Friends In High Places

In the evening, Maudit and Val are chatting at the bar. She asks him about the issues they've had with devils. He tells her some of their experiences, and she asks if he thinks it's related to the Assembly, which he doesn't know. He asks if she is part of any organization, and she says she's just traveling around.

She tells him that the Silence has some questions for him. He admits that he lost the coin that he had from them. In particular, they want to know what he's learned about the cult of the Dragon Queen. He tells her about the cultists they ran into on their way to Azmarin.

Marshall sends a message to Izzy, apologizing for failing her. She tells him not to bring the heart to where she is, but to keep their children safe. Aureo arrives and asks him to show him how to cast Sending sometime. They discuss wanting to go get his mother, but not feeling like they're strong enough to do so yet.

Downstairs, Deirdre arrives at the tavern and finds Leona. The group gathers around here, quickly getting her some alcohol, and escorting her upstairs to talk. She tells them about her experiences talking to Leonis and going through her trials, and learning that she needs to forgive herself. She tells the others about her dreams and dealings with the Whispered One. She also tells them about the Whispered One's demand to have Leona cast Identify on everyone, but says she doesn't want her to do it.

Kesra tells them about the dream that she had when the old man stabbed her in the chest. She tells them that Pelor said she needs to protect the 3 of them, especially Leona, or the world will end. Maudit tells them that he thinks there should be no more secrets between the 4 of them, and tells Kesra about recognizing her mother at the Well of Wonder, and his experiences with her. They talk about Maudit's Sending Stone, which had an S on it, and Leona's, which didn't. He tells them about his conversation with Val, and about Zephaliar.

Leona takes a moment to pray to Pelor for guidance for Kesra. Val pops up next to her, telling him she heard their conversation. Leona messages Deirdre, who comes back upstairs. Val gives Leona a new Sending Stone, with an S, and tells her she's been with the Silence for a while, and doesn't know what the black stone Roman gave her was. Leona asks her if Roman Kentigern is in the Silence, and she says that he was, but only as a mole for The Assembly. He was found out as a mole about a month ago. Leona asks about Maud, giving a description of her, and Val says that this is a false identity of Venvyre, who is the leader of the Silence.

Val assures them that she believes with all her heart that the Silence are doing what they think is in everyone's best interest, even if their methods are a bit extreme. Deirdre asks if the Silence had anything to do with her mother, and Val says she doesn't know anything about her, although kidnapping people does sound like something the Silence would do. Leona asks Val if she trusts Venvyre, and she hesitantly says yes.

After Val leaves the room, Deirdre hears a voice in her head, telling her that he hears that she's been misbehaving. She defies him, and the sensation leaves her. A hooded elven figure suddenly appears, striking her multiple times, taking her powers away from her. He whispers "Good choice. I'll be back", and disappears.

Aureo arrives, and they summon Marshall as well, and Deirdre tells them what happened. He attempts a Greater Restoration on her, but there's no change. Aureo comforts her, and they put her to bed for the night. Aureo gets Maudit, who comes and sits with her, getting the story from Deirdre and Leona. They leave Maudit and Deirdre in the room for Deirdre to get some sleep, and Leona fills Kesra in. Later, Aureo spends some time comforting Leona. He tells her that he had a dream recently, which he believes was from Helm, of Leona fighting off hordes of devils.

Meanwhile, Kesra finds Val, and she and Marshall sit with her at the bar. She admits to them that she was listening in on their conversation earlier, and they talk a bit about what she and the Silence want to know about what the group knows. She asks what they know about the queen and her recent reasoning skills. They refuse to answer, but grill her for what she knows instead.

Back upstairs, Leona tells Aureo that she worries that everything she told him has been passed to the Assembly. Aureo tells her that he thinks that's likely. In the other room, Dierdre and Maudit talk, and he asks her if what happened with her and Eachthighearn was because of him, and she tells him the whole story. She tells him it wasn't his fault, but her own foolish heart. He tells her that he loves her, and she tells him the world could end right then, and she would be happy.