QUESTION FOR A QUESTION

***QUESTION FOR A QUESTION*** is the sixteenth session of *Glimpses Into The Fade.*

## Musings

*Knowing is half the battle in a lot of cases, and as Riya separates from the group for a day she goes to a person she knows she will be able to rely on. In this moment of relative peace, the unnamed party has quite a bit of reflecting to do.*

*Why you people? Why now?*

## **Synopsis**

Moving backwards in time, the focus is placed on Riya as she moves through Moonvale City. Riya finds herself at the last known place where her Nanna works, standing in front of the Maker's Devout Order. Approaching a guard, Riya is escorted inside to gain access to the building, passing by ornate stained glass windows and murals depicting the different events in The Maker's story. Receiving a visitors pass, Riya heads towards the faculty office where she is greeted by an unfamiliar man, who allows her to stay around until her Nanna's classes finish.

Her desk is filled with illustrations of her Nanna's family, photos of both her kids and Riya present. After a few minutes Professor Deladevi, Riya's Nanna, appears in the doorway shortly after the class bells ring. Seeing Riya, she rushes over and scoops her into a hug. Riya is teary eyed seeing her again, but her Nanna wipes her tears away. Cancelling the remainder of her classes, Nanna dedicates the rest of the day to go out with her granddaughter. The two leave the Maker's Devout Order and begin walking towards the Black Card, a bar restaurant where elite nobles go to eat as they preserve their anonymity.

Arriving to the Black Card, the two settle into a private booth, where Nanna insists Riya to choose whatever she likes regardless of the price. Ordering their food, Nanna curiously asks Riya what she's been up to. Riya tells her journey had led her to the Golden Phoenix Guild, how she was placed in a party with her new friends, and how their mentor had gone missing. Upon asking what had happened to him, Riya explains he was left up north, not reaching the teleportation circle in time. She further explains the situation with Ambrose, how Hira had undergone some spell under his discretion, and how he wished to continue to experiment on her. Nanna is having a hard time keeping up, feeling as if she's missed a lot. She offers to help in any way possible, and Riya begins asking about The Fade and portals.

Nanna describes The Fade being present in many different cultures such as The Chorus, the Dwarves of the Stormkeep Mountains have their own retelling as well. The Nomadic Elves of Rune have their own legends and beliefs, as does Oris, and presumably Hesmad and Atral. Rune doesn't view The Fade in a positive light, as it's seen as the wellspring of magic, the very origin of magic itself. She hasn't heard much on portals, to which Riya expresses they've had multiple encounters with the portals. Nanna offers some resources to her to further aid in her studies, but believes if the portals have been showing up everywhere then they've surely been reported on, she promises to look into it and to share anything she finds.

Nanna goes back to Riya's mention of Hira, asking if Riya knows how it happened. Riya isn't sure, only knowing Hira has been running away from the origin of it, she asks her Nanna if she's familiar with The Monarch. Her Nanna is puzzled, admitting it sounds like a curse but isn't familiar with the origin. The two converse until the booth door opens as their food arrives, more then Riya expected as her Nanna knows her granddaughter well. Before they begin to eat, Nanna places a hand ontop of Riya's, asking if she'd still like to keep adventuring, fearing for her granddaughter after hearing her speak of encountering dangerous things. She assures her that she'd help her go back to school, to find a job, have a quiet peaceful life. Riya starts trembling as she begins to cry, admitting she hadn't expected adventuring to be so difficult.

Her Nanna comforts her, reassuring she'll be there to support her, and that the time spent adventuring will not go to waste. Riya looks to her with determination in her eyes, saying she wishes to see this adventuring to the end. Nanna always knew she was a strong girl, but even the strong need to rely on others. She appreciates the kind words, calming down before continuing their meal. Whilst they are conversing Riya remembers the ring, extending her hand to her Nanna whose in shock that she's married. Riya panics, explaining she hadn't wed while she was gone but there was a person occupying the ring. Nanna suggests looking into other relics and folklore regarding the creation of music, specifically regarding the lute. She suggests looking into Elven folklore. Riya thanks her, taking their remaining food as they leave the Black Card.

Heading towards the Harbours Cove, seeing Anthir sitting by the bar, and is greeted by Mio. Mio asks if she's with Anthir, claiming she has great taste, and Riya slowly agrees but looks between them quizzically. Anthir has been accompanying him at the bar, whilst Hira and Oriza were sitting at the booth, and Bran seemed to have head upstairs. Riya thanks him, before heading to the booth her Nanna tells Anthir that Mio is a good boy, making Anthir flustered. As the two approach the booth, Oriza greets the two of them whilst Hira is a bit slower to react. Oriza offers them dinner, but the two explain they already ate and brought them food from the Black Card.

A tipsy Hira takes out a wooden box, Oriza expresses concern over already having eaten dinner and the fresh bento box spoiling by tomorrow, but Nanna explains the box is enchanted, it'll stay fresh for a while. Hira eats from the box wanting to put the soup Oriza had made into the box for later. Nanna asks if this was everyone, but Riya says there is one more missing. She heads upstairs to their room in search of Bran.

Meanwhile Bran had been writing in his journal, mustering all he could to write to Violet. It dawns on him that despite sending a letter to her, he set his address to Glenwell and all letters she sends will be there. He hears a knock on the door and is greeted by Riya, who wishes to introduce him to her Nanna. She can see the crumpled pieces of paper on his desk, but doesn't pry in Bran's business. The two head down, talking briefly of their day. The tavern is emptier now, Bran looks around wanting to talk about what they learned about, but looks over at Hira, unsure if she’d talk about things today. Bran tries to gauge insight on Riya, who looks more relaxed, and Bran squeezes her hand asking if shes alright. Riya says yes, saying she feels comforted by her Nanna, and wishes to introduce him to her.

Making their way towards the booth, meanwhile Anthir is by the bar. Seeing Riya and Bran return to the booth and thinks he should join them as well. Before he leaves, Mio asks if they'd like to hang out later. Anthir drunkingly accepts, saying he'll find him when he has the time. Everyone sits back at the booth and begin to talk. Bran begins to talk of his findings, but Hira shrinks in on herself knowing someone could be listening. She attempts to leave, but finds herself stuck underneath the table. It catches Nanna's attention, wondering what's happening, Hira expresses hesitation to stay around but looks into herself. The voice seems quiet, as if empty in this moment. She sits under the table for a few minutes, reassuring them she's still listening.

The conversation continues, Bran speaks on the story of The Maker, how he viewed he people as arrogant due to their dabbling of dark magics. The basic Chorus creation story believes the Maker had made the Fade, but wasn't happy with the beings he created within there. He then sealed it off with a veil, and created Orion in his image. But the practising of black and blood magic had lead to the Blight, and The Maker is now silent, that's what the Chorus teaches. Bran mentions the people seem to pray not to The Maker, but the Maker's wife, Vhanya. Nanna elaborates, saying they don't exactly worship Vhanya, but view her as a devout Saint of The Maker. Peoples prayers are often asking her to help them talk to The Maker.

Bran wonders if she's done anything in response to people's prayers, but Nanna explains people just need something to believe in as many believe in divine beings, it helps them find strength. Saint Vhanya was depicted on a horse, and in Chorus teachings, she's described as the first Paladin for the maker, bringing light to the greater part of Esmos to spread the Maker's good word. Bran asks about the Blight, Nanna says there's many different stories regarding the fall of the Archdemon. He asks if there's a version where the Blight ended because of a single person, but Nanna shakes her head, most professors of the Blight are up in Glenwell.

She's curious of why the group is looking for this information, she questions the party's next steps. Hira crawls from under the table, she mentions some people have their own separate goals, but it all starts with Monsoon. She isn't sure of their plans without him, but there's been going ons in The Fade, bleeding into Orion. Nanna asks the party why they feel responsible to be involved in such things, she questions everyone's reasoning to be going on an adventure. She asks everyone to find a reason, for it will be their strength to see things through.

Oriza speaks up, saying they are looking to avenge a loved one, as well as to learn the reason for their Kingdom of Elyxir to fall. Nanna asks if they believe the journey will lead them to answers and Oriza says it has to. She questions them again, why their party and why now? Bran speaks on wanting to get Monsoon back, saying he's grown to care about him. Hira agrees, believing it was her fault for his capture. Oriza talks of Monsoon having ties to his personal goals, as well as seeing him as a valuable comrade.

Oriza questions is it not natural to stop evil’s execution as it unfolds in front of you, not wanting to see what befell their kingdom to repeat itself to the rest of the world. Nanna looks to Anthir for his thoughts, who also agrees to having personal reasons to continue forward, it feels wrong to walk away. Lastly Nanna’s eyes fall on Riya, she expresses how everyone she's met so far has grown important to her. She finds herself committed to seeing the journey through, that its more than just writing a good story now.

Nanna smiles to the party, saying they've found their next step in their adventure. But if their friend is on the run of Lord Ambrose, the party might be holding onto too much hope that he made it out. If he's committed a crime he is most likely in Elderfield City. Bran asks where in Elderfield would they find him, and Nanna says most likely in the prison. People like Lord Ambrose stay there occasionally, he is a nobleman, and his brother enjoys him being nearby. King Agreste is Ambrose's older brother, the two biggest head of state the leader of research and innovation and the himself the King. Hira wasn't aware of this, coughing on her drink learning of Ambrose's status. Oriza is amused, satisfied that they punched royalty.

Nanna speaks up to Hira, asking how close they are. Hira reveals she's lived in the Western Roost Library, along with her aunt, Lord Ambrose often visits and look after her. The connection makes Nanna unsure if they'd be viewed as criminals, they should confirm that first. Monsoon's Sending Stone is given to many members of The Wing, it should be directed to Ambrose. Hira is unsure if they should contact him, but reminds the party they were originally called there because of urgent matters regarding The Fade. She finds herself regretting running in the first place.

Bran reminds her why they ran, but Hira was hardly mentally conscious after the spell. Bran explains how Ambrose wanted results, meaning he was going to try again and again, he wasn't listening to reason so they had to run. Hira squeezes her hands tightly in discomfort before Nanna speaks up, saying if it's magical in nature and Ambrose couldn't succeed, then perhaps older more powerful magic could aid her, such as a Wish spell. Bran asks where one could find such arcane knowledge, she looks regretfully and says Glenwell. Hira thinks back to when Ambrose had helped Calypso, the curse taken from her mind was a dull purple. Hira remembers hers being gray. She doesn't reveal this to anyone.

Nanna hopes she was of help, suggesting them to figure out if they're wanted criminals, find their friend, and go from there. Bran thanks her for her time and help with so many questions. Oriza leaves to help Resan in the kitchen. Nanna says her goodbyes, hoping to see Riya again before they leave. As she leaves, Mio runs up to her with a paper bag, handing her a meal from his father. The night eventually ends, Mio brings up an extra mattress to their room. As we all drift into sleep, Anthir smells the faint smell of flowers...

## Featured Characters

#### The Fireflies

* Anthir
* Bran
* Hiraeth
* Oriza
* Riya

#### **Returning**

* Mio Griwald
* Resan Griwald

#### **Mentioned**

* Monsoon
* Ambrose
* The Monarch