed similar, though her general nature of positivity did much to hide her own weariness. With a thought Lyra pressed down on the notes that drew focus to pain, exhaustion, and weariness, heightening the sensations of contentment and pride at having completed a job. The work was subtle and so routine that Lyra hardly noticed herself doing so.

When her eyes fell on the flow Lyra's expression changed to sudden excitement. Quickly she crossed the distance, setting the books down on the desk and coming close to examine the flower.

"Is this the bloom I requested?" She asked, genuine curiosity flavoring her tone as she hesitantly touched one of the petals. Almost as an afterthought, she added, "Was the journey a difficult one?"

As Lyra came out from the door to her workshop area, the smile she offered received with a warm grin from the bard in return. "Thanks Lyra!" Telion offered as Rickter's gaze darted from one woman to the next. Lyra's very smile seemed to lessen at the sight of him, something that Rickter wouldn't have been bothered by originally, though now he couldn't help but feel a little troubled by it. Why though went beyond him, only that he experienced it shortly after brief observation.

"...Hi." He gently greeted in turn with no brutish tone, not as resilient as he used to be towards the shop owner. Though time had kept them from seeing Lyra often, Rickter in particular, he hadn't forgotten the extent of teaching she'd provided them last season. Though something deep in the pit of his gut still refused to trust Lyra, he had learn to give it a rest and at least allow the woman to breathe... if she could even do that. His limbs as did his body still did plague him with tension pains, those about the only real 'trouble' he was having right about now. He couldn't help but wonder though why every time he neared Lyra, it felt as though something always watched him when such was the case. Probably another reason why he sometimes felt uncomfortable around her, even after the amount of time spent associating with others over the season.

Telion was brimming with excitement though, a state that the wolf did appreciate to see all the same. "Guess what we've brought!" The wolf's rigid lips softened into a warm smile as he watched, Telion moving to extract the potted flower from within the front pouch of his pack. Moments later she revealed it, the Frost Flower that Lyra had asked for them to find, refitted in a small clay-based pot with fresh dirt as well. "You betcha!" The bard quickly confirmed with a proud grin to the sorceress, as Lyra brought a hand up to inspect it's petals though she asked a question, leading the pair to look at one another as they both groaned a "hm" rather simultaneously. "Well... Sort of?" She tilted her head over towards Rickter with her eyes on him, the wolf looking to Lyra himself with tired but calm eyes when he elaborated.

"It was within the lower peaks of the Astralar, climbing to it wasn't difficult with magic." At that implication he gently crossed his arms, slightly pained from the stiffness in his movements as he rested them over his chest. "I almost missed it come to think of it. It was dark out so a flock of Vulcan's were difficult to see."

"He had to go alone actually," Telion remarked thoughtfully when he paused, the wolf looking down at the bard as she summarized the story as a whole. "Long story short we had a third accompany us, thought she'd hunt for herself I'm guessing, but a starving dire wolf attacked camp so I stayed behind to treat its wound. Rickter went up the mountainside alone to find the flower, I honestly was a little worried until he came back down with a small avalanche." She looked to him caringly, the wolf picking up on the concern as the corners of his lips widened just a bit more.

"It turned out okay in the end." He shrugged it off as though it were nothing, leading the bard to lightly chuckle as she held the potted flower towards Lyra.

"Well, here you go! I managed to plant the flower's stem into some soil, so hopefully, the roots will burrow and settle within."

"It seems the journey was more perilous than I originally suspected." Lyra said, glancing between Telion and Rickter for a moment before her eyes were captured by the flower once more. As she moved Lyra could feel the slight, yet ever-growing, the delay between her thoughts and her movements. Though she would never say it, the flower was coming at a time when Lyra needed it most. Already she could feel herself expending more and more aether in the general upkeep of her vessel. This particular plan, according to Jacun, would be especially useful for those who were aether depleted.

Perhaps it was because of her situation, or maybe some true glimmer of compassion that had long since been buried, but after a brief moment of thought Lyra made a decision.

"Come." she said, straightening, "Let us sit and talk for a time. You can tell me more of your journey, and we can discuss your compensation."

Walking around the desk Lyra absently shifted a glowing dragonshard lantern on a stand slightly to the side. As she did a series of glyphs activated, flowing down the side of the desk and toward the front door where there was an audible clicking sound as the front door was locked. There were currently no other customers, but Lyra did not wish to risk one entering while they were away. Motioning with one hand Lyra would lead them up a set of curved steps behind the desk.

The main floor was spacious enough. Directly across from the stairs were two rooms, though both doors were shut. An open door to the right revealed the presence of a library with glowing lights illuminating it from within.

"Sit yourself wherever you wish." Lyra said, motioning to the table as well as the sofa. She walked past all of these, walking straight to the cabinets where she began opening several and pulling down several things, including a teapot and several glasses. A series of leaves and herbs were laid out on the counter as well, and Lyra used a knife to cut off several long shavings of a root-like a plant into the open pot. She then filled the bot with water and placed it over a coil of metal on the countertop, with a red dragonshard at its center. After passing her hand over a symbol the coil began to glow red with heat.

"Tell me, what are these Vulcan's?" Lyra asked, curious as she placed several of the herbs into a bowl and began grinding them with a blunt wooden instrument. She turned slightly so that she could see them, "And this wolf?"

Telion's expressed brightened a bit in regards to Lyra's observation, the statement of peril on the journey led the pair in the shop to look at one another briefly. "Well, depends on how you look at it I think." To that the wolf chuffed in with humor, his gruff posture still strong even as he listened to Lyra's instruction. The Necromancer wanted to sit and discuss the details of the journey, undoubtedly wanting to know every detail necessary to locating the flower. As Telion approached closer to his side the duo watched Lyra, the wolf noting the very lantern she had moved, as the door behind her desk became unlocked not a moment later. Truth be told he was fascinated by her work, as Rickter hadn't yet found time to sit down and continually practice Scrivening. Nevertheless, it was always visits like this that reminded him of it though, because there was always something new to learn at every turn when he came here.

When the pair followed the shopkeeper up the steps beyond the door, Rickter allowed Telion to go before him before he followed, apprehension found in his arm before he closed the door behind them on the way up. He still didn't know what brought on his uneasiness with Lyra, but so long as he kept his eye on Telion, he felt comfortable with following her up to wherever she took them. If it were a trap then... well, he could just wolf out on her, he guessed anyway... He had no real reason to distrust Lyra though of course, only wondered the risk of mistrusting her in the event she did pull something. Needless to say when they arrived into the next room at the top, Telion quickly greeted him once more with a grin before nodding toward the chairs. "Come on silly! It's just tea after all."

"Alright..." He agreed with a soft exhale through his nostrils, as his eyes wandered the room for a moment with vivid curiosity. Spacious for sure and oddly enough, settled in as though someone actually lived here. Not sure what he expected the wolf considered the possibility of the place being... well different for sure. He didn't know what to think with Lyra half the time, that it even applied to the way she lived and how she decorated. Surprisingly there were a couple of spots in the room fixed up with magic, and after his initial observation passed he quietly followed Telion toward the table, before he pulled her a chair first when she started to reach for it.

"Thank you." She murmured to him with a hearty smile as he nodded slowly, his steps to the chair next to her paced as he still groaned a bit in the attempt to ease down. When he finally sat down the bard looked to him sympathetically, having not forgotten the state he was in when he'd returned to camp. That and of course, dealing with a fucking white dire wolf on top of everything. It was when they found their seats that Lyra had inquired further on their story, her curiosity piqued at the part of the Vulcan's as well as said white wolf that came into their encampment. "Well, the wolf was the first sign of our trouble I think." Telion remarked thoughtfully with another glance to Rickter, though she resumed a friendly smile toward Lyra afterward.

"We were camped out nearby the base of the mountain range, Rickter planned on finding a way up for us in the morning, until a starved dire wolf came approaching the camp." When Telion left off for a moment she looked to Rickter, as though she expected the wolf to jump in anytime, and explain the situation with his version of the tale. He merely raised an eyebrow to her in response, which prompted the bard to giggle softly before she continued. "We also had another companion join us, she's a hunter of some kind and she almost wanted to eat the wolf."

"Nnerka's a spider woman of a sort, so she's a predator in her own right." The wolf murmured lowly to Telion, who quickly agreed as she continued on.

"Right, you pretty much subdued the wolf, but she was intent on killing it anyways." Telion corrected with her back a little straighter as she leaned into her chair. "That's pretty much when I stepped in, only because I didn't think it right that a beautiful creature like that had to die. Rickter wasn't intent on killing it at least, and when the poor thing fell to the ground you could see just how starved she'd been. Injured too, until I treated it with a bit of fire magic..." So that was how she did it then, Rickter wondered what that pained yowling was that night. He knew she treated the animal to the best of her ability, but the application of fire to close the wound was rather clever to him. "And after that Rickter was on his way up the mountain. Alone."

When she added that last part Telion looked to him. Hard. Whether it was from his decision to scale the slopes alone that night, or just her way of telling him it was his turn to talk, he almost chuckled as the corner of his lip twitched for a moment. "Aye... I went alone to find the flower. Ran into a mountain lion on the way up, managed to scare it away with a bit of wind magic. Made my way up the mountain range to a certain point, and that's where the flower was waiting for me, along with the flock of Vulcan's as well."

"Oh, right, you were asking about those earlier too." Telion quickly remembered as she looked from Rickter to Lyra once more. "They're somewhat big creatures that hunt within the mountain range, sort of like vultures, but they're more cunning and temperamental. Think of it as like... a monkey and eagle spawned something awful together, that's sort of what Vulcan's look like when I see them."

"Despite their looks, they're sufficient pack hunters too..." Rickter remarked with his eyes averted, though, not before they shyly observed Lyra as she worked. "Did my armor some damage before I could blast them away."

"So is that how you caused the avalanche?" Telion inquired with vivid curiosity, the wolf awkwardly gazed at her before nodding slowly in turn. "Huh, thought I'd heard you pull something up there." She left off there with another curious glance to Lyra in turn.

"Common" "Synskrit" "Norvaegan"
"Rickter" "Telion" "Hannah"

Ricky

Lores: (8 Eligible, 4 Requested)
Resistance: Building Up Pain Tolerance Gradually
Resistance: Walking Off Your Trip Down The Mountainside
Storytelling: Recalling Incidents As They Occurred
Storytelling: Sharing What You Have Learned

Loot: N/A
Injuries: N/A

Points: 8, may not be used for magic

Comments: Nice bit of storytelling recounting a "simple" flower retrieval. Quick, easy, transactional.

---

Lyra

Lores: (5 Eligible [reduced for wordcount shortage], 0 requested)

Loot: N/A
Injuries: N/A

Points: 5, reduced for wordcount shortage, may not be used for magic

Comments: Lyra always gets what she wants, doesn't she? Looking forward to seeing more of her plans come to fruition